Must Read News

Desai Foundation hosts 11th ‘Diwali on the Hudson’ in NYC.

The Desai Foundation’s annual “Diwali on the Hudson” event, now in its 11th year, took place on October 17 at HK Hall in New York City. This star-studded celebration brought together celebrities, creators, and community supporters to mark Diwali and raise funds for impactful programs. Notable attendees included artist Jay Sean, manager and yoga teacher Thara Natalie, actor Ami Sheth, Broadway performer Ari Afsar, artist Meah Pace, entrepreneur Krishna Subramanian, musician Monica Dogra, and various other figures across the arts and business sec ..... Read More

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das Wins A+ Rating Again

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has achieved a remarkable feat once again, receiving an A+ rating as a central bank governor for the second consecutive year. The prestigious recognition was awarded by Global Finance, a U.S.-based magazine, which ranks Das among the leading central bankers globally. He tops the list of three governors who have received the A+ distinction, alongside Christian Kettel Thomsen of Denmark and Thomas Jordan of Switzerland. In a social media update on platform X, the RBI announced, “Governor @DasSh ..... Read More

Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi praises Indian animation, cites ‘Chhota Bheem.’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated that India is on the brink of a transformative era in animation, citing the widespread appeal of popular Indian animated series like ‘Chhota Bheem,’ ‘Hanuman,’ and ‘Motu-Patlu.’ During his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast, he urged citizens to commit to making India a significant player in the global animation landscape. He highlighted how Indian animated characters and films are increasingly appreciated worldwide for their creativity and engaging content. Recall ..... Read More

India’s AI Growth Sparks Global Leadership Potential

India’s artificial intelligence (AI) market is currently valued at $6.4 billion, with spending predicted to soar to $11.78 billion by 2025, according to Shanti Ekambaram, deputy managing director of Kotak Mahindra Bank. Speaking at the ET Conversations event, Ekambaram emphasized that India is at the forefront of AI skills globally and ranks second in the adoption of generative AI. Initiatives like the “IndiaAI Mission” and investments from technology giant Nvidia are accelerating the nation’s AI ecosystem. Ekambaram ..... Read More

U.S. Election Outcome Could Shape Key Economic Sectors in India

As the U.S. election approaches, investors are watching closely, anticipating the potential economic impacts on global markets, particularly India. According to a report by PhillipCapital, the election results could significantly influence India’s economy, especially if there is a shift in U.S. economic policy. If Trump wins, Indian IT firms might face challenges due to stricter immigration policies, potentially limiting the workforce’s flexibility. However, many Indian firms have reduced risk by hiring locally and establishing n ..... Read More

Indians now Singapore’s 3rd largest tourist group.

Indian tourist arrivals in Singapore have increased by 13% in the first nine months of 2024, reaching 898,180 visitors and making India the third-largest source of tourists after Indonesia and China. This rise highlights the tourism sector’s post-pandemic rebound, with 2023 alone recording over 1.1 million Indian visitors to Singapore. Factors driving this growth include enhanced flight options, successful marketing efforts, and relaxed travel restrictions. The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has been central to this resurgence, launchin ..... Read More

Trump Criticizes Kamala Harris in Fiery Rally at MSG

At a Madison Square Garden rally in New York City, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump launched a series of sharp attacks against Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump, addressing a crowded arena, accused Harris of “destroying” the nation and called her a “low IQ individual,” vowing change if he is elected. He framed the upcoming election as a choice between “four more years of incompetence” or a new direction that he promises to lead. Trump’s speech, lasting about 75 minutes, revisited many of his key campaign ..... Read More

Young Indian-American Fights for Georgia Senate Seat

On November 5, American voters won’t only be choosing a new president. Elections will also take place for 34 Senate seats, 435 House positions, 11 governor seats, and more than 5,800 state legislature roles. Ashwin Ramaswami, a young Democrat who turned 25 this May, making him eligible, is challenging Georgia state Senator Shawn Still in Senate District 48. Although the district has typically leaned Republican, Ramaswami is giving the GOP incumbent a fierce challenge. Still is one of the people facing indictment related to alleged interference ..... Read More

