Gujarat's iconic Garba dance has been inscribed on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel shared this historic news, celebrating the cultural richness and inclusivity embedded in the traditional dance. This recognition, granted under the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, marks the 15th element from India to join this distinguished list. Garba, a dance deeply rooted in ritualistic and devotional traditions, plays a pivotal role in promoting social and gender inclusivity. Union Cultu
Captain Geetika Koul of the Snow Leopard Brigade has become the first woman medical officer in the Indian Army to be deployed at Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield, the Fire and Fury Corps announced on Tuesday. This achievement follows Captain Koul's successful completion of rigorous induction training at the esteemed Siachen Battle School. The training, considered a formidable test of physical and mental endurance, covers various aspects such as high-altitude acclimatization, survival techniques, and specialized medical procedures. In a social media post, the Fire and Fury Corp
The statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rajkot Fort in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district on the occasion of Navy Day. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the visionary leader of the Maratha empire, constructed several coastal and sea forts. The unveiling ceremony highlighted his significant contribution to India’s maritime history, with a special focus on the iconic Sindhudurg Fort. The prime minister paid homage to the legendary leader who is also known as the father of the Indian Navy. PM Modi attended the Navy Day 2023 celebrations in Sind
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the renaming of ranks in the Indian Navy during the Navy Day celebrations in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. The decision reflects a commitment to honoring the legacy of the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, credited for building the country's first modern Navy. Addressing the celebration, PM Modi highlighted the transformative ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, stating that India of today is moving forward abandoning the slavery mentality. The Prime Minister unveiled plans for the epaulettes worn by naval officers to prominently feat
Saudi Arabia has introduced stricter regulations for issuing visas for the recruitment of domestic workers from abroad. The Musaned recruitment platform, designed to streamline the domestic labor market, has outlined key criteria for employers seeking to bring in overseas domestic help. Under the new regulations, the minimum age for an individual employer to secure a visa for domestic workers has been set at 24 years. Under these rules, Saudi citizens, Gulf nationals, foreign wives of Saudi men, their mothers, and holders of Saudi premium residency permits can apply for visas to hire overs
The Indian Navy has appointed the first woman commanding officer in a naval ship in sync with its philosophy of 'all roles-all ranks' for female personnel, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said on Dec 1. The appointed officer, a qualified navigation instructor with a background in training observers, has successfully completed all requisite qualification processes and exams. Admiral Kumar highlighted that she will undergo pre-commissioning training before assuming command of the ship. Admiral Kumar also shared that the overall strength of women Agniveers has now crossed the 1,000-mark, a
One of Virgin Atlantic's Boeing 787s took off for the world's first 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) flight from London's Heathrow to New York's John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport. This milestone comes as a pivotal moment in the airline's commitment to environmental sustainability. The fuel used to power the flight is mostly made from used cooking oil and waste animal fat mixed with a small amount of synthetic aromatic kerosene made from waste corn, Virgin Atlantic said. UK's Transport Secretary travelled on the flight alongside Virgin Atlantic's Chief Executive Shai Weiss and
Hollywood stalwart Michael Douglas was honoured with the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award at the closing ceremony of the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. The prestigious accolade celebrated Douglas's outstanding contributions to the world of filmmaking, marking a defining moment in the veteran actor and producer's illustrious career. The Hollywood star also received a standing ovation from the audience. “Cinema is one of the few mediums that has the power to unite and transform us. It transcends divisions, whether that be geography, race language and eve
Singapore and Zurich surpassed New York to become the world’s most expensive cities to live in this year, according to the latest report from the Economist Intelligence Unit. This marks the ninth time in the last 11 years that Singapore has claimed the top spot, while Zurich has made a remarkable leap from sixth place last year to jointly hold the first position. The sky-high cost of car ownership, pricey alcohol and rising grocery prices saw Singapore pull ahead of the US city, with which it shared the top spot last year. Zurich's ascent can be attributed to the strength of the Swiss fr
In a remarkable feat, Norse Atlantic Airways has achieved the historic landing of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, named Everglades, on Antarctica’s Blue Ice Runway. The Boeing 787 launched on a 'blue ice runway,' measuring 3,000 meters (9840 feet) in length and 60 meters (100 feet) in width, sculpted from the snow and ice. Conducted by Norse Atlantic Airways, the flight, named Everglades, successfully landed at the Troll Airfield in Antarctica on Nov 15. This is the first time a Dreamliner, a widebody aircraft which can carry up to 330 passengers, has made it to the sixth continent. Fligh