Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

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…

Virat Kohli once again proved why he is among cricket’s greatest, scoring his 51st ODI century to guide India to a six-wicket victory over Pakistan in their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. His unbeaten 100 off 111 balls helped India chase down Pakistan’s target of 242 with ease, securing their spot in the semifinals. Beyond the match-winning knock, Kohli reached another historic milestone, surpassing Ricky Ponting to become the third-highest run-scorer in international cricket. With 27,503 runs in 614 innings at an average of 52.38, Kohli now trails only Sachin Tendulkar (34,357) and Kumar Sangakkara…

India’s e-commerce industry is on track to reach $550 billion by 2035, propelled by increasing digital penetration and evolving shopping habits, as per a joint report by ANAROCK and ETRetail. Currently valued at $125 billion in 2024, the sector is forecasted to expand to $345 billion by 2030, maintaining an annual growth rate of 15%. A major contributor to this surge is the rising demand from Tier II and III cities, where the proportion of online shoppers climbed from 46% in FY20 to 56% in FY24 and is projected to hit 64% by FY30. To capitalize on this trend, e-commerce…

Indian American actress, writer, producer, and director Mindy Kaling has achieved a historic milestone by receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This recognition, managed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, makes her the first South Asian woman to be honored with a star in the television category. The achievement has been widely celebrated, particularly by the desi community in the American entertainment industry. Anip Patel, a prominent Indian American entrepreneur and media strategist, praised Kaling’s influence, emphasizing her contributions beyond acting. He highlighted her role as the CEO of Kaling International and her efforts in reshaping South…