Aaron “Ronnie” Chatterji, Indian American, Named OpenAI’s First Chief Economist

Indian American Aaron “Ronnie” Chatterji, a professor of business and public policy at Duke University, has been appointed OpenAI’s first Chief Economist. With a distinguished career that bridges academia and government, including key roles in the Obama and Biden administrations, Chatterji will lead research on the economic impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and its effects on global growth and labor markets. Chatterji has served as the Biden administration’s CHIPS coordinator, overseeing the $52 billion CHIPS and Science Act, a ..... Read More

AIA-NY Celebrates 37th Annual Diwali with Cruise Festivities

The Association of Indians in America, New York Chapter (AIA-NY), hosted its 37th Annual Diwali Festival with vibrant celebrations aboard a Skyline Princess cruise on October 6, 2024. The event attracted over 400 guests from the community, who were dressed in traditional Indian attire, and sailed from World Fair Marina in Flushing, NY. The stunning fall weather added to the festivities, creating a warm and joyous atmosphere. AIA-NY President, Dr. Jagdish Gupta, delivered the welcome address, noting the breathtaking views of Manhattan’s skyline ..... Read More

President Biden Hosts Diwali Celebration with Indian-American Community

As part of a cherished annual tradition, President Biden will light a Diwali diya lamp in the White House Blue Room before addressing a gathering of Indian-American guests. The White House has announced that this will be Biden’s last Diwali reception, as he will not seek re-election. Following the diya lighting, Biden will deliver remarks at a reception honoring the Indian-American community. His speech will include a special video message from Sunita “Suni” Williams, a prominent NASA astronaut and retired Navy Captain, who ..... Read More

India ranks among top global trading partners: Germany’s Vice-Chancellor.

At the 18th Asia Pacific Conference of German Business held in New Delhi, Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Robert Habeck, emphasized the urgency of reshaping Germany’s trade policies. In response to growing geopolitical tensions and rising skepticism, he highlighted the need to reduce Germany’s economic reliance on primary partners, especially China and Russia. “We are in a very complex situation, and we must reshape and recalibrate our economic success story,” Habeck noted, underlining Ger ..... Read More

PM Modi, Spain’s Sanchez to inaugurate Tata’s aircraft facility in Gujarat.

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, will inaugurate the Tata Advanced Systems’ new aircraft complex in Vadodara, Gujarat, dedicated to producing the C-295 military aircraft. This facility represents India’s first private-sector final assembly line for military aircraft, setting a new milestone in the country’s defense manufacturing landscape. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced that this Vadodara-based plant, developed by Tata Advanced Systems, will in ..... Read More

Germany Increases Visa Quota for Skilled Indian Professionals to 90,000 Annually

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a significant increase in Germany’s annual visa quota for skilled Indian professionals, raising it from 20,000 to 90,000, a 3.5-fold boost. Modi highlighted that this expansion will help fulfill Germany’s demand for skilled labor, fostering economic growth and strengthening the economic partnership between India and Germany. Modi made these remarks at the 18th Asia-Pacific Conference German Business 2024 in Delhi, an event that followed German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to India. Prior to the con ..... Read More

India Launches $119 Million Venture Capital Fund to Propel Space Sector Growth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the establishment of a $119 million venture capital fund dedicated to advancing India’s space sector. This initiative is designed to foster innovation, create job opportunities, and support the growth of businesses within the industry. Modi shared the news on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing the fund’s “phenomenal impact on the youth.” According to a government statement, the fund will aid companies by providing essential resources for scaling their operations, inve ..... Read More

Indian American Shahnaz Habib Wins Prestigious Book Award

Indian American writer Shahnaz Habib was honored with the 7th Annual New American Voices Award for her nonfiction work, Airplane Mode: An Irreverent History of Travel. This award celebrates recently published books by immigrant authors that reveal intricate layers of human experience and challenge underrepresented perspectives in literature. On October 17, Habib received her $5,000 award at George Mason’s Center in Fairfax, Virginia, where she was joined by finalists Alex Espinoza, author of The Sons of El Rey, and Carrie Sun, author o ..... Read More

Zohran Mamdani Joins the Competitive 2025 NYC Mayoral Race

New York State Assembly member Zohran Mamdani has officially launched his campaign for the 2025 New York City mayoral race. At just 33 years old, the politician, who was born in Uganda and raised in New York City, is the son of notable filmmaker Mira Nair and Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani. As a member of the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, he emerges as the youngest and most left-oriented candidate challenging Mayor Eric Adams, who faces federal corruption charges. In a video announcing his candidacy, Mamdan ..... Read More

India ETFs expected to attract billions from Amundi, BlackRock.

