Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

Sunil Wadhwani, alongside his brother Romesh Wadhwani, was featured in the Time100 AI list in 2023. A prominent entrepreneur in the US, he co-founded and led iGate Corporation before shifting his focus to artificial intelligence. However, unlike many AI ventures centered on commercial gains, Wadhwani AI, an India-based nonprofit, was established to develop and implement AI solutions for societal advancement. Speaking at the Indiaspora Forum for Good in Abu Dhabi, Wadhwani highlighted how AI investments are largely focused on commercial use, but he and his brother saw an opportunity to leverage AI for the benefit of underserved communities. Founded in…

The 2025 Academy Awards began with first-time host Conan O’Brien delivering a lively and engaging opening monologue. Setting a warm and inclusive tone, he greeted viewers in India with a “namaste” and spoke in Hindi, acknowledging the time difference and jokingly hoping they enjoyed their breakfast while watching the Oscars. O’Brien then shifted focus to the Best Picture nominees, adding his signature comedic touch. While discussing Conclave, he quipped, “I’m a Catholic boy, loved Conclave. If you haven’t seen it, don’t worry—it’s a movie about the Catholic Church.” During the ceremony, the camera panned to a Best Actress nominee whose…

Sunil Bharti Mittal, the Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, has been honored with the Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE). The British High Commission in Delhi announced that he received the prestigious insignia on February 22, 2025. A special investiture ceremony took place at the British High Commissioner’s residence, where Mittal was presented with the medal in the presence of family and close associates. The honor follows a 2024 announcement by King Charles III, recognizing Mittal’s significant contributions to UK-India business relations. Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India, expressed her pleasure…

Indian-origin Tushar Shah, a graduate of MIT and a member of Blue Origin’s six-person crew, successfully completed an 11-minute suborbital journey aboard the NS-30 mission. The spaceflight, launched from West Texas on Tuesday night, is part of Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin space tourism program. Shah, known for his private nature, holds a PhD in high-energy experimental particle physics from MIT. Currently a hedge fund partner, he and his wife, Sara, are philanthropists focused on tackling issues related to poverty, healthcare, and education. His journey to space coincides with growing collaboration between India and the US in the space sector. During…

India and the European Union (EU) have outlined an ambitious roadmap for their partnership beyond 2025, focusing on key areas such as trade, defence, technology, and sustainability. This strategic plan, which includes the finalization of a Bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the development of a secure value chain across industries, is set to be officially launched during the next India-EU Summit, as announced on Friday. Speaking at a joint press conference alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the natural and organic evolution of the two-decade-long India-EU strategic partnership. “Its core is built…

India is set to manufacture its first homegrown semiconductor chip by 2025, marking a key milestone in the country’s technological progress. Announcing this at the Global Investors Summit 2025 in Bhopal, Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the rapid growth of electronic manufacturing in Madhya Pradesh under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. The state now has two government-approved clusters in Bhopal and Jabalpur, with 85 companies actively contributing to the sector’s expansion. As part of India’s push to strengthen its electronics ecosystem, the government has launched workforce development initiatives, including the Future Skills Programme, which aims…

Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that Indian Railways is set to achieve 100% electrification by the financial year 2025-26, with a strong push toward renewable energy adoption. Speaking virtually at the Madhya Pradesh Global Investors Summit (GIS) 2025, he reaffirmed the government’s goal of making Railways net zero by 2030. Currently, over 97% of railway lines have been electrified, and full electrification is expected to be completed within the next financial year. To support its sustainability goals, Indian Railways has secured a renewable energy capacity of 1.5 GW, including a recent 170 MW power purchase agreement with Madhya…

Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok 3, developed by xAI, has been making waves for its daring responses and growing capabilities. Recently, Bindu Reddy, the Indian-origin CEO and co-founder of Abacus.AI, took to X (formerly Twitter) to highlight Grok’s API potential. She pointed out that the AI could power “unhinged, uncensored, and NSFW apps,” adding that AI companions remain a dominant use case. Musk responded by resharing her post, commenting, “Grok 3 AI girlfriend or boyfriend is lit,” suggesting the chatbot’s role in AI companionship. However, Grok 3 landed in controversy after giving a shocking response to a politically charged question.…

India has taken a major step in modernizing its civil aviation sector with the introduction of the Electronic Personnel License (EPL) for pilots. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu unveiled the initiative, positioning India as the second nation worldwide to implement digital pilot licenses, following approval from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Replacing conventional physical licenses, the EPL will be accessible through the eGCA Mobile Application, ensuring a more efficient, secure, and transparent licensing process. This transition aligns with the Indian government’s “Ease of Doing Business” and “Digital India” initiatives, streamlining operations for aviation professionals. The move follows…

Ahead of the Advantage Assam summit in Guwahati, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, along with ambassadors and heads of mission from 45 nations, embarked on an elephant safari at Kaziranga National Park on Monday. The visit aimed to highlight Assam’s rich biodiversity and boost its global tourism appeal. Expressing enthusiasm about the growing tourist influx in the region, Jaishankar emphasized the significance of the Advantage Assam summit in promoting the state and other northeastern regions. “We are here to enhance Assam’s global presence, attract more tourists, generate international interest, and encourage investments. This visit is a great start to the…