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Assam-Mizoram Row: A brief analysis from a Regional, Geo-Political & Security Perspective

By
Riddhik Parashar
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Assam Mizoram Clash
Assam Mizoram Clash
“You can change friends, not neigbours.”- Former PM Late AB Vajpayee.

Assam as the elder sister:

The above-mentioned quote was said by former PM Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji. During the 2003 India-Pakistan bilateral summit held in Agra. This particular quote can be apt with the ongoing border dispute between the NE states of Assam & Mizoram. Assam is the gateway to the entire NE region land route-railway & road transport. It is laden with a lot of responsibilities as the elder sister among the seven sister states. The recent dispute between the Assam and Mizoram, if escalates again, can have a greater geopolitical and security implications.

Ethnic overlap:

The flow of Burmese refugees in Mizoram following the recent military coup in Myanmar highlights the question about the global migrant crisis. The fate of the uprooted refugees from a conflict zone in a foreign land. Mizoram however shares an approximately 500 km long porous border with the Chin state of Myanmar. It is the home of the majority Kuki-Chin speaking communities of Myanmar.

Thus, also acts as the sign for the sense of linguistic and ethnic belongingness, as the Mizo language is a part of the Kuki-Chin language family. These refugees from Myanmar welcomed by the Mizo hospitality, considering the ethnic overlapping. Further exemplified by news report (June this year) said the allocation of funds by Mizoram for the refugee on humanitarian grounds. However, rehabilitating several refugees automatically doubles the state’s resources which also includes land. Also, speculated that the recent border dispute between the two states over land might be having an angle, determined from this perspective from Mizoram’s side.

Assam border concerns:

Assam already has boundary dispute with the neighbouring states of Meghalaya, Nagaland and even Arunachal Pradesh. It is now facing problems with Mizoram. This led to a violent incident, witnessed the death of Assam Police jawans along with many jawans being injured.

Assam and Mizoram:

Let‘s examine the geopolitical and security dimensions of the crisis between the two states. The People’s Republic of China (China/PRC), an emerging hegemon of the 21st century has got a significant number of stakes in India’s NE region. From claiming Arunachal Pradesh as their territory of South Tibet to supporting the last remnants of the NE insurgents against the Indian state. Thereby acting as an invisible foreign hand in destabilizing the region. China’s role and influence can’t be ignored, as its footprints are already expanding the South East Asian region. It is India’s destination in the “Act East initiative” and its route is obviously via the NE region of India. Enhancing the Act East initiative means synchronising the overall development of the NE region from infrastructure to connectivity, seen a pace since 2014. This includes the Kaladan Multi-modal project too where Mizoram is a major stakeholder.

Consequences:

A deteriorated state of the relationship will lead to Assam not being able to extract benefits from Mizoram and vice versa. Disturbance along the Assam-Mizoram border can further ignite the other states to demand their territorial claims over the boundary issue. In 2017 Hindustan Times reported the statement by the Chinese state media saying ‘rising Hindu Nationalism’ hijacked India’s China Policy.

Conclusion:

Considering the ideological leanings of the current ruling party in Assam, it will be not wrong if we consider the China factor here. It may be having a diabolical agenda of creating instability in India’s NE region. With motive to disrupt the ongoing developmental works in the region, by covertly provoking certain mischievous elements. If the crisis escalates again in future, it will be detrimental to both sides, considering the dissatisfaction by the people of Assam.

Above all, in January 2019, massive demonstrations against the ‘Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016’ (Now CAA) took place in Mizoram which even witnessed signs that said “Hello China..Bye Bye India”.

Slogans like these only mean providing an upper hand and leverage to the adversarial nation of China. They can take enormous advantage of it for their nefarious agenda about which I mentioned above. If similar outbreak of a similar or crisis resurfaces then external actors will indirectly or covertly fulfil their expansionist objective. Therefore, a peaceful settlement framework under the aegis of New Delhi is a must. So, that it prevents the domestic crisis/issue from being used by India’s adversaries.

