Author: 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.

A sea of devotees gathered along the four Masi streets in Madurai to witness the grand ‘Therottam’—the iconic temple car procession of Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple—marking the second-to-last day of the Chithirai festival. Before the ceremonial journey began, the adorned idols of Goddess Meenakshi, Lord Sundareswarar, and Goddess Piriyavidai were respectfully brought to the ‘Thermutti’ on East Masi Street. This is where the colorfully embellished wooden temple chariots, steeped in historical and spiritual significance, were waiting. Following traditional rituals and pujas performed by the temple priests, the procession began at precisely 6:35 a.m. Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Piriyavidai were seated…

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Manpreet Kaur Joins Sikh Coalition as Education Director

The Sikh Coalition is thrilled to announce the appointment of Manpreet Kaur as the new Education Director, starting in May 2025. In her new role, Kaur will spearhead efforts aimed at transforming Sikh awareness and ensuring a more inclusive and safe environment for students across the country. Her responsibilities will include advocating for the inclusion of Sikhi in state educational standards and curricula nationwide, creating teaching materials that accurately portray Sikhism, and organizing professional development programs for educators. Additionally, she will engage Sikh families and students to actively contribute to these efforts and more. Originally from Bakersfield, California, Kaur has…

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All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi sharply criticized Pakistan for its continued support of cross-border terrorism, urging Indians to remain united in countering such threats. Commenting on the recent surge in attacks targeting civilians, Owaisi told ANI, “This has consistently been Pakistan’s approach—and unfortunately, it doesn’t appear poised to shift anytime soon.” He accused Pakistan’s deep state of exploiting religion as a mask to justify illegal activities and fund terrorism. “Islam is simply a cover they use,” he said. Highlighting the strong sense of solidarity among Indians, he added, “The collective resolve and unity I witness today against…

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 India is preparing to launch a network of 52 surveillance satellites within the next five years as part of a strategic initiative to strengthen its defense forces’ ability to monitor, track, and coordinate during high-risk operations. The announcement was made by Mr. Pawan Kumar Goenka, Chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), during his address at the Global Space Exploration Conference 2025. This large-scale satellite rollout is designed to enhance space-based intelligence gathering, enabling the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force to effectively observe enemy movements and secure the nation’s borders. Mr. Goenka noted that the…

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In a meticulously planned military operation, India executed Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, 2025, launching strikes on nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This high-precision attack was a direct response to the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, where terrorists brutally killed 26 civilians, including 25 Indians and one Nepali national. The Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force coordinated the strikes, ensuring that only terrorist infrastructure was hit while avoiding Pakistani military installations to prevent escalation. During a press briefing, Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh highlighted that the mission was precise, strategic,…

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India initiated a carefully calibrated military operation named Operation Sindoor early Wednesday morning, striking terror hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered regions. The move comes in the wake of a horrific terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, where 26 people, mainly tourists, were killed. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that these actions were taken in line with India’s right to defend itself and prevent future cross-border threats. Speaking at a press briefing, he underscored that the operation was “measured, proportionate, and aimed solely at disrupting terrorist infrastructure and eliminating those preparing to infiltrate Indian territory.” The Indian government revealed that…

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In a dramatic display of military precision, the Indian Army has released videos showcasing a 25-minute-long barrage of bombs that destroyed terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This operation, a direct response to the brutal Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, highlights India’s resolve to eliminate cross-border terrorism. The footage, which has been made public for the first time, depicts Indian forces targeting terror infrastructure across the border. The precision strikes hit multiple terror camps in PoK and Pakistan, ensuring significant damage to the network of terror groups operating from these areas. Indian officials…

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Praising India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’, which targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Naseeruddin Chishti, Chairman of the All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council and son of Ajmer Dargah Diwan Zainul Abedin, stated on Wednesday that this is the face of a “New India” — one that responds through decisive action rather than words. “The Prime Minister has honoured the emotions of 140 crore Indians by giving a fitting reply to Pakistan in its own language. This is the New India — one that does not react with empty words but with decisions, firm action, and visible outcomes. Today, our…

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 Rubrik (NYSE: RBRK) has appointed Kavitha Mariappan as its Chief Transformation Officer (CTxO), a strategic role created to strengthen executive collaboration and fast-track cyber resilience for enterprises and public sector clients worldwide. In her new capacity, Mariappan will focus on expanding Rubrik’s engagement with C-suite executives and guiding organizations through transformative digital security journeys. Her mission includes promoting market adoption, facilitating large-scale business resilience strategies, and reinforcing Rubrik’s leadership in cybersecurity, compliance, and data integrity. “Cyber resilience has become an essential pillar of modern business strategy, especially as data threats continue to grow in scale and complexity,” said Mariappan. “Protection…

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 The Association of Indians in America (AIA) honored Dr. Nirmal Mattoo with its esteemed Lifetime Achievement Award during its Annual Medical Council Awards Gala. The high-profile event took place at the prestigious Cipriani venue in New York and was attended by over 300 distinguished guests. Dr. Mattoo, known for his long-standing service and commitment to the Indian-American community, was recognized for his impactful contributions to medicine and public service in the United States. The evening also celebrated the accomplishments of four rising physicians who were commended for their innovation and dedication in the healthcare field. Founded in 1967, the AIA…

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