Must Read News

Yale Professor Wins Prestigious Research Grant on Gender Gaps

In New Haven, Connecticut, Yale School of Management’s Professor Menaka Hampole has been awarded the Upjohn Institute’s Early Career Research Award. This accolade provides vital support to emerging scholars—within six years of earning their PhDs—who focus on employment-related policy research. Professor Hampole received the grant for her insightful paper titled “What Explains the Twin Gender Gaps in Higher Education? The Role of Outside Options,” co-authored with Titan Alon and Laura Murphy. The research examines two key disparities ..... Read More

Jayshree Ullal to Receive Honorary Degree at SCU

Santa Clara University will award an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree to Jayshree V. Ullal, an accomplished alumna and technology industry trailblazer, during its 2025 undergraduate commencement. The ceremony, scheduled for June 14, will be the university’s largest, celebrating graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences, Leavey School of Business, and School of Engineering. Ullal, who earned her M.S. in engineering management from SCU in 1986, will also deliver the commencement address. Speaking before over 1,400 students and their fa ..... Read More

Rajiv Shah to Address Columbia’s SIPA Graduates

Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, a respected figure in philanthropy and global advancement, will deliver the keynote address at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) Class Day ceremony on May 20, 2025. As President of The Rockefeller Foundation, Shah leverages decades of experience tackling pressing global challenges, including public health crises, climate change, and economic disparity. The event will take place at the Baker Athletic Complex in New York City. SIPA Dean Keren Yarhi-Milo emphasized that Shah’s visionary lead ..... Read More

Shannon K Becomes First Indie Indian at Coachella

Singer and actress Shannon K is gearing up to join a prestigious lineup at Coachella 2025, marking a monumental moment in her career. As the daughter of iconic Bollywood playback singer Kumar Sanu, Shannon will step into the global spotlight with her debut at one of the world’s most celebrated music festivals. Her appearance marks a historic milestone, making her the first independent singer of Indian origin to represent India at Coachella. The legendary festival is set to take place in Indio, California, over two weekends—April 11–13 and April ..... Read More

Georgia Leads Historic Move Against Hindu Bias

In a groundbreaking legislative move, Georgia has become the first U.S. state to formally address Hinduphobia by introducing a bill that seeks to define and outlaw anti-Hindu bias. Senate Bill 375, supported by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, proposes to incorporate Hinduphobia into Georgia’s penal code, allowing hate crimes against Hindus to be categorized under existing anti-discrimination frameworks. Introduced with bipartisan cooperation, the bill is backed by Republican Senators Shawn Still and Clint Dixon, alongside Dem ..... Read More

PM Mudra Yojana Fuels India’s Women-Driven Growth Story

Gender equality has evolved from being solely a moral responsibility to a key economic strategy. Global organizations like the IMF and World Bank now recognize women’s involvement in the economy as a core factor for national prosperity. Women’s participation enhances productivity, reduces poverty, and fosters more inclusive growth. Since women represent half the potential workforce, their exclusion from financial systems and markets leads to major economic inefficiencies. Beyond justice, their inclusion brings systemic gains that be ..... Read More

India-Slovakia Trade, Culture & Ties Get Stronger

President Droupadi Murmu, during her official visit to Slovakia, participated in the Slovakia-India Business Forum in Bratislava, where she underlined India’s strong intention to deepen its economic partnership with Slovakia. Addressing an audience of business leaders and dignitaries, she emphasized that the forum is a valuable platform to identify shared opportunities and establish profitable collaborations. Murmu noted that her visit included a large and diverse business delegation from India, indicating the eagerness of Indian enterprises to ..... Read More

Illinois House Passes Diwali Day Bill Unanimously

In a significant move toward cultural inclusivity, the Illinois House of Representatives has unanimously approved a bill to officially designate Diwali Day, honoring the vibrant traditions of the Indian American community. Though Diwali hasn’t been declared a state holiday yet, the new legislation stands as a meaningful recognition of the festival’s deep cultural and religious significance for the Indian American community in Illinois. House Bill 1075, introduced by State Representative Daniel Didech of Buffalo Grove, proposes that the day of D ..... Read More

