Local Round-up: Mirabai Chanu’s Silver, Bihar Voter Exclusions and Darjeeling Landslides

From sporting triumphs to political upheavals, the week saw a mix of victories and crises across India — from Mirabai Chanu’s silver medal at the World Weightlifting Championships to devastating landslides in Darjeeling and new election reforms rolled out nationwide.

Mirabai Chanu Wins Silver at 2025 World Weightlifting Championships

Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu clinched silver in the 49kg category at the 2025 World Weightlifting Championships, reaffirming her status among the sport’s elite. Her consistent form following Tokyo 2024’s bronze highlights India’s growing presence in global weightlifting. The Manipur-born athlete expressed pride in representing India on the world stage, promising to aim higher in future competitions.

Election Commission Unveils 17 Nationwide Poll Reforms

The Election Commission of India announced 17 new initiatives for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, which will later be implemented nationwide. These include measures to enhance transparency, digital accessibility, and voter inclusion. The reforms reflect the EC’s ongoing effort to modernise election management and ensure fairer participation across states ahead of major electoral cycles.

India Triumphs Over Pakistan at Women’s World Cup 2025

India’s women’s cricket team continued their strong form with a second consecutive win at the 2025 Women’s World Cup, defeating Pakistan, who now face back-to-back losses. The match, charged with anticipation, further strengthened India’s semifinal prospects while deepening Pakistan’s campaign woes. Rain threats loomed, but India’s batting depth prevailed decisively.

Finance Minister Launches Drive to Return Unclaimed Assets

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a national campaign to return Rs. 1.84 lakh crore worth of unclaimed financial assets to rightful owners. The initiative spans dormant accounts, mutual funds, and insurance policies. It aims to increase financial awareness and reduce institutional backlogs, reinforcing citizen trust in transparent wealth recovery mechanisms.

Cuttack Sees Violence After Durga Immersion Clashes

Fresh incidents of violence broke out in Cuttack following clashes during Durga idol immersion, prompting authorities to impose a 24-hour internet shutdown. Several injuries were reported as tensions flared between groups. Police and Rapid Action Force units were deployed to restore order, while community leaders appealed for calm amid ongoing investigations.

India and UK Begin Naval Exercise ‘Konkan 2025’

India and the United Kingdom commenced the high-intensity ‘Konkan 2025’ naval exercise in the western Indian Ocean. The drills aim to strengthen maritime interoperability, focusing on anti-submarine warfare, tactical manoeuvres, and communication exchanges. The operation underscores growing Indo-British defence ties in maintaining regional security and strategic cooperation.

47 Lakh Voters Missing from Bihar Electoral Rolls

An alarming 47 lakh voters were reportedly excluded from Bihar’s final electoral list. Opposition parties, including Congress, allege that the omissions disproportionately affect women in closely contested constituencies. The Election Commission has been urged to review the rolls immediately, ensuring that disenfranchisement doesn’t skew democratic representation before the assembly polls.

Heavy Rains Trigger Deadly Landslides in Darjeeling

At least seven people were killed and several remain missing after heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district. An iron bridge collapse further cut off key transport routes, worsening the situation. Rescue teams continue operations amid difficult conditions as the state government assesses the scale of damage.

Nishad Kumar and Simran Sharma Strike Gold at Para Worlds

India’s Nishad Kumar and Simran Sharma delivered historic performances at the World Para Athletics Championships. Nishad set an Asian record in the men’s high jump T47, while Simran achieved a personal best in the women’s 100m T12. Their victories propelled India to fourth in the medal standings — the country’s best-ever finish.

Vijay’s Party TVK Suspends All Political Rallies

Tamil actor-politician Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), suspended all rallies across Tamil Nadu. The directive urged cadres not to seek permissions for gatherings amid growing tensions with local authorities. The pause reflects strategic recalibration before upcoming civic polls, as party leadership reviews outreach and communication tactics.

Cough Syrup Banned After Child Deaths in Multiple States

Three Indian states — Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan — banned the cough syrup Coldrif following reports linking it to child deaths. Fourteen fatalities in Madhya Pradesh prompted the nationwide alert. Health authorities have begun investigating the manufacturing chain and supply protocols, signalling tighter scrutiny of pharmaceutical safety standards.

India Records Fifth Wettest Monsoon Since 2001

India witnessed its fifth wettest monsoon since 2001, with over 1,500 fatalities from extreme weather events. The IMD attributed the heavy rainfall to unusual climatic patterns and prolonged low-pressure systems. Flash floods, landslides, and crop damage have reignited conversations about climate adaptation and infrastructure resilience across vulnerable regions.

Sonam Wangchuk’s Wife Challenges His NSA Detention

The wife of Ladakhi environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging his detention under the National Security Act. She argues the move suppresses peaceful protest and constitutional rights. The case reignites debate over state power, dissent, and environmental advocacy in India’s union territories.

Australian Cricketers Hospitalised with Food Poisoning in Kanpur

An Australian fast bowler, Henry Thorton, and three teammates were hospitalised with severe food poisoning after dining at a Kanpur hotel. The incident occurred ahead of their scheduled match, prompting health inspections at the venue. Local authorities have collected food samples for testing, while the players are reported to be stable.