Must Read News

Mahakumbh 2025: Devotion, Seva, and Security

The Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj marks a grand spiritual gathering after 12 years, expecting over 45 million devotees. Participants will gather at the Sangam—the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers—to take a holy dip, believed to absolve sins and grant liberation. The event concludes on February 26. The Adani Group and ISKCON have partnered to provide Mahaprasad Seva, distributing free meals to 5 million devotees. Meals will be prepared in two kitchens and served across 40 distribution points, with support ..... Read More

India’s youth to lead nation’s development by 2047: PM Modi

During the ‘Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue,’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the critical role of India’s youth in transforming the country into a developed nation by 2047. He expressed confidence that economic, social, and cultural progress could be achieved through the capabilities and determination of the younger population. PM Modi urged the youth to embrace the spirit of ‘Viksit Bharat,’ taking ownership of this vision and contributing to its realization. The Prime Minister underscored India’s ambitio ..... Read More

Apple Achieves $12 Billion in Indian iPhone Exports

Apple achieved a milestone in 2024 by exporting over $12 billion worth of iPhones from India, marking a 40% growth compared to 2023, according to industry estimates. With domestic production increasing by nearly 46% year-over-year, the tech giant manufactured $14 billion worth of iPhones in FY24, exporting more than $10 billion of these devices. Riding on the government’s production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme and the growing trend of premiumisation, Apple reached a remarkable ?1 lakh crore ($12 billion) in exports. Over the past four years, ..... Read More

Microfinance Loan Disbursal Surges 43% Over Three Years

Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) have seen a 43% increase in average loan disbursal amounts over three years, rising from $406.47 to $580.67, as per IIFL Capital’s Financial Stability Report. However, concerns remain regarding borrower delinquencies, particularly for those with multiple loans or significant credit exposure. Nearly half of unsecured loan borrowers also carry a live retail loan, frequently a high-value one. During FY23, 11% of borrowers with personal loans exceeding $580.67 had overdue payments, and over 60% had taken out m ..... Read More

Syrian Task Force Chief Questions Tulsi Gabbard’s Intelligence Nomination

Tulsi Gabbard, former congresswoman from Hawaii, has been nominated by Donald Trump as the Director of National Intelligence, a move that has triggered considerable backlash. The role entails oversight of 18 spy agencies, delivering intelligence briefings to the president, and advising the White House. Mouaz Moustafa, who leads the Syrian Emergency Task Force, has expressed deep concern over her connections with former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and her controversial views on U.S. foreign policy. Moustafa recounted various interactions wit ..... Read More

Indian-American Svaha Devi Dasi Among 2025 Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awardees

This week, a committee chaired by the Vice-President of India selected three distinguished Indian-Americans for the 2025 Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, the highest honor for Indians living abroad. Among the recipients is Svaha Devi Dasi (Dr. Sharmila Ford), the wife of TOVP Chairman Ambarisa Dasa (Alfred Ford).  Svaha Devi Dasi, a dedicated advocate for the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in Mayapur, is recognized for her extensive community service. Born into a Bengali Brahmin family, she is the great-granddaughter of the prime minister to th ..... Read More

Two Indian Americans, Including a Sikh, Elected to Virginia State Legislature

In a landmark victory for diversity in U.S. politics, two Indian Americans—one of whom is Sikh—have won seats in the Virginia state legislature. This victory highlights the growing inclusiveness of American governance. The Sikh community leader, whose family hails from Punjab, credited his cultural heritage and grassroots activism as the driving forces behind his campaign. He emphasized his commitment to community-driven policies, with a focus on affordable healthcare, public education, and economic opportunities. The second victor, an attorney ..... Read More

Sudha Setty Appointed President and CEO of LSAC

Sudha Setty, an Indian-American legal scholar and the current dean of the City University of New York (CUNY) School of Law, has been named the new president and CEO of the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), effective July 1. Setty succeeds Kellye Testy, who left LSAC to become the executive director and CEO of the Association of American Law Schools. In her statement, Setty expressed honor at being selected for the role, noting that LSAC’s work in expanding access to legal education is more crucial than ever. She emphasized the importan ..... Read More

