Author: Akancha Mishra

Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, representing the Republican Party, has launched a scholarship program with the aim of revitalizing patriotism among young individuals amidst a decline in national pride. Ramaswamy, a hopeful candidate for the 2024 election, has committed $250,000 in scholarship funds to promote patriotism. The scholarships, amounting to $25,000 each, will be awarded to 10 high school students this year. To participate in the scholarship program, students are required to submit a two-minute video answering the question of what it means to be an American. A panel will select the recipients, who will have the freedom to utilize the…

Concerns arise among immigrants, prospective citizens, and advocates as the US citizenship test undergoes updates. There are worries that the changes will create a disadvantage for individuals with lower levels of English proficiency. This is significant because the naturalization test is a crucial step toward citizenship, following a lengthy process that includes years of legal permanent residency. In December, US authorities announced the revision of the test after 15 years, with the new version expected to be introduced later this year. The proposed change by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services involves the addition of a speaking section to assess…

Taiwan intends to establish the ‘Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre’ (TECC) in Mumbai to expand mutually beneficial trade and investment opportunities between Taipei and New Delhi. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan, stated in a press release that there has been significant progress in cooperation between Taiwan and India in various domains, such as economics, trade, and science and technology. In light of this progress, the Taiwan government aims to establish the TECC in Mumbai to deepen exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. In 2012, the TECC was initially established in Chennai. Since then, nearly 60% of Taiwanese businesses…

Actor Sanjay Mishra’s Hindi short film ‘Giddh’ (The Scavenger) has achieved success at the prestigious Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2023 by winning the Asia International Competition. Notably, Mishra himself was honored with the ‘Best Actor’ award at the festival. This recognition has qualified ‘Giddh’ to compete in the Oscars, positioning it as a strong contender in the short film category. Sanjay Mishra expressed his gratitude for the film’s overwhelming global reception, describing the journey as unforgettable, and praised the incredible crew he collaborated with. ‘Giddh’ serves as a raw social commentary, fearlessly reflecting on challenging societal realities that…

On July 2nd, a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indian Coast Guard, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation Ltd. This MoU marks the collaboration for the construction and commissioning of a gallery centered around the theme “Evolution of Indian Navy & Indian Coast Guard” at the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in GANDHINAGARA. The signing ceremony of the MoU was attended by notable dignitaries, including Sarbananda Sonowal, the Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat, and Mansukh Mandaviya, the Minister of Health & Family Welfare and…

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a health advisory concerning spices from an Indian brand, which tested positive for Salmonella on June 30, 2023. Consumers who purchased these products in certain U.S. states, including Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Maryland, Tennessee, Texas, Mississippi, Florida, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, are being cautioned. The flagged products include Everest Garam Masala, Everest Sambhar Masala, and Maggi Masala ae Magic. These items were bought at retail stores in India, imported, and then distributed in the U.S. since March 16, 2023. They are currently being recalled. Notably, the products…

United States Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, highlighted the significance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the United States in strengthening India-US relations and transforming aspirations into reality. Speaking at the “Peace, Prosperity, Planet, People: A New Chapter in U.S.-India Relations” event jointly organized by the Asia Society Policy Institute and IIT Delhi, Garcetti emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to promote peace, prosperity, and environmental sustainability, while also fostering security and people-to-people exchanges between the two nations. He described the visit as a historic moment, celebrating the defining partnership of the century between the two vibrant democracies.…

Two faculty members of Indian origin at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have been honored with named professorships for early career achievements, which is the highest distinction given by the institute. These prestigious awards aim to provide additional resources to support innovative research while fostering mentorship and training for future generations. Among the 13 recognized faculty members, Smruthi Karthikeyan, the Gordon and Carol Treweek Assistant Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering, and Karthish Manthiram, Professor of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry and William H. Hurt Scholar, stood out for their remarkable contributions. Smruthi Karthikeyan’s research lies at the intersection of…

Dr. Acharya Lokesh Muni, the founder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti, has been recognized by the US House of Representatives during his peace harmony tour in the United States. In a news release, it was stated that Dr. Lokesh Muni, who is dedicated to ending terrorism, violence, and discrimination worldwide, has become the first Indian monk to receive an official seal and citation from the House of Representatives. Congressman Jefferson Wayne Drew, who presented the honor, praised Dr. Lokesh Muni as an inspiration to all. He commended his accomplishments and energy, which provide hope and a glimpse of the future. Congressman…

According to a report by S&P Global Ratings, India is projected to be the fastest-growing major economy, with an expected growth rate of 6.7% over the next three years. The agency maintained its growth forecast of 6% for FY24 but anticipated a significant rebound to 6.9% in FY25 and FY26. India’s economy already demonstrated strong performance, growing at 7.2% in 2022-23. S&P Global Ratings noted that the growth in the March quarter exceeded their expectations, leading to a revised GDP growth estimate of 7.2% for fiscal 2023. S&P Global Ratings emphasized that India, Vietnam, and the Philippines would experience the…