Must Read News

India Surpasses China as Global Oil Growth Leader

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) has recently reported that India is now the main contributor to global oil consumption growth in 2024 and 2025, surpassing China. For nearly two decades, from 1998 to 2023, China’s oil consumption outpaced India’s every year, consistently leading global oil demand growth. However, India is now forecast to account for a quarter of the total growth in global oil demand.  The EIA predicts that global liquid fuel consumption will rise by 0.9 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2024, with even gr ..... Read More

Government Policies to Boost Bioenergy Growth in India

The Indian government has introduced the National Bioenergy Programme (NBP) to promote the adoption of bioenergy and waste-to-energy technologies, with the goal of boosting clean energy solutions, enhancing energy security, and fostering sustainable development. Since 2014, a range of initiatives have been put in place to advance the biofuels sector. These include expanding the feedstock for ethanol production, implementing price mechanisms for sugarcane-based ethanol under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, and introducing Ethanol Int ..... Read More

Study Shows Regular Coffee Consumption May Add 1.8 Years to Healthy Living

For years, coffee has been a subject of debate, with studies highlighting both its benefits and potential drawbacks. As one of the most widely consumed beverages globally, with approximately 2 billion cups drunk every day, coffee has been linked to numerous health effects. Some studies suggest that coffee may lower the risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, liver disease, and obesity due to its rich content of nutrients and antioxidants. However, there are concerns about its potential to cause issues like increased anxiety, migraines, s ..... Read More

Atlee and Priya Atlee Make Bollywood Debut with ‘Baby John’

Following the success of their Tamil films ‘Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae’ (2017) and ‘Andhaghaaram’ (2020), the powerhouse couple Atlee and Priya Atlee are set to make their highly anticipated Bollywood debut with ‘Baby John’. Produced under their banner, A for Apple Productions, the action-packed film features Varun Dhawan in the lead role and is directed by Kalees. Scheduled for a grand release on December 25, 2024, the movie promises to deliver a thrilling cinematic experience. Ahead of the film’s release, the team hosted ..... Read More

Zarna Garg to Star in CBS Comedy Pilot Co-produced by Mindy Kaling and Kevin Hart

Indian-American comedian and screenwriter Zarna Garg is set to star in a multi-camera comedy pilot titled “Zarna”, which has been ordered by CBS. The pilot, which will feature Garg’s unique style of clean, family-friendly comedy, is co-produced by a star-studded team including Mindy Kaling, Kevin Hart, and Jessica Kumai Scott, with Darlene Hunt also serving as writer, executive producer, and showrunner. The show will depict Zarna as a proud immigrant woman who, after raising her American-born children with strong Indian values ..... Read More

Caitlin Sandra Neil, Indian-American, Wins Miss India USA 2024

In a remarkable display of Indian-American talent, Caitlin Sandra Neil, 19, originally from Chennai, India, was crowned Miss India USA 2024 at the annual pageant in New Jersey. A second-year student at the University of California, Davis, Caitlin aims to leverage her title for women’s empowerment and literacy initiatives, aspiring to create a positive impact on society. Having lived in the USA for the past 14 years, Caitlin’s vision for her future includes a career in web design, modeling, and acting, showcasing the diverse talen ..... Read More

India Unveils G20 Talent Visa to Attract Global Academic and Technological Talent

The Ministry of Home Affairs has officially launched the G20 Talent Visa to position India as a global hub for academic and technological collaboration. This visa is designed for scholars, researchers, and professionals from G20 nations and aims to enhance India’s scientific and educational ecosystem. The announcement aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposal at the 2024 G20 Summit, where he stressed the importance of fostering opportunities for top talent in science and technology. Modi highlighted the need for a visa that would ..... Read More

India, China agree to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

India and China have reaffirmed their commitment to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, improve cross-border river cooperation, and promote Nathula border trade during the 23rd Special Representatives meeting on the boundary question, held on December 18, 2024, in Beijing. This marks the first such meeting in five years, following the leaders’ consensus in Kazan. In discussions led by Wang Yi (Chinese Special Representative) and Ajit Doval (Indian Special Representative), both sides agreed to bolster mechanisms for diplomatic and military ne ..... Read More

