The GI recognition highlights Mandar’s traditional craftsmanship, use of locally sourced red soil and its distinctive sound. Unlike instruments such as the dhol and dholak, one side of the Mandar is made entirely from soil, giving it a unique design and sound.

The instrument is widely associated with folk performances, community gatherings and celebrations in Jharkhand and forms an important part of the state’s cultural identity.

The GI status also provides legal recognition and a distinct identity to traditional Mandar artisans, while helping promote the instrument and Jharkhand’s cultural heritage in wider markets.

GI Tag in India 

A Geographical Indication (GI) tag is given to products whose unique quality, reputation or characteristics are linked to a specific geographical region. It provides legal protection to the product’s identity and helps prevent unauthorized use of its name.

India’s Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 came into force on September 15, 2003, providing a legal framework to register and protect products linked to a specific geographical region. 

Darjeeling Tea was the first product to receive a registered GI tag in India, with its certificate issued in October 2004. GI recognition helps protect the identity and authenticity of regional products while supporting traditional artisans and producers.

The latest assistance comes as India and Sri Lanka continue to strengthen cooperation in the healthcare sector, including tuberculosis control, primary healthcare and medical infrastructure.

India and Sri Lanka Discuss TB Control

On September 8, 2026, Sri Lankan Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa posted on X about his meeting with India’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda during the 79th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia in Dili, Timor-Leste.

According to Jayatissa, the two sides discussed strengthening tuberculosis control and primary healthcare services, along with expanding technical assistance and knowledge sharing to improve healthcare delivery. India also agreed to continue providing technical and other assistance to strengthen Sri Lanka’s TB-control efforts.

Foundation Stones Laid for Four Major Healthcare Projects 

On September 16, 2026, Sri Lankan Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa posted on X about the foundation-stone ceremonies for four major healthcare infrastructure projects with a combined value of SLR 7,148 million, supported by JICA and the Government of India.

The projects include a Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Complex at Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura, a Cardiology Unit at District General Hospital Trincomalee, an Accident and Emergency Unit at District General Hospital Mannar, and a Four-Storey Medical Ward Complex at District General Hospital Mullaitivu.

The projects aim to strengthen access to specialised cardiac care, emergency treatment and inpatient services across Sri Lanka’s Northern, North Central and Eastern provinces.

Santosh Jha Highlights India’s Support for Mannar Hospital

Also on September 16, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha posted on X about the foundation-stone ceremony for a new two-storey Accident and Emergency Unit at District General Hospital, Mannar.

The project is being supported through an Indian grant of SLR 600 million and includes essential medical equipment to help provide timely emergency care during the critical “golden hour.”

Indian Grant Assistance for Mullaitivu Hospital

On the same day, Santosh Jha also posted on X about the foundation-stone ceremony for a four-storey Medical Ward Complex at District General Hospital, Mullaitivu.

The project is being constructed with Indian grant assistance of SLR 600 million. According to the Indian High Commission, the Mannar and Mullaitivu projects each receive SLR 600 million in Indian grant assistance, for a combined total of SLR 1.2 billion.

This version is better because Jaishankar’s name and the September 28 X post are already in the first paragraph, while the later sections introduce new information from Nalinda Jayatissa and Santosh Jha instead of repeating the anti-TB shipment.

India Wins Silver in Open Section

The Indian Open team finished with the silver medal after drawing 2–2 against Hungary in the final round. The result left India behind Uzbekistan, which won the Open section, while Germany finished with bronze.

The Indian team’s campaign added another podium finish to its strong record at the Chess Olympiad.

Women’s Team Finishes with Bronze

India’s Women’s team secured the bronze medal after playing out a 2–2 draw against Georgia in the final round. The team finished behind China, which won the gold, and Kazakhstan, which took silver.

The result ensured India collected medals in both sections of the 2026 Olympiad.

India Wins the Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy for Third Consecutive Edition

India’s combined performance earned it the Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy for the third consecutive edition. India had previously won the trophy at the 2022 Chess Olympiad in Chennai and the 2024 edition in Budapest.

The trophy recognises the federation with the strongest combined performance in the Open and Women’s competitions. The 46th Chess Olympiad concluded on September 27, 2026, in Samarkand.

India Reaches Final After Defeating Nepal

India secured its place in the gold-medal match with a 48–24 victory over Nepal in the semifinal. The team then faced Iran in the final, where a closely contested match ended with India securing the gold medal.

Key Players in the Final

India: Sanju Devi and captain Pushpa Rana were among the Indian players who made important contributions during the final. Sanju produced a crucial two-point raid, while Pushpa Rana made an important defensive play late in the match.

