Author: Akancha Mishra

With just over a week until Donald Trump assumes his second term as US President, outgoing US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti underscored the growing prominence of Indian Americans. While expressing regret over Kamala Harris’s electoral defeat, Garcetti remained optimistic, predicting an Indian American President in the near future. He highlighted the significant contributions of Indian immigrants, who constitute 1.5% of the US population yet pay 6% of the nation’s income taxes. Indian Americans excel in leading universities, states, and global corporations, with some securing key positions in Trump’s administration. Regarding visa concerns, Garcetti reassured Indians about continued growth in…

This week, a committee chaired by the Vice-President of India selected three distinguished Indian-Americans for the 2025 Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, the highest honor for Indians living abroad. Among the recipients is Svaha Devi Dasi (Dr. Sharmila Ford), the wife of TOVP Chairman Ambarisa Dasa (Alfred Ford).  Svaha Devi Dasi, a dedicated advocate for the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in Mayapur, is recognized for her extensive community service. Born into a Bengali Brahmin family, she is the great-granddaughter of the prime minister to the King of Jaipur. The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman will be presented by the President of India…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to participate in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in France, scheduled for February 10-11. This event, considered a milestone in the global AI landscape, was announced by French President Emmanuel Macron during the 30th Conference of Ambassadors. President Macron described the summit as a platform for international collaboration on AI, emphasizing its significance in innovation, talent, and global governance. He noted that key participants include the US, China, India, and Gulf nations, which play pivotal roles in shaping AI’s future. “India’s presence is crucial, given its potential to create a meaningful impact through…

Vijay Raghunathan, serving as Purdue University’s vice president for global partnerships, director of semiconductor education, and professor in the Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has been appointed as a founding member of the Workforce Advisory Board for the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC). This center, created under the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, aims to enhance the United States’ leadership in semiconductor technology and innovation. Raghunathan will offer expert guidance on both national and regional workforce development strategies to the NSTC’s Workforce Center of Excellence (WCoE), ensuring that the center’s initiatives stay aligned with employer needs…

Quick commerce is emerging as a powerful driver of blue-collar job creation in India, projected to generate 500,000 new positions by 2025, according to a survey conducted by Indeed, a global hiring platform. The sector recently hired 40,000 workers between October and December 2024 to handle rising demand during the festive season. Delivery drivers, warehouse staff, logistics coordinators, and retail personnel are essential roles in supporting the fast-moving operations of this growing industry. The survey also revealed that India will need approximately 2.43 million blue-collar workers across various sectors in the near future. Hiring momentum is particularly strong in Tier-I…

During his address at the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the significance of the Indian diaspora’s presence in India, especially during festive occasions, and praised their seamless integration into global society while preserving Indian values. He also noted the festive atmosphere in India, with events like Mahakumbh in Prayagraj and Makar Sankranti celebrations, adding that the diaspora’s presence at such times contributes to the country’s festive spirit. PM Modi underscored the government’s commitment to supporting the diaspora in times of crisis, stating that their welfare is a priority for India’s foreign policy. He mentioned that India…

The University of Minnesota is thrilled to announce Dr. Anant Maringanti as the new Director of the Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change (ICGC). The ICGC serves as a key campus-wide initiative dedicated to fostering an inclusive and interdisciplinary environment. It aims to promote research, education, and collaboration focused on global change, particularly regarding the Global South. Dr. Maringanti, a geographer with a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, specializes in urbanization and globalization, especially from a South Asian perspective. He co-founded the Hyderabad Urban Lab, a research center devoted to multi-disciplinary urban research. His work on social…

In a meeting with his Maldivian counterpart, India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated India’s dedication to enhancing its relationship with the Maldives. Reflecting on President Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to India in October 2024, Singh noted that the visit and the subsequent Joint Vision Document had redefined the bilateral relationship, providing a new direction for cooperation. Singh highlighted the enduring cultural, historical, and ethnic bonds between the two nations, calling their ties “close, cordial, and multidimensional.” He emphasized the special status of the Maldives under India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, which aims to foster regional stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean…

In a significant shift for Virginia politics, two Indian Americans, Kannan Srinivasan and J.J. Singh, have secured seats in the state legislature, bolstering the Democratic Party’s slim majority. Srinivasan was elected to the State Senate, while Singh won a seat in the State House of Delegates on Wednesday. The elections saw Singh take over the House seat previously held by Srinivasan, who now occupies the State Senate position left vacant after Suhas Subramanyam’s resignation, following his election to Congress in November. Republican candidate Ram Venkatachalam contested against Singh for the House seat but was defeated. Srinivasan, originally from Tamil Nadu,…

Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, representing Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, participated in the Bipartisan Interfaith Prayer Service on January 3, marking the opening of the 119th Congress. Sworn in for his fifth consecutive term, Krishnamoorthi was the only speaker to represent the Hindu faith at the service, which was held to bless the new Congress before it officially began its two-year term. Reflecting on the progress made, Krishnamoorthi remarked on how, in the past, Hindu Americans were excluded from such prayer services in Washington, D.C. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to share the blessings of the Hindu faith…