Author: Nupur Rohila

Festivals often serve as a bridge for migrant communities to remain connected to their heritage while living abroad. Among them, Indians form one of the largest diaspora groups worldwide, and their cultural influence continues to grow. Recognizing this, several US states have begun officially observing Diwali, the festival of lights, as a public holiday. In a landmark decision, California has now declared Diwali a state holiday, further strengthening the acknowledgment of Indian traditions in American society. The move came through the AB 268 Bill, introduced earlier this year by Assembly Members Ash Kalra and Dr. Darshana Patel, with Senator Ben…

India’s emphatic seven-wicket win over Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday carried emotions far deeper than the result itself. Vice-captain Shubman Gill, in a heartfelt message, dedicated the triumph to the victims of the April Pahalgam attack and India’s armed forces, striking a powerful chord with fans across the nation. “Today’s win is dedicated to the victims of Pahalgam and to our brave armed forces who continue to safeguard us. The spirit of India lives on both on and off the field. Jai Hind,” Gill shared on Instagram, alongside celebratory images of the team. His words reminded millions that cricket often…

Indians worldwide have a reason to celebrate as North America now boasts its tallest statue of Lord Shiva. A magnificent 54-foot idol of the deity was recently inaugurated at Bhavani Shankar Mandir in Brampton, Greater Toronto Area. The unveiling drew over a thousand devotees and visitors, with rituals that included a Rath Yatra procession and traditional consecration ceremonies. The creation of the statue was made possible through community fundraising, generous contributions, and the dedication of countless volunteers. Crafted by Naresh Kumar Kumawat, the statue took nearly two years to design and build. Adorned with a vibrant finish and a towering…

India, Iran, and Uzbekistan convened their first foreign ministries-level trilateral meeting, focusing on strengthening security collaboration and expanding regional influence. A major highlight was the decision to enhance the use of Iran’s Chabahar Port, providing Uzbekistan with a strategic gateway for trade with India. Held in Tehran on September 9, the meeting stressed the importance of improving connectivity through infrastructure and strategic corridors. The International North-South Transit Corridor (INSTC) and Chabahar Port were identified as critical tools for facilitating trade, boosting economic growth, and increasing India’s geopolitical presence in Central Asia. The officials reviewed progress from the third Chabahar Working…

Ram Mohan, an Indian-American technology visionary and widely regarded as one of the pioneers of the multilingual Internet, will be inducted into the prestigious Internet Hall of Fame. The recognition celebrates individuals whose efforts have fundamentally shaped the Internet’s global growth and accessibility. Originally from Chennai and educated in Manipal and Trichy, Mohan has built a career around advancing inclusivity and strengthening digital infrastructure. His relentless work in creating a multilingual online space has earned him worldwide respect, positioning him as a transformative figure in the Internet’s evolution. Between 2004 and 2018, Mohan spearheaded a mission to revitalize India’s country…

Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan officially assumed office as the 15th Vice President of India on Friday, following a swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, key Union Ministers, and several political leaders. According to NDA sources, September 12 was chosen for the ceremony as the time had been declared “auspicious” by priests. Radhakrishnan, the National Democratic Alliance’s candidate, secured a decisive victory in the vice-presidential election earlier this week. He received 452 votes, defeating Opposition nominee and former Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy,…

Fitch Ratings has revised India’s economic growth projection for fiscal year 2026, raising it to 6.9% from the earlier 6.5%, as strong household demand and favorable financial conditions continue to fuel expansion. The decision followed a robust performance in the April–June quarter, where gross domestic product (GDP) grew 7.8% year-on-year, compared with 7.4% in the preceding quarter. A sharp rise in services was a major factor, with output surging 9.3% compared to 6.8% previously. On the demand side, both household and government spending played a critical role, with private consumption climbing 7% during the first quarter. Despite the upbeat momentum,…

Baiju Bhatt, the Indian-American co-founder of the popular stock trading platform Robinhood, has been named among the 10 youngest members of Forbes’ 400 richest Americans for 2025. At 40, he is the only person of Indian origin in this elite group, alongside global names such as Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg, 41, and Walmart heir Luke Walton, 38. Bhatt currently holds a net worth of $6 billion, largely stemming from his 6% stake in Robinhood. He co-founded the app in 2013 with Vlad Tenev, a college friend from Stanford University. Bhatt served as co-CEO of Robinhood until 2020, after which he…

US President Donald Trump has called on European Union officials to adopt tariffs of up to 100% on Chinese products as part of a coordinated effort to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to a US official and an EU diplomat, Trump also encouraged the bloc to impose similar tariffs on Indian goods, arguing that both nations’ purchases of Russian oil are helping sustain Moscow’s economy during its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022. The request was made during a conference call with EU sanctions envoy David O’Sullivan and other European representatives currently in Washington for sanctions discussions.…

India is preparing to take a major step in its trade diplomacy by finalizing the terms of reference for a free trade agreement (FTA) with Qatar in the first week of October. According to a senior government official, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is expected to travel to Doha on October 6 to conclude discussions. The idea of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) between the two countries was first floated in February during the visit of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to New Delhi. Both sides committed to doubling bilateral trade by 2030, marking a renewed focus on strengthening…