MARYLAND (TIP): Aruna Miller, Indian American Lt. Governor of Maryland, the first woman of color and immigrant elected to statewide office in the state, has been inducted into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame with four others. Others honored with Miller were US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Maryland House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, Secretary of State Susan Lee and Comptroller Brooke Lierman.
Governor Wes Moore and First Lady Dawn Moore congratulated each inductee at the ceremony held at Government House on March 21, according to a press release.
“I am grateful to stand among the remarkable women whose legacies inspire us to see more, do more, and be more,” said Miller. “Every day, I work to uplift the people of Maryland and create a strong foundation for a future that our next generation of leaders can be proud of. “
“As my partner in this work, the Lt. Governor has made an invaluable mark on this state, and I am honored to serve alongside her,” said Moore. “The women inducted tonight into the Hall of Fame are not just an inspiration, they are our foundation. Our administration, this state, and our country would be incomplete without their hard work and impact.”
“Lt. Governor Miller is a force within this administration and a leader for all young women throughout Maryland,” said First Lady Moore. “Congratulations to all the inductees, as their careers have opened the door to other women who aspire to lead.”
Established in 1985, the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame in partnership between the Maryland Commission for Women and the Women Legislators of Maryland memorializes and honors Maryland women whose lives and work are of historic significance to the health, economic, political, and cultural history of the state.
The 10th Lt. Governor of Maryland, Miller is the second woman to serve as Lt. Governor and the first woman of color and immigrant elected to statewide office in Maryland.
As Lt. Governor, her policy profile includes matters relating to transportation, mental health, and STEM equity. She serves as chair of the Governor’s Work Zone Safety Work Group, dedicated to making highway work zones safer and protecting the lives of workers, motorists, and law enforcement.
Miller also chairs Maryland’s first Council on Interfaith Outreach, which convenes faith leaders from across religions and across the state of Maryland to bridge divides, increase religious tolerance, end hate, and better serve all communities.
Born in Andhra Pradesh, India, Miller and her family immigrated to the United States when she was seven years old. The daughter of a mechanical engineer, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Previously, as a civil and transportation engineer in Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation, Miller worked to improve the safety of the public and alleviate traffic by creating equitable access to transportation throughout the county.
For 25 years, she oversaw programs that advanced access to schools and employment centers, and made community facilities safe for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and people with differing abilities.
From 2010 to 2018, she represented District 15 in the Maryland House of Delegates.
For over 30 years, she has lived in Montgomery County with her husband David, where they raised three daughters.
Tag: Indian-Americans
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Indian American Lt. Governor Aruna Miller inducted into Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame
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British Army Officers celebrate Sikh festival of Holla Mohalla
The tradition dates back to the early 18th century
LONDON (TIP): The British Army celebrated the Sikh festival of Holla Mohalla with several British Sikh officers from the Defense Sikh Network (DSN) organizing the annual spring festivities that showcase the spirit of courage, preparation and readiness. The festival dates back to the early 18th century when it was initiated by Guru Gobind Singh as a celebration of military prowess during which martial skills are honed and exhibited in fierce but well-natured competition.
This year’s British Army Sikh Holla Mohalla event took place at the Ash Ranges in Hampshire, south-east England, on Tuesday, March 19 and involved traditional games such as tug of war as an ode to the military forebears who played these games.
Defense Sikh Network said its members, mainly the soldiers from the British Army, celebrated the Sikh Military Festival by taking part in the military shooting competition, traditional Sikh martial arts and traditional Sikh military games and finally finished the festival with rang, the throwing of colored powder as a mark of victory.
The network is the official organization within the UK’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) that supports inclusion from a Sikh perspective. The network said the festival particularly resonates with the Sikhs within the country’s armed forces and, therefore, it began celebrating it in the British Army in 2021.
“We feel this should be one of the premier events in the Sikh calendar to ensure our martial tradition continues. This event is a celebration of our longstanding tradition of Sikh military culture and values,” the Defense Sikh Network said.
(Source: PTI) -
Indian American technocrat Sudhakar Veluru named Four Seasons’ Executive VP and CITO
MIAMI, FL (TIP): Four Seasons, the world’s leading luxury hospitality company, has appointed Indian American technocrat Sudhakar Veluru as the company’s new Executive Vice President and Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO).
An Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur graduate, Veluru will join Four Seasons Executive Leadership Team reporting to Alejandro Reynal, President and CEO, Four Seasons. He will be based at Four Seasons corporate office in Miami, the company announced Monday, March 25.
“I am thrilled to join Four Seasons, an iconic brand renowned for its unwavering dedication to innovation and excellence,” says Veluru. “I look forward to joining a talented team of experienced leaders from around the world. Together, we will spearhead technological and IT advancements that will elevate the guest and resident experience and continue to build the critical foundations and capabilities needed to shape Four Seasons future.”
“We are excited to welcome Sudhakar at this important time in Four Seasons information technology transformation,” says Reynal. “Sudhakar’s extensive experience in technology and IT innovation will be instrumental in shaping our digital-first future, further enhancing the guest, resident and employee experience across our growing global portfolio of luxury properties.”
With an impressive career spanning over two decades, Veluru brings a wealth of experience and expertise in driving digital and information technology transformation initiatives within the hospitality and technology sectors, according to a company release.
Veluru’s appointment underscores Four Seasons commitment to modernizing and strengthening its capabilities to further develop a single view of guests and residents while deepening foundational support functions across the company globally, it said.
Prior to joining Four Seasons, Veluru served as the Chief Technology Officer at MGM Resorts International, where he led groundbreaking digital transformation work enabling seamless access to e-commerce, customer loyalty programs and casino games across mobile and online platforms.
Before his tenure at MGM, Sudhakar held several senior leadership roles at The Walt Disney Company, where he delivered innovative technology solutions and products for various functions including MyMagic+, FP+/MagicBands, ShopDisney, CruiseLines, and Vacation Club.
Veluru holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in technology (MTech) from the IIT in Kanpur, India. He is a certified Enterprise Architect (SCJEA – Sun Certified Java Enterprise Architect) and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Four Seasons opened its first hotel in 1961. Currently it operates 129 hotels and resorts, and 53 residential properties in major city centers and resort destinations in 47 countries with more than 50 projects under planning or development. -
Indian American Robinhood co-founder Baiju Bhatt stepping down
MENLO PARK, CA (TIP): Baiju Bhatt, Indian American Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Robinhood Markets is stepping down from his executive role at the investment platform after over ten years in leadership “to pursue other entrepreneurial interests.”
Bhatt will remain a member of Robinhood’s Board of Directors, the Menlo Park, California based company announced on March 21.
“Since I helped found this company in 2013, Robinhood has been my life. For more than a decade, I have worked tirelessly to drive our mission to democratize the financial services industry for the betterment of society,” said Bhatt. “It has been a privilege to work with some of the most dedicated, creative, and innovative people who have delivered daily for our customers and shareholders.”
“I look forward to remaining a member of the Robinhood Board of Directors and continuing to support our mission. I will have more to share about my next steps soon but know the future has never been so bright,” Bhatt added. Paying tributes to Bhatt, Vlad Tenev, CEO and Co-Founder of Robinhood, stated, “Baiju and I have been co-founders for over 10 years and friends for over 20.”
