Must Read News

Housing Prices Rise 11% in Top Indian Cities

During the July-September quarter of FY24, housing prices across eight major Indian cities saw an 11% year-on-year increase, as per the ‘Housing Price-Tracker Report Q3 FY24’ by CREDAI, Colliers, and Liases Foras. This marked the 15th consecutive quarter of rising prices, with the average housing price reaching US$ 129.91 (Rs. 11,000) per square foot in Q3 FY24. Among the top cities, Delhi-NCR recorded the highest increase, with a 32% rise, bringing the average price to US$ 135.08 (Rs. 11,438) per square foot, up from US$ 102.21 (Rs ..... Read More

UP Gears Up for Maha Kumbh 2025: A Global Cultural Extravaganza

The Uttar Pradesh government and the Union Ministry of Culture and Tourism are collaborating to transform Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj into a global cultural spectacle, aiming to attract over 400 million devotees. Spanning from January 13 to February 26, the 45-day event will feature an array of artistic installations, murals, and decorations throughout the city. Maha Kumbh, held every 12 years at Prayagraj’s Triveni Sangam, symbolizes spiritual purification through immersion in the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. This ..... Read More

Oxford Study: Modi’s PRAGATI Boosts $200 Billion Projects

An Oxford University study has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and the PRAGATI platform for driving the progress of 340 crucial infrastructure projects in India, valued at $205 billion. These projects, some pending for decades, have seen significant acceleration due to this initiative. The study, co-authored by Soumitra Dutta and Mukul Pandya from Saïd Business School, credits Modi’s direct involvement as a pivotal factor. Since its inception nine years ago, PRAGATI has streamlined India’s infrastruct ..... Read More

India Tops Global Mobile Malware Threat Rankings

Zscaler’s ThreatLabz 2024 Mobile, IoT, and OT Threat Report has unveiled concerning trends in cybersecurity, particularly for India. Covering data from June 2023 to May 2024, the report shows India as the top target for mobile malware globally, accounting for 28% of incidents. This surpasses the United States at 27.3% and Canada at 15.9%. India’s leap from third to first place underscores the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity, especially as digital transformation accelerates. The report also indicates that India dominates the A ..... Read More

Alia Bhatt’s Customized Christmas Tree Features Raha’s Decor

As the holiday season arrives, Alia Bhatt has shared a charming video of her festive Christmas tree on Instagram. The tree, adorned with twinkling lights and festive ornaments, featured personalized decorations with the names of Alia, her husband Ranbir Kapoor, and their daughter Raha. “How cute!” fans couldn’t help but exclaim as Alia captioned the post with, “& it’s up.” Christmas has always been a special time for the Bhatt and Kapoor families. Last year, the couple shared the first glimpse of their daughter Raha at a Chr ..... Read More

Piyush Goyal Highlights India’s Progress at CII Partnership Summit 2024

Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday celebrated India’s growth, highlighting the nation’s strength in speed, scale, and determination, all while staying connected to its rich cultural heritage. Speaking at the inaugural session of the 29th Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Partnership Summit 2024 in Delhi, Goyal emphasized India’s commitment to both progress and innovation. He also addressed the shared global challenges, calling for a collective effort toward sustainability and environmental protection. Goyal emphasized that while t ..... Read More

India’s GST Collections Rise by 8.5% to Over $21.74 Billion in November

New Currency and Goods and Service Tax , GST tax. finance conceptual India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections saw an 8.5% increase in November 2024, reaching over $21.74 billion. This growth was primarily driven by higher revenues from domestic transactions. The detailed breakdown of collections includes Central GST at $4.08 billion, State GST at $5.15 billion, Integrated GST at $10.97 billion, and cess at $1.58 billion. In comparison, November 2022 saw collections of $21.05 billion. Revenue from domestic transactions grew by 9.4% to ..... Read More

PM Modi Calls for Technology Integration in Policing, Stresses on SMART Policing

On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the need for integrating technology to ease the workload of police forces and proposed that police stations should become central points for resource allocation. Speaking at the 59th All India Conference of Director Generals/Inspector Generals of Police, Modi urged the police forces to evolve into more strategic, meticulous, adaptable, reliable, and transparent units. PM Modi expressed concerns over the growing threats posed by digital frauds, cybercrimes, and deepfakes. He called for the poli ..... Read More

