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Good News

The World Listens to Arijit: Spotify Crowns Him Most Followed Artist!

In a groundbreaking achievement that has sent waves through the global music industry, Indian playback icon Arijit Singh has officially become the most followed artist on Spotify, overtaking international giants like Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. With over 151 million followers, Arijit has made his name in music history, becoming the first Indian artist to top Spotify’s global follower rankings. This moment isn't just a personal victory for Arijit; it symbolizes a powerful shift in global music preferences and an acknowledgment of India's massive musical influence on the world stage.Arijit Singh: From Small Town Roots to Global StardomBorn on 25 April 1987 in Jiaganj, West Bengal, Arijit Singh grew up in a musically rich household with a Punjabi Sikh father and Bengali Hindu mother. Surrounded by classical influences from a young age, he began vocal training at age three and earned a government scholarship in Indian classical music by nine. Inspired by legends like Kishore Kumar and Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Arijit developed a unique style that blends emotion with musical depth. His journey began with Fame Gurukul in 2005, where, despite an early exit, he caught the attention of key industry figures. After winning 10 Ke 10 Le Gaye Dil, he moved to Mumbai, investing his prize money in a home studio and working as a music producer. His breakthrough came with “Phir Mohabbat” (Murder 2) and “Raabta” (Agent Vinod), but it was “Tum Hi Ho” from Aashiqui 2 in 2013 that made him a household name. That one song opened doors to a musical journey that has only grown richer over the years. Since then, Arijit has delivered countless hits, working with top composers like Pritam and A.R. Rahman. Despite global fame, he remains low-profile and deeply connected to his roots. For many, Arijit Singh’s voice has been the background score to love stories, heartbreaks, and personal moments. Known for his soul-stirring ballads and unmatched emotional depth, Arijit has built a connection with listeners that transcends language, genre, and geography. Surpassing the Icons: A Look at the RankingsSpotify, the world’s largest music streaming platform, is a measure of global popularity, and Arijit now sits atop this mountain. Here’s how the top five most-followed artists currently stand. Arijit Singh—151 million followers, Taylor Swift—141 million followers, Ed Sheeran—121 million followers, Billie Eilish—114 million followers, and The Weeknd—107 million followers. This list includes some of the biggest names in modern music, making Arijit’s rise even more remarkable. His success is not just rooted in numbers—it reflects a genuine, emotional connection with listeners who return to his songs for comfort, nostalgia, and love.More Indian Voices on the Global StageArijit isn’t alone in bringing Indian music to the global forefront. A.R. Rahman, the Oscar-winning composer, currently ranks 14th on the Spotify list with over 65 million followers, a reflection of his legendary status and lasting impact. Pritam, another Bollywood music heavyweight known for his catchy compositions, holds the 21st position with 53 million followers, while popular singer Neha Kakkar stands at 25th, with 48.5 million followers, making her one of the top female Indian artists globally. This surge of Indian talent in Spotify’s top rankings indicates a broader trend: Indian music is no longer regional; it’s global. Why Arijit’s Success MattersThis achievement is more than just a number; it’s a cultural moment. For decades, Indian artists have dominated domestic music scenes, but global platforms often prioritized Western musicians. Arijit’s rise challenges that norm and proves that music, when honest and heartfelt, knows no boundaries. Millions of listeners across continents find solace and joy in his songs, whether they understand the lyrics or not. It’s his voice—the raw emotion, the sincerity, the quiet vulnerability. From weddings and long drives to heartbreak and healing, his music is a companion to life’s most intimate moments.In an age where music often leans heavily on production and trends, Arijit’s appeal lies in authenticity. He doesn’t chase the spotlight, doesn’t crave celebrity. Instead, he lets his music speak. That humility, combined with his incredible vocal talent, has made him relatable and beloved. For many Indians living abroad, listening to Arijit is a way to stay connected to home. For others, his voice is a doorway into Indian culture. In both cases, he becomes more than a singer; he becomes a soundtrack to life. As the world tunes in to Arijit, they’re not just hearing a voice—they're experiencing a movement, a legacy, and a revolution in sound.

