Must Read News

India’s Luxury Housing Market Grows 28% in Q1 2025

India’s luxury housing market continued its upward trend in Q1 2025, with a 28% year-on-year increase in sales of high-end homes priced above $464,595. In the quarter, around 1,930 units were sold across the top seven cities, up from 1,510 units in Q1 2024. Delhi-NCR led the market with a 49% share, followed by Mumbai with 23%. Bengaluru experienced the sharpest growth, with sales increasing from just 20 units in Q1 2024 to nearly 190 in Q1 2025. Although Kolkata and Chennai accounted for only 5% of total sales, Hyderabad saw a signifi ..... Read More

India to Ship 40,000 Tons Shrimp After Tariff Relief

India’s seafood industry is set to resume large-scale shrimp exports to the United States, with plans to ship between 35,000 to 40,000 tons following a welcome pause in proposed tariff hikes. This decision comes in the wake of former President Donald Trump’s announcement on April 9, 2025, to delay a 26% reciprocal tariff, instead maintaining a 10% flat rate on imports from all countries except China, which remains under a steep 145% duty. The announcement has allowed Indian exporters to clear nearly 2,000 containers of shrimp tha ..... Read More

Indian-Origin Students Lead AI-Powered Safety Innovation

A forward-thinking group of students from the Illinois Institute of Technology, including several of Indian origin, is making global waves with their groundbreaking surveillance startup, VigilAI. This innovative platform uses artificial intelligence to transform passive CCTV systems into proactive crime detection tools. Their tech venture is currently in the spotlight as they advance through the prestigious Hult Prize competition, aiming for the coveted $1 million grand prize. VigilAI stands out as an AI-based solution that processes multipl ..... Read More

Indian-Origin Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan Discovers Life 120 Light-Years Away

In a monumental stride toward discovering life beyond Earth, Indian-origin astrophysicist Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan and his research team have identified what may be signs of biological activity on K2-18b, an exoplanet orbiting a cool dwarf star about 120 light-years away. Their findings revolve around the detection of dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a molecule on Earth exclusively linked to living organisms like marine algae. Dr. Madhusudhan, born in India in 1980, earned his undergraduate degree in technology from IIT (BHU), Varanasi. He later advance ..... Read More

Apple Sets Record iPhone Sales in India Q1

Apple is poised to hit a major milestone in India, with early IDC estimates showing over 3 million iPhones shipped in the first quarter of 2025 — a record-breaking figure for the tech giant. This leap from last year’s 2.21 million units signals Apple’s rising dominance in India, its fastest-growing market worldwide. Despite the broader smartphone market in India shrinking by mid-single digits, Apple has bucked the trend, thanks to attractive affordability programs like no-interest EMIs, cashback deals, and deep online discounts. These strategie ..... Read More

India Embraces Global Stage With Renewed Confidence

an interaction with students at CHARUSAT, Dr. S. Jaishankar, India’s Minister for External Affairs, shared insights into the country’s evolving global outlook. He emphasized that India is no longer cautious or hesitant on the international stage. Instead, the country now engages with the world with assurance and an enterprising spirit. He described a clear mental shift within India—one that views the global landscape not with reluctance, but as a vast arena for opportunity. Speaking of the notion of a “global workplace,” Dr. Jaishankar explaine ..... Read More

Chinmaya Mission Donates $40,000 to LA Mission for Wildfire Relief

In the wake of the devastating wildfires sweeping across Southern California, Chinmaya Mission Los Angeles (CMLA) and Chinmaya Mission Bakersfield have joined hands to contribute $40,000 to ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts. Reflecting on the donation, Swami Ishwarananda, the regional spiritual leader, shared, “Seva is love in action,” echoing the words of Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, the Mission’s revered founder. He emphasized the spiritual and emotional commitment behind the contribution. The fires have uprooted ..... Read More

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Backs Indian-Origin Startup Cradlewise’s Smart Crib

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has given a major nod to Indian-origin startup Cradlewise by publicly endorsing its smart crib designed to soothe infants back to sleep. Sharing his parenting experience on X, Altman revealed that he and his partner, Oliver Mulherin, have been using the product for their newborn son, born in February. He joked, “We ended up buying tons of unnecessary baby stuff, but I’d absolutely recommend the Cradlewise crib—and trust me, you’ll need way more burp cloth than you think!” Cradlewise’s co-founder and CEO Radhika Patil respo ..... Read More

