The government will organise the nationwide “Khelo India Dialogue – Khel Ki Baat, Pradhan Mantri Modi Ke Saath” on August 27 to mark National Sports Day 2026, bringing together young athletes, students, sporting icons and policymakers at more than 1,500 educational institutions across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address young participants virtually as part of the initiative, which seeks to provide budding athletes and sports enthusiasts with a direct platform to share their ideas, experiences and suggestions on strengthening India’s sports ecosystem and expanding opportunities for youth. The programme will involve institutions including IITs, IIMs, NITs, AIIMS, leading…
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.
India’s women’s team bowed out of semi-final contention at the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026 after being held to a 0-0 draw by Australia in a tense Pool E encounter at the Wagener Stadium on Sunday. India needed a win to reach the last four after the Netherlands defeated China earlier in the day. Australia, meanwhile, needed only a draw and held on to the result that sent them through to the semi-finals alongside defending champions the Netherlands. Australia advanced on the goals-scored criterion. India finished third in Pool E on two points, ahead of China on…
India’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 came to an end after they suffered a 3-5 defeat against Argentina in their final Pool E match at the Wagener Stadium on Monday. India needed a convincing victory to remain in contention for the last-four stage but were outplayed by Argentina, who secured three points and moved to six points in the pool. India finished fourth in Pool E and will now compete for the 7th-8th position. Argentina made a blistering start, taking a 2-0 lead within the opening six minutes. Joaquin Toscani opened the scoring…
Prominent Baloch Leader Mir Yaar Baloch and the self- declared republic of Balochistan have announced a proposed process to review and replace names and symbols associated with Pakistan and other periods of foreign rule across Balochistan. According to the statement, the initiative is being presented as part of a broader effort to restore what it describes as Balochistan’s historical identity, national character and cultural heritage. The statement bases the position of the Balochistan on 11 August 1947, which it identifies as the foundation of the territory’s independence. The proposed review would cover a wide range of public and state assets,…
In a significant operational success against insurgent networks in Manipur, Assam Rifles, under the aegis of Eastern Command and Spear Corps, in coordination with Manipur Police, apprehended SS Capt Balin alias Thiyam Boycha Singh, an active cadre of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), during a joint intelligence-based operation in Thoubal District. The apprehension of the insurgent cadre marks a major breakthrough for security forces in their sustained efforts to dismantle underground networks operating in the state. The apprehended individual was carrying an NIA bounty of ₹4 lakh and is identified as a key accused in the 2021 Churachandpur ambush, in…
In a significant youth outreach initiative aimed at facilitating aspiring soldiers in Manipur, Assam Rifles organised a Pre-Medical Check-Up for prospective Agniveer candidates at Waikhong Village Football Ground, Kakching District, on 23 August 2026. The initiative witnessed an enthusiastic participation of approximately 135 local youth from Waikhong Village and adjoining areas, reflecting the growing interest among the region’s youth to pursue a career in the Indian Armed Forces. The medical screening was conducted under the supervision of qualified medical personnel, who carried out preliminary assessments and sensitised candidates to the prescribed medical standards and eligibility criteria applicable to Agniveer recruitment.…
The 135th Durand Cup came to a grand conclusion on Sunday, August 23, with a glittering closing ceremony and prize distribution at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. The month-long tournament, organised by the Indian Armed Forces, concluded in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who attended the ceremony as the chief guest. Senior military and civil officials, representatives of participating clubs, sponsors and members of the football fraternity were also present. East Bengal FC were presented with the Durand Cup, Simla Trophy and President’s Cup Scroll by Rajnath Singh. The champions also received their gold medals and…
The BRICS Sports Ministers’ Meeting 2026 concluded in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, with the participating countries unanimously adopting the BRICS Sports Joint Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation in sports through dialogue, mutual respect and inclusiveness. The meeting was held under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026 and brought together sports ministers and senior representatives from BRICS member countries to deliberate on key priorities for sports development and international cooperation. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, in his opening remarks, called for a stronger BRICS sporting partnership focused on translating shared commitments into practical and sustainable initiatives. “We…
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse led the BRICS Friendship Cycling Event in Visakhapatnam on Sunday as part of the 87th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle. The event was organised on the sidelines of the BRICS Youth and Sports Ministers’ Meeting hosted by India and brought together senior representatives from Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran and South Africa. With ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’ as the theme for this week’s cycling drive, the event showcased the role of sport and fitness in…
East Bengal FC produced a dominant performance to defeat arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant 4-1 in the final of the 135th Durand Cup at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Sunday, lifting the prestigious trophy for a record-equalling 17th time. The triumph saw East Bengal draw level with Mohun Bagan at the top of the all-time Durand Cup winners’ list, with both clubs now having 17 titles. Mohun Bagan began the final with greater possession and looked to control the tempo through Anirudh Thapa and Liston Colaco. However, East Bengal struck twice in the space of two minutes to seize…