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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: February 6, 2026

India defeat England to win sixth Under-19 World Cup title

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Harare: India clinched their sixth ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup title on Friday after registering a commanding 100-run victory over England in the final, powered by a record-breaking century from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Batting first, India posted a massive 411 for 9, the highest total ever recorded in an Under-19 World Cup final. The innings was built around a sensational knock by Sooryavanshi, who scored 175, falling just short of a historic double century. His innings, widely described as one of the greatest in the tournament’s history, featured 15 sixes and 15 fours and completely dismantled the England bowling attack.

India were jolted early when opener Aaron George was dismissed for nine, but captain Ayush Mhatre steadied the innings with a fluent 53 off 51 balls. Mhatre and Sooryavanshi added 142 runs for the second wicket, laying the foundation for the record total. After Sooryavanshi’s dismissal, a quick cameo of 37 off 20 balls by Kanishk Chauhan ensured India crossed the 400-run mark.

Chasing an unprecedented target of 412, England began steadily but collapsed dramatically after reaching 93 for 1. Despite a fighting century from Caleb Falconer, England were bowled out for 311. RS Ambrish and Deepesh Devendran picked up two wickets each, while Khilan Patel, Kanishk Chauhan and captain Mhatre contributed with key breakthroughs during the middle overs.

The collapse saw England lose six wickets for just 84 runs, effectively ending their challenge and sealing a comprehensive win for India.

Captain Ayush Mhatre described the victory as a special moment for the team. “I can’t express my feelings. It’s a memorable moment for us. The boys executed the plans perfectly. We wanted to carry forward the legacy of Indian cricket,” he said after the match.

Sooryavanshi was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament. The 14-year-old said the achievement was the result of months of preparation and collective effort. “We trusted our process and played to our strengths. I had belief that I could contribute in a big game,” he said, dedicating his award to the support staff.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the team, calling the victory a proud moment for the country. “This win will inspire several young sportspersons too. Best wishes to the players for their upcoming endeavours,” he wrote in a post on X.

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Senior men’s team coach Gautam Gambhir praised the squad, writing that the future of Indian cricket looked bright. Former India captain Virat Kohli also congratulated the team, highlighting India’s continued dominance at the junior level.

The win extends India’s record as the most successful team in Under-19 World Cup history and reinforces the country’s strong pipeline of young cricketing talent.

Tamil Nadu lays foundation for first Sea Turtle Conservation Centre

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New Delhi: Tamil Nadu is set to get its first Sea Turtle Conservation Centre at Guindy, Chennai. The foundation stone was laid by Chief Minister Thiru M.K. Stalin on Friday, marking a major step in the state’s conservation efforts.

The Centre is being established under the World Bank–supported TN-SHORE project for Rs14.50 crore. It aims to protect endangered sea turtles through scientific research, community engagement, and long-term conservation measures.

Thanks to sustained conservation initiatives along the State’s coast, the last season saw a record number of turtle hatchlings released. Hatchling numbers rose from 1.16 lakh in 2020–21 to 2.87 lakh in 2024–25, according to Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to the government, Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department, Tamil Nadu

She said the new Centre will further strengthen Tamil Nadu’s mission to secure the future of sea turtles and promote awareness about marine biodiversity.

In a separate development, Stalin launched the State’s first Urban Greening Policy, a major initiative under the Green TN Mission. The policy aims to create climate-resilient, liveable, and people-focused urban spaces across the State.

Under the policy, every Urban Local Body (ULB) will strive to maintain at least 15% of its total area under green cover. ULBs will also establish dedicated Urban Forest Wings to oversee and implement greening initiatives.

Murmu highlights gender justice, social inclusion at Bhubaneswar summit

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Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said that India’s fintech growth should be remembered not only as a story of technological advancement but also as one of gender justice and social inclusion. She was addressing the Black Swan Summit, organised by the government of Odisha in collaboration with the Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN) in Bhubaneswar.

Speaking at the event, the president noted that technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace, bringing both opportunities and challenges. While rapid innovation has driven growth and transformation, she cautioned that it has also created risks such as cybersecurity threats, deepfakes, misinformation, and excessive dependence on digital systems. She said platforms like the Black Swan Summit provide an important space to explore how emerging technologies can be used responsibly to enhance skills, generate employment, and accelerate digital and financial transformation.

Highlighting India’s financial transformation over the past decade, President Murmu said digital payments and direct benefit transfers have become integral to everyday life for farmers, small traders, and women. For millions of citizens, she said, fintech is no longer a technical concept but a vital support system enabling financial access and security.