Also, Read| IIT Bombay allows Afghani students to join classes

Assam- Mizoram Border Dispute, 6 killed

By
Saiket Sharma
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Assam Mizoram Land dispute

An unfortunate incident occurred in North-East India yesterday evening when both the police forces of Mizoram and Assam clashed over at Lailapool of Cachar district, which has been known as a flashpoint of inter-state border clashes for decades. This time, it took an extremely barbaric turn when alleged Mizo assailants loaded with Light machine guns ( seen in different videos) fired on the Assam side leaving 5 jawans of Assam police dead on the spot and injuring around 65-75 more people.

IPS Vaibhav, SP, Cachar was shot too after which he was admitted to the ICU of Silchar Medical College. He may be flown to Mumbai for higher treatment. Meanwhile, the PSO of DC, Cachar was shot at to which he succumbed.

Both Assam Govt and Mizoram Govt have narrated their version of the story. But, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma strongly condemned the inhumane, undemocratic move of Mizoram Police and has talked with Mizoram CM over the incident. While CM Sarma thinks that this issue can be solved over discussions after satellite imaging surveys, he has also allowed Assam Police to retaliate and open fire from now on.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Monday, urged Chief Minister of Mizoram Zoramthanga to investigate this matter saying why civilians from his states were holding sticks and trying to incite violence on the Assam-Mizoram border.

He said, “Honble Zoramthanga Ji, could you please investigate why are civilians from Mizoram holding sticks and trying to incite violence? We urge civilians to not take up law and order on their own hands and permit peaceful dialogue to take place between governments.”

The Assam Govt has announced 50 lakh compensation for the family of every Jawan deceased in this unfortunate incident that rocked the Nation and has promised Govt a job for a person in the family of the deceased. He has also declared to raise a Commando- Batallion of 3000 soldiers for the protection of Barak Valley.

Also Read – Expert claim data leaks, Clubhouse denies

Enhanced rainfall activities over Sikkim during the period 28th June to 2nd July

By
Jeewan Dahal
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"Rainfall in Sikkim"

On Sunday, Meteorological Department (IMD) said the Sikkim will witness heavy rainfall as the southwest monsoon will be covered in the Sikkim region.

Advancing further, the Southwest Monsoon covered the Sikkim region, nearly four days after its normal date.

Special Weather Bulletin Gangtok Said “Monsoon is advancing very well. It has advanced to Sikkim and parts of West Bengal 4 to 5 days in advance. The monsoon flow is strong and southwesterly winds have picked up on a large scale”

And around Sikkim- Rongli, Chungthang: 3 each; Shipgyer, Dentam: 2 each; Gangtok, Mazitar, Khanitar, Namthang, Damthang, Gyalshing: 1 each has Chief rainfall amount(in cm) recorded.

Current Meteorological Condition is saying that The northern Limit of southwest monsoon (NLM) continues to pass through Lat. 26°N / Long. 70°E, Barmer, Bhilwara, Dholpur, Aligarh, Meerut, Ambala and Amritsar. The trough at mean sea level now runs from East Uttar Pradesh to northwest Bay of Bengal across Jharkhand and Gangetic West Bengal

IMD has classified that the progress is going to slow over the next two days, i.e 28th June.

According to Weather Forecast Due to the expected shifting of the trough of low-pressure area north-wards and strong moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal, rainfall activities over all the districts of Sikkim very likely to be enhanced during the period 28th to 02nd July 2021. During this period, heavy to very heavy rain (07-20 cm) is very likely to occur at isolated places over the state, especially all over East and North Sikkim.

Sikkim has been witnessing heavy rainfall since last week causing heavy damage in Gangtok areas due to landslides. It’s also reported that landslide appeared in Some parts of North Sikkim which also caused east and north connecting bridge.

Also Read – Sikkim recorded 170 new covid cases and 00 New Death

Sikkim to get Sikkim House in Mumbai, relief for medical visitors

By
Jeewan Dahal
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On 31st January 2021, the Honourable CM of Sikkim PS Golay has announced Sikkim will have a Sikkim house in Mumbai soon.

Speaking with The Sikkim Today team in January 2021 in West Sikkim, Chief Minister PS Golay has approached Maharashtra Government for the construction of a Sikkim house in Navi, Mumbai on which the Maharastra govt agrees to accept this.

