The Indian Army Ice Hockey Team were crowned champions of the inaugural Challengers’ Cup, edging out a spirited Leh Kings side 6–5 in a dramatic final at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Stadium in Leh. In a contest that showcased the rapid growth of ice hockey in the Indian Himalayas, the Indian Army held off a fearless challenge from Leh Kings—representing the best emerging talent from the Ice Hockey League—to lift the tournament’s first-ever title before a packed crowd. Padma Namgail scored the decisive goal in the closing moments of the match, finishing a pass from Phuntsog Namgail to complete…
Author: Pratyusha Mukherjee
Pratyusha Mukherjee
Ms Pratyusha Mukherjee, an Independent Sr. Broadcast Journalist working for British media with 25 years of experience in covering the east and northeast, with specialisation in Defence, Sports & Current Affairs. In her illustrated career she has covered many major events and achieved International and National media awards for Journalism.
The geopolitical landscape of South Asia is undergoing a profound transformation, and at the heart of this evolving strategic equation lies Bangladesh. Once viewed largely through the prism of India–Bangladesh bilateral relations, Bangladesh has emerged as a pivotal player in the Indo-Pacific and the Bay of Bengal. Its growing economic strength, strategic location and expanding diplomatic outreach have elevated its importance far beyond South Asia. Among the most significant developments shaping this new reality is China’s rapidly expanding engagement with Bangladesh. Over the past decade, Beijing has steadily increased its economic, infrastructural and strategic presence in the country, making Bangladesh…
Defenders FC’s debut campaign in the ongoing 135th Durand Cup has been a challenging one. The Sri Lankan club opened its Group C campaign with a heavy 5-0 defeat against Jamshedpur FC, struggling to contain the Indian Super League side’s attacking intensity as Raynier Fernandes struck a hat-trick. Despite the setback, Defenders FC have shown determination and valuable exposure against stronger opposition, with fixtures against Indian Air Force FT and SC Delhi providing further opportunities to gain experience and compete at a higher level. Their participation marks an important step in the club’s development and offers players a chance to…
Indian Army Football Team maintained their winning start to the 135th Durand Cup with a dominant 4-0 victory over Baghpat FC in their Group B clash at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan at Kolkata today. Goals from Samir Murmu, Saikhom Borish Singh, Shubham Rana and P. Christopher Kamei sealed a comprehensive win for the Services side, who moved to six points from two matches. Baghpat FC, meanwhile, ended their maiden Durand Cup campaign without registering a point. Indian Army asserted their authority from the outset, controlling possession and putting the Baghpat defence under sustained pressure. The breakthrough came in the 12th…
India has strongly condemned the attack on the Indian-flagged commercial vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya, which sank in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen after being struck by a projectile. All 14 crew members on board, including 13 Indian nationals, were rescued safely, averting a major humanitarian tragedy. According to official reports, the vessel was transporting oil from Saudi Arabia when it came under attack in waters near Yemen. The impact caused the mechanised sailing vessel to capsize and eventually sink. The rescued crew members were brought to safety with the assistance of local authorities. Union Minister for…
The Baloch fighters have announced worldwide observances of August 11 as Balochistan’s Independence Day, calling on Baloch communities across the globe to mark the occasion with celebrations emphasizing national unity. A viral post on X declared August 11 as Balochistan’s Independence Day and claimed that Baloch residents would observe the occasion later this month by raising their flag at homes, markets, and public places. The post, shared by Mir Yar Baloch, accused Pakistan of promoting terrorism and stated that “the imposition of an artificial and terrorist state like Pakistan” had deprived the Indian subcontinent of peace, prosperity, development, and stability.…
On the occasion of International Clouded Leopard Day, the Government of India reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the clouded leopard by implementing a comprehensive Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan (CAP), aimed at securing the species’ long-term survival across Northeast India. The Action Plan, prepared under the Government of India–GEF–UNDP initiative, was released during the 91st meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life (SCNBWL), held in Coimbatore in the second week of July 2026. The plan outlines a long-term strategy focused on habitat protection, restoration of forest connectivity, scientific monitoring, community participation, and technology-based conservation measures.…
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya today felicitated Indian medallists from the Commonwealth Games 2026, praising their performances in boxing, judo and para-athletics and urging them to contribute to Indian sport by mentoring the next generation of athletes. At the felicitation ceremony, Dr. Mandaviya honoured the Indian boxing team, which topped the boxing medal standings with 10 medals, including seven gold and three silver, the judo contingent that registered India’s best-ever Commonwealth Games performance with four medals, including two gold, and the para-athletics contingent for its achievements in Glasgow. The medal winners received cash awards of…
India has added Glaw Lake in Arunachal Pradesh to the list of Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, taking the country’s total number of Ramsar Sites to 101. The designation also marks a significant milestone for Arunachal Pradesh, which has secured its first Ramsar Site. Announcing the development, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav said the inclusion of Glaw Lake reflects India’s continued commitment to wetland conservation, biodiversity protection, water and climate security, and sustainable livelihoods. In a post on social media platform X, the Minister said the designation of Glaw Lake represents “a…
A six-year-old boy chased a football across a windswept patch of ground in Vladivostok, Russia’s Pacific gateway, where icy winds from the Sea of Japan shaped both the climate and the character of those who grew up there. A local coach noticed something special in the youngster’s touch and movement. He approached the boy’s grandfather with a simple message: Bring him to the academy. Nearly two decades later, that same boy—born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, raised in Russia and now forging a new chapter in India—walks onto football grounds reverberating with the chants of thousands of passionate supporters.That boy is Marat…