Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old progressive Democrat, has been elected as the next mayor of New York City, marking a monumental shift in the city’s political landscape. His victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa makes him not only the first Muslim and first mayor of South Asian descent to lead the city but also the youngest mayor in more than 100 years. Mamdani’s win is being hailed as a triumph for the Democratic Party’s progressive faction, signaling growing support for left-leaning candidates who advocate for social reform and inclusivity. Born in Uganda and raised in New…

Former Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan has voiced concern that the proposed US Halting International Relocation of Employment (HIRE) Act could harm India’s economy more significantly than the $100,000 increase in H-1B visa fees. Speaking to DeKoder, Rajan said the act, if passed, could extend tariffs beyond goods to include outsourced services—posing a direct challenge to India’s technology and service exports to the United States. He explained that the HIRE Act aims to promote domestic job creation by discouraging American companies from offshoring work. The proposal would impose a 25% outsourcing tax on payments made to foreign workers…

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a massive $6.1 million reward for India’s women’s cricket team, their coaches, and the support staff after their sensational ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 victory. The announcement came shortly after India’s historic 52-run win over South Africa at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, a triumph that sent the entire nation into celebration. BCCI secretary Devajit Saika applauded ICC Chairman Jay Shah for his unwavering support toward women’s cricket, crediting his leadership for major reforms within the sport. “Since Jay Shah took charge of the BCCI, he has transformed the…

India and the United States are steadily progressing toward finalizing a long-discussed trade deal, according to Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs. He confirmed that ongoing talks between both sides remain active, with negotiators aiming to conclude an agreement soon. The discussions come at a crucial moment as the US currently imposes steep 50% tariffs on Indian goods—half of which are reciprocal, while the other half serve as penalties tied to India’s crude oil purchases from Russia. However, the proposed trade arrangement could significantly reduce these levies, cutting them to about 15%, while prompting India to lower…

 The Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, also known as National Unity Day, will be celebrated on October 31 to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, honouring his immense contribution to India’s unity and political integration. This year’s event holds special significance as the celebrations coincide with the 150th birth anniversary of the ‘Iron Man of India’. Ekta Nagar, home to the iconic 182-metre Statue of Unity, is witnessing grand preparations, featuring a cultural festival and a National Unity Parade by security forces. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the celebrations at Ekta Nagar, where contingents from across the country…

Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat met with South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie on Thursday on the sidelines of the 4th G20 Culture Working Group Meeting in Zimbali, near Durban. The discussion focused on expanding cultural collaboration between India and South Africa through a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deepening bilateral cultural cooperation. Shekhawat highlighted on social media that both nations share historic ties rooted in Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and remain dedicated to strengthening these connections through cultural exchange. “India and South Africa share a bond built on history and…

More than 170 influential leaders from both India and the United States gathered in Washington, D.C., for the Indian American Philanthropy Summit hosted by Indiaspora and the India Philanthropy Alliance (IPA). The event marked a milestone moment in diaspora giving, celebrating a sharp rise in Indian American donations and charting the course for deeper, more sustainable social impact. A new Dalberg report, commissioned by Indiaspora and IPA, revealed that Indian American giving has surged nearly threefold in just six years, now reaching between $4 billion and $5 billion annually. The study highlighted how the “giving gap” — once around $2.5…

When Money Singh, an Indian American entrepreneur, moved from Punjab to San Francisco at 19, he faced isolation and uncertainty. Far from home, he battled depression and financial hardship, unaware that his determination would later turn him into a self-made millionaire in the United States. Singh’s first few years were challenging — he dropped out of college after discovering his credits from India wouldn’t transfer and took up small jobs to survive. Eventually, he joined his uncle’s cab business, starting out as a dispatcher earning $6 per hour. Over the next 12 years, he built his own five-car taxi fleet,…

President Droupadi Murmu said on Tuesday that by 2050, India aims not only to meet its clean energy targets but also to become a global hub aggregating solar demand and fostering innovation, manufacturing, and knowledge exchange. Addressing the 8th Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the President affirmed that India is on track to emerge as a global solar energy leader. She highlighted the country’s rapid progress in achieving renewable energy milestones ahead of schedule and urged all member nations to link solar energy initiatives with job creation, women’s leadership, rural livelihoods, and…

India is poised to remain the world’s fastest-growing major economy in 2026, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projecting a growth rate of 6.6%, according to its latest World Economic Outlook report. The country’s economic expansion continues to be powered by rising domestic consumption, strong manufacturing output, and steady gains in the services sector. Economists view the IMF’s latest figures as a strong affirmation of India’s economic resilience amid a volatile global backdrop. In comparison, China’s growth is forecast to slow to 4.8%, underscoring India’s widening lead among major economies. Dr. Manoranjan Sharma, Chief Economist at Infomerics Ratings, remarked that…