Must Read News

Project Umeed aims to boost digital literacy in rural India

A collaborative effort totaling $1 million from four US-based organizations seeks to narrow the urban-rural digital gap and uplift education in underserved regions. A consortium comprising SM Sehgal Foundation, Teach for Life, India Development and Relief Fund (IDRF), and Guru Krupa Foundation has initiated “Project Umeed,” with the aim of bolstering education and digital literacy in rural India. Launching on India Giving Day, the project initially targets rural schoolchildren in Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and ..... Read More

PM Modi lauds Amul’s dairy role: “Amul jaisa koi nahi.”

During the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated projects valued at US$ 144.8 million (Rs. 1,200 crore). He commended the significant role of the renowned Amul brand, operated by GCMMF, in Ahmedabad, praising it as a symbol of trust, development, and empowerment for farmers. Modi urged Amul to pursue global leadership in the dairy market, given its status as the 8th largest dairy company, assuring full government support. Highlighting Gujarat’s crucial r ..... Read More

How Yoga Helps Heart Patients: A Holistic Approach to Cardiovascular Health

Yoga, an ancient Hindu practice that originated in India thousands of years ago, has gained immense popularity worldwide as a means to improve physical, mental, and emotional well-being. While yoga is well-known for its stress-relief and flexibility-enhancing benefits, its role in supporting heart health is often underestimated. In recent years, research has shed light on the positive impact of yoga on heart patients and individuals at risk of cardiovascular diseases, offering a holistic approach to cardiovascular health. Understanding Cardio ..... Read More

Opposition alliance against Modi weakens ahead of polls

Last year witnessed the emergence of an ambitious coalition among more than two dozen opposition parties in India, uniting with the aim of challenging Narendra Modi, one of the nation’s most popular prime ministers in recent memory. However, as the national election draws nearer, this broad alliance finds itself fracturing under the weight of ideological discord and internal conflicts. Known as the INDIA alliance, this coalition, conceived to dislodge Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from power, is now in disarray, plagued by political riva ..... Read More

Indian Americans support Modi’s ‘Political War’

Indian American filmmaker Mukesh Modi recently hosted a press conference at the Metropolitan Restaurant in Glen Cove, Long Island, New York, to introduce his latest film, ‘Political War.’ The event attracted members of the Indian American community. ‘Political War’ delves into the intricate world of politics, portraying the lengths politicians go to in their quest for power amidst deception, fear-mongering, and the proliferation of fake news. The film stars Prashant Narayan, Seema Biswas, Rituparna Sengupta, and other talented actors. Despite ..... Read More

Proofpoint hires two Indian Americans for leadership

Proofpoint, a cybersecurity and compliance firm headquartered in California, has welcomed two Indian Americans to its leadership cadre. Rohit Dixit assumes the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, while Satya Jena steps in as the company’s Senior Vice President of Digital Platforms. Sumit Dhawan, the CEO, expressed confidence that these appointments would fortify Proofpoint’s ongoing progress. He lauded their passion, commitment to excellence, and innovative drive, citing their invaluable contributions to the company’s ..... Read More

Samir Shah officially appointed as Chair of BBC

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has named Dr. Samir Shah as its chair, effective March 4, 2023, for a four-year term, following his nomination by the UK government in December 2023. Shah, a seasoned figure in broadcasting with over four decades of experience, marks the first person of Indian origin to hold this position. Before assuming this role, he served as the CEO of Juniper, an independent television and radio production company, since 1998, and previously held key positions at the BBC, including head of current affairs and poli ..... Read More

India’s Chip Dominance: Friendly Policies Lead, Says US

A recent report published under the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) highlighted India’s imminent expansion in the semiconductor value chain, buoyed by conducive government policies, a pilot visa program, and a skilled workforce. The report underscored the fierce global competition for chip investment and the strategic positioning of India to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the semiconductor sector. Recommendations outlined in the report included fostering collaboration between the US and India in the semi ..... Read More

