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India pledges $85M to WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre

Traditional medicine is utilized by billions globally for health and wellness. At a recent signing ceremony in Geneva, the Government of India pledged $85 million over the next decade (2022–2032) to support the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre. This significant investment will bolster efforts to strengthen the evidence base for traditional medicine, focusing on policies, practices, products, and public usage through comprehensive data collection and research. This $85 million commitment is part of a larger $250 million investment by Ind ..... Read More

‘Indian-Americans Offended by Kamala Harris’: Vivek Ramaswamy’s Take on Her Racial Identity

As US Vice President Kamala Harris’s ethnic identity becomes a focal point in the political arena, Indian-American Republican Vivek Ramaswamy has criticized her for allegedly using her Indian heritage selectively. Amidst Donald Trump’s racial jabs, Ramaswamy has argued that Harris has abandoned her Indian roots, causing offense among some Indian Americans. In a Fox News interview, he stated, “Many Indian-Americans are somewhat offended by how Kamala has seemingly disregarded her Indian-American identity.” Ramaswamy point ..... Read More

From Green Card to Citizenship: Indian-Americans Can Naturalize in Just 3 Weeks

As the US presidential election on November 5, 2024, approaches, there’s a concerted effort to encourage Indian Green Card holders to pursue naturalization. The US government and various advocacy groups are highlighting the benefits of citizenship, including voting rights and full civic participation. The Naturalization Process Naturalization, the process by which Green Card holders become US citizens, generally takes between 3 and 5 years. Requirements include residency, good moral character, passing English and civics tests, and pledgin ..... Read More

Amish Shah Triumphs in Phoenix Area Democratic Primary

Indian American and former Arizona state Representative Amish Shah has emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. This district encompasses parts of northeastern Phoenix and three affluent suburbs. Shah’s primary win paves the way for a highly contested election in November, where he will face off against seven-term incumbent Republican David Schweikert. Shah, who entered the Democratic Primary to represent Arizona’s 24th Legislative District in 2018, had to overcome several conte ..... Read More

PM Modi and Vietnam’s Chinh Agree to Strengthen Strategic Partnership

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in extensive discussions with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and Vietnam. Chinh’s visit, which began with his arrival in Delhi on Tuesday night, is a three-day diplomatic mission aimed at enhancing the robust ties between the two nations. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared on ‘X’ that PM Modi extended a warm reception to PM Chinh at Hyderabad House. The talks were centered arou ..... Read More

BJP’s ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ Campaign Kicks Off August 11

In celebration of the 78th Independence Day, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is rolling out a vibrant series of events, headlined by the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign from August 11 to August 15. This initiative will see BJP leaders and supporters marching through cities and towns nationwide from August 11 to August 14. On August 14, the party will mark ‘Vibhajan Vivishika Diwas’ to honor the memories of Partition, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2021 declaration of this date as Partition Horrors Reme ..... Read More

India’s Market Capitalization Surges Past $5.5 Trillion in Record Time

On Tuesday, India’s market capitalization surpassed $5.5 trillion for the first time, just over two months after it initially exceeded $5 trillion. This achievement reflects strong market performance, even as the benchmark indices remained relatively stable for the second consecutive day. By the end of Tuesday’s trading session, the total market capitalization of all BSE-listed companies reached Rs 461 trillion (approximately $5.5 trillion). India’s market capitalization first crossed $5 trillion on May 24, 2024, according to ..... Read More

Samsung CEO Han: India Among Fastest Growing Markets Globally

Samsung Electronics CEO and Vice-Chairman Jong-Hee (JH) Han highlighted India’s importance to Samsung during his visit to the Noida factory, which produces smartphones, tablets, and refrigerators. This marked Han’s second visit to India this year, emphasizing the market’s growing significance for the South Korean tech giant. In a press statement, Han described India as one of the fastest-growing markets globally, offering immense opportunities for Samsung. He mentioned that Samsung was one of the early investors in India and expre ..... Read More

USCIS Announces Second Selection Round for FY 2025 H-1B Cap

Only electronic registrations submitted during the March 2024 registration window for FY 2025 are eligible for the second selection round, confirmed by USCIS. However, this round will not include the advanced degree exemption, or “master’s cap,” as sufficient petitions were already received to meet the FY 2025 allocation. The second selection will consider registrations indicating eligibility for both the master’s cap and the regular H-1B cap. USCIS will announce when the selections are finalized, and the results will ..... Read More

