The Great Indian Stories

Space Homecoming: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Returns

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s second person in space and the first to conduct experiments aboard the ISS, returned home on August 17, 2025, to a hero’s welcome in Delhi. He spent 18 days in orbit during the Axiom-4 mission, carrying out over 60 experiments, including several from Indian institutions. Parliament is holding a special discussion to honor him, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet him today.

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August 18

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2025

PM Modi’s Independence Day Promise: GST Cuts, Semiconductor Push, and Self-Reliance in Focus

PM Modi’s Independence Day address set a decisive tone — immediate economic relief with ambitious long-term goals. Through GST reform, semiconductor manufacturing, and a host of self-reliance measures, the vision is clear: a Viksit (Developed) Bharat by 2047, built on the foundation of Swadeshi innovation and policy-driven transformation.

Wang Yi’s India Visit: A Key Diplomatic Move in Indo-China Ties

Wang Yi’s upcoming visit to India from August 18–20, 2025 is both a symbolic and strategic step in a broader effort to restore calm, enhance cooperation, and craft a pragmatic backbone for Indo-China relations going forward. With a confluence of border negotiations, economic engagement, and regional diplomacy, this visit positions both nations to potentially pivot toward a more constructive and stable relationship.

Delhi Supreme Court Orders Stray Dogs Shifted to Shelters

On August 11, 2025, the Supreme Court ordered that all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR be removed from streets and shifted to shelters, banning their return. The move follows rising dog bite and rabies cases, but faces pushback from animal rights groups citing ABC Rules, 2023, lack of shelter space, and ₹10,000 crore estimated costs. Public opinion is split—71% support, while critics warn of cruelty, ecological impact, and poor planning. The court has reserved its final verdict, and partial implementation has already begun.

India and China to Resume Direct Flights Next Month

India and China are set to restart direct passenger flights as early as September 2025, ending a five-year suspension caused by COVID-19 and border tensions after the Galwan Valley clashes. A formal announcement is expected at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in late August.

Green Tracks: India’s First Hydrogen-Powered Train Unveiled

India has officially unveiled its first hydrogen-powered train, signaling a dramatic step forward in sustainable transportation. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video preview, calling it a pivotal moment in reducing carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.

What is New Income Tax Bill 2025: Key Changes

The Income-tax Bill, 2025, passed in the Lok Sabha, replaces the 1961 Act and takes effect from 1 April 2026. It aims to simplify tax law, modernise administration, and improve taxpayer experience while retaining the Budget 2025 tax slabs. Overall, it’s a streamlined, tech-driven, compliance-friendly overhaul—but with privacy concerns due to expanded digital access powers.

Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem—Cancelled?

Though the clash is off, the rivalry between these two stars is far from over. Both athletes remain elite performers, and the global athletics community eagerly awaits their next showdown.

India Stops Defence Deal With US : Truth Or False News

Media reports on August 8 indicated India paused major U.S. defense acquisitions. The Indian Defense Ministry quickly denied these claims. The developments are rooted in a broader trade rift following Trump’s tariff hike. Defense cooperation continues, but is under close scrutiny amid these tensions.

U.S. Imposes 50% Tariff on India: What It Means for India's Economy

The U.S.'s decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian imports presents a severe economic challenge, particularly to export‑driven SMEs heading into the critical festival season. Strategically, it threatens India’s emerging role in global supply chains and its geopolitical positioning.

Uttarkashi Under Water: Causes Behind the Flash Flood

The Uttarkashi flash flood was likely a result of several converging factors: a cloudburst or extreme rainfall, unstable Himalayan terrain prone to landslides, potential glacial activity, and deeper structural vulnerabilities exacerbated by climate change and hasty development. Together, these created a perfect storm that turned a mountain village into a disaster zone almost instantly.

Green Hydrogen Missions: Can India Become the Global Hub for Clean Fuel?

India has laid a strong foundation—from policy, incentives, industry alignment, infrastructure, to R&D partnerships—to emerge as a global hub for green hydrogen and clean fuel exports. Success depends on conversion of plans into large-scale execution, cost competitiveness, and global alignment. India isn’t just entering the green hydrogen arena—it’s positioning itself as the pace‑setter.

India Will Continue to Buy Russian Oil Even After Criticism of US and EU

New Delhi, August 5, 2025 — India is doubling down on its decision to continue purchasing Russian oil, dismissing increasing criticism and economic threats from the United States and European Union. Despite public pressure—from tariffs to pointed accusations—India remains resolute in prioritizing its energy security and national economic interests.

India–US Trade Tension & Strategic Retorts

On August 1, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order imposing 25% tariffs on Indian imports—surpassing those applied to most other trade partners and affecting key exports such as smartphones, auto parts, garments, jewelry, and pharmaceuticals.

