Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

India’s ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, is approaching the conclusion of his tenure in Washington DC, with retirement scheduled by the end of January. With a career spanning over 35 years in government, Sandhu assumed the role of ambassador in DC in 2020. Beginning his diplomatic journey in 1988, he served as Third Secretary (political) in the Soviet Union (Russia) and later as Second Secretary of the Indian Mission in the Soviet Union until 1992. Post the Soviet Union’s dissolution, Sandhu played a crucial role in opening a new embassy in Ukraine, serving as head of political…

Nikki Haley, the Republican Presidential candidate, exhibited a strong presence in the Jan. 10 debate at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, securing the second position in various polls. However, pundits, including her former rival Chris Christie, predict a challenge against former President Donald Trump as the primaries commence. Christie withdrew from the campaign just before the debate, leaving Haley to face Florida Governor Ron DeSantis alone. Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, unable to meet the 10 percent threshold in three separate polls, did not participate in the debates. Polling consistently below 7 percent, both Haley and DeSantis are grappling for…

NASA has initiated its first mission of 2024 under the CLPS initiative, sending five payloads to the Moon on Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander. Dr. Sharad Bhaskaran, originally from India and the Mission Director, leads the engineering team at Astrobotic Technology Inc. in Pittsburgh. Following Israel’s 2019 mission, this endeavor achieves major milestones, including the first U.S. lunar landing in over five decades and the inaugural flight of ULA’s Vulcan Centaur rocket. Formerly associated with Lockheed Martin, Bhaskaran brings 25 years of experience to Astrobotic, where he directs the development of a commercial robotic lunar lander for transporting payloads. A mechanical engineering…

During the 10th edition of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, global business leaders expressed admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a developed India. Sanjay Mehrotra, CEO of Micron, acknowledged the PM’s vision for semiconductor manufacturing, with Micron’s facility in Gujarat set to be operational by early 2025, creating numerous jobs. ArcelorMittal Chairman Lakshmi Mittal praised PM Modi’s emphasis on institutionalized frameworks for events like Vibrant Gujarat Summit. Suzuki Motor Corporation President Toshihiro Suzuki credited PM Modi for supporting manufacturing industries, highlighting India’s status as the 3rd largest automobile market globally. Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani lauded PM Modi’s…

Dr. Ajay K. Nangia, an Indian American urologist, has been honored with a presidential citation by the American Urological Association (AUA). This recognition, set to be presented at the annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas, in May, acknowledges Dr. Nangia’s notable contributions to male reproductive medicine and surgery. Serving as a professor of urology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, he holds a unique position as the sole fellowship-trained male infertility specialist in the metropolitan Kansas City area, boasting a decade of expertise. Dr. Nangia’s involvement extends to various prestigious organizations, including the American Urological Association, Society of Male…

The Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has recently released images capturing the night-time ambiance of the Ram Temple construction site. These visuals provide a glimpse into the rapid progress of building the highly anticipated temple at Lord Ram’s birthplace. The inner sanctum of the temple is showcased in these pictures, revealing the temple’s exquisite beauty and radiance during the nighttime. The illumination at night transforms the entire premises, enhancing the temple’s aesthetic allure. As reported by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth, the Ram Mandir is an impressive three-storied structure, with each floor soaring to a height of 20 feet. The…

Vivek Ramaswamy responded candidly to an Iowa caucusgoer’s query regarding the possibility of inviting former president Donald Trump as his running mate if he secures the Republican presidential nomination. At a recent Iowa campaign event, the Indian-American candidate deemed it a “reasonable choice” and shared the interaction on X, acknowledging it as the fourth instance of such a question in two weeks. Addressing the voter’s inquiry, Ramaswamy expressed the sensitivity of the prospect, emphasizing Trump’s senior and mentor-like role despite their age difference. He acknowledged the former president’s age, stating, “He is going to be in his 80s,” and suggested…

The crew members, including Indians, expressed gratitude to the Indian Navy for rescuing them from the hijacked vessel MV Lila Norfolk off Somalia’s coast. In a video shared by the Navy, the rescued crew chanted “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and praised the Indian Navy, highlighting their relief after being stuck for 24 hours. The marine commandos successfully evacuated 21 crew members, 15 of whom were Indians, in a swift operation in the North Arabian Sea, foiling armed pirates’ hijack attempt on January 6, 2024. The Indian Navy’s prompt response and warning likely thwarted the hijacking attempt, as confirmed by the…

California State University, Long Beach, has introduced a new endowed chair of Jain Studies within the Department of Religious Studies, allowing students to delve into the intricacies of Jainism. Dr. Shivani Bothra has been appointed as the assistant professor and the Bhagwan Suvidhinath Endowed Chair in Jain Studies, marking a significant development for the university. Expressing her thoughts on the appointment, Bothra emphasized the Department of Religious Studies’ acknowledgment of Jainism’s profound impact on the study of religions. She highlighted Jainism’s unique philosophy, emphasizing the unity of humanity and the crucial importance of harmonious coexistence among all beings. Bothra, who…

In an article titled “Bharat Narrative,” China’s state-controlled Global Times, authored by Zhang Jiadong, Director of the Centre for South Asian Studies at Fudan University, Shanghai, praises India’s economic policies and diplomatic achievements during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership over the past four years. The article acknowledges India’s robust economic growth, improvements in urban governance, and a notable shift in attitude towards international relations, particularly with China. It highlights India’s evolving stance on the trade imbalance issue, with a new emphasis on India’s export potential. Moreover, the piece commends India’s proactive approach in shaping a “Bharat narrative,” showcasing the nation’s…