Manoj Kumar Sharma Conferred Honorary Doctorate in Mass Communication at National Media Conclave

Manoj Kumar Sharma Conferred Honorary Doctorate in Mass Communication at National Media Conclave

New Delhi, August 16, 2026

Manoj Kumar Sharma, Founder and Managing Director of PR Guru, was conferred an honorary doctorate in Mass Communication by American East Coast University at The LaLiT, Connaught Place, New Delhi.

The honour marks a career that has brought together professional communication and academic engagement. Manoj Kumar Sharma describes himself as a lifelong learner and has worked across public relations, advertising, media, journalism, education and strategic communication.

Manoj Kumar Sharma founded PR Guru in 2018 and continues to lead the organisation as its Founder and Managing Director. Under his leadership, PR Guru continues to work with clients across diverse sectors, providing public relations, strategic communication and media outreach services tailored to different industry requirements.

Before starting PR Guru, Manoj Kumar Sharma served as Director, PR at Goldmine Advertising from 2015 to 2018. He also worked as Consultant (Deputy Director) with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, where his responsibilities included developing curricula, syllabi and new courses, along with teaching communication to undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Education has remained an important part of Manoj Kumar Sharma’s professional journey. He served as Lecturer and Faculty In-charge of the BA Journalism programme at IILM Institute of Higher Education and as Head of the Media Department at Wigan and Leigh College. He later served as Associate Professor and Head of the Mass Communication Department at NBA Group of Institutions and as Associate Professor at Maharaja Agrasen College. 

This combination of industry experience and academic work has shaped Manoj Kumar Sharma’s approach to communication, with an emphasis on continuous learning, practical knowledge and the changing requirements of the media industry.

“Receiving this honorary doctorate is a deeply meaningful recognition of my journey in communication and education. For me, learning has always been a continuous process, and this honour further strengthens my commitment to contributing to the field,” said Manoj Kumar Sharma.

Manoj Kumar Sharma has also received honours including the Pride of India and Bharat Shri for his contributions to the media and social sectors.

American East Coast University recognised Manoj Kumar Sharma for his achievements, services to humanity and contributions to national development, with Mass Communication as his area of specialisation. The honorary doctorate was presented at the ceremony at The LaLiT.

XPPen Marks Its 21st Anniversary with “DOODLE THE WORLD”, Bringing Creativity Beyond Boundaries

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — XPPen, a leading global digital art innovation brand, proudly celebrates its 21st anniversary. Marking 21 years of empowering creators worldwide, XPPen introduces this year’s theme, “DOODLE THE WORLD,” with a series of creative experiences, including the Global Art Toy Design Contest co-hosted by XPPen and TOP TOY, a globally renowned art toy brand, the upcoming Artist Ultra 14 drawing display, artist conversations, the Doodle & Spin Game on official website, and exclusive anniversary offers. Through these initiatives, XPPen encourages creators worldwide to explore diverse forms of artistic expression and create without limits.

“At XPPen, we believe creativity should have no boundaries, not limited by mediums or imagination,” said Brian Huang, Marketing Director at XPPen. “For 21 years, we have empowered creators with innovative solutions to bring their ideas to life. ‘DOODLE THE WORLD’ embodies our belief that inspiration can flow freely across paper, screens, and beyond. Through this anniversary celebration and collaboration with TOP TOY, we unite around a shared belief in creativity without boundaries and the power of imagination, while embracing a more youthful and trend-inspired creative culture through the fusion of digital art and designer toy culture.”

XPPen × TOP TOY Global Art Toy Design Contest

As one of the highlights of XPPen’s 21st anniversary celebration, XPPen has partnered with TOP TOY, a leading global art toy brand, to launch the Global Art Toy Design Contest, inviting creators worldwide to explore the possibilities of Zero, TOP TOY’s original IP character. Through this collaboration, creators can transform their ideas into collectible designs.

Running from August 16 to October 16, 2026, the contest encourages participants to reinterpret Zero through designs including the Null Shell Design, Fenix Shell Design, and Zero Figure Design. Participants can draw inspiration from seasons and clothing styles or develop their own original themes. Winners will receive XPPen creative devices, cash prizes, blind boxes, and X-Coins from the XPPen Community, which can be used for community giveaways and exclusive rewards. Selected winning works will also have the opportunity to be developed into physical art toys and stocked in TOP TOY stores worldwide. Join the contest at https://community.xp-pen.com/events/global-art-toy-design-contest?lang=en

A panel of artists and creative professionals will judge the entries, including Katun, an influential Southeast Asian graffiti artist; Josephine Rais, a German illustrator and strategic designer; Jun Oson, a Japanese illustrator and contemporary artist; together with TOP TOY’s senior art toy designer jury. “I hope creators can create boldly, not only through colors, but also by exploring more possibilities in subtle elements such as materials and emotions,” said Tong Liu, Senior Designer at TOP TOY, as one of the jury.

