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Tamil-Brahmi Inscriptions Discovered in Egypt’s Valley of the KingsIn February 2026, Archaeologists identified around 30 ancient inscriptions inside rock-cut royal tombs in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site.About Ancient Inscriptions Identified: Inscriptions Languages: About 20 of the identified inscriptions are in Tamil-Brahmi script, along with others in Sanskrit and Prakrit. Many of the inscriptions date from the 1st to 3rd century Common Era (CE).Inscription of “Cikai Korran”: The name Cikai Korran appears eight times across five tombs, inscribed near entrances and high on interior walls. In one tomb, it is found about four metres(m) above the entrance.Documentation: The inscriptions were documented by scholars including Professor Ingo Strauch, University of Lausanne (Switzerland) and Professor Charlotte Schmid, French School of Asian Studies.They presented their work at an International Conference on Tamil Epigraphy in Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN).About Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions: It is an early form of the Tamil writing system. They appear to be short markings, possibly merchant names, trade symbols, or ownership marks.

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19 Feb, 2026
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NHAI to Develop India’s First ‘Bee Corridors’ Along National HighwaysIn February 2026, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), has launched a first-of-its-kind ecological initiative to develop dedicated pollinator or ‘Bee Corridors’ along National Highways (NH), as part of its sustainable infrastructure development programme.The project aims to reduce ecological stress on honeybees and other pollinators while enhancing agricultural productivity and biodiversity.About Bee Corridor :Design: The Bee Corridors comprise continuous linear stretches of bee-friendly vegetation trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses with nectar and pollen-rich species, preserved dead wood and hollow trunks, and staggered flowering cycles to ensure near year-round blooming.Species: Native species such as Neem, Karanj, Mahua, Palash, Bottle Brush, Jamun, and Siris will be planted based on local agro-climatic suitability.Implementation: Corridors will be developed along suitable NH stretches and vacant land parcels of the NHAI, with flowering clusters planted at 500 meters (m)–1 kilometer (km) intervals aligned to honeybee foraging ranges.Targets: During 2026–27, NHAI plans to plant around 40 lakh trees along NH, with approximately 60% of them under the Bee Corridor initiative, and field offices will identify sections to develop at least three pollinator corridors.

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19 Feb, 2026
NHAI to Develop India’s First ‘Bee Corridors’ Along National HighwaysIn February 2026, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), has launched a first-of-its-kind ecological initiative to develop dedicated pollinator or ‘Bee Corridors’ along National Highways (NH), as part of its sustainable infrastructure development programme.The project aims to reduce ecological stress on honeybees and other pollinators while enhancing agricultural productivity and biodiversity.About Bee Corridor :Design: The Bee Corridors comprise continuous linear stretches of bee-friendly vegetation trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses with nectar and pollen-rich species, preserved dead wood and hollow trunks, and staggered flowering cycles to ensure near year-round blooming.Species: Native species such as Neem, Karanj, Mahua, Palash, Bottle Brush, Jamun, and Siris will be planted based on local agro-climatic suitability.Implementation: Corridors will be developed along suitable NH stretches and vacant land parcels of the NHAI, with flowering clusters planted at 500 meters (m)–1 kilometer (km) intervals aligned to honeybee foraging ranges.Targets: During 2026–27, NHAI plans to plant around 40 lakh trees along NH, with approximately 60% of them under the Bee Corridor initiative, and field offices will identify sections to develop at least three pollinator corridors.
NHAI to Develop India’s First ‘Bee Corridors’ Along National HighwaysIn February 2026, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), has launched a first-of-its-kind ecological initiative ...
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IA Hosts First Ever UN Fellowship Training Programme on SALW Control in Jabalpur, MPThe Indian Army(IA) is hosting the first ever United Nations (UN) Fellowship Training Programme on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Control particularly for the Asia-Pacific region from 16 February, 2026 to 6 March 2026, at the Military College of Materials Management (MCMM) in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh (MP), marking the first time the programme is being held in Asia.About UN Fellowship Training Programme on SALW Control:Organizers: The training was organized by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) through its Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD).Framework: It is conducted under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD).Participants: The event includes participation of delegates from 13 countries across the Asia-Pacific region.Focus Areas: It includes strengthening technical and operational skills related to small arms control and supporting implementation of UN frameworks such as the UN Programme of Action (PoA) and the International Tracing Instrument (ITI).It also includes enhancing regional cooperation, improving tracing systems, and promoting responsible stockpile management of weapons.

