Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

Illumination Health + Home successfully raised over $1.75 million at its annual Chef’s Table gala, held on March 22 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine. The event was organized to support housing, healthcare, and vital services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Orange County. The gala drew 431 attendees and highlighted the community’s commitment to social impact. “Chef’s Table demonstrates the power of compassion in action,” said Dr. Pooja Bhalla, CEO of Illumination Health + Home. “Thanks to our generous supporters, we can continue providing access to housing, healthcare, and critical services that help families heal, grow, and thrive.” During…

India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, is scheduled to visit Washington from April 8 to 10, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The visit aims to review the full spectrum of India-US relations and further strengthen ongoing collaboration across key sectors. During his three-day trip, Misri will engage with senior US officials to discuss a wide range of issues, including trade, defence, science, technology, and significant regional and global developments of mutual interest. The visit is a continuation of high-level exchanges between the two countries, following External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s trip to the United States…

India’s major ports achieved a historic milestone in FY26, handling 915.17 million tonnes of cargo, exceeding the annual target of 904 million tonnes and registering a year-on-year growth of over 7%. The performance highlights the sector’s robust recovery, increased operational efficiency, and the positive impact of policy reforms and infrastructure development. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways attributed this success to capacity expansion, improved logistics connectivity, and overall modernisation of port operations, reflecting India’s growing significance in global maritime trade. Among the top-performing ports, Deendayal Port Authority led with 160.11 million tonnes of cargo, closely followed by Paradip Port…

Syed Akbaruddin, India’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, has emphasised that the country’s growing global importance demands a more careful and measured approach in its responses to international developments. He noted that India’s foreign policy is increasingly reflecting the aspirations of its young population as well as the practical concerns of ordinary citizens. Speaking during a public interaction, Akbaruddin observed that the expectations of younger Indians have significantly evolved from earlier generations. While traditional foreign policy once focused largely on ideological positions, today’s priorities are more outcome-driven, including employment opportunities, easier visa access, and smoother remittance flows. He…

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated on Thursday that India is striving for “preferential access” and the most favourable trade arrangements in ongoing discussions with the United States. He described India as being in a “very sweet spot” among emerging economies, emphasizing that the country’s status as the world’s fastest-growing major economy offers an attractive opportunity for global investors. Goyal highlighted outcomes from the recent four-day WTO Ministerial, covering seven critical areas including WTO reform, fisheries subsidies, investment facilitation, e-commerce, agriculture, and broader development concerns. Key agreements included measures to integrate smaller economies into the global trade system,…

Dhurandhar 2, the sequel to Aditya Dhar’s hit film starring Ranveer Singh, continues to dominate box offices worldwide in its second week. On Day 13, Tuesday, the movie earned $171 million, with the Hindi version contributing $160 million, Telugu $6 million, and Tamil $3.3 million. This brings its total domestic net collection to $5.54 billion, while India’s gross revenue now stands at $6.63 billion. Globally, Dhurandhar 2 has crossed $1.435 billion, surpassing its predecessor by a wide margin. The film is currently being screened across 17,883 shows nationwide. On Day 13, overall Hindi occupancy averaged 28.2%, starting with 20.15% in…

Congressman Tom Suozzi has been appointed as the Democratic Vice-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, positioning him in a pivotal leadership role in shaping U.S. engagement with India. The announcement was made by Caucus Chairman Ro Khanna, who highlighted Suozzi’s extensive work with the Indian American community and his commitment to deepening ties between Washington and New Delhi. A veteran member of the caucus, Suozzi’s elevation comes after years of advocacy and outreach. His efforts include multiple visits to India and a historic visit last year to the Kartarpur Corridor, making him the first American…

India’s digital payments landscape is set for further expansion as the Reserve Bank of India introduces its Payments Vision 2028, a forward-looking strategy designed to strengthen the country’s already dominant position in real-time digital transactions. The roadmap focuses on enhancing trust, resilience, and global competitiveness, aligning with the broader goal of shaping the future of India’s payment systems. The initiative aims to build a more secure, efficient, and accessible payment ecosystem, supporting the growth of the digital economy. By improving infrastructure and expanding capabilities, the plan is expected to drive transaction volumes worth millions of dollars while reinforcing India’s leadership…

Abdulnasser Alshaali, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to India, has lauded India’s active role in the ongoing West Asia crisis, emphasizing the influence of New Delhi’s constructive diplomatic approach. Speaking to IANS, he highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s prompt call to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was a significant gesture of solidarity, reflecting the decade-long close partnership between the two leaders. The ambassador noted India’s co-sponsorship of UN Security Council Resolution 2817 alongside 135 nations as a clear demonstration of its commitment to protecting state sovereignty and civilian safety. He stated that India’s credibility and…

India’s private space sector is witnessing a new wave of innovation with the emergence of Bharath Space Vehicle (BSV), a Surat-based startup founded in 2024. The company is developing a small-lift rocket named Agasthya-1, aiming to offer reliable and cost-effective launch services for the growing small satellite market, which is expected to generate opportunities worth millions of dollars globally. The founding team brings over 70 years of combined experience from the Indian space program, giving the venture strong technical credibility. Agasthya-1 is designed as a two-stage expendable rocket powered by liquid oxygen and kerosene engines. Standing 28 meters tall, the…