Author: Bhakti Sharma

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.…

According to the 2024 Burgundy Private Hurun India 500 report, India’s 10 most valuable companies now collectively hold a market worth of $1.1 trillion, surpassing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Saudi Arabia. These companies account for about one-third of India’s GDP and contribute 30% to the total valuation of the country’s top 500 firms. Over the past year, their combined worth has surged by $261.07 billion, with Bharti Airtel achieving a remarkable 75% growth, adding $46 billion to its market value. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) also experienced an unprecedented 201% rise, reaching a valuation of $54.05 billion. Reliance…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s global influence continues to grow, as seen in his strong diplomatic ties with world leaders. A testament to this is former US President Donald Trump’s remark, “Mr. Prime Minister, you are great,” after their February meeting, emphasizing Modi’s leadership in handling trade and tariff negotiations. By securing favorable deals and strengthening India’s global relationships, Modi has reinforced his reputation as one of the most influential leaders on the world stage. Economic and Strategic Advancements Under Modi’s leadership, India has strengthened its economic position by focusing on strategic global partnerships and reducing dependency on any single market.…

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…

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…