Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

S&P Global Insights underscores the significance of India’s robust economic growth and promising forecasts in Southeast Asian nations as pivotal factors driving global economic expansion. Rajiv Biswas, S&P Global’s Asia-Pacific chief economist, emphasized the region’s role not only in the immediate future but also over the long term. He highlighted the Asia-Pacific as a crucial catalyst for global economic growth, particularly India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Biswas projected that the Asia-Pacific region would be the world’s fastest-growing over the next decade. India, in particular, is poised for substantial economic expansion, with Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, and…

In a demonstration of continued collaboration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden have affirmed their dedication to enhancing the India-US Major Defence Partnership. Their commitment extends to embracing new areas like space and artificial intelligence, as well as bolstering defense industry cooperation. Furthermore, India’s Ministry of Defence has received a Letter of Request from India to procure 31 General Atomics MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft, enhancing the nation’s armed forces’ intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. During Biden’s inaugural visit to India as President, he engaged in bilateral discussions with PM Modi ahead of the G20 Summit. They commended…

India has recently abolished additional duties on specific American products such as chickpeas, lentils, and apples, coinciding with the impending arrival of US President Joe Biden for a three-day visit to the country. These extra tariffs had been imposed back in 2019 in response to the United States’ decision to raise tariffs on certain steel and aluminum items. Initially, India had imposed these duties on 28 US products in 2019. However, the decision to eliminate these duties on American products was officially communicated through a notification from the Finance Ministry dated September 5. The notification outlined the removal of duties…

A Shah Rukh Khan film release is akin to a celebration. A blockbuster like “Pathaan” set the tone for the year, and now, “Jawan” takes it a notch higher. Under writer-director Atlee’s direction, SRK assumes a fresh persona – rugged, resilient, and yet, brimming with his signature wit. “Jawan” is a quintessential SRK spectacle from start to finish, and the delight is multiplied as he tackles dual roles. Whether it’s his grand entrance, action sequences, or dance numbers, SRK dazzles and convinces at every turn. Remarkably, at 57, with his 58th birthday approaching, SRK showcases remarkable action prowess, suggesting that…

Dr. Bipin Pandey, a plant scientist of Indian origin affiliated with the School of Biosciences at the University of Nottingham, has been granted financial support for his research into the adaptive responses of plant roots in arid and compacted soil environments. This distinguished selection follows a rigorous process that included over 3,000 candidates, highlighting the potential impact of his work on the development of climate-resilient crops, as affirmed by the University. Among this year’s recipients of the European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grants, Pandey is one of 408 researchers to benefit from a total funding pool of $6 billion under…

The prestigious platform Attorney Intel, known for its comprehensive coverage of top law firms and the expansive legal industry, has unveiled its list of the Top 50 Attorneys in Miami for the year 2023. Among this distinguished group of legal professionals, Indian American Pallavi Yalla stands out with an impressive ranking at number 16. Pallavi Yalla currently serves as corporate counsel at Enterprise Holdings, a well-respected family-owned conglomerate comprising a range of renowned brands. The company’s history dates back to 1957 when it embarked on its journey with a modest fleet of vehicles. Today, it boasts a vast network of…

The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has achieved a significant milestone by extending tap water connections to 130 million rural households, effectively integrating them into the public water system. This transformative mission, characterized by its emphasis on “speed and scale,” has remarkably expanded the coverage of rural tap connections from a mere 3.23 million homes at its inception in August 2019 to 13 million within a span of just four years. It is noteworthy that this announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the nation’s 73rd Independence Day celebrations on August 15, 2019. As of September 5, 2023, six…

Amazon, a major player in the e-commerce industry, is set to invest an initial sum of US$ 3 million into nature-based projects within India. This contribution is a part of Amazon’s broader commitment of US$ 15 million allocated for nature-based initiatives in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. For its inaugural project, Amazon has joined forces with the Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS) to extend support to communities and conservation efforts within the Western Ghats. This region is renowned for hosting over 30% of India’s wildlife species, including the world’s largest populations of wild Asiatic elephants and tigers. Under the “Wild…

India’s inaugural solar mission, the Aditya-L1 spacecraft, has completed its second earth-bound manoeuvre, as confirmed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The manoeuvre, known as EBN#2, was executed successfully from ISTRAC, Bengaluru, with ISRO’s ground stations in Mauritius, Bengaluru, and Port Blair tracking the satellite during the operation. This manoeuvre resulted in a new orbit at 282 km x 40225 km. The upcoming maneuver, EBN#3, is planned for September 10th. Following the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 near the South pole of the moon, ISRO launched India’s maiden solar mission, Aditya-L1, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Aditya-L1…

In a significant overhaul of the United Kingdom’s Opposition Labour Party, Keir Starmer, the party’s leader, introduced a series of changes to the shadow cabinet. Among these alterations were the reassignments of shadow ministers Lisa Nandy and Preet Kaur Gill, both of Indian descent. One of those affected by the reshuffling was Lisa Nandy, a Member of Parliament representing Wigan and the daughter of Dipak Nandy, a notable academic born in Kolkata known for his contributions to race relations in Britain. In this restructuring, Nandy was removed from her role as the shadow secretary of state and reassigned as an…