Author: Malavika Subramanyan

With a strong emphasis on improving travel convenience, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled a comprehensive plan to enhance multimodal connectivity in India. This initiative includes the modernization and upgradation of the Indian Railways and its stations. During the launch of nine Vande Bharat trains, PM Modi affirmed his government’s commitment to revamp railway stations in line with the Ek Bharat Sreshth Bharat philosophy. He specifically mentioned that several railway stations, still bearing remnants of colonial rule, would undergo transformation into Amrit Bharat railway stations. The introduction of Vande Bharat trains symbolizes India’s progressive growth and economic development, serving as…

Parineeti Chopra is set to reunite with Akshay Kumar for the film “Mission Raniganj,” where they will bring the real-life story of mining engineer Jaswant Singh Gill to the big screen. While promoting the movie, Parineeti also reflected on her previous work, including the YRF romantic drama “Meri Pyaari Bindu,” in which she starred opposite Ayushmann Khurrana. “Meri Pyaari Bindu” received love for its music but initially struggled to attract a broad theater-going audience and did not perform well at the box office. However, over time, the film gained a dedicated following among Bollywood romance drama fans. Parineeti discussed the…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the paramount role of Parliament in serving the nation, underlining that it exists not for the benefit of any political party but solely for the development of the country. During the inaugural session in the New Parliament building, he referred to this moment as the beginning of the ‘Amrit Kaal,’ signifying India’s forward march into the new Parliament structure. Prime Minister Modi highlighted recent achievements, including the success of Chandrayaan 3 and India’s role in organizing the G20. He emphasized the need to turn resolutions into action and to move forward with renewed vigor and…

The International Women of the Year Award was bestowed upon Shallu Jindal during the Swadeshi Mela Indian American Trade Fair, a collaborative effort by the DTribals Foundation and the Consulate General of India in Chicago. This recognition celebrated Jindal’s tireless work in uplifting rural and tribal communities not only in states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand but also beyond India’s borders. Somnath Ghosh, the Indian Consul General in Chicago, graced the event’s opening ceremony as the chief guest. Expressing her gratitude, Jindal reiterated her commitment to enhancing the lives of Indian citizens. She acknowledged the honor as a testament to…

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…