Continuing to position itself as a leading innovation-driven institution in India, National Institute of Technology-Rourkela has achieved a milestone by recording 100 patents.

Of the 101 patents, 97 are national and four international. Considering the time typically required for patent examination and approval, the impact of the 2025 filing surge is expected to be reflected more prominently in the current and subsequent years. In 2025 alone, the Institute was granted 23 patents, marking growth over previous years, said NIT authorities on Thursday.

The key innovation areas for which NIT R got the patents are very diverse in nature. The fields are AI-based vehicular communication systems, autonomous drone technologies, industrial waste treatment prototypes, health-monitoring IoT devices, sustainable food packaging technologies and advanced materials derived from waste resources.

Commenting on the achievement, Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, Director, NIT Rourkela, said, “we are proud of our contribution towards the country.”

“Surpassing 100 granted patents marks a significant milestone in NIT Rourkela’s journey toward building a strong culture of research, innovation, and intellectual property creation. With over 230 patents filed and 101 granted to date, our growing portfolio reflects impactful work across priority areas”, he added.

“With 91 patent applications filed in 2025 alone, we are accelerating our efforts to strengthen an innovation-driven ecosystem and aim to double the number of granted patents in the coming year”, he further said.

NIT Rourkela’s Centre for Intellectual Property Rights (CIPR) serves as a comprehensive platform for intellectual property development and support system for the faculty in filing patents to protect and secure their innovations and technologies. It supports creating awareness and capacity in IP matters within and beyond the institute, reviewing and approving IP proposals from faculty and students, assisting in patent filing, prosecution, and grant processes, facilitating licensing, technology transfer, and collaborations and supporting MoUs and issuing NOCs related to IP matters.

JSW Steel, Odisha Mining Division, has been conferred with the Best Exhibition Display Award at the 35th Annual Flower and Vegetable Show held at Noamundi.

The award recognizes the company’s innovative concept and visually captivating floral presentation.

The two‑day exhibition showcased more than ten varieties of winter seasonal flowers, including Marigold, French Marigold, Pansy, Chrysanthemum, Petunia, Sylvia, and Dahlia. These flowers were artistically arranged to form a Swastik symbol, which drew widespread appreciation and attention from visitors.

Deeply rooted in Indian culture, the Swastik symbolizes prosperity, well‑being, positivity, and harmony. The thoughtfully curated display reflected a fine balance of cultural sensitivity and creative expression, seamlessly blending tradition with natural aesthetics.

In addition to the floral exhibit, JSW Steel Odisha also showcased a variety of medicinal plants suitable for home cultivation, which received appreciable interest and positive feedback from visitors.

The annual Flower and Vegetable Show serves as an important platform to promote horticulture, environmental awareness, and community participation. JSW Steel’s exhibit stood out for its originality, precision, and overall presentation, earning high appreciation from the judging panel.

Amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s proposed boycott of their high-profile T20 World Cup clash against India, Pakistan captain Salman Agha has made it clear that the decision lies entirely beyond the team’s control and rests with the country’s government.

Speaking at the Captain’s Day press conference ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Agha said the players are respecting the government’s stance while remaining focused on their on-field responsibilities.

“Yeah, the India game, it’s not in our control. It’s a government decision, and we respect that. Whatever they are going to say, we do that. We’re also playing three other games, and we are very excited about that. Yeah, we lost to the USA in the last World Cup, but that’s history now. It’s a new World Cup, a new team, and a new combination. And we are very excited for that,” Agha said.

While uncertainty continues to loom over the scheduled India–Pakistan group-stage fixture, the Pakistan skipper stressed that the team’s attention is firmly on the remaining matches in the tournament.

“There are three other games. They can come and watch that game, and I’m sure they will be excited as well. Don’t worry.”

Asked whether Pakistan’s stance would change if the two arch-rivals were to meet later in the knockout stages, Agha reiterated that such matters are beyond the team’s remit.

“I have mentioned that before. It is a government decision, and we respect that,” he said. “We will do what they are going to say, and we will do that.”

The captain also acknowledged that there is no clarity at this stage on whether the India fixture will go ahead at all.

“Regardless, I do not know if the game is going to happen or not, but the government has said one thing, and we are going to do that. I do not know about the game.”

Addressing concerns over possible weather interruptions in Colombo, Agha downplayed the issue, saying the team is focusing only on factors within its control.

