From the mountains of Uttarakhand to the frozen Arctic, an Indian teenager is set to embark on a journey that only a handful of people ever experience. Lucky Rawat, a student from Chakrata in Uttarakhand, has been selected to represent India in the 'Icebreaker of Knowledge', a 10-day international scientific and educational expedition to the geographic North Pole. The programme, which began from Russia's northern port city of Murmansk, has brought together students from 22 countries aboard the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy.The expedition offers participants a rare opportunity to travel to 90° North latitude, one of the most remote and inaccessible places on Earth, while learning about Arctic science, climate, and international cooperation.<h2>One student, one country</h2>Rawat earned his place after clearing a three-stage international selection process, with one student chosen from each participating nation."I am from Chakrata in Uttarakhand and have come here as India's ambassador for this expedition. It is a 10-day expedition during which we will travel to the North Pole. We will be among the very few people who have actually reached the North Pole," he said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Murmansk, Russia | Indian student Lucky Rawat says, &quot;I am from Chakrata in Uttarakhand and have come here as India&#39;s ambassador for this expedition... It is a 10-day expedition during which we will travel to the North Pole... We will be among the very few people who have… <a href="https://t.co/2uHheN6ztK">https://t.co/2uHheN6ztK</a> <a href="https://t.co/OTyQ9YWdLq">pic.twitter.com/OTyQ9YWdLq</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://x.com/ANI/status/2084778197938479461?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The expedition includes students aged between 14 and 16 from countries including India, Bangladesh, China and Russia, creating a platform for young minds to collaborate across borders through science and education.<h2>More than a voyage</h2>The Icebreaker of Knowledge is designed to introduce students to the Arctic's unique environment while encouraging scientific curiosity and cultural exchange.Beyond the symbolic achievement of reaching the North Pole, participants will engage in educational activities centred on polar research, environmental awareness and the importance of the Arctic in understanding global climate systems.<h2>A proud moment for India</h2>For Rawat's family, the selection marks a milestone. His father, Ram Singh, said he was proud that his son had cleared the competitive online selection process to represent India on the international expedition."I am proud of my son for clearing the online examination and being selected to represent India. He is going on a 10-day expedition to the North Pole," Singh told ANI.&nbsp;

Lucky Rawat, a student from Uttarakhand's Chakrata, has been selected to represent India in the 10-day 'Icebreaker of Knowledge' expedition to the geographic North Pole, joining students from 22 countries aboard Russia's nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy.

From the mountains of Uttarakhand to the frozen Arctic, an Indian teenager is set to embark on a journey that only a handful of people ever experience. Lucky Rawat, a student from Chakrata in Uttarakhand, has been selected to represent India in the 'Icebreaker of Knowledge', a 10-day international scientific and educational expedition to the geographic North Pole. The programme, which began from Russia's northern port city of Murmansk, has brought together students from 22 countries aboard the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy. The expedition offers participants a rare opportunity to travel to 90° North latitude, one of the most remote and inaccessible places on Earth, while learning about Arctic science, climate, and international cooperation. One student, one country Rawat earned his place after clearing a three-stage international selection process, with one student chosen from each participating nation. "I am from Chakrata in Uttarakhand and have come here as India's ambassador for this expedition. It is a 10-day expedition during which we will travel to the North Pole. We will be among the very few people who have actually reached the North Pole," he said.

Lucky Rawat, a student from Uttarakhand's Chakrata, has been selected to represent India in the 10-day 'Icebreaker of Knowledge' expedition to the geographic North Pole, joining students from 22 countries aboard Russia's nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy.

From the Himalayas to the North Pole: Uttarakhand teen to represent India on rare Arctic expedition | WION Horizons

