NATIONAL 
EXPRESS

Himahin Golok – The Sphere of Freedom  is a poignant and thought-provoking short film that examines the enduring psychological impact of war through the pure and unguarded perspective of a child. Set within an intimate domestic and school environment, the film transforms global conflict into a deeply personal experience, reminding viewers that the scars of violence often reach far beyond the battlefield. The narrative follows a gentle, sensitive young boy who, while sitting beside his father, witnesses a live war broadcast on television. The images he sees disturb him deeply, prompting innocent yet profound questions about violence, nations, and human cruelty. To explain the complex realities of war, borders, and power struggles, his father introduces him to a globe—an object that soon becomes central to the child’s understanding of the world and its divisions. At school, the child encounters another unsettling metaphor for conflict when he observes older students playing chess, described as a battlefield of kings, queens, and soldiers. The symbolic resemblance to war disturbs him so intensely that he throws the chessboard away, rejecting the idea of victory built upon destruction. This moment marks a turning point, as the child begins to actively search for peace rather than passively accept conflict as a norm. In a powerful and visually evocative act, he takes a globe from the principal’s office, erases its borders, and paints it green—reimagining the world as a shared space free from hatred, divisions, and violence. This simple yet profound gesture encapsulates the film’s central message: that the idea of peace often begins with imagination, and that children, unburdened by political agendas, may see solutions adults have long forgotten. Directed with sensitivity by Dr. Mainu Devi and produced by Dr. Sweta Kashyap, Himahin Golok – The Sphere of Freedom  uses minimal dialogue and symbolic imagery to deliver a universal message. The film avoids graphic depictions of war, instead focusing on its emotional consequences, making its impact subtle yet deeply resonant. Ultimately, the film envisions a harmonious, borderless world through a child’s eyes—one where compassion triumphs over conflict and humanity chooses understanding over violence. Himahin Golok – The Sphere of Freedom  stands as a quiet yet powerful reminder that the seeds of peace can be planted early, and that sometimes the most profound truths emerge from the simplest perspectives.

India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to double bilateral trade to 200 billion dollars by 2032. The decision was taken during the delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in New Delhi yesterday. During the meeting, several agreements were also signed in the fields of Defence, Space, Energy and Food Safety between India and the UAE. Briefing the media about the outcomes of the meeting, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri informed that a letter of intent was signed to conclude a framework agreement on a strategic defence partnership between both countries. He added that a letter of intent was also signed on joint initiatives on space infrastructure development and its commercialisation. Mr Misri noted that both nations also signed a sales and purchase agreement between HPCL India and Adnoc Gas UAE. He said that India and the UAE have agreed for establishment of a supercomputing cluster in India. The Foreign Secretary also informed that a letter of intent was signed on the UAE’s participation in the development of a special investment region in Dholera, Gujarat. He added that this is a mega partnership that will look at the establishment of an international airport, a pilot training school, a smart urban township, and projects related to railway connectivity and energy infrastructure. He noted that both countries will promote bilateral civil nuclear cooperation. Mr Misri also informed that First Abu Dhabi Bank and DP World will set up their offices and operations in GIFT city Gujarat. The Foreign Secretary added that the House of India will be established in Abu Dhabi, which will be a cultural space consisting of a museum of Indian Art, Heritage, and Archaeology, among others.

Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi met the Economic Advisor of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of Oman, H.E. Dr Said Mohammed Ahmed Al Saqri at Davos in Switzerland. In a social media post, Mr Joshi said that during the meeting, he highlighted India’s proven ability to scale renewables – solar, wind, Green Hydrogen and energy storage even in arid and desert conditions, offering strong opportunities for global investors. The Minister said that the discussions focused on joint collaboration on manufacturing and export opportunities for solar modules, electrolysers and green hydrogen.

