Author: Deepika chandrasekar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the identities of the four astronauts chosen for India’s maiden human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, expected to launch in 2024-25. The selected Indian Air Force pilots underwent training at Russia’s Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. During his visit to Kerala, PM Modi presented ‘astronaut wings’ to the designated astronauts at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, commending India’s strides in space technology, which he believes are nurturing scientific curiosity among the youth. The Gaganyaan initiative aims to demonstrate India’s human spaceflight capabilities by sending a crew of three members on a three-day mission to a 400 km orbit…

Over the past ten years, India’s drone sector has witnessed substantial expansion, particularly following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ankit Mehta, the CEO of IdeaForge, a prominent Indian drone manufacturer, underscored this development while introducing their products to the competitive US market. Positioned as the fifth-largest globally in the civil and defense dual-use segment, IdeaForge strategically enters the American drone market, capitalizing on concerns surrounding Chinese-manufactured drones. In an interview with PTI Videos, Ankit Mehta attributed the industry’s progress to a conducive environment fostered by the Indian government over the past decade. He highlighted a notable acceleration in growth…

During the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated projects valued at US$ 144.8 million (Rs. 1,200 crore). He commended the significant role of the renowned Amul brand, operated by GCMMF, in Ahmedabad, praising it as a symbol of trust, development, and empowerment for farmers. Modi urged Amul to pursue global leadership in the dairy market, given its status as the 8th largest dairy company, assuring full government support. Highlighting Gujarat’s crucial role in cooperative milk production and its impact on India’s economy, he cited initiatives like Direct Benefit Transfer, injecting…

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has unveiled its annual selection of Sloan Research Fellows for 2024, featuring 10 early-career Indian American researchers. Chosen from a wide array of prestigious institutions across the US and Canada, these individuals represent the epitome of scientific excellence. Each fellow receives a $75,000 grant over two years to support their research efforts, continuing a tradition that has been in place since 1955. Among the distinguished Indian American recipients are Priyanka Raina from Stanford University and Arvind Satyanarayan from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the field of Computer Science, alongside Dipti Nayak from the…

On February 20, California Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Naginder Dhillon from Sacramento as the Deputy Director of Program Support in the Division of Rehabilitative Programs at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, where she previously served as Associate Director since 2019. Dhillon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of California, Davis. This position does not necessitate Senate confirmation and offers a salary of $166,008. Dhillon affiliates with the Democratic party. Earlier, on February 16, Newsom designated Hemant Dhingra from Clovis to the Medical Board of California. Dhingra has held the position of Chief of…

During an event organized by the US India Business Council in the national capital on Tuesday, Eric Garcetti, the United States Ambassador to India, commended the strong ties between New Delhi and Washington. He emphasized the need for both nations to deepen their collaboration in co-development efforts, aiming to set an example for the rest of the world. Garcetti highlighted that the relationship between India and the US goes beyond mere addition, describing it as a multiplicative partnership. Garcetti underscored the distinction between co-production and co-development while stressing the importance of aligning mutual needs and interests. He urged clarity in…

Gerard Larcher, the Chairman of the French Senate, along with a delegation of five senators, is visiting India on February 19 and 20, 2024, as announced by the French Embassy in India. The purpose of the visit is to bolster bilateral relations and parliamentary cooperation between France and India. Accompanying Larcher are five senators who are part of the Senate’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee or the France-India Friendship Group. This signifies the initial official trip to India by the head of the French Senate, the upper chamber of France’s legislature. During the visit, Larcher and his delegation are scheduled…

Alia Bhatt shared her approach to evaluating scripts, determining whether to act in or produce them through her company, Eternal Sunshine Productions. While her company has backed three projects since its inception in 2021, only two, “Darlings” and “Jigra,” feature her as the lead, leaving “Poachers” without her on-screen presence. When it comes to decision-making, Bhatt emphasizes the importance of assessing her suitability for a role. She acknowledges that not every part aligns with her capabilities, prompting her to consider various factors, including other actors’ suitability, during the project creation process. In an interview with Pinkvilla, Bhatt elaborated on her…

Indian American technology entrepreneur Jiten Agarwal recently organized a fundraiser in Houston for Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley. The event, attended by billionaires John Nau, Rich and Nancy Kinder, and other donors, occurred just weeks before the March 5 Texas primaries. Haley, the former ambassador to the United Nations and a contender for the Republican nomination, arrived in Texas to bolster her campaign efforts. She scheduled a rally in Dallas, a meet and greet in San Antonio, and various fundraisers across the state. During the fundraiser, a supporter questioned Haley about former President Trump’s comments regarding her husband’s military service.…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commemorated the 40 CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) personnel who lost their lives in the Pulwama terror attack in 2019, paying homage to their bravery and sacrifice. On ‘X,’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his respects, stating, “I pay homage to the brave heroes who were martyred in Pulwama. Their dedication and sacrifice in service to our country will forever be commemorated.” February 14, 2019, marks five years since the Pulwama terror attack, where 40 Indian soldiers were killed after a suicide bomber detonated an IED-laden vehicle into the security convoy carrying them. Following the attack,…