Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

Thirty individuals, including six Indian Americans, have been named winners of the 2024 for New Americans, a prestigious graduate school program for immigrants and children of immigrants. Chosen from a pool of 2,323 applicants, these Paul & Daisy Soros Fellows were selected for their outstanding achievements and potential to contribute significantly to the United States across various fields of study. Each fellow will receive up to $90,000 in funding to support their graduate studies at institutions nationwide. In the 2024 class, the six distinguished new Americans of Indian American heritage are Ananya Agustin Malhotra, Aayush Karan, Akshay Swaminathan, Keerthana Hogirala,…

The issue of India’s quest for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council, initially raised by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, prompted a response from the United States earlier this year. The US expressed its backing for reforms within the United Nations’ structures, aiming to modernize them and reflect the realities of the 21st century world. US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel addressed inquiries during a press briefing regarding Elon Musk’s remarks on India’s absence from the UNSC’s permanent membership. Patel reiterated the US government’s stance on UN reforms, emphasizing the need to adapt to contemporary global…

Celebrating Ram Navami, Kangana Ranaut, an actor turned BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, reflected on her visit to Ayodhya for Ram Lalla’s ceremonial enthronement. She shared a video of her visit to the grand Ram Temple’s opening on January 22. The video showcased the temple’s splendor and snippets of PM Narendra Modi’s address. Kangana expressed joy that after 500 years, Ram Lalla was celebrating Ram Navami in his grand temple. PM Modi conducted an 11-day ‘Anusthan’ before the grand ‘Pran Pratishtha’, visiting Ram-related shrines across India. He officiated as the Jajman, performing rituals alongside selected priests and…

During the fiscal year 2024, India experienced a notable surge in the export of electronic goods, with the total value reaching US$ 29.12 billion. This represents a substantial growth rate of 23.6% compared to the previous year, despite an overall decline of 3% in the nation’s total exports. Officials from the commerce department highlighted that the United States, United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Italy emerged as the leading export markets for Indian electronic products during this period, underscoring the diverse global demand for India’s electronic goods. Furthermore, in the fiscal year 2024, Indian electronic exports expanded into new…

Actor Vidya Balan and her co-star Pratik Gandhi from “Do Aur Do Pyaar” were featured in the inaugural session of Indian Express’s new series “Expresso”. During the event, Vidya candidly discussed her experiences of facing criticism and scrutiny in Bollywood. She revealed instances of being body-shamed and criticized for her fashion choices. Vidya acknowledged facing a “witch hunt” in the industry, attributing it to personal issues others had with her. Despite the challenges, she expressed resilience, stating that she has emerged stronger from those experiences. Reflecting on her early days in the industry, Vidya shared anecdotes about feeling pressured by…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the BJP’s manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, highlighting its vision for “Viksit Bharat” or Developed India. He emphasized the significance of the BJP’s manifesto, known as ‘Sankalp Patra,’ stating that the party has a track record of fulfilling its promises over the past decade, which have benefitted various segments of society such as youth, women, the poor, and farmers. The manifesto outlined several key promises, including India’s bid for the Olympics in 2036, the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), and measures to combat paper leaks. One of the significant pledges involved…

Reports suggest that Rohit Sharma, the former captain of the Mumbai Indians, is dissatisfied with Hardik Pandya’s leadership during the IPL 2024 season. Sharma, who led the team to five trophies over a decade, is rumored to be departing from the Mumbai Indians after the current season concludes. This shift in leadership occurred as Pandya took over the captaincy from Sharma before the IPL 2024, transitioning from his previous role as the skipper of the Gujarat Titans. Pandya’s appointment drew attention from fans, particularly as he replaced the longstanding captain of Mumbai. However, despite the anticipation surrounding Pandya’s leadership, the…

Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir anticipates a rare celestial phenomenon coinciding with Ram Navami on April 17. Devotees visiting the temple will witness an extraordinary annual occurrence where sunlight will cast a divine ’tilak’ on the new Ram Lalla idol’s forehead. Termed ‘Surya Tilak’ and hailed as a blend of science, engineering, and spirituality, the temple trust officials and scientists behind the mechanism emphasize its exclusivity to Ram Navami, celebrating Lord Ram’s birth. Chief scientist R. Dharamraju of CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, responsible for the Surya Tilak Mechanism, explained its functioning. Using lenses and reflective mirrors, sunlight is channeled from the third…

In a joint statement with Pakistan, Saudi Arabia appears to echo India’s position on Jammu and Kashmir. Following a meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, the statement emphasizes the need for India and Pakistan to resolve their “outstanding issues” bilaterally, notably the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, to ensure regional peace and stability. The joint declaration underscores the significance of dialogue between India and Pakistan to address their longstanding issues, particularly the Jammu and Kashmir conflict, with the aim of fostering peace and stability in the region. During their discussions, the leaders…

In alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reiterated assertions of securing a third term and his resolve to commence swift action, senior government officials have commenced drafting an action plan for the incoming administration. Key focuses include streamlining ministries, expanding the number of Indian missions abroad by 20% to 150 within six years, attracting greater private investment in infrastructure, and establishing a smoother land acquisition mechanism for priority projects. A preliminary draft paper, slated for discussion in meetings convened by the cabinet secretary this month, outlines ambitious targets. These targets encompass doubling the proportion of senior citizens benefiting from pension…