Author: Bhakti Sharma

India has achieved a major economic milestone, with total foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows surpassing $1 trillion since April 2000. During the first half of FY25, FDI inflows rose by nearly 26%, reaching $42.1 billion. This sharp increase underscores India’s rising status as a global investment hotspot, driven by business-friendly reforms, a thriving economy, and competitive advantages. Key initiatives like the “Make in India” campaign, the Goods and Services Tax (GST), and relaxed regulations for various sectors have significantly boosted investor confidence. Between April 2014 and September 2024, India attracted $709.84 billion in FDI, making up 68.69% of total investments…

India is poised to make groundbreaking advances in space exploration with plans to establish its own space station, Bharat Antariksha Station, by 2035, and to send an Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040. Union Minister of State for Science & Technology and Space, Jitendra Singh, announced these ambitious milestones during a press conference in Delhi. Singh highlighted that India will be among a select few nations, after the United States and others, to have its own space station. He also shared updates on the Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send the first Indian astronaut into space by late 2024…

Filmmaker Payal Kapadia has made history with her film All We Imagine As Light, which earned two nominations at the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards. The film, recognized globally, is nominated in the Best Director (Motion Picture) category, marking the first time an Indian director has been nominated in this prestigious category. It also earned a nomination for Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language. The nominations were announced on December 9 by Mindy Kaling and Morris Chestnut, and the recognition of All We Imagine As Light is a significant achievement for Kapadia and Indian cinema. Bollywood stars such as Anil…

Dr. Tausif Malik and Dr. Shabana Parvez have launched the Global Desi Republican Caucus (GDRC), aiming to empower Indian Americans and the broader South Asian community in U.S. politics. This initiative aligns the community’s values—such as fiscal responsibility, family values, and economic empowerment—with Republican principles. Dr. Malik, drawing inspiration from Maratha King Shivaji Maharaj, emphasized that reducing government overreach and fostering entrepreneurship resonates with the aspirations of Indian Americans. Co-founder Dr. Parvez, a seasoned ER physician, advocates for affordable healthcare and innovative reforms to tackle inefficiencies in the U.S. system. GDRC’s Focus Areas: Tax Reform: Addressing double taxation for non-resident…

Past studies indicate that physical activity can reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events (MACE) like heart attacks and strokes. The lack of physical activity is linked to millions of deaths annually and is a key factor in cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Emmanuel Stamatakis, lead author of a recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, highlights that while structured exercise programs such as gym sessions are effective, only a small percentage of middle-aged and older individuals follow them regularly. The study focuses on a more accessible option: short bursts of vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity (VILPA), such as…

India’s surging interest in live entertainment, particularly among young, affluent individuals, is attracting global music icons to perform in the world’s most populated nation. Over the past week, Mumbai hosted performances by Dua Lipa and Maroon 5. Upcoming shows by Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, and Green Day are scheduled over the next three months. The appeal of seeing these artists live is immense, especially for fans like 23-year-old Aseem Khan from Bhopal, who expressed his excitement while waiting in line for Dua Lipa’s concert. Around 20,000 fans attended this show, many in their 20s, having traveled from various parts…

Tejaswini (Teja) Sudhakar, a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) ’25 candidate at Indiana University’s College of Arts and Sciences, has been honored with the Aliki Perroti and Seth Frank Most Promising Young Poet Award. This recognition comes from the Academy of American Poets. This prestigious recognition, established in 2013, honours a poet under 23 years old with a $1,000 cash prize and publication on the Poets.org website. Born in Chennai, India, and raised partly in Lexington, Kentucky, Teja’s love for language was sparked by her middle school tutor, Carole Johnston, who made learning vocabulary fun through creative writing exercises. Teja…

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, key figures in President-elect Donald Trump’s push to overhaul the federal government, visited Capitol Hill on Thursday for private discussions with lawmakers. The two entrepreneurs are set to lead Trump’s proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a panel dedicated to cutting federal jobs, eliminating programs, and rolling back regulations under his “Save America” agenda for a second term. House Speaker Mike Johnson invited Musk and Ramaswamy to Capitol Hill to outline their strategy, marking the first step toward securing legislative support for their ambitious plans. This advisory body, free from the typical federal employment checks,…

Russian President Vladimir Putin applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘India-first’ policy and the ‘Make in India’ initiative during the 15th VTB Russia Calling Investment Forum in Moscow, as per a release by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry on Thursday. He highlighted India’s consistent efforts in establishing a stable environment for economic growth, crediting these policies for driving significant progress. The ‘Make in India’ initiative, aimed at boosting manufacturing and drawing foreign investment, has positioned India as a global economic force. Putin acknowledged India’s advancements under Modi’s leadership and emphasized the initiative’s role in fostering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).…

Greenzo Energy, an Indian green energy solutions provider, has entered into a partnership with France-based Energy Observer Developments (EODev) to market hydrogen fuel cell power generators in India and Nepal. The collaboration will distribute EODev’s GEH2® hydrogen fuel cell generators, which use Toyota technology, across key sectors such as agriculture, telecom, and transportation. These generators generate electricity and heat through hydrogen and oxygen electrochemical reactions, replacing traditional diesel generators and supporting India’s drive to reduce fossil fuel dependency. Greenzo Energy will also handle maintenance services and local assembly of EODev products to meet the growing demand for clean energy solutions…