International Women’s Day 2025:

The Ipsos IWD 2025 Global Survey found that 78 per cent of Indian citizens believe in the importance of achieving gender equality, with both genders supporting the cause.

International Women’s Day 2025: A 30-country survey conducted by research firm Ipsos for International Women’s Day reveals that Indians are among the most progressive when it comes to views on gender equality and challenging traditional gender stereotypes.

The Ipsos IWD 2025 Global Survey found that 78 per cent of Indian citizens believe in the importance of achieving gender equality, with both genders supporting the cause. In comparison, other countries showed more polarised views on gender parity, with South Korea (52%) and the Netherlands (54%) exhibiting significantly lower levels of agreement.

The firm conducted online interviews with 24,269 people across 30 countries between December 20, 2024, and January 3, 2025.

Regarding gender stereotypes, 48 per cent of Indians view domestic chores, like housekeeping and cooking, as shared responsibilities between genders. In contrast, 28 per cent believe the responsibility lies with women, and 18 per cent attribute it to men.

Further, 69 per cent of Indians which is at least two in three people feel that women holding positions of responsibility in business and government is a key step in advancing gender equality.

About 53 per cent believe that the responsibility of unpaid care for family members, such as caring for children and elderly relatives, should be shared equally between both genders.

“It is heartening to see that both men and women in India are aligned in their views on equal treatment and opportunity for women,” CEO of Ipsos India Amit Adarkar said, highlighting the progress India is making, especially in light of a World Economic Forum report which found that it could take five generations to achieve full gender parity.

Adarkar pointed out that India is witnessing shifts in rural areas, with initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Lakhpati Didi, alongside government policies designed to foster systemic change. He also said that families are smaller now and some families have a girl child.

Despite growing acceptance of gender parity, the report said that many Indians still believe men should be the primary breadwinners of the family, with the idea of stay-at-home dads remaining largely unacceptable.

“Gender equality is the theme and the buzzword for 2025 and beyond, but the other extreme of a man staying at home to look after his children is also not acceptable to Indians – he is seen as less of a man – this view was held by at least 6 in 10 Indians,” the report read. A significant 60 per cent of Indians hold this view, a notable increase from 39 per cent in 2019. The global average stands at 19 per cent, while South Korea leads with 69 per cent.

Notably, the survey also found that 64 per cent of Indians believe that men are being unfairly pressured to support gender equality through what they see as “overambitious” policies.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

The trial phase will span up to 24 months and involves deployment of 16 such vehicles with varying configurations and payload capacities.

Tata Motors, country’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, on Tuesday commenced the first-ever trials of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks to assess their viability for long-haul transportation solutions. The trial phase will span up to 24 months and involves deployment of 16 such vehicles with varying configurations and payload capacities.

These trucks, equipped with new age Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (H2-ICE) and Fuel Cell (H2-FCEV) technologies, will be tested on India’s most prominent freight routes, including those around Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Surat, Vadodara, Jamshedpur and Kalinganagar.

Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways said that hydrogen is the fuel of the future with immense potential to transform India’s transportation sector by reducing emissions and enhancing energy self-reliance.

Tata Motors Executive Director Girish Wagh said that during the trial run, feedback would be collected in terms of performance of this technology in real life operating conditions, infrastructure and commercial viability.

As hydrogen fuel cells or hydrogen internal combustion engines can probably be a viable technology for heavy duty, longer duration transportation, the auto major is investing in the technology, Wagh said.

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said the beginning of the trial is a significant step forward in showcasing the potential of green hydrogen in decarbonising India’s transportation sector. Tata Motor was awarded the tender for this trial, which is funded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. With an operational range of 300-500 km, these vehicles are engineered for sustainable, cost-efficient, and high-performance transportation.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Conducted between 2021 and 2023, the survey covered 8,406 km long stretches of Ganga and Brahmaputra river basins, inclusive of its tributaries, and a 101 km long stretch of the Beas river.

India has 6,324 Gangetic dolphins across the Ganga and Brahmaputra river basins and three Indus river dolphins in the Beas river basin in Punjab, the country’s first-ever detailed dolphin population survey has found.

Conducted between 2021 and 2023, the survey covered 8,406 km long stretches of Ganga and Brahmaputra river basins, inclusive of its tributaries, and a 101 km long stretch of the Beas river.

“The dolphin estimate for Ganga is 5,689 (range: 5,371-6,024), while 635 dolphins were estimated in Brahmaputra, totalling a population estimate of 6,234 (range: 5,977-6,688) in the surveyed rivers,” the report stated.

PM Narendra Modi released the results of the dolphin population survey during the 7th meeting of National Board for Wildlife held Monday at the Gir National Park. He launched Project Dolphin on August 15, 2020.

The survey was done by Wildlife Institute of India, state forest departments of Punjab, UP, Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and non-profit organisations including Aaranyak, World Wildlife Fund, Turtle Survival Alliance and Wildlife Trust of India.

Of the 6,324 Gangetic dolphins, 3,275 were found on the river’s main stem, 2,414 were found in Ganga’s tributaries while 584 were found in Brahmaputra’s main stem. A total of 28 rivers were surveyed by boat for the estimation exercise and 30 river stretches were mapped by road.

Among range states, 2,397 dolphins were counted in UP, 2,220 in Bihar, 162 in Jharkhand, 95 in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, 815 in West Bengal, 635 in Assam and three in Punjab.

