New Delhi witnessed the launch of the first-ever SOUL (School of Ultimate Leadership) Leadership Conclave on Friday, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam. Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay was also present at the event, marking a significant moment in fostering leadership across diverse sectors. The two-day conclave, running from February 21 to 22, serves as a platform for prominent figures from politics, sports, media, arts, business, public policy, and social sectors to share their leadership journeys. Through discussions on success and failure, the conclave aims to nurture a new generation of leaders by offering valuable insights and…
Author: Akancha Mishra
Akancha Mishra
Akancha has been a journalist for about twenty years, and she has a Bachelor of Arts in English Honors and a Master's Degree in Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. She and her husband and children Supriya and Alok currently call New York City home.
Ashutosh Chilkoti, a distinguished professor of biomedical engineering at Duke University, has been honored with the 2025 Technology Innovation and Development Award by the Society for Biomaterials. This prestigious award acknowledges significant advancements in biomaterials research that contribute to medical and surgical innovation. Chilkoti received this recognition for his groundbreaking work in developing protein-resistant polymer coatings and protein-based biomaterials. Expressing gratitude, he credited his research team, both past and present, for their contributions to the success of his projects. In addition to his role as a faculty member, Chilkoti served as the chair of Duke’s Biomedical Engineering Department from 2016…
India’s first microbiological nanosatellite, RVSAT-1, was successfully launched aboard ISRO’s PSLV C-60 on December 30, 2024, as part of the SPADEX/POEM-4 mission. Designed by students from RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru, this nanosatellite aims to study the growth of gut bacteria in space—a crucial factor in ensuring astronaut health during long-term space missions. For Team Antariksh, the student group behind RVSAT-1, this mission represents more than an academic project; it is a major step forward in space exploration. The team’s rigorous testing and innovative engineering culminated in the launch, fulfilling their dream of sending their work into orbit. Gut bacteria,…
On February 15, the American Society of Engineers of Indian Origin (ASEI) hosted an AI Summit at UCSC Silicon Valley, marking the 10-year milestone of its Silicon Valley chapter. The event brought together prominent academics, researchers, speakers, and industry leaders to discuss key developments in artificial intelligence. UCSC Dean PK Agarwal and ASEI Silicon Valley President Piyush Malik welcomed attendees before Dr. Srikar Reddy, India’s Consul General in San Francisco, highlighted India’s digital economy and the role AI plays in initiatives like the India AI mission. Referencing Prime Minister Modi’s recent remarks on AI at the Paris AI Action Summit…
Canva, a leading graphic design platform and a major competitor to Adobe, has seen remarkable adoption in India. In 2024 alone, users in the country created around 530,000 presentations daily. The platform is also widely used for designing resumes, social media posts, and pitch decks. Cameron Adams, co-founder and chief product officer at Canva, highlighted India’s growing significance in the company’s expansion strategy. The Australian firm, last valued at $32 billion, is aiming to reach 1 billion users worldwide. “India will play a crucial role in achieving this milestone,” Adams stated in an interview with TOI. Canva was founded in…
Yale University has appointed historian Sunil Amrith as the new director of the Whitney and Betty MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies, effective March 1. Announced by Provost Scott Strobel on Wednesday, Amrith will bring his expertise in human migration and global environmental history, particularly focusing on South and Southeast Asia, to the prestigious center. Expressing his enthusiasm for the role, Amrith described it as an “honor and a privilege.” He highlighted the MacMillan Center’s significant influence on Yale’s academic landscape and expressed his commitment to fostering global perspectives across campus. He looks forward to collaborating with the center’s…
Archaeological evidence indicating the existence of a civilisation dating back 2,500 to 3,000 years has been uncovered in the Chouparan block of Hazaribagh district, Jharkhand. This significant discovery sheds new light on the region’s historical and cultural past, suggesting that it was once a thriving centre of human activity. Dr. Abhishek Singh Amar, Head of Asian Studies in the Department of History at Hamilton College, New York, recently visited the site and described it as a location of immense archaeological importance. According to him, further extensive excavations in the area could potentially reveal deeper insights into ancient civilisations that once…
Recognizing the vital role of Indian students in the US economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump reaffirmed their commitment to facilitating legal mobility for students and professionals. With over 300,000 Indian students in the US contributing more than $8 billion annually and generating numerous direct and indirect jobs, both leaders emphasized the need to strengthen academic and professional exchange programs. They also discussed easing short-term business and tourist travel between the two nations. During their bilateral meeting, PM Modi and President Trump highlighted the significance of fostering closer academic ties. They stressed the need for international collaborations…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized a robust India-US partnership by linking India’s Viksit Bharat vision with former US President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) slogan. During a joint briefing, Modi introduced “Make India Great Again” (MIGA), calling the combined vision a “MEGA partnership for prosperity.” Modi explained that while Americans recognize Trump’s MAGA motto, India is on a similar path of heritage and development, moving toward its 2047 goal of Viksit Bharat. In an American context, this transformation aligns with MIGA. He stated that when both countries collaborate, MAGA and MIGA merge into a MEGA partnership, expanding shared…
A recent EY India report suggests that generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) could drive a 35-37% surge in productivity within India’s retail industry over the next five years. Titled The AIdea of India: 2025, the report highlights that 48% of Indian businesses have already initiated proof of concept (PoCs) for GenAI applications, while an additional 32% have budgeted or are planning investments in AI. The findings indicate that AI-driven solutions are poised to revolutionize retail, e-commerce, and consumer sectors, presenting significant opportunities for businesses. Angshuman Bhattacharya, Partner at EY-Parthenon, noted that GenAI’s impact will be particularly strong in areas like insights-driven…