Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

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…

The United States has firmly denied any involvement in the ongoing political crisis in Bangladesh, which has seen widespread protests and resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the issue during a media briefing on Monday, where she categorically refuted the allegations. “We have had no involvement at all,” Jean-Pierre stated. “Any reports or rumors suggesting that the United States government was involved in these events are simply false. That is not true.” Jean-Pierre emphasized that only its own people should determine Bangladesh’s future. “This is a choice made by and for…

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Kannur Airport before heading to Wayanad to evaluate the relief and rehabilitation efforts following recent landslides. At the airport, he was welcomed by Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. PM Modi then traveled to Wayanad by Air Force helicopter, with Governor Khan, Chief Minister Vijayan, and Union Minister of State for Petroleum Suresh Gopi accompanying him. He plans to conduct an aerial survey of the damaged areas. During his visit, the Prime Minister will tour the affected sites and receive briefings from rescue teams about ongoing evacuation efforts. He…