Author: Akancha Mishra

Avatar

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.

In a historic outcome for Indian-American political influence, seven of nine Indian-American candidates successfully won their seats in the U.S. Congress, indicating the growing strength of the “Samosa Caucus” within the legislative body. Previously, the caucus was represented by members such as Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, Jeremy Cooney, and Shri Thanedar. This year, Suhas Subramanyam, a seasoned lawyer and Virginia state senator, made history as the first Indian-American to be elected from Virginia and the entire East Coast. Subramanyam, who previously served as an advisor in President Obama’s White House, voiced his gratitude to the people…

Read More

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Donald Trump on his historic victory in the 2024 US presidential election, expressing optimism for continued collaboration between India and the US. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi wrote, “Heartiest congratulations my friend @realDonaldTrump on your historic election victory,” emphasizing his hope to further enhance the Indo-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership during Trump’s second term. PM Modi expressed his confidence in renewing efforts to strengthen ties between the two nations for the benefit of their people, as well as promoting global peace, stability, and prosperity. The two leaders have shared a…

Read More

Indian-Americans are celebrating Donald Trump’s recent presidential victory, expressing optimism for positive changes in areas like the economy, border security, and global peace. Trump’s win is seen as a resurgence, marking a remarkable comeback after his 2020 loss to President Joe Biden. Avinash Gupta, President of the Foreign Indian Association, highlighted the strong rapport between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, believing it will further strengthen India-US relations. Gupta noted that factors such as inflation, open borders, and ongoing global conflicts were significant concerns for many Indian-American voters, who felt Trump’s policies aligned with their priorities. “The community voted with…

Read More

In alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aspirations for India to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the nation has made an official stride toward achieving this ambitious goal. On October 1, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) formally submitted a Letter of Intent to the International Olympic Committee’s Future Host Commission, signaling India’s serious interest in welcoming the 2036 Olympics to its shores. During a recent address to the Indian community in New York, PM Modi conveyed his vision for India as a future Olympic host, emphasizing the extensive efforts underway to realize this dream. “Just a short time ago,…

Read More

Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, revealed that India is set to launch the European Union’s Proba-3 satellite in December. This significant step in Indo-EU space collaboration highlights the shared commitment to solar observation and advancing space science. The Proba-3 mission, which aims to study the Sun, is part of a growing partnership between ISRO and the European Union, following previous successful joint ventures. The mission stands out due to its solar-focused objectives, complementing ISRO’s recent successes like the Chandrayaan-3 mission. Dr. Singh attributed India’s growing space capabilities to the 2020 space policy reforms…

Read More

During the recent BRICS Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s rich cultural heritage by presenting traditional artworks to world leaders. He showcased Jharkhand’s artistic legacy to Russian President Vladimir Putin, while leaders from Iran and Uzbekistan received handcrafted items from Maharashtra. Notably, PM Modi gifted a stunning Mother of Pearl (MOP) seashell vase to Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, a testament to India’s exquisite craftsmanship. Putin was presented with a traditional Sohrai painting from Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh district, an item recognized under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative. Sohrai paintings are distinguished by their use of natural pigments and simplistic…

Read More

Demand for gems and jewelry during Dhanteras and Diwali is expected to remain strong this year, with Diwali sales projected to exceed $3.57 billion (Rs. 30,000 crore) in the domestic market, according to industry experts. Rising prices of precious metals are leading consumers to view gold as a dependable asset, while silver is gaining popularity due to its lower cost and significant industrial applications. Some analysts predict a year-on-year sales growth of 10-15%, although overall volume may decrease. Silver has emerged as the top performer in the market, boasting returns of over 40%, while gold has seen returns of 23%,…

Read More

Former President Donald Trump and his team have adopted unconventional methods to encourage voters to support his re-election on November 5. Their tactics include engaging teams for door-to-door campaigning and Elon Musk’s America PAC, which has initiated a $1 million-a-day giveaway for registered voters who sign a petition in favor of the First and Second Amendments. However, the giveaway has faced legal challenges due to potential violations of federal laws against vote-buying, prompting the Republican candidate to pivot to a different strategy. This approach, however, inadvertently led to humorous interactions on social media, particularly among Indian users, despite Vice President…

Read More

Indian-Americans, traditionally supportive of the Democratic Party, are exhibiting evolving political preferences, with more considering Republican candidates in recent surveys. This community, comprising over 5.2 million people and now the second-largest immigrant group in the US, holds substantial influence in the country’s political sphere. Their strong professional presence and growing demographic significance make them a pivotal voting bloc, especially as the 2024 presidential race draws near. In a historic context, this election cycle includes Vice President Kamala Harris, who has Indian roots, as one of the key presidential contenders. The 2024 Indian American Attitudes Survey provides insight into voting patterns…

Read More

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has unveiled 170 new seed categories on its platform, aiming to facilitate easier access to quality agricultural and horticultural seeds in light of the approaching cropping season. This launch includes approximately 8,000 seed varieties available for purchase by Central and State Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and other governmental bodies, enhancing the distribution of quality seeds throughout the nation. The initiative was developed in collaboration with various stakeholders, including state seed corporations and research institutions, ensuring adherence to the Government of India’s regulations and standards. This launch is part of GeM’s larger effort to improve category-based procurement,…

Read More