“The weather is something you can’t control. We don’t really think about what we can’t control,” he said. “We are just here to play good cricket, and whatever challenges are thrown at us, we will deal with that.”

Pakistan’s decision to boycott the India match has been linked to its show of solidarity with Bangladesh, which was replaced by Scotland in the tournament after refusing to travel to India, citing security concerns. Bangladesh had requested that their matches be shifted to Sri Lanka, a proposal that was rejected by the ICC.

Following the Pakistan government’s announcement on social media that the national team “shall not take the field” against India, the International Cricket Council (ICC) issued a strong response, warning that selective participation undermines the principles of global competition.

In an official release, the ICC said it had taken note of the Government of Pakistan’s position, adding that such a stance is difficult to reconcile with the fundamentals of a global sporting event.

“While the ICC awaits official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), this position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms per the event schedule,” the ICC stated.

The governing body further stressed that ICC tournaments are built on fairness, competitiveness and sporting integrity and warned that selective participation threatens the sanctity of the competition.

“While the ICC respects the roles of governments in matters of national policy, this decision is not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan,” the statement added. “The ICC hopes that the PCB will consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country.”

The ICC reiterated that its priority remains the smooth conduct of the Men’s T20 World Cup and urged the PCB to seek a mutually acceptable solution that safeguards the interests of all stakeholders.

Last month, PCB chairman and Pakistan’s interior minister Mohsin Naqvi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to brief him on the situation following Bangladesh’s withdrawal. The ICC subsequently confirmed Scotland’s inclusion as Bangladesh’s replacement, citing the absence of any credible or verifiable security threat to the Bangladesh team in India.

Scotland, currently ranked 14th in T20Is, became the highest-ranked team outside the original qualification bracket to be drafted into the 20-team tournament, which runs from February 7 to March 8.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while replying to the debate on Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, on Thursday, spoke on the recently concluded trade deals with the US and the European Union.

The PM told the Upper House MPs that many big countries are keen to have good trade relations with India. Modi added that trade deals with India contribute to global stability, while also making the country future ready.

“India is signing future-ready trade deals with several countries. In the past few days, we signed trade deals with nine big and important countries of the world. Mother of all deals with 27 countries, with the European Union is one of them.

“Big countries are very eager to have trade relations with India. Be it the trade deal of the European Union or the recent deal with the US. The entire world is openly praising these trade deals. When we signed the trade deal with the EU, the world became more confident about the greater likelihood of global stability. After the trade deal with the US, the world became even more confident that with stability, they can sense a speed too. This is a positive sign for the world,” said the PM in his address.

#WATCH | In Rajya Sabha, PM Modi says, “…Big countries are very eager to have trade relations with India. Be it the trade deal of the European Union or the recent deal with the US…The entire world is openly praising these trade deals. When we signed the trade deal with the… pic.twitter.com/CIjwAms1kA

— ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2026

The PM underscored that India today has emerged as a trusted partner of several countries as it is playing its role in a manner that contributes to global welfare.

India today has emerged as a strong voice of the Global South on global platforms, he stated.

The trade deals with the EU and the US have come at a crucial time amidst global economic and political upheaval. The agreement reached with the US is particularly crucial as it brings down the 50 per cent tariffs imposed on Indian goods to 18 per cent.

The trade deal announcement marks a significant turnaround in India-US relations, which had plummeted after Donald Trump took charge of the US as president last year. His imposition of up to 50 per cent tariffs on India, half of those being a penalty for New Delhi buying Russian oil, brought about an unprecedented chill in bilateral relations, which had been on an upward trajectory for the past two decades.

India and the United States are likely to finalise and sign a joint statement on the first tranche of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) in the next 4-5 days, informed Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday.

A formal legal agreement on the trade deal is expected to be signed around mid-March, Goyal told mediapersons here, adding that after the joint statement is released, the US is expected to issue an executive order to reduce tariffs to 18 per cent.

Once an executive order is issued following the statement, the reduced 18 per cent US tariff on Indian goods will come into force.

“A more comprehensive and formal agreement is targeted for signing by mid-March,” Goyal said.

Providing technical clarity on the procedural aspects of the deal, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal explained the distinction between the two nations’ tariff structures.

“Their (US) tariffs are executive tariffs. Our tariffs are most-favoured-nation (MFN) tariffs. So, our MFN tariffs reduction can only take place after the legal agreement has been signed. That will only happen after the legal agreement has been signed,” Agrawal said.