Leaders of European Union countries will hold an emergency summit on Jan 22. European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said the meeting will focus on US threats of tariffs linked to President Donald Trump’s stated desire to acquire Greenland. He said the EU is engaging with Washington at all levels over the tariff threats and the bloc is taking every possible step to protect its economic interests. He said the bloc is ready to respond if the threatened tariffs are imposed. Earlier, EU ambassadors met in Brussels last Sunday for an emergency session. The talks focused on the US tariff threat and possible countermeasures. US President Donald Trump had said that the United States needs Greenland for national security. He warned that tariffs would follow if no agreement is reached.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) working President Nitin Nabin has been elected as the new President of the Party. Party’s National Returning Officer, Dr K. Laxman, today announced Mr Nabin’s appointment as the party’s new president at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. Mr Nabin was felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, JP Nadda and Nitin Gadkari.

Vanya Girish Satardekar, a bright and inspiring young talent from the picturesque state of Goa, has emerged as a remarkable name in the fields of Fashion and Aesthetics. Her creativity, discipline, and passion have recently been recognized on a national platform with the prestigious Rabindra Ratna Puraskar 2026, conferred by the Veyil Foundation. This distinguished honor celebrates individuals who demonstrate exceptional talent and dedication, and Vanya’s achievements at such a young age truly set her apart. At just nine years old, Vanya Girish Satardekar has already built an impressive and diverse portfolio of accomplishments. Her contributions to fashion and aesthetics reflect a keen artistic sense, originality, and an eye for detail that goes far beyond her years. Through her creative expression, she brings fresh perspectives and youthful innovation to the artistic world, making her a deserving recipient of this esteemed award. Vanya’s excellence is not limited to creative pursuits alone. She is also a national-level taekwondo athlete, having won silver and bronze medals, which highlight her determination, discipline, and physical strength. Her success in martial arts showcases her ability to balance creativity with rigorous training and mental focus. Adding to her list of achievements, Vanya secured third place in a national-level Abacus competition, proving her strong analytical skills, sharp memory, and quick thinking. Committed to overall well-being, Vanya actively participates in state-level yoga, reflecting her holistic approach to health, mindfulness, and inner balance. This blend of physical fitness, mental agility, and artistic expression demonstrates her well-rounded personality and dedication to self-growth. In addition, Vanya Girish Satardekar is a gifted artist, having won numerous awards for her creative works. Her artistic talents beautifully complement her interest in fashion and aesthetics, allowing her to express emotions, ideas, and culture through multiple forms of art. Vanya’s journey is a powerful example of how passion, discipline, and creativity can come together to shape a bright future. Her achievements not only bring pride to Goa but also inspire young minds across the country. With her multifaceted abilities and unwavering commitment to excellence, Vanya Girish Satardekar stands as a promising star and a role model for the next generation.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N.Chandrababu Naidu has left on a four-day visit to Davos to attend the World Economic Forum annual meeting. He is accompanied by Ministers Nara Lokesh and T.G. Bharat and senior officials. The visit is aimed at attracting global investments and strengthening economic partnerships.   During the visit, the Chief Minister will take part in 36 engagements. These include three inter-governmental meetings, 16 one-on-one meetings with global CEOs, several roundtables, panel discussions and plenary sessions. He will also interact with members of the Telugu diaspora. The visit is expected to project the state as a preferred global investment destination.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya has departed the country this morning to attend the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. The PM’s office said that the annual meeting, running from Jan. 19 to Jan. 23, 2026, is expected to draw more than 3,000 global leaders. Participants include heads of state and government, senior policymakers, chief executives of major multinational corporations, and technology and innovation leaders. During her visit, Dr. Amarasuriya is scheduled to hold a series of high-level bilateral meetings with international leaders and heads of global institutions, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. The discussions are expected to focus on economic cooperation, investment opportunities, and Sri Lanka’s engagement with global partners amid ongoing recovery efforts. The annual Davos forum is regarded as a key platform for dialogue on global economic trends, geopolitics, and development challenges.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi visited the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Republic Day Camp 2026 in New Delhi today. Addressing the NCC cadets, Admiral Tripathi highlighted that NCC has played a crucial role in shaping young minds with values of discipline, selfless service, and national pride. He said that the cadets are also actively contributing to disaster response, environmental protection, and nation-building efforts.   He emphasised that the values instilled by the NCC remain lifelong and shape responsible leaders who can think clearly and uphold integrity. The Chief of the Naval Staff also described the cadets as architects of Viksit Bharat and urged them to remain humble, courageous, curious and committed to national ideals.    Admiral Tripathi also congratulated the cadets for a spectacular presentation depicting their passion, talent, discipline, and enthusiasm, which reflected India’s rich cultural diversity.

