Category: Art, Culture & Sports

Ladakh Challi Textiles have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status, providing legal protection to this unique Himalayan handloom tradition and supporting the livelihoods of local artisans. Challi is a coarse, handwoven woollen fabric traditionally produced by the Changpa Community of the Changthang Plateau. The textile is specially designed to withstand the extreme cold and harsh … Continue reading Ladakh Challi Textiles Receive GI Tag

Lionel Messi achieved several historic records during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Made his 200th appearance for Argentina in the World Cup opener against Algeria. Became the first player in history to participate in six FIFA World Cups. Scored his first-ever World Cup hat-trick against Algeria. Equalled Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading World Cup … Continue reading Lionel Messi’s World Cup Milestones

Sarpreet Singh became the first footballer of Indian origin to start a FIFA World Cup match, featuring in New Zealand's 2–2 draw against Iran in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Born in Auckland to Punjabi parents, the attacking midfielder made his World Cup debut in the Group G match and played almost the entire game. … Continue reading Sarpreet Singh Creates World Cup History

Story of A Forest, a 15-minute animation film by Trishul Yumnam and Yaso Sharma, has been selected among 15 films for the national animation competition at the Mumbai International Film Festival 2026. Organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, MIFF is one of India's premier festivals for documentary, short fiction, and animation films. Set … Continue reading Story of A Forest at MIFF 2026

The traditional Sarinda has been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status, providing legal recognition and protection to Tripura's rich tribal musical heritage. The Sarinda is a handcrafted bowed string instrument widely used in the folk and tribal music traditions of the state. Its GI recognition is expected to promote traditional craftsmanship and preserve indigenous cultural practices. … Continue reading Tripura Sarinda Receives GI Tag

A new book, Tides of Time: Bharat’s History Through Murals in Parliament, authored by Sudha Murty, was launched in the United Kingdom at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. Published by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the book chronicles the historical narratives depicted in the iconic murals of the Indian Parliament, highlighting significant events, personalities, and cultural milestones … Continue reading Tides of Time: Bharat’s History Through Murals in Parliament

Assam's Deuri Handloom Products have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status, providing legal protection and enhancing their recognition, market value, and export potential. The traditional handloom of the Deori community is known as Puma-gema, reflecting the rich weaving heritage of the community. Deori textiles are renowned for their distinctive designs, craftsmanship, and cultural significance. Important … Continue reading Deuri Handloom Products Receive GI Tag

Four traditional products from Assam have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status by the Geographical Indications Registry, Government of India, strengthening the recognition of the state's indigenous crafts, handloom traditions, and cultural heritage. Among the newly recognised products are the Karbi Anglong Handloom Products, known for their distinctive designs and traditional weaving techniques. Karbi handlooms … Continue reading Karbi Anglong Handloom Products Receive GI Tag

The implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in Assam is facing challenges as colleges prepare to introduce the fourth year of undergraduate programmes under the new four-year degree structure. Key concerns include delays in the release of the fourth-year syllabus by Gauhati University, shortages of faculty members and inadequate infrastructure in many colleges. … Continue reading National Education Policy (NEP) Implementation Challenges in Assam

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the largest and most geographically expansive edition of the tournament in history. It is the first men's FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by three countries—United States, Canada and Mexico—and the first to feature an expanded 48-team format. Mexico has become the first country in history to host or … Continue reading 2026 FIFA World Cup

Guns N' Roses is set to return to India for a two-city tour in November 2026, with performances scheduled in Bengaluru and Guwahati as part of the Asia leg of its ongoing world tour. Formed in 1985, the legendary rock band is renowned for iconic songs such as Welcome to the Jungle, Paradise City, Sweet … Continue reading Guns N’ Roses to Perform in Guwahati

Acclaimed filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and Academy Award-winning composer A. R. Rahman are collaborating on Masoom: The New Generation, a contemporary reimagining of the 1983 classic Masoom. Directed by Shekhar Kapur, the film will explore themes of identity, family, love and migration through a modern perspective while preserving the emotional essence of the original. The project … Continue reading Masoom: The New Generation

Shivangi Sonowal from Dangari in Tinsukia district has become the first Assamese woman to qualify as a Fire Engineer from the prestigious National Fire Service College (NFSC), Nagpur. The achievement is particularly notable given the highly competitive admission process, which requires candidates to qualify through JEE Main and meet rigorous physical fitness standards. NFSC admits … Continue reading Shivangi Sonowal Becomes First Assamese Woman Fire Engineer

