Must Read News

Trump Calls Modi “The Nicest Human Being”

During a recent episode of the Flagrant podcast, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump expressed admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as “the nicest human being” and a personal friend. Trump’s remarks highlighted the strong bond he feels with the Indian leader, which he attributes to Modi’s leadership during a tumultuous political era in India. Reflecting on Modi’s tenure, Trump pointed out the instability that plagued India before Modi took office, noting that previous leaders we ..... Read More

Zeal raises $15M Series B to transform modern payroll.

Zeal, a forward-thinking payroll platform designed for the modern workforce, has announced the successful completion of a $15 million Series B funding round. This investment, spearheaded by Portage with ongoing support from Spark Capital and Commerce Ventures, represents a major step forward in Zeal’s mission to modernize payroll for innovative staffing companies, gig-work platforms, and HR service providers like Wonolo and Qwick. As the workforce increasingly seeks flexible working conditions, Zeal’s platform delivers automated ..... Read More

Dr. Nandika D’Souza Appointed Associate Dean at UT Dallas

Dr. Nandika D’Souza has been appointed as associate dean of strategic initiatives at The University of Texas at Dallas in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. While engineering was an unconventional field for girls during her youth, her mother encouraged her to pursue it as a path to financial stability after the death of her father. D’Souza’s passion for engineering was sparked during her studies, especially in a statics class where the design of structures captured her imagination. In her new role ..... Read More

Eight Malayalees to Receive Honors at 32nd Kerala Center Awards

The Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center, Inc. will recognize eight Malayalees for their remarkable achievements and contributions to society during the 32nd Annual Awards Dinner on October 19. The event is set to draw public officials and leaders from both the USA and India. Dr. Thomas Abraham, the Chairman of the Trustee Board and member of the Awards Committee, emphasized the long-standing tradition of honoring outstanding individuals since 1992. He noted that every year, nominees are carefully evaluated, and the Award Committ ..... Read More

AR Rahman Supports Kamala Harris with 30 min Performance Video

Renowned composer AR Rahman has created a 30-minute performance video to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris, expected to significantly enhance her presidential campaign as the November 5 elections approach. At 57, Rahman is the first major international artist from South Asia to back Harris, who has Indian and African heritage. Shekar Narasimhan, the chairman of the AAPI Victory Fund, stated, “With this performance, A R Rahman has joined a group of leaders and artists advocating for progress and representation in America.” He e ..... Read More

Basu, Feathers appointed Presidential Postdoctoral Fellows.

Princeton University has announced its 2024 cohort for the Princeton Presidential Postdoctoral Research Fellows program, now in its fifth year. The program selected 15 scholars from diverse disciplines, including the humanities, engineering, sciences, and social sciences. Designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, the program provides financial support for up to two years and helps scholars deepen their expertise while exploring new ideas across fields. Among the fellows, Urbashi Basu will be advised by molecular biology assistant p ..... Read More

Young Indian Americans Recognized as 2024 Girls Leading Change Honorees

On October 10, 2024, the White House recognized several young Indian Americans among the 10 honorees on the “Girls Leading Change” list, commemorating International Day of the Girl. First Lady Jill Biden made the announcement, highlighting the achievements of these young leaders who are shaping a brighter future for their communities. Selected by the White House Gender Policy Council, the honorees were celebrated for their innovative contributions to fields like education, healthcare, and digital safety. Among the Indian American ..... Read More

Kavita Bala Appointed 17th Provost of Cornell University

Kavita Bala, the dean of the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science, has been appointed as the university’s 17th provost, as announced by Interim President Michael I. Kotlikoff on September 25. Her five-year term, approved by the Executive Committee of the Cornell Board of Trustees, will commence on January 1. In his announcement, Kotlikoff praised Bala for her exceptional leadership at Cornell Bowers CIS, highlighting her contributions to the college’s growth, diversity, interdisciplinary initiatives, ..... Read More

