Trees may not speak, but they have protectors who gave their lives for them. Every year on September 11, India observes National Forest Martyrs Day to honour the unsung heroes who sacrificed their lives defending forests, trees, and wildlife. It is not just a day of remembrance but a reminder that safeguarding nature is our shared responsibility.

HISTORY BEHIND THE DAY

The origins of this observance trace back to the 1730 Khejarli massacre in Rajasthan. Led by Amrita Devi Bishnoi, more than 350 Bishnois laid down their lives while resisting the felling of sacred Khejri trees ordered by the king’s men. Their legacy inspired later conservation movements, including the Chipko Movement, shaping India’s environmental ethos.

Every year on 11 September, India pauses to remember one of its proudest moments on the global stage, Swami Vivekananda’s speech at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893. Celebrated as Digvijay Diwas, the day honours the monk who carried India’s voice, spirituality and philosophy across continents. More than a historical anniversary, it remains a reminder of his timeless call for unity, compassion and respect among all people.

Digvijay Diwas Date and Observance

In 2025, Digvijay Diwas falls on 11 September, marking 132 years since Vivekananda’s famous address. Across India, cultural organisations, schools, and spiritual centres observe the day through lectures, seminars and discussions. These gatherings not only pay homage to his words but also encourage young people to carry forward his teachings of self-improvement and social responsibility.

The Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday inaugurated the Central Power Research Institute’s (CPRI) state-of-the-art Regional Testing Laboratory (RTL) in Nashik. According to an official statement, this facility is poised to bolster India’s power sector by providing advanced testing and certification services for electrical equipment.

During the inauguration, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis, state ministers Chhagan Bhujbal and Girish Mahajan, senior officials from the Ministry of Power, CPRI leadership, Members of Parliament, MLAs, and representatives from the power and electrical industry were present.

Strategically located to serve industries across western India, RTL Nashik will offer testing services for transformers, energy meters, smart meters, and transformer oil, among others. Officials said the lab will help cut down turnaround times for testing and certification, ensuring faster procurement cycles for utilities while strengthening the quality assurance ecosystem.

With the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 fast approaching, the ICC has unveiled its flagship ‘Will to Win’ campaign film.

The release of ‘Will to Win’, which depicts determination and perseverance as the path to glory, coincided with the opening of the general ticket window on Tuesday at [Tickets.cricketworldcup.com](http://Tickets.cricketworldcup.com), as per the ICC.

The campaign film showcases leading stars from across the participating nations, including India’s Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu, Australia’s Ellyse Perry, South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp, Pakistan’s Muneeba Ali, Bangladesh’s Nigar Sultana Joty, New Zealand’s Melie Kerr, and England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced an immediate relief of Rs 1,500 crore for rain-affected Himachal Pradesh.

PM Modi, who took stock of the flood and landslides situation in the state, also announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the family of the dead and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

He first conducted an aerial survey of affected areas and then held a meeting in Kangra to review the relief and rehabilitation measures undertaken as well as assess the damage.

In the meeting with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, BJP leaders, affected families, and people engaged in rescue services in Kangra, PM Modi assured all help for the restoration and rebuilding of infrastructure in the affected areas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday conducted an aerial survey of areas affected by floods, cloudbursts, and heavy rains in Punjab. He later held an official review meeting in Gurdaspur to assess damage and ongoing relief and rehabilitation measures.

During the visit, PM Modi announced financial assistance of Rs. 1,600 crore for Punjab, in addition to the Rs. 12,000 crore already available with the state. Advance release of the second instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and funds under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme was also assured.

The Prime Minister emphasized a multi-dimensional approach to restore the region and support affected communities. Measures include rebuilding homes under the PM Awas Yojana, restoring national highways, reconstructing schools, providing relief through the PM National Relief Fund (PMNRF), and distributing mini kits for livestock.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy will on Monday lay the foundation stone for the Godavari Drinking Water Scheme (GDWS) Phases II and III, aimed at filling Osmansagar and Himayatsagar with Godavari water as part of the Musi Riverfront Development Project.

The project, estimated to cost Rs 7,360 crore, will be taken up in Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), with the state government bearing 40% of the cost and the remaining 60% to be mobilised by the executing agency. The government plans to complete the scheme in two years and will raise its Rs 2,944 crore share through a loan from the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO).

As part of the project, 20 tmc of water will be lifted from the Mallannasagar reservoir in Siddipet district under the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme. Of this, 2.5 tmc will be used for rejuvenating the Musi, while 17.5 tmc will meet Hyderabad’s drinking water needs. The government’s target is to ensure daily household tap water supply in the state capital by December 2027.

The Uttar Pradesh government, on Monday, ordered a comprehensive investigation into the recognition and admission processes of all courses offered by universities –both private and state -- degree colleges, and educational institutions across the state.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took the decision to this effect in a meeting with the officials concerned on Monday.

The CM said that for the probe of universities and degree colleges, a special team of officials would be set up in each district of the state.

The team of officials would comprise senior administrative and police officials, along with the education department authorities. The sources privy to the meeting said that all the divisional commissioners were directed to supervise the investigation in the colleges in districts under their jurisdiction.

Dubai, September 8 – Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, today unveiled the UPI–UPU Integration project at the 28th Universal Postal Congress in Dubai, calling it a landmark step to transform cross-border remittances and expand financial inclusion worldwide.

The initiative, developed jointly by the Department of Posts, NPCI International Payments Limited and the Universal Postal Union (UPU), integrates India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with the UPU Interconnection Platform, combining the reach of the postal network with the speed and affordability of UPI.

Calling it “more than a technology launch, but a social compact,” Scindia said the partnership would allow families across borders to transfer money instantly, securely and at lower cost, while reinforcing the postal sector’s role as a trusted provider of community services. The minister also announced that India will commit USD 10 million during this cycle to support innovation, e-commerce and digital payments, alongside training and capacity building. He confirmed India’s candidature for the UPU’s Council of Administration and Postal Operations Council, underscoring its commitment to building a connected, inclusive and sustainable global postal system.

India and Russia have a long history of diplomatic, strategic, and trade relations. These ties are growing stronger by the day. Two major military exercises are being conducted to further strengthen strategic cooperation. One is being held in Russia, called Zapad, while the Indra exercise will take place in India next month. Significantly, for the first time since Operation Sindoor, the Indian and Pakistani armies will participate in the same military drill in Russia during Zapad. More than 20 countries, including China, are taking part in this multinational exercise.

Belarus, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Congo, Mali, India, Iran, Niger, and Tajikistan are the participants, while Cambodia, China, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nicaragua, North Korea, Pakistan, Serbia, Thailand, the UAE, and Uzbekistan are observers. A 70-member team from India is travelling to Russia for Zapad.