Author: Bhakti Narayanan

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,…

India has entered into agreements with ten countries to cooperate in the realm of digital public infrastructure, as reported by Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada, in a written statement to the Rajya Sabha on Friday. The nations partnering with India are Armenia, Sierra Leone, Suriname, Antigua and Barbuda, Papua New Guinea, Trinidad and Tobago, Tanzania, Kenya, Cuba, and Colombia. To boost accessibility, efficiency, and inclusivity, India has developed robust Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs) across multiple domains. Aadhaar: Aadhaar stands as the world’s largest digital identity system, offering a unique, biometric, and demographic-based identity that can…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed immense joy and pride over the inclusion of Assam’s Charaideo Maidams on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This significant cultural milestone, announced on Friday during the 46th World Heritage Committee session in New Delhi, highlights the Indian government’s focus on the Northeast’s development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership over the past decade. The ‘Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty’ is now recognized as a World Heritage site, marking a first for the Northeast region. Jaishankar celebrated this achievement as a testament to the government’s dedication to enhancing the cultural prominence…

Deepika Padukone, who is expecting her first child, has declared July as her official ‘Self-Care Month’ and is sharing her experiences and skincare tips on Instagram. In her recent update, she posted new selfies and detailed her skincare routine. Deepika’s caption read, “It’s Self-Care Month! While it’s great to dedicate a month to self-care, I believe in incorporating simple self-care practices into daily life. For skincare, maintaining a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition, sleep, hydration, and exercise is crucial, but a consistent routine is key. My regimen includes three steps: Cleanse, Hydrate, and Protect.” She revealed that she sets aside…

Dr. Mehmet Oz, renowned surgeon, educator, television personality, former U.S. Senate candidate, and best-selling author, delivered the keynote address at the inaugural World Health Congress. This event, organized by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), took place at the iconic Marriott Marquee in Times Square, New York City, on July 19, 2024. Dr. Oz captivated the audience of over 1,000 AAPI delegates in the Broadway Ballroom with his 30-minute talk on “Living the Good Life,” where he shared valuable insights into wellness and health optimization that resonate across the medical community and beyond. The World Health Congress…

As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gears up to address a joint session of Congress, a significant faction of Democratic lawmakers have decided to abstain. This boycott arises amid escalating tensions in Gaza and growing concerns over Netanyahu’s policies. U.S. Representative Ami Bera (D-CA) voiced his reasons for not attending in a statement, citing his deep concern for Israel’s future and the heart-wrenching pleas from families of American hostages held by Hamas. Bera emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a commitment to peace and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians. He called on Netanyahu…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will journey to Drass in Ladakh on July 26 to honor the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas. On Sunday, Ladakh’s Lt. Governor Brig (Retd) B D Mishra held a meeting at the secretariat to oversee preparations for the Prime Minister’s visit to the Kargil War Memorial in Drass. The Office of the Lt. Governor, Ladakh, shared on X that the Hon’ble Lt. Governor had reviewed the arrangements for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the memorial. LG Mishra emphasized the importance of timely completion of all necessary arrangements. He specifically inquired from the GOC of…