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  • 116 Traditional Handloom Weaves on Display as ‘Weaves of India Festival’ Opens at Janpath 

    New Delhi| July 25: The ‘Weaves of India Festival’, celebrating India’s rich handloom heritage and the remarkable craftsmanship of its weavers, has opened at the Central Cottage Industries Emporium (The Cottage), Janpath, New Delhi. The festival was inaugurated by Ms. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, while Dr. M. Beena, Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, attended the event as the Guest of Honour.

    The festival is being organized ahead of National Handloom Day to showcase India’s diverse weaving traditions and promote the country’s vibrant handloom sector.

    Jointly organized by the  Development Commissioner (Handlooms)  Ministry of Textiles, and the Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India (CCIC), the exhibition will continue until August 7, 2026. It is open to visitors daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

    A major attraction of the festival is the display of 116 traditional handloom weaves from across the country under one roof. The exhibition also features National Award-winning weavers, who are demonstrating their traditional weaving techniques and interacting with visitors.

    Weavers from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh (Varanasi), West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, and several other states are showcasing their signature handloom products. Visitors can explore iconic weaves such as Banarasi, Chanderi, Maheshwari, Jamdani, Muga, and Bhagalpuri Silk, along with handcrafted dupattas, shawls, and a variety of other handmade textiles.

    Speaking at the inauguration,  Akhilesh Kumar, Dy. DG  Ministry of Textile and Chairman, Central Cottage Industries Corporation, said the exhibition provides visitors with an opportunity not only to admire India’s traditional handloom weaves but also to understand the culture, heritage, and inspiring stories behind every weave. He added that bringing artisans from different parts of the country onto one platform enables people to experience India’s rich handloom legacy firsthand.

    Addressing the gathering, Dr. M. Beena, Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, said the exhibition has been organized to mark National Handloom Day. She noted that the festival offers visitors a unique opportunity to interact directly with weavers, understand their craftsmanship and traditions, and purchase authentic handloom products directly from the artisans.

    The ‘Weaves of India Festival’ is more than an exhibition—it is a celebration of India’s textile heritage, cultural diversity, and the timeless skills of generations of weavers. The initiative aims to promote Indian handlooms, create wider market opportunities for artisans, and bring the country’s traditional weaving heritage closer to people from across India and abroad.

  • President Murmu Takes Green Initiative to Romania, Plants Tree Under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’

    July 25: President Droupadi Murmu planted a tree in Romania as part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, highlighting the importance of environmental conservation and sustainable development.

    President Murmu Takes Green Initiative to Romania, Plants Tree Under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’

    The President’s participation in the campaign reflected India’s commitment to promoting ecological awareness and encouraging people to protect nature in honour of their mothers.

    During the tree plantation programme, President Murmu emphasised the significance of collective efforts towards preserving the environment and creating a greener future for coming generations.

    The ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, launched to inspire citizens to plant trees as a tribute to their mothers, has encouraged people across India and abroad to participate in environmental protection efforts.

    The tree plantation event in Romania also showcased the shared commitment of India and its international partners towards addressing environmental challenges and strengthening the message of sustainability.

  • India Celebrates Jhandu Kumar’s Para Powerlifting Success at CWG 2026

    New Delhi, July 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar for his remarkable performance at the Commonwealth Games 2026, praising his determination and calling his bronze medal-winning effort a “spectacular performance”.

    PM Modi highlighted Jhandu Kumar’s dedication, discipline and perseverance, saying that the achievement reflects the courage and commitment of India’s para-athletes who continue to excel on the international stage.

    The bronze medal win has added another proud moment to India’s Commonwealth Games campaign and showcased the growing potential of the country’s para-sports community.

    Appreciating the athlete’s success, the Prime Minister said such achievements inspire countless young sportspersons to pursue their dreams and contribute to India’s sporting excellence.

    Jhandu Kumar’s performance has drawn appreciation from the sporting fraternity, with fans and officials celebrating his achievement as a symbol of hard work, resilience and the spirit of never giving up.

  • Education Key to Transformation, Says President Murmu

    July 25: President Droupadi Murmu said education has been the most transformative force in her life, as she received an Honorary Doctorate from the Bucharest University of Economic Studies during her visit to Romania.

    Education Key to Transformation, Says President Murmu

     Pic Credit: https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn

    Accepting the prestigious honour, President Murmu described it as a reflection of the deep and enduring friendship between the people of India and Romania. She expressed gratitude for the recognition and highlighted the important role of education in shaping individuals, societies and nations.

    The President encouraged the Bucharest University of Economic Studies and other Romanian educational institutions to further strengthen academic cooperation with India through joint research programmes, faculty exchanges and student mobility initiatives.

    She emphasised that greater collaboration in the field of education can build stronger connections between the two countries and create new opportunities for young learners, researchers and academic communities.

