Author: Sharad Natani
In a major green innovation, Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), popularly known as Bareka, has installed India’s first removable solar panel system between active railway tracks. The landmark project, inaugurated on Independence Day 2025, marks a new chapter in Indian Railways’ push for sustainable energy. What is Bareka? Founded in 1956, BLW (Bareka) is a premier locomotive manufacturing unit of Indian Railways, based in Varanasi. It has emerged as a hub of innovation in railway technology, from advanced locomotives to green energy solutions. The Solar Panel Project The pilot installation is on Line No. 19 of the BLW workshop. 28 bifacial…
When you see an Indian passport, its cover isn’t just a matter of design—it tells a story about the holder’s identity and purpose of travel. India issues passports in three distinct colors—blue, white, and red (maroon)—each carrying a different significance. Beyond convenience at immigration counters, these passports are now evolving with biometric e-passport technology to make global travel faster and more secure. Blue: Ordinary Passport The blue passport, officially known as the ordinary passport, is the most common travel document for Indian citizens. It’s issued for purposes such as tourism, education, business, or personal trips abroad. Millions of Indians carry…
Kolkata is set to witness a major metro expansion this week, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to inaugurate three new metro routes on August 22. The new stretches — part of the Yellow Line, Orange Line, and Green Line — will significantly boost connectivity between the city and its suburbs, including direct access to the airport. With these expansions, Kolkata joins the league of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Lucknow, cities that now have metro links to their airports. Fares for the New Metro Routes Fares have been structured slab-wise, beginning at just Rs 5. According to reports, the airport…
In a landmark move aimed at raising the bar for political integrity, the Centre on Wednesday (August 20) introduced three bills in Parliament that would make it mandatory for the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers to step down if they are detained for over 30 consecutive days on serious criminal charges. Union Home Minister Amit Shah tabled the bills in the Lok Sabha, calling it a long-awaited reform to strengthen transparency in public life. Three Key Bills Introduced The set of legislations presented include: The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025 The Government of Union Territories (Amendment)…
Actor Shwetha Menon has scripted history by becoming the first woman president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), marking a turning point for one of Kerala’s most powerful film bodies. Her election, alongside Kukku Parameswaran as the first woman general secretary, comes at a critical time when the industry is still reeling from sexual harassment allegations, resignations, and internal turmoil. A Historic Win Amidst Crisis For decades, AMMA has been dominated by male leadership, with superstar Mohanlal serving as its last president. But following the explosive release of the Justice Hema Committee report in 2024, which detailed widespread…
India’s government is preparing to crack down on the booming yet controversial world of real-money online gaming, with a new Bill that proposes blanket bans, multi-crore fines, jail terms, and penalties for celebrity endorsers of such platforms. The proposed law—titled the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025—was circulated to Members of Parliament late Tuesday and is expected to be introduced on Wednesday. Officials say the move is driven by national security concerns, as well as the growing social harms associated with money-based online gaming. From Pro-Industry to Prohibition The Bill marks a sharp departure from the government’s earlier…