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19 Feb, 2026
IA Hosts First Ever UN Fellowship Training Programme on SALW Control in Jabalpur, MPThe Indian Army(IA) is hosting the first ever United Nations (UN) Fellowship Training Programme on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Control particularly for the Asia-Pacific region from 16 February, 2026 to 6 March 2026, at the Military College of Materials Management (MCMM) in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh (MP), marking the first time the programme is being held in Asia.About UN Fellowship Training Programme on SALW Control:Organizers: The training was organized by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) through its Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD).Framework: It is conducted under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD).Participants: The event includes participation of delegates from 13 countries across the Asia-Pacific region.Focus Areas: It includes strengthening technical and operational skills related to small arms control and supporting implementation of UN frameworks such as the UN Programme of Action (PoA) and the International Tracing Instrument (ITI).It also includes enhancing regional cooperation, improving tracing systems, and promoting responsible stockpile management of weapons.
IA Hosts First Ever UN Fellowship Training Programme on SALW Control in Jabalpur, MPThe Indian Army(IA) is hosting the first ever United Nations (UN) Fellowship Training Programme on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Control particularly for the As...
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President Murmu Inaugurates Centenary Celebrations of Ol Chiki Script in New DelhiOn 16th February 2026, the President of India Droupadi Murmu, inaugurated the Centenary Celebrations of the Ol Chiki script in New Delhi, Delhi, organized by the Ministry of Culture to mark 100 years of the script, highlighting it as a powerful symbol of Santal identity and a vital tool for preserving the Santhali language worldwide.During the event, President Droupadi Murmu released a commemorative coin and a special postage stamp and felicitated 10 achievers from the Santal community for their contributions to promoting the script.About Ol Chiki :Origin: Before Ol Chiki, Santhali was written in Roman, Devanagari, Odia, Bengali and other local scripts in Nepal, Bhutan and Mauritius, which failed to capture its original phonetics.Inventor: The script was devised in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu of Rairangpur, Mayurbhanj (Odisha) to create a phonetic, culturally rooted writing system with 30 letters.Recognition: Santhali, an Austroasiatic language spoken across Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal (WB), Assam, Bihar and beyond, was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India in 2003 with Ol Chiki as its official script.Initiatives: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination is now conducted in the Ol Chiki script, and the Constitution of India was translated into the Santali language in December 2025.

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19 Feb, 2026
President Murmu Inaugurates Centenary Celebrations of Ol Chiki Script in New DelhiOn 16th February 2026, the President of India Droupadi Murmu, inaugurated the Centenary Celebrations of the Ol Chiki script in New Delhi, Delhi, organized by the Ministry of Culture to mark 100 years of the script, highlighting it as a powerful symbol of Santal identity and a vital tool for preserving the Santhali language worldwide.During the event, President Droupadi Murmu released a commemorative coin and a special postage stamp and felicitated 10 achievers from the Santal community for their contributions to promoting the script.About Ol Chiki :Origin: Before Ol Chiki, Santhali was written in Roman, Devanagari, Odia, Bengali and other local scripts in Nepal, Bhutan and Mauritius, which failed to capture its original phonetics.Inventor: The script was devised in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu of Rairangpur, Mayurbhanj (Odisha) to create a phonetic, culturally rooted writing system with 30 letters.Recognition: Santhali, an Austroasiatic language spoken across Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal (WB), Assam, Bihar and beyond, was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India in 2003 with Ol Chiki as its official script.Initiatives: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination is now conducted in the Ol Chiki script, and the Constitution of India was translated into the Santali language in December 2025.
President Murmu Inaugurates Centenary Celebrations of Ol Chiki Script in New DelhiOn 16th February 2026, the President of India Droupadi Murmu, inaugurated the Centenary Celebrations of the Ol Chiki script in New Delhi, Delhi, organized by the Minist...
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Supreme Court Declares ‘Menstrual Health’ as a Fundamental Right under Article 21In January 2026, a Supreme Court of India (SCI) bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan delivered a landmark ruling in the case of Dr. Jaya Thakur v. Government of India & Ors., officially recognizing ‘Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH)’ as a Fundamental Right under Article 21 (Right to Life and Dignity) of the Constitution of India.Implementation Framework:Provision: All government and private schools must provide free oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins (Classes 6–12) through vending machines and establish Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) corners with spare uniforms, innerwear, and disposal bags.Infrastructure: Schools must ensure functional, gender-segregated toilets with running water, soap, and safe disposal systems in compliance with Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026.Oversight: District Education Officers (DEO) must conduct annual inspections, while the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) supervise compliance, supported by anonymous student feedback mechanisms.

