Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, has achieved a remarkable milestone, welcoming over 9 million pilgrims for the third consecutive year since 2022. Anshul Garg, CEO of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, celebrated this achievement on X (formerly Twitter), lauding the unwavering devotion of visitors from around the world. Renowned as one of India’s most sacred pilgrimage sites, the shrine continues to draw millions of devotees annually. The Shrine Board credits this sustained popularity to its proactive measures, including enhancing facilities and ensuring a safer, more comfortable experience for visitors. Garg also revealed…

On Dec. 18, the Arts4All Foundation and Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) hosted the Peace For All Rally at the U.S. Capitol, calling for an end to the violence and persecution of minorities in Bangladesh. The rally highlighted the rising extremism and human rights abuses in the country, particularly against vulnerable groups such as indigenous and religious minorities. Community leaders, including Holocaust survivors, gathered to demand immediate action from the U.S. Congress to prevent further atrocities and genocide. Since July, Bangladesh has witnessed a sharp increase in violence, including the misuse of the legal system for political purposes, the imprisonment of…

In a remarkable display of Indian-American talent, Caitlin Sandra Neil, 19, originally from Chennai, India, was crowned Miss India USA 2024 at the annual pageant in New Jersey. A second-year student at the University of California, Davis, Caitlin aims to leverage her title for women’s empowerment and literacy initiatives, aspiring to create a positive impact on society. Having lived in the USA for the past 14 years, Caitlin’s vision for her future includes a career in web design, modeling, and acting, showcasing the diverse talents within the Indian-American community. The pageant, which saw 47 contestants from 25 states, was a…

Amazon announced its commitment to creating 2 million direct and indirect jobs in India by the end of 2025. To date, the company has generated 1.4 million jobs across industries such as IT, e-commerce, logistics, manufacturing, content creation, and skill development. In addition, Amazon has raised its export target four times higher, now aiming to achieve $80 billion in cumulative exports by 2030. This ambitious goal reflects Amazon’s confidence in India’s potential as a global export hub. At the first Smbhav Summit in 2020, Amazon set major goals to support small businesses. These included digitizing 10 million small enterprises and…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his address at the 4th National Conference of Chief Secretaries in New Delhi on Sunday, highlighted collaborative governance as a key element of India’s development strategy. He stated that the concept of “Pro-People, Proactive, Good Governance (P2G2)” is central to achieving the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India). PM Modi emphasized the importance of focusing on “reform, perform, and transform” and stressed the need to keep citizens informed about the government’s initiatives. He urged states to redesign their governance models to foster greater citizen participation, or Jan Bhagidari. Addressing the conference, he discussed strategies…

The Indian Americans Forum (IAF) held a significant event at Hotel Daspalla in Hyderabad, bringing together thought leaders, social activists, and policymakers to promote democratic values, social reforms, and community welfare. The gathering celebrated the contributions of distinguished individuals who have played pivotal roles in fostering democratic and social change. Dr. Mohammed Jameel, President of the IAF, emphasized the importance of collective action for India’s progress, particularly highlighting the impact of Indians abroad. He reaffirmed the Forum’s commitment to supporting candidates who advocate for secularism and constitutional values. Prof. Kodanda Ram, MLC, discussed the need for social democratic reforms, focusing…

Reggie Aggarwal, founder and CEO of Cvent, has been named the 2025 Hospitality Executive of the Year by the Penn State School of Hospitality Management and the Penn State Hotel and Restaurant Society (PSHRS). The 2025 PSHRS Industry Awards and Reception will recognize Aggarwal on April 8, 2025, at the Nittany Lion Inn. The event will gather alumni, faculty, students, and industry partners. Expressing his gratitude, Aggarwal highlighted the significance of the hospitality industry in creating memorable experiences and praised Penn State for cultivating new talent in the field. He noted that Cvent’s mission of bringing people together aligns closely…

Former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara has been appointed to lead a criminal investigation into a significant reduction in traffic enforcement by New Jersey state police. Announced by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, the investigation focuses on an eight-month period where traffic stops for violations such as speeding and drunk driving dropped by 61%. This decline began after a July 2023 report highlighted racial disparities in enforcement practices. Platkin expressed concern that this slowdown may have contributed to a rise in car crashes and fatalities across the state, while the national average showed a decline. He criticized the impact on the…

India holds the second position globally, following the United States, for the number of companies consistently posting a return on equity (ROE) above 20% for over a decade, according to a report by DSP Mutual Funds. This performance underscores the strength of Indian businesses and the solid fundamentals that are driving the country’s stock market success. The report highlights that this consistent ROE is a result of the financial health and operational efficiency of Indian companies, rather than relying on popular market narratives. The report also emphasized the steady growth in the book value of Indian companies, which has been…

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal expressed confidence in India’s economic trajectory, predicting that the country’s exports would surpass $1 trillion within the next two to two-and-a-half years. Speaking at the India Economic Conclave organized by Times Network, he noted that India is on track to exceed $800 billion in exports this year, demonstrating the country’s increasing presence in global trade. Goyal highlighted India’s growing reputation as a prime investment destination. He stated that exports are expected to surpass $800 billion this year and approach a trillion dollars within the next two to two-and-a-half years, adding that India…