India Archive

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Japan on 29th August, it will mark far more than a routine diplomatic trip. Tokyo has laid out an ambitious plan to invest about ¥10 trillion (roughly $68 billion) in India over the next ten years, a commitment that goes beyond its earlier promise of ¥5 trillion over five years made in 2022. This bold move signals Japan’s intent to double down on India as a long-term strategic and economic partner.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar restated that India will act only in its national interest, even when others disagree. He said that if the United States or European countries do not like Russian oil, they should avoid buying petrochemical products from India that come from refining Russian crude. “America and Europe buy oil and refined products from India, if you don’t like it, don’t buy it,” he said, making India’s position plain. 

On Friday, 22nd August, an elderly woman named Sujatha Bhat admitted that her earlier testimony about a missing daughter in Dharmasthala was false. Her fabricated statement had played a major role in fuelling conspiracy theories about mass burials and sexual assault at the holy temple town.

Dharmasthala, one of the most respected Hindu pilgrimage sites in Karnataka, is not just a Mandir but an institution that feeds lakhs of devotees every single day and symbolizes the cultural and spiritual strength of crores of Kannadigas. Yet, in recent months, this sacred site became the center of a well-planned assault launched by a nexus of Leftist activists, Congress elements, radical groups, and even international anti-Hindu lobbies. What seemed at first like a movement for justice soon unfolded as a deliberate conspiracy designed to weaken a centuries-old spiritual pillar.

On 20th August 2024, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) organized a massive pro-Palestine rally at Azad Maidan in Mumbai. The event quickly drew attention for the nature of its slogans and participants. Protesters waved Palestinian and communist flags, and the air echoed with controversial chants like “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Placards reading “Free Palestine” were displayed prominently, creating an atmosphere charged with political symbolism.

The shocking incident at the Seventh Day Adventist Higher Secondary School in Ahmedabad has sent waves of anger and grief across the city. On 19th August, a Hindu student was allegedly murdered by his Muslim junior within the school premises, an act that has not only shaken the local community but also raised questions about the school’s administration and past record.

The Madhya Pradesh government has once again brought down the hammer on organized crime. On Thursday, 21st August, the administration demolished a sprawling ₹22 crore illegal mansion linked to the notorious Machhli family in Bhopal. The demolition took place in Kokta Hathaikheda, a region that has been under the radar for years due to its association with criminal networks. The action was carried out under heavy police deployment, with district administration officials supervising every step of the operation.

India today finds itself at a decisive turning point. Its rapid GDP growth has positioned it as the fastest-growing large economy in the world, offering the promise of becoming a new pillar in the global economic system. With international supply chains shifting, India is stepping in as a trusted partner for manufacturing, digital technology, and consumer markets. The world now looks at India not as a follower, but as a country with the potential to become the third-largest economy globally.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Monday confirmed that it has taken strong disciplinary action against the toll collection agency operating at the Bhuni toll plaza in Meerut. The authority announced a fine of ₹20 lakh after an Army soldier was physically assaulted by toll booth staff at the location.

The Gauhati High Court last week delivered strong observations on the allotment of 3,000 bighas of land (roughly 4 square kilometres) in Assam’s Dima Hasao district to Mahabal Cement Private Limited for the establishment of a cement factory. The issue came up during the hearing of two petitions, one of which was filed by local residents alleging that they were being evicted from their land. The bench expressed serious disapproval over what it called an “extraordinary” allotment of land in a Sixth Schedule tribal area.