Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican presidential hopeful, has criticized “cancel culture” and expressed the view that it’s inappropriate for companies to refuse to hire Harvard University students who signed a letter placing blame for the Israel-Hamas war squarely on Israel. He called these students “simple fools” but argued that colleges are spaces for students to experiment with ideas, even if they endorse controversial or misguided ones. Ramaswamy believes it’s not productive to blacklist students for participating in groups that express politically contentious views on campus. He also highlighted instances where people were terminated for wearing Trump hats or students faced employment…

In the 69th edition of the National Film Awards for the year 2021, President Droupadi Murmu presented awards in various categories, including the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award, which was granted to the veteran Bollywood actor Waheeda Rehman. During her address, the President lauded Ms. Rehman’s exceptional contributions to the film industry, emphasizing her artistry and persona. She highlighted that even in her personal life, Ms. Rehman had exhibited qualities of dignity, self-confidence, and originality, becoming an inspirational figure for women’s empowerment. Ms. Murmu also extended her congratulations to the other recipients of the awards, recognizing the ceremony’s representation of…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the third edition of the Global Maritime India Summit (GMIS) 2023. During the event, he will unveil ‘Amrit Kaal Vision 2047,’ a long-term strategic plan for the Indian maritime blue economy. This blueprint outlines a series of strategic initiatives aimed at improving port facilities, promoting sustainable practices, and facilitating international cooperation. Additionally, PM Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for projects worth over $2.77 billion, aligning with the ‘Amrit Kaal Vision 2047’ for India’s maritime blue economy. One of these projects is the Tuna Tekra all-weather deep draft terminal, which…

In Missouri City, Texas, a primary school, Sonal Bhuchar Elementary School, was officially dedicated in honor of the accomplished Indian-American trailblazer, Sonal Bhuchar. The ceremony celebrating her memory featured speakers who commended her contributions to the community and her support for those in need. D C Manjunath, the Consul General of India, stood among the prominent guests at the ceremony. He paid his respects and presented the primary school with special books that shed light on India. The Consulate General of Houston, Texas, shared the event on the social media platform X, noting that CG (Consul General) participated in the…

Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, has named Nilu Patel, an Indian American, as a new appointee to the California Board of Registered Nursing. This announcement was made in conjunction with several other appointments from the Governor’s office. Patel has been employed as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) at the University of California, Irvine, a position she has held since 2008. In addition to her clinical work, she has also served as a faculty instructor in clinical anesthesiology at the University of Southern California (USC) since 2006. Furthermore, Patel holds memberships in both the California Association of Nurse Anesthetists…

India’s impressive progress in space exploration continues to amaze the global community. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently unveiled two momentous developments: the forthcoming halo orbit entry of the AdityaL1 mission in January and a crucial test related to the Gaganyaan mission on October 21. AdityaL1: Probing the Sun’s Corona The AdityaL1 mission is an innovative initiative aimed at investigating the Sun’s outermost layer, the corona. It will be positioned in a distinctive halo orbit near Lagrangian point L1, roughly 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. This location provides uninterrupted observation of the Sun, promising unprecedented insights into solar activities.…

In the ongoing Republican presidential primary race, candidates Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy have escalated their verbal clashes, particularly regarding the Israel conflict. Ramaswamy, in his latest statement, called for Haley to be removed from the presidential race. On October 13, outside the First in the Nation Leadership Summit in New Hampshire, Ramaswamy accused Haley of having “personal conflicts of interest” related to the Israel conflict due to her reported ties to companies involved in defense equipment supply. He remarked, “Nikki Haley’s foreign policy expertise is evident in her substantial $8 million bank account.” Ramaswamy further criticized her for what…

LifeWire, a Bellevue, Washington-based organization dedicated to supporting domestic violence survivors, has honored Washington State Senator Manka Dhingra with the Norm Maleng Award in recognition of her tireless efforts to combat domestic violence. Expressing her gratitude for the award, Senator Dhingra, who chairs the Senate Law & Justice Committee, highlighted her long-standing commitment to advocating for survivors of gender-based violence, beginning during her college years. Dhingra noted the personal significance of receiving an award bearing Norm Maleng’s name, as he had hired her as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in 2000, marking the inception of her career. In addition to her…

In the coming week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate India’s first Rapid Rail train, named RAPIDX, marking a significant milestone for the country’s rail network. This event will take place on the 17-km priority corridor situated in Ghaziabad, coinciding with the Navratri festival. What makes this inaugural journey even more noteworthy is that the RAPIDX train will be operated by women pilots, a historic first for Indian railways. The completion of the Sahibabad to Duhai Depot priority corridor’s construction, a key segment for commercial train operations, was finalized approximately four to five months ago, setting the stage…

A recent Pew Research Center survey indicates that approximately half of self-identified Indian Asian American adults continue to practice Hinduism, accounting for 48% of respondents, a figure consistent with the 2012 report of 51%. In this survey, 11% of Asian Americans identify Hinduism as their religion, mirroring the 2012 report of 10%. Moreover, 6% of all Asian Americans feel closely connected to Hinduism for cultural or ancestral reasons, reflecting a strong affinity. In total, two-thirds of Indian Americans either identify as Hindu or exhibit a strong connection to Hinduism. Of the Asian American Hindus surveyed, one-third find religion very important,…