Author: Malavika Subramanyan

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak celebrated the strong bilateral relationship between the UK and India during the India Global Forum’s UK-India Week reception at 10 Downing Street on June 29. In his speech, he emphasized the close bond between the two nations, stating that they are “closer than ever.” Sunak eagerly expressed his anticipation for the upcoming G20 summit in New Delhi, hoping for meaningful discussions and positive outcomes. In a light-hearted manner, he also shared his excitement about indulging in traditional Indian sweets or “mithai” during his visit to India. Recognizing the significant contributions of the Indian diaspora, Sunak…

Russian President Vladimir Putin commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, acknowledging its significant impact on the Indian economy, as reported by RT, a Russian state-controlled international news television network. Putin referred to India as an example to promote domestic products and brands within Russia. Moreover, the Russian Ambassador to New Delhi, Denis Alipov, highlighted the strength of the “special Russia-India strategic partnership,” emphasizing its continuous growth and resilience. During a state reception dedicated to the National Day of the Russian Federation, Alipov expressed concerns about ongoing attempts to tarnish Russia-India relations through spreading lies on a global…

Ken Mathew, a native of Krishnapuram in Kayamkulam, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Malayalee and Indian to be elected as the Mayor of Stafford City in the United States. This historic event marks a momentous occasion in the city’s 67-year history. Mathew secured his victory by obtaining more than 50% of the votes cast in the city, defeating the incumbent Mayor, Cecil Willis. It is noteworthy that Mathew’s win also signifies his status as the first minority Mayor of Stafford, a city located southwest of Houston. Scheduled to be inaugurated on Tuesday, Mathew will assume the…

The University of Pennsylvania’s prominent a cappella group, Penn Masala, performed a captivating rendition of popular Bollywood songs at the White House ahead of the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The group, consisting of South Asian students, entertained a large crowd of approximately 2000 to 3000 people who gathered on the South Lawns to witness the ceremonial welcome for PM Modi. Penn Masala began their performance with “Chaiyya Chaiyya” from the 1998 movie Dil Se.., starring Shah Rukh Khan, and followed it up with “Jashn e Bahaaraa” from the 2008 historical drama Jodha Akbar, featuring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya…

The Higher Education Council (HEC) of Pakistan has issued a ban on the celebration of Holi and other Hindu holidays in universities across the country, citing the need to preserve the “Islamic character and reputation of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.” This decision comes shortly after students at Quaid-i-Azam University celebrated Holi on campus, and the event garnered widespread attention through viral footage. According to the HEC’s notification, while cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity are important for fostering an inclusive and tolerant society, they should be embraced in a balanced manner without exceeding certain boundaries. The notification emphasizes the importance…

On June 24, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya clarified that foreign-made vaccines were not procured during the Covid pandemic due to the demand for indemnity by the foreign firms. He highlighted that Indian vaccine manufacturers were not provided with the same indemnity, emphasizing that the same rule applied to all. Mandaviya further addressed the misconception that India prevented foreign vaccines, such as those made by Moderna and Pfizer, from entering the country. He stated that India granted emergency use approvals to foreign companies when they submitted the required data, similar to the approvals given to Indian companies. In his statement,…

In a historic event, US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy expressed his privilege in welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the leader of the world’s largest democracy, to address a joint session of the US Congress. McCarthy emphasized his anticipation for strengthened economic and national security ties between the United States and India, referring to them as “great nations.” Prime Minister Modi, at the invitation of several US Congressional leaders, delivered a significant address to the joint sitting of Congress in Washington. He presented his vision for the future of the consequential India-US bilateral partnership, acknowledging the bipartisan support…

Indian cricketer Virat Kohli’s net worth has surpassed the $130 million mark, making him one of the richest Indian celebrities. According to Stock Gro, Kohli’s net worth stands at $140 million. The breakdown includes India cricket contracts, brand endorsements, ownership of brands, and social media posts. As per reports, Kohli’s major earnings come from brand endorsements. Kohli is said to earn approximately $920,000 annually from his Team India contract and receives $150,000 for each Test match, $60,000 for each ODI, and $30,000 for each T20 match. He earns approximately $2.1 million annually from the T20 league. Kohli has invested in…

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing state visit to the United States, GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have reportedly signed an agreement to collaborate on the production of fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force.  This significant milestone in defense cooperation between the United States and India was announced by GE Aerospace, emphasizing the long-standing partnership between the two countries. H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GE and CEO of GE Aerospace, expressed pride in contributing to President Biden and Prime Minister Modi’s vision of closer coordination between the nations.  The agreement focuses…

US First Lady Jill Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia. They participated in the Skilling For Future event organized by the foundation, where they discussed the collaboration between universities, research initiatives, and the importance of apprenticeships and internships. Jill Biden highlighted the positive impact of students from both countries learning and growing together, emphasizing the goal of creating a better world through mutual cooperation. Prime Minister Modi emphasized India’s strong focus on education and the integration of learning and training. He expressed his delight in engaging with young and creative minds…