Author: Malavika Subramanyan

Harmeet Dhillon, an Indian American attorney and prominent figure in the Republican Party, delivered a solemn ‘Ardas’ prayer at the Republican National Convention in the presence of former President Donald Trump. The ‘Ardas’ prayer, a traditional Sikh invocation seeking divine guidance and protection, underscored values of humility, truth, courage, service, and justice. During her invocation, Dhillon expressed gratitude for what she termed the ‘Chardikala’ spirit embodied by President Trump—a resilient and uplifting spirit in the face of adversity, akin to the perseverance of America’s founding fathers. She praised Trump’s fearlessness (‘nirbhay’) and absence of hate (‘nirvir’) in the face of…

In a touching tribute to tradition, a viral video from Radhika Merchant’s vidai ceremony showcases her poignant transition into the Ambani family. The video shows Radhika engaging in the emotional ritual of tossing rice over her shoulder, signifying her goodbye to her family and the blessings she carries into her new life with Anant Ambani. Dressed in a magnificent sindhoori red lehenga crafted by Manish Malhotra, Radhika looked every bit the regal bride. The lehenga, adorned with intricate gold work and featuring a long, elegant train, complemented her look perfectly. Her hair, styled in a bun adorned with a white…

On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi achieved a significant milestone by becoming the most followed global leader on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), amassing over 100 million followers. This places him far ahead of other world leaders, including US President Joe Biden with 38.1 million followers, Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed with 11.2 million followers, and Pope Francis with 18.5 million followers. Expressing his gratitude, Modi posted on X, stating his happiness to be part of such a vibrant medium and appreciating the discussions, debates, insights, people’s blessings, constructive criticism, and more. He looks forward to continuing this engaging interaction…

Alia Bhatt was astonished to realize that her romantic comedy ‘Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania’ has already reached its tenth anniversary.. To commemorate the occasion, she shared a special clip on Thursday. On her Instagram story, Alia posted a compilation of her memorable scenes from the film, captioning it with “#10YearsOfHumptySharmaKiDulhania.” She also reposted director Shashank Khaitan’s nostalgic post and added, “Can’t believe it.” Shashank Khaitan shared a throwback photo featuring himself, Alia, and Varun Dhawan, marking the milestone with gratitude, stating, “10 Years … Wow … Only Gratitude… Thank you Universe…” Varun also celebrated the film’s anniversary by sharing its…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Mumbai for the first time since his third consecutive swearing-in on June 9, after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won the Lok Sabha elections. Around 5:30 p.m., the Prime Minister will arrive at the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, Mumbai. There, he will inaugurate, dedicate to the nation, and lay the foundation stone for multiple infrastructure projects related to roads, railways, and ports, with a total investment exceeding $3.6 billion (₹ 29,400 crore). At approximately 7 p.m., Prime Minister Modi will head to the Indian Newspaper Society (INS) Secretariat at G-Block, Bandra…

The India-Austria Business Forum in Vienna highlighted a solid foundation for bilateral collaboration across diverse sectors. Discussing bilateral trade dynamics, R K Singh, Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Investments and Internal Trade in India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, noted that the two-way trade between India and Austria amounts to approximately USD 2 billion, describing it as relatively balanced. He emphasized the strategic importance of sustainable growth and highlighted the success stories of multinational corporations investing in India. Organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in collaboration with the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber and the Federation of…

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized on Wednesday that diplomacy is the only way to resolve conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Modi stressed during a press conference in Vienna with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer that in contemporary times, solutions cannot be found through warfare. Modi’s visit to Austria comes after a two-day trip to Russia, where he was photographed embracing Russian President Vladimir Putin. In Vienna, Modi indicated that India is prepared to assist Ukraine. He mentioned that he and Nehammer had “extensive discussions” on global conflicts and that both India and Austria are “ready” to “provide all possible support”…

Two-time World Cup winner Gautam Gambhir has been appointed as the head coach of the India men’s cricket team across all formats, starting with the limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka later this month. Gambhir shared his feelings on social media platform X, stating, “India defines who I am, and serving my country has been the highest honor of my life. While I’m returning in a new role, my mission remains unchanged: to make every Indian proud. The Men in Blue carry the aspirations of 1.4 billion people, and I will do all I can to fulfill those dreams.” BCCI secretary…

Manoj Mohanan, recently appointed as interim dean of Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, expressed his commitment to supporting colleagues and enhancing the school’s community and resources. Taking on the role from July 1 for a two-year term, Mohanan emphasized the importance of stability and continuity in his new position, aiming to make a positive impact while providing leadership amidst ongoing developments. A faculty member since 2011 and previously Sanford’s senior associate dean for faculty and research, Mohanan is an applied microeconomist specializing in health and development economics, blending his background in medicine and public health. His research focuses…

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, expressed his readiness to advance negotiations on the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and emphasized his commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. In a press statement from the UK government, Starmer conveyed his willingness to finalize a mutually beneficial FTA that would benefit both nations. The leaders exchanged congratulations on their recent electoral victories and underscored the robust historical ties between the UK and India. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to enhancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the…