India to debut in 11 new skill categories at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026

India to debut in 11 new skill categories at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. (IANS Photo)

New Delhi, (IANS): India will expand its global skills footprint with first‑time participation in 11 new skill categories at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai from September 22 to September 27, 2026, an official statement said on Wednesday.

Team Skill India will participate in 63 of 64 skills with a contingent of nearly 70 competitors, making it one of India’s largest and most diverse representations at WorldSkills to date, the statement from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said.

The new categories in which India competes include dental prosthetics, digital interactive media design, intelligent security technology, landscape gardening, optoelectronic technology, retail sales, unmanned aerial systems, industrial mechanics, software testing and heavy vehicle technology, aircraft maintenance.

These categories represent emerging areas that are shaping the future of work, including healthcare technologies, digital design, intelligent systems, drone technologies, advanced manufacturing, mobility solutions and customer-centric services.

Their inclusion underlines India’s focus on aligning skill development with global industry requirements and creating pathways for youth in internationally benchmarked skill domains.

The participation in the event is being led under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) driving India’s WorldSkills preparation.

Preparation for these first-time categories is being supported by a collaborative ecosystem of specialised training institutions and industry partners, including Government Tool Room and Training Centre (GTTC), Karnataka, among many others including domain experts.

"India’s participation in these new categories reflects the growing depth and maturity of the country’s skilling ecosystem, which is expanding from strong foundations in traditional trades to advanced technologies, specialised services, creative industries and next-generation industrial capabilities," the statement said.

“India’s participation in these new skills reflects the evolution of our skilling ecosystem towards future-facing and globally relevant capabilities. Through strong partnerships and rigorous preparation, we are enabling our youth to compete with confidence and benchmark themselves against global standards,” said Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, MSDE.India’s performance in global skill competitions has shown steady progress over the years, rising from 29th rank at WorldSkills in 2015 to 13th position in 2024. The country further strengthened its international performance by securing 8th rank in Asia at WorldSkills Asia 2025 and winning five medals at the Taipei Capital Cup 2026. India to debut in 11 new skill categories at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → September 11, 2026

Chinese Man Takes Paralyzed Wife on Epic Road Trip: ‘Die On the Road, Not in Hospital’

– credit, retrieved from social media

Like any pair of baby boomers in America, Liu Peijin and his wife dreamed as newly-weds of a grand tour around their native China.

Marrying out of high school, they had a normal enough life—with Mr. Liu embarking on a long career in the military, and his wife raising children at home.

But as retirement age beckoned and the chance for their dream road trip seemed to materialize, complications with diabetes left Liu’s wife partially paralyzed, and the prospects of a road trip around one of the world’s largest countries in tatters.

Or so it seemed. After agreeing they “would rather die on the road than in a hospital bed,” the couple set out in their car across coastal Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces in 2014.

Their daughter initially objected due to the medical needs of her mother, but the time away from hospital gradually rejuvenated the woman. Now years later, Mr. Liu has said their time continuously exploring the Middle Kingdom has made his wife “100 times” more spirited.

Over a decade later and she has avoided muscle and joint atrophy despite being wheelchair bound from paralysis on her left side. She’s maintained good coordination, and can communicate largely as before, though solid food is becoming a slightly greater challenge.

It wasn’t long after they first set out that Liu managed to replace the car with a camper van, which he equipped with a kitchen, two beds, and a dining table. He keeps it stocked with medical supplies as he essentially has become the woman’s full-time nurse and caregiver, ensuring she does rehabilitation exercises, takes her medicine, and enjoys regular foot soaks for diabetes.

At publishing time according to an article on their travels in South China Morning Post, the couple have, like the metaphorical boomers in their Winnebago visiting almost all 50 states, made it to 31 out of 33 Chinese provinces.

Throughout all of them, people have been inspired by Liu’s dedication, and the couple’s bravery to shirk elderly convention. In 2017, in Hubei Province, local staff volunteered to hoist the woman up—wheelchair and all—and carry her across a scenic area to the only sightseeing vehicle.

Liu told local news outlets that he cherishes this kind of help, and tries to maintain contact with people when he’s able.The couple are currently planning a visit to some lesser-known locations across the country for their next adventure. Chinese Man Takes Paralyzed Wife on Epic Road Trip: ‘Die On the Road, Not in Hospital’

Read More........ → August 27, 2026

Boxing World Cup: Minakshi advances to quarters in China

(Photo: BFI)

Guiyang, June 18 (IANS) Indian boxer Minakshi secured a win on the fourth day of the Boxing World Cup (Stage 2) in China, moving on to the quarterfinals in her weight class.

Minakshi, the reigning 48kg World Champion and current World No. 1, now competing in the women's 51kg category, secured a decisive 5-0 unanimous decision victory over Poland's Natalia Kuczewska, advancing in the competition.

On day four, Abhinash Jamwal (65kg) was eliminated after losing 0-5 to Kyrgyzstan's Mirzokhid Imamnazarov.

So far in the tournament, five Indian boxers have reached the quarterfinals: Nikhil (55kg), Deepak (70kg), Minakshi (51kg), Prachi (57kg), and Saneh (65kg). Additionally, Jyoti (48kg) and Jugnoo (85kg) have secured medals by advancing to the semi-finals.

Jyoti was a late addition to India’s squad as the BFI expanded the 18-member squad to 20, adding Aakash alongside in the 75kg category as India’s contingent saw 10 male and 10 female boxers represent the nation.

“Our foremost responsibility is towards the athletes. International competitions play a vital role in a boxer's development, and every deserving athlete should have the opportunity to test themselves against the best in the world. Jyoti and Aakash have worked hard to earn this chance, and it is important that they are able to compete, gain valuable exposure against top international opponents and further their development at the highest level,” Ajay Singh, President of the Boxing Federation of India, had said.

On Day 5, four Indian boxers will compete in their quarterfinal matches. In the women's category, Minakshi (51kg) will face Kazakhstan's Alua Balkibekova, Saneh (65kg) will face Poland's Kinga Krowka, and Prachi (57kg) will face Shih Yi Wu of Chinese Taipei. In the men's division, Nikhil (55kg) will go up against Azerbaijan's Amin Mammadzada.

Results (India):

Won:

Minakshi (51kg-W) bt Natalia Kuczewska (Poland) 5-0

Lost:

Abhinash Jamwal (65kg) lost to Mirzokhid Imamnazarov (Kyrgyzstan) 0-5

Indian Boxers in Quarterfinals:

Nikhil (55kg)

Deepak (70kg)

Minakshi (51kg-W)

Prachi (57kg-W)

Saneh (65kg-W)

Indian Boxers in Semi-finals:

Jyoti (48kg-W)

Jugnoo (85kg)

Day 5 Schedule (India):

Minakshi (51kg-W) vs Alua Balkibekova (Kazakhstan)

Saneh (65kg-W) vs Kinga Krowka (Poland)

Nikhil (55kg) vs Amin Mammadzada (Azerbaijan)

Prachi (57kg-W) vs Chengyu Yang (Chinese Taipei)Deepak Poonia (70KG) vs Nabi Isgandarov (Azerbaijan) Boxing World Cup: Minakshi advances to quarters in China | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → June 19, 2026