Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

In 2011, Arunima Sinha, a national-level volleyball player, faced a harrowing ordeal when she was pushed from a moving train by assailants demanding her gold chain. This resulted in the loss of her left leg, which had to be amputated below the knee. Despite this traumatic incident, Sinha persevered and eventually made history by becoming the first female amputee to conquer Mount Everest, earning her the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2015. Sinha recounts the horrific experience of being attacked on the train, where she fought off multiple assailants despite receiving no help from fellow passengers. Left injured and abandoned…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the transformative potential of the semiconductor industry for India’s youth during the ‘India’s Techade: Chips for Viksit Bharat’ program. He highlighted the significance of the semiconductor initiative in providing opportunities for capable youth. According to him, India’s talent pool in chip design and manufacturing contributes to completing the nation’s talent ecosystem in the semiconductor sector. PM Modi underscored the awareness among today’s youth about the emerging opportunities in sectors like space and mapping, which are being opened up for them. He attributed India’s rise as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally to unprecedented incentives and support,…

Kalpana Chawla, an Indian-born American astronaut, tragically met her demise aboard the Columbia space shuttle during an accident on February 1, 2003. Among those lost in the calamity were Rick Husband, David M. Brown, William C. McCool, Michael P. Anderson, Ilan Ramon, and Laurel Clark. Hailing from Karnal, Haryana, Chawla developed a fascination for aircraft and flight from an early age. Accompanying her father to local flying clubs, she nurtured her passion for aviation. She attended Tagore Baal Niketan Senior Secondary School in Karnal before obtaining a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical engineering from Punjab Engineering College. In pursuit of…

In his address at the Chennai Literature Festival, Kerala Governor Dr. Arif Mohammed Khan highlighted the unique aspects of Bharatiya civilization, emphasizing its inclusivity and the transcendent nature of its values, which go beyond distinctions of race, language, or faith. He particularly emphasized the concept of ‘Divinised Humanity’ and ‘Humanised Divinity’ embodied in Avatars. The festival, now in its fourth edition, featured renowned personalities from various fields across India, with a focus on the cultural renaissance symbolized by the construction of the Ram Mandir. Held at Hotel Savera in Mylapore, Tamil Nadu, the event included book launches, discussions, and presentations…

The Breakfast Revolution, The Akshaya Patra Foundation, and Share Our Strength, that work towards driving positive change in the child nutrition sector, announced the results of a survey conducted to gain insights into community perceptions about child nutrition in India and the extent of community awareness and engagement in addressing issues on child nourishment. As per the survey, a majority – 76% are aware of government schemes providing free meals to children in schools and more than half the respondents (57%) find the school feeding programs effective in addressing children’s nutritional needs. It is indeed heartening to find that 60% of the…

In 1966, India made history by electing its first female Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. However, three years earlier, in 1963, the country witnessed another significant milestone with Sucheta Kripalani assuming office as the first female chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. On her 119th birthday, on June 25, 2017, it’s worth exploring her life and legacy, shedding light on her pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle and her subsequent political career post-independence. Born in 1908 in present-day Haryana’s Ambala, Sucheta Kripalani received her education at Delhi’s Indraprastha College and later became a professor of Constitutional History at Banaras Hindu University. Her…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently unveiled a series of connectivity projects in Kolkata, collectively valued at $1.8 billion (Rs. 15,400 crore). Notable among these initiatives is the inauguration of India’s maiden underwater metro service, linking Howrah Maidan to Esplanade as part of Kolkata Metro’s East-West Corridor. This groundbreaking project involved the construction of a 520-meter tunnel beneath the Hooghly River at a cost of $599.8 million (Rs. 4,965 crore). During the inaugural ride alongside school children, PM Modi expressed satisfaction at the expansion of Kolkata’s metro network, foreseeing enhanced connectivity and reduced traffic congestion. The ceremony also encompassed the launch…

Sean Desai, an Indian American coach, who served as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator for just one season, is anticipated to join the Los Angeles Rams in a senior defensive capacity. The son of immigrants, Desai made history as the NFL’s first Indian American coordinator. He is set to face his former team when the Eagles play in Los Angeles during the 2024 season. Desai’s departure from Philadelphia came after the team ranked 30th in points allowed during the 2023 NFL season. Despite overall struggles, the Eagles’ defense performed relatively well in limiting rushing yards and touchdown runs, finishing 10th in…

In a significant boost to India’s electronics and IT sector, the Union Cabinet approved three semiconductor-related projects with a total investment of $15.2 billion. This includes the establishment of the country’s first commercial semiconductor fabrication (fab) unit by Tata Electronics Private Limited in partnership with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (PSMC) of Taiwan, at an estimated cost of $11 billion in Gujarat’s Dholera. The semiconductor fab is slated to have a capacity of 50,000 wafer starts per month (WSPM), equating to approximately 3 billion chips annually. These chips will serve eight sectors, including high-powered computing, electric vehicles, defense, telecom, consumer electronics,…

India’s economy has surpassed expectations with a remarkable growth rate of 8.4 percent in Q3FY24, defying earlier projections. This surge is attributed to exceptionally high tax collections and effective control over subsidies. Earlier estimates by Bloomberg economists and the Reserve Bank of India had anticipated a slower growth rate of around 6.6 to 6.5 percent for the December quarter. The National Statistical Office (NSO) revised its FY24 growth estimate upwards to 7.6 percent, citing improved control over subsidies and an adjustment in the FY23 growth estimate from 7.2 to 7 percent. Despite this, the NSO’s projection for Q4FY24 growth stands…