Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Wednesday, where he took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam—the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. Arriving by boat from Arail Ghat, he was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Dressed in a saffron jacket and blue trackpants, with rudraksh beads in his hands, Modi immersed himself in the spiritual atmosphere, performing the ritual with devotion. After the dip, he participated in an aarti on a floating platform in the river. Wearing a black jacket and a Himachali cap, he offered milk…

Tulsi Gabbard, the former U.S. Representative, has secured a crucial vote from the Senate Intelligence Committee for her nomination to become the next Director of National Intelligence (DNI). The vote, which passed narrowly with a 9-8 margin, came after significant support from key Senate members. Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Chair of the Intelligence Committee, expressed confidence in Gabbard’s nomination, stating that the committee’s favorable vote moves her one step closer to full Senate confirmation, where they hope to continue their efforts in keeping America safe. The vote followed an endorsement from Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), a critical swing vote, who…

This is a good summary of the opening of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Johannesburg. Here are some of the key takeaways and strengths of the summary: Highlights the significance: The summary effectively emphasizes the importance of the temple as the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere and its role as a beacon of unity, heritage, and interfaith dialogue. Covers key details: It includes important information such as the location, the Pran Pratishtha ceremony led by Mahant Swami Maharaj, the 12-day festival, and the presence of Deputy President Paul Mashatile. Emphasizes its multi-faceted role: The summary clearly…

Kash Patel, the nominee for FBI director, distanced himself from former President Donald Trump’s controversial pardons of January 6 rioters. During his Senate confirmation hearing, he stated that he does not support commuting sentences for individuals who engaged in violence against law enforcement. On January 30, Patel affirmed his stance, emphasizing that he does not agree with reducing sentences for anyone who attacked law enforcement officers. His remarks mark a notable divergence from Trump-aligned figures, but he will require both moderate and conservative backing to secure confirmation. Earlier this month, Trump sparked widespread criticism by issuing approximately 1,500 pardons related…

British-American sitarist Anoushka Shankar is set to represent India as a presenter at the 67th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday. This marks another milestone for Indian artists gaining global recognition, following comedian Vir Das’ role as host at the 2024 Emmy Awards. In addition to presenting, Anoushka has received two Grammy nominations this year—one for her album Ch II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn and another for her featured performance on Jacob Collier’s A Rock Somewhere. These latest nominations bring her total Grammy nods to 11. Expressing her excitement on Instagram, Anoushka shared how honored she feels…

Elon Musk has publicly stated that SpaceX will bring home two astronauts currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), after a request from President Trump. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Musk criticized the Biden administration for allegedly leaving the astronauts stranded. In his post, he stated that the President had directed SpaceX to bring back the two astronauts stranded on the ISS as soon as possible. He criticized the Biden administration for leaving them there for an extended period, calling the situation “terrible. Trump echoed Musk’s concerns, claiming that astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams had been “abandoned in…

Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna and Republican Representative Rich McCormick will co-chair the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans in the US House of Representatives, according to an official release. Representatives Andy Barr and Marc Veasey will continue as vice co-chairs, while Congressman Brad Sherman, a former chair, will now serve as chair emeritus. Khanna emphasized the importance of US-India ties for economic and national security. He emphasized, “A strong partnership with India is essential for our economy and national security. I look forward to collaborating with Rep. McCormick to further strengthen this relationship,” while also recognizing the contributions of…

US President Donald Trump has announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit the White House next month, following a productive phone conversation between the two leaders. Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, stated that he had a long discussion with Modi on Monday morning and emphasized their strong bilateral relationship. In an official statement, the White House confirmed that Trump and Modi discussed deepening cooperation in various areas, including security in the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and Europe. The conversation also covered expanding India’s procurement of American-made defense equipment and fostering a fair bilateral trade relationship.…

More than 300 employees from Adani Airports, trained in handling large crowds, have volunteered at the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, the world’s largest human gathering. They are part of a larger initiative by the Adani Group, which has deployed over 5,000 of its employees as volunteers, or sevaks, to ensure smooth operations during the event. The airport staff, skilled in logistics, customer service, and managing high-footfall areas, are playing a key role in assisting millions of devotees. According to a senior official, these volunteers are helping pilgrims navigate the event, maintaining cleanliness, and managing the flow of crowds at…

On the occasion of India’s 76th Republic Day, several leaders from neighboring nations extended their greetings, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi responding warmly and emphasizing the importance of regional ties. Nepal’s Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli congratulated Modi, expressing hope for democracy and national unity to thrive further while fostering stronger bilateral relations. In response, Modi highlighted the deep-rooted historical bonds between the two nations, expressing confidence that their friendship would continue to flourish. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu also extended his best wishes, noting the enduring bonds of mutual trust, respect, and understanding between the two nations. He affirmed…