Author: Akancha Mishra

‘Is It So Difficult to Be Patriotic?’: Salman Khurshid’s Pointed Remarks Set to Unsettle Congress In a move that has deepened the internal rift within the Congress party, senior leader and former Union Minister Salman Khurshid has sparked controversy by praising the Centre’s abrogation of Article 370 and questioning the lack of unity on India’s global mission against terrorism. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Khurshid wrote, “When on a mission against terrorism, to carry India’s message to the world, it’s distressing that people at home are calculating political allegiances. Is it so difficult to be patriotic?” The remark is seen…

The Ministry of Defence has officially unveiled a national essay competition focusing on Operation Sindoor, a military campaign that has significantly reshaped India’s approach to counter-terrorism. The contest will be held from June 1 to June 30, 2025, and invites participants to share their thoughts in either English or Hindi. According to the ministry, the initiative is aimed at engaging youth and encouraging them to reflect on the implications of Operation Sindoor, which was launched in retaliation to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that took 26 lives. The operation, conducted on May 7, targeted nine militant camps located…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a powerful and resolute address on national security and the fight against cross-border terrorism during a public gathering in Alipurduar, West Bengal, on Wednesday. Focusing on Operation Sindoor—the military response to the Pahalgam terror attack—Modi declared on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians that the mission is still ongoing. Speaking directly to the people of West Bengal, Modi acknowledged the widespread outrage that followed the April 22 attack, where terrorists targeted innocent civilians. “I felt the deep anger that simmered within you after the brutality inflicted by terrorists in Pahalgam,” he said. The Prime Minister underscored…

On May 27, 2025, NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan announced that Dr. Anitha Srinivasan will assume the role of Chief Medical Officer beginning June 1. She is the first woman and woman of color to be appointed CMO at Metropolitan Hospital, and one of only two female CMOs among the city’s 11 public hospitals. Dr. Srinivasan succeeds Dr. John T. Pellicone, who served as CMO for ten years. She brings over 20 years of experience to the position, having started her career with a surgical residency at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln in the 1990s. After her tenure at an academic research…

The Border Security Force (BSF) reaffirmed on Tuesday that it launched a well-planned and forceful response to Pakistan’s cross-border shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) during the nights of May 9 and 10. Speaking at a press briefing, Shashank Anand, BSF Inspector General of the Jammu Frontier, said Pakistani posts initiated fire on Indian positions, but the BSF was fully prepared and struck back effectively. He highlighted that Indian forces caused significant damage to several Pakistani posts while sustaining no casualties. Anand described the operation on the night of May 8, which dealt a serious blow to the enemy’s…

Kicking off May 27 at the Venetian Conference Center in Las Vegas, the highly anticipated Bitcoin 2025 Conference is set to become a landmark event for the crypto industry. More than 30,000 Bitcoin enthusiasts, 400+ speakers, and over 5,000 companies are scheduled to attend. Key sponsors include Nakamoto, Mara, Robinhood Crypto, and exSat, emphasizing the event’s high-profile support. One of the most historic moments will take place on May 28, when U.S. Vice President JD Vance addresses attendees—marking the first time a sitting vice president has publicly supported Bitcoin. His keynote will be part of the “Code + Country” program…

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief V Narayanan has announced that 2025 will be marked as the “Gaganyaan Year,” highlighting it as a critical period in India’s journey toward its first human spaceflight. While speaking at an event in Kolkata, Narayanan revealed that ISRO has already conducted more than 7,200 tests for the Gaganyaan mission, with approximately 3,000 additional tests underway. The Gaganyaan Programme, greenlit in December 2018, aims to send Indian astronauts to Low Earth Orbit and establish capabilities for long-term human space missions. According to Narayanan, “We have scheduled three uncrewed missions before sending humans into space, and…

At the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2025 (Phase-I), President Droupadi Murmu presented six Kirti Chakras—including four posthumous—and 33 Shaurya Chakras—including seven posthumous—to personnel from the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and State/UT Police. The event took place at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, and celebrated acts of exceptional courage and sacrifice. The Ministry of Defence stated that these awards recognised individuals who showed extraordinary bravery and selflessness during high-risk operations, particularly in counter-terror and counter-insurgency missions across Jammu & Kashmir and the North-East. Several militants were neutralised or captured, with arms and ammunition recovered in the process. Prime Minister Narendra…

A top Pakistani Senator has sounded alarm bells over a catastrophic water crisis looming over the country after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent Indian civilians. In a passionate speech during a Senate session on Friday, Senator Syed Ali Zafar warned, “We would die of hunger if we don’t resolve the water crisis now… this is like a water bomb hanging over us and we must defuse it.” Zafar highlighted the nation’s extreme dependence on the Indus River Basin, noting that three-fourths of…

In its inaugural 2025 edition, TIME magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in Philanthropy” list celebrates individuals worldwide who have made significant contributions to charitable causes. One of the notable awardees is acclaimed journalist and author Anand Giridharadas, a prominent figure in the Indian-American community. Giridharadas, known for his incisive commentary on politics and society, has been acknowledged for his efforts in promoting social equity and justice. His work, which often challenges prevailing power structures, has inspired many to engage in meaningful philanthropic endeavors.  The TIME100 Philanthropy list aims to spotlight those who are not only donating resources but also driving…