Dr. Uday Vaidya Recognized as 2024 Innovator of the Year

The University of Tennessee Research Foundation (UTRF) proudly awarded Dr. Uday Vaidya the 2024 Innovator of the Year Award during the UTRF Multi-Campus Office Innovation Awards ceremony in Knoxville on November 25th, 2024. Dr. Vaidya, the Governor’s Chair of Advanced Composites Manufacturing at the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has revolutionized lightweight, high-performance materials, driving technological advancements across various sectors. Dr. Vaidya’s expertise lies in fiber reinforced thermoplastic compo ..... Read More

Vidya Bharti USA Expands with Boston Chapter Launch

Vidya Bharti USA, an arm of India’s Vidya Bharti organization, has officially launched its Boston chapter. The goal is to raise awareness of its impactful educational contributions in India and extend its outreach to the Indian diaspora in the Boston area. Satish Jha, advisor to Vidya Bharti USA’s Board of Directors, shared that the organization aims to engage with the over five million-strong Indian diaspora in the United States to enhance its educational services in India. Originally founded in 1952 as Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Vidya B ..... Read More

Sriram Krishnan in Talks With Elon Musk for Government Efficiency Role

Sriram Krishnan, a prominent Indian-American venture capitalist and general partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), has announced his resignation from the firm. Krishnan has hinted that he may be stepping into a new role with the Department of Government Efficiency, a project co-led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. According to reports, Krishnan has already held discussions with Musk about joining this advisory group outside of the Trump administration. In a post on X, Krishnan confirmed his departure from a16z and teased his future endeavors, ..... Read More

Kash Patel: Trump’s pick, Indian-American, eyeing FBI’s top job

Indian-American Kashyap “Kash” Patel has been nominated by US President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In his announcement, Trump referred to Patel as a “brilliant lawyer and investigator,” emphasizing his loyalty and “America First” dedication. Patel expressed his deep connection to India, stemming from his upbringing as a Hindu and his Gujarati heritage. Born in New York in 1980, Patel’s parents migrated from East Africa. He completed his undergraduate studies ..... Read More

India’s Gig Economy Set to Contribute 1.25% to GDP by FY30

Gross Domestic Product or GDP economy value on business finance background with financial profit rate. 3D rendering. According to a white paper from the Forum for Progressive Gig Workers, India’s gig economy is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17%, reaching a gross volume of US$ 455 billion (Rs. 38.42 lakh crore) by FY24. This sector is expected to play a pivotal role in India’s GDP, contributing an estimated 1.25% by FY30 and creating 90 million long-term jobs. Industries such as e-commerce, transportation, and ..... Read More

India Re-elected to UN Peacebuilding Commission for 2025-2026

India has been re-elected to the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) for the 2025-2026 term, extending its ongoing role in promoting global peace. The announcement was made by India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, emphasizing India’s commitment to contributing to international stability as a founding member and significant supporter of UN peacekeeping initiatives. The Peacebuilding Commission, comprising 31 member states elected by the General Assembly, Security Council, and Economic and Social Council, plays a crucial role in advi ..... Read More

Sunita Williams to Celebrate Thanksgiving Aboard the ISS

Indian American NASA astronaut Sunita Williams is preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving aboard the International Space Station (ISS) with a festive meal featuring smoked turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and apple cobbler. The celebration, observed annually on the fourth Thursday of November in the U.S., honors the year’s blessings and harvest. In a video message from space, Williams, along with fellow astronauts Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Aleksandr Gorbunov, extended Thanksgiving wishes to those on Earth, expressing gratitude for t ..... Read More

Ankur Srivastava Appointed Director of UMD’s Semiconductor Initiatives

Ankur Srivastava has been appointed as the inaugural Director of Semiconductor Initiatives and Innovation at the University of Maryland (UMD). This new role will focus on advancing UMD’s semiconductor research and industry partnerships, particularly those related to the CHIPS and Science Act (CHIPS Act). A prominent advocate for UMD’s role in semiconductor research, Srivastava led a pivotal agreement in early 2024 between UMD and the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium (MMEC). This partnership expanded MMEC’s scope to include secure e ..... Read More

