Author: Bhakti Narayanan

The Supreme Court on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, affirmed the dismissal of Army officer Samuel Kamalesan, ruling that his refusal to step into his regiment’s temple for an annual ritual amounted to a serious breach of military discipline. The Bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and joined by Justice Joymalya Bagchi, said the officer had relied on his “personal interpretation” of his faith to disregard a lawful regimental requirement, thereby undermining unity within his unit. Chief Justice Kant noted that military leadership demands leading by example, not distancing oneself from long-standing traditions that soldiers see as central to their…

India and Indonesia renewed their commitment to maintaining a free, open, and stable Indo-Pacific as senior defense leaders from both countries met in New Delhi on Thursday. During the third India–Indonesia Defense Ministers’ Dialogue, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin discussed expanding bilateral defense cooperation and strengthening their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. A notable highlight from the meeting was Indonesia’s acknowledgment of India’s growing expertise in submarine development, including experience with the Scorpene-class program and supply-chain systems. Jakarta noted that India’s capabilities carry significant value for Indonesia’s future defense modernization plans. The two nations also emphasized deeper…

Covered California, the state’s primary health insurance marketplace, has announced the appointment of Theivanai Palaniappan as its new Chief Data and Insights Officer. Bringing over two decades of experience in enterprise data management and analytics, Palaniappan is poised to strengthen the organization’s data strategy, governance, and analytical capabilities, supporting informed decision-making across the marketplace. In her new role, Palaniappan will oversee all aspects of data-driven operations, ensuring that Covered California can leverage analytics to improve coverage access and operational efficiency. Executive Director Jessica Altman underscored the significance of the hire, stating, “Theivanai’s extensive experience leading large-scale data teams and complex…

India’s economic performance held firm in the second quarter of FY26, with growth estimated at 7.30%, according to a Reuters poll of economists. The expansion was largely supported by a revival in rural consumption and consistent government spending, both of which helped steady the economic landscape during a period of global volatility. Household spending—representing nearly 60% of India’s economic activity—picked up pace as agricultural output improved, giving rural families more purchasing power and driving essential demand. While rural indicators strengthened, the urban economy displayed a more cautious tone. Demand in cities remained relatively tepid, and private sector investment continued to…

Dancing Their Way to Indian Culture: How Our Children Discover Their Roots One Step at a TimeIn an increasingly global world, many Indian children are reconnecting with their cultural identity through the art of dance. From classical Bharatanatyam to energetic Bollywood moves and colorful regional folk styles, young dancers are finding a meaningful link to India’s heritage with every step. A Rhythm That Feels Like Home Children’s dance classes offer more than technique — they serve as a living expression of culture. As kids learn mudras, footwork, and storytelling through movement, they begin to understand the traditions, songs, and legends…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi fulfilled another historic promise on Tuesday as he unfurled the saffron flag atop the newly constructed Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, marking the completion of the temple and a defining moment in India’s spiritual and cultural journey. The Prime Minister, who had laid the foundation stone of the temple on August 5, 2020, hoisted the right-angled triangular flag on the 191-foot shikhar — the highest point of the shrine. The flag, measuring 10 feet in height and 20 feet in length, bears the image of a radiant Sun symbolising the brilliance, valour, and ideals of Lord Ram.…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Justice Surya Kant on Monday as he formally stepped into the role of the 53rd Chief Justice of India. Modi, who attended the oath-taking ceremony, expressed his best wishes in a post on X, noting that he was honored to witness the moment at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Justice Surya Kant was sworn in by President Droupadi Murmu, marking the beginning of a nearly 15-month tenure at the helm of the Indian judiciary. The ceremony was attended by a wide range of dignitaries, including Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Home Minister Amit…

The United States has granted approval for India to purchase the FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile system along with M982A1 Excalibur precision-guided artillery rounds and related equipment, a package valued at $47.1 million. The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) confirmed the clearance, noting that the US State Department has authorised a broader set of military equipment worth $93 million. India’s order includes 100 Javelin missiles, a single fly-to-buy test round, 25 command-launch units, training equipment, dummy rounds, spare components, and complete lifecycle support. Additionally, the approval covers as many as 216 Excalibur artillery rounds, which account for an estimated $47.1 million…

Donald Trump Jr., the son of US President Donald Trump, is scheduled to land in Agra on Thursday for a special visit to the world-famous Taj Mahal. He will arrive at Kheria Airport on a private aircraft, after which he will head directly toward the historic monument. This trip marks his first-ever tour of the Taj Mahal, although his father visited the landmark with First Lady Melania Trump in 2020. Trump Jr. will be accompanied by a delegation of 126 distinguished guests representing nearly 40 countries. Local authorities in Agra have been preparing extensively for his arrival, making sure that…

India has introduced the Trade Intelligence and Analytics (TIA) Portal, a comprehensive digital platform designed to enhance access to global trade information and deliver advanced analytical tools to businesses of all sizes. Launched by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, the portal represents a major step toward democratizing trade intelligence, especially for MSMEs, startups, exporters, and importers who previously lacked access to such detailed datasets. Speaking at the launch event, Goyal emphasized that the TIA Portal will enable businesses to identify promising global markets, study tariff structures, maximize the benefits of Free Trade Agreements, and diversify India’s export landscape.…