Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday that he will embark on a special 11-day ‘anushthan’ (ritual) starting today until January 22, coinciding with the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla’s new idol in Ayodhya’s Ram Temple. Expressing gratitude for witnessing this “historic” and “auspicious” event, PM Modi highlighted the importance of representing all Indians during the consecration. Scheduled for January 22, the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the new idol of Ram Lalla in the upcoming Ram Temple will be performed by PM Modi himself. Despite a hectic schedule and responsibilities, he emphasized his commitment to rigorously following all the…

Laxman Narasimhan, the Indian American CEO of Starbucks, recently undertook his first homecoming trip to India since assuming leadership. This two-city visit held special significance as Narasimhan spent his formative years in Pune and worked in Mumbai before his international career, adding a personal touch to the journey. In collaboration with Tata Starbucks Private Limited, Starbucks presently manages 390 stores in 54 cities across India, boasting a workforce of nearly 4,300 partners. The ambitious plan is to open an additional 1,000 stores by 2028, equivalent to one store every three days. Reflecting on this upward trajectory, Narasimhan unveiled plans to…

During the 10th edition of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Piyush Goyal, addressed the ‘UAE India Business Summit.’ He outlined the ambitious goal of elevating bilateral trade between India and the UAE to US$ 100 billion. Mr. Goyal underscored the extensive collaboration opportunities, spanning areas like space exploration, security, education, and climate action. Commending the India-UAE partnership, Mr. Goyal highlighted the significant trade growth facilitated by the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and strategic initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor. The Union Minister envisioned this partnership as a defining alliance…

A prominent delegation from the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), led by CEO Dr. Mukesh Aghi, engaged in a productive roundtable discussion with Gujarat’s Chief Minister, Bhupendra Patel, at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024. Comprising officials from 35 Fortune American companies, the delegation discussed investment opportunities within Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) and International Financial Services Centre (GIFT IFSC). They explored collaborative ventures in Gujarat’s key industrial, business, IT, and FinTech sectors. Chief Minister Patel expressed enthusiasm for the ongoing collaboration between USISPF and Vibrant Gujarat, highlighting efforts in leading high-level industry delegations to the summit. Emphasizing the significance…

On Friday, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the successful flight-test of the New Generation AKASH (AKASH-NG) missile conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The test, executed at 1030 hrs on January 12, 2024, demonstrated the interception and destruction of a high-speed unmanned aerial target at very low altitude. This verified the functionality of the entire weapon system, including the missile equipped with an indigenously developed Radio Frequency Seeker, Launcher, Multi-Function Radar, and Command, Control, and Communication system. The Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur off the coast of Odisha served as the location for the flight…

During the opening day of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi articulated India’s ambitious vision to evolve into a developed nation by its centenary year of Independence in 2047. Encouraging the audience to dream big, he expressed unwavering determination to fulfill those aspirations. Referring to the upcoming 25 years as ‘Amrit Kaal,’ a pivotal phase in India’s development journey, Modi emphasized the nation’s progress, from recently celebrating 75 years of Independence to aspiring for recognition as a developed country at the century mark. The 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, initiated in 2003 during…

Recently, global Google searches for Lakshadweep have surged to their highest point in the last two decades, exhibiting a remarkable spike reminiscent of a hockey stick graph. This surge in interest is strongly correlated with Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep, where he stayed overnight, explored the beaches, and engaged in adventure activities like snorkeling. The controversy stirred by the Maldives deputy minister and other officials, who made disparaging remarks about PM Modi’s Lakshadweep visit, likely contributed to the heightened curiosity about the archipelago. In response to the controversy, Indians, including prominent figures in cricket and film, have rallied in…

The Indian-American community is preparing to honor the consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, organizing car rallies across the US. ‘California Indians’ is orchestrating a special rally on January 20 to celebrate “Bhagwan Shri Ram Ji’s homecoming,” expecting over 400 cars from South Bay to the Golden Gate Bridge. In a press release, the organisers highlighted that this event signifies a proud moment in modern Indian history, bringing together Indians of Northern California. Local temples and community organizations throughout the US are planning special celebrations leading up to the inauguration of the Ram Mandir on January 22. Car…

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Central government’s work over the last nine years, highlighting that “Modi Ki Guarantee” signifies effective governance and people-centric initiatives. Addressing the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra’ in Thiruvananthapuram, Jaishankar emphasized the transformation in government functioning, improved bureaucracy, and a customer-friendly approach from bankers. He emphasized the global trust in “Modi Ki Guarantee” for good governance and assistance to those in need abroad. Jaishankar praised the diverse public welfare schemes implemented by the central government, emphasizing the positive impact on health, business, and overall development. Reflecting on his ten years…

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has unveiled its 2024 list of principal officers and board of directors, featuring three accomplished Indian-origin professionals. Dr. Mandeep Bajaj, President of Medicine and Science, is a professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, where he also serves as the Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs in the department of medicine. Dr. Bajaj, recognized with the ADA’s Outstanding Physician-Clinician award, holds a medical degree from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and completed his fellowship training at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston. Dr. Rita Rastogi Kalyani, President-elect of Medicine and Science, is an…