JOURNABULLETIN – WEEK 44

 NATIONAL

Sonam Wangchuk Continues hunger strike at Jantar Mantar

                                                                                                                         - Samridhi

Environmentalist and educational reformer Sonam Wangchuk continued his hunger strike at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the leak of the NEET-UG medical entrance examination question paper. The protest has drawn support from students, activist and several political leaders however, No union government officials had met the protestor or issued any direct response.

Back to Kolkata after 20 years: Taslima Nasrin’s return draws attention

- Upasan Mukherjee

Bangladeshi author and activist Taslima Nasrin is set to return to Kolkata, after two decades. She is going to be a part of an anti-fundamentalism literary event at Rabindra Sadan on August 1. Since 2007, it will be her first visit to Kolkata. The Bangladeshi author has been in exile since 1990s after facing threat and a fatwa in Bangladesh, after the publication of her novel Lojja. 

The organizers of the program at Rabindra Sadan- Secular Mission, Poshchimbonger Jonno (For West Bengal), and Human Rights beyond Frontiers stated that the program is intended to honour Nasrin’s work for human rights, secularism and fight against religious fundamentalism. She will receive a civic reception and will also recite some of her works. Nearly two decades after her departure, Taslima Nasrin’s return is considered more a literary event, reopening political debates on freedom of expression and religious fundamentalism.

India-UK Trade Relations Reach a New Milestone

                                                                  - Swastika Singha Roy

India and the United Kingdom have officially brought the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) into effect on 15th July 2026, nearly a year after the agreement was signed on 24th July 2025. It marks a major step in strengthening economic ties between the two nations. The agreement is expected to make trade easier by reducing tariffs on several goods and encouraging investment across different sectors. This agreement gives nearly 99% of Indian exports preferential Access to the UK market. This is expected to benefit industries such as textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, marine products, agricultural produce and pharmaceuticals. With lower tariffs, Indian products are likely to become more affordable and competitive in the UK market, creating fresh opportunities for exporters and manufacturers. The agreement also works in favour of UK. British companies will find it easier to export products such as automobiles, medical equipment, premium consumer goods and offer services in sectors like finance and technology.

For businesses on both sides, the deal is expected to make trade smoother by reducing paperwork, simplifying customs procedures and speeding up the movement of goods. This agreement could encourage more companies to invest, expand their operations and explore new markets, making the partnership beneficial for both economies. While the agreement brings several opportunities, its real impact will depend on how businesses make use of them in the coming years. If implemented effectively, CETA could strengthen trade between India and the UK, encourage fresh investments and open new avenues for businesses on both sides. More importantly, it marks another step towards a stronger and more future-ready economic partnership.

A Historic Triumph: India Wins Five Gold Medals at the 2026 International Physics Olympiad Give another headline

             - Jishnu Mukherjee

From the 5th to the 12th of July, the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026 was held in Bucaramanga, Colombia, where India won five gold medals. This is the first time India has won five gold medals in a single IPhO, making it India's best performance in the competition's history. India finished as joint World Champions, sharing the top position with China. The five gold medallists are Kanishk Jain (Pune), Riddhesh Anant Bendale (Indore), Rishit Garg (Delhi), Shresth Suraiya (Mumbai), and Svarit Joshi (Nagpur). The Indian delegation was led by Prof. Anwesh Mazumdar of the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, along with Prof. Leena Joshi of St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. Prof accompanied the team. Ananda Dasgupta of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata, and Nisha Kelkar of Gogate–Joglekar College, Ratnagiri, served as scientific observers.

The students underwent intensive training at HBCSE during the orientation and pre-departure camps. The training was conducted with the support of the Physics Olympiad Cell, along with several external teachers and mentors, to prepare the team for the competition. This achievement is not the first time India has demonstrated its excellence at the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO). The 2026 edition marked India's 27th appearance at the prestigious competition. Over the years, Indian participants have secured an impressive record, with 44% winning gold medals, 41% silver medals, and 10% bronze medals, while the remaining 5% earned Honourable Mentions. Notably, over the past decade, every Indian student who has represented the country at the IPhO has returned with either a gold or silver medal, underscoring India's consistent excellence on the global stage.

Cabinet's Mega Investment Signals India's Next Infrastructure Leap                                                                                                                         - Simi Banerjee

A hefty investment of ₹2.19 Lakh Crore has been approved by the Union Cabinet for the developmental boost of various industries country-wide. This was approved on 15th July, primarily for the Semicon 2.0 Mission, elevated corridors in Varanasi, railway line improvement and mobile manufacturing schemes. The Semicon 2.0 Mission, with an allocation of ₹1.27 lakh crore, aims to strengthen India's semiconductor ecosystem by promoting chip manufacturing, research and innovation. To boost domestic electronics production, ₹62,500 crore has also been approved for the mobile phone manufacturing scheme. In addition, the Cabinet has cleared railway expansion projects and elevated corridors over the Varuna and Ganga rivers in Varanasi to improve connectivity and ease traffic congestion. The package is expected to create employment opportunities, attract investments and strengthen India's position as a global manufacturing and technology hub.

 

Simi Banerjee, Jishnu Mukherjee, Swastika Singha Roy, Upasan Mukherjee, Samridhi are student of B.A. Journalism and Mass Communication, Semester 3, Department of Media Studies, School of Media and Communication, Adamas University