This house will be 6 km from the nearest airport and 2 km from Tata memorial hospital which be will easy for Sikkimese patients to get connected nearby.

Earlier lots of people from Sikkim who used to go to Mumbai for treatment but can’t find a reasonable place to stay and the Chief minister thought this Sikkim house will be accessible for those who are going to Mumbai for medical treatment.

Yesterday in Sikkim legislative assembly, Honourable Chief minister said ” Maharashtra government has approved our proposal to construct Sikkim House Navi Mumbai near the Tata Memorial Hospital which is one of the top hospitals in the country”

Land measuring 4000 square meter which is almost 1 acre has been allotted for which Rs 11 crore 97 lakhs has already been paid and taken in possession, said HCM in the Assembly.

This will ease the financial burden on our people travelling to Mumbai for treatment and also assist them in other matters,” Chief Minister P.S. Golay in his Budget speech on Monday.

Earlier, the patient from Sikkim used to stay in Hamro Chhahari which was launched years back by the Nepali community from overall which cost only 300/per day Room. But getting a room in Hamro Chhahari is also very difficult for many patients.

Protective Wall Binding Teesta Collapses Posing Threat For Erosions.

By
Jeewan Dahal
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The recent incessant rains in the state have transformed small streams into raging torrents and increased the water volumes of big Rivers like Teesta. The sudden rise in water level is an alarming bell for a few disasters in making. A portion of the protective wall guiding the flow of the Teesta has been washed away. A complete washout is evident if not taken care of and we are only in the first week of June.

The illegal quarrying, sand mining and breaking up of river boulders is the main reason for rivers to change courses and pose a threat. If this issue is not addressed at the earliest, the under-construction via-duct might be damaged.

Also, the settlements near the river belts are always at a threat during every monsoon. Most of the river belts in Sikkim have been plundered by sand mafias and river boulders broken down by stone breakers to feed them into the illegal crusher plants mushrooming in every nook and corner along the riverside. Sikkim is inviting a catastrophe and this will be man-made and not natural.

Butterfly Conservation Leader Nawang Gyatso Bhutia Represents India at Bhutan’s First Butterfly Meet

By
Jeewan Dahal
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The Kingdom of Bhutan successfully concluded the first edition of the Bhutan Butterfly Meet, organized with the support of the Department of Tourism. The event marked a milestone in regional collaboration for biodiversity conservation, bringing together experts and enthusiasts from Sikkim, West Bengal, South India, Arunachal Pradesh, and Bhutan.

Representing Sikkim, the Butterfly Man of Sikkim and President of Butterfly and Moths of Sikkim Nature Conservation Society (BAMOS NCS), Shri Nawang Gyatso Bhutia, actively participated in the event, contributing his vast knowledge and experience in butterfly studies. Around 200 butterfly species were recorded during the meet, including rare and remarkable ones such as Capila zennara (Pale Striped Dawnfly), Cyrestis cocles (Marbled Map), Araotes lapithis (Witch), Helcyra hemina (White Emperor), and Thaumantis diores (Jungle Glory) — which emerged as the main attraction of the event.

The meet witnessed enthusiastic participation from field researchers, students, wildlife photographers, tour guides, operators, and butterfly enthusiasts from both India and Bhutan. It fostered valuable cross-border knowledge exchange, strengthened community engagement, raised awareness about butterfly conservation, and promoted eco-tourism in the Eastern Himalayas.

Participants shared insights on butterfly identification, host plant relationships, life cycles, moth identification, and butterfly photography, emphasizing the importance of protecting the region’s Lepidoptera diversity.

Heartfelt gratitude was extended to Tshulthrim Wildlifer, Founder of the Butterfly Society of Bhutan, for his leadership and initiative in organizing this successful event. Appreciation was also conveyed to the Department of Tourism, Bhutan, and supporting organizations including RSPN Bhutan, WWF Bhutan, Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation, Bhutan Ecological Society, Bhutan For Life, and Bhutan Birdlife Society (BBLS) for their collaboration and support.

