June 27, 1985, Forty Years Ago: Air India Crash
Sri Lanka Talks Soon
The Sri Lankan government will hold preliminary talks with representatives of the Tamil United Liberation Front and the militant groups in Thimphu, Bhutan 'very soon' to resolve the island's ethnic problems. The Indian government will provide facilities like transport for all delegates. Officials declined to specify who would head the government team but indicated the possibility that it might be at the ministerial level.
Tohra On Punjab Poll
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief, Gurcharan Singh Tohra, warned the government in Ludhiana that until it accepted all the demands of the Akali Dal (Longowal), it would not be possible to hold elections in Punjab. He added that if the Congress (I) thinks of forming a government after the next election without solving the Punjab problem, it should learn a lesson from the past and recall the case of the Darbara Singh government, which had to be suspended after only half its term.
Iraq-Libya Ties Sour
Iraq withdrew its recognition of Muammar Gaddafi's 'Libyan regime' and said it was recalling its diplomatic mission from Tripoli. Iraq also asked the Libyan diplomatic mission in Baghdad to 'leave', a foreign ministry spokesman said.
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Overseas players to be approached as National Sports Policy 2025 aims to transform India as a sporting nation
Allowing Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) to represent India in sport has been a widely discussed topic in recent years, especially in football, and National Sports Policy 2025, which replaces National Sports Policy 2001, intends to make that possible besides making the 2036 Olympics in the country a reality. read more The inclusion of overseas players of Indian origin has been widely discussed in football in recent months. Image: PTI In what could be a game-changing move for India in sports such as football, overseas players of Indian origin will be encouraged to play for the country as per National Sports Policy 2025, which was unveiled by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday. The new policy, titled 'Khelo Bharat Niti 2025' in Hindi, replaces National Sports Policy 2001 and aims to reshape the country's sporting landscape by 2047 – on the 100th anniversary of India's independence from Britain – with the focus on hosting the Summer Olympics in 2036. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Discussion on the inclusion of overseas players of Indian origin had gained momentum in recent months, especially after Bangladesh got former Leicester City defensive midfielder Hamza Choudhary on board, and with the Blue Tigers experience a sharp decline in their on-field performance which has resulted in a freefall in the FIFA rankings. A 2008 ban on Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders from representing India has impacted the country's fortunes in sports such as football and tennis, leaving Indian passport holders as the only people eligible to play for the country which the new policy aims to rectify going forward. The 20-page document, however, states that India makes mention of Peace and International Cooperation Activities through Sports, with New Delhi aiming to harness the power of sport and use it for international diplomacy and co-operation. 'Wherever feasible, promising and prominent Indian-origin athletes living abroad may be encouraged to come back and play for India at the international level,' it states. 'Together, these efforts can transform sport into a dynamic tool of cultural diplomacy and nation-building, strengthening the global Indian identity.' 'This is the next chapter in India's sports ecosystem' Tennis legend Mahesh Bhupati, a multiple Grand Slam winner in men's as well as mixed doubles and has also co-founded the World Padel League, hailed the new policy for reflecting the country's ambition of becoming a 'global sporting powerhouse'. 'The National Sports Policy 2025 reflects India's growing ambition to be recognised as a global sporting powerhouse. What's exciting is that this policy doesn't just focus on established sports but also creates space for emerging ones like padel. The emphasis on building competitive leagues, developing infrastructure across rural and urban areas, and driving private sector collaboration is exactly what newer sports like padel need to flourish. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'This is the next chapter in India's sports ecosystem - one that will fuel participation, investment, and global excellence. We are excited to be part of this journey by bringing the World Padel League to India and making padel a mainstream sport, as India broadens its sporting horizons. Here's to many more sporting milestones in the future!' Bhupathi said. Nasir Ali, Founder and CEO of Gallant Sports, described it as a 'monumental day for Indian sports'. 'The approval of the National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025 marks a monumental day for Indian sports and, by extension, the sports infrastructure sector. As a leading manufacturer in this space, we are incredibly enthusiastic about the policy's comprehensive vision—particularly its focus on strengthening sports programs from grassroots to elite levels, its commitment to developing infrastructure in both rural and urban areas, and its emphasis on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for economic development. 'The government's landmark decision to include sports infrastructure under the Harmonised Master List of Infrastructure Sub-sectors is a huge step forward, opening up institutional credit, attracting greater investment, and empowering companies like Gallant Sports to fast-track the creation of world-class facilities nationwide,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Besides the inclusion of OCIs as well as helping India achieve its dream of hosting the Olympics, the National Sports Policy also eyes the revival of indigenous sports, inculcate a culture of fitness across the country at all ages
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How is the India-US trade deal shaping up?