Quebec’s immigration ministry has announced that the Quebec Experience Programme (PEQ) will re-open on July 2, 2026, and the permanent residence pathway will remain open for a two-year period, bringing relief and hope to thousands of Indians planning to settle in Canada. The pathway will open in two phases, with the first phase from July 2 to October 31, 2026, focused on foreign nationals who were eligible for the PEQ at the time of its closure on November 19, 2025.This first phase will include foreign nationals who have qualified through both PEQ streams: the international graduate stream and the foreign worker stream. There will be no change in the eligibility criteria for both streams.Besides, there will be no cap on applications for the first phase.&nbsp;Till October 31, the Quebec government will scale back on invitations through the Skilled Worker Selection Programme (PSTQ) and will be targeting candidates working in TEER 4 or 5 occupations, along with candidates with less than two years of work experience.&nbsp;The PEQ re-opening is a temporary measure, and Quebec’s immigration ministry intends to close the programme and handle all permanent residence selection only through PSTQ.&nbsp;The reopening will provide significant relief to thousands of Indian students and skilled workers in the French-speaking province of Quebec. Indians constitute one of the largest groups of international students in Canada, and many of them choose Quebec for its affordable education and employment opportunities.&nbsp;The reopening of PEQ will provide them a faster route to obtaining permanent residence.&nbsp;Many Indians employed on a temporary basis in sectors facing labour shortages may also benefit from the pathway.&nbsp;Immigration Minister François Bonnardel on Wednesday announced the reopening of the PEQ for two years and said between 8,000 and 12,000 people are expected to apply in the first phase.&nbsp;&nbsp;“The PSTQ is not dead. It will not die. It is the PSTQ that will support newcomers in the years to come,” Bonnardel added.Quebec lowered its targets for the coming years to 45,000 new permanent residents annually under its 2026–29 plan.&nbsp;&nbsp;Prior to its termination, the PEQ was a popular fast-track pathway to permanent residency till the Quebec government under François Legault abolished the programme.Hundreds of people participated in demonstrations earlier this year calling for the PEQ's reinstatement, a demand also voiced by city mayors, business groups and unions.Former immigration minister, Jean-François Roberge, refused to reinstate the PEQ or provide exemptions to those already in the province and instead created the PSTQ.&nbsp;He insisted the program better meets Quebec's needs as it allows the government to select candidates based on several criteria, including knowledge of French, while also prioritizing those located outside the greater Montreal area.

Immigration Minister François Bonnardel announced the reopening of the PEQ for two years and said between 8,000 and 12,000 people are expected to apply in the first phase. Quebec lowered its targets for the coming years to 45,000 new permanent residents annually under its 2026–29 plan.

Quebec’s immigration ministry has announced that the Quebec Experience Programme (PEQ) will re-open on July 2, 2026, and the permanent residence pathway will remain open for a two-year period, bringing relief and hope to thousands of Indians planning to settle in Canada. The pathway will open in two phases, with the first phase from July 2 to October 31, 2026, focused on foreign nationals who were eligible for the PEQ at the time of its closure on November 19, 2025. This first phase will include foreign nationals who have qualified through both PEQ streams: the international graduate stream and the foreign worker stream. There will be no change in the eligibility criteria for both streams. Besides, there will be no cap on applications for the first phase. Till October 31, the Quebec government will scale back on invitations through the Skilled Worker Selection Programme (PSTQ) and will be targeting candidates working in TEER 4 or 5 occupations, along with candidates with less than two years of work experience. The PEQ re-opening is a temporary measure, and Quebec’s immigration ministry intends to close the programme and handle all permanent residence selection only through PSTQ. The reopening will provide significant relief to thousands of Indian students and skilled workers in the French-speaking province of Quebec. Indians constitute one of the largest groups of international students in Canada, and many of them choose Quebec for its affordable education and employment opportunities. The reopening of PEQ will provide them a faster route to obtaining permanent residence. Many Indians employed on a temporary basis in sectors facing labour shortages may also benefit from the pathway. Immigration Minister François Bonnardel on Wednesday announced the reopening of the PEQ for two years and said between 8,000 and 12,000 people are expected to apply in the first phase. “The PSTQ is not dead. It will not die. It is the PSTQ that will support newcomers in the years to come,” Bonnardel added. Quebec lowered its targets for the coming years to 45,000 new permanent residents annually under its 2026–29 plan. Prior to its termination, the PEQ was a popular fast-track pathway to permanent residency till the Quebec government under François Legault abolished the programme. Hundreds of people participated in demonstrations earlier this year calling for the PEQ's reinstatement, a demand also voiced by city mayors, business groups and unions. Former immigration minister, Jean-François Roberge, refused to reinstate the PEQ or provide exemptions to those already in the province and instead created the PSTQ. He insisted the program better meets Quebec's needs as it allows the government to select candidates based on several criteria, including knowledge of French, while also prioritizing those located outside the greater Montreal area.

Immigration Minister François Bonnardel announced the reopening of the PEQ for two years and said between 8,000 and 12,000 people are expected to apply in the first phase. Quebec lowered its targets for the coming years to 45,000 new permanent residents annually under its 2026–29 plan.

