The Indian Panorama

Tag: Washington

  • Inspired by the Sikh notion of oneness, says Indian American running for Congress

    Inspired by the Sikh notion of oneness, says Indian American running for Congress

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Krystle Kaul, a noted Indian American defense and national security expert, says her running for the US Congress is inspired by the Sikh tradition of oneness and a strong sense of giving back to the community. “I am half Kashmiri Pandit and half Punjabi Sikh. I am very proud of both of my cultural backgrounds. Growing up in America, being bicultural is something unique and something that I have embraced. My grandparents and my parents have embedded that in me. I am proud to stand today as the first ever Kashmiri Pandit to stand for Congress and also as the only Sikh woman to currently run for Congress in the country,” Krystle told PTI in a recent interview.

    Kaul, who speaks nine languages – English, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, Dari and Kashmiri — is running from the 10th Congressional District of Virginia. The incumbent Jennifer Wexton, a Democrat, is not seeking re-election, therefore making it an open seat.

    “My Nani (grandmother) Vimal Chaddha Malik used to take me to Glen Cove Gurdwara in Long Island, New York. There I would serve langar. I learned a lot about Sikh traditions and the notion of oneness. I’m proud of that. That’s something that has given me a very strong sense of community and giving back and is one of the core values that I embrace in my bid for Congress,” she said.

    “At the core of the tenets of Sikhism is this idea of feeding your community, of service, of making sure that everyone has what they need and that is reflective. If you go to Amritsar, for example, to the Golden Temple, you see that everyone gets fed at the Golden Temple. The halwa there is also the best in the world, I think,” she said.

    “It’s just a really beautiful concept to see in the community there on a micro level and one that can be scaled internationally and that can be embraced here in Virginia District 10. So again, I’m very proud of both sides of my heritage being Hindu and Sikh, and very proud of the fact that I stand again as the only Sikh woman running for Congress in the country today because we need representation and that’s important,” Kaul said.

    Notably, Dalip Singh Saund was the first Indian American, a Sikh, to be elected to the US House of Representatives from the 29th Congressional District of California for three terms beginning in 1957.

    In the current Congress, there are five Indian Americans in the House of Representatives: Dr Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Pramila Jayapal and Shri Thanedar. Jayapal is the first ever and only Indian American woman to be elected to the House of Representatives.

    Dalip Singh Saund is often a name that gets forgotten, Krystle said.

    “Today we focus heavily on the five Indian American members who were in Congress, but preceding all of them was this one Sikh man who came in as an outlier and was able to get the mass community support in his district at a time when we were such a new immigrant community in this country. That’s something that I’m proud of and one that I think is very notable,” she said.

    Despite doing well in various fields in the US, the Sikh community is not seen much in politics, she noted. “The Sikh community has done very well as the Indian American community, but as a subgroup. In terms of education, in terms of business and engineering, and IT and medicine across the board,” she said.

    “This group definitely needs representation. Of course, there have been a lot of cases of discrimination against Sikhs, which is very unfortunate,” Kaul said.

    Responding to a question, Krystle said there have been a lot of cases of discrimination against Sikhs, which is very unfortunate. “I’ve seen it in my district, I’ve seen it in Virginia, and I’ve seen it at a national level. I say repeatedly, it doesn’t matter (how much is) your bank balance, it doesn’t matter how prominent you are, if you’re a Sikh man, you wear a turban. It’s a visible thing that you wear and something that can be used against you in terms of a hate crime,” she pointed out.

    There is a need to create more awareness and understanding that this is something that is part of a religion and one that should be respected, she said.

    “That is through education, through awareness, and that comes from representation. When you have people in Congress who say, hey, I stand up proudly to be a Sikh and this is not okay, you cannot do this. That’s when people start to listen. I think that’s something that I want to advocate,” she added.

    Kaul said her campaign is doing good and she is running a genuine, authentic and grassroots campaign. “I have the most cash on hand today. I came out very strong in Q4 with USD 567,000 in cash on hand surpassing all candidates by a lot. They told me I couldn’t do it. They often underestimate you as a woman, as a woman of color and particularly as they see women. I worked really hard,” she said.

    “Along with cash on hand, I also have a very strong and growing team. I have a team that’s right now 85 plus and growing. A lot of great top firms, and amazing staff that I have on hand, but also a volunteer team that exceeds 50 in several districts, in several states and also nationally who are really inspired. A lot of them are young Indian American girls in particular, which I’m really proud of, a lot of young Sikh girls for example,” Kaul said.

    “I also have a very multicultural growing volunteer base of Latinos, people from different communities,” she said, asserting that it “showcases a strong base”.

    She said she spoke at the Sikh International Film Festival in New York where she got to interact with filmmakers, the heads of Sikhs for America, the Punjabi Chamber of Commerce, and the Sikh Chamber of Commerce.

    “I’ve got a lot of support from very many prominent Sikhs, again locally and nationally. And that has also felt great just from a community standpoint and one that is tied to my cultural roots,” she said.
    (Source: PTI)

  • Infosys CEO Salil Parekh joins USISPF Board

    Infosys CEO Salil Parekh joins USISPF Board

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP) : Salil Parekh, CEO and managing director at Infosys, has joined the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum as a member of its board of directors.

    An industry veteran with nearly three decades in the IT services industry, executing business turnarounds and managing successful acquisitions, Parekh, in his capacity as Infosys CEO, sets the strategic direction of one of India’s most notable IT giants while nurturing a strong leadership team to drive its execution.

    Salil’s recent addition to the USISPF Board accentuates the success story of Indian IT giants in the US For years. Infosys has been a household name in India, and IT services are one of India’s biggest exports to the United States, said USISPF president and CEO Mukesh Aghi.

    In an era of digital economy and digital trade, Infosys’ success in the US is a testimony to the growing synergy in tech ties and how India’s robust tech talent plays an integral part in strengthening and growing the tech sector in the United States, Aghi said.

    USISPF chairman John Chambers said Salil and Infosys’ participation on the USISPF Board will help forge a critical reliance for the two economies by consolidating digital trade, ultimately further establishing India as an innovation partner to the world, which is the organization’s core mission.

    I’m thrilled to have Salil, a leader with a great track record in the IT industry, join the USISPF Board. Infosys’ impact in the American tech industry has been extremely important, and the company played a vital part in India’s nearly USD 200 billion software exports for 2023, Chambers said.

  • 33 non-profit bodies to participate in second India Giving Day in US

    33 non-profit bodies to participate in second India Giving Day in US

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): As many as 33 top Indian American nonprofit organizations are participating in the India Giving Day on March 1, during which organizers expect to raise money for important social welfare programs in India. “The number (results) we’re going to announce at the end of India Giving Day is going to be significantly larger than last year. That’s because we have a track record as we’ve been working all year long and people are excited,” Alex Counts, executive director of the India Philanthropy Alliance and India Giving Day told PTI in an interview. India Philanthropy Alliance is a network of non-profit organizations that mobilize people and funding in the US for high-impact development programs in India.

    The second edition of the annual India Giving Day organized by India Philanthropy Alliance has launched a nationwide campaign to generate awareness among Indian Americans and “friends of India” in the US to donate generously on this important day dedicated to raise funds for a host of critical social and economic issues in India.

    The inaugural edition last year raised USD 1.3 million in one day. All funds raised through India Giving Day will be used to support programs based in India or to build a more robust fundraising operation in the US to benefit India, Counts said.

    “The three (issues) that were most common, perhaps almost exclusive issues last year were education for the poor, healthcare for the poor, wellbeing and third was we put a broad category of livelihoods, the ability of people to generate economic sustainability for themselves through good jobs and entrepreneurship,” he said.

