Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 12th consecutive Independence Day address from the Red Fort, reaffirmed that a self-reliant India—‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’—is the cornerstone for building a developed nation, ‘Viksit Bharat.’ He stressed that true independence means reducing overdependence on others and ensuring autonomy across critical sectors. In the defence sector, Modi announced the launch of Mission Sudarshan Chakra, a program designed to neutralize threats and strengthen offensive capabilities. Inspired by the mythological weapon of Lord Krishna, the mission aims to develop a dome-like defence shield entirely researched, designed, and manufactured within India. He urged the youth to take the lead…

On India’s 79th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his historic Red Fort address to set forth an ambitious plan for economic reform, promising citizens a “Double Diwali” this year through sweeping next-generation GST changes. In his 103-minute speech — the longest Independence Day address by any Indian prime minister — Modi called for a stronger, self-reliant India, urging the nation to commit to building the “samarth Bharat” envisioned by freedom fighters. He pointed to recent income tax simplifications and announced that the government’s next major step will be overhauling the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system to make…

The Connecticut State Assembly has formally honored India’s 78th Independence Day with an official citation, recognizing the contributions of the state’s vibrant Indian American community. Initiated by State Representative Matt Blumenthal and Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, and supported by 13 other legislators, the citation praised the Connecticut Chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT) for promoting Indian heritage and supporting local charities. It bore the signatures of Senate Pro Tempore Marten M. Looney, House Speaker Matt Ritter, and Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas. Festivities began on August 10 at the Stamford Government Center with a flag-hoisting ceremony…

India and Zambia have formalized a trade cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing the cooperative sector and opening new export opportunities. Both nations signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote partnerships between cooperatives and develop stronger business links. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, announced the deal in the Lok Sabha, highlighting the government’s broader mission to boost India’s cooperative export ecosystem. According to Shah, the Ministry of Cooperation is actively working through Indian missions overseas to connect National Cooperative Exports Ltd (NCEL) with potential importers. These missions also provide market intelligence to help Indian cooperatives tailor…

The Western media’s reluctance to clearly highlight India’s superior performance during Operation Sindoor reflects a broader pattern of underplaying the nation’s growing military sophistication, according to a leading British publication. Launched on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, Operation Sindoor targeted terror bases in Pakistan in one of India’s most decisive military actions since 1971. Satellite imagery and independent assessments confirmed extensive damage to Pakistani defence infrastructure, underscoring India’s precision strike capabilities and the operational disparity between the two countries. Despite this evidence, major Western outlets portrayed the conflict as an equal exchange, avoiding acknowledgment…

Netflix has confirmed that Indian-American actress Sarayu Blue will portray Ruma in its highly anticipated drama Unaccustomed Earth, based on Jhumpa Lahiri’s Pulitzer Prize-winning short story collection. Blue’s character is described as a determined Bengali-American mother, an accomplished lawyer, and the main provider for her household. While she supports a family of dreamers and artists, she quietly shoulders an emotional weight that few recognize. The ensemble cast already features Freida Pinto, Indraneil Sengupta, Adi Roy, and Iyla Sundarsingh Mckaig. The eight-episode series centers on a close-knit Indian-American community in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and follows a romance between a devoted wife and…

In New Delhi on Monday, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who chairs the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, revealed that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had reiterated the strategic significance of India’s relationship with the United States. He noted that the bond between New Delhi and Washington goes far beyond trade, encompassing various sectors where cooperation remains active and meaningful. Tharoor’s statement came after a three-hour committee meeting involving 22 members who engaged extensively with both the Foreign and Commerce Secretaries. Discussions focused on pressing foreign policy matters, including ongoing US-India trade negotiations and tariff issues. According to Tharoor, members posed…

In early August 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump stirred controversy by calling India a “dead economy” in a Truth Social post. This remark came alongside his claim that “we do very little business with India” and the announcement of steep tariffs—first 25%, then raised to 50%—targeting Indian imports in retaliation for New Delhi’s ongoing trade in Russian oil and defense equipment. These comments, however, do not align with reality. U.S.-India trade hit record highs in recent years, with two-way goods and services trade exceeding $200 billion annually. India remains one of America’s fastest-growing trade partners, while the Indian economy itself…

New York City has officially recognized the contributions of the Rajasthani-American community by proclaiming August 6, 2025, as “Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA) Day.” The historic announcement came during RANA’s Silver Jubilee celebrations at New York City Hall, where Mayor Eric Adams personally joined the ceremony to honor 25 years of cultural service, charitable work, and diaspora unity. Deputy Commissioner Dilip Chauhan, who facilitated the proclamation, praised RANA’s role in strengthening ties between New York and the global Rajasthani diaspora. “For 25 years, RANA has championed culture, service, and community,” he said, extending congratulations on behalf of the city’s…

Just days after a catastrophic flash flood tore through Uttarakhand’s Dharali and Harsil villages, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released striking high-resolution satellite images that lay bare the scale of the disaster. Triggered by intense rainfall and a sudden cloudburst on Tuesday afternoon, the deluge swept away homes, hotels, bridges, and roads in Uttarkashi district, claiming at least five lives while more than 100 remain missing. Captured by the Cartosat-2S satellite, the images—shared on ISRO’s official X account—are now serving as a crucial guide for ground-based rescue and relief teams. Comparative analysis shows a significant change in the…