New Delhi, May 08: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah will chair a crucial high-level meeting in New Delhi on Sunday, 10th May, 2026, to comprehensively review the country’s preparedness for dealing with possible floods and heatwave conditions.

The meeting assumes special significance in light of the proactive and decisive Whole of the Government and Whole of Society Approach of the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards disaster management.

Under the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs has significantly strengthened the nation’s disaster management framework in recent years. This includes better coordination between Central and State Government agencies, massive strengthening of NDRF, and sustained focus on “zero casualty” approach during natural calamities.

This high-level review reflects the Modi Government’s unwavering commitment to proactive governance, citizen-centric disaster management, and building a disaster-resilient India.

During the meeting, Union Home Minister will assess the readiness of Central Government agencies, review early warning systems, resource deployment and inter-agency coordination, to ensure zero loss of life and minimal loss to property.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will also review the progress of long-term flood mitigation measures being taken across the country, including protection of critical infrastructure projects, river management initiatives and scientific advancements in forecasting. He will also take stock of the implementation of decisions taken in last year’s review meeting, ensuring accountability and accelerated coordinated execution of activities.

Key focus areas of the high-level meeting include: strengthening flood forecasting and early warning systems through advanced technology and real-time data integration; enhancing preparedness for dealing with simultaneous disasters, particularly the challenges of floods and heatwaves; community awareness and resilience-building programmes for preventing loss of life and property; and ensuring adequate stock of essential relief materials and medical preparedness.

New Delhi, May 08:The Department of Ophthalmology at Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi, in collaboration with All-India Ophthalmological Society, is set to host India’s first International Ophthalmology Research Conference at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantonment on May 09 & 10, 2026.

This two-day academic event, named All-India Ophthalmological Society – Armed Forces Ophthalmology Update (AIOS-AFOU 2026), will be inaugurated by Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth. The Chief of Defence Staff, the three Service Chiefs and the Defence Secretary will be in attendance, underscoring the national importance & Tri-service character of the event.

The event will bring together nearly 200 renowned ophthalmologists from across the country alongside the finest military eye specialists. It will cover the subject of ophthalmology comprehensively, encompassing the latest advances across all major subspecialties. More than 100 distinguished faculty drawn from AIIMS, New Delhi; PGI, Chandigarh; LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad; and Sankara Netralaya, Chennai; Aravind Eye Care System among other institutes will attend the conference.

Two internationally acclaimed ophthalmologists – Chair & Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Nottingham, UK Prof Harminder Singh Dua and Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist & Clinician Researcher at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore Dr Colin Siang Hui Tan – will also take part in the event. Prof Harminder Singh Dua is renowned worldwide for his pioneering research in chemical ocular injuries and his landmark discovery of the Dua’s Layer, a paradigm-shifting contribution to corneal anatomy. Dr Colin Siang Hui Tan heads the Fundus Image Reading Centre at the National Healthcare Group Eye Institute, and is renowned for his expertise in retinal imaging, diabetic retinopathy, and AI-driven ophthalmic diagnostics.

The conference would serve as an inspiring platform for young serving ophthalmologists from across the country to showcase their skills and simultaneously learn from the experts of the craft. It aims to foster meaningful civil-military cooperation in ophthalmology.

New Delhi, May 08: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted the maiden flight-trial of Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) weapon off the coast of Odisha on May 07, 2026. TARA, the modular range extension kit, is India’s first indigenous glide weapon system to convert unguided warheads into precision guided weapons.

TARA has been designed and developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad along with other DRDO laboratories to enhance the lethality and accuracy of a low-cost weapon to neutralise ground-based targets. It is the first glide weapon to utilise state-of-the-art low-cost systems. The development of the kit has been undertaken with Development cum Production Partners (DcPP) & other Indian industries, which have already started the production activity.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO, IAF, DcPP, and the Industry for the maiden flight-trial, describing it as a significant development in advancing India’s indigenous defence capabilities.

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat also congratulated the teams associated with the successful flight-trial.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday offered prayers at the revered Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala.

During his visit, officials of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams accorded a warm reception to the Lieutenant Governor and honoured him with traditional silk clothes and Vedic blessings as per temple customs.

The LG prayed for peace, prosperity and well-being of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the nation. Senior temple officials were also present on the occasion.(KNC)