Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

Indian-American Judge Amit Mehta, along with two other prominent figures from the subcontinent, has become a focal point in a major legal and political drama following a landmark court ruling on Tuesday. The ruling determined that Google acted illegally to maintain its dominance in online search. This case, initiated during the Trump administration, saw the Department of Justice accusing Google of spending billions annually on securing exclusive contracts with companies like Apple and Samsung to ensure it remained the default search engine. The case has been described as one of the most significant antitrust decisions in a quarter-century, with the…

Deloitte India’s August update on the India Economic Outlook projects the country’s economy will grow at a rate of 7-7.2% for the current fiscal year. This optimistic forecast is underpinned by strong economic fundamentals and ongoing domestic policy reforms. The Union Budget for 2024-25 has rolled out a series of initiatives designed to enhance agricultural productivity, create jobs for the youth, stimulate the manufacturing sector, and improve financial accessibility for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). These efforts are expected to support supply-side demand, moderate inflation, and encourage consumer spending, particularly in rural areas. Dr. Rumki Majumdar, a Deloitte India…

This Sunday, US Vice President Kamala Harris will interview three leading contenders as she moves closer to selecting her running mate. The candidates under consideration are US Senator Mark Kelly from Arizona, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. The interviews will be held at Harris’s residence in Washington, DC. Reports from Reuters suggest that Harris could reveal her choice as early as Monday, with a public appearance alongside the selected vice presidential nominee planned for Tuesday in Philadelphia. Additionally, the Harris campaign is preparing a social media announcement to introduce the chosen candidate. This decision is crucial…

Satheesh Kathula, a hematologist and oncologist from Dayton, Ohio, has assumed the presidency of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States. His term, along with the executive committee’s, began on July 9, 2024. In his inaugural speech, Kathula emphasized his commitment to fostering unity within AAPI, which has experienced increasing factional divisions. He stated that his goal is to promote unity within AAPI through his steadfast dedication to people, optimism, and integrity. As the 43rd president of AAPI, Kathula outlined his broader agenda, highlighting his intention to collaborate with…

Traditional medicine is utilized by billions globally for health and wellness. At a recent signing ceremony in Geneva, the Government of India pledged $85 million over the next decade (2022–2032) to support the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre. This significant investment will bolster efforts to strengthen the evidence base for traditional medicine, focusing on policies, practices, products, and public usage through comprehensive data collection and research. This $85 million commitment is part of a larger $250 million investment by India in the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine, which was established in 2022. The funds will support various aspects of…

Samsung Electronics CEO and Vice-Chairman Jong-Hee (JH) Han highlighted India’s importance to Samsung during his visit to the Noida factory, which produces smartphones, tablets, and refrigerators. This marked Han’s second visit to India this year, emphasizing the market’s growing significance for the South Korean tech giant. In a press statement, Han described India as one of the fastest-growing markets globally, offering immense opportunities for Samsung. He mentioned that Samsung was one of the early investors in India and expressed satisfaction that the Noida factory has become one of their largest facilities, producing goods for both India and global markets. Earlier…

India’s ambitious target of becoming a $35 trillion economy by 2047 presents a wealth of growth opportunities for Airtel, as noted by Chairman Sunil Mittal. He emphasized the pivotal role that 5G technology will play in propelling India’s digital evolution, affirming Airtel’s dedication to spearheading this change and working closely with policymakers and stakeholders to realize the vision. Mittal highlighted how India’s advances in digitization have distinguished it globally, particularly in the efficient delivery of public services and goods, and stressed the increasing economic significance of the telecom sector as a driver of economic growth. Mittal expressed strong confidence in…

University System of Georgia (USG) Chancellor Sonny Perdue revealed that Dr. Ashwani Monga, currently the Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer for USG, will assume the role of interim president at the University of West Georgia (UWG) beginning on August 19. This appointment follows UWG President Brendan B. Kelly’s announcement in June that he will become president of the Arkansas State University System, overseeing seven institutions. The leadership transition will begin prior to Kelly’s departure at the end of August. Chancellor Perdue expressed gratitude to Dr. Monga for stepping into this interim role during a pivotal time. He highlighted…

US Vice President Kamala Harris, recently identified as the likely Democratic presidential nominee, has quickly become a powerful figure of inspiration for the over 4.4 million Indian-Americans in the US. Ajay Bhutoria, who serves as the deputy national finance chair for the ‘Harris for President, 2024’ campaign, has observed that the grassroots enthusiasm for Harris is driving her early success. At 59, Harris officially kicked off her presidential campaign last week after President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from seeking a second term on July 20. While she has not yet been officially named the Democratic candidate, her campaign is…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the 9th NITI Aayog Governing Council Meeting on Saturday at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre. This year’s meeting will center on the theme ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’, focusing on transforming India into a developed nation by the year 2047. The agenda includes discussions on the Approach Paper for the Vision Document regarding Viksit Bharat@2047. The meeting aims to promote collaborative governance and strengthen partnerships between the Centre and State Governments. The goal is to improve the quality of life for all Indians by enhancing government service delivery mechanisms. The session will also explore the crucial role…