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved the use of pink balls in day Test matches affected by adverse weather conditions, aiming to reduce loss of playing time and improve the chances of achieving a result. Under the proposed arrangement, a Test match will begin with the traditional red ball. If poor light conditions arise, … Continue reading ICC Approves Pink Ball Use in Weather-Affected Day Tests

Pushpabanta Palace in Agartala, Tripura, is set to be transformed into the Taj Pushpabanta Palace Heritage Hotel under a ₹250-crore project aimed at boosting tourism and showcasing the state's royal heritage. Built in 1917 by Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya, the palace is one of Tripura’s most iconic historical landmarks. It served as the Raj Bhavan … Continue reading Pushpabanta Palace to be Converted into Heritage Hotel

Marcia Lucas, Academy Award-winning editor of the original Star Wars, passed away recently. She received an Oscar for her editing work on the landmark 1977 film and was part of a generation of women editors whose contributions were instrumental in shaping the New Hollywood era of American cinema. Marcia Lucas is widely remembered for her … Continue reading Marcia Lucas Passes Away

Randhir Singh, veteran sports administrator and India’s first Asian Games shooting gold medallist, passed away after battling age-related ailments. A distinguished shooter, he brought India its first Asian Games gold medal in shooting and later played a pivotal role in sports administration at both national and international levels. Through his contributions as an athlete, administrator … Continue reading Randhir Singh Passes Away

Suman Kalyanpur, one of the most celebrated playback singers of Indian cinema, passed away in Mumbai at the age of 89. Born in Dhaka in 1937, she became a prominent voice of the golden era of Indian film music from the 1950s to the 1970s. Known for her melodious renditions in Hindi, Marathi and several … Continue reading Suman Kalyanpur Passes Away

Meghalaya signed the Host State Agreement with the Indian Olympic Association for hosting the 39th National Games in 2027. While Meghalaya will serve as the lead host, other Northeastern states will also host selected sporting disciplines within their territories, making the event a regional sporting showcase. On the occasion, Mansukh Mandaviya announced the establishment of … Continue reading Meghalaya to Host 39th National Games

Lakshman Prasad Acharya led an Indian delegation accompanying the sacred relics of Arhant Sariputra and Arhant Maudgalyayana to Mongolia for a special exposition organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture. The revered relics, preserved at Sanchi Vihar Chaitya, will remain in Mongolia until June 9, 2026. The spiritual and cultural initiative aims to … Continue reading Holy Relics of Sariputra and Maudgalyayana Taken to Mongolia

State Council of Educational Research and Training Nagaland issued an apology after a spelling error in the name of the Khiamniungan Tribe appeared in a Class 8 textbook. The Khiamniungan are a major transboundary Naga community inhabiting Noklak and Tuensang districts of Nagaland and parts of Myanmar’s Sagaing Region. Their important festivals include Tsokum, a … Continue reading Khiamniungan Tribe and SCERT Nagaland Apology

Indian Institute of Management Shillong received accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The accreditation places IIM Shillong among a select group of business schools worldwide that have met internationally recognised standards in teaching quality, research, curriculum design, learner success and societal impact. AACSB accreditation is regarded as one of the … Continue reading AACSB Accreditation for IIM Shillong

Loktak Lotus Tea was presented as a gift to the Prime Minister of Sweden, highlighting the unique biodiversity and traditional innovations associated with Loktak Lake. The initiative is led by Bijiyashanti Tongbram, whose work on lotus-based products has gained national recognition. She is regarded as the first person in India to extract fibre from lotus … Continue reading Loktak Lotus Tea Gifted to Swedish Prime Minister

Milkha Singh transformed Indian athletics with his iconic 45.73-second run in the 400m event at the 1960 Rome Olympics. The achievement earned him the title “Flying Sikh” and established one of the most celebrated records in Indian sporting history. The record stood as a benchmark for decades before Paramjeet Singh lowered it to 45.56 seconds … Continue reading Evolution of India’s 400m National Record

Elephants in the Fog created history at the 79th Cannes Film Festival by becoming the first Nepali film to win an award at the prestigious event. The debut feature secured the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize, marking a significant milestone for Nepal’s growing presence in global cinema and international film recognition. APSC Relevance: International cinema, … Continue reading Elephants in the Fog – First Nepali Film to Win at Cannes