Alok Srivastava: ‘Trump Played Key Role in Supporting ISKCON’

Alok Srivastava, director of the Hindu American Coalition, recently highlighted former President Donald Trump’s significant support for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a key player in the Hare Krishna Movement. Srivastava lauded Trump for his past contributions, including legal support for ISKCON in New York, and expressed relief that Trump survived a recent assassination attempt during a rally in Pennsylvania. Amid the aftermath of the attack, various media outlets suggested that Trump’s survival could ..... Read More

Ocasio-Cortez Claps Back at Ramaswamy’s Criticism of ‘Weird’ GOP Label

On Monday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) reaffirmed the Democrats’ tactic of labeling the GOP presidential candidates as “weird.” This move came in response to former GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s dismissal of the term as “dumb” and “juvenile.” Ocasio-Cortez criticized the GOP’s focus on social issues, describing their obsession with regulating women’s actions, monitoring LGBTQ+ individuals, and punishing those without biological children as “goofy,” “abnormal,” and R ..... Read More

Kamala Harris ignites South Asian voter power in swing states

A journey through Atlanta’s expanding suburbs showcases the city’s evolving cultural landscape. Previously more uniform, these areas now feature cultural hubs, educational institutions, and places of worship that reflect the city’s diverse population, highlighting Atlanta’s emergence as the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the United States. This diversity is prominently displayed through shops and vibrant billboards in various languages, including Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Hindi. Long-time residents have witnes ..... Read More

India’s Hunger Rate Falls to 13.7% in 2021-23, UN-FAO Report Shows

In a promising development, recent figures from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reveal a decline in hunger in India. According to the latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI 2024) report, the Prevalence of Undernourishment (PoU) has dropped from 16.6 percent in 2020-2022 to 13.7 percent in 2021-2023. This decrease signifies that approximately 39.3 million people have moved out of undernourishment during this period, as noted by NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand on Tuesday. Chand shared these fin ..... Read More

Hyderabad’s Biological E. Earns WHO PQ for New Oral Polio Vaccine

Biological E. Limited (BE), a Hyderabad-based vaccine and pharmaceutical firm, announced on Tuesday that the World Health Organization (WHO) has granted Pre-qualification (PQ) status to its Novel Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 (nOPV2). This achievement marks BE’s 10th pre-qualified vaccine. The nOPV2 vaccine, a next-generation oral polio vaccine, plays a crucial role in combating circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreaks. It is specifically designed to address the persistent threat of cVDPV2 by offering improved genetic ..... Read More

Govt to unveil new Aircraft Bill in LS, replacing 1934 law

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu is set to present the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024 in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. This proposed legislation seeks to replace the outdated Aircraft Act of 1934 with a modern framework. In addition to this key introduction, the Lok Sabha will continue its discussions on the Demands for Grants for the Ministry of Railways for the fiscal year 2024-25. The House will also address the Demands for Grants for the Ministry of Education for the same period. The second report from the Business Advi ..... Read More

Paris Olympics: Kusale Advances to Men’s 50m Rifle 3P Final

At the Paris Olympics, Swapnil Kusale advanced to the final of the 50m Rifle 3 Positions men’s event, finishing seventh in the qualifications. Kusale tallied 590 points, including 38 inner 10s, over the 60-shot qualifying round. Kusale’s performance began strongly with two scores of 99 in the kneeling position, establishing a strong base. He continued his solid performance in the prone position with scores of 98 and 99. Although his scores slightly dipped in the standing position, where he achieved 98 and 97, his overall result w ..... Read More

Mani Skaria: From Texas Citrus Pioneer to India’s Citrus Revolution

Mani Skaria, originally from the small village of Amayannor in Kerala, India, is now a transformative force in Texas’s citrus industry. His journey from aspiring civil servant to agricultural innovator began with a teaching stint in Jordan and led him to a groundbreaking career in the U.S. In Texas, Skaria has built an impressive citrus empire with his company, U.S. Citrus, located in Hargill. This vast orchard has become a testament to his innovative approach, incorporating cutting-edge techniques such as micro-budding technology to boos ..... Read More

