With South India contributing over 50 Lok Sabha seats to the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) tally of 294, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s persistent focus on Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka ahead of the General Election has paid off significantly. Andhra Pradesh accounted for 21 of these seats, with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led by N Chandrababu Naidu making a remarkable comeback. The TDP, in alliance with the BJP and Pawan Kalyan’s JanaSena Party (JSP), won 164 out of 175 Assembly seats, decisively defeating the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP). The YSRCP managed to secure only four of the 25 Lok Sabha seats, a stark contrast to its 2019 victory with 22 seats. This time, TDP surpassed its 2014 performance, winning 16 seats, while the BJP and JSP secured three and two seats, respectively. These seats were crucial for the NDA to form the government for a third consecutive term.

Karnataka, known as the BJP’s gateway to the south, contributed 17 seats out of 28 Lok Sabha constituencies, with its alliance partner Janata Dal (Secular) winning two. State BJP President BY Vijayendra highlighted the people’s trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s performance over the Congress’ promises. Despite the Congress party’s extensive campaigns, the BJP-JD(S) alliance won 19 seats. BJP insiders had anticipated winning 21-22 seats but faced defeats in Chikkodi and Bidar. However, they maintained control over coastal regions, Bengaluru, and Mumbai Karnataka, while Congress dominated the Hyderabad Karnataka region. Congress’ gains in the region were seen as a boost for All India Congress Committee President Mallikarjun Kharge. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah acknowledged the party’s improved performance, winning nine seats compared to one in 2019, despite expectations.

In Telangana, BJP and Congress each won eight seats, while Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM secured Hyderabad. BJP retained its four seats from 2019 and added four more. The Congress improved from three seats in 2019, while the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) suffered significant losses, winning only eight seats and losing its status as the main opposition. Former BRS leader Etela Rajender, now with BJP, noted the party’s rapid rise in Telangana, where it had previously won no seats in Andhra Pradesh in 2019 and only four in Telangana.

Overall, the NDA’s success in South India highlights its diminishing north-south divide, especially with BJP’s first Lok Sabha win in Kerala’s Thrissur constituency. However, in Tamil Nadu, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led alliance swept all 39 seats, leaving BJP and its allies without any wins. BJP’s vote share in Tamil Nadu increased to over 11 percent, marking a significant milestone, although the party came second in several constituencies.

In summary, the NDA has solidified its presence in South India, achieving significant victories in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana, while facing challenges in Tamil Nadu.

Established in 2003, the annual award is named after renowned economist John Kenneth Galbraith and honors his ability to blend scholarship and statesmanship, along with his remarkable achievements in research, education, and public service. Jayati Ghosh is one of only three Indian or Indian-born economists to have received this award, joining Sir Partha Dasgupta in 2007 and Gita Gopinath in 2021. Notable past recipients include Nobel laureate Joseph E. Stiglitz (2004), Angus Deaton (2009), and Dan Ariely (2017).

Ghosh’s research and writings, which have gained recognition from the Left, are centered on developmental and human-centric economics. They are of increasing importance for policymaking in the aftermath of the pandemic, as acknowledged by politicians and economists alike.

The award’s citation commends Ghosh for her breakthrough discoveries in economics and exceptional contributions to humanity through her leadership, research, and service.

Currently serving as a professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Ghosh is also a member of the high-level advisory board on ‘effective multilateralism’ established by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Her work covers a broad spectrum of topics, with recent focuses including the consequences of India’s Covid-19 pandemic, the challenges faced by women workers in the informal economy, and the aftermath of India’s 2016 demonetization decision.

Sitaram Yechury, Secretary-General of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and an economist, commended Ghosh’s work in developmental economics, emphasizing its significance in the post-pandemic era. Yechury emphasized Ghosh’s dedication to people-centric development, which has gained prominence in policymaking.

As of June 27, holders of a United States H-1B specialty occupation visa now have the opportunity to apply for employment and residency in Canada, as announced by Canada’s Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser.

The aim of this initiative is to promote labor mobility in North America and may impact professionals in the high-tech industries of both Canada and the United States, as well as their immediate family members.

Successful applicants will receive an open work permit valid for up to three years, allowing them to work for almost any employer in Canada. Spouses and dependents can also apply for work or study permits as needed.

The program, implemented by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), will remain in effect for one year or until 10,000 principal applicants have been accepted. It’s essential to note that the cap only applies to primary applicants and not their family members.

