Must Read News

Senator awards Dr. Shukla Liberty Medal for pioneering pediatric work

Senator Toby Ann Stavisky honored Dr. Hari Shukla with the Liberty Medal on the Senate floor, celebrating his significant contributions to neo-natal pediatric medicine. Dr. Shukla, a long-time resident of Queens, has operated a medical practice in Flushing for over thirty years, primarily serving the South Asian community and treating thousands of young patients. Dr. Shukla has earned international recognition for his advancements in treating premature infants. His most notable contribution is the development of a mathematical formula, known as ..... Read More

Betting markets predict 310 seats for BJP, says Raamdeo Agrawal

The primary concern in the Indian equity markets right now revolves around the outcome of the ongoing elections for the Lok Sabha, India’s lower house of Parliament. Key questions include how many seats the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will secure, how many its allies will win, and whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party will maintain its majority in Parliament. In the 2019 elections, the BJP won 303 seats on its own, with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which it leads, securing a total of 352 out of 543 seats. Despite ..... Read More

New documentary premieres: Yoga & Hinduism’s Journey to America

In May, PBS platforms will debut “America’s First Guru,” a documentary directed by Raja Choudhury and produced by A Thousand Suns Academy. The film delves into Swami Vivekananda’s influential journey, introducing Yoga and Vedanta to America in the late 19th century. At the 1893 World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago, Vivekananda’s profound teachings on Yoga, Vedanta, and Hinduism captured hearts, igniting a spiritual revolution. His impact extended beyond the Parliament, as he established the first Hin ..... Read More

California hotline shows FBI reporting gap for Hindu hate crimes

The CA vs. Hate program’s inaugural report, released on May 22, highlighted that in California, anti-Hindu incidents ranked as the second most common religion-related hate crime reported to a state-sponsored hotline over the past year. Administered by the California Civil Rights Department, the hotline, with support from organizations advocating for minority groups, received 1,020 hate crime reports. Of these, 36.9% targeted Jews, 14.6% Muslims, and 23.3% Hindus. The data, while shedding light on concerning trends, is limited in its repre ..... Read More

How the Metaverse Could Transform Hindu Faith Engagement

Imagine receiving the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita directly from Lord Krishna. This isn’t a fantasy involving a sci-fi time machine whisking you back to the Kurukshetra war. Instead, picture yourself in your living room, embodying the role of Arjuna, seeking guidance for your personal struggles through the wisdom of the Gita, delivered by an avatar of Krishna, visible through Ray-Ban Meta glasses. This futuristic scenario is becoming a reality through the metaverse environment inspired by the Mahabharata, combined with a specialized AI lang ..... Read More

India’s Coffee Exports Increased by 12% in FY24

India experienced a significant rise in coffee exports, which increased by 12.22% to reach $1.28 billion in the fiscal year 2023-24. This growth was driven by a higher demand for Robusta coffee in international markets, as reported by the commerce ministry. In comparison, coffee exports were valued at $1.14 billion in the previous fiscal year, 2022-23. As Asia’s third-largest coffee producer and exporter, India cultivates both Arabica and Robusta coffee varieties. Arabica beans are characterized by lower caffeine content and a sweeter, sm ..... Read More

UP Ghar Wapsi: Nisha as Radhika, Nida as Nidhi, facing death threats

In Uttar Pradesh, recent incidents have come to light involving Ghar Wapsi, where Muslim women have embraced Sanatan Dharma in Bareilly and Sitapur districts. In Bareilly, Nisha, now Radhika, married Rajesh Kumar, while in Sitapur, Nida Bano, now Nidhi, married Rachit Kumar. Both weddings, occurring on May 18, 2024, were conducted with Vedic rituals amidst chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ by Hindu organizations. On May 18, Nisha and Rajesh approached the Agastya Muni Ashram in Bareilly, presenting their proof of adulthood to Pandit K.K. ..... Read More

Google to manufacture drones in Tamil Nadu for global export

Google, operating under its parent company Alphabet, is exploring the possibility of establishing drone manufacturing facilities in Tamil Nadu, India, as part of its expansion strategy into the Indian market. Discussions are reportedly underway between the tech giant and the Tamil Nadu government to set up production plants for drones. If the plans proceed according to Google’s intentions, drones manufactured in India will be exported to countries like the US and Australia, according to a report by Moneycontrol. Alphabet’s subsidiar ..... Read More

