Key Highlights
- India inaugurated its first fully digital museum honoring tribal freedom fighters in Nava Raipur.
- The Indian Navy commissioned INS Ikshak, a Survey Vessel Large designed for hydrographic surveys and disaster relief.
- UNESCO added Quito, Rovaniemi, and Kashan to its Creative Cities Network under the new Architecture category.
- Renowned playback singer Sulakshana Pandit, famed for Hindi cinema, passed away in Mumbai.
- India released a ₹50 commemorative coin celebrating NHPC’s 50th anniversary and launched a Rs 1 Lakh Crore RDI fund at ESTIC 2025.
Detailed Insights
Digital Museum of Tribal Freedom Fighters – The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Memorial in Nava Raipur showcases VFX, QR storytelling, and interactive screens to narrate tribal uprisings such as the Halba Rebellion and Jungle Satyagraha. It aligns with the government’s Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas celebrations.
INS Ikshak – Launched on 6 November 2025, this 3,400‑tonne vessel, 110 m long, can conduct deep‑water hydrographic surveys and serve as a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief platform. It is the first SVL ship with dedicated women’s accommodation.
UNESCO Creative Cities Network – In 2025, the network expanded to 408 cities, introducing Architecture as a new creative field. Quito, Rovaniemi, and Kashan were the first cities admitted under this category.
Sulakshana Pandit – A celebrated playback singer and actress, she contributed significantly to Hindi cinema in the 1970s and 1980s, with iconic songs like “Tu Hi Saagar Hai.”
NHPC 50th Anniversary – The ₹50 coin commemorates NHPC’s transition from a hydropower developer to a 100% green energy company. The event coincided with the launch of a Rs 1 Lakh Crore RDI fund at ESTIC 2025, aimed at bolstering India’s research and innovation ecosystem.