New Addition to the Artist Ultra Series

Continuing the celebration of XPPen’s 21st anniversary, the Artist Ultra 14 will launch on August 17. As the newest member of the Artist Ultra Series, Artist Ultra 14 delivers Ultra Clear True Color with exceptional accuracy and clarity in a slim, portable design, providing creators with a flexible and immersive experience. The new product will also be available as one of the prizes in the Global Art Toy Design Contest and the anniversary game on XPPen’s official website.

Celebrating Creativity Across Mediums and Beyond

To further explore this year’s theme, XPPen has invited artists from different creative fields, including Chromakane, Tattoo Artist, and Marina Esmeraldo, Multidisciplinary Artist, to share their creative journeys and interpretations of “DOODLE THE WORLD.” Through these conversations, XPPen showcases how drawing can take place across different mediums and creative environments, inspiring everyone to embrace the freedom to create anytime, anywhere.

Beyond artistic conversations, everyone is invited to join the anniversary game on XPPen’s official website. Participants can join the 21-Day Doodle Journey and spin the wheel to win prizes. XPPen’s official online stores will also roll out global anniversary offers, featuring discounts of up to 50% on selected products.

Building on 21 years of innovation, XPPen will continue empowering creators and advancing digital art. XPPen will also showcase its latest innovations and upcoming products at IFA 2026, including new releases ahead of official launch. More details will be revealed at IFA 2026.

For more information, please visit https://www.xp-pen.com/21st-anniversary-celebration.html

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Water Bill Relief Extended: Delhi Waives Late Payment Surcharge Till March 2027

New Delhi, August 16: The Delhi government has extended its 100 per cent Late Payment Surcharge (LPSC) waiver scheme on outstanding water bills until March 31, 2027, giving consumers additional time to clear their pending dues without paying the accumulated penalty.

Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma announced the extension on Sunday, saying the initiative would provide relief to families and other consumers struggling with old water bill arrears. Under the extended arrangement, eligible consumers who pay the principal amount of their outstanding water bill can get the entire applicable LPSC waived.

The deadline was earlier set for August 15, 2026, but has now been extended by more than seven months. The move is aimed at encouraging consumers with long-pending bills to settle their accounts and at the same time helping the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) recover its outstanding principal dues.

Announcing the decision, Verma said old water bills had remained a source of financial stress for many families in Delhi and that the extension would provide consumers an opportunity to close their outstanding accounts without the additional burden of late-payment charges.

The minister urged consumers with pending water bills not to allow the outstanding amount to increase further and to use the extended window to settle their principal dues.

The LPSC waiver is particularly significant for consumers whose bills have accumulated over several years, as late-payment charges can substantially increase the total amount payable.

The extension also comes against the backdrop of the Delhi government’s efforts to improve revenue collection by the Delhi Jal Board and address the city’s long-standing water billing issues.

The government has previously stated that a substantial amount of money remains locked in outstanding water bills, with LPSC accounting for a significant portion of the accumulated liability. By waiving the surcharge while retaining the principal demand, the government is seeking to make settlement more attractive to consumers while improving actual collections.

According to figures cited by the Delhi government, more than 4.5 lakh domestic consumers and around 11,400 commercial consumers had already benefited from the LPSC waiver scheme.

The scheme was initially introduced in October 2025 primarily for domestic consumers. It was subsequently expanded to include commercial consumers, widening the potential beneficiary base.

The government had earlier extended the deadline from January 31, 2026, to August 15 after receiving requests from residents, public representatives and resident welfare associations. At that stage, the government reported that more than 3.3 lakh consumers had already taken advantage of the scheme, with approximately Rs 430 crore in principal dues collected and nearly Rs 1,494 crore in LPSC waived by January 29.

The latest extension is therefore being positioned as another opportunity for consumers who could not settle their bills within the earlier deadlines.

Delhi’s water billing system has faced persistent complaints over delayed billing, incorrect meter readings, estimated consumption and accumulated arrears. A Delhi Assembly review in 2024 noted that out of around 27 lakh water connections, approximately 10.6 lakh customers had pending arrears. The document also referred to concerns over inflated bills and the accumulation of late-payment charges.

