Author: Nupur Rohila

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…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Indian diaspora in Thailand for their warm and enthusiastic welcome. He also described witnessing a performance of Ramakien, the Thai adaptation of the Ramayana, as an “enriching experience.” Upon his arrival in Bangkok for the BIMSTEC Summit, PM Modi attended a performance of Ramakien, a cultural spectacle that underscores the deep historical and civilizational ties between India and Thailand. This traditional Thai retelling of the Ramayana has played a significant role in shaping Thailand’s cultural identity and its connection with India. As he reached his hotel, he was…

The film A Nice Indian Boy delivers all the charm of a classic romantic comedy while exploring love, culture, and family dynamics in an Indian American setting. Directed by Roshan Sethi, the film stars Karan Soni (Deadpool) as Naveen, a cautious doctor, and Jonathan Groff (Glee, Hamilton) as Jay, a charismatic photographer. Based on Madhuri Shekar’s play and written by Eric Randall, the film follows Naveen as he meets Jay in a temple’s prayer room and again during a photo shoot. Though drawn to each other, Naveen hesitates to embrace his feelings, largely due to his protective nature and the…

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Chile’s President Gabriel Boric Font at Hyderabad House, as confirmed by Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal. The leaders are set to hold extensive talks to enhance and expand the strong bilateral ties between India and Chile. Font, earlier in the day, paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat, signing the visitors’ book in tribute to the iconic leader. He shared on X, “Along with our delegation, we paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat in New Delhi. His legacy teaches us that India and Chile not…

In 2024, Indian Americans offered a mixed assessment of the U.S.-India relationship, following the re-election of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump. A Carnegie Endowment survey found that while a significant portion of Indian Americans approved of the Biden administration’s management of U.S.-India ties, their opinions on Trump’s potential impact on future relations were more divided. Indian Americans are concerned about the prospect of bilateral relations deteriorating under Trump, especially when compared to the Biden administration’s positive stance. Despite this, many approve of Modi’s performance and view India’s trajectory more favorably than in 2020. In particular,…

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau recently engaged in a high-level discussion, focusing on key bilateral issues. The two officials explored ways to minimize trade restrictions, enhance defense and technology cooperation, and address illegal immigration to the United States, according to a statement from the US Department of State, spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed. During the discussion, Deputy Secretary Landau expressed appreciation for India’s assistance in tackling illegal immigration and requested continued support on this issue. The dialogue also covered broader concerns, including economic security and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. The talks come…