Monica Saigal’s third novel, “A Kiss in Kashmir,” delves into love, loss, and the human heart against the backdrop of India’s Kashmir Valley. Drawing inspiration from her travels and culinary expertise, Saigal infuses vibrant culture into her storytelling, creating a captivating narrative. The novel follows Sharmila, a Rajasthani artist, and George, a retired American professor, as they navigate profound loss and unexpected love. Set amidst the enchanting beauty of Kashmir, their journey is intertwined with the rich tapestry of the region, adding depth and authenticity to the story. Saigal’s background as a renowned food writer shines through, with Kashmir itself…
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.
Bridgenext, a leading digital consulting services firm based in Florida, has named Rajesh Khanna as its Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). With over 25 years of experience in technology consulting, Khanna’s appointment is expected to bring significant expertise to his new role, according to a company statement. As the CRO, Khanna will lead Bridgenext’s revenue generation efforts, overseeing the company’s go-to-market strategy, client acquisition, and expansion initiatives. Additionally, he will be responsible for guiding offerings development, establishing strategic partnerships, and driving marketing activities. Khanna’s appointment coincides with a critical phase for Bridgenext as it consolidates its operations, integrating Emtec, Emtec Digital,…
Prime Video India has announced that the crime series “Poacher,” featuring Nimisha Sajayan, Roshan Mathew, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya, will premiere on February 23. Alia Bhatt joins as executive producer for the series, created by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Richie Mehta. “Poacher” delves into the issue of ivory poaching in India, based on true events. It blends environmental conservation with entertainment, addressing illegal poaching. The series, written and directed by Richie, will release in Malayalam, Hindi, and English. Alia expressed her excitement, stating that being part of such a significant project is an honor for her and Eternal Sunshine Productions. She found…
Milind Tambe, Gordon McKay Professor of Computer Science at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), has earned the esteemed 2024 AAAI Award for AI for the Benefit of Humanity. This recognition applauds Tambe’s pioneering use of innovative AI techniques in public safety, security, conservation, and public health, impacting humanity on a global scale. Expressing gratitude, Tambe acknowledges the contributions of his current and former PhD students and postdocs in the realm of AI for social impact. He eagerly anticipates discussing their latest work during his keynote at AAAI 2024. Tambe, also the director of…
The much-anticipated ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 final is on the horizon, featuring a clash between cricket powerhouses India and Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, 19 November. This encounter mirrors the 2003 final where Australia emerged victorious in Johannesburg with a 125-run lead, setting the stage for another historic showdown in front of a massive crowd exceeding 100,000 fans. In the lead-up to the final, India dominated the group stage, securing the top spot with a perfect record of nine wins and accumulating 18 points. Their exceptional net run rate of 2.570 stood out…
Actress Alia Bhatt couldn’t attend the screening of her mom Soni Razdan’s show “Pippa,” but she compensated with a sweet Instagram post. Sharing a red carpet photo of her mom from the screening night, Alia praised her as a “casual queen” and expressed excitement for “Pippa” on Amazon Prime. Soni Razdan’s support crew included husband Mahesh Bhatt and elder daughter Shaheen Bhatt, captured in a heartwarming family picture during the event. Discussing her grandchild turning one, Soni Razdan expressed a desire to savor every moment. In an exclusive interview, she marveled at how quickly time passed and expressed a wish…
The initiative “Women for Water, Water for Women” aims to enhance women’s involvement in water governance. Spanning three days, the program raises awareness and imparts firsthand knowledge of water treatment processes through visits to Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) in participants’ respective cities. On its inaugural day, over 41 million women from various states engaged in the heart of the campaign during “Jal Diwali.” The program successfully empowers women through knowledge, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility toward water infrastructure. Participants will explore more than 200 water treatment plants across the country, gaining valuable insights into the complex processes of…
A recent poll has brought to light interesting findings regarding a hypothetical 2024 election matchup in key swing states. The survey, carried out by The New York Times and Siena College, centered on eligible voters in crucial swing states such as Michigan, Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Wisconsin. The results of the poll indicate that in a head-to-head matchup, former President Trump outperforms President Biden in all of the swing states except for Wisconsin. On the other hand, Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and Republican presidential candidate, emerges as a strong contender against President Biden, securing victories in…
Unified Payment Interface (UPI) transactions hit an all-time high in October, totaling Rs. 17.16 trillion (US$ 210 billion), marking a 9% increase from September’s Rs. 15.8 trillion (US$ 190 billion). In terms of volume, UPI transactions reached a record 11.41 billion, an 8% rise from September’s 10.56 billion. Data from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) reveals a substantial increase of 56% in volume compared to 7.305 billion in October 2022 and a 42% growth in value compared to last year’s Rs. 12.12 trillion (US$ 150 billion). In August, UPI transactions were 10.58 billion in volume and Rs. 15.76…
The information regarding pensioners and family pensioners who received pensions during the fiscal year 2022-23 under the Union Government was provided by several offices, including the Central Pension Accounting Office (for Civil Pensioners), the Office of the Controller General of Defence Accounts (for Defence Pensioners), the Department of Telecommunications (for Telecom Pensioners), the Railway Board (for Railway Pensioners), and the Department of Posts (for Postal Pensioners). Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, stated that the Government allocated Rs. 241,777.55 crore (US$ 29.39…
