Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

14 Sep

London Hosts First Ganga Aarti Along the Thames

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsLondon

London (Rajeev Sharma): Thousands of people gathered beside the River Thames on Sunday as London hosted its first-ever Ganga Aarti, bringing a centuries-old Hindu tradition of offering prayers and light to the British capital. The ceremony, titled “Ganga Aarti on the Thames: A Ceremony of Light,” was organised by Chinmaya Mission UK in partnership with the annual Totally Thames festival. The event formed part of celebrations marking 75 years of the Chinmaya Mission, a global organisation founded around the teachings of Swami Chinmayananda. The ceremony drew inspiration from the renowned aarti performed along the banks of the Ganga in India.…

14 Sep

India Women Skip Asia Cup Trophy Presentation After Record Eighth Title

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Sports, Trending

Dubai (Rajeev Sharma): India's women cricketers ended their Asia Cup campaign with another title but stayed away from the traditional trophy presentation ceremony following their 72-run victory over Sri Lanka in the final on Sunday. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side secured a record-extending eighth Women's Asia Cup crown, but the players did not take part in the on-field presentation, where the trophy was to be handed over by Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Naqvi, a Pakistani politician, heads both the ACC and the Pakistan Cricket Board and currently serves as Pakistan's Interior Minister. Presentation Becomes Centre of Attention The unusual…

13 Sep

Indian-Origin Woman Shot Dead in California; Suspected Stalker Dies After Police Standoff

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsCalifornia

Sacramento (Rajeev Sharma): A 38-year-old Indian-origin woman was shot dead at a shopping centre in California after allegedly being stalked for several months, with the suspected attacker later dying from what authorities described as an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound during a police standoff. The incident took place on September 8 at the Arden Arcade shopping centre in Sacramento. The victim, identified as Shalini Thakur, was allegedly targeted by a 22-year-old Indian national identified as Rohit. According to the US Department of Homeland Security, Rohit approached Thakur at the shopping centre and shot her following a chase before fleeing the area.…

13 Sep

Diljit Dosanjh Turns Wembley Into a Punjabi Celebration, Makes History in London

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsEntertainment, Trending, World NewsDiljit Dosanjh

London (Rajeev Sharma): The iconic Wembley Stadium witnessed a distinctly Punjabi spectacle on Saturday as Diljit Dosanjh performed before a packed audience of nearly 90,000, marking a major milestone for Punjabi music on the international stage. The singer brought his Aura World Tour to London on September 12 and became the first Punjabi singer to headline Wembley Stadium, according to the venue. For an artist whose music has travelled far beyond Punjab, the performance represented another significant step in his international journey. The night also placed Punjabi music alongside the work of some of the biggest names who have previously…

13 Sep

Alberta Social Circle Launches Community-Focused Network Connecting Professionals, Entrepreneurs and People Seeking Opportunities

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): A new community-driven initiative is bringing Alberta’s professionals, business owners and entrepreneurs together on one platform to create connections, share expertise and help people seeking employment, business opportunities and professional support. The Alberta Social Circle held its inaugural meeting at Royal Supermarket and Kitchen, marking the beginning of an initiative focused on turning professional and business networks into practical community support. Representatives from different industries and businesses came together to exchange ideas, discuss common challenges and explore how their combined experience and connections could help individuals looking for jobs, guidance in starting a business or support in…

12 Sep

TARGETED, THREATENED, SHOT AT: Chestermere Woman Charged in Calgary Extortion Investigation

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): A 23-year-old Chestermere woman is facing an extortion charge after Calgary police alleged she acted as an insider in a case where private information was used to target a Calgary woman and her family with threats, demands for money and an apparent shooting. The Calgary Police Service announced the charge against Kanureet Kaur, 23, of Chestermere, on September 11, 2026, as investigators continued probing a series of extortion incidents targeting members of Calgary’s South Asian community. According to police, Kaur allegedly provided personal information including home addresses and business details that helped other suspects locate and intimidate…

12 Sep

PM Modi Pushes BRICS to Give Global South a Greater Say in World Affairs

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, India, TrendingBRICS

NEW DELHI (Rajeev Sharma): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged BRICS nations to take a larger role in reshaping global governance, arguing that countries of the Global South should have a voice not only in international debates but also in decisions that determine the rules of the global order. Speaking at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Modi said the grouping's 20th anniversary should mark the beginning of a more ambitious phase, with members translating their consensus into practical initiatives and pressing for reforms in international institutions. Focus on the Next 20 Years Modi said India's BRICS presidency had been…

12 Sep

Europe Trip Leaves Woman Reflecting on Ageing, Fitness and Independence in India

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsLifestyleEurope

NEW DELHI (Rajeev Sharma): An observation made by a woman during her travels across Europe has triggered a wider discussion online about ageing, physical fitness and the importance of maintaining independence in later life. Sharing her experience on X, the traveller said she was struck by the number of people in their 70s and 80s whom she saw travelling independently. According to her, many older Europeans appeared comfortable walking considerable distances, handling their own luggage and moving through airports and unfamiliar cities without assistance. The experience prompted her to compare what she had seen abroad with the mobility challenges faced…

12 Sep

India, Sri Lanka Set for Spin-Heavy Asia Cup Final in Dubai

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingAsia Cup Final

DUBAI (Rajeev Sharma): India and Sri Lanka will meet in the Women's T20 Asia Cup final with the title likely to be decided by how well the two sides handle spin-friendly conditions in Dubai. Both teams have relied heavily on their slow-bowling attacks throughout the tournament. India have collected 26 wickets through spin, the highest tally among the competing sides, while Sri Lanka are close behind with 25. The final match is scheduled to be held on September 13, 2026. The numbers underline the nature of the contest, but the two finalists have arrived at the summit through contrasting routes.…

12 Sep

BRICS Breaks Deadlock, Finalises Joint Statement After Overnight Negotiations

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingBRICS

NEW DELHI (Rajeev Sharma): After hours of intense diplomatic negotiations, BRICS member countries have succeeded in resolving their differences and reached agreement on a Joint Statement, clearing the way for its issuance on Friday. The negotiations stretched deep into the night, with discussions continuing until nearly 4 AM as member states worked through disagreements over a number of politically sensitive issues. The agreement is being seen as an important diplomatic outcome for the grouping, particularly at a time when geopolitical divisions remain pronounced across several regions. India Steps Up Consensus-Building Efforts India played a central role in the final round…