The petrochemical sector plays an essential role in India’s economic growth, fueling industries like plastics, textiles, and automobiles. With a market value of $220 billion, this sector contributes around 6% to the nation’s GDP. However, despite its size, India still imports nearly 45% of its petrochemical intermediates, showing a reliance on external suppliers. To change this, the country is focusing on a comprehensive strategy that includes over $124 billion in planned investments. The goal is to cut down on imports and strengthen domestic production by implementing key initiatives such as rationalizing tariffs, improving infrastructure, and introducing production-linked incentives (PLIs). Achieving…
Author: Nupur Rohila
Nupur Rohila
Love, nature, women's empowerment, and social issues make up the bulk of Nupur's writing topics. She earned a Master of Arts in Ancient History and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Delhi University before she began writing. It just so happens that Nupur also aced the Junior Research Fellowship exam for history. At present, Neha is working as a freelance content writer.
Usha Chilukuri Vance, the wife of JD Vance, has become the first Indian-American and Hindu Second Lady of the United States. At 39, she is the youngest to hold the title since 38-year-old Jane Hadley Barkley, wife of former Vice President Alben Barkley. During the inauguration ceremony, Usha, clad in a pink coat, held the Bible with one hand and her daughter Mirabel Rose with the other as JD Vance was sworn in as the 50th Vice President by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, her mentor. A lawyer and daughter of Indian immigrants from Vadluru village in Andhra Pradesh’s West…
India’s insurance industry is poised for substantial growth in FY25, buoyed by strong economic expansion, rising incomes, and greater awareness of health risks. Moody’s forecasts that higher premiums, fueled by government reforms, price hikes, and a burgeoning middle class, will drive this progress. While GDP growth is expected to slow slightly to 7%, GDP per capita is forecasted to rise by 11%, reaching approximately US$ 10,233. Health insurance premiums have already surged by 21% in the first eight months of FY24, showcasing significant momentum in the sector. Despite challenges such as underwriting losses linked to weak pricing and higher claims,…
Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, January 20, marking his second non-consecutive term. Unlike the turbulent transition of 2021, this inauguration is expected to be more peaceful, with President Joe Biden attending the ceremony alongside all living former U.S. Presidents—a testament to the country’s democratic traditions. Within the Indian American community, political affiliations are evolving. While 68% of Indian Americans traditionally identify as Democrats, recent elections showed stronger Republican support among young Indian American men, including tech professionals and recent immigrants. This demographic shift aligns with a broader trend among…
Amid the devastation caused by the Palisades, Eaton, and other fires sweeping across the Los Angeles area, BAPS Charities, the humanitarian arm of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir, has mobilized to provide essential relief and support to thousands of displaced families. Partnering with local authorities, emergency responders, and mutual aid organizations, BAPS Charities has been at the forefront of delivering aid to the hardest-hit communities. Leading the volunteer efforts are Yogin and Hetal Patel, evacuees from Pasadena. Despite their own displacement, they have focused their efforts on supporting others. Yogin Patel expressed, “Having experienced the overwhelming feeling of leaving everything…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauded Indian space startup Digantara for the groundbreaking success of its Mission SCOT. Highlighting the mission’s role in bolstering space situational awareness, he shared his congratulations on the social media platform X, calling it a significant milestone for India’s expanding space sector. Digantara expressed gratitude for the Prime Minister’s recognition, emphasizing how Mission SCOT enhances India’s national security framework while establishing the nation as a global leader in space domain awareness. The startup reiterated its commitment to shaping the future of space technology in line with India’s strategic goals. Mission SCOT, as announced by Digantara, has…
Arvind Venkat, 50, made history as the first Indian-American elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Representing the 30th district, the Democratic lawmaker also continues his career as an emergency physician. Since taking office in December 2022 and being re-elected in November 2024, Venkat has focused on improving healthcare accessibility and affordability for Pennsylvanians. Discussing his political journey, Venkat shared that earning voter trust in a district with only 6-7% South Asian residents was a significant challenge. To connect with constituents, he knocked on over 34,000 doors since his first campaign in February 2022, building meaningful relationships in the process.…
Tarun Das, former Director General of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has been conferred the prestigious Honorary Citizen Award by Singapore for his exceptional contributions to strengthening ties between Singapore and India. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam presented the honor during a ceremony in New Delhi on Wednesday. The Honorary Citizen Award is the highest recognition Singapore offers to non-citizens for significant contributions to the nation’s growth in fields such as business, science, education, culture, and more. Das, a key advocate for Singapore in India, played an instrumental role in fostering Singapore-India relations for over three decades. In 1993, Das led…
The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has introduced updated guidelines, adding two new payment options for rooftop solar installations under the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. This development ensures enhanced payment security and facilitates subsidy grants to households using Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) or utility-led aggregation (ULA) models. The scheme now includes a “Payment Security Mechanism” (PSM) and “Central Financial Assistance” to de-risk investments in rooftop solar setups, particularly those based on RESCO or ULA models. A budget of $12 million has been allocated to the PSM, with provisions to supplement these funds through additional grants or resources…
The Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj began on Monday with the auspicious ‘Shahi Snan’ on ‘Paush Purnima,’ drawing millions of devotees to the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Recognized as the world’s largest human gathering, the event has captivated global visitors seeking spiritual connection and cultural insight. Michael, a former US Army soldier now known as ‘Baba Mokshapuri,’ shared his journey to asceticism. “Life’s impermanence led me to seek salvation. This event’s spiritual energy is extraordinary,” said Michael, now associated with the Juna Akhara. International visitors, including South Korean YouTubers, Japanese tourists, and European pilgrims, were…
