Indians in India

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Bhakti, Bhajans & Boundaries: Reflections on a Recent Judgment

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  Bhakti, Bhajans & Boundaries: Reflections on a Recent Judgment This morning, a post by Shri Cuddalore Gopi Bhagavatar caught my eye. It led me to a news item that left me unsettled: the Madras High Court has ruled that individuals must seek permission from the Collector to perform bhajans in their own homes. Without going into the legal origins of the matter, I can’t help but reflect on the deeper cultural and spiritual implications of such a move. A Difficult Verdict: This judgment feels unfortunate. In Sanatan Dharma, music has always been a sacred bridge to the divine. Singing, dancing, and praying are not merely rituals — they are heartfelt expressions of devotion that elevate the spirit and unite us with Bhagwan. These practices are more than cultural; they are spiritual tools that create an atmosphere of peace, surrender, and love. No One-Size-Fits-All in Devotion: Spirituality in Sanatan Dharma is not rigid. It is deeply personal and wonderfully diverse. Some worship t...
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Tarrifs, Trade & Tensions - Tantrums to Tackle

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  US Imposes 25% Tariff on Indian Imports: Trade Tensions Escalate Amid Geopolitical Crosswinds In a significant development in global trade diplomacy, US President Donald Trump announced on July 30, 2025, a 25% tariff on Indian imports—effective from August 1. The move also comes with a vague but looming "penalty" for India's continued energy and defence ties with Russia, underscoring a sharp escalation in economic pressure and strategic signalling. This marks a continuation of US tariff actions initiated earlier in 2025. A 26% reciprocal tariff on India had been announced in April but was put on hold. The new 25% levy is essentially its implementation—with a marginal reduction. Why the Tariff? Key Reasons Cited by the US : The US justified the decision through a combination of economic and geopolitical concerns: Trade Deficit: The US goods trade deficit with India hit $45.7 billion in 2024, up 5.4% from 2023—prompting claims of imbalance and unfair trade practices Non-T...
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11 Years of Modi Government: Transformation and the Road Ahead

  11 Years of Modi Government: Transformation and the Road Ahead Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2014–2025), India has witnessed a profound transformation in its economy, infrastructure, and global standing. With a GDP of $4.2 trillion, India is on the cusp of becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy, set to surpass Japan and soon Germany. This growth is backed by a robust 6.4% average annual GDP growth rate since 2014, recently accelerating to 7.4%. Inflation has dropped from 9.4% in 2013-14 to 4.6%, offering stability to households and businesses alike. Unprecedented Infrastructure Expansion India’s infrastructure push has been a cornerstone of its transformation: Highways : National highways grew from 91,287 km (2014) to 1,46,204 km (2024), with construction speed rising from 12 km/day to 34 km/day. Rural Roads : 4 lakh km of roads added, connecting 99% of rural India. Railways : 25,871 RKM of new tracks laid (vs. 14,985 RKM in the prior d...
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