Goyal further stated that India has already entered into a record eight trade agreements, and the first tranche of the BTA with the US will soon become the ninth. The FTAs signed by India under PM Narendra Modi will help in the thrust to modernise India, he added.

“The FTAs signed under PM Modi help us in our thrust to modernise India,” said the minister.

Meanwhile, Goyal announced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that the interests of India’s farmers have been protected in the India-US trade deal, as agricultural and dairy products have been kept outside the ambit of the deal.

The minister said that India has successfully protected sensitive sectors such as agriculture and dairy while giving full attention to food and farming concerns in the India-US trade agreement.

He said the partnership will create new opportunities for MSMEs, skilled workers, and industry; strengthen bilateral ties; and ensure energy security, which remains a top priority for 140 crore Indians.

The minister said the trade deal “will simplify the reach to advanced technologies and help in realising India’s ‘Make in India for the World’, ‘Design in India for the World’ and ‘Innovate in India for the World’.”

Defending champions India went down 2-3 to Thailand in their second Group Y encounter of the Women’s Division at the Badminton Asia Team Championships in Qingdao, China, on Thursday, conceding the top spot in the group to their opponents.

Despite the loss, both India and Thailand advanced to the knockout stage, with Thailand finishing as group leaders and India settling for second place.

India began the tie on a strong note, with world No. 42 Tanvi Sharma producing a superb performance to upset world No. 16 Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-14, 17-21, 21-18 in a hard-fought match lasting one hour and three minutes.

The early momentum continued as the doubles pair of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly extended India’s advantage, overcoming Tidapron Kleebyeesun and Nattamon Laisuan 21-14, 20-22, 21-11 to give India a 2-0 lead.

Thailand, however, mounted a comeback in the third rubber, with 19-year-old Pitchamon Opatniputh defeating Rakshitha Ramraj 21-19, 21-17 to pull one point back for her team. The tie was then levelled after Tanisha Crasto and Shruti Mishra went down to Hathaithip Mijad and Napapakorn Tungkasatan in a closely contested doubles match, losing 21-19, 14-21, 15-21.

The decisive fifth match saw Malvika Bansod fall to Pornpicha Choeikeewong 21-18, 21-14 in a 40-minute contest, sealing the tie for Thailand and confirming their position at the top of Group Y.

The Badminton Asia Team Championships also serve as the continental qualifying event for the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals, scheduled to be held in Horsens, Denmark, in April-May. India’s women enter the tournament as defending champions, while China are the reigning men’s titleholders. India’s men have previously secured bronze medals in 2016 and 2020.

India had opened their title defence on a positive note on Wednesday, registering a dominant 5-0 victory over Myanmar in their first Group Y match.

Tamil Nadu, particularly Chennai, has been put on high alert after it was confirmed that the death of over 1500 crows on the southern flank of the city and the East Coast Road was due to avian flu, the H5N1 virus.

The sudden death of a huge flock of crows last month in Adyar, Pallikaranai, Velachery, Thiruvanmiyur, ECR and the IT Corridor – Old Mamallapuram Road (OMR), has rattled the residents. Crows falling from trees, on residential apartments and public places like parks has triggered concern and alarm. Since these places fall under Kancheepuram district, officials from the Animal Disease Investigation team from there rushed to these places, collected samples and sent them for analysis to the Bhopal-based National Institute of Animal Disease Control.

With the test results confirming presence of avian influenza in the deceased birds, commonly called bird flu, the Union Government has alerted the state government to carry out intensive surveillance and preventive measures without any slackness. The virus poses the risk of spreading to other animals and possibly to humans as well, the Central Veterinary Research Institute has written to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary to immediately activate preventive measures.

The Tamil Nadu Animal Husbandry Department and the Department of Public Health have issued advisories warning the public not to panic and handle dead birds but inform the local authorities of such incidents. Since such deceased birds might be infected, authorities have been advised to bury them in 8-ft deep pits to prevent further spread of contamination. The Public Health Department is closely monitoring the situation.

With similar incidents reported in Kerala, officials said surveillance and monitoring have been intensified on the inter-state borders.

Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the state government, accusing it of making “false claims” about development and asserting that Bihar’s condition today is no better than it was in 1960. He urged Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to approach the Centre and demand special category status for the state, assuring full support from the Opposition.

Referring to the government’s claims of achievements during the Governor’s address, Tejashwi said, “Bihar stands today where it stood in 1960.”

