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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 21, 2026

Commissioner Jadhav reviews department, horticulture schemes

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Bhubaneswar: Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, the commissioner-cum-secretary of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, on saturday chaired a meeting with all directors and senior officers of the department to assess key administrative and operational issues.

During the meeting, he stressed the importance of punctuality, cleanliness, and the adoption of new ideas and best practices. He directed officers to undertake regular district visits and ensure effective grievance redressal. Emphasis was also laid on the quick disposal of personal matters, proper documentation of departmental activities, and the regular clearance of official correspondence.

In a separate review meeting focused on the schemes of the Horticulture Directorate, Jadhav underscored the need for proper planning and timely execution of ongoing programmes. He highlighted the importance of capacity building for officers and staff to improve implementation efficiency.

Women’s empowerment through horticultural development was appreciated during the review, with emphasis on strengthening initiatives that promote inclusive growth in the sector, Krushibhag said in a post on X.

The meeting was attended by the director of horticulture, the additional director, the joint director, and other officers of the Directorate.

PM calls for stronger India-Brazil strategic partnership

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday welcomed Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his delegation to India, reaffirming the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations across trade, technology, energy, defence, and global cooperation.

In a press statement, Modi said he was “extremely pleased” to receive Lula, recalling the warm hospitality extended to him during his visit to Brazil last year. He noted that India-Brazil ties have long benefited from Lula’s “vision and inspiring leadership.”

The PM said the Brazilian president’s visit also enhanced the significance of the historic AI Impact Summit and injected new momentum into bilateral cooperation.

Highlighting economic engagement, Modi said Brazil is India’s largest trading partner in Latin America. Both countries are committed to expanding bilateral trade beyond USD20 billion over the next five years, according to an official statement.

“Our trade is not just a number; it reflects mutual trust,” he said, pointing to the large business delegation accompanying Lula as a sign of growing confidence.

He added that the expansion of the India–Mercosur Trade Agreement would further strengthen economic cooperation.

Modi further said India and Brazil are working to establish a Centre of Excellence for Digital Public Infrastructure in Brazil. Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence, supercomputers, semiconductors, and blockchain has been prioritised.

Both countries believe that technology must be inclusive and serve as a bridge for shared progress, he noted.

Energy collaboration remains a strong pillar of India–Brazil relations. Alongside hydrocarbons, both countries are accelerating cooperation in renewable energy, ethanol blending, and sustainable aviation fuel.

PM Modi said Brazil’s active participation in the Global Bio-Fuel Alliance reflects the shared commitment to a green future.

Brazil has also proposed co-chairing the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, a move welcomed by India. The Prime Minister said Brazil’s experience would strengthen the initiative.

An agreement on critical minerals and rare earths marks a significant step toward building resilient supply chains. Defence cooperation between the two nations continues to grow, reflecting mutual trust and strategic alignment.

“We will continue to strengthen this win-win partnership,” the PM noted.

India and Brazil are expanding collaboration in agriculture and animal husbandry, including climate-resilient agriculture, precision farming, and bio-fertilisers. A proposed Centre of Excellence in Oil Seeds, Pulses and Integrated Farming in Brazil will further strengthen food security efforts.

In the health and pharmaceutical sectors, India will work to increase the supply of affordable and quality medicines to Brazil. Efforts will also be made to promote Ayurveda and traditional medicine in Brazil.

On the global stage, Modi said India and Brazil will continue advancing the priorities of the Global South.

“When India and Brazil work together, the voice of the Global South becomes stronger and more confident,” he said.

The PM reiterated that global challenges must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. Both countries agree that terrorism and its supporters are enemies of humanity and that reform of global institutions is essential to address contemporary challenges.

PM Modi can’t renegotiate US trade deal, says Rahul Gandhi

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New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi can’t renegotiate the trade deal with the US. His statement came after the US Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s global tariffs.

In a post on X, Rahul said: “The PM is compromised. His betrayal now stands exposed. He can’t renegotiate. He will surrender again.”

Similarly, Congress General Secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, described the India-US trade deal as an “ordeal.”

In a post on X, he said: “Yesterday after the US Supreme Court struck down his tariffs policy, President Trump declared that (i) Mr. Modi is his great friend; (ii) the India-US trade deal will continue as announced; (iii) he had personally halted Operation Sindoor on May 10 2025 by threatening to increase tariffs on Indian exports to the US if India did not halt Operation Sindoor.”

