Author: Bhakti Narayanan

India’s copper consumption increased 12% year over year to 2.1 million metric tons in fiscal year 2026, up from 1.878 million metric tons in the previous financial year, according to the International Copper Association India (ICA India). The growth exceeded the country’s reported gross domestic product expansion of 7.7% and surpassed the 9.3% increase recorded in FY25. Greater activity in infrastructure, automotive manufacturing, and construction contributed to the rise in demand. Copper is essential for producing electrical wiring, power cables, transformers, motors, vehicle wiring systems, and industrial components, making it an important material for India’s economic and industrial development. Infrastructure…

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has introduced its 2026 Diwali Forever stamp, featuring an elaborate rangoli decorated with traditional oil lamps, in a celebration of the Indian festival that symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness. The stamp was officially unveiled at the Embassy of India in Washington, D.C., on October 22, with Indian Ambassador to the United States Vinay Mohan Kwatra and senior postal officials attending the ceremony. The release represents only the second time USPS has issued a stamp dedicated to Diwali. Its first commemorative issue appeared in 2016, making the latest launch a milestone for the…

Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, the Indian convenience store owner from the popular animated series The Simpsons, is returning to the show with a new voice actor. Indian-American actor Sunil Malhotra will voice the character in the Halloween special, marking a significant development after years of criticism surrounding Apu’s portrayal and casting. The character, who had been largely absent from the series since 2017, was previously voiced by Hank Azaria. Azaria stepped away from the role in 2020 following growing concerns that Apu reinforced stereotypes about Indian immigrants and relied on a caricatured accent. Apu’s return comes in the episode titled The Revengening,…

Indian American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy is facing a closely contested campaign for Ohio governor, with competing polls offering different assessments of his chances against Democratic candidate Amy Acton. The Republican, who received the endorsement of President Donald Trump, entered the race as a prominent contender but is now confronting a stronger challenge from the former Ohio health director ahead of the November 3 election. An ActiVote survey conducted between September 27 and October 19 gave Ramaswamy a three-percentage-point advantage over Acton. However, a CNN-SSRS poll carried out from September 29 to October 5 showed Acton leading by eight points, highlighting…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend Dussehra celebrations at IP Extension in New Delhi, bringing national attention to one of India’s most significant cultural and religious festivals. The event is expected to highlight the traditional significance of Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, which symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Celebrated across the country, the festival marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana in the Hindu epic Ramayana and represents the broader triumph of righteousness over wrongdoing. Modi’s participation is expected to draw considerable public and political attention, given the festival’s cultural importance and its place in…

Indian-American educator, former White House Fellow and technology executive Pia Dandiya is seeking to make history in Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, aiming to become the first person of Indian origin to represent the state in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Democratic nominee is challenging Republican businessman and Marine Corps veteran Casey Askar in a closely watched contest for an open congressional seat. The election is scheduled for November 3, with the race drawing attention to the growing participation of Indian-Americans in American politics. For Dandiya, the campaign marks her first bid for elected office after a career spanning education,…

Kolkata-born Indian-American astrophysicist Sukanya Chakrabarti has been elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS), one of the leading professional honours in the physics community. The recognition highlights her research into dark matter and efforts to develop innovative methods to understand its distribution across the Milky Way. Chakrabarti serves as the Pei-Ling Chan Endowed Chair in the College of Science at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Her research focuses on detecting dark matter by measuring the extremely small accelerations it produces in stars and other astronomical objects. Expressing her appreciation for the recognition, Chakrabarti said she had been…

Yami Gautam Dhar takes on an unusual role in Nayyi Navelli, a supernatural fantasy that combines domestic comedy, mystery and action. Directed by Balaji Mohan, the film is set in Meerut and revolves around Mohini, a daughter-in-law whose seemingly flawless behavior initially wins over her husband’s family. However, her extraordinary perfection soon raises questions, leading to a revelation that changes the course of the story. Mohini appears to embody every family’s idea of an ideal daughter-in-law. She manages household responsibilities efficiently, cooks well and maintains a warm relationship with her in-laws. Yet, what should make her the center of admiration…

India’s gem and jewellery exports recorded steady growth in September 2026, rising 9.43% year-on-year in US dollar terms to $2.95 billion, according to data released by the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). In rupee terms, exports increased 18.24% to ₹28,157.55 crore. For April–September 2026, cumulative exports reached $14.30 billion, registering growth of 3.07% in dollar terms and 13.40% in rupee terms. GJEPC Chairman Kirit Bhansali said the performance reflected the industry’s resilience amid an uncertain global trade environment. Studded gold jewellery emerged as a major growth driver, with exports increasing 31.31% to $3.69 billion, supported by improved trade…

India and Brunei Darussalam are looking to broaden their economic partnership, with trade officials from both countries identifying new opportunities in agriculture, healthcare, energy and business development during their third Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting on October 15, 2026. The meeting reviewed existing commercial ties and explored ways to increase bilateral trade, resolve market access challenges and encourage closer cooperation between businesses. Officials also discussed institutional measures to facilitate business-to-business exchanges and expand India’s exports of agricultural and animal products to Brunei, supporting the Southeast Asian nation’s food security needs while diversifying trade between the two countries. The discussions were…