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US-based Assam author named Harvard Radcliffe fellow

Aruni Kashyap, an Assamese author and translator residing in Georgia, has been honored as one of the fellows of the Harvard Radcliffe Institute for the 2024-25 term. This prestigious award, granted by the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University, marks a significant achievement for both Kashyap and his home state of Assam. He stands as the first Assamese to receive this esteemed fellowship, joining 53 fellows selected worldwide for the institute’s 25th anniversary class. The fellowship spans a year and provides recipie ..... Read More

India and Others Reshaping Global Economy: Rishi Sunak

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, on Monday, highlighted India’s emergence as an ‘economic superpower’ while committing to create a dynamic and innovative economy driven by technological advancements. In his speech on security at the Policy Exchange think-tank, Sunak emphasized that “more will change in the next five years than in the last 30” and outlined a “clear plan and bold ideas” to ensure a secure future for British citizens. Sunak also pointed out that rapidly growing economic superpowers such a ..... Read More

Chandu Champion: Kartik Aaryan’s Striking Poster Transformation

Kartik Aaryan has unveiled the poster for his upcoming film “Chandu Champion.” It showcases Kartik in a powerful, gritty pose, depicting his impressive physical transformation for the role. The movie draws inspiration from the life of Murlikant Petkar, India’s first Paralympic gold medalist. In a playful incident on Tuesday, Kartik’s pet Katori inadvertently delayed the poster reveal, leading to a humorous Instagram video. Despite the mishap, Kartik shared his excitement for the film, labeling it as the most challenging proj ..... Read More

350+ gain citizenship via CAA: Key details

As the Lok Sabha elections loomed, over 350 individuals were granted Indian citizenship on Wednesday through the newly enacted Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019, as reported by various news outlets. Initially, a group of 14 individuals received citizenship in the capital city, while the remainder were digitally awarded citizenship across other regions of the nation. Notably, some applications were processed prior to the official notification of the rules in March of the current year, according to officials cited by the Economic Times. Hom ..... Read More

Veena Iyer Appointed Judge, Second Judicial District

Governor Walz has chosen Veena Iyer, who serves as the executive director at the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM), to be one of the two new judges for the Second Judicial District covering Ramsey County. She will remain at ILCM for a few weeks to ensure a smooth transition before assuming her judicial duties. Iyer conveyed a blend of emotions, acknowledging the bittersweet nature of her transition. While she expressed fondness for the unique community at ILCM, highlighting its resilience, creativity, empathy, and compassion, she also ..... Read More

India’s NY Consulate open on holidays for emergencies

The Indian Consulate in New York has declared its intention to remain operational throughout the year, including weekends and holidays, to cater to the urgent needs of individuals. According to a press release from the Consulate General of India, New York, the consulate will be accessible from 2 pm to 4 pm on all holidays starting May 10, with the goal of addressing emergency situations for the public. The release emphasized that this service is exclusively for genuine emergencies and not for regular consular activities. Applicants were advised ..... Read More

Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi Unite in ‘Jolly LLB 3’

International megastar Akshay Kumar is set to captivate audiences in the upcoming film, Jolly LLB 3. Directed by Subhash Kapoor, this third installment in the successful franchise promises to be a comedic delight. Akshay Kumar announced the filming of Jolly LLB 3 on his social media through a humorous video. He captioned the video, “Ab original kaun aur duplicate kaun, yeh toh pata nahi. This is definitely going to be an enjoyable ride !! Stay with us. Jai Mahakaal.” In Jolly LLB 3, Akshay Kumar takes on the role of the quirky la ..... Read More

CAI: Cotton exports to rise 27% to 2.8 million bales in 2023-24

The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has forecasted a 27% rise in cotton exports, expecting to reach around 2.8 million bales by the end of the 2023-24 crop year in September. This anticipated increase follows the previous year’s export total of 2.2 million bales. The surge in demand is attributed to the competitive pricing of Indian cotton, which was 8-10% lower than international rates between December 2023 and March 2024. Key markets driving this demand include Bangladesh, China, and Vietnam. Despite the steady production estimate of ..... Read More

Hema Malini: Glamour vs. Governance in Mathura’s Heart

Hema Malini, a Bollywood icon, has maintained a rather elusive presence in the Mathura Lok Sabha constituency, despite winning twice consecutively. Residents of the villages and small towns on the route to the pilgrimage center of Vrindavan feel that their local MP is seldom seen except during election periods. To many, she remains a glamorous figure more visible on television than in their locality. Despite the criticisms, Malini insists that Vrindavan is her permanent home. Nonetheless, she appears poised to secure a third term in the Lok Sab ..... Read More

T20 World Cup in New York to boost cricket in U.S

  The forthcoming T20 World Cup, slated for next month in a suburban New York stadium, marks a significant milestone for cricket in the United States, potentially elevating its popularity in the country, as per an Associated Press report. The stadium, with a capacity of 34,000 seats and a meticulously maintained field of Kentucky bluegrass, is under construction in a suburban New York park designated to host the tournament. Cricket, a game with roots tracing back centuries in England, has been thriving in various pockets of metro New York ..... Read More

“Manthan” at Cannes: 500K farmers, 0.024 USD each, 1st crowdfund

In the timeless classic “Manthan,” directed by the esteemed Shyam Benegal, Dr. Rao, portrayed by Girish Karnad, ventures into a rural village in Gujarat with the noble intention of establishing a Milk Co-operative society for the betterment of the locals. Despite facing opposition from the affluent Mishraji, played by Amrish Puri, and the village head, Sarpanch, portrayed by Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Dr. Rao, with the assistance of Bindu (Smita Patil) and Bhola (Naseeruddin Shah), ultimately succeeds in empowering the villagers to becom ..... Read More

S.Jaishankar: India Supports Iran Port Deal

India has advised the US against adopting a narrow perspective on its recent port agreement with Iran, a plea made in response to US warnings regarding dealings with Tehran. The agreement, inked on Monday, entails a decade-long collaboration between India and Iran to enhance the strategically vital Chabahar port. While the US cautioned nations about the risks associated with business ventures involving Iran, India has endorsed the pact, emphasizing its potential regional benefits. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar addressed concerns about Washingto ..... Read More

GolGappas Shine at the White House

Golgappa, also called pani puri or puchka in North India, is now a common sight at White House receptions, such as the recent Rose Garden gathering held by President Joe Biden to celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month. Among the guests were numerous Asian-Americans and Indian-Americans, including US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, who entertained the crowd with a drum performance and emphasized the healing power of music. Ajay Jain Bhutoria, a community leader in attendance, praised the tangy and spicy flavors of the Golgappas, which he found to be ..... Read More

India’s Costly Election: World’s Priciest Poll?

India’s general election, involving nearly one billion voters, is not just the largest democratic exercise in history but also potentially the most expensive. Projections indicate that spending could reach 1.35 trillion rupees ($16 billion), surpassing previous records and even eclipsing America’s costly 2020 presidential election. The substantial expenditures by Indian political parties raise questions about the reasons behind such massive outlays. While the sheer size of the electorate contributes to the high costs, it doesn’ ..... Read More

PM Modi vows unprecedented development

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) agenda should they secure victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. In an interview with the Hindustan Times, Modi emphasized that the BJP manifesto, called the ‘Sankalp Patra,’ extends beyond the next five years. It is designed to lay the foundation for transforming India into a developed nation by 2047. Seeking a historic third term, Modi told the publication, “The last 10 years have only been a trailer. There is a lot that I want to do.&rdqu ..... Read More

UmaSofia Srivastava resigns as Miss Teen USA 2023

Miss Teen USA 2023, UmaSofia Srivastava, has decided to step down from her title less than eight months after making history by winning it. Her resignation follows closely after Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt also announced her resignation. On May 8, Srivastava took to Instagram to explain her decision, noting that her personal values no longer align with the organization’s direction, as reported by People magazine. She announced, “After months of careful consideration, I have chosen to resign from the title of Miss Teen USA 2023.” Sh ..... Read More

