Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Dhiraj Seth’s visit to the Spear Corps on 2 September highlighted a central imperative for the Indian Army: operational readiness must increasingly be built on the seamless integration of infrastructure, technology, information and human capability. His review of the formation’s preparedness and ongoing border development initiatives underlined the need to translate these elements into tangible combat effectiveness on the ground. During the visit, the COAS was briefed on the operational readiness of formations, capability-development measures and initiatives aimed at strengthening combat capability. The review comes against a security environment in which the speed…
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.
Before he earned the stars of an Army officer, Senior Under Officer Syed Abu Hurera built his character on the football field and athletics track. A national-level footballer and state-level athlete, Abu Hurera grew up in a family of educators and became the first in his family to pursue his ambition of joining the Army. A B.Tech graduate in Electronics and Electrical Engineering, he earned his recommendation at 14 SSB Allahabad on his first attempt before reporting to the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Gaya.But his biggest test would come not in selection, but in training. Injury Changes the Race: During…
Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh: In a region where India’s frontier meets the high Himalayas and lies in close proximity to Tibet, Tawang is set to host a high-profile international sporting event that carries significance beyond the race track. The Tawang International Marathon 2026, scheduled for October 24, will bring together civilian, defence and international athletes in a powerful showcase of endurance, borderland resilience and India’s presence in its eastern frontier. The much-awaited fourth edition of the prestigious Tawang Marathon will be conducted by the Indian Army at the Gyalwa Tsangyang Gyatso High Altitude Stadium in Tawang, coinciding with United Nations Day.…
Tibetan art, music, dance and cultural traditions took centre stage in the national capital on Thursday as the three-day Spirit of Tibet 2026 festival began at the India International Centre, bringing together traditional and contemporary expressions of Tibetan identity. Organised by the Central Tibetan Administration in association with the India International Centre, the festival is being held under the theme “Celebrating Culture and Compassion” and will continue until September 5. The festival aims to provide a platform for audiences in Delhi to experience Tibetan cultural heritage while highlighting themes of compassion, resilience and the preservation of cultural traditions. The opening…
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has announced the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup Egypt 2026, creating a new global platform for the sport’s emerging stars. The tournament will take place in Ismailia, Egypt, from 7 to 12 December 2026, featuring 12 men’s and 12 women’s U18 national teams competing in the fast-paced Hockey5s format. The new World Cup has been introduced to strengthen the international pathway for young hockey players following the postponement of the Youth Olympic Games in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent decision for hockey to feature as a non-medal Engagement Sport at…
The death toll from the devastating flash floods in Nepal and Tibet has risen to 1,282, according to Nepal Police. Chitwan recorded the highest number of fatalities at 359, followed by Nawalparasi East (218), Nawalparasi West (208), Nuwakot (185), Rasuwa (140), Gorkha (72), Dhading (60) and Tanahu (38). Two more victims died while undergoing treatment at hospitals in Kathmandu. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said 5,053 people remain missing as of last evening, while authorities have begun using DNA testing to identify unidentified victims. In a dramatic rescue, two men were pulled alive from a tunnel…
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) on Thursday welcomed the inauguration of an insulated, all-year-round indoor Air Rifle and Air Pistol shooting range at the newly built Sports Complex of the Ladakh Police in Leh, describing it as an important step towards expanding the sport in the Union Territory. The facility, established by the Ladakh Shooting Association (LSA) in collaboration with the Ladakh Police, was inaugurated by the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Shri V.K. Saxena, in August. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Chief Secretary, Ladakh, Shri Ashish Kundra; DGP Ladakh, Shri Anant Jain; NRAI Vice President Shri K.…
India has stepped up its humanitarian and rescue efforts in flood-hit Nepal, with the Indian Air Force delivering another tranche of critical relief supplies and specialised rescue equipment as Indian teams continue search operations in challenging terrain and assist stranded Indian nationals. The fifth Indian Air Force flight carrying humanitarian assistance arrived in Kathmandu , bringing around 5.5 tonnes of medical supplies, including antibiotics, analgesics, surgical materials and other essential medicines. The aircraft also transported an 11-member specialised rescue team, along with more than 6 tonnes of rescue equipment, to support ongoing operations on the ground. With the latest consignment,…
A century-old Hindu temple in Siraj village of Pakistan’s Narowal district was reported damaged or demolished on August 21, triggering allegations of deliberate vandalism and a diplomatic response from India. Local minority groups and residents alleged that the historic structure was intentionally razed to facilitate the expansion of an adjoining madrasa, with some claims pointing to extremist elements. India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the incident as a “reprehensible act of vandalism” and called for a transparent investigation, while Pakistan dismissed the criticism as politically motivated and said restoration measures had been initiated. In response to media queries regarding reported…
Veteran skeet shooter Mairaj Ahmad Khan is hoping to cap more than three decades in the sport with a maiden Asian Games medal, while predicting a strong rise for Indian shooting over the next four years. At 50, Mairaj is among the oldest members of the Indian squad for the Asian Games and is currently training at the 15-day shotgun preparatory camp at the SAI Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range (KSSR). The camp, which runs until September 14, has 12 shooters — six each in trap and skeet — preparing for the competition, which begins on September 21 at the…