EGMO, an annual mathematics competition, was held last week from April 11 to 17, with at least 50 countries participating in the competition.

India won two Silver and two Bronze medals at the 14th European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO) 2025 in Prishtina, Kosovo, achieving a milestone at the global level. The win is significant as India’s all-girls team secured 12th place overall at EGMO.

Sanjana Chacko (16) from Kerala and Shreya Mundhada (15) from Mumbai won silver medals, whereas Saee Patil (18) from Pune, Maharashtra and Shreya Gupta Ray (18) from Kolkata won the bronze medal. The four-member team was led by Dr. Mrudul Thatte from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). 

EGMO, an annual mathematics competition, was held last week from April 11 to 17, with at least 50 countries participating in the competition. The competition has been designed for high school girls passionate about maths, encouraging young females to become scientists and boosting the number of girls in International Olympiad movement (IMO) teams.

“Such competition inspires girls and builds confidence that they can compete with the world. It took India three decades to be at this point, so this achievement is significant and important that girls can do equally well in maths,” said Arnab Bhattacharya, a Central Director of Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE). 

HBCSE- TIFR identifies and nurtures students for participation in international Olympiads in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, and Mathematics. HBCSE-TIFR comes under the purview of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India. 

“We attribute this success to the dedicated efforts of past medallists, as well as the structured training provided through the EGMO Training Camp (EGMOTC) by HBCSE and continuous support provided by the National Board for Higher Mathematics (NBHM) and DAE for this Olympiad Program,” said HBCSE spokesperson Sumana Amin. 

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

During the period of the state mourning, the national flag will be flown at half mast throughout India on all buildings where the national flag is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment.

The government on Monday (April 21, 2025) announced a three-day state mourning as a mark of respect on the passing away of Pope Francis.

In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs said, “His Holiness Pope Francis, Supreme Pontiff of the Holy See passed away on April 21. As a mark of respect, three-day state mourning shall be observed throughout India.”

Francis, who was the first non-European Pope in nearly 1,300 years, died on Monday. He was 88.

As per the schedule, two days’ state mourning will be on April 22 (Tuesday) and April 23 (Wednesday). Besides, one day’s state mourning will be on the day of the funeral, the statement said.

Regional leaders mourn Pope

During the period of the state mourning, the national flag will be flown at half mast throughout India on all buildings where the national flag is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment, it added.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Comprehensive portfolio of advanced weapons under a tech transfer agreement with Caracal to be manufactured at the facility in Hyderabad .

Caracal, a small arms manufacturer based in the United Arab Emirates, inaugurated a manufacturing facility in collaboration with ICOMM Tele, a group company of Megha Engineering & Infrastructures group (MEIL), in Hyderabad on Monday.  

The development comes shortly after the visit of the UAE Crown Price as well as the country’s Defence Minister to India earlier this month. Caracal had in the past competed in a tender to supply its CAR-816 rifles to the Indian Army but eventually lost out to SIG Sauer of the U.S.

Located at ICOMM’s integrated engineering facility, it will serve as a local manufacturing hub for a comprehensive portfolio of advanced weapons under a technology transfer agreement with Caracal, which is an entity of the technology and defence group EDGE.

The agreement is a milestone in UAE–India defence collaboration and a boost to the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, MEIL said in a release. Weapons to be manufactured at the facility include CAR 816 close-quarters battle rifles, CAR 817 assault rifles, lightweight CSR 338 bolt-action sniper rifles, lightweight CSR 308 bolt-action sniper rifles, CSR 50 bolt-action anti-materiel sniper rifles, modern CMP9 submachine guns and Caracal EF and Caracal F GEN II combat pistols.

These next-generation weapons will serve the critical needs of Indian armed forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), special forces, State police forces, and the Special Protection Group (SPG). They will also cater to global export requirements of Caracal. It will also support Caracal’s international programmes, strengthening India’s role as a trusted global defence production hub, MEIL said.

