Thousands gathered in Richmond Hill, Queens, on Sunday, March 23, to welcome spring with the vibrant celebration of Holi at the 37th annual Phagwah Parade. Liberty Avenue was transformed into a sea of colors as revelers joyfully threw powdered pigments, danced, and participated in a grand cultural display. The festivities kicked off well before the official 10 a.m. start, with dozens of floats rolling down the parade route. Spiritual leaders from the Federation of Hindu Mandirs led the event with traditional mantras and prayers, setting a reverent tone before giving way to high-energy performances. Indian dancers in regal sarees captivated…
Author: Akancha Mishra
Akancha Mishra
Akancha has been a journalist for about twenty years, and she has a Bachelor of Arts in English Honors and a Master's Degree in Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. She and her husband and children Supriya and Alok currently call New York City home.
Second Lady Usha Vance is proving to be more than just a supportive spouse in the public eye. With a strong professional background, she is actively embracing her role without overshadowing it. However, her approach under the Trump administration remains a subject of discussion. Vance is set to travel to Greenland on Thursday with her young son as part of a U.S. delegation. This visit has stirred fresh diplomatic tensions, given President Donald Trump’s past remarks about acquiring Greenland, a Danish territory. Officials from both countries have expressed concerns about the trip’s implications. The White House announced on Sunday that…
The University of Michigan Board of Regents has confirmed Neel U. Sukhatme as the upcoming David A. Breach Dean of Law and a professor of law. Currently a professor at Georgetown University Law Center, Sukhatme will assume his role on July 1, 2025, for a renewable five-year term. Provost Laurie K. McCauley welcomed Sukhatme, praising his innovative scholarship and commitment to public good. She expressed confidence in his visionary leadership, which will strengthen Michigan Law’s standing in legal education and research. Sukhatme, who has served as associate dean for research and academic programs at Georgetown, brings extensive experience in faculty…
Arizona State Senator Priya Sundareshan, an Indian-origin lawmaker, has been nominated for the Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award by EMILYs List, recognizing her leadership in voting rights, environmental protection, and reproductive rights. Representing Arizona’s 18th Senate District, Sundareshan has emerged as a strong progressive voice, opposing extreme abortion bans and advocating for contraception access through new legislation. Who is Priya Sundareshan? Currently serving as Minority Leader in the Arizona Senate, Sundareshan plays a crucial role in state policy. She was honored with the Rising Environmental Leader Award in 2023 for her work in sustainability and conservation. Born into an Indian-American…
People’s Light has appointed Shonali Burke, an Indian-origin leader, as its new Managing Director, effective June 1, 2025. Burke’s selection follows a national search, and she brings extensive experience in strategic leadership, audience engagement, and revenue growth in the nonprofit and regional theatre sectors. Burke will work alongside Producing Artistic Director Zak Berkman as a co-equal leader, focusing on strategic planning, financial management, and operational oversight. Her appointment comes as People’s Light celebrates its 50th anniversary season and prepares for further innovation and expansion. “Shonali’s leadership and passion for storytelling make her the perfect person to guide us into the…
During her official visit to India, Indian-origin US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the two leaders discussed India-US ties and their shared Sanatan Dharma values. PM Modi presented Gabbard with a sacred Rudraksha mala and a vase of Gangajal from the Maha Kumbh Mela, symbolizing the spiritual and cultural bonds between India and its diaspora. Rudraksha, revered in Hinduism, is associated with Lord Shiva, while Gangajal from the Maha Kumbh holds deep purifying and sacred significance in Sanatan Dharma. Their discussions focused on spiritual and cultural diplomacy, alongside strengthening strategic partnerships between India…
Rajini Sundararaj, an esteemed educator from Atlanta, has been honored with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching, the nation’s most prestigious recognition in STEM education. This award acknowledges her dedication to shaping young minds and her profound impact on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Expressing her gratitude, Sundararaj credited her success to the unwavering support of her family, colleagues, school administrators, and the wider community. On January 13, 2025, the President announced 336 teachers and mentors across the country as recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) and the Presidential Awards…
A team from the University of Washington, led by Indian-American student Tejoram Vivekanandan, has won the $15,000 grand prize at the Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge for their non-invasive jaundice detection technology. Their startup, Luminovah, aims to enhance early diagnosis and treatment of newborn jaundice, a condition that remains the fourth-largest cause of neonatal mortality. “Our motivation is saving lives,” said Vivekanandan, who serves as the tech lead for Luminovah. He highlighted the shortcomings of existing jaundice detection methods, particularly in accurately diagnosing babies with darker skin tones. “It’s really hard to get a model working on all skin colors, but…
On March 15, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) was honored with the Friend of Higher Education Award at the National Education Association’s (NEA) Higher Education Conference. The recognition highlights her dedication to protecting and strengthening the education sector, which is currently facing significant challenges, including budget cuts proposed by the Trump administration. In her acceptance speech, Jayapal emphasized the critical role of education in democracy, stating, “It was an honor to join educators from across the country at the NEA Higher Education Conference and to receive their Friend of Higher Education Award. Education is the foundation of our democracy, and I…
University of Wisconsin–Madison biochemistry professor Vatsan Raman has been honored as a 2025-2026 Vilas Associate, an award presented by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research. This prestigious recognition highlights outstanding research contributions in various fields. Raman’s lab specializes in systems and synthetic biology, focusing on the design and understanding of biological systems, including biomolecules, regulatory pathways, and entire organisms. His team is working on allosteric protein engineering, developing synthetic bacteriophages with novel host interactions, and creating high-throughput assays to analyze disease-relevant gene variants. Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Raman stated, “Receiving the Vilas Associate award is a true…