Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

The people of Jhulasan, a village in Gujarat and the hometown of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, erupted in celebration on Wednesday as they welcomed her safe return to Earth. The villagers performed aarti and offered prayers following her nearly nine-month-long mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The excitement began as the Dragon spacecraft successfully splashed down, bringing Williams back alongside her fellow Crew-9 astronauts Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Prior to her arrival, her cousin Dinesh Rawal had organized a Yagna in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, seeking blessings for her safe return. After spending months in…

Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have finally returned to Earth after an unexpected 286-day mission in space. The two NASA astronauts originally launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule on June 5, 2024, for what was planned as a brief test mission lasting just over a week. However, persistent technical issues with their spacecraft extended their stay on the International Space Station (ISS) far beyond the intended duration. Both astronauts, who are veteran NASA members and former U.S. Navy test pilots, found themselves stranded in orbit due to multiple Starliner malfunctions. The spacecraft experienced a helium leak and thruster malfunctions, raising…

In a conversation with AI researcher Lex Fridman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised former US President Donald Trump’s unwavering dedication to his country, particularly in the aftermath of last year’s assassination attempt. Reflecting on Trump’s perseverance during his election campaign, Modi highlighted his unwavering dedication to the country, even after being shot. He remarked that Trump’s life is devoted to America and drew a comparison between Trump’s “America First” policy and his own “India First” approach, underscoring their mutual focus on national interests. Modi reminisced about the 2019 Howdy Modi event in Houston, where Trump joined him in addressing a…

Vivek Ramaswamy officially launched his campaign for Ohio governor in Cincinnati on February 24, with a major boost coming from former President Donald Trump’s endorsement the following day. If elected in 2026 to replace Governor Mike DeWine, Ramaswamy plans to push for Ohio to become the next no-income-tax state, arguing that it will spur economic growth and attract new residents. Over the past decade, Ohio lawmakers have significantly reduced the state’s top personal income tax rate from 5.9% to 3.5%. However, Ramaswamy wants to go further by fully eliminating state income tax, citing states with no income tax as models…

California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Shrina Kurani, from Riverside, as the Deputy Director of Venture Capital at the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank). Kurani has been with IBank since 2023 as a Venture Specialist and has served as a Managing Partner at SNØCAP since 2022. Previously, she was Vice President of Business at Republic from 2018 to 2022 and worked as an Associate at Better Ventures from 2017 to 2018. With extensive experience in venture capital, Kurani has played a key role in facilitating over $175 million in investments through Better Ventures, Republic, and SNØCAP. Before joining…

Singapore’s dynamic business environment is proving to be a launchpad for Indian-origin entrepreneurs, who are capitalizing on the country’s investor-friendly policies and streamlined regulations. Among them, a husband-wife team is gaining recognition for their expertise in business incorporation and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) advisory services, helping startups navigate regulatory frameworks with ease. The growing trend of Indian startups establishing businesses in Singapore is largely driven by the country’s low corporate tax rates, robust intellectual property laws, and ease of doing business. Entrepreneurs are drawn to the efficiency of Singapore’s business registration system, managed by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA),…

According to a 2025 market analysis by Bain & Company, India secured the 11th position in global pharmaceutical exports by value in 2023, contributing 3% of the total market share. To ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of medicines, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have implemented multiple reforms. Since December 2022, CDSCO and state regulators have conducted risk-based inspections of pharmaceutical manufacturing and testing facilities, evaluating 905 units and initiating 694 enforcement actions, including suspending licenses, halting production, and issuing warnings. These measures have reinforced regulatory compliance and enhanced production…

India’s semiconductor sector is on track to reach $40 billion by 2030, according to the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA). This growth will be fueled by advancements in the supply chain, particularly in essential materials such as chemicals and gases for chip production. The global semiconductor supply chain is expected to grow to $420 billion by 2030, with India striving to secure a 10% share of this expanding market. During the IESA Vision Summit, IESA President Ashok Chandak underscored the importance of learning from established global semiconductor hubs. Given the industry’s complexity, he stressed the need for a robust…

Virat Kohli has made it clear that he has no plans to retire anytime soon and will continue to represent India in international cricket. His statement came shortly after Rohit Sharma’s squad secured a thrilling victory against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025 final, clinching the title by four wickets. Although the former India captain wasn’t directly questioned about retirement, he took the opportunity to address the speculation about his future. In a post-match interview with Simon Doull, Kohli emphasized that he would consider stepping away only when he believed the team was fully prepared to sustain its winning…