NATIONAL NEWS

14th Sirarakhong Hathei Chilli Festival Inaugurated In Manipur       

The 14th Sirarakhong Hathei Chilli Festival began in Sirarakhong Village, Ukhrul district, Manipur, as a three-day celebration of the GI-tagged Hathei chilli, known for its bright red colour, medium pungency, strong aroma, and unique flavour.

The Geographical Indication (GI) tag has enhanced the chilli’s recognition across India, symbolising Manipur’s agricultural identity.

Major activities included ceremonial flag hoisting, cultural performances, buyer-seller meet to promote direct farmer access to markets, and a tree plantation drive under the nationwide campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’.

The festival aims to promote agri-tourism in Manipur, strengthen market linkages for farmers, celebrate local identity and biodiversity, and encourage environmental conservation.

16th Combined Commanders’ Conference

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 16th Combined Commanders’ Conference in Kolkata at the Eastern Command headquarters (Fort William).

The Combined Commanders’ Conference is the apex-level brainstorming forum of the Armed Forces, held once every two years, bringing together top civilian and military leadership.

The theme of the 16th Conference is “Year of Reforms – Transformation for the Future”, aligned with the modernisation and transformation of the Armed Forces.

The Prime Minister complimented the Armed Forces for the success of Operation Sindoor, nation-building efforts, anti-piracy operations, evacuation of Indian citizens from conflict zones, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)

The Prime Minister reviewed reforms implemented in the last two years and the roadmap for the next two years.

The two-day conference will review structural, administrative, and operational matters, and develop a roadmap for defence preparedness amid global uncertainties.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also arrived in Kolkata to attend the Conference.

The Prime Minister’s visit is part of his five-state tour covering Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Oman to Establish Middle East’s First Green Ship Recycling Facility Under 2050 Net-Zero Plan         

Oman will build the Middle East’s first integrated green ship recycling facility as part of its 2050 net-zero emissions goals.

The facility will dismantle and recycle over 70 ships annually and produce 2 million tonnes of low-carbon steel in its first phase.

The project will comply with the EU Ship Recycling Regulation and the Hong Kong Convention on safe and sustainable ship recycling.

The plant will be established at Khatmat Malaha, North Batinah, in partnership with Green Wheel Recycling Middle East.

The project will supply millions of tonnes of low-carbon steel to Oman’s iron and steel sector, boosting non-oil GDP.

Oman also aims to be the first Gulf country to provide electricity and green fuel to ships while docked, supporting sustainable maritime transport.

Albania Appoints Diella as World’s First AI-Powered Cabinet Minister

Albania made history by appointing Diella, the world’s first artificial intelligence (AI)-powered cabinet minister, launched by Prime Minister Edi Rama at the Socialist Party assembly in Tirana.

Diella is a virtual AI avatar integrated into Albania’s digital governance portal (E-Albania), not a human minister.

The name “Diella” comes from the Albanian word for “sun.”

Role of Diella is to oversees public procurement and tenders, ensuring transparency, fairness, and efficiency in the process.

It can process bureaucratic requests through voice commands; has already facilitated 36,600 digital documents and nearly 1,000 services.

Prime Minister Rama described Diella as “the first member not physically present but virtually created by artificial intelligence.”

This Marks the world’s first AI cabinet-level position, symbolizing digital governance and setting a global precedent for the role of AI in policymaking.

 

BANKING

RBI Unveils Microsite Showcasing Banknote Design and Security Elements

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched a new microsite on Indian currency to educate the public about banknotes in an engaging and interactive

The microsite is accessible at https://indiancurrency.rbi.org.in and serves as a one-stop destination for reliable information on banknotes.

It provides detailed insights into the design and security features of banknotes, including a 360-degree view to help differentiate genuine notes from counterfeit notes.

The platform uses multimedia tools like videos, audio guides, animations, and interactive games to make learning engaging for all age groups.

A special section explains procedures for exchange of banknotes, covering old, damaged, or withdrawn notes at banks and RBI counters.

This initiative strengthens public awareness, financial literacy, and trust in the Indian currency system.

It is designed to be a valuable resource for students, educators, and the general public.

 

DEFENCE

Indian Naval Ship Kadmatt Arrives in Fiji

Indian Naval Ship Kadmatt, an indigenously designed and built Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette, arrived in Suva, Fiji on 15 Sep 2025, for a goodwill visit as part of her three-month deployment.

