Must Read News

Mayor Eric Adams Appoints Vijah Ramjattan as Executive Director of OPHC

On Thursday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams appointed Vijah Ramjattan as the executive director of the Mayor’s Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC). Ramjattan, who brings over a decade of experience in community engagement and mental health counseling, will oversee efforts to prevent hate crimes and support victims through community-based programs. Alongside Ramjattan, Erica Ware will serve as the deputy executive director, and Jelissa Thomas will take on the role of senior project manager at OPHC. In his announcement, Mayor ..... Read More

NSE Tops Asia with 268 IPO Listings in 2024

In 2024, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India achieved the highest number of IPOs in Asia, with a total of 268 listings spanning both its mainboard and SME sectors. The mainboard hosted 90 IPOs, while 178 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) debuted on the NSE’s Emerge platform. Together, these IPOs raised a total of US$ 19.53 billion (Rs. 1.67 trillion) during the year. This robust activity was partly fueled by Hyundai Motor India’s initial public offering, which raised US$ 3.3 billion, marking it as the largest IPO in Indi ..... Read More

Vinay Gupta Appointed CEO of Renew Financial

Renew Financial, a leading provider of the residential Property Assessed Clean Energy (R-PACE) financing program, has appointed Vinay Gupta as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. With over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Gupta is known for driving growth and innovation in major organizations and leading high-performing teams. Gupta expressed his enthusiasm for the position, stating, “I’m honored to join Renew Financial and collaborate with this talented team to further our mission of ..... Read More

India and Iran Hold 19th Foreign Office Consultations to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

India and Iran convened the 19th round of Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi on Friday, co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Takht Ravanchi. The discussions focused on a range of issues, including cooperation on Chabahar Port, agricultural collaboration, and expanding trade relations. The consultations also addressed regional matters such as the situation in Afghanistan, West Asia, and the South Caucasus, as well as the ongoing commitment to strengthen multilateral cooperation through f ..... Read More

13-Time Taekwondo World Champion Makes Cobra Kai’s Final Season

Rayna Vallandingham, a 21-year-old Taekwondo prodigy, is a fourth-degree black belt and a 13-time world champion in martial arts. With 3.7 million followers on Instagram, Rayna attributes her martial arts success to a unique blend of heritage, with a Dutch-origin father and an Indian mother. She began practicing Taekwondo at the age of two, encouraged by her grandfather, and by the time she was eight, she had earned her first American Taekwondo Association World Championship title. Rayna’s accomplishments include 13 world titles in tra ..... Read More

119th US Congress: Historic Hindu Representation with 4 Indian-Americans

The 119th US Congress, which commenced on Friday, has achieved a milestone with the inclusion of four Hindu lawmakers, marking the largest representation of Hindus in the legislature. These four lawmakers, all Democrats, are Suhash Subramaniam, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, and Shri Thanedar. In total, only 14 lawmakers from non-Christian or non-Jewish faiths have identified themselves as such. The religious composition of Congress also includes four Muslims, three Buddhists, and three Unitarian Universalists. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal ..... Read More

India Strengthens Ties with Maldives Through New Agreements

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated India’s continuous commitment to the Maldives’ development in alignment with India’s Neighbourhood First policy and the SAGAR vision. Jaishankar shared on X that during his meeting with Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel, both countries signed agreements for the next phase of High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP). These initiatives aim to support the Maldives’ growth and enhance bilateral cooperation. The minister emphasized, “India will rema ..... Read More

India Slams Washington Post Over Anti-Muizzu Allegations

India firmly refuted two recent reports by The Washington Post on Friday, dismissing allegations of involvement in a failed plan to impeach Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and claims about covert Indian operations targeting individuals in Pakistan. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, criticized the newspaper and the reporter for displaying what he termed “compulsive hostility” towards India. Jaiswal commented, “Their activities reveal a clear pattern, and from our perspective, they lack ..... Read More

