Must Read News

INS Tabar at Tower Bridge: A Patriotic Moment for Indian Diaspora

The arrival of the Indian Navy’s stealth frigate, INS Tabar, at London’s iconic Tower Bridge from August 7 to 11, 2024, marked a significant milestone in the strengthening of India-UK relations. This event not only showcased India’s naval prowess but also celebrated the cultural unity and vibrant spirit of the Indian diaspora in the UK. As the Talwar-class frigate passed under the Tower Bridge, the Indian community in London came together in a spirited display of patriotism, with chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” f ..... Read More

GST Unification and Fleet Expansion Could Double India’s MRO to $4B

Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Rammohan Naidu, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to developing a strong infrastructure for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services in India, catering to both domestic and international airlines. During his speech in the Lok Sabha, Naidu discussed the challenges the MRO sector faces and emphasized that the government’s efforts are geared towards not only supporting Indian airlines but also attracting global carriers to utilize India’s MRO facilities. Strategic locations such ..... Read More

India’s Tourism Boom: Outbound Travel to Hit $55.4 Billion by 2034

India’s tourism sector is experiencing a remarkable transformation. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) forecasts that the outbound travel market will reach $55.4 billion by 2034, driven largely by the country’s growing middle class and increasing disposable incomes, which are fueling both domestic and international travel. Indian tour operators are expected to see a 15-17% increase in revenue for fiscal 2025, according to CRISIL. This growth is attributed to enhanced infrastructure, rising incomes, ..... Read More

Indian Americans in Texas Rally to End ‘Hindu Genocide’ in Bangladesh

Over 300 Indian Americans and Bangladeshi-origin Hindus gathered peacefully outside Sugar Land City Hall on Sunday morning to protest the ongoing violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. The event, named “Save Hindus in Bangladesh,” was organized by the Global Voice for Bangladesh Minorities. It brought together various major Hindu organizations from Houston, including Maitri, Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, HinduAction, HinduPact, Houston Durgabari Society, ISKCON, Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora, among others. Protest ..... Read More

Sheikh Hasina’s Undelivered Speech Reveals Tensions with the US over Saint Martin Island

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently disclosed that she could have remained in power if she had “surrendered” the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island and “allowed America to hold sway over the Bay of Bengal,” according to media reports. Hasina, who traveled to India on August 5 amid violent protests in Bangladesh, revealed the contents of a speech she had prepared but never delivered. The 76-year-old leader explained that she chose to resign to avoid witnessing a “procession of dead bodies.&rdq ..... Read More

From Garage to Global: Namit Malhotra’s Cinematic Mastery

Namit Malhotra’s journey from a young film enthusiast to a global leader in visual effects is nothing short of extraordinary. Born into a film family in Mumbai, his early exposure to the industry came from his grandfather, MN Malhotra, a cinematographer, and his father, Naresh Malhotra, who produced popular blockbusters like *Shahenshah*. Initially inclined toward directing, Namit’s career trajectory changed dramatically after watching *Jurassic Park* in 1993. The film’s innovative use of technology opened his eyes to the v ..... Read More

PM Modi arrives in Kannur, to visit landslide-hit Wayanad areas

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Kannur Airport before heading to Wayanad to evaluate the relief and rehabilitation efforts following recent landslides. At the airport, he was welcomed by Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. PM Modi then traveled to Wayanad by Air Force helicopter, with Governor Khan, Chief Minister Vijayan, and Union Minister of State for Petroleum Suresh Gopi accompanying him. He plans to conduct an aerial survey of the damaged areas. During his visit, the Prime Minister will ..... Read More

McCarthy Claims: Obama Secretly Running Kamala Harris’ Campaign

Former Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy recently made a striking claim, suggesting that former President Barack Obama is covertly directing Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. Speaking on the radio show “The Cats Roundtable” on 770 WABC, McCarthy alleged that key members of Obama’s former team, including David Plouffe, are now significantly involved in Harris’ campaign efforts. McCarthy pointed out that individuals from Obama’s inner circle have transitioned to playing central roles in Harris&rsqu ..... Read More

India’s Olympic Glory: Six Medals and Historic Firsts in Paris

Team India concluded their Paris Olympics campaign with a total of six medals, including one silver and five bronze. The country dispatched 117 athletes to participate in various events at the prestigious games. India secured the 71st spot on the medal tally, while the United States dominated with an impressive haul of 126 medals. Manu Bhaker kicked off India’s medal haul by clinching a bronze in shooting, marking her as the first Indian woman to win an Olympic shooting medal. She further cemented her place in history by becoming the f ..... Read More

