Author: Bhakti Narayanan

In the fiscal year 2025, the Government e Marketplace (GeM) achieved a major breakthrough by facilitating insurance for more than 13 million individuals. These beneficiaries were covered under various categories, including Health, Life, and Personal Accident Insurance. This achievement reflects GeM’s role in transforming how public sector entities procure essential services, especially in the realm of insurance. Since its launch in January 2022, the insurance services offered on GeM have been available exclusively from insurers approved by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). This streamlined structure eliminates the need for middlemen, resulting in faster issuance of policies…

A forward-thinking group of students from the Illinois Institute of Technology, including several of Indian origin, is making global waves with their groundbreaking surveillance startup, VigilAI. This innovative platform uses artificial intelligence to transform passive CCTV systems into proactive crime detection tools. Their tech venture is currently in the spotlight as they advance through the prestigious Hult Prize competition, aiming for the coveted $1 million grand prize. VigilAI stands out as an AI-based solution that processes multiple CCTV feeds in real time to identify criminal activity, detect unusual behavior, and assess threats. Unlike traditional surveillance systems, it emphasizes intelligent pattern…

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has given a major nod to Indian-origin startup Cradlewise by publicly endorsing its smart crib designed to soothe infants back to sleep. Sharing his parenting experience on X, Altman revealed that he and his partner, Oliver Mulherin, have been using the product for their newborn son, born in February. He joked, “We ended up buying tons of unnecessary baby stuff, but I’d absolutely recommend the Cradlewise crib—and trust me, you’ll need way more burp cloth than you think!” Cradlewise’s co-founder and CEO Radhika Patil responded warmly to the praise, calling Altman “the AI god” and expressing…

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, recently hosted Swami Brahmaviharidas, spiritual head of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi. The meeting took place in the UAE’s capital and was officially confirmed by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha through their website. Their discussion revolved around enhancing mutual understanding and championing universal values such as peace, cultural unity, and harmonious coexistence. Both leaders emphasized that tolerance is a foundational pillar of Emirati society, which hosts over 200 nationalities in an environment defined by safety, diversity, and progress. The BAPS statement pointed out that this engagement reflects…

Indian-American comedian and screenwriter Zarna Garg is taking center stage—not just for her punchlines but for a 27-year-old matrimonial ad that’s capturing hearts and headlines. Appearing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Garg shared the story of how she met her husband—not through a dating app or a charming coincidence, but through a brutally honest ad she wrote herself. Forget romantic meet-cutes. Garg crafted a matrimonial notice that was part stand-up set, part feminist declaration. In a now-viral segment, Fallon read excerpts from the ad: “To some, I’m too short, too plump, too dark, or too argumentative. But enough…

Gender equality has evolved from being solely a moral responsibility to a key economic strategy. Global organizations like the IMF and World Bank now recognize women’s involvement in the economy as a core factor for national prosperity. Women’s participation enhances productivity, reduces poverty, and fosters more inclusive growth. Since women represent half the potential workforce, their exclusion from financial systems and markets leads to major economic inefficiencies. Beyond justice, their inclusion brings systemic gains that benefit generations. Recognizing this, India has moved from treating women as passive recipients of aid to actively investing in their capabilities. The Indian government’s development…

Congressman Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia has initiated a formal inquiry into the recent mass termination of predominantly Indian American employees at Fannie Mae. In a letter addressed to Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte and Fannie Mae CEO Priscilla Almodovar, the Congressman demanded detailed explanations and supporting evidence behind the decision to dismiss hundreds of employees without what many allege was a fair process. According to Subramanyam’s office, the layoffs affected nearly 700 staff members, many of them Telugu-speaking Indian Americans residing in Northern Virginia. These employees were reportedly fired over accusations of unethical behaviour and misuse of Fannie…

India and Russia have unveiled six new collaborative ventures to boost bilateral investments, following high-level discussions during the 8th Session of the India-Russia Working Group on Priority Investment Projects (IRWG-PIP). The session took place in New Delhi under the broader India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission, which focuses on trade, scientific, technological, cultural, and economic cooperation. Chaired by India’s Amardeep Singh Bhatia and Russia’s Vladimir Ilichev, the gathering resulted in the signing of an official protocol outlining the newly agreed initiatives. It also served as a platform to evaluate progress since the last session, aiming to scale joint efforts across sectors of shared…

At just 14, Siddarth Nandyala is turning heads in the tech and medical world with his AI-powered health app that can detect heart disease in seconds. The Indian-American teen, who founded Circadian AI, was recently applauded by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan for his innovative contributions. Originally from Hyderabad and now living in the U.S., Siddarth said his love for tech began at age seven with his first STEM kit. “It sparked a curiosity in me that’s never gone away,” he shared in an interview with indianexpress.com. With values shaped by Indian discipline…

Indian American Gautam Bhatia has been elected as an at-large trustee on the Naperville Township board in DuPage County, Illinois. In addition to his personal victory, Bhatia celebrated a broader Democratic success across the cities of Aurora and Naperville. He highlighted the election of Ashfaq Syed, who became the first Indian American city council member in the area. Bhatia has served with the Naperville Township Democrats since 2018, beginning as a precinct committee member before stepping into the role of chair. The township’s board consists of four trustees and one supervisor vote. Trustees are responsible for key decisions like approving…