Ghaziabad-based DroneYards Aerial Solutions has boosted the Indian Army’s operational capabilities by delivering over 200 advanced First-Person View (FPV) drones and training more than 350 soldiers in their use within just three months. This rapid deployment highlights the growing importance of indigenous technology in strengthening India’s defence preparedness.
The drones are fully developed in India and deliberately exclude Chinese components, ensuring greater security and self-reliance. Built for modern combat environments, they are equipped with Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities, secure telemetry systems, and an extended operational range. These features allow troops to conduct surveillance, reconnaissance, and tactical missions more efficiently, even in challenging and hostile conditions.
To ensure effective utilization, DroneYards conducted intensive training programs at the Manipur-Assam border and other strategically sensitive areas. Soldiers were trained in real-time operations, enabling them to seamlessly integrate the drones into mission-critical tasks. A key feature of these drones is their triple radio redundancy, which enhances communication reliability and ensures continued operation even if one or more channels are compromised.
This initiative aligns with the broader ‘Make in India’ vision aimed at modernizing the armed forces through locally manufactured, secure technologies. DroneYards, along with other Indian firms like InsideFPV and DroneAcharya, is contributing significantly to reducing dependence on foreign defence systems while promoting innovation within the country.
The company’s efforts have already received recognition, with its drone platforms showcased by the Western and South Western Commands of the Indian Army. Overall, DroneYards’ contribution reflects the strategic importance of home-grown defence solutions in equipping India’s military to meet evolving security challenges and operate effectively in contested environments.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.
On Tuesday, the Tibetan Youth Congress launched its “Black Hat March,” a peaceful protest from Dharamshala to New Delhi aimed at drawing global attention to what it describes as ongoing genocide in Tibet. The march was inaugurated by Tibetan security minister-in-exile Dolma Gyari at Lhagyal Ri Temple in McLeodganj. Spanning a month, the march is set to conclude at the United Nations office in New Delhi on April 25.
More than 65 Tibetan activists from different parts of India are taking part in the initiative, which seeks to highlight issues such as cultural suppression, political imprisonment, and the demand for Tibetan freedom. The campaign is symbolically linked to two key dates in Tibetan history: March 31, marking the 1959 arrival of the 14th Dalai Lama and thousands of Tibetans into exile in India, and April 25, the birthday of the 11th Panchen Lama, who was taken at the age of six and has not been seen since.
Tsering Chomphel, president of the Tibetan Youth Congress, explained that the black hat represents China and its alleged efforts to spread misinformation and erase Tibetan culture. He emphasized that the Tibetan language symbol on the hat signifies resilience and the determination to preserve their identity. He added that participants from 20 regional chapters across India are involved in spreading awareness both nationally and internationally.
Activist Tsering Choekyi described the 25-day march as a call for Tibetan freedom and urged all Tibetans to take part in the movement. Exile MP Namgyal Dolkar highlighted the protest as a stand against policies like the “Ethnic Unity Law” and expressed solidarity with Tibetans inside Tibet. Indian supporter Shaswat Kapoor praised the Tibetan community’s commitment to preserving its culture and striving for independence. The march serves as a symbolic protest against the suppression of Tibetan identity, culture, and language, as well as against forced assimilation policies and the detention of political prisoners, including the 11th Panchen Lama.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed profound sorrow over the passing of former Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, describing it as an “irreparable loss” for both Suriname and the global Indian diaspora. In a message shared on X, he said he was deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden demise of his friend and the former leader.
Recalling their personal interactions, the Prime Minister praised Santokhi’s dedication to his country and his efforts to strengthen ties between India and Suriname. He noted that Santokhi had a deep appreciation for Indian culture and had won admiration for taking his oath in Sanskrit. Modi also extended his heartfelt condolences to Santokhi’s family and the people of Suriname during this difficult time.
In November 2024, Modi had met Santokhi on the sidelines of the second India CARICOM Summit in Georgetown, where they reviewed bilateral relations and explored ways to expand cooperation across sectors. In July 2025, 71 year old physician and senior lawmaker Jennifer Geerlings Simons became Suriname’s first woman president after securing parliamentary approval.
