Rishi welcoming step that's ultramodern (5-3)
I believe the answer is:
space-age
'rishi' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'welcoming step that's ultramodern' is the wordplay.
'welcoming' is an insertion indicator (I've seen this in other clues).
'step' becomes 'pace' (pace is a kind of step).
'that's ultramodern' becomes 'sage' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'pace' inserted within 'sage' is 'SPACE-AGE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for space-age that I've seen before include "Futuristic" , "Ultra-modern" .)