Must Read News

Indian-American Gopi Thotakura set for Blue Origin space tour

Gopi Thotakura, an accomplished pilot, is poised to make history as the first Indian to journey to the edge of space aboard Blue Origin’s upcoming flight, NS-25. Alongside five other crew members, the Indian-American aviator will embark on this pioneering mission, although the precise dates are yet to be disclosed by Jeff Bezos’ space enterprise. Described by Blue Origin as a seasoned pilot and aviator with a lifelong passion for flight, Gopi’s credentials extend beyond commercial aviation. From mastering bush, aerobatic, a ..... Read More

India’s innovative development model: lessons learned

In a recent exploration of India’s economic landscape, a bright spot emerged amidst global uncertainties: a robust growth rate of 7.5 percent for the past fiscal year. This growth, predominantly fueled by public investments, signifies the pivotal role of both public and private sectors in shaping India’s trajectory towards prosperity. During the journey, encounters with women entrepreneurs in Tamil Nadu underscored the transformative power of empowering women, while private sector initiatives showcased a commitment to a green and ..... Read More

FY24 Exports Beat Previous Record: USD 776.68 Billion

The most recent update from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry indicates that India’s total export of goods and services in March 2024 stands at USD 70.21 Billion. This figure represents a decline of (-) 3.01% compared to March 2023. Similarly, the overall import for March 2024 stands at USD 73.12 Billion, indicating a negative growth rate of (-) 6.11% over March 2023. For the fiscal year 2023-24 (April-March), India’s combined exports are estimated at USD 776.68 Billion, showing a marginal positive growth rate of 0.04% over ..... Read More

India to be global service provider soon: CDS Anil Chauhan

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan expressed confidence that India is on the brink of becoming a significant global service provider during his address at the Indian Defspace Symposium 2024. Emphasizing space as the ultimate frontier, he noted India’s transition from being a recipient to a potential provider of space services and situational data awareness. General Chauhan highlighted the strategic importance of space, considering it the new domain of warfare with its rapid development shaping modern combat dynamics. He ..... Read More

Vande Bharat: 20 Millions Passengers Since 2019 Launch

India’s inaugural semi-high-speed rail service, Vande Bharat, achieves a significant milestone with over twenty million passengers boarding it by March 31, since its inception. Launched in 2019 between Delhi and Varanasi, these trains, crafted domestically by Indian Railways, offer a seamless travel experience. On Monday, Indian Railways commemorated its 171st anniversary, tracing back to the historic inaugural journey from Mumbai to Thane in 1853. The officials reflect on the extraordinary journey of Indian Railways, which now extends it ..... Read More

Jackie Shroff’s Ayodhya Ram Mandir Visit: Ram Navami Reflection

Bollywood veteran Jackie Shroff extended heartfelt wishes to his fans on ‘Happy Ram Navami’ as the world commemorated the auspicious occasion. Sharing a throwback video, he revisited his pilgrimage to the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, inaugurated in Uttar Pradesh on January 22, 2024. In the video, Jackie Shroff is seen walking barefoot, paying homage to the sacred site. Clips from the grand inauguration ceremony, where he was among the esteemed guests, were showcased. Notably, he carried a plant, symbolizing his commitment to environmental ad ..... Read More

After 500 years, Ram Lalla…: Kangana Ranaut’s Ram Navami post

Source : Instagram/ Kangana Celebrating Ram Navami, Kangana Ranaut, an actor turned BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, reflected on her visit to Ayodhya for Ram Lalla’s ceremonial enthronement. She shared a video of her visit to the grand Ram Temple’s opening on January 22. The video showcased the temple’s splendor and snippets of PM Narendra Modi’s address. Kangana expressed joy that after 500 years, Ram Lalla was celebrating Ram Navami in his grand temple. PM Modi conducted an 11-day ‘Anusthan& ..... Read More

IMF Raises India Growth Forecasts on Domestic Demand

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has upgraded its GDP growth forecast for India in FY24 by 110 basis points to 7.8%, surpassing the National Statistical Office’s (NSO) estimate of 7.6%. Additionally, it revised the GDP growth projection for FY25 upward by 30 bps to 6.8% and maintained the forecast for FY26 at 6.5%. The IMF attributed these revisions to robust domestic demand and a growing working-age population. However, the IMF’s forecast for FY25 remains 20 bps lower than the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) projection of ..... Read More

