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India Eyes Champions Trophy Glory with Settled Squad and High Hopes

The ICC Champions Trophy is making its return after seven years, with India aiming to add another title to its collection following its T20 World Cup success in Barbados. In the previous edition, India reached the final but lost to Pakistan by 180 runs. However, with the upcoming tournament just a month away, India, led by Rohit Sharma, is hopeful of clinching the title this time. Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes that India’s white-ball team is well “settled” and has a strong chance of winning the upcoming Champions ..... Read More

India’s GDP Projected to Grow 6.4% in FY25

India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected to grow by 6.4% in 2024-25, according to the Ministry of Statistics’ first advance estimates. This marks a noticeable slowdown from the 8.2% growth seen in FY23. Despite a weaker start to FY25, the ministry is optimistic about a rebound in the second half of the fiscal year, driven by a pickup in agricultural and industrial activities as well as strong rural demand. The forecasted growth range for the year is between 6.4% and 6.8%. Nominal GDP is expected to grow by 9.7%, showing a slight in ..... Read More

PM Modi outlines future of high-speed trains and railways

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s growing aspirations and the increasing demand for swift long-distance travel, stating that the introduction of high-speed trains is a key response. He emphasized that the arrival of India’s first bullet train is imminent, adding that the government is taking major strides in improving the nation’s transportation infrastructure. During the virtual inauguration of multiple projects, including the formation of Jammu’s new railway division, Modi referred to the creation of ..... Read More

Indian American Woman Sues PayPal for Racial Discrimination in Investment Program

Nisha Desai, CEO of Andav Capital, has filed a lawsuit against PayPal for excluding her from its $535 million diversity and equity investment program, claiming racial discrimination. Desai, who is of Indian American descent, alleges that PayPal rejected her funding application due to her ethnicity, despite her belief that she was a suitable candidate for the program, designed to support Black and minority-owned businesses. The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court on January 2, accuses PayPal of unfairly prioritizing Black and Hispanic v ..... Read More

Ananth Grama appointed Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at Purdue University

Purdue University has appointed Indian American Professor Ananth Grama as a Distinguished Professor of Computer Science, recognizing his exceptional career in research and education. Grama, who has contributed significantly to the development of software systems for resource management and complex scientific applications, has worked across various platforms, from embedded controllers to cloud-based data centers. Known for authoring influential textbooks that serve as key references in the computing community, Grama’s work spans areas s ..... Read More

Kevan Parekh appointed CFO of Apple, effective January 2025

Effective January 1, 2025, Indian American Kevan Parekh has been appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Apple, succeeding Luca Maestri. Parekh, who has been with Apple for over 11 years, previously served as the Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis. His promotion to CFO is part of Apple’s executive restructuring, which was first announced in 2024. Throughout his career at Apple, Parekh has held various leadership positions, including overseeing Financial Planning and Analysis, G&A and Benefits Finance, Inve ..... Read More

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi reads from Bhagavad-Gita

Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, representing Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, participated in the Bipartisan Interfaith Prayer Service on January 3, marking the opening of the 119th Congress. Sworn in for his fifth consecutive term, Krishnamoorthi was the only speaker to represent the Hindu faith at the service, which was held to bless the new Congress before it officially began its two-year term. Reflecting on the progress made, Krishnamoorthi remarked on how, in the past, Hindu Americans were excluded from such pra ..... Read More

Global interest in Maha Kumbh website soars with millions of visits

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced that individuals from 183 countries are actively seeking information about the Maha Kumbh event across various online platforms. The official website, https://kumbh.gov.in/, has become the go-to source for trustworthy information, attracting significant traffic from millions of users worldwide. As of January 4, the website recorded more than 3.3 million visitors from across the globe, including major contributions from continents such as Europe, America, and Africa, reflecting the international interes ..... Read More

