Prashant Shukla

  India's economic ascent is facing a critical test. After registering an impressive 8.2% GDP growth in the fiscal year 2023–24, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised its projection for 2024–25 downward to 6.6%, a marked drop from the earlier estimate of 7.2%. Manufacturing growth has slowed to 2.2% in the third quarter of 2024, down sharply from 7% a year prior, while private investment has shown signs of stagnation. Though India continues to outperform most major economies, its recent loss of momentum, exacerbated by internal weaknesses and an increasingly volatile global trade environment, signals a decisive moment for its $4 trillion economy. India's Position in the Global Economic Landscape To understand India's trajectory, it is helpful to compare it with four other leading economies: Vietnam, the United States, China, and Ireland. Each exhibits distinct growth dynamics.  With a projected GDP growth of 6.8% in 2025, Vietnam has emerged as a formidable competitor...

  L-R Ambassador Kevin Kelly, Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar   and Ambassador Akhilesh Mishra  From 6 to 7 March 2025, India's External Affairs Minister, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, officially visited Ireland. This visit, distinguished by diplomatic meetings, academic engagements, and strategic discussions, underscored the evolving global partnerships in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. Despite the historical alliance and mutual support during both nations' freedom struggles, the Ireland-India relationship has not expanded as robustly as anticipated, particularly in contrast to Ireland's increasingly strong ties with China. Diplomacy and Academic Outreach During his stay in Ireland, Dr Jaishankar delivered a lecture entitled India's View of the World at University College Dublin (UCD). This address outlined India's foreign policy vision for a multipolar world and emphasised the significance of cultural, educational, and scient...

Mystical Connection: Similarities Between Indian Pitru Paksha and Irish Halloween The article explores the authentic origins of Halloween in Ireland, tracing it back to the ancient Celtic tradition of Samhain.   As I reside in the ancient traditional land of Ireland, particularly in County Meath, where the roots of Celtic civilisation originally sprouted and spread to various corners of the world, I'm fortunate to witness the rich historical tapestry that makes this region unique. The story of the authentic origins of Halloween in Ireland has been uncovered through the examination of evidence gathered from archaeological digs, legends, myths, and Celtic history. Irish folklore, deeply intertwined with the Celtic heritage that originates in these very lands, traces Halloween back to the ancient Celtic tradition of Samhain, which the old Irish aptly termed "summer's end." Samhain marked not only the conclusion of the harvest season but also the commencement of the New Y...