Month: June 2025

Maharashtra has launched agro-logistics parks in Nagpur and Nashik to streamline farm-to-market supply chains. Each park includes cold storage, ripening chambers, packaging units, and real-time inventory tracking. Smallholder farmers can store, grade, and dispatch their produce to markets across India. The initiative cuts post-harvest losses, boosts farmers’ incomes, and links directly with e-mandi platforms. The parks are expected to handle over 50,000 tons of produce annually and create over 2,000 jobs in logistics, packaging, and distribution.

The Indian Navy has commissioned its first indigenously developed anti-drone system aboard INS Chennai. Developed by DRDO and BEL, the system uses jamming, microwave interference, and laser targeting to neutralize aerial threats within a 5 km radius. It is capable of identifying, tracking, and disabling drones used for surveillance or attacks. With the growing threat from weaponized UAVs, the Navy plans to equip all frontline warships with these units by 2026. The development supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and boosts indigenous defense capabilities.

Madhya Pradesh has introduced a state-level startup fund dedicated to tribal youth. Each selected applicant receives up to ₹2 lakh in grants to launch businesses related to agriculture, crafts, and local services. District-level incubators offer mentorship and shared office spaces. So far, 100 tribal entrepreneurs have joined, creating innovative tools like solar grain dryers and herbal wellness kits. The program aims to reduce unemployment and promote tribal self-reliance. The state plans to scale the program to include digital entrepreneurship training next year.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, in collaboration with IISc Bangalore, has implemented an AI-based landslide prediction model in hilly districts like Idukki and Wayanad. The system uses rainfall data, soil moisture, and terrain topology to generate real-time alerts. Local panchayats receive automated SMS warnings. Since its deployment, multiple evacuations have prevented casualties during heavy monsoon showers. Plans include extending the system to Sikkim, Himachal, and Uttarakhand. This AI deployment is a major step toward proactive disaster resilience in India’s vulnerable regions.

Gujarat has inaugurated a new smart textile manufacturing cluster in Surat. Designed with sustainability in mind, the hub features solar-powered machinery, water recycling units, and AI-driven fabric inspection systems. Over 200 textile units are expected to relocate to the hub in its first year. The government has offered subsidies for eco-friendly production and export incentives. The initiative supports India’s ambition to become a global textile powerhouse and create 25,000 direct jobs in the region.

India has pledged $500 million in concessional financing to modernize the Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric dam in Laos. The funding will upgrade turbine efficiency, install eco-flow regulators, and construct fish ladders to protect aquatic biodiversity. The project is part of the Mekong-Ganga cooperation framework and will be implemented in partnership with the Laos Ministry of Energy. India will also provide technical training and environmental impact assessments. The modernization effort aims to improve Southeast Asia’s regional energy cooperation and strengthen India-Laos bilateral ties.

Chhattisgarh has inaugurated legal aid centers in every district court complex to provide free legal assistance to marginalized groups. Each center is staffed with a trained lawyer and a paralegal social worker. Services include document preparation, legal counseling for women and tribals, and case guidance in civil and criminal matters. Over 10,000 people have already received help in issues ranging from domestic violence to property disputes. The initiative supports judicial access for low-income citizens and complements the Digital India legal portal integration.

CSIR–NCL Pune researchers have developed a biodegradable plastic using bagasse, the byproduct of sugarcane. The new material mimics the strength and durability of PET plastic but breaks down within six months under composting conditions. It has been successfully used in pilot packaging for food and beverages in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Industrial trials are underway to scale the material’s production. The research team is pursuing international patents and licensing partnerships. This breakthrough could help India reduce its dependence on single-use plastics and promote eco-friendly packaging alternatives.

Punjab has launched a digital archive initiative to preserve its folk music, dance, crafts, and oral storytelling traditions. Mobile recording vans are visiting villages to document artists, capture performances, and geo-tag locations. The project aims to collect 5,000 artist profiles in the first phase, to be integrated into public digital libraries and state tourism campaigns. The initiative will also serve as educational material in schools and promote intergenerational knowledge transfer. Local youth are being trained to manage audio-visual data and cultural analysis, creating new employment opportunities in cultural documentation.

India’s aviation startup AeroEase has successfully conducted the first test flights of its autonomous air taxi prototype in Goa. The electric VTOL aircraft flew for 15 minutes at an altitude of 500 feet, carrying a pilot and backup operator. It cruises at 120 km/h and includes redundant propulsion systems and AI-assisted navigation. The air taxi is designed for intra-city and short inter-city travel, such as between tourist hubs or congested metros. DGCA observers were present during the flight, and the startup plans to begin commercial trials by 2027. This innovation could revolutionize urban mobility and tourism connectivity in India’s dense regions.