Iran: Atena Madadi played a key role in Iran’s second-half comeback with a four-point raid that brought Iran within one point of India.

About Asian Games 2026

The 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya 2026, are being held in Japan from September 19 to October 4, 2026. The Games are being hosted across Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, with competitions also taking place in other Japanese cities. The opening ceremony was held on September 19, while some sporting events began earlier on September 10.

The previous edition, the 19th Asian Games, was held in Hangzhou, China, in 2023, after the original 2022 edition was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hangzhou Games were held from September 23 to October 8, 2023.

Gas began flowing after the well was perforated on September 18, 2026, with encouraging flow rates and sustained reservoir pressure. The well is part of ONGC’s ongoing deepwater exploration programme in the basin.

The discovery could contribute to increasing India’s domestic natural gas resources and reducing dependence on imports. However, further testing and appraisal will be needed to assess the size of the resource and its commercial viability.

The drilling is part of India’s broader push to expand offshore oil and gas exploration. ONGC has planned additional deepwater wells in the Mahanadi Basin to assess its hydrocarbon potential.

APUs to Support Critical Tank Systems

The newly developed APUs will act as an alternate source of electrical power for important systems installed in the tanks. These include the fire-control system, firing circuit and gun-stabilisation system, along with other ancillary equipment.

The induction of the APUs is expected to support the operational readiness and reliability of the Army’s mechanised formations by providing an additional power source for critical onboard systems.

Focus on Indigenous Defence Technology

The procurement comes under the Make-II category, which focuses on industry-led research and development of defence equipment and technologies. The project represents an effort to develop critical armoured-platform subsystems within the country and move indigenous innovations towards production and induction.

The initiative also supports the broader objective of increasing domestic capabilities in defence manufacturing and reducing dependence on imported subsystems.

Strengthening Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence

The Ministry of Defence said the contract contributes to the government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat @2047 in the defence sector.

By encouraging indigenous development of specialised equipment for armoured platforms, the initiative is aimed at strengthening India’s domestic defence ecosystem and supporting the development of a more self-reliant and competitive defence industry.

‘Hanuman Ansh’ Records Strong Sunday Collection

According to a post shared by film trade analyst Joginder Tuteja on X (formerly Twitter), Hanuman Ansh recorded an excellent Sunday with collections of over ₹13.50 crore. Tuteja also reported that the film had crossed the ₹250 crore milestone, adding that its journey towards the ₹300 crore club had begun.

The latest trade figures reported on September 21 put the film’s Day 45 India net collection at ₹13.75 crore, a 41% increase over its ₹9.75 crore collection on Saturday. The film’s India net total stood at ₹271.88 crore, while its worldwide gross reached around ₹347.05 crore.

Film Continues Its Box Office Run in the Seventh Week

The film has shown a notable rise in collections during its seventh weekend. It earned approximately ₹5 crore on Friday, ₹9.75 crore on Saturday and ₹13.75 crore on Sunday, taking its weekend collection to around ₹28.50 crore.

The strong performance has helped Hanuman Ansh maintain its presence in theatres well beyond its initial release period. The film’s worldwide gross is now less than ₹3 crore away from the ₹350 crore milestone, according to the latest reported figures.

‘Hanuman Ansh’ Is Based on Neem Karoli Baba’s Life

Written and directed by Vishal Chaturvedi, Hanuman Ansh is a spiritual drama based on the life of revered saint Neem Karoli Baba. The film stars Shobhinaw Satyaa in the lead role, portraying Neem Karoli Baba, along with Vihaan Shedge, Anil Rastogi, Chandan K Anand, Purnima Tiwari and Gulshan Pandey in supporting roles.

The film follows the spiritual journey of Neem Karoli Baba and explores different aspects of his life and teachings, bringing his story to the big screen.

From ₹250 Crore to the ₹300 Crore Milestone

With its continued theatrical performance, Hanuman Ansh has now moved beyond the ₹250 crore India net milestone. The film’s latest Sunday performance has further strengthened its box-office run, while its worldwide collection has moved close to ₹350 crore.

The ₹300 crore club, which was mentioned as the film’s next target in Joginder Tuteja’s X post, will remain a key milestone as the movie continues its theatrical journey.

Mumbai came together for a cleaner coast as Mumbaikars joined Dr. Jitendra Singh in the Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar beach cleanup drive. From cleaning the shoreline to taking a collective pledge, participants reaffirmed their commitment to keeping beaches and seas clean, safe and sustainable. The drive also highlighted the importance of public participation in protecting India’s more than 11,000-km coastline.