Though US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism that a bilateral trade deal (BTA) with India can be concluded soon, the two sides are said to be apart on key issues including dairy and agriculture. This comes as Trump's July 9 deadline, following which reciprocal tariffs will be reimposed, draws nearer and nearer. But what did Trump say? How is the India-US trade deal shaping up? read more President Donald Trump shakes hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Oval Office of the White House. AP US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about a possible bilateral trade deal (BTA) with India. Though there are reports that the trade deal might be finalised this week, the two sides are said to be apart on key issues including agriculture. Trump, who had initially imposed reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries including a 26 per cent levy on India on April 2, had issued a 90day-pause in order to allow countries to negotiate. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But with the July 9 deadline is drawing nearer and nearer, India and the US have still not reached a deal. But what did Trump say? How is the India-US trade deal shipping up? Let's take a closer look: What Trump said First let's take a brief look at what Trump said. Trump said he thinks the United States and India would reach a bilateral trade agreement. 'I think we are going to have a deal with India. And that is going to be a different kind of a deal. It is going to be a deal where we are able to go in and compete. Right now, India does not accept anybody in. I think India is going to do that, and if they do that, we are going to have a deal for much less tariffs,' Trump said. President Donald Trump said a deal could be imminent. AP Trump's remarks came after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday said that India and the US were 'very close' on a deal. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday had expressed optimism about a deal being concluded. 'We are in the middle — hopefully more than the middle — of a very intricate trade negotiation,' Jaishankar said. 'Obviously, my hope would be that we bring it to a successful conclusion. I cannot guarantee it, because there's another party to that discussion.' Trump in June said the deal with India was imminent. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We have one coming up, maybe with India. A very big one. Where we're going to open up India,' Trump said. 'We're not going to make deals with everybody. Some, we are just going to send them a letter, say thank you very much… My people don't want to do it that way. They want to do some of it, but they want to make more deals than I would do', he added. Now, let's take a look at what we know about the negotiations. How are negotiations going? The Indian delegation led by chief negotiator Rajesh Aggarwal had landed in the United States on Friday. The team, which is negotiating with US officials including those from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), has now extended its stay in Washington. Both teams, mindful of the upcoming deadline set by Trump, were said to be in fierce negotiations over the BTA. However, key sticking points remain. New Delhi is said to be adamant about carving out protections for its dairy and agriculture industry. This is out of consideration for the millions of farmers working on small landholdings across the country. This can also be both a politically and economically sensitive issue to navigate. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India is said to be adamant about protecting its farmers. PTI India, for those not in the know, has never opened up its dairy sector to a foreign competitor. India is the biggest producer of milk in the world. Experts also say any reduction in tariffs on dairy and agriculture could undermine India's Minimum Support Price (MSP) system – which could be devastating to farmers. However, the US negotiators seem insistent about opening up a new market for its agricultural products including genetically modified crops, apples, reducing tariffs on skimmed milk powder and poultry products. India has been reluctant to allow genetically modified crops to be sold out of health concerns. India has banned the commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops. Washington, which is looking to bring down its $54 billion trade deficit with New Delhi, wants to export maize, soya bean, cotton and corn to India. India has told negotiators reducing tariffs on skimmed milk powder and poultry would hurt its small farmers. Indian officials have described the dairy sector as a 'red line' that cannot be crossed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD They earlier insisted that India's national interest will come first in any deal. The US also wants large-scale commitments from India to buy Boeing aircraft, choppers and nuclear reactors. Washington may also pursue trying to get India to relax its FDI rules – which would benefit US behemoths such as Amazon and Walmart. Officials say that India can likely bring down tariffs for ethanol, almonds, apples, raisins, avocados, olive oil, spirits and wines. New Delhi, on the other hand, wants the United States to reduce levies on auto imports and Indian steel. India also wants preferential access for its labour-intensive exports, such as textiles and garments, gems and jewellery, leather goods, and