Backed by Blackstone and the CPPIB, AirTrunk’s proposed investment programme would rank among the largest digital infrastructure initiatives currently being considered in the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced that AirTrunk, an Asia-Pacific and Middle East technology company, plans to invest more than Rs 3 lakh crore in India and develop 5 GW of data centre capacity by 2030 following his meeting with founder and CEO Robin Khuda.

The leading hyperscale data centre specialist said the investment would support the expansion of India’s digital infrastructure and position the country as a cornerstone of its global growth strategy.

“India’s digital infrastructure journey is gathering remarkable momentum. AirTrunk has announced plans to invest around Rs 3 lakh crore (USD 30 billion) in India and develop 5 GW of data centre capacity. This is among the largest proposed investments in the country’s digital infrastructure ecosystem,” Modi said in a post on X.

The prime minister noted that such investments will strengthen India’s position as a global hub for cloud computing and AI, while generating employment opportunities, supporting local supply chains and accelerating innovation-led growth. “It is clear that the future of the world’s digital economy is increasingly being shaped in India,” he said.

AirTrunk is a hyperscale data centre specialist creating a platform for cloud, content and large enterprise customers across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East (APME) region.

AirTrunk CEO Khuda said that Prime Minister Modi’s vision for India’s digital economy has helped create one of the world’s most compelling destinations for technology investment.

“India has the scale, talent, and ambition required to become a global AI powerhouse. AirTrunk is excited to support that vision,” he said in a company statement.

Backed by Blackstone – one of the largest foreign investors in India – and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), AirTrunk’s proposed investment programme would rank among the largest digital infrastructure initiatives currently being considered in the country and help enable the next wave of growth in cloud and artificial intelligence.

“AirTrunk plans to invest more than INR 3,000 billion (USD 30 billion) in India by 2030 in support of digital infrastructure capacity, positioning the country as a cornerstone of AirTrunk’s global growth strategy and one of the company’s most significant long-term investment markets,” AirTrunk said in its statement.

The company’s proposed development pipeline in India, across multiple states and union territories, would support India’s ambition to become a global destination for AI and cloud infrastructure investment while generating significant economic activity, employment, and technology ecosystem growth, it said.

The announcement follows AirTrunk CEO Khuda’s first senior government engagement programme in India since the company’s entry into the market through the acquisition of Lumina CloudInfra in April this year.

Through this acquisition, AirTrunk’s existing development pipeline in India includes 600 MW across Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

The company develops and operates data centre campuses with industry-leading reliability, technology innovation and energy and water efficiency.

Founded in 2015, AirTrunk set up Australia’s first and largest hyperscale data centres in 2017, then set its eyes on rapid expansion and now operates a platform of hyperscale data centres across the APME region.

(With inputs from PTI)

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Made up of panchadhatu, an alloy of five metals including gold, silver, copper, zinc and iron, the bow worth Rs 1.25 crore, was meticulously crafted by 48 women artisans from Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.

Reflecting a blend of deep devotion and national pride, the 286-kilogram Kodanda, the sacred and divine bow of Lord Rama, now rests in the newly built Ram Temple in Ayodhya, as a profound symbol of spiritual and historical unity of Sanatan.

Made up of panchadhatu, an alloy of five metals including gold, silver, copper, zinc and iron, the bow, measuring 8 ft in length and 2.5 ft in width, worth Rs 1.25 crore, was meticulously crafted by 48 women artisans from Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. They took around eight months to bring the master piece to reality.

The bow is intricately engraved with scenes depicting country’s military valour, including images from the Kargil war, symbolising nation’s pride in its armed forces.

It was transported to Ayodhya through a grand procession (Shobha Yatra) which was organised by the Sanatan Jagran Manch and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The Shobha Yatra commenced from Rourkela in Odisha on January 3 this year.

It travelled across all 30 districts of Odisha, stopping at the historic Jagannath Temple in Puri on January 19.

In Puri, it was offered for darshan at the Jagannath Temple. Afterward, the bow continued its journey toward Ayodhya and arrived in the holy city on January 22.

VHP sources said thousands of people had ‘darshan’ of the ‘kodand’ on its way to Ayodhya. ’’It is not only a religious symbol but also an example of Sanatan culture, and faith,’’ said a VHP leader. Earlier, a manuscript of 233-year-old Sanskrit Valmiki Ramayana was gifted to ‘Ram Lala’ and kept at the Ram Katha Kunj at Ayodhya.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Seventeen projects, initiatives selected for National Awards for e-Governance.

 A total of 17 projects or initiatives selected for the National Awards for e-Governance 2026 across seven categories to recognise exemplary contributions in digital governance, an official statement issued on Thursday said.

The National Awards for e-Governance are presented every year to recognise and promote excellence in implementation of e-governance initiatives.