Check Anant-Radhika’s 2nd pre-wedding bash details: date, venue, guest list

Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s pre-wedding festivities seem far from over. After the lavish three-day celebrations in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, Mukesh and Nita Ambani are reportedly organizing a second pre-wedding extravaganza. During the initial festivities in Jamnagar, which saw a gathering of nearly 1,200 guests, notable figures like Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Rihanna, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, and Katrina Kaif attended the events. Media sources suggest that the second pre-wedding celebration will t ..... Read More

Mysuru’s Chidananda Naik wins Cannes La Cinef first prize

At the 77th Cannes Film Festival, India made a significant impact with Chidananda S. Naik’s film “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know…” winning the top prize in the La Cinef section. Naik, originally a doctor from Mysuru who transitioned to filmmaking, created this award-winning film during his year-long course at the Film and Television Institute of India’s television wing in Pune. The winning films will be shown at the Cinéma du Panthéon on June 3 and at the MK2 Quai de Seine on June 4. The Cannes Festival provides ..... Read More

Falguni Pandya receives Women of Excellence Award

The Essex County Democratic Committee of West Orange, New Jersey, recently honored Indian-American activist Falguni Pandya with the “Women of Excellence Award.” At the Wilshire Grand Hotel, Pandya received the award alongside Susan Vezza and Khalifah Shabazz, presented by Jacqueline Jones, the wife of Leroy Jones, Jr., chair of the New Jersey and Essex County Democratic Party. Among the attendees were Rosy Bagolie, a former member of the Livingston Township Council, and Mikie Sherrill, a congresswoman, along with current council mem ..... Read More

Modi hailed as global leader, changing India’s image: Indian-American

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 10 years of leadership, has significantly altered India’s global image and established himself as a prominent global leader, according to an eminent Indian-American community leader. Dr. Bindukumar Kansupada, a cardiologist from Philadelphia, stated in an interview with PTI that Modi has been instrumental in changing how Indians are perceived worldwide. Dr. Kansupada believes that Modi is reviving Indian pride, culture, and ancient knowledge such as yoga, mindfulness, and Ayurveda. Dr. Kansupada att ..... Read More

US scientist to psephologist Yogendra Yadav foresees BJP’s win

Psephologist-turned-politician Yogendra Yadav is the latest poll analyst, following American expert Ian Bremmer and political scientist Prashant Kishor, to forecast a victory for the BJP in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Yadav, however, anticipates that the BJP will not be able to replicate its 2019 success when it won 303 seats. He predicts the party will secure around 240-260 seats, with their NDA allies winning approximately 35-45 seats. Yadav also expects the Congress party to improve its performance, increasing its tally from 52 seats in ..... Read More

Jaya Badiga appointed Sacramento County judge

Indian-American attorney Jaya Badiga, recognized as a certified family law specialist, has been appointed as a Judge in the Sacramento County Superior Court in California, USA. Selected as one of the court’s three new judges, Badiga fills the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Robert S. Lapham, following an appointment by California Governor Gavin Newsom. Previously, Badiga served as a Commissioner at the Sacramento County Superior Court from 2022. Born in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, she is the daughter of Badiga Ramakrishna, an indu ..... Read More

GINN 1008 Editorial

As India embarks on another monumental electoral journey, the air is thick with anticipation and speculation. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appears poised for another victory, a testament to Modi’s enduring popularity and the vision he embodies. Contrastingly, the Congress party and other opposition factions seem to be grappling with a lack of coherent strategy and vision for the nation’s future, leaving them at a distinct disadvantage in the electoral arena. Since assuming office ..... Read More

Govt building custom AI for India, US$ 240.2M allocated

The government is strategizing its approach to artificial intelligence (AI) by crafting a unique foundational model tailored to suit the specific needs of Indian entities, including businesses, innovators, educators, and scholars. This ambitious endeavor is set to kick off with an initial investment of US$ 240.2 million (Rs. 2,000 crore) post the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. It aims to position India among the ranks of countries like China and the US, which have already initiated similar ventures. Spearheading this initiative is the IndiaAI Innova ..... Read More

Indian official starts UN role in disaster risk reduction

Kamal Kishore commenced his tenure as the Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction under UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on May 20, marking a significant development in global disaster preparedness efforts. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) formally announced Kishore’s appointment, succeeding Mami Mizutori of Japan. This transition was officially declared by Guterres on March 27, highlighting Kishore’s role as Assistant Secretary-General and Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reducti ..... Read More