Tulsi Gabbard Headlines Mar-a-Lago Fundraiser

Former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has aligned herself with Donald Trump. Initially considered for the GOP presidential ticket, she will now be the keynote speaker at a fundraiser at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort on March 7. Although the fundraiser is for the 917 Society, a nonprofit promoting constitutional education, Gabbard’s presence could bolster Trump’s campaign for 2024. Ticket prices range from $1,250 to $25,000, signaling Gabbard’s shift towards right-wing policies. Sources close to Gabbard suggest she may consider a military ..... Read More

Ten Indian Americans awarded Sloan Research Fellowships

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has unveiled its annual selection of Sloan Research Fellows for 2024, featuring 10 early-career Indian American researchers. Chosen from a wide array of prestigious institutions across the US and Canada, these individuals represent the epitome of scientific excellence. Each fellow receives a $75,000 grant over two years to support their research efforts, continuing a tradition that has been in place since 1955. Among the distinguished Indian American recipients are Priyanka Raina from Stanford University and Arvi ..... Read More

Indian origin researcher-led team earns BIAL award

Varun Venkataramani and his team have clinched the third edition of the BIAL Biomedicine award, bagging a prize of 300,000 euros (US$ 324,244). The accolade, sponsored by the BIAL foundation, aims to honor exceptional contributions in biomedicine, highlighting research of significant quality and scientific relevance from the past decade. Led by Venkataramani, along with Frank Winkler and Thomas Kuner from the University of Heidelberg, Germany, the team’s groundbreaking study titled “Glutamatergic synaptic input to glioma cells drives brain tum ..... Read More

Daleep Singh to Rejoin White House: Report

Daleep Singh, an Indian American Economist renowned for his role in crafting the Biden administration’s economic sanctions against Russia, is poised to return to the White House, as reported by the media. Formerly serving in the Treasury Department during the Obama administration, Singh is set to reclaim his position as deputy national security adviser for international economics, succeeding Mike Pyle, who departs at month’s end, according to Axios. Singh’s reappointment to the role of deputy national security adviser for international economi ..... Read More

Ameen Sayani, ‘Binaca Geetmala’ icon, passes away

Ameen Sayani, the revered radio icon who captivated millions with his legendary broadcasts, passed away at the age of 91 after suffering a cardiac arrest. He is survived by his son Rajil and grandchildren. Sayani experienced a heart attack on February 20 and was rushed to Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, where he breathed his last. Political and entertainment luminaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union I&B Minister Anurag Thakur, expressed condolences to Sayani’s family. Sayani’s iconic radio greeting, “Namaskar Behno aur ..... Read More

Youngest Singaporean of Indian-origin beats grandmaster

Ashwath Kaushik, a young talent of Indian descent hailing from Singapore, made headlines as the youngest chess player to defeat grandmaster Jacek Stopa of Poland during the 22nd Burgdorfer Stadthaus Open held in Switzerland. At just eight years old, Kaushik’s achievement adds him to the esteemed list of youthful prodigies who have triumphed over grandmasters before reaching the age of ten. His victory against the 37-year-old Stopa marked Kaushik’s fourth win in the tournament, where he defied expectations by securing a commendable 12th place f ..... Read More

Raja Krishnamoorthi: Top Chicagoan in Power List

Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Indian American Democrat, earns a spot on Chicago Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful Chicagoans list, ranking 24th, marking him as the highest-ranking South Asian on the list. Serving four terms since his election in 2016, he represents Illinois’ 8th District, covering Chicago’s west and northwest suburbs and the 41st ward. Krishnamoorthi holds a significant role as the ranking member of the Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, making him the first South Asian Ame ..... Read More

India, Greece aim to double trade by 2030: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the recent visit of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to India as a significant milestone signifying the deepening of the strategic partnership between the two nations. He emphasized the burgeoning cooperation in defense and security sectors as emblematic of the profound mutual trust shared between India and Greece. During a joint press statement following extensive bilateral discussions, PM Modi expressed satisfaction with the agreement between the two countries to double their bilateral trade by 203 ..... Read More

Governor Newsom Appoints Three to State Offices

On February 20, California Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Naginder Dhillon from Sacramento as the Deputy Director of Program Support in the Division of Rehabilitative Programs at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, where she previously served as Associate Director since 2019. Dhillon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of California, Davis. This position does not necessitate Senate confirmation and offers a salary of $166,008. Dhillon affiliates with the Democratic party. Earlier, on F ..... Read More

Anushka, Virat’s son Akaay: Indian or British citizen?

