Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

19 Jun

PM Modi Showcases India’s Cultural Heritage Through Exquisite Handcrafted Gifts at G7 Summit in Canada

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaG7 Summit 2025, Indian handicrafts, PM Modi gifts

National Times Bureau (Rajeev Sharma): During the G7 Summit held in Canada, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a series of carefully curated traditional Indian handicrafts and artworks to global leaders, each representing India’s rich cultural and artistic legacy. To Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, the President of Mexico, PM Modi gifted a Warli Painting, a tribal art from Maharashtra’s Warli community. This folk art, characterized by white rice paste on mud walls, captures everyday rural life using basic geometric shapes and often depicts the “tarpa dance,” symbolizing unity and joy. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung received a Madhubani Painting, also known as…

19 Jun

Gujarat Influencer Kirti Patel Arrested in ₹2 Crore Honeytrap Case Involving Surat Builder

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaInstagram influencer, Kirti Patel arrest, Surat builder extortion

Ahmedabad/Surat, June 19, 2025 — Kirti Patel, a Gujarat-based Instagram influencer with over 1.3 million followers, has been arrested in Ahmedabad for allegedly honey-trapping a prominent builder from Surat and attempting to extort ₹2 crore from him. The arrest was carried out by Surat police with assistance from the Ahmedabad police after a nearly 10-month-long search.Patel, also known as Kirti Adalja on social media, was taken into custody from the Sarkhej area. She had been on the run since a complaint was filed on June 2, 2024, alleging that she blackmailed the builder with compromising videos and demanded a hefty…

19 Jun

PM Modi Gifts Brass Bodhi Tree to Canadian PM Mark Carney During G7 Visit

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingG7 Summit, Mark Carney, PM Modi

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): In a gesture rich with cultural symbolism and spiritual significance, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney with a handcrafted Brass Bodhi Tree sculpture during his official visit to Canada for the G7 Summit. The elegant sculpture, crafted by artisans from Bihar, represents the sacred Bodhi tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya. The intricately designed brass artwork features delicately shaped leaves and branches, capturing both the natural beauty and profound meaning of the tree in Buddhist tradition. In Buddhism, the Bodhi tree is a revered symbol of wisdom, inner…

19 Jun

PM Modi Gifts Alberta Premier Danielle Smith Exquisite Ebony Jali Box During G7 Summit Visit

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, TrendingDanielle Smith, G7 Summit, Narendra Modi

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): During his visit to Canada for the G7 Summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a handcrafted ebony wood jali box to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, symbolizing India’s rich cultural heritage and its centuries-old artisanal traditions. The intricately designed presentation box hails from Rajasthan and is made from rare, dark Indian ebony wood. Adorned with a hand-painted peacock—a national symbol of grace and beauty, the box features delicate silver inlay work known as Nakkashi, an art form that dates back hundreds of years. The peacock, painted in vivid hues, sits atop a lid that showcases the elegance…

19 Jun

China, Egypt Urge Immediate Ceasefire Amid Escalating Middle East Crisis

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsTrending, World NewsChina, egypt, Iran, Israel

Beijing/Cairo (National Times) — In a crucial diplomatic exchange, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty to discuss the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Middle East, expressing deep concern over Israel's recent military actions and the escalating regional tensions. Wang Yi sharply criticized Israel’s operations, stating that its conduct “disregards international law and global norms,” warning that such actions risk pushing the region to the brink of uncontrollable conflict. He called on all parties—particularly Israel—to prioritize the safety, well-being, and interests of people across the region. “China is deeply concerned that the…

18 Jun

“Dialogue and Diplomacy Only Path”, Says Modi in Croatia Amid Global Turbulence

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, World NewsAndrej Plenković, dialogue not warfare, India–Croatia diplomacy, PM Modi Croatia visit

Zagreb, June 18, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined the importance of peaceful diplomacy during his meeting with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković in Zagreb. He and Plenković agreed that whether in Europe or Asia, “solutions to problems cannot come from battlefields” and reaffirmed that dialogue and diplomacy must lead efforts to resolve global challenges.The two leaders also committed to accelerating bilateral cooperation. Modi announced plans to triple the pace of India–Croatia ties and strengthen defence collaboration. He thanked Croatia for its steadfast support in India’s fight against cross-border terrorism and expressed optimism about deepening partnerships in areas such…

18 Jun

Iran Warns U.S. Against Direct Involvement in Israel–Iran Conflict

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsWorld NewsAli Bahreini, Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran warns U.S., Israel–Iran conflict

Geneva, June 18, 2025 — Iran has warned the United States that any direct military involvement in the Israel–Iran conflict would trigger a firm and potentially broader response. The warning was issued by Iran’s UN Ambassador Ali Bahreini, who stated that Tehran perceives Washington as complicit in Israel’s strikes and plans to set a clear “red line.” Should the U.S. cross that threshold, Iran has vowed to respond strongly.Ambassador Bahreini emphasized that while the U.S. has so far been limited to indirect actions such as assisting in intercepting missiles and reinforcing military assets in the region a direct engagement would…

18 Jun

India’s First Evacuation Flight from Iran to Land in Delhi Early Thursday Under Operation Sindhu

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndian evacuation flight, Iran-Israel war, Operation Sindhu, students

New Delhi, June 18, 2025 — India’s first evacuation flight under Operation Sindhu is set to land in New Delhi early Thursday, bringing home 110 Indian students stranded amid the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. Nearly 90 of those evacuated belong to Jammu and Kashmir, where families have been anxiously awaiting their return.The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the students had safely crossed over from Iran into Armenia earlier this week. They were then airlifted from Yerevan around 3 PM local time on Wednesday, with the special evacuation flight expected to arrive in Delhi shortly after midnight.This operation comes amid heightened…

18 Jun

PM Modi Arrives in Croatia on Final Leg of Three-Nation Tour

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndia foreign tour 2025, Modi Eastern Europe, PM Modi Croatia visit

Zagreb, June 18, 2025 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Croatia on Tuesday evening, marking the final stop of his three-nation diplomatic tour. He was warmly received at the airport by senior Croatian officials and members of the Indian community.This visit follows his engagements in Cyprus and Canada, where he participated in the G7 Summit and held bilateral talks with global leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. In Cyprus, Modi was conferred with the nation’s highest civilian honour, while in Canada, discussions focused on trade, technology, and security partnerships amid the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.In…

18 Jun

No More Toll Hassles: Govt Launches Rs 3,000 Annual FASTag Pass for Highway Commuters

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, India, TrendingFASTag

New Delhi (National Times): In a first-of-its-kind move, the Government of India will roll out a FASTag-based Annual Toll Pass for non-commercial private vehicles starting August 15, 2025, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced today. The pass, costing Rs 3,000, will be valid for 200 toll trips or one year, whichever comes first, across all National Highways in the country. It is exclusively meant for private cars, jeeps, and vans. The Annual Pass comes in response to widespread public frustration over frequent toll deductions and bottlenecks, particularly at plazas less than 60 km apart. “This policy is designed to eliminate those…