Author: Malavika Subramanyan

Five Indian players are competing in the FIDE Candidates 2024 chess tournament starting on April 3 in Toronto, Canada. R. Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi, and D. Gukesh secured spots in the men’s tournament, while R. Vaishali and Koneru Humpy will compete in the women’s category. The men’s tournament features contenders like Ian Nepomniachtchi, Fabiano Caruana, Nijat Abasov, Hikaru Nakamura, and Alireza Firouzja. For the women’s event, participants include Lei Tingjie, Kateryna Lagno, Aleksandra Goryachkina, Nurgyul Salimova, Anna Muzychuk, and Tan Zhongyi. The winners of the Candidates’ tournaments will challenge reigning world champions Ding Liren and Ju Wenjun in their respective categories.…

A coalition of U.S. Representatives, led by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, has strongly condemned recent attacks on places of worship, particularly mandirs or Hindu temples, across the United States. The group, which includes Ro Khanna, Shri Thanedar, Pramila Jayapal, and Ami Bera, has written a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ), urging clarity on ongoing investigations into these incidents and a comprehensive strategy to combat hate crimes against Hindus. The Representatives expressed concern over the surge in attacks at mandirs from New York to California, causing heightened anxiety among Hindu Americans. They highlighted that affected communities have reported a lack…

In an extensive conversation with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar examined Kiev’s continuing conflict with Russia and investigated multiple initiatives. Kuleba’s two-day official visit to India, marking the first high-level Ukrainian visit since Russia’s invasion of Kyiv in 2022, aimed to bolster bilateral ties. EAM Jaishankar highlighted the broad scope of their conversation, emphasizing discussions on the conflict’s broader implications and exchanging perspectives on relevant initiatives. Additionally, they addressed global and regional concerns of mutual interest, reaffirming their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation and overall relations. At Hyderabad House, Jaishankar welcomed Kuleba, underscoring the significance…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the inclusive nature of technology, stressing its role in empowering people across all segments of society. India, he noted, has successfully democratized cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), particularly benefiting millions in rural areas. In a one-on-one discussion with Microsoft Co-founder Bill Gates, PM Modi emphasized his belief in technology’s optimal utilization in essential sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and education. He pointed to the establishment of 0.2 million ‘Ayushman Arogya Mandir’ centers nationwide, offering quality healthcare services facilitated by modern technology, as a significant stride in this direction. Under the Ayushman Bharat initiative, the…

An assessment conducted by CareEdge Ratings highlights a significant transformation in India’s automotive sector, witnessing a notable shift from conventional fuel-powered vehicles to alternative fuel options. In the period from 2020 to 2023, the proportion of petrol vehicle sales decreased from 86% to 76%, while diesel vehicle sales experienced a slight decline from 12% to 11%. Conversely, sales of alternative fuel-driven vehicles soared by over 400% in CY 2023. This surge is attributed to the rising popularity of electric vehicles (EVs), driven by government incentives and declining battery costs, with a target of achieving 30% of all vehicle sales as…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conversed with Rekha Patra, a resident of Sandeshkhali in West Bengal, now the BJP’s candidate for the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat. Patra gained prominence leading women’s protests against Sheikh Shahjahan, a suspended Trinamool Congress leader accused of various offenses. PM Modi discussed Patra’s campaign preparations for the upcoming polls, commending her as “Shakti Swaroopa” (goddess-like) in an audio exchange. Patra expressed gratitude for Modi’s support, likening it to a blessing from Lord Ram, and highlighted the challenges faced by women in Sandeshkhali. Acknowledging her courage, PM Modi praised Patra for her resilience and assured assistance from…

One individual who previously lent support to Nikki Haley’s candidacy has now shifted allegiance, opting to withdraw support from former President Donald Trump and instead backing President Joe Biden. This decision comes in the wake of Haley’s withdrawal from the presidential race. A supporter who initially favored Haley acknowledges that he may have harbored a concealed admiration for Trump from the outset and intends to cast his vote for the incumbent president once again in the upcoming election. Before Trump secured his third consecutive Republican nomination, Haley lacked a substantial support base to mount a significant challenge. However, the apparent…

Amidst the backdrop of Sri Lanka’s ongoing financial crisis, India has pledged to alleviate the strain caused by the sharp increase in construction costs by providing up to 50 percent additional funding for development projects in the country. This decision was formalized through diplomatic exchanges between the High Commissioner of India, Santosh Jha, and Secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, W.S. Sathyananda, who signed and exchanged official letters on Thursday. Specifically, the Indian government has committed to providing an extra grant of SLR (Sri Lankan Rupee) 150 million for the construction of Houses and Infrastructure Facilities in…

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was a woman of remarkable talents, born into one of India’s most prominent political families. Despite the considerable advantages her lineage afforded her, there were inevitable challenges associated with such prominence. Her familial ties, particularly being the sister of Jawaharlal Nehru and the daughter of Motilal Nehru, may have hindered her political ambitions, as evidenced by her potential presidency bid in 1977. Originally named Swarup Kumari Nehru, she embraced the name Vijaya Lakshmi upon her marriage to Ranjit Pandit, following traditional customs prevalent in Hindu families at the time. Engaged in the freedom struggle, she endured imprisonment…

Indian American scholar Swayam Bagaria has been appointed as Assistant Professor of Hindu Studies at Harvard Divinity School, succeeding Christopher Rossi, who retired. Bagaria, formerly a Postdoctoral Fellow in Hindu Studies at HDS since 2022, previously held a similar position at the University of Virginia. He earned his PhD in anthropology from Johns Hopkins University in 2020. HDS Dean Marla F. Frederick expressed excitement about Bagaria’s appointment, praising his scholarly and teaching abilities. Bagaria’s expertise lies in the psychosocial aspects of Hinduism, employing computational, cognitive, and socio-cultural methods to study religion in contemporary India. Bagaria’s interdisciplinary approach and research interests…