India

A busy lunchtime at the Daryaganj restaurant, which claims to own the recipe for the original butter chicken and has been sued for copyright infringement by a rival Delhi restaurant.

Who invented butter chicken? Dueling claims battle it out in an Indian high court.

The grandsons of two now-deceased business partners are fighting over claims of whose grandfather invented the beloved Indian dish, butter chicken.

Who invented butter chicken? Dueling claims battle it out in an Indian high court.
A construction crew works on Ram Mandir, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ram in Ayodhya, India, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024.

'Religious triumphalism': A grand Hindu temple opens on a controversial site in India 

'Religious triumphalism': A grand Hindu temple opens on a controversial site in India 
Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is pictured in his office in New York, Nov. 29, 2023.

Assassination plot in the US allegedly traces back to Indian govt

Assassination plot in the US allegedly traces back to Indian govt
Intricate carvings adorn the marble pillars inside a Jain temple in Ahmedabad, western India. Jainism is an ancient religion whose followers often renounce the world to lead a life of extreme austerity. Most of them are women, some as young as 8.

‘Happiness is in your hands’: Young Jain women continue to renounce the world

‘Happiness is in your hands’: Young Jain women continue to renounce the world
Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana campus is currently home to about 400 students affected by natural disasters and other crises.

30 years after a devastating earthquake, this school in India continues a legacy of support for survivors

30 years after a devastating earthquake, this school in India continues a legacy of support for survivors
Cast members perform during a rehearsal of the opera "Monkey: A Kung Fu Puppet Parable" at the Emerson Paramount Center in Boston, Sept. 20, 2023.

A modern take on an ancient Chinese folk tale

The new opera, “Monkey: A Kung Fu Puppet Parable,” had its world premiere in Boston over the weekend. The story is based on an ancient Chinese folk tale and uses modern and diverse cultural elements to create a unique rendition of the popular fable.

A modern take on an ancient Chinese folk tale
Traveling monks work on a sand mandala at Lake Street Church in Evanston, Illinois.

Tibetan monks on tour in US as China continues to restrict religion in Tibet

A group of Tibetan Buddhist monks, living in exile in India, are doing a “sacred arts tour” this month in the US. They’re demonstrating an ancient artistic and spiritual practice, creating big, colorful sand mandalas. They say Buddhist traditions like this are under threat because of Chinese government policies in their historic homeland of Tibet.

Tibetan monks on tour in US as China continues to restrict religion in Tibet
sign

Delhi is rolling out the welcome mat as leaders arrive for the G20 summit in India

But critics say that India has turned the G20 into a marketing campaign for itself — and for Prime Minister Narendra Modi — ahead of general elections next year. The summit will also be a test for India as it seeks to establish itself as a rising power and as a voice for the global south.

Delhi is rolling out the welcome mat as leaders arrive for the G20 summit in India
Screenshot from "Cape Flats Kung Fu" by Eavesdrop.

'Planet Hip Hop': The music will always be the voice of the people, Samy Alim says

As we wrap up “Planet Hip Hop,” our summer series celebrating 50 years of hip-hop music around the world, H. Samy Alim returns to talk with host Marco Werman about the next 50 years. Alim is an anthropology professor and the director of the Hip Hop Initiative at UCLA. 

'Planet Hip Hop': The music will always be the voice of the people, Samy Alim says
Women rush out of a train during peak hours at Churchgate station in Mumbai, India, Monday, March 20, 2023.

Indian women do less paid work. It’s bad news for the economy.

Across the world, higher economic growth has seen a rise in women’s employment, according to the United Nations. But India is bucking that trend, where educated women are working less in paid positions.

Indian women do less paid work. It’s bad news for the economy.
a man sleeping on the ground outside of a temple

Housing segregation in India has affected millions of people for several generations

For generations, people have moved from rural areas to cities to find opportunities. But new research shows neighborhoods in Indian cities are segregated according to caste and religion, and that impacts upward mobility for residents.

Housing segregation in India has affected millions of people for several generations
Dalai Lama and cake

Tibet’s Dalai Lama turns 88 

On Thursday, the 14th Dalai Lama turns 88 years old. The Tibetan spiritual leader and prominent Buddhist figure is the longest serving in the line of Dalai Lamas in Tibetan history. As he gets older, the prospect of his demise — and what happens after — is looming.

Tibet’s Dalai Lama turns 88 
rapper

Hip-hop artists in India call out caste discrimination 

In India, artists are using hip-hop to stand up to one of the world's oldest forms of discrimination: caste. In recent years, a new wave of Dalit artists is wielding some of the same musical elements that Black artists began channeling decades ago to call out prejudice and injustice.

Hip-hop artists in India call out caste discrimination 
people outside

Investigation begins into India’s deadly train crash

​​​​​​​On Sunday, rescue workers pulled the last survivor from the devastating crash in eastern Odisha state that has left at least 275 dead and more than a thousand injured. Relatives are now on the scene trying to locate loved ones and train services on the line have resumed. Investigators are pinpointing what caused one of the deadliest crashes in India's history. 

Investigation begins into India’s deadly train crash
Bollywood actresses from left, Siddhi Idnani, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani, Adah Sharma and producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah during a press conference for the movie "The Kerala Story" in Mumbai, India, May 17, 2023.

Is the fictional film 'The Kerala Story' cautionary or propaganda?

“The Kerala Story” is a fictionalized film that has sparked debate in India. It's about Hindu women being tricked into joining ISIS. The filmmakers say they are uncovering a hidden truth, while others say the film is exaggerated and divisive.

Is the fictional film 'The Kerala Story' cautionary or propaganda?