Government e-Marketplace (GeM) and World Trade Centre (WTC) Mumbai today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost outreach and strengthen MSME participation in public procurement. The partnership will promote inclusive access for startups, women entrepreneurs and smaller enterprises, while enhancing GeM’s global presence. It will focus on capacity building, supplier outreach and knowledge sharing in areas such as artificial intelligence, sustainability and green procurement.   Additional CEO and Chief Financial Officer of GeM, Satya Narayan Meena, said the collaboration is an important step towards making GeM a globally benchmarked digital procurement platform. He highlighted that with over one crore registered users on the GeM portal, ensuring wider exposure and market access is crucial.   Chairman of WTC Mumbai, Dr. Vijay Kalantri, said the initiative will support Atmanirbhar Bharat, improve ease of doing business and strengthen transparent and efficient public procurement.

BJP working president Nitin Nabin has filed his nomination for the election of the post of the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party. BJP National President JP Nadda, Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, and other members of the BJP’s Parliamentary Party Board proposed the name of Nitin Nabin for the post of National President. The process of filing nominations concluded this evening. The nomination process began at the party headquarters at 2 PM and continued till 4 PM. After the filing of nominations, scrutiny of nomination papers took place. After that, the process of withdrawal of the nomination papers was conducted. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Goa CM Pramod Sawant and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma were also present. The BJP’s national president is elected by an electoral college comprising representatives from the party’s national council and state councils. At present, the post is held by Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda. Mr Nadda was appointed as the BJP’s National Working President in June 2019 and was later elected unopposed as party president in January 2020, succeeding then President Amit Shah.

Among this year’s standout short films, “Pahadon Ki Goonj” has emerged as a compelling voice of regional cinema, earning critical acclaim from the South Asia Film Festival 2026, PanAsia Film Festival 2026, and the Indian Premier Film Festival 2026. This recognition highlights not only the film’s artistic merit but also its deep-rooted social relevance. Directed by Vaibhav Rawat, the film presents an intimate exploration of reverse migration, a subject that resonates across India’s changing rural landscape. The narrative follows a young farmer’s daughter—played with quiet emotional weight by Gunjan—who returns to her Himalayan village only to find a ghostly stillness where once there was life. Empty homes line the slopes, and the absence of familiar voices reflects the growing exodus of villagers seeking opportunities far from home. What sets Pahadon Ki Goonj  apart is its hopeful pivot. Instead of leaving again, the protagonist makes a firm, transformative choice: she decides to stay, rebuild, and breathe life back into the place she calls home. Her decision becomes the emotional heartbeat of the film—a reminder that revival often starts with just one determined individual. Producer - Abhishek Kapoor The performances of Subhash Negi, Manish, and the young Aaradhya Panwar lend authenticity and grounded charm, capturing the daily rhythms of mountain life with nuance. Rawat’s direction embraces natural light, open landscapes, and gentle silences, allowing the mountains to stand as both witnesses and characters in their own right. Critics at the 2026 festivals have praised the film’s sincerity, its tight yet evocative storytelling, and its ability to address a large socio-economic theme through a simple, heartfelt human moment. Without heavy dialogue or dramatics, Pahadon Ki Goonj  achieves emotional clarity—its echoes lingering long after the final frame. In a time when migration continues to shape the narrative of modern India, “Pahadon Ki Goonj” offers a refreshing counter-story: one of return, responsibility, and the rediscovery of home.