Author: Akancha Mishra

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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.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan expressed confidence that India is on the brink of becoming a significant global service provider during his address at the Indian Defspace Symposium 2024. Emphasizing space as the ultimate frontier, he noted India’s transition from being a recipient to a potential provider of space services and situational data awareness. General Chauhan highlighted the strategic importance of space, considering it the new domain of warfare with its rapid development shaping modern combat dynamics. He stressed the interplay between space activities and traditional warfare domains like air, maritime, and land, citing space’s influence on…

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In a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers delved into the correlation between metabolic factors and the risk of chronic mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders. Examining data from over 211,000 participants, they found that elevated blood sugar and triglyceride levels were associated with a heightened risk of these mental illnesses up to 20 years before diagnosis, while higher levels of “good” cholesterol seemed to provide some protection. The study, conducted within the Swedish Apolipoprotein-Related Mortality Risk (AMORIS) cohort, followed participants for an average of 21 years, monitoring the development of anxiety, depression, and stress-related…

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The appointment of Dr. Radha Iyengar Plumb as the new Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer (CDAO) by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has been recently announced, marking a transition from the tenure of Craig Martell, who held the position as the department’s inaugural CDAO. Dr. Plumb, presently serving as the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, is slated to assume her new role from April 8, 2024. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin acknowledged Craig Martell’s significant contributions, praising his leadership in consolidating the efforts of four diverse organizations to advance data, AI, and analytics within…

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has committed to elevating India into a prominent global manufacturing center, focusing on enhancing employment opportunities in key sectors like electronics, defense, mobile, and automotive. The goal is to harness these sectors’ potential to position India as a significant manufacturing destination by integrating design services with production. By 2030, the BJP aims to position India as a global hub for electronics manufacturing, aiming to triple electronics output to become a pivotal player in the global value chain. This strategy intends to capitalize on India’s design capabilities to foster indigenous brands and strengthen its position in…

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Since assuming office in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a transformative journey to promote development and unity throughout India. His leadership is characterized by a steadfast commitment to reducing regional disparities and fostering inclusive growth, bridging traditional divides between the North and the South. Through various initiatives and development projects, PM Modi has revitalized stagnant schemes, initiated new projects, and emphasized linguistic diversity, laying the groundwork for a more cohesive and prosperous nation. He has not only enhanced connectivity across the country but also celebrated India’s cultural diversity, showcasing it to world leaders during events like the…

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Young Indian-American golfer Akshay Bhatia secured his spot in the prestigious Masters tournament at Augusta National following a thrilling playoff victory against Denny McCarthy at the Valero Texas Open held at TPC San Antonio. Reflecting on his win, Bhatia expressed his astonishment at the intense playoff finish and his relief at clinching the title, marking his second PGA Tour victory. This achievement holds special significance for Bhatia, who reminisced about participating in a drive-chip-putt competition at Augusta National as a youngster, a memory that fueled his journey to this moment. Throughout the tournament, Bhatia led the field, maintaining a four-stroke…

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South Korean automotive giants Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. have partnered with Exide Energy Solutions Ltd to produce batteries for their electric vehicles (EVs) in India. The collaboration, aimed at expanding battery development, production, and supply in the Indian market, was formalized at Hyundai Motor Group’s Namyang research and development (R&D) center in South Korea. Specifically, Hyundai and Kia are focusing on manufacturing lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cells to localize EV battery production, positioning themselves as pioneers in integrating domestically produced batteries into their upcoming EV models for the Indian market. Exide Energy Solutions, a subsidiary of Kolkata-based Exide Industries Ltd,…

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Two Indian American chefs, Sujan Sarkar from Chicago and Arvinder Vilkhu from New Orleans, stand out as finalists for the esteemed James Beard Awards, recognizing exemplary chefs who demonstrate culinary prowess, leadership, and commitment to fostering a sustainable work culture and community impact. The nominees for these prestigious awards, which highlight talent and dedication to equity, sustainability, and community, were recently announced in a live ceremony at Waldorf Astoria, Washington DC. Winners in various culinary and food media categories will be unveiled at a gala event in Chicago on June 10. Sarkar, representing the Great Lakes region, helms Indienne in…

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According to recent findings, Indian and Filipino Americans exhibit the lowest poverty rates among Asian groups, standing at 6% and 7%, respectively. However, over 2.3 million Asian Americans, comprising about one-tenth of the population, were living in poverty in 2022. Despite the common portrayal of Asian Americans as financially and educationally successful, approximately 10% of them are impoverished, as per an analysis by the Pew Research Center and US census bureau data. Poverty rates vary significantly across different origin groups, with Burmese and Hmong Americans recording some of the highest poverty rates in 2022, reaching 19% and 17%, respectively. Notably,…

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Tesla is preparing to send a delegation to India to explore potential sites for establishing an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing facility, as reported by the Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the plans of the Elon Musk-led company. The team from Tesla is expected to arrive from the US by late April to assess locations in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and possibly Haryana, with a preference for sites near ports to facilitate exportation. According to the report, Tesla intends to invest between $2 to $3 billion in the construction of the manufacturing plant. This decision follows India’s recent approval of…

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