Rahul Haldar

Imagine a structure so colossal it dwarfs even the Three Gorges Dam, a behemoth of concrete and steel nestled high in the Himalayas, poised to harness the untamed power of one of Asia's mightiest rivers. This is not a scene from a futuristic movie, but a tangible plan taking shape in China – the Super Dam project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet. This ambitious undertaking, aiming to be the world's largest dam, is generating both awe and apprehension in equal measure, sparking conversations about clean energy, ecological balance, and geopolitical stability. A Colossus in the Making: Unveiling the Scale China's vision is grand: to construct a hydroelectric dam of unprecedented scale at the "Great Bend" of the Yarlung Tsangpo, where the river carves a dramatic U-turn around the Himalayas before flowing into India, where it becomes the Brahmaputra, and eventually Bangladesh, where it is known as the Jamuna. This location, boasting a staggering 2,000-meter drop ...

In a heartening development for millions of devotees, the sacred Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is set to resume in the summer of 2025, marking a significant moment in the complex tapestry of India-China relations. After a hiatus since 2020, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and escalating border tensions, the pilgrimage's revival follows a crucial meeting between India's Foreign Secretary and China's Deputy Foreign Minister in January 2025. This diplomatic engagement not only paved the way for the Yatra's resumption but also addressed the restoration of direct air services between the two nations, suspended since 2020. As the two countries celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2025, the recommencement of the Yatra is viewed as a vital step towards mending strained ties and fostering people-to-people connections. This pilgrimage, deeply embedded in the spiritual ethos of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, transcends mere physical travel; it's ...