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India’s critical-mineral ambitions have received a significant boost with the reported identification of mineral deposits in Purulia, West Bengal. The discoveries bring strategically important resources into focus as the country works to strengthen its domestic mineral supply chain.

Rare Minerals, Strategic Importance

The discovery is significant because it involves minerals that support advanced industries, including energy storage, electronics and high-technology manufacturing. Caesium, lithium and rubidium are critical minerals, while the Kalapathar–Raghudih deposit is described separately as a rare-earth resource.

The Jhalda-II block in Purulia has been reported to contain approximately 1.78 lakh tonnes of ore bearing caesium, lithium and rubidium. Reported grades are around 0.4% caesium, 0.3% lithium and 0.1% rubidium, with total metallic content estimated at approximately 0.8%.

• 🔋 Lithium: A strategically important material for rechargeable batteries and energy-storage technologies.
• ⚙️ Rubidium: Used in specialised scientific, electronic and high-technology applications.
• 🧪 Caesium: Valuable for specialised industrial and scientific uses, including precision timing technologies.

The reported quantities refer to identified ore and estimated metal content, not automatically to commercially recoverable reserves. Actual production potential would depend on further geological assessment, mineral processing and economic feasibility.

Kalapathar–Raghudih: A Larger Rare-Earth Resource

A separate discovery in the Kalapathar–Raghudih block has been estimated at 0.67 million tonnes of rare-earth resources, with a reported grade of 0.19% total rare earth elements at a 0.1% cut-off. The resource is classified at UNFC G3, indicating an earlier stage of geological confidence than more advanced exploration categories.

• 🌍 The deposit adds to the growing geological understanding of Purulia’s mineral potential.
• 🏭 Rare-earth resources are relevant to technologies such as permanent magnets, electronics and clean-energy equipment.
• 📊 The reported tonnage is a geological resource estimate, not a guarantee of mineable reserves or future production.

Why This Matters for India’s Supply Chain

India’s critical-mineral strategy focuses on reducing vulnerabilities in the supply of materials needed for modern industry. Domestic discoveries can support exploration, processing capacity and future industrial development, although mining a deposit is only one part of building a reliable supply chain.

• 🇮🇳 Strategic resources: Domestic mineral development can expand India’s resource base for important industrial materials.
• 🔬 Technology and processing: The long-term value of these discoveries depends on converting geological resources into usable, commercially viable materials.
• 🚆 Infrastructure: Reported proximity to transport networks may support future project planning, but infrastructure access alone does not establish profitability.

From Discovery to Auction

The Centre has identified the Jhalda-II block for auction, while the Kalapathar–Raghudih resource remains part of the broader exploration and development picture. Government geological exploration in West Bengal has also covered Purulia, Bankura and Darjeeling, reflecting wider interest in the region’s mineral potential.

The next phase will involve technical evaluation, regulatory processes and determining whether the deposits can be developed economically and responsibly. The discovery is an important geological development—but its industrial impact will ultimately depend on what happens after exploration.

India is exploring a potential return to the Formula One calendar, with 2028 emerging as a possible target for a new Grand Prix.

A Grand Prix Dream Returns

A 10-member task force takes shape

The Union Sports Ministry has announced a 10-member task force under NITI Aayog to examine the challenges and feasibility of bringing Formula One back to India. The committee, chaired by NITI Aayog Programme Director and Adviser Yugal Kishore Joshi, will develop a coordinated roadmap for motorsport development and assess the possibility of hosting a Grand Prix in 2028.

India’s F1 History: From Debut to Departure

🏎️ India hosted its first Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida in 2011. The high-speed circuit became the centre of international motorsport attention, welcoming some of the world’s fastest cars and biggest racing stars.

🏁 The Indian Grand Prix continued until 2013, with Sebastian Vettel winning the final edition. However, taxation disputes, regulatory complications and bureaucratic hurdles contributed to the race disappearing from the calendar.

Tackling the Challenges That Stopped F1

The new task force’s mandate goes beyond simply bringing back a racing weekend. It will examine the policy and financial barriers that previously affected Formula One’s presence in India.

💰 Taxation and regulation: Reviewing tax-related concerns and identifying policy interventions that could support international motorsport events.

🏗️ Infrastructure: Assessing the facilities, investment and operational requirements needed to host a world-class Grand Prix.

🌍 Tourism and investment: Evaluating how major racing events could contribute to international visibility, tourism and economic activity.

The committee includes representatives from sports, tourism, commerce and revenue-related departments, as well as the Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra governments, motorsport bodies and racing circuits.

More Than a Race: Building India’s Motorsport Future

A potential Formula One return could also create opportunities for India’s wider racing ecosystem. The task force is expected to consider sustainable motorsport growth, investment priorities and the development of a coordinated national roadmap.

This broader approach places Formula One within a larger conversation about racing infrastructure, technical expertise and opportunities for motorsport in India.

The proposed 2028 timeline is an assessment target, not confirmation that India will host a race. A final Grand Prix would depend on feasibility findings, government decisions, infrastructure readiness and agreements with the relevant Formula One authorities.

