1 Keralam announces creation of country’s first AI portfolio
On May 20 , the Kerala government announced the creation of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) portfolio for ” AI for Governance .” This will be India’s first AI governance initiative . The government also announced the establishment of two AI Centers of Excellence (AI-CoEs) in the state under the ” India AI Mission ” and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITy) . State Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty has been tasked with leading India’s first AI initiative. The first AI center will focus on “Bio-AI.” The Kerala Startup Mission will establish it in the Digital Hub of Kochi . The second AI center, a General-Purpose AI Center, will operate at the Digital University of Thiruvananthapuram. Both projects have been approved under the “Startup Financing Pillar” of the India AI Mission. Each center has a budget of ₹20 crore (200 million rupees). The Bio-AI Centers will operate on the theme of “Nature Meets Compute.” They will integrate Kerala’s biodiversity, Ayurvedic knowledge, and genomics research with AI technology. The target is also to help more than 40 thousand spice farmers through AI tools and increase their income by 20%.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘s five-day visit has secured commitments of new investments worth approximately $40 billion for India . During the visit, Prime Minister Modi met with CEOs and senior officials from over 50 multinational companies working in sectors such as semiconductors, logistics, infrastructure, technology, green hydrogen, and AI. These companies have a combined market value of between $2.7 and $3 trillion. Achievements of the Visit
Prime Minister Modi’s visit included the UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy
. – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced a new investment of $5 billion in India.
– A strategic partnership roadmap with the Netherlands on trade, defense, semiconductors, AI, and green hydrogen was released.
– Agreement was reached to elevate bilateral relations with Sweden
to the level of a strategic partnership. – Participation in the third India-Nordic Summit in Norway
. – Relations with Italy were elevated to the level of a special strategic partnership.
3 New Delhi: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh dedicates Umeed Network to the nation
Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh dedicated the UMMID (Unique Methods of Management of Inherited Disorders) network to the nation at a function in New Delhi . This unique method of managing genetic disorders is a national initiative led by the Department of Biotechnology to address genetic disorders . This initiative is India’s first comprehensive national effort to address genetic disorders through an integrated approach encompassing diagnosis, counseling, prevention, training, and public health awareness.
4 India-UAE bilateral trade reaches $100 billion
On May 20, bilateral trade between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) crossed the $100 billion mark. UAE has now become India’s third largest trading partner . India and UAE have set a trade target of $200 billion by 2032. UAE Ambassador to India Abdulnasser Alsahli gave this information at an event in New Delhi. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) also came into effect between the two countries. There has been a huge increase in non-oil trade between India and UAE, i.e., trade other than oil. India imports petroleum, gold and precious stones from UAE.
5 Ladakh gives industry status to tourism sector
On May 21 , the Ladakh government announced the granting of industry status to the Ladakh hospitality sector . Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena approved granting industry status to hotels and guest houses registered with the Tourism Department. This order will officially take effect across the Union Territory from June 1, 2026. This decision will directly benefit Ladakh’s 1,257 registered hotels and guest houses, of which 1,078 are in Leh and 179 in Kargil. With the industrialization, hotel and guest house owners will receive electricity and water at industrial rates. Businesses associated with this sector will now receive industrial subsidies and tax benefits. The Tourism and Culture Department of Ladakh has been designated the nodal department for implementing this scheme. Ladakh became a Union Territory of India on October 31, 2019. Initially, it comprised only two districts: Leh and Kargil. On April 27, five new districts were created: Zanskar, Dras, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang. The expansion of Ladakh’s industrial sector will make it easier to expand homestays and small-scale tourism. Bank loans for basic infrastructure development will now be easier.
6 The aroma of India’s aromatic and healthy grains reaches foreign lands
PM Modi returned home on Thursday after a five-nation visit to the United Arab Emirates, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway . During his five-nation visit, PM Modi discussed a number of strategic and bilateral issues. PM Modi also presented samples of various famous Indian rice varieties to Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). These include Palakkad Red Rice from Kerala, Govindabhog Rice from West Bengal, Basmati Rice from the Indo-Gangetic region, Joha Rice from Assam, and Kalanamak Rice from Uttar Pradesh . Each of these varieties has its own distinctive aroma, flavor, and nutritional value. Kalanamak Rice is also known as ” Buddha Rice ,” while Basmati is known as the ” Queen of Fragrance .” PM Modi also presented healthy millet bars to the FAO Director-General. Millet grains like sorghum and millet grown in India are considered rich in nutrition, fiber, and protein. PM Modi also presented special gifts to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni . PM Modi presented the Italian Prime Minister with a Muga silk stole and a Shirui Lily silk stole . Muga silk, known as the “Golden Silk” of Assam, is a rare and prestigious textile from the Brahmaputra Valley in Northeast India. The Shirui Lily silk stole is inspired by the misty hills of the Shirui Kashong Mountains in Manipur . The Shirui Lily is a bell-shaped flower with pale pinkish-white petals that blooms nowhere else in the world. PM Modi also presented Italian President Sergio Mattarella with a marble inlay work box featuring Agra’s famous mosaic art, along with CDs by Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and MS Subbulakshmi . PM Modi presented Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson with “Words of the Master,” a collection of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s works . Gurudev was one of the most influential literary and philosophical figures of the 20th century. In 1913, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature for his work ” Gitanjali, ” making him the first non-European to receive this honor. The Prime Minister of India also gifted his Swedish counterpart a handmade Shantiniketan messenger bag, handcrafted in the soil of West Bengal . Shantiniketan’s leather art still holds a special place in the eyes of art connoisseurs. It is a Geographical Indication (GI) protected craft that provides livelihood to hundreds of artisans in the Birbhum district.
