Author: Bhakti Sharma

On October 26, 2024, the Indian American Community Outreach Advisory Board (IACOAB) celebrated its 10th annual Diwali festival at Metea Valley High School in Aurora, attracting over 3,000 participants. This lively event honored the Festival of Lights, showcasing the Indian community’s rich cultural legacy while promoting unity and joy inherent in Diwali. Diwali, recognized as the “Festival of Lights,” symbolizes the victory of good over evil and the illumination of darkness. Traditions such as lighting lamps, exchanging sweets, and partaking in joyful activities embody the festival’s essence, drawing families and communities closer. This year’s celebration featured over 25 vendors presenting…

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched India’s first analog space mission in Leh, Ladakh. In partnership with AAKA Space Studio, the University of Ladakh, IIT Bombay, and with support from the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, this mission will simulate life in an interplanetary habitat, advancing research for future space bases beyond Earth. On X, ISRO announced the launch of India’s first analog space mission in Leh. This initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Human Spaceflight Center, ISRO, AAKA Space Studio, the University of Ladakh, IIT Bombay, and is supported by the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council.…

The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) has honored five Indian Americans by electing them to its distinguished membership. These new members—Nina Bhardwaj, Reshma Jagsi, Monika Kumari Goyal, Uma M. Reddy, and Avindra Nath—join 90 other regular members and 10 international members elected in NAM’s annual meeting. This election is seen as a top honor in health and medical fields, highlighting individuals who have made exceptional contributions and shown dedication to their profession. With these new members, NAM’s total membership surpasses 2,400, with nearly 200 members from international backgrounds. NAM President Victor J. Dzau commented on the elections, expressing confidence in…

OpenAI, a prominent American AI research firm, has recently announced the selection of Dr. Aaron “Ronnie” Chatterji as its inaugural Chief Economist. Dr. Chatterji, a professor at Duke University specializing in business and public policy, previously held the position of CHIPS coordinator at the White House. In his new capacity, Dr. Chatterji will spearhead investigations into how artificial intelligence impacts economic expansion and job opportunities. This research will encompass the worldwide economic ramifications of establishing AI infrastructure, insights into long-term trends in the labor market, and strategies to equip the current and future workforce to leverage the advantages of this…

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B discovered that short bursts of walking or stair climbing can burn 20% to 60% more energy than consistent, sustained activity. Researchers from the University of Milan conducted the study with 10 participants averaging 27 years of age. Participants engaged in walking or stair climbing intervals, ranging from 10 to 240 seconds. By measuring their oxygen consumption, researchers found that short bouts consumed significantly more energy than steady activities. They noted that the increased energy expenditure occurred due to the body’s need to ramp up metabolic processes during brief,…

Indian tourist arrivals in Singapore have increased by 13% in the first nine months of 2024, reaching 898,180 visitors and making India the third-largest source of tourists after Indonesia and China. This rise highlights the tourism sector’s post-pandemic rebound, with 2023 alone recording over 1.1 million Indian visitors to Singapore. Factors driving this growth include enhanced flight options, successful marketing efforts, and relaxed travel restrictions. The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has been central to this resurgence, launching campaigns that showcase Singapore’s appeal, from cultural landmarks to modern attractions and culinary delights. Collaborations with travel agencies and airlines have helped create…

At the 18th Asia Pacific Conference of German Business held in New Delhi, Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Robert Habeck, emphasized the urgency of reshaping Germany’s trade policies. In response to growing geopolitical tensions and rising skepticism, he highlighted the need to reduce Germany’s economic reliance on primary partners, especially China and Russia. “We are in a very complex situation, and we must reshape and recalibrate our economic success story,” Habeck noted, underlining Germany’s commitment to diversifying trade by fostering new partnerships and strengthening existing ones. Habeck pointed to India as an essential partner,…

Diwali, celebrated with zeal worldwide, continues to gain recognition beyond India due to large Indian communities in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. Recently, Pennsylvania became the latest U.S. state to officially recognize Diwali as a state holiday, a decision signed into law by Governor Josh Shapiro with bipartisan support. Though schools, government offices, and businesses will remain open, the legislation marks an important acknowledgment of Diwali’s cultural importance in the state. This year’s Diwali, occurring from October 31 to November 1, will be the first celebrated under the new legislation in Pennsylvania. The law designates Diwali…

Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries has entered a partnership with US chipmaker Nvidia to establish Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure in India. The announcement took place on Thursday at the Nvidia AI Summit 2024 in Mumbai, where Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Ambani engaged in a fireside chat about the collaboration. Huang stated that the partnership aims to enable India to manufacture its own AI capabilities.He emphasized the significance of self-reliance in technology, stating that it is logical for India to produce its own AI. He remarked that India should not export data to import intelligence, just as it shouldn’t export flour…

On October 19, 2024, the inaugural IndiXspark event, “Celebrating Indian American Ideas,” took place in Spotswood, NJ, and emerged as a remarkable success. The event, co-founded by Neha Mahajan and Dr. Asha Menon, drew the Indian American community together for an enriching day filled with thought-provoking discussions, networking opportunities, and cultural festivities, all centered around the theme “First-Time Immigrant Experience.” The event kicked off with a captivating sitar performance by Anju Bedi from Vancouver, setting a cultural ambiance that resonated throughout the gathering. Following this, attendees engaged in an open networking hour, where they shared ideas and fostered connections in…