The president, according to an official release, underlined that women must be placed at the centre of India’s fintech ecosystem. She said fintech platforms and policies should not view women merely as end users but also as leaders, professionals, and entrepreneurs.

“India’s fintech story should be remembered not only as a tale of technology but also as that of gender justice. Women constitute an important segment that requires focused attention for the promotion of fintech. Fintech must view them not only as end users but as leaders, professionals, and entrepreneurs,” she said, adding that “an inclusive fintech ecosystem is one in which women are visible at every level, from village entrepreneurs and banking correspondents to engineers, founders, and board members”.

However, President Murmu cautioned that technology alone does not guarantee inclusion. She said many citizens, particularly in rural, tribal, and remote areas, remain unfamiliar with digital tools. Skilling such populations is essential to ensure they become participants in the development process. Only then, she said, can fintech truly serve as an engine for inclusion, entrepreneurship, and employment generation.

Calling upon entrepreneurs and innovators, the President urged them to ensure that technology becomes a tool for social justice and inclusion rather than exclusion. She said technological progress should be guided by ethical responsibility and a commitment to equitable growth.

President Murmu also drew attention to the misuse of technology for financial fraud. She stressed the importance of public awareness and vigilance to prevent such crimes. Referring to steps taken by the Government of India, she mentioned initiatives such as the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System, and the Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre. She emphasised that digital and financial literacy are critical deterrents to online fraud and should be integrated into school curricula so that young citizens understand both the benefits and risks of technology from an early age.

The president said investments in skill development, global capability centres, and innovation capacity are ultimately investments in human capital. She welcomed the Odisha government’s BharatNetra initiative, which aims to build a future-ready workforce and foster innovation in digital, financial, and insurance technology sectors.

Appreciating the government of Odisha and the GFTN for jointly organising the summit as part of the BharatNetra initiative, President Murmu expressed confidence that the ideas and collaborations emerging from the Black Swan Summit would have a transformative impact not only on Odisha but also on India and the global fintech landscape.

Pariksha Pe Charcha: PM Modi urges students to focus on balance, curiosity and inner confidence

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday interacted with students during the ninth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha, offering wide-ranging guidance on exams, education, life skills and personal growth. The informal interaction with students, referred to as “Exam Warriors”, was held at the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi.

Addressing students’ concerns about exam pressure and expectations from parents and teachers, the Prime Minister advised students to listen to everyone’s advice but follow a study pattern that suits their own rhythm. He said each individual learns differently and progress comes from understanding one’s own pace rather than blindly following others. Drawing parallels from everyday life, he stressed that enjoyment and success emerge when students trust their own methods and refine them through experience.

Responding to questions on classroom learning and teaching pace, the Prime Minister said goals should be within reach but not easily achievable. He suggested that teachers should keep learning targets just a step ahead of students to maintain motivation without creating fear, according to an official release.

Advising educators to inform students in advance about upcoming chapters, Modi said this would help spark curiosity, improve understanding and strengthen focus. He remarked that learning becomes effective when the mind is prepared before new subjects are introduced.

During the interaction, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the importance of balance in life, noting that studies, skills, rest and hobbies must coexist. He said education is not meant only for examinations but for life itself, adding that exams are meant to examine one’s understanding, not define one’s future. He cautioned students against dwelling on past performance and encouraged them to focus on what lies ahead.

Highlighting the importance of skills alongside academic knowledge, the Prime Minister said books provide knowledge but only practice builds professional capability. He explained that life skills and professional skills are equally important and that continuous learning is essential in every field. He encouraged students to turn hobbies into practical outcomes, share their work openly and learn from feedback, saying that feedback fuels new ideas and growth.

The Prime Minister also spoke about collaborative learning, encouraging students to teach peers who are less confident while seeking guidance from those who perform better. He said such collaboration benefits everyone and improves understanding. Stressing the value of revision, he said “revise and become wise” should be a guiding principle for students.

Addressing parents, Prime Minister Modi urged them to allow children to blossom according to their capacity, ability and interest, rather than imposing expectations. He said confidence comes from inner truth and being honest with oneself, not from comparisons with others.

On managing stress and distractions, the Prime Minister said complete involvement in the present moment helps retain learning. He explained that the more involved a student is in an activity, the longer it stays in memory. He encouraged students to treat exams like festivals, celebrating them instead of fearing them.

