External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar attended the inauguration of the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) Skill Centre at Circuit House in Ektanagar, Gujarat on Monday.

"Our effort is that more and more people should come here (Statue of Unity). Through tourism, the message of unity can be spread across the country and the world..." said EAM S Jaishankar.

"People from all over the country visit the Statue of Unity now. We are encouraging hotel companies to set up hotels here to increase tourism. I appreciate IHCL (Indian Hotels Company Limited) which is setting up a hotel and skill centre here" he further said.

Rana Talwar, the first person from Asia to head a global bank (Standard Chartered) passed away on Saturday at the age of 76 after being unwell for some time.

“We regret to inform about the sad demise of non-executive director Gurvirendra Singh (Rana) Talwar, which was intimated to the company by the family members,” real estate giant DLF said in a regulatory filing, reported the Times of India.

Talwar was a board member at DLF, having joined the realty major in 2006. He will be cremated at Delhi's Lodhi Road cremation ground on Sunday.

The Centre had declared the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) as an ‘unlawful association’ in 2014.

The Narendra Modi government on Monday extended ban on the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) as an ‘unlawful association’ for five years under the UAPA.

“Bolstering PM @narendramodi Ji's vision of zero tolerance against terrorism ‘Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI)’ has been declared as an 'Unlawful Association' for a further period of five years under the UAPA. The SIMI has been found involved in fomenting terrorism, disturbing peace and communal harmony to threaten the sovereignty, security and integrity of Bharat,” the home ministry's office posted on social platform X.

Responding to a distress call from an Iranian-flagged fishing vessel hijacked by pirates along the East coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Navy rescued 17 crew members by sending a warship to the area.

As per the Navy, INS Sumitra — a warship on Anti-Piracy Operations along the East coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden — responded to a distress message regarding the hijacking of an Iranian-flagged Fishing Vessel (FV) Iman. Somali pirates had boarded the vessel and took the crew as hostages.

In a statement, the Navy said INS Sumitra “intercepted the vessel, acted in accordance with the established SOPs to coerce the pirates to safely release the crew along with the boat and ensured the successful release of all 17 crew members along with the boat”.

Dr Nitya Anand, who discovered India’s first oral contraceptive pill ‘Saheli’, passed away after a prolonged illness at SGPGIMS Lucknow on Saturday. He was 99. His last rites will be held on Monday.

Anand was also the former director of the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) from 1974 to 1984. He was with CDRI since its inception in 1951. He published over 400 research papers and over 130 patents and supervised 100 PhD students, according to a report by Times of India.

He was the brain behind the discovery of Centchroman’, popularly known as ‘Saheli.’ It was the world’s first and only non-steroidal, non-hormonal, once-a-week oral contraceptive pill. It was launched by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1986.

A light and sound show was unveiled on Monday at the University Collecge of Arts and Social Sciences, Osmania University. The show that delves into the historical narrative of the establishment of Osmania University Arts College in 1917, tracing its history over the span of a century was inaugurated by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture G Kishan Reddy.

This illuminating experience will be open to the public every day free of cost.

Emphasising the university’s commitment to not only academic excellence but also the enhancement of students’ socio-cultural lives, Vice-Chancellor D. Ravinder expressed optimism that the campus would come alive every evening. Over the past year, a dedicated committee had diligently explored and curated the university’s historical events from its inception in 1917 to the present day. Reflecting on the initiative, Prof. Ravinder highlighted the university’s role in enriching both education and cultural experiences.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated Azali Assoumani, on his re-election as the Comoros President.

PM Modi affirmed hope that the two countries will continue to work to strengthen the India-Comoros partnership, the India-Africa partnership and the 'Vision Sagar'.

"Heartiest congratulations @PR_AZALIon your re-election as the President of Comoros. Look forward to continue working together to further strengthen India-Comoros partnership, India-Africa partnership and 'Vision Sagar.'" PM Modi posted on X.

Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Monday administered the oath of office to newly-appointed Punjab Public Service Commission Chairman Jatinder Singh Aulakh and Chief Information Commissioner Inderpal Singh.

Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma conducted the proceedings during a brief swearing-in-ceremony at the Raj Bhavan, an official statement said.

Aulakh, a 1997-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, retired as additional director general of police (intelligence) on January 31, 2023.

He hails from the Bargari village in Faridkot district.

Tourists heading to Ayodhya will also get a chance to explore water metro as state government will get two vessels for the purpose.

A government spokesperson said the vessels have been provided by the Union Inland Waterways ministry. Once they arrive, the Water Metro Service in Ayodhya will run them between Guptar Ghat and Sant Tulsidas Ghat and serve as an important attraction for tourists and pilgrims.

The total distance between the two points is about 14km.

“Water Metro Service aims at making modern and cheap means of transport accessible for the people living in the region. This will give an impetus to tourism in the area apart from easing the traffic congestion in the city,” said an official statement.

Ola e-bike service will be the “most affordable, sustainable, and convenient solution to commute within the cities”, the company said in a release.

Ride-hailing platform Ola has launched e-bike services in Delhi and Hyderabad. The firm also plans to expand its fleet in Bengaluru after a successful pilot, the company said in a release.

With prices as low as Rs 25 for 5 km, Rs 50 for 10 km, Rs 75 for 15 km, the Ola e-bike service will be the “most affordable, sustainable, and convenient solution to commute within the cities”, the release said.