Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

The recent monthly meeting of the Long Island Indo-American Lions Club featured a noteworthy initiative as they distributed blankets to aid the community in coping with the harsh winter conditions. This charitable effort was part of their ‘Spread the Warmth’ project, spearheaded by Sanju Sharma, the project chair, and co-chair Anchit Aery. Various organizations, including the Disabled American Veterans, All War Veterans homeless veterans, Nassau County Social Services Department, local homeless shelters, the Roosevelt Bible Church distribution center, and the Martin Luther King Center of Long Island, received the donated blankets. Expressing the critical need for warmth during freezing weather,…

The Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) scheme, in conjunction with state initiatives, is anticipated to play a pivotal role in the development of India’s spiritual travel industry, according to an SBI Research report released on January 21. The economic impact is projected to be substantial, with the report suggesting that Uttar Pradesh (UP) government initiatives, coupled with the newly constructed Ram temple in Ayodhya, could contribute an additional tax revenue of $300 million per annum for the state by FY25 due to an upsurge in visitors. Spiritual tourism’s surge has notably transformed UP’s tourism landscape, resulting in…

On Monday, January 22, the Ayodhya Ram Mandir completed the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony for Bhagwan Ramlalla. Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the religious ceremony as the Chief Yajmaan. Following the ceremony, PM Modi addressed the gathering at the Ram Temple premises, stating that after centuries of sacrifice, Lord Ram has returned to Ayodhya. He extended congratulations to ‘Ram bhakts’ across the country on this significant occasion. During his speech, PM Modi highlighted various key points. He emphasized the arrival of Lord Ram in Ayodhya after centuries of anticipation, expressing his joy for the countrymen. PM Modi acknowledged the emotional…

As the much-anticipated ‘pran pratishtha’ or consecration ceremony of the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya approaches, Indians abroad are fervently celebrating. In Times Square, the Indian community in New York brightened the surroundings with sizable depictions of Lord Ram. Events across the United States, including Washington, DC, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, coincide with the ceremony in India. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Hindus across the US erected over 40 billboards in 10 states, conveying messages about the ceremony at Ram Lalla’s birthplace. To mark the inauguration of the Ram temple, the Hindu-American community organized car rallies and various events…

The US Congress recently approved a resolution acknowledging the significant contributions of the Indian-American community and graduates from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) in the United States. Subramanian Raja Krishnamoorthi, the US representative for Illinois’s 8th congressional district, successfully introduced the resolution in the House of Representatives. Krishnamoorthi emphasized that the presence of Indian-American residents enriches the United States, recognizing the valuable and substantial contributions made by the Indian-American community and IIT graduates across various professions and disciplines. Describing IIT graduates as ‘Committed,’ he highlighted their dedication to research, innovation, and fostering trade and international cooperation between India and…

An assistant professor at the University of Houston’s Cullen College of Engineering has secured a $505,286 grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for a three-year research initiative. The grant will support advanced research on digitizing bridges using robots, data, and artificial intelligence (AI) to address intricate safety issues related to highway bridges. Vedhus Hoskere, assistant professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, emphasized Texas’s unique challenge of overseeing 55,000 bridges, more than double the number in any other state. Hoskere aims to revolutionize traditional inspection procedures by leveraging technology such as drones, cameras, sensors, and AI to…

During the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) hosted the CII-Deloitte Breakfast Session on “Digital Public Infrastructure and India’s Impact on Global Technology Value Chains.” This session showcased India’s capabilities as a vibrant democracy proficient in delivering digital solutions. Union Minister Smriti Irani emphasized India’s success in providing technology-driven solutions to its massive population, exceeding a billion. She highlighted the country’s digital capabilities and the substantial demand for data science professionals. Irani stated, “India is a vibrant democracy that can deliver digitally. It has delivered through technology to a billion+ population.” Despite pandemic challenges, India…

A research team from Mississippi State University (MUS) has been awarded a substantial grant of over $550,000 by the U.S. Department of Energy’s nuclear physics program to delve into the burgeoning realm of quantum computing. This initiative, entitled “Three-body Interactions on a Quantum Computer,” will unfold over a three-year period and is spearheaded by Professor Gautam Rupak from MSU’s Department of Physics and Astronomy. Quantum computing, an interdisciplinary domain merging computer science, physics, and mathematics, exploits the principles of quantum mechanics for more efficient problem-solving compared to classical computers. The project aims to enhance models elucidating atomic and nuclear interactions,…

Indian American Republican presidential contender Nikki Haley acknowledged her third-place finish in the Iowa caucus but claimed to be the “last best hope of stopping Trump-Biden nightmare.” Haley asserted that her performance made the Republican primary a head-to-head race with Trump. She criticized both Trump and Biden, emphasizing their shared lack of vision for the country’s future. Heading to New Hampshire, Haley positioned herself as an alternative to the potential Biden-Trump rematch, highlighting the disapproval of both candidates by the majority of Americans. Haley argued that a Trump nomination could result in another contentious election and presented herself as the…

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) recently hosted a roundtable discussion in New Delhi featuring Ambassador Katherine Tai, US Trade Representative (USTR), to underscore the significance of small and medium-sized enterprise companies (SMEs) in the US and India. The focus of discussions revolved around the vital role played by SMEs in fostering economic relations between the two countries. Companies like Amazon, Coca-Cola, Meta, and others, along with their SME partners, actively participated in the session. The conversation highlighted the importance of collaboration between SMEs and USISPF’s large multinational corporations (MNCs), emphasizing mutual benefits for the domestic market and exports. Ambassador…