Author: Deepika chandrasekar

A recent survey shows a lacklustre response from California’s political class to Kamala Harris potentially entering the state’s gubernatorial race. The poll, jointly conducted by Politico and UC Berkeley’s Citrin Center, engaged registered California voters and a selected group of policy insiders including lawmakers and staffers from both state and federal levels. Among the policy influencers surveyed, 36% said they would be “indifferent” if Harris ran for governor. Meanwhile, 22% expressed they would be “mostly excited,” 20% would feel “irritated,” and just 4% admitted they’d be “outraged” by the move. Public sentiment was similarly split. One-third of California’s registered voters…

A recent revelation by former RAW chief A.S. Dulat in his book “The Chief Minister and the Spy” has stirred significant controversy for Jammu and Kashmir’s ruling National Conference (NC). The book claims that former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah was secretly in agreement when Article 370 was abrogated. The National Conference has strongly denied Dulat’s claim, dismissing it as “a figment of fiction.” However, the assertion has reignited political debate across J&K, with many leaders questioning the stance allegedly taken by Dr. Farooq Abdullah as presented in the book. Dulat recalls the meeting between Farooq Abdullah and his son,…

US Vice President J D Vance is scheduled to make his first official trip to India from April 21 to 24, accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance. This landmark visit marks his inaugural tour to the country since taking on the role of vice president. The core focus of the visit is to deepen the strategic alliance between the United States and India. Key discussions are expected around strengthening economic cooperation, enhancing defense collaboration, and ensuring regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. During his stay in New Delhi, Vice President Vance is slated to hold meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi…

The South Asian Association (SAA) at Harvard University has named celebrated Indian chef, filmmaker, and author Vikas Khanna as its 2025 Person of the Year. This recognition honors his extraordinary contributions in taking Indian cuisine to international prominence and solidifying it as a powerful medium of cultural storytelling. Receiving the award with deep gratitude, Khanna said, “This isn’t just an award—it’s a promise. A promise to keep representing our rich heritage through every dish.” His journey from the lanes of Amritsar to Michelin-starred kitchens in New York reflects his resilience, creativity, and commitment to his roots. Beyond the kitchen, Khanna…

Singer and actress Shannon K is gearing up to join a prestigious lineup at Coachella 2025, marking a monumental moment in her career. As the daughter of iconic Bollywood playback singer Kumar Sanu, Shannon will step into the global spotlight with her debut at one of the world’s most celebrated music festivals. Her appearance marks a historic milestone, making her the first independent singer of Indian origin to represent India at Coachella. The legendary festival is set to take place in Indio, California, over two weekends—April 11–13 and April 18–20—at the Empire Polo Club. With an expected crowd of 120,000…

Americares, a leading global health-focused relief and development organization, has welcomed philanthropist Shweta Rawat to its Board of Directors. With a track record in advancing disability inclusion, women’s leadership, and economic empowerment, Rawat is set to play a key role in shaping the organization’s future. Rawat, a committed supporter of Americares for over ten years, currently serves as the founder and chairperson of The Hans Foundation — one of India’s top philanthropic institutions known for supporting transformative projects for marginalized communities. Her leadership has guided the foundation toward building long-term solutions for underserved populations across India. She is also the…

Among the 30 recipients of The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans this year, seven remarkable Indian American individuals have secured spots, standing out from over 2,600 applicants. This prestigious program, designed for immigrants and children of immigrants, offers up to $90,000 over two years to support graduate education in the United States. Arjun Ramani from Indiana is pursuing a PhD in economics at MIT, focusing on innovation and technological change. His academic journey began at Stanford, where he studied economics and computer science with an emphasis on artificial intelligence. A published writer at The Economist, Ramani’s reporting…

Mumbai’s iconic Siddhivinayak Temple in Prabhadevi, dedicated to Lord Ganesha, has reported a significant surge in its financial earnings, reflecting its continued prominence as a major pilgrimage destination. For the fiscal year 2024–25, the temple reported a total revenue of $1.6 million—a 15% increase from the prior year, as shared by the temple trust’s executive officer, Veena Patil. According to the trust’s annual financial plan, presented on March 31, income for the upcoming fiscal year, 2025–26, is projected to climb even further, reaching an estimated $1.85 million. Deputy executive officer Sandeep Rathod credited this growth to effective administration and better…

In a historic confirmation, Indian American attorney Harmeet Kaur Dhillon has been appointed Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division in the U.S. Department of Justice, making her the first Sikh American to hold this key position. The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), a national advocacy group, issued a tempered response to the appointment. In its statement, SALDEF highlighted the crucial role the Civil Rights Division plays in safeguarding constitutional protections and enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws for marginalized communities. “This role demands unwavering and unbiased dedication to protecting the rights of every community,” stated Kiran Kaur…

The Hindu Manifesto, a new book by spiritual thinker and global Hindu leader Swami Vigyananand, is set to be released on April 26, 2025. The book outlines a civilisational roadmap rooted in ancient Hindu wisdom, with RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat scheduled to launch the publication. Described as a blueprint for national and societal renewal, The Hindu Manifesto draws from classical Indian texts like the Vedas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Arthashastra, and Shukranitisar. The work proposes a value-driven framework for governance and development, emphasising the relevance of Hindu thought in addressing modern-day challenges. Central to the book are eight guiding Sutras. The first…