Author: Bhakti Sharma

Renowned Indian-origin physician Siddhartha Mukherjee, celebrated for his Pulitzer Prize-winning book “The Emperor of All Maladies,” has once again captured attention with his latest work, “The Song of the Cell.” Initially published in November 2022 by Vintage, this book has earned a place among the 12 selections in the longlist for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Nonfiction. The Baillie Gifford Prize is open to authors worldwide and covers a broad spectrum of subjects, including current affairs, history, politics, science, sports, travel, biography, autobiography, and the arts. For its 25th anniversary, the winner is awarded $6,2460, while shortlisted authors receive $6,246…

On the 76th Independence Day of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid heartfelt tributes to the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, by visiting Rajghat, the memorial dedicated to his legacy. This solemn act served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the Mahatma during the long struggle for India’s freedom. As part of the day’s schedule, Prime Minister Modi is slated to hoist the national flag and deliver a significant address to the nation from the historic Red Fort. This tradition, dating back to Jawaharlal Nehru’s time, symbolizes the unity, strength, and resilience of the Indian nation. …

A coalition of Indian American civil society groups recently convened a meeting with Congressman Ro Khanna in anticipation of his upcoming trip to India. The purpose of the meeting is to shed light on crucial regional priorities that will be addressed during his visit. Husnaa Vohra, who represented the Indian American Muslim Council, expressed her deep apprehension regarding the state of liberal democracy, pluralism, and human rights in India. She emphasized that the coalition, comprising diverse Indian American organizations, aims to protect the essence of pluralism and democracy in India. Vohra called on Congressman Khanna to address the ongoing instances…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming Independence Day speech is anticipated to center around the ‘Make in India’ initiative and the accomplishments achieved by his party BJP in the past decade, sources informed India Today. Traditionally delivered from the iconic Red Fort, this will mark PM Modi’s 10th Independence Day speech. The speech is projected to emphasize the government’s diverse programs implemented over the past 10 years, sources revealed. PM Modi is poised to direct attention towards the welfare of marginalized communities, highlighting the NDA government’s endeavors to enhance their quality of life. Around 1,700 workers are expected to partake in…

The proposed legislation, if accepted, aims to offer a vital route to permanent residency for a minimum of 8 million individuals. U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, along with Senator Bernie Sanders and other co-sponsors, has introduced a bill to expand the opportunity for long-term non-citizens in the United States to obtain permanent residency. According to an announcement, the Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929 seeks to modernize the existing Registry statute. This would allow immigrants who have continuously lived in the U.S. for at least seven years and possess good moral character to apply for a green card.…

The Khalistan movement has been witnessing a resurgence in various parts of the world, especially in countries like the US, UK, and Australia, which have significant Indian diaspora communities. Recent attacks on the Indian consulate in San Francisco have raised serious concerns. In a conversation with US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Executive Editor Rohan Dua discussed the potential threat posed by Khalistanis in the US. Congressman Krishnamoorthi, known for strongly condemning the consulate attack, was asked by Dua about the increasing frequency of such incidents. Dua pointed out that these attacks were not isolated, as they had also occurred in the…

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, a group of eminent Indian artists and artisans will travel to Paris next week to take part in the ‘Namaste France’ festival, marking a significant moment in the history of Indo-French relations. Organized by the Embassy of India with support from the Ministry of Culture, the festival will be held in Boulogne Billancourt from July 6-9 and will precede Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France. He has been invited by French President Emmanuel Macron to attend this year’s Bastille Day Parade as a ‘Guest of Honour’ on July 14 in…

Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das highlighted that despite increased global uncertainties and formidable challenges, the Indian economy has achieved a strong recovery and is one of the fastest-growing major economies. This growth is attributed to sustained bank credit, low non-performing assets, and sufficient capital and liquidity buffers. To ensure financial stability amid unforeseen challenges, Das mentioned the efforts being made by the Reserve Bank and other financial regulators. He stressed the importance of policymakers worldwide maintaining a delicate balance of policy trade-offs, supporting macroeconomic and financial stability, instilling confidence, and fostering sustainable growth. Das expressed concern about the economic fragmentation…

IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has received approval from its board for a significant aircraft order. On June 19, an official confirmed that IndiGo has placed an order for 500 Airbus A320 family aircraft, marking the largest order in the airline’s history. The purchase agreement was formalized at the Paris Air Show 2023, with the presence of IndiGo’s Board Chairman V Sumantran, CEO Pieter Elbers, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury, and Christian Scherer, Airbus’ Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International. According to an official statement from the airline, the specific engine selection for the order, as well as the mix of…

Natasha Subhash, an Indian American tennis player representing the University of Virginia, has been honored as the recipient of the prestigious 2023 ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award, as announced by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association on June 12. This esteemed accolade, established in 1982, recognizes outstanding sportsmanship, leadership qualities, and achievements in academics, extracurricular activities, and tennis. Subhash’s tennis accomplishments are noteworthy, having been a three-time ITA Singles All-American, earning the honor in each of her first three seasons. Hailing from a family of Indian immigrants, Subhash’s parents, Subhash Kongassery and Sulekha Subhash, migrated to the United States in…