“His passion for entrepreneurship and commitment to our mission to democratize finance for all helped build Robinhood from a seed of an idea to the global public company it is today.”
“Baiju played a pivotal role in opening access to the markets for millions of new investors, and I am grateful for all of his contributions to Robinhood over the last decade,” Tenev added.
Bhatt holds an 8% share of the company following its listing on the Nasdaq exchange in July 2021.
Robinhood launched in 2013 but it was during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 that the firm shot to prominence amid the explosion of interest in online trading. The company was also associated with the meme stock trading craze led by the ‘short squeeze’ on the stock of video games retailer GameStop in early 2021.
Bhatt is the son of Indian immigrants, Pragna and Praful Bhatt, and grew up in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. He is married to Adrienne Sussman and the couple have a son.
Bhatt has a bachelor’s degree in physics and a master’s in mathematics from Stanford University. -
Indian American player Yogesh Raut wins Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions
VANCOUVER (TIP): Washington-based Indian American blogger, freelance writer and podcaster Yogesh Raut has won the 2024 Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions (ToC), to take home the $250,000 grand prize.
With his victory in the finals on Tuesday, March 19, Raut also punched his ticket to the upcoming Jeopardy! Masters’ competition, where he will face off against some of the top-performing players in Jeopardy! history.
Raut, who won three games in his initial appearances on the show, became the first player to notch three victories in the finals on Tuesday when he defeated six-game champion Troy Meyer and nine-game champion Ben Chan.
The March 19 final was a battle to the end, with Raut and Meyer sparring for first place during the first half of the game, according to an official account of the game. Heading into Double Jeopardy! Meyer was in the lead with $9,400, Raut sat in second place with $5,400, and Chan trailed in third with $3,400.
As the round progressed, Meyer and Raut continued their battle for first place. But Chan was determined to stay in the game and went all in on both Daily Doubles. While Chan picked up the first Daily Double, he was not successful in responding correctly to the second.
At the start of Final Jeopardy! Meher’s was still the front-runner with a score of $19,800, but Raut was not far behind with $16,600, and Chan was holding on to third place with $3,200.
However, after Meyers failed to provide the correct response, Raut pulled ahead and won the game with a score of $13,399. Chan, the only player who responded correctly to the final clue, took second place with a score of $6,400, and Troy placed third with $6,399.
“Jeopardy!’ is inherently a challenging game to play,” Raut said in an interview with the Seattle Times. “There’s a lot of luck involved, and over and over again, I benefited from the bad luck of other contestants.”
It was Raut’s second run in the game. After two decades of repeatedly auditioning, he won $98,000 after a four-day run in 2022.
Reflecting on his victory on his second outing, Raut wrote on jeopardy.com, “As I sat on my flight back from LAX (Los Angeles) to PDX (Portland) in November 2022, reflecting on my time on J! I thought I had maybe proven myself to be pretty smart.”
“I had won over $98,000, been part of J!’s only ‘Perfect Game’ since the 20th century and capped it all off with a fun night at O’Brien’s, the so-called ‘hardest pub quiz in the country,’” he recalled.
“Waiting for the plane to take off, I started playing the find-the-hidden-object game on the monitor in front of me. The woman next to me saw what I was doing and began playing too,” Raut wrote. “It didn’t take long for her to completely outpace me. Eventually, her boyfriend commenced as well, and he zoomed past me in no time at all.”
“Oh, right, I reminded myself. There are many different flavors of ‘smart.’ And so I got over myself and went back to my life” Raut wrote, and “put J! in the rearview mirror.”
That changed in December 2023, when local ABC affiliate KATU aired the news that he had been invited to the Tournament of Champions.
“My head spun. Chuck Forrest. Dan Melia. Colby Burnett. Brad Rutter. My fellow Indian American Vijay Balse. Was there a chance I could join these legends and all the other hallowed winners of the J! Tournament of Champions?” Yogesh recalled. “Yes. But only a 1/27 chance.”
“It took decades of hard work and dedication to put myself in a position to win the ToC, and it took a great deal of luck for me to triumph over equally skilled competitors,” he wrote. “But at the end of the day, I’m still the guy who — based on how bad I was at that airplane game — can easily be outperformed on a mildly complex visual search task.”
“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the first knowledge quizzing demonstrations I ever gave involved knowing states, capitals, and US presidents,” Raut recalled. “Growing up as the child of immigrants, with a foreign-sounding name in the heart of Central Illinois, I had to prove every day that I was an American.” -
Indian-origin student found dead in Boston forest
BOSTON (TIP): Paruchuri Abhijit, a 23-year-old engineering student at Boston University, was found dead in his car in a nearby forest apparently killed by thugs to rob him of his money and laptop.
Abhijit, who hails from Burripalem in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, joined Boston University last year. He was found dead on March 11, according to Indian media reports.
Abhijit lived in a rented house with some classmates. When Abhijit did not return from college, worried friends informed police and lodged a missing complaint.
The police found his body in a car in the nearby forest based on his cell phone signals. However, the police are yet to identify his assailants.
Suspicions have also arisen regarding the circumstances of the murder, hinting at potential altercations with fellow students at the university, according to reports. Abhijit was the only son of Paruchuri Chakradhar and Srilakshmi. Although Abhijit’s mother initially refused her son’s wish to go abroad for higher studies, she agreed keeping his future in mind, Times of India reported citing his family members.
After completing all the formalities in the US, the body arrived in Burripalem in Guntur district on Friday.
This is the tenth such incident where Indian and Indian American students have died in the US under suspicious circumstances since January 2023. Among the nine, two died of suicide, two died of an overdose, two died after going missing, one died in a road accident and two were murdered, according to police.
Sameer Kamath, a 23-year-old Indian American student at Purdue University, was found dead in a nature preserve in Indiana in early February. Prior to that, Syed Mazahir Ali, another Indian student, was assaulted by robbers in Chicago.
Vivek Saini, a 25-year-old Indian student, faced a fatal attack by a homeless drug addict in Georgia State’s Lithonia city. Four other Indian students — Shreyas Reddy Beniger, Neel Acharya, and Akul B Dhawan — also died under suspicious circumstances, raising alarming questions about the safety and security of Indian students in the United States. -
Indian American urban planner Nithya Raman wins LA City Council seat
LOS ANGELES (TIP): Indian American urban planner Nithya Raman has won re-election to her seat on the Los Angeles City Council, surpassing 50% in the March 5 election and avoiding the need for a November runoff, according to the latest vote tally.
Raman, who came to the US as a 6-year-old, when her family relocated from India, became the first challenger to unseat an incumbent on the City Council in 17 years, in the Nov 2020 election.
The only immigrant on the City Council was facing a challenge for her seat from two opponents who questioned her ability to tackle the city’s challenges on homelessness and crime, according to local KABC.
Her leading opponent, deputy city attorney Ethan Weaver, issued a concession statement on Mar 14 congratulating Raman on her win. Weaver was seen as a strong contender who was backed by funding from the LAPD union and real-estate groups.
The latest results from the county registrar indicate Raman received more than 32,000 votes, coming in at about 50.6%, just above the threshold to avoid a November runoff election. Weaver in second had more than 24,000 votes, for 38.6% and Levon Baronian had almost 7,000 votes, for 10.7%.
