Author: Malavika Subramanyan

The Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj marks a grand spiritual gathering after 12 years, expecting over 45 million devotees. Participants will gather at the Sangam—the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers—to take a holy dip, believed to absolve sins and grant liberation. The event concludes on February 26. The Adani Group and ISKCON have partnered to provide Mahaprasad Seva, distributing free meals to 5 million devotees. Meals will be prepared in two kitchens and served across 40 distribution points, with support from 2,500 volunteers. Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, emphasized the spiritual significance of the initiative,…

The Uttar Pradesh government is preparing for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, a grand spiritual event set to draw 450 million devotees to Prayagraj. To enhance the festivities, popular artists such as Shankar Mahadevan, Mohit Chauhan, Shaan, and Kailash Kher are scheduled to perform. The event begins on January 16 and ends on February 24, with Mahadevan opening and Chauhan closing the celebrations. Other notable performers include Hariharan, Kavita Krishnamurthy, and Malini Awasthi, offering a spiritually uplifting atmosphere for attendees. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently reviewed the preparations, visiting akharas, meeting sadhus, and inspecting arrangements via the Nishadraj cruise at…

Justin Trudeau’s tenure as Canada’s Prime Minister is nearing its end as he steps down from leading the Liberal Party. This decision opens the door for the party to select a new leader ahead of what could be a challenging general election. A list of potential replacements has begun to surface, although some prominent figures, like Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, have already opted out, choosing to focus on their current roles. Among those likely to run is former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who has long been a prominent figure in Trudeau’s government. Despite her fall-out with Trudeau, including a…

Purdue University has appointed Indian American Professor Ananth Grama as a Distinguished Professor of Computer Science, recognizing his exceptional career in research and education. Grama, who has contributed significantly to the development of software systems for resource management and complex scientific applications, has worked across various platforms, from embedded controllers to cloud-based data centers. Known for authoring influential textbooks that serve as key references in the computing community, Grama’s work spans areas such as parallel and distributed computing, data science, and machine learning. He has served on the editorial boards of prestigious journals, chaired study sections for the National Institutes…

India’s Finance Ministry has approved a groundbreaking incentive program worth Rs. 25,000 crore (US$ 2.92 billion) to drive local manufacturing of electronic components. This plan, which is expected to be finalized by the cabinet later this month, is set to roll out in April. Its primary objective is to generate an estimated US$ 50-60 billion worth of electronic components over the next five to six years. Originally, talks between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Finance Ministry pointed to a much higher budget of Rs. 30,000-40,000 crore (US$ 3.5-4.67 billion), but this figure was reduced following…

In a landmark achievement for India, Dr. S Somanath, Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was awarded the prestigious IAF World Space Award for 2024 in Milan on Monday. This honor was given in recognition of ISRO’s successful Chandrayaan-3 mission, which significantly advanced lunar exploration. ISRO shared the news on social media, announcing that Dr. S. Somanath, Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of ISRO, has been honored with the esteemed IAF World Space Award for the significant success of Chandrayaan-3. This recognition celebrates India’s contributions to space exploration.…

SAP Labs India, the largest research and development center for German software giant SAP outside its headquarters, is rapidly advancing its AI initiatives, according to Managing Director Sindhu Gangadharan. As the company moves forward with the construction of a massive new campus in Bengaluru, set to be completed by 2025, it aims to solidify its position as a leader in AI innovation globally. Gangadharan highlighted that artificial intelligence, including generative AI, is transforming businesses by allowing them to reimagine customer experiences and operational processes. SAP Labs India is at the forefront of this shift, focusing on Custom AI and multi-agent…

Foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev discussed India’s growing involvement in tackling global challenges like climate change and employment, highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to a proactive international role. Sachdev noted that Modi is advocating for a “single-point peace plan” to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, emphasizing a message of peace during his interactions with the Indian diaspora in the United States. Speaking to ANI, Sachdev outlined that PM Modi’s key message during his US trip, particularly at the United Nations and with world leaders, is that this is not a time for war but rather for coexistence. Modi’s approach is…

President Joe Biden hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his personal residence in Wilmington, Delaware, marking the start of Modi’s three-day visit to the US. During the discussions, Biden emphasized the importance of India’s role in reforming global institutions, including supporting India’s permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council. Both leaders addressed global concerns, particularly the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific, where China has become increasingly assertive. Biden praised India’s proactive stance on addressing global challenges, including the COVID-19 response and managing international conflicts. He acknowledged Modi’s efforts in fostering peace during his historic…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the Quad’s growing importance as a key group of like-minded nations working towards peace, progress, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. His remarks came just before his three-day visit to the United States, where he will participate in the Quad Summit, hosted by President Joe Biden in Wilmington. During the trip, Modi is also set to address the ‘Summit of the Future’ at the UN General Assembly in New York. Expressing enthusiasm, he said, “I look forward to joining President Biden, Prime Minister Albanese, and Prime Minister Kishida at the Quad Summit, a crucial forum…