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Indian-American Stars Unite for LA Wildfire Relief, Raising $700K at Hotel Bel-Air

A star-studded fundraiser titled “Together for LA” took place at the iconic Hotel Bel-Air, drawing attention to the families and children devastated by the recent Los Angeles wildfires. Hosted by author Jay Shetty and real estate mogul Anita Verma-Lallian, the event raised an impressive $700,000 in just a short time. The funds will be donated to Baby2Baby, a non-profit organization that has already provided over 6 million emergency supplies to families affected by the fires. Verma-Lallian, who heads Arizona Land Consulting and Ca ..... Read More

Jaishankar Calls Trump an ‘American Nationalist,’ Highlights Strong India-US Ties

During an interactive session at Delhi University’s Hansraj College on Thursday, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar underscored the strong bilateral relations between India and the United States, describing President Donald Trump as an “American nationalist.” In response to a question about whether Trump is a friend or adversary to India, Jaishankar emphasized the evolving landscape of global diplomacy and India’s approach to it. Jaishankar shared that he attended Trump’s oath-taking ceremony ..... Read More

SpaceX to Bring Astronauts Sunita Williams, Wilmore Back Home

Elon Musk has publicly stated that SpaceX will bring home two astronauts currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), after a request from President Trump. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Musk criticized the Biden administration for allegedly leaving the astronauts stranded. In his post, he stated that the President had directed SpaceX to bring back the two astronauts stranded on the ISS as soon as possible. He criticized the Biden administration for leaving them there for an extended period, calling the situation “terrible. ..... Read More

PM Modi Lauds ‘No Foreign Interference’ in First Budget Session of 2025-26

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ahead of the commencement of the 2025-26 Budget Session on Friday, declared it the first time since 2014 that India’s Parliament would witness no foreign interference in its affairs. Addressing the media before heading to Parliament, PM Modi referred to it as a significant shift, stating that no foreign forces had attempted to influence India’s domestic policies, especially before previous budget sessions. PM Modi outlined the government’s vision for its third term, focusing on “all-round ..... Read More

India to Launch Indigenous AI Model in 10 Months

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently announced that India’s long-awaited large language model (LLM) is expected to be completed within the next 10 months. This initiative is part of the broader India Artificial Intelligence (AI) Mission, designed to create AI models that incorporate the country’s diverse languages and cultures. The AI project will be supported by the India AI Compute Facility, which has acquired 18,693 Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) to develop the model, tailored specifically for India’s needs. Vaishn ..... Read More

India Leads Global Market in Domestic Air Travel Passengers

In 2024, Brazil secured the fourth spot in global aviation with a load factor of 81.9 percent, just ahead of Australia at 81.8 percent and Japan at 78 percent. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation sector recorded 163 million domestic air travelers in 2024. Globally, both domestic and international aviation demand reached all-time highs, with the total international traffic for 2024 growing by 13.6 percent compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, capacity increased by 12.8 percent. Overall, gl ..... Read More

Anant Singh Appointed to the Global Arts and Culture Council

Indian-origin South African filmmaker, Anant Singh, has been appointed to the newly established Global Arts and Culture Council (GACC), unveiled at the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. Singh, renowned for using his films to tackle issues like apartheid, HIV/AIDS, and gender-based violence, has gained international recognition, particularly for his work on the biopic “Long Walk to Freedom”, which tells the story of Nelson Mandela. In 2001, Singh was honored with the WEF Crystal Award for his contributions to film and soci ..... Read More

Prabhakar Raghavan Joins USISPF Board of Directors

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) has announced that Prabhakar Raghavan, Chief Technologist at Google, has joined its Board of Directors, marking the first board appointment of 2025. With deep expertise in AI, search algorithms, and digital transformation, Raghavan is expected to play a key role in enhancing US-India tech collaboration. As Chief Technologist, Raghavan works closely with Google CEO Sundar Pichai to uphold the company’s culture of technical excellence. A renowned expert in Search, he has co-authored two w ..... Read More

