Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

According to Mr. Sanjay Malhotra, the Revenue Secretary, there has been a notable 11% year-over-year increase in goods and services tax (GST) collections for August 2023. This boost in revenue can be attributed to heightened compliance and a reduction in tax evasion. For context, in August 2022, the GST collection amounted to Rs. 1,43,612 crore (equivalent to approximately US$ 17.36 billion). Consequently, this 11% surge translates to an impressive figure of around Rs. 1.60 lakh crore (about US$ 19 billion) for August 2023. This achievement pushes the tax-to-GDP ratio to a robust level exceeding 1.3. Mr. Sanjay Malhotra emphasizes that…

On September 2, 2023, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone by successfully launching Aditya-L1, India’s inaugural space mission dedicated to the study of the sun. The liftoff occurred at Sriharikota’s Satish Dhawan Space Center in Andhra Pradesh. Approximately an hour following liftoff, the satellite was precisely inserted into the intended intermediate orbit. ISRO’s Chief, S Somanath, addressed the mission control team, stating that Aditya-L1 would now embark on its journey. After performing Earth maneuvers, it would proceed toward the L1 point, a lengthy expedition spanning around 125 days. This was a crucial moment for the Aditya…

The announcement of Ms. Jaya Verma Sinha’s historic appointment as the inaugural female Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairwoman of the Railway Board was officially disclosed on August 31, 2023, by the Secretariat of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. In this role, she succeeds Mr. Anil Kumar Lahoti, and her tenure will commence on September 1, 2023, extending until her retirement. The elevation of Ms. Jaya Verma Sinha, who currently serves as Member (Operations & Business Development) within the Indian Railway Management Services (IRMS), to the esteemed position of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Railway Board…

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, a research-oriented private university in India, has pioneered Nanotex Bone, a synthetic bone graft, which addresses a critical need for patients who have lost parts of their lower jaw (mandibular bone) due to cancer, injuries, or trauma. This groundbreaking invention has received patents and clearance for clinical trials, set to be conducted over two years at Amrita School of Medicine and Amrita School of Dentistry in Kochi. A collaborative effort involving medical students at various stages of development, from design to regulatory and production, brought Nanotex bone graft to fruition. The significance of the Nanotex graft lies…

Nikhil Ajotikar played a pivotal role in facilitating a celebration organized by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Chapter of Columbus to honor and appreciate local protectors, which encompassed police officers, firefighters, and first responders. This upcoming Hindu celebration, as perceived by Columbus resident Deepti Vijaykumar, revolves around the simple act of expressing gratitude. In her words, Vijaykumar draws parallels between this celebration and others like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Valentine’s Day, all of which emphasize and strengthen important relationships. Raksha Bandhan, similarly, falls into this category, reminding people to commemorate those individuals who diligently work to ensure our safety and…

To mark the event of “National Small Industries Day,” Mr. Narayan Rane, the Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, highlighted a significant achievement. He shared that the Ministry of MSME operates 18 tool rooms and technology centers across the country, having trained 1.6 million youth over the past nine years. This training has subsequently benefitted more than 300,000 MSME units. Mr. Rane emphasized that these Tool Rooms and Technology Centers of the Ministry of MSME are playing a crucial role in realizing Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s vision of a self-reliant India. They not only provide training but…

NITI Aayog and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India have solidified their cooperation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a collaborative framework across various domains. These domains encompass Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) localization, data-driven monitoring, Aspirational Districts and Blocks, and more. The MoU underscores their shared dedication to expediting progress toward the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals. The MoU signing took place in the presence of Mr. B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, who observed the signing by Dr. Yogesh Suri, Senior Advisor (SDGs), and Ms. Shoko Noda, Resident Representative of UNDP India. Mr. B.V.R. Subrahmanyam…

Indian Americans have warmly received the film “The Vaccine War,” directed by award-winning filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri. They praised it as an enlightening portrayal of Indian scientists, particularly women, who played a pivotal role in helping India combat COVID-19 effectively amidst challenging circumstances. Agnihotri, currently on his “India for Humanity Tour, USA,” showcased the movie to select audiences across various cities, earning a standing ovation in a Maryland suburb near Washington DC. The film revolves around Indian scientists overcoming obstacles, including interference from foreign entities, to successfully develop a COVID-19 vaccine during demanding conditions. The movie’s emphasis on highlighting the contributions…

In the movie “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani,” Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi portray characters who were long-lost lovers reuniting to share a late-life romance. The film, which was released in theaters last month, garnered attention for a kissing scene between the veteran actors. Esha Deol, daughter of Dharmendra, discussed her father’s kissing scene during an interview with Zoom. She expressed that there should be no age barrier for love or kissing, praising her father’s romantic nature and professionalism. Esha also touched on the emotional aspect of watching the film as Dharmendra’s daughter, particularly during poignant scenes. Sunny Deol, another…

In the perspective of External Affairs Minister Mr. S. Jaishankar, the primary objective of the G20 revolves around advancing economic growth and development. He emphasized that addressing critical issues faced by the Global South is essential for achieving this goal. Mr. Jaishankar, while addressing the B20 Summit organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) prior to the G20 Summit scheduled for September 9–10, highlighted various factors that have led to the Global South becoming more of a consumer than a producer. These factors include scale, subsidy, technology, human resources, and strategic choices. He pointed out the prevailing dominance of…