Must Read News

Indian-American business owners back Trump: Jiten Agarwal.

Jiten Agarwal, an Indian American business leader and CEO of QuantAi, will be hosting a high-profile reception in Houston for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. With the U.S. presidential election around the corner, the event is expected to raise over $5 million, primarily supported by American donors, including prominent Indian American figures like Swapnil Agarwal, CEO of Nitya Capital. Agarwal emphasized the growing support for Trump within the Indian American business community, particularly among small and large business owners ..... Read More

UPI hits 500 million daily transactions; value stable in September.

In September 2024, Unified Payment Interface (UPI) transactions witnessed a modest rise of 0.5%, climbing from US$ 14.96 billion in August to US$ 15.04 billion. This represents the highest transaction volume since UPI’s inception in April 2016, with daily transactions surpassing 501 million and a total value amounting to Rs. 68,800 crore (US$ 8.25 billion). In contrast, August saw 483 million transactions valued at Rs. 66,475 crore (US$ 7.97 billion). Year-over-year, UPI’s transaction volume surged by 42%, while its total value incr ..... Read More

Indian-American exec Ravi Ahuja to become Sony Pictures’ CEO

A major leadership change is underway at Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), with Tony Vinciquerra set to step down as Chairman and CEO, effective January 2, 2025. He will be succeeded by Indian American executive Ravi Ahuja, who currently serves as Chairman of Global Television Studios and President and COO at SPE. Ahuja’s promotion comes after years of mentorship from Vinciquerra, who hired him back in 2007 during their time at Fox Networks Group. While Vinciquerra will step aside from his CEO role, he will remain with SPE as non-exec ..... Read More

PM Modi to Celebrate 10 Years of Swachh Bharat on Oct 2: Key Achievements

Swachh Bharat Diwas celebrates India’s decade-long progress in sanitation, highlighting the success of the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign. This year’s theme, “Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskaar Swachhata,” emphasizes the importance of cleanliness and environmental health. Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan on October 2, 2014, the initiative has transformed both rural and urban sanitation efforts. The mission is divided into two parts: Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) and Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban). S ..... Read More

DigiYatra: India to Launch Global E-Passports by 2025.

India is preparing to implement facial recognition technology (FRT) for international air travel, with a pilot program scheduled for June 2025, according to Suresh Khadakbhavi, CEO of Digi Yatra Foundation. Khadakbhavi noted in a Hindustan Times report, “We are preparing for an international pilot project set for June 2025 between two nations. While we are careful not to overcommit, we are making progress in this area.” Digi Yatra is a mobile application that allows air travelers to securely store their identification and travel doc ..... Read More

Minita Sanghvi’s Rise: From Bombay to New York Politics.

Minita Sanghvi, a well-known advocate for equal rights and a respected community leader, has officially announced her candidacy for the New York State Senate. She is set to challenge the incumbent, Republican Senator Jim Tedisco, who represents the 44th District. Sanghvi has long been involved in local politics, driven by her passion for advocacy and social justice. Her political journey is closely tied to her activism, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. After coming out in 2002, Sanghvi fought against Arizona Proposition 107, which soug ..... Read More

India, Jamaica sign UPI, digital infra pacts; boost defense ties.

India and Jamaica have strengthened their bilateral ties by signing key agreements for cooperation in digital public infrastructure and linking their online payment systems. The agreements were formalized during Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s visit to India, where he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit marks a significant step as Jamaica seeks to leverage India’s expertise in digital infrastructure for financial inclusion and transformation, integrating India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with Jamaica’s ..... Read More

Personal and vehicle loan demand rose 12% in 4 months: report.

