Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the year-long commemoration of 150 years of the National Song “Vande Mataram” in New Delhi today. He will also release a Commemorative Stamp and Coin on the occasion.

In a social media post, Prime Minister Modi said, the day marks a momentous occasion for every Indian and described Vande Mataram as a stirring call that has inspired generations and kindled an enduring spirit of patriotism across the country.

The celebrations will feature mass singing of the full version of “Vande Mataram” across public places, with enthusiastic participation from people of all sections of society.

Vande Mataram was written by Bankimchandra Chatterji on Akshaya Navami, November 7 in 1875. It was first published in the literary journal Bangadarshan as part of his novel Anandamath.

Cancer has become a worldwide issue among women due to a mix of factors, including lifestyle and environmental risks. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) journal also emphasizes that the ageing population is at a higher risk, with factors like tobacco use, unhealthy diets, and lack of physical activity. Despite remarkable progress in medical science and treatment technology, a large number of patients are still diagnosed with cancer at advanced stages, primarily due to a lack of awareness and delayed screening. While the National Cancer Awareness Day, observed on November 7, plays an important role in raising cancer awareness among women, this day also serves as a reminder that early detection can save lives and prevent cancer.

India's first digital museum dedicated to tribal freedom heroes has been established in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar in Chhattisgarh, showcasing the valour and sacrifices of tribal warriors who fought against British rule.

The museum, titled Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Memorial and Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his day-long visit to Chhattisgarh on Saturday, an official statement said.

The museum, built at a cost of Rs 50 crore on around 10 acres of land, pays tribute to Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh, the landlord of Sonakhan and the first martyr freedom fighter from Chhattisgarh, who led the revolt against British oppression, it said.

The facility also chronicles the region's major tribal uprisings, including the Halba Rebellion, Sarguja Revolt, Bhopalpatnam, Paralkot, Tarapur, Lingagiri, Koie, Meria, Muria, Rani Chauris, Bhumkal, and Sonakhan movements, along with the Jhanda and Jungle Satyagrahas, it said.

Nationwide celebrations will commence today to commemorate 100 glorious years of Indian Hockey. More than 1400 matches will take place across 550 districts as part of the centenary celebrations. The main event will take place at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi from 08:30 AM, featuring a series of special events that capture the essence of Indian hockey’s glorious journey.

A 30-minute exhibition match featuring the Union Minister’s XI and Hockey India’s Mixed XI (Men & Women) will highlight gender parity, teamwork, and inclusivity, with elite players from both the men’s and women’s national teams participating. This will be followed by the felicitation of hockey legends, recognising their contribution to the sport. An official commemorative volume, “100 Years of Indian Hockey”, will also be released as a tribute to generations of players who have shaped India’s hockey legacy.

A large-scale photo exhibition will also take place at the stadium to take visitors through a visual journey of 100 glorious years of Indian Hockey. India holds the status of the world’s most successful hockey nation, with eight Olympic gold medals and 13 Olympic podium finishes.

Hindi film and music industry veteran Sulakshana Pandit died in Mumbai, reported NDTV. She was 71 years old. While her cause of death is not revealed yet, she was reportedly suffering from health-related problems.

Sulakshana Pandit's death

It is believed that Pandit took her last breath at Mumbai's Nanavati Hospital.

Born in 1954, Sulakshana Pandit hailed from a family deeply rooted in music. Her uncle was the legendary classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj, and her brothers were Jatin and Lalit, one of Bollywood’s most popular music composer duos.

Pandit began her career in the music industry at the age of nine and as a playback singer in 1967. Later, she made her acting debut in the 70s. Her acting career took off during the mid-1970s, becoming one of the popular faces on the bigscreen.

India’s cooperative giants, the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) and Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (Amul), have once again demonstrated remarkable global leadership, and they have been ranked as the top cooperatives in the world based on GDP per capita performance.

The ranking has been done by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) World Cooperative Monitor 2025. The list was announced at the ICA CM50 Conference in Doha, Qatar.

The recognition underscores Amul’s dairy network, built on the spirit of rural self-reliance and collective ownership, has transformed the livelihoods of millions of farmers while symbolising India’s cooperative strength in food security and agribusiness.

Similarly, IFFCO’s performance is particularly notable as it continues to embody the principles of cooperation by empowering millions of farmers through sustainable fertiliser production, digital platforms, and environmental stewardship.

A few years ago, tech companies had a bold vision to build a network of AI data centres – vast warehouses filled with computers that store and process data for websites, businesses, and governments. However, reality soon set in. AI data centres consume enormous amounts of energy, and their impact on energy use, water consumption, and carbon emissions has become a growing concern.

However, Silicon Valley has proposed a solution: placing GPUs in space and building large AI data centres beyond Earth. Billionaires, including Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Sam Altman, have plans to put data centres in orbit and even on the Moon. Now, Google has joined the effort, confirming this week that the company is working on technology aimed at creating scalable networks of orbiting TPUs.

India’s cities are full of contrasts — glittering skylines stand beside narrow, crowded lanes; shiny shopping malls rise next to overflowing garbage dumps; and amid the buzz around “Smart Cities,” the dream of truly clean urban spaces remains elusive.

For years, the government’s Swachh Bharat Mission and the annual Swachh Survekshan survey have assessed how cities manage cleanliness, sanitation, and waste. While some cities have celebrated steady progress, others continue to grapple with poor civic infrastructure, unplanned growth, and inefficient waste management.

The newly released Swachh Survekshan 2025 report paints a familiar picture of both progress and persistent problems. While several towns have improved their waste collection and public hygiene, others continue to struggle with garbage disposal, clogged drains, and poor sanitation. Notably, many smaller towns have outperformed India’s biggest metros this year — proving that resources alone do not ensure cleanliness.

Maldives generational smoking ban: The Maldives has become the first country in the world to impose a “generational” ban on smoking, preventing individuals born on or after January 2007 from purchasing, using or selling tobacco in all its forms.

The Maldivian health ministry called the move a “historic milestone in the nation’s efforts to protect public health and promote a tobacco-free generation.”

What is Maldives’ generational smoking ban
The ban on individuals born on or after January 2007 purchasing, using or selling tobacco in all its forms was enacted through the Second Amendment to the Tobacco Control Act ratified by President Mohamed Muizzu.

Gopichand P Hinduja, the chairman of the Hinduja Group, has died in a London hospital. He was 85. He is the second of the four Hinduja brothers. The eldest, Srichand Hinduja, died in 2023. The other two brothers are Prakash Hinduja and Ashok Hinduja.

Known as 'GP' in business circles, Gopichand Hinduja joined the family business in 1950 and is credited with transforming the company from an Indo-Middle East trading operation into a transnational conglomerate.

A graduate from Bombay Jai Hind College, Gopichand held honorary doctorate degrees from the University of Westminster and Richmond College, according to the company's website.