Author: Sharad Natani
In a major disruption to passport services across India, the Passport Seva Portal suffered a nationwide outage, leading to the cancellation of thousands of appointments without prior intimation. Frustrated applicants took to social media to express their anger over the sudden technical failure that left several Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) non-functional. The outage, reportedly caused by a critical server malfunction, paralysed passport operations in key cities including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bhopal, leaving applicants stranded outside closed service centres. Many were shocked to find notices pasted on PSK gates stating “technical issue – services suspended”—with no SMS, email, or official alert…
In a remarkable medical breakthrough, MGM Healthcare, Chennai, has successfully performed a complex and rare robotic surgery on a 52-year-old woman suffering from a debilitating nerve disorder—Bilateral Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia—a condition that causes intense throat and neck pain, severely affecting swallowing and daily life. A Year of Misery Ends with a Miracle Procedure The patient had endured over a year of excruciating discomfort, unable to eat or swallow without severe pain. Her condition was further complicated by Eagle’s Syndrome, where abnormally elongated neck bones press against critical nerves, causing chronic, medication-resistant pain. Despite visiting several hospitals and undergoing various treatments, the…
In the wake of the tragic Bengaluru stampede that claimed 11 lives at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, the Karnataka government has introduced a landmark proposal to regulate crowd management at mass events. Titled the Karnataka Crowd Control (Managing Crowd at Events and Venues of Mass Gathering) Bill, 2025, the draft aims to make event organisers legally and financially accountable for lapses in crowd control. Heavy Penalties for Event Organisers As per the draft bill, organisers of commercial events like sports matches, circuses, political rallies, jatras, and conferences must seek prior approval from local authorities and police, disclosing estimated crowd numbers.…
In a landmark celebration of the 11th International Yoga Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join lakhs of yoga enthusiasts in a massive event on the scenic 26-kilometre-long corridor from RK Beach, Visakhapatnam to Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh. With an expected participation of over 3 lakh people performing yoga simultaneously, the event is aiming for a place in the Guinness World Records. A Record-Breaking Vision by Andhra Pradesh Under the leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh is turning Yoga Day into a historic movement, mobilising yoga sessions across 1 lakh centres statewide and expecting a total participation…
As India celebrates a decade of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), the flagship financial inclusion scheme stands as a testament to the country’s efforts to “fund the unfunded” — providing credit to micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses long excluded from the formal banking system. Impressive Numbers, Remarkable Reach Since its launch in 2015, over 52 crore loans worth ₹32.6 lakh crore have been sanctioned under Mudra. Annual disbursals surged from ₹1.3 lakh crore in FY16 to over ₹5.3 lakh crore in FY24, showing resilience even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tamil Nadu emerged as the top beneficiary state, followed by Uttar…
In a sweet triumph for India’s agricultural and export sector, Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has set a new record by exporting 3,624 metric tonnes of Indian mangoes to major international cities such as London, New York, and Toronto. This milestone is being hailed as a testament to the soaring global demand for India’s “King of Fruits.” Indian Mangoes Conquer the World Stage Known for their unparalleled aroma, juicy sweetness, and diverse varieties such as Alphonso, Kesar, and Banganapalli, Indian mangoes have captivated fruit lovers across continents. This year’s export volume marks a significant jump compared to previous…