Author: Akancha Mishra

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…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has vehemently condemned the killing of two Israeli diplomats outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., extending his deepest condolences to the victims’ families during his official visit to Denmark. The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday night (local time) when a male and a female employee of the Israeli Embassy in Washington were fatally shot by an unknown attacker as they exited the museum. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed the fatalities, and authorities reported that a lone suspect has been apprehended. Expressing solidarity with Israel, Jaishankar took to X (formerly Twitter) to…

Roughly 3,000 young Agniveers, most barely out of their teens and recently enlisted, played a decisive role in defending Indian skies during the high-stakes Operation Sindoor. Tasked with operating essential air defense systems, these warriors, posted along the Western Front, formed the backbone of India’s shield against persistent missile and drone strikes launched by Pakistan between May 7 and May 10. Despite multiple waves of attacks targeting Indian cities, airbases, and military assets, Pakistan’s offensive could not penetrate the nation’s sophisticated defense framework. The Agniveers, trained rigorously over the past two years, were entrusted with manning critical weapons and firing…

In a historic moment for literature, 77-year-old Banu Mushtaq has become the first author to win the International Booker Prize for a short story collection. Her book Heart Lamp, originally written in Kannada and skillfully translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi, has drawn global attention for its compelling narratives about Muslim women in South India, highlighting their everyday battles with religious constraints, patriarchy, and cultural expectations. The International Booker Prize, which began in 2005, was initially awarded for lifetime achievements. Since its restructuring in 2016, it now honors a single book translated into English and published in the UK or…

 Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to accelerate the initial phase of the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). The meeting reflects growing momentum in strengthening trade ties between the two democracies. Goyal posted a handshake photo with Lutnick on X, calling it a “good discussion to expedite the first tranche of the trade agreement.” The talks mark a move to redefine the economic ties between the two nations. Speaking earlier this year at the Columbia India Energy Dialogue in New Delhi, Goyal had said the BTA talks were progressing smoothly and that…

 In an uncommon turn of events, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly confirmed that India’s ballistic missiles struck the Nur Khan Airbase and several other strategic locations on May 10. This acknowledgment contrasts sharply with Pakistan’s standard approach of denying Indian military actions. Sharif disclosed that the Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, contacted him around 2:30 in the morning to inform him of the strikes. During a public speech at the Pakistan Monument, Sharif remarked that despite deploying domestic technology and Chinese aircraft, Indian missiles managed to reach their designated targets. Geo News reported Sharif stating that the…

India is launching a far-reaching diplomatic offensive to counter Pakistan’s global narrative on terrorism and highlight its role as a major sponsor of terror. The initiative kicks off with one of the seven all-party delegations, headed by JD(U) leader Sanjay Kumar Jha, set to visit Eastern nations including Japan beginning Wednesday. “Our delegation will leave the country tomorrow. We will go to Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore,” said Sanjay Kumar Jha, JD(U)’s national working president, during a press interaction at Patna airport on Tuesday. Jha explained that the core purpose of the delegation is to raise international awareness…

India’s recent counterterrorism mission, dubbed Operation Sindoor, showcased the country’s evolving military strategy under the guidance of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Designed in response to the deadly terror strike in Pahalgam, the operation focused on dismantling key terror networks within Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Senior officials reported that Doval closely oversaw the mission, maintaining strict secrecy, swift execution, and effective escalation management. To maintain operational integrity, final target details were withheld until just two hours before launch. Though multiple strike plans had been circulated earlier among the armed forces, last-minute modifications were introduced by Doval himself. The central…

In the aftermath of the brutal Pahalgam terror attack, India’s Operation Sindoor continues to reverberate across borders, rattling Pakistan’s narrative. The latest ripple came from Lisbon, Portugal, where a group of Pakistani demonstrators attempted to protest outside the Indian Embassy. However, instead of staying silent, the Indian mission delivered a powerful visual rebuttal, showcasing striking images of Operation Sindoor with the message: “Operation Sindoor – is not yet over.” On that Sunday, Pakistani protestors holding posters of their Army Chief Asim Munir hoped to challenge the Indian presence diplomatically. But their message quickly lost impact when Indian diplomats, led by…