On February 2, Trump was the first to announce that the India-US trade deal had been finalised and said that “out of friendship and respect for Prime Minister Modi and, as per his request, effective immediately, we agreed to a trade deal between the US and India,” Ramesh further said.

Ramesh added: “What forced Prime Minister Modi to ensure President Trump announced the India-US trade deal on the night of February 2, 2026, Indian time? What had happened in the Lok Sabha that afternoon that had compelled Mr. Modi to get so desperate and reach out to his good friend in the White House to create a diversion? If Mr. Modi had not been so desperate to protect his fragile image and waited just 18 days more, Indian farmers would have been spared their agony and distress, and Indian sovereignty would have been protected.”

Congress General Secretary Randeep Surjewala too said that the Modi government should answer the nation regarding the trade deal.

“Why did the Modi Government suddenly rush to execute the US – India Trade Deal – ‘Framework Agreement’, on 6th February 2026, despite full knowledge that the United States Supreme Court had heard the issue of quashing the President’s powers to impose tariffs on 5th November 2025 and a judgment on the same was awaited?” Surjewala wrote on his X account.

2.51 lakh farmers received compensation, says UP CM Adityanath

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New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday participated in a major program in Lucknow, distributing compensation and assistance amounts under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna Kalyan Yojana.

Under the program, 2.51 lakh farmers received compensation under PMFBY, while eligible families benefited from the CM Farmer Accident Welfare Scheme. The CM also laid foundation stones for agricultural buildings and soil testing laboratories in the State.

Addressing the gathering, Adityanath stated that the Uttar Pradesh government stands firmly with farmers and their dependents, providing all possible support. As part of this commitment, trained youth volunteers under the Disaster Mitra initiative will now receive life insurance coverage of up to Rs5 lakh.

Today, under the CM Farmer Accident Insurance Scheme, Rs175.67 crore was credited directly to the accounts of 3,500 affected families. In total, Rs 460 crore has been transferred directly to farmers’ bank accounts, bypassing any intermediaries, the CM said in a series of posts on X.

The CM also emphasized that in case of disasters, the government ensures that compensation reaches affected families within 24 hours. For the financial year 2025-26, the state has allocated Rs 876 crore to the State Disaster Mitigation Fund.

To improve agricultural safety and weather awareness, Doppler Weather Radars will be installed in Lucknow, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, and Azamgarh. These radars will provide timely weather updates and early warnings for potential hazards, including lightning, ensuring the safety of farmers and citizens.

VFS Global to open new Visa Application Centre in Bhubaneswar

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Bhubaneswar: VFS Global will make a dedicated Visa Application Centre operational in Bhubaneswar from April 1, coinciding with Odisha Day.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan confirmed the development on his X handle.

Pradhan said he had written to Union Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, requesting the establishment of a VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Bhubaneswar. “I had also discussed the matter with VFS Global’s CEO, Zubin Karkaria,” the minister noted.

VFS Global has now accepted his request to open a visa application centre in the State capital.

“For this important decision, I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr. Jaishankar, and Zubin Karkaria,” Pradhan said.

With this initiative, students and businesspersons from Odisha will no longer need to travel to Kolkata or other cities for visa-related work. This will save time, money, and effort, while also creating new employment opportunities for local youth, the minister added.

“I believe this step will prove to be a milestone in strengthening Odisha’s international connectivity,” Pradhan said.

In a letter to Pradhan, Karkaria wrote: “We deeply appreciate your support and guidance in enabling this important initiative for the people of Odisha. We reached out to our respective client governments to seek special permission to commence acceptance of visa applications from Bhubaneswar. We are hopeful of operationalising the visa application centre with visa services for the United Kingdom and select Schengen countries in the initial phase.”

Karkaria added that, along with the visa application centre, VFS Global would also offer visa concierge services to assist applicants with form filling, document guidance, travel insurance, and other visa-related support services.

He said the process would make visa applications more efficient, convenient, and seamless for citizens, especially first-time travellers, students, and families.

He further noted that the initiative would generate employment opportunities for local youth in Bhubaneswar, who would be trained and deployed by the company.

CM Yadav virtually inaugurates 52nd edition of Khajuraho Dance Festival

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New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav on Friday virtually inaugurated the 52nd Khajuraho Dance Festival, a seven-day international celebration of Indian classical dance being held at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khajuraho.

