Category: National

National

Mumbai to Install Floating Barriers to Prevent Plastic Waste from Reaching the Sea

allycaralgoa

In a significant move to combat marine pollution, Mumbai authorities are preparing to install floating barriers across key waterways to stop plastic waste from entering the Arabian Sea.

The initiative, led by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), aims to intercept plastic debris and other floating waste materials before they drift into open waters.

Mumbai’s network of rivers, nullahs, and stormwater drains often carries large quantities of plastic waste — especially during the monsoon season — directly into the sea. Environmental experts have long warned that unchecked plastic flow contributes to marine ecosystem damage, coastal pollution, and flooding caused by clogged drainage systems.

The floating barriers, often referred to as trash booms, are designed to trap debris while allowing water to pass through. Collected waste will then be removed regularly by civic teams and processed through proper waste management channels.

Officials say the project is part of a broader push toward urban sustainability and improved solid waste management practices. If successful, the model could be expanded to additional waterways across the city.

Marine conservationists have welcomed the move, noting that preventive measures at the source are far more effective than attempting large-scale ocean clean-ups later.

As cities worldwide grapple with plastic pollution, Mumbai’s initiative signals a shift toward proactive environmental governance — targeting waste before it reaches fragile marine ecosystems.

National

Army Dog Tyson Injured in Action, Helps Neutralise 3 Jaish-e-Mohammed Terrorists in Kishtwar

Swara Bodke

Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

In a remarkable display of courage and loyalty, Army dog Tyson played a decisive role in a counter-terror operation in the Chhatroo area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, guiding security forces to a concealed terrorist hideout and aiding in the killing of three operatives of Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Tyson, a German Shepherd with the Indian Army’s 2 Para (Special Forces), was sent ahead to probe a hideout dug into the steep and rugged terrain of Chhatroo. As he advanced, terrorists opened fire. Despite suffering a gunshot wound to his leg, Tyson continued moving forward, enabling troops to accurately identify the hideout’s exact location and neutralise it.
The operation was carried out jointly by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and special forces units.


Among those killed was Saifullah, a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist who had reportedly been active in the region for nearly two years and had previously evaded multiple security operations.
Security forces recovered two AK-47 rifles, ammunition, and other materials from the site. Officials stated that the terrorists had managed to avoid capture by constantly shifting locations across forested and mountainous terrain. However, Tyson’s detection of the hideout proved crucial in ending their prolonged evasion.
The injured dog was later airlifted for medical treatment and is reported to be in stable condition. Locals in the area expressed relief following the successful operation.
Officials highlighted that the mission once again demonstrated the importance of trained Army dogs in counter-terror operations. In a previous encounter in October 2024, another Army dog, Phantom, a Belgian Malinois, was killed while shielding his handler and fellow soldiers during a gunfight, a sacrifice that helped security forces eliminate terrorists at the site.
The latest action was part of Operation Trashi-I, launched in January, which targets difficult forested and mountainous zones of Kishtwar district — including Chhatroo, Sonnar, Dolgam, and Dichhar — through sustained search-and-assault missions.

National

Kerala Officially Renamed Keralam: A Cultural Shift with Political Undercurrents

Tanisha Cardozo

Kerala has officially been renamed “Keralam,” marking a significant moment where constitutional identity finally aligns with linguistic and cultural reality. For decades, “Keralam” has been the name used in Malayalam—the language spoken by millions in the state—yet the official name recorded in the Constitution remained “Kerala.” That distinction has now been erased, bringing a sense of closure to a long-standing demand rooted in history and identity.

The journey to this moment began with a resolution passed by the state assembly in 2024 under the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led government. The resolution highlighted how Indian states were reorganised on linguistic lines in 1956, and how the formation of a unified region for Malayalam-speaking people was deeply tied to identity. November 1, celebrated as Kerala Piravi Day, marks that formation, yet the official naming had remained inconsistent with local usage. The push to adopt “Keralam” was therefore not about change, but about correction.

With the renaming now official, the spotlight has also turned to its political context. The decision comes at a time when the Bharatiya Janata Party is working to strengthen its presence in a state traditionally dominated by the Left and the Congress. Leaders such as Rajeev Chandrasekhar have framed the move as part of a broader effort to reclaim cultural identity and address what they describe as unfinished work of previous decades.

