Category: Life & Style

Thailand celebrated the New Year with a brilliant burst of energy as the annual Songkran water festival kicked off on Sunday. Across the country, revellers dressed in bright shirts and safety eyewear participated in joyful water fights, honouring a symbolic tradition of cleaning, renewal, and new beginnings. Crowds splashed one other with water from toy guns and buckets, and some even joined in from the backs of pickup vehicles, creating a hilarious mayhem.

Participants arrived well-prepared for the celebrations. The event not only lifted moods but also provided a much-needed boost to Thailand’s tourism industry. The government expected an 8% increase in foreign arrivals during the festival week.

International travellers found the experience unforgettable. “I’ve never seen anything like this before. Tinke Stockman, 20, from the Netherlands, remarked, “I had no idea what to expect, but I love it.”

However, the festivities came despite ongoing concerns following a catastrophic earthquake in neighbouring Myanmar last month, which also claimed lives and caused structural damage in Thailand. Despite safety concerns, many tourists were reassured. “Stay alert, and it’s perfectly fine,” said Zhang, a Chinese traveler, expressing cautious optimism.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) on April 19, marking an important moment in India’s infrastructure growth. The 272-kilometer project, which includes a 119-kilometer tunnel, will greatly improve communication in Jammu and Kashmir. This enormous rail link is a long-awaited development in the region.

Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity at the Railway Board, stated that the dream of connecting Kashmir by train has now become a reality. The day of the inauguration will also see the departure of two Vande Bharat Express trains.

In January, Indian Railways successfully tested a Vande Bharat train from Katra to Srinagar. The train, designed to withstand extreme cold, will cross the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, and the renowned Chenab Bridge, which is taller than the Eiffel Tower.

The Chenab Bridge, which is 467 meters tall, is built with 29,000 tonnes of steel and is designed to withstand earthquakes of magnitude 8. The USBRL covers various districts, including Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, and Baramulla.

India has accepted a significant defence agreement with France to purchase 26 Rafale Marine combat planes. The Cabinet Committee on Security, led by PM Modi, approved an arrangement worth over ₹63,000 crore. The contract, which was organised through an intergovernmental mechanism, is anticipated to be finalised soon.

The Indian Navy will get 22 single-seater jets and four twin-seater variants. The agreement also includes a complete package for fleet maintenance, logistical assistance, and Navy staff training. Additionally, offset obligations ensure that indigenous manufacturing components are included in the acquisition.

Rafale Marine is a carrier-based variant of the combat-proven Rafale fighter. It has advanced avionics, superior weapon systems, and excellent operational versatility. These aircraft will operate from INS Vikramaditya and the indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, to replace the ageing MiG-29K fleet.

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in four years, with the first batch expected in late 2029 and full induction by 2031. The Rafale M is built for carrier operations, with reinforced landing gear, arrestor hooks, and a stronger airframe for Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery missions.

Along with this contract, India is expanding its naval capabilities by building three more Scorpene-class submarines under Project-75.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked people around the world to take part in the ‘Navkar Mahamantra Divas,’ an event that promotes spiritual oneness and ethical consciousness. Participants from 108 countries attended the gathering, which took place on April 9 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, the day before Mahavir Jayanti. PM Modi addressed the occasion and emphasised the importance of the Navkar Mahamantra, describing it as a guiding force that transcends religious and cultural boundaries.

In a post on social media site X, he expressed his delight for the event, describing it as a unique worldwide project aimed at building peace and harmony. He referred to the mantra as a source of inner peace and a path to self-realization. Recalling previous encounters, he recounted seeing such communal chanting in Bengaluru, which had a tremendous influence on him.

The Prime Minister reflected on Jainism’s profound roots in India, especially in Gujarat, his home state. He emphasised that the Navkar Mahamantra is more than just a chant; it is a spiritual force that fosters self-control and peace.

Navkar Mahamantra Divas is an annual celebration that honours the virtues of nonviolence, compassion, and enlightenment.

The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) has struck a deal with the UAE to develop its first overseas campus in Dubai. This is a significant milestone for IIMA, as it becomes the first Indian Institute of Management to establish a worldwide campus. The Dubai campus will provide a full-time, one-year MBA program tailored for the global market.

The expansion will take place in two phases. Initially, the institute will operate out of Dubai International Academic City, a hub noted for its diversified academic environment. By 2029, a permanent campus will be built on land provided by UAE authorities.

The decision is consistent with India’s National Education Policy 2020, which pushes Indian universities to broaden their worldwide reach. Despite this endeavour, prominent universities like IITs and IIMs have traditionally lacked overseas campuses. To date, IIMs have provided global exposure through exchange programs with top foreign universities.

The admission process for the Dubai MBA will be based on GMAT/GRE scores over the previous five years. With only 3% international professors and 2% foreign students in the FT MBA 2025 rankings, IIMA hopes to increase global diversity and attract top talent. The first academic session will begin in September 2025.