Addressing the gathering via video conferencing, Dr. Yadav described the Khajuraho Dance Festival as a vital part of India’s national heritage. He said Khajuraho is a place “where stones breathe life,” referring to the architectural brilliance and sculptural richness of its temples.

He highlighted prominent temples, including the Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Chaturbhuj Temple, Vaman Temple, Chitragupta Temple, and Parvati Temple, calling the region a confluence of valour, heritage, and artistic excellence.

The CM noted that the 52nd edition of the Khajuraho Dance Festival has been dedicated to Lord Nataraja – the cosmic dancer form of Lord Shiva. He termed the event a unique initiative that connects the rich tradition of Indian classical dance with Natesh (Lord Shiva) and India’s spiritual-cultural roots, according to a Madhya Pradesh government official statement.
He said his government is committed to promoting diverse art forms and has increased budget allocations for the Culture Department to support such initiatives.

He welcomed the eminent dancers and representatives of various classical dance traditions who had arrived from across the country and abroad to participate in the prestigious festival.

The prestigious festival is being organised by the Department of Culture and the Ustad Alauddin Khan Academy of Music and Arts, in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India, South Central Zone Cultural Centre (Nagpur), Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department, and the Chhatarpur district administration.
The inaugural day featured a Kathak performance by Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Maitreyee Pahari and her troupe from Delhi. The renowned dancer and choreographer presented the dance drama “Pratishtha: Invocation of the Eternal Elements,” dedicated to the five elements – earth, water, fire, air, and sky – symbolising the forces that sustain life and creation.

Chouhan highlights strong India-Brazil ties

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New Delhi: Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Friday underscored the deep-rooted and friendly ties between India and Brazil, stating that regular high-level engagements between the two nations have helped strengthen the relationship.

He made the remarks during a meeting with visiting Brazilian Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Carlos Fávaro and Luiz Paulo Teixeira Ferreira, Minister of Agrarian Development and Family Agriculture.

According to an official statement, both sides discussed the status of ongoing cooperation and outlined future areas of collaboration.

During the meeting, Chouhan also recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Brazil during the BRICS Summit 2025.

He also welcomed Brazil’s participation in the AI Impact Summit, calling it a meaningful step towards strengthening technological ties between the two countries.

Teixeira Ferreira highlighted the increasing significance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors, stating that multiple areas present opportunities for mutually rewarding partnerships.

Carlos Fávaro commended India’s advancements in bio-input technologies and observed that the sector offers considerable scope for expanded collaboration in the future.

The two sides reviewed progress under existing initiatives and identified new areas for partnership, agreeing to deepen engagement across agriculture and related domains.

Chouhan also extended an invitation to his Brazilian counterparts to participate in the forthcoming BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting.

India, Cambodia discuss boosting Buddhist Circuit tourism

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New Delhi: A special meeting was held via video conferencing between the Indian Embassy in Cambodia, the Union Ministry of Tourism, and Bihar Tourism on Friday to promote tourism under the Buddhist Circuit.

The meeting was attended by Bihar Tourism Department Secretary Dr. Nilesh Ramchandra Deore, along with other departmental officials.

During his presentation, Deore stated that Bihar is a major centre of Buddhism, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.

He informed that several projects are underway, including the construction of a corridor in Bodh Gaya; replicas of stupas in Kesariya; the Samyak Stupa in Vaishali; the Pataliputra Karuna Stupa and a Vipassana Centre in Patna; beautification of Venu Van in Rajgir; and the reconstruction of Vikramshila University in Bhagalpur.

The secretary invited Cambodian tourists to visit for 10 to 30 days and proposed collaboration on initiatives such as setting up a Cambodian restaurant in Bodh Gaya, joint branding efforts, the “Know Bihar Program,” and the “Angkor Wat to Bodh Gaya” initiative. The proposals received a positive response, the Bihar Tourism Department said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, around 327 naval officers and personnel from 74 countries visited the historic Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya on Friday, marking a significant moment of international engagement at one of Buddhism’s most revered sites.

The delegation was accorded a warm welcome by members of the temple management committee, senior monks, and local officials. During their visit, the officers paid respects at the sacred Bodhi Tree, the site associated with Lord Buddha’s enlightenment.

