Author: Akancha Mishra

The Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, has announced two Indian-Canadians, Vivek Goel and Professor Poonam Puri, as recipients of the prestigious Order of Ontario for 2024. They are among 29 remarkable individuals selected this year for their significant contributions to Ontario, Canada, and beyond. The Order of Ontario, the province’s highest civilian honor, recognizes exceptional achievements. Dr. Vivek Goel and Professor Poonam Puri have earned their place with groundbreaking work in public health research and corporate governance, respectively. Vivek Goel – Waterloo A globally acclaimed public health researcher, Vivek Goel is…

The 119th US Congress, which commenced on Friday, has achieved a milestone with the inclusion of four Hindu lawmakers, marking the largest representation of Hindus in the legislature. These four lawmakers, all Democrats, are Suhash Subramaniam, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, and Shri Thanedar. In total, only 14 lawmakers from non-Christian or non-Jewish faiths have identified themselves as such. The religious composition of Congress also includes four Muslims, three Buddhists, and three Unitarian Universalists. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, the only Indian American woman in the House of Representatives, has not specified her religious affiliation. Dr. Ami Bera, the most senior Indian American…

In 2023, First Lady Jill Biden received the most expensive gift of the year—a $20,000 diamond—presented by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his official state visit to the United States. The 7.5-carat green diamond, which is eco-friendly and lab-grown, mimics the properties of earth-mined diamonds. It was housed in a unique paper pulp box, called “kar-e-kalamdani.” Aside from the diamond, Jill Biden was also presented with a brooch worth $14,063 by the Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S., along with a bracelet, brooch, and photo album valued at $4,510 by the president and first lady of Egypt. The $20,000 diamond…

India’s smartphone market is projected to achieve a groundbreaking $50 billion in sales by 2025, marking a historic peak, according to Counterpoint Research. This rapid growth is being fueled by significant changes in consumer behavior and evolving technology preferences. Indian consumers are increasingly investing in high-end smartphones, moving away from basic models. For the first time, the average smartphone price in the country is expected to exceed $300. Brands like Apple and Samsung are leading this transformation. Apple’s locally manufactured iPhone Pro models, coupled with slight price reductions, have gained traction. Similarly, Samsung’s Galaxy S series offers premium experiences at…

The National Association of Indian Nurses of America (NAINA) has elected its new leadership for the 2025-2026 term. Following the conclusion of President Suja Thomas’s term, the new executive board is led by Umamaheswari Venugopal from Dallas as President, along with Liffy Cherian (Executive Vice President), Tara Shajan (Vice President), Dr. Munira Wells (Secretary), and Dr. Sheela Sajan (Treasurer). The incoming board is accompanied by a group of selected committee chairs, each responsible for vital areas such as advocacy, membership, research, and continuing professional development. The advisory board includes past presidents, who will continue to support NAINA’s mission. NAINA, founded…

A New Delhi-based rights organization, the Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG), has strongly condemned the decision of a Bangladeshi court to deny bail to Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, labeling it as an attempt to suppress minority voices. Das, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote, was arrested on November 25 at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on sedition charges. Despite significant domestic and international appeals for his release, he remains incarcerated. RRAG Director Suhas Chakma asserted that Das’s principal “crime” was organizing a peaceful protest by Hindu minorities on October 25, 2024, at Lal Dighi…

Purdue University’s Board of Trustees recently confirmed Ananth Grama as the Distinguished Professor of Computer Science, recognizing his exceptional contributions as a researcher and educator. Grama is among four outstanding faculty members ratified for their academic excellence. Throughout his tenure at Purdue, Grama has significantly influenced the development of advanced software systems and resource management methodologies. His work addresses the execution of complex scientific applications across platforms ranging from embedded controllers to expansive cloud-based data centers. Grama is also an acclaimed author whose textbooks are widely referenced within the computing community. His numerous accolades include editorial roles with prestigious journals…

In a landmark achievement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched PSLV-C60 from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on Monday, carrying the SpaDeX payload and innovative technology. This mission is significant for its attempt to achieve the rare feat of docking two satellites in space, a crucial step for India’s future space endeavors. The SpaDeX mission, a cost-effective technology demonstration, aims to show how two small spacecraft can rendezvous, dock, and undock in low Earth orbit. The primary goal is to develop the necessary technology for such maneuvers, with the spacecraft SDX01 (the Chaser) and SDX02 (the Target) being launched together…

Deloitte has forecast that the Indian economy will grow between 6.5% and 6.8% in FY25, driven by robust domestic consumption, with projections for FY26 rising to 6.7% to 7.3%. Despite a slower-than-expected growth rate in the first half of fiscal 2025, influenced by election-related uncertainties, heavy rainfall, and geopolitical issues impacting exports and domestic demand, India’s economy remains resilient. The key growth sectors include consumption, services, and high-value manufacturing exports. Economist Mrs. Rumki Majumdar pointed out that while the economy faced challenges in the first half of the year, areas such as services and consumption trends have shown significant resilience.…

Vivek Ramaswamy, former Republican presidential candidate, has faced intense backlash after stating that American workers are not being hired due to mediocrity. In a post on X, he argued that American culture has prioritized mediocrity over excellence, particularly since the 1990s. His comments were met with criticism from both the left and right, with figures like Nikki Haley and John Cardillo condemning his views. Ramaswamy’s remarks coincided with a broader immigration debate, sparked by far-right activist Laura Loomer’s criticism of Trump’s appointment of Sriram Krishnan as a senior policy adviser on AI. Loomer took issue with Krishnan’s previous support for…