Author: Deepika chandrasekar

Banten Province has embraced the national Child-Friendly Temple movement by designating six temples as centers for child development that integrate religious instruction, character education, and the cultivation of mutual respect. According to Ida Bagus Alit Wiratmaja, Chairperson of the Indonesian Hindu Dharma Council (PHDI) in Banten, this initiative is part of a nationwide program organized by the Directorate General of Hindu Community Guidance in partnership with the PHDI Central Office. “Child-Friendly Temples are more than places of worship—they are Centers of Excellence dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Hindus,” Ida Bagus Alit said on August 10, 2025. He emphasized…

Seventeen-year-old Tejasvi Manoj, an Indian-American from Frisco, Texas, has been named TIME magazine’s ‘Kid of the Year’ for 2025 for her groundbreaking initiative ‘Shield Seniors’, a platform designed to help older adults recognise and report online scams. TIME noted that “older Americans clearly need protection, and Tejasvi was determined to provide it,” praising her commitment to building digital safety for seniors. She also became the first honouree to simultaneously earn a TIME for Kids Service Star, a recognition of young changemakers making a social impact. ‘Shield Seniors’ is currently in a private preview stage, using a free AI engine to…

President Droupadi Murmu has urged India to view the hurdles of global trade not as setbacks but as stepping stones toward greater opportunity. Speaking at the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC) on September 8, 2025, she emphasized that India’s resilience and innovative capabilities can transform international trade challenges into avenues of growth. Reflecting on the journey of Indian engineering exports, the President noted how the industry’s global footprint has dramatically evolved over the past seventy years. She pointed out that despite recurring disruptions in global supply chains and international trade, India’s engineering exports have grown…

US President Donald Trump has altered his stance on India, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “a great friend” just a day after remarking that India and Russia had been “lost to the deepest and darkest China.” The sudden change in tone reflects a notable shift in Trump’s approach to India following recent developments in international diplomacy. Trump’s initial criticism had drawn attention after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, where India, China, and Russia displayed a public show of cordiality. A widely shared video of PM Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping forming a close…

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Piyush Goyal, announced on September 4, 2025, that India’s exports for the current financial year (FY26) are expected to surpass the levels recorded in FY25. This growth, he explained, will be driven by government initiatives to diversify both markets and product offerings. Industry players have pledged to pass on the advantages of recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate reductions to consumers, which is expected to lower prices, stimulate demand, and strengthen manufacturing output. Mr. Goyal highlighted that India is proactively exploring new trade avenues despite challenges such as the 50% tariffs imposed…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm greetings on Thursday to mark Teachers’ Day, acknowledging the critical role educators play in shaping society and strengthening the nation’s future. In a message shared on X, Modi expressed his gratitude to teachers, calling them the foundation of a brighter tomorrow. He wrote, “Wishing everyone, particularly all hardworking teachers, a very happy Teachers’ Day! The commitment of teachers to nurturing minds paves the way for a stronger and brighter future.” Modi also paid tribute to Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a Bharat Ratna awardee, former President of India, and revered scholar, whose birth anniversary is celebrated…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday underscored India’s reliance on Germany to advance negotiations on a long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union. His remarks came after a delegation-level meeting in New Delhi with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, marking Wadephul’s first official visit to India since Chancellor Friedrich Merz formed the new government. Jaishankar described the talks as “productive,” noting that discussions touched on regional and global issues alongside the central theme of trade. Stressing the importance of urgency, he said lowering tariffs and creating new avenues of economic cooperation would benefit both sides and contribute…

Hinduism, often described as the world’s oldest living faith, is more than a religion—it is a philosophy, a cultural framework, and a way of life. With its vast spectrum of traditions, myths, rituals, and spiritual practices, it can feel overwhelming to those trying to explore it. Thankfully, a range of timeless scriptures and modern works provide guidance. Here are eight books that offer meaningful entry points into Hinduism’s spiritual and cultural landscape. The Bhagavad Gita (translated by Eknath Easwaran / Swami Prabhavananda / others) This sacred dialogue between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna takes place on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.…

As Washington imposes steep tariffs on Indian exports, Moscow is moving in the opposite direction—considering joint production of its advanced Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jets in India. According to defence insiders, Russian officials are currently evaluating the scale of investment needed to manufacture these fifth-generation aircraft locally. The timing is striking. President Donald Trump’s administration recently announced a 25% tariff across multiple sectors and tacked on an additional 25% levy over India’s Russian crude imports, bringing duties to an effective 50%. Rather than discouraging cooperation, however, these moves appear to have accelerated defence discussions between New Delhi and Moscow. Hindustan Aeronautics…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, where he called on member nations to stand firm against terrorism. In his address, Modi highlighted the urgent need for coordinated global action and stressed that no country should maintain “double standards” when tackling terror. He thanked the member states for their solidarity after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives. Modi further urged the SCO to ensure that nations supporting or enabling cross-border terrorism are held accountable. His stance was echoed in the joint declaration, as the bloc…