Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

During the opening of the Budget Session, President Droupadi Murmu addressed a joint sitting of Parliament, urging lawmakers to unite on key national priorities such as Viksit Bharat, national security, and the Swadeshi campaign. She emphasized that these issues transcend political differences, calling on all MPs to place the nation above partisan interests and actively contribute to India’s development. Murmu highlighted the government’s continued push for economic and social reforms under the “reform express,” aimed at making India a developed nation by 2047. She praised the Indian armed forces for Operation Sindoor, noting that any acts of terror would be…

After facing years of setbacks and missed deadlines, the Halwara Airport in Ludhiana is finally set to be inaugurated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will formally inaugurate the airport through a virtual ceremony on February 1, bringing closure to a prolonged development process that has tested both officials and stakeholders in Punjab. According to senior government sources, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has scheduled a high-level meeting in Chandigarh to assess preparations for the inauguration. The meeting aims to ensure that logistical and administrative arrangements for the virtual event proceed smoothly. A senior official confirmed that the Chief Minister called the…

Three Indian Americans have been included among the 131 recipients of India’s Padma Awards for 2026, as announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs ahead of Republic Day. The awards, approved by President Droupadi Murmu, span a wide range of fields and honor individuals whose work has made a lasting impact in India and abroad. The list includes recipients of the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, with formal award ceremonies scheduled to take place at Rashtrapati Bhavan later this year. Tennis icon Vijay Amritraj leads the Indian American honorees, having been awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest…

India will need to mobilise around $145 billion in annual investments to bridge the gap between its strong economic growth and ambitious energy transition goals, according to a new report released on Tuesday. The report by energy and natural resources data analytics firm Wood Mackenzie said the bulk of investments would be required in power generation, energy storage systems, and urgent modernisation of the electricity grid to support India’s long-term net-zero ambitions. Despite rapid progress in renewable energy, the report noted that India remains on track to achieve its target of producing 1.5 billion tonnes of coal by 2030, with…

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday praised India’s growing global influence, stating that a successful India contributes to global stability, prosperity, and security. She was joined by European Council President Antonio Costa as chief guests at India’s 77th Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path, which was also saluted by President Droupadi Murmu. Their participation underscored the strengthening of India-European Union ties at a time when both sides are finalizing a landmark free trade agreement (FTA). Von der Leyen shared on X that attending the Republic Day celebration was “the honor of a lifetime” and emphasized the positive…

 During Republic Day 2026 celebrations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his ceremonial entrance at Kartavya Path near India Gate in the Range Rover Sentinel, a vehicle renowned for its combination of cutting-edge engineering, luxury, and top-tier security features. The SUV is a central component of the Prime Minister’s motorcade, deployed during national events and state functions to guarantee maximum protection. Under the hood, the Sentinel is powered by a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine delivering 380 hp. Despite a kerb weight exceeding 4.4 tonnes, the SUV accelerates from 0 to 100 kmph in about 10.4 seconds and can reach a top…

India’s growing role as a stabilising force in a rapidly polarising global order is gaining renewed strategic importance, with its leadership of BRICS placing New Delhi at the centre of emerging geopolitical realignments. As shifting power dynamics reshape global alliances, India’s presidency of BRICS has positioned it as a moderating influence within the bloc, preventing it from evolving into an overtly ideological or confrontational platform. New Delhi’s emphasis on economic cooperation, infrastructure development and inclusive growth reflects a deliberate effort to preserve BRICS as a development-oriented forum rather than a geopolitical instrument. India’s leadership comes at a time of unprecedented…

India’s foreign exchange reserves saw a substantial rise of $14.167 billion in the week ended January 16, pushing the total above the $700-billion mark to $701.36 billion, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday. The rise in reserves follows a smaller increase of $392 million in the previous week. The largest component of the reserves, Foreign Currency Assets (FCA), expanded by $9.65 billion, reaching $560.51 billion. FCA includes major global currencies such as the U.S. dollar, euro, yen and pound, valued in dollar terms. Gold reserves also contributed significantly, increasing by $4.6 billion to…

Seattle University’s Roundglass India Center has introduced a new video podcast series that examines political, social, and civic topics within the Indian-American community. Titled The Hyphen: Indian-American Dialogues, the series builds on the Center’s previous podcast, Desi Roots & Routes, while focusing on contemporary debates surrounding diaspora politics, U.S.-India relations, and transnational civic life. The inaugural episode, Should Indian Americans Lobby the U.S. Government on Behalf of India?, delves into a discussion sparked by Indian MP Shashi Tharoor, who criticized Indian Americans for not lobbying the U.S. government more actively in support of India. In this episode, host Sital Kalantry,…

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has officially retired after an illustrious 27-year career marked by multiple records and groundbreaking missions in human spaceflight. Her retirement took effect on December 27, 2025, capping a career that included three missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and contributions that paved the way for future lunar and Martian exploration. Williams, 60, recently visited India, where she shared her experiences during an interactive session at the American Center titled “Eyes on the Stars, Feet on the Ground.” She reflected on challenging missions, including one extended stay aboard the ISS that lasted over nine months due…