Author: Malavika Subramanyan

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Good Friday. In a message shared on X, he remarked that the day serves as a reminder to practice kindness, compassion, and to be open-hearted. He stated, “Good Friday is an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It encourages us to embrace compassion, kindness, and maintain an open heart. May the spirit of peace and unity prevail.” Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also took the opportunity to share his thoughts, wishing everyone a blessed Good Friday. His message focused on…

Club Chicago, USA, hosted an exuberant celebration of Ram Navami, drawing over 200 community members to honor the occasion with spiritual and cultural enthusiasm. The event opened with a soulful Ganesh Vandana by Chairperson Pinkiben Dineshbhai Thakkar. A special puja was held to commemorate the birthday of Late Bharatiben Shah, wife of Club President Nareshbhai Shah. Their daughters, Mishaben and Avaniben Shah, joined in this emotional tribute, making the moment deeply personal and touching. As the Ram Navami festivities continued, symbolic roles were brought to life with Kanubhai Patel portraying Lord Ram, Hansaben Patel as Sita, Mukeshbhai Mehta as Laxman,…

India’s seafood industry is set to resume large-scale shrimp exports to the United States, with plans to ship between 35,000 to 40,000 tons following a welcome pause in proposed tariff hikes. This decision comes in the wake of former President Donald Trump’s announcement on April 9, 2025, to delay a 26% reciprocal tariff, instead maintaining a 10% flat rate on imports from all countries except China, which remains under a steep 145% duty. The announcement has allowed Indian exporters to clear nearly 2,000 containers of shrimp that had previously been stalled due to concerns over the anticipated tariff. The Secretary…

In the wake of the devastating wildfires sweeping across Southern California, Chinmaya Mission Los Angeles (CMLA) and Chinmaya Mission Bakersfield have joined hands to contribute $40,000 to ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts. Reflecting on the donation, Swami Ishwarananda, the regional spiritual leader, shared, “Seva is love in action,” echoing the words of Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, the Mission’s revered founder. He emphasized the spiritual and emotional commitment behind the contribution. The fires have uprooted lives, damaged infrastructure, and left already struggling communities in greater distress. Long-term recovery requires more than emergency aid—it calls for rebuilding and holistic healing. To support this,…

For the first time ever, the Consulate General of India in Seattle hosted a vibrant celebration of Baisakhi at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia. Olympia’s State Capitol hosted its first-ever Baisakhi celebration, drawing the presence of key state leaders such as Governor Bob Ferguson, Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, and Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. The trio joined Indian American Sikh community members in honouring the cultural festivity. The Indian Consulate in Seattle took to X (formerly Twitter) to thank the dignitaries and acknowledged the enthusiastic participation of Sikh leaders from various parts of Washington. The post celebrated the event’s…

Neela Rajendra, a prominent Indian American leader at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), was recently dismissed from her post after a sweeping executive order by former President Donald Trump led to the dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across federal agencies. The order banned diversity training and programming, forcing NASA to close its independent DEI department—an action that triggered the eventual termination of Rajendra, who had spearheaded several of the agency’s inclusion programs. Rajendra had long been at the helm of NASA’s mission to build a more inclusive environment, focusing on advancing opportunities for women and minority professionals.…

India has taken a leading role in advancing clean energy innovation by co-heading the Mission Integrated Biorefinery with the Netherlands. This initiative falls under Mission Innovation (MI) 2.0, a global clean-tech collaboration that aims to accelerate sustainable energy solutions. The term “Mission Innovation” was originally introduced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside the-French President François Hollande during the COP21 summit. Seoul, South Korea, hosted the Mission Innovation Annual Gathering from April 9–11, 2025, bringing together global leaders to advance clean energy technologies. The Indian delegation, with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) as a key participant, contributed to dialogues around…

Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, a respected figure in philanthropy and global advancement, will deliver the keynote address at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) Class Day ceremony on May 20, 2025. As President of The Rockefeller Foundation, Shah leverages decades of experience tackling pressing global challenges, including public health crises, climate change, and economic disparity. The event will take place at the Baker Athletic Complex in New York City. SIPA Dean Keren Yarhi-Milo emphasized that Shah’s visionary leadership aligns with the school’s mission to cultivate future policymakers capable of navigating an uncertain and rapidly changing world. She…

India, US Likely to Sign Trade Pact Within 90-Day Tariff Pause The first phase of a much-anticipated bilateral trade agreement between India and the United States is likely to be finalized within the 90-day tariff-pause window announced by the Donald Trump administration, according to senior government sources. Officials confirmed that the terms of reference for the agreement have already been finalized, and both sides are now moving forward with negotiations. The primary mode of discussion will be video conferencing, but in-person meetings remain a possibility. Indian negotiators may travel to Washington, or U.S. officials may visit New Delhi if necessary.…

Apple, in a strategic move to shield its iPhone sales from rising U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports, transported nearly 1.5 million iPhones—about 600 tons—via cargo flights from India to the United States. Sources revealed this initiative was part of Apple’s broader effort to diversify its manufacturing and avoid the steep 125% tariff on Chinese goods under then-President Donald Trump’s trade policy. To streamline the transition, Apple collaborated with Indian authorities to fast-track customs clearance procedures in Chennai. A streamlined “green corridor” initiative cut clearance times drastically—from 30 hours to just six. This mirrored the model Apple already uses in select…