From the ancient ikat to the royal patola, from jamdani to Banarasi brocade to the ornate  gyaser, and the Kashmiri pashmina, here are some of India’s most famous handwoven and handspun weaves that celebrate rare artisanal flair to create the most unique and opulent fabrics

By Priya Kumari Rana

26 January 2023

Handloom fabric is the pulse of India, and has been a tradition in ourland since millennia. India is one of the few countries where handloom and hand-spinning are still thriving. In his recent ‘Mann ki Baat’ address to the nation, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about National Handloom Day (celebrated on August 7) and encouraged citizens to support handloom artisans, which, in turn,would add to the vision of “Vocal for Local”.

Mighty Millets - Super Grains of Power

Prof. Rajeev K Varshney

Super-grain, super-food and wonder-grain are some of the adjectives often used to describe millets, one of the oldest foods known to humans, and probably the first grain used for domestic purposes.

India Takes World Centre-Stage with G20 Presidency

by Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar

25 January 2023

Introduction

India assumed the Presidency of G20 (the Group of 20 countries comprising 19 large economies and the European Union) for 2023 from Indonesia on 1st December, 2022. While accepting this responsibility, PM Narendra Modi said that India’s G20 presidency will be “inclusive, ambitious, decisive and action-oriented.’’

Amrit Kaal of the Indian Economy

by Dr. Bibek Debroy

Recently, India celebrated 75 years of Independence. The idea of Amritkaal extends that forward to the next twenty-five years, to 2047, when India will celebrate 100 years of Independence. The India of 2023 is different from the India of 1947 and the India of 2047 will be different from the India of 2023 in ways few can anticipate and project today.

Dean of Mumbai Consular Corps leads visit to Governor

25 January 2023

Members of the Consular Corps of Mumbai, India (CCAM) had the honour of engaging with the Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhavan on 16 January 2023.

The new Dean of the Consular Corps in Mumbai, Andrea Kühn Consul-General of South Africa, who is representing over 100 Diplomatic Missions in Mumbai, Maharashtra, conveyed appreciation for the excellent cooperation rendered by the office of the Governor and that the CCAM looked forward to continued cooperation in 2023 especially in relation to India’s Presidency of the G20 and SCO.

Forging Arab-Africa Partnership for Recovery, Resilience and Sustainable Development - BADEA

25 January 2023

Former President of the Republic of South Africa Mr. Kgalema Motlanthe and Former First Lady Madame Gugu Motlanthe, shared the stage with African and Arab leaders from the public and private sectors; members of the United Nations (UN); NGO’s; and civil society, at the 2023 Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) High-Level Summit in Dubai, UAE, on 12 January 2023.

Russia-Ukraine conflict should end through diplomacy, negotiation - Pandor

24 January 2023

International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, has reiterated South Africa’s position that the only path to peace is through diplomacy, dialogue and commitment to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

This includes the principle that all Member States will endeavour to settle disputes by peaceful means.

24 January 2023

This year, 2023, is symbolized by the Rabbit which has a profound influence on Chinese culture as depicted by the discovery of a fresco showing three rabbits sharing ears which was painted during the Sui Dynasty that ruled between 581 and 618. More recently China’s lunar rover that landed on the moon in 2019 was named Jade Rabbit 2 or Yutu 2, the pet rabbit of moon goddess Chang’e from Chinese legend. A rabbit deity of the pet named Tu’er Ye or Lord Rabbit is found in Beijing.

SA's navy exercises between China and Russia to benefit nations

23 January 2023

Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Thandi Modise, says she is confident that the multinational maritime exercise between South Africa, Russia and China that will take place over a 10-day period will benefit all three participating nations.

“The envisaged exercise will benefit all countries involved through interoperability of the naval systems, joint disaster systems management enhancement, maritime cooperation and anti-piracy exercises.”

18 January 2023

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa extends his best wishes to the Government and people of the People’s Republic of China on the occasion of the Chinese Lunar New Year and Annual Spring Festival.

President Ramaphosa has, on behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, expressed his wish that the advent of the Year of the Rabbit will indeed endow citizens of the People’s Republic of China with the longevity, peace and prosperity associated with the zodiac sign for the year ahead. South Africa values the vibrant economic relations and political cooperation that characterise its partnership with the People’s Republic of China.

Frene Ginwala (photo credit: SA History online)

by Shireen Hassim

Frene Ginwala, feisty feminist, astute political tactician and committed cadre of South Africa’s governing party, the African National Congress (ANC), has died at the age of 90. In a country blessed with exceptional leaders, Ginwala must surely count among the best. Typically for her, but unusually for the ANC leadership, she will be laid to rest in a private ceremony. While she was modest about her achievements, she has left an indelible mark on South Africa’s constitution and democratic institutions.