The Juhu Beach programme was part of a wider nationwide campaign that brings together citizens, students, youth, coastal communities, scientific institutions, government agencies and volunteers.

Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar 5.0 Enters Its Fifth Edition

The 2026 edition is the fifth edition of the Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar campaign. It is being conducted as a nationwide programme from September 12 to September 19, 2026, culminating in International Coastal Cleanup Day.

Since its launch in 2022, the campaign has evolved into a wider people’s movement focused on coastal cleanliness, marine pollution awareness, responsible waste management and conservation of marine ecosystems. Students, NGOs, local communities, youth groups and volunteers have played an important role in expanding its reach.

According to the campaign material, 39 tonnes of waste, including approximately 17 tonnes of plastic, were collected in 2025.

From Beach Cleanups to Underwater Conservation

The 2026 campaign has also taken its conservation efforts underwater. At Swaraj Dweep in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, an underwater cleaning programme was conducted as part of Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar 5.0.

Divers participated in the underwater cleanup, highlighting the need to address marine litter not only along the shoreline but also beneath the ocean surface. The activity reflects the campaign’s wider focus on protecting marine ecosystems and keeping India’s seas cleaner.

Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar promotes public awareness, waste reduction, responsible disposal and community participation. The campaign also encourages people to reduce single-use plastics, segregate waste properly and adopt more sustainable practices.

The initiative is also linked with the broader objectives of India’s Deep Ocean Mission, with a focus on the responsible utilisation and conservation of marine resources. Dr. Jitendra Singh has linked the 2026 campaign with this wider vision of marine conservation.

The development was announced by Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav, who described the birth as a historic and joyful moment for Project Cheetah. He highlighted the arrival of the four cubs as a symbol of hope, resilience and the progress of cheetah conservation in India.

Four Cheetah Cubs Born at Kuno National Park

KGP12 gave birth to the four cubs at Kuno National Park. She was born in India to Gamini, a cheetah brought to the country from South Africa. The latest birth is particularly significant because KGP12 has now produced her second litter of four cubs, making her the first India-born cheetah reported to give birth to four cubs twice.

Her first litter was born earlier in 2026. The latest birth adds another generation to the cheetah population being established in India through Project Cheetah.

India’s Cheetah Population Rises to 56

With the arrival of the four new cubs, India’s total cheetah population has risen to 56, including 36 cheetahs born in India. Of these, 53 are currently in Kuno National Park, while three are at Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.

The increase comes as the conservation programme continues to focus on breeding, survival and the establishment of a sustainable cheetah population in India.

KGP12 Marks a New Generation of Cheetahs Born in India

The birth of KGP12’s cubs represents another generation of cheetahs born from an India-born mother. KGP12 was born at Kuno after her mother Gamini was brought to India from South Africa. The new cubs therefore represent the continuing development of an India-born cheetah population under the reintroduction programme.

The successful breeding of India-born cheetahs is an important part of Project Cheetah’s long-term objective of establishing a viable population that can survive and reproduce in suitable Indian habitats.

During the press conference, it was stated that ‘Dharohar 2026’ is not merely a jewellery exhibition but a celebration of the rich heritage of jewellery, traditional craftsmanship and contemporary designs. To make the anniversary celebration memorable, a wide and attractive range of jewellery collections will be presented for customers.

The exhibition will offer customers a unique blend of tradition and contemporary elegance. Specially curated jewellery collections will be showcased, featuring Indian craftsmanship along with modern designs and collections inspired by jewellery trends from around the world.

Key Attractions of the Exhibition

The major offers and collections planned for customers include:

• 7% flat making charges on gold jewellery
• Gold Exchange – No Reduction
• Exclusive Silver Collection
• Special jewellery collections inspired by designs from around the world

Purchase Customers to Get a Chance to Win a Diamond Ring

Customers making purchases at Saraswati Gold Souk between 18 and 23 September 2026 will receive a coupon for the lucky draw. Through the lucky draw, one fortunate winner will get a chance to win a diamond ring.

According to Saraswati Gold Souk, ‘Dharohar 2026’ aims to offer customers an experience where jewellery goes beyond being an ornament and becomes an expression of art, tradition and emotions.

The anniversary exhibition also celebrates the trust and long-standing association between Saraswati Gold Souk and its customers. Through the event, customers will have the opportunity to explore new jewellery collections, avail themselves of special offers and participate in the lucky draw for a chance to win a diamond ring.

‘Dharohar 2026 – The Annual Jewellery Exhibition’ will be held from 18 to 23 September 2026 at Saraswati Gold Souk – The Jewellery Mall.