Author: Akancha Mishra

The appointment of Dr. Radha Iyengar Plumb as the new Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer (CDAO) by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has been recently announced, marking a transition from the tenure of Craig Martell, who held the position as the department’s inaugural CDAO. Dr. Plumb, presently serving as the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, is slated to assume her new role from April 8, 2024. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin acknowledged Craig Martell’s significant contributions, praising his leadership in consolidating the efforts of four diverse organizations to advance data, AI, and analytics within…

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has committed to elevating India into a prominent global manufacturing center, focusing on enhancing employment opportunities in key sectors like electronics, defense, mobile, and automotive. The goal is to harness these sectors’ potential to position India as a significant manufacturing destination by integrating design services with production. By 2030, the BJP aims to position India as a global hub for electronics manufacturing, aiming to triple electronics output to become a pivotal player in the global value chain. This strategy intends to capitalize on India’s design capabilities to foster indigenous brands and strengthen its position in…

Since assuming office in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a transformative journey to promote development and unity throughout India. His leadership is characterized by a steadfast commitment to reducing regional disparities and fostering inclusive growth, bridging traditional divides between the North and the South. Through various initiatives and development projects, PM Modi has revitalized stagnant schemes, initiated new projects, and emphasized linguistic diversity, laying the groundwork for a more cohesive and prosperous nation. He has not only enhanced connectivity across the country but also celebrated India’s cultural diversity, showcasing it to world leaders during events like the…

Young Indian-American golfer Akshay Bhatia secured his spot in the prestigious Masters tournament at Augusta National following a thrilling playoff victory against Denny McCarthy at the Valero Texas Open held at TPC San Antonio. Reflecting on his win, Bhatia expressed his astonishment at the intense playoff finish and his relief at clinching the title, marking his second PGA Tour victory. This achievement holds special significance for Bhatia, who reminisced about participating in a drive-chip-putt competition at Augusta National as a youngster, a memory that fueled his journey to this moment. Throughout the tournament, Bhatia led the field, maintaining a four-stroke…

South Korean automotive giants Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. have partnered with Exide Energy Solutions Ltd to produce batteries for their electric vehicles (EVs) in India. The collaboration, aimed at expanding battery development, production, and supply in the Indian market, was formalized at Hyundai Motor Group’s Namyang research and development (R&D) center in South Korea. Specifically, Hyundai and Kia are focusing on manufacturing lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cells to localize EV battery production, positioning themselves as pioneers in integrating domestically produced batteries into their upcoming EV models for the Indian market. Exide Energy Solutions, a subsidiary of Kolkata-based Exide Industries Ltd,…

Two Indian American chefs, Sujan Sarkar from Chicago and Arvinder Vilkhu from New Orleans, stand out as finalists for the esteemed James Beard Awards, recognizing exemplary chefs who demonstrate culinary prowess, leadership, and commitment to fostering a sustainable work culture and community impact. The nominees for these prestigious awards, which highlight talent and dedication to equity, sustainability, and community, were recently announced in a live ceremony at Waldorf Astoria, Washington DC. Winners in various culinary and food media categories will be unveiled at a gala event in Chicago on June 10. Sarkar, representing the Great Lakes region, helms Indienne in…

According to recent findings, Indian and Filipino Americans exhibit the lowest poverty rates among Asian groups, standing at 6% and 7%, respectively. However, over 2.3 million Asian Americans, comprising about one-tenth of the population, were living in poverty in 2022. Despite the common portrayal of Asian Americans as financially and educationally successful, approximately 10% of them are impoverished, as per an analysis by the Pew Research Center and US census bureau data. Poverty rates vary significantly across different origin groups, with Burmese and Hmong Americans recording some of the highest poverty rates in 2022, reaching 19% and 17%, respectively. Notably,…

Tesla is preparing to send a delegation to India to explore potential sites for establishing an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing facility, as reported by the Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the plans of the Elon Musk-led company. The team from Tesla is expected to arrive from the US by late April to assess locations in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and possibly Haryana, with a preference for sites near ports to facilitate exportation. According to the report, Tesla intends to invest between $2 to $3 billion in the construction of the manufacturing plant. This decision follows India’s recent approval of…

A group of United States lawmakers, led by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, along with others, have submitted a letter to the US Department of Justice, seeking an update on the investigation into vandalism at places of worship nationwide, including attacks on mandirs, and the Department’s strategy against hate crimes targeting Hindus in the country. The letter, signed by members of Congress of South Asian descent such as Shri Thanedar, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, and Ami Bera, expresses concern over the rising incidents of vandalism at houses of worship, particularly Hindu mandirs, across the nation. They request a briefing from the Department…

During the 70th Founders’ Day celebrations of the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) in New Delhi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar of India reaffirmed the nation’s unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and preserving the independence of its judiciary. He underscored India’s vibrant democracy and rebuffed any insinuations suggesting the country’s need for guidance on legal principles. Dhankhar emphasized the principle of “equality before the law” as integral to contemporary India, asserting that accountability now stands as a cornerstone of governance. Criticizing attempts to sidestep accountability under the pretext of human rights advocacy, he argued that such actions…