Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

Sandhya Reddy achieved a historic milestone as the first Indian Australian to secure a mayoral position in Sydney’s Strathfield Council. The election, held earlier this month, marked this significant moment in Australian politics. The official announcement came from the Strathfield Council on its Facebook page, stating that Councillor Karen Pensabene was elected Mayor during their ordinary Council Meeting on September 5. In this election, Councillor Sandy (Sandhya) Reddy was elected as the Deputy Mayor. Sandhya Reddy’s journey into the Strathfield Council began in December 2021 when she was initially elected. In the recent election, she ran as an independent candidate.…

On September 13, 2023, India’s President, Ms. Droupadi Murmu, inaugurated the Ayushman Bhav Campaign virtually from Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar. In her address, the President emphasized the campaign’s overarching goal, stating that “no person should be left behind, and no village should be left behind,” aligning with the aspiration of achieving Universal Health Coverage. She stressed the importance of individual and family health in realizing a healthier India and highlighted the collaborative multi-ministerial approach taken to attain this objective. Ms. Droupadi Murmu commended the Ayushman Apke Dwar 3.0 initiative, which encompasses the distribution of Ayushman cards to beneficiaries, organizing Ayushman…

Bilquis Mir, a prominent figure in the world of water sports and a kayaking sensation from Kashmir, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian woman athlete appointed as a jury member for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, commencing on September 23, 2023. With her role as Director of Water Sports in Jammu and Kashmir, Bilquis Mir will have the crucial responsibility of evaluating the performances of numerous athletes from across Asia, competing in various sports categories. Her appointment as a jury member for Canoeing at the Asian Games is a momentous achievement, marking a proud…

Amit P. Mehta, an esteemed Indian-American judge originally from Patna, India, currently presides over a critical antitrust lawsuit brought forth by the U.S. Justice Department against Google. Appointed to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in 2014, Judge Mehta’s legal expertise and unique background have positioned him as a prominent figure in this significant legal matter. This legal dispute initiated when the U.S. government accused Google of engaging in illicit practices aimed at establishing and maintaining a dominant position in the realm of online search and search advertising. The ongoing trial aims to determine whether Google’s actions…

On September 12, 2023, Ms. Droupadi Murmu, the President of India, formally inaugurated the First Global Symposium on Farmers’ Rights in New Delhi. In her address, the President acknowledged the farming community as the world’s primary conservers and true guardians of crop diversity. She emphasized the remarkable power and responsibility bestowed upon farmers and urged recognition of their tireless efforts to protect and revive various plant species. This significant symposium is hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rome, facilitated through the International Treaty Secretariat on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (International Treaty). The Union Ministry…

Puneet Ahluwalia, a first-generation Indian American entrepreneur, is vying for election as the Fairfax County supervisor in Virginia. This position holds significant responsibilities, including shaping county government policies and enacting resolutions and ordinances that impact the community. Ahluwalia’s motivation for seeking this role stems from a deep concern for the pressing issues facing his community. He acknowledges the growing divisiveness and lack of civility in today’s politics, which he believes hinder effective problem-solving. In a statement, he emphasized his commitment to introducing accountability, sound governance practices, and a diverse range of ideas to the supervisory board. He made a solemn…

India is set to take a pioneering role in the realm of biofuels through the Global Biofuels Alliance, as announced by Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri, the Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs. This initiative is poised to elevate India’s global standing, particularly as it assumes the G20 presidency. At its core, the Global Biofuels Alliance is an India-led effort aimed at facilitating the widespread adoption of biofuels, thus reducing the world’s reliance on conventional petrol and diesel. The catalyst for this development emerged during the G20 Summit in New Delhi, where Prime Minister Mr.…

India secured their first victory in the Super4 stage of the 2023 Asia Cup against arch-rivals Pakistan, winning by an impressive margin of 228 runs at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium on September 11. This win not only propelled the Men in Blue to the top of the points table but also marked their largest-ever margin of victory over Pakistan. The match, spanning two days, began on a strong note for Team India with openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill forming a formidable partnership of 121 runs before losing their wickets in quick succession. Rain forced the match to be carried…

In the context of the upcoming US Presidential elections in November 2024, CNN’s poll has suggested that Indian American Nikki Haley has emerged as a leading contender among Republicans to challenge the incumbent US President, Joe Biden. The presidential race for 2024 features a dozen Republican leaders, including prominent figures like Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy. Former President Donald Trump currently holds a significant lead among Republican candidates, but recent CNN polls have provided a different perspective. CNN observed that in hypothetical scenarios, there is no decisive frontrunner when Biden competes against significant GOP rivals. However, there is a noteworthy…

Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, has unveiled ambitious plans to establish the world’s largest artificial intelligence (AI) workforce, with India potentially emerging as the premier exporter of AI products and talent. Huang envisions India becoming a major hub for AI expertise and exports, stating, “India will produce and export more AI expertise than any other country. AI could also be its largest export.” As part of its mission to lead in AI, Nvidia intends to upskill and reskill every engineer within the company. Huang emphasizes that AI won’t replace jobs; rather, individuals who harness AI effectively will excel. He emphasizes the…