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At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
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Day: November 17, 2025

India finalises first structured US LPG import contract for 2026

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New Delhi: India has finalised its first structured LPG import contract with the US, marking a significant milestone in the country’s energy sourcing strategy. Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri announced that PSU oil companies have concluded a one-year agreement to import around 2.2 MTPA of LPG from the US Gulf Coast for 2026, representing nearly 10% of India’s annual LPG imports.

The minister described the development as historic, noting that one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing LPG markets has now formally opened to US suppliers. He said India has been steadily working to secure affordable and reliable LPG supplies by diversifying its procurement base.

As part of this effort, officials from Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited visited the US from July 21 to 24, 2025, according to a PIB release. They held discussions with leading US LPG producers, using Mount Belvieu as the pricing benchmark. The talks concluded with the successful finalisation of the structured contract.

Puri highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, PSU oil companies have ensured LPG availability to households at some of the lowest global prices. Despite global LPG rates surging by more than 60% last year, Ujjwala beneficiaries continued to receive cylinders at RS500–550, even as actual costs exceeded Rs1,100. The government absorbed the difference, spending over Rs40,000 crore in the previous year to shield families from rising international prices.

The minister said in a post on X that the new sourcing arrangement for 2026 further strengthens India’s energy security and supports continued access to clean cooking fuel for millions of households.

4th National EMRS Sports Meet concludes in Rourkela

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Rourkela: The 4th National Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) Sports Meet 2025 concluded on Friday with a vibrant closing ceremony at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium, Rourkela, aligning with the nationwide observance of Bhagwan Birsa Munda Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas. The finale honoured the courage, legacy, and contribution of Bhagwan Birsa Munda while celebrating the spirit of India’s tribal sports talent.

Hosted by the Odisha Model Tribal Education Society under the ST & SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of Odisha, the event was organised by the National Education Society for Tribal Students, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.

The closing ceremony witnessed the presence of several distinguished guests, including Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, NESTS Commissioner Ajeet Kumar Srivastava, ST & SC Development Secretary B. Parameswaran, Sundargarh Collector Dr. Subhankar Mohapatra, international sprinter Dutee Chand, along with MLAs and public representatives from the region, according to a PIB release.

Srivastava presented a detailed overview of the sports meet, praising the exceptional performances of EMRS athletes and highlighting the growing competitive spirit among tribal students nationwide.

Telangana emerged as the overall champion, securing 230 medals and 714 points, showcasing dominant performances in both team and individual categories. In team events, Odisha secured 2 gold, 5 silver, and 1 bronze medals, scoring 26 points and finishing in second place.

The ceremony featured a series of cultural and ceremonial highlights, including the reception of dignitaries by EMRS students, traditional lamp lighting, Vande Mataram, a wave march, and captivating Odissi and Dhemsa dance presentations. Medals and trophies were awarded to the top-performing contingents, followed by a fireworks display. The ceremonial torch was extinguished, and the EMRS flag was lowered by the Chief Guest and Chand.

The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Dr. Subhankar Mohapatra, Collector & District Magistrate, Sundargarh, acknowledging the support of participating states, officials, coaches, and students in making the national meet a success.

Indian Navy to commission INS Mahe

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Mumbai: In a major boost to India’s indigenous naval capabilities, the Indian Navy will commission INS Mahe, the first vessel of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on 24 November 2025.

Designed and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), the new platform marks a significant step forward in the Navy’s effort to strengthen coastal security with modern, home-grown technology, according to a PIB release.

INS Mahe has been engineered for operations in the littorals, where agility, rapid response, and stealth are critical. Developed with over 80% indigenous content, the vessel reflects India’s accelerating progress in warship design, advanced systems integration, and maritime self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

The ship is equipped to detect and neutralise underwater threats, support coastal surveillance missions, and secure vital sea lanes. Blending mobility with precision, the Mahe-class introduces a new category of compact yet potent ASW platforms tailored for India’s maritime geography.

Named after the historic town of Mahe on the Malabar Coast, the vessel carries a crest featuring the ‘Urumi’, the flexible Kalaripayattu sword that symbolises the ship’s swift and lethal capabilities.

With its commissioning, the Navy will induct the first of a new generation of shallow-water combatants – sleek, indigenous, and purpose-built to safeguard the nation’s coastline.