Leh, Ladakh: In a tribute to the valour, sacrifice and indomitable spirit of India’s soldiers, the Indian Army today flagged off a prestigious High Altitude Cycling Expedition from the historic Rezang La War Memorial in Ladakh as part of the commemorative events leading up to the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas. The expedition will cover approximately 550 kilometres across the challenging terrain of Ladakh before culminating at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras. Traversing some of the world’s highest mountain passes, ranging from 9,000 to 18,000 feet above sea level, the cyclists will face steep ascents, extreme weather conditions, low-oxygen environments…
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.
Argentina (1st, up 2), the reigning world champions, will begin their title defence as the world’s top-ranked team, with the June FIFA Men’s World Ranking published just hours before the biggest-ever FIFA World Cup™ gets under way. Following a series of pre-FIFA World Cup™ friendlies that marked the second period in which the FIFA Men’s World Ranking was updated in real time during international matches, Argentina surged back to the summit after victories in both their warm-up fixtures, against Iceland and Honduras. They replace France (3rd, down 2), who slipped behind after losing to Côte d’Ivoire before beating Northern Ireland,…
In recent years, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) witnessed repeated waves of protests driven by economic hardship, political grievances, and demands for greater local rights. What began as demonstrations over rising living costs has evolved into a broader movement challenging government policies and governance in the region. The Background: The unrest largely stems from public anger over high electricity tariffs, rising wheat and flour prices, inflation, and perceptions that local residents do not receive sufficient benefits from the region’s natural resources. Many protesters argue that electricity generated from local hydropower projects is sold elsewhere while residents pay high rates. Civil society groups,…
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ will open in spectacular fashion in Mexico City today, where a global line-up of artists, cultural figures, and football ambassadors will headline a pre-match and opening ceremony designed to launch the biggest edition of the tournament in history. Taking place at Mexico City Stadium 90 minutes before kick-off, the ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11:30 local time, with fans encouraged to arrive early to take part in the opening spectacle. The event will blend football, music, and culture, marking the first chapter of a three-nation ceremonial series that will continue across Canada and the…
Minamarg (Ladakh): India marked a major milestone in its Himalayan infrastructure journey as the main tunnel of the ambitious Zojila Tunnel Project achieved a breakthrough at the eastern portal near Minamarg in Kargil district. The development is expected to transform connectivity between Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh by providing reliable all-weather access through one of the country’s most challenging mountain corridors. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari witnessed the breakthrough ceremony, accompanied by Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Members of Parliament and senior government officials. Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar…
In a proud moment for the Assam Rifles and the nation, eight gallant personnel of the Force were conferred prestigious gallantry awards by the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, during the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026 held at Rashtrapati Bhavan yesterday. Recognising exceptional courage, leadership and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave danger, the Assam Rifles was awarded one Kirti Chakra and seven Shaurya Chakras, reaffirming the Force’s enduring legacy of operational excellence and sacrifice in safeguarding national security. Leading the honours was Major Arshdeep Singh Gill of the Lushai Hills Battalion (1 Assam Rifles), who was…
Manila: A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck southern Philippines on June 8, triggering tsunami alerts across the Asia-Pacific region, causing extensive damage to infrastructure and buildings, and prompting large-scale rescue operations in affected areas. According to preliminary assessments, at least 31 people were killed and more than 130 injured, although some reports have placed the number of injured above 200. Authorities cautioned that casualty figures remain provisional as search-and-rescue teams continue operations across the affected provinces. The earthquake struck offshore near Maasim in Sarangani Province, south of General Santos City in Mindanao. The powerful tremor was felt across large parts…
Imphal: In a significant community outreach initiative aimed at fostering youth empowerment and social development in Manipur, Radio Highway Pallel, the Community Radio Station established at the Pallel Garrison of the Assam Rifles, is leveraging local success stories to inspire the next generation. The station has emerged as a unique platform for constructive engagement, promoting messages of peace, progress, education and self-development across the region. Through a series of special programmes featuring distinguished personalities from Manipur, Radio Highway Pallel seeks to motivate young people by highlighting the achievements of individuals who have earned national and international recognition in their respective…
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…
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…