Dweep Tulika

New Delhi | August 27, 2026 A fresh confrontation has emerged between India and a United Nations human-rights watchdog over the proposed development of Great Nicobar Island , with the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) calling for suspension of the projects pending independent assessments, while the Government of India has rejected the committee's observations as “politically motivated” and “highly malicious.” The development has brought the long-running debate over the Great Nicobar infrastructure project back into the national spotlight, placing Indigenous rights, environmental concerns and India's development priorities at the centre of the discussion. In its concluding observations on India, CERD expressed concern over the potential impact of major infrastructure and development projects on Indigenous and tribal communities. With regard to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the committee recommended that India suspend implementation of the pr...

Sri Vijaya Puram | August 24, 2026 The United Kingdom has introduced restrictions on cosmetics containing Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO) , a photoinitiator commonly used in UV- and LED-cured gel nail products. The move follows the European Union , which prohibited TPO in cosmetics from September 2025 after its classification as a Category 1B reproductive toxicant . The restrictions have raised questions among nail professionals and consumers in India, where TPO-containing gel polishes and related products continue to be available. The UK restrictions do not ban gel manicures or UV/LED nail products as a category . Instead, they concern cosmetic products containing TPO. Existing stocks are also subject to transitional provisions under the UK's regulatory framework. In India, however, there is currently no evidence of a comparable blanket ban specifically prohibiting TPO in cosmetics . India's cosmetic products are regulated under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 , a...

  London | 29 July 2026 Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg joined a demonstration organised by the Students' Federation of India (SFI) UK in London to express solidarity with the recent student movement in India . The event brought together members of the Indian diaspora , students and supporters to voice support for the campaign. Addressing the gathering, Thunberg praised the Indian students' movement, describing it as a source of hope and an example of the power of collective action. She said the students' struggle for justice and democracy deserved international solidarity and support. The demonstration was organised by the SFI's United Kingdom unit and followed recent developments in India's student movement. According to the organisers, the event reflected growing international attention towards the issues raised by student protesters in India. Greta Thunberg is internationally recognised for her climate activism and has addressed several global foru...

  Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the way law enforcement agencies operate across the world. From predictive policing to facial recognition and drone surveillance , technology is becoming an integral part of modern policing. Among the latest innovations are AI-powered Mobile Operation Centres (MOCs) advanced command vehicles equipped with real-time surveillance systems , AI-powered analytics, facial recognition, drones, and secure communication networks. These mobile command units are designed to improve public safety by enabling faster decision-making and better coordination during emergencies, public gatherings, disaster response and law enforcement operations. While the technology offers significant advantages, it has also sparked an important debate over privacy , accountability and the responsible use of artificial intelligence . Enhancing Public Safety Through Technology One of the biggest strengths of AI-powered Mobile Operation Centres is their abili...

NEW DELHI, July 24:  Activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his 26-day hunger strike after the Central Government agreed to hold talks with representatives of the student movement , marking a significant development in the ongoing nationwide protests over alleged examination paper leaks .  Despite Wangchuk calling off his fast, protest organisers have announced that demonstrations will continue across Delhi and several other states until concrete reforms are implemented. Today's nationwide campaign is being held under the slogan "Every District. One Day. One Demand." According to organisers, the movement continues to seek action against alleged examination paper leaks, comprehensive education reforms, accountability for recent police action against demonstrators, and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan .  Security arrangements have been significantly strengthened in the national capital. According to official announcements, 17 Delhi Metro stations...

NEW DELHI, July 24: Comedian and politician Shyam Rangeela (born Shyam Sunder on 25 August 1994 in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan ) briefly took the microphone during the ongoing Gen Z protest in New Delhi and delivered a satirical performance by mimicking Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's voice. In his act, Rangeela referenced several promises made before past elections, using humour and imitation to comment on political accountability . The performance quickly drew attention on social media, with supporters describing it as a memorable example of political satire , while others debated its message and timing. Political satire has long been a part of democratic societies, offering a way to question those in power through humour, parody and public expression. Like other forms of speech, it often attracts both appreciation and criticism. The performance became one of several moments from the ongoing demonstrations that circulated widely online, reflecting the diverse forms of expression...

Sri Vijaya Puram | July 6, 2026 Imagine governing a place where every sack of cement, every litre of fuel, every ambulance, and even many government officials must first cross more than 1,200 kilometres of sea before reaching their destination. Welcome to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands , India's most isolated and perhaps most uniquely administered Union Territory. For many visitors, the islands feel almost like another country. Flights from mainland India take several hours, ships require days, and daily life is shaped less by highways and railways than by tides, weather conditions and ferry schedules. Yet these islands remain an inseparable part of India, making their administration unlike anywhere else in the country. Unlike Indian states, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands do not have a Legislative Assembly or an elected Chief Minister. Instead, the Union Territory is administered by the Lieutenant Governor on behalf of the Central Government. As a result, many important decision...

India plans to develop 100 GW of pumped storage hydropower by 2035-36 as global focus shifts towards energy storage solutions supporting renewable power. Guwahati, June 24: India is aiming to develop 100 gigawatts (GW) of pumped storage hydropower capacity by 2035-36 , according to the 2026 Global Hydropower Outlook released by the International Hydropower Association (IHA) . The report describes pumped storage hydropower as a "water battery" , highlighting its growing importance in storing surplus electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar and wind and supplying power when demand increases. Unlike conventional batteries, pumped storage plants store energy by pumping water to an elevated reservoir during periods of excess electricity generation. When electricity demand rises, the stored water is released through turbines to generate power, helping stabilise the electricity grid. According to the report, India's proposed expansion is expected to pla...

CISF plans to integrate facial recognition cameras at airports and nearly 1.5 lakh surveillance cameras at strategic locations into a central data fusion centre in Delhi.