Archives April 2026

Dubai, UAE, 20^th April 2026:  Motorsport leaders from across Middle East will join counterparts from Europe and Africa for three days of collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing at the FIA Region I Spring Meeting getting under way in Budva, Montenegro tomorrow.

With FIA President, H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem in attendance, representatives from 102 Member Clubs will discuss priorities to advance safe and sustainable mobility for road users and motor sport for fans at the three-day congress, hosted by the Auto-Moto Association of Montenegro (AMSCG).

The FIA Region I Spring Meeting will also host commissions and working groups from across the network, with the International Historic Commission and Founding Members’ Club protecting and promoting motoring heritage, the FIA Eurocouncil supporting the future of mobility in Europe, and Clubs continuing to implement the Safe Mobility 4 All and 4 Life programme across the Region.

National Sporting Authorities will also be meeting in Montenegro to continue developing and improving motor sport for fans as well as advocating for enhanced driver safety on the track.

To celebrate the Member Clubs showcasing their commitment to improving mobility services in their countries and across Region I, the three FIA Innovation Challenge 2026 Regional Champions will also be announced during the week.

FIA President, H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “I am delighted to be joining our Members and partners in Budva for this important regional gathering, and I look forward to engaging with colleagues from across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East on the key challenges and opportunities shaping mobility and motorsport today.

“Montenegro provides a fitting backdrop for these discussions, as we consider how to strengthen transport systems, improve road safety, and support sustainable solutions that deliver safer, more sustainable, and more affordable mobility for all road users.

“This meeting is an important opportunity to deepen collaboration, share expertise across mobility and motorsport, and advance our shared priorities.”

In Montenegro, mobility is undergoing steady development, with continued investment in road infrastructure, including the opening of the Bar–Boljare motorway in 2022, helping to strengthen connectivity and support economic growth.

Recent road safety reforms and the Sustainable Transport Action Plan are driving progress towards safer, more sustainable mobility.

In motorsport, the country’s vibrant grassroots scene is led by rally and hill climb events, with competitions such as the Montenegro Trophy attracting growing regional participation and highlighting the potential for further development.

The FIA Member Club structure forms the backbone of the federation’s governance and operations, with each full Member Club holding voting rights across the FIA’s elections and regulatory decisions. Clubs are grouped into two primary categories, with some serving in both roles:

• National Sporting Authorities (ASNs) – govern and develop motorsport at a national level, are responsible for sporting events, issuing licenses, and engagement across regulations

• Mobility Clubs – provide mobility services and represent the interest of road users, with a focus on road safety, travel and tourism, consumer rights, and sustainable mobility

Within the FIA there are four Mobility Regions and six sport zones. The global FIA Membership is comprised of 245 clubs across 149 countries, connecting over 80 million members.

Apr 20 (BNP): The Reserve Bank of India (Reserve Bank of India) has opened a premature redemption window for Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) 2020–21 Series VII, allowing investors to exit ahead of maturity and book significant gains.

The redemption price has been fixed at ₹15,254 per unit, calculated on the basis of the average closing price of 999-purity gold over the previous three trading sessions.

Investors who purchased at the issue price of ₹5,051 per unit are now earning returns of over 200%, excluding interest income. Those who availed the online subscription discount have recorded even higher effective gains of around 205%.

In addition to capital appreciation, SGB holders also receive 2.5% annual interest, paid semi-annually during the holding period.

The tranche, issued on October 20, 2020, has become eligible for early redemption after completing five years, as per RBI guidelines. While the scheme has an eight-year maturity period, investors are not required to hold until final redemption.

Redemption requests must be submitted through the issuing bank, post office, or SHCIL, with proceeds credited directly to registered bank accounts on the redemption date.

Tax treatment varies based on holding period and mode of purchase, with premature exits subject to applicable capital gains tax rules.

The update highlights strong investor participation and significant wealth creation through sovereign-backed gold investment instruments.

Apr 20: At a glance, it’s just a bag priced at ₹650. But look closer, and it tells a far more powerful story—one of dignity, sustainability, and human resilience.

Displayed by GOONZ, a well-known Indian non-profit organisation that works at the intersection of urban waste and rural development, at a stall during TEDx Hyderabad 2026 on Sunday, this unique bag is crafted entirely from discarded neckties—materials most would consider waste. Yet in the hands of Goonj, these overlooked items are transformed into purposeful products that carry both utility and meaning.