    President Murmu’s remarks highlighted the shared commitment of India and Romania towards expanding knowledge partnerships and promoting greater understanding through education.

  • Suna Besha: Puri’s Grand Golden Celebration of Lord Jagannath’s Divine Majesty

    Suna Besha: Puri’s Grand Golden Celebration of Lord Jagannath’s Divine Majesty

    The holy city of Puri is preparing to witness one of the most awe-inspiring and spiritually significant moments of the annual Rath Yatra — the Suna Besha, a centuries-old tradition where Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are adorned in magnificent gold ornaments on their chariots.

    Also known as Raja Besha or Rajarajeshwara Besha, the grand ritual is observed on Bahuda Ekadashi, the 11th day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha, following the return of the deities from the Gundicha Temple. On this sacred occasion, the three deities appear in a resplendent golden attire, creating a divine spectacle that attracts devotees from across the country and beyond.

    The sight of the deities shining in gold, seated on their majestic chariots near the Lion’s Gate (Singhadwara) of the Jagannath Temple, is considered one of the most memorable experiences of the Rath Yatra festival.

    A Tradition Rooted in History

    The origin of Suna Besha dates back to the 15th century during the reign of Odisha’s King Kapilendra Deva in 1460 AD. According to tradition, after returning victorious from military campaigns in southern India, the king offered a vast treasure of gold and precious gems to Lord Jagannath as a mark of devotion.

    The donated wealth was used to create elaborate ornaments for the deities, and the practice of adorning Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra with these golden decorations during Rath Yatra became an enduring tradition.

    Over the centuries, Suna Besha has remained a symbol of Odisha’s rich spiritual heritage, devotion and artistic excellence.

    A Divine Display of Gold Craftsmanship

    The golden ornaments used during Suna Besha are preserved in the temple treasury, known as the Bhitara Bhandara. With elaborate security arrangements, the ornaments are brought out and handed over to temple servitors, who carefully decorate the deities on their respective chariots.

    Lord Jagannath is adorned with a golden Chakra (wheel), along with a silver Sankha (conch), while Lord Balabhadra is decorated with a golden plough and mace, representing their divine attributes.

    The magnificent ornaments include:

    • Suna Mukuta – Golden crown
    • Suna Hasta – Golden hands
    • Suna Payar – Golden feet
    • Suna Chakra – Golden wheel
    • Suna Gada – Golden mace
    • Suna Padma – Golden lotus
    • Suna Kundal – Golden earrings
    • Mayur Chandrika – Golden peacock feather ornament
    • Suna Mala – Intricately designed gold necklaces

    Each ornament carries deep religious meaning and reflects the exceptional craftsmanship passed down through generations.

    One of the Most Revered Forms of the Deities

    Among the 32 traditional forms or Beshas of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, Suna Besha holds a special place in the hearts of devotees. The golden attire represents the divine royalty of the deities and their status as the supreme rulers of the universe.

    Suna Besha is celebrated five times a year — four times inside the temple on the Ratna Singhasana and once during Rath Yatra when the deities appear on their chariots for public darshan.

    A Moment of Faith and Devotion

    For devotees, Suna Besha is more than a religious ceremony; it is an emotional and spiritual experience. Thousands gather in Puri to catch a glimpse of the golden form of the deities, believing that the sacred darshan brings blessings, peace and spiritual fulfilment.

    As the golden ornaments illuminate the chariots and devotional chants echo through the streets of Puri, Suna Besha continues to stand as a magnificent celebration of faith, tradition and Odisha’s timeless cultural legacy.

  • Major Maritime Boost: Rs 69,725 Crore Package for Shipbuilding Sector

    New Delhi, July 25: The government has announced a major support package of Rs 69,725 crore aimed at strengthening India’s shipbuilding industry, enhancing maritime financing and accelerating growth in the country’s blue economy.

    The initiative is expected to provide a significant boost to domestic shipyards, improve competitiveness and encourage greater participation in the global maritime sector. It will also help create a stronger ecosystem for ship construction, repair and related industries.

    The package focuses on improving access to finance, supporting capacity expansion and promoting innovation in the shipbuilding sector. By addressing key challenges faced by the industry, the move aims to reduce dependence on foreign shipbuilding capabilities and position India as a major maritime hub.

    The government said the initiative will generate new employment opportunities, support ancillary industries and contribute to the growth of coastal economies.

    With India’s strategic location and expanding maritime trade, the package is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening the country’s shipping infrastructure and advancing its vision of becoming a global leader in the maritime sector.