The Prime Minister also spoke about the responsible use of technology, describing it as a powerful teacher. He said artificial intelligence can enhance human capability when used wisely and advised students to use technology to expand knowledge rather than merely consume content.

Concluding the interaction, Prime Minister Modi reminded students that comfort zones do not shape life, but the way one lives does. He urged them to dream big, fear less, read biographies for inspiration and remain anchored in their strengths. He also underlined the importance of cleanliness as a personal and national duty.

The next episode of Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026 will be aired on February 9 at 10 am.

Indian men, women lose at Badminton Asia Team Championships

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New Delhi: It was not a good day for Indian shuttlers as both men’s and women’s teams suffered defeats at the Badminton Asia Team Championships in Qingdao, China, on Friday.

India’s men lost 3-2 to Japan after leading 2-0. Ayush Shetty gave India a strong start by beating Kenta Nishimoto 21-18, 15-21, 21-11. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won the doubles 21-18, 15-21, 21-12 against Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi.

Japan staged a comeback in the remaining matches. HS Prannoy lost his singles match to Yushi Tanaka 17-21, 11-21.
The Indian pair of Hariharan Amsakarunan and Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy lost the second doubles match to Kakeru Kumagai and Hiroki Nishi 14-21, 10-21. In the decider, Tharun Manepalli lost to Koki Watanabe 21-12, 14-21, 11-21, according to Badminton Asia.

Earlier, India’s women’s team also went down 3-2 to Thailand in the group stage of the tournament. Teenager Tanvi Sharma put India ahead by beating Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-14, 17-21, 21-18 in 63 minutes. Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand extended India’s lead in the first doubles 21-14, 20-22, 21-11.

Thailand won the next three matches to seal the tie. Rakshitha Sree Santosh Ramraj went down 19-21, 17-21 to Pitchamon Opatniputh.
Tanisha Crasto and Shruti Mishra fell in three games against Hathaithip Mijad and Napapakorn Tungkasatan. Malvika Bansod lost the decider 18-21, 14-21 to Pornpicha Choeikeewong.

India finished as runners-up in their group and will face China in the quarterfinals.

Mandaviya reaffirms workers’ welfare priority

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Bhubaneswar: Union Labour and Employment Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said that the government places workers’ welfare, dignity, and security at the heart of its national development vision.

He made the remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the All India Triennial Conference of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) in Puri.

Dr Mandaviya said he works for Shram Shakti and Yuva Shakti, which he described as the backbone of the country’s growth. He noted that these forces will play a key role in achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat.

He described BMS as the largest trade union in India and one of the biggest globally. He said the organisation has consistently worked for workers’ rights, justice, and empowerment, while supporting national development and economic growth.

The minister stressed that workers and industry hold equal importance for economic progress, according to an official statement. He said cooperation between the two remains essential for a strong and resilient economy. He added that the Labour Codes aim to maintain this balance by improving worker welfare and social security, while easing compliance for industries.

Dr Mandaviya appreciated BMS for supporting the Labour Codes and countering misinformation along with other central trade unions. He said this approach reflects responsible leadership that places workers’ interests above organisational priorities.

He highlighted key Labour Code provisions such as mandatory appointment letters, gender equality, and health check-ups for hazardous sector workers.

On social security, the minister said the government has steadily expanded coverage and strengthened institutional support. He cited the International Labour Organization’s announcement that around 940 million people in India now receive social security benefits. He said the government aims to extend this coverage to one billion people by 2026.

He also said ESIC hospitals and medical colleges now offer reservations for the children of workers in medical education. He noted that this step reduces financial pressure on families and supports higher education aspirations.

Dr Mandaviya said BMS has submitted representations on issues such as EPFO and ESIC wage ceilings, floor wages, and an increase in minimum pension under EPS-95. He assured that the government will examine these demands carefully and make decisions in the interest of workers in the coming days.

Odisha merchant navy cadet missing near Mauritius waters, search intensified

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Bhubaneswar: A 22-year-old merchant navy cadet from Odisha’s Bhadrak district has gone missing while on duty aboard a cargo vessel near Mauritius waters, triggering an international maritime search operation and appeals for urgent government intervention.

The missing cadet, Sarthak Mahapatra, was serving with Anglo-Eastern Ship Management and was on board the vessel EA Jersey, which was sailing from West Africa to Singapore. According to information shared with the family, Mahapatra was last seen entering his cabin on the morning of February 3.