“America’s Hypocrisy: Why the U.S. Still Has Not Elected a Woman President.” Editorial: August 10, 2024 By Raj Shah

“America’s Hypocrisy: Why the U.S. Still Has Not Elected a Woman President.” The United States, often hailed as the beacon of democracy and a global leader in gender equality, has a peculiar distinction: in over 200 years of its history, it has yet to elect a woman as president. This fact stands in stark contrast to several countries around the world, including some that are considered less developed or even conservative, where women have successfully risen to the highest political office. Countries like India, Israel, Sri ..... Read More

Editorial: August 10, 2024 By Raj Shah

“America’s Hypocrisy: Why the U.S. Still Has Not Elected a Woman President.” The United States, often hailed as the beacon of democracy and a global leader in gender equality, has a peculiar distinction: in over 200 years of its history, it has yet to elect a woman as president. This fact stands in stark contrast to several countries around the world, including some that are considered less developed or even conservative, where women have successfully risen to the highest political office. Countries like India, Israel, Sri ..... Read More

India-Maldives Security Talks: S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Maumoon Strengthen Ties

On Friday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Maldives Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon to discuss defense and security matters, as well as collaborative efforts for maritime security. Sharing highlights from the meeting on X, Jaishankar posted images and remarked on the productive discussions about India-Maldives defense cooperation, maritime initiatives, and mutual interests in regional peace and stability. Jaishankar is in the Maldives for a three-day official visit from August 9 to 11, aimed at deepening the bilater ..... Read More

YouTube Shorts Surpasses 1 Trillion Views: CEO Neal Mohan Celebrates Indian Creators’ Impact

YouTube Shorts, the 60-second video format that debuted globally in India in 2020, has now exceeded 1 trillion views, as announced by YouTube CEO Neal Mohan. This milestone underscores the profound influence of Indian content creators on the platform. During the YouTube Brandcast 2024 event, Mohan highlighted how YouTube has empowered people to share their stories, with Indian creators leading global cultural trends. He remarked that YouTube is the top platform in India for reach and watch time, with Shorts achieving this impressive view cou ..... Read More

Govindarajan Padmanabhan Honored with India’s First ‘Vigyan Ratna’ Award

Govindarajan Padmanabhan, a distinguished biochemist, has been honored with India’s inaugural ‘Vigyan Ratna’ award, the nation’s highest scientific accolade, in recognition of his lifetime achievements in science and technology. The government announced this prestigious recognition on Wednesday, alongside the selection of ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 team for the first-ever ‘Vigyan Team’ award. Padmanabhan, who has previously been awarded the Padma Bhushan, currently serves as an honorary professor at the In ..... Read More

Raj Bhakta’s Next Pour: Rare Spirits and Indian Malts on a Global Stage

Raj Bhakta has always prided himself on his ability to anticipate future trends, a claim not without merit. Sixteen years ago, he played a pivotal role in reviving rye whiskey in America through WhistlePig, a craft distillery in Shoreham, Vermont. At the time, rye was considered a lesser, unrefined alternative to bourbon, but Bhakta’s efforts transformed it into a sophisticated, upscale spirit. In 2020, four years after being ousted from WhistlePig, the company he founded, Bhakta established Bhakta Spirits, a brand dedicated to discove ..... Read More

Willie Brown Laughs Off Trump’s Claim, Stands Firm in Support of Kamala Harris

Willie Brown, the 90-year-old former mayor of San Francisco, who is often credited with helping launch Kamala Harris’s political career during their brief relationship many years ago, recently responded to claims made by Donald Trump. Trump alleged that Brown had once spoken negatively about Harris to him. However, Brown firmly denied these accusations, laughing off the idea as completely baseless. In a video addressing Trump’s statements, Brown appeared amused, dismissing the claims as utterly unbelievable. He expressed his inab ..... Read More

Against the Clock: Aman Sehrawat’s 10-Hour Battle to Shed 4.5kg and Win Olympic Bronze

