Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

To accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, India and the United States jointly established the Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP) in Delhi as part of their bilateral Strategic Clean Energy Partnership. The launch of RETAP was officially announced on June 22, 2023, during a meeting in Washington involving U.S. President Joseph R. Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During this meeting, both leaders extended their partnership to focus on new and emerging technologies aimed at expediting the transition to clean energy. The platform’s inauguration took place during a meeting between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)…

Tharman Shanmugaratnam, of Indian heritage, achieved a resounding victory when he was elected as the President of Singapore on September 1. In the country’s first contested presidential election since 2011, Shanmugaratnam, an accomplished economist, secured a substantial 70.4 percent of the vote, triumphing over his rivals of Chinese descent. Prior to becoming President, Shanmugaratnam held the position of a senior minister. He will be the third President of Indian origin, following in the footsteps of Singapore’s third president, Devan Nair, and the sixth elected president, Sellapan Ramanathan. He will be succeeding the eighth female president, Halimah Yacob. His previous roles…

In August 2023, India’s Unified Payment Interface (UPI) saw a significant milestone as it crossed 10 billion transactions for the first time in a month. This information comes from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) data as of August 30th, 2023, which reported a transaction volume of 10.24 billion. Not only did UPI achieve a remarkable transaction volume, but it’s also on the verge of surpassing its previous high in terms of value. The previous record was US$ 183.68 billion (Rs. 15.18 trillion), and the latest figures are just slightly below that, at US$ 185.62 billion (Rs. 15.34 trillion),…

Eduardo Hernandez, the captain of Northeast Fort Bend Fire Station 2 in Richmond, patiently stood while a young lady carefully tied a silk thread around his outstretched wrist. In the midst of this scene, other firefighters adorned with similar bracelets savored Indian sweets as they warmly welcomed children into the fire station. These visitors belonged to the local chapter of the faith-based nonprofit Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS). The silk bracelet they were placing on Captain Hernandez’s wrist was a rakhi, a symbol steeped in centuries of tradition, embodying the fundamental connection between a protector and the one they’ve sworn to…

Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan hosted a festive Raksha Bandhan gathering at their Mumbai residence, with a full house of family members. Kareena shared a picture featuring Saif, sisters-in-law Soha and Saba, Saif’s kids Sara and Ibrahim (from his previous marriage), and their own sons Taimur and Jeh. Soha and Kunal Kemmu’s daughter Inaaya Naumi also graced the family photo. Another snapshot showcased Ibrahim, Jeh, and Taimur in matching black kurtas, captioned “Family Ties.” Sara Ali Khan posted more heartwarming Rakhi celebration photos. Soha’s special Rakhi post carried the caption “Hum nau saath hain” (We are nine together). Saba…

Mr. Rajeev Saxena, the Joint Secretary of Textiles, conducted a press conference to unveil significant updates regarding the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM). He shared that the Ministry of Textiles has approved the Startup Guidelines for Technical Textiles – Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT). This initiative extends grant-in-aid support of up to Rs. 50 lakh (US$ 60,533) for a maximum period of 18 months. The newly introduced guidelines are aimed at facilitating the transition of prototypes into innovative products, encompassing commercialization. A specific focus is directed towards fostering a Startup Ecosystem in Technical…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi advised the freshly enlisted jawans and officials of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) to adopt yoga as a means to alleviate mental stress. Mr. Modi personally handed over 51,000 appointment letters to new recruits, who are set to join the paramilitary forces, Narcotics Control Bureau, and Delhi Police. These appointments span various roles, including Constable (general duty), Sub-Inspector (general duty), and Non-General Duty Cadre positions. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining physical fitness, Mr. Modi urged the recruits not to overlook this aspect. He highlighted the prevalence of stressful situations in their line of duty, underscoring…

Indian American Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has emphasized the need for stronger alliances with India, South Korea, and Japan as a strategy to reduce the United States’ economic dependence on China and Taiwan. Ramaswamy, aged 38, whose popularity in the Republican presidential primary debate surged recently, elaborated on his foreign policy plans on Tuesday. He took a stance against fellow Indian American Republican candidate Nikki Haley, who criticized his lack of experience in foreign policy matters. “We will establish a more robust partnership with India, including India’s commitment to closing the Malacca Strait if a conflict with Taiwan arises…

Dalwardin Babu, an individual of Indian origin and a former police officer, has earned a seat on the board of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) in the United Kingdom. This appointment, for a four-year tenure commencing on September 1, was carried out by Alex Chalk, the Secretary of State for Justice. Notably, Dalwardin Babu is actively engaged in various roles. He serves as a member of the parole board, holds a position as a non-executive director for the National Health Service (NHS), undertakes responsibilities as a community development officer for the St Francis de Sales…

Indian-origin leaders are making significant waves in the corporate landscape, securing top roles in prominent companies and continuing to expand their presence. A recent report from World of Statistics highlighted the remarkable representation of Indian-origin individuals in CEO positions, drawing praise from Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk. In a post on their social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), World of Statistics unveiled a roster of 21 companies helmed by Indian-origin CEOs. The list includes notable names like Sundar Pichai of Alphabet, Ajay Banga of World Bank Group, Sanjay Mehrotra of Micron Technology, and Shantanu Narayen of Adobe, among others. Musk expressed…