    “Those remain central to what we’re doing. This year we’re adding a few more. We’re adding a few organizations that work in environmental preservation and climate change. We have a couple of groups that work in animal rights and animal welfare. We are expanding with more cultural organizations. Most of our money will be going towards these three — health education and livelihood,” Counts said.

    Urging Indian Americans and “friends of India” to donate generously, Counts said: “Give when you have surplus. If someone is just living paycheck to paycheck and is struggling economically, they can give in other ways. They can give their time. I wouldn’t want them to be giving financially. But for those who have been fortunate enough who’ve worked hard to develop some surplus financial resources, giving can be something that’s done in a communal and collective way.”

    He said that for many who are part of India Giving Day, it is where they were born or where their parents were born. Giving is an opportunity to really change that society for the better, to give new opportunities for healthcare, education, environment preservation, livelihoods.

    “It’s an opportunity to do it joyfully, to do it communally and to do it when you choose organizations that are really well designed,” the executive director of the alliance said. India, he asserted, has some of the best NGOs in the world and they do all or most of their work in India.

    “So you’re not talking about organizations that are kind of poorly organized. The 33 groups we have here are some of the best non-profits in the entire world. So when you work with them, you really have confidence that it’ll bring change,” Counts said. “I just ask people to also just do it, give what you can, give it joyfully, where you let others see what you’re giving and inspire them to give and know that if you choose groups that are well trained and well and they can execute, you’re going to change India as a result,” Counts said in response to a question,” he added.
    (Source: PTI)

  • Delegation from 17 US universities to visit India next week

    Delegation from 17 US universities to visit India next week

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): A high-powered delegation of 31 provosts, vice provosts, deans, and other leaders from 17 top American universities are travelling to India next week as part of their goal to strengthen India-US collaboration and student and scholar mobility between the two countries.

    The delegation from the American universities will visit 26 institutions in New Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad.

    This visit gains significance in the wake of the recent spate in incidents of attacks on Indian students and those of Indian origin in various parts of the country.

    The delegation builds on recent years of US and Indian government-led efforts to partner in pursuit of mutually beneficial strategies. Last year, the president and prime minister from each country embarked on state visits to the other, affirming the US-India Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership, a media release said.

    We will have the opportunity to meet with 26 Indian institutions to talk about collaboration, mobility of students and scholars between our two countries and securing and fostering enduring partnerships between institutions, A. Sarah Ilchman, co-president of Institute of International Education (IIE), told PTI in an interview before leaving for India. Indian students and scholars in the US now are at record numbers and it’s very exciting to watch close to 270,000 Indian students on US campuses and about 17,000 Indian scholars in the US right now. So, it’s an exciting time to be engaging with India and Indian institutions to try to further increase this engagement and collaboration, she said.

    The IIE Leadership Delegation to India from February 25 to March 2 would have representations from California State University, Long Beach; University of California, Berkeley; DePaul University; University of California, Davis; East Tennessee State University; University of Houston; Florida International University; University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Michigan State University; University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Mississippi State University; University of Missouri; Montclair State University; University of Rochester; Oklahoma State University; University of Tulsa and Rutgers University.

    More than 40 per cent of India’s 1.4 billion population is under the age of 25, and demand for education exceeds in-country supply. Apart from meeting Indian government officials, the delegates will visit US consulates, the Indian School of Business, IIT Hyderabad, Mahindra University, Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, and Somaiya Vidyavihar University. Topics to be discussed include setting up of international branch campuses in India, the impact of ed-tech in Indian higher education, and the higher education business landscape.

    We hope from this delegation that there will be many active partnerships and engagements between US institutions and Indian institutions and that we can increase the flow of students and scholars both ways, Ilchman said. Observing that the US has probably the most diverse higher education system in the world with specialized programs, institutions of all sizes and shapes and focuses, Ilchman said the United States has much to offer to students from India as compared to other global destinations.

    We also are a brand. People know that the reputation of an education in the US is highly sought after, and in addition, the United States has tremendous capacity and room to welcome international students,” she said.

    Some countries such as the UK or Australia or Canada have close to 20 per cent or more international students in their higher education system, Ilchman pointed out.

    “In the United States, only about six per cent of the higher education system are international students. So we have capacity to welcome more, she said. Ilchman said India has been a long-standing investor in US higher education by sending students and scholars through optional practical training (OPT), which is the opportunity to do practical work in your field of study after your degree programme.

    Many Indian students and scholars have had the opportunity to work in the United States to found organizations and companies that have done tremendous things, she said.

    So, the impact of Indians and other international students in the United States is significant in what they contribute back to society, she noted.

    The delegation would also meet members of the US embassy while in India.

    Of course, visas and the timely issuance of visas is critically important for all of this to work. The Department of State has been much more open and transparent about the number of visa applications that are in the pipeline, how many have been approved, and how long it takes to get a visa interview, the IIE co-president said.

    With this transparency we’re starting to see more data and more information that the visa process is working out, some of the obstacles in kinks that we have seen, she added.

    On a question on the spate in attacks on Indian students in recent weeks, Ilchman said, US colleges and universities prioritise the health and safety of all of their students on campus, both domestic and international.

    Building safe and inclusive communities is part of what US universities try to do every single day. They are very familiar with welcoming and supporting international students on their campuses. US institutions are on the forefront of providing mental health resources to ensure that all students have the support that they need during their studies, she added.

    Asked about some of the unscrupulous universities in the US, which many a times resulted in Indian students being deported from the US airports on arrival, Ilchman said, Unfortunately there are individuals who are working outside the system and creating opportunities that don’t exist and attract individuals there. I know that they’re trying to clamp down on these unfortunate actors in the industry.

  • A first: US company lands craft on moon

    A first: US company lands craft on moon

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): A private American company has scripted history by landing the first commercial spacecraft on the Moon as well as the first US vehicle on the Earth’s only natural satellite in more than 50 years, joining earlier feats by India, Russia, the US and China.

    Built by Intuitive Machines, the lander — named Odysseus — touched down on the moon at 6.23 pm ET on Thursday, February 22, making it the first American spacecraft on the Moon since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. “Today, for the first time in half a century, America has returned to the Moon,” Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator said. The lander will have seven days before darkness descends on the landing site, preventing the spacecraft’s solar panels from gathering energy from sunlight and bringing freezing temperatures, ABC News reported.
    (Source: PTI)

  • US working to reduce visitor visa wait time for Indians: Rena Bitter

    US working to reduce visitor visa wait time for Indians: Rena Bitter

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The United States is working towards further reducing the wait time for visitor visas for Indians following a decrease of 75 per cent last year, according to US Bureau of Consular Affairs Assistant Secretary Rena Bitter. In an interview with PTI, Bitter noted that today more Indians can travel to the United States than in any other time in history.

    “Last year, the Embassy in India processed 1.4 million visas, explosion of an incredible number…in every category there is no wait time at all except in one area of travel where there is still some wait time and that is people travelling for the first time to the United States for tourism,” she said.

    “It has been reduced 75 per cent over the last year and we are working really hard on this. We recognize that it is an incredibly important bilateral relationship and the foundation of the relationship is the people-to-people ties, the business travel and the family ties.

    All these things are important to us and in Washington we are doing a lot of work to support this post (Indian) so they can meet the exploding demand,” she added.

    Asked about the plans for H1B visa, Bitter said the pilot programme which is underway to permit Indians living in the US to renew their H1B visa without travelling abroad will conclude in February.

