Author: Bhakti Narayanan

Vivek Ramaswamy, during his campaign, emphasized the need for empathy while also advocating for the protection of children from harmful interventions and the preservation of women’s sports. He noted that displaying understanding can significantly enhance the dialogue surrounding these contentious topics. One unexpected moment during the campaign came from an interaction with a young journalist embedded with his team. The reporter, referred to as Kori, was known for her dedication and frequently challenged Ramaswamy’s views on gender identity, particularly his classification of transgenderism as a mental health condition. During a heated event in Iowa, amid vocal concerns from parents about…

Launched in January 2016, the Indian government’s ‘Startup India’ initiative remains instrumental in fostering innovation and attracting investments in the nation’s expanding startup landscape. Over time, India has established itself as the third-largest startup ecosystem worldwide, with an impressive annual growth rate of 15% in 2018. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) also reported an 11% rise in the number of incubators and accelerators, reinforcing India’s status as a global hub for startups. According to a report by Global Data, Indian startups garnered approximately $7.5 billion in venture capital funding between January and August 2024, reflecting…

On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Vietnamese President To Lam to explore ways to deepen bilateral relations. The two leaders emphasized strengthening cooperation in key areas such as connectivity, trade, and culture, reflecting the strong India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In a post on X, Modi expressed his enthusiasm about the meeting, noting their mutual commitment to boosting ties between the two nations. Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with President To Lam is part of a broader agenda during his visit to the U.S., where he also held discussions…

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underscored the increasing importance of the private sector in India’s economy during the inauguration of a new Sainik School at Shri Bhawani Niketan Public School. He pointed out that Sainik schools are now being established through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, marking a departure from the traditional governance by central and state governments. Singh emphasized that these institutions will be instrumental in cultivating values such as discipline, patriotism, and courage among students, thus providing a new direction for society. He acknowledged the evolving economic landscape, where the private sector is taking the lead in manufacturing and…

The Indian diaspora in Delaware was abuzz with excitement as they welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with chants of “Modi, Modi” echoing near Philadelphia International Airport and the Hotel Dupont. Community members gathered from across the nation, eager to meet their leader. This visit marks a significant occasion for many in the diaspora, who expressed their admiration for PM Modi. Supporters highlighted their role as cultural ambassadors for India, with Dr. Avinash Gupta, president of the Federation of Indian Associations, underscoring the positive influence of Modi’s visit on US-India relations. During PM Modi’s address to the Indian community at Nassau…

India’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri, commended the country’s remarkable economic growth under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting its rise from the 10th largest economy in 2014 to the 5th largest by 2019, surpassing the UK. Speaking at a reception hosted by Consul General of India in Houston, Mr. D C Manjunath, at India House, he highlighted Houston’s pivotal role in global energy, particularly in green hydrogen and aerospace. Minister Puri also emphasized the importance of strengthening the US-India partnership in clean energy, praising India’s efforts in refining and biofuel blending, which aim to increase the…

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, at the 90th-anniversary event of the Bank of Maharashtra in Pune, lauded India’s achievements in the FinTech sector, specifically highlighting the success of UPI, which now facilitates 45% of global digital payments. She emphasized that digital platforms like UPI transcend borders, urging banks to leverage this transformative technology for deeper growth opportunities. During her speech, Sitharaman reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India, or viksit bharat, by 2047, outlining three essential pillars: economic growth, social progress, and environmental sustainability. She noted that robust banking systems are integral to driving this agenda, stressing…

India has ascended to the position of the sixth-largest market in the MSCI All Country World Investable Market Index (ACWI IMI), overtaking China and now trailing just behind France. For the first time, India has claimed the title of the largest emerging market in this index, which monitors global capital market performance. As of the end of August, India held a weight of 2.35% in the MSCI ACWI IMI, edging past China’s 2.24% by 11 basis points. France remains slightly ahead with just 3 basis points more than India. The MSCI ACWI IMI includes large- and mid-cap stocks and is…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated his 74th birthday on September 17th, adding another remarkable year to his long tenure in public service. Like previous years, this occasion was marked with various development activities. Modi travelled to Odisha, where he launched several key initiatives and laid the foundation stones for important projects. His birthday also coincides with the start of ‘Seva Parv,’ a two-week-long festival organised annually by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to honour his dedication to public service and welfare. Born in Mehsana, Gujarat, on September 17, 1950, Modi has had an illustrious political career, serving as Gujarat’s chief…

In a significant grassroots initiative ahead of the 2024 presidential election, Indian Americans are organising Days of Action to support Kamala Harris. The campaign, named “Kamala ke Saath” (We’re with Kamala), will feature cultural events combined with canvassing efforts aimed at engaging South Asian voters in crucial swing states. These events will offer food, music, and speeches from prominent leaders before volunteers head out to canvas. The campaign targets swing states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, and Arizona, where nearly 400,000 South Asian voters reside. The goal is to mobilise this influential voting bloc, which played a key role…