Author: Malavika Subramanyan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued a call to action, urging both institutions and individuals to collaborate in propelling India into a developed nation by 2047. The launch of the Viksit Bharat @2047 initiative marked the commencement of this transformative endeavor, with Modi highlighting the current opportune moment for a significant leap in India’s trajectory. Reflecting on the historical significance, he urged all entities to contribute to this vision, drawing inspiration from the era of the freedom struggle. Modi emphasized the need for a collective effort, echoing the spirit of the freedom movement that gave rise to institutions like Visva…

Dr. Sachin H. Jain, the Indian American CEO of the SCAN Group and SCAN Health Plan, has earned recognition from Modern Healthcare as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare for 2023. Expressing gratitude for this honor, Dr. Jain emphasizes the collective dedication to improving healthcare. Modern Healthcare’s prestigious program highlights influential figures based on leadership and impact, acknowledging those who have significantly contributed to the industry. As a healthcare innovator and advocate for over a decade, Dr. Jain has consistently advocated for “radical common sense” reforms to enhance patient care within the U.S. healthcare system. Leading SCAN,…

During a video conferencing session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Viksit Bharat @2047: Voice of Youth’ initiative, directing his remarks to Vice Chancellors, Heads of Institutes, and faculty members participating in workshops organized at Raj Bhavan across the nation. Expressing appreciation to the Governors for their role in coordinating the workshops, the Prime Minister underscored the pivotal role of educational institutions in fostering comprehensive development at both individual and national levels. He seized upon the present moment as an opportune period in India’s history for a substantial leap in development, urging educators to formulate strategies aimed at achieving a…

Indian Americans Bela Bajaria and Mindy Kaling have secured positions on The Hollywood Reporter’s ‘2023 Women in Entertainment Power 100’ list, acknowledging their contributions to Hollywood’s resurgence and record-breaking success at the box office. Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer since 2016, has played a pivotal role in the platform’s triumphs, overseeing a $17 billion annual content budget and managing global teams. Notable successes include popular shows like ‘Bridgerton,’ ‘The Queen’s Gambit,’ ‘Lupin,’ and ‘Cobra Kai.’ In the past year, she delivered hits such as ‘The Night Agent’ and ‘Wednesday,’ the latter becoming Netflix’s most-watched English-language original and earning three Emmy…

Pranesh Aswath, an Indian American, takes on the role of provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Texas State University (TXST). With 33 years of academic and administrative experience at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), Aswath served in various capacities, including vice provost and interim provost. His responsibilities at TXST involve evaluating academic structures, policies, and resource allocation, aligning efforts to meet the university’s goals, and efficiently implementing academic priorities. Aswath, recognized for his contributions, expresses enthusiasm about joining TXST and aims to enhance the academic experience through collaboration and innovation. Aswath’s distinguished career includes honors…

Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s recent film, “Animal,” stirred intense online discussions and became a topic in Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan’s powerful speech in the Rajya Sabha. Despite a remarkable global box office earnings of 6.78 million dollars in its first week, the film faced controversy over its portrayal of violence and misogyny. Ranjeet Ranjan emerged as a vocal critic during a parliamentary debate, expressing concerns about the film’s potential impact on the youth. She recounted a distressing incident involving her daughter and other children, leading her to leave the theater midway. Ranjan urged the entertainment industry to recognize its societal responsibility…

Rijul Maini, a 24-year-old medical student and model from Michigan, achieved the title of Miss India USA 2023 at the annual pageant held in New Jersey. The event also crowned Sneha Nambiar as Mrs India USA and Saloni Rammohan as Miss Teen India USA. This marks the 41st anniversary of the pageant, the longest-running Indian pageant outside of India, initiated by Dharmatma and Neelam Saran under ‘Worldwide Pageants.’ Maini, aspiring to be a surgeon, aims to serve as a role model for women globally. Greeshma Bhat (Virginia) and Ishita Pai Raikar (North Carolina) were declared first and second runners-up, respectively.…

A team of researchers from Pennsylvania State University, led by Suvrath Mahadevan of Indian descent, has identified a planet beyond our solar system that challenges conventional wisdom. This newfound celestial body, named LHS 3154b, defies expectations by being excessively massive in relation to its host star. With a size equivalent to 13 Earth masses, its discovery prompts a reassessment of existing theories on planetary formation. LHS 3154b’s distinctiveness arises from its proximity to an ultracool dwarf star, marking the first instance of such a massive planet orbiting a low-mass star. Mahadevan highlighted the significance of this discovery, emphasizing the limited…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again achieved the highest global leader approval rating, securing an impressive 76 percent in a survey conducted by Morning Consult, a US-based consultancy firm. The ‘Global Leader Approval Rating Tracker’ indicates that 76 percent of Indians approve of PM Modi’s leadership, while 18 percent disapprove, with 6 percent withholding an opinion. These ratings, collected from November 29 to December 5, 2023, serve as a substantial boost for Modi and the BJP, especially as they approach the general elections in 2024, seeking a third consecutive term. Morning Consult calculates approval ratings based on a seven-day…

Professor Brajesh Singh, an Australian-based microbiology expert of Indian descent, has been bestowed with the 2023 Dorothy Jones Prize for his groundbreaking contributions to microbiology. This prestigious accolade acknowledges his significant role in advancing our understanding of terrestrial life and preserving the global ecosystem. The award ceremony took place at the BMA House in London last month, highlighting the international recognition of Singh’s achievements. As a renowned specialist in microbial functional ecology at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, located within Western Sydney University, Singh’s pioneering work goes beyond the laboratory. His research delves into crucial global challenges, such as…