The 29th NAeG 2026 awardees in seven categories include the gram panchayats category, recognising deepening and widening of service delivery at grassroots level through digitisation.

“Agri Stack”, a project of Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, “Mahakumbh 2025” by Prayagraj Mela Authority, Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, and Blood Bag Traceability and Citizen Interaction portal for promoting speedy, safe and voluntary blood donation by Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council are among the awardees, according to the statement issued by the Personnel Ministry.

TRINETRA, an AI based Video Surveillance system for Mahakal Rudrasagar Integrated Development Area , including Mahakaleshwar Temple by Mahakaleshwar Temple Trust, Samrat Vikramaditya Prashasnik Sankul Bhawan, Ujjain; and Panchayat Advancement Index, a Data Driven Governance for Viksit Bharat by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj are also among the awardees, it said.

The awards ceremony will be held during the 29th National Conference on e-Governance in Jaipur, Rajasthan, the statement said, without mentioning the date of the event.

The seven categories for the NAeG 2026 include ‘Government Process Re-engineering by Use of Technology for Digital Transformation’, ‘Innovation by Use of AI and Other New Age Technologies for Providing Citizen Centric Services’, ‘Best e-Gov Practices/Innovation in Cyber Security’, and ‘Digital transformation by Use of Data Analytics in Digital Platforms by Central Ministries/States/UTs’, among others.

The awards consist of a trophy, certificate and an incentive of ₹10 lakh for gold awardees and ₹5 lakh for silver awardees to be awarded to central ministry/ department/state/UT/district/organisation/gram panchayat for being utilised for implementation of project/programme or bridging resources gaps in any area of public welfare.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

The company says its new milk pouch uses a first-of-its-kind degradable packaging innovation that enables the material to transform into bioavailable wax, which is naturally broken down by microbes present in the soil to turn it into natural elements.

Mother Dairy on Tuesday introduced an innovative milk pouch that is naturally degradable in soil as part of its commitment towards environment and sustainability.

Mother Dairy, one of the leading fresh milk suppliers in India, sells around 55 lakh litre of milk per day across many states.

At a press conference here, Mother Dairy “unveiled India’s FIRST naturally degradable milk pouch in soil” that would leave no trace of plastics in the environment.

To begin with, the company will use this new degradable milk pouch in its cow milk variant sold across Delhi-NCR from June 5, the World Environment Day.

Mother Dairy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).

Mother Dairy said its new milk pouch uses a first-of-its-kind degradable packaging innovation that enables the material to transform into bioavailable wax, which is naturally broken down by microbes present in the soil to turn it into natural elements.

“The newly introduced packaging is designed to naturally degrade in soil within a few years rather than centuries, and importantly, this transition is being undertaken without any impact on consumer milk prices,” Meenesh Shah, Chairman of NDDB, said.

Mother Dairy is committed to safeguarding the planet, he said.

“The launch of India’s first naturally degradable milk pouch by Mother Dairy is yet another milestone reflecting the sector’s continued ability to lead and set new benchmarks, while remaining committed to a future-ready and sustainable ecosystem,” Shah said.

Jayatheertha Chary, Managing Director of Mother Dairy, said, ” We undertook over four years of research to develop a naturally degradable milk pouch that leaves no trace of plastics in the environment.” While these milk pouches will continue to remain recyclable, he said the key differentiator lies in their ability to degrade into natural elements, thereby helping address the challenge of fugitive plastic.

Mother Dairy, which was commissioned in 1974, manufactures, markets & sells milk and milk products including cultured products, ice creams, paneer, ghee, etc. under the ‘Mother Dairy’ brand.

The company also has a diversified portfolio with products in edible oils under the ‘Dhara’ brand and fresh fruits & vegetables, frozen vegetables & snacks, pulps & concentrates, etc. under the ‘Safal’ brand.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

Traditional institutions such as the Dorbar Shnong and the Hima continue to play central roles in enforcing community norms.

Long before climate conferences, carbon credits and biodiversity targets entered global vocabulary, communities in the hills of Meghalaya were already protecting forests with something far older — custom, belief and collective responsibility.

A new study published in the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences found that centuries-old Khasi community institutions continue to play a crucial role in conserving forests.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headlines edited)

Built on two acres near Ekana Cricket Stadium, the vatika is dedicated to the valour, indomitable courage and modern technical proficiency of India’s maritime borders.

Union defence minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated Navy’s memorial museum, the Nausena Shaurya Vatika, in his parliamentary constituency on Saturday and said it is a symbol of patriotism and military pride, showcasing the glorious tradition of the Indian Navy’s valour, bravery and service to the nation.

Built on two acres near Ekana Cricket Stadium, the vatika is dedicated to the valour, indomitable courage and modern technical proficiency of India’s maritime borders. It has been developed as Phase-II of the Nausena Shaurya Sangrahalaya, the Navy’s memorial museum.

