The Statue of Unity in Gujarat has seen a remarkable growth in annual visitors since its inauguration in 2018. The towering monument to Sardar Patel has welcomed nearly 16 crore tourists in less than five years. After over 4.5 lakh visitors in 2018 and 2.7 crore in 2019, footfall dipped during the pandemic to 1.3 crore in 2020 but rebounded to over 3.4 crore in 2021. 2022 saw the highest numbers yet at 4.3 crore, while 2023 has already drawn 3.6 crore visitors so far. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's annual visit on October 31 also draws attention.

In a tragic turn during Navratri celebrations in Gujarat, six individuals, including a Class 12 student, have died of heart attacks while participating in 'garba' dance events. The deaths have raised concerns, with 22 additional heart attack-related fatalities reported in the state. Gujarat's Health Minister has called for research to determine the cause of these incidents, responding to concerns raised by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel. Despite a popular belief attributing the deaths to COVID-19, research indicates otherwise. The '108' ambulance service received 750 cardiac emergency calls during Navratri, prompting increased scrutiny.

Indian carriers will operate 8% more flights this winter compared to last year, according to DGCA data. There will be 23,732 weekly departures from 118 airports in the schedule starting October 30, up from 22,907 departures from 110 airports last winter. New airports added are Bhatinda, Jaisalmer, Ludhiana etc. While IndiGo and Air India will see the highest growth at 30% and 18% respectively, SpiceJet will see a 33% decline in flights. Vistara flights will also drop 2%. The increase is despite Go First, 7% of the market, shutting down in May. Experts say the growth is insufficient to curb high airfares. Akasa Air will operate 790 flights in its first winter schedule. The DGCA data confirms Go First will remain grounded until at least March 2024.

The tragic death of Wagh Bakri Tea Group executive director Parag Desai has put the spotlight back on India's stray dog menace. Desai, 49, suffered a brain hemorrhage last week after a fall during an attack by street dogs near his residence. He passed away on Sunday. Desai's accident has renewed concerns over the public safety threat posed by stray dogs, estimated to number over 30 million in India. Several serious dog attacks on people, including children, have been reported from different parts of the country in recent years. However, efforts by local authorities to cull or relocate stray dogs have faced opposition from animal rights activists. Desai's untimely death may force renewed debate on sustainable solutions to address the stray dog issue plaguing Indian cities and towns.

China significantly increased military presence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India in 2022, as per a Pentagon report. The report highlights Beijing's infrastructure developments, including underground storage facilities near Doklam, new roads, villages in disputed areas, a dual-purpose airport, and multiple helipads. These advancements, initiated after the Galwan Valley clash, indicate heightened tensions. Despite limited progress in border negotiations, China's military buildup along the LAC continues, prompting concerns about regional stability. The report also notes China's expanding navy and predicts over 1,000 operational nuclear warheads by 2030.      

India braces for an unusual occurrence as twin cyclones, 'Tej' in the Arabian Sea and 'Hamoon' in the Bay of Bengal, take form. 'Tej' intensifies, set to become a severe storm heading towards Oman and Yemen, while 'Hamoon' is in the early stages, anticipated to approach Andhra coast. Both cyclones, predicted based on the 2018 rare phenomenon, won't significantly impact India's weather, except for slight changes in Chennai and coastal Tamil Nadu. While 'Tej' progresses, 'Hamoon' may form by October 23, following distinct paths over 2,500 km apart.

Cyclone 'Tej' intensifies into a 'cyclonic storm,' set to escalate into a 'severe cyclonic storm' by Sunday, alerts the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The deep depression over the Southwest Arabian Sea prompts warnings of very rough to phenomenal sea conditions until October 23. The cyclone, moving west-northwest, is expected to impact the south coasts of Oman and adjoining Yemen. Fishermen are cautioned against venturing into the sea, with rough conditions forecasted along Odisha, West Bengal, and Bangladesh coasts. While Gujarat remains unaffected, other regions including Kerala, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura brace for anticipated effects, anticipating rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds due to Cyclone Tej's impact.

Originally from Pakistan, Labhshankar Duryodhan Maheshwari arrived in Tarapur, Gujarat, in 1999 with his wife for fertility treatment. He later established a successful business and acquired Indian citizenship by early 2006. However, on Thursday, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested him for allegedly aiding Pakistani agents in accessing sensitive information about the Indian Army. The ATS alleges that Maheshwari assisted Pakistani agents in obtaining an Indian SIM card, which they used to hack the phones of Indian defense personnel's children attending Army schools. Reportedly, he did this in exchange for assistance from Pakistani officials in obtaining visas for his family members.

The ISRO rocket, initially delayed due to an anomaly, successfully lifted off from Sriharikota in a revised launch schedule. Carrying payloads essential for crew safety in the Gaganyaan mission, the spacecraft launched at 10 am after the issue causing the initial delay was identified and corrected. This accomplishment represents a significant milestone in India's space exploration, bolstering the safety and potential success of future crewed missions. It showcases ISRO's commitment to overcoming technical challenges, solidifying its pursuit of ambitious goals in space exploration, and prioritizing the well-being of its astronauts."

Dhordo village in Gujarat has been bestowed with the prestigious title of "Best Tourism Village" by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The Ministry of Tourism celebrated this achievement, recognizing Dhordo's exceptional commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism practices. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter, expressing his delight and sharing fond memories of his visits to Dhordo in 2009 and 2015. He encouraged people to share their own experiences using #AmazingDhordo, aiming to inspire more travelers to explore this culturally rich and naturally beautiful destination.