Must Read News

Indian American women: powerhouse in US politics, business

Nikki Haley’s ambitious bid for the US presidency symbolizes the rise of Indian American women in politics and society, despite ending her campaign just before International Women’s Day. Conversely, Vice President Kamala Harris gears up for another vice presidential run, marking significant milestones in women’s political representation. Indian American women excel across politics, business, academia, and beyond, breaking barriers and demonstrating remarkable versatility. Haley’s defiance against former President Donald Trump and her trailblaz ..... Read More

Indian American: 2024 Small Business Person of the Year

The announcement of the National Small Business Week (NSBW) Award 2024 winners by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) celebrates the contributions of individuals who have bolstered the nation’s economy. Among those recognized is Anil Boinapalli, an Indian-American entrepreneur and CEO of Sky Solutions, chosen as the 2024 State Small Business Person of the Year representing Virginia. Established in 2008 and headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, Sky Solutions specializes in providing technology solutions to streamline business op ..... Read More

Sucheta Kripalani: India’s First Female Chief Minister

In 1966, India made history by electing its first female Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. However, three years earlier, in 1963, the country witnessed another significant milestone with Sucheta Kripalani assuming office as the first female chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. On her 119th birthday, on June 25, 2017, it’s worth exploring her life and legacy, shedding light on her pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle and her subsequent political career post-independence. Born in 1908 in present-day Haryana’s Ambala, Sucheta Kripalani received her ..... Read More

Hindus Celebrate Galungan at Prambanan Temple

On February 28, 2024, hundreds of Hindus from the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) and Central Java gathered to participate in the Galungan procession at the Prambanan Temple area in Yogyakarta. The Galungan event holds significance as it commemorates the creation of the universe and expresses gratitude for the blessings bestowed by Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, the Supreme God of Indonesian Hinduism. Participants engaged in the procession by offering prayers and presenting offerings at the main zone of Prambanan Temple. Throughout the procession, ..... Read More

Lakshmi Sahgal: India’s Independence Hero

Captain Lakshmi Sahgal, a pivotal figure in India’s independence struggle, was born on October 24, 1914. Notably, she served in the Indian National Army (INA) during World War II and held the rank of Captain, playing a significant role in the country’s freedom movement. Besides, she served as the Minister of Women’s Affairs in the Azad Hind government. Lakshmi Sahgal, born in Chennai, hailed from a family with a legal background. Her father, S. Swaminathan, was a renowned lawyer in the Madras High Court, while her mother, Ammu Swaminathan, was ..... Read More

1942 : When British Rule in India was Threatened

By Krishna Kumar This book provides context, analyzes, and narrates the events of 1942, which shook British Rule of India and eventually led to the collapse of the British Empire. 1942: Japanese armies reached the Northeast Borders of India after taking over Burma (Myanmar). Then, the Japanese bombed Madras, Vizag, and Calcutta. Ports on India’s East Coast were closed. Almost 100,000 soldiers of the British Indian Army and 400,000 civilians- disease-ridden and demoralized- came to India from Burma, making a tortuous journey with nearly 50-10 ..... Read More

PM Modi rides underwater metro, launches $1.8B projects

PM took a walkthrough of the exhibition showcased on the India’s first under-river metro tunnel during the inauguration and laying the foundation stone of multiple connectivity projects at Kolkata, in West Bengal on March 06, 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently unveiled a series of connectivity projects in Kolkata, collectively valued at $1.8 billion (Rs. 15,400 crore). Notable among these initiatives is the inauguration of India’s maiden underwater metro service, linking Howrah Maidan to Esplanade as part of Kolkata Metro’s East-West ..... Read More

Sudha Murty nominated to Rajya Sabha

Renowned philanthropist Sudha Murty, chairperson of Infosys Foundation, has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu on Mar. 8. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded her selection, emphasizing the pivotal role of women in shaping the nation’s future. The President of India has the authority to appoint 12 members to the Upper House of Parliament based on their outstanding contributions to various fields like arts, literature, sciences, and social services. Responding to her nomination, Murty expressed her gratitude, calling i ..... Read More

