Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

Continuing a cultural tradition spanning generations, hundreds of Indian-American community members gathered in Virginia, USA, to celebrate the Hindu festival of Chhath Puja, honoring the Sun God. This four-day festival, which began on November 6, includes devotees fasting and congregating by rivers or ponds to offer prayers, embracing rituals they have cherished for generations. In Virginia, participants observed the Kharna ritual on Wednesday, a vital aspect of Chhath Puja. During the Kharna ritual, devotees fast from sunrise to sunset, refraining from even drinking water, as a practice of physical and spiritual cleansing. The community came together by a river, with…

India’s smartphone market achieved a significant milestone in the third quarter of 2024, becoming the world’s second-largest by unit volume, as reported by Counterpoint Research. India accounted for 15.5% of global smartphone shipments during this period, trailing only China, which held a 22% share. Meanwhile, the United States followed with a 12% share. In terms of market value, India placed third, holding 12.3% of the global share, a slight increase from the 12.1% recorded during the same quarter last year. China led the value segment with 31%, while the US maintained a 19% share. Neil Shah, co-founder of Counterpoint Research,…

Response to Rishika Singh’s Article in The Indian Express about Diwali   Journalists and writers are revered throughout the world for their professionalism and ethical conduct of  reporting truthfully and disseminating that to the public.  Usually, they thoroughly research their subject before they pen it.  Normally, the public accepts their write ups. Recently, I read an article written by one Rishika Singh in a well known and well respected newspaper: The Indian Express without checking the facts.  The article is titled “ How did Diwali celebrations begin at the White House?”  She mentioned  “ Barack Obama was the first US…

Donald Trump claimed victory in the 2024 US presidential election, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate of Indian descent, in a closely contested race. Following his win, speculation is rife about the potential for several Indian-American leaders to secure top positions in Trump’s administration. Vivek Ramaswamy, a 38-year-old biotech billionaire and former presidential candidate, suspended his 2024 campaign after a poor showing in the Iowa caucuses. Though Ramaswamy lost out on the vice-presidential spot to JD Vance, he remains a key figure in Trump’s political circle. Sources indicate Ramaswamy could be tapped to oversee the Department of Homeland…

After making a historic return to the presidency, Donald Trump is anticipated to take several weeks to finalize his cabinet picks. However, buzz around who may occupy key roles in his administration has already begun, particularly among his closest and most loyal supporters. His team is considering candidates for important areas like defense, intelligence, and economic policy. Many of those interested in prominent positions are proactively reaching out to Trump’s inner circle, hoping to secure a role. Known for his cautious approach, Trump largely avoided engaging in such discussions ahead of the election, despite loyal allies seeking to present their…

Republican candidate Donald Trump appears set to become the next President of the United States, with reports suggesting that Indian-American politician Vivek Ramaswamy could assume a significant role in Trump’s administration. Ramaswamy, a multimillionaire entrepreneur, has been credited with drawing youth support to Trump’s campaign, particularly through his “Ten Truths” platform that calls for a revival of American values. During a campaign event in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Trump praised Ramaswamy as “smart as hell,” suggesting he would be a valuable asset in a leadership position within the government. Ramaswamy, who was the youngest GOP candidate at 38, suspended his campaign following…

Prominent Indian Americans expressed their support for Donald Trump following his re-election as the 47th President of the United States, with many emphasizing their commitment to collaborating with his administration on key issues, especially US-India relations. Google CEO Sundar Pichai congratulated Trump on his “decisive victory” and highlighted the current era of American innovation, pledging to work with the president to ensure these benefits are shared widely. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley also offered her congratulations, urging for unity among Americans. She stressed that the next steps involve a peaceful transition and that true unity requires action, not just…

The 21st India-US Military Cooperation Group (MCG) meeting commenced on Wednesday in New Delhi, with Lt Gen JP Mathew of India’s Integrated Defence Staff and Lt Gen Joshua M Rudd from the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) co-chairing the event. Discussions emphasized new initiatives within existing defense cooperation frameworks, aiming to strengthen India-US defense engagements and interoperability in addressing shared security concerns in the Indo-Pacific. The India-US MCG, a collaborative forum, facilitates strategic and operational-level discussions between India’s Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff, and USINDOPACOM, focused on advancing bilateral defense ties. On Monday, the 15th edition of the Exercise Vajra Prahar commenced…

San Francisco-based robotics startup, Physical Intelligence, has successfully raised $400 million in its latest funding round, bringing its post-money valuation to $2.4 billion. This investment round saw participation from high-profile backers, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, OpenAI, Thrive Capital, Lux Capital, and Bond Capital. Additionally, Khosla Ventures and Sequoia Capital contributed, reflecting the growing confidence in the company’s vision. This funding marks a significant leap from Physical Intelligence’s previous seed round in March, where it raised $70 million at a valuation of $400 million. The company’s rapid growth and soaring valuation demonstrate the increasing interest in creating AI-driven robotics, especially…

As the Diwali festivities draw closer, markets across India, particularly in Delhi, are bracing for an impressive shopping surge, with total sales expected to reach approximately $50.57 billion (Rs 4.25 trillion). Delhi is anticipated to contribute around $8.92 billion (Rs 75,000 crore) to this festive turnover. Following the successful celebrations of Raksha Bandhan, Navratri, and Karva Chauth, merchants are going all out to attract customers by presenting lavish decorations, festive lighting, and an extensive range of discounts and offers. Mr. Praveen Khandelwal, a Member of Parliament from Chandni Chowk and Secretary General of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT),…