Raman told Eyewitness News the results make her “proud to be an Angeleno” because voters rejected the heavy spending by Weaver and the unions backing him.
She said she understands how voters feel about homelessness. “There is a lot of frustration and anger out there and to be honest, I feel that same frustration,” Raman said.
“But to me, what this vote, what this outcome represents is that Angelenos want to respond to homelessness in the right way. By offering housing, by offering services, by doing work that can really move people indoors and off the streets – not just shuffle them from sidewalk to sidewalk as the city has been doing for so long.”
For example, under Mayor Karen Bass the city launched the Inside Safe program to clear encampments and connect the homeless with services.
The first site cleared, at the 101 Freeway and Cahuenga Boulevard in Hollywood, was in Raman’s district. It has had to be cleared three times, including last week when 15 people were found housing. A fence now surrounds the site, according to KABC.
“This encampment has repopulated, and we go back and we offer people housing and services and we get them indoors again,” Raman said.
A resident of Silver Lake, Raman got her political start as a community volunteer focused on homelessness, helping to find a nonprofit that delivered food, hygiene kits and other supplies to unhoused residents in her part of Los Angeles. She continued her focus on that issue after taking office, eventually ascending to chair of the council’s homelessness committee, which oversees the city’s response to the crisis, according to the Los Angeles Times, which endorsed her candidacy.
Raman campaigned heavily on her work on homelessness, and on her advocacy for new bus and bicycle lanes, government reforms and the delivery of aid to tenants on the brink of eviction. -
Indian American senator Niraj Antani loses bid for US Congress from Ohio
OHIO (TIP): Ohio’s Indian American Republican State Senator Niraj Antani has lost his bid for the US House of Representatives from the second Congressional District in the party primary.
Antani, who became the first Indian American State Senator in Buckeye state history in 2021, ran in a crowded field of 11 candidates in Tuesday’s party primary to replace retiring Rep. Brad Wenstrup.
Antani was in 10th place with 1,497 or 1.8% of the votes, according to The New York Times. He plans to continue serving in the Senate until his term expires on Dec 21.
“I just called David Taylor to concede and wish him congrats on winning the Republican nomination for Congress. I wish him all the best in Congress. I want to once again thank all my supporters for their support in this race. I am so deeply grateful for your support” he posted on X.
Antani, who was born and raised in the Miami Township, was first elected to represent his Dayton-area Senate district in 2020 after serving six years in the Ohio House. He is currently Ohio’s youngest senator and the first Indian American to serve in the Senate.
The 6th Senate District includes southern, eastern, and northern Montgomery County, which has an Indian American population of more than 87,000.
In a Nov 14 press release announcing his run for US Congress, Antani promised to be “a conservative warrior in Congress and fight against Joe Biden’s disastrous policies.” The second district’s “partisan voter index leans significantly Republican,” he wrote on X.
“Over the next days, weeks, and months, I look forward to working hard to earn the support of the voters and to win this campaign,” he added.
Antani graduated from Miamisburg High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University. -
Indian American attorney Vaishali Bhatia named ATI VP and General Counsel
DALLAS (TIP): ATI Inc, Dallas-based aerospace and defense company has named Vaishali Bhatia Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, effective March 20.
The Indian American executive will lead all aspects of the legal function for the company—including corporate governance, compliance, corporate social responsibility strategies and reporting, and risk management—and collaborate closely with business teams to provide risk-based legal partnership.
Bhatia reports to ATI Board Chair and CEO Robert S. Wetherbee and serves on the company’s Executive Council, according to an ATI press release. She succeeds ATI Chief Legal and Compliance Officer Elliot Davis, who announced his intention to retire effective October 1, 2024. Until that time, Davis will serve as Special Advisor, Legal and Compliance, to ensure a smooth transition.
“Vaishali is a solutions-focused, strategic business partner with experience across a diverse range of complex legal and compliance matters,” said Wetherbee. “Her proven track record in incredibly demanding markets with long-standing and deep customer relationships will help her to guide ATI as we further develop our aerospace and defense leadership.”
Bhatia joins ATI from HF Sinclair Corporation (HF Sinclair), where she’s served as Executive Vice President since 2023, and General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since 2019.
She’s been a part of the diversified energy company for over 12 years, starting as Counsel at HollyFrontier Corporation (HollyFrontier) and Holly Energy Partners, LP (HEP).
She played a key role in HollyFrontier’s and HEP’s acquisition of Sinclair Oil and Sinclair Transportation Company, and the formation of HF Sinclair as the new publicly traded parent of HollyFrontier and HEP, in 2022, and in HF Sinclair’s buy-in of HEP in 2023.
Bhatia began her career as an associate at the multinational law firm Jones Day. She graduated with a Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, from the University of Illinois College of Law, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin.
In 2022, she was named “DFW General Counsel of the Year for a Mid-Size Legal Department” by the Texas Law Book and DFW Association of Corporate Counsel.
ATI is a global producer of high-performance materials and solutions for the global aerospace and defense markets, and critical applications in electronics, medical and specialty energy. -
Indian-origin couple, daughter killed in ‘suspicious’ fire in Canada’s Brampton
BRAMPTON (TIP): An Indian-origin couple and their teenage daughter were killed in a “suspicious” fire which tore through their home last week in Canada’s Ontario province, police said on Friday, March 15.
A fire engulfed a home at the Big Sky Way and Van Kirk Drive area of Brampton on March 7, a press release by the Peel Police said.
After the blaze was put out, investigators located what was believed to be human remains within the gutted house, but the number of people killed couldn’t be ascertained at the time.
The charred remains were on Friday identified as those of three family members: 51-year-old Rajiv Warikoo; his wife, 47-year-old Shilpa Kotha; and their 16-year-old daughter, Mahek Warikoo.
Police said that they resided at the address before the fire. Peel police Constable Taryn Young on Friday said the fire had been deemed suspicious, the local news channel reported.
“At this time, we are investigating this with our homicide bureau, and we are deeming this as suspicious as the Ontario Fire Marshal has deemed that this fire was not accidental,” the report quoted Young as saying.
“There’s not much left to it,” Young said when asked about the possible cause of the fire.
“Looking into something like that as a fire marshal, I’m sure it’s very tough when there is not much left to look at. But we are exhausting all avenues,” she said.
The deceased family’s neighbor, Kenneth Yousaf, said that the family had lived on the street for about 15 years, and he never noticed any problems with them.
Yousaf said he was alerted to the fire last week by a family member, who heard a big “bang.”
“When we came out, the house was on fire. So sad. Within a few hours, everything was down to the ground,” the report quoted Yousaf as saying.
In a press release, police said they are continuing to investigate the deaths of the three family members and urged anyone with information to come forward.
“The circumstances surrounding the house fire remains the focus of an active investigation, and anyone with information or video footage (dashcam or otherwise) is urged to contact Homicide detectives,” police said. -
Indian-origin PM of Ireland Leo Varadkar resigns for ‘personal, political reasons’
LONDON (TIP): Ireland’s Indian-origin Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, on Wednesday, March 20, sent shockwaves across the country by announcing his sudden resignation citing “personal and political reasons”, triggering a leadership contest. The 45-year-old Taoiseach, as the Irish Prime Minister is known, made the announcement in an emotional statement delivered from the steps of the government buildings in Dublin. Varadkar said he believed a new leader “will be better placed than me” to gain seats for his party Fine Gael in the next general election, scheduled for next year.
