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‘Bhooth Bangla’ Actor Compares Bollywood And Bengali Films
MUMBAI -Bengali film industry’s superstar Jisshu Sengupta has pointed out the stark differences between the Hindi and Bengali film industries. He said, “It’s only the money. The average budget of Bengali films would be around 3 crores, mostly. Most of them. There are films that are 8-9 crores, but they probably happen once in two or three years. The average Bengali cinema is around 3 crores. It can be 2.5 or 3.5 max. So that’s the only difference.” The scale and time taken to
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May 12 min read


Pak Under Fire After Visa Denial To Devotees Without ‘Singh’ Or ‘Kaur’
ISLAMABAD- The Pakistan government has denied visas to 92 Indian devotees who were scheduled to visit the country for Khalsa Sajna Diwas celebrations at Gurdwara Panja Sahib, according to an article published by the Khalsa Vox news portal. The report said Pakistan had initially issued visas for the period from April 10 to 19, while the Indian government, based on recommendations from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the Punjab government, had scheduled the devo
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May 12 min read


Trump Restores H -2B Visas: His Businesses Depend On It
India-West News Desk WASHINGTON, DC – President Donald Trump, whose businesses,including Mar-a-Lago have long relied on seasonal foreign labor, has moved to restore the H-2B visa quota, underscoring how his own use of the program contrasts with broader immigration crackdowns affecting other industries. While sectors dependent on high-skilled H-1B visas continue to face tighter scrutiny and restrictions, a report by The Wall Street Journal shows that policy around the lower-wa
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May 12 min read


Indian American Women Feature On Barron’s 2026 List
India-West News Desk NEW YORK, NY – Seven Indian American women have been named to Barron’s 2026 list of the 100 Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance, reflecting their presence in senior roles across major financial institutions. The executives recognized on the list hold leadership positions across banking and asset management firms, overseeing investment portfolios and global strategy. Anu Aiyengar, global head of advisory and mergers and acquisitions at J.P. Morgan, is a
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May 11 min read


Austin’s Most Unique Cultural Fusion Gala Returns: Indian, Jewish, And African American Communities Unite For Student Success
By Gulshan Singh AUSTIN, TX — In a city known for its eclectic spirit, one event is breaking traditional boundaries to proves that “Unity in Diversity” is more than just a slogan. On Sunday, May 17, 2026, the 14th annual Bollywood Meets Borscht Belt (BMBB) gala will transform the Dell Jewish Community Center into a vibrant crossroads of culture, all to ensure local students have the tools to succeed. Hosted by HC4A in partnership with Shalom Austin, this year’s gala marks a h
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May 13 min read


India-US Ties Face Trust Deficit, Needs Reset
WASHINGTON, DC -India and the United States must rebuild “mutual respect, mutual sensitivity” and restore confidence in each other as their relationship faces a growing trust deficit amid geopolitical shocks, economic friction and global security crises, speakers said at the New India Conference hosted by the Hudson Institute, here. The New India Conference, held on April 23, brought together policymakers, strategists and analysts to assess India’s evolving global role and th
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May 14 min read


No Politics, Stick To Women’s Quota
NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH- Congress MP Manish Tewari and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on April 19 said the Opposition would support women’s reservation if implemented within the existing 543-seat Lok Sabha framework, while accusing the Centre of using the proposed legislation to advance delimitation and alter the country’s political balance. Their remarks came after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposed 33 per cent reservation for women in Parlia
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May 13 min read


Aditya Dhar’s Biggest Learning? Never Lose Belief
MUMBAI -Filmmaker Aditya Dhar, who turned a year older on March 12, revealed the biggest lesson he learned in the year gone by.410 The ‘Uri’ maker shared that in 2025 he learned never to lose belief in his dreams and to give his all to whatever he wishes to accomplish in life. Dhar penned an emotional note on social media revealing that he spent his birthday giving the final touches to the forthcoming sequel, ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’. Expressing his gratitude to movie buffs
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Apr 11 min read


Makers Rename Salman Khan’s ‘Battle Of Galwan’ To ‘Maatrubhumi’
MUMBAI- As Salman Khan fans wait with bated breath for his much-anticipated film ‘Battle of Galwan’, the makers have decided to retitle the project. On March 16 makers Salman Khan Films officially announced the new title of their drama, which will be called ‘Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace’ from now on. The announcement was accompanied by a striking new poster sharing the title change. It further revealed a message that carries deep relevance in today’s world — “May War Re
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Apr 11 min read


A Roller-Coaster Ride Elevated By Ranveer Singh’s Brilliance, Aditya Dhar’s Undoubtable Restraint
Dhurandhar The Revenge movie review: The nuance and detailing may not be as sharp as part one, but this sequel works due to Ranveer Singh’s performance. By Rishabh Suri Dhurandhar: The Revenge Director: Aditya Dhar Cast: Ranveer Singh, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Rakesh Bedi, Sara Arjun Rating: ***** Dhurandhar: The Revenge was never meant to exist, if one goes by industry whispers. The original vision was a single, sprawling film. Somewhere along the way, just bef
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Apr 14 min read