India Leads Remittance Inflows with $129 Billion in 2024

In 2024, India topped global remittance inflows, receiving an estimated $129 billion, followed by Mexico, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan, according to a blog post by World Bank economists. This surge is attributed to the recovery in job markets across high-income countries, particularly within the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations. Remittances are projected to grow by 5.8% in 2024, a significant improvement from the 1.2% growth recorded in 2023. Remittances to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) ar ..... Read More

India’s Energy Storage to Grow 12-Fold by FY32

India is poised for a remarkable surge in energy storage capacity, with projections indicating a 12-fold growth to around 60 GW by FY32, according to a recent SBI report. This expansion is expected to surpass the growth rate of renewable energy generation. The integration of energy storage in renewable projects has climbed from 5% in FY20 to 23% in FY24. As variable renewable energy (VRE) is set to triple in power generation share by FY32, concerns over grid stability are intensifying due to potential mismatches between VRE output and peak elec ..... Read More

Raj Singh Receives 2024 Eminent Faculty Award at OSU

Dr. Raj Singh, Regents Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Oklahoma State University (OSU), was awarded the prestigious Eminent Faculty Award during the University Awards Convocation on December 13, 2024. The ceremony, held in the Student Union Ballroom, celebrated OSU faculty, staff, and administrators for their significant achievements. Dr. Singh’s recognition came through nominations by his supervisors and colleagues. The Eminent Faculty Award, which includes a $10,000 stipend, is OSU’s highest honor for faculty members who ..... Read More

Indian Americans’ political influence grows under Trump

At the Democratic National Convention this summer, Kamala Harris shared a touching tribute to her mother, who emigrated from Chennai, India, with dreams of becoming a scientist. Harris, a trailblazer poised to be the first female and South Asian president, lost the race to President-elect Donald Trump, who triumphed in all seven swing states. While many might assume Indian Americans would be disheartened by Harris’ defeat, their political influence is at an all-time high under Trump’s leadership. The incoming administration inclu ..... Read More

Sandhya Suri’s Santosh Shortlisted for 2025 Academy Award

British-Indian director Sandhya Suri’s Santosh has been selected for the shortlist for the Best International Feature Film at the 2025 Academy Awards. The film, the U.K.’s official entry, is one of just 15 films chosen from 85 global submissions. India’s entry, Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao, did not make the shortlist. Other films included in the list are I’m Still Here (Brazil), Universal Language (Canada), Waves (Czech Republic), and Emilia Perez (France), among others. Santosh stars Shahana Goswami as a yo ..... Read More

Three Indian Americans Win Prestigious Marshall Scholarships

The prestigious 2025 Marshall Scholarship has been awarded to three exceptional Indian Americans — Tej Patel, Sridatta Teerdhala, and Pratyush Seshadri. The Marshall Scholarship, named after George C. Marshall, U.S. Secretary of State, was created in 1953 to honor American aid to the UK following World War II. The scholarship funds young, talented Americans to study for a graduate degree in the United Kingdom. Tej Patel, currently enrolled in the Life Sciences and Management Program at the University of Pennsylvania, is an advocate for more e ..... Read More

Hope rises for Indian Americans in Trump’s upcoming appointments

When Joe Biden and Kamala Harris took office on January 20, 2021, over 20 Indian Americans had already been appointed to key roles within their transition team and administration. By the end of the year, this number surged to more than 130. This shift came after efforts by the Indian American advocacy group Impact, which compiled resumes for talented professionals to ensure more representation for the community in US politics. The initiative sought to bridge the barriers often faced by candidates of color in securing political roles. In contras ..... Read More

Double-engine govt fuels good governance, says PM

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the BJP government in Rajasthan, led by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, stating that their double-engine administration is setting new standards for good governance. Speaking at the ‘Ek Varsh-Parinaam Utkarsh’ event marking one year of the BJP government in Rajasthan, PM Modi underscored the public’s growing trust in the BJP, citing recent election wins in Maharashtra, Haryana, and the Lok Sabha. He noted that BJP’s consecutive victories reflect widespread confidence in t ..... Read More

Amazon Set to Create 2 Million Jobs by 2025

Amazon announced its commitment to creating 2 million direct and indirect jobs in India by the end of 2025. To date, the company has generated 1.4 million jobs across industries such as IT, e-commerce, logistics, manufacturing, content creation, and skill development. In addition, Amazon has raised its export target four times higher, now aiming to achieve $80 billion in cumulative exports by 2030. This ambitious goal reflects Amazon’s confidence in India’s potential as a global export hub. At the first Smbhav Summit in 2020, Ama ..... Read More