My reasons for stepping down now are personal and political, but mainly political… After seven years in office, I don’t feel I’m the best person for this job anymore,” said Varadkar.
“There are loyal colleagues and good friends contesting local European elections, and I want to give them the best chance possible. On a personal level, I’ve enjoyed being Taoiseach… However, politicians are human beings and we have our limitations. We give it everything until we can’t anymore. And then we have to move on,” he said.“That’s it. I have nothing else lined up or in mind. No definite personal or political plans, but I am looking forward to having the time to think about them,” he added.
Varadkar was born in Ireland to a Mumbai-born father and Irish mother and has led the Fine Gael party since 2017. When aged 38 he became the country’s youngest and first openly gay Prime Minister and has served as Taoiseach twice since.
In his speech, Varadkar added that he was proud that the country is “more equal and more modern place when it comes to the rights of children, the LGBT community, equality for women and their bodily autonomy”.
Last month, he joined Britain’s Indian-origin Prime Minister to unveil a historic power-sharing pact when Varadkar and Sunak agreed that a “stable, effective and successful” Northern Ireland – part of the United Kingdom and sharing a border with Ireland – benefitted the UK-Irish relationship immensely.
Varadkar’s first stint leading Ireland lasted from 2017 to 2020, before he took up the role as Tanaiste, or Deputy Prime Minister, from 2020 until December 2022. He has been in a “rotating Taoiseach” agreement that underpinned a three-party coalition with Fianna Fail and the Green Party.
After a party leadership contest, a new Taoiseach is set to be in place when the Irish Parliament Dail returns after Easter next month. Varadkar has said he plans to carry on as a member of parliament for his Dublin West constituency.
His announcement on Wednesday does not automatically trigger a general election in Ireland, which must be held by March 2025, five years after the last election. Meanwhile, Ireland’s political parties are facing local government and European Parliament elections in June.
Tanaiste Micheal Martin paid tribute to Varadkar, adding that he was “very surprised” about his resignation which he was informed about on Tuesday evening.
“I want to take this opportunity again to wish him the very best in his personal life and in his career into the future,” he said.
Varadkar’s exit comes after a defeat on a family issues double referendum, in which voters refused to expand the constitutional definition of the family beyond married couples and removing some sexist language around women’s duties in the home from the Irish Constitution.
Varadkar conceded that “there are areas where we have been much less successful”, adding: “I hope you’ll forgive me if I leave it to others to point them out on a day like this.”
Attention will now turn to Varadkar’s replacement, with a contest expected to involve several ministers from the party including Paschal Donohoe, Simon Harris, Simon Coveney and Heather Humphreys. Meanwhile, he will carry on as leader until his successor is in place.
(Source: PTI) -
Three Indian American women among 14 win GSV Power of Women award
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Three Indian American women — Anupama Vaid, Bijal Shah and Shalinee Sharma- are among 14 winners of 2024 Power of Women award instituted by GSV Ventures, a multi-stage venture capital firm focused on more than $7 trillion global education and workforce skills sector.
The Power of Women award recognizes influential female leaders who are bringing about a world that provides equal access to the future through the promise of education, according to a media release.
“As entrepreneurs and innovators in EdTech these women are achieving successful outcomes at scale in the education and skills sector,” it says. Power of Women is presented by Cambium Learning Group.
The honorees will receive their award at the Arizona State University ASU+GSV Summit 2024, April 14-17, 2024, in San Diego.
Indian American winners are:
Anupama Vaid, President & Founder, ParentSquare
Anupama (Anu) Vaid came up with the idea for ParentSquare during a sabbatical when her children were young, recognizing the need to enhance the parent experience in school communications.
She holds a degree in Computer Engineering. Anu and her husband, Sohit, CEO of ParentSquare, started ParentSquare in 2011. They spent the first few years developing the platform based on school needs and gaining industry insights.
The company expanded its team in 2014, securing its first round of funding and partnering with schools beyond their hometown of Santa Barbara. Since then, ParentSquare has been growing.
They recently acquired Remind, one of the largest free services in education used in over 80% of public schools and by 60% of teachers in the US. Together they serve over 18 million student families on their paid platform.
Bijal Shah, Interim CEO, Guild
Bijal Shah is the Interim CEO at Guild, a Public Benefit Corporation that partners with America’s largest companies to provide employer-funded education, skilling, and career mobility to their workforces.
In her role, Shah oversees Guild’s work with the nation’s largest employers — including Walmart, Chipotle, Discover, Hilton, Target, The Walt Disney Company, and healthcare systems like Providence Health and UCHealth — to unlock opportunities for America’s workforce.
In the last year, more than 5 million Americans have had access to Guild’s Career Opportunity Platform to gain new skills, knowledge and support.
For its work, Guild earned recognition as one of Time’s Most Influential Companies, received Fast Company’s 2020 World Changing Ideas Award, and has been named to CNBC’s Disruptor 50 and LinkedIn’s Top Startups.
Prior to Guild, Shah held executive and leadership roles at Ibotta and in corporate strategy at Visa. She works with the Board of Directors of Girls, Inc. and was named one of Denver Business Journals’ 40 Under 40 recipients. Shah graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Sloan School of Management. She lives in Denver with her husband and two children.
Shalinee Sharma, CEO, Co-Founder, Zearn
Shalinee Sharma is a math expert and is the CEO and co-founder of Zearn, a nonprofit educational organization behind the top-rated math learning platform used by 1 in 4 elementary-school and 1 million middle-school students nationwide.
At Zearn, Sharma and her team are committed to helping all kids believe that they are math kids. In addition to her role at Zearn, she serves on the Braven Board of Directors, is a Pahara-Aspen Fellow and serves as co-chair of the Brown University Advisory Council for the College.
Before founding Zearn in 2012, Sharma spent more than a decade at Bain & Co. leading work for clients in various sectors including technology and education.
She has a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University. A child of refugees, Sharma is passionate about universal access to an excellent education. -
Indian-origin former finance manager of American football team gets over 6 years in prison
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): A 31-year-old Indian-origin former finance manager of the American football team Jacksonville Jaguars has been sentenced to six-and-a-half years in jail for stealing more than USD 22 million and engaging in an illegal monetary transaction, according to court documents.
Amit Patel was sentenced by US District Judge Henry L Adams on Tuesday, March 12, the US Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida, said in a statement.
As part of his sentence, the court entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of USD 22,221,454.40, the proceeds of the wire fraud charge.
Patel was also ordered to pay full restitution to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the victim of his offence and his former employer.
Patel pleaded guilty on December 14, 2023.
According to court documents, Patel operated a fraud scheme through which he embezzled approximately USD 22,221,454 from the Jaguars over four years.
Specifically, Patel used his role as the administrator for the team’s virtual credit card (VCC) program to make hundreds of purchases and transactions with no legitimate business purpose.
A virtual credit card system works similarly to a traditional credit card account but without a physical card.
Patel’s fraudulent transactions began in September 2019 and continued until he was fired by the Jaguars in February 2023, the release said.
“This case exemplifies the FBI’s relentless effort to protect American companies and their customers,” said Mark Dargis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division.
