Must Read News

Gigantic Lord Ram Statue Set for Ayodhya Installation

Preparations are underway in the Manesar factory, Haryana, to create history with a proposed 823-feet-tall statue of Lord Ram for Ayodhya. Sculptor Naresh Kumawat has been commissioned for this monumental project, aiming to set a world record as the tallest statue. The statue, weighing 13000 tonnes, is planned for installation on the banks of the Sarayu River in Ayodhya. If approved, this statue of Lord Ram could potentially become the world’s tallest, surpassing the current record held by the 790 feet Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat. In c ..... Read More

Shah Foundation Launches Innovation Chair at Chapman University

Shah Endowed Chair signing / Chapman University The Shah Happiness Foundation, a non-profit founded by Indian American couple Manu and Rika Shah, is set to establish the Shah Family Endowed Chair in Innovativeness at Chapman University’s George L. Argyros College of Business and Economics. This philanthropic initiative aims to advance research, education, and innovation where low-tech industries intersect with high-tech thinking. The Shah Family Endowed Chair will play a pivotal role in nurturing innovative thinking through a specialized full ..... Read More

Indian American Doctor Establishes Scholarship Opportunity

Dhaval Shah / Image- Dhaval Shah Scholarship Indian-American physician Dr. Dhaval Shah has initiated the Dr. Dhaval Shah Scholarships for Future Doctors, offering a $1000 scholarship for undergraduate students and high school seniors aspiring to pursue a medical degree. The scholarship’s criteria aim to identify candidates embodying the qualities and values championed by Dr. Shah, focusing on compassion, dedication, and innovation in medicine. Applicants must submit a 500-1000 word essay outlining their medical career goals and how they align ..... Read More

Vikram Vilkhu Sworn In as First Indian-American Judge in Brighton

On January 1, the Town of Brighton welcomed its inaugural Indian-American criminal judge, Vikram Vilkhu, who assumed the role as a Justice in the Brighton Town Court. Born to Indian immigrants in the U.S., Vilkhu, a Democrat, also made history as the first Sikh to be elected in New York State. Indian American Senator Jeremy Cooney applauded Vilkhu’s candidacy in December 2023, emphasizing the importance of expanding representation for the rapidly growing Asian American minority in New York. Cooney highlighted the significance of cultural diver ..... Read More

Siddaramaiah praises Ram Mandir; minister accuses BJP of exploiting ‘Lord Ram’

In the midst of political discourse surrounding the January 22 inauguration of the Ram Temple, Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam expressed that those declining the invitation to the grand event are unfortunate. Responding to comments by Karnataka minister Dasharathaiah Sudhakar, who accused the BJP of exploiting the event for electoral gains, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah affirmed support for the temple, emphasizing their favorable stance. Acharya Pramod criticized the unfortunate politicization of the event, stating that such ne ..... Read More

Ayodhya Infuses New Vigor into India’s Development Drive: PM Modi

In Ayodhya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored India’s advancement through a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity during a public gathering. Initiating the airport, Ayodhya Dham Junction Railway Station, and revealing projects valued over $188 million, he highlighted Ayodhya’s pivotal role in propelling India’s development. The upcoming consecration ceremony for the grand Ram temple on January 22 has garnered global anticipation. Modi stressed the significance of preserving heritage for national progress, noting the transformation ..... Read More

India Launches XPoSAT, Conducts Space Fuel Cell Test in 2024

On the inaugural day of 2024, India celebrated the successful launch of its X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) in a momentous event at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C58 carried XPoSat and 10 experimental payloads, marking ISRO’s first space mission on January 1. The XPoSat, designed for polarisation measurements of X-ray emissions, achieved an excellent orbit at an altitude of 650 km. Post XPoSat deployment, the rocket’s fourth stage will serve as an orbital platform for experiments, emphasizing sustainabi ..... Read More

Indian Americans appointed to Maryland’s South Asian Affairs Commission

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has unveiled his selections for the Governor’s Commission on South Asian American Affairs. This commission is entrusted with advising the administration and state entities on matters concerning Maryland’s growing South Asian American community. Heading the commission is Gurpreet Takhar, CEO of Tru Health Now, overseeing community health centers. Other Indian-origin appointees include Arti Bhatt, Raj Borsellino, Kausik Das, Preeti Emrick, Preeti Menon, Nivea Ohri, Sushma Potluri, Amarjeet Sandhu, Devang Shah, Harshid ..... Read More

