Author: Bhakti Narayanan

India’s digital economy reached new heights this festive season as Unified Payments Interface (UPI) emerged as the most preferred mode of payment, recording transactions worth $200 billion. The Bank of Baroda report revealed a sharp jump from last year’s $170 billion, signaling strong consumer confidence and widespread digital adoption during the Dussehra and Diwali shopping period. According to the data, UPI transaction values rose 2.6% month-on-month in September 2025, underscoring its role as the backbone of India’s cashless ecosystem. Debit card transactions also saw impressive momentum, climbing to $7.37 billion, up from $3.11 billion a year earlier — reflecting a…

Nikita Bhalerao, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at UMass Chan Medical School, has been honored with the 2025 Rising Star Award by the National Pancreas Foundation and a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship from the Pancreatic Cancer Alliance (PCA). Her research, conducted under the mentorship of Dr. Jason Pitarresi, focuses on unraveling the complex biological mechanisms behind cancer cachexia, a condition marked by severe and uncontrollable weight loss that affects nearly 80% of pancreatic cancer patients. The Rising Star Award is presented to individuals who demonstrate exceptional promise, innovation, and compassion in advancing the understanding and management of pancreatic diseases. The PCA fellowship…

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday directed the state’s public universities to “pull the plug” on hiring employees through H-1B visas, a move that could end the employment of hundreds of international faculty and researchers across Florida’s higher education system. DeSantis made the remarks during a speech at the University of South Florida, criticizing the H-1B program as a system that allows universities and tech firms to hire cheaper foreign labor instead of Americans. He called the visa holders “indentured servants,” urging universities to prioritize Florida residents and U.S. citizens. “Why do we need to bring someone from China to…

India has officially risen to become the fourth-largest producer of renewable energy in the world, achieving an installed capacity of 257 gigawatts (GW) — a remarkable threefold increase from 81 GW in 2014, according to Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi. Speaking at the eighth International Solar Alliance Assembly, the minister highlighted India’s unprecedented progress in the clean energy sector, particularly in solar power generation and manufacturing. Joshi noted that the nation’s solar capacity skyrocketed from 2.8 GW in 2014 to 128 GW in 2025, reflecting rapid growth driven by government-backed initiatives and private investments. On the…

During his Asia tour, US President Donald Trump announced that Washington and New Delhi are close to signing a long-awaited trade agreement. Speaking before Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) business leaders in South Korea, Trump said discussions between the two nations had advanced significantly, signaling renewed momentum in strengthening bilateral trade relations. Expressing admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump described him as “the nicest-looking guy” and “tough as hell,” praising their strong rapport. While addressing the forum, he also revisited his claim of helping broker a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor in May—a statement New Delhi has…

In a move likely aimed at easing trade tensions with the Trump administration, India has significantly increased its crude oil imports from the United States. According to Kpler data, imports in October have surged to 540,000 barrels per day (bpd) as of October 27 — the highest since 2022. A PTI report indicated that this increase reflects India’s strategy to diversify its energy sources beyond Russia while addressing recent trade challenges with Washington. Energy analyst Sumit Ritolia of Kpler attributed the surge to favourable market conditions, including widened price differentials between Brent and WTI, reduced Chinese demand, and improved arbitrage…

In celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of India’s Iron Man, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) in Chicago hosted a Unity Walk, drawing over 60 attendees despite the brisk 50°F (10°C) weather. The event symbolized Patel’s enduring legacy of strength and national unity. Several prominent figures graced the occasion, including FIA Trustees Kantibhai N. Patel, Dr. Rashmi Patel, Rakesh Malhotra, and Hina Trivedi, along with Executives Amar Upadhyay, Joy (Dipen) Shah, and Anil Singh. Community leaders such as Haribhai Patel, Sanjay Vora, Manish Patel, Vandana Jhingan, and Anurag Awasthi also participated, emphasizing Patel’s timeless message of…

Chhath Puja, one of the most spiritually profound festivals in India, is devoted to honoring the Sun God, Surya, and his consort Usha. Deeply rooted in devotion and purity, the festival is especially celebrated across Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal. Beyond its grand rituals and modern-day practices, Chhath Puja’s essence is anchored in ancient Hindu scriptures, tracing its heritage back to revered epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. These timeless texts depict early versions of the rituals that evolved into the festival as it is observed today. According to the Ramayana, after Lord Rama…

Trinidad and Tobago is preparing to establish a Ram Mandir in its capital, aiming to highlight its growing role as a center of Hindu faith and heritage in the Western Hemisphere. The initiative has received strong backing from the government, which views it as both a cultural milestone and a spiritual landmark. During a meeting with Hindu religious representatives, Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath confirmed the government’s full support for the project. He emphasized that Trinidad and Tobago, often called “Ramayan country,” has long served as a living example of Hindu traditions thriving beyond India. “The Ram Lalla initiative is…

In a powerful display of growing maritime synergy, India and Japan conducted the Japan-India Maritime Exercise 2025 (JAIMEX-25), marking another milestone in their expanding naval cooperation. The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri, an indigenously designed Shivalik-class stealth frigate, represented India in this strategic engagement. The sea phase of the exercise, held from October 16 to 18, was followed by the harbor phase in Yokosuka on October 21. During the drills at sea, INS Sahyadri maneuvered alongside Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) vessels — Asahi, Oumi, and the submarine Jinryu — engaging in a wide range of advanced operations. These exercises…