Indian-American incumbents retain seats in primaries

Indian American candidates experienced a mix of victories and defeats during the recent Super Tuesday primaries. Veteran Congressman Ami Bera and Ro Khanna successfully defended their positions, securing their seventh and fifth terms, respectively. Bera advanced to the general election in California’s 6th Congressional District, while Khanna decisively won in the 17th Congressional District against Republican Anita Chen. However, Indian-American engineer Rishi Kumar, a Democrat, failed in his bid for Congress, securing only 6.3% of the vote. M ..... Read More

Jaishankar in Japan: India’s transformation, credible partner

In his address at the inaugural Raisina Roundtable in Tokyo, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the importance for Japan to acknowledge India’s significant transformation and the rapid pace of change within the country. He highlighted India’s remarkable progress, citing statistics such as the construction of highways, airports, and educational institutions. Jaishankar asserted that these developments have made India a more reliable and impactful partner on the global stage. Jaishankar stressed that India’s evolution extends to ..... Read More

Anandi Gopal Joshi, India’s Pioneer Female Doctor

Anandi Gopal Joshi’s remarkable journey began with a tragic event at the tender age of 14 when she experienced the loss of her first child due to a lack of medical care. This heartbreaking event deeply affected her and ignited a passionate desire within her to pursue medicine. Born into a family of landlords, she was married off to Gopalrao Joshi at the age of nine, a progressive man who believed in the importance of women’s education. Despite the prevailing norms of the time, Gopalrao Joshi went against the grain and supported his wife’s educ ..... Read More

Ayodhya’s Renaissance: Ram Lalla’s Consecration

The consecration of Ram Lalla’s idol in Ayodhya has had a profound and everlasting impact on the city, the state, and the nation. Additionally, Sanatan Mandirs were not mere temples but served as focal points for the holistic development of individuals and humanity. There is a significant economic aspect to why Islamic countries are advocating for the establishment of Hindu temples within their borders. Furthermore, a verse from the Ayodhya Kanda in Valmiki Ramayan highlights Lord Ram’s prowess in discerning righteousness and administering jus ..... Read More

Sean Desai Joins LA Rams in Defensive Role

Sean Desai, an Indian American coach, who served as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator for just one season, is anticipated to join the Los Angeles Rams in a senior defensive capacity. The son of immigrants, Desai made history as the NFL’s first Indian American coordinator. He is set to face his former team when the Eagles play in Los Angeles during the 2024 season. Desai’s departure from Philadelphia came after the team ranked 30th in points allowed during the 2023 NFL season. Despite overall struggles, the Eagles’ defense performed relatively ..... Read More

Srivastava clinches Democratic nod for Congress

Sandeep Srivastava, an Indian American candidate, has clinched the Democratic nomination for the US House of Representatives from Texas’ District 3 without facing any opponents. This victory propels him into the upcoming general elections set for November 2024. In the race, he will go head-to-head against the incumbent Republican, Keith Self, who garnered 55,847 votes in the primary, securing 72.8 percent of the total ballots cast. In his previous bid for the same congressional seat in 2022, Srivastava faced defeat against Keith Self, securing ..... Read More

Trump considers Haley for VP: Mark Penn

Pollster Mark Penn suggested in a recent interview that former President Trump may need to consider his main GOP rival, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, as his vice president, a notion Trump has thus far dismissed. Penn, publisher of the Harvard CAPS/Harris poll, highlighted Trump’s challenge with Haley’s voter base, many of whom are disenchanted by the former president, posing a potential obstacle in the general election against President Biden. Penn outlined two potential solutions to this dilemma: Trump could select either Hale ..... Read More

India approves $15.2B semiconductor projects

In a significant boost to India’s electronics and IT sector, the Union Cabinet approved three semiconductor-related projects with a total investment of $15.2 billion. This includes the establishment of the country’s first commercial semiconductor fabrication (fab) unit by Tata Electronics Private Limited in partnership with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (PSMC) of Taiwan, at an estimated cost of $11 billion in Gujarat’s Dholera. The semiconductor fab is slated to have a capacity of 50,000 wafer starts per month (WSPM), equating to ..... Read More

Indian American firm lauded by White House

Heather Boushey, the chief economist for the Invest in America Cabinet at the White House, praised Zum, a company founded by Indian immigrant Ritu Narayan, for its efforts in modernizing student transportation and promoting sustainability. During her visit to Zum’s San Francisco bus yard on March 4, Boushey toured the company’s advanced facilities, experienced a ride on one of its electric buses, and engaged with the leadership team, including founder and CEO Narayan. Zum utilizes technology, particularly AI, to efficiently manage private scho ..... Read More

