Author: Akancha Mishra

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, currently heading the Operation Sindoor all-party delegation to the United States, addressed the recent controversy surrounding Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the India-Pakistan conflict, according to a report by India Today. Responding to Gandhi’s comment that Modi had allegedly “surrendered” to pressure from then-US President Donald Trump following cross-border tensions with Pakistan, Tharoor offered a sharp rebuttal. He clarified that India never required any external persuasion to de-escalate, stating that the decision to stop hostilities was India’s own, conditional only on Pakistan’s cooperation. Tharoor stated that India had already declared its willingness…

Sony Music India Partners with The Hello Group to Offer Global Touring Opportunities for Indian Artists Sony Music India has announced a strategic partnership with Los Angeles-based global entertainment leader The Hello Group (THG) to establish THG India. This collaboration marks a major international alliance aimed at elevating the Indian music industry by providing global exposure and touring opportunities to local Indian artists. THG India will be based in Mumbai and serve as a comprehensive artist services platform. It will offer artist management, international event bookings, and music publishing support, allowing Indian artists to connect with global audiences more effectively…

On May 31, 2025, Sai Mandir USA—the first Saibaba temple in the U.S. founded by Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori—commemorated its Silver Jubilee at Hicksville Middle School in New York. The joyous occasion attracted more than 750 devotees from across the Tri-State area, reflecting the temple’s enduring spiritual and cultural influence over the past 25 years. The celebration began with light refreshments, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and concluded with a traditional Mahaprasadam feast. The program featured an array of captivating performances, including a musical segment by “Kala Ratna” Sri Parupalli Sriranganath, a senior musician from TTD, and a special appearance…

The University of Miami Board of Trustees has unanimously appointed Dr. Dipen J. Parekh as the new Chief Executive Officer of UHealth and Executive Vice President for Health Affairs at the University of Miami, effective immediately. A globally recognized urologic oncologist, healthcare innovator, and distinguished leader in academic medicine, Dr. Parekh has served as Chief Operating Officer of the University of Miami Health System since 2020. Together with University President Joseph J. Echevarria, he has been instrumental in orchestrating UHealth’s impressive transformation over the past five years. “Dipen has been central to every phase of UHealth’s evolution into one of…

Former Seattle City Council member and vocal socialist Kshama Sawant has announced her candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives, challenging longtime Democratic incumbent Adam Smith in Washington’s 9th Congressional District. The announcement was made during a livestreamed press conference on June 2. Sawant, who is running as an Independent, previously served on Seattle City Council from 2014 until 2024. After stepping down, she launched Workers Strike Back, a nationwide labor movement focused on advancing working-class issues. In her campaign announcement, Sawant declared that neither major political party represents working people, criticizing both Democrats and Republicans as being beholden to…

Laku Chidambaram has been named dean of the Michael F. Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma (OU), effective May 31, pending approval from the OU Board of Regents. Having served as interim dean since July 2024, he brings more than 20 years of leadership and experience to the role. Chidambaram currently holds the Michael F. Price Chair in Business and serves as a Provost Faculty Fellow. Prior to stepping in as interim dean, he served as the senior associate dean for academic programs and engagement, managing Price College’s undergraduate, master’s, and executive education programs. His tenure has…

‘Is It So Difficult to Be Patriotic?’: Salman Khurshid’s Pointed Remarks Set to Unsettle Congress In a move that has deepened the internal rift within the Congress party, senior leader and former Union Minister Salman Khurshid has sparked controversy by praising the Centre’s abrogation of Article 370 and questioning the lack of unity on India’s global mission against terrorism. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Khurshid wrote, “When on a mission against terrorism, to carry India’s message to the world, it’s distressing that people at home are calculating political allegiances. Is it so difficult to be patriotic?” The remark is seen…

The Ministry of Defence has officially unveiled a national essay competition focusing on Operation Sindoor, a military campaign that has significantly reshaped India’s approach to counter-terrorism. The contest will be held from June 1 to June 30, 2025, and invites participants to share their thoughts in either English or Hindi. According to the ministry, the initiative is aimed at engaging youth and encouraging them to reflect on the implications of Operation Sindoor, which was launched in retaliation to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that took 26 lives. The operation, conducted on May 7, targeted nine militant camps located…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a powerful and resolute address on national security and the fight against cross-border terrorism during a public gathering in Alipurduar, West Bengal, on Wednesday. Focusing on Operation Sindoor—the military response to the Pahalgam terror attack—Modi declared on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians that the mission is still ongoing. Speaking directly to the people of West Bengal, Modi acknowledged the widespread outrage that followed the April 22 attack, where terrorists targeted innocent civilians. “I felt the deep anger that simmered within you after the brutality inflicted by terrorists in Pahalgam,” he said. The Prime Minister underscored…

On May 27, 2025, NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan announced that Dr. Anitha Srinivasan will assume the role of Chief Medical Officer beginning June 1. She is the first woman and woman of color to be appointed CMO at Metropolitan Hospital, and one of only two female CMOs among the city’s 11 public hospitals. Dr. Srinivasan succeeds Dr. John T. Pellicone, who served as CMO for ten years. She brings over 20 years of experience to the position, having started her career with a surgical residency at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln in the 1990s. After her tenure at an academic research…