Author: Malavika Subramanyan

The saree will once again take center stage in New York City as Saree Goes Global USA returns to Times Square for its third consecutive year. Scheduled for August 23, 2026, the cultural celebration will bring together participants from across the United States and other parts of the world to showcase the beauty, versatility, and enduring significance of one of India’s most recognizable traditional garments. The event will take place at Father Duffy Square in Times Square from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Organized by Uma Global in partnership with the Consulate General of India in New York, the program…

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin–Connecticut Chapter (GOPIO-CT) marked India Day with a major community celebration in Stamford, receiving recognition from Connecticut state and city leaders for its cultural outreach and charitable work. The Connecticut General Assembly issued a formal citation honoring GOPIO-CT’s celebration of India’s Independence and its efforts to promote Indian culture, traditions and the achievements of Indian Americans. The citation was initiated by Senator Patricia Billie Miller and supported by nine additional state lawmakers. It was signed by General Assembly Pro Tempore Marten M. Looney, House Speaker Matt Ritter and Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas.…

India’s Government e-Marketplace is expanding opportunities for smaller businesses and emerging entrepreneurs to participate in public procurement. The platform has significantly increased the presence of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, startups, women-led businesses and Self-Help Groups, giving these groups greater access to government buyers nationwide. As of July 30, 2026, GeM had registered approximately 1.18 million MSMEs, 37,758 startups, 217,000 women entrepreneurs and 3,784 Self-Help Groups. The growing participation reflects the platform’s role in connecting smaller suppliers with public-sector purchasing opportunities through a digital marketplace. MSME procurement through GeM reached approximately $26.84 billion during fiscal year 2025-26, rising substantially from…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on citizens across India to participate in the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign and turn the national flag into a visible symbol of celebration in homes ahead of Independence Day. His appeal came on Tuesday as the country prepares to mark its 80th Independence Day on August 15. Sharing a video related to the campaign on Instagram, Modi encouraged people to celebrate the occasion with pride and respect while remembering those who fought for India’s freedom. He also urged citizens to renew their commitment toward building a developed India, or Viksit Bharat. The 2026 edition…

Stanford Graduate School of Business associate professor Saumitra Jha has been selected as a finalist for the 2026 Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year in the Social Sciences & Humanities category. The recognition honors his research into how societies divided along ethnic lines can become trapped in cycles of limited economic development and political conflict. Jha’s research, titled “Breaking through the Ethnic Growth Trap,” explores the relationship between social divisions, political tensions and economic investment. His work examines why some ethnically diverse societies continue to experience poverty and instability despite opportunities for development. According to his research, communities can…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on young Indians to celebrate National Handloom Day by using social media trends to promote the country’s rich textile heritage and support traditional weaver communities. In a new Instagram Reel shared ahead of the occasion on August 7, Modi encouraged people to create “Get Ready With Me” (GRWM) videos featuring handloom outfits and share them with audiences worldwide. The Prime Minister highlighted the historical importance of National Handloom Day, recalling that August 7, 1905, marked the beginning of the Swadeshi Movement, when Indians united to promote indigenous products and oppose British rule. He urged…

Indian American Representative Suhas Subramanyam has joined fellow lawmaker Dave Min in introducing the Pardon Transparency and Accountability Act of 2026, a bill designed to bring greater oversight and openness to the US presidential clemency process. The proposed legislation seeks to establish stronger safeguards around presidential pardons and commutations by requiring more detailed explanations and increased public accountability. The bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives and serves as a companion measure to Senate Bill S.256, introduced by Senator Richard Blumenthal. Subramanyam, who represents Virginia, said the presidential pardon system needs additional protections to prevent potential misuse. He…

Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar has lost the Democratic primary for Michigan’s 13th Congressional District, ending his bid for another term in the US House of Representatives. State Representative Donavan McKinney emerged victorious in the closely contested race, earning 51.9% of the vote compared with Thanedar’s 48.1%, according to results confirmed by the Associated Press. McKinney will now represent the Democratic Party in the November general election. Since the district has long been considered a Democratic stronghold, he is widely expected to have a favorable path to winning the congressional seat. The outcome marks another victory for the Democratic Party’s progressive…

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is expected to travel to the United States at the end of September to participate in the G20 Trade Ministerial, where global trade leaders will meet to discuss key economic challenges and strengthen international cooperation. The two-day gathering is scheduled to begin on September 30 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, under the United States’ presidency of the G20 for 2026. Alongside the ministerial sessions, Goyal is expected to hold a series of bilateral meetings with trade ministers from several countries. These discussions will focus on expanding trade and investment partnerships while addressing issues affecting global commerce.…

The official trailer for Ramayana: Part 1 has ignited worldwide interest, presenting one of India’s most celebrated epics through a cinematic production designed for global audiences. Released in five Indian languages—Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam—the trailer offers an expansive look at the film’s scale, storytelling, and visual artistry, positioning the project as one of the most ambitious productions in Indian cinema. Produced by Namit Malhotra and directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film seeks to introduce the timeless story of the Ramayana to viewers around the world while remaining faithful to its cultural and spiritual significance. The creators describe the…