A heartwarming video from a high-altitude border post shows Indian Army soldiers improvising a game of cricket in extreme winter conditions. With heavy snowfall covering the landscape, troops used a snowball as the cricket ball and a shovel as the makeshift bat. The light-hearted moment captured the soldiers’ resilience and ability to stay upbeat despite harsh weather and demanding terrain. The clip has quickly gone viral, drawing admiration for their spirit, camaraderie and creativity while guarding the nation’s frontiers.

Hundreds of coastal-village families in Munambam, Kerala, who have been on a relay hunger strike for over 410 days, plan to end their protest on November 30. The move follows a Kerala High Court order that allows residents to pay land tax again — restoring their interim revenue rights. However, not all members agree: a faction insists the strike must continue until full ownership is legally secured. (PC: The Hindu)

Airbus has issued a global alert after finding that intense solar radiation may corrupt critical flight‑control data in its A320‑family aircraft. As a result, more than 200–250 A320 jets operated by IndiGo, Air India and Air India Express in India are being temporarily grounded for urgent software or hardware updates. Airlines have warned passengers of potential delays, cancellations and longer turnaround times while maintenance is performed. This precautionary move affects a major portion of India’s domestic flight network — potentially disrupting thousands of travellers’ journeys over the coming days. 

Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi has made a heartfelt appeal to the Prime Minister’s Office amid a severe air-quality crisis in the Delhi-NCR region. She described the situation as “agonising and depressing,” citing an AQI reading of 587 in Indirapuram, and has even kept her child at home due to health concerns. Bedi has called for “proactive” central intervention, suggesting regular virtual check-ins between PM Modi and neighboring state CMs, and urged use of the “Mann Ki Baat” platform to raise public awareness. (PC: PTI)

India has released a drastically updated seismic zonation map under its revised Earthquake Design Code, placing the whole Himalayan arc in a newly introduced Zone VI, the highest risk level. The revision shows that 61% of India now falls under moderate to high earthquake hazard zones. Developed using probabilistic seismic hazard assessment, the new map factors in active faults, rupture potential, and ground-shaking behavior. The update could reshape building norms and infrastructure planning, especially around tectonically sensitive regions. 

India achieved 'major power' status on the Asia Power Index 2025, ranking third globally with a score of 40 behind the US (80.4) and China (73.5). The Lowy Institute attributed India's rise to economic growth and enhanced military capability demonstrated during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, when strikes on nine Pakistani terror bases showcased combat prowess. India overtook China as the second-largest investment destination after the US, driven by supply-chain diversification. The nation also recorded improvements in diplomatic influence, cultural presence, and economic relationships marking its first-ever rise since 2018. India stands on the cusp of military superpower status, needing to cross the 40-point threshold, while steadily widening its lead over fourth-ranked Japan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the world's tallest statue of Lord Rama, a 77-foot bronze sculpture at Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math in South Goa during the institution's 550th-anniversary celebration. Crafted by renowned sculptor Ram Sutar, the statue was inaugurated during the 'Sardha Panchashatamanotsava' ceremony attended by Goa Governor, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, and Union minister Shripad Naik. Modi released a special postal stamp and commemorative coin, praising the mutt for preserving tradition while embracing modernization through museums and technology. The Vaishnava Math, following the 13th-century Dvaita order, has been completely refurbished. Modi emphasized how institutions built on truth and service strengthen society, noting he attended Ram Temple's consecration just three days prior.

The Bureau of Indian Standards has dramatically upgraded India's seismic zonation map, placing the entire Himalayan arc in the newly created highest-risk Zone VI. This radical reclassification means 61% of India now falls within moderate to high earthquake hazard zones. The Himalayas, previously split between Zones IV and V, face elevated danger due to the ongoing collision between Indian and Eurasian plates moving at 5cm annually. Experts highlight that earlier maps underestimated risks from long-unruptured fault segments, particularly in Central Himalayas which haven't experienced major surface rupture in 2,000 years. The update requires stricter building codes and infrastructure planning across affected regions, reflecting accumulated tectonic stress in these geologically young, unstable mountains. (PC: Reuters)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a powerful message of national strength and resilience, declaring that “Naya Bharat will not bow down before any force.” Speaking at a public event, he invoked the symbolism of the Sudarshan Chakra, stating that India’s resolve, like the divine weapon, is firm and unshakeable when confronting enemies and threats to national security. He emphasized that modern India is prepared to defend its sovereignty with determination, unity, and technological capability. Modi added that citizens’ trust and the nation’s growing global stature reflect a new era where India stands confident, self-reliant, and fearless on the world stage.  

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has sharply criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for remaining silent amid Delhi’s crippling air pollution, calling it a “health emergency.” He urged an urgent parliamentary debate and demanded a strict, enforceable action plan to clean the capital’s toxic air. Sharing a video of conversations with worried mothers, Rahul said, “India’s children are choking … How can you stay silent? Why no accountability, no plan?” Delhi has endured “very poor” to “severe” air quality for over two weeks, heightening concerns over long-term health risks for children and vulnerable groups.