Must Read News

Fostering Cruise-Friendly Environment: Strategic Steps for Global Cruise Line Attraction

In the fiscal year 2022-23, international cruise liners made 60 port calls in Indian cities, followed by an additional 29 calls until October 31, 2023. A comprehensive set of incentives has been put in place to attract and support these visits. These include berthing priority, rationalized cruise tariffs, waiver of ousting charges, extended visa facilities, a unified e-Landing Card for streamlined entry, cabotage relaxation, and conditional Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) exemption. In addition to these incentives, dedicated sessions ..... Read More

Incentives for Food Processing under PLISFPI Scheme

The Cabinet sanctioned the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) on March 31, 2021, allocating $1.30 billion for implementation from FY 2021-22 to FY 2026-27. The scheme focuses on incentivizing manufacturing in four food product segments, promoting Innovative/Organic products of SMEs, and encouraging global branding and marketing. Additionally, the PLI Scheme for Millet-based Products, initiated in FY 2022-23 with a budget of $95.92 million, utilized the scheme’s savings. As of April-September 2023, PLI ben ..... Read More

Parineeti leaving Bollywood for politics like Raghav? Uncover the reality

Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha exchanged marriage vows on September 24 this year. Commencing with a cricket match in Delhi, their pre-wedding celebrations included a Sufi night and Ardaas ceremony. The couple proceeded to Udaipur for Haldi and Mehendi ceremonies, culminating their commitment in front of family. At an event, Parineeti humorously addressed the secret to a successful marriage, highlighting the contrast between her Bollywood career and Raghav’s political pursuits. Celebrating her inaugural Diwali with Raghav, Parineeti shared ..... Read More

British-Indian doctor named Oxford’s parliamentary candidate

Conservatives have selected Vinay Raniga, a British-Indian doctor renowned for his nonprofit work in dental education, as their nominee for the Oxford representative in the upcoming 2024 UK general election. The 30-year-old dental surgeon, based in Oxford West and Abingdon, shared his candidacy on social media, emphasizing his dedication to improving the National Health Service (NHS). Raniga launched his campaign with a focus on “dignity and accountability of public service,” expressing gratitude to the community for entrusting him with their ..... Read More

Sachin Jain earns a place in Healthcare’s Top 100 Influential People list

Dr. Sachin H. Jain, the Indian American CEO of the SCAN Group and SCAN Health Plan, has earned recognition from Modern Healthcare as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare for 2023. Expressing gratitude for this honor, Dr. Jain emphasizes the collective dedication to improving healthcare. Modern Healthcare’s prestigious program highlights influential figures based on leadership and impact, acknowledging those who have significantly contributed to the industry. As a healthcare innovator and advocate for over a decade, Dr. Jain has ..... Read More

PM Modi inaugurates GPAI Summit, stressing AI’s need for maximum transparency

Addressing the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the crucial need for a worldwide framework governing the responsible development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Modi warned against potential abuses such as deepfakes, data theft, and exploitation by terrorists. He urged participants, including diplomats and ministers, to exercise caution and prioritize safety in the advancement of AI. Emphasizing the transformative nature of AI, Modi underscored the importance of ..... Read More

Indian-American clinches esteemed 2024 Marshall Scholarship in the UK

Among the distinguished recipients of the 2024 Marshall Scholarship, which facilitates American scholars in pursuing graduate education in the UK, is Hari Choudhari—an Indian-origin student. Currently enrolled in International Politics with minors in History and German at Georgetown University, Hari will embark on his graduate studies in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice at Queen’s University Belfast. Subsequently, he will pursue an MSc in Global Leadership and Peacebuilding at King’s College London. The program received 1006 applicati ..... Read More

PM Modi kickstarts ‘Viksit Bharat @2047: Voice of Youth’ initiative

During a video conferencing session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Viksit Bharat @2047: Voice of Youth’ initiative, directing his remarks to Vice Chancellors, Heads of Institutes, and faculty members participating in workshops organized at Raj Bhavan across the nation. Expressing appreciation to the Governors for their role in coordinating the workshops, the Prime Minister underscored the pivotal role of educational institutions in fostering comprehensive development at both individual and national levels. He seized upon the presen ..... Read More