    “There is special place for Indian skilled workers in United States, they contribute so much to our economy. Indian embassy issued 34 per cent more H1B visas last year which is also the maximum in the history of the post. We take this issue seriously and this was a huge topic of conversation between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden during their meeting last year.

    “We introduced a pilot programme in January for revalidation of 20,000 Indian skilled workers in the United States. The pilot programme will conclude at the end of this month. It is going really well and once we complete the pilot period we will reevaluate and see what comes next to make it as easy as possible for Indians working in the US,” she said.

    The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries such as India and China.

    The pilot programme was started months after the White House announced the plan during the state visit of Prime Minister Modi in June last year. Talking about student visas, Bitter said, “one in four international students studying in United States is from India. It is incredible because it is not only they are getting top notch education which we are really proud of but they are also enriching our classrooms with their unique perspective and the key points that they bring to our classrooms.

    “They make our students smarter too…So we are really excited about that. This is really important programme for us to make sure that Indian students have access to education in the United States and we have all pieces in place going forward to ensure that we meet the demand,” she added.

    The number of Indians who travelled to the United States for higher education increased by 35 per cent and resulted in an all-time high of 2,68,923 students in the academic year 2022-23.

    Last year, the US consular team in India issued over 1,40,000 student visas – more than in any other country in the world setting a record for the third year in a row.

  • Indian American economist Daleep Singh set to return to White House

    Indian American economist Daleep Singh set to return to White House

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Indian American Economist Daleep Singh, a key architect of the Biden administration’s economic sanctions on Russia, is coming back to the White House, according to a media report.
    Singh, who served in the Treasury Department in the Obama administration, will return to his previous role as deputy national security adviser for international economics taking over from Mike Pyle who leaves at the end of the month.
    Daleep Singh’s return as the deputy national security adviser for international economics “will allow him to pick up where he left off in April of 2022 — looking for innovative ways to punish Russia and help support Ukraine,” the report suggested.
    The position, which reports to both the NSC and the National Economic Council, is one of the most important in the White House.
    As part of the portfolio, Singh will help coordinate the US position at both the G7 and G20 summits.
    This year the G7 leaders will meet in June in Italy. The G20 summit is scheduled to occur in Brazil in November after the presidential election.
    With a $95 billion foreign aid package stuck in Congress, Biden officials are exploring how they can help Ukraine without Congressional authorization, the report stated.
    One idea that is gaining currency is to use Russia’s frozen sovereign assets, which are mostly held in Europe, as collateral for loans to Ukraine, it said. Belgium has recently floated this idea to G7 countries, but Singh wrote about it back in December of 2022 in Barron’s.
    The great grand-nephew of Daleep Singh Saund, the first Asian-American elected to the US Congress, has been working as the chief economist for PGIM Fixed Income.
    Singh was appointed as Biden’s Deputy National Security Advisor in February 2021. He previously served in the Obama administration as deputy assistant secretary of the Treasury for international affairs and acting Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Markets.
    Singh came to the White House from the New York Federal Reserve, where he played a critical leadership role in the emergency facilities the Fed launched in response to Covid-19.
    Before his tenure at the Treasury Department, he worked for Goldman Sachs, with a focus on US interest rates and currency markets, from 2003 to 2007, and again from 2008 to 2011.
    He was also a partner at Element Capital Management from 2007 to 2008. He is a former adjunct senior fellow at the Center for New American Security and the Atlantic Council. He was also an adjunct professor of geoeconomics at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
    Born in Olney, Maryland and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, he holds a bachelor’s degree from Duke University in economics and public policy and a Master of Business Administration/Master of Public Administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University, with a focus on international economics.

  • US-India Business Council launches task force to align leadership between two nations on artificial intelligence

    US-India Business Council launches task force to align leadership between two nations on artificial intelligence

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The US India Business Council on Thursday announced the launch of its AI Task Force (AI-TF) which it said is a pivotal step in aligning US and Indian leadership on Artificial Intelligence (AI).

    The business body, which represents leading global companies operating across the United States, India, and the Indo-Pacific region, said that AI-TF will advance AI concepts and principles, drive multi-stakeholder processes, and promote the development and commercialization of AI technologies. The AI-TF builds on the Chamber of Commerce’s AI principles and endorsement of the OECD’s recommendations on AI, it said.

    “The AI-TF is a game-changer, especially needed amid the rapidly evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence. Through this initiative, we seek to harness the immense potential of AI, propelling competitiveness in both US and Indian economies and our citizen-led societies,” USIBC president Atul Keshap said.

    He said that the USIBC looks forward to shaping a future where AI is a catalyst for progress.

    “Together, we look forward to shaping a future where AI is a catalyst for progress, bringing forth advancements that uphold our shared values and democratic principles and drive economic prosperity for both our great democracies,” he said.

    The new committee members, include Kamal Ahluwalia, president at Ikigai Labs and Todd Skinner, president of International at TransUnion; alongside USIBC Board Chairman and executive vice chairman of Nasdaq Ed Knight.

    “The creation of USIBC’s AI-TF is a major step toward fostering a deeper partnership on the most innovative and transformative technologies of our time,” said Knight.

    “The Task Force will encourage a principled approach to AI adoption, ensuring that these transformative technologies can be harnessed in a manner that is safe and secure,” he said.

    Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, director of the US National Science Foundation said partnerships will be key to the future of a trustworthy, safe, and secure AI enterprise.

    “AI is advancing at an incredible pace, requiring researchers to collaborate and share resources for cutting-edge innovations and discoveries alongside a commitment to shared values and principles,” he said.

    Matthew Pine, Xylem president and CEO, said that collaboration is critical to ensure communities have access to the solutions they need to address water challenges. “This collaboration is why Xylem launched the Reservoir Center for Water Solutions alongside water sector leaders, and why we were honored to gather Director Panchanathan and the US-India Business Council to announce the creation of the AI Task Force,” he said.
    (Source: PTI)

  • Biden admin working ‘very hard’ to thwart attacks against Indian students: White House

    Biden admin working ‘very hard’ to thwart attacks against Indian students: White House

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): US President Joe Biden and his administration are working very hard to thwart and disrupt attacks on Indian and Indian American students, the White House has said. The announcement by John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House comes amid a slew of attacks on Indian and Indian American students in various parts of the country.

    “There is no excuse for violence, certainly based on race or gender or religion or any other factor. That’s just unacceptable here in the United States,” Kirby told reporters here when asked about the series of attacks on students from India and also those from the Indian American community.

    “The president and this administration have been working very, very hard to make sure we’re doing everything we can to work with state and local authorities to try to thwart and disrupt those kinds of attacks and make it clear to anybody who might consider them that they’ll be held properly accountable,” Kirby said.

    Vivek Saini, a student working part-time in a department store, died following an attack by a drug addict in Lithonia, Georgia in January. Syed Mazahir Ali, an Indian student at Indiana Wesleyan University was assaulted in February.

    Deaths of at least four Indian American students have been reported in the last several weeks.

    Akul Dhawan of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Neel Acharya of Purdue University died apparently due to heavy drinking followed by long exposure to low temperatures at night in January.

    Shreyas Reddy Benigeri, an Indian-origin student at the Lindner School of Business in Cincinnati was found dead in Ohio this month.

    Indian American community leader Ajay Jain Bhutoria said he was deeply troubled by the tragic deaths of these students in separate incidents and underscored the urgent need for enhanced safety measures for those pursuing education in the US. College authorities, and local police, must address these challenges promptly, he asserted.

