Must Read News

85% of Credit Card Users Shop Online During Festive Season

Closeup image of a hand holding and giving credit card A recent survey by Paisabazaar, an online marketplace for consumer credit, reveals that 85% of credit card users in India chose e-commerce platforms for their festive shopping in 2023. The survey, which gathered insights from 700 credit card holders, highlighted that 68% of respondents were salaried, with 76% under the age of 35. More than half of the participants (48%) exclusively shopped online, while 45% made mostly online purchases with some in-store buys, and just 7% preferred traditio ..... Read More

Ajay Devgn’s Next Directorial: Akshay & Vicky Unite

Ajay Devgn, a Bollywood icon who debuted in 1991 with the blockbuster Phool Aur Kaante, is gearing up for his fifth directorial venture. Known for his prowess in action-packed roles and award-winning performances in films like Zakhm, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, and Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, Devgn is set to unite Akshay Kumar and Vicky Kaushal for the first time on-screen in a major casting coup. The upcoming film, reportedly an action-comedy, will showcase Kumar’s strength in blending action with humor, a genre he excels in. According to a ..... Read More

India Successfully Tests Long-Range Hypersonic Missile

In a groundbreaking achievement, India successfully conducted a flight test of its long-range hypersonic missile off the Odisha coast, marking a significant milestone in its defense capabilities. This cutting-edge missile places India among a select group of nations possessing weapons that can strike at extreme speeds and evade most air defense systems. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the test, conducted under India’s inaugural long-range hypersonic mission, as a “historic moment” and a “stupendous achievement.R ..... Read More

Diwali Dance Fest Lights Up Disney World

Disney World Resort transformed into a cultural spectacle earlier this month as the Diwali Dance Fest returned with over 300 dancers showcasing the vibrant spirit of India’s festival of lights. Organized by Jashn Productions, the event took place from November 7 to 10 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in Florida. Jeanie Beri, founder of Jashn Productions, directed the festivities, which included three energetic days filled with a parade and a dynamic three-hour dance showcase. Following the success of last year’s inaugu ..... Read More

Kannan Srinivasan Wins Virginia Democratic Senate Primary

Democratic state delegate Kannan Srinivasan emerged victorious in Virginia’s Loudoun County Democratic primary, held to select a candidate for the 32nd District Senate seat. This seat was vacated by Suhas Subramanyam, who is transitioning to Congress. Srinivasan will face Republican Tumay Harding in the special election scheduled for January 7. Prominent Democratic leaders, including U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, Subramanyam, and state Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, endorsed Srinivasan. Subramanyam’s departure follows ..... Read More

70% of Hindu Americans Support Trump: Dr. Bharat Barai, a prominent Indian-American leader

Around 70% of Hindu Americans voted for Donald Trump in the recent presidential elections, driven by dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party’s handling of human rights issues, particularly those affecting Hindus in Bangladesh. Dr. Bharat Barai, a prominent Indian-American leader, stated that the Democratic Party had not actively courted Indian-American support and had, in some instances, insulted the community. He criticized the Democratic leadership, including President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Vice Presiden ..... Read More

Four Indian Americans Win Prestigious Rhodes Scholarships

Four Indian Americans are among the 32 Rhodes Scholars from the United States who will commence graduate studies at Oxford University in October next year. They were chosen from a competitive pool of 865 applicants nominated by colleges and universities. These scholars will join peers from over 70 nations, reflecting the global reach and prestige of the Rhodes program. The Rhodes Scholarship, established in 1902 through the will of Cecil Rhodes, is considered one of the most renowned international academic awards. Dr. Ramona L. Doyle, American ..... Read More

Trump Considers Jay Bhattacharya for NIH Head Amid COVID-19 Policy Backlash

President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford physician and economist, for the position of Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the incoming administration. Bhattacharya, a prominent critic of the COVID-19 lockdowns, co-authored the “Great Barrington Declaration” in 2020, which opposed lockdowns and advocated for focused protection of vulnerable populations. This document, signed by thousands of doctors and scientists, was widely criticized by public health experts, includi ..... Read More

Decoding US poll results: Impact on India.

