Author: Bhakti Sharma

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…

Kaivan Munshi, a prominent figure in economic development, was appointed Frederick W. Beinecke Professor of Economics at Yale University in June 2024. He is associated with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) within the Department of Economics and is also linked to the Economic Growth Center. With over 30 years of research experience, Munshi has focused on the impact of informal community institutions on development. His initial research provided robust empirical evidence demonstrating how social norms and community networks significantly influence individual decisions and outcomes in developing economies. He then examined how these networks can either facilitate or hinder…

From April to August 2024, investments by Overseas Indians in non-resident Indian (NRI) deposit schemes surged to $7.82 billion, significantly increasing from $3.74 billion during the same timeframe in 2023, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). As of August 2024, the total outstanding NRI deposits amounted to $158.94 billion. These deposit schemes include foreign currency non-resident (FCNR) deposits, non-resident external (NRE), and non-resident ordinary (NRO) deposits. During this period, a notable portion of inflows was directed towards FCNR (B) deposits, which garnered $3.47 billion—up from $1.55 billion the previous year.  NRE deposits also saw substantial growth, receiving inflows…

Spiritual leader Sadhguru has been awarded the CIF Global Indian Award by the Canada India Foundation for his exceptional contributions to fostering a conscious planet and his proactive leadership in addressing environmental issues. The award is part of an upcoming event aimed at recognizing individuals of Indian descent who have significantly impacted the world. Ritesh Malik, Chair of the Canada India Foundation, remarked, “Sadhguru exemplifies a deep understanding of contemporary challenges while offering solutions to the most pressing issues. He draws upon the wisdom of ancient Indian spiritual and knowledge systems combined with practical common sense, which is unfortunately rare…

Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, has asserted that India, Brazil, and African nations should be granted permanent representation in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). This statement, reported by the state-owned TASS news agency, emphasizes the need for these countries to have a voice in the Council to better reflect the global majority. Lavrov expressed his belief that it is long overdue for countries like India and Brazil, along with African representatives, to hold permanent seats in the Security Council. He stated that doing so is crucial for ensuring that the Council is more representative of global demographics. India has…

With the U.S. Presidential election scheduled for November 5th, both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are actively campaigning to secure support from a diverse range of voters, including women, Black voters, Latino Americans, Arab Americans, and Indian Americans. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the U.S. Congress in June 2023, he praised Vice President Kamala Harris for her Indian roots, noting, “There are millions here with Indian heritage. Some proudly serve in this chamber, including one historic figure right behind me.” This statement underscores the growing significance of Indian Americans in U.S. politics. Presently, five Indian Americans serve in…