Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

In a bid to diversify its carbon-neutral energy portfolio, India is set to introduce private sector investment of US$ 26 billion into its nuclear power sector, a departure from the traditional state monopoly in this field. This landmark move aims to bolster India’s objective of raising the contribution of non-fossil fuel sources to 50% of its electricity generation by 2030, from the present 42%. Key private entities such as Reliance Industries, Tata Power, and Adani Power are poised to inject around US$ 5.3 billion (Rs. 440 billion) each into nuclear ventures under this plan. While private firms will oversee financing,…

India emerged as a global leader in initial public offerings (IPOs) for 2023, securing the top spot worldwide with no cross-border deals reported, as per a recent EY report. During the final quarter of 2023, both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India witnessed a significant surge in IPOs, totaling 92 launches. Notably, the primary markets saw a remarkable uptick, with BSE and NSE recording 31 IPOs (including one InvIT) in Q4 2023, marking a substantial 72% increase over the same period in 2022 and a notable 41% increase over Q3 2023. Furthermore, the…

Amitabh Bachchan, a stalwart of Bollywood, celebrates 55 years in the film industry since his debut in 1969 with “Saat Hindustani,” earning a National Film Award nomination for Best Newcomer for his portrayal of Anwar Ali. Displaying his adaptability with the times, Bachchan unveils his artificial intelligence avatar on social media, featuring AI-generated images portraying him with a camera lens for an eye and film reels emerging from his head, shared on X (formerly Twitter) on February 17. In 1969, he also lent his voice to “Bhuvan Shome,” a Hindi film directed by Mrinal Sen, starring Utpal Dutt and Suhasini…

Professor Thalappil Pradeep from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has been elected to the United States National Academy of Engineering (NAE). This accolade marks him as the 23rd foreign member from India to receive this honor. The induction ceremony is scheduled to take place during the NAE’s annual meeting on September 29, 2024. According to a statement by IIT-Madras, Professor Pradeep’s election is in recognition of his significant contributions to cluster chemistry and the development and implementation of cost-effective drinking water solutions. Membership in the NAE is considered one of the highest professional distinctions for an engineer.…

Renowned economist and Nobel laureate, Mr. A. Michael Spence, commended India as a significant economic powerhouse with immense growth prospects, acknowledging its position as the world’s foremost digital economy and leader in financial infrastructure. Speaking at Bennett University in Greater Noida, Mr. Spence underscored India’s remarkable openness, competitiveness, and inclusive service delivery spanning a vast geographical expanse. Addressing the evolving dynamics of the global economy, Mr. Spence pointed to a paradigm shift driven by various factors such as pandemics and geopolitical tensions. He highlighted the ongoing transformation characterized by the diversification of supply chains and the growing complexity of global…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) temple today, marking the first Hindu temple in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The inauguration ceremony begins at 6 PM IST. Located in Abu Mureikhah, near Al Rahba, off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway, the iconic stone temple stands as a symbol of cultural and religious significance. Here are five interesting facts about the BAPS Hindu Mandir: – The sprawling BAPS Hindu Mandir occupies a vast 27-acre plot of land. – Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of UAE, generously donated the land for…

The Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) program introduced its ninth annual class in January 2024, featuring five Indian-Americans among the 60 scholars selected. Henish Bhansali, Nina Kshetry, Amol S. Naik, Neeti Sanyal, and Shashank Sinha join the program, offering them an opportunity to explore leadership through the experiences of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidencies. Dr. Henish Bhansali, as the chief medical officer of Medical Home Network, has spearheaded healthcare transformation for low-income patients. His initiative in the program focuses on understanding care teams’ needs and aligning operations with patient outcomes at FQHCs.…

Approximately 44 percent of India’s current energy needs are met by non-fossil sources, with projections indicating a potential increase to as high as 65 percent by 2030, surpassing the commitments made at the COP26 summit in 2021, stated Union Minister RK Singh. During COP26 in Glasgow, India made a comprehensive pledge known as “Panchamrit,” aiming to achieve various targets by 2030. These included reaching 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity, generating half of all energy from renewables, reducing emissions by 1 billion tonnes, decreasing emissions intensity of GDP by 45 percent, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. Speaking at The…

Indian women from the Tri-Service are representing the nation at the World Defence Show (WDS) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, demonstrating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of empowering women across sectors. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced that Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth, Colonel Ponung Doming, and Lieutenant Commander Annu Prakash are showcasing India’s military prowess and capabilities at WDS 2024, particularly in events focused on International Women in Defence. Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth, a trailblazing fighter pilot, shared her journey and insights on leadership at the seminar ‘International Women in Defence – Investing in an Inclusive Future,’ gaining admiration for her…

Microsoft’s Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella, announced plans to train over two million individuals in India in generative AI skills, aiming to alleviate the talent shortage in the AI era. Speaking at an event, Nadella emphasized the importance of equipping youth with the necessary skills to thrive in the evolving AI landscape, stressing the role of both skills development and job creation in the AI sector. Highlighting India’s strong pool of software developers and its growing AI engineering community on Microsoft-owned platform Github, Nadella underscored the increasing participation of rural India in the AI economy. He expressed enthusiasm about India’s…