Indian Railways has completed the Pamban Bridge, marking a significant milestone as the country’s first vertical lift sea bridge. The new bridge connecting Mandapam on the Indian mainland to Pamban Island and Rameswaram is an impressive feat of modern engineering, executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), a public sector entity under Indian Railways. Spanning 2.05 kilometers, the bridge consists of 100 spans, each measuring 19.3 meters, and features a navigational span of 63 meters, making it one of the world’s only two vertical lift bridges. The bridge design, created by the international consultancy TYPSA, adheres to both Indian and…
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.
Lina Khan, chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), has been named one of The Hill’s 24 Changemakers for 2024. At 35, Khan is the youngest-ever FTC chair and has gained a reputation as a trailblazer in antitrust law. Under her leadership, the FTC has actively pursued cases against powerful corporations like Amazon, Microsoft, and Lockheed Martin, focusing on consumer protection and antitrust enforcement. Khan’s efforts have drawn both praise and criticism, especially from big businesses and lawmakers, who have lobbied for her removal. Khan’s aggressive approach to antitrust law includes blocking major corporate mergers and addressing the issue of…
Indian Ambassador to the United States Vinay Mohan Kwatra, along with US Deputy Secretary Kurt Campbell and Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer, visited NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, to review the progress in US-India space cooperation and discuss future initiatives.This visit followed a growing collaboration between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), highlighting key projects such as the upcoming launch of the NISAR satellite and the joint training of two ISRO astronauts for a mission to the International Space Station in 2025. During the visit, officials engaged with leaders from NASA and ISRO and…
Following the success of their Tamil films ‘Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae’ (2017) and ‘Andhaghaaram’ (2020), the powerhouse couple Atlee and Priya Atlee are set to make their highly anticipated Bollywood debut with ‘Baby John’. Produced under their banner, A for Apple Productions, the action-packed film features Varun Dhawan in the lead role and is directed by Kalees. Scheduled for a grand release on December 25, 2024, the movie promises to deliver a thrilling cinematic experience. Ahead of the film’s release, the team hosted a celebratory event where Priya Atlee expressed her emotions, sharing, “It’s like a dream come true for…
In 2024, India topped global remittance inflows, receiving an estimated $129 billion, followed by Mexico, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan, according to a blog post by World Bank economists. This surge is attributed to the recovery in job markets across high-income countries, particularly within the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations. Remittances are projected to grow by 5.8% in 2024, a significant improvement from the 1.2% growth recorded in 2023. Remittances to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are projected to reach $685 billion this year. The report highlighted that remittances continue to outpace other financial flows to LMICs,…
The prestigious 2025 Marshall Scholarship has been awarded to three exceptional Indian Americans — Tej Patel, Sridatta Teerdhala, and Pratyush Seshadri. The Marshall Scholarship, named after George C. Marshall, U.S. Secretary of State, was created in 1953 to honor American aid to the UK following World War II. The scholarship funds young, talented Americans to study for a graduate degree in the United Kingdom. Tej Patel, currently enrolled in the Life Sciences and Management Program at the University of Pennsylvania, is an advocate for more equitable healthcare systems. His research in health economics, radiation oncology, and the collaboration between humans…
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, highlighted India’s dedication to strengthening bilateral relations with Sri Lanka through increased economic and cultural collaboration. His remarks were delivered at the India-Sri Lanka Business Forum in New Delhi on Monday, attended by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Goyal underscored the long-standing economic ties between the two nations, expressing confidence that deeper cooperation would lead to shared prosperity. The forum, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), provided a platform for discussing opportunities in trade, investment, and cultural engagement. In a social media post, Goyal reiterated India’s commitment to fostering…
In 2024, gold reached new heights, achieving record peaks 40 times throughout the year, with various factors influencing its price. However, some key drivers remained constant, particularly central bank purchases. China’s central bank made significant acquisitions early in the year, while the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) maintained a steady buying pace, purchasing an average of 17 tonnes per quarter. In Q3 alone, the RBI acquired 57 tonnes, reflecting strong support for gold. Geopolitical instability also played a role in driving gold prices. With global uncertainties ongoing, this trend is unlikely to change soon. Western financial institutions engaged in profit-booking…
Allu Arjun continues to prove his pan-Indian superstar status with the monumental success of Pushpa 2: The Rule, directed by Sukumar. The film has shattered box office records and maintains its unstoppable momentum. In its second weekend, Pushpa 2 became the first Indian film to surpass $12 million in the Hindi belt, with the second Sunday collection nearly touching a staggering $6.48 million. The film’s total Hindi collection now stands at an impressive $67.38 million, demonstrating its immense popularity across the country. The Hindi version alone accumulated a remarkable $15.36 million over the second weekend (Friday-Sunday), a record previously unmatched…
The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), led by President Dr. Satheesh Kathula, is spearheading a national initiative to promote bone marrow and stem cell donor registration, focusing on increasing the donor pool for South Asians. Recognizing the challenges faced by patients of Indian descent due to limited donor matches, AAPI has partnered with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) to create awareness and enroll more potential donors. Dr. Sashi Kuppala, Chair of the AAPI Stem Cell Drive, highlighted the importance of HLA typing in matching donors, emphasizing that ethnicity plays a critical role in finding matches. Dr.…
