Smartphones have risen to become India’s fourth-largest export category, achieving a 42% growth to reach US$ 15.6 billion in the fiscal year 2024. This advancement signifies a one-rank climb in the hierarchy of India’s top exported commodities compared to the previous year. Notably, it was from April 2022 that India began separately tracking smartphone exports. Traditionally, the country’s export portfolio has been heavily dominated by petroleum products, but now smartphones have taken a prominent place. Government data reveals that the remarkable growth in smartphone exports was primarily fueled by a 158% increase in shipments to the United States, amounting to…
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.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized that India must prepare for a challenging global environment in the near future, a lesson underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking at an open discussion on Viksit Bharat @2047, organized by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) in New Delhi, Jaishankar highlighted the necessity for India to develop capabilities to meet basic requirements domestically, especially given the ongoing major global conflicts. Jaishankar pointed out that India’s growth trajectory might vary depending on circumstances, but stressed the importance of planning for a difficult global environment. He reflected on the COVID-19 experience, where India’s…
The Daily Express arrived in India with a mission: to provide on-the-ground reporting of the world’s largest election. In a launch video at the Taj St James’s, Assistant Editor Sam Stevenson explained that his goal was to experience India’s vibrant democracy firsthand and to enhance British media’s coverage of it. In Delhi, Stevenson aimed to counter negative stereotypes and misconceptions about India prevalent in the UK and the West. He also sought to understand and evaluate the narratives suggesting that democracy in India is under threat. During his stay, Stevenson found a celebration of democracy unparalleled in the UK. His…
At the 2024 CII Business Summit in New Delhi, Mr. Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa and former NITI Aayog CEO, discussed India’s path to reaching 30% of global GDP by 2035-2040 and outpacing Germany and Japan in economic growth by 2027. He underscored the imperative for collaborative efforts between the Indian government and states, advocating for the development of 12-13 ‘champion states’ aiming for annual growth rates of 10-11%. Mr. Kant commended India’s structural reforms, attributing them to the country’s 8.4% growth over the past three quarters, and urged domestic enterprises to venture into international markets with a focus on…
This year, seven students of Indian origin have earned the prestigious Knight-Hennessy scholarship at Stanford University. These scholars include Ank Agarwal, Wasan Kumar, Aneesh Pappu, Isha Sanghvi, Kritika Singh, Krishna Pathak, and Rahul Penumaka. They are part of a cohort of 90 scholars selected for the largest graduate fellowship in the world. The academic interests of these Indian-origin scholars cover a range of disciplines, including medicine, technology, engineering, and law. They are pursuing various advanced degrees such as PhDs, MBAs, and MDs. Their diverse areas of focus include research and development, policy, entrepreneurship, and social impact. For the first time,…
The Indian Consulate in New York has declared its intention to remain operational throughout the year, including weekends and holidays, to cater to the urgent needs of individuals. According to a press release from the Consulate General of India, New York, the consulate will be accessible from 2 pm to 4 pm on all holidays starting May 10, with the goal of addressing emergency situations for the public. The release emphasized that this service is exclusively for genuine emergencies and not for regular consular activities. Applicants were advised to contact the Consulate’s emergency helpline number, +1-917-815-7066, prior to visiting for…
Golgappa, also called pani puri or puchka in North India, is now a common sight at White House receptions, such as the recent Rose Garden gathering held by President Joe Biden to celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month. Among the guests were numerous Asian-Americans and Indian-Americans, including US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, who entertained the crowd with a drum performance and emphasized the healing power of music. Ajay Jain Bhutoria, a community leader in attendance, praised the tangy and spicy flavors of the Golgappas, which he found to be a perfect addition to the menu alongside traditional items like samosas. Bhutoria…
Miss Teen USA 2023, UmaSofia Srivastava, has decided to step down from her title less than eight months after making history by winning it. Her resignation follows closely after Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt also announced her resignation. On May 8, Srivastava took to Instagram to explain her decision, noting that her personal values no longer align with the organization’s direction, as reported by People magazine. She announced, “After months of careful consideration, I have chosen to resign from the title of Miss Teen USA 2023.” She expressed gratitude for the support she received from her family, state directors, sister…
Vinod Khosla, a prominent Indian-American billionaire and venture capitalist, hosted an election fundraiser for US President Joe Biden at his Silicon Valley residence, where Biden raised over $1.5 million. The event, attended by many Indian-Americans from the Silicon Valley area, accommodated about 50 seated guests and around 30 standing. Tickets for the fundraiser ranged from $6,600 to $100,000. Khosla, co-founder of Sun Microsystems and founder of Khosla Ventures, introduced Biden at the event. During his speech, Biden emphasized immigration and women’s rights, praising immigrants for their contributions to the country’s work ethic and economic growth. He acknowledged the Khosla family’s…
The Supreme Court addressed a plea filed by Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin regarding multiple FIRs and complaints against him for controversial remarks on ‘Sanatan Dharma’. A bench, led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, agreed to examine the plea and requested responses from various state governments. The petition emphasized that except for one case in Bangalore, all other cases are in states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), causing logistical challenges for Stalin to appear in different courts and police stations across regions. Stalin’s comments at a Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers function sparked controversy, where he advocated for eradicating Sanatan…
