Author: Bhakti Sharma

Shasti Conrad, Chair of the Washington State Democrats, has been named Associate Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), adding another groundbreaking achievement to her political career. The youngest person and first woman of color to lead the Washington Democrats, Conrad, will serve as Associate Chair of the Democratic National Committee alongside Labor Caucus Chair Stuart Applebaum and U.S. Representative Joyce Beatty. Expressing her gratitude, she stated that she is honored and proud to take on the role. She emphasized the party’s responsibility in ensuring oversight of the Trump-Musk Administration, citing Washington State’s resilience in the 2024 elections as a…

A student-driven advocacy group, Hindu on Campus (HOC), has launched a dedicated online platform to document instances of Hinduphobia across university campuses in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The website catalogs over 100 cases of reported anti-Hindu and anti-India bias from the past four years. It serves as a resource for Hindu advocacy groups and organizations working to address discrimination and ensure fair treatment of Hindu students. Announcing the launch on social media platform X, Hindu on Campus shared: “We have created the first website dedicated to tracking Hinduphobia on university campuses. It compiles over 100 cases…

In a significant boost to UK-India economic ties, UK Ministers announced 17 new export and investment agreements during their visit to India this week, with deals exceeding £100 million. These agreements, primarily focused on the technology and life sciences sectors, are expected to create hundreds of jobs and further strengthen bilateral trade. Leading the UK delegation, Secretary of State Jonathan Reynolds and Investment Minister Poppy Gustafsson highlighted the growing economic partnership, noting that UK-India trade had surged to £41 billion in the past year. Reynolds emphasized that government-backed initiatives have helped UK businesses expand into India’s dynamic market, bringing millions…

Indian American scientist Dr. Suresh Mathews has been appointed interim dean of Samford University’s School of Public Health. A biochemist with extensive experience in academia and research, Mathews has been a key figure at Samford since 2015, serving as a professor and department chair in Nutrition and Dietetics. Originally from India, Mathews earned his PhD in biochemistry from the University of Madras, focusing on clinical research in human malaria. Before joining Samford, he held esteemed academic positions at Auburn University and Wayne State University School of Medicine. He also served two terms as a science advisor for the U.S. Department…

India is committed to strengthening its business environment, ensuring regulatory stability, and enhancing the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal stated at the Pune International Business Summit 2025. Organized by the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture (MCCIA), the event brought together representatives from over 20 nations to discuss trade trends, establish partnerships, and highlight the importance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in shaping a developed India. Goyal emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visits to the United States and France have opened new investment opportunities and deepened international collaborations.…

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to fostering long-term, sustainable partnerships with Africa, focusing on capacity-building, skill development, and technology transfer. Speaking virtually at the Japan-India-Africa Business Forum, he highlighted India’s approach, which contrasts with extractive economic models by promoting self-sustaining growth ecosystems. Jaishankar emphasized India’s expanding economic ties with Africa, stating that bilateral trade has reached nearly $100 billion. Additionally, India has invested over $12 billion in concessional credit, supporting more than 200 infrastructure projects across the continent, including railways, power generation, agriculture, and water supply. These projects have created local employment and significantly impacted African communities.…

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) has named its 2025 Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award in honor of Shiv Kapoor, Grayce Wicall Gauthier Chair Emeritus and Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The award is given annually to engineers under 35 who have made exceptional contributions to the manufacturing industry early in their careers. Kapoor, a highly respected researcher in manufacturing process modeling and automation, played a key role in advancing micro/meso-scale mechanical manufacturing, a concept that enables miniaturized, autonomous microfactories and mass customization through distributed manufacturing. Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Kapoor acknowledged the influence of his…

The University of Wisconsin–Madison has appointed Devesh Ranjan, a distinguished mechanical engineer and leader in one of the nation’s top engineering programs, as the tenth dean of its College of Engineering. A former UW–Madison graduate student, Ranjan will assume his new role on June 16. Reflecting on his journey, Ranjan shared, “At UW–Madison, if you dream of doing something, it can happen because of the incredible opportunities and support available.” Provost Charles Isbell Jr. expressed enthusiasm about Ranjan’s return, stating, “His vision and dedication to people’s success align perfectly with the college’s growth.” Ranjan highlighted the college’s exceptional faculty, staff,…

Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, during his visit to New Delhi, referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “friend” and expressed enthusiasm for Modi’s vision for India. Sunak, accompanied by his family, had an extensive discussion with PM Modi on various subjects during their meeting on Tuesday evening. Following their interaction, PM Modi described Sunak as a valued ally of India, emphasizing his commitment to fostering even stronger India-UK relations. Taking to social media platform X, Modi shared, “It was a pleasure meeting former UK PM Rishi Sunak and his family! We had a great conversation covering a…

The Federation of Indo American Seniors Association of North America (FISANA) recently welcomed Suresh Patel as its new president, succeeding Bharat Rana. Patel, who has dedicated 15 years to community service, also serves as the president of the Bridgewater Seniors Association. After moving from India to New Jersey 40 years ago and running a successful business, he shifted his focus to supporting the senior community post-retirement. FISANA, an umbrella organization representing nearly 20 senior associations, hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including summer picnics, domestic trips, Diwali celebrations, and musical programs, providing entertainment and engagement opportunities for members.…