Author: Deepika chandrasekar

Former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu American to serve in Congress, attended a celebration at BAPS Akshardham Temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey, on December 15, 2024, marking the 103rd birth anniversary of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Addressing an audience of about 2,000 people, Gabbard expressed admiration for the spiritual significance of the temple, highlighting the intricate carvings and sculptures that depict stories from the Bhagavad Gita. During her visit, Gabbard discussed the importance of unity, peace, and harmony, values that she believes are essential for today’s world. She shared her thoughts on the temple’s many quotes from figures like…

Anoushka Kale, a British Indian student at the University of Cambridge, has been elected as the President of the prestigious Cambridge Union Society for the Easter 2025 term. Known as one of the oldest debating societies in the world, the Cambridge Union has championed free speech since 1815. Kale won the election uncontested, securing 126 votes. Currently serving as the society’s Debate Officer, Kale campaigned on a platform focused on strengthening ties with cultural groups at the university, particularly the India Society. She expressed her excitement and gratitude, saying she was “absolutely delighted and honored to have been elected as…

Indian-American lawmaker Shri Thanedar has raised alarms over the ongoing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, urging the US government to take immediate action. Speaking on the floor of the US House of Representatives, Thanedar condemned the attacks on Hindu temples and religious practitioners, calling on Congress and the US government to use all available measures to stop these atrocities. Thanedar referenced the history of violence against minorities in Bangladesh since its independence in 1971, highlighting recent incidents such as the arrest of a Hindu priest and the murder of his lawyer. The lawmaker expressed concern that the situation has worsened…

In 2024, India’s cement sector witnessed a significant rise in mergers and acquisitions, with more than ten deals announced, the highest since 2014. These transactions totaled over $3.5 billion, with major players like UltraTech Cement and Adani-backed Ambuja Cements leading the charge, especially in the South Indian region. This wave of consolidation has resulted in greater concentration of cement assets, now dominated by the top four companies: UltraTech, Ambuja, Shree Cement, and Dalmia Bharat. Despite the surge in mergers, cement prices remain under pressure. Factors such as sluggish demand driven by elections and the monsoon season have made it difficult…

On Friday, ISRO announced a major milestone in its Gaganyaan mission, marking significant progress toward India’s first human spaceflight. The space agency successfully transported the first solid motor segment from the production facility to the launch complex. This achievement paves the way for the upcoming HLVM3 G1 flight, a crucial part of the Gaganyaan program. This announcement closely follows successful “well deck” recovery trials conducted with the Indian Navy on December 6. The well deck on a naval vessel can be filled with water to allow boats, landing crafts, or recovered spacecraft to dock directly inside the ship. These trials…

The second trilateral consultation between India, Iran, and Armenia took place on Thursday, where representatives from all three nations discussed key issues such as connectivity projects, multilateral cooperation, and regional developments. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shared details in a press release, emphasizing the importance of enhancing trade, tourism, and cultural ties. The Indian delegation was led by JP Singh, Joint Secretary of the Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran Division. Hashem Ashja’ Zadeh, Director General of the South Asia Division from Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented Iran. Anahit Karapetyan, Head of the Asia-Pacific Department from Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign…

India’s atomic power capacity has nearly doubled in the past decade, reaching 8,081 MW in 2024, up from 4,780 MW in 2014. Union Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, credited the growth to both technical expertise and strong political leadership. He highlighted that the capacity added in the past 10 years is equivalent to the progress made in the previous 60 years. Looking ahead, Dr. Singh projected that India’s atomic power capacity will triple by 2031, reaching 22,480 MW. He also announced a revised electricity distribution formula, which allocates 50% to the home state, 35% to neighboring states,…

The BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Paris is scheduled for completion by 2026, with construction having begun six months ago on a site blessed by Pramukh Swami 36 years ago with a symbolic shower of flowers. The temple, covering around 5,000 square meters, is located in the Basse Saint-Georges area. The first floor will feature a large community hall, a library, an exhibition space, and a dining area. On the second floor, the main temple will house statues of prominent Deities, including Lord Shankar and Parvati, Ganesh, Shriram and Janki, Shrikrishna and Radha, Hanuman, Swaminarayan, and Gunatitananda Swami. The spiritual…

President-elect Donald Trump announced the appointment of Harmeet K. Dhillon, an Indian-American attorney, as the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice. Dhillon becomes the fourth person of Indian descent to be named to a key position in Trump’s second-term cabinet. Trump expressed his pleasure in nominating Dhillon, recognizing her career in defending civil liberties, especially in cases involving Big Tech censorship, religious freedom, and anti-discrimination lawsuits. “Harmeet has fought for free speech, defended Christians during COVID, and challenged corporations with discriminatory policies,” Trump said. A prominent election lawyer and respected Sikh leader, Dhillon has…

India’s latest addition to its naval fleet, the 3,900-tonne stealth frigate INS Tushil, was commissioned on Monday at Kaliningrad. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted this as a significant step in strengthening India-Russia defense relations. He noted that collaboration between the two countries will now focus on emerging fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, space exploration, and counterterrorism. Singh described INS Tushil’s induction as a major achievement in the enduring strategic partnership between India and Russia. He emphasized the increasing “Made in India” component in Indian naval vessels, including INS Tushil, reflecting successful collaboration between Indian and Russian industries. Navy Chief Admiral…