First-ever Kanda Express movement to Agartala, Tripura has been taken place. This initiative has bee taken by Department of Consumer Affairs. Its objective is to Improve onion availability and maintain affordable prices, particularly during the festive season. It is to be noted that kanda is a marathi word for onion.
Two Kanda Express rakes transported 840 MT and 452 MT of onions, respectively. Assam, Tripura and Nagaland have been covered through this initiative. This initiative has been taken under Price Stabilization Fund
About the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF)
⦁ Used to maintain buffer stocks of essential agricultural commodities, including onions.
⦁ Supports market intervention to improve availability and moderate excessive price fluctuations.
⦁ Buffer stocks are released according to prevailing market prices, supply conditions and consumer demand.
Significance
⦁ Strengthens last-mile delivery of onions to North-Eastern states.
⦁ Helps moderate price volatility and improve consumer access to affordable onions.
⦁ Expands rail- and road-based distribution networks.
⦁ Supports market stability during periods of seasonal price fluctuations.
Under Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU). New Investment of ₹1,194.92 crore approved for five ITI clusters.
Objectives of PM-SETU
⦁ Modernise Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
⦁ Introduce industry-aligned and emerging technology courses.
⦁ Strengthen infrastructure and trainer capacity.
⦁ Increase industry participation in vocational training.
⦁ Improve employability and employment opportunities for youth.
Key Implementation Priorities
⦁ Encourage ITI clusters to obtain ISO certification.
⦁ Include at least one WorldSkills-aligned trade or competency area in approved implementation plans.
⦁ Promote collaboration among State Governments, industry partners and ITIs.
⦁ Align vocational training with current and future industry requirements.
भारतीय सीमा पर सैनिकों के लिए समय पर राशन की उपलब्धतता सुनिश्चित करने के लिए भारतीय सेना ने ‘भारत राइस’ पहल शुरू की है। इसके लिए भारतीय खाद्य निगम (FCI) के साथ एक समझौता ज्ञापन (MoU) पर हस्ताक्षर किया गया है।
उल्लेखनीय है कि भारतीय सीमाओं पर तैनात सैनिकों के लिए हथियारों और आधुनिक तकनीक के साथ-साथ समय पर राशन की उपलब्धतता भी बेहद महत्वूपूर्ण होती है। खासकर लद्दाख और पूर्वोत्तर जैसे क्षेत्रों में खाद्यान्न पहुंचाना एक बड़ी चुनौती है। इसी चुनौती से निपटने और सैन्य रसद व्यवस्था को मजबूत बनाने के लिए भारतीय सेना ने इस पहल की शुरुआत की है।
FCI के साथ MoU क्यों महत्वपूर्ण है?
भारतीय सेना और भारतीय खाद्य निगम (FCI) के बीच हुआ समझौता केवल राशन की आपूर्ति तक सीमित नहीं है, बल्कि यह सैन्य लॉजिस्टिक्स को अधिक प्रभावी बनाने की दिशा में भी एक कदम है।
• FCI के संसाधनों का उपयोग: इसके गोदामों, आधुनिक साइलो, सामग्री सँभालने वाले उपकरणों और प्रशिक्षित कर्मचारियों की सेवाएँ ली जा सकेंगी।
• त्वरित आपूर्ति: आपातकालीन परिस्थितियों में राशन और आवश्यक सामग्री की आवाजाही तेज करने में मदद मिलेगी।
• ऑपरेशनल तैयारी: अग्रिम क्षेत्रों के निकट भंडारण और आपूर्ति क्षमता बढ़ाकर सेना की तैयारियों को मजबूत किया जाएगा।
• समझौते की अवधि: MoU पाँच वर्षों के लिए वैध होगा, जिसे दोनों पक्षों की सहमति से आगे बढ़ाया जाएगा
On 15th October, 1.755 metric tonnes(MT) of organic palmyra jaggery powder exported from Gobichettipalayam, Erode district, Tamil Nadu to Varna, Bulgaria.
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) played major role in this regard. This will improve market access and creates export opportunities for organic Palmyra producers.
Farmers are expected to receive approximately 15–22% higher returns, while the manufacturer is expected to receive 17% higher returns compared with the domestic market.
Palmyra Jaggery Powder is derived from Palmyra palm blossom nectar. It is used as traditional Indian sweetener and potential alternative to refined sugar. It is significant to support value addition, traditional agricultural practices and sustainable rural livelihoods. It is to be noted that APEDA comes under Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for the years 2024 and 2025 will be awarded to 106 young artists in the field of music, dance and drama on 19 October 2026. This Puraskar was instituted by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2006 to recognize young artists up to the age of 40. Since then, these awards have been presented annually to young artists.
This award carries a purse money of ₹25,000 besides a Tamrapatra and an Angavastram.
Who Was Ustad Bismillah Khan ?
He was a legendary player of the shehnai, a traditional Indian wind instrument. Bismillah Khan was born in Dumraon, in present-day Buxar district of Bihar.
He received prestigious awards
- Padma Shri (1961)
- Padma Bhushan (1968)
- Padma Vibhushan (1980)
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1956)
- Bharat Ratna (2001)
The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan has commissioned INS Samarthak, the Indian Navy’s first indigenous Multi-Purpose Vessel, at Karwar, Karnataka.
Objectives of INS Samarthak:
1. Maritime Surveillance and Reconnaissance: To monitor maritime areas and gather information about activities at sea.
2. Offshore Patrolling: To protect India's maritime interests and support patrol operations.
3. Weapons and Sensor Testing: To test and evaluate indigenous weapons, radars, sensors, and other advanced naval technologies.
4. Unmanned Systems Operations: To act as a mothership for unmanned and autonomous systems.
5. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR): To provide support during natural disasters and maritime emergencies.
6. Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO): To support naval operations against limited maritime threats.
7. Search, Rescue and Salvage Support: To assist vessels in distress and support salvage operations.
8. Defence Self-Reliance: With over 75% indigenous content, INS Samarthak reflects India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
India climbs to 84th place in the October 2026 Henley Passport rankings. In 2025 , India got 85th rank. This year, Algeria and Mauritania have also placed at 84th place.
Singapore topped the ranking whereas Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates shared 2nd position. Sweden ranked 3rd.
The Henley Passport Index is the original and most authoritative ranking of all the world's passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.
A passport receives a score of one if no visa is required to enter a destination. The same score applies when travellers can obtain a visa on arrival (VOA), a visitor’s permit or an electronic travel authorisation (ETA).
If a visa is required, a score of ‘0’ is assigned. The same value is given if pre-departure government approval for a visa on arrival is required. The total score for each passport equals the number of destinations for which no visa is required.