India urges decisive action on UNSC reform, calls for inclusivity

During the 6th round of intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform, India emphasized the urgency for decisive action, advocating for an inclusive framework that accurately mirrors today’s dynamic global landscape. Ruchira Kamboj, the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations in New York, reiterated India’s stance, expressing support for expanding both permanent and non-permanent membership categories of the UN Security Council. She emphasized the necessity of genuine reform to ensure the Council’s ..... Read More

Ram Lalla’s First Ram Navami: Science Enables Surya Tilak

On the occasion of Ram Navami, a significant event unfolded at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple. Ram Lalla, who was ceremoniously welcomed to the temple in January, experienced a divine occurrence known as Surya Tilak or Surya Abhishek. During this ritual, sunrays illuminated the forehead of the deity, symbolizing a divine blessing. It is believed that Lord Ram, belonging to the Ishvaku clan, is a descendant of the Sun God, or Suryavanshis. The scientific explanation behind this phenomenon involves meticulous planning and engineering. Scientists f ..... Read More

Blood sugar, fats tied to increased anxiety, depression risk

In a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers delved into the correlation between metabolic factors and the risk of chronic mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders. Examining data from over 211,000 participants, they found that elevated blood sugar and triglyceride levels were associated with a heightened risk of these mental illnesses up to 20 years before diagnosis, while higher levels of “good” cholesterol seemed to provide some protection. The study, conducted within the Sw ..... Read More

Ranveer Singh, Kriti Sanon praise PM Modi at Kashi event

Actor Ranveer Singh and actress Kriti Sanon recently took center stage as showstoppers for renowned designer Manish Malhotra’s fashion extravaganza held in Varanasi, the country’s oldest pilgrimage site. Both celebrities lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his dedicated efforts towards revitalizing public infrastructure and fostering the development of Varanasi. Ranveer Singh expressed his gratitude towards Prime Minister Modi for his initiatives aimed at supporting and uplifting the weaver community in Varanasi. He emphasized t ..... Read More

Payal Kapadia’s debut at 2024 Cannes Film Fest

Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s debut feature, “All We Imagine As Light,” is set to compete for the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival alongside renowned directors such as Yorgos Lanthimos, Paolo Sorrentino, Francis Ford Coppola, and Paul Schrader. This marks a significant milestone as it’s the first time in three decades that an Indian film has secured a spot in the festival’s competitive section, following Shaji N Karun’s 1994 film “Swaham.” Kapadia has previously tasted succ ..... Read More

India’s electronics exports rise 23.6% to US$ 29.12B in FY24

During the fiscal year 2024, India experienced a notable surge in the export of electronic goods, with the total value reaching US$ 29.12 billion. This represents a substantial growth rate of 23.6% compared to the previous year, despite an overall decline of 3% in the nation’s total exports. Officials from the commerce department highlighted that the United States, United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Italy emerged as the leading export markets for Indian electronic products during this period, underscoring the diverse g ..... Read More

India navigates the Iran-Israel conflict for economic safety

Amidst the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Palestine, another potential crisis looms as Iran launches retaliatory attacks on Israel, raising fears of a full-scale war. This escalation is of particular concern for India due to its proximity to West Asia. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has swiftly expressed serious concern and called for immediate de-escalation. India, maintaining friendly ties with both Iran and Israel, faces a delicate diplomatic challenge, needing to address the issue without compromising ..... Read More

Radha Iyengar Plumb: DoD’s New Chief Digital & AI Officer

The appointment of Dr. Radha Iyengar Plumb as the new Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer (CDAO) by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has been recently announced, marking a transition from the tenure of Craig Martell, who held the position as the department’s inaugural CDAO. Dr. Plumb, presently serving as the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, is slated to assume her new role from April 8, 2024. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin acknowledged Craig Martell’s significant contribut ..... Read More