India Launches $4 Billion Tech Design Incentive Scheme

India is set to launch a $4 billion Design-Linked Incentive (DLI) program aimed at boosting electronics innovation. The initiative will focus on strengthening the nation’s position in the global tech industry by promoting high-value patents and reducing dependence on imported components, targeting 30 sectors in semiconductors and 30 in electronics manufacturing. Spanning multiple years, the program is structured to reward companies based on their capital investment and revenue. The broader goal is to nurture an environment that promote ..... Read More

Mixed Reactions in California to Kamala Harris’s Potential Governor Bid

A recent survey shows a lacklustre response from California’s political class to Kamala Harris potentially entering the state’s gubernatorial race. The poll, jointly conducted by Politico and UC Berkeley’s Citrin Center, engaged registered California voters and a selected group of policy insiders including lawmakers and staffers from both state and federal levels. Among the policy influencers surveyed, 36% said they would be “indifferent” if Harris ran for governor. Meanwhile, 22% expressed they would be “mostly excited,” ..... Read More

Washington Hosts First-Ever Baisakhi Celebration at Capitol

For the first time ever, the Consulate General of India in Seattle hosted a vibrant celebration of Baisakhi at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia. Olympia’s State Capitol hosted its first-ever Baisakhi celebration, drawing the presence of key state leaders such as Governor Bob Ferguson, Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, and Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. The trio joined Indian American Sikh community members in honouring the cultural festivity. The Indian Consulate in Seattle took to X (formerly Twitter) to thank the dignitaries and acknowl ..... Read More

Article 370: Former RAW Chief Alleges Quiet Support from the Abdullahs

A recent revelation by former RAW chief A.S. Dulat in his book “The Chief Minister and the Spy” has stirred significant controversy for Jammu and Kashmir’s ruling National Conference (NC). The book claims that former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah was secretly in agreement when Article 370 was abrogated. The National Conference has strongly denied Dulat’s claim, dismissing it as “a figment of fiction.” However, the assertion has reignited political debate across J&K, with many leaders questioning t ..... Read More

UAE Deputy PM Welcomes BAPS Hindu Mandir Leader

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, recently hosted Swami Brahmaviharidas, spiritual head of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi. The meeting took place in the UAE’s capital and was officially confirmed by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha through their website. Their discussion revolved around enhancing mutual understanding and championing universal values such as peace, cultural unity, and harmonious coexistence. Both leaders emphasized that tolerance is a foundational pillar of Emirati society, which h ..... Read More

Erim Kaur’s Haircare Brand Earns $4M Globally

British entrepreneur and digital creator of Indian origin, Erim Kaur, has turned her personal story into a multimillion-dollar success. Her luxury hair care brand, ByErim, has brought in more than $4 million in global revenue since its launch in 2019, as reported by CNBC Make It. The brand’s rise is largely credited to Kaur’s powerful online presence, which includes over 700,000 followers on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. At 30, Kaur attributes her achievement to a strong connection with her core audience—young men an ..... Read More

Shreyes Melkote Appointed Interim Chair of Georgia Tech’s Woodruff School

Georgia Tech has announced that Professor Shreyes Melkote will serve as the interim chair of the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, starting May 15, 2025. Melkote, who currently holds the title of Morris M. Bryan, Jr. Professor for Advanced Manufacturing Systems, steps into the role as Devesh Ranjan prepares to leave the Institute to become the next dean of engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Raheem Beyah, dean of the College of Engineering, expressed gratitude for Melkote’s acceptance of the temporary leadersh ..... Read More

Trump’s Order Ends NASA DEI Chief’s Journey

Neela Rajendra, a prominent Indian American leader at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), was recently dismissed from her post after a sweeping executive order by former President Donald Trump led to the dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across federal agencies. The order banned diversity training and programming, forcing NASA to close its independent DEI department—an action that triggered the eventual termination of Rajendra, who had spearheaded several of the agency’s inclusion programs. Rajendra had long ..... Read More

Indian American Judge Indira Talwani Blocks Deportation of 500,000 Immigrants Under Biden-Era Program

