Page 7 - NIS English 01-15 Aug, 2026

Uttarakhand Becomes the Country’s INS Mahendragiri...
Sixth Fully Literate State A New Guardian of
Uttarakhand has become the country’s sixth fully literate state by meeting Maritime Borders
the standards set under the National Education Policy 2020 and the
ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) - New The Indian Navy ensures the
India Literacy Programme. This announcement was made on July 8, security of India’s 11,098-kilometre-
2026, following the fulfilment of literacy criteria prescribed by the long coastline, its 2.4 million square
Department of School Education and Literacy under the Union Ministry kilometre Exclusive Economic
of Education. Mizoram became the first fully literate state in May 2025, Zone, and its maritime trade routes.
followed by Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim. By achieving This is why the current central
the status of a fully literate state under the new policy, Uttarakhand has government aims to make the
reached a significant milestone in educational development. Navy self-reliant. As part of this
initiative, the ‘INS Mahendragiri’
- an advanced, domestically built
stealth frigate - was inducted into
the Indian Navy fleet on July 11
in the presence of Union Defence
Minister Rajnath Singh.
INS Mahendragiri is a formidable
frontline warship. It is equipped
with surface-to-surface and medium-
range surface-to-air missiles, as well
as indigenous rocket and torpedo
launchers. The ship is capable
of conducting air defence, anti-
Taste of Indian Fruit: A Global Favourite submarine warfare, and surveillance
The flavour of India’s premium fruits is increasingly becoming operations, in addition to carrying
out humanitarian assistance and
a global favourite. Consignments of Uttarakhand’s litchis are disaster relief missions. This warship
finding favour in Italy, while Tezpur litchis have become popular has been constructed using over
in Dubai. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export 75% indigenous content and with
Development Authority (APEDA) is paving the way for better contributions from more than 200
prices, new markets, and a prosperous future for farmers by Indian industries. The induction of
facilitating the export of agricultural produce. As part of this Mahendragiri further strengthens
initiative, APEDA also facilitated the first export shipment of the Indian Navy’s combat capability,
premium Areko cherries and Santarosa plums from Jammu operational reach, and presence in
& Kashmir to the UAE. This progress reflects the growing the Indian Ocean Region.
international demand for premium Indian fruits.
The taste of India is now making its way from the orchards to
dining tables across the globe. The first export consignments of
premium Areko cherries and Santarosa plums from the Shopian and
Pulwama districts of Jammu & Kashmir were dispatched to Abu
Dhabi and Dubai. This achievement not only strengthens the global
recognition of Indian fruits but also opens up new opportunities
for the horticulture sector in Jammu & Kashmir.

Aug 01-15, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 5