Q3 GDP growth hits 8.4%; FY24 forecast now 7.6%

India’s economy has surpassed expectations with a remarkable growth rate of 8.4 percent in Q3FY24, defying earlier projections. This surge is attributed to exceptionally high tax collections and effective control over subsidies. Earlier estimates by Bloomberg economists and the Reserve Bank of India had anticipated a slower growth rate of around 6.6 to 6.5 percent for the December quarter. The National Statistical Office (NSO) revised its FY24 growth estimate upwards to 7.6 percent, citing improved control over subsidies and an adjustment in th ..... Read More

Savitribai Phule: Trailblazing Women’s Education Reformer

Savitribai Phule, a prominent figure in Maharashtra’s history, played a pivotal role as a poet, educator, and social reformer, alongside her husband, in advocating for women’s rights. Together, they established one of the earliest modern girls’ schools in Pune in 1848, marking the beginning of the feminist movement in India. Their efforts extended beyond education; they fought against caste and gender discrimination, advocating for the fair treatment of all individuals. Born on January 3, 1831, in Naigaon, Maharashtra, Savitribai Phule was rai ..... Read More

PM Modi’s policies end extreme poverty: US report

A recent report by the US-based think tank Brookings, authored by Surjit Bhalla and Karan Bhasin, marks a significant milestone for India: the official elimination of ‘extreme poverty.’ This achievement is attributed to the strong policy emphasis on redistribution by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. The report highlights key findings, including a notable decline in the headcount poverty ratio and a substantial increase in household consumption, indicating robust inclusive growth fueled by government policies. According to the report, ..... Read More

India’s highways to double; Road Ministry’s NH plan

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is devising a plan to upgrade all current single-lane national highways to double lanes, introducing a new standard where highways must have two lanes with paved shoulders to qualify as National Highways (NH) going forward. This forthcoming criterion is expected to be incorporated into the regulations governing national highway construction, as reported by Livemint. Paved shoulders, which are sections of a highway adjacent to the main traveled area and at the same elevation, will be a requisite featu ..... Read More

Sarojini Naidu: India’s Nightingale of Freedom and Poetry

Sarojini Naidu, often overshadowed by other prominent figures of India’s independence movement, was a multifaceted personality who made significant contributions as both a freedom fighter and a celebrated poet. Born in Hyderabad on February 13, 1879, to Aghornath Chattopadhyay and Barada Sundari Devi, she displayed exceptional intellect and linguistic talent from a young age. Her father, a distinguished linguist and one of the early members of the Indian National Congress in Hyderabad, recognized her potential and encouraged her education. Nai ..... Read More

Ayurveda: Ancient Wellness Wisdom Unveiled!

Ayurveda, an ancient health system originating from India, has a longstanding history rooted in utilizing plants and herbs for maintaining health and preventing illnesses. It encompasses not only medicinal practices but also a holistic lifestyle approach, aligning individuals with the natural rhythms of existence. Amidst the complexity of modern healthcare, Ayurveda stands out for its simplicity and eco-friendliness, deeply ingrained in Indian households and passed down through generations. Its effectiveness extends locally and globally, trans ..... Read More

India’s Digital Payment Boom: UPI Leads the Charge!

In recent years, India’s digital landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with government services increasingly integrated into digital platforms for efficient grassroots delivery. This push towards digitalization has been accompanied by a surge in digital payment transactions, reflecting the government’s commitment to digitizing the economy and promoting financial inclusion. The JAN Trinity – Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile – has played a pivotal role in this transformation, facilitating universal banking services, biometric authent ..... Read More

Udhayanidhi’s PM Modi remarks spark BJP backlash

Tamil Nadu’s Sports Minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin, criticized the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging a significant disparity in financial contributions. He claimed that for every rupee Tamil Nadu contributes in taxes, the Centre only allocates “28 paisa” to the state. This accusation was encapsulated in the phrase ’28 Paisa Modi’, coined by Udhayanidhi to target the Prime Minister and his administration. However, this statement has provoked a negative response from the BJP. As the son of Chief Minister MK Stalin, U ..... Read More