Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

India expressed gratitude for Qatar’s decision to release eight former Indian Navy personnel, previously sentenced to death, with seven having returned home. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) lauded Qatar’s Amir for facilitating their release, following diplomatic negotiations between the two nations. Earlier, the death sentences of the Indian Navy veterans were commuted to prolonged prison terms after bilateral discussions. Out of the eight imprisoned individuals, seven have returned to India, with arrangements underway for the remaining one. These former Indian Navy officers were detained in Qatar in 2022 over allegations of espionage related to a submarine program, facing charges…

The Mood of the Nation survey conducted by CVoter and the India Today group indicates that Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are perceived as the most suitable leaders to succeed Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It credits Modi’s charismatic appeal for driving the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to success in past Assembly elections and the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Projections from the survey suggest that the NDA is likely to secure 335 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, marking a decrease from its previous tally of 353 seats in 2019. Conversely, the…

The US-India Business Council (USIBC) has named Inderpreet Sawhney and Lakshmanan Chidambaram to its global board of directors. Sawhney, currently serving as the group general counsel and chief compliance officer at Infosys, brings over 25 years of experience in legal and compliance roles within the IT industry. She has held significant positions in both large IT services firms and law firms, demonstrating leadership and expertise in privacy, data protection, and general counsel responsibilities. Recognized for her achievements, Sawhney has received awards for her commitment to advancing women in law and has been honored as one of the top women leaders…

Ronak M. Jani, the Managing Director of the Jani Group of Companies and an Indian American, has been appointed to the External Advisory Board (EAB) of the University of California Merced (UC Merced). In his new capacity, Jani offers strategic guidance leveraging his extensive expertise in the finance sector, aiming to enhance the university’s leadership, as outlined in a press release from the institution. Expressing his enthusiasm, Jani affirmed his commitment to supporting UC Merced’s mission of delivering top-tier education to students from diverse backgrounds. He emphasized the university’s potential as a hub for innovation and pledged to assist in…

Microsoft has appointed Vik Singh, of Indian origin, as the corporate vice president overseeing generative AI and enterprise products. Prior to this role, Singh was the CEO and co-founder of Infer, a prominent predictive sales and marketing platform. Additionally, he has been actively involved as an investor and advisor to various AI startups. Previously, Singh held the position of entrepreneur in residence at Sutter Hill Ventures (SHV), where he played a key role in identifying potential ventures and evaluating early-stage investments. He also contributed significantly to the creation and development of Yahoo! BOSS, an open search platform powering services like…

Recent reports from official sources indicate a surge in interest among both Indians and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in acquiring property in Ayodhya, often referred to as the ‘Hindu Vatican’ following the inauguration of the Ram temple last month. This newfound attraction to the holy city is exemplified by Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan’s acquisition of a plot in Ayodhya. While private companies and real estate agents are actively participating in this trend, the government schemes are witnessing a notable influx of NRIs. Authorities emphasize the need for formal authorization letters through embassies for those claiming to represent countries in property dealings,…

Infogain, a digital engineering firm based in Silicon Valley, has announced the appointment of Dinesh Venugopal as its CEO, effective February 8. Previously the CEO of PK, an experienced engineering company acquired by Concentrix, Venugopal later served as the president of Concentrix Catalyst. With over a decade of experience at Mphasis, Venugopal held various roles, including president of direct and digital, as highlighted in a press release. He succeeds Ayan Mukerji, who initially joined Infogain as the chief operating officer in 2018, later taking on the role of CEO in 2021. Expressing his thoughts on the appointment, Venugopal stated, “Infogain’s…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed praise for the budget presented in Parliament, highlighting its inclusive and innovative nature. He emphasized its focus on empowering the youth, poor, women, and farmers, considering it a foundation for a developed India. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s vision was commended, with Modi stating that the budget aims to build the country’s future, guaranteeing the strengthening of India’s foundation by 2047. PM Modi specifically mentioned the allocation of a $1.2 billion fund for research and innovation and the extension of tax exemptions for startups. Despite maintaining fiscal discipline, the budget witnessed a historic increase in total…

United States Artists (USA) has named Mythili Prakash among its fellows, recognizing her as the sole Indian-American among the 50 recipients of a $50,000 cash award for their impactful contributions to the nation’s cultural landscape. A second-generation Bharatnatyam dancer, Prakash received training from her mother, Viji Prakash, and is currently mentored by Bharatanatyam dancer Malavika Sarukkai and dancer/choreographer Akram Khan. She has garnered recognition with grants like the Irvine Foundation’s Creation to Performance Grant, the Center for Cultural Innovation’s Artistic Innovation Grant, and the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project Touring Grant. Prakash’s solo productions have graced…

In her address to a joint session of Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu highlighted the government’s decade-long efforts to enhance tourism, pilgrimage destinations, and historical sites. She emphasized the vital role of tourism in youth employment, citing a notable increase in both domestic and foreign visitors to India. The President attributed this growth to India’s elevated global standing, improved connectivity, and infrastructure development, particularly in regions like the North-east and islands such as Andaman-Nicobar and Lakshadweep. President Murmu underscored the government’s commitment to making pilgrimage sites and historical landmarks more accessible, aiming to garner global interest in India’s rich heritage tourism.…