agricultural products like shrimp, oilseeds, grapes, and bananas. The US wants India to open up its agriculture, dairy, aviation and energy sectors, while New Delhi is looking for Washington to cut tariffs on steel and auto parts Officials say that these will not likely hurt those selling these products domestically in the US. Though the government think tank Niti Aayog had in a working paper in May suggested that India can relax tariffs on 'soybean oil imports', that paper has now been taken offline – which raises many questions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India remains the world's biggest importer of edible oil. Officials say that reducing tariffs on maize and soybeans would hurt Indian small farmers. Similarly, bringing down tariffs on maize would result in the production becoming unfeasible for local farmers. If talks don't pan out, India will likely face a 10 per cent across the board levy rather than the 26 per cent tariff Trump imposed. But experts say a 'limited trade pact', like the one the US and UK announced on May 8, is likely. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump in February had agreed to increase bilateral trade, which was at $262 billion in 2024, to $500 billion by 2030. With inputs from agencies
News18
30 minutes ago
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Swami Ghanananda Saraswati: How A Ghanian Became The First Hindu Saint Of African Descent
Last Updated: PM Narendra Modi's visit to Ghana highlights a unique spiritual link, forged by Swami Ghanananda Saraswati, the first African Hindu monk who spread Hinduism in Ghana As Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Ghana today, marking the first visit by an Indian PM to the West African nation in three decades, few realise that this small country has long shared an unlikely spiritual link with India. That connection was forged not through diplomacy or trade, but by a tribal-born Ghanaian who journeyed across continents in search of truth and returned home as a Hindu monk – Swami Ghanananda Saraswati. Born as Kwesi Asele on September 12, 1937, in Senya Beraku village in Ghana's Central Region, he came from a native African family deeply rooted in traditional tribal faith. But as colonial influence spread, Christianity began to sweep through the region, and his family, too, converted. Young Kwesi was raised in a Christian household, but he never confined his spiritual quest to a single doctrine. From early on, he devoured religious texts – first the Bible, then the Quran, and eventually Hindu scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads. The philosophical depth of Hinduism fascinated him, particularly its focus on karma, yoga, and moksha. In 1962, at the age of 25, he moved to Ghana's capital Accra and founded the Divine Mystic Path Society, an organisation dedicated to God and inner exploration. But his desire to understand the soul of Hinduism took him much farther, all the way to Rishikesh in the early 1970s. There, in the Himalayan foothills, he met Swami Krishnananda Saraswati, one of the most revered spiritual teachers. Under his guidance, Kwesi underwent rigorous spiritual training, immersing himself in the yogic and philosophical traditions of Sanatan Dharma. sannyasi (sage). His guru's instruction was simple yet profound, i.e. take the ancient knowledge back to Ghana and plant its seeds in African soil. That is exactly what Swami Ghanananda did. Upon his return, he began preaching Hinduism not just to the Indian diaspora, but also to native Ghanaians. He spoke of karma and compassion, of detachment and discipline, not as exotic Eastern ideas, but as universal truths. He adopted a uniquely inclusive approach, blending African culture and Hindu spirituality. His bhajans were sung in local dialects, and Hindu rituals were conducted with a distinctly Ghanaian flavour. In 1975, he established the African Hindu Monastery in Accra, the first of its kind on the continent. It quickly grew into a spiritual hub. Over the years, he built five Hindu temples across Ghana, where deities like Lord Ganesha, Shiva, and Krishna are worshipped. Festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi began to be celebrated with great devotion, complete with idol processions and immersion ceremonies. Apart from worship, Swami Ghanananda also connected Hindu institutions with education, healthcare, and community service. He ran medical camps, opened schools, and built community halls. By the 2000s, he had inspired thousands of native Ghanaians to embrace Hinduism. As of 2021, Ghana was home to around 30,000 Hindus, at least 10,000 of whom were indigenous Africans, a staggering number considering Hinduism's limited presence in West Africa. Swami Ghanananda's genius lay in making Hinduism feel familiar. His teachings never demanded conversion through rejection but encouraged spiritual evolution through understanding. He did not erase Ghanaian culture, he embraced it, weaving Hinduism into its rhythm. His life became a bridge between Africa and India, and a testament to the fact that truth needs no passport. Swami Ghanananda passed away on January 18, 2016, but his spiritual empire remains alive and growing. The temples, monasteries, and community centres he founded continue to serve both Indian and Ghanaian followers. His disciples have taken up his mission, and the story of the tribal boy who became a Hindu saint lives on in Ghana's rising tide of faith.
