Author: Malavika Subramanyan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on citizens across India to participate in the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign and turn the national flag into a visible symbol of celebration in homes ahead of Independence Day. His appeal came on Tuesday as the country prepares to mark its 80th Independence Day on August 15. Sharing a video related to the campaign on Instagram, Modi encouraged people to celebrate the occasion with pride and respect while remembering those who fought for India’s freedom. He also urged citizens to renew their commitment toward building a developed India, or Viksit Bharat. The 2026 edition…

Stanford Graduate School of Business associate professor Saumitra Jha has been selected as a finalist for the 2026 Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year in the Social Sciences & Humanities category. The recognition honors his research into how societies divided along ethnic lines can become trapped in cycles of limited economic development and political conflict. Jha’s research, titled “Breaking through the Ethnic Growth Trap,” explores the relationship between social divisions, political tensions and economic investment. His work examines why some ethnically diverse societies continue to experience poverty and instability despite opportunities for development. According to his research, communities can…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on young Indians to celebrate National Handloom Day by using social media trends to promote the country’s rich textile heritage and support traditional weaver communities. In a new Instagram Reel shared ahead of the occasion on August 7, Modi encouraged people to create “Get Ready With Me” (GRWM) videos featuring handloom outfits and share them with audiences worldwide. The Prime Minister highlighted the historical importance of National Handloom Day, recalling that August 7, 1905, marked the beginning of the Swadeshi Movement, when Indians united to promote indigenous products and oppose British rule. He urged…

Indian American Representative Suhas Subramanyam has joined fellow lawmaker Dave Min in introducing the Pardon Transparency and Accountability Act of 2026, a bill designed to bring greater oversight and openness to the US presidential clemency process. The proposed legislation seeks to establish stronger safeguards around presidential pardons and commutations by requiring more detailed explanations and increased public accountability. The bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives and serves as a companion measure to Senate Bill S.256, introduced by Senator Richard Blumenthal. Subramanyam, who represents Virginia, said the presidential pardon system needs additional protections to prevent potential misuse. He…

Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar has lost the Democratic primary for Michigan’s 13th Congressional District, ending his bid for another term in the US House of Representatives. State Representative Donavan McKinney emerged victorious in the closely contested race, earning 51.9% of the vote compared with Thanedar’s 48.1%, according to results confirmed by the Associated Press. McKinney will now represent the Democratic Party in the November general election. Since the district has long been considered a Democratic stronghold, he is widely expected to have a favorable path to winning the congressional seat. The outcome marks another victory for the Democratic Party’s progressive…

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is expected to travel to the United States at the end of September to participate in the G20 Trade Ministerial, where global trade leaders will meet to discuss key economic challenges and strengthen international cooperation. The two-day gathering is scheduled to begin on September 30 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, under the United States’ presidency of the G20 for 2026. Alongside the ministerial sessions, Goyal is expected to hold a series of bilateral meetings with trade ministers from several countries. These discussions will focus on expanding trade and investment partnerships while addressing issues affecting global commerce.…

The official trailer for Ramayana: Part 1 has ignited worldwide interest, presenting one of India’s most celebrated epics through a cinematic production designed for global audiences. Released in five Indian languages—Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam—the trailer offers an expansive look at the film’s scale, storytelling, and visual artistry, positioning the project as one of the most ambitious productions in Indian cinema. Produced by Namit Malhotra and directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film seeks to introduce the timeless story of the Ramayana to viewers around the world while remaining faithful to its cultural and spiritual significance. The creators describe the…

India and Bhutan have reviewed the progress of their long-standing development partnership and approved 12 new projects worth $34.41 million under Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan (2024-2029). The decisions were taken during the 5th India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks, reflecting the continued commitment of both nations to strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Bhutan on July 30-31, 2026, where he co-chaired discussions with Bhutanese Foreign Secretary Pema Lektup Dorji. During the meeting, both sides assessed ongoing development initiatives and reviewed collaboration in areas including infrastructure, energy, trade, investment, connectivity, and regional matters. The discussions also focused on…

The Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA) has welcomed the Rajasthan government’s decision to establish dedicated Rajasthani Language Study Centres at state universities, describing the initiative as a major advancement in preserving and promoting the region’s linguistic heritage. Members of the Rajasthani community in North America said the move reflects growing institutional support for a language that has long been central to the state’s cultural identity. Prem Bhandari, President of RANA and International Convener of the Akhil Bhartiya Rajasthani Bhasha Manyata Sangharsh Samiti, praised the directive issued by Rajasthan Governor and Chancellor Haribhau Bagde. He described the decision as a…

The Democratic Party has expanded its campaign strategy for the upcoming US congressional elections by adding two Indian-American candidates, Amish Shah and Pia Dandiya, to its Red to Blue program. The initiative is designed to strengthen Democratic campaigns in competitive districts currently held by or leaning toward Republicans, as the party works to regain control of the House of Representatives in November. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) recently announced five new additions to the program, with Shah and Dandiya among the selected candidates. The committee is currently supporting 30 congressional hopefuls it believes have the strongest chance of flipping…