scorecardresearch
Add as a preferred source on Google
Sunday, November 23, 2025
HomeGround Reports

Ground Reports

I risked everything for America—confinement, torture: Robin Handa returns to Haryana

Robin Handa’s father paid Rs 45 lakh to send his son to America via the ‘dunki’ route – portrayed in Shah Rukh Khan’s 2023 film of the same name. The endeavour cost him a chunk of his land.

Bengaluru is running out of leopard shelter space. People’s panic isn’t helping

The leopard population in Bengaluru's Bannerghatta Rescue Centre has reached an all-time high, straining space and finances. Social media-fuelled fear is making it worse.

A Tamil Nadu mill is also a college. Workers graduate & get jobs in Tata, Mahindra

A Coimbatore mill’s women workers stitch garments for H&M, Marks & Spencer, and Decathlon during the day and weave dreams of graduating in the evening.

These chefs are done taking orders. They’re turning entrepreneurs

From Regi Mathew’s Kappa Chakka Kandhari to Saransh Goila’s butter chicken chain and Manu Chandra’s multi-brand business, chefs are cashing in on India’s appetite for new flavours.

Delhi student politics is changing. New DUSU president’s use of fear and force has many fans

Ronak Khatri proactively raises student welfare issues, but he keeps his distance from national and international issues. His concern is with the quality of food in the mess and well-maintained toilets.

Inside Elite Kumbh—no crowds, no chaos, only VIP Sangam, 5-star spirituality

The Uttar Pradesh administration has turned Kumbh from a rural, bottom-of-the-pyramid phenomenon into an elite experience. Even the deadly 29 January stampede hasn’t dulled the sheen.

Digantara, Pixxel are inspired by Elon Musk. This will drive India Inc. space dreams

While Digantara Aerospace launched the world's first commercial satellite, Pixxel became the first private company in India to have satellites that allow observation of the Earth in over 150 bands.

‘Oh Meldi Mata, help our children stay in US’—Gujarat village prays as Trump strikes fear

Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigrants has hit Gujarat’s US dream. Dunki routes have dried up and there's panic among migrants. But many Patidars still back him: ‘Trump is like Modi.’

India’s crackdown on old cars faltering—graveyards of vehicles, loopholes in policy

The Vehicle Scrapping Policy 2021 promised cleaner air, perks for owners of old cars, and gains for scrapping facilities. But complaints are growing on every front.

Search for an Indian Carl Sagan is on. Science influencers are being trained in labs and likes

Indian institutions have realised the potential of social media. They are conducting workshops for content creators on how to become effective science influencers—and get both facts and fusion right.

On Camera

In Tejas Dubai crash, the harm goes beyond the loss of an aircraft and pilot

Airshows are thrilling spectacles of aviation skill and engineering marvels. But they carry inherent risks as the crew is pushing the aircraft, and themselves, to perform at the edges of the envelope.

At Charcha 2025: Local entrepreneurship, not just big IT, will drive next wave of distributed AI work

While global corporations setting up GCCs in India continue to express confidence in availability of skilled AI engineers, the panel argued that India’s real challenge lies elsewhere.

From a small Kangra village to Tejas cockpit: IAF fighter pilot Namansh Syal’s journey cut short

Wing Commander Namansh Syal is survived by his wife, their 6-year-old daughter and his mother. Back in his native village, relatives and neighbours wait for his remains for last rites.

A tribute to Tejas. India’s delay culture is the real enemy in the skies

It is a brilliant, reasonably priced, and mostly homemade aircraft with a stellar safety record; only two crashes in 24 years since its first flight. But its crash is a moment of introspection.