Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

 India is rapidly transforming into a global leader in services exports, with the sector recording a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.8% over the past 30 years—significantly higher than the 9.8% growth seen in goods exports, according to a report by the National Stock Exchange (NSE). Currently ranking seventh in the world for service exports, India holds a 4.3% global market share, primarily fueled by telecom, IT, and business services, which together account for nearly three-fourths of the country’s total service exports. Technology exports alone surpassed $200 billion in fiscal year 2025, underscoring the sector’s expanding global influence. The…

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer extended his heartfelt wishes to people celebrating Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas across Britain, highlighting the values of devotion, joy, and renewed unity that the festival represents. Recalling his visit to India earlier this month, Starmer said he lit a diya in Mumbai as a symbol of devotion and hope. “Wishing Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs across Britain a joyful and peaceful Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas. Earlier this month I lit a diya in Mumbai as a symbol of devotion, joy, and renewed bonds. As we celebrate this Festival of Lights, let’s keep building a…

 Ayodhya’s Deepotsav celebrations 2025 have made headlines by creating two new Guinness World Records, showcasing the city’s devotion, cultural vibrancy, and grandeur ahead of Diwali. The festival saw over 26 lakh diyas illuminated along the ghats of the River Saryu, while thousands of devotees performed a synchronized aarti, creating a breathtaking spectacle witnessed worldwide. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended the event and received certificates for the two records. The first record recognized the largest display of oil lamps, with a total of 26,17,215 diyas lit. The second record celebrated the most people simultaneously performing a ‘diya’ rotation, with…

Aditi Rai, a senior at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), has been named the 2025 recipient of the Marian Ivers Community Service Leadership Award, celebrating her empathy-driven leadership and tireless efforts to uplift others. Pursuing a degree in Computer Science with a minor in Chemistry, Rai exemplifies balance and purpose — managing a rigorous academic journey while dedicating countless hours to community service. Her volunteering journey bridges continents and causes, rooted in her belief that lasting change can arise from both grand initiatives and heartfelt, everyday gestures. Rai’s commitment to service began when she volunteered as an English-speaking…

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has firmly denied that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with US President Donald Trump regarding India’s purchase of Russian oil. Addressing reporters at the weekly press briefing on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that no such phone conversation took place between the two leaders, contradicting Trump’s recent claim. Trump had stated that his “friend” Prime Minister Modi had assured him India would cease buying Russian oil — a statement that quickly drew global attention. The former US president told reporters in Washington that he was “not happy” with India’s continued purchase of Russian…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya on Thursday in Delhi, reaffirming India’s sustained support for Colombo. The leaders discussed strategies to enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly in education and capacity-building initiatives. Sharing the development on social media platform X, Jaishankar stated that the meeting focused on strengthening India-Sri Lanka collaboration in education and skill development. Prime Minister Amarasuriya arrived in India on Thursday for a two-day official visit, marking her first trip to the country since assuming office. During her stay until October 18, she is scheduled to meet senior political leaders to explore…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Andhra Pradesh on October 16 to dedicate, inaugurate, and lay the foundation for multiple development initiatives valued at approximately $1.6 billion. His itinerary begins with a spiritual visit to Srisailam, followed by a large public event in Kurnool. The Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive in Srisailam around 11:15 AM to perform Pooja and Darshan at the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Varla Devasthanam in Nandyal district. This revered temple, one of India’s 12 Jyotirlingas and 52 Shakti Peethas, uniquely houses both deities in a single complex. At 12:15 PM, he will visit the Sree…

In a landmark announcement, Google CEO Sundar Pichai revealed plans for the company’s first-ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The tech giant will invest $15 billion over the next five years to build what will become Google’s largest AI hub outside the United States, marking a major step toward strengthening India’s digital and technological ecosystem. Pichai shared details of the initiative after discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing that the project aligns with India’s growing digital economy and its vision for AI-driven innovation. “Great to speak with India’s Prime Minister to share our plans for the…

 A delegation of Indian officials, led by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, is set to visit Washington this week to continue negotiations on a proposed bilateral trade deal, signaling renewed momentum in discussions with the Trump administration. Officials have indicated that both sides aim to finalize key aspects of the deal within the coming weeks. The announcement follows a recent visit by US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor to India, during which he met Prime Minister Modi and held talks with Agarwal. Gor shared on social media that he discussed strengthening economic ties and encouraging increased investment by Indian companies in the United…

A new chapter in India–US diplomacy appears to be unfolding as US Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor met key Indian officials in New Delhi over the weekend. The series of meetings, including one with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signaled a push to rebuild economic and strategic cooperation between the two nations after months of strained ties over tariffs and visa rules. During his discussions with Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, Gor focused on enhancing bilateral trade and increasing investment between both countries. The US Embassy noted that the conversation centered around expanding opportunities in strategic sectors and facilitating stronger business engagement. “We discussed…