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General Elections 2024: Women voters key in Indian politics, report

During the first four phases of the 2024 general elections, voter turnout significantly increased compared to the 2019 elections. According to data from the Election Commission, 451 million voters participated in 2024, compared to 426 million in 2019, reflecting an increase of 25 million voters. A domestic brokerage firm, SBI Research, analyzed this data, excluding postal and army ballots, and found an overall increase of 19 million voters. Within this increase, female voters rose by 9.36 million, while male voters increased by 8.47 million, hi ..... Read More

In June 2024, an eight-lane Delhi-Mumbai highway will open.

Photo Courtesy : https://x.com/nitin_gadkari By next month, an eight-lane expressway project will shorten the distance between two of the busiest cities in the world. The Indian Government announced the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in 2018, laid the foundation stone in 2019, and expects the final sections to open in June 2024. In February 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first section, running from Sohna to Dausa. With eight lanes and the potential to expand to 12 lanes to accommodate increased traffic, the expressway will be the l ..... Read More

Jaishankar: COVID validated ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized that India must prepare for a challenging global environment in the near future, a lesson underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking at an open discussion on Viksit Bharat @2047, organized by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) in New Delhi, Jaishankar highlighted the necessity for India to develop capabilities to meet basic requirements domestically, especially given the ongoing major global conflicts. Jaishankar pointed out that India’s growth trajectory might vary dependin ..... Read More

Obstructive sleep apnea in REM linked to memory decline

Researchers have estimated that nearly 936 million adults worldwide are affected by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), characterized by interruptions in breathing during sleep, leading to disrupted sleep patterns. Previous studies have associated OSA with an increased risk of various neurological conditions, such as cognitive decline, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. A recent study conducted by the University of California, Irvine, delved into the impact of sleep apnea severity during the rapid eye movement (RE ..... Read More

Krish Pai wins $50K second Regeneron Young Scientist Award

Krish Pai, a 17-year-old Indian American from Del Mar, California, won the second Regeneron Young Scientist Award, receiving $50,000 at the 2024 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, the largest pre-college science and engineering competition globally. He was honored for his machine-learning research aimed at identifying microbial genetic sequences capable of biodegrading plastic. On May 17, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and the Society for Science announced his win. Pai developed a software named Microby, which scans micr ..... Read More

Love & War: Bhansali excited for Alia, Ranbir, Vicky’s chemistry

Sanjay Leela Bhansali stands out as one of the most illustrious filmmakers in the Indian film industry, renowned for his distinctive style marked by grandeur, epic narratives, impeccable costumes, and unwavering cinematography. Bhansali’s unique touch and artistic vision set him apart from other Indian directors. Following his successful OTT debut with “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar,” Bhansali is gearing up to release his next Bollywood romantic drama, “Love & War,” featuring Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, and ..... Read More

Surname doesn’t matter in today’s India: PM Modi on startups

In response to Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal’s comments about his father’s doubts about his success as an entrepreneur due to their modest background, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that in India, hard work matters more than one’s family name. Modi praised Goyal’s journey and highlighted that his story inspires many young people to follow their entrepreneurial dreams. Modi reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment for startups in a message on X, sharing a video posted by ..... Read More

Four Indian American-founded firms on CNBC Disruptor 50 List

Four companies founded by Indian Americans have been featured on CNBC’s 12th annual Disruptor 50 list, showcasing the significant impact of artificial intelligence in various sectors. The companies—Zum, Tala, AlphaSense, and Glean—highlight the diverse areas of innovation led by Indian American entrepreneurs, from cybersecurity to agriculture. According to CNBC, AI is a dominant theme on the Disruptor 50 list, with around two-thirds of the companies emphasizing AI as crucial to their operations. For the first time, a compan ..... Read More

India breakthrough: 80m tuned in within 7 days

The Daily Express arrived in India with a mission: to provide on-the-ground reporting of the world’s largest election. In a launch video at the Taj St James’s, Assistant Editor Sam Stevenson explained that his goal was to experience India’s vibrant democracy firsthand and to enhance British media’s coverage of it. In Delhi, Stevenson aimed to counter negative stereotypes and misconceptions about India prevalent in the UK and the West. He also sought to understand and evaluate the narratives suggesting that democracy in India is ..... Read More