Modi Govt Committed to Transforming Andaman, Lakshadweep: Amit Shah

The Narendra Modi government has prioritized developing infrastructure and enhancing tourism in the Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated during a meeting of the Island Development Agency (IDA) on Friday. According to an official release, the central government is also focusing on preserving the culture and heritage of these islands while accelerating development projects. Shah reviewed ongoing development initiatives in the islands and emphasized their importance despite their ..... Read More

PM Modi Honors Sikh Legacy, Meets Diljit Dosanjh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently hosted a meeting with renowned Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh, marking a warm and insightful interaction that celebrated cultural heritage, the Sikh community’s contributions, and shared values of humility and dedication. Key Highlights of the Meeting: 1. Acknowledging the Sikh Community’s Legacy: PM Modi paid heartfelt tributes to the sacrifices of the Sahibzaades, the sons of Guru Gobind Singh, emphasizing their courage and faith that continue to inspire generations. He shared his ..... Read More

India Leads AI Revolution, Empowering Youth: PM Modi

India’s commitment to artificial intelligence (AI) continues to gather momentum under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Speaking on Saturday, PM Modi reiterated the country’s focus on leveraging AI for innovation, industry transformation, and creating opportunities for the youth. Highlights from PM Modi’s Statement and Initiatives: 1. Meeting with Vishal Sikka: PM Modi engaged in a productive discussion with Vishal Sikka, founder of Vianai Systems and former Infosys CEO, on the transformative potential of AI. ..... Read More

India’s Smartphone Market Set for $50 Billion Boom

India’s smartphone market is projected to achieve a groundbreaking $50 billion in sales by 2025, marking a historic peak, according to Counterpoint Research. This rapid growth is being fueled by significant changes in consumer behavior and evolving technology preferences. Indian consumers are increasingly investing in high-end smartphones, moving away from basic models. For the first time, the average smartphone price in the country is expected to exceed $300. Brands like Apple and Samsung are leading this transformation. Apple’s ..... Read More

PM Modi Unveils First 2025 Decision for Farmers: Crop Insurance

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the government’s first action in the New Year focuses on benefiting farmers. The Union Cabinet, led by Modi, has decided to increase the funding for the crop insurance scheme and raise the subsidy for a vital fertiliser. This decision comes as part of the government’s efforts to enhance the security of farmers’ crops, reducing their concerns about potential damages. The government approved an extension of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and the Restructured Weather-Based Crop ..... Read More

Ajit Pai Backs Federal TikTok Ban Amid Legal Battle

Former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Ajit Pai has voiced his support for a federal law that could lead to a ban on TikTok unless its parent company, ByteDance, divests. The Indian American, who headed the FCC during Donald Trump’s first term, has a history of opposing Chinese tech firms like Huawei. However, this time, Pai finds himself aligned with Congress and against Trump, who has shifted his stance on TikTok. On December 28, Pai, alongside former Treasury Department official Thomas Feddo, filed a Supreme Court brief advocat ..... Read More

India to Launch US Satellite for Direct Mobile Calls

India is preparing to launch an advanced US communications satellite that will enable direct mobile phone calls through space connectivity, representing a significant leap in satellite telephony technology. Unlike existing services, this innovation eliminates the need for specialized devices. This marks the first instance of a large-scale US communications satellite being launched exclusively by India. Previously, only smaller satellites from American companies have been sent to space by Indian rockets. Science Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh revea ..... Read More

Indian American Celebrates Selling $1.22 Billion Mega Millions Ticket

Indian American owners of a Circle K convenience store in Cottonwood, California, ended the year with a massive milestone. The store, Sunshine Food and Gas, sold a winning $1.22 billion Mega Millions ticket on December 27, making it the fifth-largest jackpot in the game’s history. Jaspal Singh and his son, Ishar Gill, who run the store, expressed their excitement upon hearing the news. “It felt surreal,” Gill shared with KRCR, recounting how the family reacted to the life-changing announcement. This success comes after a chall ..... Read More

Para-sports Thrive Under PM Modi’s Guidance: Praveen Kumar

Paralympic high jump champion Praveen Kumar expressed immense pride and gratitude upon being honored with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. He attributed the growing prominence of para-sports in India to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to promote inclusivity in sports. Kumar clinched a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics in the men’s T64 high jump category with a remarkable 2.08m jump, setting a new Asian record. This achievement followed his silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, where he also broke the Asian recor ..... Read More

