Author: Malavika Subramanyan

Two Indian directors achieved recognition at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) closing ceremony. Jayant Digambar Somalkar’s debut Marathi film, “Sthal,” earned an award from the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC), while Tarsem Singh Dhandwar’s “Dear Jassi” received the Platform Award. “Sthal” narrates the story of a young woman’s battle against oppressive patriarchy, and Somalkar dedicated his award to courageous women worldwide. “Dear Jassi” garnered praise for its candid portrayal of the impact of caste systems, along with commendations for its craftsmanship and performances by its young leads. Both films gained international recognition, with “Sthal” being…

The United Kingdom government has appointed Dr. Samir Shah, an Indian-born race relations expert, to join a three-person panel responsible for independently reviewing the unrest that occurred in Leicester last year. This unrest stemmed from clashes between community groups following an India-Pakistan Asia Cup cricket match in Dubai. Dr. Samir Shah, who received a CBE honor in 2019 for his contributions to heritage and television, will work alongside other expert panel members to present their findings by the upcoming year. This decision was announced by the UK government on September 18. Dr. Shah’s background makes him well-suited for this review.…

Vicky Kaushal’s marriage to actress Katrina Kaif in December 2021 made headlines in the Bollywood industry and among their fans. The couple received widespread praise, and their wedding visuals from Rajasthan quickly went viral. Since then, Vicky has openly discussed his wife in various public forums. Recently, the actor known for his role in “Sardar Udham” confessed that Katrina plays the role of the fashion police in their family. When it comes to Katrina Kaif’s impeccable fashion sense and public appearances, she rarely makes fashion missteps. It’s no surprise that she would have a say in her husband Vicky Kaushal’s…

Professor Abhay Karandikar, the Director of the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K), has assumed the role of Secretary for the Department of Science and Technology (DST). This appointment marks a significant development, as it follows a two-month interim period in the department without a leader. Karandikar, aged 58, brought with him a wealth of expertise, particularly as one of the nation’s foremost telecommunications authorities. Prior to his role at DST, he spent five years at IIT-K. His association with IIT Bombay began in 1997, where he held various key positions. He served as the Dean of Faculty Affairs from…

Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican presidential candidate of Indian American descent, has voiced strong opposition to the H-1B visa program, characterizing it as a form of “indentured servitude.” He pledged to abolish the program if elected, as reported by Politico. The H-1B visa program is a non-immigrant visa category widely favored by Indian professionals, enabling them to work in specialized fields in the United States that demand a high level of theoretical or technical expertise. Indian nationals receive the majority of these visas, making them the program’s largest group of beneficiaries. During his tenure as CEO of the healthcare company Roivant…

Columbia University’s Barnard College has taken a significant step to combat discrimination and bias by revising its Notice of Non-Discrimination. The notable addition to this policy is the inclusion of “caste” as a protected category, driven by the efforts of Anupama Rao, a history professor and the director of Barnard’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The implementation of this policy falls under the Office of Nondiscrimination and Title IX of CARES. This change is intended to benefit all members of the Barnard College community and aims to prevent bias and discrimination rooted in a person’s caste background, particularly those…

Nabarun Dasgupta, an Indian American scientist, has earned a place in TIME’s 2023 TIME100 Next list as an advocate. In recent years, this scientist, affiliated with the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina, has actively engaged in an initiative through the nonprofit organization Remedy Alliance. The primary focus of this program was to overcome challenges hindering the distribution of naloxone, a critical drug used to reverse opioid overdoses, especially among those at the forefront of tackling the opioid crisis. Through innovative approaches such as establishing new supply chains and bulk purchasing of naloxone, the…

At a recent event at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, DC, Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the growing collaboration between India and the United States. Blinken highlighted the dynamism of the U.S.-India strategic partnership, citing cooperation in advanced semiconductors and defense. During Prime Minister Modi’s state visit to the U.S. in June, the White House announced significant investments of US $3.55 billion by American companies in a semiconductor assembly and test facility in India. This investment aimed to diversify India’s semiconductor supply chain and promote semiconductor education and workforce development by having Lam…

The fiscal year FY24 is expected to witness a positive trend in the profitability of banks, even though the growth rate may vary in percentage terms due to robust projections for the loan book’s expansion. ICRA experts, a reputable rating agency, anticipate that Public Sector Banks (PSBs) will maintain a strong overall profitability exceeding Rs. 1 lakh crore (US$ 12 billion). During a recent webinar, analysts from the agency reiterated their optimistic outlook for the banking sector. They anticipate that the sector’s loan portfolio will continue to experience substantial growth in FY24, which will consequently boost earnings. Furthermore, lower credit…

Raj Subramaniam, the President and CEO of FedEx Corporation, will receive the 2023 Pinnacle Award at the 2023 Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business Award. The award is presented by the Asian American Business Development Center (AABDC) and recognizes those who have reached the pinnacle of their professional careers. Subramaniam will be honored along with 50 other Asian American executives at a gala dinner on September 21. John Wang, President and Founder of AABDC, praised Subramaniam’s leadership in the logistics and supply chain industry, stating that he serves as an inspiration and role model for the Asian American professional community.…