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19 Feb, 2026
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GoI Unveils India’s First Comprehensive AI Governance FrameworkIn February 2026, Government of India (GoI) introduced India’s first comprehensive Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance framework, as part of IndiaAI Mission, promote safe, trusted AI innovation across healthcare, education, agriculture, finance and public administration through seven guiding principles without standalone legislation.About the AI Governance Framework:AI Governance Philosophy: In July 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) formed a committee to develop AI Governance Guidelines. The framework includes four parts such:Guiding PrinciplesKey Issues and RecommendationsAction PlanPractical Guidelines for Industry & RegulatorsSeven Guiding Principles: India’s AI governance is built on seven core principles, also known as Sutras, including:Trust is the FoundationPeople FirstInnovation over RestraintFairness & EquityAccountabilityUnderstandable by DesignSafety, Resilience & SustainabilityPractical Guidelines: For Industry: It includes compliance with Indian laws, adopt voluntary best practices, establish grievance redressal mechanisms, and publish transparency reports.For Regulators: The regulators are advised to avoid unnecessary compliance burdens, encourage innovation-friendly regulation, and promote the use of techno-legal solutions.

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19 Feb, 2026
GoI Unveils India’s First Comprehensive AI Governance FrameworkIn February 2026, Government of India (GoI) introduced India’s first comprehensive Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance framework, as part of IndiaAI Mission, promote safe, trusted AI innovation across healthcare, education, agriculture, finance and public administration through seven guiding principles without standalone legislation.About the AI Governance Framework:AI Governance Philosophy: In July 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) formed a committee to develop AI Governance Guidelines. The framework includes four parts such:Guiding PrinciplesKey Issues and RecommendationsAction PlanPractical Guidelines for Industry & RegulatorsSeven Guiding Principles: India’s AI governance is built on seven core principles, also known as Sutras, including:Trust is the FoundationPeople FirstInnovation over RestraintFairness & EquityAccountabilityUnderstandable by DesignSafety, Resilience & SustainabilityPractical Guidelines: For Industry: It includes compliance with Indian laws, adopt voluntary best practices, establish grievance redressal mechanisms, and publish transparency reports.For Regulators: The regulators are advised to avoid unnecessary compliance burdens, encourage innovation-friendly regulation, and promote the use of techno-legal solutions.
GoI Unveils India’s First Comprehensive AI Governance FrameworkIn February 2026, Government of India (GoI) introduced India’s first comprehensive Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance framework, as part of IndiaAI Mission, promote safe, trusted AI ...
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Union Agriculture Minister Launches farmers’ digital companion ‘Bharat Vistaar’ in RajasthanOn 17 February 2026, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoAFW) and Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), launched ‘Bharat-Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources (Bharat-VISTAAR)’ at the State Institute of Agricultural Management (SIAM) in Durgapura, Jaipur, Rajasthan.About Bharat VISTAAR:Integration: The Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven platform integrates AgriStack, India’s federated DPI that consolidates farmer registries, land records, and crop data with farm practice packages of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).Access Modes: Farmers can access services through the toll-free helpline 155261 powered by the AI voice assistant Bharati on basic phones, via MoAFW web portal.Chatbot services are available in English and Hindi.Phase 1: Bharat–VISTAAR has been launched in Maharashtra, Bihar, Gujarat, and Rajasthan with integration of state-level systems such as Vasudha and MahaVistaar (Maharashtra), BiharKrishi (Bihar), and AmulAI’s Sarlaben (Gujarat).10 Schemes Integrated: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Soil Health Card (SHC), Kisan Credit Card (KCC), Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Per Drop More Crop (PDMC), Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS), and Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM).

