Author: Akancha Mishra

Dinakar Munagala, CEO of Blaize, was honored as Innovator of the Year at the 2024 Sacramento Inno Awards, hosted by the Sacramento Business Journal on November 14, 2024. The awards spotlight pioneering efforts within the Sacramento region, acknowledging individuals and organizations driving impactful innovation. During the event, an expert panel discussed AI advancements and the region’s future as a hub for innovation. “Sacramento is home to visionary minds and organizations propelling economic growth through innovation,” Munagala stated. “This recognition is an honor, and I eagerly anticipate further discussions on how our region will benefit from groundbreaking AI technologies.” As co-founder…

TIME magazine’s 100 most influential climate leaders for 2024 includes Indian Americans Ajay Banga, Gaurav Sant, and Sandeep Nijhawan, recognized for their impactful contributions to climate innovation in business. Joining them are Sumant Sinha, founder of India’s ReNew; Madhur Jain, co-founder of Varaha ClimateAg; and London Mayor Sadiq Khan, highlighting global leaders championing climate solutions. Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, has prioritized climate action within the institution’s agenda. Taking office in 2023, Banga has implemented reforms to facilitate private-sector investments in energy transitions across the Global South. By optimizing the World Bank’s lending framework, he has redirected focus…

India is set to host the prestigious World Para Athletics Championship in November 2025 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has partnered with World Para Athletics, a division of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), to bring the global event to India. More than 100 countries are expected to participate, making it one of the largest events for para-athletes in India’s history. The event is expected to cost between $4.8 million and $6 million and will include major upgrades to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. These improvements will feature the installation of a new…

Indian American physician and community advocate Bharat Barai has strongly urged the international community to hold the Bangladeshi government accountable for the reported persecution of Hindus. Speaking at the Diwali celebrations in the US Capitol, Barai referenced a statement by President-elect Donald Trump from before the November elections, in which Trump condemned the violent attacks on Hindus, Christians, and other minorities in Bangladesh. Trump’s statement described the violence as “barbaric” and expressed concern about the ongoing chaos in the country. Barai expressed confidence in Trump’s position on the matter and shared that Indian Americans are working with the incoming administration…

Prime Video is set to launch its first-ever Telugu talk show, The Rana Daggubati Show, premiering exclusively on November 23. Hosted and created by Rana Daggubati, the unscripted eight-episode series promises unfiltered conversations and entertaining activities with a star-studded lineup, including Dulquer Salmaan, Naga Chaitanya, S.S. Rajamouli, and more. Breaking away from conventional talk show formats, Rana dives deep into the lives of his guests, revealing personal stories and candid moments. The show offers fans a unique backstage pass to their favorite celebrities, with new episodes dropping every Saturday for audiences in India and over 240 countries. Rana Daggubati shared…

India’s sports sector is forecasted to grow from $52 billion in 2023 to $130 billion by 2030, marking an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14%. This growth is largely fueled by the increasing popularity of multi-sport fandom and the rising influence of Generation Z, which now makes up 43% of India’s sports audience. The Deloitte-Google report highlights the shift in India’s sports culture, where fans now follow several sports, a significant change from cricket’s traditional dominance. While cricket still leads, emerging sports like kabaddi, football, and indigenous games are gaining traction. The shift towards digital consumption is another…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar elaborated on India’s global strategy, emphasizing that it is not merely transactional but focused on fostering long-term partnerships. Speaking at the India-Russia Business Forum, he outlined ten key areas to further strengthen the India-Russia relationship. Jaishankar noted that the Forum came just three months after the Annual Summit between President Putin and Prime Minister Modi in Moscow, which, along with the BRICS summit in Kazan, provided the strategic direction for this gathering. He emphasized that as the world becomes increasingly multi-polar, it is essential to adapt methods of cooperation that align with current global dynamics.…

India’s passenger aircraft fleet is projected to expand from 720 planes at the end of 2023 to more than 3,800 by 2043, according to the 2024 Cirium Fleet Forecast. This increase will boost the country’s share of the Asia-Pacific passenger fleet from 8% to 18% by 2043. The forecast highlights India’s growing importance in global commercial aviation, with the nation being considered separately from the broader Asia-Pacific region for the first time. In 2023, Indian airlines led the world in aircraft orders, ranking second globally after the United States. By March 2025, Indian airlines are projected to place orders for…

Kiran Rao’s film, Laapataa Ladies, has been renamed Lost Ladies as it prepares to make its mark on the international film circuit. Initially selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars 2025, the film unveiled its new name and poster on Instagram this Tuesday to mark the beginning of its Academy Awards campaign. The fresh poster showcases the film’s vibrant, quirky essence, highlighting the central characters of Phool and Jaya, offering a preview of their lively journey. The poster’s tagline reads, “Sometimes you have to lose your way to find yourself,” evoking the film’s heartwarming narrative. The filmmakers expressed their…

Apple Inc. and its partners plan to assemble 32% of the world’s iPhone production and 26% of its total value in India by the 2026-27 fiscal year. This shift, following the end of the five-year Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for mobile devices, could lead to a production value exceeding US$ 34 billion, assuming global iPhone sales remain consistent with figures from the 2023-24 fiscal year. These projections are based on discussions between Apple, its suppliers, and government officials, although Apple did not respond to an inquiry for confirmation. For the first half of the 2024-25 fiscal year, Apple’s suppliers are…