Author: Akancha Mishra

Dr. Narasimha Reddy, a professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University, has been named a recipient of the prestigious Regents Professor Award. This honor represents the highest accolade a faculty member can achieve within the Texas A&M University System. The Regents Professor Award, established in 1996, recognizes faculty members who have made outstanding contributions to their universities and the broader community in Texas. Dr. Reddy is one of five faculty members from the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University to receive this esteemed recognition. The Texas A&M University System encompasses 11 universities, a…

India is on the verge of finalising a significant $4 billion defence agreement with Russia to procure a cutting-edge long-range early-warning radar system. This acquisition is set to greatly enhance India’s missile detection and air defence capabilities. The radar belongs to Russia’s Voronezh series, known for its ability to detect ballistic missiles and aircraft from distances of up to 8,000 kilometers. Such advanced coverage, previously available only to major world powers, represents a substantial advancement in India’s defence readiness. This deal is part of India’s initiative to modernise its air defence infrastructure, addressing increasing security challenges. The radar system’s extensive…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate LIC’s Bima Sakhi Yojana in Panipat, Haryana on Monday. The event will be attended by Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. The initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of empowering women to build a developed India. The Bima Sakhi Yojana aims to create job opportunities for rural women by appointing them as insurance agents. Women participating in this scheme will receive financial support of up to $84 per month in the first year, which will reduce to $72 in the second year and…

Akshay Bhatia and Sahith Theegala, both young Indian-Americans, marked impressive tournament debuts by securing third place at the $5 million Hero World Challenge on Thursday at Albany in the Bahamas. They were joined in the third spot by the world’s number one golfer and defending champion, Scottie Scheffler. All three players, along with Patrick Cantlay from the U.S. and Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg, posted 5-under-par 67s. They finished three strokes behind the leader, Cameron Young, who fired a stunning 8-under 64. Justin Thomas, second with a 66, was just one shot ahead. Young’s opening round was a dazzling return to action…

The Asian Tour has officially announced that India will host its first-ever International Series golf event at the DLF Golf & Country Club in Gurugram, taking place from January 30 to February 2. This tournament marks a major milestone for Indian golf, drawing top-tier talent, including US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau. This prestigious $2 million event is set to feature a limited field of 108 players due to restricted daylight during that season. It will also be the highest field-rated tournament held in the country, with many LIV Golf stars expected to participate. Notably, this event is being organized independently…

At the inaugural session of the India-Japan Forum, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar noted that while India and Japan share a problem-free history, positive sentiment alone is insufficient for fostering robust cooperation. He stressed the importance of translating goodwill into actionable plans for deeper engagement. EAM Jaishankar highlighted the rise in Indian tourists, mentioning, “Our passport issuances are increasing by 10 to 15% annually, with around 13 to 15 million passports issued every year, valid for a decade. Foreign travel is on the rise, with Indian tourists flocking to destinations like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Gulf, and Europe. However,…

Bumble has appointed Neil Shah as its first Chief Business Officer, a newly created role, to oversee the company’s strategic transformation. Shah, appointed on December 3, 2024, will be responsible for driving Bumble’s revenue model, pricing strategy, and partnerships in his new role. Shah, an Indian American, brings extensive experience from his previous role as Chief Operating Officer and Head of Business Operations at Slack, where he spent eight years overseeing strategy, data, and business operations. Shah, who started his career as a consultant at McKinsey & Co., later held strategic roles at Twitter. He holds a BSE and MSE…

The BBC has unveiled its prestigious list of 100 inspiring and influential women for 2024, recognizing the contributions of women across various fields globally. This year’s list includes several remarkable Indian women, such as social activist Aruna Roy, who co-founded the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) and played a pivotal role in securing transparency and fair wages for rural communities in India. Her tireless advocacy helped bring about a landmark law in 2005, empowering citizens to demand accountability from the government. Pooja Sharma, honored in the Culture and Education category, has been recognized for her compassionate work in Delhi, where…

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to launch the PSLV-C59 mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on December 4, 2024. The mission involves deploying satellites weighing approximately 550 kilograms into a highly elliptical orbit. This mission carries ESA’s PROBA-3, an In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) mission showcasing international cooperation. ISRO announced the launch on social media, emphasizing the PSLV-C59’s engineering excellence and its role in strengthening global space partnerships. The liftoff is scheduled for 16:08 IST, marking a significant milestone in India’s space journey. PROBA-3 comprises two spacecraft—the Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC) and the Occulter…

Jay and Jyoti Chaudhry, prominent Indian-American entrepreneurs, have established the Chaudhry Family Scholarship Fund with a generous $4 million donation to the University of Cincinnati (UC). The fund will assist first-generation, Pell-eligible students in UC’s Gen-1 1MPACT House, a residential community that provides support and resources to these students. Jay, CEO of Zscaler, a leader in cloud security, and his wife Jyoti co-founded several successful companies before Zscaler, including AirDefense and CipherTrust. Hailing from a small village in Himachal Pradesh, Jay is a first-generation student himself. He earned two Master’s degrees and an MBA from UC, as did Jyoti. This…