Andhra-born Gopi Thotakura, first Indian space tourist

Gopi Thotakura, an accomplished entrepreneur and pilot, has distinguished himself as the first Indian to travel into space as a tourist on Blue Origin’s NS-25 mission, initiated by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Thotakura was among the six individuals chosen for this mission, which launched from West Texas and ascended to the edge of space on a Sunday. Another notable passenger on this flight was Ed Dwight, the first Black astronaut candidate from the 1960s United States space program. At 90 years and eight months old, Dwight became the oldes ..... Read More

Bajpayee: modest life, cheap car, Ambani wealth out of reach

Actor Manoj Bajpayee revealed that despite having refined tastes and enjoying champagne, he maintains a ‘middle-class life’. In an interview, he disclosed that he intentionally opted for a small, basic car over a fancy, fully-equipped one because he lacks the know-how to operate the latter. He emphasized the endless nature of human ambition and the tendency to accumulate more wealth than necessary. Discussing his views on money during an appearance on the RealHit YouTube channel, Bajpayee stressed the importance of having suffici ..... Read More

India poised for airline growth fueled by travel eagerness

India’s ascent as a pivotal player in the aviation sector is imminent, propelled by a burgeoning population and an increasing inclination towards travel. As per a report from ING Bank NV, the nation is on the brink of experiencing substantial structural expansion, with major carriers such as Indigo and Air India placing historically significant orders for new aircraft. Moreover, India’s ambitious plans to inaugurate numerous new airports align with strategic forecasts, particularly in countries like the UAE, which anticipate signifi ..... Read More

Lok Sabha Election Phase 5: 60.48% turnout, final figures Friday

In the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, held on Monday, May 20, voter turnout in 49 constituencies across eight states and Union Territories was estimated at 60.48% as of Tuesday, May 21. The final turnout figures are expected to be released by the Election Commission of India (ECI) by Friday, May 25. On Monday night, the ECI reported an approximate turnout of 60.09% following the day’s polling. This figure was expected to rise as reports from all polling stations were verified and added. By Tuesday noon, the ECI’s Vo ..... Read More

Phase 5 Voting: 49 Lok Sabha Seats, 56.7% Turnout

Voters in 49 constituencies across 6 states and 2 Union Territories are casting their ballots, determining the political futures of numerous prominent leaders, including Union Ministers and party heads such as Smriti Irani, Rahul Gandhi, Chirag Paswan, and Omar Abdullah. Here are the highlights of the Lok Sabha Election Phase 5 Voting: – Voting took place in various seats across Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. – This phase marks the conclusion of the Lok Sabha electio ..... Read More

India targets 30% global GDP by 2040: Amitabh Kant

At the 2024 CII Business Summit in New Delhi, Mr. Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa and former NITI Aayog CEO, discussed India’s path to reaching 30% of global GDP by 2035-2040 and outpacing Germany and Japan in economic growth by 2027. He underscored the imperative for collaborative efforts between the Indian government and states, advocating for the development of 12-13 ‘champion states’ aiming for annual growth rates of 10-11%. Mr. Kant commended India’s structural reforms, attributing them to the country’s ..... Read More

India targets US$ 1 trillion internet economy by 2030

India’s digital economy is forecasted to reach a value of US$ 1 trillion by 2030, primarily propelled by the burgeoning e-commerce sector, anticipated to be worth US$ 325 billion, securing the third position globally. The year 2023 witnessed notable transformations in consumer habits, technological advancements, and regulatory frameworks, marking a significant juncture for India’s e-commerce landscape. In response to these developments, InGovern Research Services convened a virtual roundtable, shedding light on the pivotal role o ..... Read More

Global Demand Rises for Indian Talent, Mobility Deals: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar emphasized the increasing significance of Indian skills and talent on a global scale, noting that developed countries are now showing interest in forming mobility agreements with India. Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit 2024 in New Delhi, Jaishankar highlighted the shift in the global knowledge economy and the rising demand for skilled professionals. He pointed out that technological advancements and demographic shortages in developed nations are driving this trend, prompting an internation ..... Read More

