Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US has been hailed as a transformative event for India-US trade relations, with top business chambers highlighting its significance. The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) and the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) emphasized that the visit reinforced economic collaboration, opened new investment opportunities, and strengthened strategic ties. Assocham president Sanjay Nayar noted that key developments from Modi’s discussions with former President Donald Trump included deeper cooperation in defense, counterterrorism, energy security—including fossil fuels and nuclear power—trade, and investment. A significant milestone was the commitment to accelerating AI infrastructure,…

The H-1B visa program, a crucial pathway for specialized foreign talent to contribute to the U.S. economy, has become a contentious issue, exposing deep divisions in American politics. While figures like President Donald Trump and Elon Musk advocate for its role in driving innovation, MAGA hardliners such as Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller argue that it undercuts American workers. Amid this debate, Indian professionals—who constitute the largest share of H-1B holders—have become the focal point of criticism, unfairly shaping perceptions of the entire Indian-American community. For many Indian-Americans, particularly those active on social media, the discourse surrounding H-1B has taken…

Every morning, millions of people rush to work using various means of transport, but for one Indian-origin woman, the journey is far from ordinary. Racheal Kaur, a mother of two, takes a flight five days a week—not for leisure or business, but simply to reach her office. Dubbed a “Super Commuter,” Kaur shared her extraordinary routine with Channel News Asia (CNA). She works as an Assistant Manager in Finance Operations at AirAsia in Malaysia and has adopted this unique travel schedule to balance her professional and personal life. Previously, Kaur lived in Kuala Lumpur near her workplace, traveling back to…

India is making rapid strides in futuristic technology, particularly in semiconductor development for aerospace applications. With the successful creation of an indigenous chip, the country is establishing itself as a key player in the field. This achievement is the result of a collaboration between the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The newly developed chip, named IRIS (Indigenous RISC-V Controller for Space Applications), is built on the SHAKTI microprocessor. This initiative aligns with India’s broader vision of achieving self-sufficiency in semiconductor technology. The SHAKTI microprocessor project, spearheaded by Professor V Kamakoti at…

The eighth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC 2025) was live-streamed on February 10, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged with students preparing for board exams. This year’s event saw an overwhelming response, with over 30 million students, 2.07 million teachers, and 551,000 parents participating. During the discussion, a student asked PM Modi about overcoming exam anxiety and dealing with failure. In response, he encouraged students to shift their perspective, saying, “Do not see failure as a setback; instead, treat it as the fuel that drives you forward.” He emphasized the importance of lifelong success over temporary achievements in exams.…

India will take part in the 63rd session of the Commission for Social Development (CSoCD) from February 10-14 in New York, led by Savitri Thakur, Minister of State for Women and Child Development. The session aims to foster global dialogue on social policies and well-being, promoting solidarity, social inclusion, and resilience in response to complex crises. Minister Savitri Thakur will represent India at the Ministerial Forum on the Priority Theme: “Strengthening Solidarity and Social Cohesion” on February 11. The Indian delegation will actively engage in discussions on key emerging issues, including policies to enhance social resilience and universal rights-based social…

India’s pharmaceutical industry is poised for significant expansion, with exports projected to surge to $350 billion by 2047—marking a 10-15x increase from current levels. As a global powerhouse in generic drug production, the country is shifting its strategy to focus on high-value sectors such as specialty generics, biosimilars, and innovative pharmaceuticals. The industry’s exports, which stood at around $27 billion in 2023, are expected to reach $65 billion by 2030 before climbing to the ambitious $350 billion mark by 2047. This transformation will be driven by a move from volume-based production to a value-driven model, particularly in the areas of…

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made a historic return to power in Delhi after 27 years, marking a significant political shift driven by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and strategic messaging. The party’s campaign, centered around “Modi ki Guarantee,” resonated strongly with voters, helping BJP secure victory over Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in a tightly contested election. The influence of PM Modi has been a game-changer for BJP, with recent successes in Maharashtra and Haryana further solidifying his role as the party’s key vote magnet. His sharp attack on AAP, branding it as “AAP-da” (calamity), and his…

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) recently held its elections, ushering in a new leadership team led by veteran community leader Prakash Shah as president. The swearing-in ceremony took place virtually on January 31, marking a new chapter for the organization that has been active since 1989. Shah, a longtime advocate for the Indian diaspora, has served as GOPIO’s Global Ambassador and was the convener of the 2024 GOPIO Convention in New Jersey. Other newly appointed leaders include Umesh Chandra from Brisbane, Australia, as Executive Vice President; Kewal Kanda, a prominent community leader from Los Angeles, as…

Sam Maddula, Pharm.D., a visionary leader, shared his inspiring story of overcoming adversity at a fundraising event on January 31, 2025. Born in a poor rural Indian village and legally blind, Sam’s life took a transformative turn when his parents discovered an Eye Camp organized by the Eye Foundation of America in 1987. The camp led to life-saving corneal transplant surgery performed by Dr. VK Raju, which allowed Sam to transition from blindness to a life filled with light. The event, held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, was part of a nationwide initiative to combat childhood blindness,…