More than 180 million voters in five Indian states are eligible to vote for new assemblies from this Thursday. The month-long process will be a key test for the ruling BJP of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He wants to keep control of the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous, which has been ruled by the BJP for the past five years.

“If McDonald’s can do it for hamburgers, why can’t we do it for eye care?”, thought the founder of Aravind Eye Hospital in 1976. Five decades later, inspired by processes implemented by the fast food giant, the Indian hospital chain performs around 500,000 surgeries a year -- many for free. -- This story is being published to coincide with World Sight Day.

Acute shortages of coal at power plants have triggered a severe energy crisis — which threatens to hit the nation's economic recovery.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Tuesday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Tuesday. ⁣⁣⁣⁣

The aftermath of a mob attack on Indian businesses and vehicles in Democratic Republic of Congo's capital were evident on Friday (August 13). Congo's police said the mob on Thursday (August 12) looted Indian shops and warehouses, set a car on fire and stoned three other vehicles in Kinshasa's Limete neighbourhood in response to a false rumour that a second Congolese national had died in India.

India's badminton superstar PV Sindhu says it's important to stay focused at the Tokyo Olympics in the face of strict Covid-19 protocols.

The 76-year-old had 39 wives and 94 children. The head of a Christian sect that practices polygamy, he and his family lived in a four-story house with 100 rooms.

The former batsman announced on Twitter that it was a precautionary measure. He originally tested positive for the virus on March 27.

Back in India at a time when he's normally in his pyjamas sipping coffee, Kamala Harris's proud uncle was glued to a recording of her debate with Mike Pence -- and felt a bit sorry for the US vice president. Harris, 55, was the first black attorney general of California, the first woman to hold the post, and the first South Asian American senator ever. She and Democratic party presidential-hopeful Joe Biden face off with US President Donald Trump and Mike Pence during the 3 November 2020 US elections.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Sunday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Sunday.⁣⁣⁣

Acclaimed author and political activist Arundhati Roy speaks to FRANCE 24 about the Covid-19 pandemic and the Indian response. She says that the virus amplifies co-morbidities.

An Indian school drop-out has built a motorbike with a one-metre gap between the rider and the passenger to drive home the importance of social distancing in the coronavirus pandemic.