In Ganga, a total of 7,109 km was actively surveyed, which included the main stem of Ganga as well as its tributaries – Chambal, Yamuna, Rapti, Sharda, Ghaghara, Mahananda, Kosi, Gandak, Geruwa, Rupnarayan, Torsa, Kaljani, Churni, and Haldi, covering UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

In UP, the highest encounter or concentration of dolphins was found in the 47-km stretch of Bhind-Pachnada in Chambal River.

The Kanpur-Vindhyachal stretch of 380 km had an encounter rate of 1.89 dolphins/km. The dolphin population in 366-km long Narora to Kanpur stretch was almost non-existent, the report said.

In Bihar, the survey found dolphin populations thriving in most stretches due to relatively higher water depth owing to tributaries such as Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi and Son, coupled with ideal river morphology. The stretch from Chausa–Manihari, covering the Ganga’s main stem has 1,297 dolphins in 590 km, making it one of the most densely populated stretches.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

Siddhi pursued bachelor’s degree in music from Vishwakarma Institute and completed postgraduate studies at Westminster University in London.

 In a remarkable musical feat, 22-year-old Siddhi Kapshikar has set a world record in harmonium playing, performing continuously for an astounding 10 hours, 23 minutes, and 22 seconds. The achievement was recognized by the Genius World Records, and she accomplished this milestone on Vasant Panchami (February 2, 2025).

She pursued a bachelor’s degree in music from Vishwakarma Institute and later completed her postgraduate studies at Westminster University in London. Currently, she is working as an Audio-Video Engineer at HSBC (Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) in London.

A Record Honoring India’s Musical Legacy

Siddhi’s record attempt was dedicated to India’s 75th Republic Year (Amrit Mahotsav), where she performed over 75 classical ragas under music therapy.

Her repertoire included:

• Geet Ramayan
• Bhajans and abhangs
• Bollywood songs
• 25 different musical forms

Siddhi Kapshikar said: “As an Indian and a Maharashtrian, I feel immense pride in setting this world record. This achievement is a tribute to my country, my musical journey, and my passion for harmonium playing. Music has been a part of my life since I was in the 5th grade.”

Her parents, Sheetal and Vivek Kapshikar, expressed their happiness and pride, stating: “Siddhi has not only honored our family but also paid tribute to Indian classical music and her beloved instrument—the harmonium. She has proved her dedication through this achievement. While she learned singing from Madhuri Kolpe, she mastered the harmonium on her own.”

source/content: thebridgechronicle.com (headline edited)

Each recipient receives a citation, a trophy featuring a statue of Lord Dhanwantari, and a cash prize of ₹5 lakh.

he Ministry of Ayush conferred the prestigious National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards for the current year on three distinguished practitioners for their exceptional contributions to the field of traditional Indian medicine.

This year’s recipients of the coveted award are Vaidya Tara Chand Sharma, renowned Nadi Vaidya and author; Vaidya Maya Ram Uniyal, a distinguished scholar of Dravyaguna Vigyana with six decades of service; and Vaidya Sameer Govind Jamadagni, founder of the Vishwa Vyakhyanmala national conference.

Union Government to include AYUSH in Ayushman Bharat scheme

Each recipient receives a citation, a trophy featuring a statue of Lord Dhanwantari, and a cash prize of ₹5 lakh.

“The National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards represent India’s commitment to advancing holistic healthcare while preserving traditional medical knowledge,” an Ayush Ministry statement said.

Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State for Ayush (IC), conferred the awards upon the three distinguished Vaidyas during an event held in Mumbai on February 20.

“The National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards showcase India’s immense contribution to global health care. These visionaries have demonstrated exceptional dedication in promoting Ayurveda worldwide, perfectly aligning with our mission to integrate traditional wisdom with modern healthcare systems,” Mr. Jadhav said.

Adding his perspective, Ayush Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha remarked, “Through decades of research and innovation, these practitioners have modernised Ayurveda practices while maintaining their authentic essence. Their work exemplifies how traditional knowledge can be adapted to address contemporary health challenges.”

“Vaidya Tara Chand Sharma, renowned for his mastery as a Nadi Vaidya, has also distinguished himself as an insightful author. His thought-provoking publications have opened new doors for explorative Ayurveda learning, encouraging a new generation to dive deep into the science of life,” the statement said. “His career, adorned with numerous accolades, is a testament to his impact on the ever-evolving landscape of Ayurveda,” it stated.

“Equally inspiring is the journey of Vaidya Maya Ram Uniyal from Uttar Pradesh, a visionary in Dravyaguna Vigyana. With more than six decades of unwavering dedication, his prolific writings and stellar administration have inspired many,” the statement added.

“His recognition with the Vanoushadi Vanaspati and Lifetime Achievement Awards further cements his legacy in raising Ayurveda’s stature worldwide. His work exemplifies how tradition, when blended with modern insight, can become a global force for wellness,” the statement said.

“Adding to this is Vaidya Sameer Govind Jamadagni, whose contributions span more than four decades,” the statement said. The founder of the Vishwa Vyakhyanmala national conference and Vishwa Ayurveda Prabodhini, he has built platforms that have transformed Ayurveda education.

“His initiatives have not only advanced innovative practices but have also sparked global dialogues that continue to enrich Ayurveda’s relevance in contemporary healthcare,” the statement said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)