Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, asserts that their G20 presidency has granted a stronger voice and acknowledgment to the Global South, signaling an upcoming shift in world affairs. He emphasizes that Global South nations are gaining confidence to influence global matters like climate change and institutional reforms, with developed countries recognizing their potential and aspirations. Modi believes a new world order is emerging after the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting from a GDP-centric view to a human-centric perspective. India aims to include Africa in the G20 framework to bolster the Global South’s influence. Modi stresses that every voice matters, regardless of GDP…

Embracing fitness as a lifestyle goes beyond a mere set of exercises aimed at shedding pounds. The key to truly relishing your physical activity lies in selecting an activity that genuinely brings you joy. This choice is also influenced by the goals you’ve set for yourself. Individuals pursuing muscle growth or specific physical aesthetics often rely on gym trainers to guide them. Conversely, some seek stress reduction, weight loss, enhanced flexibility, and disease prevention. For those desiring a holistic well-being approach, yoga emerges as the ideal choice, incorporating various aspects of physical and mental health through postures, breathing techniques, and…

Arjun Gupta, an Indian American executive, has assumed the role of chairperson for the newly established federal Investment Capital Advisory Committee (ICAC). This committee’s primary objective, as outlined in an official release, is to provide guidance to the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) in creating a more inclusive and accessible environment for small businesses across the nation. Arjun Gupta boasts an impressive career, serving as the founder and leading figure of TeleSoft Partners, a venture capital firm he established in 1996. Over the past quarter-century, he has made investments in more than 250 private technology companies, leading to over…

To accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, India and the United States jointly established the Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP) in Delhi as part of their bilateral Strategic Clean Energy Partnership. The launch of RETAP was officially announced on June 22, 2023, during a meeting in Washington involving U.S. President Joseph R. Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During this meeting, both leaders extended their partnership to focus on new and emerging technologies aimed at expediting the transition to clean energy. The platform’s inauguration took place during a meeting between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)…

Tharman Shanmugaratnam, of Indian heritage, achieved a resounding victory when he was elected as the President of Singapore on September 1. In the country’s first contested presidential election since 2011, Shanmugaratnam, an accomplished economist, secured a substantial 70.4 percent of the vote, triumphing over his rivals of Chinese descent. Prior to becoming President, Shanmugaratnam held the position of a senior minister. He will be the third President of Indian origin, following in the footsteps of Singapore’s third president, Devan Nair, and the sixth elected president, Sellapan Ramanathan. He will be succeeding the eighth female president, Halimah Yacob. His previous roles…

In August 2023, India’s Unified Payment Interface (UPI) saw a significant milestone as it crossed 10 billion transactions for the first time in a month. This information comes from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) data as of August 30th, 2023, which reported a transaction volume of 10.24 billion. Not only did UPI achieve a remarkable transaction volume, but it’s also on the verge of surpassing its previous high in terms of value. The previous record was US$ 183.68 billion (Rs. 15.18 trillion), and the latest figures are just slightly below that, at US$ 185.62 billion (Rs. 15.34 trillion),…

Eduardo Hernandez, the captain of Northeast Fort Bend Fire Station 2 in Richmond, patiently stood while a young lady carefully tied a silk thread around his outstretched wrist. In the midst of this scene, other firefighters adorned with similar bracelets savored Indian sweets as they warmly welcomed children into the fire station. These visitors belonged to the local chapter of the faith-based nonprofit Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS). The silk bracelet they were placing on Captain Hernandez’s wrist was a rakhi, a symbol steeped in centuries of tradition, embodying the fundamental connection between a protector and the one they’ve sworn to…

Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan hosted a festive Raksha Bandhan gathering at their Mumbai residence, with a full house of family members. Kareena shared a picture featuring Saif, sisters-in-law Soha and Saba, Saif’s kids Sara and Ibrahim (from his previous marriage), and their own sons Taimur and Jeh. Soha and Kunal Kemmu’s daughter Inaaya Naumi also graced the family photo. Another snapshot showcased Ibrahim, Jeh, and Taimur in matching black kurtas, captioned “Family Ties.” Sara Ali Khan posted more heartwarming Rakhi celebration photos. Soha’s special Rakhi post carried the caption “Hum nau saath hain” (We are nine together). Saba…

Mr. Rajeev Saxena, the Joint Secretary of Textiles, conducted a press conference to unveil significant updates regarding the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM). He shared that the Ministry of Textiles has approved the Startup Guidelines for Technical Textiles – Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT). This initiative extends grant-in-aid support of up to Rs. 50 lakh (US$ 60,533) for a maximum period of 18 months. The newly introduced guidelines are aimed at facilitating the transition of prototypes into innovative products, encompassing commercialization. A specific focus is directed towards fostering a Startup Ecosystem in Technical…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi advised the freshly enlisted jawans and officials of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) to adopt yoga as a means to alleviate mental stress. Mr. Modi personally handed over 51,000 appointment letters to new recruits, who are set to join the paramilitary forces, Narcotics Control Bureau, and Delhi Police. These appointments span various roles, including Constable (general duty), Sub-Inspector (general duty), and Non-General Duty Cadre positions. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining physical fitness, Mr. Modi urged the recruits not to overlook this aspect. He highlighted the prevalence of stressful situations in their line of duty, underscoring…