Author: Nupur Rohila

Hindus and Christians, making up a small fraction of Pakistan’s population, face severe persecution, despite numbering 1.2 billion and 2.4 billion globally, respectively. These religious minorities account for just over 3% of Pakistan’s total population and endure violence, harassment, and forced conversions. Kashmiri activist Javed Beigh highlighted these ongoing human rights violations in a recent post on X. He pointed out that Christian churches and Hindu temples are frequently attacked, defaced, or destroyed. Additionally, young girls from these communities are often kidnapped and forcibly married. Beigh’s post also brought attention to the plight of Dalit Christians in Punjab and…

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have returned to Earth after spending nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The duo initially traveled to the ISS in June last year aboard Boeing’s Starliner on its first crewed mission, which was intended to last only a few days. However, propulsion issues left the spacecraft unfit for return, extending their stay in space. Upon re-entering Earth’s gravity, the Crew-9 astronauts experienced common health effects associated with prolonged exposure to microgravity—including puffy faces, thinner legs (chicken legs), increased height, and reduced bone density. To aid their recovery, they have now begun…

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a total cash reward of $7 million for the 2025 Champions Trophy-winning team. According to BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, $360,000 each will be awarded to the 15 players and head coach Gautam Gambhir. Under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, India dominated the eight-team tournament, securing victories over Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand to top Group A. They went on to defeat Australia by four wickets in the semi-final before clinching their third Champions Trophy title by triumphing over New Zealand in the final at the Dubai International Stadium on…

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu recently met 14-year-old Indian-origin Siddharth Nandyala, the world’s youngest AI-certified professional, to discuss his groundbreaking AI-based healthcare application, ‘CircadiaV.’ This innovative app can detect heart diseases in just seven seconds using smartphone-based heart sound recordings and boasts an accuracy rate of over 96%. Originally from Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, and now residing in the U.S., Siddharth has received AI certifications from Oracle and ARM. His app has been tested on more than 15,000 patients in the U.S. and 700 in India, including trials conducted at Guntur Government General Hospital, where he personally tested patients using…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered a heartfelt welcome to Sunita Williams, a renowned astronaut of Indian descent, as she safely landed back on Earth in SpaceX’s Dragon capsule after a remarkable 9-month mission. “Welcome back, Crew9! The Earth missed you,” Modi shared on X. Expressing admiration for their courage, Modi commended Sunita and her fellow astronauts for their unyielding perseverance in the vast expanse of space. He emphasized that their commitment in the face of the unknown would inspire countless people worldwide. According to Modi, space exploration embodies humanity’s drive to push boundaries, turning bold dreams into achievements. Sunita Williams,…

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, currently on an official visit to India, met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. During their meeting, PM Modi gifted her sacred Gangajal from the Maha Kumbh Mela, along with a rudraksha mala. Taking to X, PM Modi welcomed Gabbard and highlighted their discussion on strengthening India-US strategic ties. “Both nations are committed to combating terrorism and enhancing maritime and cybersecurity cooperation,” he stated. This meeting follows their previous encounter in the US last month after Gabbard assumed her role under President Donald Trump’s administration. Modi had then congratulated her and reaffirmed…

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are preparing to return to Earth after an extended nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Originally intended as a short-duration test flight, their mission was prolonged due to multiple technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Their long-awaited return has been made possible by the successful launch of SpaceX Crew-10, which lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, carrying a replacement team to the ISS. Williams and Wilmore traveled to the ISS in June 2024 aboard the Starliner, but their return was repeatedly delayed due to propulsion system malfunctions, including helium leaks and…

FBI Director Kash Patel’s Holi greeting on X ignited a social media debate, with users expressing both admiration and criticism. While many appreciated the post as a celebration of cultural diversity, others believed government officials should only recognize US-designated holidays. Patel, who has Indian roots, posted a striking image of a person covered in vibrant gulal, captioning it, “Happy Holi—The Festival of Colors.” While the message resonated with many, sparking warm wishes and festive cheer, some critics questioned whether a high-ranking government official should publicly acknowledge a non-American festival. Social media users were divided. Supporters highlighted Holi’s symbolic message of…

Indo-American Festivals, Inc. (IAF) has unveiled plans for the inaugural Grand Hanuman Jayanti Festival, scheduled for April 12, 2025, at Mercer County Park, West Windsor, New Jersey. Known for hosting the renowned Grand Dushahra Festival for over two decades, IAF is expanding its cultural footprint by introducing this new celebration dedicated to Lord Hanuman, a revered deity in Hindu tradition. The festival will feature a 16-foot Hanuman Ji statue, along with a large-scale recital of Sundar Kand and Hanuman Chalisa, performed by 251 Chooki. Devotees will also come together for a Maha Hanuman Aarti, creating a deeply spiritual experience. Adding…

A leading Christian lobbyist in Ohio has endorsed Hindu entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy in the state’s gubernatorial race, choosing him over Christian Attorney General Dave Yost. Aaron Baer, president of the Center for Christian Virtue, publicly backed Ramaswamy, citing his dedication to family values and education reform, particularly his support for merit-based pay increases for teachers. While acknowledging that some Christians might hesitate to support a non-Christian candidate, Baer described Ramaswamy’s candidacy as a unique opportunity. He encouraged Christians to step beyond their usual political comfort zone and shared that he has personally told Ramaswamy, “I pray he comes to know…