Anima Patil-Sabale dreams of becoming an astronaut

Anima Patil-Sabale’s fascination with space exploration, ignited by books on the Apollo-era space program during her childhood in India, led her to dream of becoming an astronaut. Despite initially aiming to pursue a career as a fighter pilot, she redirected her path due to the Indian Air Force’s restrictions on female combat roles until 2015. Opting for degrees in physics and computer applications, she embarked on a journey that saw her transition from a software engineer in Mumbai to a software consultant in San Jose, California, ..... Read More

Forgotten Footprints: Unveiling the Girmitiyas’ Legacy in Australia

Australia’s diverse culture owes a debt to the Girmitiyas – indentured laborers who left their homelands during colonial times for better prospects. Despite facing exploitation, they shaped Australia’s social, economic, and cultural fabric. The term “Girmitiya” stems from “Girmitya,” the agreement these individuals signed under the indenture system. From the 19th to 20th century, thousands from the Indian subcontinent, especially Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Fiji, were recruited for work in Australian ..... Read More

Smartphones: India’s 4th largest export, 42% growth

Smartphones have risen to become India’s fourth-largest export category, achieving a 42% growth to reach US$ 15.6 billion in the fiscal year 2024. This advancement signifies a one-rank climb in the hierarchy of India’s top exported commodities compared to the previous year. Notably, it was from April 2022 that India began separately tracking smartphone exports. Traditionally, the country’s export portfolio has been heavily dominated by petroleum products, but now smartphones have taken a prominent place. Government data reveal ..... Read More

India’s talent is a key resource for Dell, says Michael Dell

Michael Dell, the founder, chairman, and CEO of Dell Technologies, acknowledges the vast talent pool in India and its crucial contribution as a major resource for the company. Speaking at the Dell Technologies World event in Las Vegas, Dell highlighted India’s swift economic advancement and dedication to innovation, especially in developing sovereign AI that reflects the nation’s languages and culture. He showcased Dell Technologies’ progress in AI, including the launch of an AI factory and enterprise AI tools, emphasizing the ..... Read More

Shrinivas R. Kulkarni Wins Shaw Prize 2024 in Astronomy

Indian American professor Shrinivas R. Kulkarni has been honored with the 2024 Shaw Prize in Astronomy for his significant contributions to the study of millisecond pulsars, gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, and other variable or transient astronomical phenomena. Kulkarni, who holds the George Ellery Hale Professorship of Astronomy and Planetary Science at the California Institute of Technology, was recognized alongside three other laureates by the Shaw Prize Foundation in Hong Kong on May 21. The astronomy selection committee commended Kulkarni fo ..... Read More

30 Indian Americans among 2024 US Presidential Scholars

On May 9, US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced the names of the 161 high school seniors selected for the 60th anniversary of the US Presidential Scholars. He highlighted that these students represent the pinnacle of academic excellence in the nation’s schools and embody hope for a promising future for the country. Celebrating their achievements on behalf of President Biden, Cardona encouraged these scholars to continue striving for greatness, support others, and embrace leadership opportunities. The White House Commission on Pre ..... Read More

Who Is Ashwin Ramaswami? Gen Z Indian-American Wins in Georgia

Ashwin Ramaswami, the first Gen Z Indian-American to run for a US state legislature, has secured the Democratic primary in Georgia. He will compete against Republican Senator Shawn Still, who was indicted along with Donald Trump for being a fake elector in 2020, in the upcoming November elections. Ramaswami highlighted the significance of this contest, calling it “the most flippable State Senate seat in Georgia.” At 23, he is not only the first Gen Z State Senator in Georgia but also the only one in the state legislature with deg ..... Read More

Nikesh Arora: 2nd highest-paid US CEO in 2023, says WSJ

Nikesh Arora, an India-born CEO of Palo Alto Networks, has been ranked second on The Wall Street Journal’s list of highest-paid US chief executives for 2023. His compensation package, predominantly equity-based, amounted to $151.43 million last year, placing him just behind Hock Tan of Broadcom, who earned $162 million. Palo Alto Networks announced that for the first three quarters of its fiscal 2024 year, it generated almost $5.84 billion in revenue and nearly $2.22 billion in net income. Arora’s ascent to prominence began at the A ..... Read More