9 Jul 2025
Good News

Musical Marvel: Dr Jagdish Pillai's Epic Rendition of Ramcharitmanas Shatters Records

In a monumental accomplishment, Ramcharitmanas, the epic Hindi poem that tells the tale of Lord Rama, has secured a place in the prestigious Guinness World Records as the world's longest song. This incredible achievement can be attributed to the extraordinary talent of Dr Jagdish Pillai, a gifted singer hailing from Varanasi. Dr Pillai astounded the global audience with his vocal prowess, serenading them with the entire Shri Ramcharitmanas for an astonishing duration of 138 hours, 41 minutes, and two seconds. This exceptional feat has rightfully earned the epic a coveted spot in the Guinness Book of World Records as the lengthiest song ever recorded. Dr Jagdish Pillai's journey towards this extraordinary achievement commenced five years ago when he began broadcasting renditions of Shri Ramcharitmanas on over 100 official audio channels worldwide. Through his unwavering dedication, Pillai has not only etched his name in the annals of the Guinness World Records but has also established himself as the record holder for the highest number of Guinness records in Uttar Pradesh. Pillai's remarkable feat shattered the previous record held by Mark Christopher Lee and The Pocket Gods from the United Kingdom, whose song lasted 115 hours and 45 minutes. To create this monumental musical masterpiece, Pillai composed a new melody for the entire epic and tirelessly sang for a duration of 138 hours, 41 minutes, and two seconds. The recording was subsequently broadcasted on various official music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music. With this official recognition by the Guinness World Records, Shri Ramcharitmanas has been rightfully crowned as the "Longest Officially Released Song" and the "Longest Song in the World." Jagdish Pillai's burning desire to break existing records and ensure that India holds this prestigious title has been fulfilled. Dr Jagdish Pillai's exceptional achievement is not only an indication of his extraordinary talent but also shines a spotlight on the cultural richness and musical heritage of India. The world stands in awe of this remarkable musical milestone, and Shri Ramcharitmanas has rightfully etched its name in history as the world's longest song.

25 May 2023
Good News

India's Cinematic Triumph at the Oscars: The Elephant Whisperers and Naatu Naatu

Excitement is in the air as India achieved an impressive double victory at the 95th Academy Awards, with two of its productions taking home coveted Oscars. The Elephant Whisperers, a 41-minute documentary short produced by Achin Jain and Guneet Monga and directed by Kartiki Gonsalves, won the award for Best Documentary Short, while the song Naatu Naatu from RRR, directed by SS Rajamouli, won the award for Best Original Song. The Elephant Whisperers follows the story of a family from Tamil Nadu who adopt two orphan baby elephants and has been praised for its portrayal of the dignity of both the elephants and the indigenous people who live with them. Director Kartiki Gonsalves dedicated the award to her "motherland, India," while Guneet Monga called the win historic as it marks the first-ever Oscar for an Indian production. Meanwhile, the song Naatu Naatu from RRR, featuring actors Ram Charan and Jr NTR, beat out heavyweight competition including Lady Gaga and Rihanna to take home the award for Best Original Song. Composer MM Keeravaani and lyricist Chandrabose were on hand to accept the award, with Keeravaani singing a version of The Carpenters' hit Top Of The World during his acceptance speech. This double win marks a significant moment for India, which received a total of three Oscar nominations this year. Previous Indian winners of the coveted award include costume designer Bhanu Athaiya, composer AR Rahman, lyricist Gulzar, sound engineer Resul Pookutty, and legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray who received an honorary award.  With India's double win at the Oscars, the world has taken notice of the country's vibrant and dynamic film industry, and the future looks bright for Indian filmmakers and artists on the global stage. The Elephant Whisperers and Naatu Naatu have proved that Indian stories and music have the power to captivate audiences around the world, and the country's rich cinematic heritage is set to continue shining on the world stage for years to come.

13 Mar 2023
Good News

Kashi Attributes Its Clean Ghats To Naga Girl

Four years ago, a girl from Nagaland had moved to Varanasi with a group of friends and transformed its dirt filled ghats into clean, inviting ones. She worked endlessly for days with her colleagues from NGO Sakaar, to manually clean the ghats that were full of garbage and excreta. Temsutula Imsong continues to rule the hearts of people in Kashi who credits her for the clean ghats. Even though she has moved on and the ghats are being looked after by the municipality for the past two years, the people of the city are grateful to her for making people conscious of their responsibility.  She is an epitome of perseverance and determination whose work was acknowledged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Many people even now remember the Sakaar team which continued with the good work, in spite of resistance from local people. A boatman sad that initially, the ghats were so unclean that people would not even walk by, but thanks to Imsong and her team, people come and sit at the clean ghats. He said it has become easier for him to find customers as well. Meanwhile, Imsong completed a course in solid waste management last year and conducts workshops with students. She teaches them about waste generation and recycling.

