Author: Bhakti Narayanan

Pranavam School of Dance is commemorating a decade of promoting Indian classical dance with the debut of an original Bharatanatyam production titled “Gaanapathyam.” The anniversary performance is scheduled for July 25 at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center in New Jersey and highlights the school’s continued dedication to cultural education, artistic excellence, and community engagement. Designed as a theatrical presentation rather than a traditional annual recital, the production brings together nearly 80 performers representing multiple age groups, from young children to adult dancers. The show narrates the story of Lord Ganesha through an engaging blend of Bharatanatyam, original choreography, music,…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India has transformed its economic DNA over the past 12 years by embracing the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, or continuous improvement, while highlighting the country’s emergence as one of the world’s most attractive investment destinations for Japanese businesses. Addressing the India-Japan Joint Economic Forum in New Delhi, the Prime Minister said India remains the world’s fastest-growing major economy, recording a GDP growth rate of 7.7 per cent in the last financial year. He noted that sustained reforms and a commitment to continuous improvement have strengthened the country’s economic foundation and enhanced its…

As the United States approaches its 250th independence anniversary in 2026, the Indian American community stands out as one of the most influential immigrant groups in the country. Although they represent just a little over 1% of the US population, Indian Americans have built a significant presence across key sectors such as technology, healthcare, business, education, and government. Their rise over the past several decades reflects both the success of skilled immigration and the evolving multicultural identity of America. According to US Census data from 2023, approximately 5.2 million people in the United States identify as Indian origin, making them…

India and Australia have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding educational collaboration, academic exchanges, and people-to-people connections as both nations continue to strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The discussions took place in Canberra during a meeting between India’s High Commissioner to Australia, Nagesh Singh, and Australia’s Education Minister Jason Clare. The two leaders explored opportunities to deepen cooperation in higher education, skill development, and institutional partnerships, recognizing education as one of the key pillars supporting the growing relationship between the two countries. According to the High Commission of India in Australia, both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing academic collaborations and…

Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna has called for the United States and India to strengthen their relationship by placing greater emphasis on shared democratic values rather than focusing solely on trade, defense, and investment. Speaking at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit, the California lawmaker said the long-term success of the partnership should be built on principles such as freedom, human dignity, and self-determination. Addressing an audience of business executives, government officials, and policymakers, Khanna said cooperation between the two democracies should extend beyond economic and strategic interests. He argued that both countries have an opportunity to work together…

People-to-people connections have played a defining role in strengthening the relationship between India and the United States, according to former US Ambassador to India Kenneth I. Juster. Addressing the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit in Washington, Juster described these human connections as the “secret sauce” that has helped both countries maintain strong ties despite occasional diplomatic challenges over the decades. Reflecting on the long-standing relationship, Juster said the partnership stretches back centuries, well before the modern era of strategic cooperation. He pointed out that the United States established diplomatic missions in Calcutta in 1792 and Madras in 1794,…

In a deeply emotional homecoming, a 94-year-old woman from Andhra Pradesh has officially regained Indian citizenship after voluntarily giving up her United States citizenship to spend the remainder of her life in her native village. Her decision reflects a lifelong emotional bond with her homeland and a desire to reconnect with the place where she was born and raised. Kondragunta Mahalakshmamma, a resident of Chintagumpala village in Bapatla district, had moved to the United States years ago to live with her son following the passing of her husband. During her time abroad, she became a naturalized US citizen. However, despite…

India and the United States have taken another step forward in strengthening their strategic technology partnership by holding a closed-door roundtable focused on artificial intelligence, semiconductor supply chains, and critical minerals. The meeting brought together senior government officials and leading industry representatives from both countries, highlighting the growing importance of collaboration in emerging technologies. The discussions were centered on building a stronger and more resilient ecosystem for advanced technologies, particularly in AI development and chip manufacturing. Officials emphasized the need to improve investment conditions, reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, and create stable demand signals that can support long-term cooperation between the…

Indian-American business leader Shankh Mitra has secured a place among the highest-paid corporate executives in the world, with a compensation package valued at approximately $821 million, according to a recent report by The Wall Street Journal. The figure places him second globally among chief executive officers, behind Tesla chief Elon Musk, whose compensation package remains significantly larger. Mitra serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Welltower, a major healthcare-focused real estate investment trust and a constituent of the S&P 500 index. His compensation package is considered one of the largest awarded to a public company CEO in recent years and…

India’s new-generation consumer brands are rapidly reshaping the fast-moving consumer goods landscape, expanding at a pace more than three times faster than the overall market they operate in. A recent report by Bain & Company and DSG Consumer Partners highlights the growing influence of these emerging players, often referred to as “insurgent brands,” across multiple consumer categories. The report estimates that this ecosystem generated approximately $7.5 billion in revenue in FY25, a sharp increase from about $2 billion five years earlier. This growth reflects the accelerating shift in consumer preferences, driven by digital-first purchasing habits, evolving lifestyles, and increased exposure…