Author: Sharad Natani
India has once again reinforced its commitment to international military cooperation. On September 9, 2025, an Indian Armed Forces contingent of 65 personnel departed for the Mulino Training Ground in Nizhniy, Russia, to participate in ZAPAD 2025, a large-scale multilateral joint military exercise running from September 10 to 16. According to the Ministry of Defence, the exercise is designed to boost military cooperation, enhance interoperability, and create a platform for participating nations to exchange best practices in conventional warfare and counter-terrorism operations. A Diverse and Capable Contingent The Indian delegation includes 57 Army soldiers, seven Air Force personnel, and one…
In a move aimed at protecting the integrity of medical titles, the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) has clarified that physiotherapists are not entitled to use the prefix ‘Dr.’ The directive states that the honorific is reserved exclusively for registered medical practitioners under existing medical council regulations. In a letter addressed to the Indian Medical Association (IMA), the DGHS said it had received multiple representations and strong objections from medical associations — including the Indian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IAPMR) — about the growing misuse of the title ‘Dr.’ by physiotherapists. What the Directive Says The prefix…
In a historic and unprecedented move, Nepal’s Gen Z-led protest movement has chosen former Chief Justice Sushila Karki to lead an interim government following the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The decision comes amid widespread student protests and growing public demand for political accountability. Sushila Karki, 73, who made history as Nepal’s first female Chief Justice, is renowned for her zero-tolerance stance against corruption and her reformist approach during her tenure from July 2016 to June 2017. Alongside Karki, other names considered for the interim leadership included Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah and former Nepal Electricity Authority chief Kulman…
A quiet revolution is unfolding in Indian cinema. Kathakar Ki Diary, a low-budget independent film made by 2013-batch IRS officer Anwesh, has defied every convention of the film industry to earn a prestigious spot at the International New York Film Festival (INYFF). In an era dominated by big studios and massive marketing budgets, Anwesh’s passion-driven project stands as proof that powerful storytelling can transcend financial limitations. From Tax Files to Film Scripts – A Civil Servant’s Creative Leap Currently serving as Joint Commissioner in the GST Department, Pune, Anwesh balances his demanding government responsibilities with his filmmaking passion. Shooting the…
In a landmark push to boost rural tourism and strengthen Uttar Pradesh’s countryside economy, the Yogi Adityanath government has unveiled an ambitious Farm Stay Tourism Scheme offering investors subsidies worth up to Rs 40 crore, tax exemptions, and policy reforms. This initiative, led by the state’s Department of Tourism, aims to convert villages into vibrant tourism hubs, offering domestic and international visitors an authentic slice of rural India. Dedicated Farm Stays for Authentic Countryside Living Under the scheme, private players, hospitality brands, and agri-tourism entrepreneurs are invited to develop farm stay accommodations on or near agricultural land. Each unit must…
India is set to host its first-ever International Conference on Indian Manuscripts from September 11–13, 2025, a landmark initiative to preserve and share the vast knowledge hidden in ancient texts. Organized by the Union Culture Ministry, the three-day event in Delhi will bring together over 1,100 scholars, experts, institutions, and cultural practitioners from around the globe. A Global Platform for India’s Heritage This pioneering conference aims to create a collaborative platform for manuscript preservation, digitisation, decoding, translation, and knowledge dissemination. By doing so, it seeks to make centuries-old wisdom more accessible to researchers, students, and the public worldwide. Key Highlights…