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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: January 30, 2026

India gifts second tranche of election vehicles to Nepal

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New Delhi: India on Thursday handed over a second tranche of election-related assistance to Nepal, gifting more than 250 vehicles to support preparations for the country’s upcoming polls, reinforcing long-standing bilateral cooperation and trust.

India’s Charge d’affaires a.i. in Nepal, Dr. Rakesh Pandey, formally delivered the vehicles at a ceremony held at Nepal’s Ministry of Finance in Kathmandu. Nepal’s Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal and Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari attended the event.

The consignment includes SUVs and double-cab pickup vehicles requested by the government of Nepal for election logistics. Officials said the vehicles will aid election management and field operations across the country.

Speaking at the ceremony, Khanal highlighted the deep-rooted ties between the two neighbours. He thanked India for its timely support and said the assistance would play an important role in election preparations.

In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said: “The first tranche of such assistance was delivered on 20 January 2026, and further deliveries are expected in the coming weeks.”

Officials noted that the support reflects the broad-based development partnership between India and Nepal. They also said it underlines the confidence and people-to-people friendship shared by the two countries.

India tourism recovery 2024 gains momentum

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New Delhi: India’s tourism sector continued its recovery in 2024, with foreign tourist arrivals nearing pre-pandemic levels, while international tourist numbers crossed earlier benchmarks, reflecting steady revival and growing global interest.

Data compiled by the Ministry of Tourism, based on Bureau of Immigration records, showed foreign tourist arrivals at 9.95 million in 2024. This marked a 4.52% rise over 2023, though arrivals remained below the 2019 level.

State-level data submitted by governments placed Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan as the top destinations for foreign visitors during the year. The ministry does not track further details on travel routes or intra-state movement.

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, as reported by PIB india, said in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.

While foreign tourist arrivals stayed below pre-Covid numbers, international tourist arrivals showed stronger momentum. India recorded 20.57 million international tourists in 2024, up from 18.89 million in 2023 and higher than the 2019 figure of 17.91 million.

This growth lifted India to the 20th position globally in terms of international tourist arrivals. The increase of nearly 15% over 2019 indicated a faster rebound than several regions in Asia and the Pacific.

The government also stepped up overseas promotion spending. Revised estimates under the Restructured Scheme of Overseas Promotion and Publicity stood at Rs33 crore for 2024–25 and Rs 43.48 crore for 2025–26. The funds support global marketing and market development efforts.

Tourism growth also translated into job creation. Estimates based on tourism accounts and labour surveys showed sector employment rising to 84.63 million in 2023–24, compared with 75.85 million in 2018–19. The ministry does not maintain gender-wise or rural-urban employment data.

Officials said uneven regional recovery persists, with some destinations outperforming pre-pandemic levels. Others continue to rebuild capacity and demand.

Odisha-World Bank partnership for skills and jobs takes shape

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Bhubaneswar: The partnership between Odisha and the World Bank for skills and jobs took shape on Thursday as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi met with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga to discuss investment-led growth, infrastructure, social development, and large-scale skilling for youth employment.

During the meeting, Majhi outlined Odisha’s reform agenda and flagship programmes that have drawn investments worth Rs2.5 lakh crore. He said these investments have created jobs, with a strong emphasis on opportunities for youth and women across sectors.

The CM highlighted Odisha’s business-friendly environment and steady reform push. He noted that the State ranks second nationwide in investments, as per CMIE data released in December 2025. He added that investor confidence has risen due to clear policies and faster approvals.

Banga praised Odisha’s development approach and reform orientation. He commended the State’s focus on skill building to support private sector jobs for young people. He also acknowledged the impact of institutions such as the Central Tool Room and Training Centre in Bhubaneswar.

The World Bank president noted that the institution would continue to support Odisha through technical assistance, policy advice, and partnerships. He stressed the need to strengthen institutions and expand public-private collaboration to deliver results at scale.

Both sides discussed ways to accelerate inclusive and sustainable development. The talks covered infrastructure expansion, improvements in social sectors, and the use of technology to build economic resilience. Skill development remained a central theme of the discussions.

The World Bank indicated it would build on proven models like CTTC under India’s USD4 billion ITI upgradation initiative. The aim is to align training with industry needs and improve employability in emerging sectors.

Majhi and Banga also agreed to explore new areas of cooperation under “Odisha Vision 2036 & 2047: Viksit Odisha for Viksit Bharat”. They said closer engagement would help expand opportunities and support long-term growth.

He added that global expertise, combined with local reforms, would help the state deliver inclusive development.

In a post on X, the CM said the partnership would strengthen Odisha’s path towards a prosperous and resilient future.