NAINA Elects New Leadership for 2025-2026 Term

The National Association of Indian Nurses of America (NAINA) has elected its new leadership for the 2025-2026 term. Following the conclusion of President Suja Thomas’s term, the new executive board is led by Umamaheswari Venugopal from Dallas as President, along with Liffy Cherian (Executive Vice President), Tara Shajan (Vice President), Dr. Munira Wells (Secretary), and Dr. Sheela Sajan (Treasurer). The incoming board is accompanied by a group of selected committee chairs, each responsible for vital areas such as advocacy, membership, re ..... Read More

India’s Potential to Lead Global Supply Chain, Says Mahindra

Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, shared his optimistic vision for India’s future, stating that the country has the potential to significantly enhance its economic influence and solidify its position as a crucial participant in the global supply chain. He emphasized that India is “well-equipped to thrive independently” and pointed out the nation’s advantages amidst the evolving global alliances. Speaking to employees in his New Year address, Mahindra acknowledged the increasingly transactional nature of ..... Read More

2025 Set to See Surge in EV SUV Launches in India

The year 2025 is poised to witness a significant rise in electric vehicle (EV) launches in India, with electric SUVs taking the spotlight across various price segments. Prominent automakers like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Mahindra, Tata Motors, Mercedes, Audi, and BYD are gearing up for major EV rollouts. Reports also suggest that Tesla may explore the Indian market, potentially introducing imported models. This surge follows the government’s strong push towards clean mobility, aiming to tackle pollution and reduce fuel import costs. Stricter emis ..... Read More

India Pledges $500K Relief Aid to Vanuatu

India has announced immediate financial aid of $500,000 to Vanuatu following the devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck near its coast on December 17, 2024. This assistance was conveyed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) as a gesture of solidarity and support for the nation’s recovery efforts. The MEA expressed heartfelt condolences to Vanuatu’s government and citizens, reaffirming India’s readiness to offer comprehensive aid during this challenging time. India, as a key partner in the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperatio ..... Read More

GST Revenue Hits $20.7 Billion in December 2024

India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue for December 2024 reached $20.7 billion, reflecting a 7.3% year-on-year increase. This marks the tenth consecutive month of collections surpassing $19.89 billion. Contributions included $3.84 billion from Central GST, $4.74 billion from State GST, and $5.59 billion from Integrated GST, along with $1.34 billion from cess collections. Revenue from domestic transactions climbed by 8.4% to $15.44 billion, while GST collections on imports rose by 4%, amounting to $5.18 billion. Despite the robust performa ..... Read More

India’s Economy Thrives Amid Global Uncertainty in 2025

As the world grapples with heightened uncertainties ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, India remains in a robust economic position. High-frequency indicators signal a steady pick-up in growth during the third quarter of the fiscal year 2024-25 (Q3 FY25), according to a Bank of Baroda (BoB) report. Key economic markers, including GST collections, services PMI, air passenger growth, and vehicle registrations, demonstrated notable improvement in Q3 compared to Q2. Key Highlights: GST Collections: GST collections rose by 8.3 ..... Read More

Bangladesh Court Denies Bail, Sparks Minority Outcry

A New Delhi-based rights organization, the Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG), has strongly condemned the decision of a Bangladeshi court to deny bail to Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, labeling it as an attempt to suppress minority voices. Das, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote, was arrested on November 25 at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on sedition charges. Despite significant domestic and international appeals for his release, he remains incarcerated. RRAG Director Suhas Chakma asserted ..... Read More

Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel’s Three-Day Visit to India

Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel will arrive in New Delhi on Thursday evening for a three-day visit. During his trip, he is set to engage in discussions with India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar on Friday at Hyderabad House. Dr. Khaleel, appointed as Maldives Foreign Minister on September 30, 2024, by President Mohamed Muizzu, previously served as the nation’s Minister of Health. Known for his acknowledgment of India’s vital role in aiding the Maldives’ rapid recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Kha ..... Read More