Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday highlighted the importance of continued support for tribal athletes, echoing the views of President Droupadi Murmu. Both leaders emphasized that initiatives like the Khelo India Tribal Games are crucial for nurturing talent from India’s tribal communities and building a strong foundation for the country’s future in sports.

Speaking on the occasion, Mandaviya stated that sustained investment in tribal sports programs will help identify and train promising athletes, ensuring that India develops a competitive edge on the global stage. “Supporting tribal athletes is not just a matter of representation; it is a strategic step toward making India a global sports superpower,” he remarked.

The Khelo India Tribal Games, launched to promote sports among tribal youth, provide access to training facilities, coaching, and competitive opportunities. By tapping into a diverse pool of talent, the program aims to strengthen India’s presence in national and international sports events.

Officials believe that nurturing athletes from tribal communities will also encourage greater participation in sports at the grassroots level, fostering inclusivity and helping to build a more robust sporting ecosystem across the country.

President Murmu’s endorsement of such initiatives underscores the government’s commitment to promoting equitable access to sports opportunities while elevating India’s global standing in athletics and competitive sports.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed the passage of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment) Bill, describing it as a significant step toward enhancing ease of living and ease of doing business in India. The bill, aimed at simplifying regulatory frameworks and reducing compliance burdens, has been hailed as a major reform in governance.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi emphasized that the legislation will help citizens and businesses navigate government processes more efficiently, cutting red tape and promoting transparency. By easing procedural hurdles, the bill is expected to save time and reduce unnecessary legal complications for both individuals and enterprises.

The Jan Vishwas Bill introduces provisions to decriminalize several minor offences and replace punitive penalties with more rational compliance mechanisms. This approach aims to foster a more citizen-friendly and business-friendly environment while ensuring accountability remains intact for serious violations.

Government officials highlighted that the reform will particularly benefit small businesses and startups, which often face disproportionate challenges in adhering to complex regulations. Simplified procedures and reduced penalties are expected to encourage entrepreneurship and stimulate economic growth.

PM Modi described the passage of the bill as a step that “strengthens trust between the government and the people,” reinforcing the vision of a modern, efficient, and transparent governance system. Observers believe that the measure will significantly contribute to improving India’s global ease-of-doing-business ranking and create a more supportive environment for innovation and investment.

The Odisha government has directed all departments, district administrations, and urban local bodies not to transfer officials or employees involved in Census 2027. The move aims to ensure uninterrupted preparation and smooth execution of the census.

Authorities emphasized that retaining personnel in their current positions is critical for accurate data collection, training, and field operations. The directive ensures that staff remain focused and adequately supported throughout the extensive administrative exercise.

Census 2027 will provide essential insights into population trends, urbanization, and demographics, and the state’s proactive measures are intended to guarantee a seamless and efficient process.

The Indian government is set to roll out a range of measures to support exporters affected by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Rising freight costs, higher insurance premiums, and logistical challenges have disrupted trade, prompting authorities to step in to ensure the country’s export sector remains robust.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated that the initiatives aim to reduce the burden on exporters while maintaining India’s competitiveness in global markets. Planned support includes financial assistance to offset rising shipping and logistics costs, along with expanded insurance coverage to help businesses manage risk in uncertain times.

The Gulf region conflict has disrupted shipping routes, making deliveries more expensive and unpredictable. Exporters, particularly those serving Middle Eastern markets, have faced delays and higher operational costs. The government’s measures seek to stabilize the sector and reinforce confidence among businesses navigating this volatile environment.

Officials emphasized that these steps will not only ease immediate challenges but also help sustain export volumes and secure employment in export-oriented industries. By strengthening the export ecosystem, India aims to safeguard its position in global trade and ensure continued growth despite geopolitical uncertainties.

NMDC Limited, India’s largest state-run iron ore producer, has achieved a historic milestone by producing a record 53 million tonnes (MT) of iron ore in the 2025-26 fiscal year, becoming the first mining company in the country to surpass the 50 MT mark. This represents a significant increase over the previous year and reflects strong operational efficiency across its mining sites.

Driving Growth in Steel and Infrastructure

Iron ore is a key raw material for steel production, which fuels construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects. NMDC’s record output ensures a steady supply for domestic steelmakers, helping to stabilize costs and meet the growing demand for steel across the country. This supports India’s ongoing urban development and infrastructure expansion.

