Author: Bhakti Narayanan

The worldwide vegetable seeds market, valued at about USD 8 billion in 2022, is expanding due to rising global demand for diverse vegetable types. India is a prominent player in this sector, alongside China, Japan, and the United States, according to S&P Global Commodity Insights (GCI). The vegetable seeds market is highly fragmented, presenting both opportunities and challenges for industry stakeholders. It offers niches for companies to establish strong positions with over 40 different vegetable crops. However, this diversity poses challenges in organizing and supplying complex product ranges. Despite this, competition remains intense, with 12 companies having annual sales exceeding…

Aruna Miller, the Indian American Lt. Governor of Maryland, has been honored as the first woman of color and immigrant elected to statewide office in the state, being inducted into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame alongside four others. Miller, along with distinguished figures such as US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Maryland House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, Secretary of State Susan Lee, and Comptroller Brooke Lierman, was recognized at a ceremony held at Government House on March 21, according to a press release. Expressing gratitude, Miller stated, “I am grateful to stand among the remarkable women whose legacies inspire us…

Aruna Asaf Ali, celebrated as one of India’s foremost female freedom fighters, gained prominence during the Quit India Movement in 1942, earning her the title of the “Grand Old Lady of Indian Independence.” Her unwavering commitment to the liberation cause led to her being honored with the Padma Vibhushan in 1992 and the Bharat Ratna in 1997, posthumously. Born on July 16, 1909, in Kalka, British India, Aruna Asaf Ali hailed from a Bengali Brahmin family. Educated in Lahore, she later became the first mayor of Delhi after India gained independence. Her involvement in various facets of the independence movement,…

Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s innovative Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for its significant impact on various fronts including production, exports, and employment opportunities. Chandrasekhar highlighted the remarkable progress made under the PLI scheme, particularly citing Apple’s achievement of surpassing $14 billion in iPhone production within just 11 months of FY24. He emphasized the substantial employment opportunities generated, particularly in iPhone manufacturing facilities operated by major companies like Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron, indicating a promising outlook for youth employment. Additionally, Chandrasekhar underscored the scheme’s focus on enhancing exports, revealing that…

A report by CareEdge Ratings indicates that India’s reduced dependence on imported LNG, declining from 53% in FY21 to around 45% by FY26, is attributed to increased domestic natural gas production. Despite challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions affecting imported LNG prices, India aims to elevate natural gas’s share in its energy mix to 15% by 2030. Over the past three years, approximately 30 MMSCMD of new domestic natural gas production has been introduced, with an additional 15 MMSCMD expected by FY25. This focus extends to various sectors, including distribution, fertilizers, refineries, city gas power, and petrochemicals.…

Smt. Patil took office as the 12th President of India on July 25, 2007, making history as the first woman to hold the position. Before her presidency, she served as the Governor of Rajasthan from November 8, 2004, to June 21, 2007. On December 19, 1934, she was born in Nadgaon village, Jalgaon District, Maharashtra. She attended RR Vidyalaya, Jalgaon, and earned a Master’s degree in Political Science and Economics from Mooljee Jetha College, Jalgaon. She further pursued a Bachelor of Laws degree from Government Law College, Bombay (Mumbai). Besides her academic pursuits, she actively participated in sports, excelling in…

Kennametal, an industrial manufacturing company based in Pennsylvania, has announced the promotion of Sanjay Chowbey, an Indian American executive, as its new president and CEO, effective June 1. Chowbey, currently holding dual roles as vice president and president of the metal-cutting segment, will take over from Christopher Rossi upon his retirement. The decision to appoint Chowbey received unanimous approval from Kennametal’s board of directors, according to a statement released by the company. William M. Lambert, the chairman of the board, expressed confidence in Chowbey’s leadership abilities, citing him as a proven business leader and change agent. Chowbey, who joined Kennametal…

Rani Lakshmibai, also known as Jhansi ki Rani, emerged as a prominent figure in the Rebellion of 1857, symbolizing the Indian struggle against British rule. Celebrated as a national icon, her birth anniversary on November 19 is commemorated as Martyr’s Day in Jhansi, honoring those who sacrificed their lives in the rebellion. Born in 1828 as Manikarnika Tambe in Varanasi, Rani Lakshmibai was raised by her father, who encouraged her unconventional upbringing, nurturing her skills in horsemanship, archery, and self-defense. In 1842, she married Maharaja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar of Jhansi, adopting the name Rani Lakshmibai. Despite personal tragedies, including the…

Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has appointed Arvind Krishna, CEO of IBM, and Dr. Tarika Barrett, CEO of Girls Who Code, as co-chairs of the Emerging Technology Advisory Board. This independent group aims to drive New York’s transformation into an innovation hub, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and cutting-edge technologies. Hochul announced the formation of the board during McKinsey’s Future of New York Summit on March 5, emphasizing its role in guiding the state’s growth and ensuring an equitable and successful emerging tech sector. Krishna expressed his honor in leading the advisory board and commended Governor Hochul’s…

Three Indian American women have been recognized for their achievements with the 2024 Power of Women Awards from Global Silicon Valley (GSV), a venture capital firm focusing on multiple stages of investment. The accolade celebrates influential female leaders committed to creating a future with equitable access to education. Anupama Vaid, Shalinee Sharma, and Bijal Shah are part of the 14 distinguished honorees this year. These women, including CEOs, presidents, and founders, are reshaping education to ensure everyone, from early childhood to adulthood, has equal opportunities for learning. Anupama Vaid, the president and founder of ParentSquare, conceived the idea for her…