Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

Ayodhya, the temple town, is undergoing elaborate preparations for the impending visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled for December 30. The city is being adorned with a divine ambiance through the use of flowers, lights, and sculptures ahead of the Prime Minister’s inauguration of an international airport and the redeveloped Ayodhya railway station. Notably, the grand consecration ceremony for the Ram Temple is set for January 22, a momentous occasion that the Prime Minister will grace with his presence. In addition to these significant events, four newly redeveloped, widened, and beautified roads in Ayodhya, including the Ram Path, will…

The premium processing fee for H-1B visa applications in the United States, administered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), is set to increase starting February 26, 2024. This adjustment affects several forms, including I-129, I-140, I-539, and I-765, which respectively pertain to various aspects of immigration such as alien worker petitions, non-immigrant status changes or extensions, and employment authorization. Specifically, the premium processing fees for these forms are being raised from US$ 1,500 to US$ 1,685, US$ 1,750 to US$ 1,965, and US$ 2,500 to US$ 2,805. The USCIS justifies this increase, citing a 12 percent rise…

Members of the Sikh American community showed their backing for Ohio’s multicultural education house bill (HB171) during a hearing at the State Capitol in Columbus. HB171, led by Ohio Progressive Asian Women’s Leadership (OPAWL), aims to incorporate information about the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in social sciences curricula, addressing the lack of representation for minority communities, including Sikhs. State Representative Mary Lightbody, the primary sponsor, expressed optimism about integrating diverse Asian community details, including Sikhism, into school curricula. Before the hearing, speakers from organizations like the Sikh Coalition, Ohio Education Association, Ohio Federation of Teachers, Council on Islamic…

Nisha Pahuja’s documentary “To Kill a Tiger” has earned a spot on the Oscars’ Best Documentary Feature Film shortlist, revealed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This Indo-Canadian film, portraying a family’s quest for justice after a sexual assault, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022, securing the Amplify Voices Award for Best Canadian Feature Film. Executive producers include Rupi Kaur, Mindy Kaling, and Dev Patel. Pahuja, based in Toronto, expressed gratitude on Instagram and highlighted the documentary’s portrayal of a painful yet resilient Indian family. The entire narrative unfolds in India, capturing the family’s…

The Ayodhya Ram Mandir, slated to open on January 24, 2024, will be inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Initiated following a historic 2019 Supreme Court judgment, the nearly completed construction spans 70 acres, with the temple occupying 2.7 acres and costing US$ 216 million. Emphasizing self-reliance and environmental sustainability, the temple, as per the Ram temple trust, features a 70 percent green cover. This includes preserved existing trees, sewage and water treatment plants, a dedicated power line, and a fire brigade post. Designed in the traditional Nagara style, the three-story temple complex comprises 392 pillars and 44 gates…

In its pursuit to comprehend the emission mechanisms of celestial bodies such as black holes and neutron stars, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for the XPoSat mission in 2024. Set to launch on January 1, this mission aims to unravel the complexities of light from astronomical sources. ISRO’s XPoSat, a five-year mission, will utilize the Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays (POLIX) as its primary payload, measuring the degree and angle of polarization in the medium X-ray energy range. Additionally, the X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing (XSPECT) payload will provide spectroscopic information, collectively enabling the simultaneous study of temporal,…

In preparation for the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony on January 22, 2024, at the Ram Lala Temple in Ayodhya, Vedic rituals are set to commence on January 16. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the grand event, drawing dignitaries and individuals from diverse backgrounds to Ayodhya, the revered birthplace of Lord Rama. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust shared images of the ongoing temple construction, highlighting the extensive arrangements and preparations. The Pran-Pratishtha ceremony for the infant Lord Ram, Ram Lala, holds immense spiritual, historical, and cultural significance. Preparations for the consecration ceremony include: 1. Invitations to distinguished…

The year 2023 witnessed significant milestones in the India-US relationship, characterized by a forward-looking initiative, a rare State Visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted by President Joe Biden, and the successful staging of a crucial G-20 Summit in New Delhi. Despite these positive developments, the year concluded on a somber note as the Biden administration filed charges against an Indian official implicated in a plot to harm a US national and a Khalistani terrorist on American soil. The juxtaposition of launching futuristic initiatives and hosting state visits with the filing of a chargesheet raises questions about the depth of…

In an event held at his residence in the national capital, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed greetings to the global community and the Christian community on Christmas. Emphasizing the inclusive values advocated by Jesus Christ, Modi highlighted the importance of compassion, service, and justice for all in Christ’s teachings. He referred to these values as a ‘guiding light’ in the development journey of his government. During the event, PM Modi acknowledged Christmas as a day celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, underscoring the significance of Christ’s ideals of kindness and service. Modi noted that Christ worked towards establishing an inclusive…

Ayodhya’s railway station is undergoing a comprehensive transformation, featuring refurbished platforms, new signboards, escalators, lifts, and murals depicting Lord Ram on its walls. The revitalization, designed to emulate the aesthetics of a temple, is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As tourists flock to the temple town ahead of the Ram Temple consecration on January 22, they marvel at the ongoing work that seamlessly blends modern amenities with elements of Hindu mythology. Scheduled for completion in two phases, the initial phase nears its conclusion and focuses on enhancing the platform areas. The subsequent phase will witness the…