Author: Nupur Rohila

Las Vegas became the backdrop for a historic achievement in Indian chess as 21-year-old Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi reached the semifinals of the prestigious Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour. By doing so, he became the first Indian player ever to make it this far in the tournament’s history. Currently ranked World No. 5, Erigaisi advanced to the final four after a dominant performance against Uzbekistan’s World No. 7 Nodirbek Abdusattorov in the quarterfinals. He clinched the first rapid game and held a draw in the second, sealing a 1.5 – 0.5 victory under a format that emphasizes originality and creative strategy…

Dr. Pratibha Sharma, a globally recognized leader in biomedical engineering and a transformative figure in heart failure research, has joined the South Asian Community Health Initiative (SACHI). Her appointment marks a pivotal step in strengthening mentorship, innovation, and research in the fight against cardiovascular disease. Dr. Sharma has built an impressive career at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where her work has revolutionized how congestive heart failure (CHF) is detected and managed. By combining advanced computational tools like machine learning, wavelet analysis, and sophisticated signal processing, she has developed groundbreaking techniques to identify early warning signs of CHF through…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly welcomed Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returned from his groundbreaking journey to the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla participated in the Axiom-4 mission, spending nearly three weeks in space and becoming the first Indian to visit the ISS. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying Shukla and his crewmates splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean at approximately 3:00 PM IST on July 15, 2025, after a 22-hour return journey. The crew undocked from the ISS on July 14 after completing a series of complex scientific operations. In a message shared on X, Prime Minister Modi…

In a groundbreaking moment for global cybersecurity, Google CEO Sundar Pichai revealed on July 15 that the tech giant’s AI system, known as Big Sleep, has successfully intercepted and neutralized a cyber exploit before it was launched. This achievement represents the first-ever case where artificial intelligence actively prevented a cyberattack from happening. Pichai shared the update on X, formerly Twitter, stating, “Our AI agent Big Sleep just helped us stop a cyber exploit before it could even start. We believe this is a first for AI in cybersecurity—but certainly not the last.” This event signals a pivotal change in the…

After completing a groundbreaking 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and his Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) team are now headed home. The crew, traveling in SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, is set to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego at 2:31 a.m. PT on July 15, 2025. This translates to 3:01 p.m. IST for audiences back in India. SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, confirmed that Dragon will signal its imminent arrival with a sharp sonic boom just before hitting the water. After detaching from the ISS on July…

A grand spiritual gathering celebrating the Bhagavad Gita took place at Allen Stadium in Dallas, drawing more than 10,000 attendees from across the globe. The event was spearheaded by spiritual luminary Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji, the revered leader of Avadhoota Datta Peetham. This international assembly marked a momentous occasion as devotees collectively recited all 700 verses of the Bhagavad Gita in unison. Following last year’s overwhelming success, participants from 14 different nations once again joined forces to share in this powerful spiritual experience. Under Swamiji’s guidance, many followers have memorized the sacred scripture, reporting transformative personal growth and deeper spiritual awareness.…

In a significant diplomatic engagement, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing on Monday, signaling an ongoing thaw in relations between the two Asian giants. This marks Jaishankar’s first visit to China in five years, a trip aimed at keeping the momentum of dialogue moving forward. During his meeting, Jaishankar expressed India’s support for China’s presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), reiterating India’s commitment to regional cooperation. In a social media post, he stated thathe was “pleased to meet Vice President Han Zheng soon after arriving in Beijing,” adding that he…

The Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC) is proud to present the 17th Annual Erasing Borders Dance Festival in New York City on September 20 and 21, 2025, at 6 PM. Taking place at the Ailey Citigroup Theater on 405 W 55th St, this two-day celebration of Indian classical and contemporary dance showcases globally recognized artists. Tickets begin at $25 and are available at iaac.us. The festival kicks off on Saturday, September 20, with an exciting lineup: Bharatanatyam student dancers from Nrithyanjali School (led by Ramya Ramnarayan), an Odissi solo by Trina Sarkar, Kuchipudi by Kalanidhi, Kathak by Chitresh Das Dance Company,…

At the 11th edition of India Energy Storage Week (IESW) 2025 held in New Delhi, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Piyush Goyal, spotlighted India’s extraordinary journey in clean energy. Over the past ten years, India’s solar power capacity has grown an astounding 4,000%, pushing the country’s total renewable energy capacity to 227 gigawatts (GW). He proudly stated that India is likely the first G20 nation to meet its climate goals as per its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Climate Agreement. He shared the success of Palli village in Jammu & Kashmir, which became India’s first carbon-neutral…

The sacred Hindu month of Sawan, also known as Shravan, began this week and continues until August 9, 2025, ending with Sawan Purnima. Deeply revered by devotees of Lord Shiva, this month is dedicated to spiritual discipline, simplicity, and sacred rituals. Sawan is considered highly auspicious, especially Mondays (Sawan Somwar), which are devoted entirely to Shiva. Millions of worshippers observe fasts, visit temples, and engage in prayer and meditation to seek blessings and inner peace. This month is not just about rituals—it’s a call to live mindfully and lead a purer life. Here are the Dos and Don’ts every…