The finish line is still ahead—but India’s motorsport revival has officially entered a new phase.

A cramped 8×10-foot room in Kurla. Limited resources. Countless struggles. And a dream far bigger than the circumstances around him. Jaykumar Vaidya’s journey from Mumbai’s humble beginnings to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center is a powerful reminder that extraordinary achievements can emerge from the most unexpected places.

🌟 The Boy Who Refused to Let Poverty Define Him

🏠 A Childhood Shaped by Hardship

Growing up in Kurla, Mumbai, Jaykumar faced financial challenges that could have easily forced him to abandon his ambitions. Raised by his mother, he experienced the realities of economic hardship from an early age. His family struggled to manage everyday expenses, including his education.

Rather than allowing these difficulties to determine his future, Jaykumar developed a strong commitment to learning. His story reflects the determination of a young person who understood that education could become his most powerful opportunity for change.

🔧 From Repairing TVs to Building a Future

To support himself and contribute to his education, Jaykumar took up practical work, including repairing televisions and teaching students. These experiences were more than ways to earn money—they helped him develop technical skills, discipline and problem-solving abilities.

His interest in electronics eventually led him toward engineering and advanced research. The journey was not built on privilege or shortcuts, but on years of persistence, learning and a willingness to keep moving forward.

🚀 From Mumbai to the World of Planetary Science

🔬 Engineering Instruments That Explore Other Worlds

Today, Jaykumar serves at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, working within the Planetary Environments Laboratory. His responsibilities include developing and operating ground-support systems for scientific instruments that study planetary atmospheres.

His work connects him to missions involving Mars, Earth’s upper atmosphere and lunar exploration. He contributes to the testing, calibration and operational readiness of sophisticated scientific instruments, helping researchers understand environments far beyond our planet.

🌍 A Career Built on Knowledge and Precision

Jaykumar’s professional journey demonstrates how engineering can transform curiosity into scientific discovery. From working with everyday electronics in Mumbai to supporting advanced space-instrument operations, his career represents the extraordinary possibilities that emerge when technical education meets determination.

His achievements also highlight the importance of the people, institutions and opportunities that help talented individuals progress from difficult beginnings to global scientific platforms.

Jaykumar Vaidya’s story is not simply about reaching NASA. It is about refusing to surrender a dream because of financial limitations or an ordinary starting point.

✨ His journey inspires students to value education, encourages young engineers to pursue ambitious goals and reminds every dreamer that success is often built through small, consistent steps.

From a small room in Kurla to the halls of NASA, Jaykumar Vaidya’s remarkable journey proves that beginnings do not determine destinations. Sometimes, the most extraordinary journeys begin with the simplest dream—and the courage to pursue it.

What happens when a university assignment becomes the inspiration for a film that captures the imagination of millions? For 21-year-old Anupriya Nagar, the answer is Hanuman Ansh—a remarkable journey from economics student to film producer.

🎬 A Curious Student, an Unexpected Calling

Anupriya Nagar’s entry into filmmaking began far from a film studio. While studying economics at the University of Bath in the United Kingdom, she researched Steve Jobs for an investment and banking-related academic assignment.

Her research led her to Neem Karoli Baba, the spiritual teacher whose influence has been associated with Steve Jobs and other globally recognised personalities. Intrigued by Baba’s life, teachings, and spiritual legacy, Anupriya began exploring a story she felt deserved to reach a younger generation.

What started as academic curiosity gradually became a deeply personal creative mission. She wanted to introduce audiences, particularly Gen Z, to the life and message of Neem Karoli Baba through a cinematic experience.

💰 The ₹2 Crore Gamble That Changed Everything

Producing a film without a conventional background in cinema was a bold decision. Anupriya reportedly invested her savings from three years of part-time work in the UK into Hanuman Ansh, a project made on a modest budget of approximately ₹2 crore.

The film’s initial theatrical performance offered little indication of what was to come. After opening on August 7, 2026, it earned around ₹10 lakh on its first day and approximately ₹1.08 crore during its opening week.

Then came the turning point.

Through word-of-mouth promotion, growing audience interest, and strong appreciation for its spiritual storytelling, the film’s performance accelerated dramatically. Reports placed its Indian gross collection above ₹190 crore by September 11, transforming a small-budget production into one of the year’s most talked-about success stories.

🙏 Neem Karoli Baba: The Heart of the Film

At its core, Hanuman Ansh is inspired by the life and teachings of Neem Karoli Baba, popularly known as Maharaj-ji. His message of love, compassion, devotion, and service continues to resonate with people across generations.

The film explores his spiritual journey and the values that shaped his influence. Rather than relying solely on spectacle, its appeal lies in presenting a story rooted in faith, simplicity, and human connection.

For Anupriya, bringing this story to younger audiences was more than a professional opportunity—it was a way of sharing a spiritual legacy that had profoundly affected her own outlook.

