The Durand Line, drawn in 1893 between British India and Afghanistan, remains a deeply contested boundary due to questions of legitimacy, ethnic divisions and competing territorial claims. Pakistan treats it as its formal international border, while Afghanistan—under successive regimes—refuses to recognise it. This unresolved dispute fuels cross-border militancy, strains Af-Pak relations, and contributes to wider regional instability, with implications for India’s security and strategic engagement in Afghanistan and Central Asia.
Click to View MoreSirpur in Chhattisgarh is a 5th–12th Century multi-religious archaeological landscape featuring Hindu, Buddhist and Jain monuments, including the renowned Lakshmana Temple and Surang Tila complex. As the early-medieval capital of Dakshina Kosala, it showcases advanced urban planning, monastic architecture and a unique riverine cultural setting along the Mahanadi. With well-preserved archaeological integrity and major government initiatives to improve conservation, accessibility and interpretation, Sirpur strongly meets UNESCO’s criteria of outstanding universal value and stands as a compelling candidate for World Heritage inscription.
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UN ESCAP’s 2025 report warns that Asian megacities may experience an additional 2–7°C due to urban heat island effects, with India, Pakistan and Bangladesh facing 300+ days above 35°C. Extreme heat is now the region’s fastest-growing climate hazard, threatening health, livelihoods and economic stability.
Click to View MoreIndia’s dairy sector, anchored by initiatives like Operation Flood, Rashtriya Gokul Mission, NAIP, and White Revolution 2.0, has transformed the country into the world’s largest milk producer. It supports over 80 million farmers, empowers women through cooperatives, ensures nutritional security, and drives rural livelihoods. Ongoing reforms in infrastructure, breeding, sustainability, and GST rationalization aim to enhance productivity, promote inclusive growth, and strengthen India’s global competitiveness in dairy.
Click to View MoreTelevision remains a powerful tool for inclusive education in India, offering curriculum-based learning through Doordarshan, PM e-Vidya channels, and SWAYAM Prabha. It proved indispensable during COVID-19 and continues to bridge digital divides by providing free, multilingual content accessible to millions of students nationwide.
Click to View MoreBatukeshwar Dutt was a committed Indian revolutionary best known for carrying out the 1929 Central Legislative Assembly bombing with Bhagat Singh to protest British repression. A member of the HSRA, he spent long years in jail, joined hunger strikes for prisoner rights, and participated again in the Quit India Movement. Despite his courage and sacrifices, he lived in hardship after independence and remains one of the most overlooked heroes of India’s freedom struggle.
Click to View MoreShaniwar Wada in Pune was the grand residence of the Peshwas, the Prime Ministers of the Maratha Empire. Built in 1730 by Baji Rao I, it served as a center of administration, military strategy, and cultural life. The fort is known for its impressive architecture, including court halls, mirror halls, and fountains. Mastani, Baji Rao’s consort, also resided here, reflecting the era’s cultural tolerance. Though largely destroyed by fire in 1827, its ruins and gates remain an important symbol of Maratha history and heritage.
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The Battle of Rezang La (18 November 1962) was a heroic last stand by 120 Indian soldiers, mostly from the Ahir community, of the Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment, against a much larger Chinese force in Ladakh. Led by Major Shaitan Singh, who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, the defenders fought “to the last man and the last bullet,” protecting the strategic Chushul airbase and preventing further Chinese advance. Out of 120 soldiers, 114 were martyred, while Chinese casualties were much higher. The battle is remembered for its bravery, sacrifice, and patriotic spirit, with memorials like Ahir Dhamhonoring the soldiers’ legacy.
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Dogri is an Indo-Aryan language primarily spoken in the Jammu region of Jammu & Kashmir and by the Dogra community. Recognized as one of the official languages of J&K in 2020, Dogri has a rich tradition of literature, folklore, and cultural expression. Despite its heritage, the language is declining, especially among youth, due to limited government support, urbanization, and preference for Hindi and English. Surveys show a rural-urban divide in usage, with rural populations maintaining better proficiency. Revival efforts include educational inclusion, media promotion, digital content, and cultural initiatives. Preserving Dogri not only safeguards cultural identity but also promotes inclusive development, social cohesion, and intergenerational knowledge transfer. Sustained policy support, community participation, and modern engagement methods are key to ensuring Dogri remains a living and vibrant language.
Click to View MoreA dedicated Urban Climate Emergency Fund is essential to provide timely financial support for immediate disaster response and long-term climate adaptation. Existing relief mechanisms are fragmented and inadequate to meet the growing challenges.
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