The defence minister noted that the Indian Navy has played a crucial role in securing the country’s maritime boundaries and protecting national interests. Praising the courage and commitment of naval personnel, he said such memorials help take the country’s military history to every citizen.

He announced that a submarine will soon be installed at the naval memorial as well.

Addressing the event, chief minister Yogi Adityanath said tanks that helped the Indian Army win wars should be installed at important intersections across the state. He said they will inspire youth and increase respect for the Army and soldiers among people.

“Anyone visiting Lucknow can tour centres linked to India’s traditions, heritage and security, and feel proud of them. Nausena Shaurya Vatika has been set up as a new centre in that series,” he said.

He added that INS Gomti served India’s maritime security for a long time and was decommissioned from the Navy in 2022. It has now been installed on the banks of Lucknow’s lifeline, the Gomti river. The site will give youth from the state and the country information about the Indian Navy and inspire them to face life’s challenges.

Amid the global crisis triggered by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing conflict between Iran, the US and Israel, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi said India’s economic progress and future development depend on the seas. The Indian Navy ensures safe passage of maritime routes, he said.

Citing reasons for setting up a maritime museum in a landlocked state like Uttar Pradesh, Admiral Tripathi said, “First, centuries ago, even before trains, the region remained connected to the sea. Rivers like the Ganga and Gomti linked this area to the sea. Second, ships were built using timber from UP’s forests.

“Third, even today, the maximum number of officers, sailors and Agniveers in the Indian Navy come from Uttar Pradesh. The state also has the highest number of veterans. Also, the Gomti river. Though the sea is far from Uttar Pradesh, the state was never distant from the sea,” he added.

Admiral added that the equipment from INS Gomti installed at Nausena Shaurya Vatika came from a warship built at Mumbai’s Mazgaon Dockyard.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headlines edited)

Jalpaiguri:

North Bengal will no longer resonate with the mesmerising melodies of the Sarinda that once recreated the calls of birds and animals with astonishing perfection. The magical strings of the traditional folk instrument fell silent forever with the demise of Padma Shri awardee and legendary Sarinda maestro Mangala Kanta Roy.

The iconic folk artiste breathed his last at his residence in Dhowlaguri village under Amguri Gram Panchayat of Maynaguri block in Jalpaiguri district early on Friday morning. He was 104.

His death has cast a deep shadow of grief across the folk music and cultural fraternity of North Bengal, where he was regarded as one of the finest exponents of the Sarinda — a traditional string instrument deeply rooted in the region’s folk heritage.

Family members said the veteran musician had been suffering from age-related ailments for nearly a month. His elder son, Umakanta Roy, said Mangala Kanta Roy was first taken to Maynaguri Hospital after falling ill on April 27 and was later referred to Jalpaiguri Medical College and Hospital for advanced treatment.

“Doctors informed us that he had developed a tumour-like condition in his throat. After his condition stabilised slightly, he was brought back home where treatment continued. However, for the last week he had almost stopped eating completely. He finally breathed his last around 3 am on Friday,” his son said.

Widely celebrated for his extraordinary mastery over the Sarinda, Mangala Kanta Roy earned recognition for preserving the rich folk traditions of North Bengal through his unique performances.

He is survived by his wife, three sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren.

source/content: milleniumpost.in (headline edited)

The bench permitted the Centre to issue a medical rescue protocol for trauma cases within three months, and directed all the states and UTs to operationalise the same within three months thereof.

Observing that right to trauma care of citizens is an integral part of right to life, the Supreme Court has asked all states and Union territories to operationalise within three months one helpline number ‘112’ for emergency responses and establish functional good samaritan grievance redressal system.

A bench of Justices J K Maheshwari and A S Chandurkar also directed the states to furnish periodic compliance reports by organising monthly meetings and uploading the minutes on the concerned portals.

The bench passed the order on Tuesday on a plea filed by Savelife Foundation which raised the need for trauma care to be recognised as a matter of right in the Indian public law system.

The top court said when a person suffers an accident or any such similar incident which requires urgent trauma care, they usually feel shock and disorientation, a sense of helplessness where they have to hope that those around them would somehow help them get the care that they need.

“In such a situation, every minute spent without medical intervention or urgent care significantly narrows the scope for survival. Swiftness, is quite literally, like medicine,” it said.

Referring to different stages of care after such an incident, the bench said a robust mechanism for trauma care must take a “bottom-up approach” which accounts for various stakeholders.

It said usually, no matter how strong the urge to be a good samaritan is, the bystander hesitates, suffers a reactive paralysis, sometimes due to fear of legal proceedings, of getting summoned to police station as a witness and sometimes due to the psychological weight of the situation itself.

