Author: Bhakti Narayanan

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…

In the fiscal year 2025, the Government e Marketplace (GeM) achieved a major breakthrough by facilitating insurance for more than 13 million individuals. These beneficiaries were covered under various categories, including Health, Life, and Personal Accident Insurance. This achievement reflects GeM’s role in transforming how public sector entities procure essential services, especially in the realm of insurance. Since its launch in January 2022, the insurance services offered on GeM have been available exclusively from insurers approved by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). This streamlined structure eliminates the need for middlemen, resulting in faster issuance of policies…

A forward-thinking group of students from the Illinois Institute of Technology, including several of Indian origin, is making global waves with their groundbreaking surveillance startup, VigilAI. This innovative platform uses artificial intelligence to transform passive CCTV systems into proactive crime detection tools. Their tech venture is currently in the spotlight as they advance through the prestigious Hult Prize competition, aiming for the coveted $1 million grand prize. VigilAI stands out as an AI-based solution that processes multiple CCTV feeds in real time to identify criminal activity, detect unusual behavior, and assess threats. Unlike traditional surveillance systems, it emphasizes intelligent pattern…

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has given a major nod to Indian-origin startup Cradlewise by publicly endorsing its smart crib designed to soothe infants back to sleep. Sharing his parenting experience on X, Altman revealed that he and his partner, Oliver Mulherin, have been using the product for their newborn son, born in February. He joked, “We ended up buying tons of unnecessary baby stuff, but I’d absolutely recommend the Cradlewise crib—and trust me, you’ll need way more burp cloth than you think!” Cradlewise’s co-founder and CEO Radhika Patil responded warmly to the praise, calling Altman “the AI god” and expressing…

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, recently hosted Swami Brahmaviharidas, spiritual head of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi. The meeting took place in the UAE’s capital and was officially confirmed by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha through their website. Their discussion revolved around enhancing mutual understanding and championing universal values such as peace, cultural unity, and harmonious coexistence. Both leaders emphasized that tolerance is a foundational pillar of Emirati society, which hosts over 200 nationalities in an environment defined by safety, diversity, and progress. The BAPS statement pointed out that this engagement reflects…

Indian-American comedian and screenwriter Zarna Garg is taking center stage—not just for her punchlines but for a 27-year-old matrimonial ad that’s capturing hearts and headlines. Appearing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Garg shared the story of how she met her husband—not through a dating app or a charming coincidence, but through a brutally honest ad she wrote herself. Forget romantic meet-cutes. Garg crafted a matrimonial notice that was part stand-up set, part feminist declaration. In a now-viral segment, Fallon read excerpts from the ad: “To some, I’m too short, too plump, too dark, or too argumentative. But enough…

Gender equality has evolved from being solely a moral responsibility to a key economic strategy. Global organizations like the IMF and World Bank now recognize women’s involvement in the economy as a core factor for national prosperity. Women’s participation enhances productivity, reduces poverty, and fosters more inclusive growth. Since women represent half the potential workforce, their exclusion from financial systems and markets leads to major economic inefficiencies. Beyond justice, their inclusion brings systemic gains that benefit generations. Recognizing this, India has moved from treating women as passive recipients of aid to actively investing in their capabilities. The Indian government’s development…