“With Caracal by our side as a trusted and visionary partner, we are building more than world-class weapons. We are building a bold, self-reliant India. This is our salute to every soldier and promise to deliver quality that protects, empowers and inspires,” said ICOMM Tele managing director Sumanth Paturu.

The launch of the ICOMM Caracal small arms complex is “a milestone in our efforts to support the Indian market and defence industry. As the first small arms technology transfer from the UAE to India, the factory further highlights our commitment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make in India initiative,” said Caracal CEO Hamad Alameri.

“With successful technical qualification by two special forces units and strong progress in Army trials, we are proud to deepen our role in India’s defence ecosystem. ICOMM has proven to be a highly capable and reliable partner,” he said.

After the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the procurement of 72,400 assault rifles and 93,895 carbines through the Fast Track Procurement (FTP) route in January 2018, SIG Sauer’s SIG-716 and Caracal CAR-816 rifles were evaluated and the later was declared the lowest bidder. However, the tender was eventually cancelled and the Army procured and inducted 72,400 SIG-716 rifles from SIG Sauer under a ₹700-crore contract signed in February 2019.

The imports were meant to be a stop-gap arrangement till the larger requirement was met by the bulk licence manufacture of the Russian AK-203 assault rifles. However, with that delayed, the Ministry of Defence signed a repeat order for 73,000 SIG716 rifles in June 2024 and deliveries are expected to completed by end-2025.

As reported by The Hindu earlier, Caracal said in a statement that despite uncertainty over the deal, it would go ahead with investment in India and will fully manufacture the carbines in the country. “Caracal has already identified the required land, facility and local partners to be able to commence production immediately. Over 20% of the components fitted on the CAR 816 are already made in India,” the company had said in a statement then.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Aadit Palicha, CEO of Zepto, praised the strong talent base in India, counting it as a major advantage in his entrepreneurial journey. 

Aadit Palicha has nothing but praise for Indian talent. The Mumbai-based CEO of Zepto recently sat down for a conversation with his counterpart at Y Combinator, where he delved into everything from his startup’s beginnings to the transforming quick commerce space in India. When Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan asked him about the unique advantages and challenges of building a startup in India, Palicha highlighted the country’s talent pool, counting it as a big advantage in his entrepreneurial journey.

Zepto was launched by Stanford computer science dropouts Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra in 2021. What began as an idea in a WhatsApp group is today one of India’s most popular grocery delivery apps that has over 3,000 corporate employees.

Benefits of building in India

Talking about the benefit of building a startup in India, Palicha said: “I think the advantage is that the talent is incredible. I initially didn’t realise this deeply, but you know we interviewed American engineers – and they’re exceptional – but we said hey, the guys that we have here are as good.”

“I think a lot of people underestimate that. That’s why you know a lot of great internet startups set up offices in Bangalore and hire people there,” the Zepto co-founder told Tan on YC’s How To Build The Future podcast.

He acknowledged that it would have been unlikely for him to recruit the same level of talent in San Francisco as he had been able to in India.

“So the big advantage is you just have such an incredible talent base. And although it’s very competitive, it’s still a lot less competitive to get such high quality talent than it would be sitting in San Francisco,” said Palicha.

As one of India’s fastest growing startups, can Zepto be called a success? Not according to its CEO.

“No, absolutely not. Not even close to it,” Palicha told Y Combinator’s Garry Tan when asked if Zepto is a success. “I think we’ve got couple of decades before we can realistically say that we’ve won.”

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

The commissioning of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) will mark the second stage of India’s three-stage nuclear programme that aims to recycle spent fuel to reduce the inventory of radioactive waste.

India’s first prototype fast-breeder reactor in Tamil Nadu’s Kalpakkam is expected to be commissioned next year, nearly two years after it got the go-ahead from the nuclear regulator, officials have said.

