Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has unveiled the RAKSHA document, a new strategic blueprint designed to guide India’s defence diplomacy and international security engagement over the next decade. The document presents an actionable framework for strengthening India’s position in a rapidly changing global environment. It aims to align the country’s national security priorities with greater international cooperation while supporting India’s broader role as a contributor to peace, stability and a rules-based global order. According to an official statement, the RAKSHA framework is built around four major areas: strategic partnerships, capacity building, indigenous defence manufacturing and exports, and maritime security. The initiative…

India’s economy delivered stronger-than-expected growth during the first quarter of the 2026-27 financial year, with real gross domestic product expanding by 7.8%, according to the latest government data. The growth rate accelerated from 6.9% recorded during the same quarter a year earlier and exceeded the Reserve Bank of India’s previous projection of 7%. The figures indicate continued momentum across major parts of the economy, supported by manufacturing, services, investment, household consumption and exports. At constant prices, India’s real GDP reached approximately $856.60 billion during the April-June quarter, compared with about $794.48 billion during the corresponding period of the previous year.…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the upcoming Kerala Kumbh Mela in Thirunavaya, Malappuram district, adding further prominence to one of the region’s major spiritual and cultural gatherings. The festival, also referred to as the Mahamagha festival, is scheduled to begin on January 15 next year. According to the event organizers, Modi could visit the festival either around its opening or during the final days of the celebration. Preparations are underway to extend a formal invitation to the Prime Minister. His participation will be confirmed after his official schedule is finalized. The Kerala Kumbh Mela is planned as…

Dr. Thimmasettappa Thippeswamy, a professor of biomedical sciences at Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence. The honor recognizes his contributions to veterinary science, translational research, teaching, and the development of innovative approaches to education. Thippeswamy has been part of the Iowa State University faculty since 2012 and currently holds the W. Eugene and Linda R. Lloyd Endowed Chair in Veterinary Medicine. Over the course of his academic career, he has worked to advance research in translational neurotoxicology while also contributing to curriculum development…

The Indian Overseas Congress USA has strengthened its presence in the United States with the formal launch of its Connecticut Chapter, bringing together organization leaders, supporters and members of the Indian American community. Kamal Swamy, who played a key role in establishing the new chapter, will lead the Connecticut unit. The launch represents another step in the organization’s efforts to build a broader network across the country and encourage greater participation among Indian Americans. Several IOC USA leaders and community representatives attended the inauguration, including Vice Chairman George Abraham, Northeast Zone Working President Pradeep Samla, Vice President Baldev Randhawa, Uttar…

Dr. Mayur B. Patel, a surgeon-scientist whose work spans traumatic brain injury, emergency surgery and critical care, has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Tennessee Luminary of the Year honor. The recognition celebrates Patel’s contributions to patient care, medical leadership and the broader brain injury community. Over the course of his career, he has combined clinical expertise with advocacy, professional development and community engagement, particularly in efforts supporting people affected by brain injuries. Patel has maintained a long-standing association with the Brain Injury Association of America and its Tennessee chapter for more than a decade. His involvement has…

India and the United States are looking to build further momentum in their civil nuclear partnership, with senior officials from both countries discussing recent developments and potential areas for expanded cooperation in the nuclear energy sector. Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Ajit Kumar Mohanty held talks with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright in Washington as the two sides reviewed the progress of their bilateral civil nuclear engagement. The meeting comes as international efforts to explore new applications for nuclear technology gain greater attention. The discussions took place ahead of the launch of an International Atomic Energy Agency initiative focused on examining…

Dr. K. Srikar Reddy has concluded his three-year tenure as India’s consul general in San Francisco, leaving behind an expanded diplomatic mission, stronger engagement with the Indian American community and broader efforts to advance cooperation between India and the United States. Reddy served in San Francisco from August 2023 through August 2026 before moving to his new assignment as India’s ambassador to Qatar. Career diplomat Satish Sivan, who previously served as India’s consul general in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, has taken over the San Francisco post. One of the most visible developments during Reddy’s tenure was the relocation of…

Deutsche Bank is turning to agentic artificial intelligence to strengthen its ability to withstand technology disruptions, with Pankaj Ojha, a director at the bank, serving as the lead architect of a new platform developed in collaboration with Google Cloud. Known as the Agentic Resilience Platform (ARP), the system is designed to help financial institutions evaluate how effectively they could respond to technology failures and recover from major disruptions. Google Cloud recently highlighted the initiative and identified Ojha as the platform’s lead architect. The development comes as financial institutions face growing expectations from regulators to demonstrate that their technology systems can…

The CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) has unveiled three indigenous micro and small gas turbine engines designed for applications in unmanned aerial vehicles, drone interceptors and compact missile systems. The three engines, named NJ-05, NJ-50 and NJ-100, have thrust capacities of 5 kg, 50 kg and 100 kg respectively. The propulsion systems are aimed at meeting critical requirements for indigenous defence technologies and strengthening India’s capabilities in aerospace engineering. The engines were unveiled at the CSIR headquarters in New Delhi in the presence of senior officials from the defence and scientific communities. Air Marshal Tejinder Singh, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff…