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India’s Push to Become a Global Aviation Hub: Rammohan Naidu

At the second Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation in New Delhi, India’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr. K. Rammohan Naidu, emphasised the nation’s ambitions to become a global aviation hub and kickstart domestic aircraft manufacturing. He emphasised the importance of infrastructure, integration, and innovation in achieving sustainable growth in the sector. India’s civil aviation market, one of the fastest-growing globally, has seen a significant expansion in fleet size, domestic passengers, and operational airpor ..... Read More

Modi Unveils Semicon India 2024, Envisions Global Chips

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Semicon India 2024 on September 11, articulating his vision for Indian-made chips to feature in every global device. Addressing the conference, Modi highlighted India’s growing role in the semiconductor sector, underscoring that over $1.8 billion has been committed to semiconductor manufacturing, with numerous projects in progress. Modi stated that India aims to grow its electronics sector from $150 billion to $500 billion by the end of the decade. He noted that India offers a stable ecosystem a ..... Read More

India Vows to Revitalize the UN: Ambassador Harish Assures Guterres

In a significant diplomatic move, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish presented his credentials to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, assuring him of India’s unwavering commitment to revitalizing the United Nations. Taking over as India’s Permanent Representative to the global body, Harish emphasized the need for reform and revitalization within the organization, signaling India’s active engagement with key issues. Shortly after the credential ceremony on Monday, Ambassador Harish wasted no time and made a strong case before the Security ..... Read More

Nikki Haley Joins Edelman as Vice Chair of Global Advisory

Edelman, a leading global public relations firm based in New York, has announced the appointment of Nikki Haley as vice chair of its public affairs consultancy, Edelman Global Advisory (EGA). Haley, who was South Carolina’s first female governor from 2011 to 2017, brings a wealth of experience in leadership, international relations, and economic development to the role. Her tenure as governor was marked by successful efforts to attract foreign companies to South Carolina, boosting economic growth and job creation. Haley also served as the ..... Read More

Apple’s iPhone Exports from India Hit $5 Billion—Up 54%

Apple’s iPhone exports from India have experienced a remarkable surge, reaching $5 billion (approximately ₹41,985 crore) within the first five months of FY25. This represents a significant 54% increase from the same period last year. The growth is attributed to Apple’s strategic decision to manufacture the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone Max locally. The current export figure aligns with Apple’s total exports for the entire fiscal year FY22, indicating a notable acceleration in production. Apple’s production partners in India—Foxconn, ..... Read More

Israel Eyes Indian Firms for Major Infrastructure Projects

In an exclusive conversation with ANI, Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, extended an invitation to Indian infrastructure companies to explore opportunities in Israel. Azar emphasised that as India enters the “Make in India” era, Israeli industry must adapt and collaborate. He expressed confidence that Israel will remain a strong partner of India and noted that Israel seeks to secure its supply chain by involving Indian firms. Azar highlighted the need for Indian companies and workforce to participate in international infrast ..... Read More

Modi’s Turban and Langar to Kartarpur: Sikh Respect

Rahul Gandhi’s recent remarks in the United States, questioning whether Sikhs will be able to wear their turban and ‘kada’ or visit Gurdwaras under the BJP-led regime, are at odds with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s demonstrated respect for Sikh culture. Modi has been seen wearing a Sikh turban during his visit to Takhat Sri Harminder Ji Patna Sahib in Bihar in May and has actively participated in Sikh customs, including cooking and serving Langar. During election rallies in Punjab, Modi was also seen sporting a Sikh ..... Read More

India Joins US Global Chip Alliance to Boost Semiconductor Sector

The US Department of State has teamed up with India’s Semiconductor Mission, part of the Ministry of Electronics and IT, to explore opportunities for expanding and diversifying the global semiconductor ecosystem. This partnership, supported by the CHIPS Act’s International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund, aims to build a more secure and resilient semiconductor supply chain. Kurt Campbell, US Deputy Secretary of State, highlighted that the collaboration is a cornerstone of the US-India Critical and Emerging Technology (ICET) p ..... Read More

