School of Natural Sciences and Engineering

In the ecologically vulnerable Himalayas, disaster resilience must take precedence over disaster-prone projects and infrastructure

The study describes a new species of Polyrhachis, or spiny ant, named Polyrhachis garbhangaensis sp. nov., from the state of Assam, northeastern India. This species was collected and identified during field sampling in the Garbhanga Reserve Forest, near the city of Guwahati in Assam. It represents a third Indian species of the P. mucronata species group in the subgenus Myrmhopla. Polyrhachis Smith, 1857 is a genus of ants, found widely across the Old-World tropics, with significant diversity across Southeast Asia.

The study describes a new species of Polyrhachis, or spiny ant, named Polyrhachis garbhangaensis sp. nov., from the state of Assam, northeastern India. This species was collected and identified during field sampling in the Garbhanga Reserve Forest, near the city of Guwahati in Assam. It represents a third Indian species of the P. mucronata species group in the subgenus Myrmhopla. Polyrhachis Smith, 1857 is a genus of ants, found widely across the Old-World tropics, with significant diversity across Southeast Asia.

 December 21 is celebrated as "World Saree Day." It is to celebrate the traditional attire that has been integral to South Asian heritage for centuries. Sure, the tradition will continue, and the revival will help lakhs of artisans. It is a win-win situation, elegance on display and livelihood for these weavers.   Sarees are put to good use to make a swing for the young kids to rest on while listening to their mother's lullaby.

National Consumer Rights Day is observed in India every year on December 24. In the e-commerce and delivery era, consumer rights are no longer just about safe products; they are about digital fairness, transparency, and accountability. National Consumer Rights Day is not just a commemoration but a call to action for citizens to be vigilant, informed, and proactive.

Despite women's extensive participation in fields such as global health, education, and social services, significant disparities continue in leadership positions. Representation is necessary, but insufficient. Multilateralism adds the dimension of global influence, collaboration, and institution-building. This observation of "The International Day of Women in Multilateralism" is not merely ceremonial—it is a call to action.

2026 leaves behind the first 25 years (silver jubilee) of this century. Dawn of the new year ushers in the resolution economy. Come February, the quitter's day sets in. Every day of your life is an opportunity, and you have to make it count. Let us all resolve to welcome the new year with hope, to go beyond exchanging greetings, to find out what matters to you, and to pursue it with passion and commitment. 

Highlights the need for conservation and global action. Nearly two-thirds of Penguin species are in decline, with African penguins listed as critically endangered. Penguins stand as a remarkable example of evolutionary adaptation: they are birds that lost the ability to fly but evolved to "fly" underwater, becoming highly specialised marine predators. Penguins are iconic survivors of Earth's harshest climates, but human-driven changes are pushing many species toward extinction.

Despite women's extensive participation in fields such as global health, education, and social services, significant disparities continue in leadership positions. Representation is necessary, but insufficient. Multilateralism adds the dimension of global influence, collaboration, and institution-building. This observation of "The International Day of Women in Multilateralism" is not merely ceremonial—it is a call to action.

This year's theme of observation calls for putting dialogue over division. Dialogue does not mean we must agree on everything. It means we listen with care, speak with responsibility, and recognise each other's humanity. Although globalisation connects economies and information, it can also create cultural anxiety and fear of identity loss. The world is full of differences. Choose understanding over judgment. When you understand others, the boundaries of the division are dissolved.