Government Boosts Ayurveda Market with $18.1 Billion Growth

The “Ayush Sector in India: Prospects and Challenges” report from the Forum on Indian Traditional Medicine (FITM) reveals that the Ayush industry was valued at $18.1 billion for 2020-21. This impressive growth can be attributed to government-driven initiatives aimed at boosting international collaboration and expanding Ayurveda product exports. One such initiative is the “Central Sector Scheme for Promotion of International Cooperation in AYUSH,” which encourages Ayurveda manufacturers and institutions to engage in globa ..... Read More

Tulsi Gabbard Visits BAPS Akshardham Temple in Robbinsville

Former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu American to serve in Congress, attended a celebration at BAPS Akshardham Temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey, on December 15, 2024, marking the 103rd birth anniversary of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Addressing an audience of about 2,000 people, Gabbard expressed admiration for the spiritual significance of the temple, highlighting the intricate carvings and sculptures that depict stories from the Bhagavad Gita. During her visit, Gabbard discussed the importance of unity, peace, and harmon ..... Read More

Indian American Chef Priyanka Naik’s Inspiring Success Story

Priyanka Naik, an Indian American chef, has an inspiring story of resilience and reinvention. After over a decade working for major firms like X (formerly Twitter), Bloomberg, and Conde Nast, Naik faced a significant challenge when she was laid off from Twitter in 2022. Instead of being defeated, she transformed this setback into an opportunity to pursue her true passion: cooking. Her love for food, deeply rooted in her vegetarian upbringing, had always been part of her life. In 2017, she earned recognition by winning Cooks vs. Cons on the Food ..... Read More

India Strengthens Economic Ties with Sri Lanka for Growth

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, highlighted India’s dedication to strengthening bilateral relations with Sri Lanka through increased economic and cultural collaboration. His remarks were delivered at the India-Sri Lanka Business Forum in New Delhi on Monday, attended by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Goyal underscored the long-standing economic ties between the two nations, expressing confidence that deeper cooperation would lead to shared prosperity. The forum, organized by the Confederation of Indian I ..... Read More

Anoushka Kale Elected President of the Historic Cambridge Union Society

Anoushka Kale, a British Indian student at the University of Cambridge, has been elected as the President of the prestigious Cambridge Union Society for the Easter 2025 term. Known as one of the oldest debating societies in the world, the Cambridge Union has championed free speech since 1815. Kale won the election uncontested, securing 126 votes. Currently serving as the society’s Debate Officer, Kale campaigned on a platform focused on strengthening ties with cultural groups at the university, particularly the India Society. She expre ..... Read More

Mehtab Sandhu Appointed Orange County Superior Court Judge

Mehtab Sandhu has been appointed as a Judge in the Orange County Superior Court by California Governor Gavin Newsom. With an extensive legal background, Sandhu has been serving as an Assistant City Attorney for Anaheim since 2022. Prior to that, he was a Deputy City Attorney and Community Prosecutor for Anaheim from 2021 to 2022 and worked as a Deputy District Attorney in San Bernardino County from 2012 to 2021. In 2012, Sandhu also worked as an Associate at the firm Bernstein, Litowitz, Berger & Grossman. Sandhu steps into this role follow ..... Read More

Modi’s Historic Visit to Kuwait: First in 43 Years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Kuwait on December 21-22, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the Gulf nation in 43 years. Initially, a visit to Saudi Arabia was also on the agenda for this month; however, due to delays in finalizing dates, that trip is now expected to occur next year. Kuwait, a reliable supplier of crude oil and LPG to India, is also home to a significant Indian diaspora of nearly one million people. It is the only Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member that Modi has not yet visited. Kuwait curre ..... Read More

India’s gold prices now align with global trends.

In 2024, gold reached new heights, achieving record peaks 40 times throughout the year, with various factors influencing its price. However, some key drivers remained constant, particularly central bank purchases. China’s central bank made significant acquisitions early in the year, while the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) maintained a steady buying pace, purchasing an average of 17 tonnes per quarter. In Q3 alone, the RBI acquired 57 tonnes, reflecting strong support for gold. Geopolitical instability also played a role in driving gold prices. ..... Read More