Bhutan all decked up for traditional religious festivals

Bhutan is gearing up for one of its most spectacular celebrations, the Tshechus (Bhutan’s traditional religious festival). For Indian travellers seeking a Himalayan escape with a blend of spirituality, culture, and once in a lifetime experiences, this is the perfect time for a journey into the Kingdom.

From swirling brocade robes to dramatic masked dancers suspended mid-leap, Tshechu is a visual feast for photographers and Instagrammers alike. Against the backdrop of ancient Dzongs, fluttering prayer flags, and vibrant crowds in traditional attire, every frame feels timeless.

This autumn-winter season offers an unforgettable line-up: 

Jakar Tshechu | Oct 29 – Nov 1, 2025 – Ancient rituals in the heart of Bumthang.

Jambay Lhakhang Drup | Nov 5 – 8, 2025 – Famous for its dramatic fire dance under the stars.

Crane Festival | Nov 11, 2025 – Celebrating the graceful, black-necked cranes in Gangtey.

Dolla Pass Festival | Dec 13, 2025 – A winter gathering steeped in local tradition.

Trosa Festival | Dec 20, 2025 – Music, community, and cultural rituals to close the year.

Punakha Festival | Feb 27 – Mar 1, 2026 – A spring spectacle by the riverside dzong.

Travellers often describe the Paro and Thimphu Tshechus as dreamlike for photography, while curated journeys such as those through Six Senses Bhutan offers special access and quiet sunrise shoots to capture the valleys in their purest light. The Paro and Thimphu Tshechus are often described as dreamlike for photography. With Six Senses Bhutan, curated journeys offer not only access to the festivals but also quiet sunrise shoots, monastery visits, and moments of stillness in the valleys that captures Bhutan in its purest light.

Here’s why Tshechu deserves a spot on your travel calendar: 

1. Easy Access for Indian Travellers

With direct flights and overland routes from India, Bhutan is one of the easiest international escapes. Spring and autumn are the best seasons, with Thimphu, Paro, and Bumthang hosting the most iconic Tshechus in postcard-perfect weather.

The Khamsa Journey (a curated itinerary across five valleys) with Six Senses Bhutan makes it effortless for travellers to combine festival-hopping with explorations of forests, monasteries, and wellness rituals across different valleys.

2. A Festival of Blessings and Good Fortune

The vibrant dances, chants, and rituals are believed to bring good fortune for the year ahead, making it not just a spectacle but also a meaningful celebration for locals and visitors alike.

Guests at Six Senses Bhutan often pair festival days with guided meditations, forest walks, or traditional spa rituals, allowing the spiritual energy of the celebration to extend beyond the performances.

3. Legends Told Through Dance

The heart of Tshechu lies in its Cham dances. Performers in ornate masks enact timeless tales — from Guru Rinpoche banishing demons to Milarepa saving a stag in an act of compassion. Each story is as dramatic as it is symbolic, combining moral lessons with mythical spectacle.

Journeys with Six Senses Bhutan can include private storytelling sessions with monks or village elders, deepening the understanding of these legends beyond the stage.

4. The Legendary Thongdrel Unveiling

At Paro and Thimphu Tshechus, an awe-inspiring sacred silk scroll called the Thongdrel is unfurled at dawn. Bhutanese believe that just witnessing it can cleanse all sins. For travellers, it’s a spine-tingling, unforgettable moment that few destinations in the world can rival.

Six Senses Bhutan lodges located near these historic dzongs often plan early-morning excursions for guests, pairing the experience with quiet rituals from yoga at sunrise to traditional hot stone baths to reflect on the blessings of the day.

5. A Cultural Living Carnival

Beyond the rituals, Tshechu is a carnival of community. Locals gather in their finest Kiras and Gho (traditional dress), folk songs fill the air, and bustling stalls offer Bhutanese street food and handicrafts. Guests of Six Senses Bhutan are invited to join these communal moments by donning the gho or kira to blend with the festive crowd.

Biocon’s first US unit underwent GMP inspection by U.S. FDA

Indian drug makers are busy building manufacturing facilities in USA to beat Trump Tariff 

Biocon’s first US manufacturing facility in Cranbury New Jersey was inaugurated on 10th September this year.The new facility underwent a GMP inspection by the U.S. FDA.

The inspection concluded with 1 observation which the Company will address within the stipulated time and is not expected to have any impact on business operations.

Biocon acquired the Cranbury-based Oral Solid Dosage facility from Eywa Pharma Inc. in 2023 and has since invested more than $30 million to establish a state-of-the-art plant with an annual production capacity of 2 billion tablets. A few products have already been commercialized from the site, with several more in the pipeline. This investment helps Biocon diversify its manufacturing base, strengthen its supply chain and accelerate the expansion of its global footprint.

Biocon has approximately 60 employees at the new facility (40 employees joined from Eywa, while Biocon hired the rest), and plans to grow to about 80 to 85 people managing the facility over the next few months.

The Cranbury facility represents a strategic advancement of the Company’s operations in the Unted States, enabling faster access to Biocon’s vertically integrated portfolio of products, benefitting patients in the region. With some products having already been commissioned from this site and additional launches in the pipeline, the facility will play a key role in furthering Biocon’s mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable therapies worldwide.

US president Donald Trump has announced tariffs of 100% on branded or patented pharmaceutical product imports into the US, leading to questions on how the Indian pharma sector will cope.

"Starting October 1st, 2025, we will be imposing a 100 per cent Tariff on any branded or patented Pharmaceutical Product, unless a Company IS BUILDING their Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plant in America," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

""IS BUILDING" will be defined as, "breaking ground" and/or "under construction." There will, therefore, be no Tariff on these Pharmaceutical Products if construction has started. Thank you for your attention to this matter," he added.

