Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

Adorned with gold and flowers, the 51-inch Ram Lalla idol was unveiled before the ‘pran pratistha’ ceremony at the Ayodhya temple, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The consecration took place in the sanctum sanctorum, with PM Modi offering prayers alongside saints, and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat also present. The idol, crafted by Mysuru-based artist Arun Yogiraj, had been veiled before today’s ceremony. Representing a five-year-old Ram, the ground-floor idol is part of the new temple. The first floor, yet to be built, will feature idols of Raja Ram, Sita, Laxman, and Hanuman. Earlier, a viral photograph of the idol…

In the Grand Hall of Worcester Union Station, Massachusetts, FIA – New England and the Indo-American Community came together to celebrate the consecration of the Ayodhya Ram temple and India’s 75th Republic Day. The event drew over 500 attendees, including the Mayor of Worcester, Joseph M. Petty, and Massachusetts State Senator Michael Moore, despite freezing temperatures. Mayor Petty acknowledged the occasion’s significance, offering congratulations and issuing a formal proclamation. He stressed the importance of embracing Lord Ram’s principles, emphasizing duty over mere rights. The Mayor highlighted shared values between India and the USA, expressing the natural alliance between the two…

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, during his visit to Ayodhya, assessed preparations for the upcoming Ram Temple consecration ceremony on January 22. He termed the event as “historic” and highlighted its significance in reaffirming India’s faith and pride. Adityanath appealed to the public to plan their visits with patience, ensuring a well-organized and secure event. He announced that the entire Cabinet would offer prayers at the temple on February 1, emphasizing the widespread enthusiasm for the consecration ceremony. Addressing devotees’ eagerness to witness the historic occasion after five centuries, Adityanath assured full support for any darshan plan prepared by the Teerth…

Sanjay Virmani, a seasoned FBI official, has been appointed by Director Christopher Wray as the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division at the Washington field office. Formerly the deputy assistant director in the Counterterrorism Division at FBI Headquarters in Washington, DC, Virmani brings extensive experience to his new role. Beginning his career as a special agent in 2003, Virmani worked on terrorist and cyber cases at the FBI’s San Francisco field office. His dedication led to his promotion to supervisory special agent in the Counterterrorism Division in 2007. In 2010, he assumed the role of supervisory special…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is meticulously adhering to a prescribed set of rules and rituals in preparation for his participation in the consecration ceremony of the Ayodhya Ram temple scheduled for January 22. According to sources, PM Modi is rigorously following the “Yam rules,” an 11-day regimen that involves penance, purification of the mind and body through meditation, and adhering to a special “satvik” diet that excludes items like onion and garlic. In line with these practices, the Prime Minister has chosen to sleep on the floor with only a blanket and has limited his intake to coconut water. The…

U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) has revealed a substantial $12,000,000 allocation from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to benefit the Northwest Seaport Alliance. The aim is to facilitate the creation of collaborative electric truck charging hubs, specifically tailored to enhance port operations in Seattle and Tacoma. These funds, championed by Jayapal through her affirmative vote for the Infrastructure Law, hold the potential to alleviate air pollution burdens in nearby communities by reducing emissions. Expressing the significance of Washington’s ports, particularly those in Seattle and Tacoma, to the local economy and supply chains, Congresswoman Jayapal emphasized the importance of…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a telephonic discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin, reviewing the progress of bilateral cooperation. The leaders explored avenues for further collaboration in trade, energy, defense, and other sectors. Emphasizing the positive developments in bilateral relations, they committed to crafting a roadmap for future initiatives to reinforce the India-Russia Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership. PM Modi extended best wishes for Russia’s Presidency of BRICS in 2024, assuring India’s full support. The leaders affirmed their commitment to staying connected to foster mutually beneficial ties. The conversation also delved into international matters, including the situation around Ukraine.…

Tara Sreekrishnan, a prominent member of the Indian American community and current Santa Clara County Board of Education member, has officially announced her candidacy for the California State Assembly in District 26. Emphasizing Silicon Valley’s innovative spirit, she acknowledges the pressing challenges faced by residents, including housing affordability, climate change, traffic congestion, and an education system in need of strengthening. Sreekrishnan’s motivation to run for State Assembly stems from a commitment to efficiently address these challenges and utilize tax dollars effectively. At the age of 30, Sreekrishnan has been serving on the county board of education since 2021 and currently…

On January 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to preside over the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony for the Ayodhya Ram temple. This seven-day consecration event, starting on Tuesday, will culminate in a grand ceremony attended by numerous VVIP guests. The construction of the Ram temple commenced after the Supreme Court resolved the long-standing dispute in November 2019. Thirty-three years ago, Lal Krishna Advani initiated a rath yatra to build the temple, and among those accompanying him was Narendra Modi, now the Prime Minister. Advani expressed in an article his hope that Modi’s consecration of the temple would symbolize unity for…

The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) has announced its 2023 Class of Fellows, which includes 16 Indian American inventors among the 162 academic inventors selected. Being elected as an Academy Fellow is considered the highest professional distinction exclusively for inventors. The honorees will receive their medals at the NAI 13th Annual Meeting on June 18, 2024, in Raleigh, North Carolina, where a senior official of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will present the awards. This year’s class emphasizes diversity, with underrepresented inventors making up 33% of the fellows. The list of Indian American inventors in the 2023…