Author: Nupur Rohila

India’s digital public infrastructure is increasingly being recognised as a model for the Global South, demonstrating how technology can drive inclusive development and economic participation, according to discussions held on the sidelines of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. The session, organised by the Global Institute for Water, Environment, and Health, examined how digital innovation and South-South cooperation can accelerate the realisation of the right to development. A key highlight was India’s JAM Trinity—Jan Dhan bank accounts, Aadhaar digital identity, and mobile connectivity—which has created a foundational digital ecosystem reaching nearly 93% of the population. This integrated system…

In a significant recognition of Sanskrit literature and Hindu philosophical thought, Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. Bhadreshdas Swami of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha has been awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award 2025 by the Government of India. The honor was conferred for his scholarly work titled “Prasthanachatushtaye Brahmaghosha,” which has been recognized as one of the finest Sanskrit contributions of recent years. The awarded text offers a detailed and structured explanation of the Brahma principle, drawing from foundational Hindu scriptures such as the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Brahma Sutras. It also incorporates teachings from the Vachanamrut delivered by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, presenting a unified philosophical…

Ranveer Singh’s highly anticipated spy thriller, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, is poised to set the box office on fire. While the official theatrical release is scheduled for March 19, paid preview shows began on March 18, giving fans an early glimpse of Singh reprising his role as Hamza Ali Mazari. Under the real identity of Jaskirat Singh Rangi, Hamza infiltrates Pakistan’s underworld to relay critical intelligence to RAW, while seeking vengeance on those behind attacks on India. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film boasts a stellar cast including Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, with cameo appearances from…

India and Russia convened the 7th UN Consultations in New Delhi on March 17, focusing on key issues under the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) agenda, including counter-terrorism, peacekeeping operations, and proposed reforms of the council. The high-level meeting was co-chaired by Sibi George, Secretary (West) at India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Alexander Alimov, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister. Russia’s Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, along with other senior officials, also attended the discussions. According to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, both sides exchanged their priorities for the UN, concentrating on strengthening measures to counter terrorism, enhancing peacekeeping effectiveness, and…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a series of major projects in Kerala on Wednesday, with a total investment of approximately $1.2 billion. The initiatives span multiple sectors, reflecting the central government’s commitment to infrastructure development and regional growth. One of the highlights of Modi’s visit was the foundation of a new polypropylene unit at the Kochi Refinery of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), valued at over $660 million. The project is expected to significantly enhance India’s petrochemical production capabilities and strengthen industrial development in the region. In addition, the prime minister inaugurated two major highway projects, each costing over $240…

The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) NY-NJ-CT-NE, the largest and oldest grassroots organization representing the Indian diaspora across eight Northeastern states, successfully hosted its 8th Annual International Women’s Day celebration on March six, 2026, at India House in New York City. Now in its eighth year, the event celebrates exceptional women from the Indian diaspora who have overcome challenges to inspire communities in the United States through remarkable achievements across sectors including business, media, finance, and social entrepreneurship. The evening was emceed by Riddhi Parikh Patel, who opened the program with a moment of silence to honor Radha Subramanyam, a…

India captain Suryakumar Yadav described the past month as an incredible journey following India’s emphatic victory over New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Speaking to the media, Yadav reflected on the challenges the team faced at the start of the tournament and praised the collective resilience that led to their historic triumph. India posted a massive 255/5 batting first, marking the highest total ever in a T20 World Cup final. Sanju Samson led the charge with a scintillating 89 off 46 balls, while Ishan Kishan added 54 and Abhishek Sharma…

The United States has provided India with a temporary thirty day waiver that allows Indian refiners to continue purchasing Russian crude oil. The decision comes as tensions in the Gulf region disrupt vital maritime routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for global oil shipments. The move is intended to ensure steady oil supplies in international markets during a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explained that the waiver is a short term measure aimed at maintaining stability in global energy flows. He noted that the policy aligns with President Donald Trump’s broader…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Finnish President Alexander Stubb in New Delhi and discussed the current state of India-Finland relations as well as opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. The meeting took place ahead of President Stubb’s talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reflected the growing engagement between the two nations. During the interaction, Jaishankar expressed confidence that the discussions between the Finnish President and the Indian Prime Minister would further strengthen diplomatic ties and open new avenues for collaboration. Both sides acknowledged the importance of deepening cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade, technology,…

India secured a spot in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals following a thrilling victory over the West Indies in their final Super 8 match. The defending champions outplayed the two-time winners, setting up a mouthwatering semi-final showdown against England, mirroring their 2024 semi-final clash. This highly anticipated encounter is scheduled for March 5 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. In the first semi-final, South Africa will take on New Zealand on March 4 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The winners of these semi-finals will meet in the grand finale on March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.…