Special thanks were also extended to Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Sikkim, Shri Tshering T. Bhutia and GMC Deputy Mayor Smt. Tshering Palden Bhutia for their support.

India’s Economy Surges on Domestic Strength, Upending US Tariffs

By
Jeewan Dahal
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Even while contending with significant, politically-driven tariffs of up to 50% from the United States, the Indian economy is displaying strong growth and considerable resilience. This economic strength is highlighted by the World Bank’s recent decision to revise India’s GDP growth projection upwards to 6.5% for the 2026 fiscal year.

The engine for this performance is a robust domestic foundation. Key policy changes, such as reforms to the Goods and Services Tax (GST), have stimulated a surge in consumer demand, leading to the highest festive sales in a decade. This spending is further supported by a sharp drop in inflation to just 1.55% as of July 2025, which has effectively increased the purchasing power of households.

This positive outlook is mirrored by the international community. Moody’s has maintained its stable Baa3 rating for the country, and Japan’s Rating and Investment Information, Inc. (R&I) recently upgraded India’s Sovereign Rating to BBB+ (Stable). Furthermore, India’s foreign exchange reserves have climbed to a historic peak of over $700 billion. Ultimately, India’s economic narrative is being written by its own vibrant internal market and strategic policies, allowing it to forge a path of self-sufficient growth despite external trade pressures.

CM’s First Direct Response Through ‘Connect to CM’ Brings Hope to Infant with Brain Disorder

By
Jeewan Dahal
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Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) personally responded to a distress call made through the newly launched ‘Connect to CM’ platform—marking the first direct intervention under the initiative. The call came from the parents of seven-month-old Yanzee Lhamu Sherpa, a baby from Linkey village in Pakyong district, suffering from Dandy Walker Malformation and Hydrocephalus, a rare brain disorder causing fluid accumulation in the brain.

Facing severe financial hardship, the parents were referred to Neotia Hospital, Siliguri, for advanced treatment. Upon learning of their situation, Chief Minister Tamang immediately extended financial aid of ₹1 lakh and personally called the family while they were en route to Siliguri, assuring them of continued support and additional medical assistance if required.

This compassionate response underlines the true essence of ‘Connect to CM’, a citizen-centric platform launched on Monday at Samman Bhawan, Gangtok, to enable people to directly reach the Chief Minister’s Office with grievances and requests. The system, operational since Tuesday, can be accessed via 80016-81188 and 93327-81188, functioning daily from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., including holidays.

According to Karma Namgyal Bhutia, Secretary, CMO, the initiative is part of the broader vision of ‘Aangan Ma Sarkar’ (Government at the Doorstep), ensuring that governance in Sikkim remains compassionate, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of its people—especially the most vulnerable.

Hamas Confirms Death of Nepali Hindu Student Bipin Joshi; Exposes Nepal’s Weakest Foreign Affairs

By
Jeewan Dahal
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Hamas today afternoon confirmed that four hostages have already died, including Nepal’s Bipin Joshi.

Bipin, a 22-year-old Nepali agriculture student who was in Israel for studies, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Alumim during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, terror attack on southern Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 others taken hostage.

After Trump’s involvement in both Gaza and Israel, a ceasefire was agreed upon in October 2025, during which all hostages were released. However, Gaza also published that four hostages had died, including Bipin Joshi.

KP Oli, who was the Prime Minister of Nepal, didn’t show any interest even when Bipin’s sister and mother were begging the government from 2023 to 2025. His sister even went to the US to seek help from the UN and international leaders.

“We just want our brother Bipin back,” Joshi’s sister told a newspaper in August 2025. “It’s too much for me and my family.”

Earlier, Joshi’s family released footage believed to have been filmed in November 2023, which they said had been recovered by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and shared with them by Israeli intelligence. However, it remains unclear when the footage was discovered or handed over to the family.

