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Major Abhilasha Barak Receives United Nations Military Gender Advocate Award 2025

Overview

Abhilasha Barak received the United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award for 2025 on 22–23 May 2026. She is serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon as Commander of the Female Engagement Team in the Indian Battalion. The award recognizes her contribution to gender equality, community engagement, and peacekeeping efforts.

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Indian Navy New Patrol Vessel ‘Sanghmitra’ Launched at GRSE Kolkata

Overview

The Indian Navy recently launched its next generation offshore patrol vessel ‘Sanghmitra’ at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. This ship is indigenously built. It is part of the Navy’s ambitious programme to build 11 such vessels at two shipyards. The vessel is named ‘Sanghmitra’, after the daughter of Emperor Ashoka. It has advanced surveillance and defence capabilities. The ship can also carry out search and rescue, anti-piracy missions, and humanitarian aid.

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Odisha Launches Revival Plan to Save Original Bomkai Saree Tradition in Ganjam

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Odisha’s Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts department has launched a revival plan for the original Bomkai weaving tradition. The project is titled "Revival of Languishing Products (Cotton Bomkai Saree)". It was approved by the state government in the last financial year. The plan focuses on Bomkai village in Ganjam district, where only two families still practice the original craft. The project includes training new artisans, documenting traditional designs, and supporting weavers. Bomkai saree has a Geographical Indication (GI) tag and is a proud part of Odisha’s heritage.

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Gujarat and Tamil Nadu to Get Shared Space Tech Hubs: A Big Boost for Private Space Industry

Overview

On 22 May 2026, the Department of Space approved the establishment of Common Technical Facilities in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. These facilities are shared engineering hubs. They will provide testing, validation, and integration infrastructure for space hardware. The facilities are designed for startups and large industries that need access to expensive rocket and satellite testing equipment. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) will be involved in developing these hubs. This move will help India’s private space sector grow faster.

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Saudi Arabia Joins India International Big Cat Alliance: Now 26 Members Strong

Overview

On 22 May 2026, Saudi Arabia became the newest member of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). The alliance now has 26 member countries and five observer nations. The IBCA is an India-led global initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023. It works for the conservation of seven big cat species: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma. Saudi Arabia’s joining strengthens the alliance’s reach in West Asia.

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