Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

India’s Independence Day marked with ceremony at Cardiff Castle

Cardiff Castle was illuminated in the Indian tricolour, and the ceremony featured speeches and performances, including the Indian national anthem by the Rekha Natya Academy.

India’s Independence Day marked with ceremony at Cardiff Castle

INDIA’s 78th Independence Day was marked by a flag-raising ceremony at Cardiff Castle, led by the Consul of India in Wales, Raj Aggarwal.

Cardiff Castle was illuminated in the Indian tricolour, and the ceremony featured speeches and performances, including the Indian national anthem by the Rekha Natya Academy.


Raj Aggarwal emphasised Wales' recognition of the Indian community’s contributions, stating, “This event reflects the vibrancy and warmth that defines the relationship between Wales and India.”

The event was attended by key figures, including deputy lord Mayor Cllr Helen Lloyd Jones, Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford, MP Kanishka Narayan, anti-racism campaigner Usha Ladwa-Thomas and senior officers from the armed forces and police.

Performances included traditional music by Ty Krishna and patriotic songs by Atreyee Saha.

The celebration also acknowledged the achievements of Sujatha Thaladi, appointed as honorary air commodore of RAF 614 Sqn, and CBE recipient Emmanuel Ogbonna.

Raj Aggarwal announced the planned opening of a £5 million Ty Krishna wellness centre in Cardiff Bay in 2025.

More For You

Indian court upholds Adani's Mumbai slum revamp contract

Gautam Adani

Indian court upholds Adani's Mumbai slum revamp contract

AN Indian court on Friday (20) dismissed a petition challenging the award of a contract to Adani Group to revamp one of Asia's largest slums in Mumbai, clearing one of the main legal challenges to the ambitious project.

The group led by billionaire Gautam Adani won a $619 million (£494.31m) bid in 2023 to convert the Dharavi slum into a modern city hub, but Dubai-based SecLink Technologies Corporation, winner of a previous tender for the slum revamp, challenged the award of the contract to Adani in a petition in the Bombay High Court in July 2023.

Keep ReadingShow less
October declared Hindu Heritage Month in Ohio, US

The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) welcomed the bill’s passage. (Representational image: iStock)

October declared Hindu Heritage Month in Ohio, US

THE OHIO State House and Senate in the US have passed a bill designating October as Hindu Heritage Month.

State senator Niraj Antani, who led the effort, expressed his satisfaction with the bill's passage.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kyle Clifford

During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)

Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family

A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.

Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Peter-Mandelson-Getty

Mandelson, a prominent ally of former prime minister Tony Blair, was instrumental in rebranding the Labour Party in the 1990s. (Photo: Getty Images)

Peter Mandelson to be new US ambassador

VETERAN Labour politician Peter Mandelson has been selected to become the UK's new ambassador to the United States, according to media reports on Thursday. An official announcement is expected on Friday (20).

Mandelson, 71, is set to take up the post in late January, coinciding with US president-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the reports stated. This marks the first time in decades that a political appointee, rather than a seasoned diplomat, will hold the position.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kite-making picks up in Gujarat ahead of harvest festival

Kite-making picks up in Gujarat ahead of harvest festival


HUDDLED over piles of colourful paper, Mohammad Yunus is one among thousands of workers in India's western state of Gujarat who make kites by hand that are used during a major harvest festival.

People in Gujarat celebrate Uttarayan, a Hindu festival in mid-January that celebrates the end of winter by flying kites held by glass-coated or plastic strings.

Keep ReadingShow less