Meanwhile, the Nepal Government, led by KP Oli until September 2025, didn’t show any interest, nor did the Foreign Minister. As Bipin was a Nepali resident and a student, if Nepal’s Foreign Minister had sought help in New Delhi with Jaishankar, who maintained diplomatic relations with both Israeli and Palestinian authorities, they could have pressured for his release long ago. But the Nepal government never showed any interest.
“If it was an Indian student, Indian diplomats and Jaishankar would have rescued him at all costs, like they did in Iran,” said an Indian citizen who was also praying for Bipin’s release early this morning.

Last month, instead of meeting the Indian Foreign Minister, Nepal’s Ex-PM KP Oli dialed his Egyptian and Turkish counterparts, which didn’t help much after the phone call.

On August 23, KP Oli met Bipin’s family and vowed to bring Bipin back. Oli only shared a photo of the meeting on Facebook, assuring that the government was leaving “no stone unturned” in its efforts to secure Joshi’s release.

Then again, no outcome came from the Nepal authorities. This exposes Nepal’s weakest foreign affairs and diplomacy.

“The Nepal government, then led by KP Oli, should have done something and found a way to reach out to Hamas from 2023–2025, but they didn’t. This shows how weak KP Oli’s government is. It also shows that every small country should maintain relationships with everyone instead of putting up ego,” said one Nepali citizen in India.

The whole of Nepal was seen praying with little hope for his release, but suddenly bad news came today.

Bipin was an agriculture student and was on a study tour program with his group. He could have easily been released back in 2024 through diplomatic and foreign affairs efforts, but this has also exposed how weak Nepal is in terms of handling foreign affairs.

SEBI Chairman launches World Investor Week at NSE

By
Jeewan Dahal
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Shri Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Chairman, SEBI, launched World Investor Week (WIW) 2025 at NSE, Mumbai with a ceremonial bell ringing, joined by Shri Srinivas Injeti, Chairman, NSE; Shri Amarjeet Singh, Whole-Time Member, SEBI; and Shri Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD & CEO, NSE.

Held under IOSCO’s aegis and promoted in India by SEBI, WIW (October 6–12) focuses on “Fraud & Scam Prevention” and “Basics of Investing.” SEBI and NSE rolled out joint TV and print campaigns urging safe, informed participation, using relatable stories, mixed-reality print ads, and digital learning tools for youth and first-time investors.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Tuhin Kanta Pandey said that the responsibility is to empower investors with fundamental knowledge, as their first line of defense against frauds and scams.

Shri Srinivas Injeti commented that World Investor Week is a global call to action to protect investors in an age of digital transformation.

Shri Ashishkumar Chauhan noted that at NSE, the ethos is simple—every week is World Investor Week.

SEBI and NSE leadership at the launch of World Investor Week 2025 at NSE, Mumbai.

NSE has introduced several new activities to spread awareness, including digital financial games, interactive scam-spotting challenges, a rap song, stage enactments, and public engagement drives.

Beyond WIW, NSE continues its nationwide Investor Awareness Programs across physical, hybrid and digital formats, supported by wide-reaching campaigns and educational content across media platforms.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is the regulator of India’s securities markets, focused on protecting investors and promoting orderly market development, while the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) is the country’s leading electronic securities market, committed to transparency, efficiency and wider capital access.

Sikkim Govt Hikes DA and DR for Employees and Pensioners Effective January 2025

By
Jeewan Dahal
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The Government of Sikkim has approved an increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for state employees and pensioners, providing a financial boost effective from January 1, 2025.

As per the latest circular issued by the Finance Department, DA for employees under the pre-revised pay structure has been raised from 246% to 252%, while those under the revised pay structure will now receive 55%, up from 53%. The revision also extends to contractual and work-charged employees drawing salaries in regular government pay scales.

For All India Service Officers serving under the Government of Sikkim, the DA revision follows the 7th Central Pay Commission pattern, with rates similarly increased to 55% and 252% under the revised and pre-revised scales respectively.

The notification clarifies that any payment fractions of 50 paise or more will be rounded off to the next higher rupee. This move is expected to benefit thousands of serving employees and pensioners across the state.