India’s Digital Economy Set for USD 900 Billion Growth by 2030

India’s digital landscape is poised for significant expansion, with an additional USD 900 billion expected to be added by 2030, as outlined in a report from Motilal Oswal. Currently contributing USD 0.3 trillion, or around 8% of the nation’s GDP, the digital sector is anticipated to quadruple to USD 1.2 trillion by 2030, making up 20% of India’s total GDP. The report also predicts that while India’s overall GDP will grow by 1.7 times by 2030, the digital sector will outpace this growth, expanding at four times its current size. This trend ..... Read More

French Firms Boost Investments and Jobs under ‘Make in India’

French business leaders, during their visit to India, have committed to boosting local investments, job opportunities, and production as part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative. French Ambassador Mr. Thierry Mathou acknowledged the increasing role of Indian companies in global supply chains and emphasized the growing industrial collaborations in key sectors between the two nations. Highlighting the aerospace industry’s pivotal role in Indo-French relations, he underlined France’s long-standing partnership, spanning ove ..... Read More

Indian Tech Sector Witnesses US$ 635 Million in Q3 2024 Deals

During the third quarter of 2024, the Indian tech sector witnessed deals amounting to US$ 635 million, representing a 31% year-on-year increase, according to the latest Dealtracker report by Grant Thornton Bharat. Despite this rise, deal volumes were the highest since Q2 2023 but marked the lowest for 2024, reflecting a trend towards more strategic investments rather than large acquisitions. Raja Lahiri, a Partner at Grant Thornton Bharat, attributed this growth to the recent interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve and India’s stab ..... Read More

Indian American Leaders Question Kamala Harris’s Connection

Dr. Sampat Shivangi, an Indian American physician and community leader, attended the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July as an elected delegate, where former President Donald Trump was nominated as the Republican candidate for president. He believes that U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, despite her Indian heritage, does not connect with Indian Americans as a viable presidential candidate. This perception stems from a belief that she is not particularly friendly towards the community. Shivangi noted that many in the Indian Amer ..... Read More

Hyundai India’s $3.34 Billion IPO to Boost Operations

The Indian subsidiary of South Korean automaker Hyundai is set to launch a $3.34 billion initial public offering (IPO), the largest in the country’s history, aiming to deepen its presence in the Indian market. Hyundai is set to list one of its subsidiaries outside of South Korea for the first time. The IPO will be available for public subscription from October 15 to October 17, with anchor investors able to submit bids on October 14. Tarun Garg, COO of Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL), stated that after 26 years in India, the company bel ..... Read More

PM GatiShakti marks 3 years of infrastructure transformation.

The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 13, 2021, has completed three years of reshaping India’s infrastructure landscape. Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal, emphasized how the initiative has revolutionized the coordination and planning of infrastructure projects. The integration of data from more than 44 central ministries and 36 states and union territories has significantly improved the efficiency of project implementation, reduced logistics costs, and bolst ..... Read More

India leads AI app market with 21% global downloads.

According to data from Sensor Tower, India has emerged as the top country for AI mobile app adoption, contributing to 21% of the total global downloads. The number of AI app downloads worldwide surpassed 2.2 billion in the first eight months of 2024. Popular applications in this category include chatbot platforms like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini, alongside various image and video editing tools. However, most Indian users opt for the free versions of these apps. In stark contrast, North America and Europe generated 68% of th ..... Read More

Research reveals how stress exacerbates colon cancer

A new study just released has shed light on how stress can exacerbate colorectal cancer (CRC), adding to the body of evidence showing the profound impact stress can have on health. Researchers from China have demonstrated that chronic stress disrupts the balance of gut microbiota, a factor that accelerates the progression of CRC. A team from West China Hospital, Sichuan University, conducted the study, which reveals that chronic stress, in combination with specific gut bacteria, significantly worsens CRC. By eliminating certain gut bacteria and ..... Read More

Over 30 nations are exploring India’s $117 billion export potential.

