Month: September 2024

BAPS Temple in Sacramento Vandalized with Hate Message: Second Incident in 10 Days

Manish Kumar

A disturbing act of vandalism targeted the BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) Hindu Temple in Sacramento, California, on Wednesday, marking the second such incident within just 10 days. Hate-filled graffiti, including the message “Hindus go back!”, was found scrawled across the temple’s walls, sparking outrage and concern among the local Hindu community. This incident closely follows the vandalism of another BAPS temple in New York, which occurred less than two weeks earlier. Growing Concern in the Hindu Community The Sacramento temple vandalism has heightened fears of rising hate crimes…

From Darkness to Light: The Activist Who Transformed Kandalei’s Destiny

Manish Kumar

Until 2016, Kandalei, a small hamlet just 15 kilometers from the state capital, was a forgotten corner of the world. It was a place where time seemed to stand still, with the tribal families living there deprived of basic amenities like electricity, road connectivity, schooling, and clean drinking water. Despite its proximity to the capital, Kandalei was a stark symbol of neglect, a reminder of the deep social and economic disparities that continue to exist in India.   A Hamlet Rooted in History, Yet Forgotten Kandalei’s history traces back to…

Sri Lanka’s New Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya: A Leader with Deep Indian Ties

Manish Kumar

A Historic Milestone for Sri Lanka Sri Lanka recently appointed its 16th prime minister, Harini Amarasuriya, an academic-turned-politician with significant ties to India. Her appointment marks a historic milestone for the island nation, as she becomes the first woman to hold the office since 2000 and only the third in Sri Lankan history. Amarasuriya’s rise to the premiership comes at a time of unprecedented economic challenges for Sri Lanka, with her leadership expected to play a crucial role in navigating the country through these turbulent times. Amarasuriya’s Connection to India…

DRDO & IIT Delhi develop ABHED Light Weight Bullet Proof Jackets

Manish Kumar

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), along with researchers of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has developed Light Weight Bullet Proof Jackets named ABHED (Advanced Ballistics for High Energy Defeat). The jackets have been developed at the DRDO Industry Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) at IIT, Delhi.     These jackets have been created from polymers and indigenous boron carbide ceramic material. The design configuration is based on characterisation of various materials at high strain rate followed by appropriate modelling and simulation in collaboration with DRDO. The armour plates…

Mark Zuckerberg Joins the $200 Billion Club, Indian Tycoons Drop in Global Rich List

Manish Kumar

Elon Musk Leads as World’s Richest; Zuckerberg and Bezos Follow Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of Meta Platforms, has reached a significant milestone, becoming one of the few individuals in the world with a net worth of $200 billion. This achievement places him in the company of two other tech giants: Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who are the only others to have surpassed this extraordinary wealth mark. Zuckerberg’s wealth has surged by an astonishing $72.2 billion this year, bringing his total net worth to…

India and Bangladesh Engage in First Bilateral Talks Post-Government Change in Dhaka

Manish Kumar

In the wake of the recent political transition in Bangladesh, India has initiated its first high-level bilateral engagement with the new regime. This critical meeting took place in New York, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), marking a significant moment in India-Bangladesh relations since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the installation of an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. Bilateral Talks Amid Rising Tensions The bilateral meeting between India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and Md Touhid…

Supreme Court Closes Case Against Karnataka Judge After Public Apology

Manish Kumar

The Supreme Court of India has closed proceedings against Karnataka High Court Judge Justice Vedavyasachar Srishananda following his public apology for controversial remarks made during court sessions. The decision, announced by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, was taken in the interest of justice and the dignity of the judiciary. Controversial Comments Spark Outrage The controversy arose when Justice Srishananda, during a landlord-tenant dispute, referred to a Muslim-majority area in Bengaluru as “Pakistan” and made a misogynistic remark directed at a woman lawyer. These comments, which quickly went viral…

Hyundai Motor India Gears Up for Record-Breaking $3 Billion IPO in October

Manish Kumar

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), the Indian arm of South Korean auto giant Hyundai Motor Co., is poised to launch India’s largest-ever initial public offering (IPO), potentially raising around $3 billion. This landmark move follows the green light from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), marking a significant milestone in India’s financial market. Sebi Approval Paves the Way After filing its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) in June 2024, Hyundai Motor India received the final observations from Sebi, setting the stage for the anticipated IPO launch in October.…

Puri Jagannath Temple’s Ghee to Be Tested Amid Tirupati Laddoo Controversy

Manish Kumar

The Odisha government has decided to test the quality of ghee used in the preparation of offerings at the Jagannath temple in Puri. This decision comes in the wake of a controversy surrounding the alleged use of animal fat in the ghee used to make laddoos at the Tirumala temple in Andhra Pradesh. Background of the Controversy The controversy began when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government of using substandard ingredients, including animal fats, in the preparation of laddoos offered at…

Pakistan’s Begging Crisis in Saudi Arabia: A Diplomatic Headache

Manish Kumar

Growing Concerns from Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia has issued a stern warning to Pakistan, but not over the usual geopolitical or security concerns. This time, the issue at hand is the alarming rise in the number of beggars entering the Kingdom under the guise of religious pilgrimage. Saudi authorities have expressed their frustration to Islamabad, emphasizing that if the situation is not addressed, it could severely impact the experience and reputation of Pakistan’s Umrah and Hajj pilgrims. In response to these concerns, Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs is taking action…