The High Commission of India in London hosted a Curtain Raiser event in collaboration with the Council of Leather Exports (CLE) on October 18, 2023, ahead of the 'Indian Leather and Footwear Products Show' taking place from October 19-20, 2023. During the event, Chairman of CLE, Sanjay Leekha, showcased recent accomplishments in India's leather industry. Speakers emphasized the potential of India's leather, footwear, and accessory sector. R. Selvam, Executive Director of CLE, presented an overview of the Indian Footwear and Leather Industry. Experts like Ms. Lucy Reece-Raybould and Dr. N. Mohan discussed investment trends in the Indian footwear sector. Over 40 Indian exhibitors attended the event, with representatives from British Footwear Association (BFA), and notable brands including Dr. Martens, Grenson, and more. The product show will be held at the Park Plaza Hotel, Westminster Bridge in London on October 19-20, 2023, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced the annual Diwali on the Square celebration will take place at Trafalgar Square on October 29. The free public event from 1-7pm will feature dances, music, activities, and food that capture the festival's spirit. Attendees can enjoy performances by London's Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities, yoga workshops, puppet shows, and more. Mayor Khan hailed the event as embodying Diwali's symbolic victory of light over darkness. The family-friendly festivities aim to showcase London's diversity. Organizers anticipate the landmark Diwali celebrations will draw Londoners and visitors of all backgrounds. (Image Courtesy: Greater London Authority)

Ravinder S Bhalla, the first Sikh mayor in the US, has revealed receiving racist death threats against him and his family. Bhalla, who was elected mayor of Hoboken, New Jersey in 2017, said he got letters asking him to resign and then threatening to kill him, his wife and kids. One letter read "It's time to kill you." Bhalla said there was a lot of hate and actual threats on his life and his children's lives. As a proud Sikh American, Bhalla wants people treated equally but this incident shows the need for serious security.

Pradeep Bhandari, Founder of Jan Ki Baat, discussed the strengths of Indian democracy in an event titled "Depth of Indian Democracy" in London. He highlighted the pivotal role of Indian voters in shaping political leadership, India's inclusivity in electing diverse representatives, and the sagacity of Indian voters in electing and changing governments based on merit. He also emphasized the growing influence of women voters in Indian politics and pointed out the double standards in Western media's reporting on India. The event was organized by the Friends of Indian Society International (FISI), UK, promoting understanding of India's vibrant democracy and cultural issues.  

Despite political differences in Kerala concerning Israel's actions in Palestine, the state maintains a firm business tie-up with the Israeli police. For the past six years, an apparel factory in Kerala's Kannur district has been supplying uniforms for Israeli police personnel. Every year, around 100,000 uniforms for Israeli police officers are exported from the Maryan Apparel Factory in Koothuparamba, Kannur. Shijin Kumar, the factory manager, mentioned that they received their first order six years ago after a team from Israel visited their unit and were satisfied with their products. Since then, they have been receiving annual orders

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, overseeing Ayodhya's Ram temple construction, has been permitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to receive foreign funds under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) 2010. The Trust, authorized to accept "voluntary contribution" from abroad, is limited to the State Bank of India's Sansad Marg branch for FCRA accounts. Despite collecting funds nationally, contributions from Indians abroad were previously inaccessible. The temple's grand opening, anticipated between January 21-24, 2024, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as chief guest, follows the Supreme Court's 2019 ruling granting the land to Ram Lalla.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams delivered a festive Diwali message calling on people to embrace the spirit of Lord Ram, Goddess Sita and Mahatma Gandhi to become better human beings. At an event attended by the Indian-American community, Adams said Diwali is a reminder to push away darkness and usher in light wherever we see it. He said amid loss of innocent lives globally, we must live up to Diwali's ideals, not just worship them. Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar hailed the growing power of the Indian-American community in New York. Adams emphasized practicing Diwali's essence of spreading light to counter hatred and violence worldwide.

A convoy of vehicles featuring pro-Khalistan posters and slogans passed by a Hindu temple in Surrey, Canada on Sunday, concerning the local community. The rally promoted separatist figures like Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and the upcoming 'Kill India' car rally, while blaring provocative slogans outside the Lakshmi Narayan temple. Temple leaders called it intimidatory as devotees gathered for Navratri celebrations. The rally also promoted the next phase of the Khalistan referendum in Surrey on October 29. Meanwhile, Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday extended his wishes to the Hindu community on the first day of nine-day festival Navratri amid tensions with India.

In a suspected hate crime, a 19-year-old Sikh was assaulted while wearing a turban on a Queens shuttle bus in New York. The incident occurred on Sunday when the assailant demanded the victim remove his turban, stating, "We don't wear that in this country and take that mask off!" The attacker then punched the teen in the face, back, and head, causing minor cuts, and attempted to remove the turban before exiting the bus. The New York Police Department's hate crime unit is investigating the incident, labeling it as a hate crime assault. No arrests have been made in the case yet.

Inderpal Singh, a 33-year-old Singaporean of Indian origin, clinched victory on 'MasterChef Singapore's fourth season, triumphing in a three-way finale competition. Mr. Singh, a home-based F&B business owner, secured his win with a score of 76.6 out of 90, surpassing runner-up Tina Amin by 3.6 points and second runner-up Mandy Kee by 8.1 points. Judges lauded his exceptional dishes, commending their delightful flavor profiles that delivered surprising tastes and textures with every bite. Mr. Singh was awarded SGD 10,000 (approximately ₹6.7 lakh) in cash and other prizes for his culinary prowess.