Author: Nakula Barvadekar

A prominent Sikh leader was brazenly murdered this summer outside a temple in British Columbia (BC), Canada. The death has outraged his supporters and intensified global tensions between Sikh separatists and the Indian government. On a mid-June evening in the busy parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in the city of Surrey, Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot dead in his truck by two masked gunmen. Months later, the unsolved killing continues to reverberate, in Canada and across borders. Hundreds of Sikh separatists took to the streets in Toronto, along with a handful others in cities like London, Melbourne…

They lived in fairy-tale palaces, amassed untold fortunes in diamonds and precious stones, maintained fleets of Rolls-Royces, and travelled in specially appointed train carriages, arriving in the capital Delhi to the sound of thunderous gun salutes. They had the power of life and death over their subjects, and thousands of minions attended to their every need. On the eve of Indian independence in 1947, India’s 562 princes occupied nearly half its landmass and ruled over a third of its population. As Britain’s most loyal allies, they were virtually untouchable – only those who committed the most heinous of crimes were…

In 1973 Beatle George Harrison gifted a manor house to the Hare Krishna movement so they could have a base in the UK. Bhaktivedanta Manor in Hertfordshire is now one of the UK’s foremost Hindu temples. Leading members share the story of its inception, its fight against closure and the legacy it holds today. It was no coincidence that Shyamasundar Das met George Harrison at an Apple Records party in December 1968 – although he had not expected them to become lifelong friends. He had come to England on a mission: To launch the Hare Krishna movement at the bidding…

Twenty two people have died and more than hundred are still trapped after a massive landslide hit a village in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. The landslide occurred in Irshalwadi village in Raigad district on Wednesday night and flattened several homes. Rescue efforts have resumed after they were halted on Thursday night due to heavy rain. Officials say the disaster spot is located on a hilltop and the tough terrain is hindering rescue operations. Around 105 people are still missing, the Maharashtra government has said. Several states in India have had heavy rainfall over the past two weeks, triggering…

The Russian occupation army, on the night of June 15, attacked the Odessa region with unmanned aerial vehicles. This was stated by the speaker of the Odesa OVA Sergey Bratchuk, RBC-Ukraine reports with reference to his Telegram . During the air raid in the Odessa region, the sounds of explosions were heard. According to preliminary information, the Russian Federation released 13 shaheeds. The OVA notes that all hostile targets were destroyed by air defense forces. Russian night attack on Ukraine In recent weeks, Russian troops have often carried out combined strikes on the territory of Ukraine. On June 15, twice during the night, a large-scale air raid…

The leader of a regional affiliate of the Islamic State terrorist outfit was reportedly killed in Afghanistan this week in an area along the border with Pakistan, intelligence officials in both countries confirmed to VOA. Sanaullah Ghafari, the so-called slain emir of Islamic State Khorasan, or IS-K, has led the terrorist group since June 2020. He was widely known as Shahab al-Muhajir and was said to be in his late 30s. Ghafari was traveling through the mountainous province of Kunar late Tuesday when Taliban security forces targeted him in an intelligence-led operation. Six other IS-K operatives were killed in subsequent…

Finishing as the second best team in the world over four years and two cycles isn’t such a bad thing. By losing two successive finals of the World Test Championship, however, India have blotted their copybook somewhat. It is possible that India lost the final on the opening day when they won the toss and asked Australia to bat first. Australia might have done the same – but they had better fast bowlers. Was that why India bowled first, so they wouldn’t have to face them first up? Was it a defensive move? It is one of cricket’s enduring cliches…

A bust of Mahatma Gandhi, donated by India to the Hiroshima city government, was unveiled on May 20 with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance. Modi was in Hiroshima for the Group of Seven summit, as India is one of eight non-member countries invited to attend the gathering. The unveiling ceremony was held in an urban green space near the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima. Modi pulled back a curtain to reveal the statue, which is about 2.2 meters high and 1.8 meters wide. The Hiroshima government accepted the donation of the bust through the Indian ambassador to Japan,…

A day after the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka took an oath, party leader Sachin Pilot on Sunday said that the party will work for the people and fulfil the expectations. “With a good majority, we have formed the government in Karnataka. While campaigning, the Congress in Karnataka said that the BJP is a corrupt party and people agreed and as a result, we formed the government in the state,” Pilot told ANI. “I believe we will work for people and live up to public expectations,” he said.On Saturday, Siddaramaiah took oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka and DK…

The majority of the 279 graduating students at Maebashi Commercial High School marched into the gymnasium for their graduation ceremony without masks. After taking their seats, some put on masks, and all did when singing the school song. As they exited the venue at the end of the ceremony, most were maskless again, showing a mix of smiles and tearful faces that had been otherwise hidden the past three years. Most high schools around the nation held their graduation ceremonies on Wednesday under a new government policy that made the wearing of masks optional. But with a certain amount of…