GOPIO-CT’s ‘College and Beyond’ enlightens students with expert insights

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin – Connecticut Chapter (GOPIO-CT) recently organized an impactful event called ‘College and Beyond’ at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Stamford, Connecticut. Aimed at high school and college students, as well as young professionals, the event, coordinated by GOPIO-CT Board Member Nandu Kuppuswamy, saw full attendance and featured a diverse panel of speakers. The panel, moderated by Kuppuswamy, included professionals from various fields. The goal was to guide high school students through the colle ..... Read More

British Indians Recognized in 2024 New Year’s Honored by King Charles III

A distinguished British Sikh medical professional, Dr. Amritpal Singh Hungin, boasting over three decades of general practice (GP) expertise, has been knighted in the New Year’s honours list. This annual list, released by the government’s Cabinet Office under the name of King Charles III, recognizes exceptional accomplishments and selfless dedication nationwide. Dr. Hungin, also known as Professor Pali Hungin, serves as the Emeritus Professor of General Practice at Newcastle University and has been honored for his significant contributions to ..... Read More

Indian-origin researcher highlights AI’s language applications

Rujul Gandhi, a scholar of Indian origin associated with the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab, is actively involved in pioneering investigations that explore the intersection of computer science and linguistics. During her undergraduate years at MIT, Gandhi initiated the exploration of this interdisciplinary fusion and has since become a crucial figure in projects poised to transform communication between humans and artificial intelligence, as reported by MIT. Her primary focus lies in developing a parser designed to translate natural language instructio ..... Read More

Ayodhya prepares for the PM’s visit: Divine ambiance with floral and light decorations at Ram Mandir

Ayodhya, the temple town, is undergoing elaborate preparations for the impending visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled for December 30. The city is being adorned with a divine ambiance through the use of flowers, lights, and sculptures ahead of the Prime Minister’s inauguration of an international airport and the redeveloped Ayodhya railway station. Notably, the grand consecration ceremony for the Ram Temple is set for January 22, a momentous occasion that the Prime Minister will grace with his presence. In addition to these signific ..... Read More

PM Modi hints at undisclosed grand vision beyond apparent goals

In a recent interview, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared insights into his governance approach, emphasizing the importance of clear endpoints while maintaining discretion about the final destination or blueprint at the project’s outset. This distinctive strategy, he explained, involves initiating actions with a specific goal in mind, akin to drawing a line in stone, especially in challenging sectors like cleanliness and sanitation. When asked about his satisfaction with his government’s 2023 performance, PM Modi cautioned against assessing h ..... Read More

Hyundai India appoints Deepika Padukone as its global brand ambassador

Hyundai Motor India has enlisted Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone as its global brand ambassador, as announced by the South Korean automotive company on Friday. In a welcoming post on social media platform X, Hyundai India expressed excitement about having Deepika join their family, stating, “We welcome the global icon @deepikapadukone to the Hyundai family. Fasten your seatbelts for an ultimate drive!” Tarun Garg, Chief Operating Officer at Hyundai Motor India Ltd., expressed the company’s excitement by stating, “We are delighted to welc ..... Read More

USCIS declares a 12% rise in H-1B visa fees

The premium processing fee for H-1B visa applications in the United States, administered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), is set to increase starting February 26, 2024. This adjustment affects several forms, including I-129, I-140, I-539, and I-765, which respectively pertain to various aspects of immigration such as alien worker petitions, non-immigrant status changes or extensions, and employment authorization. Specifically, the premium processing fees for these forms are being raised from US$ 1,500 to US$ 1 ..... Read More

U.S.-India Relations Reach Unprecedented Heights in Monumental 2023

As we conclude 2023, December provides an opportunity for retrospection on the remarkable achievements in U.S.-India relations throughout the year. This year saw the historic third State Visit by an Indian leader to Washington D.C. and witnessed India’s monumental success with the Chandrayaan-3 moon landing. The G20 Summit in New Delhi, a significant global event, marked President Biden’s inaugural visit to India. The diplomatic impetus from Prime Minister Modi’s and President Biden’s visits set the stage for a robust strategic roadmap, initia ..... Read More

Forbes 30 Under 30 Science List Includes Three Indian American Innovators

Aditya Grover, Bharath Kannan and Aditi Raghunathan. / UCLA/Forbes/CMU Indian Americans Aditya Grover, Bharath Kannan, and Aditi Raghunathan have earned recognition on Forbes’ 30 under 30 list for their contributions to science. Aditya Grover, currently an assistant professor at UCLA, has assumed diverse teaching roles, including the creation of a unique course on AI and climate change in 2022. This year, he spearheaded the development of ClimaX, the first AI-based weather and climate model, tailored for tasks like weather forecasting and cli ..... Read More

