The self declared Republic of Balochistan has submitted an open letter to the United Nations Security Council calling for an independent international examination of Balochistan’s historical status, the current conflict, alleged human-rights violations, and what it describes as the Baloch people’s right to self-determination and independence. Addressed to the President and members of the UN Security Council, the three-page letter argues that Balochistan’s political relationship with Pakistan was never established through what the Republic of Balochistan describes as a free, voluntary and sovereign agreement of consent by the Baloch people. The letter specifically challenges Pakistan’s historical narrative surrounding the 1947–48…
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.
– by Pratyusha Mukherjee, Bhubaneswar, Odisha India is stepping up its maritime search and rescue preparedness with a major multinational exercise off Paradip, as the Indian Coast Guard convened the 24th National Maritime Search and Rescue (NMSAR) Board Meeting on Wednesday to review the country’s ability to respond swiftly to emergencies across its vast maritime domain. The high-level meeting, chaired by Director General Indian Coast Guard Paramesh Sivamani, AVSM, PTM, TM, brought together senior representatives from the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, ISRO, INCOIS, DGMA, DGCA, IMD, Customs, Coastal Police, State Fisheries Departments, Port Authorities, Maritime Boards and coastal States…
Ahead of SAREX-2026 off the Paradip coast, ICG chief highlights India’s robust search and rescue capabilities, international cooperation and technological advancement. Reaffirming the Indian Coast Guard’s unwavering commitment to humanitarian service, Director General Paramesh Sivamani said the force does not “distinguish between nations” while conducting search and rescue (SAR) operations, underscoring India’s growing leadership in maritime safety across the Indian Ocean Region. Speaking to media ahead of the 12th edition of the national-level Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX-2026), scheduled to be conducted off the Paradip coast, the Coast Guard chief highlighted India’s enhanced operational capabilities and its readiness to respond…
Anirudh Thapa gave India a moment to remember, but Uruguay ultimately showed their class as they swept the Blue Tigers aside 6-1 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. In front of 37,307 passionate supporters, Thapa reacted quickest to a rebound and calmly found the net to bring India level after Uruguay had taken an early lead. For a brief period, India had the two-time world champions under pressure and the Kolkata crowd dared to dream. That moment, however, proved short-lived. Thapa’s goal was significant beyond the scoreline. He became only the second Indian to score…
For millions of Indians, football is more than just a sport. It is woven into everyday life, followed across generations and deeply connected to the dreams of children who grow up watching their favourite players on television and imagining themselves one day stepping onto the same pitch. For a group of young football enthusiasts in Kolkata on Saturday, that dream came a little closer to reality. Ahead of the much-awaited India-Brazil international friendly at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, the young match mascots who accompanied the players onto the field experienced a moment they are unlikely to forget. Walking alongside…
Under the floodlights at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, India’s blue and Brazil’s iconic canary yellow filled the stands as two footballing worlds finally met on the same stage. India had waited generations for a night like this. The result, however, belonged to Brazil. The five-time world champions eventually ran out 4-0 winners, with Estêvão and Pedro striking before half-time before substitute Samuel Lino added two more after the break. Yet the scoreline did little to diminish the spirit shown by the Blue Tigers, who made Brazil work hard for long stretches and refused to be overawed by the occasion.…
The 20th Asian Games were officially opened today at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Japan, with Emperor Naruhito formally declaring the Games open. The two-hour opening ceremony was attended by members of the Japanese royal family, Games officials and Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani. India’s 501-member contingent took part in the athletes’ parade, led by double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat. Sehrawat stepped in as the male flag-bearer after shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor did not receive his ceremonial kit in time. Several competitions had already begun ahead…
From a farmer’s family in Sonke village, Pandharpur, Solapur, to the global stage of endurance sports, Samadhan Babasaheb Thorat has turned perseverance into achievement. After working in a hotel during his early years, Samadhan joined the Indian Army on 4 May 2018 and completed his training at ASC Centre and College, Bengaluru. He went on to successfully complete the demanding Para Commando training at 622 ASC Para, Agra, in 2021. In 2023, what began as recreational cycling soon evolved into a passion for Ultra Cycling, Ultra Running and Triathlon. While posted at ASC Centre and College, Bengaluru, Samadhan met Col…
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on September 18, 2026, handed over two LCA Tejas FOC Twin Seater Trainers and three HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF), along with four Dhruv Next Generation (NG) helicopters to Pawan Hans Limited (PHL). The handover ceremony in Bengaluru was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu. Describing the occasion as a significant milestone in India’s journey towards indigenous aerospace capability and self-reliance, Rajnath Singh said India must develop the capability to meet its aerospace requirements while remaining globally competitive. He stressed that achieving self-reliance in…
India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams will begin their Asian Games 2026 campaigns on Sunday with two targets firmly in sight — winning gold and securing direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The hockey competition at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya will be held in Kakamigahara, with both Indian teams opening their respective campaigns on September 20. The Indian men have been placed in Pool A alongside Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, while the women are in Pool B with Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan and Singapore. The Asian Games come soon after the FIH…