    “These incidents understandably worry parents and families in India, and their concerns are shared. It’s crucial to address safety issues to ensure the well-being of Indian students studying in the USA,” he said, adding that the Indian American community unites in calling for improved safety measures and support systems.
    (Source: PTI)

  • IBM CEO Arvind Krishna joins USISPF Board

    IBM CEO Arvind Krishna joins USISPF Board

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): IBM CEO Arvind Krishna has joined the Board of Directors of US India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF), an official announcement said on Thursday, February 15.

    Krishna, the 62-year-old Indian-American CEO among other things, is also a member of the Board of Directors of the New York Federal Reserve Bank and serves on the Board of Directors of Northrop Grumman.

    “His knowledge about technology is unmatched, and his track record for leading market transitions in areas like hybrid cloud business, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence is remarkable,” said USISPF chairman Jon Chambers. He said that Krisha is a true visionary and a leader who is always focused on what’s good for society at large. Shantanu Narayen, Chair and CEO of Adobe and vice chairman of USISPF, said Krishna’s strong leadership and deep technical expertise in AI, cloud, quantum computing, and global operations will be invaluable as India continues to be an incubator for the transformative power of technology.

    “When you think of the various diaspora success stories and the rise of the Indian-American CEO across Fortune 100 companies, you think of Arvind Krishna at IBM. At a time when the US and India are working to secure a deeper collaboration in the field of critical and emerging technologies, Arvind’s deep expertise in this sector will be an invaluable asset,” said USISPF president and CEO Mukesh Aghi.

    “For years, Arvind has successfully built strong commercial links between the US and India. During the pandemic, Arvind’s indefatigable efforts helped USISPF supply essential materials in oxygen cylinders and concentrators to help aid the several million COVID-19 victims in India,” he said.

    An industry and IBM veteran spanning over three decades with the tech giant, Krishna has led the building and expansion of new markets for IBM in artificial intelligence, cloud, quantum computing, and blockchain.

    Krishna has also been a driving force in the development of innovative IBM products and solutions and led a series of bold transformations that have delivered proven business results, including growing IBM’s Information Management business by 50 per cent.

    “The US and India share a unique bond, rooted in shared democratic values and strong economic and cultural ties. As a member of the USISPF, I look forward to finding ways for our two nations to use the power of technology to drive economic growth, create opportunities for all, and address the unique challenges of our time,” Krishna said.

    In 2016, Wired Magazine selected Krishna as “one of 25 geniuses who are creating the future of business” for his foundational work on blockchain.

    Despite being a leading tech expert, Krishna identifies as a consummate learner and has been an outspoken advocate for learning at every stage of one’s career.

    Krishna has made significant scientific contributions in several technical fields, including wireless networking, security, systems, and databases, and has founded IBM’s security software business and helped create the world’s first commercial wireless system, USISPF said.
    (Source: PTI)

  • US House passes Quad bill

    US House passes Quad bill

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The US House of Representatives has passed the Quad bill which instructs the Biden administration to establish a Quad Intra-Parliamentary Working Group to facilitate closer cooperation between the US, Australia, India and Japan.

    Passed by a roll call vote of 379 to 39 votes, the ‘Strengthen US-Australia-India-Japan Cooperation’ or the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) bill says that the joint cooperation between the US, Australia, India and Japan should be strengthened.

    It directs the State Department to submit to Congress, within 180 days of the bill’s enactment, a strategy to increase engagement and cooperation with the Quad, and within 60 days of its enactment, to enter into negotiations with Japan, Australia and India to establish a Quad Intra-Parliamentary Working Group to facilitate closer cooperation. It also would establish a US group, which would have a maximum of 24 members of Congress, to represent the US in the working group. It also would establish guidelines for annual meetings and group leadership. Under the bill, the group would be required to submit an annual report to the congressional foreign affairs committees.

    Two Democratic lawmakers voted against the bill. One of them being Congresswoman Ilhan Omar from Minneapolis.

    Introduced by Congressman Gregory Meeks, the bill requires the State Department to report to Congress a strategy for bolstering engagement and cooperation with the Quad.

    The strategy shall address cooperation on issues including (1) preparing for the next pandemic, (2) co-developing new innovative technologies, and (3) deepening economic engagement and integration.
    (Source: PTI)

  • Donald Trump wins Nevada, Virgin Islands caucuses

    Donald Trump wins Nevada, Virgin Islands caucuses

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Donald Trump won Republican presidential nominating caucuses in Nevada and the US Virgin Islands on Thursday, moving closer to becoming his party’s White House standard-bearer in a likely general election rematch with US President Joe Biden in November.

    Trump, the frontrunner in his party’s nominating race, was the only major candidate competing in Nevada’s caucuses and was set to win the state’s 26 delegates to the party’s nominating convention in July after being projected the winner on Thursday night by Edison Research. Trump also easily won the US Virgin Islands caucuses.

    Meanwhile, Nikki Haley has said the US will have a female president in 2024, and it will be either her or Kamala Harris, both of them Indian-origin. Haley has said she will stay in the race for the White House even after the embarrassment in Nevada and with polling showing her trailing badly in her home state of South Carolina.
    (Agencies)

  • ‘My memory is fine’: Joe Biden hits back at special counsel over ‘hazy’ and ‘poor’ age jibe

    ‘My memory is fine’: Joe Biden hits back at special counsel over ‘hazy’ and ‘poor’ age jibe

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): A special counsel report released Thursday, February 8, found evidence that President Joe Biden willfully retained and shared highly classified information when he was a private citizen, including about military and foreign policy in Afghanistan, but concluded that criminal charges were not warranted, an AP report says.

    The report from special counsel Robert Hur resolves a criminal investigation that had shadowed Biden’s presidency for the last year. But its bitingly critical assessment of his handling of sensitive government records and unflattering characterizations of his memory will spark fresh questions about his competency and age that cut at voters’ most deep-seated concerns about his candidacy for re-election.

    Beyond that, the harsh findings will almost certainly blunt his ability to forcefully condemn Donald Trump, Biden’s likely opponent in November’s presidential election, over a criminal indictment charging the former president with illegally hoarding classified records at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Despite abundant differences between the cases, Trump immediately seized on the special counsel report to portray himself as a victim of a “two-tiered system of justice.”

    Yet even as Hur found evidence that Biden willfully held onto and shared with a ghostwriter highly classified information, the special counsel devoted much of his report to explaining why he did not believe the evidence met the standard for criminal charges, including a high probability that the Justice Department would not be able to prove Biden’s intent beyond a reasonable doubt, citing among other things an advanced age that they said made him forgetful and the possibility of “innocent explanations” for the records that they could not refute.

    In remarks at the White House, Biden denied Hur’s assertion that he shared classified information, saying, “I did not share classified information. I did not share it with my ghostwriter.” He also angrily lashed out at the special counsel for questioning his recollection of his late son Beau’s death from cancer.

    “How in the hell dare he raise that?” Biden asked, saying he didn’t believe it was any of Hur’s business.

    And in response to Hur’s portrayal of him, Biden insisted to reporters that “My memory is fine,” and said he believes he remains the most qualified person to serve as president.

    Biden’s lawyers blasted the report for what they said were inaccuracies and gratuitous swipes at the president. In a statement, Biden said he was “pleased” Hur had “reached the conclusion I believed all along they would reach — that there would be no charges brought in this case and the matter is now closed.” He pointedly noted that he had sat for five hours of in-person interviews in the immediate aftermath of Hamas’s October attack on Israel, when “I was in the middle of handling an international crisis.”

    “I just believed that’s what I owed the American people so they could know no charges would be brought and the matter closed,” Biden said. The investigation into Biden is separate from special counsel Jack Smith’s inquiry into the handling of classified documents by Trump after Trump left the White House. Smith’s team has charged Trump with illegally retaining top secret records at his Mar-a-Lago home and then obstructing government efforts to get them back. Trump has said he did nothing wrong.