WDI Names Rajat Chabba as Senior Director of Innovation & Partnerships

The William Davidson Institute (WDI) at the University of Michigan has appointed Rajat Chabba as its Senior Director of Innovation and Partnerships, a newly created role at the institute. With expertise in enterprise acceleration and strengthening innovation ecosystems, Chabba will focus on expanding WDI’s impact in emerging markets. Chabba highlighted WDI’s potential to support and scale entrepreneurial ecosystems in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in energy, climate, and health sectors. He aims to foster new coll ..... Read More

Ro Khanna, Rich McCormick to Co-Chair India Caucus in US Congress

Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna and Republican Representative Rich McCormick will co-chair the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans in the US House of Representatives, according to an official release. Representatives Andy Barr and Marc Veasey will continue as vice co-chairs, while Congressman Brad Sherman, a former chair, will now serve as chair emeritus. Khanna emphasized the importance of US-India ties for economic and national security. He emphasized, “A strong partnership with India is essential for our economy ..... Read More

Robinhood Co-Founder Baiju Bhatt Sells $9.23M in Shares Amid Stock Surge

Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood, kicked off the new year by selling 228,645 shares of the company’s Class A stock for approximately $9.23 million. According to Investing.com, the shares were sold on January 3 at an average price of $40.37 per share. This sale was executed through Bhatt’s Living Trust under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, leaving him with no remaining Class A shares, though he still holds significant Class B shares. Founded in 2013 by Bhatt and Vladimir Tenev, Robinhood revolutionized trading with it ..... Read More

ISRO Marks 100th Mission, Plans 100 More in 5 Years

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a remarkable milestone—its 100th mission. This landmark accomplishment highlights India’s growing space capabilities, and ISRO is already setting ambitious goals, planning another 100 missions in the next five years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO on X, praising the dedication of scientists and engineers. He also emphasized the increasing role of private companies in India’s space endeavors. “Congratulations to @isro on this historic 100th lau ..... Read More

OpenAI’s Sam Altman Plans India Visit Amid Legal Issues

Sam Altman, the CEO of Microsoft-backed OpenAI, is expected to visit India next week, marking his first trip in two years, according to sources familiar with the matter. His visit comes at a time when OpenAI is facing legal disputes in India. According to sources, Altman is likely to travel to New Delhi on February 5, with discussions involving government officials potentially on the agenda. However, the itinerary has not been finalized, and plans could still change. OpenAI, India’s IT ministry, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ..... Read More

India’s Semiconductor Market Set to Hit $103.4 Billion

India’s semiconductor market is expected to witness a significant expansion, growing at an annual rate of 13% and reaching $103.4 billion by 2030, according to the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA). The sector, currently valued at $52 billion in 2024, is being propelled by major industries such as mobile handsets, IT, telecommunications, consumer electronics, automotive, aerospace, and defense. Among these, mobile devices, IT, and industrial applications collectively contribute nearly 70% of the industry’s re ..... Read More

Seattle Consulate Celebrates India’s Republic Day with Satya Nadella & Washington Governor

The Consulate General of India in Seattle celebrated India’s 76th Republic Day, with Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson and Microsoft Chairman & CEO Satya Nadella as distinguished guests. The event, held on Tuesday, brought together over 500 Indian American community members, US lawmakers, and city officials. Governor Bob Ferguson, recently elected as Washington’s 24th Governor, praised India’s contributions to the world and expressed his commitment to strengthening ties with the Indian Consulate in Seattle. Satya Nadella, addressing th ..... Read More

Jyotishman Pathak Named Inaugural Dean of ASU’s School of Technology for Public Health

Arizona State University (ASU) has appointed Dr. Jyotishman Pathak as the inaugural dean of its newly established School of Technology for Public Health, effective July 1. This groundbreaking school, the first of its kind in the nation, will integrate technology with public health to address critical global challenges. Dr. Pathak, an internationally recognized leader in biomedical informatics and population health sciences, will spearhead the development of the school and guide its efforts in training a tech-savvy public health workforce. The s ..... Read More

