His Highness Aga Khan Adressing in Central Asia_1 Courtesy: Zahur Ramji
13 July 2017

When Bombay was home to the Aga Khans

The Aga Khan IV, Prince Karim al-Husayni, the religious head of of the Ismaili Shia Imamat, celebrated the diamond jubilee year of his leadership earlier this week with the launch of many development projects. What is not very well known is that Bombay was a centre for the consolidation of the community and its religious leaders’ influence

IMG_0796 Courtesy: Dr. Sarah Israel
29 June 2017

India, Israel and the chosen people

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel (July 4-6) marks 25 years of India’s diplomatic relations with the State of Israel. Forging political and economic ties with it has not been smooth sailing, and it’s the Indian Jewish community that has kept a tenuous relationship going

CFo1ubfUgAAzxei Courtesy: Consulate General of France in Mumbai
16 March 2017

More than a whiff of France in Bombay

All eyes are on the outcome of the French elections next month with its portents of a far right president being the people’s choice. But it was 200 years ago that Bombay forged its French connection. Trade with France ushered in cultural influences while the city’s early nationalists were drawn to the French Revolution’s political philosophy of ‘Liberty, Equality and Fraternity’

Sifra Germany Photo Courtesy: Chemould Prescott Road Archives
1 December 2016

A German renaissance in Bombay

Germany’s presidency of G20 in 2017 comes at a time when the country is in a state of deep flux. But its relations with India have always been unshaken. Even 80 years ago, German-speaking immigrants, fleeing the Second World war, greatly enhanced Bombay’s cultural life

14th July 1904 Courtesy: Consulate General of France in Mumbai
6 October 2016

Mumbai’s historic diplomatic enclave

A vibrant foreign diplomatic corp that has been present in Mumbai for the last 200 years has contributed both to its political and economic life and imparted a social and cultural cachet

Bombay4 Courtesy: Wikipedia
25 August 2016

How Mumbai became a magnet for migrants

Mumbai presents a melting pot scenario, one to which different communities lend its own distinct flavour, and to which three different sets of laws have contributed. This article assesses how the city’s migratory patterns are reflected in its housing laws, company and industrial laws, and those related to organised crime.

Komagata_Maru Courtesy: Leonard Juda Frank/Wikimedia
15 April 2015

Komagata Maru: mission to Canada

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his April 14-17 visit to Canada, will visit the Komagata Maru Museum & Monument in Vancouver, an important milestone in Canada’s Indian diaspora as well as Asian immigrant history

beijing_shows_kunqu_opera_1 Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
5 December 2014

A year of India-China friendship

2014 was celebrated as the year of India-China friendship with many joint high level diplomatic, defence and cultural events to strengthen relations. The cities of New Delhi and Mumbai will see the debut of the Chinese Kunqu Opera to mark the close of the year

Pune’s Ohel David turns 150
3 November 2014

Pune’s Ohel David turns 150

Pune’s most well known landmark, Ohel David (Lal Deval) synagogue turns hundred and fifty. Governor of Maharashtra, Shri C. Vidyasagar Rao, and the direct descendants of the synagogue’s founder, David Sassoon (1792-1864) get together to mark this occasion