On Thursday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) revealed a new agreement with the Australian Space Agency (ASA) to strengthen space cooperation between the two nations. Signed on November 20 in Bengaluru, the Implementation Agreement (IA) aims to assist with the recovery of crew and crew modules for India’s inaugural crewed space mission, Gaganyaan. The collaboration focuses on supporting search and rescue operations and recovery efforts in case of any contingencies during the Gaganyaan mission, particularly if the incident occurs near Australian waters. The mission will demonstrate India’s ability to conduct a Low Earth Orbit flight with an Indian Crew…
Author: Akancha Mishra
Akancha Mishra
Akancha has been a journalist for about twenty years, and she has a Bachelor of Arts in English Honors and a Master's Degree in Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. She and her husband and children Supriya and Alok currently call New York City home.
The Indian Navy’s groundbreaking sailing expedition, Navika Sagar Parikrama II, reached a major milestone as INSV Tarini docked in Fremantle, Australia, following an exhilarating 39-day journey spanning approximately 4,900 nautical miles. This historic voyage, led by two trailblazing women officers, Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A, is setting new standards in naval operations and gender empowerment. Flagged off from Goa on October 2, 2024, to mark Gandhi Jayanti, the expedition aims to showcase India’s maritime expertise while championing sustainability and gender equality. Upon their arrival in Fremantle on November 9, the officers were warmly welcomed by Australian…
A recent survey by Paisabazaar, an online marketplace for consumer credit, reveals that 85% of credit card users in India chose e-commerce platforms for their festive shopping in 2023. The survey, which gathered insights from 700 credit card holders, highlighted that 68% of respondents were salaried, with 76% under the age of 35. More than half of the participants (48%) exclusively shopped online, while 45% made mostly online purchases with some in-store buys, and just 7% preferred traditional in-store shopping. The increasing trend of online shopping during festive seasons is largely driven by the wide array of discounts and special…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Nigeria’s second-highest national honor, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), during his visit to Abuja on Sunday. He is only the second foreign leader to receive this award, following Queen Elizabeth in 1969. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented the award to PM Modi, who dedicated it to the 1,400 million people of India and the enduring friendship between India and Nigeria. “As two vibrant democracies with dynamic economies, we work together for the well-being of our people,” Modi said, emphasizing the shared values of democracy and mutual cooperation.…
Dinakar Munagala, CEO of Blaize, was honored as Innovator of the Year at the 2024 Sacramento Inno Awards, hosted by the Sacramento Business Journal on November 14, 2024. The awards spotlight pioneering efforts within the Sacramento region, acknowledging individuals and organizations driving impactful innovation. During the event, an expert panel discussed AI advancements and the region’s future as a hub for innovation. “Sacramento is home to visionary minds and organizations propelling economic growth through innovation,” Munagala stated. “This recognition is an honor, and I eagerly anticipate further discussions on how our region will benefit from groundbreaking AI technologies.” As co-founder…
TIME magazine’s 100 most influential climate leaders for 2024 includes Indian Americans Ajay Banga, Gaurav Sant, and Sandeep Nijhawan, recognized for their impactful contributions to climate innovation in business. Joining them are Sumant Sinha, founder of India’s ReNew; Madhur Jain, co-founder of Varaha ClimateAg; and London Mayor Sadiq Khan, highlighting global leaders championing climate solutions. Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, has prioritized climate action within the institution’s agenda. Taking office in 2023, Banga has implemented reforms to facilitate private-sector investments in energy transitions across the Global South. By optimizing the World Bank’s lending framework, he has redirected focus…
India is set to host the prestigious World Para Athletics Championship in November 2025 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has partnered with World Para Athletics, a division of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), to bring the global event to India. More than 100 countries are expected to participate, making it one of the largest events for para-athletes in India’s history. The event is expected to cost between $4.8 million and $6 million and will include major upgrades to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. These improvements will feature the installation of a new…
Indian American physician and community advocate Bharat Barai has strongly urged the international community to hold the Bangladeshi government accountable for the reported persecution of Hindus. Speaking at the Diwali celebrations in the US Capitol, Barai referenced a statement by President-elect Donald Trump from before the November elections, in which Trump condemned the violent attacks on Hindus, Christians, and other minorities in Bangladesh. Trump’s statement described the violence as “barbaric” and expressed concern about the ongoing chaos in the country. Barai expressed confidence in Trump’s position on the matter and shared that Indian Americans are working with the incoming administration…
Prime Video is set to launch its first-ever Telugu talk show, The Rana Daggubati Show, premiering exclusively on November 23. Hosted and created by Rana Daggubati, the unscripted eight-episode series promises unfiltered conversations and entertaining activities with a star-studded lineup, including Dulquer Salmaan, Naga Chaitanya, S.S. Rajamouli, and more. Breaking away from conventional talk show formats, Rana dives deep into the lives of his guests, revealing personal stories and candid moments. The show offers fans a unique backstage pass to their favorite celebrities, with new episodes dropping every Saturday for audiences in India and over 240 countries. Rana Daggubati shared…
India’s sports sector is forecasted to grow from $52 billion in 2023 to $130 billion by 2030, marking an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14%. This growth is largely fueled by the increasing popularity of multi-sport fandom and the rising influence of Generation Z, which now makes up 43% of India’s sports audience. The Deloitte-Google report highlights the shift in India’s sports culture, where fans now follow several sports, a significant change from cricket’s traditional dominance. While cricket still leads, emerging sports like kabaddi, football, and indigenous games are gaining traction. The shift towards digital consumption is another…