    Hur, a former US Attorney in the Trump administration, was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland as special counsel in January 2023 following an initial discovery by Biden staff of classified records in Washington office space. Subsequent property searches by the FBI, all coordinated voluntarily by Biden staff, that turned up additional sensitive documents from his time as vice president and senator.

    Hur’s report said many of the documents recovered at the Penn Biden Center in Washington, in parts of Biden’s Delaware home and in his Senate papers at the University of Delaware were retained by “mistake.” Biden could not have been prosecuted as a sitting president, but Hur’s report states that he would not recommend charges against Biden regardless.

    “We would reach the same conclusion even if Department of Justice policy did not foreclose criminal charges against a sitting president,” the report said.

    But investigators did find evidence of willful retention and disclosure of a subset of records found in Biden’s Wilmington, Delaware house, including in a garage, office and basement den. The files pertain to a troop surge in Afghanistan during the Obama administration that Biden had vigorously opposed. He kept records that documented his position, including a classified letter to Obama during the 2009 Thanksgiving holiday.

    Documents found in a box in Biden’s Delaware garage have classification markings up to the Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information Level and “other materials of great significance to him and that he appears to have personally used and accessed.” Hur, though, wrote that there was a ”shortage of evidence” to prove that Biden placed the documents in the box and knew they were there.

    Some of the classified information related to Afghanistan was shared with a ghostwriter with whom he published memoirs in 2007 and 2017. As part of the probe, investigators reviewed a recording of a February 2017 conversation between Biden and his ghostwriter in which Biden can be heard saying that he had “just found all the classified stuff downstairs.” AP

  • ‘Overseas Friends of BJP’ in US to make 25 lakh calls to India during elections; send 3,000 Indian-Americans to campaign

    ‘Overseas Friends of BJP’ in US to make 25 lakh calls to India during elections; send 3,000 Indian-Americans to campaign

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The ‘Overseas Friends of BJP’ in the US has made an elaborate plan to make more than 2,50,000 calls to people across India urging them to vote and re-elect Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a third term with a record 400 plus seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, according to community leaders. ‘Overseas Friends of BJP’ in the USA has also made plans to send a strong delegation of more than 3,000 Indian Americans who will campaign for the party and its candidates in various capacities across India.

    The BJP has also created more than two dozen teams across the US to make specific calls and help in developing strategies according to different states and languages.

    “We started preparations from December itself and we are picking up speed this month. In February, we are starting a kickoff event all over the United States — probably around 20-22 cities cutting across 18 States. We are trying to gather not only the sympathizers and volunteers of ‘Overseas Friends of BJP’, but also the general community, the community leaders, and the community who want to see Modi 3.0. So they will be participating in that,” OFBJP USA President Adapa Prasad told PTI in a recent interview.

    OFBJP USA, he said, will be presenting the achievements of the Modi government in the last five years and also the 10 years cumulatively and how India’s position in the global community of the nations in the current situation, and also US India relations and the domestic side, how overall growth has happened.

    “We have already prepared the PowerPoint slides. We have PDF documents to distribute,” he said.

    OFBJP is also working to organize “Chai Pe Charcha” in towns and cities across the US, he said.

    “We will gather local people. We will discuss these things about the overall development agenda of BJP and Modi. We will urge all our NRI brothers and Indian diaspora brothers to call their friends and families to vote for the BJP. It’s not for asking why just vote for BJP. They will be telling them why they should be voting for BJP and they will list out all the achievements of the BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.

    The goal, this time, he said, is to get 400 seats for the BJP and its allies.

    “For general elections, there is already a lot of enthusiasm. Just like in India, it is for Modi and BJP. We will be having call centers almost at the county (district) level. We will be calling and we will be dividing this by state. There are Hindi-speaking states and there are regional-speaking states. So for example, if it is Karnataka, we have a Karnataka speaking people who will be calling there, if it is Telangana, we will be having Telugu speaking and so on. Marathi, Tamil we have everybody. We have NRIs covering, volunteering already from hailing, from Jammu and Kashmir to Kerala,” Prasad said.

    “I’m expecting almost 2.5 million calls,” Prasad said, adding that this year OFBJP is expecting to send a delegation of 3,000 Indian Americans to campaign for the party in the general elections.

    There is coordination on this between OFBJP USA and the BJP in India.

    The OFBJP USA is also planning to hold car rallies in different cities during the elections to create awareness about the developments and achievements in India in the last 10 years, he said.

  • NSF Director Panchanathan, several other Indian-Americans elected to National Academy of Engineering

    NSF Director Panchanathan, several other Indian-Americans elected to National Academy of Engineering

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan and several other eminent Indian-American scientists have been elected to the prestigious National Academy of Engineering, according to an official release. They include Ravi Prasher from Bloom Energy and Tejal Desai from Brown University. Thalappil Pradeep from IIT Chennai is the only Indian scientist among the 21 new international members selected to this top American engineering body. This is in addition to the 114 new US scientists who have been elected this year. This brings the total US membership to 2,310 and the number of international members to 332, the release said. Election to the National Academy of Engineering is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer.

    Panchanathan has been elected to NAE for multimedia computing for assistive and rehabilitative applications and for leadership at the institutional and national levels.

    Among other Indian-American scientists elected to the body are Shailendra Bordawekar, vice president, Small Molecule Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls Development, AbbVie Inc., Gurnee, Ill; Surajit Chaudhuri, distinguished scientist, data systems, Microsoft Research; and Tejal Desai from School of Engineering, Brown University. Garg Maheshwari, vice president, Biologics Development, Bristol Myers Squibb; Pandurang Nayak, vice president of Search, Google; Ravi Prasher, chief technology officer, Bloom Energy, and Raj Singh, regents professor of materials science and engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Oklahoma State University are also in the list. The National Academy of Engineering said Thalappil Pradeep, Deepak Parekh Institute Chair Professor and professor of chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, has been elected as the international member for contributions to cluster chemistry and the discovery and implementation of affordable drinking water solutions.

    Election of the new NAE members is the culmination of a yearlong process. The ballot is set in December and the final vote for membership occurs during January. Individuals in the newly elected class will be formally inducted during the NAE’s annual meeting on September 29, 2024.
    (Source: PTI)

  • Indo-Pacific Strategy has made US and region more secure, more prosperous: White House

    Indo-Pacific Strategy has made US and region more secure, more prosperous: White House

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The US has said the execution of its Indo-Pacific Strategy in 2022 amidst the strategic competition with China has made the country and the dynamic region more secure and more prosperous, and expanded the bilateral partnership with India in unprecedented ways.

    Addressing the media on the second anniversary of the launch of the landmark foreign policy strategy of the Biden administration, Adrienne Watson, a spokesperson for the National Security Council of the White House, said “the United States has never been in a stronger position in the Indo-Pacific”.

    “Over the past two years, we have made historic progress in advancing an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, the United States has never been in a stronger position in the Indo-Pacific,” she said.

    In the two years since the launch of the Indo-Pacific Strategy, the US has reinvested and revitalized its alliances and partnerships and taken them to new heights, Watson said.

    “We have deepened and elevated alliances with Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Australia, the Philippines, and Thailand. We upgraded our bilateral relationships with Vietnam and Indonesia, and our partnership with ASEAN.

    “We have expanded our partnership with India in unprecedented ways. We have surged our efforts in the Pacific, including with two historic summits for Pacific Island leaders at the White House and the establishment of the Partners of the Blue Pacific,” she said.

