GK News India

8th July 2025, Siliguri Desk   As the monsoon deepens across Eastern and Northeastern India, varying weather trends continue to shape daily life in Kolkata, the hills of Darjeeling and Sikkim, and the Assam plains of Guwahati. Here’s a zone-wise look at the next seven days (July 8–14), helping travelers, commuters, and production crews plan ahead. Kolkata (West Bengal) Forecast Summary: Kolkata will witness a combination of heat, high humidity, and frequent showers throughout the week. Temperatures will range from  27°C (min)  to  32°C (max) . Expect  overcast skies , with  brief intense spells of rain , especially in the afternoon. • July 8–9:  Scattered thunderstorms, mostly post-noon. • July 10–11:  Cloudy mornings, thundershowers in the evening. • July 12–14:  Likely sustained rains with increased humidity levels. ⚠️  Travel Tip:  Avoid midday commutes due to possible waterlogging in low-lying areas. Outdoor filming ...

Date:  June 23, 2025 | North East Desk  A  land and rockfall incident  on June 23 caused severe damage to the railway tracks between  Lumding, New Haflong, and Badarpur , prompting the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) to  suspend train services on this vital route. Located in Assam’s hilly terrain, the  New Haflong–Jatinga Lampur section  suffered substantial slope failure attributed to poor roadworks by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Reports from NFR’s CPRO Kapinjal Kishore Sharma indicate that earth and water from recently repaired highways cascaded onto the tracks, making the section unsafe. Picture Courtesy : Pratidin Time News Desk Travelers bound for eastern states like  Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura , and the  Barak Valley  now face significant disruptions. Trains are either  cancelled ,  short-terminated , or  rerouted  with immediate effect. NFR has formally written to NHAI, calling for urg...

  Date : June 18, 2025 | GK News India | Guwahati Desk   When the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean meet the horizon, they mirror a promise of tranquility. Now, that reflection carries the familiar face of  Katrina Kaif , appointed on  June 10, 2025 , as the  Global Brand Ambassador for Visit Maldives , famously dubbed  the Sunny Side of Life . This choice marks a cultural and strategic moment—for both the island nation and its relationship with India, reasserting hospitality through elegance and visibility. From her breakthrough role in  Boom  (2003) to blockbuster hits like  Ek Tha Tiger ,  Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara , and entrepreneurial success with her brand  Kay By Katrina , Katrina has long embodied more than cinematic flair—she represents pan-Asian appeal, style, and global elegance. That allure positions her as the perfect ambassador for a nation vying to rebuild tourist momentum and reshape its brand narrative. After a pe...

Date: June 15, 2025 | GK News India | Darjeeling Desk Darjeeling—fondly known as the “Queen of the Hills”—once flirted with the idea of having its  own airstrip  during British rule. Let’s revisit this intriguing slice of hill-station history. Picture Courtesy British Library  Picture Source Windamere Hotel, Darjeeling   A Strategic Hill Outpost Turned Tourist Haven Originally part of Sikkim, Darjeeling entered British control in 1835, chosen for its salubrious climate to serve as a rural sanatorium for colonial officers    . Soon, roads, railway lines, and sanatoriums crowded its slopes, transforming it into a premier summer retreat. Over subsequent decades, it became both a military cantonment and a leisurely getaway . The 1940s Airport Concept Amid World War II, Darjeeling’s strategic elevated position drew interest as a potential air base. British military stationed in the hills considered constructing a  small airstrip or mountain airfield , aimed...

June 15, 2025 | GK News India | Gangtok Desk After a 5-year pause, the  Kailash Mansarovar Yatra  is set to resume on  June 20, 2025 , through the  Nathu La route in Sikkim . The  first batch of 35 pilgrims , accompanied by government officials, arrived in  Gangtok today , marking the much-anticipated revival of one of the most sacred spiritual journeys in Asia. The Sikkim government has made extensive arrangements to ensure a safe and smooth experience.  C.S. Rao , Additional Chief Secretary of the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, informed  Akashvani News that the yatris will undergo  four days of acclimatization  at  15th Mile and Sherathang , where  senior defence and government officials  will brief them on the journey ahead. The yatra will be  officially flagged off on June 20  by  Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang  at  Nathu La , the Indo-China border pass at an altitude of 14,140 ft. Ab...