Phulaich Festival – The Colorful Festival of Flowers in Kinnaur
The Indian Himalayan Region is home to diverse tribal communities whose traditions, rituals, and festivals are deeply tied to nature. Among them, the Kinnaura tribe of Himachal Pradesh has preserved a unique cultural identity where fairs and festivals play a vital role in social and spiritual life. One such vibrant celebration is the Phulaich Festival, also known as Ookayand Festival or Ukyam Festival, which beautifully blends devotion, remembrance, and festivity. A Festival of Flowers and Ancestral
Himachal Pradesh Declared a Disaster-Hit State: What It Means and Why It Matters
Introduction Himachal Pradesh, a Himalayan state highly vulnerable to climate-induced disasters, has been devastated by torrential rains, landslides, cloudbursts, and flashfloods in the 2025 monsoon season. In response to unprecedented destruction—over 320 lives lost and damages worth Rs 3,000 crore since June 20—the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government declared the state “disaster-affected” under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. This declaration raises critical questions about disaster governance, centre-state relations, and the institutional framework guiding disaster management in India. Understanding the
Rural Tourism in India: How NotOnMap Empowers Villages and Preserves Heritage
Chamba, Himachal Pradesh – NotOnMap, a unique initiative rooted in the hills of Himachal Pradesh, has recently brought pride to India by receiving international recognition at the Harvard-University of Tokyo Asia Conference (ACONF) 2025, held from 20–24 August 2025 in Tokyo. The event was organized by the Harvard College Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR), a platform known for fostering dialogue on critical economic, political, and social issues in the Asia-Pacific region. Notably, HPAIR has
SabhaSaar: AI Tool to Strengthen Gram Sabhas in India
On Independence Day 2024, the Government of India introduced ‘SabhaSaar’, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered tool designed to bring uniformity, efficiency, and transparency to Gram Sabha proceedings. The tool was first rolled out in Tripura and later extended to other states. It was unveiled by Union Minister of Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh ‘Lalan’ and his deputy Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel in New Delhi on 14th August 2024. What is SabhaSaar? ‘SabhaSaar’ is an innovative AI tool that
Daily Mains Answer Writing Practice – Mains Questions GS-3 (UNIT-I)
Q.1 Examine the various methodologies utilized for calculating Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in India and discuss the associated challenges inherent in these approaches. Ans.The total final value of goods and services produced within the domestic territory of a country in a specified time period (generally a financial year) is called Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Various Methods to Calculate the GDP in India are: 1. The Product or Value-Added Method In this method, we calculate the aggregate annual value
Daily Mains Answer Writing Practice – Mains Questions GS-2 (UNIT-III)
Q.1 Provide a comprehensive definition of cybercrime. Identify and describe the distinct categories of cybercrime that compromise the security of individuals within the state. Ans: Cybercrime refers to criminal activities that involve the use of computer networks, digital devices, and the internet to commit unlawful acts. These crimes target computer systems, networks, and individuals, often causing financial loss, data breaches, privacy invasion, and disruption of services. Status of the Cyber Crimes in Himachal Pradesh Rising Cyber Threats – Cyberspace