    The United States is an Indo-Pacific nation. As the most dynamic and fastest-growing region on earth, the Indo-Pacific is an essential driver of America’s future security and prosperity, the state department said in a fact sheet.

    The region is home to more than half the world’s population, and it accounts for 60 per cent of global GDP as well as two-thirds of global economic growth. Trade between the United States and the Indo-Pacific region reached over USD 2 trillion in 2022, and the United States benefits from USD 956 billion in foreign direct investment from the Indo-Pacific, it said.

    “But as our cooperation to advance our common values and interests has grown, so too have our challenges. We have seen the People’s Republic of China (PRC) become more repressive at home and more assertive abroad, undermining human rights and international law, and seeking to reshape the international order,” the fact sheet noted.

    At the briefing, Watson said President Joe Biden hosted the historic US-Japan-South Korea trilateral summit at Camp David to open a new chapter in this important partnership, she said.

    Under his leadership, the US has elevated the Quad with Australia, India, and Japan to a leader-level summit and has delivered concrete results for the Indo-Pacific region, from vaccines to maritime domain awareness to scholarships for students, she said.

    “And three of the four Official State Visits President Biden has hosted were with leaders of Indo-Pacific countries: the Republic of Korea, India, and Australia. This year, the President will welcome Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan. We have also undertaken historic cooperation between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines,” Watson said.

    The US has also built closer ties between Europe and the Indo-Pacific, including through the launch of AUKUS, a historic partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, she said.

    Today, there is a recognition both in Europe and the Indo-Pacific that the opportunities and challenges in one region directly affect the other, she said.

    “We have seen that with historic support from some of our Indo-Pacific partners for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s brutal invasion. And we see that recognition from our European partners as we work to address the direct military support from the DPRK (North Korea) to Russia’s war in Ukraine,” she said.

    After just two years, the execution of the Indo-Pacific Strategy has made “our country and the Indo-Pacific region more secure and more prosperous”. “All of this strengthens the United States’ position in the Indo-Pacific and advances our interests in and vision for the region amidst strategic competition with the People’s Republic of China. And even as we confront challenges elsewhere, the United States will proudly continue to prioritize our work in this critical region for our future,” Watson said.
    (Source: PTI)

  • Indian American Bhavini Patel is running for US Congress

    Indian American Bhavini Patel is running for US Congress

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): From helping her single parent mother running a food truck “India on Wheels” in Pittsburgh to launching a tech startup after completing her education from the Oxford University, Indian American Bhavini Patel is now running for US House of Representatives.
    Patel, 30, last year on October 2 announced her decision to run for the Congress from the 12th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, which is currently held by her Democratic Party colleague Summer Lee.
    Notably, Congresswoman Lee is one of the few lawmakers who had boycotted the historic Joint Address to the US Congress by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June last year.
    Preparing for her first hurdle of the primary, scheduled for April 23, Patel has raised over USD 310,000, of which she says roughly 70 per cent has been raised from within the State.
    “It’s truly emblematic of the community and the needs of the community. We’ve earned several labor union endorsements including support from the steamfitters, the operating engineers, and SMART, which is a railroad transportation union. When we think about support from the unions, that’s a really big deal, especially coming from Western Pennsylvania where there’s such a strong history of the power of the labor movement,” Patel told media.
    In addition to that, she has also got endorsements from roughly 33 elected officials, including mayors of small towns as well as members of council in those areas.
    Patel is a die-hard Biden supporter. “To be quite honest, I think he’s one of our most progressive presidents that we’ve seen” she said, referring to some of the key bills that his administration has been able to deliver, including infrastructure bill, Inflation Reduction Act, and Chips and Sciences Act.
    Originally from Gujarat in India, her mother came to this country as an immigrant.
    “She came to this country with very little, which I think is a story that resonates with many people in the Indian diaspora here in this country. When she came here, she raised my brother and me as a single parent. We moved around quite a bit, to various different cities, and she worked various odd jobs, washing dishes in the restaurant industry, working in the motel industry,” Patel said.
    “Then she eventually came to Monroeville, which is a small suburb in western Pennsylvania, and that’s where she started a small catering business, supplying samosas and various other pastries to the local Patel brothers there. From there she started a food truck business. So, my family has been running food trucks for the last 25 years,” she said.
    “It’s called India on Wheels. In many ways, that is my story. I grew up working in that family food truck business, grew up on Pitts campus, ran the serving window, helped out on the weekends with catering, and then at some point decided that I wanted to attend the University of Pittsburgh,” she said.
    Patel soon became the first in her family to graduate from college. “Then I earned a scholarship to get my master’s at the University of Oxford. Since then, I have been involved in various different public service efforts. When I think about the Indian diaspora, I think about the power of that story. To me, that’s so much, it’s very much so emblematic of the American dream.
    It’s the power of an idea, being able to come from a small village growing up in poverty, but being able to raise a daughter, educate your children, and then raise a daughter that’s running for US Congress. To me, that is the power of this country. That’s the positivity of what this country has to offer, and that’s what my candidacy is about, and that’s what this campaign is about,” she said.
    While she has been running a very positive campaign in her district, Patel of late has been a target of hate crime and racial abuse because of her ethnicity.
    Following this, Hindu and Jewish groups across the country have come out in her support. Hindu American PAC recently held a fundraiser for her.
    Patel is a strong advocate of India-US relationship. “Our relationship with India is very critical. I think there’s a burgeoning young population there. There’s a lot of hunger and desire to build a life and to contribute to the growth of India, but also globally there’s a lot of talent. So how can the United States, particularly how can Western Pennsylvania best position itself to attract that talent?” she said.
    “We’re home to Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, and other university institutions. Many students do come from India. They earn their degrees. So being able to continue to build out a more robust visa program to allow people to attend the universities, to enter into the workforce, build small businesses, innovate and solve some of the biggest challenges that we’re facing in this country, including addressing things like the climate crisis,” she said.
    “It’s going to take innovation and real thought to be able to tackle the biggest crisis that our generation is facing. And I think that to be able to build coalitions globally, it’s absolutely critical to be able to address those concerns,” Patel said.

  • Indian-origin judge Sanket Jayshukh Bulsara nominated by Joe Biden to US Court for Eastern District of New York

    Indian-origin judge Sanket Jayshukh Bulsara nominated by Joe Biden to US Court for Eastern District of New York

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): President Joe Biden has nominated Indian-origin judge Sanket Jayshukh Bulsara, an expert in securities, contract, bankruptcy and regulatory matters, for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
    A child of immigrants from India and Kenya, Bulsara, 46, has been a US Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York since 2017. He was the first South Asian American federal judge to serve on any court in the Second Circuit when he was appointed as a Magistrate Judge.
    The White House announced Bulsara’s nomination on Thursday as Biden named the 45th round of judicial nominees, which included four individuals to federal district courts. All of them are extraordinarily qualified, experienced and devoted to the rule of law and the Constitution, a media statement said.
    “These choices also continue to fulfil the President’s promise to ensure that the nation’s courts reflect the diversity that is one of our greatest assets as a country—both in terms of personal and professional backgrounds,” the White House said. From January 2017 to May 2017, Bulsara served as the Acting General Counsel of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, where he had been the Deputy General Counsel for Appellate Litigation, Adjudication, and Enforcement since 2015.

  • Indian-origin executive dies after being assaulted in US; suspect on the run, police release

    Indian-origin executive dies after being assaulted in US; suspect on the run, police release

    A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered by police to anyone who can provide information that leads to arrest of suspects involved

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): In yet another disturbing incident, a 41-year-old Indian-origin executive died in the US, days after he was assaulted during an altercation outside a restaurant in downtown Washington.

