Author: Akancha Mishra

Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman delivered a memorable performance in Washington, DC, joining forces with the National Symphony Orchestra for a concert that earned widespread praise and a standing ovation from a sold-out audience at Wolf Trap. Held shortly after the United States marked its 250th anniversary celebrations, the event highlighted Rahman’s signature ability to blend diverse musical traditions. The performance combined Indian classical melodies, contemporary compositions, and rich Western orchestral arrangements, reflecting the artistic style that has defined his career for more than three decades. Backed by the National Symphony Orchestra, Rahman presented symphonic interpretations of several of his…

Indian American Reginald Augustus Babulal Singh, better known as Lal Singh, lived a remarkable life that connected India’s independence movement, American political activism, and Hollywood entertainment. Born on August 8, 1905, in British Guiana, Singh’s journey was shaped by migration, cultural diversity, and a lifelong commitment to justice and freedom. Singh’s parents, Baboolal and Lakshmi, were Indian indentured laborers who had moved from Uttar Pradesh to British Guiana in the late 19th century to work on sugar plantations. After his father left the family and moved to the United States, young Lal and his mother faced difficult circumstances. During his…

Former Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan has been selected to serve on a newly established Federal Reserve task force focused on reviewing the US central bank’s balance sheet. The appointment is part of Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh’s broader effort to modernize monetary policymaking and strengthen the institution’s approach after years of inflation remaining above its intended target. The announcement received positive attention during Warsh’s first semiannual monetary policy hearing before the US Congress. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott praised the decision to bring Rajan into the panel, highlighting the importance of including experts with diverse economic…

India’s sail training vessel, INS Sudarshini, has drawn global attention with its participation in SAIL Boston 250, an international maritime celebration marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. The event has provided India with an opportunity to present its rich naval traditions while reinforcing its growing maritime partnership with the United States. During a special Captain’s Reception held aboard the ship, the Consulate General of India in Boston hosted a media interaction highlighting the significance of Sudarshini’s visit. Consul General Raghuram S. described the vessel’s participation as a reflection of India’s expanding presence in global maritime affairs and emphasized its…

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held discussions with Spain’s Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo in Madrid on Monday, focusing on expanding economic cooperation and strengthening business relations between India and Spain. The meeting marked the beginning of Goyal’s official engagements during his three-nation European visit. Following the talks, Goyal highlighted that both countries explored opportunities to enhance their economic partnership through increased trade, investment, and technology collaboration. Discussions covered key sectors including renewable energy, green hydrogen, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, infrastructure development, and innovation. The two ministers also exchanged views on the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and discussed…

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has invited India and over 60 countries to participate in an upcoming international meeting focused on addressing what the Trump administration describes as the growing threat of transnational far-left terrorism. The summit, scheduled to take place on July 16 at the US State Department, aims to strengthen cooperation among nations on security-related challenges. The meeting is expected to bring together foreign and interior ministers from countries across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. India, Indonesia, Singapore, several European nations, and major Latin American countries are among those invited to participate in discussions on counterterrorism efforts…

Members of the Indian diaspora in New Zealand expressed joy and pride after getting an opportunity to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his arrival in Auckland on Friday. The community described the moment as memorable and emotional, with many saying they felt honored to meet the Indian leader during his historic visit. Several Indian community members gathered to greet Prime Minister Modi and shared their excitement about seeing him in person. Many highlighted his global recognition and leadership, expressing pride in his role as India’s representative on the world stage. One diaspora member said meeting the Prime Minister was…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the historic Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on Wednesday, marking a significant moment that reflected the deep-rooted spiritual and cultural connection between India and Indonesia. During his visit to the iconic Hindu temple complex, PM Modi participated in prayers as devotees gathered and chanted “Om Namah Shivay,” creating a spiritually charged atmosphere. Sharing glimpses of the visit on social media platform X, PM Modi posted a message highlighting the sacred chants at the temple. He also shared aerial views of the magnificent Prambanan complex, describing it as a majestic symbol of heritage and history. Earlier,…

India and China have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations by expanding cooperation across trade, economic engagement, and people-to-people exchanges. The understanding emerged during a meeting between India’s Ambassador to China, Vikram Doraiswami, and China’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hua Chunying, in Beijing. During the discussions, both sides agreed to work toward implementing the shared vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping for a stable and mutually beneficial relationship. Officials emphasized that stronger cooperation should translate into meaningful benefits for citizens of both countries while encouraging continued diplomatic engagement. According to the Embassy of…

Japan and India reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi describing the partnership as a “brother and sister” bond during high-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The remarks came during a joint press interaction following their meeting at Hyderabad House, where both leaders emphasized deeper cooperation amid rising global uncertainties. Takaichi expressed appreciation for the warm reception in India and highlighted PM Modi’s affectionate reference to her as a “younger sister,” saying the gesture reflected the strong personal and diplomatic connection between the two countries. She stressed that Japan and…