Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

In August 2023, the country experienced a surge in passenger vehicle sales, reaching its highest level ever. This increase was primarily driven by a strong demand for sports utility vehicles (SUVs). According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), a total of 359,228 passenger vehicles were sold during this period, representing a 9.4% growth compared to the previous financial year’s sales of 328,376 units. The demand for SUVs remained particularly high, with newer models introduced by Maruti Suzuki, MG Motor, and Hyundai in the utility vehicle segments gaining significant popularity. This trend reflects the shift in consumer preferences towards…

The World Bank’s findings, revealed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 8, 2023, indicate that India has achieved its financial inclusion goals in an astonishingly brief six years, a feat that would have typically taken 47 years. This remarkable accomplishment was highlighted in the World Bank’s G20 document. Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized India’s remarkable advancement in financial inclusion, attributing it to the Digital Public Infrastructure. Additionally, the Prime Minister commended the nation’s robust digital payment framework and the resilience of its people. He underscored that this achievement serves as a testament…

Harvard Business School (HBS) has appointed Rupal Gadhia, of Indian descent, as the upcoming managing director of MBA admissions and financial aid. In this capacity, Gadhia will collaborate with a diverse array of stakeholders, both internal and external, such as current HBS students, alumni, faculty, and administrators. Her primary responsibility will be to oversee an admissions process geared toward assembling a high-caliber MBA class with a broad spectrum of talents and experiences, as outlined in HBS’s official statement. Matt Weinzierl, senior associate dean and chair of the MBA program, commended Gadhia for her impressive professional achievements, highlighting her genuine belief…

Time magazine has introduced its inaugural ‘TIME100 AI List,’ showcasing the 100 most influential figures in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), and several Indians and Indian-origin professionals have earned a place on this prestigious list. Among them, Sneha Revanur, an 18-year-old Indian-American, stands out as the youngest honoree. She is known for her work as a leader of Encode Justice, a youth-driven initiative advocating for ethical AI. Her recent engagement with the Joe Biden Administration underscores her commitment to the cause. She has earned the moniker “Greta Thunberg of AI.” Neal Khosla, who co-founded Curai Health, a telehealth startup…

As an integral part of the upcoming G20 Summit, India is set to showcase its array of homegrown applications at the Digital India experience zone, which will be accessible to dignitaries on September 9 and 10. This exhibition will feature prominent Indian platforms, including Aadhaar, Unified Payment Interface (UPI), and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), alongside a new addition known as GITA, offering spiritual teachings from the Shrimad Bhagwat Gita. Within the experience zone, attendees will have the opportunity to explore various locally developed programs such as Digilocker, MyGov, and the Umang app, which serves as a conduit…

Indian American policy expert Vaishu Jawahar, formerly the Domestic Policy Coordinator for Vice President Kamala Harris, has taken on a new role at Waxman Strategies, a progressive public affairs firm. She joins their health practice team as a director, bringing her wealth of experience and dedication to healthcare advocacy to the organization. Waxman Strategies expressed their appreciation for Jawahar’s commitment to healthcare advocacy, highlighting her contributions to the Committee to Protect Health Care, the Biden Campaign, and other impactful organizations. Previously, Jawahar interned with the White House Domestic Policy Council’s Health and Veterans team, where she played a crucial role…

On Thursday, United States President Joe Biden embarked on a journey to India, where he is set to participate in the 18th G20 Summit, scheduled for September 9 and 10 at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in New Delhi. This event marks the beginning of a busy three-day schedule for President Biden, which includes a brief stopover in Ramstein, Germany, before arriving in New Delhi on the same day. During his visit, President Biden is scheduled to engage in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to a statement from the White House. The following day, Saturday, will…

The 12th International Government Communication Forum, scheduled for September 13-14 at the Expo Centre Sharjah, focuses on the theme “Today’s Resources.. Tomorrow’s Wealth.” A highlight of this event is a keynote address by renowned author Robin Sharma, titled “Leading without a title.” Robin Sharma, a Canadian-Indian author and CEO of “Sharma Leadership International,” is globally recognized as a leading authority on leadership and self-mastery. Apart from advising prominent business figures, he dedicates a substantial portion of his efforts to assisting underprivileged children through the Robin Sharma Foundation for Children (RSFC), as reported by the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF). During…

Vivek Ramaswamy, an Indian American Republican presidential candidate, has expressed concerns about the United States’ current policy regarding Taiwan. The US follows a stance known as “strategic ambiguity,” where it does not formally recognize Taiwan as a nation and leaves uncertainty about whether it would defend Taiwan against a potential Chinese invasion. Beijing regards Taiwan as a breakaway province and seeks reunification with the mainland, even by force if necessary. In contrast, Taiwan considers itself a separate entity from China. Ramaswamy emphasizes the importance of safeguarding US national security interests, particularly regarding the global semiconductor supply chain. He suggests that…

A pioneering robotics firm based in Hyderabad, known as Grene Robotics, has introduced an innovative autonomous anti-drone system driven by artificial intelligence. This system, a groundbreaking development for India, has been designed to protect critical facilities like nuclear installations and oil rigs, and it possesses the capability to cover vast areas, potentially even entire cities, from a variety of drone threats. Dubbed “Indrajaal,” this Autonomous Drone Defence Dome has gained international acclaim. Its standout feature is its remarkable coverage range of up to 4000 sq. km per unit, ensuring comprehensive protection against a wide array of drones, marking a significant…