As part of the national effort to strengthen emergency response systems, Delhi will be conducting a major civil defence drill on May 9, 2025. This drill will include the activation of air raid sirens across all 11 districts of Delhi, followed by the testing of public response systems, evacuation protocols, and medical emergency procedures. The drill is designed to simulate an airstrike or other large-scale emergency scenario to assess the city’s preparedness. The drill, which will take place at 4:00 PM, will be the most extensive such exercise in Delhi in recent years. The sound of the sirens will act…
Author: Anjali Singh
A severe breach of the ceasefire agreement occurred on May 8, 2025, when Pakistani military forces launched an unprovoked attack across the Line of Control, leading to the deaths of 13 civilians, including four children, and injuring 59 others. This incident has further strained relations between India and Pakistan and raised alarms over the potential for a broader conflict. Sequence of Events According to Indian military sources, the Pakistani forces initiated the attack with mortar shelling and small arms fire targeting civilian settlements in the Poonch and Rajouri sectors. The assault began at dawn, catching the residents off guard and…
“Operation Sindoor” marked a significant escalation in India’s efforts to combat cross-border terrorism. The operation targeted nine sites across Pakistan and PoJK, including locations in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Muzaffarabad, and Kotli. These sites were identified as hubs for militant training and planning. The Indian Air Force deployed Rafale jets armed with SCALP missiles and Hammer bombs in a 23-minute-long operation. The strikes were precision-targeted to minimize civilian casualties. India reported the elimination of approximately 70 militants within 24 hours of the strikes. Pakistan’s response included heavy artillery fire along the Line of Control (LoC), resulting in civilian casualties on both sides.…
Amid escalating tension along the Line of Control (LoC), Indian Army troops detained a teenage Pakistani national in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district this week, prompting a region-wide security review and heightened surveillance. The individual, identified as 18-year-old Mohd Sadiq, reportedly crossed into Indian territory near the Noorkote area under Mendhar subdivision of Poonch late Wednesday evening. Army sources said that the youth was spotted by a patrol unit during a routine search operation along the border. He was found unarmed, and no contraband or incriminating materials were recovered from him at the time of arrest. Though preliminary questioning suggested…
The sudden drop in Chenab River water flow due to upstream dam operations has highlighted a bigger issue lurking beneath the surface: South Asia’s water management systems are not equipped to handle the combined stress of geopolitical conflict and climate change. Pakistan, already classified as a water-scarce country by the UN, is particularly vulnerable. River flows from the Himalayas, its primary water source, are becoming more unpredictable due to glacial retreat, erratic rainfall, and increasing temperatures. When coupled with man-made interruptions like India’s sediment-flushing activity, the result is a dangerously volatile water supply. This latest episode is being viewed by…
Bengaluru’s rapid growth has led to significant strain on its water resources, affecting apartment residents who now face escalating costs and shortages. Depletion of Groundwater Resources Many apartment complexes, especially newer ones, have become heavily dependent on borewells. However, over-extraction has led to a significant depletion of groundwater levels, forcing residents to rely on water tankers. Surge in Water Tanker Prices The increased demand for water tankers has resulted in a surge in prices. Residents have reported paying up to ₹2,000 for a 12,000-litre tanker, a significant rise from previous rates. Impact on Maintenance Charges The rising costs of water…
A sacred religious festival in Goa has turned into a nightmare after a stampede at the Shri Shantadurga temple killed six people and injured several others. The stampede occurred in the early hours of the morning during one of the festival’s most important events. Thousands had gathered at the temple to observe the religious ceremonies when disaster struck. A Festival of Faith Turns TragicThe Shri Shantadurga temple, known for its centuries-old rituals and annual festivals, was packed with devotees eager to participate in the sacred traditions. However, as the festival reached its peak, a sudden push of the crowd led…
Amravati, the once-stalled dream capital of Andhra Pradesh, is now roaring back to life, thanks to a renewed push from the central government and a strategic visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On May 2, 2025, Modi’s presence in the heart of the state’s capital region marked more than a ceremonial visit—it reestablished Amravati’s critical role in India’s federal framework and injected momentum into one of India’s most ambitious urban projects. Once envisioned as a world-class smart city following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in 2014, Amravati had since suffered a period of stagnation, policy reversals, and halted…
In a significant political development, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the much-anticipated Jagannath Temple in Digha on April 30, 2025, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. The temple, constructed at an estimated cost of ₹250 crore, is designed to resemble the iconic Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, and aims to position Digha as a prominent religious tourism destination. The inauguration ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including ISKCON Kolkata Vice President Radharamn Das, who has been appointed to the temple’s board of trustees. This inclusion has sparked controversy, with critics alleging that the project is an…
The chilling terror attack in Pahalgam has triggered a nationwide outcry, with political leaders, civil society, and international observers urging India to take decisive action. Leading the opposition’s charge, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has called for a special session of Parliament, asserting that a united political front is needed to counter terrorism both domestically and internationally. On April 22, five armed militants opened fire on unarmed civilians in the Baisaran Valley of Anantnag district. The attack, executed with brutal precision, killed 26 and injured over 30. Several survivors have recounted that the attackers singled out individuals based on religion—a chilling…
In a groundbreaking educational reform, the Telangana State Board of Secondary Education (TSBSE) has announced that, starting from the next academic year, SSC (Secondary School Certificate) students will receive both marks and grades in their exam results. This new system, which combines traditional marks with a grading system, aims to offer a more comprehensive evaluation of students’ academic performance, moving away from the sole reliance on numerical scores. The shift to a dual assessment system comes as part of a larger movement in the education sector to place greater emphasis on the holistic development of students. For decades, students in…
The BJP government in Delhi is reportedly reconsidering its costly streetscaping initiative, citing rising expenses and public dissatisfaction. The project, which was designed to overhaul the city’s road infrastructure, has run into significant financial and logistical challenges, prompting officials to debate its future. The Promise of a Revamped City The streetscaping project was initially launched with high hopes. The plan was to redesign major roads in Delhi to make them more pedestrian-friendly, sustainable, and aesthetically appealing. With the inclusion of cycle lanes, green spaces, and smart street furniture, the project was billed as a step toward transforming the city into…