Author: Nupur Rohila

Indian culture has found a solid foothold across continents—whether it’s the television shows in South Africa or the booming popularity of Indian cuisine in North America. The diverse flavors, languages, and traditions of India have gradually become global icons. Recently, a discussion took off on social media platform X that brought attention to an unlikely cultural hero—mango lassi. A user originally posted that nothing beats the lunch combo of butter chicken, garlic naan, basmati rice, and mango lassi. The post struck a chord with thousands and gained viral status, racking up more than 438,000 views, 232 comments, and over 11,000…

India’s semiconductor industry is on a rapid growth trajectory, with projected end-demand revenues expected to reach $108 billion by 2030, doubling from $54 billion in 2025, according to a new UBS report. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for this period is estimated at 15%, outpacing the global average due to India’s unique advantages, including a booming electronics market, increasing adoption of advanced chips by businesses, and robust government incentives. The report highlights that localisation efforts could generate up to $13 billion in revenue by 2030. This points to growing opportunities for domestic manufacturing, though challenges remain. Despite the promising…

In a groundbreaking legislative move, Georgia has become the first U.S. state to formally address Hinduphobia by introducing a bill that seeks to define and outlaw anti-Hindu bias. Senate Bill 375, supported by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, proposes to incorporate Hinduphobia into Georgia’s penal code, allowing hate crimes against Hindus to be categorized under existing anti-discrimination frameworks. Introduced with bipartisan cooperation, the bill is backed by Republican Senators Shawn Still and Clint Dixon, alongside Democratic Senators Jason Esteves and Emanuel D. Jones. The proposed legislation defines Hinduphobia as “a collection of antagonistic, demeaning, and harmful attitudes or actions directed…

The parents of 12-year-old Indian-American student Amara Chepuri are weighing legal options after their daughter was disqualified from the Tampa Bay regional spelling bee earlier this year. The young spelling prodigy stumbled on the word “pallbearer,” which, according to her family, wasn’t included in the official study list provided to participants. Her father argued that the disqualification was unjust and possibly cost his daughter a spot in the national championship. “She could have won. She’s one of the best spellers in Florida,” he told the Tampa Bay Times. Ahead of the contest, Amara had even reached out to her teacher…

On the spiritually significant day of Ram Navami, more than 200 people came together to witness a historic milestone—the foundation-laying ceremony of the Sadhu Vaswani Center for World Peace. This event marked the official start of a sanctuary envisioned by the revered Dada J.P. Vaswani, designed to be a beacon of peace and spiritual upliftment in the Western world. Leading the ceremony was Didi Krishna Kumari, the spiritual head of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission. She deliberately chose Ram Navami to symbolize the divine purpose behind the new center. According to her, this upcoming spiritual hub will not only foster peace…

The India Philanthropy Alliance (IPA) has officially launched its 6th Annual Youth Essay Competition, encouraging middle and high school students across the U.S. to explore social issues impacting India under the theme #FutureByYou. Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, the 2025 competition calls on young writers to research and present innovative, solution-oriented essays on India’s pressing challenges. The goal is to amplify youth voices and inspire fresh perspectives for India’s development. Winners from each category will receive a $1,000 grant to donate to a charity of their choice, while runners-up will be awarded $500 grants. Selected students will also…

India’s general insurance sector is forecasted to witness a 13% year-over-year rise in gross written premium (GWP) in the fiscal year 2026, according to India Ratings. This increase reflects a shift toward value-driven growth rather than a surge in new policyholders. In comparison, the industry recorded an 8.5% growth in FY25, following a higher 12.8% growth in FY24. Analysts credit this upcoming rise to ongoing inflation and higher reinsurance costs in certain segments, which are pushing up policy values. Another major growth engine will be Standalone Health Insurers (SAHIs), expected to jump by 21% in FY26. Their contribution to the…

Dr. Suresh Reddy has secured a second term as Trustee of Oak Brook Township in Illinois following the April 1, 2025 elections. Running against three other candidates for three open seats, Dr. Reddy won by a large margin and will serve alongside Jim Nagle and Dr. Melissa Martin. Grateful for the community’s overwhelming support, Dr. Reddy emphasized that this victory belongs to every resident committed to a progressive and inclusive Oak Brook. With a population of around 10,000, Oak Brook lies just 15 miles west of downtown Chicago and is surrounded by neighboring communities like Elmhurst, Downers Grove, and Lombard.…

In a notable gesture amid intensifying AI rivalry, Google CEO Sundar Pichai publicly congratulated Meta on the launch of its latest AI models from the Llama 4 suite. Meta unveiled three models—Llama 4 Maverick, Scout, and Behemoth—on Saturday, though only the Maverick and Scout models are currently available for download. Pichai posted on X, “Never a dull day in the AI world! Kudos to the Llama 4 team—Onwards!” Meta’s generative AI lead, Ahmad Al-Dale, replied with gratitude, matching the enthusiastic spirit. The launch of Llama 4 is widely seen as Meta’s direct challenge to Google’s AI tools, especially Gemini. The…

India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is breathing new life into the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). By aligning multiple national strategies such as Neighbourhood First, Act East, MAHASAGAR, and its Indo-Pacific vision, India is reinforcing the foundation and direction of BIMSTEC’s regional development. India’s commitment to institutional growth is evident through the appointment of Indra Mani Pandey, an experienced diplomat, as the Secretary General. Moreover, the group adopted its formal charter in May 2024, giving it global recognition and a structured framework. India’s $1 million grant to the BIMSTEC Secretariat…