QNu Labs, one of the startups selected by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the National Quantum Mission, has launched the world’s first and unique platform, Q-Shield. It empowers enterprises to protect their critical infrastructure. It also enables seamless cryptography management across any environment, including cloud, on-premises, or hybrid, on the occasion of World Quantum Day yesterday.

Ministry of Science and Technology said in a statement that Q-Shield enables various services like Qosmos for key generation, QConnect for secured connectivity and QVerse for secured collaboration.

The launch of this platform adds one more step to India’s journey towards global leadership in quantum technology. The Ministry added that incubated at IIT Madras Research Park in 2016, QNu Labs is revolutionizing cybersecurity with quantum-safe solutions, positioning India as a global leader in quantum cryptography.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar unveiled the official logo of the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 in Patna on Monday (April 14, 2025). Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya unveiled the Games’s mascot during the programme organised at the Samvad hall of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

Mr. Kumar and Mr. Mandaviya also jointly released the theme song of the Youth Games, which will be held in the State for the first time from May 4 to 15. The Gaurav Yatra Rath of the sporting event was also flagged off.

Automobili Lamborghini has announced the appointment of Nidhi Kaistha as the new Head of Lamborghini India, effective April 1, 2025. In her new role, she will oversee sales, marketing and after-sales operations in India, the sixth-largest market for the luxury carmaker in the Asia Pacific region.

Nidhi Kaistha has replaced Sharad Agarwal, who joined Classic Legends late last year as the company's Chief Business Officer.

According to Automobili Lamborghini, Kaistha has over 25 years of experience across hospitality, aviation and automotive industries. In her last role, she was at Porsche India as Regional Sales and Pre-Owned Cars Manager.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has inaugurated the longest skywalk in the city which will connect SP Mukherjee Road to Kolkata’s famous Kalighat temple. The opening came on the eve of Poila Baishak (Bengali New Year) amid calls for peace, and communal harmony among the people of the State.

Many regions of West Bengal have been tense since April 8 after anti-Waqf protests turned violent in Murshidabad, which led to the deaths of three people. Further violence erupted in Bhangar on April 14. Cases of arson were reported from both places.

“Everybody has the right to conduct peaceful protests, but only after securing permission. No one should take law into their own hands. There may be provocation from various factions, but do not fall prey to that,” Ms. Banerjee said as tension continues to grip many parts of the State.

The Punjab government has banned the sale of hybrid paddy seeds (non-Basmati rice), citing that they are being sold at high prices in the state. The government has also said these seeds lead to a higher percentage of broken rice during milling — the process of removing the outer husk and bran layers from paddy (unmilled rice) to produce edible, white rice — compared to the standards set by the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

The two issues have resulted in farmers receiving lower prices for their produce, according to the government. However, some of the farmers in Punjab and experts have opposed the ban.

The nation pays homage to the Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr BR Ambedkar on his 134th birth anniversary today. Several functions have been organised throughout the country to mark the occasion.

President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh, Leader of House in Rajya Sabha J P Nadda, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Union Ministers and Members of Parliament and general public paid tributes to Dr B R Ambedkar at his statue in Parliament House complex today.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Ministers, Members of Parliament, Leaders of different political parties paid tributes to Dr Ambedkar at his portrait at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan.

To enhance wildlife conservation and honour a national icon, the Madhya Pradesh government has officially declared a new wildlife sanctuary spanning 258.64 square kilometres in Sagar district. The sanctuary will be known as Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Abhyaran, as a government notification issued on Friday confirmed.

The declaration comes in the lead-up to the 134th birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar, celebrated annually on April 14. By naming the sanctuary after Ambedkar, the state seeks to pay tributes to his enduring legacy while furthering environmental preservation.

The latest addition brings the total number of wildlife sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh to 25. MP is referred to as the "Tiger State of India", and already renowned for its rich biodiversity and protected areas, including several prominent tiger reserves and wildlife parks.

Dr. Ambrish Mithal, renowned Indian endocrinologist, receives the IOF's 2025 CSA Medal of Achievement for significant contributions to osteoporosis research in Rome.

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) presented eminent Indian endocrinologist, Dr Ambrish Mithal, with the prestigious 2025 Committee of Scientific Advisors Medal of Achievement, the foundation announced on Friday.

“Today, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) has presented the 2025 CSA Medal of Achievement to Dr Ambrish Mithal, a renowned Indian endocrinologist and distinguished physician and researcher…,” read the IOF statement.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has set up a dedicated task force to support displaced Afghanistan women cricketers. The world body has joined with the BCCI, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Australia (CA) to assist the Afghan women cricketers in their development, both on and off the field going forward.

Ever since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, their women’s team hasn’t featured in any international fixture with a majority of the players fleeing the country and settling in Australia. There have been calls to the ICC from several quarters, including from British MPs, to suspend the Afghanistan Cricket Board. During the ICC Champions Trophy, some politicians in Britain even wanted England to boycott their fixture against Afghanistan.

Though the chances of the women’s team returning to the field still look distant, the ICC has stepped in to form this task force to help their cause.

Fintech firm Razorpay has partnered with NPCI BHIM Services Ltd (NBSL) and Axis Bank to launch the Razorpay Turbo UPI plugin on the BHIM Vega platform.

The solution enables businesses to offer seamless in-app payment experiences, allowing customers to complete transactions instantly without switching to third-party apps.

"BHIM Vega -- Razorpay's Partner Businesses can now accept in-app payments, and end-customers can complete payments instantly within the app without switching to third-party apps, reducing friction in online transactions and delivering a high-speed payment experience," a company statement said.

The partnership aims to reduce friction in online payments, increase transaction success rates, and streamline user onboarding.