Must Read News

India’s UPI Powers 45% of Global Digital Payments

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, at the 90th-anniversary event of the Bank of Maharashtra in Pune, lauded India’s achievements in the FinTech sector, specifically highlighting the success of UPI, which now facilitates 45% of global digital payments. She emphasized that digital platforms like UPI transcend borders, urging banks to leverage this transformative technology for deeper growth opportunities. During her speech, Sitharaman reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India, or viksit bharat, by 2047, out ..... Read More

India Poised to Become Third-Largest Economy by 2031

According to a report released by S&P Global on Thursday, India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy by the fiscal year 2030-31, with a projected annual growth rate of 6.7% for this year. The report emphasizes the importance of sustained reforms to enhance business operations, improve logistics, and stimulate private sector investments, which are critical for reducing dependency on public funding. The report anticipates that equity markets will remain vibrant and competitive due to strong growth potential and improved r ..... Read More

Kamala Harris Struggles to Secure Indian American Voters

When the unpopular President Joe Biden, who had not seen a 50% approval rating since 2021, was removed from the Democratic presidential ticket, many assumed that Vice President Kamala Harris, a candidate with Indian heritage, would easily secure the Indian American vote. Harris, the daughter of an Indian mother from Tamil Nadu, became the first Indian American to run for U.S. president. However, despite endorsements from prominent Indian American figures like author Salman Rushdie and tech entrepreneur Vinod Khosla, Harris has struggled to r ..... Read More

India-US Joint Military Drill Begins in Rajasthan: Yudh Abhyas

On Wednesday, the Defence Spokesperson announced that more than 1,200 Indian and US soldiers are undergoing rigorous training in Rajasthan’s tough landscape. This joint exercise, part of the 20th edition of ‘Yudh Abhyas 2024,’ focuses on honing firepower and endurance through live counter-terrorism drills. The collaboration between Indian and US forces aims to enhance operational compatibility and build stronger ties between the two nations. A Ministry of Defence post on X stated that the joint drills are a testament to the de ..... Read More

Indian-Americans Praise Trump for Boosting India-US Ties

Al Mason, a close advisor to former President Donald Trump, asserted early Thursday that the Indian-American community in the US largely credits Trump with strengthening relations between the US and India. Mason emphasised the “warm relations” and “strong bond” between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Trump’s presidency. Mason noted that Indian Americans remember Trump’s efforts to reinforce the historical relationship between the two nations and his personal outreach to the Indian-American community dur ..... Read More

Cabinet Greenlights Chandrayaan-4 Mission, First Bharati Module

India is poised to take a significant leap in space exploration, with the Union Cabinet approving the Chandrayaan-4 mission, marking the next phase in India’s lunar ambitions. This mission will focus on collecting and returning lunar samples to Earth, serving as a technological stepping stone for an eventual crewed mission to the Moon by 2040. The Chandrayaan-4 mission has a budget of approximately $25.4 million and is slated for completion within 36 months. Additionally, the cabinet has approved the first phase of constructing the Bharat ..... Read More

Global South Relies on ‘India Way’ for Future: UN Envoy

India’s approach to multilateral engagement is founded on mutual respect and solidarity, according to a prominent UN envoy, who emphasised the Global South’s reliance on “the India way” to shape the future. In a webinar organised by the Centre for Global India Insights (CGII) and India Writes Network, Inga Rhonda King, Permanent Representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the UN, lauded India’s role as a leading voice in the Global South. King highlighted India’s expanding leadership, citing initiat ..... Read More

India Rises to Sixth Largest Market in MSCI Index

India has ascended to the position of the sixth-largest market in the MSCI All Country World Investable Market Index (ACWI IMI), overtaking China and now trailing just behind France. For the first time, India has claimed the title of the largest emerging market in this index, which monitors global capital market performance. As of the end of August, India held a weight of 2.35% in the MSCI ACWI IMI, edging past China’s 2.24% by 11 basis points. France remains slightly ahead with just 3 basis points more than India. The MSCI ACWI IMI inclu ..... Read More

