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…
Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee
Shradhanjali Mukherjee
Salina Shah
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…
In a bid to revolutionize satellite technology, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is gearing up for the launch of GSAT-20, a communication satellite weighing 4.7 tons. While ISRO works on developing a rocket capable of lifting over four tons, it has joined forces with SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, to utilize the Falcon-9 rocket for GSAT-20, scheduled for launch in the second quarter of 2024. The primary objective of GSAT-20 is to provide high throughput satellite (HTS) services in the Ka-Ka band at an affordable rate. These services target rural and underserved areas, emphasizing broadband connectivity and In-flight and…
Ramanan Raghavendran has recently assumed the position of chair of the University of Pennsylvania’s board of trustees, succeeding Scott L. Bok, who held the role from July 2021 until stepping down in December 2023. As an alum of Penn, Raghavendran is the managing partner and co-founder of Amasia, a global venture capital firm with a focus on climate and sustainability. Penn’s interim president, J. Larry Jameson, commended the appointment, emphasizing Raghavendran’s three Penn degrees, extensive university engagement, and leadership roles. Julie Beren Platt, who served as interim chair, praised Raghavendran’s passion for Penn and his commitment to relationships, having worked…
Jasmin Bhandari, principal at Scali Rasmussen, has been nominated for the ‘Inspirational Women Awards’ by the Los Angeles Times, celebrating her outstanding leadership in employment law. The law firm’s managing shareholder, Christian Scali, commended Bhandari’s dedication, noting that her selection reflects her commitment and proficiency in the field. Scali emphasized that Bhandari’s recognition not only brings pride to the law firm but also validates the exceptional assistance she provides to clients. Specializing in labor and employment law, Bhandari offers strategic advice on compliance with intricate employment laws and handles various disputes, including wage and hour class actions and PAGA lawsuits.…
Ohio’s Republican State Senator Niraj Antani, now running for the state’s open second district, disclosed raising an impressive $612,348 in just 38 days for his Congressional campaign. The fundraising spanned the 4th quarter, beginning with his announcement on November 14 and concluding on December 31. Notably, this substantial amount was achieved without tapping into general election funds or resorting to self-funding. Expressing gratitude to his supporters, Antani, representing Ohio’s sixth senate district, affirmed his commitment to championing the American Dream in Congress. The announcement follows the retirement of Congressman Brad Wenstrup from Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District on November 8, 2023.…
On January 10, the CNN-hosted Republican Primary debate in Des Moines, Iowa, will feature only Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis, as Donald Trump maintains his tradition of abstaining from debates. Vivek Ramaswamy and Chris Christie did not qualify due to low polling numbers, with CNN’s criteria requiring a minimum of 10% in three separate national and/or Iowa polls. Expressing frustration on X, Ramaswamy criticized CNN for fact-checking conspiracy theories presented in a recent town-hall event. Despite his eligibility, he declared a boycott of the debate and accused CNN of rejecting polls accepted by the Republican National Committee for candidate qualification.…
The Indian government has launched the National Single Window System (NSWS) to streamline processes related to medical device import, clinical investigations, and testing. Designed by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and initiated by the Centre, NSWS serves as a comprehensive single-window platform, simplifying approval procedures and improving the ease of doing business, according to Mr. Rajeev Raghuvanshi, the drugs controller general of India. This system, developed by TCS, replaces existing platforms like SUGAM and cdscomdonline, facilitating applications for certificates of registration and licenses for various medical device-related activities. The NSWS portal covers aspects such as medical device manufacturing or importation, clinical…