Sikh Americans support Multicultural Education Bill at Ohio Statehouse

Members of the Sikh American community showed their backing for Ohio’s multicultural education house bill (HB171) during a hearing at the State Capitol in Columbus. HB171, led by Ohio Progressive Asian Women’s Leadership (OPAWL), aims to incorporate information about the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in social sciences curricula, addressing the lack of representation for minority communities, including Sikhs. State Representative Mary Lightbody, the primary sponsor, expressed optimism about integrating diverse Asian community de ..... Read More

Prime Minister Modi to inaugurate Hindu temple by BAPS in Abu Dhabi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has graciously accepted the invitation from Swami Ishwarcharandas, Swami Brahmaviharidas, and the BAPS board of directors to inaugurate Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu temple on February 14, 2024. In a meeting at his New Delhi residence, the Prime Minister expressed his fervent support for the historic temple, acknowledging the dedication of individuals, volunteers, and supporters involved in the BAPS Hindu Mandir project in Abu Dhabi. During the meeting, Swami Ishwarcharandas honored the Prime Minister with a garland and ..... Read More

Alia Hails Ram Charan’s Kindness, Chiranjeevi Praises His Bond with Upasana

In the spotlight as Forbes India’s power couple for 2023, Ram Charan and Upasana Kamineni Konidela are basking in accolades from their inner circle. Chiranjeevi, Ram’s father, lauds their accomplishments, highlighting their progressive mindset and unwavering support for each other. He singles out Ram’s on-set dedication, noting his ability to exceed expectations. Alia Bhatt, Ram’s co-star in RRR, commends his kindness, warm demeanor, and skillful portrayal of intricate scenes. Suneeta Reddy applauds Upasana’s impactful work at the Apollo Founda ..... Read More

Assocham predicts India to be the fastest-growing major economy in 2024

India is anticipated to maintain its position as the world’s fastest-growing major economy in 2024, buoyed by strong consumer demand driving increased investments across various sectors. The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) highlighted this trend, emphasizing growth in construction, hospitality, and critical infrastructure like railways and aviation. The country has sustained its status as the fastest-growing major economy, with an impressive 7.6% GDP expansion in the first half (April-September) of 2022-23. Thi ..... Read More

Indo-Canadian documentary ‘To Kill a Tiger’ on Oscars 2024 shortlist

Nisha Pahuja’s documentary “To Kill a Tiger” has earned a spot on the Oscars’ Best Documentary Feature Film shortlist, revealed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This Indo-Canadian film, portraying a family’s quest for justice after a sexual assault, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022, securing the Amplify Voices Award for Best Canadian Feature Film. Executive producers include Rupi Kaur, Mindy Kaling, and Dev Patel. Pahuja, based in Toronto, expressed gratitude on Instagram and highlighted the docume ..... Read More

Rishi Kumar Competes Fiercely for Northern California Congress

In the race for California’s 16th District Congressional seat, Rishi Kumar, a former businessman turned politician, encounters formidable competition as he seeks to succeed the retiring Congresswoman Anna Eshoo. Eshoo, a strong advocate for expanding the H-1B program, leaves a significant void in Silicon Valley politics. The entry of California state Assemblyman Evan Low in November intensifies the competition. Low, chair of the AAPI Legislative Caucus, gains attention for his efforts against anti-Asian hate crimes. Endorsed by Rep. Ro Khanna, ..... Read More

Ashok Gadgil appointed as a fellow by the National Academy of Inventors

The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) has honored Ashok Gadgil, an Indian-American professor at the University of California, Berkeley, as a fellow, recognizing his outstanding contributions as an inventor. Gadgil, a renowned civil and environmental engineering professor, has dedicated his career to developing affordable solutions to meet the needs of underserved communities globally. Notable inventions include UV Waterworks, a portable water purifier, and ECAR, an arsenic removal technology. His innovations have positively impacted over 100 ..... Read More

Preparations for the Grand Inauguration of Ram Mandir in Full Swing

The Ayodhya Ram Mandir, slated to open on January 24, 2024, will be inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Initiated following a historic 2019 Supreme Court judgment, the nearly completed construction spans 70 acres, with the temple occupying 2.7 acres and costing US$ 216 million. Emphasizing self-reliance and environmental sustainability, the temple, as per the Ram temple trust, features a 70 percent green cover. This includes preserved existing trees, sewage and water treatment plants, a dedicated power line, and a fire brigade ..... Read More