25 Nov 2017
Good News

Preserving Traditional Songs on Ganga

For many centuries, the Dhol community that dwells on the banks of the Ganga from Uttarkashi to Haridwar has been singing traditional songs on the river Ganges. The songs capture the essence of the river and the changes that have taken place over the ages. As this treasure trove of songs is fast disappearing, a retired professor of Lady Irwin College in Delhi has started the process of recording and preserving the traditional songs. Professor Anjali Capila believes that these songs can be used to spread mass awareness about the importance of the river and build an emotional connect. She is assisted by many Delhi and Uttarakhand based NGOs in this endeavour. Capila said that she wants to capture the voice of people of Dhol community who have been singing songs on the Ganges for ages. Apart from stories related to their culture, the songs also depict their feelings on limiting the river flow through hydro-power dams and pollution of the holy river. Fearing that these momentous traditional songs might get lost into oblivion with the old generation, Capila started the marathon task of recording them to pen them in a book in Hindi with English translation and audio later on. With rapt attention, Capila listens to a song sung by Utma Devi, a resident of Matli village, about how they would go quite early in the morning to collect water from the holy river in a pot to sprinkle it all over her house to purify it. And also how women would share their joys and sorrows with each other on the banks of the river.  Manoj Pandey, secretary, Himalaya Seva Sangh, part of the project said that they would encourage the school going children and youngsters to take forward this age-old tradition of songs on river Ganges and preserve it for future generation.

31 Oct 2017
Good News

Star Citizens

Melody of Compassion: Teen Maestro Enriches Lives of Underprivileged Children

A 13-year-old boy from Visakhapatnam, Dheeraj Dontamsetty, has taken on a mission to teach underprivileged children the proper pronunciation and rhythmic nuances of India's national song Vande Mataram and national anthem Jana Gana Mana. Dheeraj, who is a passionate singer, began his journey after observing fellow youngsters struggling with the national anthem due to lack of proper teaching. He felt a deep sense of responsibility to impart the skills he possesses and help these children express their patriotism confidently.  Dheeraj's music talent has been combined with his passion for birds and the environment. He noticed a decline in the bird population and a concerning lack of attention given to their basic needs of water and food. In response, wherever he goes to teach Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana, he makes it a point to provide seeds and earthen pots to the children and local people, ensuring that the birds get access to nourishment and hydration. His remarkable motivational campaign stands out due to his personal financial contribution. He generously utilises his own funds to conduct these campaigns and procure materials to distribute them to the public.  Dheeraj's parents instilled in him a strong sense of responsibility towards the environment and the community from a young age. These experiences shaped his outlook on life, and he made it his mission to care for the saplings he planted, finding joy in watching them grow into healthy trees. Inspired by his own experiences, Dheeraj began to motivate and encourage those around him to adopt the practice of planting a sapling on their special occasions, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a greener environment.

26 Jul 2023
Star Citizens

Positive Reads

Math Hits a High Note: New Study Finds Adding Music to Lessons Boosts Children's Math Skills

A new study has found that adding music to math lessons can significantly improve student achievement in mathematics. The study, which analyzed 55 studies involving almost 78,000 students from kindergarten to university age, found that the addition of music can make math more enjoyable, keep students engaged, and help ease their fear or anxiety about topics like fractions. The study found that there were three types of musical interventions that could improve math achievement: typical music lessons in which children sing, listen to, and learn about composing music; learning how to play instruments alone or as part of a band; and music-math integrated interventions, where music was integrated into math lessons. Students who participated in these interventions showed a greater improvement in math scores over time than those who did not. The study also found that combining music and math in the same lessons had the most significant effect, with around 73 percent of students who had integrated lessons doing significantly better than children who didn’t have any type of musical intervention. Additionally, 69 percent of students who learned how to play instruments and 58 percent of students who had normal music lessons improved more than pupils with no musical intervention. The study suggests that encouraging math and music teachers to plan lessons together could help ease students’ anxiety about mathematics, while also boosting achievement. By building connections between math and music, students may have extra opportunities to explore, interpret and understand math concepts.

13 Jul 2023
Positive Reads

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