“Amit Patel knowingly and wittingly created a deceptive scheme to fund a lavish lifestyle at his employer’s expense, and today’s sentencing is a warning to other scam artists: the FBI and our partners will continue to aggressively pursue corporate fraud investigations to protect consumers from bearing the costs associated with criminal activity.”
He used the proceeds of this scheme, in whole or part, to place bets with online gambling websites, to purchase a condominium in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, to pay for personal travel for himself and friends (including chartering private jets and booking luxury hotels and private rental residences), to acquire a new Tesla Model 3 sedan and a pickup truck.
(Source: US Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida) -
Indian-origin Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar joins USISPF board
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) has named Ravi Kumar S, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cognizant to its Board of Directors.
At the helm of Cognizant, Kumar sets the strategic direction of the company and has inculcated a strong client-first culture at all levels, according to a media release. Since taking over in January 2023, Kumar’s focus at Cognizant has been on ensuring sustainable growth and prioritizing long-term shareholder value.
USISPF President and CEO, Dr Mukesh Aghi said, “Ravi is a doyen in the tech industry and is a foremost thought leader who has unparalleled insights on the dynamic and fast-changing nature of the tech sector.
“At USISPF, our ethos is building stronger bridges between the United States and India, and the services sector, particularly IT, with the export of IT services remains, one of India’s flagship contributions to the United States tech economy.
“In an era of a digital-first economy and digital trade, Cognizant’s work through the years exemplifies the burgeoning collaboration in the US-India technology partnership success story.
“India’s robust tech talent remains pivotal in fortifying and expanding the tech sector within the United States. I wholeheartedly welcome Ravi to the USISPF Board and look forward to the next chapter in the US-India story.”
Congratulating Kumar, USISPF Chairman John Chambers said, “It’s a pleasure to welcome Ravi to the USISPF Board of Directors. Ravi is an accomplished leader in IT services, and his broad experience in the industry – touching digital transformation, engineering services, data analytics, and more – puts him in the top caliber of experts supporting innovation in this space, particularly in India.
“Cognizant’s role in strengthening the tech ties between the US and India is clear, demonstrated by the company’s integral role in India’s near $200 billion software exports for 2023. I look forward to having Ravi on our board. His partnership will undoubtedly help further the flourishing tech partnership between our two democracies.”
Kumar said, “I am honored to join the USISPF Board of Directors. At Cognizant, I have the honor of leading an American company which is India’s second-largest employer among multinationals.
“Seventy percent of our nearly 350,000 employees live in India, and I believe that their work is the critical cog on the tech talent wheel that will help drive economic success for both countries. This is the mission to which the USISPF has dedicated itself and I am thrilled to help author the story of our nations’ mutual success.”
In addition to joining the Board of Directors at USISPF, Kumar is also a member of the board of directors of TransUnion and the board of directors for the US Chamber of Commerce. He is also on the board of governors of the New York Academy of Sciences.
USISPF, an independent not-for-profit institution dedicated to strengthening the US-India partnership in Washington, DC, and in New Delhi, says it’s committed to creating the most powerful partnership between the United States and India.
USISPF, it says is the trusted partner for businesses, non-profit organizations, the diaspora, and the governments of India and the United States. -
Indian American executive Dhivya Suryadevara joins Optum Financial as CEO
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Dhivya Suryadevara, former Indian American chief financial officer for Stripe, a global FinTech company, has joined United Health Group as CEO of Optum Financial Services.
“I’m excited to share that I’ve joined United Health Group (UHG) as CEO of Optum Financial Services,” the Chennai born executive wrote in a LinkedIn post.
In her new role she is responsible for furthering its mission to revolutionize how care is financed and paid for, according to her official profile. “The Financial Services business continues to evolve from its origins in health banking and savings accounts to creating new products and services to improve financial access and support for our consumers and providers across the health system.”
“UHG is in a unique position to transform our health system, with a mission to help people live healthier lives and help the health system work better for everyone,” Suryadevara wrote. “This is not an easy task, but UHG has the capabilities and the people to make real progress.
“With Financial Services being one of UHG’s top strategic priorities, we see extraordinary potential to improve financial access and support for our consumers and providers across the health system,” she posted.
“I’m incredibly honored to have the opportunity to work alongside so many people who are so fiercely determined to make health care better for everyone,” Suryadevara added.
Prior to joining UnitedHealth Group, Suryadevara previously served as chief financial officer for Stripe, a global FinTech company that builds economic infrastructure for the internet. In addition to leading the finance organization at Stripe, Dhivya had responsibility for its Operations, Risk and Global Partnerships functions.
Prior to Stripe, Suryadevara was at General Motors, starting as a financial analyst and rising through the ranks to become the automaker’s chief financial officer in 2018. Early in her career, Dhivya worked at UBS and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Suryadevara earned degrees from the University of Madras and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India in 2000 as well as an MBA from the Harvard Business School. -
Indian-origin attorney Binaifer Nowrojee named president of Open Society Foundations
WASHINGTION, D.C. (TIP): Indian-origin human rights lawyer Binaifer Nowrojee has been appointed the new president of The Open Society Foundations, founded by billionaire investor George Soros, promoting democratic principles and human rights, through grants in more than 100 countries.
Kenya-born Nowrojee, who currently serves as the vice president of Programs, will take over from Mark Malloch-Brown when he steps down from his role in June 2024, according to a media release.
“She embodies the spirit of OSF, past and present. I am confident she will ably lead OSF into the challenging next phase of our work,” said Alex Soros, chair of OSF.
“When I established the Open Society Foundations, I wanted them to be truly global,” said Soros. “At the outset, that was merely an aspiration. But now I feel that this ambition has been fulfilled with Binaifer Nowrojee as president of the Foundations, supported by an international team.”
Nowrojee brings over three decades of experience and dedication to her new role. Previously, she has held a range of senior positions at OSF, including East Africa Foundation director, regional director for Asia Pacific, and vice president for Organizational Transformation.
“Heading this remarkable institution, the world’s largest funder of human rights, at a time when justice and compassion are under siege, is by far the biggest, and best, challenge I have ever faced. I am proud to be president and stand ready to join my colleagues in the fight,” said Nowrojee.
Nowrojee navigates politically sensitive operating environments to drive meaningful change, the release said. Her strategic leadership spans national, regional, and international levels, encompassing policy research, campaigning, grant-making, litigation, and investment.
Nowrojee brings deep expertise in Africa and Asia, where she has spearheaded advocacy initiatives to promote social justice and equality. She played a central role in orchestrating a significant strategic and structural realignment of Open Society, enhancing its capacity to effect change in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Prior to her tenure at OSF, Nowrojee served as legal counsel at Human Rights Watch and as a staff attorney at the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights. She has worked extensively on prosecuting sexual violence under international law and testified as an expert witness at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
Nowrojee’s commitment to advancing justice extends to academia, where she has served as a lecturer at Harvard Law School and was awarded a Carr Center fellowship.
Nowrojee holds a JD from Columbia Law School and an LLM degree from Harvard Law School, underscoring her strong academic foundation and expertise in international law and human rights.
With her wealth of experience and unwavering dedication, Nowrojee is well-equipped to lead the Open Society Foundations into a new era of impactful and transformative change, the release stated.