Company officials informed the family that when a routine inspection was carried out by the ship’s chief officer around 8.30 am, Mahapatra’s cabin was found empty. A vessel-wide search was immediately conducted, followed by a crew headcount that confirmed his absence. The exact circumstances under which the cadet went missing remain unclear.

The ship subsequently slowed down to carry out an intensive search in the surrounding waters. Maritime authorities were alerted, and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Mauritius was notified. Coordinated search efforts were launched in the area where the vessel was operating. Despite the search, no trace of Sarthak had been found as of the latest reports.

Family members said they last spoke to Mahapatra on February 2 through phone and video calls when the vessel was nearing Singapore. After that, repeated attempts to contact him failed, prompting growing concern.

Mahapatra’s mother, Rashmita Mohapatra, has appealed to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and the state Director General of Police, seeking immediate intervention. She urged authorities to coordinate with central agencies and international maritime bodies to locate her son.

Political leaders have also expressed concern. Former Odisha chief minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik said he was deeply worried about the incident and urged the Directorate General of Shipping and the Ministry of External Affairs to provide urgent assistance and coordinate with all stakeholders to speed up the search.

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhakta Charan Das also called for intensified diplomatic and maritime efforts, urging External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to ensure close coordination with international agencies and full support to the cadet’s family.

Search operations are continuing, with authorities yet to report any breakthrough.

Government reshuffles senior IAS officers

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Bhubaneswar: In a significant administrative overhaul, the State government has effected a major reshuffle of senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, reassigning over a dozen officials across key departments.

The changes, notified by the General Administration & Public Grievance Department, involve new postings, additional responsibilities, and the withdrawal of earlier charges.

The changes are aimed at improving governance in crucial sectors such as revenue, agriculture, mining, urban development, and social welfare.

Several senior officers from the 1993 to 2012 batches have been moved to strategic positions.

The reshuffle is part of the State government’s broader push to strengthen administrative efficiency, particularly in disaster management, infrastructure development, and social welfare delivery.

Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, IAS (RR-1996), has moved from Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment to Revenue & Disaster Management as ACS, while continuing as Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, Puri.

This ends Deoranjan Kumar Singh’s additional charge in Revenue & Disaster Management. Usha Padhee, IAS (RR-1996), ACS, Housing & Urban Development, has taken additional charge as Chairperson of IDCO, replacing Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra.

Girish S.N., IAS (RR-2002), Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water, has been given additional charge as Chairman of Odisha Mining Corporation. Dr Mrinalini Darswal, IAS (RR-2002), has returned from New Delhi to take charge as Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Women & Child Development.

Deoranjan Kumar Singh, IAS (RR-1993), will continue as DC-cum-Additional Chief Secretary and Secretary, Planning & Convergence Department, while retaining additional charge as ACS, Steel & Mines. Surendra Kumar, IAS (RR-1993), has been appointed ACS, GA&PG Department, while continuing to hold charge of Parliamentary Affairs.

Bishnupada Sethi, IAS (RR-1995), has been named Chairman of the Odisha Forest Development Corporation with additional charge as Chief Administrator, KBK. Chithra Arumugam, IAS (RR-1995), ACS, Labour & ESI, has been given additional responsibility as Director General, Training Coordination, Gopabandhu Academy of Administration.

Suresh Kumar Vashishth, IAS (RR-1997), has been posted as Principal Secretary, Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, while Shubha Sarma, IAS (RR-1999), is now Principal Secretary, Water Resources. NBS Rajput, IAS (RR-1999), has been appointed Principal Secretary, Commerce & Transport, retaining charge as CMD, OSRTC.

Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, IAS (RR-2005), will continue in Co-operation and disaster-related roles, though his additional charge in Housing & Urban Development has been withdrawn. Balwant Singh, IAS (RR-2007), has been given additional charge as Managing Director, Odisha State Highway Authority.

Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, IAS (RR-2007), has been posted as Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, while retaining Sports & Youth Services. Sudhansu Mohan Samal, IAS (RR-2010), MD, OMC, has been given additional charge as Revenue Divisional Commissioner, Central Division.

Rashmita Panda, IAS (RR-2010), has been appointed Vice Chairperson, Bhubaneswar Development Authority, with additional responsibilities in Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited and Housing & Urban Development. Md Sadique Alam, IAS (RR-2010), has taken charge as Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Public Enterprises, along with MD, CRUT.

Mansi Nimbhal, IAS (RR-2010), has been appointed Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Mission Shakti, while Prem Chandra Chaudhary, IAS (RR-2010), has taken over Fisheries & Animal Resources Development. Anupam Saha, IAS (RR-2012), Additional Secretary to the Chief Minister, has been given additional charge as MD, Odisha Bridge & Construction Corporation.

