INDIA''S FIRST MAHE-CLASS ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE CRAFT JOINS WESTERN NAVAL COMMAND The Indian Navy commissioned INS Mahe, the first of the indigenously designed and built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), during a ceremony held at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, on 24 Nov 2025. The event, hosted by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, was presided over by General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, with senior naval officers, representatives from Cochin Shipyard Ltd, Kochi, and distinguished guests in attendance. The ship takes her name from the historic coastal town of Mahe on the Malabar Coast. The town’s maritime heritage and tranquil estuary mirror the ship’s balance of elegance and strength. The ship’s crest features the Urumi, the flexible sword of Kalaripayattu, rising from stylised blue waves - a symbol of agility, precision, and lethal grace. Her mascot, the Cheetah, embodies speed and focus, while the motto “Silent Hunters” reflects the ship’s stealth, vigilance, and unyielding readiness. Designed and constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi, INS Mahe is the lead ship of eight vessels in her class. Drawing on the expertise of BEL, L&T Defence, Mahindra Defence Systems, NPOL, and more than 20 MSMEs, the project reinforces India’s expanding ecosystem of naval design, equipment, and system integration. INS Mahe stands as a shining symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. With over 80% indigenous content, the ship underscores the Indian Navy’s sustained efforts to promote indigenisation through homegrown solutions and innovative technologies. The commissioning of INS Mahe adds significant punch to the Indian Navy’s ASW capabilities, particularly in countering threats in the littorals. The ship’s combat suite blends multiple systems into a compact yet potent network. She is specially designed to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal and shallow waters. Fitted with advanced weapons, sensors, and communication systems enabling it to detect, track, and neutralise sub-surface threats with precision, the ship can sustain prolonged operations in shallow waters and features technologically advanced machinery and control systems. Addressing the ceremony, General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, highlighted that the commissioning of INS Mahe marks not only the induction of a potent new maritime platform, but also reflects India’s growing ability to design, construct and field complex combatants using indigenous technology. He emphasised that the induction of the ship will significantly augment the Indian Navy’s capacity to ensure near- sea dominance, strengthen the coastal security grid and safeguard India’s maritime interests across the littorals. He further underscored that the strength of the Armed Forces lies in synergy across land, sea and air, noting that future conflicts will be multi-domain and require united national effort. Citing Operation Sindoor as a model of jointness, he also highlighted the Army and Navy’s long-standing partnership in HADR and amphibious operations worldwide. The Mahe-class will form the first line of coastal defence, integrating seamlessly with larger surface combatants, submarines, and aviation assets to maintain constant vigilance over India’s maritime areas of operation. INS Mahe reaffirms the Indian Navy’s status as Combat Ready, Cohesive, and Aatmanirbhar, safeguarding seas for a Viksit Samriddha Bharat.

VISAKHAPATNAM HOSTS ANNUAL SPORTS FESTIVAL TO PROMOTE FITNESS AND LOCAL TALENT The Visakhapatnam Sports Authority is all set to host the city''s highly anticipated Annual Sports Festival, bringing together athletes, sports enthusiasts, and community members for a celebration of physical fitness and talent. The event, which kicks off this week, will feature a variety of sports competitions, including athletics, football, basketball, and local traditional games, aimed at fostering a culture of sportsmanship and community engagement. A Platform for Talent and Community Unity The sports festival is expected to attract participation from schools, colleges, local sports clubs, and individual athletes from Visakhapatnam and surrounding areas. The primary objective of the event is to identify promising talent at the grassroots level and provide a platform for athletes to showcase their skills, with an eye on national-level competitions in the future. The festival will be held across multiple venues in the city, including the Y.V. Rao Stadium and the Visakhapatnam Indoor Stadium, both of which will be transformed into hubs of activity for the duration of the event. The competition format will be open to all age groups, ensuring that the city’s youth, as well as adults, can participate and experience the joy of sports. Supporting Physical Fitness and Health Awareness In addition to the competitive events, the sports festival will also feature fitness camps, health screenings, and wellness workshops, promoting physical health and well-being among the city''s residents. The festival’s inclusive nature encourages everyone, from casual fitness enthusiasts to competitive athletes, to take part in activities that improve their physical health and overall well-being. Community Engagement and Social Responsibility One of the key highlights of the event will be its emphasis on bringing together the diverse communities of Visakhapatnam. The sports festival is expected to serve as a unifying force, fostering camaraderie and team spirit among participants from different backgrounds and age groups. The event will also feature exhibitions and cultural performances, showcasing Visakhapatnam''s rich cultural heritage and vibrant community life. A Vision for Future Growth The Visakhapatnam Sports Authority has expressed its commitment to nurturing sports talent in the region and making sports an integral part of the city''s growth story. The festival is viewed as a stepping stone towards creating a more active and sports-oriented city, one that can produce athletes who can compete at the national and international levels. Officials from the Sports Authority have stated that the festival aligns with the city’s long-term vision to develop a sports infrastructure hub and encourage youth participation in physical activities. The event is expected to become an annual fixture, drawing even more participants and spectators in the coming years. A Boost to Visakhapatnam’s Reputation as a Sporting Hub With its growing infrastructure, improved public spaces, and increasing focus on wellness, Visakhapatnam is emerging as a major center for sports and physical fitness in Andhra Pradesh. The Annual Sports Festival is expected to enhance the city''s reputation as a place where sports talent is nurtured and celebrated. In Conclusion: The Visakhapatnam Annual Sports Festival is poised to make a lasting impact on the city’s sports culture by promoting physical fitness, building community ties, and identifying the next generation of sports stars. Whether you’re an athlete, a fan, or just someone looking to get active, the festival promises something for everyone.