Quebec to reopen permanent residence pathway from July 2. How will it benefit Indians | WION Horizons

Amid global turmoil in West Asia and elsewhere, Indian students pursuing higher education in the United States are now facing mounting financial pressure. A weaker rupee, geopolitical tensions and rising travel costs are increasingly making overseas education increasingly expensive for the millions of Indian students who go abroad to pursue higher education every year. For many aspiring students, the dream of an international degree remains alive, but as the rupee continues to weaken and global uncertainties deepen, financing that dream is becoming increasingly difficult.<h2>How many Indian students go abroad for higher education?</h2>According to data from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in 2025, over 1.2 million Indian students enrolled in higher education overseas; the year before this number stood at 1.33 million. A quick look at MEA data shows that while the overall number remains high, outbound enrolments have seen a year-on-year decline. The reason for this decline: uncertainty surrounding global mobility, stricter visa rules, policy caps, and economic volatility.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cywyddau-who-is-shrey-parikh-indian-origin-teen-wins-america-s-biggest-spelling-competition-takes-home-50-000-prize-scripps-national-1780033420442">'Cywyddau': Who is Shrey Parikh? Indian-origin teen wins America's biggest spelling competition, takes home $50,000 prize</a><h2>Global headwinds and rising financial burden</h2>According to education lender Prodigy Finance, while student interest in studying abroad remains strong, the financial burden on families has risen sharply over the past few years. The company noted that international education is no longer just about securing university admission. Instead, it has become a lengthy process involving financial planning, funding challenges and uncertainty even before students arrive on campus.According to data from Prodigy Finance's earlier research, more than 79 per cent of Indian students planning to study abroad come from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Of this, nearly 60 per cent belong to modest-income households where parents often make significant financial sacrifices to support their children's education ambitions, said the lender.<h2>Falling rupee causes headache for parents</h2>The pressure has become more visible as the Indian rupee faces depreciation against the US dollar, increasing the cost of tuition fees, accommodation and day-to-day living expenses for students studying overseas. Already this year, the rupee has depreciated by 7.04 per cent. The rupee opened the year trading at approximately ₹89.50–₹89.90 per US Dollar in January but repeatedly hit record lows every month between January and May. On May 19, 2026, it touched an all-time low of ₹96.56.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/neet-ug-paper-leak-scandal-army-may-help-conduct-re-exam-for-first-time-suggest-reports-1780025143224">NEET-UG paper leak scandal: Army may help conduct re-exam for first time, suggest reports</a>Sonal Kapoor, Global Chief Business Officer at Prodigy Finance, said students should carefully evaluate how they finance their education in the current environment. "This is a very important time for Indian students to consider funding in USD or in the same currency as their destination country. Even regular travellers from India are already talking about how INR depreciation is increasing their travel costs, so imagine the additional pressure students face when they are moving overseas for education and managing tuition, housing and daily expenses altogether," Kapoor said.Kapoor added that currency fluctuations are only one part of the challenge. Students are simultaneously dealing with visa-related uncertainties and rapidly rising airfare costs linked to global fuel market disruptions."Flight fares are increasing rapidly, and for students from modest backgrounds, a huge amount of money is now going into travel itself. Currency exchange losses are adding another layer of pressure, and we are receiving a large number of emails from students who are anxious and trying to understand how to manage everything together," she said.<h2>What now?</h2>With fuel prices and geopolitical tensions continuing to affect global travel and financial markets, Prodigy Finance advised students planning to leave for upcoming academic intakes to make travel arrangements early and opt for flexible flight bookings wherever possible. &nbsp;

Indian students are suddenly finding a US degree far more expensive than before. A falling rupee, rising airfares, visa uncertainty and geopolitical tensions are creating a financial squeeze for millions. How bad has the cost surge become, and what's driving it? Scroll down to find out.