    According to investigators, officers responded to the 1100 block of 15th Street Northwest outside Shoto Restaurant around 2 am for an assault on February 2.

    Once officers arrived, they found Vivek Taneja on the pavement. He was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. A preliminary investigation found that Taneja and an unknown man were involved in a verbal argument that turned physical, WUSA, a television station in Washington, DC, affiliated with CBS, said.

    Taneja was knocked to the ground and hit his head on the pavement.

    He died from his injuries at the hospital on Wednesday. Police are now investigating Taneja’s death as a homicide.

    Taneja was the cofounder and president of Dynamo Technologies. According to the company’s website, Taneja “leads Dynamo’s strategic, growth, and partnership initiatives, with an emphasis on the federal government contracting arena.”

    Police continue to search for the man who threw the deadly punch. He was captured on surveillance camera.

    A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered by police to anyone who can provide information that leads to arrest of suspect(s) involved in each homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

    The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect involved in a homicide that occurred on the 1100 block of 15th Street, NW on February 2.

    According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of an assault, where they located an adult male suffering from life-threatening injuries as a result from an assault. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment. On February 7, the victim succumbed to his injuries.

    MPD offers a reward to anyone who provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide in the District.

    Earlier this week, Syed Mazahir Ali, an Indian student was attacked by robbers in Chicago. Earlier, 25-year-old Indian student Vivek Saini was fatally attacked in Georgia state’s Lithonia city by a homeless drug addict.

    Four other Indian-origin students were reported dead in the US this year.
    (Source: PTI)

  • Indian American Satwinder Kaur elected Kent City Council president for a 2-year term

    Indian American Satwinder Kaur elected Kent City Council president for a 2-year term

    KENT, WASHINGTON (TIP): The Kent City Council in Washington has unanimously elected Indo-American Satwinder Kaur as its president for a two-year term. In her new role, Kaur, who is in her seventh year on the council, replaces Bill Boyce who nominated her for the top position, according to a media report.
    “You’ve got some little shoes to fill. I’m sure you will do a great job and we are here to support you and make sure you are very successful,” Boyce said after Kaur’s election in a February 6 meeting.
    Thanking Boyce for mentoring her, Kaur said: “As I start this, I know all of us have the same goal of serving the community and making sure Kent is a better place for all of us.”
    The seven-member council is the legislative body for the City of Kent, and besides establishing policies and regulations, it approves financial expenditures and the city’s biennial budget.
    In addition to serving as the official spokesperson for the council, Kaur will work closely with the mayor to see what kind of support the council will give to issues and proposals.
    According to the Kent City Council website, Kaur sees her role on the council as a great learning opportunity and a chance to bring a fresh set of eyes to the City’s problems.
    “I want to bring new perspectives that may not have been considered before,” the website says, quoting Kaur.

  • Indian American executive Sonia Fernandes named Politico’s first global HR, diversity officer

    Indian American executive Sonia Fernandes named Politico’s first global HR, diversity officer

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Indian American Sonia Fernandes has been named as the global chief human resources and diversity officer of Politico, a Washington-based digital newspaper focused on politics.
    “In this new role, she will be responsible for leading, integrating and harmonizing Politico’s talent functions across continents,” the publication announced Feb 1 noting that the function will be centralized globally for the first time in its 17-year history.
    Based in Politico’s Rosslyn, Virginia headquarters, India-born, Mumbai-educated Fernandes will begin her new role on Feb 8.
    “Fernandes will drive positive change that will impact and elevate the well-being, professional growth and experience of every Politico across seven newsrooms, two continents and seven time zones,” the publication said.
    Fernandes’ dual role as chief diversity officer reflects Politico’s commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive and empowering workplace in line with its ambition for additional global growth, it added.
    “Politico’s success is driven by great journalism and great people,” said Mark Dekan, chief operating officer of Politico Media Group. “Sonia brings a wealth of international experience and a fresh perspective to Politico. Her role is integral to building upon Politico’s track record as the most successful news start-up of the 21st century as we grow into a top global brand.”
    “It is a privilege to join Politico, an iconic brand dedicated to purpose-driven work with people at its heart,” said Fernandes. “I look forward to the exciting journey ahead and the limitless possibilities we’ll create together as a team.” Fernandes brings over two decades of expertise in HR management and transformative change to her new role. She is seasoned in shaping organizational, cultural and talent ecosystems to drive business growth, the announcement stated.
    She was most recently the chief people officer for the MediaCom Asia Pacific division of WPP, a global advertising agency, and was responsible for the well-being of 2,500 employees across 15 countries.
    Her extensive career spans global entities such as KPMG, Bain & Co., the BBC and MediaCom, where she spearheaded progressive HR strategies with a focus on design and execution.
    Having lived and worked in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore and India, Fernandes possesses deep knowledge in international HR. She has expertise in integrating cross-border HR strategies and operating models to align with commercial objectives, according to the publication.
    Fernandes’ deep commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) will serve her as Politico’s first chief diversity officer. Balancing local needs with global scalability, she champions a “people-first, better results” approach, fostering a human-centric and high-performing culture.
    She is a collaborative force in driving diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, having designed and implemented 75 grassroots programs across 15 countries, Politico said.
    Additionally, she has played a key role in leading M&As from due diligence to integration, implementing strategic talent-mapping programs and overseeing large-scale recruitment projects.
    Born in India, Fernandes holds a BA in psychology and sociology from The University of Mumbai and a master’s in management and employment relations from The University of Auckland, New Zealand.

  • Two Indian Americans sentenced for conspiring & stealing sensitive government data

    Two Indian Americans sentenced for conspiring & stealing sensitive government data

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Three former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees, including two Indian Americans, have been sentenced for a conspiracy to steal proprietary US government software and sensitive law-enforcement databases for use in a commercial venture.
    Sonal Patel, 49, of Sterling, Virginia, was sentenced to two years of probation in a Washington, DC, court on January 26, according to a Justice Department press release. In April 2019, Patel pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft of government property theft of government property.
    Murali Y. Venkata, 58, of Aldie, Virginia, was sentenced to four months in prison. In April 2022, a jury convicted Venkata of conspiracy to commit theft of government property and to defraud the United States, theft of government property, wire fraud, and destruction of records.
    The trio pleads not guilty and have been released on bail. Their next hearing is in May.
    Charles K. Edwards, 63, of Sandy Spring, Maryland, was sentenced to one year and six months in prison. In January 2022, Edwards pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft of government property and to defraud the United States and theft of government property.
    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Edwards was the former Acting Inspector General of the DHS Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG). Patel and Venkata were employed in DHS-OIG’s information technology department. Edwards, Patel, and Venkata were all previously employed at the US Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG). Edwards, Patel, and Venkata conspired to steal proprietary US software and databases containing sensitive law-enforcement information and the personally identifiable information (PII) of over 200,000 federal employees from DHS-OIG and USPS-OIG.
    They planned to use the stolen software and databases to create a commercial software product to be offered for sale to government agencies. As part of the scheme, the co-conspirators disclosed the stolen software and databases containing PII to software developers located in India.
    After Venkata learned of the investigation, he deleted incriminating text messages and other communications in an effort to obstruct the investigation, according to court documents.

     

  • Indian community has been anchor of Indo-US relationship: Ambassador Sandhu

    Indian community has been anchor of Indo-US relationship: Ambassador Sandhu

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The Indian-American community has been an anchor of the Indo-US relationship, India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu has said, emphasizing that the diaspora has a great role to play in the development of India.