Tata Power and Indian Oil collaborate for 500+ EV charging stations

Tata Power EV Charging Solutions Ltd (TPEVCSL) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) have recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the goal of deploying over 500 electric vehicle (EV) charging points across India. This collaboration involves Tata Power establishing these charging stations at IOCL’s retail outlets. The primary objective is to create a robust intercity charging network that addresses range anxiety concerns for EV owners engaging in intercity travel. The strategic partnership between TPEVCSL and IOCL aims to s ..... Read More

Make in India boosted as Apple exceeds PLI scheme commitments

In a significant achievement under the “Make in India” initiative, Apple Inc. has successfully assembled iPhones with a Freight-on-Board (FOB) value surpassing US$ 7.19 billion in the initial seven months of the fiscal year 2023-24. This accomplishment constitutes 81% of the aggregated target of Rs. 74,000 crore (US$ 8.87 billion) set for the year by its three manufacturing partners under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for mobile devices. Notably, a substantial 70% of this value is attributed to iPhones manufactured in India that ..... Read More

Indian American university in Silicon Valley offers AI and medical courses

The University of SiliconAndhra, a groundbreaking institution in the United States led by Indian Americans, is set for expansion with a new campus. Known for offering courses in Indian dances, languages, and cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, it aims to integrate a medical college and an international-standard cricket stadium into its facilities. Currently holding accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission, a recognized US Department of Education accrediting agency, the university has its main camp ..... Read More

Indian Americans Top Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment List

Mindy Kaling and Bela Bajaria Indian Americans Bela Bajaria and Mindy Kaling have secured positions on The Hollywood Reporter’s ‘2023 Women in Entertainment Power 100’ list, acknowledging their contributions to Hollywood’s resurgence and record-breaking success at the box office. Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer since 2016, has played a pivotal role in the platform’s triumphs, overseeing a $17 billion annual content budget and managing global teams. Notable successes include popular shows like ‘Bridgerton,’ ‘The Queen’s Gambit,’ ‘Lupi ..... Read More

Top Massachusetts CEOs feature Indian-American leaders

Niraj Shah, Prahlad Singh and Jonathan Ram. / Images – Key Executives Key Executives, formerly known as C-Suite Spotlight, has unveiled the Top 25 CEOs of Massachusetts for 2023, recognizing three Indian-origin leaders: Niraj Shah, Prahlad Singh, and Jonathan Ram. Niraj Shah, co-founder of Wayfair, transformed the company into a US leader for home goods, achieving $6.8 billion in net revenue in 2018. His prior roles include CEO of Simplify Mobile and entrepreneur-in-residence at Greylock Partners. Prahlad Singh, currently CEO at Revvity, man ..... Read More

Indians celebrate UNESCO-tagged Garba at New York’s Times Square

The vibrant beats of ‘Garba’ echoed through Times Square as the Indian-American community celebrated its inclusion in UNESCO’s cultural heritage list. Braving near-freezing temperatures, diaspora members from the New York tri-state area gathered to perform the traditional dance. UNESCO’s recent recognition during its 18th session in Botswana marked ‘Garba of Gujarat’ as India’s 15th inscription on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Dressed in traditional attire, participants danced amidst Times Square’s iconic billboards, drawing attention ..... Read More

Pranesh Ashwath takes on the VP role at Texas State University

Pranesh Aswath, an Indian American, takes on the role of provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Texas State University (TXST). With 33 years of academic and administrative experience at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), Aswath served in various capacities, including vice provost and interim provost. His responsibilities at TXST involve evaluating academic structures, policies, and resource allocation, aligning efforts to meet the university’s goals, and efficiently implementing academic priorities. Aswath, recogn ..... Read More

Venkat Kotla assumes CTO role at Securonix

Securonix, a Texas-based software development company, has appointed Venkat Kotla as its Chief Technology Officer. Kotla, an Indian-origin executive, is tasked with scaling the company’s engineering function and establishing partnerships with technology organizations to meet the growing demand for Securonix’s Unified Defense SIEM platform. Expressing excitement about joining a team focused on product development and innovation, Kotla aims to incorporate advanced technologies into the platform and foster partnerships with leading technology prov ..... Read More

US business leaders unite for Nikki Haley, favoring her over Trump

US business leaders are throwing their support behind Nikki Haley, an Indian American candidate viewed as a more stable alternative to Donald Trump and a more business-friendly option than Joe Biden. Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase’s head, encourages even liberal Democrats to consider Haley over Trump, emphasizing her potential appeal. Prominent figures like Charles Koch and investor Stanley Druckenmiller are backing Haley, significantly boosting her campaign funds. In December, a fundraiser in New York yielded over $500,000 in pledges from the ci ..... Read More