  • Cavidi Launches Exazym® StreptaClick® Primer for Biotinylated ELISAs

    Uppsala, Sweden  July 25: Cavidi AB, developer of the Exazym® BOLD (Binding Oligo Ladder Detection) signal amplification platform, today announced the commercial launch of Exazym® StreptaClick® Primer, a new reagent that enables researchers to add BOLD amplification directly to any sandwich ELISA using a biotinylated detector antibody — without conjugation chemistry or changes to the existing assay workflow.

    Simplifying the path to BOLD amplification on commercial ELISAs

    The Exazym platform amplifies immunoassay signals by coupling an oligo-dT primer to the detector antibody, driving a polymerase reaction that multiplies signal output dramatically while leaving the assay’s capture antibody, plate format, and reader unchanged. Until now, implementing BOLD required custom conjugation of the detector antibody using the Exazym® ClickChem Conjugation Kit.

    StreptaClick® Primer removes that requirement for the large subset of assays that already use biotinylated detector antibodies. The product is a pre-formed streptavidin-oligo-dT conjugate, quality-controlled and ready to use. Researchers add it at the detection step of their existing ELISA protocol. No offline chemistry, no additional incubation equipment, and no changes to coating, blocking, or sample addition steps are required.

    Demonstrated performance across commercial assay formats

    In real-world studies, StreptaClick® Primer delivered an 11-fold improvement in limit of detection on the R&D Systems Human IL-23 DuoSet and a 16-fold improvement on the Mabtech Human IL-4 ELISA Flex. Typical sensitivity gains across assays range from 10 to 100-fold. The degree of improvement scales with the signal-to-noise characteristics of the underlying assay — assays with low intrinsic background tend to see the largest gains.

    Optimization requires cross-titrating two parameters: the concentration of the biotinylated detector antibody and the StreptaClick® Primer concentration. Full optimization guidance is provided in the product Instructions for Use and in published application notes available on the Cavidi website.

    Jonathan Royce, CEO at Cavidi AB, said: “Most labs running cytokine or biomarker ELISAs today are already using biotinylated detection antibodies — that’s a very large installed base of assays that can now access BOLD amplification with essentially no workflow redesign. StreptaClick® Primer is the answer to the question we hear most often: what’s the fastest way to get started with Exazym?”

    Availability

    Exazym® StreptaClick® Primer is available now directly from Cavidi and through authorised distributors. First-time Exazym users require three components: StreptaClick® Primer, the Exazym® Polymerase Reaction Kit, and an Exazym® Detection Kit appropriate for their detection modality (HRP, biotin, APC, or PE). Full product information, performance data, application notes, and ordering are available at cavidi.se/product/exazym-streptaclick-primer/.

  • Young Hockey Stars Set for Action as 15 Academies Gear Up for Gwalior Championship

    Gwalior, July 25: The stage is set for an exciting display of young hockey talent as 15 academies prepare to compete in the 4th Hockey India Junior Women Academy Championship, beginning July 26 in Gwalior.

    The tournament, which will continue until August 3, will see teams divided into four pools, with players from across the country competing for top honours and gaining valuable match experience.

    The championship provides a significant platform for emerging hockey players to showcase their skills, test themselves against strong competition and take another step towards higher levels of the sport.

    With several promising athletes expected to take part, the tournament is set to highlight the growing strength of women’s hockey in India and the efforts being made to develop future stars of the game.

  • India Squad Meets Zimbabwe Ambassador Ahead of Second T20I

    New Delhi, July 25: Indian cricketer Shreyas Iyer and members of the team visited the Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe ahead of the second T20 International, as the squad continued preparations for the upcoming match.

    The players interacted with the Ambassador and officials, highlighting the strong connection between Indian cricket and the Indian community abroad. The meeting provided an opportunity for the team to engage in a warm exchange ahead of the important fixture.

    The Indian side is focused on building momentum in the series and adapting to the conditions in Zimbabwe. Players and support staff are working on their strategies as they prepare for the second T20I.

    The visit also reflected the spirit of camaraderie and goodwill surrounding India’s cricketing engagements overseas.

  • Markets Under Pressure as Inflation Fears Hit Investor Sentiment

    New Delhi, July 25: Indian equity markets ended the week on a weaker note, with benchmark indices Nifty and Sensex declining more than 2.3 per cent amid growing concerns over global inflation and uncertainty in international markets.

    Investor sentiment remained cautious as persistent inflationary pressures and expectations of prolonged high interest rates in major economies affected market confidence. Global developments also influenced domestic trading trends, leading to increased volatility across sectors.

    The decline reflected broader risk aversion among investors, with market participants closely monitoring inflation data, central bank policy signals and global economic indicators.

    Despite the short-term pressure, analysts said India’s long-term growth prospects remain supported by strong domestic fundamentals, steady economic activity and continued policy reforms.

    Market experts expect volatility to continue in the near term as investors assess global cues and the evolving inflation outlook.