Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) has expanded its board of directors by appointing Raj Shah, co-CEO of MSI Surfaces, and Prashant Ruia, director at Essar Capital. With a substantial role at Essar since 1985, Ruia has played a key part in the company’s growth and diversification, steering it towards a greener economy and sustainable businesses. Ruia sees his appointment as an opportunity to strengthen economic ties between the United States and India, emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and sustainability. On the other hand, Raj Shah, co-CEO at MSI Surfaces, whose family founded the company in 1975, brings his expertise to the…

In her presentation of the interim budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a significant positive transformation in the Indian economy over the past decade, with an emphasis on comprehensive progress guided by the vision of “Together for All, Development for All, and Trust for All”. Despite challenges posed by the once-in-a-century pandemic, Sitharaman noted the country’s successful stride towards building an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). She addressed concerns about food security by announcing free ration provision for 800 million people, alleviating worries. Sitharaman highlighted the impact of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), emphasizing increased funds for the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana…

Indian American philanthropist-entrepreneur Sunil Wadhwani has made a substantial donation of US$ 13,256,848 to his alma mater, IIT Madras, for the establishment of the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI. This generous gift, marked by a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Wadhwani and IIT Madras Director Professor V. Kamakoti, is regarded as one of the largest contributions by an alumnus to create a school at an Indian educational institution. The Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI aspires to become a leading global institution in the field. Beyond academic pursuits, its vision extends to providing guidance to government officials…

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev has earned a place of distinction at New York’s Madame Tussauds Museum, where his wax statue was revealed on Tuesday. The unveiling event took place in Delhi, attended by Baba Ramdev himself. The wax figure portrays him in the Vrikshasana pose, standing on one leg with the other bent and the sole against the inner thigh. Expressing his honor, Baba Ramdev stated, “I feel honored that my wax statue is being installed at Madame Tussauds in New York. It’s not just recognition for me but also for yoga, ayurveda, and India’s eternal culture.” He emphasized that…

Amrith Kaur Aakre, an Indian American jurist, has assumed the role of Director for the Chicago District at the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), as announced by the federal agency. Aakre, formerly the legal director for the Sikh Coalition, officially began her position on January 29, 2024, taking her oath on the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib. EEOC Chair Charlotte A Burrows praised Aakre’s creative problem-solving, management expertise, and dedication to civil rights. Aakre expressed her respect for the EEOC’s mission and eagerness to contribute to advancing equal employment opportunities in the Chicago District. Before joining the…

In 2023, the US Consular Team in India achieved a historic milestone by processing a record 1.4 million US visas, marking a 60% increase compared to 2022. One-tenth of all global US visa applicants are now from India. Notably, visitor visas (B1/B2) witnessed a resurgence, accounting for over 700,000 applications and reducing appointment wait times from 1,000 to 250 days nationwide. The US consular team in India also granted over 140,000 student visas in 2023, securing its position as the leading country in this category for the third consecutive year. Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, and Chennai emerged as the top…

During the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce Conference on ‘Strengthening Indo-US relationship in Amritkal-Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ on January 30, US envoy to India Eric Garcetti praised the robust partnership between the two nations. Emphasizing the importance of collaboration in technology, AI, agriculture, and telecommunications, he envisioned these sectors connecting and protecting people. Garcetti highlighted 2023 as a stellar year for US-India relations, citing strengthened people-to-people ties and a substantial rise in bilateral trade. However, he urged India to climb from its current 10th position to single digits in terms of importance for the US. Addressing the alignment of democratic values, Garcetti noted…

The 69th edition of the Filmfare Awards marked the commencement of Bollywood’s award season, taking place in Gujarat. Among the notable recognitions, Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor, a celebrated couple, secured top acting honors. Bhatt received the Best Actress award for her role in “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani,” while Kapoor clinched the Best Actor award for his outstanding performance in “Animal.” Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film “Animal” led the pack, claiming a total of six trophies. Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s “12th Fail” received major accolades, winning Best Film and Best Director. In the Critics category, Vikrant Massey was honored with…

Dr. Gurdeep Chawla, originally from New Delhi, spent six years as an interpreter in the Indian Parliament before relocating to the United States with her husband, entrepreneur Suri Chawla. Initially planning for a brief stay, she found herself drawn to opportunities in the local court system, providing interpretation for individuals with diverse backgrounds. Recognized for her work, she ventured into roles aligned with her government and diplomatic background. Despite living in the San Francisco Bay area, Chawla took the required test for a position in Washington DC, successfully passing it. Climbing through various levels of interpretation, she reached the diplomatic…

Five Indian restaurants have secured spots on Yelp’s prestigious “Top 100 US Restaurants 2024” list, a compilation that reflects the culinary diversity and gastronomic excellence across America. Yelp.com and its accompanying apps serve as platforms for users to contribute crowd-sourced reviews and insights about various businesses, including restaurants, forming the basis for this highly anticipated and influential annual ranking in the dining industry. Among the featured Indian restaurants: 1. Little India in American Fork, Utah (Ranked 19): Renowned for its flavorful Chicken Tikka Masala and exquisite Butter Chicken, Little India also offers a unique dining experience with hand-painted murals, vibrant…