Must Read News

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 ..... 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 ..... Read More

IndiaAI and Microsoft Collaborate to Drive AI Development

IndiaAI, a division under Digital India Corporation, has formed a strategic partnership with Microsoft through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the adoption and development of artificial intelligence (AI) in India. The initiative aims to support the goals of the IndiaAI Mission, enhancing the country’s AI capabilities. As part of the agreement, Microsoft will assist IndiaAI in training 500,000 people, including students, educators, developers, government officials, and women entrepreneurs, by 2026. This collaboration will als ..... Read More

Indian Diaspora’s Hard Work Earns Global Trust: Om Birla

On Wednesday, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla praised the Indian diaspora in the UK for their invaluable contributions, attributing the increasing global trust in India to their dedication, work ethic, and excellence in various fields. He emphasized that Indians’ commitment to service and hard work has significantly shaped India’s international reputation, independent of political influence. While addressing the Indian community at India House, Birla wished them a prosperous new year and remarked on India’s cultural diversity, with ..... Read More

Who Might Replace Trudeau as Liberal Party Leader?

Justin Trudeau’s tenure as Canada’s Prime Minister is nearing its end as he steps down from leading the Liberal Party. This decision opens the door for the party to select a new leader ahead of what could be a challenging general election. A list of potential replacements has begun to surface, although some prominent figures, like Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, have already opted out, choosing to focus on their current roles. Among those likely to run is former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who has long been a promi ..... Read More

Indian-American Celebrities Shine on Golden Globes Red Carpet

Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia may not have won a Golden Globe for her debut feature film All We Imagine As Light, but she made history by becoming the first Indian nominated for the Best Director category. The film, set in modern Mumbai and focusing on sisterhood, earned nominations in two categories: Best Non-English Language Film and Best Director (Motion Picture). Kapadia lost to Brady Corbet for his film The Brutalist, while the Best Foreign Language Film award went to Emilia Perez. Kapadia walked the red carpet in an elegant black silk ..... Read More

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh Focuses on India-Maldives Relations

In a meeting with his Maldivian counterpart, India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated India’s dedication to enhancing its relationship with the Maldives. Reflecting on President Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to India in October 2024, Singh noted that the visit and the subsequent Joint Vision Document had redefined the bilateral relationship, providing a new direction for cooperation. Singh highlighted the enduring cultural, historical, and ethnic bonds between the two nations, calling their ties “close, cordial, and multidimensional.� ..... Read More

Microsoft Invests $3 Billion in India’s AI and Cloud

Microsoft Corp. is set to invest $3 billion in India, aiming to strengthen the country’s artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and expand its Azure cloud-computing business, as confirmed by CEO Satya Nadella on January 7, 2025. This investment marks the company’s largest expansion in India to date. Nadella expressed excitement about this significant investment, stating, “We are thrilled to announce our largest expansion ever in India, with an additional $3 billion to enhance our Azure cloud capacity.” He also pointed out tha ..... Read More

US and India Strengthen Ties in Key Security and Technology Talks

In a pivotal meeting in New Delhi, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval discussed crucial issues aimed at deepening US-India ties, particularly in the realms of nuclear cooperation, defense, and advanced technologies. One of the key outcomes of the talks was Sullivan’s announcement that efforts would be made to delist Indian nuclear entities from US sanctions, paving the way for stronger civil nuclear collaboration between the two nations. Sullivan emphasized that this move would enhance I ..... Read More

Trump 2.0: A Boon or Challenge for India?

President-elect Donald Trump recently warned of imposing reciprocal tariffs on India, criticizing the country’s high tariffs on U.S. goods. He referred to India’s 100% tax on certain U.S. products and stated, “If they tax us, we tax them the same amount.” This statement sparked concerns in India about the potential for strained trade relations. Trump’s remarks also fit within a broader context of his aggressive trade stance against countries like China, Mexico, and Canada. While India’s government did not ..... Read More

Indian Americans Secure Key Virginia Legislative Wins

In a significant shift for Virginia politics, two Indian Americans, Kannan Srinivasan and J.J. Singh, have secured seats in the state legislature, bolstering the Democratic Party’s slim majority. Srinivasan was elected to the State Senate, while Singh won a seat in the State House of Delegates on Wednesday. The elections saw Singh take over the House seat previously held by Srinivasan, who now occupies the State Senate position left vacant after Suhas Subramanyam’s resignation, following his election to Congress in November. Republican cand ..... Read More

India Eyes Champions Trophy Glory with Settled Squad and High Hopes

The ICC Champions Trophy is making its return after seven years, with India aiming to add another title to its collection following its T20 World Cup success in Barbados. In the previous edition, India reached the final but lost to Pakistan by 180 runs. However, with the upcoming tournament just a month away, India, led by Rohit Sharma, is hopeful of clinching the title this time. Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes that India’s white-ball team is well “settled” and has a strong chance of winning the upcoming Champions ..... Read More

India’s GDP Projected to Grow 6.4% in FY25

India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected to grow by 6.4% in 2024-25, according to the Ministry of Statistics’ first advance estimates. This marks a noticeable slowdown from the 8.2% growth seen in FY23. Despite a weaker start to FY25, the ministry is optimistic about a rebound in the second half of the fiscal year, driven by a pickup in agricultural and industrial activities as well as strong rural demand. The forecasted growth range for the year is between 6.4% and 6.8%. Nominal GDP is expected to grow by 9.7%, showing a slight in ..... Read More

PM Modi outlines future of high-speed trains and railways

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s growing aspirations and the increasing demand for swift long-distance travel, stating that the introduction of high-speed trains is a key response. He emphasized that the arrival of India’s first bullet train is imminent, adding that the government is taking major strides in improving the nation’s transportation infrastructure. During the virtual inauguration of multiple projects, including the formation of Jammu’s new railway division, Modi referred to the creation of ..... Read More