Two Indian American chefs, Sujan Sarkar from Chicago and Arvinder Vilkhu from New Orleans, stand out as finalists for the esteemed James Beard Awards, recognizing exemplary chefs who demonstrate culinary prowess, leadership, and commitment to fostering a sustainable work culture and community impact. The nominees for these prestigious awards, which highlight talent and dedication to equity, sustainability, and community, were recently announced in a live ceremony at Waldorf Astoria, Washington DC. Winners in various culinary and food media categories will be unveiled at a gala event in Chicago on June 10. Sarkar, representing the Great Lakes region, helms Indienne in…
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.
According to recent findings, Indian and Filipino Americans exhibit the lowest poverty rates among Asian groups, standing at 6% and 7%, respectively. However, over 2.3 million Asian Americans, comprising about one-tenth of the population, were living in poverty in 2022. Despite the common portrayal of Asian Americans as financially and educationally successful, approximately 10% of them are impoverished, as per an analysis by the Pew Research Center and US census bureau data. Poverty rates vary significantly across different origin groups, with Burmese and Hmong Americans recording some of the highest poverty rates in 2022, reaching 19% and 17%, respectively. Notably,…
Tesla is preparing to send a delegation to India to explore potential sites for establishing an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing facility, as reported by the Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the plans of the Elon Musk-led company. The team from Tesla is expected to arrive from the US by late April to assess locations in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and possibly Haryana, with a preference for sites near ports to facilitate exportation. According to the report, Tesla intends to invest between $2 to $3 billion in the construction of the manufacturing plant. This decision follows India’s recent approval of…
A group of United States lawmakers, led by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, along with others, have submitted a letter to the US Department of Justice, seeking an update on the investigation into vandalism at places of worship nationwide, including attacks on mandirs, and the Department’s strategy against hate crimes targeting Hindus in the country. The letter, signed by members of Congress of South Asian descent such as Shri Thanedar, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, and Ami Bera, expresses concern over the rising incidents of vandalism at houses of worship, particularly Hindu mandirs, across the nation. They request a briefing from the Department…
During the 70th Founders’ Day celebrations of the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) in New Delhi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar of India reaffirmed the nation’s unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and preserving the independence of its judiciary. He underscored India’s vibrant democracy and rebuffed any insinuations suggesting the country’s need for guidance on legal principles. Dhankhar emphasized the principle of “equality before the law” as integral to contemporary India, asserting that accountability now stands as a cornerstone of governance. Criticizing attempts to sidestep accountability under the pretext of human rights advocacy, he argued that such actions…
The ongoing India-US joint exercise ‘Tiger Triumph 2024’ witnessed collaborative operations between Indian Navy and US Navy amphibious warships in the Kakinada region of Andhra Pradesh. Integral craft onboard the ships engaged in various operations, as stated by an official announcement. Furthermore, Cross Deck helicopter operations occurred between both navies off Kakinada. The successful execution of diverse coordinated operations underscores joint planning and execution, highlighting the strong interoperability between the Armed Forces of both nations. The Sea Phase of Exercise Tiger Triumph 2024 commenced with Indian Navy and US Navy ships sailing together from Visakhapatnam. This phase includes personnel from…
Dr. T N Subramaniam, a distinguished Indian American mathematician known for his groundbreaking work and innovation, including the creation of Route One company and server for General Motors, passed away in Michigan at the age of 76. Having immigrated to the US in 1979, Subramaniam left a lasting impact on both Indian and American academic circles with his profound mathematical models and theories. Initially teaching mathematics at Philadelphia University, he later relocated to Oakland, where he continued to contribute significantly to the field for several years. Subramaniam’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish Route One, a company serving the automotive…
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized that India’s trade strategy is aligned with its economic development trajectory, aiming for $2 trillion in exports by 2030. He assured that while calibrated to suit its growth journey, the policy remains open for expansion. Speaking at a media event in New Delhi, Goyal highlighted India’s withdrawal from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2019, citing concerns from stakeholders and the need to safeguard against an influx of cheap Chinese goods. He emphasized that India’s decision to exit the RCEP paved the way for its recent growth narrative, preventing the inundation of…
Following a series of tragic deaths of Indian students in the US, former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi has offered advice to Indian students regarding their safety upon arriving in America. The Consulate General of India in New York shared a video message by Indra Nooyi, emphasizing the importance of vigilance for Indian students studying or planning to study in the US. In the video, lasting about 10 minutes, Nooyi highlighted the costly nature of higher education in the US and the uncertainty of job prospects for students. She stressed the importance of students being careful while choosing colleges, considering the…
On Monday, Eric Garcetti, the US Ambassador to India, extended his Holi wishes through X (formerly Twitter), recounting his first-hand encounter with the colorful festival in India. Expressing his delight, Garcetti emphasized the blend of customs and the camaraderie between the United States and India. He shared his joy at partaking in the cultural spectacle firsthand. Garcetti shared on social media, “#HappyHoli! Embracing my inaugural Holi in India, enjoying scrumptious gujiyas with American nuts—a delightful blend of customs, celebrating #USIndiaDosti!” He underscored the unparalleled experience of celebrating Holi in India compared to Los Angeles. Accompanying his message was a video…