2008 Mumbai Attacks Accused Tahawwur Rana Extradited to India, Remanded in Custody

Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-born Canadian businessman wanted in connection with the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has been extradited to India and placed in custody for 18 days. The 64-year-old arrived in Delhi on Thursday after being handed over by the United States, with India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) confirming the successful extradition. Rana is accused of aiding the deadly attacks by collaborating with childhood friend David Headley, who helped the Lashkar-e-Taiba group plan the coordinated strikes across Mumbai that killed 166 p ..... Read More

Sharmin Ali Announces Third Book: “BITCH, STOP! PLEASE..” – A Bold Take on the Entrepreneurial Journey

Sharmin Ali, a celebrated Indian-American entrepreneur and bestselling author based in New York, is set to unveil her third book, “BITCH, STOP! PLEASE..: An Entrepreneur’s Journey of Innovation from Chaos to Clarity,” on April 8, 2025. In this deeply personal narrative, Ali takes readers through her evolution—from her childhood in India to establishing herself as a powerhouse in the startup and tech industries. With a successful track record that includes a startup exit worth eight figures and over $20 million raised in funding, she ..... Read More

India, US Likely to Sign Trade Pact Within 90-Day Tariff Pause

India, US Likely to Sign Trade Pact Within 90-Day Tariff Pause The first phase of a much-anticipated bilateral trade agreement between India and the United States is likely to be finalized within the 90-day tariff-pause window announced by the Donald Trump administration, according to senior government sources. Officials confirmed that the terms of reference for the agreement have already been finalized, and both sides are now moving forward with negotiations. The primary mode of discussion will be video conferencing, but in-person meetings rem ..... Read More

Italy Looks to Deepen Economic Partnership with India, Boost Bilateral Investments and Exports

Italy Looks to Deepen Economic Partnership with India, Boost Bilateral Investments and Exports Deputy PM Antonio Tajani underscores India’s strategic role in the Indo-Pacific; Piyush Goyal highlights opportunities in fashion, AI, tourism, and green tech. In a significant boost to India-Italy relations, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, announced plans to strengthen economic cooperation with India through increased investments, greater exports, and deeper industry collaboration. His remarks came durin ..... Read More

Nikhil Rathi Reappointed as FCA Chief to Spearhead UK’s Financial Reform Drive

Nikhil Rathi, the Indian-origin head of the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), has been reappointed for a second five-year term by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves. Lauding his leadership as essential to the government’s reform mission, Reeves emphasised that Rathi’s role would be pivotal in accelerating economic growth and investment in the country. As the chief regulator overseeing over 40,000 financial institutions, the FCA plays a vital role in upholding transparency and trust in the UK’s financial markets. The Treasury said R ..... Read More

Shweta Rawat Joins Americares Board of Directors

Americares, a leading global health-focused relief and development organization, has welcomed philanthropist Shweta Rawat to its Board of Directors. With a track record in advancing disability inclusion, women’s leadership, and economic empowerment, Rawat is set to play a key role in shaping the organization’s future. Rawat, a committed supporter of Americares for over ten years, currently serves as the founder and chairperson of The Hans Foundation — one of India’s top philanthropic institutions known for supporting transformative projects for ..... Read More

Legal Storm Brews After Indian-American Teen Disqualified from Spelling Bee

The parents of 12-year-old Indian-American student Amara Chepuri are weighing legal options after their daughter was disqualified from the Tampa Bay regional spelling bee earlier this year. The young spelling prodigy stumbled on the word “pallbearer,” which, according to her family, wasn’t included in the official study list provided to participants. Her father argued that the disqualification was unjust and possibly cost his daughter a spot in the national championship. “She could have won. She’s one of the best spellers in Florida,” he told t ..... Read More

Tech and Tariffs: Jaishankar Talks US Shifts

During the Carnegie Global Tech Summit 2025, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delved into the evolving role of technology in global politics, highlighting a significant shift in the United States’ worldview over the past year. He pointed out how America’s altered approach under President Donald Trump, specifically the MAGA (Make America Great Again) agenda, is increasingly intertwined with technology. Jaishankar emphasized that the tech sector now plays a critical role in Trump’s strategy for national resurgence. While the ..... Read More

Apple Airlifts 1.5M iPhones From India to US

Apple, in a strategic move to shield its iPhone sales from rising U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports, transported nearly 1.5 million iPhones—about 600 tons—via cargo flights from India to the United States. Sources revealed this initiative was part of Apple’s broader effort to diversify its manufacturing and avoid the steep 125% tariff on Chinese goods under then-President Donald Trump’s trade policy. To streamline the transition, Apple collaborated with Indian authorities to fast-track customs clearance procedures in Ch ..... Read More

