Author: Malavika Subramanyan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a two-day tour starting Friday, covering Bihar, Odisha, and culminating in Visakhapatnam to lead the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations. His itinerary begins in Siwan, Bihar, where he will launch the Vaishali-Deoria railway line, a $48 million project. Alongside, a new train service will be introduced to enhance connectivity in North Bihar. Modi will also flag off the Vande Bharat Express, linking Patliputra to Gorakhpur via Muzaffarpur and Bettiah, boosting high-speed rail access in the region. In a major milestone under the “Make in India, Make for the World” initiative,…

In a move aimed at improving the efficiency of digital payments, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has mandated a significant reduction in response times for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions. As per a circular issued on April 26, these changes will take effect from June 16, targeting faster processing and better reliability across all UPI operations. According to the circular, the response window for key transaction types—such as Request Pay and Response Pay—will be reduced from 30 seconds to just 15 seconds. Similarly, if a user needs to verify the status of a transaction or trigger a reversal,…

When Indian American teenager Tejasvi Manoj learned that her 85-year-old grandfather had nearly been tricked by a phishing scam, she saw it as more than just a family incident—it was a wake-up call. The 16-year-old high school student from Texas decided to take action. Drawing from her passion for coding and a desire to help, Tejasvi began building Shield Seniors, an AI-powered mobile app designed to protect older adults from online fraud. The app is currently in demo mode and features four key tools: Learn – Offers easy-to-understand content on internet safety. Ask – A chatbot that answers scam-related questions…

India’s trade landscape in May 2025 reflected notable stability and adaptability, even as international markets remained uncertain. Economic analysts and trade bodies observed a measured yet meaningful uptick in total exports, pointing to the country’s resilience under challenging global conditions. According to the Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO), India’s overall exports—including both goods and services—rose to $71.12 million in May 2025, marking a 2.8% increase from $69.20 million in the same month last year. This growth was primarily propelled by robust service sector performance, particularly in software, consulting, and financial services. Merchandise exports saw a slight dip, landing at…

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has made it clear to the global community—India will not tolerate violence against its citizens. Referring to the recent anti-terror Operation Sindoor, Shah declared it a stern warning to those who shed innocent Indian blood, showcasing the country’s resolve through precise and effective strikes by its armed forces. Speaking at a major event where 60,244 new police constables were given appointment letters in Uttar Pradesh—including 12,048 women—Shah lauded the recruitment drive’s transparency and commitment to merit. He contrasted the current government’s response to terror with the…

Burt Thakur, a U.S. Navy veteran and Jeopardy champion, has now added another achievement to his inspiring journey—becoming the first Indian American elected to the Frisco City Council. His victory in Saturday’s election came as a surprise upset over an incumbent, marking a significant milestone for the growing Indian American community in the Texas city. At 42, Thakur is no stranger to impactful moments. He joined the military just before the September 11 attacks and later etched his name into television history by winning the final Jeopardy episode hosted by the legendary Alex Trebek. Thakur had emotionally shared that he…

In a historic moment for Indian Americans in medicine, Dr. Srinivas “Bobby” Mukkamala has been elected President of the American Medical Association (AMA)—becoming the first person of Indian descent to lead the prestigious organization in its 178-year history. The announcement was made at the AMA’s annual meeting in Chicago, where the 53-year-old otolaryngologist was officially sworn in as the 180th President of the organization. Visibly emotional, Dr. Mukkamala called the moment “awe-inspiring” and “deeply humbling.” Yet the journey to this milestone wasn’t without personal trials. Just last November, Mukkamala received a life-altering diagnosis—an 8-centimeter tumor in his brain’s temporal lobe,…

Trump Launches $5 Million Gold Card Immigration Website US President Donald Trump has introduced a new immigration program called the Gold Card, aimed at attracting wealthy foreigners who are seeking a path to permanent residency in the United States. The program allows individuals to become eligible for US residency by contributing $5 million to the government. The Gold Card was unveiled through a newly launched government-supported website, trumpcard.gov, where interested applicants can currently submit their contact information to join a waiting list. The website is not yet accepting formal applications, but it invites users to register in order to be…

India’s AI Market to Triple to $17 Billion with 1.25 Million Professionals by 2027 Bengaluru, June 11, 2025 – India’s artificial intelligence (AI) market is projected to triple in value and reach $17 billion by 2027, establishing the country as one of the fastest-growing AI economies globally, according to a report by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The report states that AI is no longer confined to experiments or pilot programs—it is now actively transforming how Indian businesses operate and scale. India already commands 16% of the global AI talent pool, second only to the United States. BCG estimates that…

 The Axiom-4 mission, which marks India’s major return to crewed spaceflight, has been delayed once again—this time due to unfavorable weather conditions in the ascent corridor. Originally slated for June 10, the launch is now scheduled for 5:30 PM on June 11, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force will pilot the mission, making him only the second Indian astronaut in history to reach space after Rakesh Sharma’s iconic flight in 1984. The Axiom-4 crew also includes astronauts from the United States, Poland, and Hungary, making it a symbol of…