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Lisa Nandy Takes Cultural Helm in Starmer’s UK Cabinet

Lisa Nandy, a British MP of Indian descent, has been re-elected in Wigan, northwest England, and appointed as Culture Secretary in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Cabinet. Following Labour Party’s significant victory in the UK Elections 2024, she is one of 11 women appointed by Starmer to key positions. Nandy expressed her gratitude on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the richness of Britain’s cultural and sporting heritage as a national asset. Born in Manchester, Nandy’s father, Dipak Nandy, hailed from Kolkata, West Be ..... Read More

Manoj Mohanan Steps In as Interim Dean at Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy

Manoj Mohanan, recently appointed as interim dean of Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, expressed his commitment to supporting colleagues and enhancing the school’s community and resources. Taking on the role from July 1 for a two-year term, Mohanan emphasized the importance of stability and continuity in his new position, aiming to make a positive impact while providing leadership amidst ongoing developments. A faculty member since 2011 and previously Sanford’s senior associate dean for faculty and research, Mohanan is an appli ..... Read More

Modi Enchants Moscow: Fortifying India-Russia Bonds at Diaspora Meet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Indian diaspora in Moscow on Tuesday, July 9, during his two-day visit to Russia. Amid chants of ‘Modi-Modi,’ Modi emphasized the strength of India-Russia relations. Modi remarked on the mutual trust and respect that underpin the relationship between India and Russia. He noted that every Indian views Russia as a trusted friend and commended President Vladimir Putin for his efforts to elevate India-Russia ties. Modi’s visit included a tour of Putin’s residence outside Moscow b ..... Read More

PM Modi’s Russia Visit: Boosting Ties and Expanding Trade

India’s Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, has highlighted the significance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Russia, which comes after a three-year hiatus. Speaking to ANI, Kumar emphasized the importance of this visit for both leaders to discuss bilateral relations and other regional and global issues of mutual interest. Kumar noted the tradition of annual summit-level meetings between the Russian President and the Indian Prime Minister, with the last such meeting held in 2021. This upcoming visit marks the 22 ..... Read More

Vivek Ramaswamy: ‘Biden’s done,’ hints at exit package

Vivek Ramaswamy, the Indian-American Republican politician who recently suspended his US Presidential campaign, suggested on Tuesday, July 9, that President Joe Biden’s “exit” is certain. He implied that the current public antics are part of negotiating Biden’s exit package. In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), Ramaswamy said, “Biden’s done. The public theatrics are really just part of the negotiation for what his ‘exit package’ will be. At this stage, it’s simply a matter of negotiation—figu ..... Read More

Indian pharma market sees 8.8% growth in June 2024

The Indian pharmaceutical market exhibited a robust growth of 8.8% in June 2024, fueled by positive value growth across all major therapies. According to the market research firm Pharmarack, respiratory, anti-infectives, and gastrointestinal therapies experienced notable growth rates of 19.2%, 17.2%, and 10.7%, respectively. This expansion is driven by new introductions, price-based growth, and volume increases. The moving annual turnover (MAT) for the Indian Pharmaceutical Market (IPM) from July 2023 to June 2024 reached 7.6%, amounting to ove ..... Read More

Checkmate at Nine: Desi Prodigy Makes History for England

Bodhana Sivanandan, a nine-year-old British Indian chess prodigy, has made history as the youngest sports star ever to represent England internationally. Living in Harrow, she joins England’s women’s team for the Chess Olympiad in Budapest this September, becoming their youngest member alongside teammates mostly in their 30s and 40s. Ranked as the top under-10 girl globally in Fide’s July classical rating list, Bodhana holds an impressive 2185 Elo rating, ranking 58th on the blitz list despite her age, showcasing her exception ..... Read More

Starmer, Modi aim for mutually beneficial India-UK FTA

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, expressed his readiness to advance negotiations on the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and emphasized his commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. In a press statement from the UK government, Starmer conveyed his willingness to finalize a mutually beneficial FTA that would benefit both nations. The leaders exchanged congratulations on their recent electoral victories and underscored the robust historical ties between the UK and In ..... Read More

