Author: Nupur Rohila

The University of California, Santa Cruz is leading a new initiative to transform the global narrative around Sikhism through a research-driven digital project titled Sikhs in the 21st Century: Remembering the Past, Engaging the Future. Headed by Distinguished Economics Professor Nirvikar Singh and housed at The Humanities Institute (THI), the project uses engaging, scholarly videos to revisit and reshape how Sikh and Punjabi Studies are approached, especially in a global and digital context. The initiative challenges traditional academic narratives and seeks to correct oversimplifications or unsupported assumptions about Sikh history—often found in outdated scholarship. Singh, who previously held the Sarbjit…

Renowned Indian-American filmmaker Mukesh Modi is gearing up to host the 2025 edition of the Indie Film Festival Awards (IFFA) in New York City. Scheduled from June 2 to June 5, the four-day event will take place at the renowned Quad Cinema, with the grand award ceremony taking place on the final day at Frederick P. Rose Auditorium in Manhattan. IFFA, a non-profit festival founded by Modi, celebrates the voices of independent filmmakers from around the globe. With over 115 submissions representing more than 20 countries, the festival’s selection committee has curated a collection of 52 films to be screened…

India reaffirmed on Thursday that any potential engagement with Pakistan must be conducted strictly on a bilateral basis, while clearly restating its firm position that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) will remain suspended unless Pakistan definitively renounces its support for cross-border terrorism. Addressing journalists at the weekly press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized, “Any engagement between India and Pakistan has to be strictly bilateral. Let me also reiterate that talks and terror cannot go hand in hand.” Jaiswal further added that India remains open to discussing the extradition of known terrorists, referring to a list…

 The San Diego Foundation (SDF) has announced that acclaimed author and renowned gathering expert Priya Parker will be a featured speaker at the third annual San Diego Fundraising Conference, set for September 18–19, 2025, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel. Presented by PNC Bank, the two-day event will spotlight Parker’s unique insights on intentional gatherings and their role in fostering meaningful connections, especially within philanthropic work. Parker, the bestselling author of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, has more than twenty years of experience helping global leaders navigate important conversations about identity, community, and…

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has praised the security forces for a major breakthrough in Chhattisgarh, where 27 Maoists were killed during an operation in the Abujhmad forest area of Narayanpur district. Among those neutralised was Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basava Raju, the general secretary of CPI-Maoist and the top-most leader of the Naxal movement. Calling it a “landmark achievement in the battle to eliminate Naxalism”, Shah shared the update on his official handle, noting that this marks the first time in three decades that a general secretary-ranked Maoist has been killed in action by Indian forces. The Union Home…

India’s Armed Forces carried out a critical mission titled Operation Sindoor, effectively stopping a planned Pakistani drone and missile strike aimed at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Several areas along the India-Pakistan border, including Amritsar, were placed under high alert as military tensions soared earlier this month. For four nights, the Indian Army remained on constant guard while the Air Defence units played a pivotal role in countering every airborne threat. The Indian military demonstrated its formidable air shield, including systems like the AKASH missile and L-70 Air Defence Guns, which neutralized each missile and drone fired from Pakistani…

Amid rising public sentiment under the “Boycott Turkey” campaign—sparked by Ankara’s growing support for Islamabad—the Indian government has taken several high-level diplomatic and strategic steps to convey its discontent. Most recently, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has indefinitely deferred a key diplomatic ceremony involving Turkey. Turkish Ambassador-designate Ali Murat Ersoy was scheduled to present his Letter of Credence to the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday at 4 p.m. However, the ceremony has now been postponed for “scheduling reasons,” as per MEA officials. A Letter of Credence formally recognizes a diplomat’s appointment and allows them to begin…

On Wednesday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited a military cantonment in Sialkot, located in the Punjab province, in an attempt to boost the morale of his armed forces. However, instead of strengthening spirits, the visit attracted ridicule due to its poor presentation and the context in which it occurred. Observers noted a deliberate effort to imitate Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the Adampur air base in Punjab. While Modi’s visit projected confidence and underscored India’s military strength, Shehbaz Sharif’s appearance starkly reflected the extent of damage Pakistan endured during India’s Operation Sindoor on May 10. During…

U.S. President Donald Trump recently claimed credit for facilitating the India-Pakistan ceasefire, a statement that has sparked significant controversy. Trump stated that both nations were on the brink of a nuclear conflict, and he intervened by threatening to halt trade relations unless they agreed to de-escalate. However, New Delhi swiftly dismissed his involvement, emphasizing that the ceasefire was a result of direct, bilateral negotiations between the two countries. Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump announced a “full and immediate” ceasefire between India and Pakistan, claiming credit for his mediation efforts. He also mentioned that it was the result of…

India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, will travel to Washington on May 16, 2025, leading a high-level delegation for four days of intensive trade negotiations with US officials. This meeting is a crucial step toward framing a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) between the two nations. Goyal will meet with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to explore opportunities for a phased trade arrangement, hoping to capitalize on the current 90-day suspension of additional tariffs. Both sides are aiming to conclude the first phase of the BTA by September or October this year. India is…