Parliament discusses debate on Ranbir Kapoor’s film “Animal”

Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s recent film, “Animal,” stirred intense online discussions and became a topic in Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan’s powerful speech in the Rajya Sabha. Despite a remarkable global box office earnings of 6.78 million dollars in its first week, the film faced controversy over its portrayal of violence and misogyny. Ranjeet Ranjan emerged as a vocal critic during a parliamentary debate, expressing concerns about the film’s potential impact on the youth. She recounted a distressing incident involving her daughter and other children, ..... Read More

Indian firms pursue defense exports to the Philippines

Key Indian defense firms, such as Kalyani Strategic Systems, Larsen and Toubro Ltd, and Hindustan Aeronautics, are actively exploring avenues to promote their military platforms in the Philippines. This initiative coincides with the Philippines’ military restructuring amid regional security concerns, especially heightened tensions with China. Notably, the recent acquisition of BrahMos cruise missiles from India illustrates collaborative defense efforts, with a 2022 agreement involving the supply of three BrahMos batteries to the Philippines. S ..... Read More

Modi attributes robust growth to transformative reforms in India

On December 9, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored India’s economic prowess, citing a 7.7% GDP growth in the last six months. Addressing the Infinity Forum, he credited transformative reforms for positioning India as a beacon of hope globally. In a virtual speech, Modi highlighted India’s resilience amid geopolitical tensions, inflation, and rising debt worldwide. He stressed that India’s growth demonstrates the positive outcomes of prioritizing policy, good governance, and welfare-focused economic policies. Modi recalled internati ..... Read More

Modi celebrates Article 370 verdict: hope, progress, unity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Supreme Court’s endorsement of Article 370’s abrogation as a declaration of hope and unity. He assured Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh of unwavering commitment and emphasized extending progress benefits to marginalized sections. The court, dismissing Article 370’s permanence, mandated J&K elections by September 2024, calling for statehood restoration. BJP Chief JP Nadda praised the court for validating the government’s decisions, applauding PM Modi’s historic integration of J&K. However, senior advocate Kapil ..... Read More

Michigan medical student crowned Miss India USA 2023

Rijul Maini, a 24-year-old medical student and model from Michigan, achieved the title of Miss India USA 2023 at the annual pageant held in New Jersey. The event also crowned Sneha Nambiar as Mrs India USA and Saloni Rammohan as Miss Teen India USA. This marks the 41st anniversary of the pageant, the longest-running Indian pageant outside of India, initiated by Dharmatma and Neelam Saran under ‘Worldwide Pageants.’ Maini, aspiring to be a surgeon, aims to serve as a role model for women globally. Greeshma Bhat (Virginia) and Ishita Pai Raikar ..... Read More

ISRO schedules LVM3, six PSLV, three GSLV launches for 2024

In response to a query, Minister of State in the PMO, Mr. Jitendra Singh, disclosed ISRO’s ambitious plans for 2024. These include six PSLV missions, focusing on deploying space science, Earth observation satellites, technology demonstrations, and commercial missions facilitated by NSIL. The GSLV launches will encompass missions dedicated to meteorology, navigation, and a joint NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite. Notably, the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) is set for a commercial mission by NSIL. Furthermore, the agenda incorporates tw ..... Read More

‘The Archies’: Debuting star kids bring style to a joyful canvas | Review

Zoya Akhtar’s film ‘The Archies’ has made its debut on Netflix, entering the array of Christmas releases this year. The movie effortlessly captures the festive spirit, drawing inspiration from the vibrant world of Archie’s comics. Zoya’s adept use of colorful palettes and costumes recreates the cheerful atmosphere of the comic, offering a sunny and joyful viewing experience. Featuring a lineup of budding talents, predominantly star kids, the film introduces Suhana Khan as Veronica Lodge, Khushi Kapoor as Betty Cooper, Agastya Nanda as Archie A ..... Read More

Forbes 2024: Reshma Saujani shines among influential women globally

Reshma Saujani, the Indian American activist, has earned a spot on Forbes’ Women To Watch In 2024 list, highlighting influential women just outside the top 100 powerful people globally. As the founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, Saujani focuses on empowering females in computer science and eliminating gender discrimination in the field. Forbes notes the organization’s significant impact, educating over 500,000 participants in the last 11 years. Beyond Girls Who Code, Saujani has redirected her efforts post-Covid towards advocating for improved ..... Read More