From strengthening peacekeeping patrols to advancing women’s participation in security operations, an Indian Army officer is translating the Women, Peace and Security agenda into meaningful action on the ground. In the conflict-affected landscape of South Sudan, where vulnerable communities continue to face significant protection challenges, Indian Army Major Soniya Devendra Newaskar is playing a crucial role in making United Nations peacekeeping more inclusive, responsive and effective. Serving as Deputy Force Gender and Child Protection Advisor with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Major Soniya works to ensure that the concerns and lived experiences of women and girls are…
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 Trophy Tour for the Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 began in Mohali on October 18, bringing the excitement of the upcoming men’s continental hockey tournament closer to fans across Punjab. Flagged off from the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali, the nine-day tour will travel through several cities and towns, including Patiala, Amritsar, Bathinda, Ludhiana and Kapurthala, before reaching Jalandhar on October 26. The initiative aims to build anticipation for the ninth edition of the tournament while celebrating Punjab’s rich hockey heritage and connecting local communities with the prestigious international competition. Punjab has long been a…
Hockey India has announced free entry for spectators at the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026, inviting fans to experience top-level international hockey as the prestigious continental tournament returns to Punjab from October 27 to November 5. The ninth edition of the tournament will be staged across two venues — Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar and Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali — with a total of 20 matches scheduled across the two cities. Jalandhar will host all league-stage matches from October 27 to November 2, while Mohali will stage the semi-finals and medal matches…
Demonstrating exceptional courage, endurance and operational determination in challenging high-altitude conditions, Indian Army mountaineering teams from Trishakti Corps and Brahmastra Corps have successfully scaled two prominent Himalayan peaks in Sikkim. In a remarkable mountaineering achievement, a 24-member expedition team under Trishakti Corps successfully summited Mount Domekhang (7,264 metres) in North Sikkim. Launched on August 29, 2026, the expedition, titled ‘Arohan Ajeya’, tested the team’s physical endurance and mountaineering skills amid blizzards, steep ice walls and oxygen-depleted conditions. The General Officer Commanding (GOC), Trishakti Corps, congratulated the team on its successful ascent, commending the mountaineers for their determination, teamwork and unwavering…
Demonstrating discipline, dedication and a strong sense of civic responsibility, National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets from Kolkata ‘B’, Kolkata ‘C’ and Darjeeling Groups are assisting local police in managing crowds at Durga Puja pandals across West Bengal. Operating under the aegis of the NCC Directorate West Bengal and Sikkim, the cadets are helping regulate the movement of visitors, manage crowds and extend assistance to senior citizens and devotees during the festive celebrations. With thousands of people visiting Durga Puja pandals to offer prayers and participate in the festivities, crowd management remains a key priority. The NCC cadets are working alongside…
The Indian Army has strengthened civil defence preparedness in Jammu and Kashmir through a three-day residential training camp under its ‘Train with Your Army’ initiative, themed “Sashakt Nagrik, Surakshit Rashtra” (Empowered Citizens, Secure Nation). Organised by the White Knight Corps under the aegis of Northern Command, the camp was conducted at the Corps Battle School, Sarol, Rajouri, from October 17 to 19, in coordination with the Civil Defence Organisation and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Jammu and Kashmir. The programme trained 50 participants, including 16 SDRF personnel and 34 Civil Defence volunteers from Jammu, Doda, Samba, Akhnoor, Sunderbani, Nowshera…
The Asian Para Games 2026 have commenced in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with India setting its sights on an ambitious target of more than 100 medals as the country’s para-athletes prepare to build on their historic success at the previous edition. The fifth edition of the continental multi-sport event will continue until October 24, bringing together para-athletes from across Asia to compete in 18 sports. The opening ceremony was held at Nagoya’s Paloma Mizuho Stadium under the theme “WABI: We Are Beautiful Individuals”, celebrating individuality, diversity and the spirit of human resilience. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi welcomed the participating athletes and…
In a bold message marking Navratri, the self declared Republic of Balochistan has extended its greetings to Hindus in Balochistan, India and across the world, underscoring its stated vision of a future in which religious freedom, cultural identity and the protection of sacred places form the foundation of society. Prominent Baloch Leader Mir Yar Baloch, a representative of the self-declared Republic of Balochistan, has extended Navratri greetings to Hindus across Balochistan, India and other parts of the world, while inviting devotees to visit the sacred Hinglaj Mata Temple, also known as Nani Mandir, in Balochistan. In a statement today, Mir…
A devastating stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on the evening of October 17, during Saptami celebrations, claimed 19 lives and left dozens injured, prompting police to impose prohibitory orders across parts of the city to prevent further law-and-order concerns. The tragedy occurred around 7:40 pm amid heavy rainfall and intense crowd pressure at the Sarada Park venue, situated in a narrow lane near Muktaram Babu Street. According to preliminary accounts, a rush towards the exit gate as visitors sought shelter from the rain triggered panic, with reports suggesting that part of the bamboo structure…
At a time when peace, trust and social cohesion remain vital to Manipur’s future, Assam Rifles has taken another step towards community development by inaugurating a dedicated sports ground at New Changpol village in Chandel district, using sports as a platform to engage young people and strengthen community bonds along the Indo-Myanmar border. The inauguration was marked by the launch of the Volta Football Tournament and the Sepaktakraw Championship 2026, bringing together 18 teams, including 12 football squads and six Sepaktakraw teams. More than 200 spectators gathered to witness the sporting events, reflecting the community’s enthusiasm for organised sports and…