IIT Kharagpur is taking strong steps to prevent student suicides. After four deaths in 2024, the institute has decided to remove ceiling fans from hostel rooms. The fans will be replaced in phases. Director Suman Chakraborty said, “In a moment of crisis, the absence of a tool can save a life.” The institute also launched new mental health measures. These include 24x7 counselling, permanent psychiatrists, monthly parent calls, and barcoded helpline numbers on doors. They also introduced ‘Campus Mothers’—female staff who offer emotional support. The goal is to create a caring space and stop campus tragedies before they happen. (PC: TOI)

In a first for India, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department acquired 30.41 acres of private patta land situated inside the core area of the recently established Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve (SMTR). Acquired under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act, 2013, seven landowners voluntarily surrendered their plots and were compensated ₹2.33 crore—well above standard rates. This landmark move formalized the state's commitment to wildlife protection and corridor restoration. The region, once coffee and cardamom plantations, forms a crucial corridor for tiger and elephant movements across fragmented forests. (PC: Express)

After a protracted 17-year legal battle, a Special NIA Court in Mumbai has acquitted all seven accused, including former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit, in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case. The ruling, delivered on July 31, 2025, cited a complete lack of reliable, cogent evidence, including no proof linking Thakur’s motorcycle to the explosion and defective use of UAPA sanctions. The court underscored investigative lapses—from missing forensic data to questionable medical records—leaving doubt about the prosecution's claims. Victims' families will receive compensation as mandated by the court. (PC: HT File)

An investigation by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has confirmed that the Bagmati Express derailment on October 11, 2024, near Kavaraipettai, Tamil Nadu, was caused by deliberate sabotage. Miscreants tampered with tongue rails and the interlocking system, diverting the train into a loop line where it collided with a stationary goods train. Thirteen coaches derailed and one caught fire, injuring 19 passengers. There were no fatalities. The Railways has ramped up surveillance with CCTV, special intelligence teams, and track safety upgrades. The loco pilot’s swift action prevented further disaster, earning commendation from officials. (PC: The Hindu)

On July 30, 2025, during a BJP cavalcade in West Bengal, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari confronted a man who shouted “Joy Bangla” from the roadside. Adhikari reportedly halted his vehicle, disembarked with security personnel, and threatened the man, saying he would “skin you alive”. The man later claimed he was assaulted by the BJP leader’s security team. The confrontation quickly turned chaotic amid political tensions and deep symbolism attached to the slogan. The incident underscores heightened polarization in the state ahead of upcoming elections. (PC: NDTV)

On July 30, 2025, around 11:30 AM, a convoy moving from Durbuk to Chongtash in eastern Ladakh was struck when a massive boulder fell on one of the vehicles near Charbagh, in the Galwan region (~200 km from Leh). Lieutenant Colonel Bhanu Pratap Singh Mankotia and Lance Dafadar Daljeet Singh (14 Sindh Horse) were killed instantly. Three officers—Major Mayank Shubham, Major Amit Dixit, and Captain Gaurav—were critically injured and evacuated to the Army Hospital in Leh. The Fire and Fury Corps and Northern Command paid tribute, calling their sacrifice noble and reaffirming support to the bereaved families. (PC: PTC News)  

Remona Evette Pereira, a final-year BA student from St Aloysius University, Mangaluru, danced Bharatanatyam nonstop for 170 hours, setting a new world record. Her performance lasted from July 21 to July 28 and has been recognised by the Golden Book of World Records. She got only a 15-minute break every three hours. Audiences watched in awe as she danced for seven full days. Remona started learning Bharatanatyam at age three. Her dedication and energy amazed everyone. The event drew crowds from across India, and videos of her dance are now viral online. Many called it a proud moment for Indian classical arts. (PC: Instagram/lucky_photographer_03)

Aishanya Dwivedi, widow of terror attack victim Shubham Dwivedi, expressed deep hurt that Prime Minister Narendra Modi failed to mention the 26 civilians killed in the April 22 Pahalgam attack in his parliamentary speech. She said it mattered that Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi named all 26 victims, and she thanked them for doing so, adding she had expected the Prime Minister to do the same. The PM had responded by saying the government had done everything necessary, launching Operation Sindoor in retaliation, and did not need to “prove its actions time and again.”  

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out two consecutive flight trials of the Pralay quasi‑ballistic tactical missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast on July 28–29, 2025 . Designed for 150–500 km range strikes, Pralay demonstrated high precision, adherence to trajectory, and accurate target impact during user evaluation trials validating its guidance, mission algorithms, and range capabilities . Weighing approximately 5 tonnes, it can avoid enemy detection with its radar‑evading, manoeuvring MaRV, and be rapidly deployed via truck-mounted launchers. Authorities confirmed the success paves the way for its induction into India’s armed forces.

Eminent economist, writer, and academic Meghnad Desai passed away at the age of 84. Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned his death, stating that Desai “played a role in deepening India-UK ties” and was “always connected to India and Indian culture.” Born in Gujarat in 1940, Desai taught at the London School of Economics for nearly four decades and was a noted author of several acclaimed books on global economics and politics. PM Modi added he would “fondly recall” discussions with Desai, praising his valuable insights. Condolences poured in from academic and diplomatic communities across India and the UK. (PC: News18)