PM Modi praises UPI as a global marvel on Nikhil Kamath’s podcast

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has become a global phenomenon, with international guests marveling at its efficiency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated during a podcast hosted by Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath. PM Modi emphasized that India has set a global benchmark for democratizing technology in the fintech sector. During the podcast, titled People with The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi x Nikhil Kamath, By WTF, the Prime Minister discussed India’s advancements in innovation and digital payments. Highlighting UPI’s ca ..... Read More

PM Modi set to join AI Action Summit in France: French President Macron

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to participate in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in France, scheduled for February 10-11. This event, considered a milestone in the global AI landscape, was announced by French President Emmanuel Macron during the 30th Conference of Ambassadors. President Macron described the summit as a platform for international collaboration on AI, emphasizing its significance in innovation, talent, and global governance. He noted that key participants include the US, China, India, and Gulf nations, whic ..... Read More

India Achieves World’s First Robotic Cardiac Tele Surgeries

Using three advanced surgical robotic systems, the groundbreaking procedures connected SS Innovations’ headquarters in Gurugram with a private hospital in Jaipur, a distance of 286 kilometers. Dr. Sudhir Srivastava, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of SS Innovations International, Inc., led the first Telerobotic-assisted Internal Mammary Artery Harvesting surgery, completed in just 58 minutes. The procedure was executed from Gurugram and supported remotely by Dr. Lalit Malik, Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Manipal Hospital, Jaipur, along with his ..... Read More

Mutual Fund Folios Hit Record $2.6 Million High

India’s mutual fund folios climbed to a record 22.5 crore ($2.6 million) in December 2024, according to AMFI data. Retail mutual fund folios, covering equity, hybrid, and solution-focused schemes, grew to 17.89 crore ($2.1 million), up from 17.54 crore ($2.0 million) in November. Retail Assets Under Management (AUM) increased slightly, reaching $464,880 million from $462,230 million. Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) recorded strong growth, with 5.43 million new registrations. The SIP AUM reached $158,770 million, while monthly SIP contributio ..... Read More

Alka Gautam Joins Chartwell’s Board of Directors

Chartwell Retirement Residences has appointed Alka Gautam, CPA, CA, ICD.D, to its Board of Directors. Ms. Gautam will contribute her expertise by serving on Chartwell’s Audit and Investment Committees. With over 20 years of experience at the senior executive level, including as Executive Vice President of Global Operations and President & CEO of RGA Canada, Ms. Gautam brings substantial leadership and risk management experience. She also held key positions as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Risk Officer for RGA Canada before retiring in 2 ..... Read More

Richa Gupta Earns Muhammad Ali Young Humanitarian Award for Impact

Richa Gupta, the co-founder and CEO of Labhya, was celebrated at the 11th Annual Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards on November 9, 2024, in Louisville, Kentucky. Known globally for her dedication to children’s well-being and education in India, Richa was one of the standout honorees at this prestigious event. The Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards, created in 2013 by Muhammad Ali’s wife, Lonnie Ali, and his family, honor individuals whose work embodies the principles that made the boxing legend a global icon. The awards recognize tho ..... Read More

Purdue’s Vijay Raghunathan Joins National Semiconductor Advisory Board

Vijay Raghunathan, serving as Purdue University’s vice president for global partnerships, director of semiconductor education, and professor in the Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has been appointed as a founding member of the Workforce Advisory Board for the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC). This center, created under the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, aims to enhance the United States’ leadership in semiconductor technology and innovation. Raghunathan will offer expert guidance on bot ..... Read More

Indian-American Shekar Krishnan Leads Advocacy for Immigrants in NYC

Shekar Krishnan, the first Indian-American elected to the New York City Council, took office on January 1, 2022, and was re-elected in November 2023. Representing District 25, which includes Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, and Woodside in Queens, he serves some of the most diverse immigrant communities globally. In an insightful conversation with Ishani Duttagupta from the Times of India, Krishnan reflected on his role as a former civil rights lawyer and community activist. He also addressed key issues affecting Indian Americans in his district a ..... Read More

