Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

 As of 2023, the Indian-origin population in the United States has reached approximately 5.2 million, making Indian Americans the second-largest Asian ethnicity in the country, according to a Pew Research Center analysis based on recent U.S. Census Bureau and American Community Survey data. This increase reflects sustained migration and growth over the last two decades. In 2000, the Indian American population stood at 1.8 million—today, it has grown by 174%. Immigration plays a central role, as the Indian immigrant population in the U.S. grew from 1.3 million to 3.2 million. Although their share fell from 73% to 66%, most have…

Russian President Vladimir Putin reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday to strongly condemn the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which took place on April 22. Putin offered Russia’s “full support” to India in its unwavering battle against terrorism. In a statement following the call, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), reported that Putin expressed deep condolences for the innocent lives lost in the attack and reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to supporting India’s fight against terrorism. Putin also emphasized the necessity of bringing the perpetrators and their supporters to justice. The conversation…

A defining moment in American Hindu history is set to unfold on May 9, 2025, as the Concord Hindu Temple unveils its newly reconstructed structure during a landmark Kumbabishekam Ceremony. Serving the Bay Area since 1957, the temple will welcome an estimated 10,000 devotees during this spiritual milestone, coinciding meaningfully with AAPI Heritage Month. After five years of meticulous work, the temple has been transformed, showcasing the intricate Chola architectural style rooted in Tamil Nadu’s rich heritage. Overseen by renowned temple architect Kalaichemmal Dr. K. Dakshinamoorthy Sthapathi from India and designed in collaboration with Bay Area architect Sharad Lal, the…

Following a nearly five-year pause, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra—revered by Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists—is scheduled to recommence in June 2025. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Saturday that the pilgrimage will take place between June and August, marking a significant step towards repairing India-China relations strained by recent border tensions. The revered journey to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake, both located in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, had been on hold since 2020. Initially paused due to the global outbreak of COVID-19, the yatra remained suspended due to a prolonged military standoff between Indian and Chinese forces along the…

Rutgers University is set to honour Indian American civic leader Rajiv Vinnakota with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree during its 259th commencement ceremony on May 18, 2025. The recognition honors Vinnakota’s lifetime commitment to civic education and youth leadership. Currently serving as the president of the Institute for Citizens & Scholars, Vinnakota has spearheaded initiatives that empower Americans to become active citizens. His previous roles include executive vice president at the Aspen Institute, where he led youth engagement programs, and co-founder of the SEED Foundation, the nation’s first college-preparatory public boarding school network for underserved youth. A son of…

India has emerged as a key player in global capital markets, accounting for 22% of global IPO activity in Q1 2025, according to Ernst & Young (EY). While IPO volumes declined worldwide, Indian markets bucked the trend, raising $2.8 billion from 62 listings on the NSE and BSE. The report credits this strong performance to resilient market fundamentals and a rising number of profitable IPOs. While the total number of IPOs declined by around 20% compared to the previous year, the average deal size grew, indicating a healthy pipeline of financially sound companies. Retail investor participation also saw a notable…

BJP Lok Sabha representative Nishikant Dubey has raised fresh concerns regarding national security, pointing to what he described as a new layer of terrorism emerging from Pakistan. According to him, over 500,000 Pakistani women have settled in India through marriage yet haven’t secured Indian citizenship. Dubey took to social media platform X, stating that this growing population poses an internal threat to India’s security framework. His comments come amid a broader crackdown on foreign nationals following a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that claimed 26 lives. In response, India canceled visas for Pakistani citizens, excluding those on long-term,…

India is likely to be the first country to finalize a bilateral trade agreement with the United States as part of an effort to avoid incoming tariffs under President Donald Trump’s renewed trade policies. According to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, India’s transparent trade policies, low levels of non-tariff barriers, lack of currency manipulation, and restrained use of government subsidies have made negotiations with New Delhi significantly smoother compared to other nations. Speaking at the World Bank and IMF annual meetings held in Washington, Bessent acknowledged India’s constructive approach and called it a leading example in trade cooperation. This possible…

India and the United States are exploring deeper economic engagement in pivotal areas like semiconductors, nuclear energy, pharmaceuticals, and quantum computing, according to Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. While speaking at Stanford University, she underlined that shifting trade and investment trends offer a timely chance for both countries to build strategic partnerships and boost mutual investments. Sitharaman emphasised that since 2019, there has been a significant rise in global trade barriers, with many nations implementing protectionist strategies to defend local employment and industries. In this context, she stressed the need to strike a balance between international trade…