Nowrojee follows in the footsteps of her father, Pheroze Nowrojee, an acclaimed human rights lawyer who currently serves as senior counsel to the High Court of Kenya.
The Nowrojee family migrated from India to Kenya in 1896 to work on the railroads. Pheroze Nowrojee has written a book about the family’s migration: “A Kenyan Journey,” released in 2019. -
Indian American Dr Kamal Verma, acclaimed scholar of South Asian literature, passes away in Washington
WASHINGTON, D.C (TIP): Dr Kamal D Verma, an acclaimed scholar of South Asian literature, died of natural causes this week here in the American capital. He would have turned 92 in April.
Professor Verma taught for 42 years at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (UPJ) in Pennsylvania. After retirement, he continued to serve as Professor Emeritus and an advisor to the University President, focusing on recruiting more diverse faculty and students from South Asia.
He was also one of the founding members of the South Asian Review and the South Asian Literary Association — two nationally acclaimed scholarly efforts aimed to promote Indian and other South Asian writers and ideas.
Dr Jem Spectar, President of UPJ, called Dr Verma “a brilliant scholar, an exceptional teacher and guide, a highly respected colleague, and a dear friend”. “His students speak of a great intellect: a professor who deepened their critical thinking, analytical, and writing skills, someone who deepened their understanding of our world, and someone whose classes prepared them for lifelong success,” Spectar said.
Dr Verma was born in 1932 in Punjab, India. He was the eldest child in a large family, and the first member of his extended family to attend college.
He completed his BA from DAV College, Jalandhar, in 1951, followed by a BA in teaching from Agra University in 1953 and an MA in English from Panjab University in 1958.
In India, he became the principal of a teacher’s college in Punjab where he served until 1963, when he departed for the United States on a Ford Foundation Fellowship to obtain his Specialist in Education degree at the University of Northern Iowa. He then pursued further professional studies in literature, leading to his PhD from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada.
Dr Verma, his wife Savitri, also a teacher and head of a women’s college in India, and their five children settled in Johnstown, Pennsylvania in 1971. They were the first Indian American family to move to the area.
Dr Verma’s children pursued varied careers in business, medicine and law. His son Richard would go on to serve as the US Ambassador to India for President Obama, and he currently serves as the Deputy Secretary of State, the highest-ranking Indian American in the State Department ever. Richard Verma was the first ever Indian American to be US Ambassador to India.
Verma was in New Delhi last month where he gave a talk at the Observer Research Foundation, and noted how his father, like millions of other Indian Americans, started over from next to nothing, rebuilt in their new country, but maintained and even strengthened ties with India. “My father tells a great immigrant story of showing up in the United States with USD 14 and a bus ticket. He left so much behind and he took a big risk. He was brave. And he never let us forget our roots. What an amazing role model we had,” remarked Ambassador Verma. “These are the stories and journeys that bind our two countries together.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a letter sent to Ambassador Verma this past week, wrote that Professor Kamal Verma “was a true embodiment of the grit and determination demonstrated by every Indian immigrant. He worked hard to give a better life to his family in a foreign country, and at the same time continued to remain true to his Indian roots…and will always be remembered in his homeland.”
Dr Verma’s writings were widely admired and acclaimed, especially his three published books. His second book, The Indian Imagination, focused on several of the leading writers of the Indian colonial and post-colonial periods of Indian history. His last book, Understanding Mulk Raj Anand, focused on noted Indian writer Mulk Raj Anand and included a series of letters between Dr Verma and Anand over 15 years, focusing again on the ideas that inspired the colonial struggle for independence.
He released the book in the US and India in 2017 with significant critical success. He even presented the book to Prime Minister Modi in 2018.
During his career, Dr Verma would end up teaching thousands of students in India, Canada and the United States, and he published dozens of articles, in addition to the three books.
Professor Nalini Iyer of Seattle University and the editor of the South Asian Review said: “Dr Verma was a towering figure who had an impact on so many. He paved the way for South Asian scholars and literature in the United States and cared for his family and friends at every turn. He also trained and inspired hundreds of faculty members across the globe in the field of South Asian literature and philosophy. This is a gift for which he will be long remembered.” -
27-year-old Indian-origin student dies in jet ski accident in Florida
TAMPA (TIP): A 27-year-old Indian student died as his watercraft collided with another in Florida, according to media reports. Venkataramana Pittala from Telangana was driving a rented Yamaha personal watercraft (PWC) that collided with another PWC operated by a 14-year-old boy from the South Florida mainland on Saturday, March 9, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Pittala, a student at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis, was set to graduate in May, according to a GoFundMe page set up to raise funds to send his mortal remains back to his family in Telangana.
Personal watercraft are tandem boats often referred to as jet skis, the name of a popular model manufactured by Kawasaki.
It is unclear if anyone else was injured, a newspaper reported.
The teen was listed as “uninjured” in the FWC report. It lists arrests as “pending”, the report said.
The FWC released an incident report on Monday with the names of the two people involved but no details on what transpired.
“This is a two vessel (PWC) accident resulting in one fatality,” the report states. “The vessels collided with each other.”
According to FWC, 14 is the minimum age to operate a personal watercraft in Florida.
The report doesn’t state whether authorities have determined fault. Both personal watercrafts were rented, it said. -
First Indian American Sikh woman Mayor Neena Singh honored in New York
NEW YORK (TIP): Neena Singh, first Indian and Sikh woman Mayor of Montgomery township in New Jersey, was among the four prominent Indian and Indian American women honored in New York for their achievements and contributions to society at a function on the occasion of International Women’s Day presided over by the recently posted Consul General of India Binaya Pradhan.
Besides Singh, Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad, Indu Lew and Megha Desai were other honorees at the event hosted by the Consulate General of India in New York and the Federation of Indian Associations.
Gaekwad is a visionary committed to education and community empowerment through her philanthropic work and is known for her dedication to mental wellness and community engagement, said a FIA release. -
Mridangam Maestro T. S. Nandakumar: A Cultural Ambassador of India
By Ajay Ghosh
BRIDGEWATER, NJ (TIP): Well known around the world for his mastery of the Mridangam, a percussion instrument that is a primary rhythmic accompaniment in Carnatic music ensemble, and with expertise in various other percussion instruments, including konnakol (vocal percussion), thavil, ghatam, kanjira, and morsing, T. S. Nandakumar is a world renowned south Indian music artist, showcasing his versatility in Carnatic music, has devoted his entire life to the cause of popularizing Indian classical music around the world.
T. Shankaranarayanan Nandakumar, popularly known as “TSN” has played a pivotal role in spreading the knowledge about Indian drums, particularly the mridangam in the United States through his stage performances at prestigious orchestras, participation in global music events, educational initiatives and contributions, collaborations, global impact, and philanthropic endeavors. He has demonstrated a commitment to social responsibility through charity work, including organizing a 24-hour non-stop Akanda Seva Bhajan in aid of India’s tsunami victims.
T. Shankaranarayanan Nandakumar is being honored. Nandakumar’s belief that “Music is like a horizon which is never ending and has no boundaries” has enabled him to take music wherever he went. TSN’s participation in international festivals and workshops has contributed to the global awareness of Indian percussion, showcasing the richness of Indian drumming traditions and providing a platform for cross-cultural exchange. By actively participating in musical collaborations and performances in the United States, TSN not only showcases the beauty of the mridangam but also educates audiences about the intricacies and significance of this traditional Indian percussion instrument.