The commissioning of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) will mark the second stage of India’s three-stage nuclear programme that aims to recycle spent fuel to reduce the inventory of radioactive waste.

The PFBR being developed in Kalpakkam is the first-of-its-kind nuclear reactor to use plutonium-based mixed oxide as fuel and liquid sodium as coolant. It will also utilise the spent fuel of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors, which form the mainstay of nuclear power in India at present.

While the state-run Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) operates nuclear power plants in the country, the PFBR in Kalpakkam is being developed by the Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam (BHAVINI).

“BHAVINI’s 500 MW PFBR is in the advanced stage of integrated commissioning, with expected first criticality by 2025-26,” Department of Atomic Energy officials recently told the parliamentary standing committee on science and technology.

They had told the committee that the first criticality of the PFBR was expected to be achieved in March and the plant would be completed by September 2026.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed the commencement of core loading in the nuclear reactor in March last year.

Last July, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) granted permission for loading of fuel, first approach to criticality and conducting low-power physics experiments for the PFBR.

PFBRs are critical for India’s nuclear programme as the spent fuel from these reactors will be used to power the thorium-based reactors that form the third stage of the closed fuel cycle.

The government has announced a nuclear energy mission that aims to produce 100 GW electricity through nuclear power.

At present, India’s installed nuclear power capacity stands at 8.18 GW. An additional 7.30 GW nuclear energy projects are under construction or commissioning and 7.00 GW have been sanctioned and are currently undergoing pre-project activities.

Upon completion of these projects, India’s nuclear power capacity is expected to reach 22.48 GW by 2031-32.

Beyond this, NPCIL plans to add another 15.40 GW through indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors and 17.60 GW through Light Water Reactors with foreign cooperation, bringing the total installed capacity to 55 GW.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

The award celebrates outstanding contributions in military reconnaissance, exploration and adventure for the years 2023 and 2024.

Five military personnel were on Wednesday conferred the MacGregor Memorial Medal by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan for outstanding contributions in military reconnaissance, exploration and adventure for the years 2023 and 2024.

The awardees for 2023 included Wing Commander D. Panda from the Air Force and Electrical Artificer (Radio) Rahul Kumar Pandey from the Navy. For 2024, Chief Electrical Aircraft Artificer (Radio) Ram Ratan Jat of the Navy and Sergeant Jhumar Ram Poonia from the Air Force were honoured with the medal. Colonel Ranvir Singh Jamwal, Director of the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports in Arunachal Pradesh, was also awarded. However, the officer was not physically present to receive the award on as he is on a mountaineering expedition to Mt. Kangchenjunga.

The medals were presented to the four personnel at a ceremony held at the United Service Institution of India (USI).

Instituted on July 03, 1888, the MacGregor Memorial Medal commemorates Major General Sir Charles Metcalfe MacGregor, founder of USI (established in 1870). Originally intended to recognise the acts of military reconnaissance and exploratory journeys, the medal’s scope was expanded in 1986, post-Independence, to include military expeditions and adventure activities, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

“While military reconnaissance and exploration remain the foremost criteria, the medal is open to all ranks (serving and retired) of the Armed Forces, Territorial Army, Reserve Forces, Rashtriya Rifles and Assam Rifles.”

To date, 127 medals have been awarded, including 103 prior to Independence. Among the notable recipients are Captain F.E. Younghusband (1890), Major General Orde Charles Wingate (1943), Major Z.C. Bakshi (1949), Col. Narinder Kumar for Siachen Glacier exploration (1978–81) and Cdr Dilip Donde and Lt. Cdr. Abhilash Tomy for their solo global circumnavigations.

The event also featured the launch of the book Bravest of the Brave, a chronicle of the life and heroic journey of Naib Subedar Chunni Lal, authored by Lt. Gen. Satish Dua (retd.), former Chief of Integrated Defence Staff.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

General Upendra Dwivedi presents awards in Bhopal, recognises veterans’ impact on communities and nation.

