Author: Malavika Subramanyan

Heather Boushey, the chief economist for the Invest in America Cabinet at the White House, praised Zum, a company founded by Indian immigrant Ritu Narayan, for its efforts in modernizing student transportation and promoting sustainability. During her visit to Zum’s San Francisco bus yard on March 4, Boushey toured the company’s advanced facilities, experienced a ride on one of its electric buses, and engaged with the leadership team, including founder and CEO Narayan. Zum utilizes technology, particularly AI, to efficiently manage private school bus fleets, offering school districts a sustainable and cost-effective solution for their transportation needs. Currently, Zum serves…

A recent report by the US-based think tank Brookings, authored by Surjit Bhalla and Karan Bhasin, marks a significant milestone for India: the official elimination of ‘extreme poverty.’ This achievement is attributed to the strong policy emphasis on redistribution by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. The report highlights key findings, including a notable decline in the headcount poverty ratio and a substantial increase in household consumption, indicating robust inclusive growth fueled by government policies. According to the report, official consumption expenditure data for 2022-23 reveals a consistent real per capita consumption growth of 2.9% annually since 2011-12. Rural areas have…

In recent years, India’s digital landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with government services increasingly integrated into digital platforms for efficient grassroots delivery. This push towards digitalization has been accompanied by a surge in digital payment transactions, reflecting the government’s commitment to digitizing the economy and promoting financial inclusion. The JAN Trinity – Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile – has played a pivotal role in this transformation, facilitating universal banking services, biometric authentication, and mobile connectivity. The concept of Digital India aims to achieve a presence-less, paperless, and cashless environment, promoting digital payments as a cornerstone of economic progress. These…

The deity Shrikrushna reportedly appeared in a dream to Vinod Singh’s 13-year-old daughter, Pooja, in Safaura village, revealing that a statue of the deity was buried near a nearby Muslim shrine. Initially dismissed, Pooja’s insistence, accompanied by a 10-day hunger strike, led her family to take her seriously. With her father’s support, they, along with other villagers, located the spot marked by Pooja, about 100 feet from the shrine, where they unearthed an ancient copper statue of Shrikrushna, approximately one foot tall. Vinod Singh placed the statue on his farm, 1.55 miles away, where it became a focal point for…

David Isom, US Navy Fleet Master Chief, emphasized India’s crucial position in worldwide alliances, especially in protecting global waterways. On February 23, he underscored India’s significance in protecting the free and open Indo-Pacific, ensuring freedom of commerce and access to sea lanes for all nations. Isom emphasized the growing relationship between India and the US, stressing India’s crucial contribution alongside other partners and allies. He expressed optimism about deepening partnerships with countries like Australia, the UK, Canada, and France, emphasizing the importance of these alliances for the future. Air Marshal Robert Chipman, Chief of the Air Force, Australia, echoed Isom’s…

Indian American Impact, an organization dedicated to supporting South Asian American candidates and mobilizing South Asian voters in the United States, has commended the introduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in the Senate. Expressing gratitude to Senators Durbin, Warnock, Schumer, and others for reintroducing the act, Indian American Impact posted on X, highlighting the significance of the legislation in enabling historically marginalized communities to participate more fully in the democratic process. The bill, reintroduced by Senators Booker, Warnock, Schumer, Blumenthal, Butler, and Durbin, aims to update and restore critical protections outlined in the original Voting Rights…

Citigroup’s CEO Jane Fraser highlighted Viswas Raghavan’s extensive banking experience, citing him as the ideal choice to lead the Cluster and Banking Heads within Citi’s global network. Raghavan, an Indian American executive formerly with JP Morgan, has been appointed as Citigroup’s new head of banking and executive vice chair. He will report directly to CEO Jane Fraser and is expected to assume his new role in the summer. Bringing a wealth of expertise in investment, corporate, and commercial banking, Raghavan will oversee one of Citi’s five primary business divisions. Fraser underscored Raghavan’s role in supporting strategic initiatives and driving Citi’s…

Geeta Batra, an esteemed economist hailing from India, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the Director of the Independent Evaluation Office of the World Bank’s Global Environment Facility (GEF). Born in New Delhi, Batra, aged 57, is the first woman from a developing nation to assume this prestigious role. Batra’s unanimous approval during the 66th GEF Council Meeting in Washington on Feb 9 came after her tenure as the Chief Evaluator & Deputy Director for Evaluation at the GEF’s Independent Evaluation Office (IEO), which is associated with the World Bank. Batra has outlined her key priorities, underscoring the importance…

A delegation comprising representatives from 17 universities in the United States is scheduled to visit India. Their itinerary includes visits to 26 academic institutions located in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. This visit is particularly noteworthy against the backdrop of recent incidents involving attacks on Indian students and individuals of Indian origin across various parts of India. The delegation’s visit is part of ongoing collaborative efforts between the United States and India, spearheaded by both governments. It follows high-profile state visits by the respective presidents and prime ministers, underscoring the Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership between the two nations. A…

Rahul Sahgal, a Swiss citizen of Indian descent, is poised to take on the role of CEO at the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce (Swiss AmCham) starting in the summer of 2024. His election to the position, following a unanimous vote on November 14, 2023, marks the succession of Martin Naville, who has stepped down after two decades of service. With an academic background in business administration and law from the University of St. Gallen (HSG), Sahgal brings a wealth of international experience in both corporate and government spheres to his new leadership role. His career trajectory began in finance and…