As a percussionist, TSN has accompanied luminaries in Carnatic music, including Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, M. D. Ramanathan, Bhimsen Joshi, T. N. Krishnan, M. Balamuralikrishna and others. His role as an accompanist has greatly enhanced the events with the performances of these eminent artists.
Through his musical engagements, TSN engages in a form of cultural diplomacy, fostering an appreciation for Indian music and drumming traditions. This indirect form of education occurs as audiences experience the artistry and cultural depth of the mridangam during performances.
“Through music you can reach god,” says Nandakumar and wants to spread this path to the Almighty. Not satisfied with his own mastery of classical Indian music, TSN took upon himself the mission to spread Carnatic music around the world. He established TSN’s Percussive Arts Centre. Inc (TSNPAC), where students are trained in diverse instruments. Since its inception in 1998 in Mumbai, India, TSNPAC has evolved into a hub for students to refine their skills and collaborate within the realm of Carnatic arts. Upon migrating to New Jersey, USA, TSN seamlessly incorporated TSNPAC, offering courses in higher learning for Carnatic percussion enthusiasts in the United States. Today, TSNPAC stands as a beacon for aspiring artists seeking to master the intricacies of Carnatic percussion. It’s well known around the world that through TSNPAC, TSN has played a very important role in teaching and training students in diverse percussion instruments, including the mridangam. In addition, Internationally famous musical institutions have tapped into TSN’s expertise, hosting his performances and though his highly acclaimed special, lectures in percussive arts.
Performing at the Thyagaraja Festival is a prestigious and culturally significant experience for Carnatic musicians. The Thyagaraja Aradhana is an annual music festival held to commemorate the legendary Carnatic composer Saint Thyagaraja. TSNPAC conducts Thyagaraja Festival to commemorate the legendary Carnatic composer Saint Thyagaraja. Thyagaraja Aaradhana Festival in Cleveland, Ohio, which is the largest Indian classical music festival outside of India.
“I feel very good about my accomplishment in spreading my knowledge about music to everyone. I have students all over the world, students of Indian origin and from other nationalities, some of them have become full time musicians and are accompanying renowned artists,” Nandakumar says with pride. TSNPAC, in addition to providing training to music enthusiasts, has successfully organized numerous annual events by notable artists in Carnatic music, including luminaries such as K J Yesudas, N. Rajam, N. Ramani, A. Kanyakumari, and L. Subramaniam.
Mridangam Arangetrams are held annually at TSNPAC, where graduating students perform along with accomplished artists, without prior rehearsal, which is a unique approach that serves as a culminating experience for their graduation from the Center.
The festival is characterized by an atmosphere of devotion, celebrating the profound impact Thyagaraja had on the Carnatic music tradition. Musicians engaged in marathon music sessions, presenting a repertoire of kritis (compositions) composed by Thyagaraja. The festival features continuous music performances, creating an immersive experience for both performers and the audience.
TSNPAC’s significant milestones include a decennial celebration marked by a grand performance featuring over 100 students. The center conducts Mridangam Arangetram annually, where students, without prior rehearsal, accompany main artists like A. Kanyakumari, culminating in a graduation ceremony. Notably, TSNPAC’s influence extends globally, with 108 professional student performances, including drumming, at the Cleveland Thyagaraja festival. Many of his students have achieved high accolades as professionals and have become graded artists by All India Radio. They follow in his footsteps by training their own students in the style of TSN and continuing to promote Carnatic percussive arts.
In addition to training students of South Asian students, several artists from the West, who are now well known for their expertise in Carnatic Music include: Paula Jeanine, Todd Isler, Johann Berby, Guillaume Barraud, Will Calhoun, Bill Buchen, Lenora Zenzlai Helm, and Bernhard Schimpelsberger.
TSN’s discography, featuring solo performances and collaborations with various artists, serves as a valuable resource for those interested in Indian percussion. His recorded works contribute to the preservation and dissemination of this musical knowledge. His album, “Jewels of Rhythm” by his ensemble has earned him high accolades. Nandakumar composed and released Jewels of Rhythm Vol 1, Jewels of Rhythm Vol 2 and Jewels of Rhythm Vol 3 which were performed by his students. Vibrative Rhythms by TSN is a fusion of Carnatic, Hindustani, and Western music as a one-man ensemble of mridangam, konnakol, thavil, ghatam, kanjira and the morsing played by himself.
Author of several books, with the objective of educating students to the themes of Indian Percussive Arts, TSN is currently working on writing books that covers advanced topics.
Son of Shrimati Saraswati and Shri Balakrishna Panicker, a great supporter of the arts as member of the Devaswom board in Kerala and actively involved in promoting Carnatic devotional music in temples and organizing concerts, TSN was born in the village of Ambalappuzha in Kerala, India. As a child, he was fascinated with the rhythmic chants and bhajans that would emanate from the various temples, was introduced to his Guru, Shri Kaithavana Madhavadas, where he was trained in the gurukula samprada tradition of Carnatic music. Nandakumar soon became a ‘Laya Vidwan’ due to his mastery of Carnatic percussive components: Laya, Raaga, Thaala and Bhava .
“At a very early age I started learning mridangam (A South Indian Classical Carnatic double-sided drum) because I was fascinated about percussion and its beats when my uncle’s (Shri Amabalapuzha Brothers) concert was held in the temple where I used to put Thalam,” recalls Nandakumar. “When I started learning I enjoyed playing mridangam and other percussion instruments. I was so passionate about it that I got into teaching mridangam and other percussion instruments and making people aware about the importance of music.”
As a young prodigy, TSN gained a reputation as an accompanist to renowned Carnatic musicians such as Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, M.D. Ramanathan, S. Ramanathan, R. K. Srikantan, V. Dakshinamurthy, Bhimsen Joshi, N. Ramani, M. Balamuralikrishna, T. N. Krishnan, K. J. Yesudas, N. Rajam, T. K. Govindarao, Nedunuri Krishnanmurthy, T. V. Gopalakrishnan, Parassala . B. Ponnamal, A. Kanyakumari, M. Chandrasekaran, D. K. Jayaraman, B. V. Raman, B. V. Lakshmanan and many others.
In his recognition of his great accomplishments, he was honored with The Lifetime Achievement Award by the Shanti Foundation in Chennai. He was awarded the “Best Teacher Award” from several organizations with the most prominent being awarded by Shanmukhananda Fine Arts and the Cleveland Thygaraja Aaradhana Festival and by the Shanmukhananda Fine Arts, Sangeetha Sabha, Mumbai in 2007, Bharat Ratna Dr. M. S. Subbulakshmi Sangeetha Pracharya Award), and Visionary Award by Academy of Indian Music, USA.
Acknowledging contributions to the world of music, TSNPAC has bestowed prestigious titles upon distinguished artists. In 2022, the center conferred the title “Ranjakagayakasiromanih” (The Crown Jewel among those singers whose music is charming) upon the legendary K J Yesudas. A. Kanyakumari was honored with the title “Sasvatanadavidushi” (One Who Is Adept in Music Which Is Ishvara).