PM Modi’s Mementos E-Auction Supports Namami Gange Initiative

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the beginning of an e-auction featuring over 600 mementoes and gifts he has received during public events. The diverse collection includes stunning sculptures, traditional art, regional artefacts, indigenous crafts, and memorabilia from the 2024 Paralympic Games, all presented to PM Modi. Those interested in participating can register and submit their bids on the official auction site, PM Mementos, available at https://pmmementos.gov.in/. In a post on X, PM Modi shared his excitement about the auction ..... Read More

Bali’s Water Temple Priests Lead in Sustainable Rice Farming

In the heart of Bali’s Lotudunduh rice fields, a farmer dressed in traditional baju adat (ceremonial attire) performs a sacred ritual in a small open-air stone temple. He offers brightly coloured flowers in a woven palm platter, sprinkled with holy water, to one of the tall carved shrines. This practice is part of the ancient, ritualistic rice farming system known as subak, which integrates spiritual and practical aspects of agriculture. I Made Chakra Widia, a fourth-generation rice farmer from Pengosekan near Ubud, praises the wisdom of ..... Read More

PM Modi’s 100-Day Report Card Highlights Key Diplomacy Wins

On September 17, 2024, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 74th birthday, the Indian government released a report card celebrating its first 100 days. The document, titled “Modi 3.0 100 Days,” emphasized PM Modi’s significant foreign policy endeavors, including crucial visits to Russia, Ukraine, and Poland. During these 100 days, PM Modi’s foreign engagements were highlighted, such as his visit to Russia on July 8-9, where President Vladimir Putin awarded him the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle for his c ..... Read More

US Diplomat Condemns Racist Attacks on Indian Americans

On Monday, Richard Verma, a senior US diplomat, strongly criticised recent racist attacks targeting Indian Americans, particularly in connection with derogatory comments about Vice President Kamala Harris. In his address at the Hudson Institute, Verma condemned the “vile and racist attacks” that have emerged on social media and television, emphasising that such sentiments are damaging to US-India relations and have no place in American society. Though he did not name the specific incidents, Verma’s remarks clearly alluded t ..... Read More

Trump Gets ‘Nice Call’ from Harris After Attack

During a Fox News town hall with Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Donald Trump shared that he had received a “very nice call” from Democratic rival Kamala Harris just days after surviving an assassination attempt at his golf club in Florida. Trump described the call from Harris as appreciative, aligning with his sentiment that there is a need to “take back our country” and make America great again. Earlier, President Joe Biden also reached out to Trump to offer his support and discuss Secret Service protection. ..... Read More

India Gains from US Partnership in Sustainable Energy: Hardeep Puri

India’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, Mr. Hardeep Puri, during his US visit, lauded the strong collaboration between India and the United States in the field of sustainable energy. In meetings with US Secretary of Energy, Ms. Jennifer Granholm, he stressed the importance of their ongoing bilateral discussions, which form part of the US-India Strategic Energy Cooperation. This partnership encompasses annual meetings and focuses on various sectors such as power, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. Minister Puri spotlighted India& ..... Read More

India and Uruguay Conclude 6th Round of FOC

On September 16, 2024, Montevideo hosted the 6th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and Uruguay. The Indian delegation was headed by Mr. Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East) of the Ministry of External Affairs, while Mr. Nicolas Albertoni, Vice Foreign Minister of Uruguay, led the Uruguayan team. The previous meeting took place in New Delhi in March 2023, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. This round of discussions focused on assessing the progress of bilateral relations and exploring potential new areas for col ..... Read More

Bill Gates Hails India: ‘Midday Meal and Initiatives Impressive’

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, recently commended India’s efforts in tackling malnutrition, awarding the country an ‘A’ for its dedication. Speaking with PTI, Gates noted India’s candid recognition of its nutritional challenges and its proactive measures to address them, such as utilizing public feeding programs and the Midday Meal System to distribute fortified foods. Despite these efforts, he acknowledged that there remains substantial room for improvement. Gates emphasized the complexity of malnutrition, particularly hi ..... Read More

US-India Ties: Bright Future Ahead, Says Diplomat

  According to a senior Biden administration official, the relationship between the US and India has entered a new era of alignment with solid foundations and a promising future. Richard Verma, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, highlighted that the two countries have achieved a significant convergence in their collaborative efforts and in their assessments of global threats and opportunities. In his remarks at the Hudson Institute’s event, ‘The United States and India: Milestones Reached and the Pathway Ahead, ..... Read More

