Hoboken Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla, known for his advocacy in climate resilience and civil rights, has declared his candidacy for Congress, promising to uphold his Sikh heritage while focusing on environmental, healthcare, and reproductive rights concerns. A native of New Jersey, Mayor Bhalla has called Hoboken home for over two decades. Prior to serving two terms as Mayor, he spent eight years on the city council and worked as a civil rights lawyer. During a recent gathering at residences in Crownsville, MD, Mayor Bhalla shared his personal journey, highlighting his father’s immigrant experience from India and his refusal to compromise…
Author: Akancha Mishra
Akancha Mishra
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 groundbreaking move, Indian-American economist Gita Gopinath was appointed as the Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), heralding a new era of leadership in the realm of global economics. Her appointment was met with widespread acclaim, with IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde lauding Gopinath as “one of the world’s outstanding economists with impeccable academic credentials, a proven track record of intellectual leadership, and extensive international experience.” Here are eight key insights into the life and achievements of Gita Gopinath: 1. Early Life and Education: Gita Gopinath was born on December 8, 1971, in Mysuru, Karnataka, to TV…
On International Women’s Day, Shefali Razdan Duggal, the United States Ambassador to the Netherlands, commemorated the occasion by christening a tulip with her name, known as Tulipa Shefali. This act symbolized a significant honor, considering the tulip’s esteemed status as a potent emblem of the Netherlands, similar to when First Lady Jill Biden was honored with tulips named after her in 2023. At the US Ambassador’s Residence in The Hague, Duggal collaborated with Keukenhof gardeners to plant the tulip bulbs, expressing gratitude for being among those recognized in this manner. She articulated her appreciation for the tulip’s timeless beauty, emphasizing…
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commended the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists for the successful inaugural flight test of the Agni-5 missile featuring Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology. This accomplishment, termed “Mission Divyastra,” signifies India’s entry into the league of nations possessing MIRV capabilities. Similarly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the achievement of Mission Divyastra, recognizing the prowess of DRDO scientists in executing the test. He praised the integration of MIRV technology into the Agni-5 missile, emphasizing its role in bolstering India’s deterrence capabilities and national security. Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, described the event as…
Anna Chandy made history as the first woman to serve as a High Court Judge in India. Born in 1905 in the Kingdom of Travancore, she grew up in Thiruvanthapuram in a Syrian Christian family. Upon finishing her post-graduate studies at the Government Law College in 1926, she achieved the distinction of being the inaugural woman in her state to obtain a Law degree. Specializing in criminal law, Chandy began her practice as a barrister in 1929, gaining recognition for her work in criminal cases. In addition to her legal career, Chandy was passionate about advocating for women’s rights. In…
Gujarat Prepares for Excellence in Mobility at the Surat International Auto Expo 2024 The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry and The Southern Gujarat Chamber Trade and Industries Development Center are organizing a four-day exhibition called the ‘Surat International Auto Expo 2024’, at the Surat International Exhibition and Convention Center in Sarsana, Surat, from March 15th to 18th. This expo will showcase the latest innovations and developments in the automotive industry. It’s a great opportunity for industry professionals and enthusiasts, to explore new technologies and trends in the automotive sector. Ramesh Vaghasiya, President of The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI),…
The ninth edition of the Raisina Dialogue took place from February 21 to Friday in New Delhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the conference. Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis joined the inauguration session as the chief guest. Originating as an annual conference focusing on geopolitics and geoeconomics, the Raisina Dialogue aimed to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues. Attended by individuals from political, business, media, and civil society backgrounds, the event was structured as a multi-stakeholder, cross-sectoral discussion. Hosted in New Delhi, the conference was organized by the Observer Research Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Bharat Tex 2024, India’s largest global textile event, with a focus on his 5F mantra and a commitment to support the textile industry’s growth. Addressing the event, PM Modi stressed the importance of his 5F vision—Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign—in advancing the sector’s role in job creation and India’s development. Highlighting the textiles sector’s significance in addressing key government priorities like employment, agricultural support, youth empowerment, and women’s empowerment, PM Modi urged for a shift towards global market penetration while advocating for environmentally friendly practices. He emphasized the need for adopting…
A collaborative effort totaling $1 million from four US-based organizations seeks to narrow the urban-rural digital gap and uplift education in underserved regions. A consortium comprising SM Sehgal Foundation, Teach for Life, India Development and Relief Fund (IDRF), and Guru Krupa Foundation has initiated “Project Umeed,” with the aim of bolstering education and digital literacy in rural India. Launching on India Giving Day, the project initially targets rural schoolchildren in Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Telangana. It aims to furnish them with the necessary tools for success in the digital era. “Umeed,” translating to hope in Hindi and…
Former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has aligned herself with Donald Trump. Initially considered for the GOP presidential ticket, she will now be the keynote speaker at a fundraiser at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort on March 7. Although the fundraiser is for the 917 Society, a nonprofit promoting constitutional education, Gabbard’s presence could bolster Trump’s campaign for 2024. Ticket prices range from $1,250 to $25,000, signaling Gabbard’s shift towards right-wing policies. Sources close to Gabbard suggest she may consider a military or veterans’ affairs role in a future Trump administration. While she hasn’t committed to endorsing Trump, she hasn’t dismissed the idea…