They were briefed on the life and teachings of Lord Buddha, including his messages of peace, compassion, and coexistence – principles that continue to resonate globally. The interaction offered the visiting personnel an opportunity to understand the spiritual and cultural importance of Bodh Gaya in greater depth,

Members of the delegation described the visit as spiritually enriching and said it provided meaningful insight into India’s rich civilisational heritage. The officers departed with a message of peace and goodwill, reaffirming Bodh Gaya’s standing as a global spiritual capital.

T20 World Cup: Australia crush Oman by nine wickets

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New Delhi: Australia beat Oman by nine wickets in their 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final group match in Kandy on Friday.

The latest round of matches at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup delivered a mix of outcomes. Afghanistan exited the tournament emphatically, Zimbabwe pulled off a thrilling chase against Sri Lanka, and the West Indies continued their unbeaten run.

Australia, hampered by injuries both before and during the competition, failed to secure a Super Eight berth after defeats to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. However, they ended their campaign on a positive note.

In their final group match on Friday, Australia comfortably chased down a target of 105 in just 9.4 overs. Captain Mitchell Marsh set the tone with a brisk half-century off 26 balls and remained unbeaten on 64 from 33 deliveries. The chase was clinical, featuring 15 fours and four sixes.

Travis Head contributed 32 before falling to a sharp caught-and-bowled effort from Shakeel Ahmed.

Having opted to field first, Australia seized control immediately. Xavier Bartlett struck with the very first ball, dismissing Aamir Kaleem, and Oman were reduced to 47/3 inside the powerplay.

The Asian side struggled to build meaningful partnerships and was bowled out for 104 in 16.2 overs. Wasim Ali top-scored with 32, but no other batter crossed the 20-run mark.

Notably, six Oman batters were dismissed bowled, equalling a T20 World Cup record for such dismissals in a single innings, according to the icc-cricket.com.

Glenn Maxwell, enduring a relatively quiet tournament, reached a personal milestone by claiming his 50th T20I wicket when he trapped Mohammad Nadeem leg before wicket. The achievement adds to an impressive T20 résumé that includes over 2,500 runs and more than 50 catches.

Oman particularly struggled against Adam Zampa’s leg-spin. He returned figures of 4 for 21 in 3.2 overs and was named Player of the Match for his decisive spell.

Trump announces 10% global tariff after Supreme Court setback

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New Delhi: US President Donald Trump on Friday announced a new 10% tariff on imports from around the world, including India, just hours after the country’s Supreme Court struck down his earlier sweeping import duties. He has already signed an order in this regard.

Addressing reporters at the White House, he said the new tariffs would be imposed under a law that limits them to 150 days and would take effect “almost immediately.”

In a series of posts on X, the White House said that Trump will always put America first.

He also described the Court’s ruling on tariffs as “deeply disappointing.”

“Wow. That’s a lot of people. That’s a new record; we set a record every time. Well thank you very much for being here. The Supreme Court’s ruling on tariffs is deeply disappointing, and I’m ashamed of certain members of the court, absolutely ashamed, for not having the courage to do what’s right for our country. I’d like to thank and congratulate Justices Thomas, Alito and Kavanaugh for their strength and wisdom and love of our country, which is right now very proud of those justices,” he told journalists.

He calaimed that tariffs have been used to end five of the eight wars, including India-Pakistan.

“Tariffs have likewise been used to end five of the eight wars that I said – I settled eight wars, whether you like it or not, including India-Pakistan, big ones. Nuclear – could have been nuclear. The prime minister of Pakistan said yesterday at the great meeting that we had at the Peace Board, he said yesterday that President Trump could have saved 35 million lives by getting us to stop fighting. They were getting ready to do some bad things,” Trump noted.

Earlier, in a 6–3 decision, the Court affirmed a lower court’s finding that the president overstepped his legal authority by invoking the 1977 statute to impose sweeping tariffs.

The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by companies impacted by the duties, along with 12 US states – most led by Democratic governors — challenging what they described as an extraordinary and unilateral use of the law to levy import taxes.

Meanwhile, Trump maintained that the US’ trade framework with India would remain unchanged despite the court ruling, asserting that India would continue to be subject to tariffs while the US would not.

“Nothing changes. They will be paying tariffs, and we will not be paying tariffs,” Trump said in reference to India. Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “a great man,” he added that India had earlier benefited from what he characterized as an uneven trade advantage over the US.