President Joe Biden celebrated Diwali at the White House on Monday, honoring the South Asian American community’s contributions to the United States. With an esteemed guest list of over 600 Indian American leaders, including members of Congress, government officials, and business executives, the event underscored Diwali’s growing importance in American culture. During the celebration, President Biden lit the ceremonial diya in the White House’s Blue Room, calling the South Asian American community “the fastest-growing and most engaged community in the world.” He praised their impact, saying, “The South Asian American community has enriched every part of American life.” In his…
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.
Capgemini has announced a significant leadership reshuffle to drive global growth, with Indian-origin executives playing pivotal roles in the company’s strategic realignment. Anirban Bose, who currently heads the Financial Services Strategic Business Unit, has been promoted to CEO of the Americas Strategic Business Unit. He will succeed Jim Bailey, with the transition expected in November 2024. In his new role, Bose will lead operations across North and South America, focusing on boosting AI-driven digital transformation initiatives. Simultaneously, Kartik Ramakrishnan will step into Bose’s previous role as CEO of the Financial Services Strategic Business Unit. Ramakrishnan, an experienced leader with deep…
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has achieved a remarkable feat once again, receiving an A+ rating as a central bank governor for the second consecutive year. The prestigious recognition was awarded by Global Finance, a U.S.-based magazine, which ranks Das among the leading central bankers globally. He tops the list of three governors who have received the A+ distinction, alongside Christian Kettel Thomsen of Denmark and Thomas Jordan of Switzerland. In a social media update on platform X, the RBI announced, “Governor @DasShaktikanta received the award for A+ grade in Central Bank Report Cards 2024, for the…
As the U.S. election approaches, investors are watching closely, anticipating the potential economic impacts on global markets, particularly India. According to a report by PhillipCapital, the election results could significantly influence India’s economy, especially if there is a shift in U.S. economic policy. If Trump wins, Indian IT firms might face challenges due to stricter immigration policies, potentially limiting the workforce’s flexibility. However, many Indian firms have reduced risk by hiring locally and establishing near-shore delivery centers. The auto industry may also experience shifts, with a possible reduction in EV incentives that could impact Indian EV component suppliers. Yet, a…
Indian American writer Shahnaz Habib was honored with the 7th Annual New American Voices Award for her nonfiction work, Airplane Mode: An Irreverent History of Travel. This award celebrates recently published books by immigrant authors that reveal intricate layers of human experience and challenge underrepresented perspectives in literature. On October 17, Habib received her $5,000 award at George Mason’s Center in Fairfax, Virginia, where she was joined by finalists Alex Espinoza, author of The Sons of El Rey, and Carrie Sun, author of Private Equity: A Memoir. The event featured judges Myriam J. A. Chancy, V. V. Ganeshananthan, and Karin…
On October 23, Representatives Ro Khanna (CA-17), Katie Porter (CA-47), and Mark Takano (CA-39) reintroduced the Stop Wall Street Landlords Act, targeting large institutional investors using taxpayer funds to acquire single-family homes. This bill aims to stop the rapid rise in housing costs and limit the influence of corporate landlords in the housing market. Following the 2008 housing market crash, investor interest in the real estate market surged, driving housing and rental prices to unprecedented levels. According to Khanna’s office, these investors accounted for 18% of home purchases this past quarter, with a notable 26% in more affordable segments. States…
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari addressed the 12th Traffic InfraTech Expo in New Delhi, emphasizing the urgent need to tackle India’s road safety issues through technological innovation. India records around five lakh road accidents every year, with over half of the fatalities among young adults aged 18 to 36. These accidents lead to an economic loss estimated at 3% of the country’s GDP, making road safety a government priority. Gadkari highlighted the role of cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, in identifying traffic violations and enhancing overall safety. The government is also exploring advanced toll collection systems, possibly using satellite technology, to…
The United States has expressed its approval of India’s recent agreement with China concerning the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which effectively ended the military standoff in eastern Ladakh. American Ambassador Eric Garcetti noted that the US has consistently backed India’s efforts to safeguard its strategic interests and uphold its borders. The agreement was ratified during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Russia, marking their first official interaction in five years. Modi highlighted that stable relations between India and China would positively influence regional and global peace and prosperity. In remarks to Times of…
On October 15, 2024, Indian Americans marked Diwali with a vibrant celebration at Minnesota’s State Capitol in St. Paul. Hosted by the Association of Indians in America, AIA-Minnesota, this event featured Lt. Governor Peggy Flannigan, who joined in lighting the traditional Diwali lamp alongside community leaders, emphasizing Minnesota’s support for cultural inclusiveness. This gathering marked the second consecutive year of celebrating Diwali at the Capitol, signifying an effort toward making this celebration an annual event in Minnesota. The festivities began with Chief Priest Murali Bhattarji from the Hindu Society of Minnesota offering prayers, followed by a heartfelt bhajan led by…
Marking the third anniversary of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, India is witnessing a significant transformation in its infrastructure landscape. This initiative has introduced a coordinated and integrated approach, focusing on multi-modal connectivity across road, rail, air, and waterways, thereby enhancing the nation’s logistics system. PM Gati Shakti is driving efficient project execution, reducing costs, and preparing India for infrastructure-led economic growth. The plan’s key achievements include evaluating over 208 major projects worth over $180 billion and addressing 156 critical infrastructure gaps in sectors such as coal, steel, and food distribution. The Ministry of Road Transport has planned…
