The Indian Navy on Wednesday inducted a traditionally built stitched ship as INSV Kaundinya, named after a legendary first-century Indian mariner, at a ceremony held at the strategically located Karwar naval base in Karnataka.

The officials quoted in a PTI report termed the vessel a tangible symbol of India's long-standing traditions of maritime exploration, trade and cultural exchange. They added that its induction into the navy and naming mark a culmination of an "extraordinary project" that celebrates India's rich shipbuilding heritage.

World Metrology Day 2025: World Metrology Day is celebrated globally on May 20 every year to highlight the importance of the science of measurement in our daily lives and raise awareness around it.

Metrology has constantly pushed scientific and technological advancements; this day highlights metrology’s impact on quality of life and conservation of the environment, thereby aligning with UNESCO’s objective to advance science for a better world.

In 2025, the day is being observed on Tuesday, May 20, with the theme ‘Measurements for all times, for all people,’ emphasising the critical role measurements play in shaping our history, present, and future.

Secretary, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India, Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi today addressed the World Hydrogen Summit 2025 in Rotterdam, highlighting India's strategic vision and capabilities in the domain of renewable energy and green hydrogen production.

The Secretary underscored India’s transformative potential of Green Hydrogen to become a global leader in this space. This ambition largely relies on India’s strength in the renewable energy domain.

The Secretary highlighted that India has already installed over 223 GW of renewable energy—that includes 108 GW from solar and 51 GW from wind—placing India among the fastest-growing renewable energy markets globally. He reiterated India’s vision to achieve energy independence by 2047 and reach Net Zero emissions by 2070.

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), under the Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, celebrated World Bee Day 2025 at its Central Office in Vile Parle, Mumbai, under the banner ‘Sweet Revolution Utsav’. This year’s celebration was themed “Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all”, aligning with the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming the White Revolution into a Sweet Revolution.

The grand event was inaugurated by KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar, in the presence of KVIC CEO Ms. Roop Rashi. The celebration witnessed enthusiastic participation from beneficiary beekeepers across various districts of Maharashtra, trainees, scientists, successful apiculturists, students, and subject experts. It served as both a technical platform and a vibrant showcase of innovation, inspiration, and self-reliance in rural India.

In his inaugural address, Shri Manoj Kumar emphasized the ecological and economic significance of bees, stating, “Bees are the backbone of our ecosystem. They not only produce honey but also enrich agriculture through pollination and contribute to environmental conservation. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Honey Mission has become a major source of livelihood in rural India, he said. KVIC Chairman also stated that Prime Minister's clarion call for a ‘Sweet Revolution’ paved a new path where honey production became a source of both economic and health prosperity. KVIC's work in this direction is a significant step toward building an Atmanirbhar Bharat.”

The All-India Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL) and Rural Labourers (CPI-RL) (Base: 1986-87=100) increased by 1 point each for the month of April 2025, to stand at 1307 and 1320 points, respectively.

The year-on-year inflation rates based on CPI-AL and CPI-RL for April 2025 were recorded at 3.48% and 3.53%, respectively, compared to 7.03% and 6.96% in April 2024. The corresponding figures for March 2025 stood at 3.73% for CPI-AL and 3.86% for CPI-RL.

Mizoram has been declared India’s first fully literate state, marking a historic milestone in the state’s educational journey. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan congratulated the people of Mizoram for this achievement.

In a social media post, Mr. Pradhan said that this is a momentous and proud milestone in the State’s educational journey and also a moment of great pride for the nation. He added that this is also a result of the collaborative efforts and resolve of the people and the State government. The Minister also wished that Mizoram’s achievement would inspire all States and Union Territories to pursue inclusive, equitable and lifelong learning with the same spirit of dedication for achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat

The Indian Navy is set to induct and unveil the name of the ‘Ancient Stitched Ship’ during a ceremonial event as part of the ongoing Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The ceremony will take place at the Naval Base, Karwar.

Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will preside over the ceremony as the Chief Guest, formally marking the ship’s induction into the Indian Navy.

The stitched ship is a recreation of a 5th century CE vessel, inspired by a painting from the Ajanta Caves. This project was initiated through a tripartite agreement signed in July 2023 between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations. The Ministry of Culture funded the project.

Dhanuka Agritech Limited, a pioneer in India's agrochemical industry, unveiled its latest breakthrough innovation -- DINKAR, a next-generation herbicide designed specifically for transplanted paddy. This launch marks a significant milestone in the company's ongoing commitment to empowering farmers with cutting-edge technology and sustainable crop protection solutions.

The event was graced by distinguished dignitaries from India and Japan. The Chief Guests included Shinichi Hayakawa San, Sr. Managing Director and Kohichi Ogita San, Manager, International Sales Division of Hokko Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Japan, Dhanuka's international partners in innovation. The launch also welcomed Rahul Dhanuka, Managing Director of Dhanuka Agritech Limited, as the Distinguished Guest, who shared the brand's vision for transforming Indian agriculture.

Assam's Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve has emerged as the third most visited national park in India, recording an all-time high in tourist footfall this year.

The park witnessed a significant rise in foreign tourists, with a 25 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

According to the authority of Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve, the national park recorded 4,43,636 visitors between October 1, 2024, and May 18, 2025, indicating an overall increase of over 35 per cent since last year.

The number of foreigners (18,463) was especially notable, hinting at the World Heritage site's position as a top-choice destination for tourists and wildlife enthusiasts.

UNION HOME Minister Amit Shah on Monday said they have introduced the new e-Zero FIR that automatically converts cyber financial crime complaints with a cheating value above Rs 10 lakh, registered on the 1930 helpline or the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), into FIRs.

Shah said the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), which comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has introduced the new e-Zero FIR initiative to nab any criminal with unprecedented speed.

In his post on X, Shah said the new system, which has been launched as a pilot project for Delhi, will automatically convert cyber financial crimes filed at NCRP or 1930 to FIRs, initially above the threshold limit of Rs 10 lakh. “The new system, which will drive investigations swiftly cracking down on cybercriminals, will soon be extended to the entire nation. The Modi government is bolstering the cybersecurity grid to build a ‘cyber-secure Bharat’,” he said.