100 Days of Modi 3.0: Confident Moves and ONOP Plans

In the initial 100 days of Modi 3.0, the Indian government has made significant strides with the approval of infrastructure projects worth approximately $36 billion. Each project has a designated inauguration date, including the development of Wadhavan Port in Maharashtra, which is budgeted at $9.2 billion, and the expansion of the PM Gram Sadak Yojana to connect 25,000 previously unconnected villages at a cost of $6 billion. Additional investments include $6.1 billion for roads and high-speed corridors, new railway lines, and the construction ..... Read More

PM Modi to address rally in Doda after 50 years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Doda in Jammu and Kashmir this Saturday to address a public rally backing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the Union Territory. The elections, spread over three phases, will take place on September 18, 25, and October 1, with the vote counting scheduled for October 8. Union Minister Jitendra Singh visited the rally site on Friday to review the arrangements for the public meeting on September 14. Singh emphasised the significance of the visit, noting that it ..... Read More

Vivek Ramaswamy Launches New Fox News Series

Vivek Ramaswamy, a prominent Trump ally and former GOP presidential contender, is making waves as he joins Fox News. The Indian American entrepreneur is set to host a new series on Fox Nation titled “Truths with Vivek Ramaswamy.” The show, which is set to premiere on September 22, will also air on Fox News at 10pm that same evening. The series promises to offer conservative perspectives designed to challenge what Ramaswamy sees as the leftist vision associated with the Biden-Harris administration. Ramaswamy’s show aims to present ..... Read More

Karen Dunn: Harris’ Debate Coach and Google’s Legal Ace

As Vice President Kamala Harris gears up for her White House bid against former President Donald Trump in November, she has enlisted a notable figure for her campaign strategy: Karen Dunn, a high-powered lawyer with an intriguing side job. Dunn, a partner at the prestigious Paul, Weiss law firm, is not only preparing Harris for the critical debate against Trump but is also at the forefront of Google’s defence in a landmark antitrust trial that could significantly impact the tech giant’s future. Dunn’s dual roles have raised concer ..... Read More

PM Modi Celebrates 74th Birthday with Key Odisha Initiatives

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated his 74th birthday on September 17th, adding another remarkable year to his long tenure in public service. Like previous years, this occasion was marked with various development activities. Modi travelled to Odisha, where he launched several key initiatives and laid the foundation stones for important projects. His birthday also coincides with the start of ‘Seva Parv,’ a two-week-long festival organised annually by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to honour his dedication to public service a ..... Read More

India Secures $386B for Green Energy Push

India’s renewable energy ministry has secured an impressive $386 billion in investment commitments from banks and financial institutions, aiming to accelerate the country’s decarbonization efforts. This announcement was made by the Renewables Minister, Pralhad Joshi, during the RE-Invest conference held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The investment pledges are intended to help India achieve its ambitious goal of more than doubling its clean electricity capacity by 2030, with a target of 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel capacity by the decade̵ ..... Read More

India’s Rise Unstoppable, No Longer a Sleeping Giant: Jagdeep Dhankhar

During the inauguration of a digital tower at Ramdeobaba University in Nagpur, Vice President of India, Mr. Jagdeep Dhankhar, delivered a powerful speech outlining a bold vision for the country’s future. He proclaimed that India is no longer a “sleeping giant” but is now on an unstoppable path of progress, firmly anchored in the values of democracy and education. He stressed the critical importance of education as a societal service rather than a commercial endeavor, asserting that “the quality of education defines democ ..... Read More

Nutritional Adequacy of Low-Carb Diets: Study Findings

Low-carbohydrate diets have gained popularity despite ongoing debates about their nutritional value and long-term health effects. According to the 2020−2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, there is insufficient evidence to support low-carbohydrate diets as a recommended eating pattern. However, some experts advocate for their inclusion in future dietary guidelines, particularly for individuals with certain cardiometabolic conditions. Others remain concerned about potential nutritional deficiencies and overall diet quality. A recent stu ..... Read More