Author: Sharad Natani
In a landmark development poised to enhance regional mobility and economic integration, the Indian Railways has officially announced the upcoming launch of the Meerut–Varanasi Vande Bharat Express, the first-ever direct high-speed rail service linking these two populous cities. Set to commence operations on August 28, 2025, this initiative is part of India’s broader strategy to expand its semi-high-speed rail infrastructure across tier-2 and tier-3 cities. The new Meerut–Varanasi corridor, which includes strategic stops at Ayodhya Dham, Lucknow, Bareilly, and Moradabad, will significantly reduce travel time, offering an approximate 12-hour journey across 782 kilometers. This cutting-edge rail service replaces the existing…
IAS officer Abhinav Gopal, serving as Chief Development Officer (CDO) of Ghaziabad, made history as part of a record-breaking six-member Indian relay team that conquered the treacherous English Channel in just 11 hours and 19 minutes. The swim marked the fastest Channel crossing by an Indian six-member relay team, showcasing a rare blend of discipline, endurance, and teamwork. Balancing Bureaucracy and Bravery Training in 12–13°C water temperatures while managing administrative duties wasn’t easy. “Having a target like this forces you to manage your time. It keeps you sharp,” said Mr. Gopal. His disciplined routine—swimming thrice a week while fulfilling his…
In a landmark decision that could influence narcotics law enforcement across India, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has ruled that cannabis seeds and leaves do not fall under the legal definition of “ganja” under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Justice K Sreenivasa Reddy, presiding over a bail plea, clarified that only the flowering or fruiting tops of the cannabis plant are criminalised under the law — not the seeds or leaves when found independently. “The seeds and leaves of the cannabis plant, in the absence of the flowering or fruiting tops, do not fall within the…
The world’s obsession with matcha is reaching a boiling point — and Japan’s centuries-old tea farms are paying the price. Once a ceremonial drink reserved for traditional tea houses, matcha has exploded into mainstream culture. Now featured in everything from Starbucks lattes to viral TikTok recipes, matcha has gone from niche to necessity. But this viral success has a downside: Japanese producers are running out of stock. “No matter what we try, there’s just not more to buy,” says Zach Mangan, founder of Kettl Tea in Los Angeles, where over 20 varieties of matcha are listed — but most are…
Once a peaceful village nestled beneath snow-capped cliffs and ancient “sky caves,” Samjung in Nepal’s Upper Mustang has become a haunting symbol of the climate crisis. At over 13,000 feet above sea level, the Buddhist village lived for generations on barley farming, sheep grazing, and spiritual rhythm. Today, it stands abandoned — the latest casualty of a warming planet. What Happened to Samjung? As snowfall disappeared and springs dried up, life turned into a daily struggle for water. Once thriving glacial streams vanished. Mud homes collapsed in sudden flash floods. Fields cracked. Crops failed. The villagers had no choice but…
In a world where IT jobs and engineering degrees define success, Madhura Ghane chose a path less traveled. Once an Infosys employee, Madhura—now known by her stage name Mahi G—has transformed into a powerful voice for India’s marginalized through the art of rap. Born in the Forest, Raised for the Fight Hailing from the Mahadev Koli Adivasi community in Maharashtra’s Kalan village, Madhura is the daughter of a bus conductor. Despite landing a prestigious job at Infosys, she knew her destiny was not behind a desk—it was on stage, with a mic in hand and truth in her lyrics. Her…