Author: Nupur Rohila

Several US states and cities have officially designated August 15 as India Day, recognizing India’s Independence Day and celebrating the growing presence and contributions of the Indian American community. The proclamations highlight the community’s influence across business, education, healthcare, technology, science, culture, and civic life. Governors in Delaware, Washington, and Nebraska issued formal proclamations recognizing the occasion. In Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel also acknowledged the Federation of Indian Associations Ohio and the Consulate General of India in New York for their joint efforts to commemorate India’s 80th Independence Day. Washington state saw particularly broad participation,…

India’s economy could grow by 8% during the first quarter of fiscal year 2027, according to a new assessment by SBI Research. The estimate is more optimistic than the Reserve Bank of India’s projection of 7%, with the report pointing to resilient consumer demand, improving industrial activity, and continued government spending as key drivers of economic momentum. SBI Research reached its estimate using a nowcasting model that tracks 54 high-frequency indicators covering agriculture, industry, and services. The report found that 86% of these indicators showed stronger activity during Q1 FY27, compared with 69% during the corresponding period of the previous…

Indian actor Sayani Gupta is preparing to enter the US feature film industry with Arya, an independent drama in which she will play the central character, Arya Sinha. The film marks an important international step for the actor, who has built recognition through acclaimed Indian films and streaming projects. Gupta will portray a highly disciplined piano instructor who has trained at a prestigious Indian conservatory. Her character accepts an assignment in northern Minnesota despite her reluctance, seeing the opportunity as a way to help revive a struggling school band program while advancing her own professional ambitions in India. However, Arya’s…

California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Shweta Maurya of Campbell as senior product manager at the state’s Office of Data and Innovation, adding an experienced technology and business professional to an agency focused on modernizing government services. Maurya’s appointment comes as California continues to emphasize technology, innovation and data-informed decision-making across its government operations. In her new position, she will work on digital products and initiatives designed to make public services more effective and accessible while helping government teams develop solutions around the needs of residents. The Office of Data and Innovation plays a key role in California’s efforts to…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Vice President JD Vance held a phone conversation on Saturday, Aug. 8, focusing on opportunities to further expand the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership between India and the United States. During the call, Modi also congratulated Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance on the birth of their son. The prime minister extended his greetings and best wishes to the family while discussing the broader trajectory of bilateral relations. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the two leaders highlighted the continued pace of high-level engagement between New Delhi and Washington. They reaffirmed their intention to strengthen…

The United States has become India’s largest source of liquefied petroleum gas, signaling a notable change in the country’s energy import strategy. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on August 7 that American supplies now account for approximately 67 percent of India’s LPG imports. The development represents a significant change from India’s earlier plans. According to Puri, the government had initially decided to obtain about 10 percent of its LPG requirements from the United States. That decision was made as part of India’s independent energy strategy and was not prompted by concerns about potential disruptions in…

India’s commercial coal mining reforms have brought significant changes to the country’s coal sector by improving competition, increasing private sector involvement, and creating a more efficient mining environment. Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy highlighted the progress made through these reforms during a meeting of the Consultative Committee of Members of Parliament associated with the Ministry of Coal. The minister stated that policy changes introduced over the past 12 years have transformed the coal industry by establishing a transparent auction-based system. These measures have encouraged greater participation from private companies, increased investment opportunities, and helped create a…

India has expanded its international efforts to combat drug trafficking by strengthening cooperation with several countries, including the United States. Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed the Lok Sabha that India has established bilateral agreements with 27 nations and signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with 19 countries to improve coordination against illegal drug networks. Responding to questions raised by Shiv Sena MPs Naresh Ganpat Mhaske and Shrikant Shinde, Rai highlighted the role of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in maintaining regular discussions with international agencies. The NCB conducts Director General-level meetings and bilateral talks with countries such…

The third edition of the ISRO Robotics Challenge–URSC (IRoC-U) 2026 has highlighted India’s growing talent in robotics, artificial intelligence, and space technology, with students developing advanced autonomous systems aimed at supporting future planetary exploration missions. Organized by the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), the national-level competition attracted nearly 590 student teams from across India. After multiple rounds of design improvements, testing, and experimentation, 20 shortlisted teams participated in the final field round held in Bengaluru from July 21 to July 23. The 2026 challenge, titled “Towards Swarm Expedition: Autonomous Surveyor Challenge for Exploration, Navigation and Dynamics” (ASCEND), required participants to…

A powerful solar event produced dazzling auroras across parts of the Northern Hemisphere, while astronauts aboard the International Space Station enjoyed an extraordinary view from orbit. Among those witnessing the colorful display was Indian-American NASA astronaut Anil Menon, who experienced the phenomenon from space for the first time. The auroras appeared after a coronal mass ejection (CME) struck Earth’s magnetosphere around midday on August 2, generating a moderate G2 geomagnetic storm. Scientists believe the solar material originated either from a slower-moving CME released on July 27 or from a weaker eruption that occurred on July 30. The interaction between the…