Alena Adamkova, the Executive Director of the International Roerich Memorial Trust, has been decorated with the Russian order of Friendship for her contribution into the development of the Russian-Indian cultural ties. Slovakian Adamkova, who is a specialist in Indian Studies, lived for many years in the USSR and India.

Outspoken vegetarian Paul McCartney is urging India to declare a national Vegetarian Day to celebrate meat-free living and compassion toward animals

Craftswomen from countries like Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are scheduled to display their wares, demonstrate their skills and exchange designs and techniques under the guidance of designers, provided by Dastkari Haat Samiti.

Giving a twist to the much-touted race between the Indian elephant versus the Chinese dragon, an eminent expert on 'nations branding' says although China's economy may be far bigger and its military superior, Brand India may just win the game as the world identifies with its values of plurality, diversity and tolerance.

Can India win 20 gold medals in the 2020 Olympics? A preposterous suggestion, most would argue. After all, the tally in Beijing in 2008 was a paltry three, with a solitary gold for shooter Abhinav Bindra. To believe there could be a 20-fold increase in the matter of a decade defies good sense.

"India will be one of the leading economies in the world in the future with our intellectual capital and other inherent capacities. Hence, India's renewed efforts will help us project a strong and independent profile in global affairs. As a career diplomat, I have been seeing our country's growth in all spheres for the last three decades," said Nirupama Rao, secretary of external affairs, in Manipal.

Leading Indian wire agency Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) has launched its free iPhone and Android applications to help readers across the globe track the latest news, updates, features and analyses on a real-time basis.

Indian novelists have joined the canon of modern literature, earning critical acclaim and topping bestseller lists in New York and London. Writers like Salman Rushdie and Vikram Seth are known for colorful epics that weave Indian history and culture into personal dramas. Each book is a labor of love, a door-stopping tome.