Author: Staff Reporter

Once again, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the pivotal role of women in the country’s development. Delivering his 10th consecutive Independence Day speech from the Red Fort’s ramparts, he highlighted the progress achieved due to the strength of mothers, sisters, and daughters. He shared his dream of creating 2 crore lakhpati didis (women entrepreneurs) in villages, illustrating his belief in women’s empowerment. Last year, on India’s 76th Independence Day, Modi emphasized “Nari Shakti” (women’s power) in nation building. Today’s emphasis gains significance in light of the Manipur violence. Modi acknowledged India’s high number of women pilots and their leading role…

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forthcoming address on August 15, marking the last Independence Day speech prior to the impending general elections in the following year, will undergo thorough examination. Acknowledged as a compelling orator, Modi is anticipated to outline India’s global ascent and domestic advancements encompassing infrastructure and manufacturing. It is anticipated that the Prime Minister will also touch upon India’s accomplishments during its presidency of the G20 while reiterating the significance of the nation’s democratic framework. This year’s celebrations hold particular significance, concluding the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ festivities, initiated by Modi on March 12, 2021, at Sabarmati Ashram…

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On August 10, 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) put forth a proposal to increase the per-transaction payment threshold for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) Lite in offline mode to Rs. 500 (US$ 6.04). In addition to this, the RBI introduced several measures with the intention of broadening the nation’s adoption of digital payments. For small-value digital transactions conducted offline, the Reserve Bank had previously set limits at Rs. 200 (US$ 2.41) per transaction and Rs. 2,000 (US$ 24.15) overall per payment instrument. This pertains to transactions made via modes such as National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) and UPI Lite.…

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As CEOs and political leaders worldwide rush to establish their authority in the AI realm, Indian innovators are unquestionably leading the way. Beyond the multitude of Indian-origin AI developers driving technological advancements, India’s AI supremacy manifests in two critical arenas: business expansion and international policy. Regarding policy initiatives, India effectively secured the chair-in-waiting position within the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) in 2022. This role could significantly influence how international regulations manage the proliferation of AI. More impactful still are the Indian-American CEOs propelling the AI business strategies of the technology industry. With IBM’s CEO Arvind Krishna and Microsoft’s…

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A dramatic and thought-provoking speech by the spiritual guru Morari Bapu, “Apna Sanatan Dharma chhod kar kahi Gaye ho to laut aao, Vyas peeth aapko bola rahi hai,” urged people to change their paths if they had disconnected from their cultural heritage. Morari Bapu urged everyone who had strayed from their roots to return to Sanatan Dharma in order to find the core of Hindi faith with profound insight and compassion.People from many walks of life found inspiration in his comments, which served to remind them of the importance of their cultural identities and inherited knowledge. A sense of…

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The novel ‘Western Lane,’ authored by Chetna Maroo, a London-based writer of Indian descent, has secured a place on the 2023 Booker Prize longlist, which includes 13 books. Among these, ‘Western Lane’ stands out as one of four debut novels in this year’s ‘Booker Dozen’ selection. Described by the Booker Prize judging panel, headed by Esi Edugyan, a twice Booker-shortlisted Canadian novelist, as a work that deftly employs the sport of squash as both a backdrop and a symbol, ‘Western Lane’ emerges as a profoundly evocative first offering. The narrative delves into a family’s struggle with grief, conveyed through the…

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Shohini Sinha, an Indian-American, has been designated as the special agent in charge of the Salt Lake City Field Office by FBI Director Christopher Wray. Her selection signifies a significant milestone in her career, as she becomes the 40th individual to partake in the prestigious inauguration ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Sinha’s promotion to special agent in charge highlights her outstanding skills and unwavering commitment to US national security. Here are five key points to be aware of: Notable Appointment: Chosen by FBI Director Christopher Wray, Indian-American Shohini Sinha assumes the role of special agent in charge at the esteemed Salt…

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By Chahna Tailor Ayurveda is being accepted as an alternative medicine in the USA and in the Western world in general. Although it can be complex, some basic understanding of the science should allow us to begin applying some of the concepts. So, where do we start? Understanding our body type is fundamental so let’s start there. Ayurveda recognizes that the universe and our bodies are created through combinations of five elements. The panchamahabhuta (five great elements) fuse to create three doshas, or humors – vata, a combination of akash (ether) & vayu (air), pitta, combined from tejas/agni (fire) &…

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When people think of Ayurveda, one of the first herbs that comes to mind is Ashwagandha. Ashwagandha is known for being the herb of choice for those that suffer from stress, anxiety, and insomnia. But this herb can be used for so much more and should also not be used in some instances. We have three doshas in the body: vata (created by space and air), pitta (created from the combination of fire and water), and kapha (created from water and earth). If you are not sure what these are, check out last month’s Desh-Videsh magazine for my article on the three doshas! When…

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By Chahna Tailor It’s summer. It’s hot. What is the instinctive way to cool ourselves down? Water, iced. Super cold. You can immediately feel a reduction in heat! Whenever I am asked about Ayurveda tips that can be easily integrated into our daily routine, the first thing I suggest is to hold off on the ice. The suggestion is usually met with wide eyes and disbelief. No ice?! No way! But, there’s a good reason for it! In Ayurvedic medicine, the Sanskrit word for digestive fire is agni. Our digestive fire metabolizes and converts the food that we eat into energy.…

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