Silicon Valley backs Tulsi Gabbard, says Democrat Rishi Kumar

Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for the director of national intelligence role, has garnered significant support from Indian Americans, particularly those in Silicon Valley. Many view her potential confirmation as a positive step for their community in Washington DC. Rishi Kumar, a Silicon Valley tech executive and author, emphasized Gabbard’s symbolic importance to Indian Americans in the tech sector. As the first Hindu member of Congress, Gabbard has inspired many with her advocacy for innovation and resilience. ..... Read More

Oxford Appoints Dr Bhogal to Guru Nanak Fellowship

Dr Jaskiran Kaur Bhogal has been appointed to the newly created Guru Nanak Stipendiary Research Fellowship at Wolfson College, University of Oxford. Set to begin in February 2025, this esteemed role was established through significant contributions from Britain’s Punjabi Sikh community. Dr. Bhogal earned a BSc in Economics, followed by an MSc and PhD in Anthropology, all from the London School of Economics. Her research will focus on understanding how British Sikh families preserve their intangible cultural heritage. Specifically, she will ex ..... Read More

PM Modi Attends Police Chiefs’ Conference in Bhubaneswar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to participate in the all-India conference of Director Generals and Inspector Generals of Police in Bhubaneswar this Saturday. The three-day event, which commenced on Friday, focuses on vital national security topics such as counter-terrorism, Left Wing Extremism, coastal security, new criminal laws, and narcotics. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the conference aims to provide a platform for senior police officers and security officials to openly discuss various natio ..... Read More

Allu Arjun steals the spotlight, hyping Pushpa 2!

Allu Arjun is receiving widespread praise for his relentless efforts to promote Pushpa 2: The Rule. The promotional journey began with a spectacular event in Patna, where he impressed North Indian fans with an engaging speech in Hindi. Following this, he continued the momentum with “Wildfire” events in Chennai and Kochi, where he connected closely with local audiences, showcasing his charm and dedication. In Mumbai, Allu Arjun took the excitement up a notch by performing the Sooseski song on stage, alongside his co-star Rashmika Mandanna. ..... Read More

India Retains World’s Fastest-Growing Economy Status

India’s economy clocked a GDP growth rate of 5.4 per cent for the second quarter (July-September) of the current financial year, according to the data released by the Ministry of Statistics on Friday.  Although the GDP growth has slowed during the second quarter, India still remains the fastest growing major economy in the world as China recorded a 4.6 per cent growth during the July-September quarter. Despite sluggish growth observed in Manufacturing (2.2 per cent) and Mining & Quarrying (-0.1 per cent) sectors in Q2 of FY 2024- ..... Read More

Everyday Physical Activity Boosts Brain Processing Speed

Regular physical activity has been shown to enhance cognitive functions, including processing speed, according to existing research. Vernon Williams, MD, highlighted that various studies consistently demonstrate the positive effects of exercise on brain performance. These benefits, especially with high-intensity or long-duration workouts, stem from the release of brain-friendly chemicals and neurotransmitters. Additionally, enhanced cardiovascular health, better blood circulation, and reduced blood pressure contribute to improved cognitive func ..... Read More

Jaishankar: India’s foreign policy mirrors cricket’s global rise

At the launch of Mohinder Amarnath’s memoir Fearless, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar drew intriguing comparisons between cricket and Indian foreign policy. Reflecting on India’s 1983 Cricket World Cup victory, he emphasized its transformative impact on India’s role in global cricket, paralleling this with India’s evolving international presence. Jaishankar highlighted key lessons from cricket applicable to diplomacy: respect is earned through competitiveness, and individual contributions can shape outcomes. Comp ..... Read More

Ektaa Kapoor’s Film Declared Tax-Free in Odisha

Producer Ektaa Kapoor, who has been receiving widespread acclaim for her latest theatrical release, The Sabarmati Report, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for declaring the Vikrant Massey-starrer tax-free in the state. On Thursday, the Chief Minister took to his official X account to announce the decision. He wrote, “People’s government has decided to make the film Sabarmati Report, based on a true incident, tax-free in Odisha. The film shows how Karsevaks were burnt alive in the Godhra fire ..... Read More

India Expands Trade Facilitation with MRAs in 30 Countries

India is enhancing its global trade facilitation efforts by negotiating Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with customs authorities in about 30 countries, announced Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs. These MRAs reduce compliance costs by removing dual certifications and simplifying regulatory procedures, ultimately fostering more seamless trade opportunities. India has already established MRAs with significant trade partners, including the US, South Korea, the UAE, Taiwan, Australia, and Malaysi ..... Read More