Author: Deepika chandrasekar

President-elect Donald Trump announced the appointment of Harmeet K. Dhillon, an Indian-American attorney, as the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice. Dhillon becomes the fourth person of Indian descent to be named to a key position in Trump’s second-term cabinet. Trump expressed his pleasure in nominating Dhillon, recognizing her career in defending civil liberties, especially in cases involving Big Tech censorship, religious freedom, and anti-discrimination lawsuits. “Harmeet has fought for free speech, defended Christians during COVID, and challenged corporations with discriminatory policies,” Trump said. A prominent election lawyer and respected Sikh leader, Dhillon has…

India’s latest addition to its naval fleet, the 3,900-tonne stealth frigate INS Tushil, was commissioned on Monday at Kaliningrad. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted this as a significant step in strengthening India-Russia defense relations. He noted that collaboration between the two countries will now focus on emerging fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, space exploration, and counterterrorism. Singh described INS Tushil’s induction as a major achievement in the enduring strategic partnership between India and Russia. He emphasized the increasing “Made in India” component in Indian naval vessels, including INS Tushil, reflecting successful collaboration between Indian and Russian industries. Navy Chief Admiral…

Indian-Americans are planning peaceful rallies in Washington, D.C., and Chicago to protest recent attacks on the Hindu minority in Bangladesh, organizers announced. The ‘Genocide of Hindus in Bangladesh’ protest, organized by HinduACTion, will take place near the White House on December 9. In Chicago, a similar event, ‘Stop the Genocide: Save Hindu Lives in Bangladesh,’ will be held on December 8, led by prominent community leaders. A website, www.stophindugenocide.org, highlights the escalating violence and calls for international intervention, describing the situation as a “humanitarian catastrophe”. Reports suggest over 200 attacks in more than 50 districts have occurred since the Sheikh…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday that the Union Cabinet has approved the opening of 85 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) to make quality school education more accessible across India. This move, in line with the National Education Policy, aims to benefit a large number of students while generating employment opportunities. Additionally, the Cabinet has sanctioned the establishment of 28 new Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) to extend residential and high-quality education to more regions. The government’s decision to open these KVs and NVs represents a significant step toward ensuring inclusive education for all segments of society. These schools will offer affordable…

Jasleen Kaur, a Glasgow-born artist of Indian heritage, has been awarded the prestigious Turner Prize 2024 for her powerful exhibition Alter Altar. The prize, which includes GBP 25,000, was presented at a ceremony at Tate Britain, London, on December 3. The Turner Prize jury praised Kaur’s ability to blend personal, political, and spiritual narratives through her work, which reflects her upbringing in Scotland’s Sikh community. The exhibition incorporates everyday objects like family photos, an Axminster carpet, a vintage Ford Escort covered in a crocheted doily, and Scottish drink Irn-Bru. These objects are brought to life with soundscapes and music, creating…

The historic Bali Jatra festival, marking Odisha’s ancient maritime heritage, was celebrated for the first time in the UK on November 30 at Townley Grammar School in Bexley. Organized by the Odisha Society of the United Kingdom (OSUK), the event attracted over 500 attendees, including prominent dignitaries and cultural icons from both the UK and India. The festival began with the Boita Bandana ceremony, where miniature illuminated boats were launched to honor Odisha’s historical maritime trade with Southeast Asia. The celebrations were officially inaugurated by Dr. Bhargava Vasudevan, Deputy Lieutenant of Gravesham, and Manoj Panda from the Indian High Commission,…

On International Cheetah Day, two male cheetahs, Agni and Vayu, were reintroduced into the wild at Kuno National Park in Sheopur district, Madhya Pradesh. The release, conducted in the Palpur East region across the Kuno River, marked a crucial advancement in India’s initiative to restore cheetahs, a species that has been extinct in the country for almost 70 years. This project aims to enrich the region’s biodiversity by bringing back the world’s fastest land animal. A steering committee, led by Chairman Rajesh Gopal, had reviewed the final arrangements during a visit to Kuno on December 3rd. They confirmed that all…

Ms. Caoimhe Carlos, Vice President of Global Customer Success at Udemy, recently praised India’s leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) upskilling during her visit. She highlighted that 2025 would be a pivotal year for Udemy in India, with plans to hire a head of customer success, expand its research and development (R&D) center, and introduce new AI features. Carlos observed a shift in how employees interact with generative AI (GenAI), from technical training to practical applications aimed at improving productivity. She highlighted the rising demand for soft skills such as communication and critical thinking, particularly among Gen Z workers who might…

Power consumption in November FY24 saw a 5.14% increase, reaching 125.44 billion units (BU), up from 119.30 GW during the same month in FY23, according to government reports. This growth in consumption was accompanied by a slight uptick in peak power demand, which climbed to 207.42 GW in November FY24, compared to 204.56 GW the year before. The highest peak demand recorded thus far was in May FY24, when it reached about 250 GW, surpassing the previous record of 243.27 GW set in September FY23. Earlier projections by the Ministry of Power had estimated peak demand to be 235 GW…

India Concerned Over Rising Extremism, Attacks on Minorities in Bangladesh India has expressed deep concern over the escalating extremist rhetoric and violence against minority communities in Bangladesh, particularly Hindus. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) urged the interim government led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus to ensure the safety and security of all minorities. The MEA’s statement comes amidst growing tensions in Bangladesh, marked by the recent arrest and imprisonment of prominent Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari. Das, a spokesperson for the Sanatan Jagaran Jote, was detained on charges of sedition and is currently incarcerated. The Bangladesh government has…