India and Suriname share warm and friendly relations, strengthened by long standing cultural and people to people connections rooted in the Indian diaspora that dates back over a century. The two countries maintain institutional mechanisms such as Joint Commission Meetings and a Joint Working Group on Agriculture to deepen cooperation. India has also supported Suriname through development partnerships, including lines of credit and grants.
Although trade ties remain modest, India exports items such as machinery, iron and steel, electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, textiles, vehicles, tea, spices and other goods to Suriname, while importing products like wood, aluminium, textiles, garments, herbal items, spices and electrical machinery.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@narendramodi.
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner, alleging a plot to weaken democratic rights in the state ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. In a post, she claimed BJP workers were caught submitting large numbers of fake Form 6 applications to the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in West Bengal in an attempt to add non-residents to the voter list, calling it a case of “voter hijacking” similar to what she alleged had happened in other states.
Banerjee also highlighted delays in processing genuine voter applications, stating that lakhs of legitimate cases are still pending while authorities are allegedly fast-tracking suspicious bulk submissions. She described the situation as illegal, against court directives, and a threat to free and fair elections in the state.
She urged the Election Commission of India to immediately halt such practices, follow Supreme Court guidelines, and ensure that no ineligible voters are added after the final electoral roll published on February 28, 2026. She asserted that the people of Bengal would not allow their democratic rights to be compromised.
Banerjee further claimed there were credible reports of coordinated efforts to submit mass applications across districts to include individuals with no real connection to West Bengal. She warned that such actions, if proven, would be unconstitutional and undermine transparency in the electoral process. At a rally in Purulia, Banerjee also criticized the BJP, accusing the party of provoking unrest ahead of the upcoming elections.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended Nalanda University’s second convocation in Rajgir, praising its growth and highlighting the blend of tradition and technology with the mantra “Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi.” He urged graduates to contribute to the university’s future and emphasized the role of education, global awareness, and international students in promoting India’s heritage and development. The university lauded his remarks as capturing the Nalanda spirit.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X.
As thousands of U.S. troops and marines deploy to the Middle East, Iran accuses Washington of secretly planning a ground attack while publicly promoting ceasefire negotiations. Donald Trump has threatened to “destroy” Iran’s energy infrastructure, stated that he would “prefer to take the oil,” and suggested that U.S. forces could capture the country’s export hub on Kharg Island, all while claiming to be negotiating with a new “reasonable regime.” At the same time, Yemen’s Houthi forces have joined the conflict, raising the risk of further disruptions to the global economy.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
In 1998, tobacco companies in the United States were made responsible for the damage caused by the products they produced and sold through the Tobacco Settlement. Today, a similar question arises for Big Tech: it is not only about the content on their platforms but also whether these platforms were intentionally created to keep users addicted. Daniel Martin explores this issue with Rajesh Sreenivasan, Head of Technology, Media, and Telecommunications at Rajah and Tann Singapore.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
On “Destination Anywhere,” Melanie Oliveiro chats with Regina Lee, a travel and home influencer, about her journey through northern Xinjiang. From the shimmering turquoise waters of Sayram Lake to the lush rolling landscapes of Nalati Grasslands and the snow-capped peaks of the Tian Shan mountains, Regina recounts the region’s beauty and charm. She guides listeners through glacier valleys, picturesque villages, vibrant lakes, and lively bazaars, while also sharing practical tips on how to fully experience this remarkable frontier of China.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
This week, as the repercussions of the US-Israel conflict with Iran continue, Australians are feeling the pinch from a worsening fuel crisis. At the same time, the Liberal Party faces a critical moment as voters increasingly shift toward One Nation. In this edition of the Guardian’s Australian Politics podcast, political editor Tom McIlroy talks with Andrew Hastie, shadow minister for industry and sovereign capability, about Australia’s approach to the global fuel shock, the need for reindustrialisation, and his perspective on how the Liberal Party should respond to the rise of One Nation.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
