Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

Kriti Sanon has carved out a remarkable place for herself in Hindi cinema despite not having any family connections in the industry. Recognized today as one of Bollywood’s most successful outsiders, the National Award-winning actor believes her journey is a testament to the power of persistence and passion. Speaking at a News 18 event, Kriti reflected on the hurdles faced by those without film industry roots. She noted that aspiring actors often confront doubts, criticism, and rejection. “There are no shortcuts in this field,” she explained. “You have to work tirelessly, stay committed, and most importantly, refuse to give up.…

Mizoram is set to witness a historic milestone as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the state’s first railway station at Sairang on September 13. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Lalduhoma during the 15th Conference of the Mizoram Police Service Association in Aizawl. Sairang Railway Station will serve as the terminus of the 51.38 km Bairabi-Sairang broad-gauge line, a project that began in 2008–09 and has been hailed as a remarkable engineering feat. The line includes 48 tunnels, 55 major bridges, and the country’s tallest railway pier standing at 104 meters. After clearing multiple safety trials conducted by…

India has surpassed China to become the top supplier of smartphones to the United States in the second quarter of 2025, according to data from Canalys shared by the Press Information Bureau (PIB). India’s contribution to US smartphone imports jumped to 44% in Q2 2025, up significantly from just 13% in the same quarter last year. In contrast, China’s share fell drastically from 61% to 25% during the same period. Analysts credit this remarkable shift to India’s ambitious Make in India drive and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, both of which have transformed the electronics sector and strengthened the…

Russia confirmed it will continue supplying oil to India through a “special mechanism,” despite warnings from the United States, according to officials at the Russian embassy in New Delhi. The embassy also indicated plans for trilateral talks involving India and China to foster closer regional cooperation under a broader Eurasian framework. The announcement follows US President Donald Trump’s imposition of an additional 25% tariff on Indian exports to the US, effective August 27, in response to India’s significant purchases of Russian oil, which now account for 35% of India’s total imports, up from a mere 0.2% before the Ukraine conflict.…

India marked another milestone in its defense program with the successful test-firing of its Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM), the Agni V, on Wednesday. The launch took place at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha, and was conducted under the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), which oversees the country’s nuclear arsenal. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the missile met all technical and operational benchmarks during the test on August 20, 2025. The Agni V system has long been considered the backbone of India’s strategic missile program. Built with indigenous technology, it incorporates sophisticated avionics and highly accurate sensor…

An Indian-American woman, Tanu Priya, recently went viral on Instagram after posting a Reel reflecting on the everyday comforts she has learned to appreciate more deeply since living in India for 15 years. Now residing in the Chicago area, Priya shared three luxuries from the US that she says she will never again take for granted. The first comfort she highlighted was something many people in the United States don’t give a second thought—hot water directly from the tap. Priya explained that while living in India, she had to switch on a geyser and wait at least 15 to 30…

India’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are preparing for the impact of steep tariff hikes imposed by the United States, with analysts suggesting that new trade opportunities with the United Kingdom and European Union could help cushion the blow. According to a report by Crisil Intelligence, diversifying exports beyond the US market is key to sustaining MSME growth. The US already levies a 25% tariff on Indian goods. Beginning August 27, an additional 25% duty will raise the total tariff burden to 50%. This sharp increase is expected to significantly affect sectors where MSMEs dominate, as they contribute around…

IKEA Global CEO Jesper Brodin has said that India is compelling the Swedish home furnishings leader to rethink its product mix, pricing models, and overall value proposition as it deepens its footprint in the country. He described India as both a challenge and an opportunity, highlighting its influence on IKEA’s broader global strategy. In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Brodin admitted that global tariff uncertainties continue to create turbulence. While these pressures may persist for “a few months,” IKEA is prepared to adapt and operate within the environment, even if policy directions remain outside its control. Brodin noted that Indian consumers…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, shortly after Putin’s high-profile meeting with former US President Donald Trump in Alaska. The conversation between Moscow and New Delhi came as global attention turned to possible breakthroughs in efforts to end the ongoing Ukraine war. Taking to X, PM Modi thanked President Putin for reaching out and for sharing details of his talks with Trump. “Thank my friend, President Putin, for his phone call and for sharing insights on his recent meeting with President Trump in Alaska. India has consistently called for a peaceful…

The much-anticipated sixth round of trade negotiations between India and the United States may not happen as planned later this month, with officials indicating a likely postponement. The US delegation was scheduled to arrive in New Delhi from August 25 to 29 to continue talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA), but a senior official told PTI that the visit is expected to be rescheduled. The delay comes at a sensitive moment, as India prepares for a steep escalation in tariffs on its exports to the US. From August 27, tariffs on Indian goods are set to climb to…