7 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Indian War Memorial in South Korea.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and South Korea ‘s Minister of Patriotism and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-yeol jointly inaugurated the Indian War Memorial at Imungak Park in Seoul . Built to mark 75 years of the Korean War, the memorial is a tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and humanitarian service displayed by the Indian Army’s 60 Para Field Ambulance and the Custodian Force of India during the war. The memorial commemorates the valor and humanitarian contributions of the Indian Army’s 60 Para Field Ambulance and the Custodian Force of India (CFI) during the Korean War. During the Korean War, the 60 Para Field Ambulance, led by Lieutenant Colonel (Dr.) A.G. Rangaraj, treated thousands of wounded soldiers and civilians amid fierce fighting. Their exceptional service and humanitarian approach earned them the nickname “Maroon Angels.” The Indian War Memorial is located in the same area where the CFI established “Hind Nagar” in 1954. Approximately 22,000 prisoners of war were held here until their peaceful repatriation. This project has been developed with financial support from the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
The Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit has been postponed in view of the deteriorating health situation in parts of Africa . The summit was scheduled to be held in New Delhi from May 28 to 31. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that this decision was taken after consultations between India, the Chairperson of the African Union, and the African Union Commission. New dates for the summit and related meetings will be finalized through mutual consultation and communicated in due course. India expressed its solidarity with the people and governments of Africa and reiterated its readiness to contribute to efforts to address the deteriorating health situation, led by the Africa-CDC.
9 Indian Navy’s next generation warship ‘Sanghamitra’ launched
The Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel “Sanghamitra,” being built for the Indian Navy, was launched on Wednesday during a grand ceremony at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata . The warship, named Yard 3039 , was launched by Sarita Vatsayan. Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Vice Chief of Naval Staff, and senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Navy, and GRSE were present on the occasion. A total of 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels are being built for the Indian Navy. These vessels are being constructed simultaneously at two shipyards : Goa Shipyard Limited, Goa, and GRSE, Kolkata . Designed and built using indigenous technology, these warships will play a vital role in maritime surveillance, search and rescue operations, protection of offshore assets, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and anti-piracy operations. The vessel is named “Sanghamitra,” after the daughter of Emperor Ashoka . The ship’s insignia depicts the Saptarishi constellation and a red-and-white lighthouse .
274 climbers, including three Indians, have set a world record for the most summits of Mount Everest in a single day from the Nepal side . The team comprised three Indian climbers : Tulsi Reddy Palpunuri, Sandeep Arey, and Ajay Pal Singh Dhaliwal . All 274 climbers reached the 8,848.86-meter peak on Wednesday. Rishi Ram Bhandari, general secretary of the Expedition Conductors Association in Nepal , stated that these climbers, along with 150 Nepali Sherpas, reached the summit in a single day . Nepal’s Kami Rita Sherpa also set a new record, breaking her own record by climbing Mount Everest for the 32nd time. Nepal’s Lhakpa Sherpa became the first woman to climb Mount Everest for a record 11th time. Previously, in May 2019 , 223 climbers reached the summit in a single day from the Nepal side .
11 Cyprus President Nicos Christodoulides visits National Stock Exchange in Mumbai
Cyprus President Nicos Christodoulides visited the National Stock Exchange in Mumbai and participated in the traditional bell ringing ceremony. On this occasion, he said that Cyprus is a natural gateway between India, Europe and the larger part of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. National Stock Exchange Chairman Srinivas Injeti , Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Ashishkumar Chauhan and other officials were present on this occasion. After this, Cyprus President Nicos Christodoulides left for Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold talks with Cyprus President Nicos Christodoulides in New Delhi.
Hockey India on Thursday announced the 18-member squad for the upcoming Men’s Under-18 Asia Cup to be held in Kakamigahara, Japan from May 29 to June 6. Ketan Kushwaha has been appointed the captain of the team for the tournament . The team was selected after a rigorous national coaching camp under the supervision of the coaching staff of Sardar Singh and Rajneesh Mishra at the Uddhav Das Mehta Central Centre of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Bhopal. As per the tournament format, India has been placed in Pool A along with South Korea, hosts Japan, Chinese Taipei and Kazakhstan.
13 International Tea Day
International Tea Day, celebrated every year on May 21st, is a day to honor the culture of tea, the hard work of farmers around the world, and the socio-economic importance of this drink. The day is celebrated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. This year’s theme is ” Sustaining the Vitality of Tea, Supporting Communities .”
14th International Day for Biological Diversity
International Biological Diversity Day is celebrated annually on 22 May to highlight the importance of biodiversity and raise global awareness about its conservation. The day was initiated by the United Nations. Originally celebrated on 29 December , the date was changed in 2000 to honour the historic date of 22 May 1992, the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Senior Kerala journalist K.G. Parameswaran Nair passed away on May 20th . He was 94 years old. Nair was associated with the daily newspaper ” Kerala Kaumudi ” for 35 years. Before joining Kerala Kaumudi, Nair began his career with the weekly “Kamudi .” Nair was known for his excellent reporting on the Kerala Legislative Assembly and political journalism. Nair also served as the President of the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club and was honored with 13 prestigious awards for his outstanding contributions to journalism. Nair was awarded the Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai Award and the G. Karthikeyan Memorial Award for Best Legislative Reporting. These two major awards were personally presented to Nair by former Presidents of India, Dr. K.R. Narayanan and Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.