Author: Bhakti Sharma

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Bhakti has been working as a journalist for about twenty years. She holds a postgraduate degree in mass communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication and a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Delhi.

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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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).…

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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…

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Captain Avhilash Rawat, commanding the oil tanker Marlin Luanda, was honored with the prestigious 2024 International Maritime Organization (IMO) Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea. The award was presented during a ceremony in London on December 2, 2024, recognizing his extraordinary courage in handling a severe crisis when his ship was hit by an anti-ship missile. The incident occurred under challenging maritime conditions, requiring exceptional leadership from Captain Rawat and his crew. They successfully managed to control a dangerous onboard fire, ensuring the safety of all crew members and averting a potential environmental catastrophe from the ship’s cargo. The IMO…

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India witnessed significant growth in exports across major industries, strengthening its position among the top ten global suppliers. According to data from the Commerce and Industry Ministry, figures in several categories exceeded $1 billion in 2023. The country’s performance reflects its expanding economic influence, particularly in sectors like semiconductors and electronics. Semiconductor exports skyrocketed from $230 million in 2014 to $1.91 billion in 2023, elevating India’s global rank from 20th to 9th, capturing 1.4% of the global market. This growth underscores India’s pivotal role in the semiconductor supply chain, thanks to domestic innovation and manufacturing initiatives. India’s dominance in precious…

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During the July-September quarter of FY24, housing prices across eight major Indian cities saw an 11% year-on-year increase, as per the ‘Housing Price-Tracker Report Q3 FY24’ by CREDAI, Colliers, and Liases Foras. This marked the 15th consecutive quarter of rising prices, with the average housing price reaching US$ 129.91 (Rs. 11,000) per square foot in Q3 FY24. Among the top cities, Delhi-NCR recorded the highest increase, with a 32% rise, bringing the average price to US$ 135.08 (Rs. 11,438) per square foot, up from US$ 102.21 (Rs. 8,655) the previous year. Bengaluru followed with a 24% price rise, reaching US$…

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