A New Jersey based restaurant on Monday introduced a special thali named ‘Modi Ji Thali’ ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US. The special thali consists of 56 items including both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. According to reports, the special ‘Modi Ji Thali’ has been curated by chef Shripad Kulkarni. The thali comprises items like Khicdi, rasgulla, sarso da saag, idli, dhokla, chaach, papad and dum aloo Kashmiri.

According to chef Shripad Kulkarni, the special thali has been curated, maintaining the demands of the Indian diaspora living in the States. He mentioned that the thali also pays homage to the International Year of Millets declared by the United Nations (UN). The International Day of Millets was announced after a recommendation from the Indian government, including dishes that are prepared by using millets. 

As per reports, the owner of the restaurant further revealed that he plans to introduce another Thali dedicated to External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar. Speaking to the ANI, the restaurant owner said that they plan to launch a thali dedicated to External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar soon, adding that he is sure that it will gain popularity. He further mentioned that once ‘Modi ji thali’ does well, he plans to introduce Dr Jaishankar thali, as the External Affairs Minister also has that rockstar appeal amongst the Indian-American community. 

Earlier, a Delhi based restaurant, ARDOR 2.1, unveiled 56 items named 56-inch Narendra Modi Thali on Prime Minister’s birthday in 2022. Speaking about the thali, ARDOR 2.1 restaurant owner Sumit Kalara affirmed that they want him to gift him this thali and further wants the prime minister to come to the restaurant and eat. However, owing to security reasons, they couldn’t do that. 

Reportedly, PM Narendra Modi will head to the US this month. This will be his first state visit to the US at US President Joe Biden’s and First lady Jill Biden’s invitation. A group of Indian-Americans are planning to gather at the Andrews  Air Base to greet PM Modi on June 21. 

Danish citizen Thor Pedersen has travelled to every country in the world. He got there by all means of travel possible — by foot, by car, by bus, by train, by boat, and a container ship. It took the 44-year-old man 10 years to finish this challenging task. Pedersen began his trip in October 2013, reports said.

He claimed to have travelled through every nation in the world without using a plane in 3,512 days, according to reports. Even though there are 195 countries on the United Nation’s official list, Pedersen claims to have visited 203 countries since he included disputed territories.

Pedersen travelled on a total 351 buses, 158 trains, 43 tuk-tuks (autos), 37 container ships, 33 boats, 9 trucks, 3 sailboats, 2 cruise ships, a police car, a yacht, and a horse-drawn carriage.  He made it particular to spend a minimum 24 hours in each country during his journey.

He also travelled to India in the latter half of 2018 and the beginning of 2019. After a remarkable 3,512-day journey, he arrived in the Maldives, his 203rd and last nation, via container ship. Pedersen is now among the 150 people in the world with the most travels thanks to this incredible accomplishment.

On his incredible journey, he said, it was challenging for him to plan for everything that would come his way because this had never been done before. He said he was proud that he never gave up throughout all of this. He was pleased that he was able to bring out the strength which was required.

Pedersen faced enormous challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which left him stranded in Hong Kong for two years. He thought of giving up the project because of the virus’s unknown characteristics and the growing danger. However, he received support from Le, his long-time girlfriend, during the break in his preparations. Interestingly, the pair chose to get married, and Le visited him 26 times during that period.

Thor Pedersen financed his trip with personal savings, business sponsorships, and crowdfunding with a daily expenditure of just $20 (around Rs 1500). Many people followed his incredible journey on social media along the way, joining him there.

He has been working nonstop to record his adventures, and he intends to make a feature-length documentary that highlights his journey. Pedersen will soon release a book, to enable his admirers to find out more about his adventures.

The White House on Monday said India is a vibrant democracy and anybody can witness that on visiting New Delhi dismissing concerns about the health of democracy in India as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the US later this month.

A National Security Council official at the White House, John Kirby, while addressing a press conference said the strength and health of democratic institutions will be part of the discussion with PM Modi during his visit to the state.

Kirby said the US hopes to have a deeper partnership with India which would strengthen their relations. He further added that India is a strong partner with the US on many levels.

Kirby said there would be additional Defence cooperation between the two nations. He also stated that the economic activities between the two countries were at an all-time high and India, as a Pacific Quad member, is a key partner to the Indo-Pacific security.

He further added America’s relationship with India is multi-dimensional that took place at many levels. Kirby said US President Joe Biden is awaiting Prime Minister Modi’s visit to discuss all the issues and deepen the bond of friendship and partnership between US-India.

Kirby’s comments help in establishing the commitment of the Biden administration to work with the Modi–led government, which has reportedly come under criticism from some political quarters in the US and its media for the alleged depletion of India’s democratic institutions.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in his recent visit to the US, made remarks on press freedom, institutions, and democracy in India.

While the official visit is on June 22, PM Modi will lead the International Yoga Day celebrations on July 21 at the United Nations in New York. He is likely to meet political and business leaders during his visit. The leaders are expected to discuss China’s actions in Asia and beyond, which are feared to be against their shared interests.