India's total pharmaceutical exports were almost US$ 28 billion in the 2024-25 financial year, with the US its largest export market at US $8.7 billion, according to the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India.

Stampede at Vijay’s TN rally, 31 lives lost, PM sends condolences

At least 31 people were killed in a stampede during actor-politician Vijay’s rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur, according to reports. Several children were among the dead.

The incident took place after supporters of Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), had been waiting for over six hours as the actor-politician arrived late for the event.

The stampede occurred in an overcrowded section of the rally, where several TVK workers collapsed and were moved in ambulances. Death toll likely to rise.

Oracle to partner WB Govt. for IT education in schools

Oracle plans to partner WB Govt. for IT education in schools.

Speaking on the sidelines of ICT East 2025 in Kolkata , Sanjeev Chauhan, VP – Cloud Engineering, Oracle, highlighted the potential of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities as emerging hubs of digital talent. He called for closer collaboration with governments to make IT and digital education a core part of school curriculums. The company currently has about 58000 employees in its 50 plus offices in India and about 600 employees in Kolkata.

Sankarshan Thakur a fearless voice in journalism has fallen silent

Sankarshan Thakur, the editor of the Telegraph news paper published from Kolkata died on Monday after a prolonged illness. He was 63. The Press Club of India in its condolence message said, "We’ve lost a fearless voice in journalism."

BHEL signs 10-year exclusive pact with Singapore-based Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies

BHEL signs 10-year exclusive pact with Singapore-based Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies

Under this 10-year agreement, the two companies will collaborate on the development of hydrogen fuel cell-based rolling stock, with a focus on business sharing and joint operations. The partnership is aimed at enabling BHEL's entry into a new market segment. Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) is an integrated power plant equipment manufacturer engaged in the design, engineering, manufacturing, erection, testing, commissioning, and servicing of a diverse range of products and systems. The company's consolidated net loss widened to Rs 445.50 crore in Q1 FY26 compared with a net loss of Rs 211.40 crore in Q1 FY25. Revenue from operations saw a marginal year-on-year (YoY) increase of 0.03%, reaching Rs 5,486.91 crore in the quarter ended 30 June 2025.

First-ever AC Local Train in Bengal on the Sealdah Ranaghat route

Inaugural run of the Sealdah–Ranaghat AC EMU local was flagged off by Sukanta Majumdar, Member of Parliament and Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Shantanu Thakur, Member of Parliament and Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Jagannath Sarkar, Member of Parliament, BJP RS MP Samik Bhattacharya at Sealdah station today (10.08.2025). General Manager/Eastern Railway, DRM/Sealdah and other dignitaries were also present in the occasion.

Virtual mental health programme gaining popularity

Virtual mental health programme Tele MANAS was launched by the central government with the support of Nimhans and IIIT-B. The programme, offers free services, is supposed to have centres across India. The pilot program launched last year. The Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele Manas) helpline has now seen a surge in calls for such problems, with over 21 lakh calls received so far.

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) is running this helpline and free consultation is being provided for various mental health issues. The International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT-B) is providing technical support to this helpline.

In Karnataka Tele Manas unit is functioning in the centers of Bangalore and Dharwad, and the Tele Manas helpline is helping in resolving mental health issues. The video consultation has also received a good response, and there is a proposal to expand this service said, Prof. T.K. Srikanth, Head of e-Health Research Department, IIIT-B.

Vaani Kapoor features in SSBeauty & Shoppers Stop's new campaign video

Bollywood actor Vaani Kapoor features in the ShowStoppers’25 campaign video, bringing her signature blend of modern glamour and individuality to the screen. Her presence adds a bold new energy to this year’s narrative—one that celebrates personal expression, high-octane glam, and the power of feeling like a showstopper in your own right.

The festival will also offer an exciting blend of interactive sessions. Think makeover marathons, masterclasses, personalised skincare consultations, try-ons and a chance to discover fresh fragrances. Beauty enthusiasts can look forward to exclusive offers from beauty brands like Lancôme, Giordano, Shiseido, LOVETC, Joyology Beauty, Clarins, Yves Saint Laurent, Armani, and NARS, among others. They can discover curated looks, limited-time beauty kits, and trendy products online on ssbeauty.in and shoppersstop.com.

PNB customers can now open Demat and Trading accounts on PNB One mobile app

Punjab National Bank (PNB), India’s leading public sector bank, offers digital Integrated Demat & Trading account opening functionality. This enables customers to open both Demat and Trading accounts simultaneously through the PNB One mobile application without requiring additional KYC documentation.

The digital facility represents a significant milestone in PNB's digital transformation journey, offering customers convenience in Demat & Trading account opening. Through strategic partnership with the trading channel partners, PNB has created a unified platform that eliminates traditional barriers in Demat & Trading account opening.

Key Highlights

Single application process: Investors can now open Demat and trading accounts using a single application, eliminating paperwork and save time.

Seamless integration: The functionality ensures smooth integration between demat and trading accounts.

Status Updates: Clients can manage both accounts through a unified dashboard of the trading partner, providing real-time updates and enhanced visibility.

Comprehensive support: Dedicated customer service team available to assist clients throughout the account opening process.

Shri Binay Kumar Gupta, CGM, PNB said “We are committed to innovating and improving the overall investment experience. Our integrated demat account and trading account opening facility in collaboration with Bank’s trading partners, Aditya Birla Money Ltd. and SMC Global Securities Ltd. aims to empower investors to achieve their financial goals.”

How to Open an Account?

To open an integrated demat and trading account, customer can navigate to the ‘Popular’ section of the Bank’s mobile banking app, PNB One, and click on Demat & Trading. The service is available also on the internet banking platform