Questioning the ruling party’s narrative of development, he said if Bihar was indeed progressing, the government should name even one sector in which the state ranked number one. “In what matters is Bihar better than other states? Bihar has the highest poverty and unemployment, the state is lagging behind in education and healthcare, corruption is at its peak, criminals dominate, per capita income is low, investment is low, and farmers feel cheated,” he said.

“If Bihar were a separate country, it would be the poorest in the world. Even compared to the poorest country today, Bihar would be poorer than that,” Tejashwi added.

On the government over the suspicious death of a NEET aspirant in a girls’ hostel in Patna, he said the police station was silent, the administration unconscious, and the government completely intoxicated. There was widespread regret and anger among the people against the government,” he pointed out.

Referring to the state government’s decision to recommend a CBI investigation into the case, he remarked, “The Bihar government has become a cold storage, busy freezing every issue.”

Hitting back, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said he had returned to power with a thumping majority because his government had worked for the development of Bihar over the past 20 years.

The chief minister chided Tejashwi, calling him immature. “You are a child. Your father was my contemporary. Even he got married after me. Come on, sit down, don’t create noise,” Nitish Kumar said.

Nitish Kumar further accused the RJD leader of conspiring to destabilise his government, alleging that Tejashwi Yadav had planned to lure away six JD(U) MLAs.

At a time when the Left is fighting back to the wall for electoral relevance across the country, the DMK government is bringing alive the father of communism, Karl Marx, by installing a statue of the late philosopher at the sprawling Connemara Public Library–State Museum campus in the heart of Chennai.

Chief Minister MK Stalin, whose DMK is providing a lifeline to the two dominant left parties, CPI and CPI(M), by ensuring two MPs each, is unveiling the statue on Friday. Like his father, the late DMK patriarch and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, Stalin too claims that the Dravidian ideology is akin to the Communist ideology and that is why half of the DMK flag is red.

Last September, Stalin paid tributes to Marx by paying a visit to his memorial at Highgate Cemetery during his visit to London to scout for foreign investment. He also visited the Ambedkar memorial on the occasion.

“Both Dravidian ideology and Communist ideology stand against casteism, class division, authoritarianism and all forms of oppression. The comradeship will defeat fascism, communalism, authoritarianism and dictatorship. Those who tried to divide and destroy us have now collapsed…Despite minor differences, both Dravidianism and Communism stand for everything for everyone. I want to emphasise that ideologies of black, red and blue must stand together,” he had said on Sunday, addressing the 100th foundation day celebration of the CPI at Chennai.

The demand for a statue for the German philosopher was first mooted a few years ago by independent Marxists, including writer A Marx, a retired college professor. A committee was also formed to take the idea forward. Initially, it was suggested that the statue should be at the Marina seafront or at Nandanam. But Marx had expressed great satisfaction at the new venue, the more than a century-old British-era Connemara library campus. The library in the Egmore area of the city, built in 1890, was opened to the public in 1896. Now, it has Marx added to it.

The T20 World Cup 2026 is yet to begin, but controversy has already taken centre stage, with uncertainty continuing over Pakistan’s refusal to play India in the tournament. The latest twist came after Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Advisor, Asif Nazrul, publicly thanked Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for boycotting the India fixture in what he termed an act of solidarity with Bangladesh.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Nazrul acknowledged Pakistan’s stance and described it as a protest against Bangladesh’s exclusion from the multi-nation tournament.

“Thank you, Pakistan,” he wrote, while sharing remarks made by Sharif during a cabinet meeting in Islamabad earlier this week.

During the meeting, Sharif explained Pakistan’s decision to skip the high-profile clash against India, scheduled for February 15 at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium.

“Pakistan has decided not to play the match against India in protest of Bangladesh’s removal from the T20 World Cup,” Sharif was quoted as saying. He added that the move was taken after careful consideration, stressing that politics should not influence sporting contests and that Pakistan stood firmly with Bangladesh.

The Pakistan government had earlier confirmed that its national team would not take part in the group-stage encounter against India, intensifying concerns around the tournament’s integrity and scheduling.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) responded with a firm statement, urging the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to work towards a mutually acceptable solution. The governing body warned that selective participation goes against the very foundation of a global sporting event.

“While the ICC awaits official communication from the PCB, selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global tournament where all qualified teams are expected to compete as per the schedule,” the ICC said. It further cautioned that Pakistan’s stance could have significant long-term consequences for its own cricketing ecosystem and the global game at large.