General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, Thursday presented the prestigious ‘Veteran Achievers Award’ to five retired servicemen for their exemplary contributions in various fields, including veterans’ welfare, education, social service, and environmental conservation. 

The awards ceremony was held in Bhopal, recognising the enduring impact these veterans have had on their communities. 

The awardees included Brigadier Ramnarayan Vinayak (Retd), Colonel Vaibhav Prakash Tripathi (Retd), Colonel KP Singh (Retd), Naik Anil Verma (Retd), and Lance Dafadar Pradeep Kalaskar (Retd).  

Brigadier Ramnarayan Vinayak (Retd) was acknowledged for his contributions to veterans’ welfare, through his efforts in providing employment to over 300 ex-servicemen via a Directorate General Resettlement (DGR)-sponsored security agency, as well as securing employment opportunities with the Madhya Pradesh government. 

His work in securing healthcare benefits for Veer Naris and restoring the Liberalised Family Pension scheme for veterans has positively impacted the economic stability of many families.

Colonel Vaibhav Prakash Tripathi (Retd), Vice-President of the Madhya Pradesh Ex-Servicemen League, was honoured for his establishment of the ‘Ojas Shikshan Evam Prashikshan Sansthan’ in Betul. 

The institution, managed by veterans, focuses on providing quality education and training to students, from remote and underprivileged areas, and prepares them for careers in the defence forces, contributing to national service.  

Naik Anil Verma (Retd) was recognised for his initiative in converting his ancestral home in Bilaspur into a secure hostel for tribal girls. 

He also founded a school for underprivileged children in 2017, which gained recognition from the Madhya Pradesh Education Board within just two years. 

The school has achieved an impressive pass rate of over 97 per cent in board exams.  

Colonel KP Singh (Retd) was honoured for his continued efforts in supporting veterans and their families, including resolving pension issues and assisting with life certificates. 

Colonel Singh has been instrumental in providing free coaching and guidance to serving personnel and veterans preparing for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interviews. 

He is also known for his regular visits to old-age homes and ashrams for polio-affected children, where he donates essential supplies and offers moral support.  

Lance Dafadar Pradeep Kalaskar (Retd) was celebrated for his dedication to supporting veterans and their families, particularly in addressing pension-related and financial issues. 

Kalaskar, who sustained 40 per cent burns while rescuing five individuals from an LPG-induced fire, has continued to serve his community, said the Army in a post on X.

He was also recognised for his environmental efforts, planting over 1,000 saplings, and was honoured with the title of ‘Vrikshamitra’ by the Chhindwara District Administration.  

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

The Archaeological Survey of India discovered the chariot in Sinauli village of Baghpat in April 2018 during excavations.

The National Museum in the national capital will have two added attractions — bronze-age solid-disk wheel carts (chariot) discovered from the Sinauli archaeological site in Uttar Pradesh and a permanent exhibition of epigraphs — on display to enthrall the heritage enthusiasts. For the first time, the 4000-year-old horse-driven chariot will be available for public viewing in the museum. It will be part of the exhibits in the Harappan Gallery.

The exhibition of epigraphs will be inaugurated on Wednesday. On the occasion, the secretary of the Culture Ministry, Arunish Chawla, will also formally unveil the chariot.

The chariot was earlier exhibited briefly as part of the temporary exhibition Roots and Routes, which was hosted during the G20 summit at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in New Delhi.

The Archaeological Survey of India discovered the chariot in Sinauli village of Baghpat in April 2018 during excavations. It was part of a larger find that included royal burials, weapons, and other artefacts.

The museum boasts a rich collection of Indian epigraphy—from early graffiti to the seals of the Harappan civilisation, representing the earliest forms of written communication—to early historic, medieval, and modern period stone, as well as copper plate inscriptions detailing donations, royal decrees, and land grants.

