Author: Akancha Mishra

Aravind Srinivas, the Indian-origin CEO of Perplexity AI, stirred controversy by playfully challenging Elon Musk in the wake of the USAID shutdown. In a bold post on X, he quipped, “Considering raising $500B from USAID. Funding secured. Stop me if you can @elonmusk,” taking a direct jab at the Tesla and SpaceX chief. This remark followed a drastic move by the Trump administration, which ordered the largest dismissal in USAID history, citing corruption as the main reason. The agency, which once employed over 10,000 individuals worldwide—two-thirds of them stationed outside the US—saw thousands of employees let go. Reports indicate that…

Former Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard is moving closer to becoming the next director of national intelligence under President Trump. On Feb. 4, the Senate Intelligence Committee approved her nomination with full Republican support, while every Democrat opposed it. With a 9-8 Republican majority, Gabbard now awaits a full Senate vote on Feb. 13, where she is expected to be confirmed despite strong opposition from Democrats. Meanwhile, Kash Patel, Trump’s nominee for FBI director, faces delays in his confirmation process. The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed Patel’s vote after Democrats demanded a second hearing, citing concerns about his past statements and transparency.…

Indian-American politician Kshama Sawant has alleged that her India visa application was rejected three times without explanation, while her husband was granted an emergency visa to visit her ailing mother. In a series of posts on X, Sawant stated that officials at the Indian consulate in Seattle informed her that her name was on a “reject list” but refused to provide any reasons. She and members of the activist group Workers Strike Back staged a peaceful demonstration at the consulate, demanding an explanation for the repeated denials. The Indian consulate, however, claimed that Sawant and others engaged in “aggressive and…

BlackRock Inc., the world’s largest asset manager, is significantly increasing its workforce in India, planning to hire 1,200 professionals across its support centers in Mumbai and Gurugram. This expansion will boost BlackRock’s current workforce in these locations by about one-third, adding to its existing 3,500 employees, according to a report by Moneycontrol. The company’s hiring spree is focused on enhancing its artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and expanding its innovation hubs, known as iHubs. These centers manage key functions such as investment research, financial engineering, business operations, risk management, and data analytics. BlackRock is particularly looking for engineers and data specialists…

Luxury shopping in India is witnessing a significant shift, with smaller towns emerging as key growth drivers, thanks to the rise of online retail. A report by Tata Cliq Luxury reveals that cities like Botad in Gujarat and Asansol in West Bengal are now fueling demand for premium brands, moving beyond traditional metropolitan markets such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. This trend is largely driven by the “Henry” demographic—high earners who are not yet wealthy but have rising disposable incomes. These consumers, primarily working professionals, are actively investing in luxury goods, with notable growth in footwear, watches, clothing, and accessories.…

Bollywood star Shahid Kapoor recently expressed his admiration for Conclave, the book-to-screen adaptation that has earned eight Academy Award nominations. Reflecting on the film’s success, Kapoor shared his appreciation for literary adaptations, emphasizing their ability to transport audiences to new worlds and evoke deep emotions. He also mentioned his excitement to watch Conclave and described the achievement of receiving eight Oscar nominations as “phenomenal.” Kapoor voiced his belief that well-crafted adaptations continue to inspire cinema, underlining the growing influence of literature in film storytelling. Conclave—which delves into the mysterious and sacred event of electing a new Pope—has been nominated for…

According to a report by Jefferies, the Union Budget 2025-26 has increased the income tax exemption threshold to $13,775, which is likely to fuel demand for two-wheelers and passenger vehicles. The tax reductions are set to benefit middle-class taxpayers, collectively saving around $11.48 billion. This financial relief is expected to enhance discretionary spending, especially in urban areas. The analysis estimates that roughly 35 million taxpayers will receive an annual tax benefit of $344 each, significantly influencing automobile purchases. With the passenger vehicle market anticipated to reach 4.3 million units and two-wheeler sales projected at 21 million in FY25, increased consumer…

Chandrika Tandon, an Indian-American vocalist and entrepreneur, clinched a Grammy Award for her album Triveni in the Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant category during the 67th Grammy Awards on February 2 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The competition included notable albums like Break of Dawn by Ricky Kej and Opus by Ryuichi Sakamoto. Tandon’s Triveni represents a unique fusion of artistic traditions, featuring South African flutist Wouter Kellerman and Japanese-American cellist Eru Matsumoto. The album combines ancient Sanskrit mantras with global instrumental melodies, creating a soundscape focused on healing and tranquility. The collaboration blends Tandon’s rich South…

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced key tax reforms in Budget 2025, impacting non-resident Indians (NRIs) and foreign investors. To enhance tax clarity for non-residents, the government introduced a presumptive taxation regime for foreign entities providing services to Indian electronics manufacturers. A safe harbour provision was also introduced for non-residents storing components for supply to designated electronics manufacturing units. Additionally, the budget proposed aligning long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax rates for NRIs and Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) with those of resident taxpayers when transferring capital assets. Sitharaman highlighted in her Budget speech that the government aims to ensure tax parity between…

A recent report by Redseer Strategy Consultants, titled The Big Bite: Scaling Success in India’s Food Services, projects India’s food services market to expand significantly in the coming years. Valued at approximately $80 billion in 2024, the sector is expected to reach between $144 billion and $152 billion by 2030, growing at an annual rate of 10-11%. The report highlights how multi-brand food businesses and cloud kitchens are positioned to capitalize on this booming market. These innovative models offer scalability and flexibility, transforming the traditional dining experience. According to Redseer partner Rohan Agarwal, cloud kitchens are proving to be a…