To be eligible for Canada’s open work permit as an H-1B visa holder, applicants must meet the following criteria: possess a valid H-1B specialty occupation visa and currently reside in the United States.

To apply for the open work permit, applicants need to provide specific documents, including a copy of their current H-1B visa, Form I-797/I797B (Notice of Action) confirming the approval of their H-1B application, and proof of residency in the United States.

The IRCC introduced the first Express Entry draw targeting individuals with work experience in Science, Technology, Mathematics, and Engineering (STEM) occupations on June 28. This draw is part of the category-based selection criteria introduced by the Minister on May 31.

On July 5, the department conducted the draw and invited 500 candidates with work experience in STEM fields, many of whom may also qualify for the newly introduced H-1B open work permit. It’s worth mentioning that the invited candidates were already part of the Express Entry application pool.

The Express Entry system now includes five new categories specifically designed for individuals with work experience in certain occupational fields, as well as a sixth category for those with strong French language proficiency. These categories were determined through extensive research and consultations with various stakeholders, partners, and provincial and territorial governments familiar with local labor shortages.

The IRCC views inviting candidates through the Express Entry STEM category as a significant step towards attracting top global talent and maintaining Canada’s position as a leader in global research, development, and innovation.

In line with this initiative, the Canadian government announced a $20 billion investment in Budget 2023 to support major clean electricity and infrastructure projects, which will require the expertise and skills of STEM professionals.

In addition to introducing a 3-year open work permit for H-1B visa holders, the IRCC is working on establishing an Innovation Stream within the International Mobility Program (IMP). The Innovation Stream is expected to be launched by the end of the year and is being developed based on feedback from stakeholders during recent consultations.

Two potential options under consideration are employer-specific work permits that can extend up to five years for individuals working for companies contributing to Canada’s industrial innovation objective and open work permits that can extend up to five years for highly skilled workers in specific in-demand occupations.

Moreover, the Minister has also announced the restoration of the 14-day service standard for work permits under the Global Skills Strategy. The Canadian government is actively promoting Canada as an attractive destination for digital nomads and making improvements to the Start-up Visa Program, including increasing available spots and extending the work permit duration from one year to three years.

According to recent job vacancy data released by Statistics Canada, there were 42,900 job openings in the professional, scientific, and technical services sectors in April. This number represents a decrease compared to March and a significant decline from the peak recorded in April 2022.

Ontario and Quebec are the provinces with the highest number of job vacancies, and to address these gaps, Ontario recently eliminated the requirement for Canadian work experience for newcomers seeking licensure in engineering.

On June 30, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development in Ontario introduced a regulation stating that regulated professions in the province must make registration decisions and communicate them to internationally trained newcomers within six months. This measure aims to streamline the registration process and fill job vacancies, particularly in licensed professions within the STEM fields, thereby reducing the skills gap.

Kriti Sanon celebrated her birthday by introducing her new beauty brand, Hyphen, making her the latest celebrity to venture into the cosmetics industry, following in the footsteps of Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone. Kriti took to Instagram to share the exciting news with her followers. The brand’s ethos revolves around the combination of nature and science to create effective products with multiple benefits. Kriti expressed her gratitude to her co-founders and the entire Hyphen team, who worked tirelessly to launch the brand on her special day.

Hyphen, a budget-friendly beauty brand, offers a range of products priced between ₹449 and ₹649. Currently, they have four products, all of which are clinically tested, Peta certified, vegan, and eco-friendly, leaving no plastic footprint.

Kriti’s passion for skincare and her desire for continuous growth drove her to create Hyphen, where she blends various incredible ingredients to address different skincare concerns. On the website, she extends her hope that customers will enjoy using the products as much as she enjoyed crafting them.

In addition to her beauty brand, Kriti has several upcoming projects in the film industry. She will appear in “The Crew” alongside Kareena Kapoor and Tabu, a film produced by Ekta Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor. She is also involved in an untitled film with Shahid Kapoor and “Ganapath” with Amitabh Bachchan and Tiger Shroff. Furthermore, Kriti will reunite with her co-star from “Dilwale,” Kajol, in her maiden project “Do Patti,” set to be released on Netflix.

After a four-year gap since the release of ‘Gully Boy,’ popular Bollywood actors Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt have come together again as an onscreen couple in Karan Johar’s upcoming Hindi film, ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.’