Republican candidate Donald Trump has emerged victorious in the US presidential election, capturing a decisive majority in the Electoral College and, for the first time, winning the popular vote. Vice President Kamala Harris, who joined the race after President Joe Biden’s withdrawal, narrowly lost the election. This marks the second time in three elections that a female Democratic candidate was unable to defeat Trump. The latest episode of Grand Tamasha, a podcast on Indian politics and policy, explored the election’s implications for Indi ..... Read More

Celebrating Men’s Strength Through Bollywood Films

International Men’s Day 2024 is the perfect time to honor the strength, resilience, and emotional depth of men through the lens of Bollywood. With a selection of films released post-2020, these stories capture leadership, sacrifice, and modern relationships in ways that inspire and entertain. Sardar Udham (2021) This gripping biographical drama follows the life of Sardar Udham Singh, who dedicated his life to avenging the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and played a pivotal role in India’s independence struggle. Starring Vicky Kaushal in a comman ..... Read More

PM Modi Advocates for Global South at G20

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a compelling speech at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, drawing attention to the pressing challenges faced by the Global South, particularly the crises in food, fuel, and fertilizers caused by global conflicts. Addressing the session on “Social Inclusion and the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty,” Modi underscored the need for global discussions to prioritize the concerns and aspirations of the world’s most vulnerable regions. He highlighted India’s pivotal role in fostering incl ..... Read More

PM Narendra Modi Honored with Nigeria’s Prestigious GCON Award

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Nigeria’s second-highest national honor, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), during his visit to Abuja on Sunday. He is only the second foreign leader to receive this award, following Queen Elizabeth in 1969. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented the award to PM Modi, who dedicated it to the 1,400 million people of India and the enduring friendship between India and Nigeria. “As two vibrant democracies with dynamic economies, we work together for the well- ..... Read More

Kartik Aaryan Joins Diljit Dosanjh’s Ahmedabad Concert

Actor Kartik Aaryan thrilled fans by joining singer Diljit Dosanjh on stage during his concert in Ahmedabad, sparking excitement among attendees. Social media was abuzz with videos and pictures of the duo, showcasing their undeniable chemistry. Kartik later shared an Instagram post with snapshots of the event, captioned with a simple yet energetic “Vibe.” The pictures revealed Kartik and Diljit twinning in black, raising their hands together in celebration. Another candid shot captured Kartik hugging Diljit from behind as both laugh ..... Read More

India begins a new journey toward ‘Viksit Bharat’: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Indian diaspora in Abuja, Nigeria, emphasizing India’s remarkable progress over the past decade. Speaking during his first visit to the nation as Prime Minister, Modi greeted the audience in Hausa with “Sannu, Nigeria” and conveyed the good wishes of millions of Indians. Modi reflected on India’s bold steps towards becoming a “Viksit Bharat” or developed nation. He pointed out that innovation and breaking traditional boundaries have become integral to India’s identity. Highlighting the ac ..... Read More

Berry College Names Dr. Sandeep Mazumder as Ninth President

Dr. Sandeep Mazumder has been unanimously chosen by the Berry College Board of Trustees to serve as its ninth president, with his term beginning on July 1, 2025. Mazumder will succeed President Stephen Briggs, who has led the college since 2006 and is set to retire at the end of the academic year. Mazumder expressed admiration for Berry’s mission of educating students’ head, heart, and hands to inspire community-focused leaders. “It is an honor to serve as Berry College’s next president,” he said, highlighting his commitment t ..... Read More

Blaize CEO Dinakar Munagala Wins Innovator Award

Dinakar Munagala, CEO of Blaize, was honored as Innovator of the Year at the 2024 Sacramento Inno Awards, hosted by the Sacramento Business Journal on November 14, 2024. The awards spotlight pioneering efforts within the Sacramento region, acknowledging individuals and organizations driving impactful innovation. During the event, an expert panel discussed AI advancements and the region’s future as a hub for innovation. “Sacramento is home to visionary minds and organizations propelling economic growth through innovation,” Muna ..... Read More

Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency Set to Release on January 17

The censor board has cleared the much-awaited period drama Emergency, starring Kangana Ranaut, for release in theaters on January 17 of next year. On Monday, Kangana Ranaut shared the news with her followers on Instagram by unveiling a striking poster from the film that features its pivotal characters. In her caption, she wrote, “17th January 2025: The epic saga of the nation’s most powerful woman and the moment that altered India’s destiny. #Emergency – Unveils Only in cinemas.” The late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed the Emerg ..... Read More

