The foundation stone for the country’s first integrated private satellite plant was laid at Khoraj in Sanand in Gujarat today, marking a significant milestone in India’s space technology sector. The groundbreaking ceremony for the Electro-Optical Payload Factory of Azista Space was performed in the presence of Gujarat’s Science and Technology Minister, Arjun Modhwadia, today. This facility, known as the ‘Palmnaro’ plant, is set to become a premier hub for the indigenous manufacturing of satellites and advanced optical payloads by the private sector.

Speaking at the event, Minister Arjunbhai Modhwadia remarked that Gujarat is successfully carrying forward the legacy of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai by evolving into a new national centre for space technology. He noted that the establishment of this plant will take the resolve of a self-reliant India to new heights. Once completed, the high-tech plant is expected to significantly boost India’s aerospace manufacturing ecosystem and generate high-skilled technical employment in the region.

As part of the 16th National Voters’ Day celebration, various awareness programmes were held in the district on Friday.

The National Voters’ Day is celebrated every January 25, the foundation day of the Election Commission of India. As part of the celebrations on Friday, various awareness programmes were conducted at Salem Government Arts College in Kumarasamipatti.

District Collector R. Brindha Devi presided over the celebrations and the Voters’ Day awareness pledge was taken by the students. The Collector viewed the logo drawn by the students.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid homage to freedom fighter Parbati Giri of Odisha on her birth centenary. In a social media post, Mr Modi said that she played a commendable role in the movement to end colonial rule. He said, Parbati Giri’s passion for community service and work in sectors like healthcare, women’s empowerment and culture is noteworthy. Last month, in his Mann Ki Baat programme on Akashvani, Prime Minister Modi had said that Parbati Giri participated in the Quit India Movement at the age of 16 and her inspiring life will continue to guide every generation.

A sightseeing helicopter carrying three people has gone missing near Mount Aso, one of Japan's most active volcanoes. As per BBC, the aircraft took off from a zoo in Aso City at 10:52 local time (01:52 GMT) on Tuesday for a 10-minute tour but never returned, local reports say, quoting police. An object resembling an aircraft was spotted by a police helicopter inside the crater of Nakadake, one of Mount Aso's five peaks, at around 16:00. Authorities have yet to confirm if it is the missing helicopter.

The helicopter had two Taiwanese passengers - a man in his 40s and a woman in her 30s- and a Japanese pilot on board. The missing helicopter's 64-year-old pilot was a seasoned veteran with 40 years of flying experience, local media reported. The Aso Volcano Museum noted that the weather was cloudy that morning, making it difficult to clearly see Nakadake.

The central government on Monday announced the country’s first tailings policy, setting guidelines for exploration of critical minerals from primary as well as the secondary sources like mine dumps and tailings of existing mines.

Tailings refer to the leftover waste material after valuable minerals are extracted from crushed ore.

The government had, in its last Union Budget, announced to launch a policy for “recovery of critical minerals from tailings”.

The policy was required because the occurrence of critical and strategic elements is not just restricted to the solid mineral resources under the administrative control of the Ministry of Mines but may also be available in other commodities which are being dealt with by various other ministries.

India needs to up the ante after ranking sixth among 11 Asian countries in the newly released Asia Manufacturing Index (AMI) 2026, which measures the relative competitiveness of major manufacturing economies across eight key pillars and 43 sub-parameters.

In its third year, the Index — released by Dezan Shira & Associates, a pan-Asian market entry advisory firm headquartered in Hong Kong — places India behind key Asian competitors in the global manufacturing race. Malaysia has moved up to second place for the first time in 2026, replacing Vietnam, which has slipped to third.

Among developed economies, Singapore has climbed one rank to fourth, overtaking South Korea, which has dropped to fifth. These shifts, the study says, reflect intensifying regional competition.

Mr Bakul Limbasiya, Founder of Bhathwari Technologies, has been honoured with the APO National Award, a distinguished national recognition celebrating exceptional individual contributions to productivity enhancement, innovation, and leadership in India. Instituted by the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO) and administered in India by the National Productivity Council (NPC) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India, the award is widely regarded as one of the country’s most credible acknowledgements of excellence in advancing productivity and competitiveness across industries.

The recognition carries particular significance as it not only acknowledges Mr Limbasiya’s personal journey and achievements, but also marks a defining moment for India’s lab-grown diamond (LGD) industry. Traditionally, the APO National Award has been conferred upon eminent leaders such as Mr Anil Naik of Larsen & Toubro and Dr Verghese Kurien, reflecting its legacy of honouring individuals who have shaped India’s industrial and economic narrative. The inclusion of the lab-grown diamond sector among its recipients highlights the industry’s growing strategic, technological, and economic importance.

Surat-based athlete Yash Anil Rashiya has made history by winning gold for India at the 7th Roll Ball World Cup 2025 in Dubai, marking a breakthrough moment for Indian Roll Ball on the global stage

Surat (Gujarat) [India], January 19: Yash Anil Rashiya, a 20-year-old Roll Ball athlete from Surat, has emerged as one of India’s brightest sporting talents after winning the gold medal at the 7th Roll Ball World Cup 2025 in Dubai, representing Team India. The victory marks a significant milestone for Indian Roll Ball on the global stage and places Surat firmly on the international sports map.

Selected among 12 elite players to represent the country, Rashiya played a key role in India’s championship-winning campaign, helping the national team secure the World Cup title against strong international competition.

Scientists have discovered two previously unknown ant fly species. The rare insects were found in Delhi and Western Ghats. One species emerged from Delhi’s Northern Ridge urban forest. The second species was located in Tamil Nadu’s Siruvani Hills. Both regions reveal unexpected biodiversity surviving within fragmented habitats.

Researchers have discovered two rare ant-fly species in India. These insects belong to the Microdontinae subfamily of hoverflies. They are unusual because their larvae develop inside ant nests. This behaviour makes them extremely difficult to spot in nature. The species were officially named Metadon ghorpadei and Metadon reemeri.

Metadon ghorpadei was discovered in Delhi’s Northern Ridge Forest. The urban forest provides refuge for surprisingly rare species. Metadon reemeri was found in Siruvani Hills of Western Ghats. Western Ghats is a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot in India. Both locations highlight the importance of conserving even small habitats.

Lucknow has emerged as the first city in Uttar Pradesh to achieve 100 per cent scientific processing of municipal solid waste under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, marking a major milestone in urban waste management.

The achievement follows the commissioning of the Shivari Solid Waste Management Plant, which has positioned the city as a zero fresh waste dump urban centre. The newly inaugurated plant has a processing capacity of 700 metric tonnes per day.

With this addition, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation now operates three waste processing facilities, each with a capacity of 700 MT per day. Collectively, the plants can scientifically process over 2,100 metric tonnes of waste daily, effectively eliminating the open dumping of fresh municipal waste in the city.