During a promotional event in Kolkata ahead of the film’s release, both actors expressed their admiration for working together in this big-budget multi-starrer project.

Ranveer Singh shared his excitement about reuniting with Alia, stating, “It’s pretty amazing. It’s my second collaboration with Alia. It’s been a while since we had shot that movie (‘Gully Boy’). Both of us have evolved as individuals since then. I met a beautiful version of Alia during ‘Gully Boy’ and an even more beautiful version of her now.”

Alia Bhatt also spoke about their collaboration, saying, “In ‘Gully Boy,’ our characters were somewhere from the same world. But in this film, we are very opposite. But there is so much safety which we both felt with each other performing. Both of us gave each other the space to perform. We just added fuel to our individual fires, I would say.”

‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ holds special significance as it marks Karan Johar’s 25th year in the film industry. Apart from Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt, the movie features veteran actors Dharmendra and Jaya Bachchan, along with Churni Ganguly and Tota Roy Choudhury in pivotal roles.

The highly anticipated film is scheduled for release on July 28th.

Actress Richa Chadha has begun filming her first international movie, titled “Aaina,” in London alongside actor William Moseley from “Chronicles of Narnia.” Directed by debutant Markus Meedt, the film’s narrative unfolds in both London and India, drawing inspiration from real-life events. Filming is scheduled to take place in various locations in India in September.

Richa expressed her excitement about making her international debut with “Aaina,” stating that she had come across several scripts for international projects but none felt right until she encountered this one. The film’s intriguing storyline and strong script convinced her that it was the perfect opportunity for her international venture. Although Richa has substantial experience in the Indian film industry, she found the working culture in the UK to be different, making her feel like a fresher despite her years of experience.

“Aaina” is being produced by Big Cat Films UK, with Geeta Bhalla and PJ Singh serving as producers.

In her upcoming projects in India, Richa will reprise her role as Bholi Punjaban in “Fukrey 3.” She has also completed work on her debut production titled “Girls will be Girls.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again emphasized India’s claim to have a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). He expressed that it is essential for the world’s most populous country and its largest democracy to be a permanent member to truly represent the global community. In an interview with foreign media, PM Modi pointed out the “skewed membership” of the UNSC, which leads to opaque decision-making processes and hampers effective problem-solving.

United Nations General Assembly President Csaba Korosi fully supported PM Modi’s statement, acknowledging the need for better representation in the UNSC, including India, which has demonstrated a greater sense of responsibility towards world peace and sustainable development.

The UNSC consists of 15 members, five of which are permanent with veto powers. The remaining ten members are elected by the UN General Assembly for two-year terms.

India has been a significant contributor to UN peacekeeping missions and has held non-permanent seats on multiple occasions, including the latest in 2021-2022. Despite its role in implementing the UN mandate and contributing significantly to peacekeeping missions, India has been denied a permanent seat on the UNSC. The US, UK, France, and Russia have consistently supported India’s bid for a permanent seat, but China has used its veto power to block it.

India’s case for a place in the UNSC is compelling. As the world’s largest democracy, it represents 17 percent of the global population and acts as a crucial link between Central Asia and the Middle East. It also plays a dominant role in the Indian Ocean, a region that handles over 80 percent of the world’s trade. India possesses one of the largest militaries globally, having participated in five major wars, and is a nuclear-armed nation. Considering these factors and the UNSC’s principle of not excluding significant powers, India qualifies to be among the veto-power countries.

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) is set to pay tribute to Karan Johar, the prominent Bollywood filmmaker, on the occasion of his 25th anniversary in the industry. The festival, which is scheduled to be held from August 11, 2023, to August 20, 2023, will feature special screenings dedicated to celebrating Johar’s illustrious career.

The organizers of IFFM 2023 introduced Karan Johar as a guest, acknowledging his exceptional talent in seamlessly blending glamor, emotions, and societal relevance, thereby leaving an indelible impact on Bollywood and influencing the contemporary Indian film landscape.

Expressing his gratitude, the filmmaker stated, “It is with great honor that I participate in the 14th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. This year holds particular significance for me as I mark 25 years as a filmmaker, and I cannot think of a better platform than this esteemed festival to commemorate this milestone in my career. Returning for the third time to the festival, I am deeply moved by the love and support I have received from the Australian audience.”

