Ram Dixit, a prominent professor and chair of biology at Washington University, has been awarded the prestigious Fellows Award for Outstanding Achievement in Science by the Academy of Science – St. Louis. His groundbreaking research on the cytoskeleton and its role in plant cell morphogenesis has earned him the honor. Dixit’s work, which focuses on understanding the molecular machinery that shapes plant cell walls, has been vital in advancing the understanding of plant development. His research group combines live imaging, molecular genetics, and computational modeling to study the cortical microtubule cytoskeleton, a crucial structure that influences plant cell shape and…
Author: Bhakti Sharma
Bhakti Sharma
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.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington, D.C., for a two-day visit at the invitation of President Donald Trump. Greeted warmly by enthusiastic members of the Indian diaspora outside Blair House, chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Modi, Modi” filled the air as supporters braved the cold to welcome him. The gathering underscored the deep ties between India and the US, as well as the strong backing of Indian-Americans. Expressing his gratitude on social media platform X, PM Modi acknowledged the warm reception despite the winter chill, emphasizing his appreciation for the diaspora’s support. His visit aims to…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Thursday that India and the United States have set an ambitious goal to increase bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. Speaking at a joint press conference with US President Donald Trump, Modi highlighted the growing collaboration between the two nations across various sectors, including defense, energy, and artificial intelligence. Drawing inspiration from Trump’s well-known slogan, “Make America Great Again” (MAGA), Modi introduced “Make India Great Again” (MIGA). He emphasized that combining these visions would result in a “MEGA partnership for prosperity.” Currently, the US is India’s largest trading partner, with trade between the…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet US President Donald Trump today, marking one of the first high-level diplomatic interactions of the Trump administration. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor described the meeting as a significant moment for India-US relations. “It’s quite important that our Prime Minister is among the first world leaders to meet President Trump. If I’m not mistaken, he is the fourth head of government to visit Washington within the administration’s first month,” Tharoor noted. While the detailed agenda remains undisclosed, Tharoor outlined key issues India is likely to focus on. “There are trade matters, especially with Trump…
Yale Law School professor Natasha Sarin and surgical oncologist Vinod Balachandran have been featured in The Washington Post’s inaugural ‘Post Next 50’ list, recognizing emerging changemakers of 2025. This list highlights individuals whose contributions are expected to shape local, state, and national policies. Natasha Sarin, a professor at Yale Law School and the Yale School of Management, was recognized for her influential research on public finance, financial regulation, and tax policy. Before joining Yale, she served as deputy assistant secretary for Economic Policy and later as a counselor to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen at the U.S. Treasury Department. During her…
For Indian Americans, discrimination isn’t a relic of the past—it persists in subtle ways, manifesting through social exclusion, dismissive remarks, and unseen barriers. It doesn’t take the form of overt racial slurs in Silicon Valley boardrooms but instead infiltrates political rhetoric, media representation, and professional landscapes. Their intelligence is applauded, their achievements showcased, but when they speak up, the admiration dissipates. They are valued for their contributions but often dismissed when expressing their views. This contradiction remains a defining aspect of their American experience—where excellence is welcomed, but outspokenness is discouraged. A recent example is Vivek Ramaswamy’s sudden estrangement from…
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Piyush Goyal, revealed that the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) has pledged a $100 billion Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) commitment under the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA). This significant investment could potentially lead to an influx of $400-500 billion in total investment proposals for India. The agreement, which is anticipated to come into effect by year-end, includes participation from EFTA nations—Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Over the next 15 years, this initiative is expected to generate around one million jobs in India. A major component of the pact is reduced or zero…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the United States has been described as “very important” by Mukesh Aghi, President and CEO of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF). The visit, scheduled for February 12-13, will focus on strengthening geopolitical ties, enhancing trade relations, advancing technology transfer, and addressing illegal immigration concerns. Aghi emphasized that early discussions between PM Modi and US President Donald Trump would help align both nations on shared economic and strategic objectives. “This visit is all about ensuring continued geopolitical alignment. Trade and economic cooperation, along with technology transfer, will be key areas of discussion. Additionally,…
India is poised to become a global manufacturing hub for wind turbines and related components, thanks to its strong industrial ecosystem and supportive policies. According to Mr. Girish Tanti, Vice Chairman of Suzlon Energy Ltd, initiatives such as the proposed National Manufacturing Mission in the Union Budget 2025-26 and the emphasis on clean tech manufacturing will play a vital role in achieving this goal. India already maintains 64% local content in wind energy projects, a significant advantage over the 20% seen in solar energy. With nearly 2,500 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) contributing to the wind energy supply chain,…
Panera Bread has announced the appointment of Santhosh Kumar as its new Chief Information Officer (CIO), effective February 12. Kumar, a seasoned IT executive with vast experience in digital transformation, will report directly to Interim CEO Paul Carbone. In his new role, he will spearhead the company’s technology division, overseeing the implementation, integration, and advancement of digital solutions across more than 2,200 Panera locations. Interim CEO Paul Carbone expressed enthusiasm about Kumar joining the team, emphasizing his strategic expertise and proven leadership in technology-driven innovation. “Santhosh brings a strong combination of industry knowledge and technical experience, making him a valuable…