Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

Fighting Retreat: Churchill and India by Walter Reid Winston Churchill was closely connected with India from 1896, when he landed in Bombay with his regiment, until 1947, when independence was finally achieved. No other British statesman had such a long association with the sub-continent–or interfered in its politics so consistently and harmfully. Churchill strove to sabotage any moves towards independence, crippling the Government of India Act over five years of dogged opposition to its passage in the 1930s. As Prime Minister during the Second World War, Churchill frustrated the freedom struggle from behind the scenes, delaying independence by a decade.…

Ashok Veeraraghavan, a computer engineer and professor of Indian descent, has received the esteemed Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award in engineering, a leading academic recognition in Texas. The Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering, Science, and Technology (TAMEST) grants this award to promising researchers in the state. Veeraraghavan, a professor at Rice University’s George R. Brown School of Engineering, was selected for his groundbreaking imaging technology aimed at revealing the invisible. This accolade is bestowed annually upon outstanding researchers in various fields, including medicine, engineering, biological sciences, physical sciences, and technology innovation. Veeraraghavan’s revolutionary imaging technology earned him this year’s engineering…

Proofpoint, a cybersecurity and compliance firm headquartered in California, has welcomed two Indian Americans to its leadership cadre. Rohit Dixit assumes the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, while Satya Jena steps in as the company’s Senior Vice President of Digital Platforms. Sumit Dhawan, the CEO, expressed confidence that these appointments would fortify Proofpoint’s ongoing progress. He lauded their passion, commitment to excellence, and innovative drive, citing their invaluable contributions to the company’s culture, service quality, and operational agility. Dixit’s responsibilities include spearheading Proofpoint’s comprehensive customer retention and service strategy. With over three decades of experience in…

Daleep Singh, an Indian American Economist renowned for his role in crafting the Biden administration’s economic sanctions against Russia, is poised to return to the White House, as reported by the media. Formerly serving in the Treasury Department during the Obama administration, Singh is set to reclaim his position as deputy national security adviser for international economics, succeeding Mike Pyle, who departs at month’s end, according to Axios. Singh’s reappointment to the role of deputy national security adviser for international economics is viewed as a continuation of his previous efforts, particularly in exploring innovative strategies to address the ongoing crisis…

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…