Chandigarh, July 27:Indian cricketers VijayShankar and PiyushChawla are adding greater experience and regional appeal to the Lanka Premier League 2026, strengthening the tournament’s connection with cricket audiences across India.
VijayShankar is representing the Kandy Royals, while PiyushChawla has joined the Jaffna Kings, bringing valuable experience from Indian and international cricket to their respective franchises.
Their participation reflects the growing appeal of the LPL among established overseas players and strengthens the tournament’s position as an important platform within South Asian franchise cricket.
Beyond their contributions on the field, both players provide Sri Lankan cricketers with the opportunity to train, compete and share dressing rooms with professionals who have extensive experience in high-pressure T20 environments. This exchange of knowledge is particularly valuable for emerging players seeking to develop their tactical awareness, match preparation and ability to perform under pressure.
Anil Mohan, Founder and Chairman of IPG Group, said, “India and Sri Lanka share a deep cricketing connection, and the participation of Vijay Shankar and Piyush Chawla adds further value to LPL 2026. Their experience strengthens the competition while also creating opportunities for Sri Lankan players to learn from cricketers who have competed at the highest levels.”
Samantha Dodanwela, Tournament Director of the Lanka Premier League, said, “The presence of experienced Indian players highlights the growing international appeal of the LPL. Their participation contributes to the quality of the tournament and supports our wider objective of creating a competitive platform that benefits Sri Lankan cricket.”
The Lanka Premier League 2026 brings together leading Sri Lankan players and international talent across five franchises, offering fans a high-quality combination of competitive cricket and entertainment.
Dubai, UAE, July 27: The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Formula One Management have confirmed that Malaysia will host the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit from 2–4 October 2026, between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix.
The event, which is subject to final agreements and official sign-off, including the approval of the World Motor Sport Council, will become the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
This solution demonstrates Formula 1’s ability to adapt quickly and find a way to ensure that the sport’s ecosystem of the sport continue to benefit from an extensive and exciting 2026 schedule, as well as recognising Bahrain’s place on the calendar and the generosity of Malaysia in making the replacement possible.
This agreement, reached between the FIA, FOM, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain, His Majesty the King of Malaysia, and their respective governments, allows Formula 1 to preserve a Grand Prix that would otherwise have not happened. The rest of the schedule for 2026 remains unchanged.
This will be welcome news for Formula 1 fans around the world. Sepang is one of Formula 1’s most iconic and challenging circuits, known for its passionate fans, exciting racing and unpredictable weather, making it an ideal venue to host this round of the Championship.
His Excellency, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, said: “I am incredibly proud of the collaboration that will enable Malaysia to host the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at the iconic Sepang International circuit later this year.
“Throughout this process, the FIA, Formula One Management, and our partners in Bahrain have worked tirelessly to explore every option, with the safety and wellbeing of the teams, volunteers, officials, our colleagues, and fans remaining our highest priority. “Malaysia has long held an important place in the history of Formula One and the return of the Championship to Sepang is testament to our close relationship with the Motorsports Association of Malaysia, the continued commitment of the Malaysian Government, and the strength of international cooperation within our sport. “My sincere thanks to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain, for their vision and support in making this possible. We look forward to welcoming the global motorsport community back to Sepang.”
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, said: “With the blessings of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, and His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Sultan Iskandar, King of Malaysia, and building on the close and brotherly relations between our two countries, I am proud to join Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia in announcing that Bahrain will host the Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, from 2 to 4 October 2026.
“This will be a wonderful experience for fans around the world and reflects Bahrain’s enduring commitment to, and passion for, the sport. Amid ongoing regional challenges, Bahrain is proud to stand as a pillar of stability for Formula 1, and we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure a successful and memorable race for everyone involved.
“I offer my sincere appreciation to F1, the FIA, Bahrain International Circuit, Sepang International Circuit, and the teams for their support in helping us deliver an exciting weekend of racing.”
Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia said: “I extend my deepest appreciation to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as the Government and people of Bahrain, for the trust and confidence they have placed in Malaysia. We are honoured to support the Kingdom of Bahrain, Formula 1 and the FIA in hosting the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit this year.
“This collaboration is more than the staging of a world-class sporting event. It reflects the enduring friendship, mutual trust and close partnership between Malaysia and the Kingdom of Bahrain, while reaffirming Malaysia’s readiness and capability to host major international events.
“Malaysia stands ready to welcome Formula 1, the FIA, the teams and fans from around the world back to Sepang. We look forward to showcasing our world-class infrastructure, operational excellence and warm hospitality, while further strengthening the bonds between our two nations through this special occasion.”
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said: “We are delighted to confirm that Malaysia will host the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2026. We have all shown once again that Formula 1 can adapt, find solutions and deliver results and give a great surprise to everyone following our sport.
“I would like to express our sincere thanks to Bahrain and Malaysia, notably His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and the King and Prime Minister of Malaysia for their vision, passion and decisive action in making this exciting moment possible.
“I also want to thank the President of the FIA, His Excellency Mohammed Ben Sulayem for his partnership and collaboration. Most importantly, this is excellent news for our fans, who will continue to enjoy a packed calendar and the opportunity to see Formula 1 return to one of the sport’s most iconic circuits. Malaysia is an incredible country and Sepang has a rich history in Formula 1 and will provide a fantastic spectacle for fans both at the track and watching around the world.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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/.
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.
