Author: Deepika chandrasekar

According to a Bank of Baroda report, fresh investments in projects by India Inc increased by 2.93% to $80.42 billion in the first quarter of FY24 compared to $78.52 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year. The transport sector accounted for the majority share of around 74% of the overall investments, with the airline industry being the largest contributor within this segment. The power sector followed with a 10% share, while chemicals, machinery, and auto sectors contributed 8%, 3%, and 2% respectively. The report noted that this recovery resembled a ‘U’-shaped pattern compared to the corresponding quarters…

The visit of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to Tanzania coincides with the presence of the Indian Naval Ship Trishul in Zanzibar, showcasing India’s friendly relations with its maritime neighbors and its aspiration to be a representative of the Global South. On Wednesday, Jaishankar arrived in Zanzibar, known for its spice heritage, shortly after the arrival of INS Trishul, an Indian Navy frigate, at the port. Last week, the warship visited Seychelles to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance maritime security cooperation with regional navies. Jaishankar tweeted about attending a reception on board INS Trishul with the President of Zanzibar, Hussein…

The University of Massachusetts Amherst has announced that Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy is stepping down after serving in this capacity for eleven years. During his tenure, the university achieved remarkable accomplishments in various areas, including diversity, graduation rates, and impactful research, as stated by the University. Under Subbaswamy’s leadership, the university’s national ranking in the U.S. News & World Report Colleges Guide significantly improved, climbing from No. 52 to No. 26 among 209 public universities in the country. UMass President Marty Meehan praised Subbaswamy’s skillful guidance, which led to the university’s growth in impact and reputation, while maintaining a strong focus…

Since its launch in October 2021, the usage of Aadhaar-based face authentication transactions has reached a new peak, hitting 10.6 million in May. This marks the second consecutive month with over 10 million face authentication transactions recorded. The technology’s popularity is on the rise, evident from a 38% increase in May’s transactions compared to those in January 2023. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has developed an AI and machine learning-based face authentication solution that is currently being used by 47 entities, including state and federal government offices, as well as various banks. It serves multiple purposes, including registering…

The Supreme Court made an anticipated decision on June 29, declaring affirmative action in college admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina unconstitutional. The court ruled that the practice discriminated against white and Asian American students, violating the 14th Amendment. Following the ruling, Asian American organizations expressed their disapproval and organized protests in front of the Supreme Court. Interestingly, a Pew Research survey revealed that 60% of Indian Americans support affirmative action, and even among Indian Americans who lean Republican, 35% still support it. Chancellor Pradeep Khosla of the University of California, San Diego, a prominent Indian…

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently met with the top executives of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. in New Delhi, where he emphasized the vast opportunities that India presents for global companies. In a tweet following the meeting, PM Modi described the fruitful discussions with the board members and key leadership of Goldman Sachs, highlighting India’s potential for growth driven by recent reforms and a business-friendly environment. He also emphasized that India offers numerous prospects for global firms to explore. Goldman Sachs’ 12-member board visited India for the first time in more than a decade, coinciding with PM Modi’s meetings with…

A recent report by Deloitte India predicts that India’s online retail market will reach a size of US$ 325 billion by 2030, up from US$ 70 billion in 2022. The rapid expansion of e-commerce in tier-2 and tier-3 cities is expected to be the primary driver of this growth. The report, titled ‘Future of Retail,’ suggests that online retail penetration will outpace offline retail by 2.5 times in the next decade. Tier-2 and tier-3 cities accounted for over 60% of all orders in 2022, with significant increases in order volume. The ease of ordering and returns, along with a robust…

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the United States, Indian-American teenager Riya Pawar delivered a remarkable performance of the United States National Anthem at the Ronald Reagan Center in Washington DC. Her rendition garnered praise from the Prime Minister, who blessed her for her talent. Riya Pawar, a 16-year-old resident of Marlboro, New Jersey, showcased her exceptional vocal abilities and dedication to fostering cultural connections through her captivating performance. Her rendition served as a symbolic bridge between the cultures of the United States and India, emphasizing the unity and friendship between the two nations, as stated in a…

Indian-origin neuroscientists Swetha Murthy and Karthik Shekhar have been recognized by the McKnight Foundation as recipients of the 2023 McKnight Scholar Awards. The foundation has chosen ten neuroscientists this year to receive the prestigious award. Swetha Murthy, an assistant professor at Vollum Institute, has been granted the award to advance her research on cellular morphology. Her focus lies in exploring mechanosensation as a guide for cellular morphology, which has significant implications for neural health. Murthy, who grew up in South India, obtained her graduate and master’s degrees from Bangalore University and completed her PhD in Biochemistry from the State University…

The film “Adipurush,” directed by Om Raut, which presents a dramatic retelling of the Ramayana, has faced scrutiny and criticism since its release. Suresh ShyamLal Gupta, the President of the All India Cine Workers Association, has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling for an immediate ban on the film. The letter states that certain dialogues in the movie, including those involving Lord Ram and Ravan, are disrespectful and offensive to Indians both within the country and globally. The backlash against the film has led the makers to decide to revise the dialogues. Prem Sagar, son of Ramanand…