Dr. Sindhu Srinivas Appointed Executive Director of HUP-Cedar Avenue

The University of Pennsylvania has appointed Dr. Sindhu Srinivas as the Executive Director of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania’s (HUP)-Cedar Avenue public health campus. A professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Perelman School of Medicine and a senior fellow at the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, Dr. Srinivas brings extensive experience in quality improvement, maternal health, and health equity to her new leadership role. Previously serving as HUP’s Associate Chief Medical Officer for Quality and Safety, Dr. Sr ..... Read More

ISRO Successfully Launches Its 100th Rocket, Strengthens India’s Navigation System

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a historic milestone with the launch of its 100th rocket, the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F15). The rocket carried the NVS-02 satellite, which will enhance India’s Regional Navigation Satellite System (NavIC), also known as the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). The launch took place at 6:23 AM from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Strengthening India’s Navigation Capabilities The addition of the NVS-02 satellite increases th ..... Read More

Mukesh Ambani Praises PM Modi’s Leadership at PDEU Event

At the 12th convocation of Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) in Gandhinagar, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unwavering resolve, describing it as “as hard as a diamond.” He commended Modi’s ability to turn visionary ideas into concrete actions, stating that his “Mann ki Baat” naturally transforms into “Mann ka Sankalp,” reflecting his deep commitment to achieving goals. Ambani further emphasized that Modi’s determination is unwavering, calling it “Vajra Sankalp.” He also highlighted Modi ..... Read More

PM Modi Likely to Visit White House Next Month, Says Trump

US President Donald Trump has announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit the White House next month, following a productive phone conversation between the two leaders. Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, stated that he had a long discussion with Modi on Monday morning and emphasized their strong bilateral relationship. In an official statement, the White House confirmed that Trump and Modi discussed deepening cooperation in various areas, including security in the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and Europe. The ..... Read More

PM Modi Inaugurates ‘Utkarsh Odisha’ Business Conclave 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Utkarsh Odisha – Make in Odisha Conclave 2025’ and its accompanying exhibition in Bhubaneswar on January 27, 2025. This marked his second visit to Odisha in January, following his participation in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2025 event. Addressing the gathering, he highlighted that the 2025 edition of the conclave was the most significant business summit in the state’s history, with investor participation increasing five to six times compared to previous years. He commended the Odisha government for ..... Read More

India to Invest $2 Billion in Critical Minerals Sector

India’s Ministry of Mines has earmarked approximately $1.9 billion to strengthen its critical minerals sector, a move designed to secure essential raw materials like lithium for its growing energy and infrastructure needs. To lessen dependence on imports, the country identified 30 key minerals in 2023, with lithium being a top priority. Sources indicate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet is likely to approve an initial investment of around $300 million this week. A significant portion of the funding will come from the National Mineral ..... Read More

Kangana Ranaut Begins Filming New Movie with Madhavan

Kangana Ranaut has officially started filming for her upcoming movie, reuniting with her Tanu Weds Manu co-star R Madhavan. The announcement follows the release of her recent film, Emergency, where she portrayed former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. In her latest Instagram Story, Kangana shared a glimpse of the clapperboard from the yet-to-be-titled movie, expressing her joy of being back on set with the caption, “Nothing is more delightful than being on a film set.” Directed by Vijay and produced by R Ravindran of Trident Arts, the ..... Read More

Kush Desai Appointed as White House Deputy Press Secretary

Kush Desai, an experienced communications professional, has been appointed as the deputy press secretary by President Donald Trump, the White House confirmed this week. Desai, an Indian American, will work under the White House Office of Communications, which falls under the purview of Deputy White House Chief of Staff and Cabinet Secretary, Taylor Budowich. Currently serving as the Deputy Battleground States and Pennsylvania Communications Director at the Republican National Committee (RNC), Desai has been in this role since last year. Accordi ..... Read More

Vivek Ramaswamy Clears Air on DOGE Exit and Politics

Vivek Ramaswamy, a prominent figure in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), recently addressed rumors surrounding his exit during an interview on Fox News. The biotech entrepreneur and cultural commentator dismissed claims of discord with Elon Musk, co-leader of DOGE, explaining that his decision to leave was directly tied to his entry into electoral politics. Ramaswamy confirmed his political intentions, saying he would be making an announcement soon, though he remained tight-lipped on specifics. Reports sugge ..... Read More