Amid global turmoil in West Asia and elsewhere, Indian students pursuing higher education in the United States are now facing mounting financial pressure. A weaker rupee, geopolitical tensions and rising travel costs are increasingly making overseas education increasingly expensive for the millions of Indian students who go abroad to pursue higher education every year. For many aspiring students, the dream of an international degree remains alive, but as the rupee continues to weaken and global uncertainties deepen, financing that dream is becoming increasingly difficult. How many Indian students go abroad for higher education? According to data from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in 2025, over 1.2 million Indian students enrolled in higher education overseas; the year before this number stood at 1.33 million. A quick look at MEA data shows that while the overall number remains high, outbound enrolments have seen a year-on-year decline. The reason for this decline: uncertainty surrounding global mobility, stricter visa rules, policy caps, and economic volatility. Also read | 'Cywyddau': Who is Shrey Parikh? Indian-origin teen wins America's biggest spelling competition, takes home $50,000 prize Global headwinds and rising financial burden According to education lender Prodigy Finance, while student interest in studying abroad remains strong, the financial burden on families has risen sharply over the past few years. The company noted that international education is no longer just about securing university admission. Instead, it has become a lengthy process involving financial planning, funding challenges and uncertainty even before students arrive on campus. According to data from Prodigy Finance's earlier research, more than 79 per cent of Indian students planning to study abroad come from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Of this, nearly 60 per cent belong to modest-income households where parents often make significant financial sacrifices to support their children's education ambitions, said the lender. Falling rupee causes headache for parents The pressure has become more visible as the Indian rupee faces depreciation against the US dollar, increasing the cost of tuition fees, accommodation and day-to-day living expenses for students studying overseas. Already this year, the rupee has depreciated by 7.04 per cent. The rupee opened the year trading at approximately ₹89.50–₹89.90 per US Dollar in January but repeatedly hit record lows every month between January and May. On May 19, 2026, it touched an all-time low of ₹96.56. Also read | NEET-UG paper leak scandal: Army may help conduct re-exam for first time, suggest reports Sonal Kapoor, Global Chief Business Officer at Prodigy Finance, said students should carefully evaluate how they finance their education in the current environment. "This is a very important time for Indian students to consider funding in USD or in the same currency as their destination country. Even regular travellers from India are already talking about how INR depreciation is increasing their travel costs, so imagine the additional pressure students face when they are moving overseas for education and managing tuition, housing and daily expenses altogether," Kapoor said. Kapoor added that currency fluctuations are only one part of the challenge. Students are simultaneously dealing with visa-related uncertainties and rapidly rising airfare costs linked to global fuel market disruptions. "Flight fares are increasing rapidly, and for students from modest backgrounds, a huge amount of money is now going into travel itself. Currency exchange losses are adding another layer of pressure, and we are receiving a large number of emails from students who are anxious and trying to understand how to manage everything together," she said. What now? With fuel prices and geopolitical tensions continuing to affect global travel and financial markets, Prodigy Finance advised students planning to leave for upcoming academic intakes to make travel arrangements early and opt for flexible flight bookings wherever possible.

Indian students are suddenly finding a US degree far more expensive than before. A falling rupee, rising airfares, visa uncertainty and geopolitical tensions are creating a financial squeeze for millions. How bad has the cost surge become, and what's driving it? Scroll down to find out.

Rupee slide, wars and more: Indian students in US battle currency crisis no one prepared them for | WION Horizons

For most people, words like "Cywyddau", "Taurokathapsia" and "Bromocriptine" look impossible to pronounce, let alone spell. But for 14-year-old Indian-American teen Shrey Parikh, they were stepping stones to one of the most prestigious academic titles in the United States. The Indian-origin teenager from California has been crowned champion of the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee after a remarkable performance that saw him outlast 247 of the country's best young spellers and walk away with a prize package worth more than $50,000.<h2>Who is Shrey Parikh?</h2>Shrey Parikh is the latest chapter in a long-running success story of Indian-American students dominating the competition. His parents immigrated to the United States from Telangana, and their son has now joined an elite list of Indian-origin champions who have become household names in the world of competitive spelling.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-blue-origin-s-new-glenn-rocket-explodes-on-launch-pad-during-hotfire-test-what-happened-video-1780021155966">Watch: Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket explodes in massive fireball during launch pad 'hotfire test'</a><h2>A long-awaited win</h2>This triumph was years in the making. The eighth-grader from Rancho Cucamonga wasn't an overnight success. This was his third appearance at the national finals and his final year of eligibility. In 2024, he finished third. Last year, he suffered a major disappointment when he failed to qualify for the national competition altogether.The setback was painful enough that he reportedly took a six-month break from spelling before eventually returning to preparation and competition. Now, that perseverance has paid off spectacularly.The contest eventually went to a dramatic spell-off, a fast-paced tiebreaker where finalists are given 90 seconds to correctly spell as many words as possible.Shrey correctly spelt an astonishing 32 words in just 90 seconds, setting a new spell-off record and comfortably defeating runner-up Ishaan Gupta of New Jersey, who managed 25 words.His winning word was "bromocriptine," a complex medical term that sealed the championship and triggered celebrations inside Washington's Constitution Hall.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/twisha-sharma-case-takes-dramatic-turn-as-cbi-arrests-mother-in-law-giribala-singh-after-bail-cancelled-1780023437742">Twisha Sharma case takes dramatic turn as CBI arrests mother-in-law Giribala Singh after bail cancelled</a><h2>‘Bhubaneshwar’: The one word that almost stumped Shrey</h2>What stood out throughout the competition was Shrey's composure. Whether facing obscure Welsh words, scientific terminology or rare geographical names, he rarely showed any sign of nerves. Yet after the victory, he admitted there were moments of self-doubt. "I knew the word, but when you're on stage you always kind of doubt yourself," he said.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/neet-ug-paper-leak-scandal-army-may-help-conduct-re-exam-for-first-time-suggest-reports-1780025143224">NEET-UG paper leak scandal: Army may help conduct re-exam for first time, suggest reports</a>After his win, Parikh revealed that the word that stumped him the most was "Bhubaneshwar," a city in India. "I was 99% sure it had a 'B,' but always doubt creeps into your head, especially in the moment," he said. "I knew I just had to stick with my gut and stick with my instincts on that word."Along with the iconic Scripps Cup trophy, Shrey takes home $50,000 in cash, additional prizes from major sponsors and a place in spelling bee history.&nbsp;