Bangladesh’s removal from the T20 World Cup followed its government’s decision not to allow the team to travel to India, citing security concerns. The Bangladesh Cricket Board had requested that their matches be relocated to Sri Lanka, but the proposal was rejected by the ICC, leading to Scotland being named as their replacement.

With the tournament approaching, the India–Pakistan standoff remains unresolved, adding another layer of uncertainty to an event already overshadowed by off-field drama.

As the Indian men’s cricket team prepares for the T20 World Cup 2026, messages of support have poured in from their female counterparts, with members of the Indian women’s team extending their best wishes ahead of the title defence.

Fresh from their historic triumph at the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, the Women in Blue sent heartfelt messages to the men’s side, underlining the sense of unity and camaraderie within Indian cricket as the defending champions gear up for another global challenge.

The men’s team enters the tournament as holders, having lifted the T20 World Cup in 2024 after a thrilling final victory over South Africa, and the backing from the women’s team has added an emotional boost ahead of the campaign.

Women’s team captain Harmanpreet Kaur led the show of support with a confident message for the squad.

“Wishing Team India all the best for the T20 World Cup. Play with full of your heart, enjoy, and we all know you are going to win this. Wishing all the luck,” she said.

Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana echoed the sentiment while also acknowledging the expectations surrounding the side.
“Wishing the best for the Indian Team, looking really good, we all are looking forward to another cup. But no pressure, and hopefully we can play some good cricket,” she stated.

All-rounder Deepti Sharma, who played a key role in India’s World Cup-winning campaign and was named Player of the Series, highlighted the significance of the tournament being held at home.
“Wishing all the very best, this is going to happen in India and it will be very special. Go get the cup home,” she said.

Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh also sent her encouragement to the men’s team ahead of the marquee event.
“Wishing you all the very best for the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, good luck guys,” she said.

The Indian women’s team, which created history by winning the 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup for the first time, reiterated that the spirit of Indian cricket transcends formats and genders.

While the Men in Blue are set to open their World Cup campaign against the USA on Saturday, the women’s team is preparing for a multi-format tour of Australia, beginning on February 15. The tour will start with a three-match T20I series, followed by three ODIs and a one-off Test.

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) has been co-featured in the Guinness World Records for the largest electric bicycle delivery, achieved through the E-Cycle program in collaboration with EMotorad, the Kuppam Area Development Authority (KADA), the District Collectorate of Chittoor, and the government of Andhra Pradesh.

The record-setting delivery event was organized by the Government of Andhra Pradesh through the Kuppam Area Development Authority during which Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu presented the official Guinness World Records certificate.

The initiative was aimed at promoting sustainable, low-carbon local mobility within the Kuppam constituency. IIT Kanpur contributed as the technical partner through its Kuppam Net Zero Constituency Project, providing expertise and guidance for the successful execution of the program.

Two IIT Kanpur alumni — Hari Shankar, Consultant to the Kuppam Net Zero Constituency Project, and Vikas Marmat (IAS), Project Director, Kuppam Area Development Authority — played a key role in coordinating and supporting the initiative. The Institute’s participation in the event was represented by the project’s Principal Investigators, Prof. Manoj K Tiwari and Prof. Rajeev Jindal.

Speaking on this achievement, Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur, said here on Thursday, “The co-featuring of IIT Kanpur in the Guinness World Records is a matter of great pride for us. This achievement reflects the Institute’s strong commitment to sustainability, clean mobility, and socially driven innovation. The Kuppam Net Zero Constituency Project is an excellent example of creating real societal impact by integrating technical expertise with policy and administrative efforts. I congratulate the project team, our partner organizations, and all stakeholders who contributed to the success of this initiative.”

Prof Tiwari and Prof Jindal said that this recognition by Guinness World Records marks a significant milestone in IIT Kanpur’s continued efforts toward sustainability-driven innovation and impactful public-sector collaboration and thanked the IIT Kanpur administration for its support in enabling such high impactful projects.

A major confrontation erupted in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday as Leader of the House and Union Minister J P Nadda launched a sharp attack on the Opposition, taking a veiled swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by calling him an “abodh balak” (naive child).

The remarks came amid continuing disruptions in Parliament over the Opposition’s demand that Gandhi be allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha.

Nadda urged Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge not to let his party become “hostage” to Gandhi. Stating that the government was willing to discuss all issues, he accused the Congress of stalling proceedings. “Don’t make your party hostage to someone who is abodh (ignorant) and has arrogance,” Nadda said.