Mity Bhowmick Lange, the festival director, emphasized that Karan Johar is an iconic figure in Indian cinema. She expressed the privilege of honoring his extraordinary career and invaluable contributions to the Indian filmmaking industry at this year’s event. Bhowmick Lange added that Johar’s remarkable journey as a filmmaker spans 25 years, during which he has created a legacy that will be cherished for generations to come.

Renowned for his directorial debut “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” (1998), which earned him the National Film Award for ‘best popular film providing wholesome entertainment’ and the Filmfare awards for Best Director and Best Screenplay, Karan Johar’s works in “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” (2001), “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna” (2006), and “My Name Is Khan” (2010) have also garnered critical acclaim and commercial success in both domestic and international markets.

India’s Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Yasutoshi Nishimura, recently signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at enhancing the semiconductor industry. The agreement focuses on semiconductor design, manufacturing, equipment research, talent development, and ensuring resilience in the semiconductor supply chain. This move makes Japan the second Quad partner, after the United States, to collaborate with India in jointly developing the semiconductor ecosystem and safeguarding the global supply chain.

The signing ceremony took place in the national capital, and both countries expressed their commitment to creating an “implementation organization” to facilitate government-to-government and industry-to-industry cooperation. India’s Minister Vaishnaw emphasized the importance of a resilient semiconductor supply chain and highlighted India and Japan’s partnership, which was influenced by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s successful state visit to the United States, where various agreements were signed.

Japan possesses about 100 semiconductor manufacturing plants, ranking among the top five countries with a robust semiconductor ecosystem. Minister Vaishnaw pointed out that the semiconductor industry is expected to grow from $650 billion to a $1 trillion industry, necessitating a considerable talent pool and substantial growth worldwide. Japan views India as a valuable partner, combining complementary strengths to achieve this growth.

The minister also noted Japan’s expertise in key areas like raw semiconductor materials, chip manufacturing equipment, and display technologies. The aim is to bring this expertise to India, representing a significant milestone. The Indian government has already initiated discussions with Japan’s state-backed semiconductor industry body, Rapidus, for potential collaboration in this domain.

Regarding concerns about China restricting the export of critical semiconductor elements like gallium and germanium, Minister Vaishnaw stated that the impact has been minimal as there are multiple alternative sources of these elements worldwide.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has returned to India for the third time in nine months, following her visit to Beijing. Her purpose is to meet with finance ministers from the Group of 20 nations to address global economic challenges, particularly the increasing threat of debt defaults faced by low-income countries. Yellen aims to strengthen the relationship between the United States and India, while also addressing supply chain reliability and clean energy transition during her stop in Hanoi, Vietnam.

During her time in India, Yellen intends to advocate for debt restructuring in developing nations facing economic distress, promote the modernization of global development banks to prioritize climate initiatives, and deepen the growing U.S.-India relationship. These frequent visits to India highlight the significance of the U.S.-India alliance, particularly amidst tensions with China.

In addition to China, India’s relationship with Russia has been a topic of discussion, as the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine continues despite international efforts to impose sanctions. While India has maintained energy trade with Russia, it has not participated in the efforts to punish Russia. Yellen emphasizes the importance of ending the war in Ukraine, not only as a moral imperative but also as a crucial step towards global economic stability. The U.S. aims to restrict Russia’s access to military equipment and technologies required for waging war against Ukraine.

The United States increasingly relies on India and seeks to strengthen economic ties. Yellen sees India as an essential partner in enhancing supply chain resilience and believes that private U.S. firms consider India an excellent location for production and exports to the United States. The slowdown in China’s growth has had a significant impact on other countries, and Yellen has discussed this issue with Chinese counterparts, acknowledging China’s interest in attracting foreign investment.

Yellen’s visit to India follows President Joe Biden’s state visit to the White House by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which aimed to underscore and foster bilateral relations between the two nations. Raymond Vickery Jr., an expert on U.S.-India relations, highlights the significance of Yellen’s visit to India after her trip to China, as Indian officials will be interested in the details of her meetings with Chinese counterparts and how it aligns with India’s perspective on economic relations with China.

Debt treatments for Ghana and Sri Lanka are expected to be discussed and finalized during the meetings, as both countries defaulted on their international debts last year. Over half of low-income countries are currently facing debt distress, impeding their long-term development. Yellen’s recent trip to China involved discussions on trade restrictions and national security concerns.

Overall, Yellen’s visits to India and China reflect the United States’ efforts to strengthen relationships, address global economic challenges, and promote stability in international trade and finance.