Sirish Subash, a 9th-grade student from Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology in Snellville, Georgia, was recently crowned the winner of the 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge, a premier national science competition for middle school students. Jointly organized by 3M and Discovery Education, the challenge encourages students to use STEM skills to devise real-world solutions. Sirish gained recognition for his project, Pestiscand, a handheld device powered by AI that identifies pesticide residues on fruits and vegetables. For his innovative work, Sirish was awarded a $25,000 cash prize and received the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.” His journey 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.
India’s gold reserves, overseen by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), have reached 854.73 metric tonnes, according to the central bank’s latest report on foreign exchange reserves. The report, covering updates as of September 2024, reveals that most of this gold, approximately 510.46 metric tonnes, is stored domestically within India. The remainder, about 324.01 metric tonnes, is safeguarded abroad with the Bank of England and the Bank for International Settlements. An additional 20.26 metric tonnes are kept as gold deposits, enhancing liquidity and financial security. The report also highlights that gold’s share in India’s overall foreign exchange reserves has increased,…
As the U.S. gears up for elections, Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump concluded their campaign rallies on Monday, with both aiming to win over voters in a closely contested race. Alongside this high-profile presidential election, nine Indian American candidates are also campaigning for seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, bringing a diverse range of backgrounds and policy focuses. Among these candidates, five are incumbents vying for re-election, while four are new contenders aspiring to make their mark in Congress. Shri Thanedar, a current representative from Michigan’s 13th district, previously served in the Michigan State House…
Indian-origin engineer Dhruv Loya recently shared on LinkedIn the inspiring journey he undertook to secure a job at Tesla. Loya applied to more than 300 jobs and sent over 500 cold emails during his extended job search. Despite his solid academic background and experience in three internships, he encountered an unexpectedly difficult job market. His journey involved not only searching for jobs but also managing financial challenges and navigating the complexities of visa requirements in the United States. The months of waiting brought uncertainty and required substantial financial sacrifice. Loya, determined to pursue his career, reduced his expenses, stayed with…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized on Sunday that India’s progress in reducing tuberculosis cases reflects the nation’s dedicated, innovative measures. Modi underscored his commitment to a “TB-free India,” highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts in this mission. Modi’s remarks followed a statement by Health Minister J.P. Nadda, who shared that the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized India’s “remarkable” advancements. Nadda reported a 17.7% reduction in TB incidence from 2015 to 2023—over twice the global average decline of 8.3%. In his post on X, Modi expressed satisfaction with the progress, calling it “commendable” and reaffirming that the nation’s “dedicated and innovative…
India’s inaugural analogue space mission has kicked off in Leh, with leadership from ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Centre and partnerships including Aaka Space Studio, the University of Ladakh, and IIT Bombay. The mission also has the backing of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council. This venture is designed to mimic the conditions of a space habitat, tackling challenges tied to establishing human bases off Earth. Aaka Space Studio, founded by Ms. Aastha Jhala, has created a sophisticated habitat prototype that includes features such as an extravehicular activity (EVA) preparation zone, circadian lighting, hydroponic systems, solar power, and environmental sensors. The high-altitude,…
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris joined Americans across the nation in celebrating Diwali, with temples and prominent sites adorned in lights. “This Diwali, may we highlight the strength of unity, truth, and freedom, creating a future where anything is achievable,” Biden shared in a social media post on X. Earlier, Biden hosted an unprecedented Diwali gathering at the White House, inviting around 600 prominent Indian-Americans to mark the festival. Vice President Harris also shared Diwali wishes, celebrating from the campaign trail and reflecting on the symbolism of light overcoming darkness and knowledge triumphing over ignorance. Previously, Harris…
The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) has announced the appointment of Prabir Roy Chaudhury, MD, PhD, FASN, as its next president, set to take office on January 1, 2025. Dr. Roy Chaudhury, who succeeds Deidra C. Crews, brings extensive experience as a physician, academic leader, and researcher. He currently serves as the Drs. Ronald and Katherine Falk Eminent Professor and Co-Director at the University of North Carolina’s Kidney Center in Chapel Hill, NC, and is a staff nephrologist at the WG (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury, NC. Dr. Roy Chaudhury expressed enthusiasm for his new role, noting the…
President Joe Biden celebrated Diwali at the White House on Monday, honoring the South Asian American community’s contributions to the United States. With an esteemed guest list of over 600 Indian American leaders, including members of Congress, government officials, and business executives, the event underscored Diwali’s growing importance in American culture. During the celebration, President Biden lit the ceremonial diya in the White House’s Blue Room, calling the South Asian American community “the fastest-growing and most engaged community in the world.” He praised their impact, saying, “The South Asian American community has enriched every part of American life.” In his…
Capgemini has announced a significant leadership reshuffle to drive global growth, with Indian-origin executives playing pivotal roles in the company’s strategic realignment. Anirban Bose, who currently heads the Financial Services Strategic Business Unit, has been promoted to CEO of the Americas Strategic Business Unit. He will succeed Jim Bailey, with the transition expected in November 2024. In his new role, Bose will lead operations across North and South America, focusing on boosting AI-driven digital transformation initiatives. Simultaneously, Kartik Ramakrishnan will step into Bose’s previous role as CEO of the Financial Services Strategic Business Unit. Ramakrishnan, an experienced leader with deep…