India Giving Day Raises $5.6 Million For Social, Environmental Causes
India-West News Desk WASHINGTON, DC – The fourth annual India Giving Day 2026 has raised $5.6 million, underscoring the growing influence of the Indian American diaspora in supporting social and environmental causes across India. Observed on March 13, this year’s campaign brought together 51 nonprofit organizations working across sectors ranging from health and education to climate and rural development. Organizers emphasized both the scale of participation and the diversity
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Apr 12 min read


Nithya Raman Addresses Environmental Justice As She Vows To Plant More Trees
India-West News Desk LOS ANGELES, CA – As Nithya Raman ramps up her mayoral campaign in Los Angeles, her latest campaign pitch places extreme heat and climate inequality at the center, warning that rising temperatures are already shaping life and death outcomes across the city. It also comes as President Donald Trump has run amok, dismantling every environmental policy and progress made over the decades. In a recent campaign video released as Los Angeles roils under intense h
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Apr 12 min read


Walk More To Stress Less: Get Moving To Improve Well-Being
More than 10 years ago, a mere five words frightened desk jockeys everywhere: “sitting is the new smoking.” Still, many people across the U.S. are walking less than they used to. Long days spent sitting can take a toll over time, negatively impacting bodies and minds. Research from the American Heart Association shows 1 in 4 adults in the United States sits for longer than 8 hours each day, leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cert
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Apr 13 min read


Survey Finds 53% Of AAPI Adults Affected By Anti-Immigrant Policies
India -West News Desk WASHINGTON, DC -More than half of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults in the United States say they or someone in their community have been affected by anti-immigrant policies or sentiment over the past year, according to a January 2026 survey conducted by Stop AAPI Hate in partnership with NORC at the University of Chicago. The survey of 1,378 AAPI adults nationwide, conducted through NORC’s Amplify AAPI panel, found that 53% of respondent
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Apr 12 min read


US May Revamp OPT, Impacting Thousands Of Indian Students
WASHINGTON, DC -In a move that could directly affect thousands of foreign graduates, the US Department of Homeland Security has confirmed it is re-evaluating the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, signaling possible regulatory changes to the post-study work route for F-1 visa holders. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, in a letter to Senator Eric Schmitt, said DHS is reviewing whether the current framework — including the scope and duration of practical training
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Apr 12 min read


New US Policy Limits SBA Loans To American Citizens
WASHINGTON, DC – The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced a new policy barring foreign nationals and non-citizens from accessing federally backed small business loans, saying the move is aimed at prioritizing American entrepreneurs amid rising demand for capital. The policy expands earlier restrictions and will apply across multiple SBA-guaranteed lending programs, including the agency’s Surety Bond and Microloan programs. Under the updated rule, applicants mu
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Apr 12 min read


India Sends Medical Aid To Afghanistan, Condemns Pak Air Strikes
NEW DELHI- India on March 20 delivered a 2.5-tonne consignment of emergency medicines, medical disposables, kits and equipment to Afghanistan to support the treatment of those injured in Pakistan’s recent attack on a hospital in Kabul.India business insights Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India will continue to provide humanitarian support to Afghanistan in this difficult time. India delivered assistance to Afghanistan after a Paki
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Apr 11 min read


Indian American Households Earn Nearly 80% More Than US Median
WASHINGTON, DC – Indian American households reported a median annual income of about $151,200, far above the US median of roughly $83,700, and ranked first among all major ethnic groups in the country, a new report has said. Pew Research Center findings said that Indian American households earn roughly $67,000 more per year, or nearly 80 percent higher than the typical American household. Indian Americans, roughly 4.8 million people, make up a relatively small portion of the
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Apr 11 min read


SAIVA Supports Study On Fitness Devices And Sentiment In Older Adults
The South Asian International Volunteer Association (SAIVA) recently participated in a community research initiative exploring how fitness technology can motivate older adults to stay active. The study, “Gamification and Motivation in Older Adults: An Analysis of Fitness Device Use and Sentiment,” was conducted by Ayan Malpani under the guidance of Dr. Harlan Beverly at Texas State University. SAIVA volunteers helped connect researchers with older adults in the community, as
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Apr 11 min read


Building A Birdhouse: A Step-By-Step DIY Process
To add charm to your yard, encourage local wildlife and give you a front-row seat to nature, building a birdhouse is a simple weekend project that checks all of those boxes. Seasoned DIYers and first-timers alike can follow this step-by-step guide to create a functional, welcoming birdhouse. Step 1: Choose the Right Design Start by deciding what type of birds you’d like to attract. Different birds prefer different house sizes and entrance types. A simple, classic birdhouse de
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Feb 282 min read
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