Author: Bhakti Narayanan

The 2024 GOPIO convention, themed ‘Opportunities for Diaspora Indians in India’s Big Manifest Future,’ is scheduled for April 26-28 at the Royal Albert Palace in New Jersey. The event aims to explore India’s current and future prospects and the potential contributions of diaspora Indians in shaping this vision. Organized by the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), the convention was launched with a planning meeting on Jan 28 at the Royal Albert Palace in New Jersey, attended by GOPIO officials and representatives from various community and professional organizations. Prakash Shah, a businessman from New Jersey, has been designated…

Georgia’s legislative body has issued two resolutions, with one originating from the Senate designating October 2024 as Hindu Heritage Month and the other from the House acknowledging November 1, 2024, as Diwali Day. These proclamations were unveiled at an event titled “Building Bridges and Connecting Communities” hosted for the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), signifying a significant milestone for Georgia’s Indian community. In the preceding year, Governor Brian P. Kemp of Georgia had formally recognized Hinduism as the third largest religion worldwide, with nearly four million Hindu followers residing in the United States alone. Expanding on this acknowledgment,…

Varun Dhawan, Arjun Kapoor, and Diljit Dosanjh are set to headline the sequel to the comedy hit No Entry, confirmed producer Boney Kapoor. Anees Bazmee, director of the original 2005 film, returns for the sequel, although the original cast, including Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, and Fardeen Khan, will not feature in this installment. The producer expressed confidence in the new cast, citing Varun and Arjun’s friendship and Diljit’s comedic prowess as a promising combination. While the male leads and director are finalized, casting for the ten female leads is ongoing. No Entry’s storyline revolves around two married men embroiled in…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized India’s significant strides in renewable energy, particularly solar, wind energy, and green hydrogen, to foster a ‘Green GDP’ crucial for global climate action. Modi advocated for integrating Green GDP into economic assessments worldwide, suggesting a shift in terminology to reflect environmental impacts accurately. During a discussion with Microsoft Co-founder Bill Gates, Modi stressed the importance of reevaluating economic development metrics to incorporate the environmental footprint. As India targets a $5 trillion economy, the concept of Green GDP gains prominence by factoring in environmental costs associated with production. Modi highlighted India’s focus on nature-friendly innovation, citing…

The worldwide vegetable seeds market, valued at about USD 8 billion in 2022, is expanding due to rising global demand for diverse vegetable types. India is a prominent player in this sector, alongside China, Japan, and the United States, according to S&P Global Commodity Insights (GCI). The vegetable seeds market is highly fragmented, presenting both opportunities and challenges for industry stakeholders. It offers niches for companies to establish strong positions with over 40 different vegetable crops. However, this diversity poses challenges in organizing and supplying complex product ranges. Despite this, competition remains intense, with 12 companies having annual sales exceeding…

Aruna Miller, the Indian American Lt. Governor of Maryland, has been honored as the first woman of color and immigrant elected to statewide office in the state, being inducted into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame alongside four others. Miller, along with distinguished figures such as US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Maryland House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, Secretary of State Susan Lee, and Comptroller Brooke Lierman, was recognized at a ceremony held at Government House on March 21, according to a press release. Expressing gratitude, Miller stated, “I am grateful to stand among the remarkable women whose legacies inspire us…

Aruna Asaf Ali, celebrated as one of India’s foremost female freedom fighters, gained prominence during the Quit India Movement in 1942, earning her the title of the “Grand Old Lady of Indian Independence.” Her unwavering commitment to the liberation cause led to her being honored with the Padma Vibhushan in 1992 and the Bharat Ratna in 1997, posthumously. Born on July 16, 1909, in Kalka, British India, Aruna Asaf Ali hailed from a Bengali Brahmin family. Educated in Lahore, she later became the first mayor of Delhi after India gained independence. Her involvement in various facets of the independence movement,…

Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s innovative Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for its significant impact on various fronts including production, exports, and employment opportunities. Chandrasekhar highlighted the remarkable progress made under the PLI scheme, particularly citing Apple’s achievement of surpassing $14 billion in iPhone production within just 11 months of FY24. He emphasized the substantial employment opportunities generated, particularly in iPhone manufacturing facilities operated by major companies like Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron, indicating a promising outlook for youth employment. Additionally, Chandrasekhar underscored the scheme’s focus on enhancing exports, revealing that…

A report by CareEdge Ratings indicates that India’s reduced dependence on imported LNG, declining from 53% in FY21 to around 45% by FY26, is attributed to increased domestic natural gas production. Despite challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions affecting imported LNG prices, India aims to elevate natural gas’s share in its energy mix to 15% by 2030. Over the past three years, approximately 30 MMSCMD of new domestic natural gas production has been introduced, with an additional 15 MMSCMD expected by FY25. This focus extends to various sectors, including distribution, fertilizers, refineries, city gas power, and petrochemicals.…

Smt. Patil took office as the 12th President of India on July 25, 2007, making history as the first woman to hold the position. Before her presidency, she served as the Governor of Rajasthan from November 8, 2004, to June 21, 2007. On December 19, 1934, she was born in Nadgaon village, Jalgaon District, Maharashtra. She attended RR Vidyalaya, Jalgaon, and earned a Master’s degree in Political Science and Economics from Mooljee Jetha College, Jalgaon. She further pursued a Bachelor of Laws degree from Government Law College, Bombay (Mumbai). Besides her academic pursuits, she actively participated in sports, excelling in…