Author: Bhakti Narayanan

Cedille Records, the acclaimed nonprofit classical music label based in Chicago and led by founder James Ginsburg, has named oboist Oliver Talukder the winner of its second Emerging Artist Competition. Sponsored by the Zell Family Foundation, the competition aims to spotlight promising classical musicians under 35 with ties to the Chicago area who haven’t yet been featured on a commercial CD. This year, 23 applicants vied for the opportunity, with Cedille’s board selecting seven semi-finalists from the pool. Following a live semi-final round held on May 17, three finalists advanced to the public showdown at the Spertus Institute’s Feinberg Theater…

 Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California and one of President Joe Biden’s prominent defenders during the 2024 campaign, acknowledged on Sunday that he was wrong to support Biden’s re-election bid. Speaking to Jonathan Karl on ABC News’ This Week, Khanna openly admitted, “I made a mistake,” regarding his judgment of Biden’s capacity to serve another term. He clarified, however, that he didn’t believe there was an intentional cover-up of the President’s physical and cognitive decline, but emphasized that Biden’s advisers should take responsibility and be transparent about their roles. “I don’t think it was a cover-up … but…

The phrase “Operation Sindoor,” associated with a recent Indian cross-border military response, is rapidly turning into a coveted intellectual property asset. Trademark applications for the term have been submitted in the United States, the United Kingdom, and India, targeting sectors like media, streaming, advertising, and entertainment. On May 9, 2025, New York-based Rohith Baharani filed for the trademark in the United States under International Class 041. This category includes entertainment-related services, specifically the intent to license or sell the title to production houses, OTT platforms, or distribution channels. Filed under an “intent to use” basis, the mark hasn’t yet been…

The recent military tensions between India and Pakistan, especially following Operation Sindoor, have once again brought defense budgets into sharp focus. According to government sources, India is poised to approve an additional $600 million for defense through a supplementary grant. If passed in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament, India’s total defense allocation for the fiscal year will exceed $87 billion, setting a new record. This additional funding builds on the Union Budget’s earlier provision of $84 billion for defense in 2024–25, which was already a 9.5% increase from the previous year’s $76.7 billion. Since 2014, the BJP government has…

 Repairify has named Srisu Subrahmanyam as its new CEO, signalling a strategic shift toward innovation and global expansion. Known for his customer-centric leadership and extensive global experience, Srisu has consistently driven operational excellence and transformative growth across a range of industries in both public and private sectors. Before stepping into his role at Repairify, Srisu held the positions of Executive Vice President of Operations and President of Services & International Markets at OPENLANE (NYSE: KAR), where he was part of the core Executive Committee. During his time there, he led key initiatives in technology, business transformation, and cybersecurity while steering…

Amid the rising tensions between India and Pakistan, several Indian celebrities have spoken out about the ongoing ban on Pakistani artists in India. Celina Jaitly, the popular actress, expressed her thoughts, emphasizing that India’s national interests should always be the primary focus. She pointed out that while Pakistani artists benefit from India’s booming entertainment industry, they have largely remained silent about the terrorism their government allegedly supports. Celina further added that these artists, who have a significant platform, have the ability to demand change and speak out against violence but have chosen silence. She asserted that until real accountability is…

 R/GA appoints Urvashi Shivdasani as Global CFO—the first C-suite hire since the agency regained its private ownership. With more than 20 years of diverse financial experience across various sectors, Shivdasani will work closely with CEO Robin Forbes and the senior leadership team. Her focus will be on refining the agency’s financial framework, driving operational efficiency, and overseeing the rollout of a modern, output-based commercial model that reflects the evolving demands of today’s agency landscape. This leadership change comes at a pivotal time for R/GA, which recently transitioned back to private ownership through a partnership with Truelink Capital. The shift is…

Jupneet Singh and Sreekar Mantena, two Indian American students at Harvard Medical School, have been awarded the esteemed Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans. Their selection continues a long-standing tradition of excellence among Indian American scholars in this highly competitive graduate scholarship program. Established in 1997, the Soros Fellowships provide support to immigrants and their children as they pursue graduate studies in the United States. This year’s winners, Singh and Mantena, not only stand out for their academic promise but also for how their backgrounds and work intersect with broader social causes. Singh has made history as the…

A federal court ordered the release of Rümeysa Öztürk, a Turkish Fulbright scholar and doctoral candidate at Tufts University, who had spent more than six weeks in immigration detention. The reason behind her detention? Co-authoring a campus newspaper op-ed. Her release last Friday is being hailed as a significant moment for the protection of free speech rights—especially for non-U.S. citizens. The case underscores a larger issue, according to ACLU attorney Esha Bhandari, who argues that immigration policy is being used to suppress political opinions. In court, she contended that Öztürk’s detainment was clearly prompted by her public expression, a stance…

Dr. Vinay Prasad, a scientist of Indian origin, has been appointed as the new head of the Centre for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This department is crucial for approving vaccines and other biological products. The announcement was made on Tuesday, confirming that Dr. Prasad will take over from Dr. Peter Marks, who stepped down in March after playing a key role in leading Operation Warp Speed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since Marks’ departure, the role has been temporarily filled by an acting director. Dr. Prasad, known for his direct and often…