Author: Malavika Subramanyan

The University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health reveals that more than 50% of parents rank mental health concerns as their children’s top health issue. Emotional health and technology usage dominate this year’s list of parental concerns, surpassing childhood obesity, which was the leading concern a decade ago. Mott Poll co-director Susan Woolford, M.D., M.P.H., notes that parents now prioritize mental health, social media, and screen time over concerns about physical health like unhealthy eating and obesity. The poll, based on 2,099 responses collected in February, indicates that over two-thirds of parents are worried…

As outlined in a recent report by GlobalData, the trajectory of card payments in India is set to reach a significant milestone in 2023, projected to hit Rs. 27.9 trillion (US$ 340 billion). This represents a substantial 28.6% year-over-year growth. GlobalData, a prominent data and analytics company headquartered in London, attributes this robust rise in the value of card payments in India to multiple factors. The nation’s burgeoning economy, coupled with the increasing preference of consumers for electronic payments, has significantly contributed to this upward trend. Additionally, regulatory efforts aimed at promoting cashless transactions have played a role in bolstering…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed India’s endorsement of the expansion of the BRICS multilateral forum during his address at the 15th BRICS Summit’s open plenary session. He welcomed the progression towards a consensus on this matter, emphasizing India’s full support for it. Additionally, PM Modi put forth five recommendations to the leaders of BRICS countries as part of the ongoing summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. He conveyed the idea that BRICS could signify “Breaking Barriers, Revitalising Economies, Inspiring Innovations, Creating Opportunities, and Shaping Futures.” Highlighting the significant strides made by BRICS over its 16-year journey, PM Modi underscored the importance…

The anticipation for “Jawan” is unparalleled, featuring Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role and slated for release in just a few weeks. This Atlee-directed film has brought together action directors from around the globe to craft breathtaking action sequences. Previous reports from Bollywood Hungama revealed Spiro Razatos’ involvement, alongside Yannick Ben, Craig Macrae, Kecha Khamphakdee, Sunil Rodrigues, and Anal Arasu—all renowned for their contributions to top-notch action films worldwide. A credible source close to the project shared that “Jawan” boasts the expertise of six major action directors: Spiro Razatos, Yannick Ben, Craig Macrae, Kecha Khamphakdee, Sunil Rodrigues, and Anal…

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…