This captures the essence of the initiative: even the smallest piece of cloth has value. Made from odds and ends of repurposed fabric, the bag is described not just as a product, but as a token of gratitude—reminding users that dignity can be restored through mindful reuse. This philosophy lies at the heart of Goonj’s work, where discarded materials become tools for inclusion, participation, and development.

The philosophy is simple but profound: nothing is truly waste. Every discarded item holds potential—if only we choose to see it differently.

For decades, Goonj has been working at the intersection of sustainability and social development, turning urban surplus into resources for rural empowerment. What society discards—old clothes, packaging materials, or even ties—becomes raw material for livelihood generation, community development, and restoring dignity to underserved populations. And TEDX Hyderabad has been providing a platform for many such NGOs

The upcycled tie bag is more than a product; it is a symbol of this ecosystem. Each piece represents hours of skilled labour, creative reuse, and a conscious effort to challenge the linear “use-and-throw” mindset. The ₹650 price tag reflects not just craftsmanship, but also the value of ethical production and social impact.

Goonj further displayed an innovative bag made from repurposed cassette tapes, demonstrating the potential of transforming discarded materials into functional products.

In a world grappling with mounting waste and widening inequalities, initiatives like these offer a compelling alternative narrative: waste can be wealth, and surplus can serve a purpose, said Viiveck Varma, Licensee of TEDX Hyderabad 2026

By redefining what we throw away, Goonj is not just recycling materials—it is rebuilding lives, restoring dignity, and reshaping how we think about consumption itself.

Bhubaneswar, Apr 20 (BNP): Odisha has stepped up efforts to document and preserve its rich manuscript heritage through an extensive survey and digitisation initiative under the Government of India’s Gyan Bharatam Mission.

A review meeting held at Lok Seva Bhavan was chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, where progress on the ongoing survey of palm-leaf manuscripts and ancient texts was assessed.

Preserving a Rich Literary Legacy

Odisha is home to a vast collection of traditional manuscripts written on palm leaves and paper, preserved over centuries in Sanskrit, Odia, Pali, and other regional languages. These manuscripts are considered a vital source of the state’s cultural, historical, and intellectual heritage.

Officials informed that nearly 53,950 manuscripts have already been registered across the state, with survey and digitisation work actively underway by the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture.

Digital Preservation Push

The initiative aims to create a comprehensive National Digital Repository, ensuring that rare and fragile manuscripts are preserved in digital form and made accessible for researchers, students, and institutions.

ପ୍ରାଚୀନ ତାଳପତ୍ର ପୋଥି ଏବଂ ପାଣ୍ଡୁଲିପି ଗୁଡ଼ିକର ସର୍ବେକ୍ଷଣ, ସଂରକ୍ଷଣ ଓ ଡିଜିଟାଇଜେସନ ସଂପର୍କରେ ଏକ ବୈଠକ ଆଜି ଲୋକସେବା ଭବନଠାରେ ମୁଖ୍ୟ ଶାସନ ସଚିବ ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ଅନୁ ଗର୍ଗଙ୍କ ଅଧ୍ୟକ୍ଷତାରେ ଅନୁଷ୍ଠିତ ହୋଇଯାଇଛି।

ଏହିସବୁ ମୂଲ୍ୟବାନ ସମ୍ପଦର ସଂରକ୍ଷଣ ଓ ସୁରକ୍ଷା ପାଇଁ ସହଯୋଗ କରିବା ଓ ସ୍ୱେଚ୍ଛାକୃତ ଭାବେ ନିଜ ପାଖରେ ଥିବା… pic.twitter.com/nR7dzPp7Q4

— I & PR Department, Odisha (@IPR_Odisha) April 18, 2026

Authorities have encouraged public participation, urging individuals, monasteries, temples, and libraries to voluntarily register manuscripts in their possession. Registration can be done through the dedicated Gyan Bharatam mobile application, while departmental teams will also conduct field visits to assist in documentation.

Focus on High-Priority Districts

The current phase of the survey, which began on March 16, 2026, will continue for three months. Special focus is being given to districts such as Ganjam, Cuttack, Bhadrak, Nayagarh, and Puri, which have reported significant manuscript collections.

Officials said manuscripts will be systematically mapped and verified district-wise to ensure accurate documentation and smooth coordination with local administrations.

Safeguarding Knowledge for Future Generations

The state government emphasized that the project is not only about preservation but also about ensuring long-term digital access to India’s traditional knowledge systems.

The initiative is expected to strengthen research, promote cultural awareness, and safeguard Odisha’s manuscript heritage for future generations by bringing centuries-old knowledge into the digital era.