Author: Akancha Mishra

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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.

Following a series of tragic deaths of Indian students in the US, former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi has offered advice to Indian students regarding their safety upon arriving in America. The Consulate General of India in New York shared a video message by Indra Nooyi, emphasizing the importance of vigilance for Indian students studying or planning to study in the US. In the video, lasting about 10 minutes, Nooyi highlighted the costly nature of higher education in the US and the uncertainty of job prospects for students. She stressed the importance of students being careful while choosing colleges, considering the…

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On Monday, Eric Garcetti, the US Ambassador to India, extended his Holi wishes through X (formerly Twitter), recounting his first-hand encounter with the colorful festival in India. Expressing his delight, Garcetti emphasized the blend of customs and the camaraderie between the United States and India. He shared his joy at partaking in the cultural spectacle firsthand. Garcetti shared on social media, “#HappyHoli! Embracing my inaugural Holi in India, enjoying scrumptious gujiyas with American nuts—a delightful blend of customs, celebrating #USIndiaDosti!” He underscored the unparalleled experience of celebrating Holi in India compared to Los Angeles. Accompanying his message was a video…

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Leo Varadkar announced his resignation as Ireland’s prime minister and leader of the Fine Gael party within the governing coalition, citing personal and political reasons. This surprising decision, coming just 10 weeks before crucial European Parliament and local elections, has been described as a “political earthquake” by analysts, with a looming general election within a year. Despite the unexpected nature of Varadkar’s announcement, Deputy Prime Minister Micheal Martin expressed confidence in the government’s ability to complete its full term. In an emotional statement on the steps of Government Buildings in Dublin, surrounded by his Fine Gael cabinet colleagues, Varadkar, one…

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Silicon Valley-based Indian-American technology professionals conducted a special ‘havan’ at a Hindu temple to seek divine blessings for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s victory in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. Organized by the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP), USA San Francisco Bay Area Chapter, the ‘havan’ witnessed a significant turnout. The event aimed not only at performing a ritual but also at collectively invoking divine intervention to fulfill the desires of the majority of Indians and NRIs. The community united to pray for a resounding victory for the ruling BJP, led by Prime Minister Modi, in the upcoming parliamentary elections, echoing…

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Emphasizing the growing participation of women in the scientific field, a significant number of female scientists played crucial roles in the achievements of Mission Divyastra, led by Programme Director Sheena Rani. Among them, senior scientist Sheena Rani has notably contributed to previous successful missile tests. Dr. Shankari S, serving as the programme project director, also made significant contributions to the mission’s triumph, as per defense officials. A considerable cohort of female scientists dedicated their expertise to developing crucial technologies for the mission, particularly the multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) technology for the Agni-5 missile. Integral to the project’s success…

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Hoboken Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla, known for his advocacy in climate resilience and civil rights, has declared his candidacy for Congress, promising to uphold his Sikh heritage while focusing on environmental, healthcare, and reproductive rights concerns. A native of New Jersey, Mayor Bhalla has called Hoboken home for over two decades. Prior to serving two terms as Mayor, he spent eight years on the city council and worked as a civil rights lawyer. During a recent gathering at residences in Crownsville, MD, Mayor Bhalla shared his personal journey, highlighting his father’s immigrant experience from India and his refusal to compromise…

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In a groundbreaking move, Indian-American economist Gita Gopinath was appointed as the Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), heralding a new era of leadership in the realm of global economics. Her appointment was met with widespread acclaim, with IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde lauding Gopinath as “one of the world’s outstanding economists with impeccable academic credentials, a proven track record of intellectual leadership, and extensive international experience.” Here are eight key insights into the life and achievements of Gita Gopinath: 1. Early Life and Education: Gita Gopinath was born on December 8, 1971, in Mysuru, Karnataka, to TV…

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On International Women’s Day, Shefali Razdan Duggal, the United States Ambassador to the Netherlands, commemorated the occasion by christening a tulip with her name, known as Tulipa Shefali. This act symbolized a significant honor, considering the tulip’s esteemed status as a potent emblem of the Netherlands, similar to when First Lady Jill Biden was honored with tulips named after her in 2023. At the US Ambassador’s Residence in The Hague, Duggal collaborated with Keukenhof gardeners to plant the tulip bulbs, expressing gratitude for being among those recognized in this manner. She articulated her appreciation for the tulip’s timeless beauty, emphasizing…

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commended the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists for the successful inaugural flight test of the Agni-5 missile featuring Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology. This accomplishment, termed “Mission Divyastra,” signifies India’s entry into the league of nations possessing MIRV capabilities. Similarly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the achievement of Mission Divyastra, recognizing the prowess of DRDO scientists in executing the test. He praised the integration of MIRV technology into the Agni-5 missile, emphasizing its role in bolstering India’s deterrence capabilities and national security. Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, described the event as…

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Anna Chandy made history as the first woman to serve as a High Court Judge in India. Born in 1905 in the Kingdom of Travancore, she grew up in Thiruvanthapuram in a Syrian Christian family. Upon finishing her post-graduate studies at the Government Law College in 1926, she achieved the distinction of being the inaugural woman in her state to obtain a Law degree. Specializing in criminal law, Chandy began her practice as a barrister in 1929, gaining recognition for her work in criminal cases. In addition to her legal career, Chandy was passionate about advocating for women’s rights. In…

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