The native Indian supersonic target missile, STAR is transforming the way the military is planning against high-speed attacks. STAR was meant to simulate modern cruise- and anti-ship missile signatures, and is capable of reaching Mach 1.8 to 2.5, offering realistic and high-stress training conditions to hone the detection, tracking and interception capabilities of the three services.

The Manki-Munda system is a centuries old system of governance of Ho tribe in the Kolhan region of Jharkhand and has found itself in the limelight, in the wake of protest in West Singhbhum district. The trouble was due to the rumours of ousting of the traditional village heads, referred to as Mundas, which brought about fears that the state would interfere with tribal self-rule. Although the government officials made it clear that these leaders will still have a role to play in governing the people, the incident once again illustrates the intricate nature of the process of safeguarding the natives within a democratic system.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is even making plans to install a updated plaque in Sarnath, a move that comes as a result of new discoveries in Sarnath that present the role of Babu Jagat Singh a descendent of the Benares royal family. This action is also meant to question long held assumptions that the Sarnath archaeological riches were discovered by the British archeologists. The revision is in line with the nomination of Sarnath by India to the UNESCO World Heritage List, and a staff are set to visit this location soon.

The 14 th Sirarakhong Hathei Chilli festival was recently launched in Sirarakhong Village of Ukhrul district of Manipur. Not just a festival which glorifies the unique GI tagged Hathei chilli of the region, this 14 day event is also a mix of culture, agricultural pride and environmentalism. The festival has become an important avenue to put the importance of Manipur traditional crops into the national focus.

More recently, the Western Ghats, which is of great biodiversity, was again in the limelight following the rediscovery of the scarlet dragonfly (Crocothemis erythraea) in cool high altitude valleys of Munnar in Kerala. This is a rare occurrence which has pleased the naturalists and researchers since the species are normally found in warmer and lowland areas and not in mountainous areas which are colder.