Congressman Subramanyam Probes Mass Firings of Indian Americans at Fannie Mae

Congressman Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia has initiated a formal inquiry into the recent mass termination of predominantly Indian American employees at Fannie Mae. In a letter addressed to Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte and Fannie Mae CEO Priscilla Almodovar, the Congressman demanded detailed explanations and supporting evidence behind the decision to dismiss hundreds of employees without what many allege was a fair process. According to Subramanyam’s office, the layoffs affected nearly 700 staff members, many of them Tel ..... Read More

Usha Vance Speaks Out on Racism and Family Focus

Usha Vance, the Second Lady and wife of vice-presidential nominee JD Vance, has spoken out about the racism her family has encountered, especially the recent wave of online hate aimed at Indian Americans. When JD was named Donald Trump’s running mate, parts of the MAGA-aligned online world erupted with discriminatory remarks that forced the Vance family into an uncomfortable spotlight. Speaking to The Free Press, Usha didn’t mince words. “Is it great when people try to ‘normalize Indian hate’? Definitely not. It ..... Read More

Sadhu Vaswani Peace Center Breaks Ground on Ram Navami

On the spiritually significant day of Ram Navami, more than 200 people came together to witness a historic milestone—the foundation-laying ceremony of the Sadhu Vaswani Center for World Peace. This event marked the official start of a sanctuary envisioned by the revered Dada J.P. Vaswani, designed to be a beacon of peace and spiritual upliftment in the Western world. Leading the ceremony was Didi Krishna Kumari, the spiritual head of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission. She deliberately chose Ram Navami to symbolize the divine purpose behind the new cent ..... Read More

Seven Indian Americans Win Soros Graduate Fellowships

Among the 30 recipients of The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans this year, seven remarkable Indian American individuals have secured spots, standing out from over 2,600 applicants. This prestigious program, designed for immigrants and children of immigrants, offers up to $90,000 over two years to support graduate education in the United States. Arjun Ramani from Indiana is pursuing a PhD in economics at MIT, focusing on innovation and technological change. His academic journey began at Stanford, where he studied economics an ..... Read More

FBI’s Kash Patel Replaced as Acting ATF Chief Without Public Notice

In a sudden leadership change, FBI Director Kash Patel has been relieved of his additional duties as the acting chief of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), without prior public notice. According to a Reuters report, he has been replaced by U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll—a change not initially made public by the Department of Justice. Patel, controversially managing dual roles as FBI director and interim ATF chief, had taken over the ATF on February 24, just days after his FBI appointment. However, his tenure at ..... Read More

Siddhivinayak Temple Revenue Hits $1.6 Million Mark

Mumbai’s iconic Siddhivinayak Temple in Prabhadevi, dedicated to Lord Ganesha, has reported a significant surge in its financial earnings, reflecting its continued prominence as a major pilgrimage destination. For the fiscal year 2024–25, the temple reported a total revenue of $1.6 million—a 15% increase from the prior year, as shared by the temple trust’s executive officer, Veena Patil. According to the trust’s annual financial plan, presented on March 31, income for the upcoming fiscal year, 2025–26, is projected to climb even fur ..... Read More

India, Russia Approve Six Strategic Investment Projects

India and Russia have unveiled six new collaborative ventures to boost bilateral investments, following high-level discussions during the 8th Session of the India-Russia Working Group on Priority Investment Projects (IRWG-PIP). The session took place in New Delhi under the broader India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission, which focuses on trade, scientific, technological, cultural, and economic cooperation. Chaired by India’s Amardeep Singh Bhatia and Russia’s Vladimir Ilichev, the gathering resulted in the signing of an official protocol outl ..... Read More

Demat Accounts Soar to 192.4 Million in FY25

In the financial year 2025, India experienced an unprecedented surge in demat accounts, reaching a record-breaking total of 192.4 million. This growth was driven by the addition of 41.1 million new accounts—marking the highest-ever increase in a single year. On average, approximately 3.42 million accounts were opened each month, setting a new benchmark for annual account creation. Although the total number of accounts surged, the annual growth rate eased slightly from 32.2% in FY23 to 27.1% in FY25 due to the expanded base. Demat accounts, whic ..... Read More