“To address these barriers, what is required is a systemic intervention, creation of a uniform framework for trauma care, building public awareness, standardization of first aid skills and proper good samaritan laws; since right to trauma care of citizens is an integral part of right to life enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India,” the bench said.

It permitted the Centre to issue a medical rescue protocol for trauma cases within three months, and directed all the states and UTs to operationalise the same within three months thereof.

“All states/UTs shall ensure full automative industry standard-125 (AIS-125) compliance across all registered ambulances (public and private); mandate Global Positioning System (GPS)/vehicle location tracking device (VLTD) fitment and real-time integration with helpline 112; and conduct periodic structured audits (response times, quality of care, equipment, outcomes) with compliance reporting to a designated union-level authority, within a period of three months,” it said.

The bench asked the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to issue guidelines prescribing the requisite data format for a trauma registry within eight weeks.

It said all states/UTs would establish state trauma registries in conformity, covering all medical facilities and linking the same to a coordinated trauma registry within four months.

Besides passing other interim directions, the bench directed the Centre, states and UTs to undertake sustained, structured, multi-lingual mass-media campaigns covering helpline 112, the good samaritan protection under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles Act and the grievance redressal system, the cashless treatment scheme (PM RAHAT) with defined obligations and compliance reporting within a month.

“In addition to the above, all states and UTs that have not yet adopted the cashless treatment of road accident victims scheme, 2025 – PM RAHAT, shall take necessary steps to fully operationalise the said schemes within a period of three months…,” it said, and listed the matter after four months.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

Survey conducted in 2023-2024 found reduced stunting, severe wasting among young children, improvements in services and nutrition for pregnant women, progress towards universal vaccination.

India made significant progress in maternal and child health, with improvements in vaccination and hospital births, and a drop in stunting and severe wasting among young children, according to the National Family Health Survey-6, for which field work was conducted in 2023 and 2024.

The Health Ministry released data from the survey on Friday (May 29, 2026). It showed that institutional deliveries rose from 88.6% in the previous round of the NFHS conducted between 2019 and 2021, to 90.6% this time. Full vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months increased from 83.8% to 87.1%, while 95.6% of infants under six months were being breastfed during the survey period.

The survey, which is the first to be conducted after the COVID-19 pandemic, recorded improvements in child health indicators. Stunting among children under five years declined from 35.5% to 29.3%, severe wasting dropped from 7.7% to 5.2%, and the percentage of underweight children in this age group slipped marginally from 32.1% to 31.8%. Symptoms of acute respiratory infection among children fell from 2.8% to 1.9%, while the prevalence of severe diarrhoea also dropped to 0.5%.

The survey flagged the increase in non-communicable diseases, lifestyle-related risks, and the dual burden of undernutrition and increasing obesity among adults as persistent health challenges.

Maternal health progress

India’s total fertility rate held steady at 2.0 in 2023-24, just under the replecement threshold of 2.1%, while the contraceptive prevalence rate rose from 66.7% to 69.1%.

The survey highlights progress in maternal health services across the country, with 95.9% of pregnant women receiving antenatal care, including 76.2% in the first trimester, an increase from 70% in the previous survey period. Mothers receiving at least four antenatal care visits also increased from 58.5% to 65.2%.

Maternal nutrition indicators also showed improvement, with mothers consuming iron folic acid supplements for 100 days or more during pregnancy rising from 44.1% to 54.9%, while those consuming supplements for 180 days or more rose from 26% to 37.8%.

Aiming for universal immunisation

Conducted by the Health Ministry along with the International Institute for Population Sciences, the survey documented progress towards universal immunisation coverage.

Based on vaccination cards, full vaccination coverage among children aged 12-23 months rose from 83.8% to 87.1%, with 95.6% of children getting most of their vaccinations through public health facilities. Among major vaccines, rotavirus vaccination coverage rose substantially, from 36.4% to 85.4%. The coverage of the second dose of measles-containing vaccines also increased significantly from 58.6% to 71.8%.

Health insurance coverage rises

It found that the use of hygienic methods of menstrual protection among women age 15-24 years has increased from 77.6% to 79.2%. Health insurance or financing scheme coverage expanded significantly from 41% to 60.2% at the household level. The percentage of women who have used the internet nearly doubled from 33.3% to 64.3%, while women having a bank or savings account that they use themselves rose from 78.6% to 89%, and women having a mobile phone that they use themselves rose from 53.9% to 63.6%.

NFHS-6 fieldwork for was conducted in two phases, the first from May 28, 2023 to February 26, 2024, and the second from February 7, 2024 to December 31, 2024. In all, 27 field agencies gathered information from nearly 6.79 lakh households across 715 districts.

The survey provides vital data on population, health, nutrition, and family welfare indicators. This round includes several new topics, including the coverage of direct bank transfers and self-help groups, as well as digital literacy and financial transactions.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)