Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

India’s role in Afghanistan is under scrutiny as China intensifies its involvement in the region. To preserve its regional influence, India must reassess its position and establish connections with the Taliban regime. Historically, India has been a constructive force in Afghanistan, investing in numerous development projects to improve the humanitarian aspects of Afghan life. However, since the Taliban’s takeover, India has grappled with how to adapt its policies towards a country where it once held considerable sway. Recent developments indicate a shift in India’s approach, such as the announcement of 1,000 scholarships for Afghan students in the 2023-24 academic year.…

The fifth World Coffee Conference (WCC) 2023 has brought together coffee enthusiasts and stakeholders from around the globe to Bengaluru, India. This quadrennial event, hosted for the first time in India, spans four days and focuses on sustainability through circular economy practices, regenerative agriculture, and innovations in the coffee sector. With over 24,000 attendees representing 80 nations, the conference provides a platform for dialogue. Prominent participants in the Indian coffee industry, including Nestlé India, Tata Coffee, Bru, Blue Tokai, and Narasu’s Coffee, are engaged in discussions about financial mechanisms, quality control, startup initiatives, and trade opportunities. Mr. Matt Chitharanjan, Co-founder…

The United States Census Bureau’s data for 2020 reveals a significant shift in the demographic landscape, with the Asian Indian population emerging as the largest Asian-alone group in the country. This group witnessed remarkable growth, surging by over 50 percent, reaching a total of 4,397,737 individuals between 2010 and 2020. The “alone” population category includes individuals who reported a single race, such as Indian. Asian Indians have now surpassed Chinese Americans to become the largest Asian-alone population group in the United States. However, when accounting for populations that include multiracial individuals, Chinese Americans continue to hold the largest share of…

Infosys and Microsoft have joined forces to create industry solutions incorporating Infosys Topaz, Azure OpenAI Service, and Azure Cognitive Services. This partnership harnesses their AI expertise to enhance enterprise operations across various sectors. These integrated solutions aim to accelerate data democratization, boosting efficiency and revenue generation. Infosys offers solutions in areas such as semantic search, document summarization, AI-augmented software development, and marketing content creation. Infosys Topaz, along with Microsoft’s Azure services, enables the transition to AI solutions. Infosys’ Global Head of AI and Automation, Balakrishna DR, emphasized Topaz’s role in enhancing operational efficiency and speeding up product launches. The collaboration…

A study led by a scientist at the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) suggests that incorporating yoga therapy as a complementary treatment for heart failure and heart diseases can be advantageous. Heart failure, a type of cardiovascular disease, results from either weakened or stiffened heart muscles, often causing fluid buildup, breathlessness, and related complications. Ajit Singh, a research scientist at ICMR’s Kasturba Medical College & Hospital in Karnataka, conducted this study on 75 patients aged 30 to 75 years at a tertiary care center in southern India. As the principal author, Singh asserted that yoga therapy has the potential…

On September 25, 2023, Defence Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh inaugurated the groundbreaking Bharat Drone Shakti 2023 exhibition and show at the Air Force Station, Hindan in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. This unique event is a collaborative effort between the Drone Federation of India (DFI) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) and spans two days, taking place on September 25-26, 2023, showcasing the participation of over 75 drone start-ups from across India. The exhibited drones at the event serve dual purposes, finding applications in both military and civilian contexts. The IAF and DFI are keen to contribute to the government’s vision of…

Apoorva Mehta, Instacart’s co-founder, has concluded his 11-year tenure with the online grocery-delivery giant, amassing a $1.3 billion fortune as the company went public. Mehta, who transitioned from CEO to executive chairman in August 2021, has now left his board position, passing the torch to current CEO Fidji Simo. The company’s value surged from $7.9 billion to $13.7 billion, making Mehta a billionaire in 2020, owning a 10 percent stake, according to Forbes. Instacart, known as Maplebear Inc., had an IPO at $30 per share, giving it a $9.9 billion valuation. The company raised $660 million in its initial public…

Indian American Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley is positioning the 2024 White House race as a head-to-head battle with Indian American Vice President Kamala Harris. Haley is cautioning voters that the key objective of the 2024 election is to ensure that Democratic President Joe Biden’s running mate, Harris, doesn’t quietly ascend to the presidency, according to various media reports. Haley has been actively sounding this warning through campaign events, social media, and television appearances. She argues that Biden, at 80 years old, won’t survive a second four-year term and is poised to pass the Oval Office to Ms. Harris. This…

Indian American cancer physician Kamal Menghrajani has been named one of the 15 “exceptional young leaders” chosen for the 2023-2024 class of White House Fellows. This prestigious program offers these individuals the opportunity to gain firsthand experience working at the highest levels of the Federal government. Kamal Menghrajani, based in New York, specializes in treating patients with leukemia. She has been assigned to the Executive Office of the President at the Office of Science and Technology Policy, with a specific focus on health outcomes and cancer health policy, as announced by the President’s Commission on White House Fellows on September…

Shahid Kapoor, a veteran actor whose career spans two decades, recently enjoyed significant success with his debut OTT series, “Farzi.” Throughout his journey in the world of cinema, he has experienced both remarkable highs and challenging lows. Notably, some of his most outstanding work has emerged from his collaborations with director Vishal Bhardwaj. In a recent interview, Shahid Kapoor disclosed a remarkable detail about his involvement in Bhardwaj’s 2014 film, “Haider.” During the conversation with Film Companion, Shahid Kapoor revealed an astonishing fact: he did not receive any financial compensation for his role in “Haider.” In fact, he emphasized that…