Author: Bhakti Narayanan

India recorded its highest-ever monthly Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue in April 2025, signaling strong economic recovery and robust tax compliance. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attributed this landmark achievement to the resilience of the Indian economy and the power of cooperative federalism. According to data shared by the finance ministry, the total GST revenue collected in April amounted to approximately $28.3 billion, marking a 12.6% increase from the $25.2 billion collected during the same month last year. Net GST revenue for the month stood at $25 billion, up 9.1% from April 2024’s $23 million. In a post on…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the much-anticipated WAVES 2025 on Thursday, marking a transformative moment for India’s media and entertainment sector. Held in Mumbai, this four-day international event—India’s first World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit—sets the stage for global collaboration across creative industries. Modi described WAVES not just as an acronym, but as a movement—one that carries the energy of global culture, connection, and creativity. With delegates from over 100 countries, including artists, entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders, the summit serves as a launchpad for an interconnected creative economy that transcends borders. During his opening remarks, the Prime Minister extended greetings…

Stephen Knapp, an American author and researcher, has been conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri in the field of Literature by President Droupadi Murmu. This recognition acknowledges his lifelong dedication to promoting Indian spirituality and culture across the globe. Known for his extensive work in making Indian spiritual teachings accessible to the world, Knapp has authored 55 books and hundreds of articles on Vedic traditions, Indian history, and spirituality. Knapp’s notable works include The Secret Teachings of the Vedas, Proof of Vedic Culture’s Global Existence, and The Heart of Hinduism. Through his writings and lectures, he has acted as a…

In the aftermath of the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which tragically claimed the lives of 26 individuals, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers on Wednesday initiated a protest campaign in Mumbai, calling for a statewide ban on the sale of Pakistani products across Maharashtra. The protest was visibly active in several prominent markets across the city, where BJP members visited local shops and urged business owners to discontinue the sale of products imported from Pakistan — with a particular focus on food items such as spices and masalas. Protesters distributed written appeals to shopkeepers, encouraging them to…

Members of the Indian American community gathered at Times Square, New York City, to protest the Pakistan-sponsored terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The rally honored the lives of innocent tourists who were tragically killed. Participants held signs with messages such as “Hindu Lives Matter,” “Stop Killing Hindus,” and “End Terrorism.” The community urged international bodies to recognize Pakistan as a terror state and held banners criticizing media outlets like CNN, NBC, and The New York Times for their silence on Hindu victims. Leaders from Hindu Swayam Sevak Sangh emphasized that similar protests are taking place across the US…

What began as disciplinary action has turned into a controversial tech success story. Chungin “Roy” Lee, a 21-year-old former computer science student at Columbia University, has co-founded Cluely, an AI startup that quietly assists users during high-pressure tasks like interviews and exams. The company has already secured $5.3 million  in seed funding. The roots of Cluely trace back to Interview Coder, a tool Lee and his co-founder Neel Shanmugam developed while at Columbia. It allowed job applicants—particularly aspiring software engineers—to receive covert, real-time assistance during technical interviews. Though some hailed it as a clever workaround, it led to the students’…

The sacred Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is making a comeback in June 2025, after being paused for five years. This spiritual expedition, deeply rooted in Hindu tradition, leads pilgrims to Mount Kailash, which is venerated as the divine dwelling of Lord Shiva. As per Hindu scriptures, Shiva resides here with his family, and the mountain is charged with his spiritual essence. Devotees believe that visiting this site helps them connect with Shiva’s energy, making it a journey of immense religious importance. Yet, the reverence for Mount Kailash transcends Hinduism. Followers of other major religions such as Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and the…

India is poised to maintain its status as the world’s fastest-growing major economy in fiscal year 2025, even though global institutions have slightly reduced their expectations. Growth projections for FY26 have been trimmed to a range between 6.2% and 6.7%, reflecting a downturn of up to 0.5% due to international uncertainties, including the ongoing tariff disputes and unpredictable shifts in US trade policy. Both the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have scaled back their estimates, now predicting India’s GDP will expand by 6.2% and 6.3%, respectively—lower than their earlier outlooks of 6.5% and 6.7%. Meanwhile, the Reserve…

 Spiritual leader and Isha Foundation founder Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev has strongly denounced the recent terror strike in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, describing the assault as inhumane and deeply tragic. The attack, which took the lives of at least 26 innocent tourists in Baisaran, drew sharp condemnation from the spiritual figure, who emphasized the urgent need for a tough and uncompromising response. Expressing profound sorrow, Sadhguru extended heartfelt condolences to the grieving families of the victims. In his statement, he underlined that terrorism does not aim for war in a traditional sense but seeks to paralyze a society through fear, social…

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in a powerful address at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, emphasized that as India undergoes significant transformation, Indian women too are stepping into new roles of empowerment and independence. Speaking during her keynote session titled “Laying the foundations for a developed India #ViksitBharat by 2047”, the minister highlighted various government initiatives aimed at promoting women’s welfare, financial autonomy, and safety. Sitharaman pointed out that maternity leave for working women has been extended to six months, a progressive step taken under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “This was done on the insistence of…