A recent report by Teamlease Services reveals a 12% rise in demand for personal and vehicle loans, including both two-wheelers and four-wheelers, over the past four months. As India approaches the festive season, the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector is preparing for a significant increase in customer transactions. To meet this surge, financial institutions are concentrating on building a skilled workforce, focusing particularly on customer service and digital banking enhancements. The festive season, which spans from Gan ..... Read More

Kamala Harris Leads Presidential Race According to Latest Forecast

According to The Economist’s presidential forecast, US Vice President Kamala Harris is leading the presidential race with a slight edge over Donald Trump. The latest analysis indicates that Harris has “about a 3 in 5 chance” of securing victory in the electoral college, while Trump holds “about a 2 in 5 chance.” The forecast projects Harris to win 281 electoral votes, exceeding the 270 required for election, while Trump may receive 257 electoral votes. Updated on September 30, the forecast reflects current trends in the electoral land ..... Read More

Bangladesh, India need strong ties, says Md Touhid Hossain.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor, Mohammed Touhid Hossain, emphasized the necessity of fostering “good working relations” with India, describing it as Dhaka’s “largest neighbor.” Speaking with ANI, he noted that while both nations are committed to maintaining their diplomatic ties, the specific topic of Sheikh Hasina was not addressed during discussions with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Touhid stated that his conversations with Jaishankar were constructive, indicating a mutual desire for positive relations. He ..... Read More

India enhances global ties in Modi 3.0’s first 100 days: MEA.

In the first 100 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s second term, India has made significant progress in enhancing its global influence through various diplomatic, maritime, and digital initiatives. According to an official report by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India has expanded its international partnerships, particularly in renewable energy and digital payments infrastructure. Five new diplomatic missions were inaugurated in Albania, Gabon, Georgia, Latvia, and Timor-Leste, reflecting India’s commitment to increasing its g ..... Read More

US Expands 250,000 Visa Slots for Indian Travelers

An Indian-American member of the Presidential Commission for Asian-Americans has applauded the release of 250,000 additional visa appointments by the US Mission in India. These new slots will benefit tourists, skilled workers, and students, helping Indian applicants secure timely visa interviews, which play a vital role in strengthening US-India people-to-people ties. Ajay Bhutoria, a member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian-Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, expressed his gratitude for the US Embassy’s ef ..... Read More

PM Modi to Netanyahu: “Terrorism Has No Place Here.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a conversation with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today, where they addressed the ongoing situation in West Asia. Modi emphasized that terrorism has no place in the world and stressed the importance of preventing further escalation in the region. He also called for the safe release of all hostages, reaffirming India’s commitment to supporting efforts for an early restoration of peace and stability. His remarks were shared through a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. The conflict in ..... Read More

Jamaica Strengthens Ties with India in STEM, Security, Energy

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has underscored the importance of enhancing collaboration with India across various sectors, particularly science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), education, digitalisation, security, and energy. Holness acknowledged India’s leading role in technological advancement and expressed his nation’s eagerness to learn from India’s achievements in STEM and digitalisation. Holness also emphasized Jamaica’s growing interest in leveraging India’s expertise in technology-driv ..... Read More

India’s consumer durables market to be 4th largest by 2027.

India’s consumer durables market is forecasted to grow to US$ 59.96 billion (Rs. 5 lakh crore) by the fiscal year 2030, positioning the country as the fourth-largest market globally by 2027, according to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Mr. B. Thiagarajan, Chairman of the CII National Committee on Consumer Electronics and Durables, emphasized the need for a strong quality ecosystem and standardization during his address at the CII Consumer Electronics & Durables Summit 2024. Mr. Thiagarajan, who is also the Chairman and Man ..... Read More

India permits non-basmati rice exports, boosting supplies.

On Saturday, India granted approval for the resumption of non-basmati white rice exports, as the country’s inventories swell and farmers prepare for an upcoming harvest. This move is anticipated to bolster global rice supplies and potentially lower international prices, compelling major rice exporters like Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam to adjust their rates, according to traders. The Indian government has established a minimum export price of $490 per metric ton for non-basmati white rice, following a decision to eliminate the export ta ..... Read More

Americans must find common ground with compassion: Ramaswamy.

