Author: Akancha Mishra

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…

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…