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.

Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art to return priceless Indian antiquities

New Delhi: India is set to receive three priceless antiquities from the Washington-based Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art (NMAA) after provenance research confirmed they were illegally removed from the country.

The collection features a 9th-century Shiva Nataraja bronze, a 12th-century sculpture of Shiva and Uma, and a 16th-century depiction of Saint Sundarar with Paravi, the Embassy of India, Washington said in a post on X.

The repatriation agreement was signed by Deputy Chief of Mission Amb. Namgya Khampa and NMAA Director Dr. Chase Robinson, on Thursday, marked a significant milestone in restoring India’s cultural heritage.

The Shiva Nataraja bronze will remain on loan for public display, giving visitors insight into India’s rich artistic and spiritual legacy.

Officials emphasized that the return highlights India’s ongoing collaboration with international museums and the importance of safeguarding historical and religious artifacts from illicit trade.

Government reviews fuel supply, pushes PNG adoption

Bhubaneswar: A crucial meeting of the State Crisis Management Group was convened on Thursday under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Anu Garg to assess the current fuel supply situation in the State and plan future strategies.

The discussions focused on the availability and distribution of cooking gas, petrol, diesel, and other essential fuels.

During the meeting, the chief secretary emphasized continuous monitoring and review of the fuel supply situation, highlighting the need for coordinated action in line with Central government directives. Special attention was given to increasing the adoption of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) in commercial and residential sectors.

It was announced that the supply quota of commercial cooking gas to hotels and restaurants has been increased. Hotels and commercial establishments were urged to maximize the use of PNG where both LPG and PNG systems are installed, reducing reliance on traditional fuels.

The Food Supplies Department and Consumer Welfare Department assured that the domestic LPG supply remains stable, with no disruptions expected. The meeting also focused on fuel supply prioritization for government departments, educational institutions, and the MSME sector.

In a move to further reduce dependency on petrol and diesel, the State Crisis Management Group discussed accelerating the development of electric vehicle infrastructure and related facilities across the State.

Garg underlined that proactive measures and strategic planning are essential to ensure uninterrupted fuel availability and promote sustainable energy practices in the State.