Author: Bhakti Narayanan

Fourteen-year-old Indian-American student Shrey Parikh has won the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee after delivering a standout performance in the final round of the prestigious competition held in Washington, D.C. Representing California, Parikh secured the championship title by correctly spelling 32 words within 90 seconds during the decisive spell-off round on Friday, May 29. The competition’s finale featured 10 talented contestants, but Parikh’s strongest rival turned out to be 12-year-old Ishan Gupta from Jersey City, New Jersey. Both participants impressed judges by flawlessly spelling all eight of their assigned words during the regular rounds. Since neither contestant made a mistake,…

The US-India Business Council (USIBC) has welcomed a series of strategic initiatives announced during US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent visit to India, describing the developments as a sign of renewed momentum in the growing partnership between Washington and New Delhi. The organization said the agreements also highlight the expanding importance of the Quad alliance in shaping economic and strategic cooperation across the Indo-Pacific region. One of the most significant outcomes of the visit was the launch of the US-India Framework on Critical Minerals and Rare Earths. USIBC called the agreement an important step toward strengthening collaboration in…

India and Mongolia are set to deepen their long-standing spiritual relationship through a major exposition of the sacred relics of Arahant Sariputta and Arahant Mahamoggallana, the two chief disciples of Gautama Buddha. The special exhibition will take place at the Ganden Monastery in Ulaanbaatar from June 1 to June 10, organized jointly by India’s Ministry of Culture, the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), and the National Museum in New Delhi. The event follows earlier successful collaborations between the two nations centered on Buddhist heritage. In 2022, sacred Kapilavastu relics of the Buddha were displayed in Mongolia during Buddha Purnima celebrations, marking…

Indian-American bioengineer Manu Prakash of Stanford University has been honored for his groundbreaking collaborative research on microbial life trapped within sea ice, highlighting the growing impact of Indian-origin scientists in global scientific innovation and international research partnerships. Prakash, working alongside French scientist Marcel Babin of the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), was recognized during a special symposium celebrating 250 years of scientific cooperation between France and the United States. The event also marked the creation of a $25,000 research award by the Richard Lounsbery Foundation to encourage joint scientific work between researchers from both countries. Their joint research…

The Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi on Tuesday has delivered what US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described as “strong and concrete results,” with member nations announcing several new initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation across maritime security, energy resilience, and critical minerals. In a post on social media, Gor highlighted that the discussions among India, the United States, Australia, and Japan resulted in expanded coordination on maritime domain awareness, coast guard collaboration, and enhanced surveillance systems to improve security across the Indo-Pacific region. The Quad countries also agreed to deepen cooperation on port infrastructure development, including working…

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday presided over the Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where she conferred the Padma Awards on several distinguished individuals for their exceptional contributions across diverse fields such as art, music, sports, science, literature, public affairs, and industry. The event marked one of the most significant national honours recognizing excellence and service to the nation. The ceremony included the presentation of Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri awards. Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra was honoured posthumously with the Padma Vibhushan for his extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema. The award was received on his behalf by his…

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accompanied by his wife Jeanette Rubio, visited two of India’s most famous heritage sites on Monday — the Taj Mahal in Agra and the Amber Fort in Jaipur. The visit was part of his ongoing four-day diplomatic trip to India focused on strengthening cooperation between the two countries. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor also joined the delegation during the visit. Sharing moments from the Agra tour, he praised the Taj Mahal as a remarkable example of India’s rich cultural history and architectural excellence. The monument continues to attract global attention for its artistic…

The Manhattan chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-Manhattan) officially inducted its newly elected leadership team during a special oath-taking ceremony held at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Manhattan on May 17. The gathering brought together community members, senior GOPIO officials, dignitaries, and supporters for an evening centered on leadership, community service, and strengthening ties within the Indian diaspora. The ceremony marked another milestone for GOPIO-Manhattan, which was founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic with the goal of enhancing engagement and support among Indian-origin communities across New York. Professor Rajasekhar Vangapaty formally assumed office as President…

India has called for strengthening the BRICS counter-terrorism framework by making it more resilient, future-ready, innovative and outcome-oriented amid evolving global security challenges. The appeal was made during the 11th Annual BRICS Counter Terrorism Working Group (CTWG) Meeting held in New Delhi under India’s BRICS Chairmanship for 2026. Addressing the gathering, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Sibi George emphasised the urgent need for stronger international cooperation to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. He highlighted India’s continued concern over cross-border terrorism and stressed that nations must adopt a united and coordinated approach to address emerging…

Indian American physician and economist Jay Bhattacharya has taken over as the acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention while continuing his leadership role at the National Institutes of Health. His appointment comes at a time when major shifts are taking place within the United States public health administration. Bhattacharya confirmed that he will simultaneously oversee both institutions, marking a significant consolidation of responsibilities within the federal health system. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is one of the most important public health agencies in the United States, responsible for monitoring and controlling infectious diseases, environmental…