Sangram Keshari Mohapatra, IAS (SCS-2012), RDC, Southern Division, has been entrusted with the in-charge responsibilities of the Northern Division and Chairmanship of the Western Odisha Development Council.

Trump rejects Putin’s proposal to extend nuclear deployment limits

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New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has declined a proposal from Russian President Vladimir Putin to voluntarily extend restrictions on the deployment of strategic nuclear weapons, signalling instead his preference for negotiating a new and broader arms control agreement.

Trump said the recently expired New START treaty was poorly negotiated and no longer suitable for current geopolitical realities. He called for fresh talks between nuclear experts from both countries to frame what he described as a modern and improved agreement that could remain in force for decades.

“Rather than extend ‘NEW START’ [A badly negotiated deal by the United States that, aside from everything else, is being grossly violated], we should have our Nuclear Experts work on a new, improved, and modernized Treaty that can last long into the future,” Trump posted on his Truth Social network.

He reiterated that any future agreement should ideally include other major nuclear powers, including China, though Beijing has previously shown little interest in joining such negotiations.

The New START treaty, which expired earlier this year, had capped the number of deployed nuclear warheads and delivery systems held by the United States and Russia. Its lapse has raised concerns among arms control experts about the risk of a renewed nuclear arms race at a time of heightened global tensions.

Putin had earlier indicated that Russia was willing to continue observing the treaty’s limits for another year if Washington agreed to do the same. However, the United States did not formally respond to the offer, and Moscow has since expressed regret over the treaty’s expiration.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia would continue to approach nuclear stability responsibly, but stressed that future decisions would be guided by national interests. Russia will maintain its “responsible, thorough approach to stability when it comes to nuclear weapons,” adding that “of course, it will be guided primarily by its national interests,” Peskov was quoted as saying by Los Angeles Times.

According to Al Jazeera, US and Russian delegations meeting in Abu Dhabi for discussions related to the Ukraine conflict had also held talks on the possibility of a short-term extension of the New START framework, though no agreement emerged from those discussions.

The original Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) was signed in 1991 by the United States and the former Soviet Union. The New START agreement, signed in 2010 by then-US President Obama and his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, limited each side to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and was last extended in 2021 before expiring this year.

The pact envisioned on-site inspections to verify compliance which were stopped in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and never resumed. In February 2023, Putin suspended Russia’s participation preventing U.S. inspections of its nuclear sites as NATO, including the US, took side with Ukraine.

The collapse of the last remaining bilateral nuclear arms control treaty between Washington and Moscow comes amid renewed global anxiety over nuclear risks. Analysts have warned that the erosion of long-standing arms control mechanisms could lower barriers to escalation, particularly as nuclear-armed states face increasing geopolitical friction.

India’s Rouble Nagi wins Global Teacher Prize 2026

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New Delhi: Indian educator and artist Rouble Nagi on Thursday won the USD1 million GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize 2026.

Rouble earned the honour for her unique use of art to educate children in underserved communities. She turns broken and neglected walls into large, interactive murals. These murals teach literacy, numeracy, hygiene, environmental awareness, and social values.

She was selected from more than 5,000 nominations from 139 countries. Organisers announced the winner at a ceremony held during the World Governments Summit in Dubai, according to the globalteacherprize.org.

Rouble plans to use the prize money to set up a Skilling Institute. The institute will offer free vocational and digital literacy training. The goal is to improve life opportunities for millions of marginalised children and young people.

Over the last two decades, Rouble has helped more than one million children enter formal education. She uses art as a bridge to bring out-of-school children back into learning.

Through the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation, she has established more than 800 learning centres across India. These centres operate in more than 100 slums and villages. They provide safe and inspiring spaces for children who have never attended school. The centres also support school-going children with remedial education, emotional care, and creative learning.

Her work revolves around the idea of “Living Walls of Learning.” She converts abandoned walls into open-air classrooms. The murals teach subjects such as science, history, hygiene, and environmental responsibility. They also involve parents and local communities in the learning process.

Rouble travels across the country to work directly with children. She also mentors teachers at the learning centres. She has trained over 600 educators, both volunteers and professionals. The model adapts to children’s academic, social, and economic needs.

The award is an initiative of the Varkey Foundation and is organised in collaboration with UNESCO. The Global Teacher Prize has now completed 10 years and remains the world’s largest award for teachers.