NSE to build 380cr, 60-bed unit for Tata Memorial Centre at  Navi Mumbai

By
Jeewan Dahal
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National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) as part of its CSR initiative has joined hands with Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) for a landmark G+11-storey Cancer Hospital project in Navi Mumbai with Multispecialty Block and 60-bed Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Centre which will be the largest in the country and one of the largest in South Asia. It is projected to serve approximately 1.3 lakh OPD patients annually and will have the capacity to conduct 600+ lifesaving BMT procedures in a year. The project with a built-up area of 2.4 lakh sq. ft. will be completed at a cost of about ₹380 Crores and is expected to commence operations by July 2027. The project will be constructed by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) in EPC mode.

In a significant step to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in the country, the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), as part of its CSR initiative to be implemented through NSE Foundation, has partnered with the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Navi Mumbai—established by Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), an autonomous grant-in-aid institution under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India—to develop a G+11 storey Multispecialty Hospital Block and Bone Marrow Transplant Centre at the ACTREC campus in Navi Mumbai. It will also act as an Out-Patient Department (OPD) unit for the entire ACTREC campus where 3 more buildings, besides the NSE block, are planned for cancer treatment.

The NSE facility will provide general and super-specialty services to support cancer patients with co-morbidities and will house a dedicated 60-bed Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) centre which will be the largest in the country and one of the largest in South Asia. It will offer this life-saving treatment free or at highly subsidized costs. 

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, NSE recognized the importance of strengthening healthcare capacity in the country. With the rising number of cancer cases across the country and the need to expand access to affordable care, NSE has partnered with ACTREC, Tata Memorial Hospital, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai. ACTREC has long been at the forefront of providing highly subsidised, almost free-of-cost cancer treatment to patients from remote corners across India. Every day, hundreds of patients, many of whom are financially weak, including children, visit the ACTREC-TMC campus to access advanced and affordable, often-free cancer care.

In March 2023, the NSE Board had given its approval for the project, and an MoU was signed with TMC. The final Environmental Clearance (EC) for the project was received on September 11, 2025, and Commencement Certificate for construction from local development authority, CIDCO was received on October 1, 2025. The construction will be undertaken by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) in EPC mode, and the building is expected to commence operations by July 2027.

The Bhoomi Pujan ceremony for this facility was held on Sunday(5th October), in the presence of dignitaries and stakeholders from NSE and TMC.

Shri Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD & CEO, NSE, said: “NSE is honoured to partner with Tata Memorial Centre in this landmark initiative. Our aim is to support the healthcare needs of cancer patients and their families, and to contribute meaningfully to the fight against cancer in India. We believe this project will have a lasting impact on the lives of thousands of patients each year. For more than 30 years, NSE has been a catalyst for change—revolutionising India’s financial landscape, channelling household savings into productive capital, facilitating fund mobilisation, wealth creation, job creation and driving economic growth. Our core vision has always been to be a trusted, vibrant, and transformative institution. Today, we are translating that same spirit of purpose to the heart of healthcare by building a much-needed Multispecialty hospital block at Tata Memorial’s Navi Mumbai ACTREC campus.”

Dr Sudeep Gupta, Director, Tata Memorial Centre said, “the new hospital block will address a critical gap in specialized services for treating comorbidities (such as cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, renal and gastroenterological) in cancer patients for which most times patients have to seek medical care at other hospitals as ACTREC has so far been a standalone cancer centre. A key highlight of the project is the inclusion of a 60-bedded Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) unit, which will make ACTREC one of the largest centres for BMT in South Asia. The construction of this hospital assumes immense significance in the context of the growing cancer burden, with thousands of patients currently awaiting BMT treatment—a procedure that is both complex and extremely expensive. The new facility will offer these life-saving treatments at highly subsidized costs, ensuring that advanced care remains accessible to all.”

Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, Director, ACTREC said, “TMC provides advanced, affordable, and often life-saving treatment to countless cancer patients who travel from all over the country. Our role in this is to help fill a critical gap in specialized care for comorbidities and, most importantly, to address the immense need for accessible Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) services.”

Dr Navin Khattry, Deputy Director and Bone Marrow transplant specialist at ACTREC said, “BMT is a critical and complex medical procedure, with thousands of patients—including children—waiting for a chance at a cure. This new facility, with its 60-bed BMT unit, will not only make ACTREC one of the largest centres of its kind in South Asia, but it will also offer this life-saving treatment at highly subsidized costs.”