India’s Olympic Dream: Can India Ever Host the Olympics?

India’s bid for the 2036 Olympic Games, centered on Ahmedabad or a multi‑city model, is a bold, long‑term ambition backed by major infrastructure investments and international event bids. But the road is neither easy nor assured. Past mega‑event experiences and structural hurdles—cost overruns, governance issues, public skepticism, and sustainability concerns—pose serious challenges.

Visa Policy Reboot: Restoring Chinese Tourist Access After 5 Years

India resumes tourist visas for Chinese nationals from July 24, 2025, ending a five-year suspension. Move comes amid resumed direct flights, pilgrimages, and enhanced diplomatic engagement. Seen as a symbolic and practical overture, aimed at rekindling tourism and people‑to‑people ties.

Cybercrime Surge in India: ₹22,845 Crore Lost — What Now?

Shockwave Figures : In 2024, Indian citizens reported staggering financial fraud losses of over ₹22,845.73 crore, a massive 206% increase from ₹7,465.18 crore in 2023, as revealed in Parliament by the Ministry of Home Affairs...

What is NASA‑ISRO Joint NISAR Mission

A Historic Collaboration : NISAR (NASA–ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) represents the first large-scale partnership of its kind between the Indian Space Research Organisation and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. It's being hailed as the most expensive civilian Earth‑observation satellite ever built, with an estimated cost of $1.5 billion...

Pakistan Gives Proof it Can Never be Trusted By Violating Ceasefire

Hours after India and Pakistan reached an understanding on stopping military actions, New Delhi on Saturday accused Islamabad of breaching it. In a late night media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri called upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address these violations.

IMF has Approved $1 Billion Loan to Pakistan

The International Monetary Fund on Friday (May 9, 2025) approved the immediate disbursement of about $1 billion to Pakistan under the ongoing Extended Fund Facility. India's opposition to IMF comes at a time when military conflict between India and Pakistan.

Donald Trump says India and Pakistan Agree to Immediate Ceasefire

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that India and Pakistan had agreed to Immediate Ceasefire after a fourth day of strikes and counter-strikes against each other's military installations.

India Signs Rs 63,000 Crore Deal to Buy 26 Rafale Fighter Jets

India and France have finalized a significant deal. The agreement involves the purchase of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft for the Indian Navy. The deal is worth Rs 63,000 crore.

Union Government Names Sanjay Malhotra as RBI Governor

The Centre announced the appointment of Sanjay Malhotra as the 26th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, a day before incumbent Governor Shaktikanta Das’s six-year term comes to an end.

South Korean President Declares Emergency Martial Law

South Korea’s President Declares Emergency Martial Law. It was a frontal assault on the integrity of South Korea’s hard-won democratic system and causing public anxiety

National Statistical Office Releases Report On Q2 GDP

India’s real GDP growth slumped to a multi-quarter low of 5.4% in the July to September 2024 Q2 , from a five-quarter nadir of 6.7% in Q1, with GVA growth slowing to 5.8% from 6.8% in Q1.

Space Homecoming: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Returns

PM Modi’s Independence Day Promise: GST Cuts, Semiconductor Push, and Self-Reliance in Focus

Wang Yi’s India Visit: A Key Diplomatic Move in Indo-China Ties

Delhi Supreme Court Orders Stray Dogs Shifted to Shelters

India and China to Resume Direct Flights Next Month

Green Tracks: India’s First Hydrogen-Powered Train Unveiled

What is New Income Tax Bill 2025: Key Changes

Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem—Cancelled?

India Stops Defence Deal With US : Truth Or False News

U.S. Imposes 50% Tariff on India: What It Means for India's Economy

Uttarkashi Under Water: Causes Behind the Flash Flood

Green Hydrogen Missions: Can India Become the Global Hub for Clean Fuel?

India Will Continue to Buy Russian Oil Even After Criticism of US and EU

India–US Trade Tension & Strategic Retorts

India’s Olympic Dream: Can India Ever Host the Olympics?

Visa Policy Reboot: Restoring Chinese Tourist Access After 5 Years

Cybercrime Surge in India: ₹22,845 Crore Lost — What Now?

What is NASA‑ISRO Joint NISAR Mission

Pakistan Gives Proof it Can Never be Trusted By Violating Ceasefire

IMF has Approved $1 Billion Loan to Pakistan

Donald Trump says India and Pakistan Agree to Immediate Ceasefire

India Signs Rs 63,000 Crore Deal to Buy 26 Rafale Fighter Jets

Union Government Names Sanjay Malhotra as RBI Governor

South Korean President Declares Emergency Martial Law

National Statistical Office Releases Report On Q2 GDP

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