At the same time, the renaming intersects with ongoing debates around language in India. Kerala has often been at the centre of discussions on linguistic autonomy, particularly in resisting the compulsory imposition of Hindi. While leaders like Amit Shah have emphasised the importance of promoting Indian languages collectively, the state has consistently asserted the primacy of mother tongue and regional identity in education and governance. In that context, adopting “Keralam” strengthens the argument for linguistic recognition within the federal structure.

Beyond politics, however, the emotional resonance of the change is undeniable. For Malayalis, “Keralam” is not new—it is familiar, lived, and deeply personal. It reflects how people refer to their land in everyday life, in literature, in cinema, and in cultural expression. The official adoption of the name is therefore less about transformation and more about acknowledgement.

As “Keralam” enters formal use, it stands as a reminder of how names carry meaning far beyond words. They hold history, identity, and belonging—and in this case, they also carry the weight of timing, politics, and aspiration in a state that continues to evolve while staying rooted in its cultural core.

National

₹137 Crore Released to Strengthen Rural Local Bodies in Goa, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Uttarakhand

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

New Delhi, February 20: The Government of India has released over ₹137 crore under the 15th Finance Commission Grants to bolster Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) in Goa, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Uttarakhand during the current financial year.


According to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the funds include allocations pertaining to different financial years and are aimed at strengthening rural local governance across the four states.

Out of the total amount, ₹11.60 crore has been released as the second instalment of Untied Grants for 2023–24 for Goa. Meghalaya has received ₹27 crore as the second instalment of Untied Grants for 2021–22.

Sikkim has been allocated ₹6.60 crore as the second instalment of Untied Grants for 2025–26, while Uttarakhand has received ₹89.41 crore as the first instalment of Untied Grants for 2025–26.

The Untied Grants will be utilised by Rural Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj Institutions to address location-specific needs under the 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution. However, the funds cannot be used for salaries or other establishment-related expenses.

The release is part of the Centre’s continued efforts to empower grassroots governance and enhance the functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions across states.

National

Navy Chief Urges Joint Action on Indian Ocean Threats at Goa Conclave

Tanisha Cardozo

The 5th edition of the Goa Maritime Conclave brought together naval leaders and maritime experts from across the Indian Ocean Region in Panaji, where India’s Chief of the Naval Staff, Dinesh K Tripathi, underscored the urgent need for collective action to address growing maritime threats.

Addressing representatives from multiple Indian Ocean nations at the Naval War College in Goa, Adm Tripathi emphasized that the scale and complexity of challenges in the region make it difficult for any single country to manage them alone. He highlighted that coordinated maritime operations, when backed by clearly defined objectives, can generate both deterrence and reassurance, strengthening overall regional stability.

The Navy Chief pointed to a range of persistent and emerging threats, including piracy, illegal unreported and unregulated fishing, trafficking of narcotics and arms, and irregular human migration. He noted that while there has been some progress—such as a reported decline in IUU fishing incidents due to enhanced surveillance and enforcement—several threats continue to evolve in scale and sophistication.

Piracy, which had seen a period of relative decline, is now showing renewed adaptability, with incidents being reported farther offshore. At the same time, maritime trafficking networks are expanding, with routes linked to regions such as the Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle increasingly converging at sea. Irregular migration has also become a growing concern, with rising fatalities linked to unsafe and long-distance sea journeys.

Highlighting India’s role in fostering cooperation, Adm Tripathi referred to initiatives such as the deployment of an Indian naval ship under the SAGAR framework in the South-West Indian Ocean, which included a multinational crew drawn from partner nations. He described this as an initial step toward deeper collaboration and trust-building among regional maritime forces.

The conclave, attended by naval chiefs and senior officials from 15 countries, reaffirmed a shared commitment to strengthening cooperative mechanisms aimed at tackling common challenges. Organised by the Indian Navy, the event focused on progressing lines of effort to mitigate dynamic threats in the region, reinforcing India’s position as a key facilitator of maritime dialogue and security cooperation.

As discussions concluded, the overarching message was clear: safeguarding the vast and strategically vital Indian Ocean requires sustained collaboration, shared responsibility, and a unified approach to ensure long-term security and stability.