Author: Deepika chandrasekar

A recent report highlights that Indian American households have a median annual income of approximately $151,200, substantially higher than the US median of about $83,700. This positions them as the highest-earning ethnic group in the country, earning nearly $67,500 more than the average American household—a difference of nearly 80 percent. Although Indian Americans represent a relatively small segment of the US population, around 4.8 million people or 1.4 percent of the total population, their economic impact is substantial. The report attributes this to their significant presence in professional, technical, and specialised sectors, resulting in strong earnings and a robust financial…

India’s passenger vehicle dispatches recorded strong growth in February, rising 10.6 percent compared to the same period last year. According to figures released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), total dispatches reached 417,705 units during the month, reflecting sustained demand in the domestic automobile market. The increase highlights continued momentum in India’s automotive sector, driven by strong consumer interest across both urban and semi-urban markets. Automakers have also benefited from the launch of new vehicle models and improving economic sentiment among buyers. Demand for sport utility vehicles (SUVs) remains particularly strong, contributing significantly to the overall rise in…

The Ohio State University Board of Trustees has selected Ravi V. Bellamkonda as the 18th president in the university’s history. Bellamkonda, a globally recognized bioengineer and neuroscientist, previously served as Ohio State’s executive vice president and provost since early 2025, overseeing academic and administrative operations across the institution’s 15 colleges, regional campuses, and University Libraries. During his tenure as provost, Bellamkonda collaborated closely with the University Senate and other governance bodies to advance Ohio State’s academic mission. Upon his appointment, he described the university as a top-tier institution with unparalleled reach and the capacity to achieve goals that few others…

The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan (BAPS) Temple in Abu Dhabi has announced it will remain closed until further notice due to the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, which now involves the United States. On March 2, the temple confirmed that its priests are continuing to offer prayers for the safety and well-being of all individuals. A temple statement said, “While the BAPS Hindu Mandir remains temporarily closed to visitors, the Swamis continue special prayers within the sanctums. In these spiritual moments, their devotion carries hopes for peace, protection, and the welfare of all.” The announcement emphasizes the importance of…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the 22nd installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme on Friday, marking another round of direct financial assistance to farmers across the country. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that the installment will be released from Guwahati in Assam, with more than ₹18,640 crore set to be transferred directly to the bank accounts of over 9.32 crore farmer families through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism. The initiative reflects the government’s continued focus on supporting farmers and recognising their contribution as the nation’s “annadatas”. Since the launch of the PM-Kisan…

 External Affairs Minister of India, S. Jaishankar, has been actively engaging global counterparts to discuss the ongoing conflict in West Asia and strengthen bilateral ties. On March 12, he held a telephonic conversation with Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono, exchanging perspectives on regional security and agreeing to convene a Joint Commission meeting at an early date. These discussions come in the wake of heightened tensions following the joint US-Israel strikes on Iran on February 28, which prompted retaliatory drone and missile attacks by Iran targeting US assets, regional capitals, and allied forces. In response, India has been maintaining close diplomatic contact…

 India is actively working to deepen its economic relationship with Chile by expanding cooperation in trade, critical minerals, and clean energy sectors. Recent discussions between senior officials from both countries highlighted the growing importance of strategic partnerships that can support sustainable development and long-term industrial growth. Officials from India emphasized the need to strengthen bilateral trade relations while identifying new areas of collaboration in emerging industries. Chile plays an important role in the global supply of critical minerals, particularly lithium and copper. These resources are essential for manufacturing electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy technologies, and advanced electronic components. As demand…

India’s textile recycling market is poised for significant growth, with forecasts indicating that the sector could reach approximately $3.5 billion by 2030, while creating around 100,000 green jobs, according to a report by the Union Ministry of Textiles. The study, titled “Mapping of Textile Waste Value Chain in India,” offers a detailed evaluation of textile waste generation, available recycling technologies, and opportunities to strengthen circular economy practices across the industry. The report highlights that India produces nearly 70.73 million tonnes of textile waste each year, underlining the urgent need for effective waste management and recycling infrastructure. Of this total, 42%…

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a detailed telephone conversation with Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi to discuss the latest developments in the escalating conflict in West Asia. The discussion comes at a time when tensions in the region remain high following recent military confrontations involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Sharing information about the conversation on social media platform X, Jaishankar said he had a detailed discussion with his Iranian counterpart regarding the ongoing conflict and the evolving regional situation. Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact as the situation continues to develop. The call…

The United States government has approved an amended foreign air carrier permit for Air India, enabling the airline to operate a wider range of passenger, cargo, and charter flights between India and the United States. The decision was issued by the US Department of Transportation after a review process during which no objections were submitted by stakeholders. Officials had previously invited interested parties to raise concerns within a twenty one day window if they disagreed with the proposal to grant Air India expanded operating authority. Since no responses were received during that period, the Department confirmed its earlier decision and…