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma celebrated the arrival of their son, Akaay, this week. Speculation arose about his potential British citizenship. Despite the couple keeping details of their location private, rumors circulated that Akaay was born in London, prompting questions about his citizenship status. Reports suggest that Akaay may not automatically acquire British citizenship under UK laws if he was indeed born in London. Typically, British citizenship is not granted solely based on birthplace; one parent must be a British citizen or have ..... Read More

India seeks $26B private nuclear investments

In a bid to diversify its carbon-neutral energy portfolio, India is set to introduce private sector investment of US$ 26 billion into its nuclear power sector, a departure from the traditional state monopoly in this field. This landmark move aims to bolster India’s objective of raising the contribution of non-fossil fuel sources to 50% of its electricity generation by 2030, from the present 42%. Key private entities such as Reliance Industries, Tata Power, and Adani Power are poised to inject around US$ 5.3 billion (Rs. 440 billion) each into ..... Read More

Suhas Subramanyam runs for US House, aims Congress reform

Suhas Subramanyam, a prominent figure in Virginia’s political landscape, aims to tackle Congress dysfunction and extremism by running for the US House of Representatives. Subramanyam, aged 37, made history as the first Indian-American, South-Asian, and Hindu elected to the Virginia General Assembly in 2019 and later to the Virginia State Senate in 2023. His candidacy for the 10th Congressional District of Virginia, marked by a significant Indian-American demographic, follows the announcement of incumbent Democrat Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton’s ..... Read More

Narendra Modi launches $3.9B projects in Jammu-Kashmir

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently marked the commencement and initiation of several development ventures in Jammu, with a cumulative investment exceeding US$ 3.9 billion (Rs. 32,000 crore). These projects span across diverse sectors such as healthcare, education, transportation, aviation, and infrastructure. Alongside these endeavors, he also facilitated the dissemination of appointment letters to 1,500 freshly recruited government personnel and engaged with beneficiaries benefiting from various governmental initiatives like Ujjwala Yojana, ..... Read More

Indian-American NGOs launch $1M fund for digital libraries

Several Indian-American non-profit organizations in the United States have introduced a new initiative aimed at establishing digital libraries in underserved communities throughout India. The endeavor, named “Project Umeed,” seeks to enhance education and digital literacy in rural areas of India through a partnership with Teach for Life, India Development and Relief Fund (IDRF), Guru Krupa Foundation, and SM Sehgal Foundation. Project Umeed, to be executed by the SM Sehgal Foundation on-site in India, will utilize innovative technology and inf ..... Read More

Indian-American finds gene for age-related obesity

Kamal Mehta, a professor at Ohio State University, has made a significant discovery related to obesity by identifying a genetic mechanism within the liver. Focused on unraveling the complexities of metabolic diseases influenced by age and diet, Mehta’s research in biological chemistry and pharmacology has been dedicated to this endeavor. Through studies conducted on mice lacking a specific gene associated with cholesterol regulation, Mehta’s team observed resistance to weight gain and a shield against insulin resistance. This observation led t ..... Read More

India-US should lead in co-development: Eric Garcetti

During an event organized by the US India Business Council in the national capital on Tuesday, Eric Garcetti, the United States Ambassador to India, commended the strong ties between New Delhi and Washington. He emphasized the need for both nations to deepen their collaboration in co-development efforts, aiming to set an example for the rest of the world. Garcetti highlighted that the relationship between India and the US goes beyond mere addition, describing it as a multiplicative partnership. Garcetti underscored the distinction between co-p ..... Read More

Thanedar proposes raising small business loan cap

Indian American Congressman Shri Thanedar has proposed legislation aimed at amending the Small Business Act to offer increased financial assistance to small enterprises. Dubbed the “Loans in our Neighborhoods (LIONS) Act,” the bill seeks to augment the maximum gross loan amount for section 7(a) loans from $5 million to $10 million. The primary objective of this initiative is to fortify the support network available to small businesses, recognizing their pivotal role in local economies and communities, as stated in a press release from Thanedar ..... Read More