A sensitive rescue operation continues in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district to save 41 workers trapped since November 12 in a collapsed tunnel. A team of 12 rat-hole mining experts have undertaken perilous manual drilling to break through the final few metres of rubble separating the stable, supplied workers from rescue. Officials say the workers are now just 3 metres away from rescue. Vertical drilling down 86 metres from above the tunnel also continues, with plans to pull out workers through the 1-metre wide shaft by Thursday. Meanwhile, food and medicines are regularly reaching the trapped workers. Prime Minister Modi is receiving daily updates on the rescue mission as experts inch agonizingly closer to the workers.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced significant progress in the Silkyara tunnel rescue, revealing that almost 52 meters of drilling has been completed. With an expected breakthrough around 57 meters, rat-hole mining experts are navigating the final stretch to reach 41 trapped workers. Micro tunnelling expert Chris Cooper expressed optimism, stating, "It went very well last night. We have crossed 50 meters. It's now about five-six meters to go. We didn't have any obstacles last night. It is looking very positive." The rescue operation, now in its 16th day, shows promising signs of success.

In the Uttarkashi tunnel collapse, a six-member team of rat-hole miners from Madhya Pradesh has been deployed for manual rescue operations. After a US-made auger machine faced complications, officials opted for horizontal drilling and rat-hole mining to evacuate 41 workers trapped for 16 days. The miners, skilled in the primitive method of extracting through narrow passages, started drilling from inside pipes pushed into the tunnel. Adverse weather conditions pose challenges, with the India Meteorological Department predicting thunderstorms. The collapsed section occurred during the construction of a 4.5-km-long tunnel on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri National Highway.

In Kupwara district, Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army, under Operation GUSHI, apprehended two individuals on Monday. A Mobile Vehicle Interception Post (MVIP) was established at Gushi Bridge, leading to the recovery of four hand grenades, one pistol with ammunition, and incriminating materials. The joint operation by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, based on specific intelligence, targeted suspected individuals. The Chinar Corps of the Indian Army stated, "Further investigation is underway." This successful operation highlights ongoing efforts to maintain security and curb illicit activities in the region.

A remarkable story of human-animal bonding is the talk of the town in Karnataka's Davanagere. A stray dog remarkably turned up at the home of 21-year-old Tippesh days after he died avoiding a collision with the canine. Tippesh died due to severe head injuries in Bhadravathi, a taluk in Shivamogga district, on November 16. His mother Yashodamma said, "The dog tried to approach our house after the funeral, but other strays fought it off. It finally entered...and rested its head on my hand. We felt the dog was trying to convey grief." A relative said the dog walked 8 kilometers back along with Tippesh's body and was even around at his funeral. Three days later his sister Chandana said, it "cosied up to Tippesh's mother." She added the family is "not angry with the dog" as "it was an accident." The heartwarming bond between a canine and a grieving family is a tale that needs telling again and again.

Authorities said horizontal manual drilling by specialist "rat miners" has begun in the Uttarakhand tunnel where 41 workers remain trapped, unable to rely just on the faulty American auger machine. The miners are used to burrowing narrow mine shafts through primitive techniques to extract coal. Neeraj Khairwal, Secretary, Uttarakhand government, said 24 rat miners will work 24 hours to remove manual debris. The work will be done in three shifts. Once in working condition, the Auger Machine will push the 800-mm pipe forward as the manual drilling progresses. Separately, 36 meters of a potential vertical escape passage has been dug. With main drilling avenues faltering after over 15 days, manual boring by the skilled workers from the sides, top, and other ends is the focus now. Officials indicated with machine failures, the painstaking manual drilling process remains the only certain recourse left to save the group.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor weighs in on the workweek debate sparked by Narayana Murthy advocating for a 70-hour work week and Bill Gates endorsing a 3-day work week. Tharoor suggests a compromise, stating on X, "If Mr Gates and Mr Narayana Murthy sit down together and work out a compromise, we will end up exactly where we are, with a five-day work week!" Various responses emerged, with users discussing the differing perspectives on work-life balance and the ongoing demand for a five-day work week in India's banking sector.

In a shocking incident at a private school in Indore Madhya Pradesh, a Class 4 student was reportedly attacked 108 times with a geometry compass by three classmates on November 24. The victim received first aid and was allowed to leave the hospital. The Child Welfare Committee is investigating, expressing concern over the violent behavior. The police are examining the case, while the victim's father lodged a complaint, seeking CCTV footage. All children involved are below 10 years old, and authorities are taking appropriate legal measures. The motive for the attack remains unclear.

"Don't be nervous, we're on it" is what relatives like Saba Ahmad's brother Naiiyar keep assuring the 41 men stuck for 15 days inside Uttarakhand's tunnel. A mic lets workers communicate from the tunnel's intact stretch beyond the collapsed rubble. A team of doctors, stationed at the rescue operation site, talk to the trapped workers twice a day -- from 9 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 8 pm. Also, family members of the trapped workers are allowed to talk to them anytime they like. Initially, juices and energy drinks were being provided to the workers, but now proper meals like boiled eggs, milk, tea, and porridge for breakfast; then lentils, rice, flatbread, and vegetables for lunch and dinner are sent to them. The administration has set up a camp for the families of the workers outside the tunnel. Five doctors including psychiatrists are constantly stationed on site. Nodal officer Dr. Bimlesh Joshi said at least 10 more doctors remain on standby in Uttarkashi through the rescue operation. As risks rise, relatives and medical teams work relentlessly to reassure and support workers during their arduous confinement.

With the main auger drill breaking down, rescuers are attempting multiple strategies simultaneously to save the 41 workers trapped in the Uttarakhand tunnel for over 16 days. Manual drilling by specialists flown from Delhi will pick up where the auger left off, with diggers taking turns in the grueling task. The 'rat miners', called so for their rat-like skill in boring, will cut through debris inside the tunnel's 800mm pipe. According to rescue teams, these professionals are skilled in cutting through metal barriers too. Separately, vertical drilling started by drilling 300 meters horizontally first before boring 86 meters down. Officials said 31 vertical meters are done so far. The challenge is safely penetrating the tunnel roof crust without injuring workers beneath. As obstacles persist, authorities continue adding new plans like manual, horizontal, and vertical drilling in a 360-degree bid to rescue the trapped group enduring prolonged hardship.