DEFENCE SECRETARY COMMEMORATES NCC''S 78TH RAISING DAY AT NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL The National Cadet Corps (NCC) marked its 78th Raising Day with commemorative events held nationwide. As part of the lead-up to the celebrations, a solemn wreath-laying ceremony took place at the National War Memorial in New Delhi on November 22, 2025. The ceremony was attended by Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh and Director General of NCC, Lt Gen Virendra Vats, who laid wreaths to honor the fallen heroes on behalf of the organization. The ceremony also saw three Tri-Service NCC girl cadets participating in the tribute, paying homage alongside senior officials. Following the wreath-laying, a band performance by NCC cadets from various Delhi schools added a ceremonial touch to the occasion. The NCC, which began in 1948 with just 20,000 cadets, has grown into the world’s largest uniformed youth organization, now with 20 lakh cadets. Over the last decade, the organization has expanded its reach, with cadet participation increasing by 6 lakh from 2014 to 2025 and covering 713 of India’s 780 districts. Across the country, cadets participated in community-service initiatives including blood donation drives, tree planting, ‘Swachhta Hi Sewa’ campaigns, and anti-drug awareness programs under the Nasha Mukti Abhiyaan, emphasizing NCC''s continued focus on social responsibility, environmental protection, and public welfare. In his address, Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh commended the NCC for its wide-ranging contributions, including disaster-response training through the Apda Mitra program, the NCC Mt. Everest expedition, and the integration of drone and cyber training in its curriculum.

MEDHAVI FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH ANDHRA PRADESH TO LAUNCH SWARNA MEDHAVI GLOBAL SKILLS UNIVERSITY Medhavi Foundation, the organization behind Medhavi Skills University (MSU), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB) to establish the Swarna Medhavi Global Skills University in Visakhapatnam. The new initiative is a key component of the state’s vision to become a trillion-dollar economy by 2047, as part of the "Swarnandhra @ 2047" initiative. The MoU was officially signed during the 30th CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam. Mr. Pravesh Dudani, Founder & Director of Medhavi Foundation and Chancellor of MSU, signed the agreement with Mr. Bharat Gupta, IAS, Director of the Commissionerate of Collegiate Education, Government of Andhra Pradesh. The signing ceremony was attended by key figures including Mr. Kona Sasidhar, IAS, Principal Secretary of the Higher Education Department, and Mr. G. Ganesh Kumar, IAS, MD & CEO of APSSDC. The Swarna Medhavi Global Skills University will be developed on a green-field campus in Visakhapatnam and will offer a variety of undergraduate, postgraduate, and skill-based programs. These courses will focus on high-growth sectors such as electronics, computer science, renewable energy, maritime logistics, manufacturing, and advanced technologies. The university’s approach is closely aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes vocational integration, flexible learning pathways, and robust industry-academia collaboration. Speaking at the event, Mr. Kona Sasidhar expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating that it would play a key role in strengthening Andhra Pradesh’s talent pipeline by equipping students with skills that meet global industry standards and promote sustainable industrial growth. Mr. Dudani highlighted the vision of Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister, Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, to transform the state into a global investment hub and achieve a trillion-dollar economy by 2047. He emphasized that the university would create a conducive environment for youth to develop job-ready skills, contributing to a developed Andhra Pradesh and a stronger India. Medhavi Foundation and the Department of Higher Education, Andhra Pradesh, will collaborate over the coming months to bring this project to life. This partnership underscores Medhavi Foundation’s dedication to expanding skill-based higher education and boosting employment opportunities for youth in the region. The launch of the Swarna Medhavi Global Skills University marks a significant step towards transforming Andhra Pradesh into a competitive destination for global investors, while contributing to the state''s progressive development goals. About Medhavi Skills University (MSU) Medhavi Skills University (MSU), established under the Sikkim Act 2021 and recognized by the UGC in 2022, is India’s first university focused on skill-based education in line with NEP 2020. Founded by IIT-Kharagpur and Stanford alumnus Mr. Pravesh Dudani, and educationist Mr. Kuldip Sarma, MSU is renowned for integrating industry-driven learning with higher education. With over 650 industry partnerships and strong collaborations with the Indian defense forces, MSU is ranked 4th in the Outlook i-care rankings 2025 and is recognized as an emerging university by the Financial Express. MSU is committed to building a skilled workforce for an Atmanirbhar Bharat.