Indian-origin MPs elected to UK Parliament — Meet Sojan Joseph

A historic number of British Indian politicians secured seats in the House of Commons this week as the Labour Party staged a comeback after 14 years. Notably, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and several new faces from the Conservative Party managed to survive despite a tough electoral outcome. Kerala-born Sojan Joseph made headlines by becoming the first Labour candidate to win the Ashford constituency in its 139-year history. In total, 28 British Indians were elected to Parliament, with the Labour party leading the charge. Veteran MPs like S ..... Read More

Shivani Raja: First Tory to Break 37-Year Labour Hold in Leicester East

Shivani Raja, an Indian-origin Tory politician, has been elected as the member of parliament for Leicester East. She triumphed over Rajesh Aggarwal, a former deputy mayor of London, in what was seen as a surprising victory given Leicester East’s long-standing reputation as a Labour Party stronghold. This marks the first time in 37 years that the constituency has chosen a Tory representative. In the 2024 General Election, Raja secured 14,526 votes, leading by 4,426 votes ahead of Labour candidate Rajesh Aggarwal. A report by DeshGujarat highligh ..... Read More

Harris Rising: Democrats Weigh Her Path as Biden’s Future Wavers

Amid the ongoing repercussions of Joe Biden’s debate performance, many top Democratic circles are already discussing potential running mates for Kamala Harris. A growing group of leading party officials, operatives, and donors are increasingly certain that Biden’s slow campaign recovery won’t succeed. Several close allies are skeptical about his ability to run for reelection, according to conversations with two dozen Democratic politicians and operatives. Biden often advises against comparing him to perfection, but rather t ..... Read More

From Dream to Reality: Centallo Welcomes Piedmont’s First Purpose-Built Hindu Temple

The Indian community of Centallo and the province of Cuneo had long dreamed of establishing a Hindu temple, and as of early June, this dream is beginning to materialize. The temple is slated to be constructed in the industrial area of Madonna dei Prati on the northern outskirts of town. Currently, the site is marked by an orange construction fence, with excavation work for the foundation set to commence shortly. The project is being undertaken by the Ariaudo company, following a design by architect Michele Marengo, with the municipal building p ..... Read More

IVF: Legal Challenges and Technological Breakthroughs

Over the past three decades, advancements in in vitro fertilisation (IVF) have significantly increased success rates, offering hope to couples facing infertility. Initially pioneered in 1978, IVF has evolved from a niche procedure to a mainstream fertility treatment with success rates climbing from 8% in 1991 to 22% by 2021. Despite these strides, the pace of innovation in fertility technology remains hindered by outdated legislation, posing challenges for researchers worldwide. In the United Kingdom, legislation governing embryo research has n ..... Read More

Thoughts on India’s “Privileged Partnership” as Modi heads to Moscow

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for his upcoming visit to Russia, questions have arisen regarding recent high-level engagements between India and its longstanding partner. Notably absent from public records on the Indian mission’s website are visits by key figures such as Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, the Defence Secretary, Defence Minister, or Commerce Minister to Moscow over the past year. In contrast, other officials have made notable visits: Secretary (Economic Relations) Dammu Ravi visited Moscow twice this year, while NSA Ajit ..... Read More

Goyal announces 80% fee cut for women entrepreneurs

Union Minister Piyush Goyal has announced significant concessions aimed at fostering entrepreneurship among women and MSMEs, including an 80% reduction in licensing fees for women entrepreneurs and a 50% reduction for MSMEs. These incentives, as detailed in a press release from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, are expected to spur greater participation and innovation within these sectors. Under Minister Goyal’s leadership, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry recently hosted a Stakeholder Consultation in New Delhi, emphasizing th ..... Read More

India’s EV plans set for boost with fast-tracked government schemes

India’s electric vehicle (EV) sector is poised to receive significant policy support as the government plans to expedite three crucial initiatives within its initial hundred days. These include earmarking 10 GWh capacity under the PLI ACC to boost local production of advanced batteries and implementing a payment security mechanism to promote wider adoption of electric buses. Additionally, the rollout of FAME 3, backed by a budget of US$ 1.2 billion (Rs. 10,000 crore), will be accelerated. These measures are aimed at hastening India’ ..... Read More