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts of TMC to enhance healthcare delivery and outcomes for cancer patients in India. The new multispecialty OPD hospital block at ACTREC, Tata Memorial Hospital, Navi Mumbai, is poised to set new benchmarks in affordable, high-quality cancer care.

Darjeeling Landslide Catastrophe: Death Toll Rises to 23 Amid Torrential Rain

By
Jeewan Dahal
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The hill districts of Darjeeling are reeling after ferocious downpours unleashed deadly landslides overnight. Local reports confirm that the death toll has now risen to 23, including 18 Indian nationals and 5 citizens of Nepal, with several more feared missing as rescue teams battle difficult terrain and continuous rain.

According to officials, the five Nepalese victims lost their lives along the Indo-Nepal border near Maneybhanjyang, where massive mudslides buried homes and cut off key roads. Mirik has emerged as the worst-affected area, with 11 confirmed deaths, while the remaining casualties are spread across Sukhia Pokhari, Maneybhanjyang, and nearby regions. Bodies have been recovered from villages such as Jasbir, Chamong Gaon, Mechi Dhadh, and Mirik Basti. Among the deceased are elderly residents and several children — including Ahan Chhetri (9), Ruhi Tamang (11), and Arushi Chhetri (12).

The Dudha Bridge has collapsed, cutting off a vital lifeline from Mirik to Siliguri, while critical road connections across Darjeeling, Kurseong, Mirik, Kalimpong, and Sikkim remain disrupted. The impact goes beyond infrastructure — homes, farmlands, and entire livelihoods have been swept away, leaving families in despair. As the hills come to terms with this heartbreaking tragedy, prayers pour in for those who have lost loved ones and those still enduring hardship. Authorities have emphasized that immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation must now be a shared priority. May peace return to the hills, and may Darjeeling find strength in unity and compassion.

Heavy rainfall also caused the collapse of bridges and washed out vital communication links, severely impacting movement between hill subdivisions. A bridge collapse near Teesta Bazaar has disrupted connectivity between Sikkim and Bengal, while several other routes remain blocked by debris and mudslides.

Government agencies and district authorities have deployed disaster response teams to coordinate search, rescue, and relief operations. The situation remains critical as continuous rain hampers rescue efforts. Local officials have described the scenario as alarming, given the scale of destruction and the ongoing risk of further landslides.

Ajay Edward, Chief of the Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front, has appealed to the West Bengal Chief Minister to urge the central government to declare the disaster a National Disaster, citing the widespread human and property loss.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and assured that the central government is monitoring the situation closely while providing full assistance. In his message, he extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. President Droupadi Murmu also conveyed her grief and prayed for the success of the rescue and relief efforts.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to visit the affected areas soon and has announced immediate aid and compensation for those impacted.

Local administration have urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid landslide-prone zones. Many remote areas remain cut off due to collapsed roads and bridges, making it difficult for relief teams to reach all affected villages. With rain continuing and the ground unstable, the full extent of the devastation is yet to be known.

Five Sikkim Universities Named in UGC Defaulters’ List

By
Jeewan Dahal
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The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued notices to 54 State Private Universities across India for failing to comply with mandatory requirements under the UGC Act, 1956. Among them, five universities from Sikkim have been named as defaulters, placing the Himalayan state ahead of larger states such as Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal in the number of non-compliant institutions.

The defaulters from Sikkim include Medhavi Skills University (Singtam), Sikkim Alpine University (South Sikkim), Sikkim Global Technical University (Namchi), Sikkim International University (West Sikkim) and Sikkim Skill University (Namthang, South Sikkim). These universities have either failed to furnish details sought by the UGC under Section 13 of the Act or not uploaded their mandatory Public Self-Disclosure information on their websites.

In comparison, Uttar Pradesh has four universities on the defaulters’ list, while West Bengal has two. The UGC has warned all defaulting institutions to submit the required information at the earliest, failing which further action could be initiated.

