The final breakthrough of the strategically vital Zojila Tunnel on June 9 marks a significant milestone in India’s long-term effort to strengthen connectivity and military mobility across the sensitive Himalayan frontier. While the tunnel remains several years away from commissioning, the completion of excavation through the mountain barrier represents a major step toward establishing uninterrupted road access between Kashmir and Ladakh. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari is expected to attend the breakthrough ceremony, underscoring the national importance of a project that has emerged as one of India’s most consequential border infrastructure initiatives. At 13.15 kilometres, the…
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.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar virtually handed over 72 health facilities and 12 cultural heritage projects to Nepal under the Reconstruction programme following the 2015 earthquake, after meeting his visiting Nepali counterpart, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, in New Delhi. During the meeting, both leaders jointly launched the linkage between India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Nepal’s National Payments Interface, aimed at facilitating cross-border personal remittances. The two ministers also witnessed the exchange of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Digital India Bhashini and Kathmandu University to co-create Nepal’s National Digital Infrastructure for a ‘Voice First’ Language Translation platform. Dr. Jaishankar…
The Indian U-18 Women’s Hockey Team secured the bronze medal at the Women’s U-18 Asia Cup 2026 with a convincing 3–0 victory over Korea in Kakamigahara, Japan, today. India made a perfect start, with Sandeepa Kumari striking in the 2nd minute to give her side an early lead. Captain Sweety Kujur doubled the advantage in the 16th minute with a well-taken field goal as India went into control of the match. Nousheen Naz added the third goal in the 33rd minute, finishing clinically to seal the result and further extend her tournament tally. India dominated proceedings throughout, maintaining defensive discipline…
India are back on top of South Asian women’s football after defeating defending champions Bangladesh 3-1 in the final of the SAFF Women’s Championship at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa today.The win marked India’s record-extending sixth title and their first since 2019, ending a seven-year wait for continental glory. India struck first through Pyari Xaxa in the 42nd minute, but Bangladesh responded in first-half stoppage time when Ritu Porna Chakma levelled with a composed finish to make it 1-1 at the break. The hosts came out flying after halftime. Just 40 seconds into the second half, Sanfida…
To commemorate World Environment Day 2026, Assam Rifles conducted extensive tree plantation, water conservation and environmental awareness campaigns across Manipur, aligning with the United Nations Environment Programme theme, “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.” The initiative focused on combating climate change, preventing deforestation, conserving water sources and promoting sustainable development. More than 18,900 indigenous and ecologically beneficial saplings were planted across the districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Kakching, Thoubal, Chandel, Tengnoupal, Ukhrul, Kamjong and Churachandpur. The campaign witnessed enthusiastic participation from 3,432 Assam Rifles personnel and families, along with village leaders, local residents, NGOs, forest officials and…
Reinforcing its unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and climate action, the Indian Army’s Eastern Command marked World Environment Day 2026 with a series of impactful green initiatives across its areas of responsibility, transforming commitment into meaningful action. With the belief that every sapling strengthens the local ecosystem, community resilience and our shared commitment to climate action, Eastern Command spearheaded a wide range of environmental activities at military stations and civilian locations alike. Tree plantation drives, cleanliness campaigns, waste management initiatives and climate awareness programmes brought together soldiers, families, students, NCC cadets, veterans and local communities in a collective mission to…
Human-animal conflict is emerging as one of the most serious yet under-discussed challenges facing India’s farming community, with increasing crop destruction, livelihood losses and mounting debt forcing many farmers to reduce cultivation or abandon agriculture altogether. According to an investigation published by a leading climate magazine of India and findings highlighted in the recently released State of India’s Environment 2026: In Figures, confrontations between farmers and both wild and stray animals have intensified across several states. While elephant attacks on humans have risen in 10 states and tigers were responsible for 40 human deaths during the first six months of…
India U-18 Men’s Hockey Team clinched the Men’s U-18 Asia Cup 2026 title in dominant fashion, defeating hosts Japan 4-1 in the final at Kakamigahara today. Ashish Tani Purti delivered a sensational hat-trick (2’, 28’, 34’) to headline India’s victory, while captain Ketan Kushwaha (30’) added another goal as India took firm control after an early breakthrough. Japan’s lone goal came from Numada Gaku (52’) in the final quarter. India made a flying start, with Purti converting a penalty corner inside the opening two minutes. After weathering Japanese pressure, India doubled their lead through another Purti penalty-corner strike in the…
As part of World Bicycle Day, a special cycling event is set to be organized on June 7 at Kolkata’s very own Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Salt Lake under the initiative of the state’s Department of Youth Affairs and Sports. The details of the program were announced today at a press conference by the State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Nishith Pramanik. The meeting was attended by several sports administration officials, including Shibananda Mishra, the Regional Director of the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The main objective of the event is to highlight the importance of cycling among…
HQ 4 Corps, under the aegis of Gajraj Corps, marked World Environment Day today at Nuranang Hall, Tezpur with a focused seminar on “Decarbonising Defence Infrastructure – From Policy to Practice.” The event highlighted the Indian Army’s growing emphasis on sustainable infrastructure and climate-conscious development. The programme featured expert sessions on green building norms, GRIHA rating systems, GHG emission quantification, and renewable energy integration. Case studies on Hattigor Military Station’s emission mapping and mitigation strategies were presented, along with technical talks by experts from GRIHA Council and National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE). A key milestone was the SVA GRIHA…