Helmed by Mohit Suri and starring fresh faces Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, the July 2025 launch of Saiyara defied the conventions of Bollywood. Despite lacking star power, connections to well-known franchises, the film impressively garnered nearly ₹200 crore within just nine days of its release, cultivating a garnered acclaim as one of the year’s best emotionally resonant cinematic experiences. This outcome was not a mere coincidence; it stemmed from astute marketing strategies rooted in behavioural science, emotional branding, and a digital-first approach to communication. The movie’s return on investment transcends mere financial gain; it encapsulates a profound experience.
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India is Experiencing a ‘Grief-Tech’ Revolution: AI Bots Mimicking the Dead are Causing a Stir
A new wave of artificial intelligence (AI) products, often called “grief bots” or “ghostbots,” is coming into the memory-driven marketplaces that provide emotional assistance. This […]
Beyond Bans, Teaching Digital Street Smart
With social media bans, censorships, and sweeping online restrictions gaining ground globally — often framed as a cure for the collective anxiety of parents — it’s time to ask the harder questions: Are these bans actually doing any good? Do they address the root cause of the problem, or are they just quick-fix bandages on deeper wounds? We’re well aware of the internet’s pitfalls: doomscrolling, algorithmic echo chambers, and subtle indoctrination.
Operation Mahadev: Strategic Closure to the Pahalgam Terror Strike
Operation Mahadev stands out not only as a military victory but as a new perspective on evolving national security practices. This operation aimed to neutralize the attackers of the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam massacre, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. On July 28, 2025, Indian security forces conducted a joint operation in the Dachigam forests near Srinagar. It provided immediate retaliation and a data-driven closure, supported by continued intelligence, forensic verification, and international diplomatic efforts.
Trump’s Big Bet: Is the US becoming the Crypto Capital or Risking it All?
In a world already buzzing with geopolitical chaos – be it the Middle East conflict, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the reopened Epstein investigation, or the constant backdoor economic deals – President Donald Trump, now back in the White House in 2025, has dropped another headline-maker. This July, his administration introduced three landmark bills in the House that have already begun stirring debates across party lines and public spheres. As expected, controversy wasn’t far behind.
Creative Economy and Mental Health: The Balance between Passion and Well-Being
The creative economy includes industries like design, media, art, and entertainment, thrives on passion, innovation, and artistic expression. It contributes remarkably to global economies, with UNESCO reporting that the cultural and creative industries generate $2.25 trillion annually and employ 30 million people worldwide. Yet, behind the vibrancy of this sector lies a common issue: the mental health challenges faced by creative professionals.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: Reforms for Empowering India’s Defence Ecosystem
Since its inception, the term “Atmanirbhar Bharat” that literally translates to Self-Reliant India has increasingly become the symbol of India’s growing economic self-sufficiency, manufacturing prowess and holistic national development and India’s defence manufacturing sector has been pioneering the actualisation of the vision like no other. With indigenous defence production skyrocketing to record high of ₹ 23,622 crore in 2024-25, that marks a growth of 12.04% over 2023-24, India’s defence ecosystem stands as testament to the remarkable shift that the industry has undergone from heavy dependence in the post-independence era to a growing indigenous industrial base, in recent years.
Post-Pahalgam: Rethinking the Indus Waters Treaty amid Climate Pressures
Pahalgam attack in Kashmir has once again brought the India-Pakistan relationship into sharp focus. In the aftermath of such violent incidents, there is often a renewed scrutiny of the strategic levers both states hold over each other. One such lever—frequently invoked in times of heightened tensions—is the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960. Signed with World Bank mediation, the IWT is widely regarded as one of the most successful water-sharing agreements in history. Despite multiple wars and skirmishes, the treaty has endured. But with accelerating climate stress, dwindling water resources, and shifting geopolitical dynamics, its resilience is being tested like never before.
Trade Truce of Trump with China: Tactical Withdrawal or Strategic Rebalancing?
In May of 2025, President Donald Trump had a significant announcement on his administration’s long-running trade conflict with China: a temporary agreement that reverses part of the high tariffs that have been levied over the last two years and provides a 90-day period for negotiations. Described by the White House as a “strategic recalibration” and by Beijing as a “welcome but cautious step,” the agreement is the first concrete easing of a battle that has broken global supply lines, shaken financial markets, and transformed geopolitical alignments.
China’s TVET Programme Collaborations: A Critical Analysis
China launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013. Eventually, BRI faced a lot of criticism and backlash in many countries. In order to minimise the growing criticism, China in 2016 initiated Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme collaborations. On the face of it, TVET programmes provide professional training to students and faculty for a certain time period. However, the TVET sector has become another platform for Chinese soft power diplomacy. The article aims to critically analyse the TVET program collaborations of China.