Author: Deepika chandrasekar

Ayodhya is all set to host one of its most spectacular Deepotsav celebrations yet, with organizers planning to illuminate over 2.6 million diyas across the city. The festival commemorates Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh emphasized that this year’s event aims to be the “grandest ever,” incorporating modern technology to revive the spirit of Treta Yuga. Preparations have been finalized, including procurement of diyas, oil, wicks, and other essentials. Jayendra Kumar, CEO of Shree Ayodhya Jee Teerth Vikas Parishad and Municipal Commissioner, confirmed that…

The number of student visas granted by the United States witnessed a steep fall in August 2025, with total issuances slipping by nearly 20% compared to last year. According to fresh data from the U.S. International Trade Commission, about 313,000 visas were approved this August — the main admission period for American universities — representing a 19.1% year-over-year drop. The decline is largely attributed to President Donald Trump’s renewed crackdown on immigration, which introduced additional screening layers, new visa fees, and tightened vetting measures. India, which recently surpassed China as the largest source of international students in the U.S., saw…

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that all medium- and heavy-duty trucks imported into the country will face a 25% tariff starting November 1, 2025. The move marks another escalation in his ongoing effort to shield American manufacturers from what he describes as “unfair foreign competition.” Trump emphasized that the decision aligns with his broader trade protectionist agenda, which focuses on supporting domestic production and reducing dependence on overseas imports. “These tariffs are necessary to restore fairness and protect our workers,” he said during a White House briefing. India, which has already been impacted by a series of US…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar acknowledged on Sunday that India and the United States face certain “problems and issues” in their bilateral relationship, particularly in trade negotiations, but insisted that progress is only possible if India’s economic red lines are respected. Speaking at the Kautilya Economic Conclave, he emphasized that while both nations aim for a trade understanding, India will not compromise on key concerns affecting its farmers, small-scale industries, and fishing communities. Jaishankar said India has been in continuous discussions with the US since March to find a “landing ground” for trade, reiterating that negotiations must balance mutual interests…

India and the European Union (EU) are set to commence the 14th round of free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations in Brussels starting October 6, officials confirmed. The discussions are expected to continue over five days, after which India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and EU counterpart Maros Sefcovic will review progress in South Africa on the sidelines of the G20 trade commissioners’ summit. Both sides are targeting to conclude the trade pact before the end of this year. The ongoing negotiations cover 23 chapters, with critical areas such as market access and rules of origin still unresolved, making them key topics…

 India’s domestic passenger vehicle (PV) market experienced robust growth in September 2025, with wholesales climbing 5.4% year-on-year to 381,437 units, fueled by GST rationalisation and the festive season surge. Retail sales performed even stronger, reaching nearly 400,000 units, up from 320,000 units a year earlier, according to Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer (Marketing and Sales) at Maruti Suzuki. Maruti Suzuki reported a 9.1% increase in domestic wholesales to 144,962 units, with bookings exceeding 350,000—a 35% rise from last year. The newly launched SUV, Victoris, garnered 25,000 bookings, while retail sales climbed 27.5% YoY to 173,500 units. Tata Motors moved into…

Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, written and directed by Shashank Khaitan, is a festive romantic comedy that hit theaters on October 2, 2025, coinciding with Dussehra and Gandhi Jayanti. Featuring Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra, and Rohit Saraf, the film promises a colorful blend of humor, love, drama, and quintessential Bollywood emotions. The story revolves around Sunny Sanskari (Varun Dhawan), who is all set to propose to his longtime girlfriend Ananya (Sanya Malhotra). But his plans crumble when she rejects him and instead chooses to marry billionaire Vikram Singh (Rohit Saraf). Things take a dramatic turn when Vikram is…

During the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, India strongly criticized Pakistan for its human rights record, highlighting the mistreatment of minorities within the country. Indian diplomat Mohammed Hussain described Pakistan’s actions as “deeply ironic,” pointing out that a nation with a troubled human rights history was attempting to lecture others on the subject. He asserted that Pakistan misuses international forums with fabricated allegations against India, which only expose its own hypocrisy. Hussain urged Islamabad to acknowledge and address the state-sponsored persecution and systematic discrimination faced by its religious and ethnic minorities instead of…

 Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, announced that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries—Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland—will officially take effect on October 1. Speaking at the valedictory session of the UP International Trade Show in Greater Noida, Goyal emphasized that developed nations are increasingly keen to sign FTAs with India, which has already concluded agreements with the UAE, Australia, and the UK. Goyal highlighted ongoing discussions with countries including the United States, the European Union, New Zealand, Oman, Peru, and Chile, noting that Qatar and Bahrain have also…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his support for US President Donald Trump’s comprehensive plan to resolve the ongoing Gaza conflict, calling it a viable route toward long-term peace, security, and development for both Palestinians and Israelis, as well as for the broader West Asian region. In a post on X, Modi urged all stakeholders to come together in support of Trump’s initiative to bring an end to hostilities and restore stability. He later shared his statement in Arabic and Hebrew, signaling inclusive outreach to both parties. The Trump-Netanyahu peace plan, announced on Monday, comes nearly three years after the war…