Author: Malavika Subramanyan

Nikki Haley, the former Governor of South Carolina and US Ambassador to the United Nations, is recognized for her ability to bring a sense of calm to divisive national political issues. With a significant number of Indian-American friends and donors, she stands out as a Republican presidential candidate capable of garnering support from Democrats while maintaining her Republican principles. At 51 years old, Haley is the sole female Republican contender for the 2024 primary debate, set for August 23 in Milwaukee. This debate is notable as it features two Indian-Americans, Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy, participating in a primary presidential debate…

Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli, a widely celebrated celebrity couple, have garnered an enormous social media following. Their devoted fan base, fondly known as Virushka fans, eagerly anticipates their affectionate images shared on platforms like Instagram. While both Anushka and Virat opt for privacy, they occasionally grace us with glimpses into their everyday lives through endearing snapshots. Notably, Virat Kohli recently posted a delightful photograph from their Barbados vacation, capturing the couple outside a cafe. Subsequently, another image from their Barbados sojourn has surfaced on social media. During their time in Barbados, Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli enjoyed a lunch…

The University of South Florida (USF) is set to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of five Indian-origin faculty members through its Faculty Outstanding Research Achievement Awards. Covering an array of fields including biology, business, communication, education, engineering, medicine, psychology, and public health, these individuals have significantly advanced research in their respective domains. One awardee, Faizan Ali, an associate professor at the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management within the Muma College of Business at the USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus, has been commended for his impactful contributions to the realm of hospitality and tourism management. His work has notably elevated research methodologies that…

As the BRICS summit of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa approaches, New Delhi and Beijing are engaging in rapid military diplomacy. High-level discussions between Indian and Chinese corps commanders have focused on reducing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend the summit in Johannesburg. Talks at the Major General level have also taken place to address longstanding issues in the Depsang plains. This development suggests the possibility of disengagement in remaining conflict areas along the LAC. In the event that an agreement is…

In response to layoffs and a hiring freeze, Indian tech firms are shifting their focus towards upskilling current employees, aiming to address talent shortages, as per Scaler’s 2023 hiring survey. The study encompassed over 100 startups, global capability centers (GCC), IT service providers, and multinational product companies in India. Approximately two-thirds of the surveyed entities have invested in upskilling initiatives for their workforce. The survey results reveal that 61.6% of participants are financially supporting employee upskilling programs. Among the respondents, 72.02% emphasized the significance of data science and algorithms as critical skills. Additionally, 91.02% sought candidates with problem-solving capabilities, and…

The production of the third Welcome installment, titled “Welcome to the Jungle,” has been underway for some time. Recently, the news broke that Welcome 3 would feature Akshay Kumar in the lead role, accompanied by Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, and Paresh Rawal in pivotal roles. However, it was noted that Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor are no longer part of the project. The movie’s creators have now designated Christmas 2024 as the release date for the anticipated third installment. Following the pattern set by the original Welcome film, which premiered on Christmas in 2007, producer Firoz A Nadiadwala has chosen…

Aligned with India’s new National Education Policy, the United States has initiated an educational program enabling Indian students to pursue one-year specialized master’s degrees in STEM fields at American universities. The program, slated for the fall semester of 2024, caters to science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines. Upon program completion, students can remain in the US for up to three years to acquire industry experience and repay student loans, in accordance with relevant visa regulations. Collaboration discussions involve 20 American and 15 Indian universities, facilitated by the US State Department. The initiative’s architect, Akhilesh Lakhtakia, a Jefferson Science Fellow at…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude for the unwavering and non-partisan backing provided by the US Congress to foster India-US relations. This acknowledgment came about during a meeting with a contingent of American lawmakers, led by Congressman Ro Khanna and Congressman Michael Waltz. These two Congressmen co-chair the bipartisan Congressional Caucus. During their official visit to India, the delegation had the privilege of meeting with Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi. Notable figures such as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Ajit Doval (India’s National Security Advisor), and US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti were also in attendance at this…

During Vishwakarma Jayanti, MSME Minister Mr. Narayan Rane announced the upcoming Vishwakarma Yojana by the central government. This scheme aims to provide support to artisans and craftsmen involved in traditional industries falling under the MSME sector. Scheduled for launch on September 17, Vishwakarma Jayanti this year, the initiative is intended to empower these traditional industries. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech, highlighted the Vishwakarma Yojana’s launch to benefit individuals skilled in traditional crafts, particularly from the OBC community. The scheme, backed by an allocation of around Rs. 13,000-15,000 crore (US$ 1.56-1.80 billion), will aid weavers, goldsmiths,…

Manu Raju, CNN’s Chief Congressional Correspondent, has been selected as the new host of the Sunday morning show “Inside Politics,” according to the network’s announcement. The Indian American journalist is taking over from Abby Phillips, who has been promoted to the 10 p.m. primetime slot. Raju’s responsibilities will extend to covering Capitol Hill while also heading the Sunday show. CNN emphasized that Raju’s extensive experience reporting from Washington will ensure the delivery of accurate breaking news and analysis on significant political stories, thanks to the contributions of adept reporters. CNN’s declaration of these changes highlights their commitment to showcasing a…