Reliable iron ore supply also enables steel producers to fulfill orders for housing, transportation, and industrial projects, creating jobs and stimulating investment throughout the value chain.

Strengthening Economic Resilience

By increasing domestic production, NMDC reduces reliance on imported minerals, enhancing supply security and contributing to stable commodity markets. The company’s expansion plans aim to further increase output in the coming years, potentially exceeding 100 MT by the end of the decade, which would strengthen both the mining and downstream industrial sectors.

Looking Ahead

NMDC’s record production is not just a company achievement—it is a significant step for India’s economy. By securing raw materials for key industries, supporting infrastructure development, and fostering job creation, this milestone demonstrates how robust resource management can drive national growth and industrial self-reliance.

The Odisha government has stepped up efforts to streamline fuel distribution and promote the adoption of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) across urban areas. A high-level review meeting on Thursday brought together state officials and representatives from major oil and gas companies to address supply chain efficiency and transparency.

Officials highlighted the importance of transitioning households from LPG cylinders to PNG to ensure smoother fuel delivery and reduce dependency on traditional supply methods. To maintain accountability, gas agencies have been instructed to implement biometric authentication, including fingerprint and iris scans, for all deliveries.

State ministers stressed that once a household receives a PNG connection, any existing LPG connection must be decommissioned to optimise supply. District authorities have been tasked with providing full support to facilitate the swift laying of pipelines, particularly in urban centres and high-demand areas.

Special attention will be given to Puri ahead of the Rath Yatra festival to meet increased demand, while priority sectors such as schools, hospitals, Anganwadis, and community kitchens will continue to receive uninterrupted gas supplies.

Authorities reassured the public that gas availability remains stable, with continuous monitoring through a 24-hour control room and consistent buffer stock maintained by oil companies. The government emphasized that these steps aim to prevent irregularities, improve transparency, and provide reliable fuel access to all consumers.

Mumbai, Apr 03: In a landmark achievement for India’s emerging AI-driven film industry, Kalyug Rising – The Beginning, directed by award-winning filmmaker Prataya Saha, has secured a spot in the Global Top 10 at the prestigious Higgsfield “Make Your Action” Competition. The film ranked 9th among over 9,000 entries from more than 100 countries, becoming the only Indian AI film to achieve this distinction.

 The project is a collaboration between Imagine If, an AI-first creative studio, and Prataya Saha, blending innovative storytelling with cutting-edge artificial intelligence. What began as an experimental exploration of AI’s creative potential has now evolved into a globally recognized benchmark in cinematic storytelling.

From Viral Success to Global Recognition

Kalyug Rising – The Beginning originated from a series of experimental videos that quickly gained traction, amassing over 60 million views within weeks. This early success laid the foundation for Imagine If as a full-fledged studio focused on harnessing AI to create cinematic-scale narratives.

A Visionary Creative Team

At the core of the project is a dynamic creative trio:

• Prataya Saha – Writer & Director
• Krishna – Founder, Imagine If
• Ankush Deva – AI Artist

Together, they have pushed the boundaries of AI-powered filmmaking while maintaining a strong focus on storytelling and realism.

“We didn’t set out to go viral—we set out to understand how far AI could push storytelling,” said Krishna. “The global recognition came as a byproduct of focusing on quality, realism, and narrative from day one.”

Redefining the Future of Filmmaking

Sharing his perspective, Prataya Saha said, “I’ve always believed AI and live-action hybrid filmmaking is the future. With Kalyug Rising, the story came first—AI simply allowed us to expand its scale and ambition.”

Echoing this vision, Ankush Deva added, “AI is not just about visual output; it’s about building a cinematic language where the medium disappears, leaving only the story.”

A New Era for AI-Driven Storytelling

With a growing slate of AI-led films and brand storytelling projects, Imagine If is positioning itself at the forefront of a transformative shift in the industry. The expansion of the Kalyug Rising universe is already underway, signaling a future where AI plays a central role in redefining global storytelling.

Using preliminary data from NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory, scientists have discovered over 11,000 new asteroids. The data were confirmed by the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center (MPC), making this the largest single batch of asteroid discoveries submitted in the past year. The discoveries were made using data from Rubin’s early optimization surveys and offer a powerful preview of the observatory’s transformative impact on Solar System science.

Rubin Observatory is a joint program of NSF NOIRLab and DOE’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, who cooperatively operate Rubin. NOIRLab is managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA).

