Author: Akancha Mishra

The Seva Sankalp Yatra, organised to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25 years of public service as the head of government, will culminate on October 7 with simultaneous closing ceremonies in Vadnagar and Varanasi. The Yatra, which began on September 17, has travelled across different parts of the country carrying the message of Seva, Sankalp and social responsibility inspired by Modi’s public service journey. The concluding programmes are expected to bring together thousands of Seva Yatris, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha workers and young citizens at two locations closely associated with the Prime Minister’s life and public journey. In Varanasi, the…

The Odisha government has launched what it describes as India’s first dedicated incentive portal for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), in a move aimed at attracting investment and strengthening business tourism in the state. Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Pravati Parida launched the portal at the Odisha Travel Bazaar 2026 in the presence of senior government officials and representatives from the tourism and travel industry. The new digital platform is designed to position Odisha as a destination for corporate conventions while simplifying the process for event organisers and tourism operators to apply for financial incentives. The initiative is…

India’s economy is projected to grow by 7.3% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026-27, supported by resilient domestic demand, investment activity and continued strength across key sectors, according to the Finance Ministry’s Monthly Economic Review for September 2026. The projection follows a strong 7.8% expansion recorded in the first quarter of FY27, with high-frequency indicators for July and August pointing to continued economic momentum, albeit at a more measured pace. While e-way bill generation and manufacturing activity moderated during the period, services activity strengthened, driven by an improvement in new business and employment. The review also pointed to…

Dr. Pradeep Natarajan, a prominent cardiovascular geneticist and researcher, is set to receive the American Heart Association’s 2026 Population Research Prize. The honor will be presented during the organization’s Scientific Sessions in Chicago, recognizing his extensive work in cardiovascular research and the use of human genetics to better understand heart disease. Natarajan joined Amgen in August as vice president of global research, where he leads human genetics and the company’s Cardiometabolic Therapeutic Area. Despite taking on the industry role, he continues his academic work as a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and as a distinguished physician at Massachusetts…

Indian-American physician-scientist Geeta Krishna Swamy is set to become the next dean of Boston University’s Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, beginning January 1, 2027. The appointment will bring her 22-year tenure at Duke University to a close and mark a new phase in a career spanning medicine, research and academic administration. Swamy is an obstetrician-gynecologist and maternal-fetal medicine specialist whose professional work has centered heavily on women’s and children’s health. At Duke, she currently serves as the Haywood Brown, MD Distinguished Professor of Women’s Health, associate vice president for research and executive vice dean for clinical sciences and research…

Indian-origin chess sensation Bodhana Sivanandan has achieved a historic milestone in international chess, becoming the youngest woman to earn the title of Woman Grandmaster at just 11 years old. Representing England, the young player reached the landmark during the 46th Chess Olympiad, which concluded in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Bodhana delivered a strong performance throughout the tournament, playing all 11 rounds on England’s top board and securing eight points. Her achievement highlights her rapid progress in competitive chess and establishes another significant chapter in her growing career. The tournament also brought Bodhana closer to another prestigious milestone. Her performance earned her a…

Adding more fiber-rich and fermented foods to everyday meals may support digestive health and contribute to overall well-being, according to nutrition experts. These foods help maintain the gut microbiome, a community of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microorganisms living primarily in the large intestine. The gut microbiome plays several important roles in the body, including supporting immune function, maintaining intestinal health and helping regulate inflammation. It also communicates with the brain through the gut-brain axis. Research has linked changes in gut microorganisms with mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, although scientists have not established that these changes directly…

The South Indian tradition of golu brings families and communities together during Navaratri through elaborate displays of handcrafted dolls, religious figures and scenes from everyday life. In her exploration of the custom, Vidya Mohan highlights how these arrangements combine devotion, artistic expression and cultural storytelling, helping preserve Hindu traditions across generations. Known by different names, including bomma, bombe and golu, the displays feature figures representing Hindu Gods and Goddesses, saints, historical personalities, humans and animals. Many arrangements also recreate episodes from Hindu scriptures and scenes depicting ordinary life. Families carefully organize the dolls on stepped platforms, transforming their homes into…

US Congressman Ro Khanna has called for stronger safeguards against the potentially catastrophic consequences of advanced artificial intelligence, warning that neither the United States nor China would benefit if humans lost control of increasingly powerful AI systems. He has asked three major Chinese technology companies to explain their plans for developing artificial general intelligence (AGI) and superintelligence, while seeking intelligence assessments from US agencies on the associated risks. Khanna, the top Democrat on the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, sent letters to DeepSeek CEO Liang Wenfeng, Alibaba CEO Eddie…

Former Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy has praised Indian Captain Smit Machchhar and passengers aboard an Israel-bound flight for their actions during a reported midair cockpit attack. Speaking to ANI on October 1, Levy said the incident could have resulted in catastrophic consequences had the crew and passengers failed to intervene. He described the episode as a suspected terrorist attack and compared its potential impact to the September 11 attacks in the United States. These characterizations reflect Levy’s assessment; the incident remains under investigation. According to Levy’s account, the flight’s Omani co-pilot allegedly stabbed Captain Machchhar while the aircraft was…