Author: BharatSpeaks
June 12 – In a sweeping policy change that could transform how millions of Indians book train tickets under the last-minute Tatkal quota, the Ministry of Railways has announced that beginning July 1, 2025, Aadhaar authentication will be mandatory for all Tatkal bookings. The decision is aimed at enhancing transparency, limiting misuse, and restoring fairness to a system long plagued by complaints of agent-driven manipulation. According to an internal circular by the Railway Board, the move will be implemented in phases, with Aadhaar verification via One-Time Password (OTP) becoming compulsory for all users, including those booking at physical counters and…
In a defining moment for Indian cuisine on the global stage, Semma, a small, unapologetically South Indian restaurant in Greenwich Village, has been named No. 1 on The New York Times’ annual list of best restaurants in New York. It is the first time an Indian restaurant has ever claimed the top spot since the list’s inception. Curated by NYT food critic Pete Wells, the 2025 edition of the list focuses on ten exceptional dining destinations that reflect “New York’s most original, genre-defining kitchens.” In naming Semma the city’s best, Wells praised the restaurant for “honoring its roots without compromise”…
In a ceremony marked by reverence and nostalgia, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, one of India’s most iconic cricket captains, was inducted into the International Cricket Council’s Hall of Fame, becoming the 11th Indian cricketer to receive the sport’s highest individual honour. The induction, held at Abbey Road Studios in London, brought together global cricketing greats, administrators, and Dhoni’s longtime admirers, as the former captain joined an elite group that includes Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, and Rahul Dravid. “To be named alongside such legends is deeply humbling. I never played for records or rewards, but to be recognized…
In a breakthrough even for seasoned athletes, India’s women’s ice hockey team has claimed its first-ever medal—a bronze—at the 2025 IIHF Women’s Asia Cup, held in Al Ain, UAE from May 31 to June 6. The victory marks a turning point for a team that has faced minimal resources, limited funding, and near-total obscurity. Despite lacking adequate gear and institutional backing, the players demonstrated extraordinary grit and unity, defeating the UAE 5–4 in a dramatic semifinal and ultimately clinching third place after competing against five other Asian teams. Their journey not only highlighted their sporting prowess but also challenged long-held stereotypes…
In a quiet yet powerful moment inside the courtroom of India’s highest judicial body, Aanchal Bhateja, a young advocate from Delhi, made history. On June 6, 2025, she became the first blind woman advocate to argue a case before the Supreme Court of India—a milestone not only for her own career but for the broader fight for inclusion and accessibility in the legal profession. Bhateja’s debut marked a rare intersection of legal excellence and lived experience. The matter she argued, though routine in the court’s docket, was transformed by the presence of a voice rarely heard in that forum—a voice…
In the narrow corridors of a government school in Delhi, Rishika balanced chalk and textbooks by day—and UPSC preparation by night. Earlier this year, she was posted for 24-hour election duty just 20 days before the Civil Services Preliminary Examination. She began her shift at 4 a.m. and returned home past midnight. There was no exemption. No special provision. But there was resolve. Earlier this month, the 28-year-old teacher achieved what thousands dream of: she cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination 2024, securing All India Rank 217. Her success, underpinned by discipline and quiet determination, has…