Before his bronze medal play-off, Aman Sehrawat faced a significant challenge after his semifinal loss on Thursday, August 8. He weighed 61.5kg, which was 4.5kg over the permissible limit for the men’s 57kg category. With only 10 hours to shed the extra weight, Aman relied heavily on the expertise of his Indian coaches, Jagmander Singh and Virender Dahiya, who were determined to help him meet the weight requirement before the next weigh-in. In the world of wrestling, staying within the weight limit has become a crucial focus, particula ..... Read More

Indian-origin director of House of the Dragon began as assistant writer

“House of the Dragon,” the globally acclaimed prequel to “Game of Thrones,” has captivated audiences with its intense storytelling and cinematic brilliance. Among the talented directors who have shaped this epic saga, Geeta Vasant Patel has truly made her mark, delivering standout moments that resonate with fans worldwide. She directed three episodes, including some of the series’ best and highest-rated ones. Geeta Vasant Patel, an Indian-origin filmmaker, was born on December 22, 1975, in Illinois, USA. She is ..... Read More

Aesthetic medicine market to triple by 2029 with non-surgical growth

Pharmacy arrangement consumerism supermarket. India is quickly becoming a major player in the global aesthetic medicine market, which is anticipated to expand threefold to reach USD 3.02 billion by 2029. This surge is driven by the growing popularity of non-invasive treatments such as Botox and fillers, along with increasing disposable incomes and a heightened focus on health. The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has observed a global trend towards non-surgical options, which surpassed surgical procedures in 2020. Among non ..... Read More

President Droupadi Murmu Receives Maori Powhiri in Wellington

Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro warmly welcomed President Droupadi Murmu to New Zealand with a traditional Maori “Powhiri” ceremony in Wellington, followed by a Royal Guard of Honour. The Ministry of External Affairs, through its spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, shared this moment on social media, highlighting the strengthening ties between India and New Zealand. President Murmu’s visit to New Zealand, part of her three-nation tour, is set to enhance bilateral relations. In Auckland, she was welcomed by New Zealand’s Tr ..... Read More

Modi Congratulates Yunus, Urges Protection for Bangladesh’s Minorities

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended his congratulations to Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus upon his appointment as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government. Modi expressed hope for the safety and protection of Hindus and other minority communities in Bangladesh. In a post on social media platform X, Modi emphasized the importance of ensuring security for all minority groups in the country. He also reaffirmed India’s commitment to working with Bangladesh to achieve shared goals of peace, security, and development. M ..... Read More

India Poised to Drive Global Growth: Can It Become the Next China?

The Indian economy is facing increased scrutiny as comparisons with China intensify. China, which drove global growth for nearly three decades, contributed significantly to global GDP expansion from 1990 to 2020. Between 2013 and 2021, China was responsible for nearly 39% of global GDP growth—13% more than the combined contribution of the G7 countries. For India to follow in China’s footsteps, it would need to achieve nearly double-digit growth for several decades, become a major player in the global manufacturing supply chain, s ..... Read More

Akhil Shrivastava Takes Helm as CFO of Estée Lauder

Indian American Akhil Shrivastava has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Estée Lauder Companies Inc., starting November 1. Shrivastava, a Delhi University graduate, will report directly to Executive Chairman William P. Lauder and President and CEO Fabrizio Freda. Fabrizio Freda praised Shrivastava’s over 25 years of financial and leadership expertise, emphasizing his crucial role in steering the company’s strategic initiatives. Freda expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Shrivastava ..... Read More

Blinken, Austin, “India and the US are working to shape the future

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin have detailed the Biden administration’s Indo-Pacific strategy as a complex network of bilateral and multilateral relationships. They emphasized that the US and India are working together across various sectors, including Artificial Intelligence and semiconductors, which will play a significant role in shaping the future. This collaboration also extends to their roles as members of the Quad. Blinken and Austin highlighted that President Joe Biden’s transfo ..... Read More

Indian American Surge Energizes Kamala Harris Campaign, Aide Reports

Harini Krishnan, a well-known Indian American community organizer for the Democratic Party in the Bay Area, has been working tirelessly in support of Kamala Harris’s 2024 Presidential campaign. After President Joe Biden exited the race, Krishnan and her team quickly transitioned their efforts from supporting Biden to rallying behind Harris. This shift has energized the campaign, resulting in thousands of volunteers joining within just ten days. Krishnan, who co-directs the South Asians for Harris initiative, has a deep connection with ..... Read More