Kusum Talukdar performed Borgeet at the 19th Global Competition & Festival of Indian Art & Culture titled Desh Raag held in Hanoi, Vietnam. A graded and regular artiste of Lokageet and Borgeet for All India Radio and Doordarshan, Kusum Talukdar has devoted decades to Assamese music and cultural traditions. She has released several music albums … Continue reading Borgeet Performance at ‘Desh Raag’ Festival in Vietnam

Narendra Modi presented a Shirui Lily silk stole to Giorgia Meloni, drawing international attention to Manipur’s indigenous craftsmanship and cultural heritage. The stole is inspired by the Shirui Lily, a rare flower found only on the Shirui Kashong Peak in Ukhrul district of Manipur. Closely associated with the Tangkhul Naga community, the flower symbolises purity, … Continue reading Shirui Lily Silk Stole – Symbol of Manipur’s Heritage

Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society will confer the prestigious Luminous Lummer Dai Literary Award 2026 on Tony Koyu for his contributions to literature and language development in Arunachal Pradesh. Tony Koyu is widely recognised as the creator of Tani Lipi, regarded as the first indigenous script developed for the Tani tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. Using the … Continue reading Luminous Lummer Dai Literary Award 2026

Taiwan Travelogue by Yang Shuangzi and translated by Lin King won the International Booker Prize. Set in Japanese-occupied Taiwan during the 1930s, the novel combines historical fiction and romance while exploring themes of colonialism, identity and cultural interaction. It became the first novel originally written in Mandarin Chinese to receive the International Booker Prize for … Continue reading Taiwan Travelogue – International Booker Prize Winner

Three films from Northeast India were selected for screening at the Marché du Film 2026 during the ongoing Cannes Film Festival. The selected films include Joseph’s Son by Haobam Paban Kumar, Karken by Nending Loder and the Bodo film My Three Sisters by Kenny Basumatary. The Marché du Film serves as the global business platform … Continue reading Northeast Films at Marché du Film 2026

Lovlina Borgohain qualified for both the 2026 Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games after securing her place in India’s boxing team in the women’s 75 kg category during national selection trials held in Patiala. The Commonwealth Games 2026 will begin in Glasgow on July 23, while the Asian Games 2026 are scheduled to start in … Continue reading Lovlina Borgohain – Qualification for Asian Games and Commonwealth Games

Etor Gidi is an agro-based traditional festival celebrated by the Adi community of Arunachal Pradesh at the beginning of the farming season, generally in mid-May. The festival is associated with agricultural rituals, community participation and traditional village customs linked to cultivation activities. The Dere or Musup serves as the traditional community hall or dormitory of … Continue reading Etor Gidi – Agricultural Festival of the Adi Community

“Purvi,” a young girl symbolising the unity and cultural identity of the eight North-Eastern states, was introduced as the mascot of the first-ever Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav. The festival will be held at Bharat Mandapam to showcase the arts, crafts, traditions and economic potential of Northeast India. The Mahotsav aims to strengthen national recognition of the region’s … Continue reading Purvi – Mascot of Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav

Several North-Eastern states continue to face challenges in reducing school dropout rates despite improvements in enrolment and retention. At the primary level, Mizoram recorded the highest dropout rate, followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Assam. At the upper primary stage, dropout rates remained comparatively high in Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, while many other … Continue reading School Dropout Rates – Challenges in North-East India

The Last Tenant is a 43-minute film featuring Irrfan Khan and Vidya Balan that was completed in 2000 but remained unreleased for many years. The film was later released on YouTube by its makers as a tribute on Irrfan Khan’s sixth death anniversary. Written and directed by Sarthak Dasgupta, the movie highlights an early phase … Continue reading The Last Tenant – Unreleased Film of Irrfan Khan

Purul (Hiimai) Paoki Festival is a traditional festival celebrated in Purul village of Senapati district, Manipur. The festival showcases age-old farming practices, indigenous traditions and the collective spirit of rural community life. The celebration attracts people from different parts of the region and highlights the cultural importance of agriculture in tribal society. Through traditional rituals, … Continue reading Purul (Hiimai) Paoki Festival – Traditional Agricultural Festival of Manipur

Anand R.K., Suparna Sharma and Natalie Obiko Pearson received the Pulitzer Prize in the Illustrated Reporting and Commentary category for their Bloomberg project “trAPPed.” The work exposed the human impact of cybercrime, including cases of “digital arrest” used to defraud victims. Separately, Aniruddha Ghosal was part of a team honoured in the International Reporting category. … Continue reading Pulitzer Recognition for Indian Journalists