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19 Feb, 2026
Union Agriculture Minister Launches farmers’ digital companion ‘Bharat Vistaar’ in RajasthanOn 17 February 2026, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoAFW) and Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), launched ‘Bharat-Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources (Bharat-VISTAAR)’ at the State Institute of Agricultural Management (SIAM) in Durgapura, Jaipur, Rajasthan.About Bharat VISTAAR:Integration: The Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven platform integrates AgriStack, India’s federated DPI that consolidates farmer registries, land records, and crop data with farm practice packages of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).Access Modes: Farmers can access services through the toll-free helpline 155261 powered by the AI voice assistant Bharati on basic phones, via MoAFW web portal.Chatbot services are available in English and Hindi.Phase 1: Bharat–VISTAAR has been launched in Maharashtra, Bihar, Gujarat, and Rajasthan with integration of state-level systems such as Vasudha and MahaVistaar (Maharashtra), BiharKrishi (Bihar), and AmulAI’s Sarlaben (Gujarat).10 Schemes Integrated: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Soil Health Card (SHC), Kisan Credit Card (KCC), Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Per Drop More Crop (PDMC), Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS), and Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM).
Union Agriculture Minister Launches farmers’ digital companion ‘Bharat Vistaar’ in RajasthanOn 17 February 2026, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoAFW) and Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), launc...
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TN Government Signs MoUs worth Rs.5,980 Crores in Semiconductor & Aerospace SectorsIn February 2026, Government of Tamil Nadu (TN) signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) worth Rs.5,980 crores (USD 59.8 million), aimed at strengthening TN’s position in high-technology manufacturing.

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18 Feb, 2026
TN Government Signs MoUs worth Rs.5,980 Crores in Semiconductor & Aerospace SectorsIn February 2026, Government of Tamil Nadu (TN) signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) worth Rs.5,980 crores (USD 59.8 million), aimed at strengthening TN’s position in high-technology manufacturing.
TN Government Signs MoUs worth Rs.5,980 Crores in Semiconductor & Aerospace SectorsIn February 2026, Government of Tamil Nadu (TN) signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) worth Rs.5,980 crores (USD 59.8 million), aimed at strengthening TN’s positi...
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Global Tourism Resilience Day 2026 – February 17The United Nations(UN’s) Global Tourism Resilience Day (GTRD) is observed annually on February 17 to underline the need for a resilient tourism sector, highlighting its vulnerability to crises and the importance of preparedness and adaptability.February 17, 2026 marks the third observance of GTRD.Background:Declaration: On February 6, 2023, the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/77/269, officially declaring February 17 as GTRD.First Observance: The inaugural GTRD was observed on February 17, 2023.International Year: In February 2024, the UNGA decided to proclaim 2027 as the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism.2026 Event: The 4th GTRD Conference and Expo is being held from February 16–18, 2026 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi(Kenya), bringing together global tourism leaders to discuss key challenges facing the sector.

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18 Feb, 2026
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Oscar-Winning Actor Robert Duvall Passes AwayIn February 2026, legendary American actor Robert Selden Duvall, best known for his iconic roles in the Godfather and Apocalypse Now, passed away at the age of 95 in Middleburg, Virginia, the United States of America (USA).He was born on January 05, 1931 in San Diego, California, the USA.About Rober Duvall: Profile: He was a legendary American actor and filmmaker, regarded as one of the finest performers in Hollywood history, with a career spanning over six decades.Breakthrough Role: In 1962, he got his 1st film role as the mysterious Boo Radley in the adaptation of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’.Notable Work: Network (1976), The Great Santini (1979), The Eagle Has Landed (1976), The Natural (1984), among others.7-time Oscar Nominee: During his 60 years-long career in the film industry, he was nominated 7-time for Oscars (Academy Awards).In 1983, he won the Award in the ‘Best Actor’ category for his performance in Tender Mercies.Other Nominations: He also received a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), and Primetime Emmy Awards.Awards/Accolades: He also won 4 Golden Globe award and was awarded a National Medal of Arts in 2004.

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18 Feb, 2026
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