Author: Nupur Rohila

The streets of Irvine recently came alive with vibrant energy thanks to the Overseas Friends of BJP-USA, Los Angeles, who organized the monumental “Hum Hain Modi Ka Parivar” car rally. This dynamic display of unity and support from the Indian community echoed unwavering backing for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s potential third term in the ongoing Indian election. A convoy of 168 cars, adorned with a mix of Indian and American flags, embarked on a spirited 16-mile journey from the City of Irvine Civic Center, injecting the cityscape with vibrant hues and patriotic zeal. Over 500 Indian Americans, clad in traditional…

Ten eminent Indian Americans, including renowned authors Amitav Ghosh and Jhumpa Lahiri, have been elected to the esteemed American Academy of Arts & Sciences, established in 1780 to assist a fledgling nation in confronting its challenges. The 250 individuals selected in 2024 are being honored for their outstanding contributions and are tasked with upholding the Academy’s mandate of fostering collaboration across various fields, as per an official statement. David Oxtoby, President of the Academy, lauded these individuals from diverse backgrounds, acknowledging their achievements and the determination, creativity, and bravery required to excel. He invited them to join the Academy in…

Alia Bhatt, following her remarkable debut on the Met Gala red carpet last year, made her second appearance at the renowned event known as ‘fashion’s biggest night’. Held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Highway actress captivated attendees in a Sabyasachi saree adorned with intricate embroidery and precious gemstones. Her choice of attire was meticulously curated to correspond with this year’s Met Gala theme, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” showcasing a 23-foot-long train detailed with hand-embroidered florals using silk floss, glass beading, and semi-precious gemstones. In discussing her outfit, Alia expressed her excitement and preparation for the…

A recent study published in PLOS Medicine reveals that midlife women who maintain regular exercise routines experience better health-related quality of life. Researchers found that women in their 40s and 50s who consistently followed physical activity guidelines exhibited superior physical functioning compared to those who didn’t exercise regularly. The study, conducted by Australian researchers, analyzed data from over 11,000 women born between 1946 and 1951. Participants were categorized based on their adherence to physical activity guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO) over a 15-year period. Results showed that women who consistently met the guidelines or started meeting them…

Google honored Hamida Banu, recognized as India’s pioneering female wrestler, by featuring her on their homepage logo on Saturday. Banu, hailing from Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, made significant strides in the male-dominated sport of wrestling during the 1940s and 50s. Notably, in 1954, she gained international acclaim by defeating renowned wrestler Baba Pahalwan in just 1 minute and 34 seconds, prompting his retirement from professional wrestling. Born into a family with a wrestling background, Banu’s career spanned over three hundred victories in competitions throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Despite societal discouragement towards women’s participation in sports during that era, her success…

Stanford University bestowed this year’s Gold Spike Award upon Ram Shriram, an Indian American educationist, alongside Angela Nomellini. University president Richard Saller presented the accolades during an April 20 dinner, as per a university press release. The Gold Spike Award, the university’s pinnacle of volunteer service recognition, is granted by Stanford Associates, a distinguished group of alumni showcasing extensive and enduring dedication to the institution. Described as an intellectually curious changemaker, Shriram’s profound impact stems from his remarkable spirit of generosity. Recognized as a visionary leader, he has fervently supported pioneering endeavors in bioengineering and artificial intelligence (AI), while also…

On Tuesday, the Election Commission (EC) announced that the estimated voter turnouts for Phase-I and -II of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections stood at 66.14 per cent and 66.71 per cent, respectively. These phases encompassed a total of 189 constituencies. Unofficial estimates suggest that the voter turnout percentage was three to four points lower compared to the turnout recorded in these constituencies five years ago. However, historical data indicates that fluctuations in voter turnout do not consistently correlate with the defeat or victory of incumbents. In other political developments, the Congress party unveiled its latest candidate list on Tuesday. Actor-turned-politician…

During the ‘Viksit Bharat Ambassador’ event, Minister of Finance, Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, celebrated India’s significant uptick in digital payments. Notably, she cited an impressive 131 billion transactions via Unified Payments Interface (UPI) during FY24, totaling US$ 2.39 trillion (Rs. 200 trillion). Sitharaman commended the widespread adoption of digital payment technologies, emphasizing their penetration even in rural areas, showcasing a broad spectrum of citizens engaging in these transactions. In her address, she spotlighted PhonePe and Google Pay, commanding an 86% market share by transaction volume, while acknowledging the challenges faced by Paytm Payments Bank post-RBI restrictions in January. The minister reiterated…

In his address on Monday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the shifting perception of India globally, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and technological achievements such as the Chandrayaan-3 mission. He emphasized that decisions made within India are closely observed and have far-reaching implications worldwide. Jaishankar noted the significant impact of India’s COVID management and space exploration endeavors on Indians living abroad, showcasing the country’s prowess on the global stage. Jaishankar stressed the importance of India’s response to the COVID crisis, which initially raised concerns internationally but ultimately earned praise for its effective handling and support initiatives.…

During the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting convened in Astana under the chairmanship of Kazakhstan, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane underscored the imperative of adopting a stringent stance against terrorism in all its manifestations. The gathering, attended by heads of defence departments from SCO member states, the Secretary General, the Director of the Executive Committee of the Organisation’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), and Belarus’ Minister of Defence, culminated in a joint declaration. This declaration, among other resolutions, endorsed the advancement of the concept of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, inspired by the ancient Indian philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.…