Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

India’s organized gold loan market is expected to double in the next five years, reaching approximately $169.07 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.85%, according to PwC India’s report, *Striking Gold: The Rise of India’s Gold Loan Market*. In fiscal 2023-24, the market saw substantial growth, valued at $84.59 billion. Indian households hold around 25,000 tonnes of gold, worth about $1.50 trillion. Despite this growth, the sector might experience slowed expansion due to stricter regulations on loan-to-value (LTV) ratios and auction processes, along with the absence of the second-largest market player in FY25. The Reserve Bank of…

Inspired by the historic moment of having a fellow community member as the Democratic presidential candidate, a vibrant group of Indian-Americans has launched a dynamic new website, DesiPresident.com, with the engaging tagline “Kamala Ke Saath.” Kamala Harris, 59, brings a unique blend of heritage—her mother’s roots trace back to Chennai, while her father’s origins are in Jamaica. The site captures the collective enthusiasm and hope as they gear up for a pivotal journey, urging everyone to join in and make a difference. In conjunction with the website, the Desi President initiative, backed by the Indian American Impact Fund, has released…

Bangladesh’s interim government has taken the significant step of revoking all diplomatic passports that were issued to Members of Parliament during the term of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This action, which also includes the cancellation of Hasina’s own diplomatic passport, is part of a broader effort by the interim administration to realign the country’s diplomatic and political stance as general elections approach. The diplomatic passports, which once allowed MPs to travel visa-free to certain countries, were granted under Hasina’s administration. The revocation reflects the interim government’s push to reshape Bangladesh’s political landscape in preparation for the upcoming elections. Sheikh…

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has rolled out an innovative feature named ‘UPI Circle’ on its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platform. This feature allows primary UPI account holders to securely delegate payment responsibilities to trusted secondary users while retaining overall control. The aim of UPI Circle is to streamline digital transactions by offering enhanced convenience and security, particularly for managing payments for dependents, such as when parents pay for their children or elderly individuals delegate payments to family members. With the UPI Circle feature, primary users can establish transaction limits for secondary users, striking a balance between accessibility…

Indiaspora, a US-based non-profit organization dedicated to highlighting the contributions of Indian Americans and their influence on the United States, has published a new report titled *”Small Community, Big Contributions, Boundless Horizons: The Indian Diaspora in the United States.”* The report draws on data from the Migration Policy Institute and provides a detailed look at the impact of the Indian diaspora in the US, which consists of 5.1 million Indian Americans, including both those born in India and those born in the US. Despite making up only 1.5% of the total US population, their contributions are significant. According to the…

Indian-American Richard Verma, currently serving as the Deputy Secretary of State for Management & Resources, has been given an important new responsibility: aiding in the reconstruction of war-torn Ukraine. US Secretary of State Tony Blinken appointed Verma as the US Special Representative for Ukraine’s Economic Recovery, a role he will undertake alongside his current duties as the State Department’s second-in-command. Verma, who previously served as the US Ambassador to India, holds the distinction of being the highest-ranking Indian-American in the history of the State Department. Announcing the appointment, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel explained that Verma would be continuing…

Anjali Sud, the current CEO of Tubi, the streaming service owned by Fox Corporation, likens the platform to “the little engine that could,” remarking on its continuous improvement and growing influence. When she took on the CEO role last July, Sud recognized the unique opportunity Tubi had to shape the future of entertainment. Now, a year into her leadership, Tubi has emerged as one of the most popular streaming services in the U.S., consistently outperforming platforms like Peacock, Max, Paramount+, and Apple TV+ in total viewing time. According to a report by The New York Times, Tubi is even closing…

Bangladesh’s newly appointed adviser to the Ministry of Home Affairs has pledged to take decisive legal measures against those who perpetrate violence or abuse towards minority groups. He emphasized that such acts of violence, conflict, or hatred have no place in Bangladesh. This assurance was given by Brigadier General (retd) M. Sakhawat Hussain during a meeting with representatives from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Bangladesh. The meeting took place at his office in the Secretariat, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune. Following the resignation and departure of Sheikh Hasina from office on August 5, Bangladesh has witnessed a…

Alia Bhatt’s transition into Hollywood has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her debut in Netflix’s “Heart of Stone,” a thriller directed by Tom Harper, marked a significant milestone for both her and the Indian film industry. On the first anniversary of the film’s release, Alia took to Instagram to reflect on her journey and share heartfelt memories from the set, offering fans a glimpse into her experience in international cinema. “Heart of Stone” boasted an impressive cast, including Gal Gadot and Jamie Dornan, with Alia playing the crucial role of Keya Dhawan. The film centers on Rachel Stone, a highly…

Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has strongly criticized the recent violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, attributing it to the country’s quota systems that, according to him, foster a sense of victimhood. In an extensive post on X, the entrepreneur discussed the quota protests in Bangladesh, asserting that such systems often culminate in violence. At 39, Ramaswamy, who left the presidential race and supported Donald Trump in January, elaborated on the quota system’s origins and its repercussions. He remarked that a system initially designed to address injustices from the 1971 War of Independence has, decades later, exacerbated the situation, leading…