Author: Bhakti Narayanan

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag at the Red Fort in New Delhi for the 11th consecutive time, marking the celebration of India’s 78th Independence Day. The day began with overcast skies in Delhi, accompanied by a light drizzle. After raising the Tricolour, the Prime Minister received a ‘Rashtriya Salute.’ The Punjab Regiment Military band, led by Subedar Major Rajinder Singh and comprising one JCO and 25 other ranks, played the National Anthem during the flag-hoisting ceremony and presented the ‘Rashtriya Salute.’ Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister took to his social media platform X…

Global leaders are increasingly recognizing India’s potential to become a major superpower, with projections indicating it could soon be the world’s third-largest economy. The nation is on a transformative path, driven by the government’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, a surge in local manufacturing, and impressive GDP growth. Over the past decade, India has embarked on a robust growth journey under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Initiatives have spanned various sectors, including local manufacturing, semiconductor development, artificial intelligence, 5G technology, startups, and innovation. This period has also seen significant investments in workforce skill development, resulting in the creation of…

During the recent global market sell-off, the Indian stock market demonstrated notable resilience. In a span of just 25 days, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index experienced a significant decline of over 25% from its July peak to its August low. This sharp drop had a cascading effect on neighboring markets, causing Taiwan and South Korea to see corrections of approximately 20%. In the US, the S&P 500 faced a 10% decline, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq dropped by 16%. In contrast, the Nifty50 index in India corrected by only 5%, showcasing its relative strength amidst the global downturn. The downturn in Japan…

Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Rammohan Naidu, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to developing a strong infrastructure for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services in India, catering to both domestic and international airlines. During his speech in the Lok Sabha, Naidu discussed the challenges the MRO sector faces and emphasized that the government’s efforts are geared towards not only supporting Indian airlines but also attracting global carriers to utilize India’s MRO facilities. Strategic locations such as Thiruvananthapuram were highlighted as key areas for this expansion. He also noted the recent unification of GST slabs for MRO components and services, which is…

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently disclosed that she could have remained in power if she had “surrendered” the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island and “allowed America to hold sway over the Bay of Bengal,” according to media reports. Hasina, who traveled to India on August 5 amid violent protests in Bangladesh, revealed the contents of a speech she had prepared but never delivered. The 76-year-old leader explained that she chose to resign to avoid witnessing a “procession of dead bodies.” The details of this undelivered speech highlight her reasons for stepping down. Protesters reached Hasina’s residence, preventing her…

Willie Brown, the 90-year-old former mayor of San Francisco, who is often credited with helping launch Kamala Harris’s political career during their brief relationship many years ago, recently responded to claims made by Donald Trump. Trump alleged that Brown had once spoken negatively about Harris to him. However, Brown firmly denied these accusations, laughing off the idea as completely baseless. In a video addressing Trump’s statements, Brown appeared amused, dismissing the claims as utterly unbelievable. He expressed his inability to ever think poorly of Harris, whom he described as a long-time friend, an incredibly intelligent woman, and a highly successful…

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin have detailed the Biden administration’s Indo-Pacific strategy as a complex network of bilateral and multilateral relationships. They emphasized that the US and India are working together across various sectors, including Artificial Intelligence and semiconductors, which will play a significant role in shaping the future. This collaboration also extends to their roles as members of the Quad. Blinken and Austin highlighted that President Joe Biden’s transformation of the US Indo-Pacific strategy and the positive results it has produced are among the “most important and least-told stories of the foreign…

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a major preventable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke. According to data from 2017-2020, nearly 47% of adults in the U.S. are affected by hypertension. This condition can also contribute to the onset and worsening of chronic kidney disease. Implementing lifestyle changes, particularly dietary adjustments, can help mitigate these risks and reduce the reliance on medication. However, such dietary changes are not always widely adopted. A recent five-year study published in *The American Journal of Medicine* explored the benefits of adding 2 to 4 cups of fruits and vegetables…

Shortly after India faced a major disappointment at the Paris Olympics due to Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the 50 kg women’s wrestling final, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to console the athlete. In a heartfelt post on X, the Prime Minister praised Vinesh, calling her a “champion among champions.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged Vinesh as a champion among champions, highlighting her as a source of pride and inspiration for all Indians. He expressed his deep sorrow over the setback, emphasizing that words could not capture his sense of despair. Despite this, he affirmed his belief in Vinesh’s resilience…

Kamala Harris has made history by securing the Democratic presidential nomination, becoming the first woman of color to lead a major party’s ticket in U.S. history. This historic achievement represents a significant milestone in American politics as Harris prepares for her presidential campaign. The Democratic National Committee officially confirmed her nomination after a decisive win in the primaries. Her success marks a groundbreaking moment, making her the first African American and South Asian American woman to head a major party’s presidential ticket. Harris’s ascent to this notable role comes after a distinguished career as a U.S. Senator from California and…