Author: Akancha Mishra

Indian-American journalist T Vishnudatta Jayaraman, founder of South Asian Herald, received recognition at the New York State Assembly for his contributions to journalism and his coverage of the South Asian diaspora community in the United States. The honor was presented during a special event held at the State Capitol in Albany, where New York Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar awarded Jayaraman an official proclamation recognizing his professional achievements and the growing impact of South Asian Herald as a media platform. While addressing the gathering, Rajkumar described South Asian Herald as a respected news outlet that highlights stories and issues related to the…

The United States Second Lady Usha Vance visited the US Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs with a focus on promoting childhood literacy and encouraging students to stay engaged with reading during the summer break. The visit combined sports culture with education outreach, aiming to address the issue of summer learning loss among schoolchildren. During the event, Usha Vance took part in a reading session alongside Olympian and multiple-time world champion wrestler Adeline Gray. They read the children’s book If You Can Dream It, Be It, authored by Team USA bobsled athlete Riley Tejcek, to a group of…

India moved to strengthen its engagement with European partners as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a series of high-level meetings in Brussels focused on economic cooperation, strategic ties, and regional stability. During discussions with Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, both leaders explored new opportunities to deepen collaboration across sectors including trade, investment, healthcare, semiconductors, technology, and innovation. The meeting marked an important step in expanding bilateral engagement between India and Belgium. Following their talks, the two countries agreed to establish a Strategic Dialogue mechanism aimed at creating stronger coordination on political, economic, and emerging global issues. The initiative…

India is continuing its push to become a major player in the global semiconductor industry through new policy measures and investor-focused initiatives designed to strengthen the country’s chip manufacturing ecosystem. As part of these efforts, the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) introduced a new digital platform called the “Investors Support” portal on May 26, 2026. The portal was created to improve investor access to critical information related to India’s rapidly expanding semiconductor sector. It provides details about government incentives, regulatory procedures, approved projects, industry policies, and available investment opportunities. Officials believe the initiative will increase transparency and make it easier for…

Indian-American independent filmmakers Hemant M. Pandya and Nita Pednekar represented their creative work at the 79th Cannes Film Festival 2026, participating as officially accredited delegates and engaging in a wide range of global cinema activities. The duo attended film premieres, gala screenings, and industry networking sessions while promoting independent filmmaking on an international platform. Pandya, founder of the New Jersey Indian and International Film Festival (NJIIFF) and Friday Films LLC, along with filmmaker Nita Pednekar, emphasized that Cannes was not just about red carpet appearances but primarily about storytelling, artistic exchange, and global collaboration. They highlighted the festival as a…

The administration of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has introduced a wide-ranging urban development agenda aimed at reshaping housing policy, restoring historic public spaces, and upgrading transportation infrastructure across the city. The new initiatives reflect an integrated approach to tackling affordability challenges, infrastructure gaps, and mobility demands ahead of major upcoming global events. At the core of the strategy is a major housing reform push. The city has announced its first neighborhood rezoning plans, focusing on White Plains Road in the Bronx and areas south of Prospect Park in Brooklyn, particularly along key corridors such as Coney Island and…

Veteran Indian film icon Dharmendra was posthumously conferred the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour, during the Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on May 25. The prestigious award was received on his behalf by his wife and veteran actress Hema Malini, in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu. The ceremony witnessed an emotional moment when Dharmendra’s name was announced. His daughter Ahana Deol was seen deeply moved, while her husband Vaibhav Vohra remained by her side offering support. Several top dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, were present at the event. Hema…

Air India has introduced its newest Maharaja Lounge at San Francisco International Airport, marking another major step in the airline’s ongoing modernization efforts. The premium facility, located near Gate A1 in the International Terminal, officially welcomed guests starting May 23. Spread across nearly 3,300 square feet, the lounge can accommodate up to 80 travelers. Access has been reserved for Air India’s First and Business Class passengers, along with Platinum and Gold-tier members of the Maharaja Club loyalty program. A dedicated private section has also been created specifically for First Class guests seeking a quieter and more exclusive pre-flight environment. Air…

Akie Abe, wife of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, recently visited the Indian Embassy in Tokyo, where she reflected on her late husband’s deep admiration for India and his strong personal bond with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During her interaction with India’s Ambassador to Japan, Nagma M Mallick, Akie Abe also spoke about her ongoing charitable work and initiatives focused on supporting young people. The embassy described the visit as a meaningful moment of remembrance and goodwill, highlighting the longstanding friendship between the two nations. In a post shared on X, the Indian Embassy noted that Akie Abe fondly…

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated on Thursday that India and the United States are increasingly becoming natural strategic and economic partners, supported by strong complementarities across sectors such as technology, defence, digital infrastructure, medical devices, and quantum computing. Speaking at the Annual Leadership Summit hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in New Delhi, Goyal said the growing relationship between the two nations is built on shared economic priorities, mutual confidence, and expanding investment opportunities. He emphasized that both countries possess economic strengths that work together rather than compete directly, creating significant opportunities for long-term collaboration. According…