Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

On May 9, US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced the names of the 161 high school seniors selected for the 60th anniversary of the US Presidential Scholars. He highlighted that these students represent the pinnacle of academic excellence in the nation’s schools and embody hope for a promising future for the country. Celebrating their achievements on behalf of President Biden, Cardona encouraged these scholars to continue striving for greatness, support others, and embrace leadership opportunities. The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects these scholars annually based on their academic success, excellence in the arts, technical education, essays, school…

Krish Pai, a 17-year-old Indian American from Del Mar, California, won the second Regeneron Young Scientist Award, receiving $50,000 at the 2024 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, the largest pre-college science and engineering competition globally. He was honored for his machine-learning research aimed at identifying microbial genetic sequences capable of biodegrading plastic. On May 17, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and the Society for Science announced his win. Pai developed a software named Microby, which scans microorganism databases to find candidates for genetic modification to degrade plastics. His tests revealed two microorganisms that could be genetically altered to break down plastic…

Actor Manoj Bajpayee revealed that despite having refined tastes and enjoying champagne, he maintains a ‘middle-class life’. In an interview, he disclosed that he intentionally opted for a small, basic car over a fancy, fully-equipped one because he lacks the know-how to operate the latter. He emphasized the endless nature of human ambition and the tendency to accumulate more wealth than necessary. Discussing his views on money during an appearance on the RealHit YouTube channel, Bajpayee stressed the importance of having sufficient funds for medical expenses and children’s education to live comfortably without borrowing. He acknowledged that while there are…

For the past two years, Deepika Padukone has launched India’s box office with remarkable success. In 2023, she reunited with her Om Shanti Om co-star Shah Rukh Khan for the espionage thriller Pathaan. This film garnered $76 million in India and surpassed the $100 million global box office milestone without a release in China. This year, Padukone starred in the Hindi aviation action film Fighter, directed by Siddharth Anand, which achieved $43 million globally within 30 days. Padukone emphasizes that while box office success and accolades are significant, her personal experiences and interactions on set hold the most value for…

Aruni Kashyap, an Assamese author and translator residing in Georgia, has been honored as one of the fellows of the Harvard Radcliffe Institute for the 2024-25 term. This prestigious award, granted by the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University, marks a significant achievement for both Kashyap and his home state of Assam. He stands as the first Assamese to receive this esteemed fellowship, joining 53 fellows selected worldwide for the institute’s 25th anniversary class. The fellowship spans a year and provides recipients like Aruni with the opportunity to delve into research-oriented projects across various disciplines, including humanities, sciences,…

Hema Malini, a Bollywood icon, has maintained a rather elusive presence in the Mathura Lok Sabha constituency, despite winning twice consecutively. Residents of the villages and small towns on the route to the pilgrimage center of Vrindavan feel that their local MP is seldom seen except during election periods. To many, she remains a glamorous figure more visible on television than in their locality. Despite the criticisms, Malini insists that Vrindavan is her permanent home. Nonetheless, she appears poised to secure a third term in the Lok Sabha, a rare feat in an era where voters’ demands and political preferences…

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah, has confirmed the departure plans for Indian team players not qualifying for the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs. These players will leave in two groups for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies. Shah stated that players from teams not making the IPL playoffs will depart on May 24 along with the coaching staff. The remaining players will leave after the IPL final on May 26. Regarding the last league games, Shah emphasized that players from non-qualifying teams will not be rested. He…

Millions of voters across 96 constituencies in India commenced their electoral duties as the nation’s extensive six-week-long election surpassed its midway point. Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks reelection for a third consecutive term, eyeing a potential supermajority in Parliament. This phase of voting, spanning nine states and one union territory, holds significant importance for Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), particularly in strongholds like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Crucial seats in Maharashtra and Bihar, where the BJP governs in coalition with regional parties, are also contested in this round. In Bihar’s Samastipur city, voters queued at polling stations amid tight…

Campaigning for the upcoming general elections in Andhra Pradesh will draw to a close on Saturday, May 11th, as the Election Commission of India will enforce a 48-hour Silence Period starting at 6 p.m. This period precedes the polling for 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha constituencies in the fourth phase of elections in the state. Chief Electoral Officer Mukesh Kumar Meena announced on Friday that all necessary precautions for the final 72 hours leading up to the polling have been put in place. The 48-hour Silence Period will extend until the conclusion of polling on May 13th, commencing at…

According to a report by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), India witnessed a significant decline in its Hindu population, dropping by almost 8% from 1950 to 2015, while the Muslim community saw a remarkable 43% increase during the same period. Over the course of 65 years, the Hindu population in India decreased from constituting 84% of the total population in 1950 to 78% in 2015. Conversely, minority groups such as Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and Sikhs experienced a rise in their respective shares, although the number of Jains and Parsis decreased. Between 1950 and 2015, the Muslim…