Author: Akancha Mishra

In a heartfelt evening held in Parsippany, New Jersey, the Gandhian Society, alongside the Rotary Club of Parsippany and the Zakir Husain Study Circle, came together to host a tribute evening in honor of Vivek Tankha, an esteemed Member of Parliament in India and a lifelong Rotarian. The occasion recognized his extensive contributions to public service, especially in the areas of rural healthcare, education, and development. Tankha was celebrated not only for his legal acumen as a Senior Advocate in the Supreme Court of India and his role as a Rajya Sabha member, but also for his hands-on humanitarian efforts…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s groundbreaking visit to Croatia has opened new avenues for strategic cooperation between India and the Central European nation. This landmark trip, the first-ever by an Indian Prime Minister, underscores India’s growing diplomatic outreach to Central and Eastern Europe, with a focus on enhancing ties in defense, trade, technology, and culture. During this high-level engagement, four pivotal agreements were signed — covering agriculture, science and technology collaboration, a renewed cultural exchange program, and the continuation of the Hindi Chair at the University of Zagreb until 2030. These steps aim to reinforce cultural diplomacy and academic linkages. PM…

India is rapidly emerging as a major global destination for AI infrastructure, data centers, and semiconductor production, according to Moody’s Analytics. In its latest report titled AI Is Beating the Odds, the agency notes that while global cross-border investments are experiencing a general slowdown amid geopolitical uncertainty, capital inflow into AI-related infrastructure is rising swiftly. This spike is attributed to the growing need to bridge the widening gap between exploding demand for AI technology and limited global supply capabilities. Moody’s highlights that the United States remains the primary source of outbound AI investments, with leading American tech companies fueling international…

In a powerful demonstration of continuity and strategic foresight, the Indian Army launched a two-day leadership conclave, ‘Chiefs’ Chintan’, bringing together current Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and several former Army chiefs. Held in the wake of Op Sindoor, this structured engagement aims to harness the collective wisdom of past leadership to guide the Army’s evolving strategy and modernization efforts. General Dwivedi extended a warm welcome to the attending veterans, emphasizing the vital role their experience plays in refining the Army’s long-term vision. A central theme of the conclave was a detailed operational review of Op Sindoor, a…

India is moving swiftly toward finalizing an interim trade agreement with the United States, potentially before July 9, 2025. According to government officials, the ongoing bilateral trade talks are on track and are expected to result in a comprehensive deal by fall this year. This development comes as India’s trade deficit narrowed significantly in May, dropping to $21.88 billion due to a seasonal upswing in exports and a decline in imports. Despite high tariffs imposed under US President Donald Trump’s administration, Indian exports to the US saw notable growth. In the April-May period, exports reached $17.25 billion — up from…

Dr. Tanya N. Mayadas has been named Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) and the first Director of the newly founded Institute for Immunological Sciences. She officially begins her dual role on August 1, 2025. This marks a return to her academic roots for Mayadas, who earned her bachelor’s in Biology in 1983 and a PhD in Biochemistry in 1989 from the University of Rochester. She later completed postdoctoral training at both MIT and Tufts University. Since 1993, she has served on the faculty at Harvard Medical School, becoming a…

India’s luxury electric vehicle (EV) market is experiencing a significant boom, with sales rising by 66% year-over-year in the first five months of 2025. A total of 2,027 luxury EVs were sold, compared to just 1,223 units during the same period in 2024, according to the VAHAN portal under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Mercedes-Benz India played a key role in this surge, recording a 73% spike in EV sales. Major metropolitan hubs like Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad led the demand. Meanwhile, newer markets such as Gujarat and Kerala are also seeing growing interest in luxury…

 In response to the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, the United States has announced a formal investigation into the incident, calling it one of the deadliest in recent aviation history. US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy expressed condolences and stated that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), will be working closely with Indian authorities. The NTSB will send a dedicated team to assist India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, in line with international aviation protocols (ICAO Annex 13). All official updates will be released by the Indian government, the agency confirmed. Duffy…

India has stepped up its military engagement with global partners following last month’s high-stakes Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. Building on the momentum, the Indian armed forces are now actively participating in multi-domain drills with the United Kingdom, United States, and Mongolia. These exercises signal India’s resolve to bolster interoperability, project deterrence, and reinforce regional security ties. From June 9 to 10, the Indian Navy conducted complex anti-submarine warfare maneuvers with the British Royal Navy in the northern Arabian Sea. The exercise involved India’s stealth frigate INS Tabar, a Kalvari-class submarine, and the long-range surveillance aircraft P-8I. These assets trained alongside…

India’s economy continues to display robust growth across diverse sectors, reflecting strong domestic capacity, rising global demand, and strategic digital innovation. From traditional exports like tea to cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), India is reinforcing its status as an emerging economic powerhouse. Tea Exports and Production Are on the Rise India’s tea industry recorded nearly 10% growth in exports in 2024, reaching 254.67 million kilograms compared to 231.69 million kg in 2023, according to the Tea Board. Northern India saw a 9.79% production increase to 154.81 million kg, while Southern India’s output rose by 10.11% to 99.86 million…