Author: Malavika Subramanyan

An assessment conducted by CareEdge Ratings highlights a significant transformation in India’s automotive sector, witnessing a notable shift from conventional fuel-powered vehicles to alternative fuel options. In the period from 2020 to 2023, the proportion of petrol vehicle sales decreased from 86% to 76%, while diesel vehicle sales experienced a slight decline from 12% to 11%. Conversely, sales of alternative fuel-driven vehicles soared by over 400% in CY 2023. This surge is attributed to the rising popularity of electric vehicles (EVs), driven by government incentives and declining battery costs, with a target of achieving 30% of all vehicle sales as…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conversed with Rekha Patra, a resident of Sandeshkhali in West Bengal, now the BJP’s candidate for the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat. Patra gained prominence leading women’s protests against Sheikh Shahjahan, a suspended Trinamool Congress leader accused of various offenses. PM Modi discussed Patra’s campaign preparations for the upcoming polls, commending her as “Shakti Swaroopa” (goddess-like) in an audio exchange. Patra expressed gratitude for Modi’s support, likening it to a blessing from Lord Ram, and highlighted the challenges faced by women in Sandeshkhali. Acknowledging her courage, PM Modi praised Patra for her resilience and assured assistance from…

One individual who previously lent support to Nikki Haley’s candidacy has now shifted allegiance, opting to withdraw support from former President Donald Trump and instead backing President Joe Biden. This decision comes in the wake of Haley’s withdrawal from the presidential race. A supporter who initially favored Haley acknowledges that he may have harbored a concealed admiration for Trump from the outset and intends to cast his vote for the incumbent president once again in the upcoming election. Before Trump secured his third consecutive Republican nomination, Haley lacked a substantial support base to mount a significant challenge. However, the apparent…

Amidst the backdrop of Sri Lanka’s ongoing financial crisis, India has pledged to alleviate the strain caused by the sharp increase in construction costs by providing up to 50 percent additional funding for development projects in the country. This decision was formalized through diplomatic exchanges between the High Commissioner of India, Santosh Jha, and Secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, W.S. Sathyananda, who signed and exchanged official letters on Thursday. Specifically, the Indian government has committed to providing an extra grant of SLR (Sri Lankan Rupee) 150 million for the construction of Houses and Infrastructure Facilities in…

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was a woman of remarkable talents, born into one of India’s most prominent political families. Despite the considerable advantages her lineage afforded her, there were inevitable challenges associated with such prominence. Her familial ties, particularly being the sister of Jawaharlal Nehru and the daughter of Motilal Nehru, may have hindered her political ambitions, as evidenced by her potential presidency bid in 1977. Originally named Swarup Kumari Nehru, she embraced the name Vijaya Lakshmi upon her marriage to Ranjit Pandit, following traditional customs prevalent in Hindu families at the time. Engaged in the freedom struggle, she endured imprisonment…

Indian American scholar Swayam Bagaria has been appointed as Assistant Professor of Hindu Studies at Harvard Divinity School, succeeding Christopher Rossi, who retired. Bagaria, formerly a Postdoctoral Fellow in Hindu Studies at HDS since 2022, previously held a similar position at the University of Virginia. He earned his PhD in anthropology from Johns Hopkins University in 2020. HDS Dean Marla F. Frederick expressed excitement about Bagaria’s appointment, praising his scholarly and teaching abilities. Bagaria’s expertise lies in the psychosocial aspects of Hinduism, employing computational, cognitive, and socio-cultural methods to study religion in contemporary India. Bagaria’s interdisciplinary approach and research interests…

The Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM) recently opened its doors in Orlando, Florida, driven by the vision of Indian American co-founders Dr. Kiran Patel and Dr. Pallavi Patel. Their aim is to address the shortage of physicians and residency programs in Central Florida. OCOM’s curriculum entails two years of on-campus didactic training, followed by two years of clinical rotations at affiliated hospital systems across Florida. The college has forged partnerships with over 26 hospitals and healthcare systems, including the Kiran Patel Institute for Graduate Medical Education, facilitating residency positions statewide. The inaugural class of 97 students is set to…

India’s Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) recently conducted a milestone flight test of the Agni-5 missile, signifying a significant advancement in the country’s nuclear defense capabilities. The test, known as Mission Divyastra, occurred at Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha. Analysts had been anticipating the test of India’s next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) armed with multiple warheads since the Agni-5’s initial full-range test in April 2012. The recent Agni-5 iteration features multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) technology, enabling it to deploy four to six warheads, each capable of striking separate targets hundreds of kilometers apart. While the…

Two Indian American women have been recognized on the 2024 Women’s Leadership Diversity IMPACT 50 List by Career Mastered Magazine. This distinction will be celebrated during the Career Mastered National Women’s History Leadership Summit’s 10th Anniversary event in May, held in Detroit. Dr. Malvika Iyer and Priya Kumar are the sole Indian American representatives on the list, curated by the magazine’s advisory board, editors, and partners across the nation. Each honoree was chosen based on their significant contributions to advancing diversity and inclusion throughout 2023. The overarching theme for this year’s list is ‘I AM RESILIENT.’ Dr. Malvika Iyer, an…

The inauguration of the first Hindu temple in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) marked a significant milestone as it celebrated its inaugural Maha Shivratri festival nearly a month later. As worshippers across the country flocked to Shiva temples to honor the deity, the Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, managed by the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), attracted devotees from various regions of the Gulf nation. The temple’s opening ceremony on February 14th, attended by thousands including Hindu saints, Mahant Swami ji Maharaj, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, set the stage for Friday’s vibrant celebration of Shivratri. Adorned with colorful…