Airtel Sees Major Growth in India’s $35 Trillion 2047 Vision: Sunil Mittal

India’s ambitious target of becoming a $35 trillion economy by 2047 presents a wealth of growth opportunities for Airtel, as noted by Chairman Sunil Mittal. He emphasized the pivotal role that 5G technology will play in propelling India’s digital evolution, affirming Airtel’s dedication to spearheading this change and working closely with policymakers and stakeholders to realize the vision. Mittal highlighted how India’s advances in digitization have distinguished it globally, particularly in the efficient delivery of pu ..... Read More

India and Indo-Pacific partners form supply chain bodies under IPEF

India, along with 13 other partners of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), has inaugurated three essential bodies to boost supply chain resilience. This initiative, outlined in the IPEF Agreement, marks a pivotal moment in enhancing regional supply chain stability. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry reported that the initial virtual meetings of the Supply Chain Council (SCC), Crisis Response Network (CRN), and Labor Rights Advisory Board (LRAB) are significant milestones in fostering cooperation among member nations. These bodies aim ..... Read More

Kamala Harris’s Rise: Proof of Indian-Americans’ Winning Bet on Assimilation

Kamala Harris’s rise as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is a historic milestone, reflecting the significant contributions of Indian-Americans in U.S. politics. Born to a Jamaican-American father and an Indian-American mother, her achievement highlights the growing influence of these communities. Indian-Americans have long been making their mark in politics, serving as governors, senators, congresspeople, and in various high-level government positions. Although they comprise less than 2% of the U.S. population, they have at ..... Read More

PM Modi Leads 9th NITI Aayog Governing Council Meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the 9th NITI Aayog Governing Council Meeting today, held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi. The meeting saw participation from Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors representing 20 states and 6 Union Territories. During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts between the central and state governments to achieve the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. He highlighted India’s remarkable economic growth, noting that the country advanced f ..... Read More

Ranbir Kapoor: Alia Bhatt Has Changed More for Marriage

When Alia Bhatt first met Ranbir Kapoor at the age of nine for a photoshoot related to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film *Balika Vadhu*, neither could have predicted the future. Though the film was never made, their paths would cross again. Years later, Bhatt, who had often spoken about her admiration for Kapoor, would eventually fall in love with him. The two, who married in April 2022 after a four-year relationship, are now parents to their daughter, Raha Kapoor, who has become a favorite of the media. In a recent podcast interview with Nikhil K ..... Read More

Morari Bapu to Unveil Ramcharitmanas’ Timeless Wisdom at UN

Morari Bapu, the esteemed Indian spiritual leader, is set to deliver a Ram Katha at the United Nations headquarters in New York, marking a historic event aimed at showcasing the enduring relevance of the Ramcharitmanas, one of Hinduism’s most venerated texts. The Ramcharitmanas transcend religious and cultural barriers, embodying universal messages of truth, love, and compassion. Morari Bapu, who has been sharing Ram Kathas for over sixty-five years, draws from the principles of Vedic Sanatana Dharma. His mission with this recitation i ..... Read More

India’s Economy Set to Soar: NCAER Predicts Growth Up to 7.5%

The Indian economy is projected to grow beyond 7 percent, potentially reaching up to 7.5 percent in the current fiscal year, according to the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER). This optimistic outlook is attributed to a normal monsoon season and decreased electoral uncertainty. In its July 2024 Monthly Economic Review, NCAER noted that India’s real GDP increased by 8.2 percent in FY2023-24, driven by robust consumption demand and steadily improving investment demand. Poonam Gupta, NCAER’s director general, highli ..... Read More

India-Maldives Ties ‘Back on Track’: Former FM Maumoon Welcomes Move

On Monday, former Maldivian foreign minister Dunya Maumoon expressed optimism about the relationship between New Delhi and Male, anticipating that ties would soon get “back on track” after a significant diplomatic dispute earlier this year. Maumoon’s comments came following Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu’s gratitude towards India for assisting in easing the island nation’s debt repayment. President Muizzu also expressed hope for stronger ties with India and the potential signing of a free trade agreement. Reflecting ..... Read More