Kal Penn is returning to television this fall. He’s joining CBS’s new venture Battle Creek, which is the brainchild of Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad) and David Shore (House). Penn will play a detective based in the Michigan city who is forced to work with an FBI agent “with a very different worldview.” [Hollywood Reporter]
Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s new CEO, credits cricket for teaching him an important lesson about leadership in his first interview since taking over the new role. [NY Times]
The Indian Parliament has approved the creation of India’s 29th state, Telangana, despite mixed reactions from politicians and citizens. The measure now awaits final approval from the President. [WSJ India]
In related news, the Chief Minister of Andra Pradesh, from which territory for the new state would be taken, resigned from his position as a sign of protest against the measure. [NY Times]
Tarique Mohammad Quereshi, founder of Koshish, an organization that seeks to support and rehabilitate India’s increasing homeless population, made Forbes India’s esteemed 30 under 30 list. [Forbes India]
In a surprising move, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu decided to release seven men who were connected to the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. The Supreme Court has now halted their release, setting up a showdown between the state and federal governments. [NY Times]
Despite recent progress in poverty reduction, a new McKinsey report claims that 56 percent of Indians cannot meet “a minimal acceptable standard of living.” To be honest, the number seems less surprising than their criteria for a “decent life.” [Time]
H&M is all set to open its first store in India in 2014. Any guesses as to what major city they’ll choose? [Reuters]
Jillian Michaels is in India celebrating her 40th birthday, visiting tourist spots such as the Taj Mahal as well as orphanages, charities, and special needs homes (and posting heartwarming photos and statuses about all of it). Be still, my heart. [Facebook]
Priya Arora is a graduate student at New York University, studying Human Development and Social Intervention with a research focus on mental health in LGBTQ youths. Born and raised in California, Priya has found a home in New York, and hopes to go on to become a mental health counselor. Follow her on Twitter at @thepriyaarora.