The submission to MPC comprises approximately one million observations, taken over the span of a month and a half, of over 11,000 new asteroids and more than 80,000 already known asteroids, including some that had previously been observed but were later “lost” because their orbits were too uncertain to predict their future locations. You can interact with all of Rubin’s asteroid discoveries in the Rubin Orbitviewer, which uses real data to provide an intuitive way to explore the structure of our cosmic backyard in three dimensions and in real time. Also, visit the Rubin Asteroid Discoveries Dashboard to learn about the new objects Rubin has uncovered.

“This first large submission after Rubin First Look is just the tip of the iceberg and shows that the observatory is ready,” says Mario Juric, faculty at the University of Washington and Rubin Solar System Lead Scientist. “What used to take years or decades to discover, Rubin will unearth in months. We are beginning to deliver on Rubin’s promise to fundamentally reshape our inventory of the Solar System and open the door to discoveries we haven’t yet imagined.”

Among the newly identified objects are 33 previously unknown near-Earth objects (NEOs), which are small asteroids and comets whose closest approach to the Sun is less than 1.3 times the distance between Earth and the Sun. None of the newly discovered NEOs pose a threat to Earth, and the largest is about 500 meters wide. Objects larger than 140 meters are closely tracked as they could cause significant regional damage if they impact, yet scientists estimate that only about 40% of these mid-sized NEOs have been identified so far.

Once operating fully in survey mode, Rubin is expected to reveal an additional nearly 90,000 new NEOs, some of which may be potentially hazardous, and to nearly double the number of known NEOs larger than 140 meters to around 70%. By enabling early detection and continuous monitoring of these objects, Rubin will be a powerful tool for planetary defense.

The dataset also contains roughly 380 trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) — icy bodies orbiting beyond Neptune. Two of the newly discovered TNOs — provisionally named 2025 LS2 and 2025 MX348 — have been found to be on extremely large and elongated, or stretched out, orbits. At their most distant points, these two objects reach roughly 1000 times farther away from the Sun than the Earth is, placing them among the 30 most distant minor planets known.

The discoveries were enabled by Rubin Observatory’s unique combination of a large mirror, the world’s most powerful astronomical digital camera, and highly sophisticated, software-driven pipelines designed to detect faint, fast-moving objects against a crowded sky. Rubin can survey the southern sky at roughly six times the sensitivity of most current asteroid searches, allowing it to detect smaller and more distant objects than ever before. These capabilities will allow Rubin to build the most detailed census of our Solar System ever, and all of the discoveries will help scientists work out the story of the Solar System’s history.

“Rubin’s unique observing cadence required a whole new software architecture for asteroid discovery,” says Ari Heinze, University of Washington, who, together with Jacob Kurlander, a graduate student at the University of Washington, built the software that detected them. “We built it, and it works. Even with just early, engineering-quality data, Rubin discovered 11,000 asteroids and measured more precise orbits for tens of thousands more. It seems pretty clear this observatory will revolutionize our knowledge of the asteroid belt.”

Particularly striking is the rapid growth of the TNO population. The 380 candidates discovered by Rubin in less than two months add to the 5000 discovered over the past three decades. As with less distant asteroids, finding the TNOs depended critically on developing new sophisticated algorithms.

“Searching for a TNO is like searching for a needle in a field of haystacks — out of millions of flickering sources in the sky, teaching a computer to sift through billions of combinations and identify those that are likely to be distant worlds in our Solar System required novel algorithmic approaches,” says Matthew Holman, a Senior Astrophysicist at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian and former Director of the Minor Planet Center, who spearheaded the work on the TNO discovery pipeline.

“Objects like these offer a tantalizing probe of the Solar System’s outermost reaches, from telling us how the planets moved early on in the Solar System’s history, to whether a hitherto undiscovered 9th large planet may still be out there,” says Kevin Napier, a research scientist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics who, with Holman, developed the algorithms to detect distant Solar System objects with Rubin data.

The MPC’s verification of this large group of discoveries enables the entire global community to access the data, refine orbits, and begin analysis immediately. And these ~11,000 asteroids are just the start. Once the decade-long Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) begins later this year, scientists expect Rubin to discover this many asteroids every two to three nights during the early years of the survey. This will ultimately triple the number of known asteroids and increase the number of known TNOs by nearly an order of magnitude.