The development has raised concerns in Sikkim, where higher education has been rapidly expanding through private universities. The UGC notice serves as a reminder that compliance with statutory regulations is critical for ensuring transparency and accountability in higher education.

Source: UGC Notification, Sept 24, 2025

NSE registered investor base crosses 12 crore (120 million) unique investors (unique PANs)

By
Jeewan Dahal
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0

The unique registered investor base on the National Stock Exchange of India crossed the 12-crore (120 million) mark on September 23rd, 2025. The total number of Investor Accounts (Unique Client Codes) registered with NSE stands at 23.5 crore (as of September 23rd, 2025), having crossed the 23-crore mark in July 2025. (Includes all client registrations done till date; clients can register with more than one trading member). 

The structural expansion of the investor base has accelerated meaningfully over time. The registered investor base hit the 1 crore mark 14 years after NSE started operations, the next 1 crore additions took about seven years, the subsequent 1 crore addition took about three-and-half years, and the next one a little over a year. In other words, it took over 25 years for the registered investor base to hit the 4-crore mark in March 2021, with the subsequent 1 crore investors being added in about 6-7 months.

India’s rapid rise in investor participation is driven by digitization, greater fintech access, an expanding middle class, and supportive policy measures under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

In this fiscal year thus far (as of September 23rd, 2025), the benchmark Nifty 50 index has generated returns of 7.0%, while the Nifty 500 index has delivered a strong 9.3% gain during this period. Annualised returns over the five-year period ending September 23rd, 2025 have been 17.7% and 20.5% for Nifty 50 and Nifty 500 respectively, higher than returns generated by broader emerging and developed market packs. The market capitalization of NSE listed companies has increased at an annualized rate of 25.1% during this five-year period to Rs 460 lakh crore as of September 23rd, 2025, leading to a significant accretion to the household wealth. Notably, the individual investors, directly and indirectly via mutual funds, own 18.5% of the market (NSE listed companies), as of June 30th, 2025.

One in four investors today are women. Further, we have seen rising interest in financial markets and stock-ownership among the country’s youth in recent years – a testament to the trust placed by these investors in the capital market ecosystem. The 12 crore registered investors in India today have a median age of about 33 years, down from 38 years just five years ago, with nearly 40% of them being less than 30 years old. 

This has been accompanied by widening participation across the country. The investor base today spans covering 99.85% of India’s pin codes. As of August 31st, 2025, there were three states with the count of unique registered investors more than a crore, with Maharashtra leading the pack with 1.9 crore (19 million) investors, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 1.4 crore (14 million) investors and Gujarat, the latest entrant in this set, with 1.03 crore (10.3 million) investors.

Indirect participation has also continued to rise steadily during the current fiscal, as evidenced by almost 2.9 crore (29 million) new SIP accounts opened between Apr’25- Aug’25. During this period, average monthly SIP inflows stood at Rs 27,464 crores (~US$3.2 bn), compared to Rs 21,883 crore (~US$ 2.5 bn) in the corresponding months of last year.

India’s vibrant influx of new investors—many of them young, first-time participants—makes broadening financial awareness a priority. Over the past five years, NSE has significantly intensified its work in this area. Investor Awareness Programs (IAPs) by NSE have quadrupled—from 3,504 in FY20 to 14,679 in FY25—reaching more than 8 lakh participants across all states and union territories. Meanwhile, NSE’s Investor Protection Fund (IPF) has grown by nearly 21% YoY to Rs 2,644 crore as of August 31st, 2025.

Shri Sriram Krishnan, Chief Business Development Officer, NSE, said: “This year, we have crossed another significant yardstick in terms of our investor base. After crossing the 11-crore mark in January, it is commendable that the investors onboarded by NSE have increased by an additional crore in about eight months, despite persistent concerns regarding the contours of global trade and geopolitics. This steady growth is supported by several key drivers: a streamlined Know Your Customer (KYC) process, enhanced financial literacy through stakeholder-led investor awareness programs, and sustained positive market sentiment. The rise in participation across Exchange-Traded instruments—including Equities, Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), Government Bonds, and Corporate Bonds—underscores these factors.”

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