Author: Malavika Subramanyan

In the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, held on Monday, May 20, voter turnout in 49 constituencies across eight states and Union Territories was estimated at 60.48% as of Tuesday, May 21. The final turnout figures are expected to be released by the Election Commission of India (ECI) by Friday, May 25. On Monday night, the ECI reported an approximate turnout of 60.09% following the day’s polling. This figure was expected to rise as reports from all polling stations were verified and added. By Tuesday noon, the ECI’s Voter Turnout app indicated the turnout had increased to…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at an election rally in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, expressed strong confidence that his party, the BJP, will secure a third consecutive term in power. Modi declared, “The Modi government will score a hat-trick,” emphasizing his belief in continued success. During his speech, Modi pledged to prioritize the welfare of the poor, youth, women, and farmers if re-elected. He stated, “In the new government, I have to take many big decisions for the poor, youth, women, and farmers,” highlighting his commitment to these groups. Addressing the ongoing Gaza conflict, Modi mentioned that he had sent an…

As the Lok Sabha elections loomed, over 350 individuals were granted Indian citizenship on Wednesday through the newly enacted Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019, as reported by various news outlets. Initially, a group of 14 individuals received citizenship in the capital city, while the remainder were digitally awarded citizenship across other regions of the nation. Notably, some applications were processed prior to the official notification of the rules in March of the current year, according to officials cited by the Economic Times. Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla personally presented citizenship certificates to the initial 14 recipients in the national…

In the timeless classic “Manthan,” directed by the esteemed Shyam Benegal, Dr. Rao, portrayed by Girish Karnad, ventures into a rural village in Gujarat with the noble intention of establishing a Milk Co-operative society for the betterment of the locals. Despite facing opposition from the affluent Mishraji, played by Amrish Puri, and the village head, Sarpanch, portrayed by Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Dr. Rao, with the assistance of Bindu (Smita Patil) and Bhola (Naseeruddin Shah), ultimately succeeds in empowering the villagers to become self-sufficient. The restored edition of “Manthan,” featuring Smita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah, and Girish Karnad, is scheduled for a screening…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially submitted his nomination for the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday morning. This came after an extravagant six-kilometer roadshow the previous evening, accompanied by senior leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies. Among those present were BJP President JP Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma. Key alliance partners in attendance included Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary, Lok Janshakti Party leader Chirag Paswan, Apna Dal (Sonelal) head Anupriya Patel, and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party…

The revered Himalayan shrines, including Badrinath Dham, Kedarnath Dham, and Gangotri Dham, are gearing up to welcome pilgrims as the Uttarakhand’s Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage begins. Scheduled openings: Badrinath Dham on May 12, Kedarnath Dham on May 10, and Gangotri Dham on Akshaya Tritiya. Gangotri Temple, perched amidst snow-capped peaks, stands tall with its intricate carvings on white granite. Encircled by the Himalayas, Gangotri experiences heavy snowfall from December to March. The Char Dham Yatra, a significant pilgrimage in Hinduism, covers Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, attracting devotees seeking spiritual solace. It typically occurs from April/May to October/November, contingent on…

The latest posters for the upcoming movie ‘Mr & Mrs Mahi’, featuring Rajkummar Rao and Janhvi Kapoor, were unveiled on May 8 by Dharma Productions and the lead actors themselves. Directed by Sharan Sharma, the film centers around the intricacies of a cricket-loving couple’s relationship, portraying an imperfectly perfect partnership. Originally scheduled for an April release, the film, produced by Karan Johar, Zee Studios, Hiroo Yash Johar, and Apoorva Mehta, will now hit theaters on May 31, 2024, just a day before the commencement of the T20 World Cup in the United States. In their announcement on X, Dharma Movies…

The second round of consultations on security and defense between the European Union and India took place in New Delhi. During the discussions, both parties exchanged views on various international and regional issues, including Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, developments in South Asia, and the Middle East. On May 6, the consultations also focused on recent developments in security and defense policies. The EU provided updates on the progress of implementing the EU’s Strategic Compass and the Indo-Pacific Strategy, along with initiatives such as the European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) and new EU operations like the EUNAVFOR Aspides. Additionally, there was…

Ashwin Ramaswami, a 24-year-old first-generation Indian-American, is making history as the inaugural Gen Z candidate from his demographic to vie for a seat in a US State legislature, specifically in Georgia’s District 48 Senate. His fundraising efforts have garnered considerable attention, having amassed over $280,000 in campaign contributions, a substantial sum particularly noteworthy at the state level. In contrast, his opponent Shawn Still trails significantly, having raised a mere $6,400. Ramaswami’s campaign disclosed the latest figures from the public campaign finance report, revealing a total fundraising tally exceeding $280,000, with $208,000 in available cash reserves. This financial support reflects the…

The BJP is likely to achieve its strongest performance in West Bengal yet, with a significant rise in vote share and potential seat wins. Over the years, the state’s political landscape has shifted from Congress to Communists and eventually to the Trinamool Congress (TMC). However, the BJP’s consistent growth, especially in the past three elections, signals its emergence as a major player. The demographic composition of West Bengal, with significant Muslim, Dalit, and tribal populations, has influenced electoral dynamics. Historically, these groups formed a stronghold for the Left parties but have seen a shift in allegiance towards the TMC and,…