Author: Bhakti Narayanan

Renowned Michelin star chef Vikas Khanna has revealed plans for a new restaurant in New York, set to open its doors on March 23. This establishment, named ‘Bungalow,’ holds a special significance as it pays homage to Khanna’s late sister, Radhika, who succumbed to an autoimmune disease, lupus, and related complications on February 28, 2022. In a heartfelt social media announcement, Khanna expressed gratitude for the support of his followers, emphasizing that ‘Bungalow’ serves as a “cultural bridge between India and the US.” The chef also opened up about his personal challenges and past business endeavors that didn’t succeed. Radhika,…

In a recent address at IIM Mumbai, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized India’s growing capability, influence, and reputation, asserting that these factors necessitate its assistance to other nations in times of crisis. Specifically, he highlighted the Indian Navy’s recent rescue missions, addressing both piracy and missile drone threats. During the event, Jaishankar revealed that the Indian Navy had deployed ten ships to tackle piracy and missile drone issues. He cited a recent incident where INS Vishakhapatnam extinguished a fire and rescued a tanker’s crew, which had fallen victim to a drone. Additionally, he commended the Indian Navy for rescuing…

During his recent State visit to India, French President Emmanuel Macron introduced “Classes Internationales,” an exclusive program tailored for Indian students. This initiative allows students to spend a year in France, acquiring proficiency in French before commencing their chosen degree programs. The Classes Internationales program aims to broaden access to France’s renowned education for high-achieving Indian students. It invites students, regardless of their current French proficiency, to enroll in French-taught undergraduate programs across various fields in esteemed French higher education institutions. Characterized by inclusivity, the program welcomes students with a focus on academic excellence. Participants will have the opportunity to…

The Australian Air Force swiftly transported emergency relief assistance from India to Papua New Guinea. The USD 1 million relief consignment was airlifted from Port Moresby to Kimbe, the capital of West New Britain, for distribution within the province. The Indian High Commission in Papua New Guinea expressed gratitude, highlighting the timely response to the immediate needs of Papua New Guinea. In the previous month, a special charter flight loaded with supplies took off from New Delhi as part of India’s commitment to aiding those affected by the volcanic eruption in Papua New Guinea. This initiative, encompassing approximately 11 tonnes…

As the consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir concludes, Ayodhya is witnessing a significant economic boost. The ceremony alone has generated business exceeding $1.2 billion nationwide, and with the temple opening to devotees on January 23, Ayodhya anticipates a substantial increase in religious tourism. Discover five pivotal points outlining how the Ram Mandir influences Ayodhya’s economy. 1. Ayodhya’s Infrastructure: Ayodhya is undergoing extensive infrastructure development, including the beautification of roads and the construction of public facilities such as mutts, ashrams, dharmashalas, and commercial hotels. This substantial construction is expected to stimulate Ayodhya’s economy by creating local employment opportunities and driving…

In her address on the eve of the 75th Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu covered various topics, including the G20 summit, the Ayodhya Ram Temple inauguration, and women’s empowerment. She paid tribute to the late Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur, posthumously named for the Bharat Ratna. Murmu’s speech emphasized key points: 1. Murmu highlighted the significance of the Constitution’s commencement on Republic Day, emphasizing India’s role as the “mother of democracy.” She spoke of the ongoing transformation in the nation during the Amrit Kaal, urging citizens’ contributions for collective progress. 2. The President acknowledged the historic ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of Lord Shri…

Indian athlete Naorem Roshibina Devi, a two-time medallist at the Asian Games, secured the title of the International Wushu Federation’s (IWUF) female athlete of the year in the sanda category on January 23, following a month-long public voting period. Roshibina, 23, emerged victorious with 93,545 votes, surpassing competitors Wu Xiaowei (46,753) from China and Shahrbano Mansouriyan Semiromi (88,179) from Iran. Her accolades include a bronze and a silver medal from the 2018 and 2022 Asian Games. Hailing from Manipur, Roshibina, who previously won a bronze at the World Junior Wushu Championships in 2016, was honored with the Arjuna Award, India’s…

Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi marked a historic milestone for Lakshadweep by inaugurating the region’s first on-grid solar project in Kavaratti. Developed by the Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), this project features an impressive combined solar capacity of 1.7 MW, complemented by a state-of-the-art 1.4 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). This undertaking marks a significant leap towards sustainable energy solutions, aiming to reduce dependency on the Diesel-based Power Generation plant in Kavaratti. Lakshadweep Energy Development Agency (LEDA) will now harness power from these solar installations, symbolizing a transformative shift from diesel-based power to an environmentally friendly energy…

Former US President and Republican frontrunner, Donald Trump, has chosen to keep his Vice Presidential pick undisclosed for the 2024 election, eliminating Indian-American rival Nikki Haley from consideration. Trump addressed this decision during a rally in Concord, asserting that while Haley is “OK,” she lacks the presidential qualities he seeks in a running mate. The former President’s remarks suggest that Haley is unlikely to be selected as the Vice Presidential candidate. Trump emphasized the impact of certain statements on a candidate’s eligibility for the VP role, stating, “When you say certain things, it sort of takes them out of play.”…

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar is set to lead the Indian delegation at the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Kampala, Uganda, on January 19-20. Preceding the summit, there will be deliberations at the Ministerial and Senior Officials levels. Meanwhile, Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Rajkumar Ranjan Singh is representing India at the NAM Foreign Minister’s meeting, while MoS External Affairs V Muraleedharan will attend the G-77 Third South Summit in Kampala on January 21-22. The theme of the 19th NAM Summit, under Uganda’s leadership, is ‘Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence,’ bringing together over…