Puri’s Two-Day Rath Yatra After 53 Years, President Attending

The seaside pilgrim town of Puri is prepared for the smooth conduct of Lord Jagannath’s annual Rath Yatra festival, which, for the first time in 53 years, will span two days. In addition to the large number of devotees, President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to witness the Rath Yatra on Sunday. Special arrangements have been made by the state government for her visit. Officials mentioned that the Odisha government has put extensive measures in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival, which is usually a one-day event. Due to some ..... Read More

PM Modi praises Team India for T20 World Cup victory

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Team India over the phone after their victory in the T20 World Cup 2024, where they defeated South Africa by seven runs in the final match held in Barbados. He praised Virat Kohli for his crucial innings in the final and his overall impact on Indian cricket. PM Modi also commended Rohit Sharma for his leadership and acknowledged his successful T20 career. In his conversation, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the pivotal role played by all-rounder Hardik Pandya during the final over and applauded Sury ..... Read More

Editorial: July 06, 2024 By Raj Shah

Dear Readers, The air crackles with excitement. India, the sleeping giant of cricket, has awakened a champion. The triumphant return of our T20 World Cup winners is a moment etched in history, a testament to dedication, resilience, and sheer talent. Prime Minister Modi’s breakfast with the team at his residence was a fitting start to the festivities. It speaks volumes about the importance cricket holds to our national identity. The players, adorned in their special jerseys emblazoned with “champions,” are a powerful symbol ..... Read More

Sunak Takes Responsibility in Final PM Speech After UK Election Loss

On Friday, outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed his apologies to the nation following the Conservative Party’s severe defeat in the general election, acknowledging his responsibility for the outcome. Addressing the nation from outside 10 Downing Street in his final speech as Prime Minister, Sunak conveyed his regret and acknowledged the public’s clear message for change. He admitted that despite his best efforts, the election results indicated a need for new leadership. He announced his decision to step down as the Conserva ..... Read More

Bumrah Addresses Retirement Amid Kohli, Sharma T20I Exits

Just after India’s thrilling T20 World Cup win over South Africa in Barbados last Saturday, which secured the trophy for India for the second time, three players announced their retirement from T20I cricket within 24 hours. The first to do so was Virat Kohli, immediately after receiving the Player of the Match award. This was followed by India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, during the post-match press conference. Ravindra Jadeja joined them a few hours later. But does this mean Jasprit Bumrah might be next? Bumrah played a significant role in I ..... Read More

Yoga Reimagined: Embracing Happiness and Wellness

Happy Life Yoga founder Tirlok Malik hosted an interactive session on June 22 to celebrate the International Day of Yoga 2024. The event featured elements from his workshop and included speaker comments sharing their personal happiness mantras. Malik, an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, emphasized the importance of self-love. He said, “If you love yourself, it is your responsibility to take care of your happiness and health.” He led practical exercises and chair yoga, infused with moments of laughter. Over 50 participants joined the online event from ..... Read More

Neeraj Chopra pledges “churma” treat for PM Modi post-Paris 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged with India’s contingent for the Paris Olympics 2024 on Friday, inspiring them to bring honor to the nation. The interaction took place at the Prime Minister’s residence, with some athletes joining via video conferencing, including Olympic medalists PV Sindhu, Lovlina Borgohain, and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra. During the session, PM Modi focused on encouraging debutants participating in the multi-sport event, assuring them of a warm reception upon winning medals. He emphasized the impo ..... Read More

Thanedar first Indian Congressman to back Biden post-debate

Indian American Congressman Shri Thanedar has expressed strong support for President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign. As a first-term Congressman from Michigan’s Detroit area, a critical battleground state, Thanedar’s endorsement is particularly noteworthy. Among the five Indian American Congressmen in the House of Representatives – Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Shri Thanedar – Thanedar is the first to publicly endorse Biden following his recent debate setback in Atlanta. The debat ..... Read More

India, U.S. unite on Ukraine conflict and Palestinian state: U.S. envoy

Since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, the United States has maintained ongoing dialogue with India regarding joint efforts to hold Russia accountable, as stated by U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti on July 4. In an email interview with The Hindu, Garcetti highlighted shared objectives between India and the U.S., including preventing the escalation of the conflict, fostering stability in the Middle East, and supporting the establishment of a future Palestinian state. Acknowledging India’s humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Garcetti underscored ..... Read More