The Delhi Jal Board has introduced various waiver and settlement schemes over the years to address accumulated arrears. Official DJB records show that earlier schemes included 100 per cent LPSC waivers for specified categories of consumers. A DJB budget document said more than 4 lakh consumers had benefited from an earlier waiver initiative, with rebates amounting to hundreds of crores of rupees.

For eligible consumers, the latest decision effectively provides a longer window to settle the principal water bill without the additional LPSC burden. However, consumers should verify their outstanding amount, eligibility and applicable conditions with the Delhi Jal Board before making payment.

The government is also expected to use the extended period to push consumers towards clearing long-standing dues and improve the overall efficiency of water-bill collection.

With the new deadline now fixed at March 31, 2027, the government has given Delhi’s water consumers substantially more time to resolve old liabilities while seeking to strengthen the financial position of the Delhi Jal Board.

Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh announced the extension on August 16, 2026; contemporary reports confirm the revised deadline and the 100 per cent LPSC waiver.

Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Interacts with MY Bharat-NSS Volunteers During Independence Day Celebrations

New Delhi: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya interacted with MY Bharat-NSS volunteers during the Independence Day celebrations at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, appreciating their participation and contribution to the national event.

The MY Bharat-NSS volunteers attended the Independence Day programme as special guests, giving them an opportunity to witness the celebrations and interact directly with the Union Minister.

During the interaction, Dr. Mandaviya appreciated the volunteers for their involvement in social service and urged them to continue contributing to nation-building and civic engagement. He said the energy, commitment and innovative ideas of young people would be crucial to achieving the vision of a Viksit Bharat and a developed, self-reliant India.

The interaction also allowed the volunteers to share their experiences, ideas and aspirations with the Minister. The engagement highlighted the importance of creating meaningful platforms for young people to participate in public life and take up leadership roles in community and nation-building initiatives.

Earlier in the day, MY Bharat-NSS volunteers and students from eight schools and educational institutions across Delhi participated in a large-scale human formation depicting ‘Vande Mataram’.

Around 500 students took part in the formation, presenting a display of patriotism, national unity and collective participation as part of the Independence Day celebrations.

The programme underlined the role of youth volunteers in national events while providing them with opportunities to engage in civic activities and contribute to the broader vision of youth-led nation building.

Government Unveils National Framework to Strengthen ITDAs and ITDPs

New framework focuses on institutional reform, convergence, digital governance and outcome-based monitoring for tribal development

New Delhi: Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri Jual Oram and Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, Member, NITI Aayog, on Saturday jointly released the National Framework for Strengthening of ITDAs and ITDPs and the Operational Guidelines for Strengthening of ITDAs and ITDPs, marking a major step towards strengthening last-mile delivery of tribal development programmes across the country.

The two publications are the outcome of a comprehensive, consultative and evidence-based national exercise aimed at improving the functioning of Integrated Tribal Development Agencies and Projects (ITDAs/ITDPs), which serve as key field-level institutions connecting government programmes with tribal communities.

The release ceremony was attended by Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Smt. Ranjana Chopra; Additional Secretary Shri Manish Thakur; and senior officials of the Ministry.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Jual Oram said ITDAs and ITDPs have historically played an important role in translating government initiatives into outcomes for tribal communities. Their significance, he noted, has increased with the expansion of interventions under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) and PM-JANMAN.

Dr. R. Balasubramaniam said the principles of institutional ranking, real-time data-driven monitoring and convergence, which have helped improve outcomes in aspirational districts and blocks, have now been incorporated into the ITDA/ITDP reform architecture.

He said evidence-based administrative interventions can help transform regions that lag behind, and the new framework seeks to apply this approach to the tribal development ecosystem, with ITDAs serving as vehicles for achieving saturation of entitlements at the last mile.

The exercise was undertaken under the overall guidance of Secretary, Tribal Affairs, Smt. Ranjana Chopra, with a focus on moving beyond a uniform approach and developing context-specific and accountable field institutions.

The Ministry began the exercise in April 2026, covering 214 ITDAs/ITDPs across 17 States and Union Territories. The assessment involved Project Officers, State Tribal Welfare Departments and Tribal Research Institutes.

Unlike a desk-based assessment, the exercise incorporated State-level workshops, field visits and direct consultations with officials and institutions at the ground level. The process culminated in an Evidence-Weighted ITDA Diagnostic Scoring Framework, which assesses institutions across 15 parameters covering five institutional domains.

Structured consultation workshops were held across States and UTs during April and May 2026 under the leadership of Dr. Varnali Deka, Director, DAJGUA Division, and Shri Jafar Malik, Deputy Secretary, EMRS. The consultations enabled the Ministry to assess institutional capacity, identify challenges and document successful practices before validating the findings.