Dedicating his entire life to the spreading of Carnatic Music, Nandakumar has been highly sought after as a teacher in India as well as abroad. In Mumbai, TSN trained students at large institutions like Shanmukhananda Fine Arts, Chembur Fine Arts, Gana kala, Music Triangle and Naadalaya.
He has conducted several musical concerts, lectures, demonstrations, and workshops at universities in the United States abroad like Lamar University of Houston and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. TSN also spent some time conducting special classes in percussive arts at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Pittsburgh, the Academy of Indian Music in New Jersey and Switzerland. He also conducted 24 hours nonstop Akanda Seva Bhajan (Offered a Prayer through the medium of music) with his students in Mumbai for the tsunami affected victims of India.
He continues to provide opportunities for his students to perform by conducting seminars specific to accompaniment to other Indian art forms, such as Bharatnatyam Dance recitals and vocal or instrumental concerts, as well as through Talent Exposure Concert Series which are published on YouTube to give students a forum to display their prowess.
Beyond geographical confines, TSNPAC continues to host performances not only in New Jersey but also in various parts of the United States. As a nurturing ground for Carnatic percussion, TSNPAC’s legacy embodies a commitment to excellence, providing a platform for students to explore and flourish in the rich tapestry of Carnatic music.
Looking back into his life’s mission, Nandakumar says, “My aim of contributing to Carnatic music by spreading knowledge has successful and I forever am indebted to my parents and my teacher. I feel even more proud that some of my students have become masters of mridangam and it’s an honor knowing that the knowledge I shared with my students is now spreading to around the world, imparting to many generations.”
TSN’s commitment to promoting local talent and fostering cultural exchange remains unwavering. He has invited senior artists from India for the upcoming TSNPAC annual events with the objective of creating a global stage for collaborative performances.
Don’t miss this cultural extravaganza that promises to transcend boundaries and create lasting memories. Join us for an unforgettable musical journey at Sri Balaji Temple in Bridgewater.
Prepare to be captivated by a Rhythmic Extravaganza, an enchanting spectacle of rhythm, melody, and cultural celebration as T. S. Nandakumar (TSN), the maestro of Carnatic percussion presents an extraordinary event at Sri Balaji Temple in Bridgewater on March 17, 2024, from 9 am to 1 pm.
Event Highlights:
- Multifaceted Performances: Join different groups of percussionists, including students of TSN, along with talented musicians playing Violin, Flute, Veena, and Vocal.
- Diverse Instruments: Experience the soul-stirring sounds of Mridangam, Ghatam, Kanjira, Morsing, Thavil, and Konnakol, creating a symphony of percussion.
- Artistic Fusion: Enjoy dance recitals by students of TSN, mastering Nattuvangam, a South Indian rhythmic recitation, and percussion, creating a seamless fusion of arts.
- Music Cum Percussion Ensemble: Be part of a unique ensemble featuring students across age groups, showcasing the rich diversity of talents from ages 4 to 60.
- Book Release: Witness the unveiling of TSN’s latest book, a testament to his deep-rooted knowledge and contribution to Carnatic percussion.
Distinguished Chief Guest: Dr. Venkataraman Swaminathan, a revered musicologist, will grace the occasion, releasing TSN’s book and adding to the cultural richness of the event.
Star Performance: TSN himself will take the stage in the climax, inspiring and boosting the spirits of the budding talents.
For more details, please visit: http://mridangam.info
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Indian-origin UK based woman charged with murder of 10-year-old daughter
LONDON (TIP): A 33-year-old Indian-origin woman on Wednesday, March 6, appeared before a UK court charged with the murder of her 10-year-old daughter, who was found dead at their home in a town in the West Midlands region of England. Jaskirat Kaur, also known as Jasmine Kang, appeared before Wolverhampton Magistrates Court charged with the murder of Shay Kang, described as “bright and fun-loving” in a tribute from her school. West Midlands Police said the girl had been found with injuries at an address in Rowley Regis on Monday and pronounced dead at the scene.
“Our thoughts remain with Shay’s family and friends. Her tragic death has had a profound impact on those who knew her as well as the wider community. We ask that they are left to grieve in private as our enquiries continue,” said Detective Inspector Dan Jarratt of West Midlands Police.
“The community has understandably been left shocked by what’s happened, and we’ll continue to have a police presence and offer our support in the area over the coming days,” he said.
Kaur had been arrested on Monday from the residential property where her daughter’s body was found. A cordon remains in place at the property on Robin Close and a post-mortem is to be held in due course to establish the cause of death.
“At this stage we are not looking for anyone else as part of the investigation,” the police said at the time.
Brickhouse Primary School, where Shay was a pupil, issued a statement to say the school was deeply saddened by the tragic death.
“Shay was a bright, happy, fun-loving child who was well liked by all, and she will be very sadly missed by everyone. School is the heart of the community and we have already begun working with our children and staff to support them following this devastating news,” read the statement.
Tributes including toys, cards and balloons have since been laid near the police cordon on Robin Close in the town of Rowley Regis, where the schoolgirl lived with her mother. Some parents of children who attended the same school have also set up an online Go Fund Me fundraiser to collect money for Shay’s funeral, with over GBP 3,800 raised so far.
The fundraiser reads: “As you may be aware she had no family except her mum. The purpose of this is to come together as a community to help raise funds for her funeral and to also help with flowers, headstone etc.
“She didn’t deserve this at all and the best we can do is make sure she flys (sic) high in the most beautiful way.” -
Ramesh Singh Arora becomes Pakistan’s first Sikh minister in Punjab
Belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party, Arora has returned to the Lahore provincial assembly for the third term after winning the February 8 polls
LAHORE (TIP): Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, an influential minority leader, has been sworn in as a provincial minister, making him the first Sikh to occupy a ministerial position in post-Partition Punjab.
Belonging to the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif-led Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, Arora has returned to the Lahore provincial assembly for the third term after winning the February 8 polls.
Arora, 49, was recently elected pardhan (president) of the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and also as the ambassador to the Kartarpur Corridor. He was administered the oath along with 17 others on Wednesday, March 6. Arora has been allotted the portfolio of minorities of Punjab province in the cabinet of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, incidentally, also the first woman to hold the post in the country.
According to sources, Arora has close connections with the military establishment.
“Singh’s brother is also looking after the affairs of the Karatarpur Corridor,” another member representing the Christian minority community of Punjab, Khalil Tahir Sindhu, told Press Trust of India on Thursday, March 7.
Born on October 11, 1974 at Nankana Sahib and hailing from Narowal district, Arora was also the first-ever Sikh member of the Punjab provincial assembly taking oath in 2013. He has done post-graduation in social enterprise and studied at the Government College, Lahore, Punjab University, Lahore, and Harvard Business School in the US. He also served as a member of the National Commission for Minorities, chairman of the Standing Committee on Commerce & Investment and remained as Patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Sikh Council.
According to Arora’s profile on the official website of the Punjab Provincial Assembly, he is also a renowned human rights activist and a social worker, who played a prominent role in protecting the rights of Sikh community in Pakistan and is credited with the passage of ‘The Punjab Sikh Anand Karaj Marriage Act, 2018.’
Due to his efforts, Pakistan has become the first country where the Sikh Marriages Registration Act is enforced, it said.