Author: Jyotsna Narayanswamy

On April 21, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly received US Vice President JD Vance, along with his wife Usha Vance and their three children, at his official residence in New Delhi. The meeting marked a key moment in advancing diplomatic relations and deepening strategic collaboration between India and the United States. The two leaders acknowledged a remarkable headway in ongoing discussions regarding a potential bilateral trade agreement. Emphasizing shared prosperity, both Modi and Vance agreed that the deal would aim to deliver meaningful economic benefits to citizens in both nations. Beyond trade, their dialogue covered a broader framework of collaboration,…

Chapter, a Medicare-focused advisory start-up co-founded by former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, has raised an impressive $75 million in a new funding round, pushing the company’s valuation to $1.5 billion. The investment was led by private equity and venture capital firm Stripes, reflecting growing confidence in Chapter’s client-first model. The start-up aims to assist seniors in selecting Medicare health plans based on their preferred doctors, hospitals, and prescription drug coverage. Unlike traditional Medicare insurance brokers, Chapter prioritizes the needs of its users over insurer profits, a strategy that has helped it stand out in a competitive field. This consumer-centric…

Georgia Southern University has named Dr. Avinandan (Avi) Mukherjee as its next provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs, with his tenure set to begin on July 1. With over 16 years of advancing leadership roles in higher education, Dr. Mukherjee is known for his global academic impact and strategic vision. Throughout his distinguished career, he has held vital academic leadership roles, including provost, chief academic officer at a public research institution, dean at two AACSB-accredited business schools, and head of a marketing department. His teaching portfolio spans undergraduate to doctoral programs, including MBAs and executive MBAs, across the…

 Washington State University (WSU) has announced Dr. Partha Pande as the new dean of the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture, starting April 16. His selection followed a national search for a leader capable of building on the college’s tradition of academic and research excellence. Dr. Pande, who joined WSU in 2005, has been serving as interim dean since February 2024. Over the years, he has shown exceptional leadership in advancing technological innovation, supporting student development, and strengthening ties with industry partners. Reflecting on his new role, Pande said, “Voiland College faculty and students are actively solving society’s biggest challenges…

The Royal Society of Arts (RSA) has named Indian American business executive Smriti Kirubanandan as a fellow for her notable social impact in the United States. Established in 1754, the RSA is renowned for honoring individuals who have significantly contributed to social progress and development, awarding fellowships to those whose work has had a remarkable social influence Alongside her position as a growth and partnerships executive with expertise in robotics and public health, Kirubanandan has actively engaged in serving communities as a raw vegan chef and nutritionist, working towards addressing food insecurity. She also founded the HLTH Forward Podcast, a…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the Bharat Mobility Show’s inaugural session, emphasized India’s burgeoning middle class as a pivotal driver of economic growth, particularly within the mobility sector. Highlighting the role of automobile and auto component manufacturers, he underscored their significance in meeting the evolving needs of this demographic, positioning India as a global powerhouse. Expressing confidence in India’s trajectory to become the world’s third-largest economy during his tenure, Mr. Modi outlined abundant opportunities for stakeholders to expand their businesses. Acknowledging a profound socioeconomic shift, the Prime Minister observed that over the past decade, 250 million people have emerged from…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s largest Global Trade show in Gandhinagar, a precursor to the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024. Commencing with bilateral meetings with world leaders at Mahatma Mandir, he then engaged with CEOs of top global corporations. A roadshow with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan followed, starting from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The tenth edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, set to begin tomorrow at Mahatma Mandir, covers a vast two lakh square meters. Boasting participation from 100 visiting countries and 33 partners, the trade show features over 1,000 exhibitors from 20…

The uncontrolled re-entry of Chandrayaan 3’s cryogenic upper stage into Earth’s atmosphere concluded with an anticipated landing in the North Pacific Ocean, as reported by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This event occurred around 14:42 IST on Wednesday, according to ISRO’s statement. Chandrayaan 3, India’s third lunar mission, successfully launched on July 14, and its Vikram lander, along with the Pragyan Rover, achieved a controlled landing on the moon’s surface on August 23. Following ten days of lunar exploration, the lander and rover entered a sleep mode, while the propulsion module continued orbiting the moon. ISRO confirmed that the…

Virat Kohli’s 50th one-day century at Wankhede Stadium was a quintessential display of his signature style. While typically known for his precise singles and doubles, this time, the celebration was extraordinary. Completing his century, Kohli bowed to cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and sent a kiss to his wife Anushka Sharma. The Wankhede crowd, including notable figures like David Beckham, Madhuri Dixit, and Rajinikanth, erupted in cheers, creating an unforgettable moment. Beyond the celebration, Kohli’s innings highlighted his exceptional fitness and training. Accumulating almost 8,000 runs in one-day cricket, Kohli’s dedication to physical conditioning, diet, and rigorous training regimes was evident.…

During the inaugural speech of the ‘DPIIT-CII National Conference on Ease of Doing Business’ in New Delhi, Mr. Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, highlighted the pivotal role of aspirational young India in driving the country’s future growth. He emphasized India’s economic improvement in the last five years, transitioning from being among the weakest to one of the strongest, crediting fundamental economic reforms by the government. Acknowledging the industry’s support, Mr. Goyal discussed the ongoing efforts to advance the national initiative, Ease of Doing Business (EoDB). The conference, held on November 8, 2023, was organized by the Department…