Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday presented a variety of beautiful gifts, including Buddha sculptures, handcrafted artifacts, and other exquisite items, to his Laos counterpart, the country’s President, and their spouses. Following a bilateral meeting, the two leaders exchanged these meaningful gifts, emphasizing their resolve to strengthen their civilizational and modern-day ties. Among the gifts, PM Modi presented Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith with a vintage brass Buddha statue adorned with mina work. This carefully crafted piece is a fine example of South Indian craftsmanship, reflecting Buddhist philosophy in its design. The piece depicts the Buddha in a seated position, with…
Author: Staff Reporter
India’s foreign exchange (Forex) reserves have remained above $700 billion for the second consecutive week, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday. The Forex reserves stood at $701.18 billion as of October 4, reflecting a decrease of $3.71 billion from the previous week, as per the RBI’s weekly bulletin. Despite the slight drop, the country’s Forex reserves of over $700 billion mark a significant milestone, representing an all-time high and positioning India as the fourth-largest holder of Forex reserves globally. This sustained high level of reserves highlights the country’s economic resilience and stability.…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Chair, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), has reportedly approved Phase III of the Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) mission, a development that bodes well for India’s security capabilities. This decision sets the stage for the launch of 52 surveillance satellites into low Earth and geostationary orbits. The Modi government’s decision is likely to cause concern among adversaries like China and Pakistan, as these neighboring countries will be under continuous surveillance once the capabilities become fully operational. With this enhanced capability, India will be able to detect enemy submarines operating in the Indo-Pacific region, according to sources familiar…
The Indian economy continues to expand at a robust pace despite difficult global circumstances, according to the World Bank’s latest India Development Update: India’s Trade Opportunities in a Changing Global Context. However, in order to achieve its ambitious goal of $1 trillion in merchandise exports by 2030, India must diversify its export basket and integrate more deeply into global value chains. The India Development Update (IDU) notes that India has maintained its position as the fastest-growing major economy, with an impressive growth rate of 8.2% in FY 2023-24. Significant public investment in infrastructure and an increase in household real estate…
Scientists at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, have developed a groundbreaking therapy that could become a precision medicine, particularly for patients who do not respond to existing cancer treatments. Cancer cells often acquire resistance to certain therapies, necessitating the search for alternative treatment options. The IACS team has identified a new target for cancer treatment by activating a DNA repair enzyme called TDP1, which suggests a potential combination therapy. In their pursuit of alternative therapies, the team investigated how cancer cells repair their DNA…
On October 4, 2024, the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, graced a Global Summit on ‘Spirituality for a Clean and Healthy Society’, organized by Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya at Mount Abu, Rajasthan. Here is a complete transcribed speech from Hindi to English. Om Shanti. Today marks the Nagaral Session of the four-day Global Summit organized by the Brahma Kumari Ishwariya Vishwavidyalaya, Mount Abu, with the theme “Spirituality for a Clean and Healthy Society.” Seated on the stage are the Governor of Rajasthan, Shri Hari Bhau Bagad Ji, respected Rajyogini Mohini Behan Ji, Jayanthi Behan Ji, Brij Mohan…
In the heart of Bali’s Lotudunduh rice fields, a farmer dressed in traditional baju adat (ceremonial attire) performs a sacred ritual in a small open-air stone temple. He offers brightly coloured flowers in a woven palm platter, sprinkled with holy water, to one of the tall carved shrines. This practice is part of the ancient, ritualistic rice farming system known as subak, which integrates spiritual and practical aspects of agriculture. I Made Chakra Widia, a fourth-generation rice farmer from Pengosekan near Ubud, praises the wisdom of early Balinese farmers. They had a profound understanding of the land’s interaction with soil,…
On Monday, Richard Verma, a senior US diplomat, strongly criticised recent racist attacks targeting Indian Americans, particularly in connection with derogatory comments about Vice President Kamala Harris. In his address at the Hudson Institute, Verma condemned the “vile and racist attacks” that have emerged on social media and television, emphasising that such sentiments are damaging to US-India relations and have no place in American society. Though he did not name the specific incidents, Verma’s remarks clearly alluded to the recent controversy involving far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer. Loomer, who has been associated with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, made offensive…
