President Trump celebrating Diwali at the Oval Office

Across Oceans, the Same Light, the Same Spirit -Indian Festivals Without Borders

 

New York City made Diwali a public school holiday in 2023, acknowledging the festival's importance to a significant section of its population. Deepavali was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2025. These reflect how a festival rooted in India's civilisational traditions has found an increasingly visible place in the global cultural calendar.

They Left for a Better Life, Not to Die in War: Trafficking Bangladeshi Youths into Russia's War Against Ukraine

Fortify Rights and Truth Hounds documented more than 100 Bangladeshis recruited into the Russian military and reported at least 34 deaths in their March 2026 investigation. Separately, Prothom Alo reported on October 21 that at least 54 Bangladeshis had reportedly died after travelling to Russia for work and becoming involved in the war over the preceding three years.

When a Migrant Worker Suffers Injury Abroad: A Shared Information Support System Regionally Will Help Returnees

Regional cooperation could begin with practical comparisons. Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India and other labour-sending countries can exchange working solutions without pretending their systems or bilateral agreements are identical.

The Power, Potential, and Unrealised Promise, of South Asia

South Asia, for all its faults and constraints, is the fastest-growing economic region in the world this year. It is also home to the Commonwealth’s largest three countries in terms of population, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, representing just under two billion citizens, the majority under 30-years old.

More on South Asia Diaspora, Migrant Worker and Global Indians

Nepali diaspora hit by Covid surge

A second wave of COVID-19 cases in Europe and the explosive spread in the United States has raised the number of deaths from the pandemic in the Nepali diaspora, but experts say the toll may be higher than officially reported

104 Bangladeshi garment workers stuck in Ethiopia

A Bangladeshi garment company urged the government to help relocate its 104 expatriate workers stranded in Ethiopia's conflict-torn northern Tigray region

Nepalis in Malaysia to gain from amnesty

The Malaysian government has initiated a ‘recalibration’ of undocumented foreign workers in its country that will benefit Nepalis who have been working there without proper papers

Diwali celebrations will be difficult this year: UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak

UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said that celebrating Diwali this year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic will be difficult, but also urged people to mark the festival of lights while adhering to the restrictions

Indian Americans abound in Biden-Harris transition team

Two Indian Americans have been named to head key teams that will help Joe Biden's administration to hit the ground running as soon as he is sworn-in as president on January 20

Asian, Indian applicants lose discrimination case over Harvard University admissions

A US appeals court has ruled against Asian students – a category that includes Indians – in a case they brought against Harvard University saying it discriminated against them in admissions and it is likely to end up in the Supreme Court

Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre to take UAE's National Day event beyond borders

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced one of the largest UAE National Day celebrations by an Indian expat community group to be held virtually

Former Gurkha soldier in UK nominated for British award

A former Gurkha soldier has been nominated for the prestigious Paul Stephenson Unsung Hero Award 2020

Stranded Lankans take refuge in Dubai park, seek repatriation from UAE

A group of Sri Lankans on visit and expired residential visas has taken refuge at a park in Dubai, awaiting repatriation, accoring to a report by Dubai based daily Khaleeej Times

The 'samosa caucus' in US Congress remains unchanged

With two favoured Indian American candidates losing their elections to the House of Representatives, the strength of the “samosa caucus” – as the group of Indian American members of the House fondly call themselves – will remain at four as before

New labour laws in Gulf countries to ease Nepali migrant workers' woes

Gulf countries, which constitute the topmost foreign destination of employment for Nepali migrant workers, have started making labor-friendly rules by revoking mandatory rules imposed on migrant workers

Indian Americans hail Kamala Harris election as a vindication; expect more representation in administration

Indian American organisations and leaders are seeing the election of Kamala Harris as the next vice president as a vindication of the dream of America as the land of opportunities and look forward to working with her and Joe Biden as president in healing the national divide

Joe Biden's Covid adviser Murthy's family hails from Karnataka village

Indians have found yet another social connection to the incoming Biden Administration

India's science ministers holds policy consultation with scientific diaspora

India's Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan on Sunday held policy consultations with Indian scientific diaspora in a virtual meeting and invited them to play active role in formulation of the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP), 2020

India has bipartisan support; more Indian Americans expected in Biden Administration: GOPIO

One of the oldest Indian American community organisations has said there is unlikely to be any change in US policy towards India with the coming of the Biden Administration since both countries have become "close partners" and both have "common interests"

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