PM Modi Flags Off 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Odisha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, emphasizing the vital role of the Indian diaspora in the nation’s progress and global presence. He highlighted India’s significant accomplishments, including lifting 250 million people out of poverty within a decade, achieving the status of the world’s fifth-largest economy, advancements in digital technology, and milestones like the Chandrayaan mission and indigenous fighter jet production. PM Modi praised the diasp ..... Read More

Top Artists to Elevate Maha Kumbh 2025’s Spirit

The Uttar Pradesh government is preparing for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, a grand spiritual event set to draw 450 million devotees to Prayagraj. To enhance the festivities, popular artists such as Shankar Mahadevan, Mohit Chauhan, Shaan, and Kailash Kher are scheduled to perform. The event begins on January 16 and ends on February 24, with Mahadevan opening and Chauhan closing the celebrations. Other notable performers include Hariharan, Kavita Krishnamurthy, and Malini Awasthi, offering a spiritually uplifting atmosphere for attendees. Chief ..... Read More

Indian Railways Prepares for Mahakumbh 2025

As Mahakumbh Mela 2025 begins on January 13, Indian Railways has implemented extensive measures to manage the travel needs of 450 million devotees heading to Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Over 10,000 trains, including 3,300 special services, have been planned for the mega religious event, which concludes on February 26. To accommodate the massive crowds, color-coded waiting and holding areas for unreserved passengers have been set up at major stations. Security arrangements include systematic queue management led by Railway Protection Force (RPF ..... Read More

Q-Commerce Spurs Demand for Blue-Collar Jobs

Quick commerce is emerging as a powerful driver of blue-collar job creation in India, projected to generate 500,000 new positions by 2025, according to a survey conducted by Indeed, a global hiring platform. The sector recently hired 40,000 workers between October and December 2024 to handle rising demand during the festive season. Delivery drivers, warehouse staff, logistics coordinators, and retail personnel are essential roles in supporting the fast-moving operations of this growing industry. The survey also revealed that India will need ..... Read More

Indian-American Fund Recognizes H-1B Impact Against Racism

Several Indian-American organizations are intensifying efforts to counter a rise in attacks targeting Indian immigrants and professionals on social media. Chintan Patel, Executive Director of the Indian American Impact Fund, expressed the need for coordinated actions to address this concerning trend. Patel emphasized that the goal is to change the narrative around immigration, focusing on the resilience and contributions of immigrants, rather than demonizing them. The hateful rhetoric, largely seen during the year-end holiday season, has mai ..... Read More

PM Modi Highlights Diaspora’s Role at 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

During his address at the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the significance of the Indian diaspora’s presence in India, especially during festive occasions, and praised their seamless integration into global society while preserving Indian values. He also noted the festive atmosphere in India, with events like Mahakumbh in Prayagraj and Makar Sankranti celebrations, adding that the diaspora’s presence at such times contributes to the country’s festive spirit. PM Modi underscored the gov ..... Read More

Dr. Anant Maringanti Appointed Director of ICGC

The University of Minnesota is thrilled to announce Dr. Anant Maringanti as the new Director of the Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change (ICGC). The ICGC serves as a key campus-wide initiative dedicated to fostering an inclusive and interdisciplinary environment. It aims to promote research, education, and collaboration focused on global change, particularly regarding the Global South. Dr. Maringanti, a geographer with a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, specializes in urbanization and globalization, especially from a S ..... Read More

Who is Anita Anand? Indo-Canadian Minister Challenging Trudeau’s Leadership

The race to replace Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau began on Tuesday, following his resignation amid growing tensions with the United States over a possible trade war and deep political divides within Canada. The new Prime Minister will face immediate electoral challenges, with polling expected soon after their appointment in March. Anita Anand, the current Transport Minister, is one of the leading candidates. A notable figure within the Liberal caucus, Anand was considered an “obvious leadership contender” by Maclean&rsqu ..... Read More

Indian Employers Set to Lead in Future Tech Adoption: WEF

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in its latest “Future of Jobs” report, employers in India are poised to surpass global adoption rates of emerging technologies. Companies in India are making significant investments in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, energy technologies, and autonomous systems. The report highlights that 35% of Indian employers believe adopting semiconductors and computing technologies will transform their operations, far exceeding the 20% global average. Additionally, 21% of Indian employers see ..... Read More