The port call reflects the deep-rooted historical, cultural and people-to-people ties between India and Fiji, and reaffirms India’s commitment to strengthen maritime cooperation and bilateral relations.

During the visit, INS Kadmatt will host senior officials from the Republic of Fiji Navy for professional exchanges.

The ship’s crew will also participate in community outreach programmes, sporting events, and cultural exchanges.

The visit highlights India's vision of ‘MAHASAGAR’ (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Region) and underscores the Indian Navy’s role as a preferred secured partner in the Indian Ocean Region.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

Baba Kalyani Receives ASME Holley Medal for Engineering Innovation

Baba Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Forge, was awarded the Holley Medal by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) on 15 September 2025 for outstanding engineering leadership benefiting the public and strengthening global supply chains.

The Holley Medal, established in 1924, is among ASME’s oldest awards and is given for unique engineering achievements that provide significant public benefit and address major societal needs.

The award recognises Kalyani’s role in engineering-led value creation, localisation of advanced manufacturing, building resilient supply chains amid trade disruptions, and enhancing industrial competitiveness.

Under his leadership, Bharat Forge has become a global leader in forging and precision engineering, a key supplier to the defence, automotive, and aerospace sectors, and a pioneer in digital manufacturing, green energy components, and lightweight technologies.

The recognition also reflects the company’s contributions to technology transfer, workforce upskilling, and ecosystem development in India and abroad.

The award holds strategic relevance amid global trade tensions and US tariffs, showcasing how Bharat Forge’s innovations support localisation, reduced import dependency, self-reliance, and strategic autonomy.           

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Justice M Sundar Sworn in as Chief Justice of Manipur High Court

Justice M Sundar was sworn in as the 10th Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court on September 15, 2025.

The oath of office was administered by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan.

Justice Sundar was appointed as Chief Justice on September 13, 2025, after the superannuation of Justice Kempaiah Somashekar.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by political leaders, high court judges, senior state officials, and bar association representatives.

Before this appointment, Justice Sundar served as a judge of the Madras High Court.

Amit Khare Named Secretary to Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan

The Government of India appointed Amit Khare as Secretary to Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on 14 September 2025.

Amit Khare has been serving as Advisor to the Prime Minister since 12 October 2021, focusing on social sector matters in the PMO.

He was part of the core team that formulated and implemented the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020.

Khare is a 1985-batch IAS officer (Jharkhand cadre), graduate of Stephen’s College, Delhi, and holds a postgraduate degree in Business Administration from IIM Ahmedabad.

He is widely known for exposing the Bihar ‘fodder scam’.

He also served as Secretary, Information & Broadcasting, and Secretary, Higher Education.

His appointment as Secretary to VP is for three years from the date of assuming charge.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Bamboo Day

Every year 18th of September is celebrated as World Bamboo Day.

Bamboo is an evergreen plant that belongs to the Poaceae grass family. Bamboo is versatile and strong and can be easily grown.

World Bamboo Day was recognized by the World Bamboo Organization in the year of 2009.

World Bamboo Day was founded by Kamesh Salam who was the former president of the World Bamboo Organization.

The World Bamboo Organization Headquarters was located in Antwerp, Belgium.

The 8th World Bamboo Congress was held in Bangkok on 18 September 2009.

So on this day, the World Bamboo Organization declared that every year the 18th of September is observed as World Bamboo Day.

The World Bamboo Congress organized this day in order to achieve the protection of natural resources and to promote new cultivation of Bamboo for new industries in regions around the world.

 

OBITUTARY

Kalakshetra Stalwart Alladi Sarada

Sarada Hoffman (Alladi Sarada), also known as Chinna Sarada or Sarada teacher, passed away on 14 September 2025 in California at the age of 96.

She was born on 15 June 1929 at the Theosophical Society campus, Adyar (Chennai).

She was a renowned Bharatanatyam exponent and a pillar of the Kalakshetra Foundation.

She played a key role in codifying and standardising the Kalakshetra style of Bharatanatyam under the guidance of Rukmini Devi Arundale.

Some of her prominent disciples include Yamini Krishnamurthy, C.V. Chandrasekhar, V.P. Dhananjayan & Shanta Dhananjayan, and later alumni like Narendra, Sheejit Krishna, P.T. Narendran, Shijit Nambiar/Parvathi.

She received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1996 (one of India’s highest honours in the arts).

She was the first recipient of the Rukmini Devi Medal for Excellence in the Arts, instituted by the Centre for Contemporary Culture, New Delhi.