Author: Akancha Mishra

Gavin Newsom, Governor of California, has recently named Hemant Dhingra, an Indian American nephrologist, to the Medical Board of California, responsible for licensing and supervising doctors statewide. Currently residing in Clovis, Dhingra holds the position of chief medical staff at Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno. Additionally, he serves as the president and CEO of KareWell Health, a prominent kidney care value-based organization in Central California. With expertise in interventional nephrology, Dhingra has previously served as a board member of the California Medical Association Political Action Committee. He is also affiliated with prominent medical organizations such as the American Society…

Indian American Impact, a group dedicated to empowering South Asian and Indian American communities in the US, has appointed Chintan Patel as its fourth executive director. Patel, an experienced campaign and political strategist, takes over from Neil Makhija, who transitions from the role of third executive director to president. Patel’s leadership will guide Indian American Impact through the upcoming 2024 elections and beyond, as per a statement by Impact. With more than fifteen years of experience in grassroots organizing and political campaigns, Patel brings a wealth of expertise to his new role. Previously, he served as vice president of Political…

Ocuphire Pharma, Inc., a clinical-stage ophthalmic biopharmaceutical company based in Michigan, has announced the appointment of two individuals of Indian American descent to key leadership roles. Dr. Ash Jayagopal has been named the chief scientific and development officer, while Nirav Jhaveri assumes the position of chief financial officer, according to a statement from the company. Dr. Jayagopal expressed enthusiasm about joining Ocuphire, citing the company’s successful track record in drug development and execution. He emphasized the significance of Ocuphire’s current phase, particularly in advancing APX3330 through clinical development for diabetic retinopathy treatment. Similarly, Jhaveri conveyed his excitement about joining a…

India is actively exploring the possibility of exporting Vande Bharat trains, announced Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during the Global Business Summit. The Indian Railways has been fielding inquiries from various countries, including distant ones like Chile, expressing interest in procuring the flagship locomotive. To facilitate this initiative, the rail ministry is enhancing its manufacturing capacity by producing a wide array of components in its workshops, as well as engaging public and private sector units with indigenous expertise and designs. Addressing the Summit, Vaishnaw underscored the successful challenge of developing the Vande Bharat train domestically by Indian engineers. He expressed confidence…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed pride in the Indian diaspora’s efforts to enhance India’s global engagement, ahead of the ‘Ahlan Modi’ event in Abu Dhabi today. He eagerly anticipated being among the UAE’s Indian diaspora at the programme. Despite challenging weather conditions, over 2,500 individuals participated in full-ground rehearsals and volunteer briefings. Scheduled to address the ‘Ahlan Modi’ event at Zayed Sports City Stadium, PM Modi embarks on a two-day official visit to the UAE, his seventh since 2015 and third in the last eight months. Overwhelming enthusiasm from the Indian diaspora led organizers to close registrations as attendees exceeded…

Monica Saigal’s third novel, “A Kiss in Kashmir,” delves into love, loss, and the human heart against the backdrop of India’s Kashmir Valley. Drawing inspiration from her travels and culinary expertise, Saigal infuses vibrant culture into her storytelling, creating a captivating narrative. The novel follows Sharmila, a Rajasthani artist, and George, a retired American professor, as they navigate profound loss and unexpected love. Set amidst the enchanting beauty of Kashmir, their journey is intertwined with the rich tapestry of the region, adding depth and authenticity to the story. Saigal’s background as a renowned food writer shines through, with Kashmir itself…

Bridgenext, a leading digital consulting services firm based in Florida, has named Rajesh Khanna as its Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). With over 25 years of experience in technology consulting, Khanna’s appointment is expected to bring significant expertise to his new role, according to a company statement. As the CRO, Khanna will lead Bridgenext’s revenue generation efforts, overseeing the company’s go-to-market strategy, client acquisition, and expansion initiatives. Additionally, he will be responsible for guiding offerings development, establishing strategic partnerships, and driving marketing activities. Khanna’s appointment coincides with a critical phase for Bridgenext as it consolidates its operations, integrating Emtec, Emtec Digital,…

Prime Video India has announced that the crime series “Poacher,” featuring Nimisha Sajayan, Roshan Mathew, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya, will premiere on February 23. Alia Bhatt joins as executive producer for the series, created by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Richie Mehta. “Poacher” delves into the issue of ivory poaching in India, based on true events. It blends environmental conservation with entertainment, addressing illegal poaching. The series, written and directed by Richie, will release in Malayalam, Hindi, and English. Alia expressed her excitement, stating that being part of such a significant project is an honor for her and Eternal Sunshine Productions. She found…

Milind Tambe, Gordon McKay Professor of Computer Science at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), has earned the esteemed 2024 AAAI Award for AI for the Benefit of Humanity. This recognition applauds Tambe’s pioneering use of innovative AI techniques in public safety, security, conservation, and public health, impacting humanity on a global scale. Expressing gratitude, Tambe acknowledges the contributions of his current and former PhD students and postdocs in the realm of AI for social impact. He eagerly anticipates discussing their latest work during his keynote at AAAI 2024. Tambe, also the director of…

The much-anticipated ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 final is on the horizon, featuring a clash between cricket powerhouses India and Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, 19 November. This encounter mirrors the 2003 final where Australia emerged victorious in Johannesburg with a 125-run lead, setting the stage for another historic showdown in front of a massive crowd exceeding 100,000 fans. In the lead-up to the final, India dominated the group stage, securing the top spot with a perfect record of nine wins and accumulating 18 points. Their exceptional net run rate of 2.570 stood out…