India iPhone exports surge, set to exceed $11.98B in FY25

Apple’s fiscal year 2025 commenced with a significant upsurge in iPhone exports originating from India, as official figures reveal a nearly twofold increase in export worth to $1.1 billion (Rs. 9,000 crore). This surge is particularly notable given the typically subdued export activities observed globally in April, underscoring India’s evolving status as Apple’s second-largest manufacturing base for iPhones beyond China. Analysts foresee Apple surpassing the $11.98 billion (Rs. 1 trillion) export milestone in fiscal year 2025, ..... Read More

PM Modi Files Nomination From Varanasi, Showcases Strength

Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially submitted his nomination for the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday morning. This came after an extravagant six-kilometer roadshow the previous evening, accompanied by senior leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies. Among those present were BJP President JP Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma. Key alliance partners in attendance included Rashtr ..... Read More

Indian Economy Revival: Harvard Case – Nirmala Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, speaking at the Gujarat Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) in Ahmedabad, praised the remarkable resurgence of the Indian economy, particularly the banking sector, since 2014, suggesting that it serves as a valuable case study even for esteemed institutions like Harvard Business School. She highlighted the theme of Vikshit Bharat 2047 during her address. Sitharaman emphasized the significant transformation witnessed in India’s banking landscape and the comprehensive reforms introduced by the go ..... Read More

T20 WC: Indian players to USA, West Indies in 2 batches

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah, has confirmed the departure plans for Indian team players not qualifying for the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs. These players will leave in two groups for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies. Shah stated that players from teams not making the IPL playoffs will depart on May 24 along with the coaching staff. The remaining players will leave after the IPL final on May 26. Regarding the last league games, Shah emphasized that players from non-qualify ..... Read More

18-year-old music prodigy Tiara Abraham makes history

Tiara Thankam Abraham, an 18-year-old musical prodigy of Indian American descent, has etched her name in history as the youngest student ever to earn a master’s degree across all seven campuses of Indiana University. Her groundbreaking accomplishment, achieved on May 3, preceded even the attainment of her driver’s license, underscoring her extraordinary talent and dedication to her craft. Expressing her elation and gratitude, Tiara reflected on the arduous yet fulfilling journey that led to her Master of Music degree. Having graduated summa ..... Read More

Biden attends Khosla’s fundraiser, raises over $1.5M

Vinod Khosla, a prominent Indian-American billionaire and venture capitalist, hosted an election fundraiser for US President Joe Biden at his Silicon Valley residence, where Biden raised over $1.5 million. The event, attended by many Indian-Americans from the Silicon Valley area, accommodated about 50 seated guests and around 30 standing. Tickets for the fundraiser ranged from $6,600 to $100,000. Khosla, co-founder of Sun Microsystems and founder of Khosla Ventures, introduced Biden at the event. During his speech, Biden emphasized immigration ..... Read More

India to Overcome Japan, 4th Economy by 2025: Kant

India’s G20 Sherpa and former Niti Aayog CEO, Amitabh Kant, forecasts India’s rise to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2025, surpassing Japan. This prediction stems from optimistic macroeconomic indicators. Currently, India ranks fifth in GDP globally, having surpassed the United Kingdom in 2022. India’s economic growth over the past decade has been remarkable, shifting it from the “Fragile 5” in 2013 to one of the top five economies in 2024. Key drivers of this progress include record GST collections ..... Read More

PM Modi’s Guarantees for West Bengal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a scathing critique of the TMC-led government during a public rally in Barrackpore, West Bengal. He accused the state administration of reallocating quotas meant for SC/STs and OBCs to the Muslim community, labeling it as unfair. Modi asserted the BJP’s growing influence in the region, emphasizing West Bengal’s significance and criticizing the Congress’s lengthy rule for failing to alleviate poverty in Eastern India. In his address, Modi condemned the alleged efforts by the TMC to margina ..... Read More

India’s mammoth election: millions vote in fourth round

Millions of voters across 96 constituencies in India commenced their electoral duties as the nation’s extensive six-week-long election surpassed its midway point. Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks reelection for a third consecutive term, eyeing a potential supermajority in Parliament. This phase of voting, spanning nine states and one union territory, holds significant importance for Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), particularly in strongholds like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Crucial seats in Maharashtra and Bihar, where ..... Read More