Author: Bhakti Narayanan

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin have detailed the Biden administration’s Indo-Pacific strategy as a complex network of bilateral and multilateral relationships. They emphasized that the US and India are working together across various sectors, including Artificial Intelligence and semiconductors, which will play a significant role in shaping the future. This collaboration also extends to their roles as members of the Quad. Blinken and Austin highlighted that President Joe Biden’s transformation of the US Indo-Pacific strategy and the positive results it has produced are among the “most important and least-told stories of the foreign…

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a major preventable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke. According to data from 2017-2020, nearly 47% of adults in the U.S. are affected by hypertension. This condition can also contribute to the onset and worsening of chronic kidney disease. Implementing lifestyle changes, particularly dietary adjustments, can help mitigate these risks and reduce the reliance on medication. However, such dietary changes are not always widely adopted. A recent five-year study published in *The American Journal of Medicine* explored the benefits of adding 2 to 4 cups of fruits and vegetables…

Shortly after India faced a major disappointment at the Paris Olympics due to Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the 50 kg women’s wrestling final, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to console the athlete. In a heartfelt post on X, the Prime Minister praised Vinesh, calling her a “champion among champions.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged Vinesh as a champion among champions, highlighting her as a source of pride and inspiration for all Indians. He expressed his deep sorrow over the setback, emphasizing that words could not capture his sense of despair. Despite this, he affirmed his belief in Vinesh’s resilience…

Kamala Harris has made history by securing the Democratic presidential nomination, becoming the first woman of color to lead a major party’s ticket in U.S. history. This historic achievement represents a significant milestone in American politics as Harris prepares for her presidential campaign. The Democratic National Committee officially confirmed her nomination after a decisive win in the primaries. Her success marks a groundbreaking moment, making her the first African American and South Asian American woman to head a major party’s presidential ticket. Harris’s ascent to this notable role comes after a distinguished career as a U.S. Senator from California and…

Renowned shooter Manu Bhaker, who made history by securing two bronze medals at the Paris Games, will proudly carry India’s flag at the Olympic closing ceremony on Sunday. Manu began India’s medal count by earning bronze in the individual 10m air pistol event, making her the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting. She then partnered with Sarabjot Singh to claim another bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. An official from the IOA confirmed that Manu Bhaker has been selected as the flag bearer, acknowledging her exceptional performance and well-deserved honor. Manu herself expressed…

Lakshya Sen made a groundbreaking achievement at the Olympic Games by becoming the first Indian male shuttler to reach the semifinals in men’s singles badminton. While PV Sindhu had previously secured two Olympic medals and Saina Nehwal earned a bronze in the 2012 London Games, no Indian male had advanced to the medal rounds until now. Sen’s historic feat came after a challenging victory over Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei, with scores of 19-21, 21-15, and 21-12 in a grueling 76-minute match during the men’s singles quarterfinals. Despite losing the first game after trailing 5-2 and later leveling the…

As the US presidential election on November 5, 2024, approaches, there’s a concerted effort to encourage Indian Green Card holders to pursue naturalization. The US government and various advocacy groups are highlighting the benefits of citizenship, including voting rights and full civic participation. The Naturalization Process Naturalization, the process by which Green Card holders become US citizens, generally takes between 3 and 5 years. Requirements include residency, good moral character, passing English and civics tests, and pledging allegiance. The application fee is $760, with exemptions for military applicants and a $50 discount for online filings. The average processing time is…

Alok Srivastava, director of the Hindu American Coalition, recently highlighted former President Donald Trump’s significant support for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a key player in the Hare Krishna Movement. Srivastava lauded Trump for his past contributions, including legal support for ISKCON in New York, and expressed relief that Trump survived a recent assassination attempt during a rally in Pennsylvania. Amid the aftermath of the attack, various media outlets suggested that Trump’s survival could be linked to his past assistance to ISKCON. In 1976, Trump reportedly helped the organization with the Jagannath Yatra in New York City by…

Kamala Harris’s rise as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is a historic milestone, reflecting the significant contributions of Indian-Americans in U.S. politics. Born to a Jamaican-American father and an Indian-American mother, her achievement highlights the growing influence of these communities. Indian-Americans have long been making their mark in politics, serving as governors, senators, congresspeople, and in various high-level government positions. Although they comprise less than 2% of the U.S. population, they have attained significant roles, including the surgeon general, key positions in the U.S. Department of Treasury, the Federal Reserve, and the head of the White House Office of Science…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the opening session of the ‘Journey Towards Viksit Bharat: A Post Union Budget 2024-25 Conference’ at Vigyan Bhawan, Delhi, on Tuesday at noon. Organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the conference aims to outline the government’s broader vision for growth and the role of industry in this initiative. The Prime Minister’s Office has announced that over 1,000 participants from various sectors, including industry, government, diplomacy, and think tanks, will attend the conference in person. Additionally, many will join remotely from CII centers across India and internationally. In his post-budget address,…