Author: Nupur Rohila

Victor Menezes, a distinguished Indian American banker and philanthropist, passed away on Monday. He was instrumental in founding the American India Foundation (AIF), an impactful philanthropic organization established after the devastating 2001 earthquake in Bhuj, India. AIF, now serving over 18.88 million people, praised Menezes for his leadership, mentorship, and commitment to social change, stating that his legacy would continue to guide the foundation for generations. As AIF’s chairman emeritus, Menezes was known for his strong belief in partnerships between India and the United States, as well as between individuals, organizations, and communities. His 32-year tenure at Citigroup, where he…

On the 23rd day of the Maha Kumbh in the spiritual city of Sangam, Prayagraj, an extraordinary young figure has captured the attention and admiration of thousands of devotees. This inspiring personality is none other than ‘Nanha Gandhi,’ a young boy who has taken it upon himself to spread the crucial message of cleanliness. Amidst the sacred rituals and the massive influx of millions of pilgrims who have come to take a holy dip in the divine waters, this small yet determined ambassador for hygiene is urging everyone to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings. His primary focus remains on keeping…

Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak enjoyed a casual game of cricket in Mumbai on Sunday, engaging in a lively tennis ball match as spectators cheered him on. Sharing the moment on X (formerly Twitter), he remarked, “No trip to Mumbai would be complete without a game of tennis ball cricket.” Prior to his visit to Mumbai, Sunak attended the Jaipur Literature Festival alongside his wife, Akshata Murthy, and her parents, Narayan and Sudha Murthy. The festival’s official X account highlighted a discussion featuring Sudha Murthy and Akshata Murthy, where the duo shared personal insights, life choices, and experiences in…

Continuing the tradition, Maha Kumbh 2025 has drawn over 275 million devotees to the Triveni Sangam for the holy dip since its commencement. On Thursday alone, more than 4.5 million pilgrims visited, including over a million Kalpwasis. Authorities have ramped up efforts to manage the massive crowds and ensure smooth arrangements for visitors. A tragic turn of events occurred early Wednesday when a stampede-like situation led to multiple casualties and injuries. Following a brief pause, saints resumed their arrival at Triveni Sangam for the second Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya. Despite the unfortunate incident, the grand festival remains a significant…

The Economic Survey 2024-25 highlights India’s remarkable rise in global initial public offerings (IPOs), with its share climbing to 30% in 2024 from 17% in the previous year. This growth has positioned India as the top contributor to global primary resource mobilization. According to the report, capital markets play a crucial role in India’s economic expansion by fueling capital formation, increasing financial participation, and enabling wealth creation. Despite challenges such as geopolitical uncertainties, currency fluctuations, and market volatility, the Indian stock market reached new highs in 2024, with periodic corrections. Investor participation has been a major driver of this growth.…

Indian Air Force officer Shubhanshu Shukla, recently named the ‘Prime’ astronaut for ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission, has been selected to pilot Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), set for Spring 2025. This mission, commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, marks a significant milestone for India, Poland, and Hungary, as it will be each country’s first government-backed human spaceflight in more than four decades. Other crew members include ESA project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu. Shukla will become the second Indian astronaut to travel to space since 1984. His journey began in June 2006 when he was commissioned into…

In 2024, Brazil secured the fourth spot in global aviation with a load factor of 81.9 percent, just ahead of Australia at 81.8 percent and Japan at 78 percent. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation sector recorded 163 million domestic air travelers in 2024. Globally, both domestic and international aviation demand reached all-time highs, with the total international traffic for 2024 growing by 13.6 percent compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, capacity increased by 12.8 percent. Overall, global air travel, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), grew by 10.4 percent in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels…

Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood, kicked off the new year by selling 228,645 shares of the company’s Class A stock for approximately $9.23 million. According to Investing.com, the shares were sold on January 3 at an average price of $40.37 per share. This sale was executed through Bhatt’s Living Trust under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, leaving him with no remaining Class A shares, though he still holds significant Class B shares. Founded in 2013 by Bhatt and Vladimir Tenev, Robinhood revolutionized trading with its commission-free model and user-friendly platform. In Q3 2024, the company reported a 36% revenue…

The Consulate General of India in Seattle celebrated India’s 76th Republic Day, with Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson and Microsoft Chairman & CEO Satya Nadella as distinguished guests. The event, held on Tuesday, brought together over 500 Indian American community members, US lawmakers, and city officials. Governor Bob Ferguson, recently elected as Washington’s 24th Governor, praised India’s contributions to the world and expressed his commitment to strengthening ties with the Indian Consulate in Seattle. Satya Nadella, addressing the audience, highlighted the deep ties between India and the United States, calling himself a “product of the bond that exists between the…

Kangana Ranaut has officially started filming for her upcoming movie, reuniting with her Tanu Weds Manu co-star R Madhavan. The announcement follows the release of her recent film, Emergency, where she portrayed former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. In her latest Instagram Story, Kangana shared a glimpse of the clapperboard from the yet-to-be-titled movie, expressing her joy of being back on set with the caption, “Nothing is more delightful than being on a film set.” Directed by Vijay and produced by R Ravindran of Trident Arts, the film marks a new chapter for the actress. Kangana had previously hinted at the…