International
Mumbai girl embraces Berlin, gives interesting reasons, tips to study in Germany

I originally completed my Bachelor’s in Management Studies at Smt. M. M. K. College of Commerce & Economics in Mumbai before working as a Research Analyst. I then decided to pursue my Master’s at ESMT Berlin.
‘Affordable cost of living and work-life balance’
When I made the decision to move abroad, I was looking for a country with not only a great education but also long-term stay possibilities with regard to visa and job opportunities. The affordable cost of living compared to other countries and the work-life balance in Germany helped me narrow my choice. The central location in Europe just added the cherry on top of a delicious cake!
I chose ESMT Berlin due to the curriculum and Social Impact Project. I was looking for a Master’s that not only had interesting classes but also gave me hands-on experience. After a six-month intensive course, I could apply my skills in the real world with an internship for another six months. On return to campus, I could choose the subjects that interest me most and end with a Social Impact Project to support a non-profit, before writing my thesis. During my course, I also had the opportunity to co-lead two student clubs – Net Impact ESMT Berlin and Meraki Club with the opportunity to organise the TEDx event.
Different cultures, beliefs, and cuisines
Living in Mumbai allowed me to experience different cultures, and living in Berlin added to this. I learned about different cultures and beliefs and tried some amazing cuisines from all around the world in authentic restaurants. I also lived in Munich during the summer and was mesmerised by the breathtaking nature there. Even though I had read about it before moving, witnessing supermarkets closing on Sunday took an adjustment period. It required some planning to ensure a steady supply of essentials on the weekends. It was also surprising to see restaurants and ice cream parlours close by 10 pm – especially coming from a city that never sleeps!
Advice for Indian students looking to study in Germany
- Research based on your needs:
Don’t just randomly read through all articles available online. Know what you want first. What is it that you are looking for in Germany? Are you just looking to study or planning for the long term? What type of German city or town would you like to live in?
- Talk to someone:
Reach out to someone who has been living in Germany – be it a friend, family member, counsellor, etc. Ask them about the things you are uncertain about, as well as what challenges they faced and what they loved most about the city they are in. Also, make some connections via LinkedIn – talk to someone from the university or job you are applying to and create a network!
- Learn the basics of the language:
It is true that in major German cities, such as Berlin, you can live without knowing German. But do you want to move to a new country and not even know how to say “thank you” or “sorry” in their language?
- Understand the document requirements:
Other than getting your visa sorted, there are a lot of formalities you need to complete once you land in Germany. You need to register your apartment, open a bank account, get your tax identity, start your insurance, etc. Know about these requirements in advance so that you can make the necessary bookings and give yourself some time to complete them.
Remember, things may not always go as planned, so give yourself some buffer time, take a deep breath, and relax – because in the end, it will all be worth it!
International
Fresh Escalation By Iran? Sirens Blare In Israel After Ceasefire Confirmed

Tel Aviv: Sirens sound in northern Israel as the army warned of incoming Iranian missiles, hours after both countries agreed to a ceasefire on Tuesday. Israeli media earlier reported that a test ceasefire was in effect till 7 pm local time, during which Israel would not initiate any military operation. The Jewish State said it would watch the response of Tehran before announcing a longer ceasefire.
Earlier in the day, Tehran and Jerusalem accepted a ceasefire plan proposed by US President Donald Trump to end their 12-day war that roiled the Middle East. But the ceasefire with Israel came into effect following several waves of Iranian attacks on Israeli-occupied territories.
At least four people were killed in the Southern Israeli city of Be’er Sheva on Tuesday morning after an Iranian missile hit a residential building. The launches came after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran would stop its attacks if Israel ended their airstrikes.
A video has emerged from Be’er Sheva, which shows the residential complex being completely destroyed by the Iranian missile. The clip shows remains of burnt cars and trees outside the building where the warhead had hit.
Iranian state media said Tehran launched five waves of missiles at Israel, moments before a ceasefire between the two Middle East foes was expected to begin. “The fifth wave of this morning’s missile attack from Iran is on its way to the occupied territories,” Irib posted on Telegram just before 4:00 am GMT.
The adversaries had been swapping missile fire since Israel carried out surprise “preemptive” strikes against Iran on June 13, targeting nuclear and military sites, and prompting Trump to warn of a possible “massive” regional conflict.
Trump’s Ceasefire Announcement
Earlier, Israel’s military said that it was working to intercept Iranian missiles launched a “short while ago”, without specifying the exact time of the attack.
“A short while ago, sirens sounded in several areas across Israel following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel,” the Israeli military said in a statement posted to Telegram around 5:00 am Iranian Time (2:00 am GMT).
US President Donald Trump had announced that a staggered ceasefire between Israel and Iran would begin around 4:00 am GMT, with Tehran halting operations first.
Though there was no immediate confirmation from Israel on ending the conflict, Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran did not intend to continue its strikes if Israel stopped its attacks.
Israel’s Early Warning To Citizens
Despite nightly missile barrages, Israel’s casualty toll has remained relatively low, with authorities repeatedly stressing the importance of taking cover in life-saving protected spaces.
Israeli residents receive blaring phone alerts via SMS to warn them of incoming Iranian missiles, often in the early hours of the morning. These are often followed by the wail of overhead air raid sirens.
The alerts caution residents to rush to the safe shelters closest to their homes. For those with no safe shelters near their homes, the city’s underground stations and car parks have become vital refuges since the war began on June 13.
International
Trump announces ceasefire between Iran, Israel