The Opposition has been protesting against the Centre, alleging that Gandhi was deliberately prevented from addressing the Lok Sabha. The demand follows references made by Gandhi to former Army chief General M M Naravane’s “memoir” on the 2020 India-China border standoff.

Raising the issue in the Upper House, Kharge argued that Parliament comprises both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. “The leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha wanted to speak on the country’s interests but was not allowed. How can you run the House like this?” he asked.

Kharge’s remarks drew strong objections from Nadda and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who maintained that the proceedings of the Lok Sabha cannot be discussed in the Rajya Sabha. Kharge, however, persisted, claiming that Parliament had been paralysed for four consecutive days because Gandhi was not allowed to speak. “You cannot paralyse one House to hide your mistakes. You betrayed and insulted the nation. When Rahul talks about it, aapko khujli uthti hai (you get itchy),” he said.

Nadda said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was ready to answer questions in the Lok Sabha but the Opposition had not allowed the House to function. He said Kharge himself was allowed to speak beyond his allotted time. “Claiming democracy is in danger is wrong, and I condemn it,” Nadda said.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also intervened, objecting to Kharge’s use of the word “lynch”, citing incidents in Congress-ruled states, including the killing of a tailor in Rajasthan and the assault on a teacher in Kerala, questioning the Opposition’s record on law and order.

Kharge further objected to what he described as the humiliation of former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi by BJP lawmakers, referring to citations from controversial books during recent debates.

India all-rounder Tilak Varma, who made a confident return to the national setup after recovering from a three-week layoff due to surgery, credited the BCCI and the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for enabling his quicker-than-expected comeback and said both he and the team feel fully prepared for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Tilak described the atmosphere during India’s warm-up match against South Africa at a packed DY Patil Stadium as a major confidence booster, especially with fans chanting his name as he walked out to bat. India signed off their World Cup preparations in emphatic fashion, defeating South Africa by 30 runs in a high-scoring contest in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday.

“To be honest I did not expect I will be back on the field this early. Really thankful for COE and BCCI. I always say that the World Cup is my biggest dream to play. The way, I entered the ropes and everyone was shouting ‘Tilak Tilak.’ So I didn’t expect that. I really felt nice and it also boost me when I was going in,” Tilak said.

“The way Ishan was batting, I have seen him, the way Abhishek and everyone was batting, so I was also a bit like ‘Mai bhi maarunga jaake.’ I did not expect a full crowd, the DY Patil was fully packed. It was just a warm up game but still the craze… Really thanks to everyone. The vibe was really terrific, and yeah- Tilak and the Indian team is ready for the World Cup,” Tilak said in a video shared by bcci.tv.

Opting to bat first, India produced a dominant batting display, led by Ishan Kishan’s explosive 53 off just 20 deliveries. Kishan and Abhishek Sharma set the tone with a rapid opening stand, racing to 80/1 inside the powerplay before both openers retired out to allow other batters time in the middle.

Tilak, inspired by the aggressive approach around him, continued the onslaught with a brisk 45 off 19 balls, adding 66 runs with captain Suryakumar Yadav. Late cameos from Axar Patel and Rinku Singh, followed by Hardik Pandya’s blistering 30 off just 10 balls, propelled India to an imposing total of 240/5.

South Africa’s reply stumbled early when Arshdeep Singh removed George Linde for a duck. Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton briefly revived the chase with a 65-run partnership, but Markram’s retirement and the quick dismissals of Rickelton, Dewald Brevis and David Miller swung momentum decisively in India’s favour.

Despite resistance from Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen, South Africa eventually fell short by 30 runs.

India will now shift their focus to the tournament opener against the USA on February 7.

India head into Friday’s ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup final against England brimming with confidence after a record-breaking semifinal chase against Afghanistan, powered by a blistering start from 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and calm leadership from captain Ayush Mhatre.

The seven-wicket win not only sealed India’s sixth consecutive Under-19 World Cup final appearance but also saw them successfully hunt down the highest total ever chased in the tournament’s history. While opener Aaron George earned the Player of the Match award for his composed 115, it was Vaibhav’s explosive 68 at the top that set the platform and drew praise from the Indian captain.

Vaibhav’s innings, his third half-century of the tournament, came off just 33 deliveries and featured four sixes and five fours, ensuring India were well ahead of the required rate early in the chase.