  The fifth edition of the ‘World Trade Expo,’ set to take place in Mumbai from October 17-18, will showcase India’s untapped export potential of $117 billion. The event aims to explore new opportunities in key sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, automobiles and components, and machinery, with an emphasis on boosting trade between India and the participating countries. The United States presents the largest untapped export opportunity for India, valued at $46 billion. Key sectors identified for this gro ..... Read More

Meet Noel Tata: New Chairman of Tata Trusts

Noel Naval Tata is an influential Indian businessman and a key figure within the Tata Group, one of India’s largest and most respected conglomerates. Noel Tata, born in 1957, is the half-brother of Ratan Tata, the former chairman of Tata Sons. Over the years, he has held significant leadership roles in various Tata companies, playing a pivotal role in driving the group’s growth and success. Noel Tata is the son of Naval Tata, a prominent figure in the Tata family, and Simone Tata, the former chairperson of Lakmé, a renowne ..... Read More

PM Modi’s gifts to Laos PM, President, and their wives include Brass Buddha, Patan Patola, and other items.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday presented a variety of beautiful gifts, including Buddha sculptures, handcrafted artifacts, and other exquisite items, to his Laos counterpart, the country’s President, and their spouses. Following a bilateral meeting, the two leaders exchanged these meaningful gifts, emphasizing their resolve to strengthen their civilizational and modern-day ties. Among the gifts, PM Modi presented Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith with a vintage brass Buddha statue adorned with mina work. This carefully crafted pi ..... Read More

India’s foreign currency reserves above $700 billion.

  India’s foreign exchange (Forex) reserves have remained above $700 billion for the second consecutive week, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday. The Forex reserves stood at $701.18 billion as of October 4, reflecting a decrease of $3.71 billion from the previous week, as per the RBI’s weekly bulletin. Despite the slight drop, the country’s Forex reserves of over $700 billion mark a significant milestone, representing an all-time high and positioning India as the fourth- ..... Read More

India’s plan to launch 52 satellites to improve monitoring of China and Pakistan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Chair, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), has reportedly approved Phase III of the Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) mission, a development that bodes well for India’s security capabilities. This decision sets the stage for the launch of 52 surveillance satellites into low Earth and geostationary orbits. The Modi government’s decision is likely to cause concern among adversaries like China and Pakistan, as these neighboring countries will be under continuous surveillance once the capabilities ..... Read More

PM Modi concludes ‘productive’ two-day visit to Laos

Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to India on Friday after a fruitful two-day visit to Laos, where he attended the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits at the invitation of Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. In a post on X, Modi expressed gratitude for the visit, emphasizing India’s commitment to strengthening ties with ASEAN and working towards peace, prosperity, and sustainable development in the region. External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal highlighted the visit’s focus on enhancing India’s Act East Policy, dee ..... Read More

India Urges Bangladesh to Investigate Theft of Religious Article from Temple

India has expressed deep concern regarding the theft of a religious article from the Jeshoreshwari Temple in Bangladesh and has urged local law enforcement to thoroughly investigate the incident and hold the responsible parties accountable. The High Commission in Dhaka is actively engaged with Bangladeshi authorities concerning this matter. The stolen crown belonged to the Goddess Kali and was presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the temple in March 2021. The theft allegedly took place on Thursday between 2:00 PM and 2: ..... Read More

PM Modi: INDIA-ASEAN friendship vital amid global conflicts

Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared the 21st century as the century of India and the ASEAN nations, emphasizing the significance of their friendship during a time of global conflicts and tensions. Speaking at the 21st India-ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos, he noted that the Act East Policy, announced a decade ago, has revitalized India’s historical relationships with ASEAN countries. Modi described ASEAN nations as India’s neighbors and partners in the Global South, highlighting their shared commitment to peace, national integrity, and the fu ..... Read More

Obama Energizes Pittsburgh Rally for Kamala Harris Campaign

Before Barack Obama entered the White House, Diana Vahabzadeh, now 63, had never cast a vote for a Democrat. However, Obama’s 2008 campaign won her over, and she has been leaning left since. On Thursday, she joined thousands at a Pittsburgh rally supporting Kamala Harris, as Obama launched a campaign blitz across swing states critical to the upcoming election. Vahabzadeh expressed her admiration for Obama, calling the event a great opportunity to see him and show support for Harris. With a playlist of pop hits filling the gym, the “Yes We Can” ..... Read More