Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

In their first bilateral meeting since 2019, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Kazan, Russia, during the BRICS Summit. This meeting comes after a significant breakthrough at diplomatic and military levels, leading to a restoration of the status quo at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which had been disrupted since the military standoff in Ladakh began in May 2020. Tensions between the two countries had escalated following the Galwan Valley clash, but recent agreements on a new patrolling arrangement have paved the way for de-escalation. During the meeting, both leaders highlighted the importance…

The Teaneck International Film Festival 2024 will showcase Emmy-nominated filmmaker Tirlok Malik’s acclaimed film ‘On Golden Years’ on Sunday, November 10, at 11:30 AM. The screening will take place at Teaneck Cinemas, located at 503 Cedar Lane, Teaneck, NJ 07666. This film marks a significant milestone in Malik’s career, known for its exploration of the immigrant experience in America, with previous works including ‘Lonely in America,’ ‘Khushiyaan,’ and ‘Love Lust and Marriage.’ Tirlok Malik has collaborated with renowned actors such as Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Mammootty, Sunny Deol, and Kangana Ranaut. Following the screening, Malik and the cast of ‘On Golden…

Another month brings news of an Indian-origin industry veteran stepping into a leadership position at a global firm, this time at HSBC. The financial services giant has announced Pam Kaur’s elevation as its first female Chief Financial Officer, effective January 1, 2025, as detailed in regulatory filings with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Kaur will succeed interim CFO Jon Bingham in this pivotal role. Residing in London with her husband, Kaur joined HSBC in 2013 as head of auditing and has climbed the ranks at least three times over the past 11 years, culminating in her current position as Group…

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India is adopting a proactive “look forward” approach in its governance and development strategy. Traditionally, governments have compared their achievements with those of their predecessors, but Modi asserted that from now on, success will be measured by future aspirations rather than past performances. “The focus will be on what we aim to achieve,” he stated, adding that the vision for a developed India by 2047 is integral to this new mindset. During his remarks at the summit, PM Modi reflected on the challenges faced by the nation over the past five years,…

Nobel Laureate Professor Paul Michael Romer praised India’s digital revolution as one of the most remarkable success stories globally, stating it has established a new benchmark for world powers. Currently visiting India, Romer, who also served as the Chief Economist at the World Bank, is set to be a prominent speaker at the two-day NDTV World Summit beginning October 21. Romer highlighted a distinctive aspect of India’s digital transformation, emphasizing that South Asian countries could significantly benefit by emulating this model. He noted that India’s digital advancements have simplified lives and serve as a compelling example for other nations to…

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that India’s logistics costs are set to decrease to a single-digit figure within the next two years. Speaking at a NITI Aayog event, he emphasized that the ongoing construction of highways and expressways would contribute to lowering logistics costs to 9%. According to the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), logistics costs in India were estimated to be between 7.8% and 8.9% of GDP for the 2022-23 fiscal year. Gadkari also highlighted India’s potential to export alternative fuels and biofuels, particularly focusing on the role of low-quality coal in methanol…

President Droupadi Murmu met with her Malawian counterpart, Lazarus Chakwera, and signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during her visit. This trip marks the final leg of her three-nation tour, which included Algeria and Mauritania, taking place from October 13 to 19. During their discussions on Friday, President Murmu and President Chakwera covered a wide array of topics, leading to the signing of MoUs focused on Arts and Culture, Youth Affairs, Sports, and Pharmaceutical Cooperation. Additionally, Murmu announced the Indian government’s commitment to establishing a permanent Artificial Limb Fitment Centre in Malawi. Earlier in her visit, President Murmu praised the…

Indian-origin academic, Professor Neena Mitter, renowned for her pioneering work in sustainable agriculture, has been appointed as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Associate (Global Research) at Charles Sturt University, effective October 1, 2024. She will spearhead the university’s international research initiatives, bringing her vast experience in interdisciplinary collaborations. Expressing her excitement for the role, Professor Mitter emphasized her dedication to fostering global research partnerships and driving innovation. She noted that Charles Sturt University’s commitment to education and research is instrumental in addressing challenges such as food security, rural healthcare, and sustainable agriculture. Before joining Charles Sturt University, Professor Mitter was the founding…

The Consul General of India in New York, Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, will officially inaugurate the sixth International Hindi Conference, Americas, on October 25, 2024, at the Indian Consulate in New York City. This year’s conference is designed to explore methods for expanding and enhancing the teaching of Hindi across the globe, as stated in a press release from the Hindi Sangam Foundation (HSF), which is the primary organizer in collaboration with the Indian Consulate. Several Hindi experts and university educators from various regions of the USA and India are expected to attend, where they will showcase their work and discuss…

At an event in Jaipur hosted by the IRS Women’s Wing, IRSLA, former Miss World and actress Manushi Chhillar took center stage, delivering a powerful speech on women’s empowerment. Addressing a gathering of female IRS officers, she passionately encouraged women to set ambitious goals, emphasizing that with the right support, there are no limits to what they can achieve. She pointed out the crucial role that families play in enabling women’s success, and how collective support can shape a woman’s journey. Joined by prominent figures such as Meenakshi Ranga, Renu Amitabh, Mahendra Ranga, Rajesh Dhingra, and CK Jain, Manushi stressed…