Author: Akancha Mishra

Akancha has been a journalist for about twenty years, and she has a Bachelor of Arts in English Honors and a Master's Degree in Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. She and her husband and children Supriya and Alok currently call New York City home.

India E-Commerce Market Seen Reaching $345B by 2030

India’s e-commerce industry is expected to experience significant growth over the next several years, with the market projected to expand to approximately $345 billion by 2030. The growth will likely be fueled by the rapid rise of quick commerce, increasing use of artificial intelligence and changing shopping habits among India’s expanding digital consumer base. According to Infisum’s Smart Growth in a Fast Market report, India’s online retail market could nearly triple in value from $125 billion in 2024. The sector is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 18.4 percent through the end of the decade, highlighting…

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Janmashtami 2026_ What to Eat During the Fast and When to Break It

Janmashtami, the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, will be observed according to different traditions in 2026. Ashtami, the eighth lunar day associated with Krishna’s birth, begins at 2:25 AM on September 4 and ends at 12:13 AM on September 5. Because the lunar period crosses two calendar dates, Smarta devotees generally observe the fast on September 4, while many Vaishnava communities and ISKCON followers observe Janmashtami on September 5. For devotees observing a fast, the day generally begins with a light meal before sunrise. Those who are not following a strict waterless fast can choose simple foods such…

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Modi Meets Laos and Tajikistan Leaders at SCO

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held separate discussions with the Presidents of Laos and Tajikistan during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, underlining India’s interest in expanding its partnerships with both countries. The meetings focused on strengthening bilateral engagement and exploring opportunities for cooperation across a range of sectors. During his meeting with Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith, Modi discussed ways to deepen the relationship between India and Laos. The two leaders exchanged views on strengthening connections between their nations, with the Indian Prime Minister describing the conversation as a productive opportunity to advance bilateral engagement. Modi also met Tajikistan President…

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indias-78-pc-q1-gdp-growth-reflects-strong-resilience

India’s economy delivered stronger-than-expected growth in the first quarter of the 2026-27 financial year, with real GDP expanding by 7.8%. Economic experts and analysts said the performance demonstrated the continued resilience of the country’s economy, supported by healthy consumer demand, rising investment, government capital expenditure, and improved manufacturing activity. Ranjeet Mehta, CEO and Secretary General of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, described the quarterly performance as an encouraging sign for the Indian economy. He noted that the expansion was broad-based rather than being dependent on a single sector, indicating stronger underlying economic momentum. One of the important contributors…

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Dhamaal-4-OTT-Release-Date-Set-for-September-4

Fans of the Dhamaal franchise will soon be able to enjoy its latest installment from home, as Dhamaal 4 is set to make its streaming debut on Netflix. The Ajay Devgn-led comedy will begin streaming on September 4, following its theatrical release earlier this year. Directed by Indra Kumar, Dhamaal 4 reached theaters on July 10 and spent roughly eight weeks on the big screen. Although the movie received a mixed response from critics and audiences, it managed to deliver a strong commercial performance and became the most successful film in the franchise in terms of box-office earnings. The move…

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PM Modi Honors Gandhi at Bishkek Memorial

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at a memorial dedicated to the Father of the Nation in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Monday, August 31. The visit to the memorial came during Modi’s official trip to the Central Asian nation, where he is attending the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Leadership Summit. During his time in Bishkek, the Prime Minister also interacted with members of different communities. His visit is taking place at the invitation of Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Zhaparov, with the SCO summit scheduled to bring together leaders from member countries on August 31 and September 1. Modi arrived…

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Akshay Bhatia Returns for PGA TOUR Championship

Indian-American golfer Akshay Bhatia is back at East Lake Golf Club for the 2026 TOUR Championship, giving the 24-year-old another chance to compete against the PGA TOUR’s strongest performers at the season-ending event. The tournament runs from August 27 through August 30 in Atlanta, with a $40 million purse and $10 million going to the champion. Bhatia secured his place in the elite 30-player field with a tied-12th finish at the BMW Championship. He carded four rounds of 67, 68, 70 and 68 to finish seven under par, keeping himself inside the FedExCup qualification cutoff. He enters the finale ranked…

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Satire Is Not a Substitute for Truth A Direct Response to Khabar Magazine’s “Om Namah Modi” so called Satire

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on India’s youth to embrace sports and fitness as an integral part of everyday life, pointing to the remarkable journey of marathon runner Fauja Singh as an example of how physical activity can contribute to a fulfilling life. Speaking virtually at the Khelo India Dialogue on Thursday, Modi highlighted Singh’s extraordinary commitment to running and fitness. Singh became widely known for competing in marathons at an age when most people would have long retired from competitive athletics. He died last year at the age of 114, leaving behind a remarkable sporting legacy that continues…

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India, US Advance Strategic Cooperation in Indian Ocean

India and the United States discussed ways to expand practical cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region, with a focus on maritime security, strategic infrastructure and connectivity. The discussions took place during a phone conversation between Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and US Under Secretary of State Allison M. Hooker, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. The engagement comes as New Delhi and Washington continue to strengthen their strategic partnership and coordinate on issues affecting the wider Indian Ocean region. The two countries have increasingly focused on maritime security, economic connectivity and regional stability as key areas of cooperation. The Indian…

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Modi chairs PRAGATI meet, backs AI for key challenges

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 53rd PRAGATI meeting on Tuesday, reviewing major infrastructure initiatives while directing government agencies to accelerate project execution and adopt technology-driven approaches in agriculture and cybersecurity. The meeting examined six infrastructure projects covering railways, roads and power across nine states. Together, the initiatives represent an investment of more than $3.5 billion. The projects are intended to improve connectivity, support industrial activity, strengthen economic development and expand access to public services. During the review, Modi stressed that delays in large infrastructure projects have implications beyond rising costs. When projects remain unfinished, citizens, businesses and the wider…

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