|

First BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival in New Delhi on 4 August 2025

ByAjay Gulia

India will host the first-ever BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival on 4 August 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Titled ‘SaptaSur: Seven Nations, One Melody’, the event will be inaugurated by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.

Artists from all seven Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries—India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—will showcase their unique musical traditions. Organized by ICCR, this festival reflects India’s commitment to strengthening cultural ties in the region. The event is free and open to all, with entry on a first-come, first-served basis.

Similar Posts

  • Mohun Bagan Wins ISL 2024-25 Title with 2-1 Victory Over Bengaluru FC

    Mohun Bagan Super Giant won the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) title with a 2-1 victory over Bengaluru FC on April 12, 2025, at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium, Kolkata. Bengaluru took the lead via an own goal by Alberto Rodríguez in the 49th minute, but Jason Cummings equalized with a penalty in the 72nd minute. Greg Maclaren scored the winning goal in extra time, sealing the title.

    This marked Mohun Bagan’s second ISL title (after 2022-23) and made them only the second team after Mumbai City FC to win both the League Winners Shield and ISL Cup in the same season.

  • India Conducts First-Ever Riverine Dolphin Estimation: 6,327 Dolphins Recorded

    In a landmark move for wildlife conservation, the Prime Minister released the first-ever riverine dolphin estimation report on March 3, 2025, during the 7th meeting of the National Board for Wildlife held at Sasan Gir, Junagadh district.

    Key Highlights of the Riverine Dolphin Estimation 2025

    ✅ Total Dolphins Counted: 6,327
    ✅ Survey Coverage: 28 rivers across 8 states
    ✅ Survey Effort: 3,150 man-days covering 8,500+ km
    ✅ Top States with Highest Dolphin Populations:

    • Uttar Pradesh (highest)
    • Bihar
    • West Bengal
    • Assam

  • UNGA President Philemon Yang Visits India for Strengthening Multilateral Engagement

    Philemon Yang, President of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly, is visiting India for four days from 4 February 2025. The Ministry of External Affairs noted that Mr. Yang, previously Prime Minister of Cameroon, assumed office on 10 September 2024. Under his leadership, the UN adopted “A Pact for the Future,” aimed at realizing “multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow.”

    During his visit, Mr. Yang will meet with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to discuss key multilateral and regional issues. He will also pay a courtesy call to President Droupadi Murmu and visit Bengaluru.

  • PSLV-C62 Mission Launched: Reports Anomaly During Third Stage

    The PSLV-C62 mission, the 64th flight of India’s PSLV launch vehicle, lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota on 12 January 2026, carrying the Earth Observation Satellite EOS-N1 (Anvesha) along with 14 commercial payloads. The mission was executed by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and marked the ninth dedicated commercial launch, with strategic support from DRDO, which developed the EOS-N1 for high-precision imaging. The rocket also carried satellites from both domestic and international customers, including seven from Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space, making it a milestone for India’s private space sector.

    However, the mission experienced an anomaly near the end of the third (PS3) stage, where the vehicle reported higher roll disturbances and a flight path deviation. ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan confirmed that the PSLV’s performance up to the PS3 stage was nominal and that data is currently being analysed to assess the impact of the anomaly.

  • Parliament Passes Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025 to Boost India’s Maritime Economy

    The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025 was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 7 August 2025, after clearance from the Lok Sabha on April 3, 2025.

    • The bill replaces Part XIV of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 with a modern legal framework aligned with global cabotage norms.
    • Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who introduced the bill, stated it will help increase India’s coastal cargo share to 230 million metric tonnes by 2030.
    • Key Features:
      • Introduces a simplified licensing system for coastal shipping.
      • Provides a framework for regulating foreign vessels in coastal trade.
      • Mandates a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan to guide future policy and infrastructure.
      • Proposes a National Database for Coastal Shipping to support transparency and investment.
    • The bill aims to enhance supply-chain security, promote Indian vessel usage, reduce foreign dependence, and generate local employment.
    • With its passage, all three key maritime laws are now approved:
      1. Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025
      2. Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025
      3. Coastal Shipping Act, 2025

  • Neeraj Chopra Wins Paris Diamond League 2025 Men’s Javelin Throw

    India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra claimed victory at the Paris Diamond League 2025 held on 20 June at Stade Sébastien Charléty with a best throw of 88.16 meters on his first attempt.

    🥇 Top 3 Results:

    • Neeraj Chopra (India) – 88.16 m (Gold)
    • Julian Weber (Germany) – 87.88 m (Silver)
    • Luiz Maurício da Silva (Brazil) – 86.62 m (Bronze, South American Record)

    📈 Performance Highlights:

    • Neeraj followed his winning throw with:
      • 85.10 m (2nd attempt)
      • Three fouls
      • 82.89 m (final attempt)
    • First time in 2025 that Neeraj defeated Julian Weber, who had beaten him at the Doha Diamond League last month.
    • In Doha, Weber threw 91.06 m, while Neeraj achieved a personal best and Indian record of 90.23 m.