Author: Malavika Subramanyan

Members holding either Indian or non-Indian passports are now permitted to make contributions to the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth website. Social activist Prem Bhandari had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enable the global Indian diaspora to support the Ram Temple’s development. Expressing gratitude to PM Modi, Bhandari emphasized the historic significance of the upcoming Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22. This marks a unique opportunity for Indian devotees worldwide to contribute to the temple’s construction, creating a connection to the monumental event after 550 years. Bhandari lauded the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi, attributing the realization…

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, led by Anjon Audhya, are utilizing cutting-edge cell imaging and genome editing technology to investigate the mechanisms employed by a group of proteins in carrying out crucial functions. This breakthrough has the potential to deepen the understanding of various diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and those impacting immune function, ultimately contributing to the development of novel treatments. Anjon Audhya, a professor in the Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, heads the research team focused on unraveling the functioning of Coat Protein Complex II (COPII). Recently published in Nature Communications, their findings draw parallels between COPII and…

On January 2, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy garnered support from former Iowa legislator Steve King. King, who served on key committees until 2019, enthusiastically endorsed Ramaswamy for President, praising his intelligence and principled stance on the Constitution. Expressing a desire for a strong defender of the constitution, King highlighted Ramaswamy’s commitment to restoring American exceptionalism. In an endorsement video, King urged people to caucus for Ramaswamy on January 15, emphasizing his dedication to the people’s rights and commitment to building a border wall. In response, Ramaswamy characterized King’s endorsement as coming from a true patriot rather than a politician. Defending…

After the Ayodhya temple trust finalized the idol of Lord Ram Lalla for consecration, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi announced that Karnataka’s renowned sculptor, Arun Yogiraj, will craft the idol for the grand Ram temple. Former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa expressed joy, praising the sculptor and expressing pride in the idol’s selection. Arun Yogiraj, inspired by his father and grandfather, embarked on his sculpting journey. Despite a brief corporate stint, his passion for sculpture led him back in 2008. Known for iconic sculptures like a 30-ft Subhash Chandra Bose statue, a 12-ft Adi Shankaracharya statue, and others,…

On January 1, the Town of Brighton welcomed its inaugural Indian-American criminal judge, Vikram Vilkhu, who assumed the role as a Justice in the Brighton Town Court. Born to Indian immigrants in the U.S., Vilkhu, a Democrat, also made history as the first Sikh to be elected in New York State. Indian American Senator Jeremy Cooney applauded Vilkhu’s candidacy in December 2023, emphasizing the importance of expanding representation for the rapidly growing Asian American minority in New York. Cooney highlighted the significance of cultural diversity in elected officials, especially for the younger generation to witness faces that resonate with their…

On the inaugural day of 2024, India celebrated the successful launch of its X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) in a momentous event at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C58 carried XPoSat and 10 experimental payloads, marking ISRO’s first space mission on January 1. The XPoSat, designed for polarisation measurements of X-ray emissions, achieved an excellent orbit at an altitude of 650 km. Post XPoSat deployment, the rocket’s fourth stage will serve as an orbital platform for experiments, emphasizing sustainability by avoiding additional space debris. ISRO Chairman S. Somanath highlighted the mission’s success, emphasizing the precise orbit accomplishment…

Rujul Gandhi, a scholar of Indian origin associated with the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab, is actively involved in pioneering investigations that explore the intersection of computer science and linguistics. During her undergraduate years at MIT, Gandhi initiated the exploration of this interdisciplinary fusion and has since become a crucial figure in projects poised to transform communication between humans and artificial intelligence, as reported by MIT. Her primary focus lies in developing a parser designed to translate natural language instructions into machine-compatible formats. When dealing with robots or interactive AI systems tasked with understanding and executing commands, the challenge is to…

Hyundai Motor India has enlisted Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone as its global brand ambassador, as announced by the South Korean automotive company on Friday. In a welcoming post on social media platform X, Hyundai India expressed excitement about having Deepika join their family, stating, “We welcome the global icon @deepikapadukone to the Hyundai family. Fasten your seatbelts for an ultimate drive!” Tarun Garg, Chief Operating Officer at Hyundai Motor India Ltd., expressed the company’s excitement by stating, “We are delighted to welcome the exceptionally talented global Indian icon Deepika Padukone as our brand ambassador.” Garg highlighted the alignment of Deepika’s…

Indian Americans Aditya Grover, Bharath Kannan, and Aditi Raghunathan have earned recognition on Forbes’ 30 under 30 list for their contributions to science. Aditya Grover, currently an assistant professor at UCLA, has assumed diverse teaching roles, including the creation of a unique course on AI and climate change in 2022. This year, he spearheaded the development of ClimaX, the first AI-based weather and climate model, tailored for tasks like weather forecasting and climate pattern prediction. Heading the Machine Intelligence group, Grover focuses on crafting AI systems capable of independent interaction and reasoning. Bharath Kannan, co-founder of Atlantic Quantum, concentrates on…

In the spotlight as Forbes India’s power couple for 2023, Ram Charan and Upasana Kamineni Konidela are basking in accolades from their inner circle. Chiranjeevi, Ram’s father, lauds their accomplishments, highlighting their progressive mindset and unwavering support for each other. He singles out Ram’s on-set dedication, noting his ability to exceed expectations. Alia Bhatt, Ram’s co-star in RRR, commends his kindness, warm demeanor, and skillful portrayal of intricate scenes. Suneeta Reddy applauds Upasana’s impactful work at the Apollo Foundation, portraying her as a free spirit driven by a profound sense of purpose. The year 2023 unfolds as a transformative chapter…