Author: Akancha Mishra

Kalyani Ramadurgam, an Indian-origin technology professional, has been recognised on the Forbes 30 Under 30 United States list for 2026 in the finance category. She earned the honour as the co-founder of Kobalt Labs, a startup she launched alongside Ashi Agrawal, a former software engineer at Affirm. Her work sits at the intersection of financial technology and artificial intelligence, with a focus on solving long-standing compliance challenges in the financial sector. Ramadurgam began her journey with a background in computer science, where she developed a strong interest in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Her academic training equipped her with core…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, remembering her as a historic leader whose contributions to Bangladesh and India-Bangladesh relations will always be remembered. In a post on X, PM Modi conveyed his condolences to her family and the people of Bangladesh, calling her a pioneering leader and recalling her role as the country’s first woman Prime Minister. He noted that her efforts toward national development and bilateral ties with India left a lasting impact. PM Modi also recalled his warm meeting with Khaleda…

Nepal and India have agreed to develop and implement a biennial action plan within the next three months aimed at turning bilateral agricultural agreements into concrete outcomes, Nepal’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development stated on Monday. The decision was reached during the ninth Nepal–India Joint Agriculture Working Group meeting held in Kathmandu, where both sides emphasized strengthening collaboration between agricultural universities and research organizations, including India’s ICAR and Nepal’s NARC, through specific time-bound initiatives. Additional cooperation will focus on the livestock, poultry, and fisheries sectors under a separate memorandum of understanding. The two nations also agreed to streamline logistics…

Dhruv Amin, an Indian-origin entrepreneur, has emerged as a notable name in the global startup ecosystem after transforming a modest $2 million venture into a company now valued at $100 million. At just thirty-three, Amin made the bold decision to shut down a profitable business to rebuild entirely around artificial intelligence, a move that has since drawn widespread attention in the tech world. Amin is the co-founder and co-CEO of Anything, an AI-powered “vibe-coding” platform created alongside Marcus Lowe, a former Google colleague. The company reached its current valuation following an $11 million funding round, according to industry reports. Before…

India is set to assume the chair of BRICS in 2026, leading the expanded bloc during a critical geopolitical phase marked by diverging national interests, rising global ambitions, and pressures from Washington. The country aims to highlight the Global South in its presidency while remaining responsive to global developments and delivering practical outcomes for member nations facing shared challenges. BRICS, initially formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining shortly after, has grown into a diplomatic counterweight to Western powers. The bloc now includes countries such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia, collectively…

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Veer Baal Diwas event in Delhi, where he also engaged with children attending the ceremony. Veer Baal Diwas is observed annually to honor the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas, Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, the young sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh, whose bravery and sacrifice continue to inspire generations. The observance was officially announced on January 9, 2022, during the Prakash Purab of Guru Gobind Singh, with Modi declaring December 26 as the day to commemorate the Sahibzadas. The event not only serves as a tribute to their extraordinary courage but…

World Meditation Day reached an unprecedented scale this year as Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar guided a live, synchronized meditation from New York City. Millions of participants from thousands of cities across 150 countries came together in a shared moment of silence and reflection, making it one of the largest coordinated meditation gatherings ever recorded. In the United States alone, people from 45 states and 133 cities joined the global observance. Addressing the gathering, Gurudev emphasized the importance of making meditation a daily practice and accessible to every individual, underscoring its potential to contribute to a more peaceful and harmonious…

Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said restoring economic opportunity and holding the government accountable are the core priorities of his campaign as he runs for the US Senate. “The most important issue right now is that the American dream — the ability of people to fulfil their economic potential — is slipping from the grasp of millions of people,” Krishnamoorthi told IANS in an interview. He said rising costs have made basic necessities increasingly unaffordable for families across the country. “They’re just not able to afford to live,” he said, pointing to expenses such as groceries, housing, electricity, healthcare and…

 India recently conducted a successful test of its K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat in the Bay of Bengal. This test represents a critical step in India’s ongoing efforts to expand its undersea nuclear deterrent. The K-4, capable of carrying a 2-ton warhead, boasts an impressive range of 3,500 kilometers, providing a significant boost to India’s strategic reach compared to the earlier K-15 missile, which had a range of only 700 kilometers. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited, the K-4 is specifically designed for the Arihant-class…

Starbucks has announced the appointment of technology veteran Anand Varadarajan as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, effective January 19. The leadership move signals a renewed push by the global coffee chain to accelerate its technology-driven transformation across stores and operations worldwide. The appointment was confirmed by Starbucks Chief Executive Officer Brian Niccol, who said Varadarajan will join the company’s Executive Leadership Team and report directly to him. The role places Varadarajan at the center of Starbucks’ efforts to modernize digital systems, enhance operational efficiency, and support store partners through improved technology tools. Varadarajan steps into the…