Author: Deepika chandrasekar

At a recent event at Pitt University, the launch of the Vijayalakshmi Innovation Center for Women’s Health Analytics and Research (VIHAR) was announced, with Vanathi Gopalakrishnan sharing her excitement for the ambitious initiative. Gopalakrishnan, associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics, humorously noted that some people initially mistook the project for a yoga program, but clarified that VIHAR’s goal is to push the boundaries of women’s health research, particularly through artificial intelligence. The center, backed by a generous $10 million donation from Indian American siblings Vishnu and Harsha Vardhini, aims to create the world’s first comprehensive female digital health…

On December 24, 2024, India marks the 100th birth anniversary of one of its most legendary playback singers, Mohammed Rafi. Renowned for his unmatched versatility and timeless voice, Rafi remains an icon in the world of Bollywood music. His rich legacy is evident in the numerous hits he delivered for Bollywood stars like Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, and Rishi Kapoor. Despite passing away in 1980 at the age of 55, Rafi’s music continues to touch hearts across generations. Rafi was born on December 24, 1924, in Kotla Sultan Singh, a small village near Amritsar, to Allah Rakhi and…

Ram Charan’s much-awaited film Game Changer will host a grand pre-release event at the Curtis Culwell Center in Dallas, USA, on Saturday, December 21. The film, which marks Ram Charan’s return to the lead role after three years, is set for release on January 10, 2025. Directed by S Shankar, Game Changer features Kiara Advani, SJ Suryah, Nassar, Sunil Prakash Raj, and Jayaram in pivotal roles. In a move that solidifies his status as a global star, Ram Charan will become the first Indian actor to host a pre-release event in the United States. The announcement came through a video…

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Chennai-born Indian-American entrepreneur and venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan as Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Known for his close ties to tech magnate Elon Musk, Krishnan previously served as a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and is highly respected in Silicon Valley and the Indian-American community. In his new role, Krishnan will collaborate with David Sacks, Trump’s crypto and AI czar, to steer America’s AI leadership. His responsibilities include shaping AI policy across government agencies and consulting with the President’s Council of Advisors on…

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have sharply criticized the stopgap spending deal, urging all members of Congress to reject the bill, which they claim will result in excessive spending. The deal, which was introduced days before the December 20 shutdown deadline, aims to extend government funding and push the decision-making on next year’s budget to the next Congress and president. Ramaswamy highlighted the high costs associated with the bill, noting that keeping the government open until March 14 would cost around $380 billion, but the true price tag is much higher when factoring in new spending measures. These include the…

On December 21, 2024, the world will commemorate the inaugural World Meditation Day, following a historic resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly on November 29, 2024. This groundbreaking event will create an annual global observance of meditation, underscoring its profound benefits for mental and physical health and its potential to foster global peace and unity. To mark this milestone, India’s Permanent Mission at the UN hosted a special ceremony at the UN headquarters in New York. The event featured a live global meditation session, led by renowned spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of…

U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti highlighted that, over the past year, Indian companies secured $3.4 billion in deals and investments in the United States during the SelectUSA Investment Summit. During an event hosted by the U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) titled “Promise and Prosperity of the U.S.-India Relationship,” Garcetti emphasized India’s increasing influence on the U.S. economy. Garcetti pointed out that while American investments generate employment opportunities in India, Indian investments are simultaneously creating jobs for Americans. Referring to the SelectUSA Investment Summit, Garcetti noted that, for the second consecutive year, India sent the largest delegation of any country. He…

For years, coffee has been a subject of debate, with studies highlighting both its benefits and potential drawbacks. As one of the most widely consumed beverages globally, with approximately 2 billion cups drunk every day, coffee has been linked to numerous health effects. Some studies suggest that coffee may lower the risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, liver disease, and obesity due to its rich content of nutrients and antioxidants. However, there are concerns about its potential to cause issues like increased anxiety, migraines, sleep disturbances, and gastrointestinal problems. A recent review conducted by researchers at the University…

The Ministry of Home Affairs has officially launched the G20 Talent Visa to position India as a global hub for academic and technological collaboration. This visa is designed for scholars, researchers, and professionals from G20 nations and aims to enhance India’s scientific and educational ecosystem. The announcement aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposal at the 2024 G20 Summit, where he stressed the importance of fostering opportunities for top talent in science and technology. Modi highlighted the need for a visa that would allow exceptional talent to explore global opportunities and significantly contribute to the economies of participating nations. The…

British-Indian director Sandhya Suri’s Santosh has been selected for the shortlist for the Best International Feature Film at the 2025 Academy Awards. The film, the U.K.’s official entry, is one of just 15 films chosen from 85 global submissions. India’s entry, Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao, did not make the shortlist. Other films included in the list are I’m Still Here (Brazil), Universal Language (Canada), Waves (Czech Republic), and Emilia Perez (France), among others. Santosh stars Shahana Goswami as a young Hindu widow who becomes a police constable through a government program and faces institutional corruption. She works alongside…