Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

India will receive $2 million from the ICC for being the World Cup 2023 runners-up, with added rewards for group-stage victories. Despite the monetary compensation, the bitter taste of losing the final lingers, prompting reflections on missed opportunities during critical moments. Australia’s tactical prowess secured their sixth World Cup title, leaving India to gather shattered aspirations meticulously built throughout the tournament. The runners-up prize fails to alleviate the pain, serving as a stark reminder of India’s dominance during the competition. The team’s impressive nine-match group stage triumph earned them an additional $360,000. However, their total earnings, including the runner-up prize,…

Salman Rushdie, the British-American novelist of Indian origin, has been named the recipient of the “Lifetime Disturbing the Peace Award” by the Vaclav Havel Center. This annual award is designed to support exceptional writers who share the humanitarian values of Vaclav Havel, the first president of the Czech Republic, and have faced unjust persecution due to their beliefs. The accolade, which includes a $5,000 cash prize, is presented to a writer who has displayed courage in dissent and endured punishment for challenging oppressive regimes. The inaugural award was conferred upon Burmese writer Ma Thida. Rushdie, who attended the ceremony to…

The second Voice of Global South Summit concluded, building on the momentum of the first summit and echoing the theme of the Indian philosophy ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.’ Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra highlighted four key decisions implemented in the summit: Cooperation with Global South through the Arogya Maitri initiative, Global South Science and Tech, Global South Scholarship Program, and Global South Young Diplomat Forum. During a special briefing, Kwatra emphasized that the summit, held under PM Modi’s leadership, focused on the theme ‘Together For Everyone’s Growth With Everyone’s Trust,’ aligning with India’s philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and PM Modi’s vision of ‘Sabka…

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson graciously acknowledged his team’s 70-run loss to India in the first ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup semi-final, emphasizing India’s dominance in both batting and bowling. The formidable Indian batting lineup, led by Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, amassed 397/4, putting the New Zealand bowlers on the defensive. Despite a valiant effort by Daryl Mitchell, who scored a century, New Zealand’s resistance crumbled under India’s potent bowling attack, led by Mohammed Shami. Williamson commended India, labeling them as the best team globally and praising their consistent exceptional performance throughout the tournament. Reflecting on Mitchell’s outstanding contribution,…

Krystle Kaul, a prominent Indian American expert in defense and national security, is running for Congress in Virginia’s 10th District Democratic primary with the goal of inspiring young Indian American girls. With over two decades of experience in the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community, she aims to bring her wealth of national security knowledge to Congress. Kaul currently operates a defense technology company that assists various tech firms, including startups, disabled veteran-owned, and women-owned companies. She seeks to empower the next generation and promote their involvement in leadership roles, addressing the underrepresentation of Indian Americans in politics. Kaul’s commitment…

Two Indian startups have formed a partnership with scientists from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), which is leading the way in establishing the initial international Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between the U.S. Space Force and foreign companies. Specifically, 114AI, which specializes in artificial intelligence software for domain awareness, and 3rd ITECH, a company in India known for its exclusive image sensor technology, are teaming up with AFRL’s Space Vehicles Directorate. This collaborative agreement aims to drive joint efforts in cutting-edge technologies, marking a significant progression in the development of Earth observation sensors and space domain awareness. Merrick…

Virat Kohli expressed deep reverence for Sachin Tendulkar after equalling the cricketing legend’s world record of 49 One-Day International (ODI) centuries during India’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match against South Africa. Kohli, who had narrowly missed this historic century in previous 2023 World Cup matches, finally achieved this milestone on his 35th birthday as India secured a resounding 243-run victory over South Africa at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on November 5. Kohli, unbeaten at 101 off 121 balls, reached this significant feat in the first innings at the iconic Eden Gardens, the same venue where he had notched his maiden…

The United States (US) has made an offer to repatriate a new batch of 1,414 items, following the return of 105 smuggled antiquities to India three months ago. Official sources have confirmed that these objects have already been transferred to the Consulate General of India in New York. To assess the authenticity and categorization of these items, a team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which oversees Indian antiquities, will be dispatched to the US. The verification process is necessary to distinguish between “antiquities” and “non-antiquities” and initiate the repatriation procedure. At this stage, the ASI has not received…

ISRO Chairman S Somanath addressed reports suggesting critical remarks about his predecessor K Sivan in his upcoming autobiography, “Nilavu Kudicha Simhangal” (Lions that drank the moonlight). Somanath acknowledged that everyone faces challenges on their path to reaching high positions in organizations, and he had also encountered difficulties during his decades-long journey in the space agency. However, he clarified that his book doesn’t target any specific individual. Somanath highlighted the challenges faced by individuals in key positions, particularly concerning organizational appointments. He explained that he aimed to emphasize the competition for significant roles without singling out any individual. In his book,…

In acknowledgment of the profound religious and historical importance of Diwali, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has taken the initiative to reintroduce a bipartisan Diwali Resolution within the House of Representatives. This resolution emphasizes the significance of Diwali, a festival celebrated by more than three million Americans of Indian descent and millions more around the globe, including Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs. This year, Diwali is scheduled for November 12. Congressman Krishnamoorthi has underlined that Diwali represents a moment of gratitude and commemorates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It holds this symbolic meaning for millions of Sikhs, Jains,…