PM Modi praises the movie “The Sabarmati Report.” : ‘Finally, the Truth is Out’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded the film The Sabarmati Report, which delves into the tragic Godhra train burning incident that took place on February 27, 2002, in Gujarat, resulting in the deaths of 59 people. PM Modi commended the film for its factual portrayal of the event. Sharing a cinegoer’s post on the social media platform X, PM Modi expressed his thoughts about the film. “Well said. It is good that this truth is coming out, and that too in a way common people can see it,” he wrote. PM Modi further rema ..... Read More

Indian Americans Shine in TIME’s Climate Leaders List

TIME magazine’s 100 most influential climate leaders for 2024 includes Indian Americans Ajay Banga, Gaurav Sant, and Sandeep Nijhawan, recognized for their impactful contributions to climate innovation in business. Joining them are Sumant Sinha, founder of India’s ReNew; Madhur Jain, co-founder of Varaha ClimateAg; and London Mayor Sadiq Khan, highlighting global leaders championing climate solutions. Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, has prioritized climate action within the institution’s agenda. Taking office in 2023, Banga has i ..... Read More

Indian Mutual Funds Witness Record Equity Inflows

Businessman hand putting the coins and plant on the glass, concept of saving money for finance accounting, growing business The Indian mutual fund industry showcased its resilience in October 2024, even as market fluctuations led to a decline in assets under management (AUM). Domestic equity funds witnessed a 3.6% month-on-month (MoM) drop, settling at $387.32 billion, following a 6.2% decline in the Nifty index. However, the industry achieved an all-time high in equity inflows, recording $5.92 billion—a significant 37% jump from September ..... Read More

India to Host World Para Athletics Championship in November 2025

India is set to host the prestigious World Para Athletics Championship in November 2025 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has partnered with World Para Athletics, a division of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), to bring the global event to India. More than 100 countries are expected to participate, making it one of the largest events for para-athletes in India’s history. The event is expected to cost between $4.8 million and $6 million and will include major upgrades to the Jawah ..... Read More

India’s Pinaka Guided Weapon System Successfully Completes Flight Tests

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced the successful completion of flight tests for the indigenous guided Pinaka weapon system. The system, which first gained recognition during the Kargil War in 1999, has since evolved from a developmental stage to a major fire support tool for the Indian Army. Initially used to devastate Pakistani infiltrators, the Pinaka multiple-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) replaced the Soviet-era GRAD BM-21. Today, a Pinaka MBRL unit consists of 18 launchers, each equipped with 12 tubes. This ..... Read More

Indian Americans to judge Trump based on actions: Leader.

Dr. Bharat Barai, an Indian-American leader, has claimed that about 70% of Hindu Americans voted for Donald Trump in the November 5 presidential election, partly due to his strong support for Bangladeshi Hindus. However, Barai emphasized that the community will now judge Trump based on his actions once in office. This figure, though significant, was not backed by any surveys or data. Barai criticized the Democratic Party, accusing them of using human rights as a “political tool” for countries like India. He pointed out that neither Presiden ..... Read More

Rohit Chopra’s CFPB to place Google under federal supervision.

Under the leadership of Rohit Chopra, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is moving to place Google under formal federal supervision, as reported by The Washington Post. This could result in Google undergoing regular inspections and scrutiny similar to the monitoring that major banks face. However, the tech giant has been resistant to the idea throughout months of secretive discussions, according to sources familiar with the talks. Founded after the 2008 financial crisis, the CFPB aims to create more effective regulations, enforce r ..... Read More

Indian American Leader Demands Action Against Bangladesh Persecution

Indian American physician and community advocate Bharat Barai has strongly urged the international community to hold the Bangladeshi government accountable for the reported persecution of Hindus. Speaking at the Diwali celebrations in the US Capitol, Barai referenced a statement by President-elect Donald Trump from before the November elections, in which Trump condemned the violent attacks on Hindus, Christians, and other minorities in Bangladesh. Trump’s statement described the violence as “barbaric” and expressed concern abo ..... Read More