The Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 marked another milestone in India’s sporting journey, and the Indian Army emerged as one of the nation’s biggest contributors to this success. Known for producing disciplined and determined athletes, the Army once again demonstrated that its commitment to excellence extends beyond safeguarding the nation’s borders. Its sportspersons delivered outstanding performances across multiple disciplines, playing a crucial role in India’s impressive medal haul. India concluded the Games with a historic tally of 39 medals, including 13 gold, 17 silver, and 9 bronze, securing fourth place in the overall standings. Among these achievements, the Indian Army’s contribution…
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.
As the team bus carrying Sri Lanka’s Defenders FC rolled into Ranchi, they were greeted not merely as participants in a football tournament but as honoured guests. The warm reception by the Indian Army set the tone for what promises to be far more than a sporting campaign in the 135th Durand Cup. It was a reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful victories happen long before the first whistle is blown. For the players, coaches, and support staff of Defenders FC, this is a historic journey. Their maiden appearance in Asia’s oldest football tournament represents years of dedication, sacrifice, and…
Football in Shillong is more than a sport — it is a tradition woven into the daily life of the city. From school playgrounds to neighbourhood fields and roadside discussions, the game has long been part of Meghalaya’s identity. On August 31, that passion will take centre stage when Shillong Lajong FC face Nongkseh Sports & Social Cultural Club (SS&CC) in the opening match of Group E of the 135th Durand Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The local derby will be a landmark occasion for Meghalaya football as three Shillong-based clubs compete in Asia’s oldest football tournament for the…
The evening light fades over the mountains of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh as a group of young footballers gather on a modest ground, their boots covered with dust and their eyes fixed on a dream that once seemed far away.For many of them, football began as a passion played on uneven fields, in school grounds and village clearings. There were no grand stadiums, no guaranteed pathways to professional football, and often no certainty that their talent would ever be noticed beyond their hometowns.Today, those dreams have found a bigger stage. FC One’s journey to the Durand Cup is not merely…
A Baloch activist has sparked discussion on social media after extending greetings to India on Kargil Vijay Diwas while launching a sharp critique of Pakistan’s military establishment and calling for closer ties between New Delhi and the people of Balochistan. In a post published to mark the anniversary of India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil War, Mir Yar Baloch argued that the conflict was not a war between India and the people of Balochistan, Sindh or the Pashtun regions, but rather a confrontation with Pakistan’s military leadership based in Rawalpindi. The message alleged that Pakistan’s military abandoned the bodies of…
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ captivated millions with unforgettable matches, record-breaking attendances and historic moments on the pitch. Behind the excitement, however, stood the largest operational undertaking ever seen in world football. Spanning 39 days across three host nations, the expanded tournament was staged in 16 Host Cities, utilised 48 Team Base Camps and operated across 645 official venues. Nearly 300,000 accredited personnel supported the competition, while 1,248 players represented their nations in front of a cumulative stadium attendance exceeding 6.8 million fans. What appeared to supporters as a seamless global celebration of football was powered by one of the…
Football in Manipur is far more than a sport—it is an identity, a shared emotion and a source of collective pride. As the prestigious Durand Cup returns to Imphal, the state has once again demonstrated why it is regarded as one of India’s strongest football nurseries. The Manipur government’s decision to declare a half-holiday for state government offices and educational institutions on Tuesday is more than an administrative order. It is a recognition of football’s deep cultural roots in the state, allowing thousands of supporters to witness history as the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium hosts another chapter of Asia’s oldest…
The Imphal Chapter of the 135th Durand Cup commenced with a spectacular opening ceremony at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium today, celebrating Manipur’s rich footballing tradition, the martial legacy of the Indian Armed Forces and the enduring history of Asia’s oldest football tournament before hosts TRAU FC took on NEROCA FC in the opening fixture. The ceremony was attended by an array of distinguished civil and military dignitaries, including Governor of Manipur Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Minister Shri Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Losii Dikho, Minister for Youth Affairs…
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday asserted that the success of Operation Sindoor reflects India’s growing military capability and determination to respond firmly to any threat against its sovereignty. Addressing the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations at Dras, he stated that any future engagement with Pakistan would focus only on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), which he described as an integral part of India. Highlighting the government’s resolve to counter cross-border terrorism, the Defence Minister said that India’s armed forces had demonstrated their ability to deliver a strong response against terrorists and their supporters. He alleged that Pakistan’s military and militant organisations…
The National Cadet Corps (NCC) received a significant boost in its efforts to expand youth development and nation-building initiatives in West Bengal after Additional Director General (ADG), NCC, West Bengal & Sikkim Directorate, called on West Bengal Governor Shri R. N. Ravi at Lok Bhawan. During the meeting, the ADG briefed the Governor on the Directorate’s wide-ranging initiatives aimed at empowering young people through discipline, leadership, skill development and character building. The interaction focused on the NCC’s expanding role in preparing youth to become responsible citizens while contributing to national development through community engagement and social responsibility. The ADG outlined…