Speaking after the match, Mhatre underlined how decisive the opening burst proved to be.

“It was really important for us because after 10 overs we had 90 runs and that was fabulous for us,” Mhatre said.

“He (Vaibhav) just released the pressure and we just wanted to build the innings. So it was really easy for us also to build the innings.”

With the early momentum secured, Mhatre (62) and George stitched together a measured century partnership to keep India firmly in control. Vihaan Malhotra then finished the job with an unbeaten 38, guiding the side home with more than eight overs to spare.

Reflecting on the approach that will also guide India in the final, Mhatre stressed simplicity and patience once the platform had been laid.

“There was a simple discussion after 10 overs and (with) 90 runs (on the board),” Mhatre continued.

“We had to just bat for a long time, just look for a singles, doubles and just take a boundary from a loose ball. So nothing special, just play the merit of the ball.”

India now face England in Harare, the only other unbeaten team in the tournament, in what promises to be a closely contested final. Aware of the challenge ahead, Mhatre acknowledged England’s strength but reiterated his side’s focus on execution rather than opposition.

“England is also a fabulous team,” he said.

“They have played some really nice games in this tournament, but we have a simple plan.

“Just play our game, not to see the opponent. Play each ball on its merits and just adapt the condition what is happening on the wicket and just play simple cricket.”

With form, confidence and history on their side, India will look to carry forward the same fearless start and composed middle-order approach as they chase a sixth Under-19 World Cup title on Friday.

Concluding his three-day visit to Washington, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said the Indo-US trade deal is in the final stages of detailing and will be completed very soon.

In a social media post on ‘X’ , he said, “Concluded a productive and positive visit to the US. Thank Secretary Rubio for his warm hospitality. The historic India-US trade deal is in the final stages of detailing that will be completed very soon. It opens up a new phase in our bilateral ties, with vast possibilities for the relationship. Our critical mineral cooperation is also advancing rapidly. Expect engagement on strategic issues, defence and energy in the coming days. Overall, a strong momentum is evident.”

Jaishankar was in the US to attend the Critical Ministerial hosted by the Secretary of State Rubio.

Meanwhile, in a post on ‘X’, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said Jaishankar’s talks with Rubio and US Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent represented ‘’limitless potential’’. ‘’Engagement at the highest levels is currently happening. The United States is ready to elevate this relationship even further,” he added.

The Centre has provided Rs 136.33 crore to Odisha under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for the development of infrastructure facilities for judiciary in the district and subordinate courts in the last five years, Union Minister of State, law and justice Arjun Ram Meghwal told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

Replying to a query by BJD member Subhasish Khuntia, the Minister in a written reply said the Union government has taken several steps to improve access to justice delivery in the country, including in the State of Odisha.

As on 31 December 2025, Odisha has 913 court halls and 156 court halls are under construction. Under the eCourts Project, a total of 184 eSewa Kendras are functioning in the State of Odisha, facilitating a wide array of services to litigants, lawyers and the general public including, assistance in e-filing processes, e-payment of court fees and fines, etc. .

220 court complexes under District and Subordinate Courts across the State have been provided with Information Communication Technology (ICT) hardware items and Video Conferencing facility has been enabled in all the District courts across the State. 44 Fast Track Special Courts have been established in the State of Odisha to dispose-off pending cases related to rape of children and women, the Minister informed.

The Centre has provided free and competent legal services under Legal Services Authorities (LSA) Act to the poor and marginalised sections of the society including Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) to ensure that opportunity for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities and to organize Lok Adalats to secure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice on the basis of equal opportunities.

In order to reach out to the citizens in every corner of the country, including Odisha, the legal services institutions have been set up from the Taluk level up to the Supreme Court.

As part of Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism, four National Lok Adalats (NLAs) have been organised in 2025, from Taluk Courts to High Court of Orissa. That apart, pursuant to the direction of the Executive Chairman, Odisha State Legal Services Authority (OSLSA), a District level Lok Adalat was also organized by the OSLSA on 27 July 2025 on the cases under Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act. Further, 22 Permanent Lok Adalats are functional in Odisha to deal with cases related to Public Utility Services.

In order to provide effective and quality legal services to the disadvantaged and underprivileged sections of the society in court based criminal matters vis a vis Public Defender System and under the aegis of NALSA steps have been taken by OSLSA to implement Legal Aid Defence Council System (LADCS) in 30 DLSAs of the State, the Union Minister concluded.