Indian American U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani has temporarily blocked the deportation of over 500,000 immigrants who arrived in the United States through a Biden-era humanitarian parole initiative. These individuals, mainly from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, had received two-year work permits and sponsor support under the program. Originally set to commence on April 24, the deportation efforts have been temporarily halted following Judge Talwani’s ruling. This pause grants the court additional time to determine if the government’s ..... Read More

India’s Exports Hit Record $820.93 Billion in FY 2024-25 Despite Global Challenges

Despite global economic uncertainties, India’s total exports of goods and services soared to a historic high of $820.93 billion in the financial year ending March 31, 2025, marking a 5.5% rise over the previous year’s figure of $773 billion, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal announced. Merchandise exports alone amounted to $437.4 billion. Notably, non-petroleum exports saw a robust 6% increase year-on-year, reaching $374.08 billion in FY25. However, trade data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry revealed a widening trade deficit in March ..... Read More

THIS Indian Summer Cooler Wins Over American Tastebuds

Indian culture has found a solid foothold across continents—whether it’s the television shows in South Africa or the booming popularity of Indian cuisine in North America. The diverse flavors, languages, and traditions of India have gradually become global icons. Recently, a discussion took off on social media platform X that brought attention to an unlikely cultural hero—mango lassi. A user originally posted that nothing beats the lunch combo of butter chicken, garlic naan, basmati rice, and mango lassi. The post struck a chord with thou ..... Read More

India Pushes Clean Energy Goals at Seoul Summit

India has taken a leading role in advancing clean energy innovation by co-heading the Mission Integrated Biorefinery with the Netherlands. This initiative falls under Mission Innovation (MI) 2.0, a global clean-tech collaboration that aims to accelerate sustainable energy solutions. The term “Mission Innovation” was originally introduced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside the-French President François Hollande during the COP21 summit. Seoul, South Korea, hosted the Mission Innovation Annual Gathering from April 9–11, 2025, bringin ..... Read More

US Vice President J D Vance to Visit India

US Vice President J D Vance is scheduled to make his first official trip to India from April 21 to 24, accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance. This landmark visit marks his inaugural tour to the country since taking on the role of vice president. The core focus of the visit is to deepen the strategic alliance between the United States and India. Key discussions are expected around strengthening economic cooperation, enhancing defense collaboration, and ensuring regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. During his stay in New Delhi, Vice President ..... Read More

Zarna Garg’s Viral Matrimonial Ad Sparks Laughter

Indian-American comedian and screenwriter Zarna Garg is taking center stage—not just for her punchlines but for a 27-year-old matrimonial ad that’s capturing hearts and headlines. Appearing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Garg shared the story of how she met her husband—not through a dating app or a charming coincidence, but through a brutally honest ad she wrote herself. Forget romantic meet-cutes. Garg crafted a matrimonial notice that was part stand-up set, part feminist declaration. In a now-viral segment, Fallon read excerpts from t ..... Read More

NYC Declares April 14 as ‘Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Day’ in Honour of the Indian Reformer

In a historic declaration, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has officially recognised April 14, 2025, as “Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar Day,” marking the 134th birth anniversary of India’s Constitution architect and one of the world’s most respected human rights advocates. The proclamation honours Dr. Ambedkar’s unwavering commitment to democracy, gender equity, and social justice. Mayor Adams remarked, “Dr. Ambedkar stood for the rights of farmers, tenants, and the marginalized. His powerful message to ‘educate, agitate, organise’ reson ..... Read More

Vikas Khanna Named Harvard SAA’s Person of Year

The South Asian Association (SAA) at Harvard University has named celebrated Indian chef, filmmaker, and author Vikas Khanna as its 2025 Person of the Year. This recognition honors his extraordinary contributions in taking Indian cuisine to international prominence and solidifying it as a powerful medium of cultural storytelling. Receiving the award with deep gratitude, Khanna said, “This isn’t just an award—it’s a promise. A promise to keep representing our rich heritage through every dish.” His journey from the lanes of Amritsar to Michelin-s ..... Read More

India’s Chip Market Set to Double by 2030

India’s semiconductor industry is on a rapid growth trajectory, with projected end-demand revenues expected to reach $108 billion by 2030, doubling from $54 billion in 2025, according to a new UBS report. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for this period is estimated at 15%, outpacing the global average due to India’s unique advantages, including a booming electronics market, increasing adoption of advanced chips by businesses, and robust government incentives. The report highlights that localisation efforts could generate up to $13 billio ..... Read More