Pensha

Tem Tapung (Arunachal Pradesh), Sabyasachi Samanta (West Bengal), Dr Avantika Kekan (Maharashtra), Dr Subhendu Sikder (West Bengal), Prakruti Alagudekar (Karnataka), Shubham Thapliyal (Uttarakhand) and Joy Das (West Bengal) A team led by Subhajit Banerjee took on a challenging task -- exploring a new untested route in Lahaul valley, south of Ladakh. S tarting from Manali on September 3, the team reached the summit after 10 days.    “It’s a matter of pride for mountaineers that a new route has been opened! exclaims Dr Avantika Kekan, who was one of the two medicos in the team.  The journey was far from easy, especially on the less-travelled mountain paths, where even the best laid plans can come to a naught.  “During our 10-day expedition, we had only a two-day window of clear weather.  It was snowing, some days it was windy.   Our cook faced acute mountain sickness and had to be evacuated. At Camp 1, I had no idea that the water source froze overnight and...

Sarthak with his father Racing to the Top  Imagine zooming down a racetrack at breathtaking speeds -- it's a dream many teenagers share. For Sarthak Chavan, it's not just a dream but his everyday reality. This young racing champion from Pune proves that success in motorsports takes more than just chasing thrills -- it requires dedication, hard work and countless hours of practice. “Racing isn't just about speed, ” says Sarthak, who had an incredible year in 2024.  “It's about careful planning, strategy and mastering techniques. ”  His hard work paid off when he became the first Indian rider to finish third in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, (ARCC) TVS One Make category. He also claimed the title of Indian National Motor Racing Champion in two categories – all before turning 18. Racing runs in Sarthak's family. His father runs a  motorcycle racing workshop and his uncle was once a racer too. “ I was only five or six when I knew I wanted to race, ” Sart...