Deepika Padukone: Cinema, Mental Health, Community Aid

For the past two years, Deepika Padukone has launched India’s box office with remarkable success. In 2023, she reunited with her Om Shanti Om co-star Shah Rukh Khan for the espionage thriller Pathaan. This film garnered $76 million in India and surpassed the $100 million global box office milestone without a release in China. This year, Padukone starred in the Hindi aviation action film Fighter, directed by Siddharth Anand, which achieved $43 million globally within 30 days. Padukone emphasizes that while box office success and accolades ..... Read More

9 in 10 Indian knowledge workers use AI at work: Report

A recent joint study by Microsoft and LinkedIn revealed that 92% of Indian knowledge workers are incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into their daily activities. Additionally, 91% of the nation’s business leaders acknowledge the need to adopt AI to remain competitive. The report, “AI at work is here. Now comes the hard part,” draws insights from a survey of 31,000 individuals across 31 countries, LinkedIn labor trends, and Microsoft 365 productivity data. It highlights a strong desire among employees for AI integration, ..... Read More

‘Modi govt will score a hat-trick’: PM at rally in UP’s Barabanki

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at an election rally in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, expressed strong confidence that his party, the BJP, will secure a third consecutive term in power. Modi declared, “The Modi government will score a hat-trick,” emphasizing his belief in continued success. During his speech, Modi pledged to prioritize the welfare of the poor, youth, women, and farmers if re-elected. He stated, “In the new government, I have to take many big decisions for the poor, youth, women, and farmers,” highl ..... Read More

Editorial May 18, 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his commitment to the people of India for an unprecedented third term, is not just targeting another electoral win but envisioning a transformative leap towards making India a developed nation by 2047. This ambition, articulated through the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, promises a future where the previous terms serve merely as a prelude to an era of “unprecedented development.” The BJP’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ emerges not as a mere pol ..... Read More

Heeramandi’: SLB’s Dream Realized After 18 Years, 14 Years Planning

Now streaming on Netflix, “Heeramandi” has received widespread acclaim and generated a substantial audience reaction. Celebrated director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has fulfilled his longstanding dream with the release of “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar,” marking his first venture into the OTT realm. Reflecting on his journey, Bhansali recounted a childhood visit to a film studio that sparked his passion for storytelling. Bhansali shared his thoughts on the long journey to creating “Heeramandi,” revealing that he ..... Read More

7 Indian-Origin Students Win Prestigious Stanford Scholarships

This year, seven students of Indian origin have earned the prestigious Knight-Hennessy scholarship at Stanford University. These scholars include Ank Agarwal, Wasan Kumar, Aneesh Pappu, Isha Sanghvi, Kritika Singh, Krishna Pathak, and Rahul Penumaka. They are part of a cohort of 90 scholars selected for the largest graduate fellowship in the world. The academic interests of these Indian-origin scholars cover a range of disciplines, including medicine, technology, engineering, and law. They are pursuing various advanced degrees such as PhDs, ..... Read More

Pakistani American: PM Modi benefits India and the world

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a formidable leader who has significantly advanced India’s standing and is expected to secure a third term in office, according to a prominent Pakistani-American businessman. Sajid Tarar, a businessman based in Baltimore, expressed his view that Modi’s leadership is beneficial not only for India but also for the region and the world. He conveyed his hope that Pakistan will eventually have a leader of similar caliber. Tarar praised Modi as an exceptional and innate leader. He highlighted Modi’s v ..... Read More

Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra in UNESCO Register

The inclusion of Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahrdayaloka-Locana in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register marked a significant milestone for India’s cultural heritage. These timeless works have profoundly shaped Indian literature and culture, influencing moral values and artistic expressions across generations and borders. This recognition underscores India’s rich literary tradition and cultural heritage while also emphasizing the global importance of preserving diverse narratives and artistic expressio ..... Read More