Blog

03 Jan

Arunachal Moves to Explore Critical Minerals, Govt Signs Strategic Agreements

Sonakshi SarkarArunachal Pradesh

The Arunachal Pradesh government has entered into agreements with OIL India Limited, Vedanta Limited, and Orissa Metallik Private Limited for the exploration of graphite and vanadium mineral blocks in Depo, Phop, and Radhpu. Chief Minister Pema Khandu emphasized that this exploration is crucial for electric mobility and energy storage, as well as benefiting the state's economy and employment opportunities. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to community-oriented mineral development.

03 Jan

In Arunachal Pradesh, OIL signs agreement to explore critical minerals

Banasree SarkarArunachal Pradesh

An important step toward bolstering India's vital mineral resource security was taken on January 2 when OIL India Limited (OIL) signed the Deed of Agreement for the Composite Licence of the Phop Graphite and Vanadium Block situated in the Yazali circle of Keyi Panyor district, Arunachal Pradesh. Senior representatives from the Directorate of Geology and Mines (DGM), OIL, and CESHS, as well as AK Singh, Secretary (Geology and Mines), Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Raghunath Mishra, Chief General Manager of OIL, and Tana Tage, Director (CESHS), were present when the agreement was signed. As a local partner and stakeholder, CESHS will…

03 Jan

Too Young to Die, Too Brave to Step Back: Arun Khetarpal’s Story

PreetiEntertainment

Agastya Nanda's film Ikkis, which premiered in theatres on New Year's Day, narrates the story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, a martyr of the 1971 India-Pakistan war. The title, Ikkis, meaning "Twenty one," reflects Arun's age at his death. The film features the late Dharmendra, who portrays Arun's father, Brigadier ML Khetarpal, in his final on-screen role. Over the past 55 years, Arun's family has consistently shared accounts of his bravery, ensuring his heroic legacy endures in the public consciousness. Arun Khetarpal, who completed his training at the Indian Military Academy in 1971, was commissioned into the 17 Poona Horse…

02 Jan

Below-Normal Temperatures, Fewer Rains to Shape India’s Winter Season

editorweather

India is expected to witness colder-than-normal conditions in January, improving prospects for key winter-sown (rabi) crops such as wheat, rapeseed and chickpeas, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Both maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to remain below average across most regions, with central and eastern India seeing more cold-wave days. IMD director-general Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said parts of Vidarbha, Marathwada, Madhya Pradesh, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar could experience one to three additional cold-wave days. Major wheat-growing states—Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh—are expected to benefit from the favourable cold conditions. However, rainfall across northern and northwestern India is…

02 Jan

Silverstorm Parks and Resorts files DRHP for SME IPO launch

Purbalee DuttaBusiness

Silverstorm Parks and Resorts, an integrated amusement destination, has filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with BSE SME in preparation for its upcoming IPO. The issue will comprise up to 62,00,000 equity shares with a face value of ₹10 each. The objective of the issue is to fund capital expenditure related to the setup of Lucknow Snow Park and FEC, expansion and upgradation of the existing theme park, repayment of certain borrowings, and to meet general corporate purposes, as per the company's press release. The company filed its DRHP with the capital markets regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of…

02 Jan

Community-Based Tourism Shines as Sakawrhmuituai Sunset Event Draws Large Crowd in Mizoram

Sonakshi SarkarMizoram

For the first time, the Tourism Department of Mizoram organised a special sunset viewing programme called “Sakawrhmuituai Sunset” at Sakawrhmuituai Hill. The event was held on the last evening of the year and attracted a large number of visitors, including local residents and tourists from outside the state. The programme was attended by Tourism Minister Pu Lalnghinglova Hmar as the chief guest. Local MLA Pu Lalthansanga, who is also the Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, was also present at the event. Senior officers from the Tourism Department, including Director Pi R. Lalrodingi, were part of the official team.…

02 Jan

Tata Motors posts strong Q3FY26 growth, sells 1,15,577 units globally

Business BureauBusiness

Tata Motors reported strong sales performance in Q3FY26, recording total commercial vehicle sales of 1,15,577 units in domestic and international markets, up 21% from 95,770 units in Q3FY25. December 2025 sales stood at 42,508 units, marking a 25% rise over 33,875 units sold in December 2024. Category-wise, HCV truck sales grew 23% in Q3FY26 to 33,401 units, while ILMCV trucks rose 26% to 20,033 units. Passenger carriers registered a 7% increase to 10,691 units, and SCV cargo and pickups grew 15% to 43,793 units. Total domestic CV sales reached 1,07,918 units, up 18%. International business surged 70% to 7,659 units.…

02 Jan

Abhishek Banerjee Alleges “Voter List Theft”

MohiniNational

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee has sparked a major political controversy by alleging that "voter theft" is being carried out via manipulated voter lists rather than EVMs. During a press conference, Banerjee claimed that thousands of legitimate voters are being surreptitiously removed from rolls to influence the upcoming 2026 state elections. He has demanded a high-level audit of the Election Commission’s digital databases, a move that the EC has currently dismissed as "unfounded."

02 Jan

Higher excise duty on tobacco, new pan masala cess from February 1 to take effect

Banasree SarkarNational

On February 1, 2026, India will start imposing higher taxes on pan masala and tobacco products after the Union government officially announced a new excise duty and cess regime to replace the current GST compensation cess. With this action, the tax system for so-called sin products has been completely redesigned. In addition to the relevant Goods and Services Tax rates, the new charges will be applied. Pan masala, cigarettes, tobacco, and related products will be subject to a 40% GST rate starting on February 1, whereas biris would still be subject to an 18% GST rate. According to the Finance…

02 Jan

Ikkis Review: Agastya Nanda and Dharmendra Anchor a Quietly Powerful War Story

PreetiEntertainment

Ikkis is a movie that depicts the story of Second Lt Arun Khetarpal, a young soldier who, when asked his age while covered in birthday cake, responds that he is 21, marking his coming of age. Tragically, Khetarpal did not reach the age of 22, as he fought valiantly during the decisive December day of the 1971 Indo-Pak war, ultimately becoming the youngest Army officer to be awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his bravery. Ikkis is not merely a war film highlighting a young man's bravery; it delves into the traumatic consequences of conflict, distinguishing Sriram Raghavan's work from…