Author: Nupur Rohila

Indian-American politician Nithya Raman has strengthened her standing in the race for a place in the upcoming Los Angeles mayoral election, emerging with a narrow advantage following the latest vote count updates. The development marks a significant moment in one of the city’s closely watched political contests ahead of the November election. Recent ballot tabulations released by Los Angeles County showed Raman performing exceptionally well, allowing her to move ahead in the competition for the second position. According to updated figures, she secured roughly 40% of the nearly 48,000 votes included in the latest batch of counted ballots. Her performance…

As the United States prepares to mark its 250th year of independence, BAPS Charities has launched a large-scale Spirit of Service Walk-Run initiative for 2026, emphasizing civic participation and community-driven action. The program brought together an estimated 50,000 participants across the United States and Canada, symbolizing a shared commitment to public service and social responsibility. The event serves as an early milestone in the broader America250 celebrations, highlighting the role of volunteerism and collective engagement in shaping communities. Participants gathered across more than 100 cities, reflecting the wide reach of the initiative and its growing influence over the years. In…

Following a comprehensive months-long election process for Harvard University’s top governance and alumni bodies, two Indian American women have secured prominent leadership positions, marking a notable moment in the university’s administrative landscape. Arti Garg has been elected to the Harvard Board of Overseers, which is the university’s second-highest governing body. She will serve a six-year term, contributing to one of the most influential oversight structures at Harvard. Currently based in California, Garg serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Technologist at AVEVA, an information technology consulting firm. She is also an accomplished academic, holding a doctorate from Harvard University, along…

Indian-origin engineer Avani Ahuja has been awarded the prestigious Henry Ford II Scholar Award by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), one of the institution’s highest distinctions for undergraduate engineering students. The recognition celebrates exceptional academic achievement, leadership potential, and the promise of future contributions to the engineering profession. The award places Ahuja among a select group of MIT graduates who have demonstrated excellence not only in the classroom but also through impactful research and community engagement. Throughout her undergraduate years, she pursued projects spanning power electronics, robotics, and healthcare technologies, building an impressive multidisciplinary portfolio. Expressing her gratitude, Ahuja…

India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited Russia’s National Space Centre in Moscow on Friday, accompanied by Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, in a significant engagement highlighting expanding India-Russia cooperation in space and security domains. The visit included technical tours, high-level discussions, and a live interaction with astronauts aboard the International Space Station. At the space centre, which is associated with the legacy of pioneering Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, Doval explored several advanced exhibits showcasing Russia’s space capabilities. These included models of a high-powered four-chamber liquid rocket engine and structural designs of the proposed Russian Orbital Station. The…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that infrastructure and development projects worth more than $360 billion were reviewed during the latest PRAGATI meeting held on Wednesday. The review covered multiple sectors, including railways, power, road connectivity, ports, sanitation, and social welfare initiatives across several Indian states. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the discussions included key projects in railways, energy, and road infrastructure, along with updates on port development, Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, and other ongoing social sector schemes. The PRAGATI platform is designed to bring together central and state governments to ensure faster implementation of…

A United States delegation led by the Chief Negotiator will visit India from June 1 to June 4, 2026, to continue discussions on the proposed India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). The visit is aimed at accelerating progress on an interim trade arrangement while also advancing negotiations for a broader and more comprehensive trade agreement between the two countries. According to India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the upcoming talks will focus on finalizing important details of the interim agreement and pushing forward the wider BTA framework. Both sides are expected to review key areas of trade cooperation and work toward…

India has set an ambitious goal to strengthen its position as a global leader in the textile industry, targeting US$ 100 billion in textile exports by 2030. The government is also aiming for overall textile production worth US$ 250 billion as part of its long-term vision for economic transformation under the broader Viksit Bharat 2047 roadmap. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, speaking at the TEXPROCIL Export Awards ceremony in Mumbai, emphasized the need to build a fully integrated textile value chain that spans “from farm to fibre, factory, fashion, and foreign markets.” She highlighted that India’s focus must be on…

India’s cement industry is preparing for another year of strong expansion in FY27, with major manufacturers forecasting volume growth of nearly 7-8% despite rising operational expenses linked to geopolitical tensions in West Asia. Industry leaders believe that strong domestic demand, large-scale infrastructure projects, housing development, and rapid urbanisation will continue driving cement consumption across the country. Executives from leading companies including UltraTech Cement, Ambuja Cements, Shree Cement, Dalmia Cement, and Nuvoco Vistas have expressed confidence about the sector’s medium-term outlook. While higher fuel prices and crude oil-linked transportation costs remain concerns, companies expect robust demand from construction and real estate…

California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Indian-origin business executive Sushma Bhatia to the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, reinforcing the state’s focus on integrating technology, sustainability, and environmental leadership into public governance. Bhatia, who lives in Cupertino, currently works at Google as the company’s Global Business and Applied AI Director, a position she assumed in 2024. Prior to this role, she served as Google’s Global Head of Strategy and Operations for nearly five years, overseeing major business and operational initiatives within the technology giant. Her appointment to the influential environmental board is currently awaiting confirmation from the…