Must Read News

Bangladesh Freezes ISKCON Accounts Amidst Hindu Persecution Controversy

Despite facing severe backlash from Hindus worldwide over the shocking arrest and imprisonment of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, the Bangladesh government led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has reportedly ordered the country’s banks to freeze the accounts of 17 individuals with “interests associated” with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Bangladesh. Local media in Dhaka reported on Friday that the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has ordered the freezing of bank accounts belong ..... Read More

Indian-Americans urge Biden to address minority attacks in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh National Flag Isolated 3D White Background An influential Indian-American organization, the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), has appealed to US President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump to address the escalating violence against Bangladesh’s minority Hindu community. This plea follows over 200 reported attacks on Hindus and their temples since the Awami League government fell on August 5. FIIDS expressed deep concern in separate letters to both leaders, highlighting the recent arrest and denial of ..... Read More

Vir Das Shines as First Indian Emmy Host

Vir Das made history as the first Indian to host the prestigious International Emmy Awards 2024, impressing the audience with his charisma and unique style. The event, held in New York City, saw Das donning an elegant outfit designed by Shubhangi Bajpai of the Salooka label. His ensemble—a fusion of a blazer, embroidered kurta, and flared trousers—beautifully blended Eastern and Western influences. Ahead of the event, Das had shared his excitement on Instagram, introducing Bajpai as a talented designer from Delhi. He humorously admitted knowing ..... Read More

India eyes green economic ties with Japan, Singapore, and Korea

Digital generated image of wind turbine and solar panels against cityscape India is set to strengthen its climate action agenda by entering into a carbon credit partnership with Japan by early 2025. This collaboration forms part of India’s strategy to boost sustainability and draw foreign investments into green technology. As the world’s third-largest carbon emitter, India acknowledges the pressing need to balance economic growth with effective climate change mitigation. Carbon credits serve as essential tools in the global fight ag ..... Read More

PM Modi: Link cooperative movement with circular economy

PhotoResizerOriginalWeight:2210414 Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the need to link the cooperative movement to the circular economy and promote international collaboration at the ICA Global Cooperative Conference 2024 in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Highlighting the cultural and economic significance of cooperatives in India, Modi noted that India has transformed the cooperative ecosystem over the last decade, including the creation of a dedicated Cooperative Ministry. He stressed the importance of making cooperative societies multip ..... Read More

India Records 4.5 Million PC Shipments in Q3CY24, Marking Steady Growth

India saw a record 4.49 million personal computers shipped in the third quarter of 2024, marking a modest year-on-year increase of 0.1%. This follows a stronger 7.1% growth in Q2CY24, when shipments hit 3.39 million units. While desktop shipments fell by 8.1%, notebook and workstation categories grew by 2.8% and 2.4%, respectively, with premium notebooks priced over US$ 1,000 seeing a notable 7.6% surge, fueled by online festival sales. HP Inc. led the market with a 29% share, topping both the commercial and consumer segments. Lenovo, Dell, ..... Read More

Dr. Anindya Dutta Wins 2025 ASIP Rous-Whipple Award

Dr. Anindya Dutta, Endowed Professor and Chair of Genetics at the University of Alabama – Birmingham, has been  named the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Rous-Whipple Award by the American Society for Investigative Pathology (ASIP). This honor is awarded to senior scientists with exceptional research careers who advance disease understanding, contribute significantly to teaching and mentorship, and provide leadership within the pathology field. Dr. Dutta, an internationally recognized expert in genome stability, made groundbreak ..... Read More

India’s Investment Boom: $8 Trillion Spent in the Last Decade Alone

India’s economic transformation has seen remarkable acceleration, with over half of its lifetime investment of $14 trillion occurring in the past decade, according to a report by Motilal Oswal. This $8 trillion infusion underscores rapid modernization and robust infrastructure development. The report forecasts continued momentum, projecting another $8 trillion in investments over the next five years. This surge marks a recovery in India’s investment-to-GDP ratio, which had stagnated since 2011 but is now rebounding due to post-pa ..... Read More

IAAC Celebrates Indian Diaspora at Literary Festival Gala

The Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC) marked an unforgettable weekend with its annual Literary Festival and Renaissance Gala, held on November 9-10. These events brought together leading figures from literature, arts, and culture to celebrate and honor the rich contributions of the Indian diaspora. The two-day Literary Festival featured captivating sessions with renowned authors, poets, and cultural icons. Ambassador Lakshmi Puri discussed her new book, Swallowing the Sun, in a lively exchange with Roopa Unnikrishnan. Culinary expert Asma Kh ..... Read More

