Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

Britain’s King Charles III has conferred new Knight Companions of the Most Noble Order of the Garter to distinguished individuals, including senior British Indian medic Lord Ajay Kumar Kakkar and musician Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber. Lord Kakkar, aged 59, has been honored for his exemplary public service and achievements. His selection for one of the country’s oldest ceremonial orders is distinct from other annual royal honors as it does not require prime ministerial advice. A citation issued by Buckingham Palace highlights Lord Kakkar’s medical career, focusing on preventing and treating venous and arterial thromboembolic disease and cancer-associated thrombosis. He holds…

Jamie Dimon, CEO of global banking giant JP Morgan Chase, commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts in uplifting 400 million people out of poverty in India. Speaking at an event hosted by the Economic Club of New York, Dimon praised the economic reforms initiated by the Modi government, suggesting that some could be adopted in the US. Dimon applauded Modi’s resilience in challenging outdated bureaucratic systems, labeling him as “tough.” He acknowledged the criticism faced by Modi from the liberal press while acknowledging his significant achievement in poverty alleviation. Referring to Modi as a “tough” administrator, Dimon highlighted…

The Department of State is identifying four entities under Executive Order 13382 for their involvement in supplying missile-related items to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, particularly its long-range missile initiatives. The Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant, based in Belarus, has provided specialized vehicle chassis crucial for Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile program, aiding launch support equipment for ballistic missiles developed by Pakistan’s National Development Complex (NDC), which focuses on MTCR Category I ballistic missiles. China’s Xi’an Longde Technology Development Company Limited has contributed missile-related equipment, such as a filament winding machine, believed to be intended for NDC’s use in producing rocket motor cases…

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her vision for Viksit Bharat 2047 during an interaction held at the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) premises in Ahmedabad on Saturday. She emphasized that Viksit Bharat is not merely an ambitious dream but an attainable objective, stressing the practicality of India’s economic aspirations. Sitharaman underscored the importance of self-sufficiency, asserting that India cannot solely rely on imports and must focus on domestic production. Regarding the choice of 2047 as the target year, Sitharaman explained that it symbolizes not only the centenary of independence but also signifies India’s potential to achieve substantial progress…

Thirty individuals, including six Indian Americans, have been named winners of the 2024 for New Americans, a prestigious graduate school program for immigrants and children of immigrants. Chosen from a pool of 2,323 applicants, these Paul & Daisy Soros Fellows were selected for their outstanding achievements and potential to contribute significantly to the United States across various fields of study. Each fellow will receive up to $90,000 in funding to support their graduate studies at institutions nationwide. In the 2024 class, the six distinguished new Americans of Indian American heritage are Ananya Agustin Malhotra, Aayush Karan, Akshay Swaminathan, Keerthana Hogirala,…

The issue of India’s quest for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council, initially raised by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, prompted a response from the United States earlier this year. The US expressed its backing for reforms within the United Nations’ structures, aiming to modernize them and reflect the realities of the 21st century world. US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel addressed inquiries during a press briefing regarding Elon Musk’s remarks on India’s absence from the UNSC’s permanent membership. Patel reiterated the US government’s stance on UN reforms, emphasizing the need to adapt to contemporary global…

Celebrating Ram Navami, Kangana Ranaut, an actor turned BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, reflected on her visit to Ayodhya for Ram Lalla’s ceremonial enthronement. She shared a video of her visit to the grand Ram Temple’s opening on January 22. The video showcased the temple’s splendor and snippets of PM Narendra Modi’s address. Kangana expressed joy that after 500 years, Ram Lalla was celebrating Ram Navami in his grand temple. PM Modi conducted an 11-day ‘Anusthan’ before the grand ‘Pran Pratishtha’, visiting Ram-related shrines across India. He officiated as the Jajman, performing rituals alongside selected priests and…

During the fiscal year 2024, India experienced a notable surge in the export of electronic goods, with the total value reaching US$ 29.12 billion. This represents a substantial growth rate of 23.6% compared to the previous year, despite an overall decline of 3% in the nation’s total exports. Officials from the commerce department highlighted that the United States, United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Italy emerged as the leading export markets for Indian electronic products during this period, underscoring the diverse global demand for India’s electronic goods. Furthermore, in the fiscal year 2024, Indian electronic exports expanded into new…

Actor Vidya Balan and her co-star Pratik Gandhi from “Do Aur Do Pyaar” were featured in the inaugural session of Indian Express’s new series “Expresso”. During the event, Vidya candidly discussed her experiences of facing criticism and scrutiny in Bollywood. She revealed instances of being body-shamed and criticized for her fashion choices. Vidya acknowledged facing a “witch hunt” in the industry, attributing it to personal issues others had with her. Despite the challenges, she expressed resilience, stating that she has emerged stronger from those experiences. Reflecting on her early days in the industry, Vidya shared anecdotes about feeling pressured by…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the BJP’s manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, highlighting its vision for “Viksit Bharat” or Developed India. He emphasized the significance of the BJP’s manifesto, known as ‘Sankalp Patra,’ stating that the party has a track record of fulfilling its promises over the past decade, which have benefitted various segments of society such as youth, women, the poor, and farmers. The manifesto outlined several key promises, including India’s bid for the Olympics in 2036, the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), and measures to combat paper leaks. One of the significant pledges involved…