This prestigious collection has remained in the reserve section for the longest time and is now being displayed at the permanent exhibition in the Inscriptions Gallery.

“The exhibition brings to the forefront a curated selection of exceptional epigraphs that span the breadth of India’s historical narrative. These inscriptions, etched on stone, bricks, and other materials, are vital records of ancient India’s political, religious, and cultural life,” said officials.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Realme is also accelerating efforts to source a majority of critical components, such as PCBAs, batteries, mechanics, cables and chargers, from within India.

Chinese mobile maker Realme has announced a partnership with Optiemus Electronics Ltd. (OEL) to manufacture AIoT products including earphones, smartwatches and tablets. The company is also evaluating opportunities to export Made-in-India AIoT products to global markets. Realme and OEL aim to manufacture 5 million AIoT devices annually, and through this collaboration, the company expects to generate over 2,000 new employment opportunities in India.

“We are excited to partner with Optiemus Electronics Ltd. (OEL) to bring the manufacturing of all our high-performance and value for money AIoT devices to India. This collaboration will enable us to expand our manufacturing base to cater to domestic demand, while also reinforcing our commitment to the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative,” said a Realme spokesperson.

The manufacturing will start with products such as the Realme Buds T200 series, Realme Buds Wireless series, and Realme Buds Air series. Realme is also accelerating efforts to source a majority of critical components, such as PCBAs, batteries, mechanics, cables and chargers, from within India.

The collaboration has already begun with the commencement of production for the Realme Buds T200 Lite, an advanced earbud that delivers crystal-clear calling via Dual Mic AI Deep Call Noise Cancellation powered by DNN voice recognition technology.

“The fusion of AI and IoT is making hearable-wearable products and power devices smarter, more efficient and thus deliver a great value. We are thoroughly delighted to be an eminent part of this AI-based product evolution. OEL will continue to play its role in shaping electronics manufacturing in India, generate more employment opportunities, and forge the path ahead to become Atmanirbhar Bharat,” said Ashok Gupta, Chairman, Optiemus Group.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

The Golconda Blue holds deep historical significance for India due to its origins in the famed Golconda mines of present-day Telangana and its association with the royal houses of Indore and Baroda.

A rare 23.24-carat vivid blue diamond, known as The Golconda Blue and once owned by Indian royalty, is set to go under the hammer at Christie’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Geneva, Switzerland. Mounted in a contemporary ring by acclaimed Parisian designer JAR, the gem is expected to fetch between USD 35 and 50 million (approximately Rs 300–430 crore).

“Exceptional noble gems of this caliber come to market once in a lifetime,” said Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s International Head of Jewelry. He underscored the diamond’s prestigious provenance, placing it in the league of legendary Golconda gems like the Archduke Joseph and the Princie.

“With its royal heritage, extraordinary color, and exceptional size, The Golconda Blue is truly one of the rarest blue diamonds in the world,” Kadakia added.

For Indians, The Golconda Blue holds deep historical significance due to its origins in the famed Golconda mines of present-day Telangana and its association with the royal houses of Indore and Baroda.

The diamond’s documented journey begins with Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar II of Indore—an influential modernist ruler known for his refined aesthetic and cosmopolitan lifestyle during the 1920s and 1930s. In 1923, his father commissioned a bracelet featuring the blue diamond from French jeweler Chaumet, following the acquisition of the iconic Indore Pears.

In the 1930s, royal jeweler Mauboussin reimagined the piece, setting The Golconda Blue into a necklace famously worn by the Maharani of Indore and immortalised in a portrait by French artist Bernard Boutet de Monvel.

Post India’s independence in 1947, the diamond was acquired by renowned New York jeweler Harry Winston, who mounted it in a brooch alongside a matching white diamond. The piece later made its way to the Maharaja of Baroda before entering private ownership.

The upcoming live auction will take place at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva, marking the first time The Golconda Blue will be available to collectors and the public through open bidding.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)