Skywatchers in the UAE will be treated to a celestial spectacle on April 13 when the Pink Micromoon appears in the night sky. This is the fourth full Moon of 2025, meaning the lunar surface is totally illuminated by the Sun. The Pink Moon, despite its name, will not seem pink. It is named after the flowering pink flowers of Phlox subulata, which are usually observed in spring.

This month’s full Moon comes after March’s Worm Moon, which was accompanied by a partial lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse that caused the Moon to appear to take a ‘bite’ out of the Sun. Although there will be no eclipse in April, the Pink Moon is significant in its own right. It is a ‘micromoon,’ which means it appears smaller than usual due to its greatest distance from Earth.

Adding to the excitement, the Pink Micromoon will appear just days before the Lyrid meteor shower, which will peak on April 22. The annual occasion promises spectacular meteors blazing across the sky.

The Pink Moon will be visible in the UK at 9:09 p.m., along with Spica, one of the brightest stars in the Virgo constellation.

India will introduce incentives this year to encourage the recycling of 24 important minerals, including lithium and cobalt, which are critical to its green energy transition. The government has selected these minerals as critical to accomplishing clean energy targets and reaching net-zero emissions by 2070.

Recycling efforts will receive ₹15 billion as part of a ₹163 billion program to improve the vital minerals sector. According to sources, the incentives could include capital investment subsidies or production-linked perks, but final specifics have yet to be released. The funds will be used over a four to five-year period to improve the sector.

The effort intends to increase India’s lithium-ion battery recycling capacity, which currently stands at 75,000 metric tons per year. To increase availability, the government removed customs charges on trash and scrap of critical minerals such as lead, zinc, cobalt powder, and lithium-ion batteries in February.

These minerals are essential for the development of EVs, which India is promoting to lessen its reliance on fossil fuels. EV sales contributed only 2.5% of the 4.3 million vehicles sold in 2024, but they increased by 20% compared to the overall car market’s 5% rise.

According to a report released Tuesday by global energy think tank Ember, India will be the world’s third-largest generator of electricity from wind and solar energy by 2024, surpassing Germany. The sixth edition of Ember’s Global Electricity Review emphasises renewables’ increasing role in the global power mix.

Wind and solar combined contributed 15% of global electricity output last year. India’s participation increased to 10%, demonstrating the country’s substantial success in the renewable energy sector. The survey also indicated that low-carbon energy sources, such as renewables and nuclear power, will account for 40.9% of global electricity in 2024, the first time this threshold has been crossed since the 1940s.

Within India, clean energy sources comprised about 22% of the electrical mix, with hydropower accounting for 8%. Wind and solar followed closely behind, accounting for about 10%. Solar power alone accounted for 7% of India’s total electricity output, which has doubled since 2021.

India experienced incredible growth in solar capacity, adding 24GW in 2024, more than doubling the amount added in 2023. This makes India the world’s third-largest solar market, following China and the US. The country also saw the fourth-largest rise in worldwide solar generation, gaining 20TWh.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka’s north-central region, marking a significant step forward in bilateral relations. During his tour, he launched two India-supported railway projects alongside Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The occasion highlighted India’s ongoing support for Sri Lanka’s infrastructure development.

As a special gesture, the Sri Lankan government freed 14 Indian fishermen. The move came a day after Modi suggested a “humane” approach to addressing fishermen’s difficulties during his meeting with President Dissanayake.

The presidents jointly opened the 128-kilometer Maho-Omanthai railway line, which was renovated with $91.27 million in Indian funds. Furthermore, they began building an improved signalling system from Maho to Anuradhapura, which was funded by an Indian contribution of $14.89 million. These initiatives attempt to modernise Sri Lanka’s railway network, making passenger and freight travel faster and more efficient.

During his visit, Modi paid his homage at Anuradhapura’s Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple, a respected Buddhist landmark. Before departing for India, he thanked President Dissanayake and the Sri Lankan people for their hospitality. He stated that the visit improved the two countries’ profound cultural and civilisational links, hence improving bilateral cooperation.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is preparing to launch India’s first metro track constructed specifically for three-coach train operations. The proposed Lajpat Nagar-Saket G Block line would be the first of its kind in the country, providing a novel approach to short-distance urban transport.

The corridor, which is part of the Phase-IV expansion, will be eight kilometres long and Delhi’s second-shortest metro line. Unlike traditional metro lines with four, six, or eight coaches, this route will use a unique three-coach train system designed to improve last-mile connections.

According to DMRC, the decision was based on a thorough examination of passenger traffic. Longer trains are unnecessary because the corridor is primarily designed for short-distance commutes. The three-coach arrangement maximises operational efficiency while maintaining appropriate frequency.

Each train will have a total capacity of about 900 passengers every journey, with 300 people per coach. The eight strategically positioned stations will increase connectivity to major residential and commercial areas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the corridor in March 2024, and construction has already begun. The project is expected to be completed by 2028, marking a significant step in Delhi’s evolving metro infrastructure.