As Bihar gears up for its assembly elections later this year, the political atmosphere intensifies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the charge from Bhagalpur. His campaign rhetoric, laden with grand promises and sharp attacks on the opposition led by Lalu Yadav, underscores the BJP's intent to leverage both development narratives and socio-political polarization to secure victory.

The Agra Municipal Corporation has announced its decision to honour the sacrifices of India’s brave soldiers by building a grand war memorial in the city. This historic decision comes after relentless efforts by citizens and activists, particularly members of the River Connect Campaign, who first submitted a memorandum to the municipal commissioner in January 2023.

A few days ago, at a classical music event in South India, a scholar asked me, "What is the current state of the Agra Gharana, and who is preserving it?" My answer was burdened with ignorance and helplessness. This question points to a significant concern - how Hindustani classical music, especially the Agra Gharana, is being neglected in modern times.

The sacred temples of Braj, once vibrant with the divine strains of Dhrupad and Haveli Sangeet, now echo with a different tune. The soulful melodies that celebrated Lord Krishna's love have been largely drowned out by the blare of loudspeakers churning out Bollywood-inspired folk music. The purity of Haveli Sangeet, a devotional art form deeply intertwined with the region's spiritual heritage, has been replaced by a cacophony of commercialized sounds.

The world is one. Resources of the world should be available to all. Borders should not discourage people from migrating for jobs, better life, or spreading ideas.

Following the Bharatiya Janata Party's success in the Delhi Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating condition of the Yamuna River. He has decided to prioritize a major river cleaning and purification program. This has sparked new hope among residents of the Braj region, including Agra, Mathura, and Vrindavan.