Updates on 19 September 2026
All of September 2026 →Prime Minister Modi Distributes 51,000 Appointment Letters at 20th Rozgar Mela
On 19th September 2026, PM Narendra Modi distributed more than 51,000 appointment letters across 45 locations in India via videoconferencing during the 20th Rozgar Mela. Selected youth will join several key Union Government Ministries such as Railways, Home Affairs, Defence, Health & Family Welfare, Revenue, and Financial Services. The Rozgar Mela initiative started in 2022 aims to facilitate youth employment in central government jobs and has cumulatively issued around 12.75 lakh appointment letters to date, significantly contributing to national youth employment and public service expansion.
Hansraj Singh Verma appointed as India’s next Ambassador to Cuba
Hansraj Singh Verma, an Indian Foreign Service officer of the 2008 batch, has been appointed as India’s next Ambassador to Cuba. Currently serving as the Consul General of India at Sao Paulo, Brazil, he is expected to take up the assignment in Havana shortly. The appointment was announced by the Ministry of External Affairs on 18 September 2026.
Tamil Nadu launches Thaimaaman Thanga Mothiram scheme awarding gold rings to newborns
On 28 September 2026, Tamil Nadu unveiled the Thaimaaman Thanga Mothiram scheme, providing a 1-gram, 22-carat gold ring to newborns delivered in government hospitals. The scheme retroactively covers births from 22 June 2026. Eligible mothers must be permanent residents of Tamil Nadu and registered under the Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation (PICME) system with an RCH ID. The initiative supports institutional deliveries, promotes maternal and child health, and aligns with Tamil cultural traditions celebrating childbirth. The government has allocated ₹755.83 crore annually and procured 1.28 lakh gold rings for distribution in the first phase.
British-Ghanaian rapper Sway DaSafo passes away at 44
Derek Andrew Safo, known as Sway DaSafo, a British-Ghanaian rapper and producer, died on 17 September 2026 at his home in Ghana at age 44. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2010 and entered remission the same year. He was the first unsigned artist to win the MOBO Award for Best Hip-Hop Act in 2005. His debut album 'This Is My Demo' celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2026. Survived by four children, Sway was known for bridging UK hip-hop with Ghanaian roots.
Maldives repays $150 million loan to India, impacting foreign reserves
On 17 September 2026, the Maldives fully repaid a $150 million loan facility to India, originally subscribed by the State Bank of India in 2019. India bore about $45 million in interest payments over five years. This repayment caused Maldives’ foreign exchange reserves to dip below $600 million. Despite this, India continues to support Maldives through an INR 30 billion currency swap and a $350 million subscription to Maldivian treasury bonds. This financial cooperation exemplifies India's Neighborhood First policy and enhances bilateral economic ties.