Author: Bhakti Narayanan

Bawa Jain has been honored by the City of New York, under the leadership of Mayor Eric Adams, for his dedication to global peace, inter-religious dialogue, and spiritual leadership. The official citation was initially awarded during Diwali celebrations in October 2024, but unforeseen circumstances delayed its formal presentation. Recognizing the honor’s timely significance, Deputy Commissioner Dilip Chauhan, a staunch supporter of the South Asian community, praised Jain’s lifelong commitment to peace and interfaith harmony. Presenting the award on behalf of Mayor Adams, Chauhan highlighted Jain’s global impact in promoting unity, diversity, and mutual respect. In his acceptance speech, Bawa Jain…

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated Indian American official Harry Kumar as the Assistant Secretary of Commerce. Kumar has served as Director of Government Relations at the Department of Commerce for the past four years. The White House announced his nomination as part of a broader list of candidates for diplomatic, defense, and administrative positions, which has been sent to the Senate for confirmation. Kumar’s career in government spans several roles. During Trump’s first term, he worked as Associate Director for Legislative Affairs from November 2019 to January 2021. Before that, he served as a Legislative Assistant in the…

NASA has confirmed that astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stuck aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months, will finally return to Earth on Tuesday evening. They will be joined by NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. The space agency will stream live coverage of the Crew-9 mission’s return, starting Monday night at 10:45 p.m. EDT with hatch closure procedures. NASA and SpaceX convened on Sunday to evaluate splashdown conditions near Florida, ensuring a safe return for the astronauts. Mission managers are aiming for an early…

Vice President JD Vance reaffirmed that holding a green card does not grant immigrants an indefinite right to stay in the United States. Speaking on The Ingraham Angle on Fox News, Vance stressed that the ultimate decision regarding a green card holder’s status lies with the U.S. government. “A green card holder doesn’t have an indefinite right to be in the United States,” Vance said, emphasizing that the Secretary of State and the President have the authority to determine who remains in the country. His remarks came in response to the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student…

In a significant gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the issuance of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards to Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and his wife, Veena Ramgoolam, on Tuesday. The announcement came during a community gathering attended by over 3,500 people, including members of the Mauritius Cabinet, government officials, and National Assembly representatives. Earlier in the day, Modi personally handed over OCI cards to Mauritius’ President Dharambeer Gokhool and First Lady Vrinda Gokhool. This event, marking the first day of his official visit, emphasized India’s dedication to fostering strong diaspora and diplomatic ties with Mauritius. During President Droupadi…

Rohit Karnik, an Indian American professor of mechanical engineering at MIT, has been appointed director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Water and Food Systems Lab (J-WAFS), the university’s only program dedicated to water and food research. His tenure began on March 1, as MIT celebrates J-WAFS’ 10th anniversary. Karnik, who previously served as J-WAFS’ associate director since 2023, has played a key role in grant management, corporate collaborations, and strategic planning. Vice President for Research Ian A. Waitz praised Karnik’s leadership, research expertise, and dedication to advancing the lab’s mission. Established in 2015, J-WAFS has provided approximately $25 million in…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday celebrated India’s continued commitment to wildlife conservation with the addition of its 58th tiger reserve—Madhav Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. Calling it “amazing news for wildlife lovers,” Modi highlighted the country’s rich biodiversity and its dedication to protecting wildlife. The announcement came from Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, who expressed his excitement on Saturday about the latest addition to India’s tiger reserves. He emphasized that the establishment of Madhav Tiger Reserve further strengthens India’s conservation efforts. In response to Yadav’s post on X, Modi reaffirmed India’s dedication to wildlife preservation, stating that the nation takes…

In a remarkable display of dedication to Sanskrit, more than 1,400 children and teenagers from the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) recently recited verses from the Satsang Diksha and Siddhant Karika scriptures in the Australian city. Gathered in large numbers, these young participants showcased their commitment by memorising and reciting 315 verses from the Satsang Diksha and 565 verses from the Siddhant Karika. Their sincere efforts in mastering the Sanskrit language captured the attention of many, highlighting the growing global interest in the ancient tongue. The BAPS Sanstha has long been a strong advocate for the study and preservation…

India’s auto component industry has the potential to achieve $100 billion in exports, as global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) rethink their supply chains and manufacturing strategies, creating a significant opportunity for India to position itself as a leading global supplier, according to a report released on Tuesday. The report highlights a major transformation in India’s auto component export landscape, which reached $21.2 billion in FY24, marking a remarkable shift from a $2.5 billion trade deficit in FY19 to a $300 million trade surplus in the latest fiscal year. India’s Roadmap to Boost Auto Component Exports According to the Automotive Component…

India is set to witness a footballing spectacle like never before as legends from Real Madrid and FC Barcelona reignite their historic rivalry on April 6, 2025, at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. Titled Legends Faceoff, this iconic showdown will bring football royalty to Indian soil for the first time. Football greats Luis Figo, Fernando Morientes, and Rivaldo are among the first confirmed names, with more legendary players set to be announced soon. Organized by The Sports Front, this event aims to celebrate the magic of football while positioning India as a hub for global sporting events. John Zaidi, CEO…