Trump Appoints Indian-American Jay Bhattacharya as NIH Director

Indian-American scientist Dr. Jay Bhattacharya has been appointed by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump as the new Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the nation’s leading health research institution. This historic nomination marks the first time Trump has selected an Indian-American for a significant administrative position. Previously, Trump had chosen Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to head the Department of Government Efficiency, a voluntary position not requiring Senate confirmation. Elon Musk will als ..... Read More

Indian Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Sectors See Robust Growth in Q2 FY25

Pharmaceutical medicine pills concept, Assorted various pills, tablets and capsules with medical syringes, thermometer and water glass, copy space mockup, flatlay According to an Axis Securities report, major Indian pharmaceutical companies reported a 10% year-on-year (YoY) growth in Q2 FY25, primarily driven by strong performances in North America and the domestic market. The Indian Pharmaceutical Market (IPM) experienced an 8% year-on-year growth, driven by a 9% increase in chronic therapies. In comparison, acute therapies saw a more modes ..... Read More

Swagata Banik named dean of SBU’s DePerro School

Dr. Swagata Banik, currently serving as the Medical Mutual Endowed Chair for Public Health and Population Health at Baldwin Wallace University, has been named the new dean of the Dennis R. DePerro School of Health Professions at St. Bonaventure University (SBU). Dr. Banik will begin his new role on January 21, following a national search. Having been a faculty member at Baldwin Wallace since 2011, Banik has held several key academic positions, including dean of Graduate Education and Research and director of the Center for Health Disparities ..... Read More

Dr. Nandan Kumar Mondal wins 2024 AHA Innovation Award.

Dr. Nandan Kumar Mondal, assistant professor of surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 American Heart Association (AHA) Innovative Research Award. This $200,000 grant will support his groundbreaking research titled “MasSpec Pen for real-time non-invasive assessment of ischemic injury in human hearts for DCD Transplantation.” The study aims to use MSPen technology to evaluate ischemic damage in donor hearts, potentially expanding the donor pool for heart transplants. Collaborating with Drs. Livia Eberlin and ..... Read More

Two Indian Americans Face Off in Key Virginia Special Election

Virginia’s upcoming Jan. 7 special election for the House of Delegates’ District 26 seat will feature two Indian American candidates: Democrat JJ Singh and Republican Ram Venkatachalam. The result of this election could significantly impact the balance of power in the Virginia state legislature. JJ Singh, born to Indian immigrants, has a distinguished background in public service, including roles in the White House and as an Economic Policy Advisor to Senator Chris Coons. A University of Virginia graduate and the first turbaned Sikh in the U.S. ..... Read More

HSC Canada Fosters Unity and Leadership at Toronto Meet

The Hindu Students Council (HSC) Canada recently organized an engaging meet-and-greet event at OCAD University in Toronto, bringing together Hindu student leaders from multiple campuses. The event, held on Sunday evening, also featured participation from the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) and the Hindu Forum of Canada, providing a platform for open dialogue and cultural exchange. During the session, students shared their experiences and challenges, particularly in facing Hinduphobia within academic settings. They discussed thei ..... Read More

Kriti Sanon on Nepotism: Talent vs. Opportunity in Bollywood

Kriti Sanon, who has successfully established herself in Bollywood despite being an outsider, recently addressed the issue of nepotism at the 55th International Film Festival in Goa. The actress, known for her roles in films like Heropanti and Do Patti, shared her perspective, suggesting that Bollywood alone shouldn’t be blamed for nepotism. According to Sanon, the media and audience also play a significant role by consistently focusing on star kids. Sanon explained that the media’s intense spotlight on celebrity children creates ..... Read More

Jaishankar’s Diplomatic Push Strengthens Global Ties in Rome

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s recent visit to Rome emphasized strengthening India’s strategic partnerships through a series of significant bilateral meetings. During his participation in the 10th Mediterranean Dialogues Conference (MED) and the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Outreach Session in Fiuggi, he engaged with leaders from the UK, France, Ukraine, Lebanon, and Croatia. In his meeting with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, the focus was on deepening the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, addressing key areas such as technolo ..... Read More

