Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta today launched a mass cleanliness drive, ‘Delhi Ko Koode Se Azadi campaign’, in the national capital. In a social media post, she described the campaign as a commitment to making Delhi clean and beautiful. The month-long initiative calls on all residents to join forces with the government to make Delhi clean, beautiful, and glorious. The Delhi CM said, every department of the Delhi government, including MLAs, councillors, and government employees, will actively participate in the drive. She emphasised that the campaign aims to ensure that every street, settlement, and market in Delhi is thoroughly cleaned.

In a move to enhance the safety and well-being of truck drivers during long-haul journeys, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has launched an ambitious initiative called ‘Apna Ghar’. The programme aims to provide comfortable and hygienic resting spaces for truckers across major highways in the country.

As of July 1, 2025, a total of 368 ‘Apna Ghar’ units with 4,611 beds have been set up by Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) at retail fuel outlets along national and state highways. These facilities offer a range of services including dormitory accommodations, restaurants or dhabas, clean toilets, dedicated bathing areas, self-cooking spaces, and access to purified drinking water — all designed to improve the quality of life for truck drivers on the road.

The initiative has seen a positive response from the trucking community, with a growing number of bookings, app downloads, and user registrations on the dedicated ‘Apna Ghar’ mobile application. Feedback collected from users reflects widespread appreciation for the comfort and convenience these resting spaces provide.

The Indian Army has signed a contract worth Rs 223.95 crore with M/s Axiscades Aerospace and Technologies Private Limited for the procurement of 212 tank transporter trailers.

The agreement was signed on 1 August 2025 under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category, in line with the ‘Aatmnirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

The trailers are designed to transport 50-ton tanks and other armoured vehicles. Each trailer is equipped with hydraulic and pneumatic loading ramps, as well as steerable and liftable axles.

Vice Admiral CR Praveen Nair, AVSM, NM, has assumed charge as the Controller Personnel Services (CPS) at the Indian Navy on July 31. On taking over the new responsibility, the senior officer paid homage at the National War Memorial in New Delhi, honouring the sacrifices of India’s brave soldiers.

Commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1991, Vice Admiral Nair is a specialist in Communications and Electronic Warfare. Over his distinguished career spanning more than three decades, he has held several key command, operational, and staff appointments.

A Surface Warfare Officer, the Flag Officer’s sea tenures include service on INS Krishna, INS Kora, and INS Mysore. He has served as Fleet Electronic Warfare Officer and later as Fleet Communications Officer of the Western Fleet, during which he was awarded the Chief of the Naval Staff commendation for his contribution to the non-combatant evacuation of Indian nationals from Beirut during the Israel-Lebanon conflict in July 2006.

Lieutenant General Pushpendra Singh has taken over as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff. He assumed the new responsibility on July 31, 2025, following his tenure as Director General Operational Logistics & Strategic Movement at the Army Headquarters.

Commissioned into the 4th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) in December 1987, Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh brings with him over 38 years of rich experience in operational and strategic roles across the Indian Army.

An alumnus of La Martiniere College, Lucknow University, and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, the General Officer has served in several key operations including OP PAWAN, OP MEGHDOOT, OP ORCHID, and multiple tenures in OP RAKSHAK.

Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan assumed charge as the 47th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS) on Friday. The flag officer, after his appointment, paid solemn homage to the brave hearts who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the nation, by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy in Pune, Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan was commissioned into the Navy on January 1, 1988. A specialist in gunnery and missile systems, he has held a wide range of command, operational and staff assignments over his distinguished naval career spanning more than three decades.

At sea, he has served onboard various frontline warships, including as the commissioning crew of the Guided Missile Destroyer INS Mysore, INS Nishank and pre-commissioning crew of Coast Guard OPV CGS Sangram. He also served as the executive officer of INS Mysore.

State-owned Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIM Jammu to strengthen deeper academic collaboration and Mutual Learning. The MoU focuses on Industrial exposure and training for IIM Jammu students, as well as leadership and management development programs for HPCL employees.

This collaboration marks a significant step towards building future-ready professionals and nurturing leadership excellence.

The agreement was signed during the VC Meeting on 1st August 2025. Further, the event was attended by Ms Sapana Shrikanth, CGM-Capacity Building and Mr. Prabhat Kumar, Senior Manager HR, Capacity Building.

Bangladesh’s first National Multidimensional Poverty Index uncovers harsh realities for children and the people living in the country, especially in the eastern divisions, said UNICEF in a press release yesterday.

With almost three out of ten children (28.9%) living in multidimensional poverty­, which is significantly higher than the rate for adults (21.44%), children are disproportionately impacted by deep-rooted challenges of poverty in Bangladesh.

According to the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) released yesterday by the General Economics Division (GED), with support from UNICEF and the European Union (EU). The report underscores the urgent need to address child-specific deprivations in health, education, and living standards that continue to undermine children’s rights and potential.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed the government to develop a roadmap for building Russia’s high-speed rail network by March 31, 2026. Russian President also ordered the government and Russia’s largest lender to outline plans for utilising 300 billion rubles allocated from the National Wealth Fund as initial funding for the Moscow-St. Petersburg high-speed rail line. The Moscow-St. Petersburg route will be Russia’s first high-speed railroad, a specialised electrified double-track line on which trains can travel at speeds from 200 to 400 kph. Trains are expected to cover the distance between the two cities in two hours and 15 minutes.

Indian women wrestlers delivered an impressive performance at the 2025 U17 World Wrestling Championships in Athens yesterday, securing a total of five medals, including two gold, two silver, and one bronze.

The historic campaign was kick-started by Rachana, who made headlines by winning India’s first-ever gold in the women’s 43 kg freestyle category with a commanding 3-0 victory over China’s Xin Huang. Soon after, Ashvini Vishnoi added to the glory by clinching another gold in the 65 kg category, defeating Uzbekistan’s Mukhayyo Rakhimjonova 3-0.

In the 57kg category, Moni took silver after a close loss to Kazakhstan’s Madkhiya Usmanov, a 5-6. India’s second silver came from Kajal, who put up a strong fight in the 73kg final but lost to China’s Wenjin Qiu. In the 49kg category, Komal Verma secured a bronze, defeating Anhelina Burkina of UWW 8-3.