India maintained its position as the third-largest global fintech funding recipient in 2024, despite a 33% year-over-year decline, with total funding reaching $1.9 billion, according to Tracxn’s Annual India Fintech Report. This marks a significant drop compared to $2.8 billion in 2023 and $5.6 billion in 2022, reflecting the sector’s challenges amid global geopolitical tensions and reduced demand. Despite the downturn, India’s fintech ecosystem remains among the world’s top three, following the US and the UK. The year saw the emergence of two new unicorns, Money View and Perfios, surpassing the single unicorn reported in 2023. A notable recovery occurred…
Author: Deepika chandrasekar
Deepika chandrasekar
Deepika is on her way to becoming an influential figure in the world as a young writer with a big voice and a big heart. Deepika has always possessed the highly sought-after attribute of empathy. She attended the University of Madras and graduated with a BA and MA in English. She has her mother and daughter living with her in Chennai, while she is a single parent.
Amidst the ongoing debate over H-1B visas, US Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden emphasized America’s immigrant heritage and the need for legal immigration reforms. Speaking to PTI, she noted the overwhelming contributions of Indian professionals, who dominate the H-1B visa program, particularly in technology, with a Congressional cap of 65,000 visas annually, plus 20,000 for US-educated individuals. Tanden condemned the hate campaign against Indian-Americans following Sriram Krishnan’s appointment as White House Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence by President-elect Donald Trump. She highlighted the importance of countering such vitriol, stating, “It’s crucial to denounce attacks on Indian-Americans and ensure all are…
During the ‘Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue,’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the critical role of India’s youth in transforming the country into a developed nation by 2047. He expressed confidence that economic, social, and cultural progress could be achieved through the capabilities and determination of the younger population. PM Modi urged the youth to embrace the spirit of ‘Viksit Bharat,’ taking ownership of this vision and contributing to its realization. The Prime Minister underscored India’s ambitious goals, including achieving the 20% ethanol blending target ahead of schedule and fostering active participation among citizens in driving growth. Drawing inspiration from…
In a landmark victory for diversity in U.S. politics, two Indian Americans—one of whom is Sikh—have won seats in the Virginia state legislature. This victory highlights the growing inclusiveness of American governance. The Sikh community leader, whose family hails from Punjab, credited his cultural heritage and grassroots activism as the driving forces behind his campaign. He emphasized his commitment to community-driven policies, with a focus on affordable healthcare, public education, and economic opportunities. The second victor, an attorney, also garnered significant grassroots support and campaigned on a platform focused on job creation, social equity, and environmental sustainability. These wins underscore…
Using three advanced surgical robotic systems, the groundbreaking procedures connected SS Innovations’ headquarters in Gurugram with a private hospital in Jaipur, a distance of 286 kilometers. Dr. Sudhir Srivastava, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of SS Innovations International, Inc., led the first Telerobotic-assisted Internal Mammary Artery Harvesting surgery, completed in just 58 minutes. The procedure was executed from Gurugram and supported remotely by Dr. Lalit Malik, Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Manipal Hospital, Jaipur, along with his team. The system achieved exceptional precision with an ultra-low latency of just 35-40 milliseconds. Following this, a second milestone was achieved with a Robotic…
Chartwell Retirement Residences has appointed Alka Gautam, CPA, CA, ICD.D, to its Board of Directors. Ms. Gautam will contribute her expertise by serving on Chartwell’s Audit and Investment Committees. With over 20 years of experience at the senior executive level, including as Executive Vice President of Global Operations and President & CEO of RGA Canada, Ms. Gautam brings substantial leadership and risk management experience. She also held key positions as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Risk Officer for RGA Canada before retiring in 2023. In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors of iA Financial Corporation. Ms. Gautam is…
Several Indian-American organizations are intensifying efforts to counter a rise in attacks targeting Indian immigrants and professionals on social media. Chintan Patel, Executive Director of the Indian American Impact Fund, expressed the need for coordinated actions to address this concerning trend. Patel emphasized that the goal is to change the narrative around immigration, focusing on the resilience and contributions of immigrants, rather than demonizing them. The hateful rhetoric, largely seen during the year-end holiday season, has mainly come from supporters of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, leading to growing alarm among the Indian-American community. Many…
The race to replace Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau began on Tuesday, following his resignation amid growing tensions with the United States over a possible trade war and deep political divides within Canada. The new Prime Minister will face immediate electoral challenges, with polling expected soon after their appointment in March. Anita Anand, the current Transport Minister, is one of the leading candidates. A notable figure within the Liberal caucus, Anand was considered an “obvious leadership contender” by Maclean’s in 2022. Born on May 20, 1967, in Kentville, Nova Scotia, to immigrant parents from India, Anand has had a distinguished…
The ICC Champions Trophy is making its return after seven years, with India aiming to add another title to its collection following its T20 World Cup success in Barbados. In the previous edition, India reached the final but lost to Pakistan by 180 runs. However, with the upcoming tournament just a month away, India, led by Rohit Sharma, is hopeful of clinching the title this time. Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes that India’s white-ball team is well “settled” and has a strong chance of winning the upcoming Champions Trophy. Pathan praised the team’s balance and added that young players like…
Nisha Desai, CEO of Andav Capital, has filed a lawsuit against PayPal for excluding her from its $535 million diversity and equity investment program, claiming racial discrimination. Desai, who is of Indian American descent, alleges that PayPal rejected her funding application due to her ethnicity, despite her belief that she was a suitable candidate for the program, designed to support Black and minority-owned businesses. The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court on January 2, accuses PayPal of unfairly prioritizing Black and Hispanic venture capital firms, investing $100 million in 19 firms led by Black and Hispanic people. Desai argues that…
