In Telangana, a unique model for TB-Free Municipalities under the Project Swasthya Nagaram, has been launched yesterday in Hyderabad. Under the collaborative initiative of State Tuberculosis Cell, Municipal Corporations of Peerzadiguda, Boduppal and Pocharam in Medchal Malkajgiri district, Central TB Division, WHO India USAID and others, the project aimed at achieving TB-free municipalities.

The stakeholders informed that the innovative approach will demonstrate ending TB in an urban setting where social determinants have huge impact on increasing the TB burden with an approach of surveillance, prevention, complete cascade of quality TB care with engagement of multi stakeholders.

The model will be implemented in urban settings of Peerzadiguda, Boduppal and Pocharam Municipal Corporation over a period of 3 years aiming at bringing down one third of TB incidence, and bringing down TB related mortality. Commissioner Health and Family Welfare and Managing Director National Health Mission RV Karnan formally launched the ‘Swasthya Nagaram’ project. The Union, Programme Director Dr. Jyoti Jaju said the innovative programme is a significant step towards combating TB and promoting community well-being as it will provide free medical care to the patients along with counselling for the family members.

In a bid to push employment in manufacturing and job creation in formal sectors of the economy, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Tuesday announced three employment-linked incentive (ELI) schemes for two years and an internship programme in partnership with India Inc for five years in the Union Budget for 2024-25.

The thrust on employment and job creation in the formal sector is the first clear acknowledgement of the unemployment challenge, a hot-button issue in the Lok Sabha election campaign. There is growing concern over rising unemployment and a shift of workers towards agriculture and other informal sectors after the pandemic.

The National Jal Jeevan Mission achieved a historic milestone today providing tap water connections to 15 crore rural households across the country. The Mission has showcased unprecedented speed and scale increasing rural tap connection coverage from three crore in 2019 to 15 crore in a short span of five years. The mission was announced in 2019, with the aim to provide a tap water supply to every rural home by 2024.

In a post on social media post, Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil said, this milestone has not only given a gift of pure water to the countrymen but also improved their quality of life. As of date, eight States and three Union Territories have achieved 100 per cent coverage. This includes Goa, Telangana, Haryana, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Puducherry, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a Mini-Ratna PSU under the Ministry of Railways, has shared an achievement of a landmark in its 25th year of incorporation by entering the coveted group of Scheduled 'A' Public Sector Undertakings of the Government of India.

The Ministry of Railways, through an office memorandum dated July 19, 2024, announced the upgrade of IRCTC from 'Schedule B' to 'Schedule A' Category, Central Public Sector Enterprises.

On this occasion, Sanjay Kumar Jain, Chairman & Managing Director of IRCTC, said, "IRCTC's promotion to a 'Schedule A' category PSU is indeed a significant achievement as it signifies IRCTC's robust performance. This recognition reflects positively on IRCTC's management, operations, and contribution to the hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors under the Ministry of Railways. It's a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved with IRCTC over its 25-year journey."

The state-owned oil major, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) has handed over a state-of-the-art green hydrogen fuel cell bus to the Indian Navy, the company said in a release on Monday.

The initiative aims to promote hydrogen and fuel cell technology for heavy-duty e-mobility, positioning the Indian Navy as a pioneer in evaluating this technology in collaboration with the company.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between both entities in the presence of Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff, S M Vaidya, Chairman, Indian Oil, and senior officials of Indian Oil and Indian Navy. The MoU was exchanged between Vice Admiral, Deepak Kapoor, Controller of Logistics, Indian Navy, and Dr Kannan Chandrasekaran, Executive Director, Indian Oil at the Nau Sena Bhawan, New Delhi.

Vani Kapoor, Tvesa Malik and Ridhima Dilawari missed the cut and failed to advance into the final round of the Dutch Ladies Open.

Vani Kapoor, who started the week well with a good start of 2-under 70 in the first round, dropped to 4-over 76 and missed the cut by one. Vani was 2-over for 36 holes and the cut was 1-over. Also missing out were Tvesa Malik (73-80) and Ridhima Dilawari (73-75).

Switzerland's star Kim Metraux followed up a fantastic first day with a 5-under 67 to extend her advantage at the top of the leaderboard. Metraux, who is searching for her maiden LET victory, led overnight after an opening round of 65 (-7) at Hilversumsche Golf Club.

Atiqa Mir, the nine-year-old racing sensation of Indian-origin from Srinagar, created history at the famous and prestigious Le Mans Kart International Circuit by becoming the first female racer in the world to win a race in the RMCIT - Rotax Challenge International Trophy on Sunday.

She achieved this by winning race two in the heats of the Micro Max category. The RMCIT-Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy is one of the most prestigious international race meets which attracts the best kart drivers worldwide, including several current and past winners and world champions.

Yuki Bhambri and his French partner Albano Olivetti came from behind to defeat the all-French duo of Fabrice Martin and Ugo Humbert to win the Swiss Open, an ATP 250 event in Gstaad, on Sunday.

Bhambri and Olivetti, seeded third, beat Martin and Humbert 3-6, 6-3, [10-6] in the summit clash which lasted an hour and six minutes.

The 32-year-old Bhambri clinched his second doubles title this season with Olivetti and overall third of his career. He won his maiden ATP title at the 2023 Mallorca Championships with Lloyd Harris. He won his second title at the BMW Open in April this year with Olivetti.

Nigerian artist Fola David is seeking the Guinness record for the largest drawing by an individual after spending six days on his piece in a stadium in, the commercial capital Lagos.

David, also a medical doctor, said his 1,050 square-metre “Unity in Diversity” artwork, an image of two giant hands holding Nigeria’s map, was meant to showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage.

“Most people want to belong to a particular place and then they create problems and fight against other cultures and all that, instead of learning about them, embracing them, and loving each one of them,” David said.

The project was a long-held dream for David, who first applied to attempt the record in 2015 but could not embark on it. After applying multiple times and receiving approval from Guinness World Records, he finally brought his vision to life.

The Manns number about 2,000 and the Hajongs have some 42,000 members. They are two of the five minor communities clubbed together as ‘unrepresented tribes’ for nomination in Meghalaya’s autonomous tribal councils.

The stories that such communities and the three principal matrilineal communities – Garo, Khasi, and Pnar (Jaintia) – may have to tell was one of the reasons why Meghalaya launched State-owned Hello Meghalaya, an OTT platform primarily for regional languages with a limited reach or small market, on July 11.

It is the second such State-owned platform for creative content creators after CSpace was launched by the Kerala government in March.