India to Train 5,000 ‘Cyber Commandos’ to Combat Cybercrime

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah announced a major new initiative to enhance India’s cybersecurity. Over the next five years, the Centre plans to train 5,000 ‘Cyber Commandos’ to tackle the increasing threat of cybercrime. This announcement was made during the first foundation day of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), where Shah also launched the ‘Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre’ (CFMC). Shah highlighted the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to address the borderless nature of ..... Read More

Arvind Ravinutala Joins Fruit Street Health as CMO

Fruit Street Health, a recognized diabetes prevention program by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has appointed Dr. Arvind Ravinutala as its new Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Ravinutala, an Indian American physician, brings over 12 years of experience in internal medicine and has previously served as a senior healthcare consultant at Stream by AlphaSense and a clinical informaticist at Adventist Health. He is also an associate professor at Loma Linda University. Ravinutala, an MD from the Keck School of Medicine at USC and a g ..... Read More

iPhone 16: Make-in-India Milestone in Manufacturing!

India’s manufacturing sector, particularly in electronics, is gaining momentum, with mobile phone exports to the US soaring from $2.2 billion in FY22-23 to $5.7 billion in FY24. Apple has significantly contributed to this growth, assembling 14% of global iPhones in India during FY24, and has seen India improve its global electronics export ranking by four positions. In a notable development, the Made-in-India iPhone 16 series will be available globally within days of its launch. Apple plans to unveil the new iPhones on Monday, with sales set ..... Read More

India-US Launch Largest-Ever Ground Combat Exercise

India and the US launched their most extensive ground combat exercise to date, named ‘Yudh Abhyas,’ at the Mahajan field firing ranges in Rajasthan. This 21-day exercise, involving around 600 troops from India’s Rajput Regiment and 600 soldiers from the US’s 1-24 Battalion of the 11th Airborne Division, aims to bolster military interoperability and refine combat skills. The 20th edition of Yudh Abhyas represents a substantial escalation in scope, complexity, and equipment deployment, according to an Army officer. The exercise wi ..... Read More

India and UAE Enhance Strategic Partnership with Four Key Agreements

On Monday, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed four significant agreements, marking a substantial enhancement of their strategic partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan engaged in discussions to advance cooperation across various sectors, including energy, nuclear technology, and food security. Key Agreements Include: 1. Long-Term LNG Supply: The agreement between the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) secures a lo ..... Read More

India to Be Top 3 Market in 5 Years: Amway MD

Amway has set its sights on making India one of its top three global markets within the next five years, according to Rajneesh Chopra, Managing Director of Amway India. The company has invested $4 million (around Rs 35 crore) to establish four new research and development centres across India in Gurugram, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Dindigul (Tamil Nadu). This investment aims to enhance Amway’s product development capabilities, particularly in nutrition, beauty, and personal care. Chopra noted that Amway currently operates with around 550,000 act ..... Read More

Pixxel Secures Largest NASA Deal for Earth Imaging

Pixxel, a Bengaluru-based space technology startup known for its advanced hyperspectral earth-imaging solutions, has secured the largest supplier deal ever awarded to an Indian company by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This contract, part of NASA’s $476-million commercial smallsat data acquisition program, marks the first deal by an Indian startup since the sector was opened to private firms in 2020. The agreement extends through November 2028. Under this contract, Pixxel will supply NASA, US government entities, an ..... Read More

FDI Rises 47.8% in Q2 2024 Amid Optimism

Foreign direct investments (FDI) experienced a notable surge of 47.8%, reaching US$ 16.17 billion for the period of April to June 2024. This uptick is attributed to a combination of factors including potential Federal Reserve rate cuts, moderate growth expectations in the US, and favourable economic conditions in India. Investment preferences have evolved over the past decade, with sectors like power, construction, healthcare, chemicals, and non-conventional energy becoming more appealing, according to Deloitte India’s Economist, Ms. Rumk ..... Read More

Women-led startups will boost India’s global presence

Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh is optimistic about the role of women-led startups in elevating India’s presence on the global stage in the near future. During the virtual inauguration of eight new NIDHI Inclusive Technology Business Incubators (i-TBIs) across the country and the launch of a new DST-NIDHI website at IIT Delhi, Dr. Singh underscored the critical importance of nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship. The newly established i-TBIs, which fall under the Department of Science and Technology’s NIDHI initiat ..... Read More

