Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a keynote address at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum in New Delhi on August 31, 2024, outlining India’s transformative journey and future aspirations. Modi emphasised that India’s mantra of “Reform, Perform, and Transform” has been instrumental in driving progress. He highlighted that over the past decade, approximately 250 million people have emerged from poverty, creating a new middle class, and attributed this success to sustained economic reforms and growth. In his speech, Modi noted that India’s economy has outpaced global growth, with a 90% increase in the past decade compared to the global economy’s…

A recent Pew Research Center report has highlighted a significant disparity between the religious makeup of Indians who emigrate and those who remain in India. While Hindus constitute 80% of India’s population, they represent only 41% of the Indian emigrant population. Conversely, Muslims, who make up 15% of the population in India, account for 33% of Indian emigrants. Christians, who are about 2% of India’s population, form 16% of the emigrant community. According to the report titled ‘Religious Composition of the World’s Migrants,’ Hindu migrants make up just 5% of all international migrants, with approximately 13 million Hindus living abroad…

On Thursday, Moody’s Ratings, headquartered in New York, revised its forecast for India’s GDP growth in 2024, raising it to 7.2% from the previously projected 6.8%. This adjustment reflects a surge in private consumption, which is boosting overall demand within the economy. Moody’s noted that as headline inflation approaches the RBI’s target, household consumption is expected to increase. Early signs of a resurgence in rural demand are also emerging, fueled by favorable agricultural conditions following an above-average monsoon season. Moody’s highlighted that the revised forecast aligns with the RBI’s projection of 7.2% growth for the Indian economy in 2024-25. This…

The Vadhavan Port, projected to rank among the world’s top ten ports upon its completion, is set to be a state-of-the-art Greenfield deep-draft port located off the Arabian Sea. Situated approximately 140 kilometers from Mumbai, along the Maharashtra-Gujarat border, the port, also referred to as Wadhawan, has been a long-anticipated development. The establishment of Wadhwan Port has faced numerous delays over the decades, primarily due to opposition from local communities, farmers, fisherfolk, and environmentalists. The entire project, encompassing land acquisition and construction, is estimated to cost around Rs 76,220 crore. The development will be spearheaded by Vadhavan Port Project Ltd…

Nestled on the edge of Hasenheide near Hermannplatz, Neukölln now features a slice of Mumbai with its striking Sri Ganesha Hindu temple. Planned since 2004 and constructed over the years through donations, this 59-foot-tall temple stands as a testament to the enduring dedication of the Indian community in Berlin. Vilwanathan Krishnamurthy, a former welding technician and one of around 30,000 Indians living in Berlin, leads us through this impressive site. Although the original plan was for a taller structure, the construction had to be adjusted due to the presence of Tempelhof Airport at the time the permit was granted. The…

JLL has unveiled its ‘Global Real Estate Transparency Index, 2024,’ revealing a significant milestone for India’s tier-I markets, which have now entered the ‘transparent’ category for the first time, achieving a composite score of 2.44. India now holds the 31st position out of 89 countries surveyed. According to the report, India’s advancement in transparency is attributed to the institutionalization of the commercial real estate market and enhanced access to a wide range of real estate data. JLL emphasized that India has made substantial progress, becoming the top global improver in the 2024 index, particularly in transaction processes and market fundamentals.…

As the new school year begins, many children look back fondly on their summer camp experiences—whether it was making arts and crafts, playing dodgeball, or performing in talent shows. However, for the kids who attended this year’s Hindu Heritage Youth Camp (HHYC) in the Houston area, the memories were about much more than just the usual camp activities. For the first time, the camp was held on its own 52-acre Texas Hindu Campsite, where children engaged in traditional practices like surya namaskar (sun salutations), singing bhajans (devotional songs), and participating in aartis (lamp rituals). Abhimanyu Aggarwal, a 27-year-old former HHYC…

On Friday, Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi raised alarms about China potentially backing Republican Donald Trump in the November presidential race. During his speech at the Democratic National Conference in Chicago, Krishnamoorthi suggested that China is strategically aiming to weaken the United States by fostering internal divisions. Drawing attention to a book titled “America Against America” by a senior Chinese official, Krishnamoorthi pointed out that China’s belief is that the U.S. can only be defeated if Americans turn against one another. He also cautioned that Trump’s policies, such as igniting trade wars and slashing worker training programs, could serve China’s interests…

The Indian mission in Dhaka is currently undergoing a major overhaul. Just a week after Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s long-time leader, departed the country abruptly, India’s diplomatic and security teams have initiated efforts to engage with the new interim government. Pranay Verma, India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, promptly met with Mohd Yunus, who assumed leadership of the interim government on Thursday night. India’s interest in an ‘inclusive’ advisory council supported by the military aligns with its strategic goals, as opposed to a government led solely by a political party like the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) or a BNP-led coalition with the…

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk engaged in a delegation-level meeting in Warsaw, Poland. Modi’s visit began with a grand ceremonial reception at the Federal Chancellery, where he was warmly welcomed by Tusk. This visit marks the first time an Indian Prime Minister has traveled to Poland in 45 years, signaling a significant boost to the India-Poland partnership. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that this visit is poised to infuse new energy into the bilateral relationship. During his trip, Modi announced a new social security agreement between India and Poland, aimed at strengthening…