Indian-origin student turns heartbreak into historic victory: After missing the national finals last year, Shrey Parikh returned to win the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee and set a new record. What was the one word that nearly tripped him up? Scroll down to read.

For most people, words like "Cywyddau", "Taurokathapsia" and "Bromocriptine" look impossible to pronounce, let alone spell. But for 14-year-old Indian-American teen Shrey Parikh, they were stepping stones to one of the most prestigious academic titles in the United States. The Indian-origin teenager from California has been crowned champion of the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee after a remarkable performance that saw him outlast 247 of the country's best young spellers and walk away with a prize package worth more than $50,000. Who is Shrey Parikh? Shrey Parikh is the latest chapter in a long-running success story of Indian-American students dominating the competition. His parents immigrated to the United States from Telangana, and their son has now joined an elite list of Indian-origin champions who have become household names in the world of competitive spelling. Also read | Watch: Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket explodes in massive fireball during launch pad 'hotfire test' A long-awaited win This triumph was years in the making. The eighth-grader from Rancho Cucamonga wasn't an overnight success. This was his third appearance at the national finals and his final year of eligibility. In 2024, he finished third. Last year, he suffered a major disappointment when he failed to qualify for the national competition altogether. The setback was painful enough that he reportedly took a six-month break from spelling before eventually returning to preparation and competition. Now, that perseverance has paid off spectacularly. The contest eventually went to a dramatic spell-off, a fast-paced tiebreaker where finalists are given 90 seconds to correctly spell as many words as possible. Shrey correctly spelt an astonishing 32 words in just 90 seconds, setting a new spell-off record and comfortably defeating runner-up Ishaan Gupta of New Jersey, who managed 25 words. His winning word was "bromocriptine," a complex medical term that sealed the championship and triggered celebrations inside Washington's Constitution Hall. Also read | Twisha Sharma case takes dramatic turn as CBI arrests mother-in-law Giribala Singh after bail cancelled ‘Bhubaneshwar’: The one word that almost stumped Shrey What stood out throughout the competition was Shrey's composure. Whether facing obscure Welsh words, scientific terminology or rare geographical names, he rarely showed any sign of nerves. Yet after the victory, he admitted there were moments of self-doubt. "I knew the word, but when you're on stage you always kind of doubt yourself," he said. Also read | NEET-UG paper leak scandal: Army may help conduct re-exam for first time, suggest reports After his win, Parikh revealed that the word that stumped him the most was "Bhubaneshwar," a city in India. "I was 99% sure it had a 'B,' but always doubt creeps into your head, especially in the moment," he said. "I knew I just had to stick with my gut and stick with my instincts on that word." Along with the iconic Scripps Cup trophy, Shrey takes home $50,000 in cash, additional prizes from major sponsors and a place in spelling bee history.

Indian-origin student turns heartbreak into historic victory: After missing the national finals last year, Shrey Parikh returned to win the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee and set a new record. What was the one word that nearly tripped him up? Scroll down to read.

'Cywyddau': Who is Shrey Parikh? Indian-origin teen wins America's biggest spelling competition, takes home $50,000 prize

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From the Himalayas to the North Pole: Uttarakhand teen to represent India on rare Arctic expedition | WION Horizons

Quebec to reopen permanent residence pathway. How will it benefit Indians

Indian students in US battle currency crisis no one prepared them for

Who is Shrey Parikh? Indian-origin teen wins America's biggest spelling bee