Vivek Ramaswamy, during his campaign, emphasized the need for empathy while also advocating for the protection of children from harmful interventions and the preservation of women’s sports. He noted that displaying understanding can significantly enhance the dialogue surrounding these contentious topics. One unexpected moment during the campaign came from an interaction with a young journalist embedded with his team. The reporter, referred to as Kori, was known for her dedication and frequently challenged Ramaswamy’s views on gender identit ..... Read More

India’s Smartphone Exports to US Surge, Surpassing Diamonds

Smartphones have emerged as India’s leading product export to the United States, primarily driven by Apple iPhones, overtaking non-industrial diamonds in value over the last three quarters. According to recent data from the Department of Commerce, smartphone exports reached $2 billion in the June quarter, in contrast to $1.44 billion for non-industrial diamonds, as reported by Business Standard. In the financial year 2024 (FY24), total smartphone exports from India amounted to $15.6 billion, with iPhones accounting for a substantial 66% o ..... Read More

PM Modi Launches ‘Create in India’ Talent Challenge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on the public to take part in the ‘Create in India’ challenge, a new initiative launched by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The challenge aims to foster talent in emerging fields like gaming, animation, and filmmaking. During his 114th ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio show on Sunday, PM Modi highlighted the changing nature of jobs and the opportunities available in these growing sectors. He also encouraged citizens to buy ‘Made in India’ products during the upcoming f ..... Read More

India’s First Oxygen Bird Park Opens Near Nagpur

India’s first Oxygen Bird Park, an oasis of greenery and biodiversity, has been inaugurated near Jamtha. Spread across 8 hectares, the park is home to over 8,000 plant species and has been developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) at a cost of approximately $1.73 million USD. The park serves as both a bird sanctuary and an eco-tourist destination, attracting travelers to Nagpur, famously known as the “Tiger Capital of India.” Strategically located at the intersection of the Nagpur-Hyderabad and Mumbai-Kolkat ..... Read More

India’s women’s labor force participation doubled: Dr. Mandaviya.

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, shared that women’s participation in the workforce has seen a remarkable increase, doubling in the last seven years. He observed that this growth parallels a trend where women are working longer hours than men in specific industries, a shift he attributed to the inclusive labor policies introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mandaviya referred to this shift as a “silent revolution,” noting that it has changed conventional ideas about wom ..... Read More

US elections: Kamala Harris pledges to reform immigration.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has committed to implementing stricter security measures at the border and reforming America’s immigration system, aiming to counter frequent political attacks from her Republican rival, Donald Trump, as the November election approaches. Harris made these remarks during her visit to the US-Mexico border in Douglas, Arizona, on Friday. While adopting a firm stance on border security, she also advocated for a “pathway to citizenship” for undocumented migrants currently residing in the U. ..... Read More

India signs a treaty to protect marine biodiversity at sea.

On Thursday, India signed the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, commonly referred to as the “High Seas Treaty.” This significant move enables India to strengthen its strategic presence in areas outside its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) while promoting the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar signed the agreement on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The BBNJ is an international treaty governed by the UN Convention on ..... Read More

HSS Celebrates Raksha Bandhan, Honoring First Responders

In a touching expression of gratitude and cultural connection, the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) USA recently celebrated Raksha Bandhan, also known as “Universal Oneness Day,” by honoring the dedication and courage of first responders in various cities. This annual event, which represents protection and unity, featured HSS volunteers tying rakhis on police officers, firefighters, and community leaders, symbolizing the protective bond these individuals have within society. In Cleveland, HSS members honored Solon’s firefighte ..... Read More

LinkedIn’s top Indian startups 2024: Zepto emerges unicorn.

Launched in January 2016, the Indian government’s ‘Startup India’ initiative remains instrumental in fostering innovation and attracting investments in the nation’s expanding startup landscape. Over time, India has established itself as the third-largest startup ecosystem worldwide, with an impressive annual growth rate of 15% in 2018. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) also reported an 11% rise in the number of incubators and accelerators, reinforcing India’s status as a global hub for startups. A ..... Read More