In a recent lecture on ‘India – The Vishwaguru' in Pune, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat expressed concern over the resurgence of temple-mosque disputes, stating that certain individuals seem to believe they can become "leaders of Hindus" by stirring such controversies. Bhagwat emphasized the importance of fostering an inclusive society and stressed that India should set an example for the world in living together harmoniously. He pointed out the country's long-standing

Tata Consumer Products Ltd (TCPL) has officially rejected recent reports claiming that Starbucks is planning to exit the Indian market, calling the rumors "baseless." These reports suggested that the American coffee giant might leave India due to high operating costs, mounting losses, and the growing competition from local, cheaper alternatives. However, TCPL, which operates Starbucks in India

India introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017 to simplify the tax structure and reduce the tax burden. Recent data shows that the gross GST collection for October 2024 rose by 9% to ₹1.87 lakh crore, a record second-highest figure. However, a recent proposal by the Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST Rates Rationalisation suggests a new 35% GST slab on products like aerated drinks and tobacco, which has raised concerns. The proposal aims to target 'sin' products such as thos

India and Pakistan have reached an agreement to play their upcoming ICC tournament matches at neutral venues, following a dispute over the 2025 ICC Men's Champions Trophy, which was originally set to be hosted by Pakistan. The decision was made after India refused to send its team to Pakistan, citing security concerns and political tensions between the two countries. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that matches involving both nations during the 2024-2027 cycle will take

 On Wednesday, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L Murugan, informed the Lok Sabha that the government had blocked 18 OTT platforms this year for publishing obscene, vulgar, and in some cases, pornographic content. This action is in line with the IT Rules of 2021, which impose specific due diligence obligations on intermediaries to ensure they take reasonable steps to prevent the spread of such content. The IT Rules also set out a Code of Ethics for publishers

India and China have reached a significant agreement on six points to resolve their long-standing border issues. This agreement was made during a meeting between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, marking the first Special Representative-level discussions since the 2020 border clashes. Key points of the agreement include maintaining peace at the border, cross-border tourism in Tibet, resuming Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and boosting Nathu La border trade.

India, having recently surpassed China as the world's most populous country, faces a significant demographic challenge. Fertility rates have dramatically declined across the country, especially in southern states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, where rates have fallen below the replacement level of two children per woman. This poses a dual challenge: the southern states worry about the implications for political representation and federal revenues, as population shifts could reduce th

 Hamida Banu’s incredible journey from isolation to reunion underscores the transformative impact of social media in today's digital era. Deceived by a recruitment agent in 2022, Banu was promised a job in Dubai but was instead taken to Pakistan, where she spent 23 years unable to contact her family in India. Her life changed when a video interview of her, shared on social media by Pakistani activist Waliullah Maroof, went viral. Indian journalist Khalfan Shaikh shared the vide

In a dazzling celebration of beauty and talent, Caitlin Sandra Neil, a 19-year-old Chennai-born Indian American teenager, was crowned Miss India USA 2024 at the annual pageant held in New Jersey. Caitlin, who is a second-year student at the University of California, Davis, expressed her desire to leave a lasting, positive impact on her community, with a strong focus on women's empowerment and literacy. Having lived in the United States for the past 14 years, Caitlin's journe

India and China’s Special Representatives for the border mechanism, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, met in Beijing on Wednesday to discuss a wide range of issues, including peace management along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the restoration of bilateral ties. These ties had been severely impacted by the military standoff in eastern Ladakh, which began in May 2020, following a deadly clash in Galwan Valley. The meeting, marking the 23r

At Chennai Airport, an Air India cabin crew member was arrested for helping a passenger smuggle 1.7 kg of gold. The incident occurred when the flight from Dubai landed on Sunday. Customs officials intercepted the passenger and the crew member after the passenger admitted to handing over the gold during the flight. Upon searching the crew member, officials found the gold concealed in the undergarments, l

India’s focus has largely been on strengthening its ties in the east, particularly under the Act East policy. While the global attention often centers on the Middle East and Europe, India has quietly turned its focus to the Korean Peninsula, particularly North Korea. This effort has been marked by caution, with diplomatic relations being conducted discreetly and behind the scenes. In July 2021, India temporarily closed its embassy in Pyongyang due to COVID-19, and the entire staff was r

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently made significant remarks regarding India’s Constitution, highlighting the democratic process of its adoption and emphasizing its deep connection with India's traditions. Shah stated that the Constitution was adopted after extensive feedback from the people, marking a democratic milestone in India’s history. Some of his key quotes touched upon the ongoing debates in Parliament about the Constitution, noting that they have served

As of 6:50 a.m. today, gold prices stood at Rs 77,170 per 10 grams, according to the India Bullion Association. This represents a slight dip from the highs seen on Monday when prices had briefly climbed after falling from Rs 79,100 on Friday. The price of gold had reached its highest level for the month on December 11 before experiencing a drop of over Rs 1,000 on Monday. Compared to November's peak of Rs 78,060 on Nov. 23, the current price of gold reflects the ongoing volatility in the

Indian tourists may soon enjoy visa-free travel to Russia, with the new arrangement expected by spring 2025. Since August 2023, Indian travelers have already been eligible for e-visas, which are processed within four days. The upcoming visa-free travel agreement will further strengthen tourism ties between India and Russia. In 2023, Russia granted 9,500 e-visas to Indian visitors, placing India among the top five countries for easy travel access to Russia. Consultations between Mosc

Switzerland has decided to suspend the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) status granted to India, which could result in higher taxes for Indian companies operating in the country. Starting January 1, 2025, Indian companies will face increased withholding tax rates on income such as dividends and royalties generated in Switzerland. The new tax rules will impose a 10% tax on dividends earned by Indian entities. This move follows a ruling by the Indian Supreme Court in October 2023, which sta

BEML Ltd. is working on an ambitious timeline to roll out India’s first indigenous bullet train by December 2026, as revealed by Chairman and Managing Director Shantanu Roy. The company has been tasked with designing and manufacturing the bullet trains for the highly anticipated Mumbai-Ahmedabad route. This project marks a significant milestone in India's railway history, with BEML focusing on building two prototypes. Roy emphasized the importance of intellectual property

India has achieved a major milestone by surpassing $1 trillion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) since the turn of the century. Latest data from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) reveals that from April 2000 to September 2024, India attracted a total of $1,033.40 billion in FDI. This surge underscores India’s growing appeal as a global investment hub. Significant contributions have come from countries like Mauritius (25%), Singapore (24%), an

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is currently in turmoil due to the ongoing standoff between India and Pakistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has firmly stated that it will not send its team to Pakistan, citing security concerns and political issues. In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has threatened to boycott future ICC events if India does not agree to the proposed hybrid model, where India’s matches are played in Dubai, while the rest of the tournament tak

In a landmark energy agreement, Russia’s state oil company Rosneft has committed to supply 500,000 barrels of crude oil per day to India’s Reliance for the next 10 years, worth approximately $13 billion annually. This deal represents about 0.5% of global oil supply and strengthens energy relations between India and Russia, especially as Russia faces intense Western sanctions due to its invasion of Ukraine. The deal is set to begin in January and will involve monthly deli