Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

Ashfaq Syed has made history as the first person of Indian origin elected to the Naperville City Council in Illinois. His victory is a significant milestone for the city’s Indian American community, reflecting their rising civic engagement and support for inclusive local leadership. Prior to launching her campaign, Syed served as the head of the Naperville Public Library Board of Trustees and was actively involved in various community-oriented organizations. With a background in finance and a deep-rooted passion for service, Syed was driven by the desire to give back to the city that embraced his family. “I’ve always believed in…

Apple is poised to hit a major milestone in India, with early IDC estimates showing over 3 million iPhones shipped in the first quarter of 2025 — a record-breaking figure for the tech giant. This leap from last year’s 2.21 million units signals Apple’s rising dominance in India, its fastest-growing market worldwide. Despite the broader smartphone market in India shrinking by mid-single digits, Apple has bucked the trend, thanks to attractive affordability programs like no-interest EMIs, cashback deals, and deep online discounts. These strategies have sparked a strong double-digit growth rate, according to IDC’s Upasna Joshi. The launch of the…

Georgia Tech has announced that Professor Shreyes Melkote will serve as the interim chair of the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, starting May 15, 2025. Melkote, who currently holds the title of Morris M. Bryan, Jr. Professor for Advanced Manufacturing Systems, steps into the role as Devesh Ranjan prepares to leave the Institute to become the next dean of engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Raheem Beyah, dean of the College of Engineering, expressed gratitude for Melkote’s acceptance of the temporary leadership position. “Shreyes’ track record and his commitment to Georgia Tech make him an excellent choice to…

In New Haven, Connecticut, Yale School of Management’s Professor Menaka Hampole has been awarded the Upjohn Institute’s Early Career Research Award. This accolade provides vital support to emerging scholars—within six years of earning their PhDs—who focus on employment-related policy research. Professor Hampole received the grant for her insightful paper titled “What Explains the Twin Gender Gaps in Higher Education? The Role of Outside Options,” co-authored with Titan Alon and Laura Murphy. The research examines two key disparities: women enrolling in college at higher rates than men, yet experiencing less favorable financial outcomes after graduating. The paper sheds light on how…

In a significant move toward cultural inclusivity, the Illinois House of Representatives has unanimously approved a bill to officially designate Diwali Day, honoring the vibrant traditions of the Indian American community. Though Diwali hasn’t been declared a state holiday yet, the new legislation stands as a meaningful recognition of the festival’s deep cultural and religious significance for the Indian American community in Illinois. House Bill 1075, introduced by State Representative Daniel Didech of Buffalo Grove, proposes that the day of Diwali be officially recognized as Diwali Day in Illinois. On his official Facebook page, Representative Daniel Didech announced that the…

Nikhil Rathi, the Indian-origin head of the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), has been reappointed for a second five-year term by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves. Lauding his leadership as essential to the government’s reform mission, Reeves emphasised that Rathi’s role would be pivotal in accelerating economic growth and investment in the country. As the chief regulator overseeing over 40,000 financial institutions, the FCA plays a vital role in upholding transparency and trust in the UK’s financial markets. The Treasury said Rathi would continue steering the FCA as it strives to eliminate outdated and redundant regulations, positioning the UK…

The executive order issued by US President Donald Trump has imposed an additional duty of 27 per cent on Indian goods entering the United States. In response, the Commerce and Industry Ministry, led by Piyush Goyal, is carefully examining the implications of this order, the ministry stated on Thursday.The US President’s executive order on reciprocal tariffs has introduced additional ad-valorem duties that range from 10 per cent to 50 per cent on imports from all trading partners. The baseline duty of 10 per cent is set to be effective from April 5, 2025, while the remaining country-specific additional ad-valorem duties…

April 2, 2011, remains etched in the hearts of Indian cricket fans as one of the greatest moments in the sport’s history. On this day, India lifted the ICC ODI World Cup for the second time, 28 years after their first triumph in 1983, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Fourteen years later, members of the 2011 World Cup-winning squad continue to cherish the memories of that historic night and took to social media to celebrate the anniversary of the momentous occasion. “ON THIS DAY in 2011, India scripted history by winning the ICC Cricket World Cup! I still get…

Santa Clara Family Health Plan (SCFHP) has appointed Manish Nautiyal as its new Chief Information Officer (CIO), following the retirement of Jonathan Tamayo, who held the position since 2015. Nautiyal brings over 22 years of experience in healthcare IT and will lead SCFHP’s IT strategy and operations to ensure that technology supports the organization’s mission of expanding healthcare access in Santa Clara County. Nautiyal is a seasoned technology executive with a strong background in software engineering, cybersecurity, telecommunications, and healthcare IT infrastructure. Before joining SCFHP, he served as Senior Vice President of IT Development and Infrastructure at Beacon Healthcare Systems,…

The Indian American Impact Fund has officially announced its endorsements for the 2025 election cycle, supporting candidates in crucial local and statewide races across the United States. Chintan Patel, the executive director of the PAC, highlighted the significance of these elections, stressing their impact on everyday life. “The elections happening at the local and state levels this year will shape not only our future but also our daily experiences in profound ways,” he stated. Among the endorsed candidates are Mussab Ali for Mayor of Jersey City, Dini Ajmani for Mayor of Hoboken, Shashi Sinha for Mayor of Rochester, Balvir Singh…