    Sandhu was speaking at his farewell reception on Thursday, January 25, in a Maryland Suburb of Washington DC that was hosted by Indian-American organizations, including Sikhs of America, Overseas Friends of BJP USA, US India SME Council. “Indian community here has been an anchor of the fantastic relationship that has emerged,” Sandhu said. During the farewell reception, several members of the Indian-American community, particularly those from the Sikh Diaspora, urged him to do something for his hometown Amritsar and his home State of Punjab after his retirement.

    In response, Sandhu speaking in Punjabi said that the Diaspora can do more for Amritsar.

    He said that every time members of the diaspora go to Amritsar, they should spend an additional two days in the city and play a role in the development of the city and the state.

    “The tourism of Amritsar is like that of Agra, no less,” Sandhu said.

    Addressing the gathering, Jasdip Singh Jesse from Sikhs of America, said that Sandhu has made the community proud and has played a very important role in strengthening the India-US relationship.

    Under his leadership, the embassy resolved several issues impacting the community.

    Adapa Prasad, president of Overseas Friends of BJP USA, said that Sandhu has been the top Indian diplomat during whose tenure the bilateral relationship reached a new height.

    He hoped that the country would continue to benefit from his services in one capacity or the other post-retirement. Elisha Pulivarti, president of the US-India SME Council, presented Sandhu with the “Modern Day Chanakya and Master Strategist” award on the occasion.

    Sandhu, 61, retires from the foreign service after 35 years of diplomatic career this month.
    (Source: PTI)

  • Thirteen Indian Americans among 40 Science Talent Search finalists

    Thirteen Indian Americans among 40 Science Talent Search finalists

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Thirteen Indian American high schoolers figure among top 40 finalists in this year’s Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. The 2023 finalists’ research projects showcase their breadth of knowledge, their commitment to addressing issues important to modern society, and their passion for STEM, according to a media release.
    The finalists were chosen by a national jury of professional scientists from a pool of 300 scholars, based on their projects’ scientific rigor and their potential to become world-changing scientific leaders.
    “We are thrilled to welcome this inspiring and highly talented class of Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO, Society for Science and Executive Publisher, Science News.
    “I am certain these extraordinary students will be following in the footsteps of our many accomplished alumni who are the forefront of breakthrough discoveries. The 2023 finalists will be using their leadership, intellect, creativity and STEM skills to solve our world’s most intractable challenges.”
    Finalists will participate in a week-long competition in March 2024, during which they will undergo a rigorous judging process that goes beyond their own research to encompass other scientific disciplines and compete for more than $1.8 million in awards.
    They will also have an opportunity to interact with leading scientists and share their research during a virtual “Public Day” event on March 12.
    The top 10 Regeneron Science Talent Search 2023 winners will be announced during an awards ceremony on March 14, streamed live from Washington, DC.
    In total, more than $3 million in awards will be distributed throughout the Regeneron Science Talent Search. The finalists are each awarded at least $25,000, and the top 10 awards range from $40,000 to $250,000.
    Here is list of Indian American finalists:
    Saraswathy Amjith, Tesla STEM High School, Redmond, Washington.
    Project Title: A Novel Integrated Machine Learning Approach Utilizing Radar and Satellite Imagery for Selective Logging Remote Sensing Detection and Accompanying AI-Logging Map-Generating Webtool.
    Aarav Arora, Del Norte High School, San Diego, California.
    Project Title: A Mechanistic Basis for the Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant Severity.
    Aditi Avinash, Rock Canyon High School, Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
    Project Title: Model Validation and Preclinical Testing of Digestive Enzymes for Gluten Breakdown: A Move To Cure Gluten Intolerance and Celiac Disease.
    Harshil Avlani, BASIS Chandler, Chandler, Arizona.
    Project Title: Analyzing the Effect of Mid-Circuit Measurement (MCM) on Spectator Qubits.
    Arav Bhargava, The Potomac School, McLean, Virginia.
    Project Title: Low-Cost, 3D-Printed, Universal-Fit, Transradial Socket for Amputees in Developing Countries.
    Arnav N. Chakravarthy, Homestead High School, Cupertino, California.
    Project Title: Leveraging Mitochondrial DNA Mutations for Macrophage Lineage Tracing in Primary Human Tissues. Sarang Goel, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Denton, Texas.
    Project Title: IVY – Intelligent Vision System for the Visually Impaired: Innovative Low-Cost, AI-Based Eyeglasses To Help the Visually Impaired Overcome Mobility Limitations Through Navigational Assistance and Object Avoidance Algorithms and an Intuitive Vibration and Audio Guidance System.
    Amanrai Singh Kahlon, Sanford School, Hockessin, Delaware.
    Project Title: Enhancing Wearable Gait-Monitoring Systems: Identifying Optimal Kinematic Inputs in Typical Adolescents. Alexandra Mahajan, Cambridge Rindge & Latin School, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
    Project Title: A Novel Method To Determine Precise Stellar Radii and Temperatures of Low Mass Stars Using JWST Transits and Occultations.
    Ekansh Mittal, Westview High School, Portland, Oregon.
    Project Title: Harnessing Machine Learning and 3D Spheroid Cultures To Identify Biomarkers for Combating Drug Resistance in Breast Cancer.
    Achyuta Rajaram, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire.
    Project Title: Automatic Discovery of Visual Circuits.
    Rhea Rastogi, Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School, Montgomery, Alabama.
    Project Title: Understanding How the Maternal Epigenetic Reprogramming Function of LSD1 Contributes to Inherited Developmental Disease.
    Riya Tyagi, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire.
    Project Title: Using Computer Vision To Disentangle Features Enabling AI To Learn Self-Reported Race and Ethnicity From Medical Images.

  • Iran-backed militants strike US-led coalition base in Iraq

    WASHINGTON (TIP): Iran-backed militants launched ballistic missiles at a base hosting US forces in western Iraq, causing one Iraqi and possible American casualties, the US Central Command said January 20. “Multiple ballistic missiles and rockets were launched by Iranian-backed militants in western Iraq targeting Al-Assad Airbase,” CENTCOM said in a social media post, which placed the time of the attack at 6:30 pm Baghdad time (1530GMT) Saturday evening. Most of the projectiles were intercepted by the base’s air defense systems but “others impacted on the base,” the statement said.
    “A number of US personnel are undergoing evaluation for traumatic brain injuries. At least one Iraqi service member was wounded,” it added.
    Since mid-October, there have been dozens of attacks on US and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria, deployed there to fight jihadists of the Islamic State group.
    Most have been claimed by “Islamic Resistance in Iraq,” a loose alliance of Iran-linked armed groups that oppose US support for Israel in the Gaza conflict.
    The group said in a press release Saturday that it had carried out the latest attack.
    The use of ballistic missiles marks an escalation in the attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria, who had previously been targeted with lower-tech rockets and drones.
    Saturday’s air base attack comes amid soaring tensions in the Middle East following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7.
    Ain al-Assad air base hosting US forces in Iraq in the western Anbar province. Image used for representation. With every strike and counterstrike, Israel, the US and Iran’s allies inch closer to all-out war. Five members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were also killed in a strike Saturday in Damascus that Tehran blamed on Israel, threatening reprisals.
    Last Monday evening, Iran itself launched a deadly strike in northern Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, saying it had targeted a site used by “spies of the Zionist regime (Mossad).”
    Washington has on several occasions launched strikes of its own, which it has said were to impede further assaults or to prevent imminent attacks.
    According to the Pentagon, dozens of US personnel have been lightly wounded in previous attacks since late October.
    (AFP)