India announces US$ 2.92 billion for electronics industry growth

India’s Finance Ministry has approved a groundbreaking incentive program worth Rs. 25,000 crore (US$ 2.92 billion) to drive local manufacturing of electronic components. This plan, which is expected to be finalized by the cabinet later this month, is set to roll out in April. Its primary objective is to generate an estimated US$ 50-60 billion worth of electronic components over the next five to six years. Originally, talks between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Finance Ministry pointed to a much hig ..... Read More

PM Modi Meets US NSA Jake Sullivan, Highlights Growing India-US Partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Monday to highlight the growing India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. The partnership has reached new heights in areas such as technology, defense, space, biotechnology, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Modi expressed his eagerness to build on this momentum for the benefit of both nations and global progress. Sullivan’s visit also included a meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to ..... Read More

Indian-Canadians Honored with Ontario’s Prestigious Award

The Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, has announced two Indian-Canadians, Vivek Goel and Professor Poonam Puri, as recipients of the prestigious Order of Ontario for 2024. They are among 29 remarkable individuals selected this year for their significant contributions to Ontario, Canada, and beyond. The Order of Ontario, the province’s highest civilian honor, recognizes exceptional achievements. Dr. Vivek Goel and Professor Poonam Puri have earned their place with groundbreak ..... Read More

Italian-Indian Anjana Giri Hails India’s Ancient Culture at Maha Kumbh 2025

The Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, set to begin on January 13 and conclude on February 26, is drawing devotees and spiritual seekers from across the globe. Among them is Angela, an Italian devotee who embraced Hinduism 30 years ago. Now known as Anjana Giri, a member of Atal Akhada, she reflects her devotion through her spiritual practices and advocacy for Sanatan Dharma. Currently, she is weaving a special bag for her Guruji, which will be used during the grand Maha Kumbh Mela. “The ancient culture of India is the best. This philosophy ..... Read More

PM Modi Launches Ayurveda Institute in Delhi, Envisions ‘Heal in India’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed India’s potential to become the global health and wellness capital, envisioning a future where ‘Heal in India’ joins the ‘Make in India’ mantra. Modi shared these aspirations while virtually inaugurating the foundation of a new Central Ayurveda Research Institute building in Rohini, describing it as a monumental step for Ayurveda’s future. The new facility, covering 2.92 acres and backed by an investment of $22.6 million (Rs 187 crore), will feature a 100-bed hospital ..... Read More

Six Indian-Americans Sworn in as US House Members, Form ‘Samosa Caucus’

On January 4, six Indian-Americans were sworn into the US House of Representatives, marking a significant moment in the nation’s political history. This milestone represents the largest Indian-American presence in Congress to date. These six individuals—Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, Jeremy Cooney, and Shri Thanedar—form the group informally referred to as the “Samosa Caucus.” This term, coined by Krishnamoorthi, refers to Indian-origin lawmakers in Congress, and the caucus has now ex ..... Read More

India’s Expanding Metro System Set to Become Second-Largest

India’s metro rail system is making its mark in global discussions as one of the largest metro networks in the world. With a rapid expansion, the country’s metro system now covers 1000 kilometers, making it the third-largest globally, trailing only behind China and the United States. This milestone highlights India’s significant strides in improving regional connectivity and urban transportation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate several projects worth $1.46 billion today in Delhi, with one of the key highlights ..... Read More

Jill Biden Receives $20,000 Diamond from Modi in 2023

In 2023, First Lady Jill Biden received the most expensive gift of the year—a $20,000 diamond—presented by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his official state visit to the United States. The 7.5-carat green diamond, which is eco-friendly and lab-grown, mimics the properties of earth-mined diamonds. It was housed in a unique paper pulp box, called “kar-e-kalamdani.” Aside from the diamond, Jill Biden was also presented with a brooch worth $14,063 by the Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S., along with a bracelet, ..... Read More

Mayor Eric Adams Appoints Vijah Ramjattan as Executive Director of OPHC

On Thursday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams appointed Vijah Ramjattan as the executive director of the Mayor’s Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC). Ramjattan, who brings over a decade of experience in community engagement and mental health counseling, will oversee efforts to prevent hate crimes and support victims through community-based programs. Alongside Ramjattan, Erica Ware will serve as the deputy executive director, and Jelissa Thomas will take on the role of senior project manager at OPHC. In his announcement, Mayor ..... Read More

