Author: Akancha Mishra

India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, recently welcomed Paul Kapur, the Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, at India House in Washington. Their meeting underscored the ongoing commitment to strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation between the two nations. The State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs shared the update on X, thanking Ambassador Kwatra for hosting and highlighting discussions on mutual priorities aimed at deepening the India-US partnership. Paul Kapur, an Indian American scholar and security expert, was officially sworn in on October 22 as the Assistant Secretary for…

Two US federal judges have ruled that President Donald Trump’s administration must continue financing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), even as the federal government faces a prolonged shutdown. The rulings, issued by Judge Indira Talwani in Massachusetts and Judge John J. McConnell in Rhode Island, require the administration to tap into emergency reserves to keep the nation’s largest food aid initiative operational. SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program, provides essential nutrition support to around 42 million low-income Americans. The program ensures that families struggling with poverty can afford basic groceries, particularly during times of economic strain. The…

The Ministry of Media in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has unveiled the second edition of its Global Harmony initiative, beginning with “India Week” on November 2 as part of the vibrant Riyadh Season celebrations. Designed under the Quality of Life Program, a key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030, the initiative celebrates the Kingdom’s multicultural society and recognizes the contributions of its diverse residents. This initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing emphasis on inclusivity, coexistence, and cultural exchange. By spotlighting the traditions, achievements, and creative expressions of various expatriate communities, it highlights how residents have helped enrich the Kingdom’s cultural and…

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved another major milestone on November 2, 2025, as it launched the Indian Navy’s advanced communication satellite GSAT-7R (CMS-03) aboard its powerful LVM3-M5 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The mission marked a defining step forward in India’s space and defense collaboration, strengthening the country’s maritime communication network. Weighing about 4,400 kilograms, GSAT-7R is India’s heaviest communication satellite ever launched from home soil. The lift-off occurred at 5:26 p.m. IST, and shortly after, mission control confirmed the satellite’s successful placement into a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO). Once in orbit, the satellite…

 India’s appetite for gold as an investment asset has reached new heights, with total bar and coin purchases touching an unprecedented $10 billion in the September quarter, according to data from the World Gold Council (WGC). This represents a 20% year-on-year increase, amounting to 91.6 tonnes and accounting for 40% of total gold consumption, the highest share ever recorded. The surge underscores a growing trend among Indian investors, who are increasingly viewing gold as a safe and reliable investment amid volatile global markets. “We expect investor confidence in gold to stay strong and even expand in the coming quarters,” said…

Global online marketplace Etsy, Inc. has announced the appointment of Kruti Patel Goyal as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026. Currently serving as Etsy’s President and Chief Growth Officer, Goyal will also take a seat on the company’s Board of Directors. The leadership transition follows Josh Silverman’s decision to step down after steering Etsy for more than eight years. To ensure a smooth changeover, Silverman will continue as Executive Chair through the end of 2026. Fred Wilson, Etsy’s Board Chair since 2017, will relinquish his position but remain on the board. In an emotional LinkedIn post, Goyal…

Harmeet Dhillon, the Sikh-American lawyer serving as the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Justice, has spoken out strongly in defense of Sikh and Indian-origin truck drivers following a surge of online hate and misinformation — some even from within conservative circles. In a statement released on October 27, Dhillon urged Americans not to unfairly target Sikh truckers after two recent accidents involving undocumented drivers operating commercial trucks. “In the haze of anger, many are wrongly attacking law-abiding Sikhs and Indian-origin truckers simply because of their identity,” she posted on X. She emphasized that most…

The Indian-American community in New Jersey came together in a vibrant display of devotion and culture to celebrate Chhath Mahaparv, a revered Hindu festival honoring the Sun God (Surya Dev) and Chhathi Maiya. Organized by the Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA), the grand event was held at Papaianni Park in Edison, transforming the venue into a scene reminiscent of the sacred ghats of Bihar and Jharkhand. The celebration saw around 40 devotees (Vratis) observing a strict fast and performing the Sandhya Arghya, the evening ritual offering to the setting sun. Over 700 community members attended, joining in prayers,…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a cordial conversation with Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, on Wednesday, congratulating her on assuming office and reaffirming India’s commitment to strengthening the long-standing partnership between the two nations. In a post shared on X, Modi said he had a “warm conversation” with Takaichi and congratulated her on becoming Japan’s first woman Prime Minister. The two leaders discussed advancing the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, focusing on economic security, defense collaboration, and talent mobility. Modi emphasized that stronger India-Japan ties are vital for maintaining global peace, stability, and prosperity. Modi had earlier…

 Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual head of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, has been awarded the prestigious Achievement in Building Better Communities honor at the Forum on Faith 2025 held in New York City. The global interfaith gathering recognized Mahant Swami Maharaj for his visionary leadership in mobilizing BAPS volunteers worldwide toward service initiatives that strengthen communities through health care, education, and disaster relief. The statement from BAPS emphasized that his teachings inspire compassion, unity, and commitment to selfless service. A key aspect of his leadership, the Forum highlighted, is his dedication to youth empowerment. Mahant Swami Maharaj has consistently encouraged…