World Wildlife Day, observed annually on March 3, brings attention to the importance of conserving wildlife and biodiversity, and this year, the focus is on the preservation of medicinal and aromatic plants. These plants, integral to both traditional and modern healthcare, hold significant value for ecological sustainability, cultural heritage, and public health. The theme for 2026, "Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods," highlights the growing need to sa

Andhra Pradesh has taken a significant step toward reducing human-wildlife conflicts with the launch of the ‘Hanuman’ Project, an initiative aimed at improving wildlife protection while ensuring public safety. The announcement came from Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on March 3, 2026, during an event held in Mangalagiri. The new project, which addresses ongoing issues with elephants and other wildlife in the state, promises to enhance safety measures for both people and animals in the

Rising tensions in West Asia have triggered concern among Indian residents and travellers in Gulf countries after a series of Iranian missile and drone strikes targeted locations in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain over the weekend. The attacks, which hit areas long considered safe for business and tourism, have led to a sudden increase in people trying to leave the region, including Indian professionals, workers, and visitors. Travel operators and security agencies repo

Sanju Samson finally delivered the performance that his talent always promised. Under immense pressure in a winner-takes-all Super Eights clash, the Indian opener struck a breathtaking unbeaten 97 to guide India into the T20 World Cup semi-finals with a five-wicket victory over West Indies in Kolkata. Chasing a challenging 196 at a packed Eden Gardens, India needed someone to absorb pressure and control the tempo. Samson did exactly that. His 50-ball knock, featuring 12 fours and fo

The Cultural Divide: Traditional Values vs. Modern Lifestyles One of the main challenges NRI parents face in arranging marriages for their children is reconciling the cultural expectations of marriage with the increasingly liberal, Westernized lifestyles of their children. Many NRI children, especially those born or raised abroad, prioritize love and personal choice over the traditional approach of arranged marriages. Parents, who a

Visakhapatnam has reached a significant milestone by securing a USD 1 million grant in the 2025–2026 Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge, a highly regarded international competition. Chosen from over 630 cities globally, this award acknowledges the city’s citizen-led climate resilience initiative, the Vizag–Prajamukhi Urban Living Lab (V-PULL). The V-PULL initiative, spearheaded by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), focuses on enhancing resilience ag

When buying property from a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), one of the key aspects that differentiates it from typical real estate transactions is the Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) under Section 195 of the Income Tax Act. While Indian residents are subject to a 1% TDS on property transactions above ₹50 lakh, the TDS rate increases significantly for property sales involving an NRI seller. The buyer must deduct TDS at rates starting from 20% and deposit it with the Indian income tax authorities. A

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch a nationwide HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccination campaign on February 28, 2026, aiming to combat cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in India. This significant initiative will provide free vaccinations to 14-year-old girls at government health centers across the country, marking a major step forward in India’s preventive healthcare efforts. Key Deta

For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), purchasing health and term insurance in India presents an attractive option due to affordable premiums and extensive coverage. Indian insurance companies offer plans that are often more economical than those available in foreign countries, making them an ideal choice for NRIs who want to protect their families back home without overburdening their finances. These policies are customized to suit the needs of Indian families, offering high coverage at a fraction

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently imposed stricter regulations on offshore gifting, particularly for affluent Indian families sending substantial financial gifts to their children living abroad. These gifts are often used to support various needs, such as education, property purchases, or immigration investments, such as the U.S. EB-5 visa program. While the practice of offshore gifting has grown in popularity, the RBI has increased scrutiny, especially when these transactions invo

Mumbai's financial landscape has seen significant changes as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) takes action on JPY-linked special deposits. Once a popular tool for attracting NRI funds, these deposits were marketed as premium rupee plans (PRPs), offering high returns by leveraging the forward premium on the Japanese yen. Banks, like IndusInd Bank and Yes Bank, had been using these products to attract NRI deposits by offering high yields based on the yen's forward premium in the foreign exchange

Bank of India recently hosted an NRI Meet, “Pravasi Sampark,” in Mumbai’s North Zone, designed to enhance its engagement with the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) community. This initiative is part of the bank’s ongoing strategy to provide customer-centric financial services, catering to the evolving needs of NRIs, including banking, investment, and remittance solutions. The event highlighted the bank’s commitment to strengthening long-term relationships with global Indians by leveraging a