Prominent exchange-traded fund (ETF) providers are vying for the expected influx of billions into Indian bonds, driven by their recent inclusion in major global indices. BlackRock Inc., Amundi SA, and Janus Henderson’s Tabula Investment Management have introduced new ETFs following JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s decision to integrate Indian debt into its significant emerging-market index last year. DWS Group, an asset management firm, estimates that these ETFs could attract between $5 billion and $10 billion in the medium term. Benoit Sorel, global ..... Read More

Nitin Gadkari advocates AI, tech for improved road safety.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari addressed the 12th Traffic InfraTech Expo in New Delhi, emphasizing the urgent need to tackle India’s road safety issues through technological innovation. India records around five lakh road accidents every year, with over half of the fatalities among young adults aged 18 to 36. These accidents lead to an economic loss estimated at 3% of the country’s GDP, making road safety a government priority. Gadkari highlighted the role of cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, in identify ..... Read More

Nirmala Sitharaman: Soft landing for global economy possible.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed optimism about a potential soft landing for the global economy, noting the stabilizing effect of coordinated actions among countries and multilateral financial institutions. Speaking at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, DC, she emphasized that inflation has been controlled effectively, allowing the global economy to slowly move toward recovery. However, she cautioned that economic growth remains moderate, with advanced economies showing limited demand, th ..... Read More

Ro Khanna Reintroduces Bill to Curb Corporate Homeownership

On October 23, Representatives Ro Khanna (CA-17), Katie Porter (CA-47), and Mark Takano (CA-39) reintroduced the Stop Wall Street Landlords Act, targeting large institutional investors using taxpayer funds to acquire single-family homes. This bill aims to stop the rapid rise in housing costs and limit the influence of corporate landlords in the housing market. Following the 2008 housing market crash, investor interest in the real estate market surged, driving housing and rental prices to unprecedented levels. According to Khanna’s office, ..... Read More

US Welcomes India-China LAC Agreement, Highlights Strategic Cooperation

The United States has expressed its approval of India’s recent agreement with China concerning the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which effectively ended the military standoff in eastern Ladakh. American Ambassador Eric Garcetti noted that the US has consistently backed India’s efforts to safeguard its strategic interests and uphold its borders. The agreement was ratified during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Russia, marking their first official interaction in five years. Modi highlighted t ..... Read More

Government Plans to Build 50 New Airports by 2029

Trolley luggage Available at a large airport, a concept about traveling, adventures around the world The Indian government aims to significantly expand its aviation infrastructure by adding 50 new airports over the next five years, as announced by Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr. Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu. This ambitious project seeks to broaden India’s airport network, boosting the country’s connectivity and creating numerous job opportunities. Over the last ten years, India has seen its airport count double, reaching 157 o ..... Read More

India to become largest intelligence market, says Ambani

Ai technology city landscape. Futuristic big data city with transport, business, technology network. . High quality photo Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries has entered a partnership with US chipmaker Nvidia to establish Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure in India. The announcement took place on Thursday at the Nvidia AI Summit 2024 in Mumbai, where Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Ambani engaged in a fireside chat about the collaboration. Huang stated that the partnership aims to enable India to manufacture its own AI capabilities.He em ..... Read More

PM Modi Celebrates Strengthened India-Germany Relations

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the deepening relationship between India and Germany, referencing recent collaborative efforts as evidence of their growing friendship. Speaking at the 18th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business 2024, he stated, “While the CEO Forum convenes here, our navies are also conducting joint exercises, with German naval vessels making a port visit in Goa. Shortly, the seventh inter-governmental consultations between India and Germany will take place.” He added, “This signifies ..... Read More