A major milestone in the exercise was the National Conclave on Strengthening of ITDAs and ITDPs, held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on June 3, 2026, in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu.

The newly released National Framework sets out the assessment methodology and broader strategic direction for institutional strengthening. The Operational Guidelines, meanwhile, translate the recommendations into actionable measures covering institutional restructuring, convergence of schemes, evidence-based planning, digital governance, outcome-based monitoring and capacity building.

For the first time, States will have access to a common institutional assessment methodology through which individual ITDAs can identify gaps and prepare Performance Improvement Roadmaps tailored to their local requirements.

Shri Oram emphasised that the exercise should not be viewed merely as a mechanism for ranking institutions. Instead, its objective is to establish a culture of continuous institutional improvement.

He urged States to conduct State-level reviews involving all ITDA/ITDP Project Officers, prepare institution-specific action plans and introduce quarterly monitoring of institutional performance, drawing on the monitoring approach followed under the Aspirational Districts Programme and Aspirational Blocks Programme.

The Minister also called for measures to strengthen the ITDA/ITDP ecosystem, including improving fund-flow mechanisms and examining the possibility of directly transferring funds to ITDAs. He also stressed the need to increase technical manpower to improve project execution.

Regular meetings of Governing Councils, with active participation from Panchayati Raj Institution representatives and senior State leadership, were also recommended to strengthen convergence, accountability and implementation.

The two publications are expected to provide States with a structured roadmap for transforming ITDAs and ITDPs into more responsive, data-driven and outcome-oriented institutions capable of delivering tribal welfare and development programmes more effectively at the grassroots level.

Tributes Paid to Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Death Anniversary

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 16 (UDN): Tributes were paid to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary, remembering him as a distinguished nationalist, visionary statesman and exceptional orator who made significant contributions to India’s development and democratic traditions.

 Pic credit : x.com/MohanMOdisha

Vajpayee’s life and political legacy continue to inspire citizens across the country. His tenure in public life was marked by a strong emphasis on good governance, national development and India’s global stature.

His visionary outlook, unwavering faith in democratic values and commitment to inclusive development remain important chapters in India’s political history.

Vajpayee was also remembered for his exceptional dedication to public service and nation-building. His approach to politics and governance continues to be regarded as a source of inspiration for generations.

On the occasion, tributes highlighted his contribution to national unity, democratic values and the country’s development, with his ideals continuing to inspire the younger generation.

His enduring commitment to nation-building and public service remains deeply etched in the collective memory of the country.

Koraput Polytechnic Signs Two MoUs to Boost Industry-Ready Skills in Emerging Technologies

Koraput, Aug. 16 (UDN): The skilling ecosystem in Odisha’s Koraput district is set for a major boost with the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening technical education and equipping students with industry-relevant skills.

Today, I witnessed the signing of two important MoUs to strengthen Koraput district’s skilling ecosystem. 

➜ Government Polytechnic, Koraput and Skyy Skill Academy Private Limited, Hyderabad signing an MoU to promote curriculum design, EV & battery manufacturing, summer… pic.twitter.com/6KXXu4TFWJ

— Sampad Swain (@SampadSwainBJP) August 15, 2026

The agreements were signed by Government Polytechnic, Koraput with two technology and skill-development organisations, focusing on emerging technologies, practical training, internships and improved employment opportunities.

Focus on EV and Battery Technology

Under the first MoU, Government Polytechnic, Koraput partnered with Skyy Skill Academy Private Limited, Hyderabad.

The collaboration will focus on areas such as curriculum development, electric vehicle (EV) technology, battery manufacturing, summer internships and short-term courses.

The partnership will also promote industry-oriented skill development and strengthen technical education by giving students greater exposure to technologies and practices used in the rapidly evolving EV and manufacturing sectors.

AI, Robotics and Industry 4.0

The second MoU was signed between Government Polytechnic, Koraput and Tech Communication Computer Academy Private Limited, Bhubaneswar.

The partnership will focus on developing student capabilities in Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, Industry 4.0, digital technologies and IT-enabled services.

Through specialised training and practical exposure, students are expected to gain a better understanding of emerging technologies and their applications across different industries.

Bridging Education and Industry

The two collaborations are aimed at narrowing the gap between classroom-based technical education and the changing requirements of industry.

The partnerships are expected to provide students with opportunities for hands-on learning, internships, research and exposure to emerging technologies, while helping them develop skills aligned with current and future employment needs.

With industry-oriented training becoming increasingly important in technical education, the MoUs could help students from Koraput build stronger professional capabilities and improve their prospects for employment in technology-driven sectors.