🌟 A New Chapter for Indian Cinema

The success of Hanuman Ansh highlights the potential of stories that are driven by conviction rather than enormous production budgets. It demonstrates how an unconventional idea, supported by dedication and audience connection, can create an extraordinary cultural and commercial impact.

Anupriya Nagar’s journey is a reminder that meaningful cinema can emerge from the most unexpected beginnings.

From an economics classroom to a blockbuster breakthrough, Anupriya Nagar’s story proves that a powerful idea, pursued with courage, can reach far beyond its original ambition.

Indian athletics has a new benchmark—and Nirbhay Choudhary has thrown himself straight into the record books. At just 21, Choudhary has become the first Indian man to breach the 71-metre barrier in the hammer throw, producing a spectacular 71.02m effort to set a new national record. 🤯🇮🇳

The distance is more than a number. It represents a breakthrough in an event where India has been steadily searching for a thrower capable of pushing the national standard into a new territory.

💥 71.02m: The Throw That Changed the Record Books

🔹 71.02m — Choudhary’s landmark throw takes the Indian national record beyond the 71m mark for the first time.

🔹 21 years old — The achievement becomes even more significant given his age, suggesting that Indian hammer throw could have a major prospect developing for the years ahead.

🔹 A historic first — Crossing 71m gives Choudhary a distinction that will now form an important chapter in India’s modern athletics story.

🔹 Power meets precision — Hammer throw demands explosive strength, speed, balance and impeccable timing. Breaking through a major distance barrier requires all four elements to come together in one extraordinary attempt.

🇮🇳 More Than a National Record

What makes Choudhary’s performance particularly exciting is the timing of the breakthrough. Indian athletics has expanded dramatically across track and field, with athletes increasingly challenging established standards rather than simply competing for participation.

Choudhary’s 71.02m throw fits directly into that larger transformation.

For the hammer throw, this could be a particularly important moment. A national record at such a young age creates both expectation and opportunity. The next challenge will not simply be to repeat the performance, but to make throws beyond 71m a consistent part of his competitive level.

🚀 The Road Ahead

A record is a milestone—but for Choudhary, 71.02m could be the beginning rather than the destination.

At 21, he has time to develop greater consistency, refine his technique and build the strength and competitive experience required to compete at the highest international level.

🔥 One throw has rewritten the Indian record book. Now, the question is: how far can Nirbhay Choudhary go?

🚨 New Delhi is once again at the heart of global diplomacy as India prepares to host the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12–13, 2026—marking the country’s fourth BRICS Chairship.

🇮🇳 A BRICS Presidency That Has Come Full Circle

India’s BRICS journey has repeatedly brought the grouping’s leadership back to New Delhi. The 2026 summit is not just another diplomatic gathering; it reflects India’s growing role in shaping conversations among major emerging economies.

India’s four chairships tell a remarkable story:

• 🏛️ 2012 — New Delhi: India hosted the 4th BRICS Summit, bringing the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa together in the capital. 
• 🌴 2016 — Goa: The 8th BRICS Summit was held in Goa on October 15–16, with discussions spanning global politics, terrorism, economic growth, climate change and development. 
• 💻 2021 — New Delhi: India chaired BRICS again, with the 13th Summit held virtually from New Delhi on September 9. 
• 🇮🇳 2026 — New Delhi: India takes the chair for the fourth time, bringing the BRICS leadership back to the national capital.

🌍 Why BRICS 2026 Matters

BRICS has changed dramatically since India first hosted the grouping in 2012. The bloc has expanded beyond its original five members, with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE joining in 2024, followed by Indonesia in 2025. Several countries have also entered as partner nations. 

That expansion has transformed BRICS into a much broader platform representing the interests of emerging and developing economies.

For India, the 2026 chairship provides an opportunity to push discussions around:

• 💰 Economic cooperation and trade
• 🌐 Reform of global governance
• 🏦 Greater financial cooperation among emerging economies
• 🚀 Technology, innovation and development
• 🌱 Climate action and sustainable growth
• 🤝 Stronger cooperation across the Global South

India has already begun laying the groundwork for its presidency. The first meeting of BRICS Sherpas and Sous Sherpas under India’s chairship was held in New Delhi in February 2026, while the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in May focused, among other issues, on reforms of global governance and the multilateral system. 

🔥 From 2012 to 2026: India’s BRICS Evolution

What makes the 2026 summit particularly significant is the continuity.

2012 was about establishing India’s voice. 2016 expanded the agenda. 2021 demonstrated India’s ability to lead during a transformed global environment. And 2026 arrives at a time when BRICS itself has become larger and more strategically consequential.

New Delhi therefore enters this presidency with both experience and a much bigger diplomatic canvas.

🇮🇳 The New Delhi Moment

The 18th BRICS Summit will place India at the centre of discussions involving some of the world’s most influential emerging economies.

For New Delhi, the objective is bigger than hosting another summit—it is about using the BRICS platform to shape the direction of a changing global order.
🚨 From New Delhi in 2012 to New Delhi again in 2026, India’s BRICS story has come full circle—but the grouping itself is now far bigger, more diverse and more consequential.