NSE Tops Asia with 268 IPO Listings in 2024

In 2024, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India achieved the highest number of IPOs in Asia, with a total of 268 listings spanning both its mainboard and SME sectors. The mainboard hosted 90 IPOs, while 178 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) debuted on the NSE’s Emerge platform. Together, these IPOs raised a total of US$ 19.53 billion (Rs. 1.67 trillion) during the year. This robust activity was partly fueled by Hyundai Motor India’s initial public offering, which raised US$ 3.3 billion, marking it as the largest IPO in Indi ..... Read More

Vinay Gupta Appointed CEO of Renew Financial

Renew Financial, a leading provider of the residential Property Assessed Clean Energy (R-PACE) financing program, has appointed Vinay Gupta as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. With over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Gupta is known for driving growth and innovation in major organizations and leading high-performing teams. Gupta expressed his enthusiasm for the position, stating, “I’m honored to join Renew Financial and collaborate with this talented team to further our mission of ..... Read More

India and Iran Hold 19th Foreign Office Consultations to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

India and Iran convened the 19th round of Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi on Friday, co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Takht Ravanchi. The discussions focused on a range of issues, including cooperation on Chabahar Port, agricultural collaboration, and expanding trade relations. The consultations also addressed regional matters such as the situation in Afghanistan, West Asia, and the South Caucasus, as well as the ongoing commitment to strengthen multilateral cooperation through f ..... Read More

13-Time Taekwondo World Champion Makes Cobra Kai’s Final Season

Rayna Vallandingham, a 21-year-old Taekwondo prodigy, is a fourth-degree black belt and a 13-time world champion in martial arts. With 3.7 million followers on Instagram, Rayna attributes her martial arts success to a unique blend of heritage, with a Dutch-origin father and an Indian mother. She began practicing Taekwondo at the age of two, encouraged by her grandfather, and by the time she was eight, she had earned her first American Taekwondo Association World Championship title. Rayna’s accomplishments include 13 world titles in tra ..... Read More

119th US Congress: Historic Hindu Representation with 4 Indian-Americans

The 119th US Congress, which commenced on Friday, has achieved a milestone with the inclusion of four Hindu lawmakers, marking the largest representation of Hindus in the legislature. These four lawmakers, all Democrats, are Suhash Subramaniam, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, and Shri Thanedar. In total, only 14 lawmakers from non-Christian or non-Jewish faiths have identified themselves as such. The religious composition of Congress also includes four Muslims, three Buddhists, and three Unitarian Universalists. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal ..... Read More

India Strengthens Ties with Maldives Through New Agreements

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated India’s continuous commitment to the Maldives’ development in alignment with India’s Neighbourhood First policy and the SAGAR vision. Jaishankar shared on X that during his meeting with Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel, both countries signed agreements for the next phase of High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP). These initiatives aim to support the Maldives’ growth and enhance bilateral cooperation. The minister emphasized, “India will rema ..... Read More

India Slams Washington Post Over Anti-Muizzu Allegations

India firmly refuted two recent reports by The Washington Post on Friday, dismissing allegations of involvement in a failed plan to impeach Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and claims about covert Indian operations targeting individuals in Pakistan. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, criticized the newspaper and the reporter for displaying what he termed “compulsive hostility” towards India. Jaiswal commented, “Their activities reveal a clear pattern, and from our perspective, they lack ..... Read More

Modi Govt Committed to Transforming Andaman, Lakshadweep: Amit Shah

The Narendra Modi government has prioritized developing infrastructure and enhancing tourism in the Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated during a meeting of the Island Development Agency (IDA) on Friday. According to an official release, the central government is also focusing on preserving the culture and heritage of these islands while accelerating development projects. Shah reviewed ongoing development initiatives in the islands and emphasized their importance despite their ..... Read More