M.R. Rangaswami: Angel Investor to Indiaspora Founder

M.R. Rangaswami’s journey to the United States in 1976 wasn’t just a relocation; it was a transformative odyssey characterized by uncertainty and the pursuit of new opportunities. Disillusioned by the emergency situation in India, Rangaswami, then a law student, felt compelled to seek a fresh start. An invitation from his brother to upstate New York became the catalyst for a journey that would reshape his life trajectory. Reflecting on his American journey in a recent episode of The Trailblazers, streamed on the DesiMax YouTube chan ..... Read More

BU SHA Presents ICON Award to Padma Lakshmi

Boston University School of Hospitality Administration (BU SHA) is delighted to announce that the fourth annual ICON award will be bestowed upon Padma Lakshmi, an acclaimed producer, TV host, culinary expert, and bestselling author, recognized as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2023. The ICON award, presented annually by BU School of Hospitality Administration, celebrates visionaries who redefine the landscape of hospitality. The award ceremony will mark the culmination of the Hospitality Leadership Summit on Apri ..... Read More

Spiritual Oasis: Hindu Temple in Chic Soho

In Manhattan’s vibrant Soho district, the Broome Street Hindu temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesha, is cultivating a unique sense of allure. Its central location attracts notable figures like spiritual author Deepak Chopra and devotees, including actor Willem Dafoe, spotted sporting temple merchandise. Shruti Bramadesam, the temple’s assistant director, emphasizes its inclusive vibe, where spirituality is celebrated and meditation embraced without judgment, contrasting with childhood experiences of ridicule. The temple, founded by yoga ins ..... Read More

India: Multinationals’ Alternative Manufacturing Base – UN

The United Nations’ Financing for Sustainable Development 2024 Report highlights India’s position as a significant destination for foreign investments, attributing it to multinational corporations viewing the country as a viable alternative for manufacturing within their supply chains diversification strategies, amidst growing interest. Emphasizing India’s resilience in attracting investments, especially in comparison to other developing nations, the report underscores the country’s appeal as an alternative manufacturing ..... Read More

Vidya Balan: ‘Witch-hunt’ in Film Industry

Actor Vidya Balan and her co-star Pratik Gandhi from “Do Aur Do Pyaar” were featured in the inaugural session of Indian Express’s new series “Expresso”. During the event, Vidya candidly discussed her experiences of facing criticism and scrutiny in Bollywood. She revealed instances of being body-shamed and criticized for her fashion choices. Vidya acknowledged facing a “witch hunt” in the industry, attributing it to personal issues others had with her. Despite the challenges, she expressed resilience, ..... Read More

India tests Portable Anti-tank Guided Missile in Rajasthan

India recently conducted successful warhead flight trials of the indigenous Man Portable Anti-tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, Rajasthan. Describing the missile and warhead performance as “remarkable,” the Ministry of Defence (MoD) highlighted the achievement in a statement. Designed and developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the MPATGM weapon system underwent field evaluations in various flight configurations to demonstrate its technological prowess. Compri ..... Read More

Indian Creators: PM Modi’s New Tag ‘NaMo OP’

During a casual conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in New Delhi, prominent Indian content creators hailed him as the most fashionable leader globally and coined a new moniker for him in the realm of livestream gaming – ‘NaMo OP’, where OP denotes “overpowered”. In an informal interaction, the gamers decided to assign PM Modi a new gamer tag, eliciting a smile from the Prime Minister who mentioned that India has already bestowed upon him the nickname ‘NaMo’. Acknowledging the gesture, the Prime ..... Read More

Chandrayaan-3 awarded prestigious US Space Exploration Award

India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission team has been honored with the prestigious 2024 John L. ‘Jack’ Swigert Jr. Award for Space Exploration, recognizing their efforts in advancing space exploration. This acknowledgment comes in the wake of the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission last August, marking India’s historic achievement as the first country to land on the moon’s south pole. Crafted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), this milestone in lunar exploration has been hailed for expanding humanity’s unde ..... Read More

Top 20 promises made by BJP in manifesto

  The BJP pledges to enhance infrastructure development along the borders with China, Pakistan, and Myanmar, stating, “We will introduce technological solutions on fenced portions to make fencing smarter.” The party commits to fully implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act and granting citizenship to all qualified individuals.   Regarding the Uniform Civil Code, the BJP asserts, “Bringing Uniform Civil Code: Article 44 of the Constitution lists Uniform Civil Code as one of the Directive Principles of State Polic ..... Read More