AI-Driven Technology to Enhance Security at Mahakumbh Mela FY25 in Prayagraj

As Prayagraj gears up for the Mahakumbh Mela FY25, AI-driven technology will play a key role in enhancing crowd management and security, according to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajesh Dwivedi. The fair area will see the installation of approximately 2,700 CCTV cameras, including AI-enabled ones offering 24/7 surveillance and automated alerts. This technological advancement will support traditional security efforts, which already include 56 police stations, 25 of which are operational. To ensure the safety of an estimated 45 crore ..... Read More

Indian American Richard Verma to keynote Dallas chamber awards.

Deputy Secretary of State Richard R. Verma will headline the US India Chamber of Commerce (USICOC) 25th Annual Awards Banquet on December 10, 2024, at the Westin Dallas Park Central. The event will gather leaders from various sectors to celebrate innovation, leadership, and global partnerships. Founded in 1999 as the Greater Dallas Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, the USICOC fosters professional and business growth in North Texas. Indian American businessman Ashok Mago, CEO of Mago & Associates, served as its founding chairman. As the fir ..... Read More

Sharad Desai Confirmed as U.S. District Judge for Arizona

Sharad Desai, an Indian American attorney based in Phoenix, has been confirmed as a U.S. District Judge for the District of Arizona. His confirmation received strong bipartisan support, with Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema praising his appointment. Desai, a native Arizonan, is notably the first South Asian to hold this position in Arizona. Currently, Desai holds the position of Vice President and General Counsel for Honeywell’s Integrated Supply Chain and Information Technology groups. In this capacity, he oversees global legal ris ..... Read More

Raima Sen’s ‘Maa Kaali’ to Premiere at 55th IFFI

Actress Raima Sen’s upcoming trilingual film Maa Kaali – The Erased History of Bengal is set to have its world premiere at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The film, which also features actor Abhishek Singh, is directed by Vijay Yelakanti. It is based on significant historical events surrounding Direct Action Day in 1946 and explores the overlooked history of Bengal, shedding light on the tragic massacres in Calcutta and Naokhali, which are now part of modern-day India and Bangladesh. Director Vijay Yelakanti shared h ..... Read More

PM Modi’s Old NCC Cadet Photo Resurfaces

An old photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a National Cadet Corps (NCC) member has sparked widespread interest on the 76th Raising Day of the organisation. The image, shared by the popular X handle Modi Archive, shows a young Narendra Modi sitting on the floor with fellow NCC cadets, highlighting his early association with the esteemed youth organisation. The post by Modi Archive stated, “A young NCC cadet, now India’s PM! Can you spot him in this picture?” It identified Modi as the cadet sitting on the floor, fir ..... Read More

Shreya Ghoshal to perform in ‘Tripura Tourism Promo Fest’

After appointing former Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly as the Brand Ambassador to promote tourism in the state, the Tripura government is set to host a series of ‘Tourism Promo Fest.’ The event will feature performances by renowned artists and celebrities, including the popular singer Shreya Ghoshal. Tripura’s Tourism Minister, Sushanta Chowdhury, announced that the festival will be organized across four locations in the state, taking place from December 3 to 14. Ghoshal, who was named the first Indian Equal Global Ambas ..... Read More

Kangana Ranaut: Congress Reduced to a Regional Party, No Longer a National Brand

BJP MP and actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut on Sunday criticized the Congress party, asserting that it has “lost its stature as a brand” and is now reduced to the status of a regional entity. Speaking to media personnel, she also lauded the BJP’s sweeping victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, describing it as one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greatest achievements. Ranaut remarked, “PM Modi is the world’s greatest leader. Today, the people of India believe in brands. There was a time when, post-indep ..... Read More

International Gita Mahotsav 2024 to Illuminate Kurukshetra

The International Gita Mahotsav 2024 will be celebrated in Kurukshetra, the birthplace of the Bhagavad Gita, from November 28th to December 15th, announced Chief Minister Nayab Saini on Friday. This year’s festival will showcase a divine confluence of spirituality, culture, and art. Tanzania will be the partner country for the event, while Odisha will be the partner state. Tanzania, which also participated in the International Surajkund Crafts Fair in February, has a significant Indian diaspora that actively organizes recitations of the R ..... Read More