Hindus for America First Backs Trump, Targets Harris

Photo : X.com Hindus for America First, a newly established grassroots organisation, has declared its support for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and will initiate a campaign against Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris in key battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Georgia, and North Carolina. The announcement was made on Thursday by Utsav Sanduja, the organisation’s chairman and founder, who expressed concerns that Harris could be “very destabilising for Indo-US relations.” Sanduja argued that ..... Read More

India Hits New Paralympic Record with 29 Medals

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the Indian para-athletes for their outstanding performance at the Paralympic Games in Paris, where they secured a record 29 medals, the highest ever for the country at these Games. In a heartfelt message on the social media platform X, the Prime Minister celebrated their “unwavering dedication and indomitable spirit.” Describing the 2024 Paralympics as both “special and historical,” Modi expressed India’s immense pride in the achievements of its athletes. He highlighted that ..... Read More

PM Modi Meets Abu Dhabi Crown Prince: Ties Strengthened

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, arrived in New Delhi on Monday for his inaugural two-day visit to India. This visit is intended to enhance bilateral relations across various sectors. Welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House, Sheikh Khaled’s arrival on Sunday followed a formal invitation from Modi. The External Affairs Ministry highlighted this diplomatic occasion with photographs of the warm reception, describing Sheikh Khaled as a “close friend.” MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswa ..... Read More

Indian Americans Go ‘Nacho Nacho’ for Harris Campaign

The Oscar-winning song Nacho Nacho from the RRR sensation has now been repurposed for a new cause – Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. An Indian-American entrepreneur and Democratic fundraiser is leveraging this hit to create a music video designed to encourage South Asian voters to support Harris in key battleground states ahead of the fast-approaching U.S. election. Ajay Bhutoria, a prominent figure on Kamala Harris’s National Finance Committee, revamped the song alongside his creative team. The video, running just 1.5 minutes, open ..... Read More

Reshma Saujani Grills Trump on Childcare, Sparks Backlash

During a Q&A session at the Economic Club of New York, Donald Trump faced criticism for dodging a question on his childcare plan, including from the woman who posed the question, Reshma Saujani, an Indian American trustee of the club. Saujani, founder of Moms First and Girls Who Code, expressed her frustration on social media platform X, calling Trump’s response “incomprehensible at best, and at worst, outrageously offensive to the millions of families drowning in costs.” Saujani had raised the critical issue of childcare ..... Read More

Can India Ignite the Next Semiconductor Revolution?

India is rapidly emerging as a central hub for semiconductor manufacturing, thanks to its growing global partnerships. S Krishnan, the Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and IT, recently highlighted that shifting geopolitical dynamics are prompting many nations to collaborate with India to enhance the global semiconductor supply chain. Krishnan detailed that pilot facilities operated by US-based Micron and Tata Electronics are already in production, with their main manufacturing plants in Gujarat scheduled to commence operations by late 2 ..... Read More

Lalbaugcha Raja: Ganesh Chaturthi’s Majestic Legacy Revealed

Each year, millions flock to the bustling, rain-drenched streets of Mumbai for a pilgrimage of sorts to catch a glimpse of the revered Lalbaugcha Raja. This iconic 14-foot statue of Lord Ganesha embodies a deep sense of devotion that draws countless devotees, regardless of their ties to the city. The enduring legacy and tradition surrounding the Lalbaugcha Raja have cemented its status as a significant cultural and spiritual symbol. The tradition of Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai began as a response to a period of hardship. In the early 1900s, Lalb ..... Read More

Kareena Kapoor Leads as Top Female Tax-Payer for 2024

Kareena Kapoor has been recognized as the highest tax-paying female celebrity in India for 2024, according to Fortune India. Her impressive tax contributions, totaling $2.4 million, surpass those of other prominent actresses like Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt. Following her is Kiara Advani, her co-star in Good Newzz, who paid $1.45 million in taxes. Katrina Kaif ranks third among female celebrities with a tax payment of $1.33 million. These three actresses are the only female celebrities to make it onto this year’s list. In her professional ..... Read More