New York, June 24: Iran and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire after the US pounded Tehran’s nuclear facilities, US President Donald Trump announced.
He said Monday evening on Truth Social, “It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE”.
The ceasefire will start in six hours – around midnight Washington time and 9:30 am in India — “when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions”, he said.
In a dramatic end to the missile war between Iran and Israel into which the US was drawn in with both missiles and B2 stealth bombers, Trump, who had showered invectives on Tehran for years, wrote, “I want to thank Iran”.
“On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, ‘THE 12 DAY WAR’”, he wrote.
The announcement followed a symbolic show of Iran, which shot missiles at a US base in Qatar after having given the US notice of the strike, according to Trump.
He said 13 of the 14 missiles that Iran fired were shot down, and there were no casualties.
“They’ve gotten it all out of their ‘system’, and there will, hopefully, be no further HATE”, he said.
Trump, who had threatened dire consequences if Iran retaliated after the US attacks on its three nuclear facilities in Isfahan, Natanz, and Firdo, was mollified by the symbolic retaliation.
“I was ‘set free’ because it was headed in a non-threatening direction”, he said.
Trump’s posts were sparse in details and said nothing about how, where or by whom the truce was reached.
Iran, exhausted by the 12 days of missile war with Israel and the final punch from the US, finally appears ready for a truce.
In the 46 years since the Shah of Iran was overthrown, “Death to America” has been a common refrain in Tehran, holding a grudge against Washington for its role in deposing the elected government of Mohammad Mosaddegh through a coup that ultimately gave absolute powers to Reza Pahlavi, the Shah.
A 2015 international agreement to rein in Iran’s nuclear programme was shredded by Trump, who attempted to make a new deal in his second term.
The United Nations Security Council was scheduled to meet on Tuesday on that agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action which was signed by the five permanent members of the Council and Germany and the European Union.
It is to be seen if the peace will hold as Israel disrupted the negotiations between Iran and the US by starting to bomb Iran two days before a scheduled meeting between representatives of Tehran and Washington.
That in turn led to the US joining in after about ten days of sitting on the fence.
How the ceasefire will work is complicated as set out in Trump’s Truth Social post.
He indicated that first Iran is to hold a ceasefire, which Israel will respect, and that will be followed by an Israeli ceasefire for another 12 hours, at which point it will become permanent.
After the two ceasefires, “upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World”, Trump said.
Trump’s gamble in joining on Israel’s side while isolated from the other traditional US allies would pay off if the truce holds.
After the US attacks on the three nuclear centres, which Trump said had obliterated Tehran’s nuclear potential, Iran appeared to have little to gain by continuing the defiance of the US as well as most nations that have opposed the Shia nation getting a nuclear weapon.
Iran, which had allied with Russia, supplying it with drones for the Ukraine war, did not get any backing from Moscow – or Beijing – when the US bombs rained on it.
International
Operation Sindhu: 219 Indian nationals from Iran, 161 from Israel arrive in Delhi

New Delhi, June 24: A total of 380 Indian nationals — 219 from Iran and 161 from Israel — arrived safely in New Delhi on Tuesday as part of the government’s ongoing Operation Sindhu, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed.
With the latest arrival, India has now brought back 2,295 of its citizens from Iran amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
The Israel leg of the operation, which began on Monday via Jordan, marked its first successful repatriation flight, with 161 citizens landing in New Delhi from Amman on Tuesday morning.
The MEA posted on X, “292 Indian nationals were evacuated from Iran on a special flight that arrived in New Delhi from Mashhad at 0330 hrs on June 24. 2295 Indian nationals have now been brought home from Iran.”
In another post, the ministry added, “The Israel leg of Operation Sindhu began on June 23, 2025, bringing home the first group of 161 Indian nationals from Israel. They safely arrived in New Delhi today at 0820 hrs from Amman, Jordan.”
Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita personally received the group at the airport.
Speaking to media, he said, “I am very happy to welcome the first batch of 161 Indian nationals evacuated from Israel. This group has safely arrived just a short while ago at New Delhi airport.”
“We are closely monitoring the situation and are committed to providing all possible and necessary assistance to our citizens in Iran and Israel. Under Operation Sindhu, all the nationals are arriving safely,” the MoS added.
Many of the evacuees expressed gratitude to the Indian government for ensuring their safe return under dangerous circumstances.
“The situation was very bad in Haifa, especially after the US strikes. However, we are thankful that the Indian government did everything to bring us back safe,” said one evacuee from Israel.
“The MEA has done a great job. The transition was very smooth, and I express my gratitude to the ministry for making our transportation very comfortable,” another added.
An elderly passenger shared his traumatic experience: “I went to Israel a month ago. One day, while I was driving, attacks began. I panicked and hid behind a bush. The attacks were almost continuous. I couldn’t sleep. I thank the MEA for bringing us back.”
From Iran, similar voices of appreciation were heard.
“Despite everything going on, the Indian Embassy made every possible effort to keep us safe and comfortable. I thank the Government of India and the MEA for what they have done for us,” said one returnee.
“I was among the few Indian nationals who were able to get out of there so easily. The Mashhad Airport opened only for Indian nationals. This shows the stance of our country and the diplomacy of the Modi government,” another said.
“The embassy officials were taking care of us, ensuring we had water, food, and accommodation. We are thankful for making everything safe and comfortable,” another Indian national who was evacuated from Iran said.
Operation Sindhu continues to be a crucial mission aimed at evacuating Indian nationals from conflict-hit regions, reaffirming the government’s priority to safeguard its citizens abroad.
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