Author: Bhakti Narayanan

Bobbie Singh-Allen, the Punjabi American mayor of Elk Grove, has been recognized in the Sacramento Bee’s 2023 list of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Change Makers, alongside three other alumni from Sacramento State. Described as individuals who challenge norms, build community, and lead with unwavering commitment, the Change Makers list celebrates 20 individuals for their impactful contributions. Singh-Allen assumed office as Mayor of Elk Grove in November 2020 after serving on the Elk Grove Unified School District Board of Trustees, where she was subsequently elected to two consecutive four-year terms, including a tenure as board president. Under her leadership, the…

Indian-American Sonali Korde assumed her role on Monday as assistant to USAID Administrator Samantha Power for the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance. At the swearing-in ceremony, Power hailed Korde as a valuable addition, emphasizing her upbringing shaped by her parents’ migration from India and their commitment to justice and equity. Korde’s childhood experiences, including frequent visits to India, exposed her to stark socioeconomic disparities, fueling her sense of justice and determination to address inequities. Before her current position, Korde served as deputy assistant to the administrator for the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, where she played a key role in addressing humanitarian…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected on the achievements of the past five years, emphasizing the themes of ‘reform, perform, and transform.’ Expressing gratitude, particularly to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, during the final session of the 17th Lok Sabha, PM Modi commended the parliamentarians for their response to challenges such as the Covid pandemic, including a voluntary 30% salary reduction and halting subsidies for canteen food to avoid public scrutiny. Addressing the transition to the new Parliament building, PM Modi highlighted the symbolic significance of the Sengol, marking a new chapter in the nation’s legislative history. He underscored the historic…

Indian Americans for Trump, a group advocating for Donald J. Trump’s re-election as President of the USA, has urged his opponent, Nikki Haley, to reconcile her differences with the former president. The group contends that Haley’s critical remarks about Trump, such as labeling his administration as “chaos,” are being exploited by Democrats to attack him. In a statement, the group highlighted how Democrats are weaponizing Haley’s words in their political battle for the presidency, inadvertently aiding the Democrat’s agenda. Indian Americans for Trump 2024 emphasized the need for Haley to mend fences with Trump and the Republican Party to avoid…

Geoffrey Pyatt, the Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources, expressed confidence in the enduring strength of the energy relationship between the U.S. and India, which he described as pivotal on the global stage. During his recent visit to India in January, Pyatt emphasized the potential for enhanced collaboration between the two countries, despite acknowledging potential slowdowns due to upcoming election cycles. Addressing an online international media briefing on February 5, Pyatt shared his optimistic outlook, noting the shared strategic objectives between Indian and U.S. bureaucracies and the alignment in private sector efforts. Discussions during his visit centered on energy…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi articulated his government’s vision for diminishing reliance on fossil fuels during the India Energy Week in Goa, emphasizing the strides made in the energy sector under his administration. He highlighted Goa’s dynamic environment, expressing pride in its development and hospitality, suggesting it as an apt venue for discussions on environmental sensitivity and sustainability. Inaugurating the second edition of India Energy Week 2024, PM Modi underscored India’s remarkable progress in solar capacity, with a twenty-fold increase over the decade. He noted a significant rise in ethanol blending and the phased introduction of a 20% blended fuel, slated…

Governor Phil Murphy took a significant step towards strengthening the bonds between New Jersey and India by establishing the New Jersey-India Commission. During the signing of the executive order, Governor Murphy expressed his commitment to fostering enduring cultural and economic connections between the two regions. Present at the ceremony were Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State Tahesha Way, Consul General of India in New York, Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, and members of the Indian American community. The creation of the commission, as outlined in an official statement, aims to facilitate bilateral trade and investment and promote economic growth in both New…

According to a press release by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), India’s first human-manned space flight, named ‘Gaganyaan’, is set to carry Indian astronauts into space, with the woman robot astronaut ‘Vyommitra’ slated to precede it. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Jitendra Singh disclosed that the ‘Vyommitra Mission’ is scheduled for the third quarter of this year, while the manned ‘Gaganyaan’ mission is slated for launch in 2025. Here are five key points about the ‘Vyommitra Mission’: – The name ‘Vyommitra’ is derived from Sanskrit, combining ‘Vyoma’ meaning space and ‘Mitra’ meaning friend. – This female robot astronaut is…

At the 66th Grammy Awards in the US, Ustad Zakir Hussain achieved a remarkable feat by winning three awards. The renowned tabla player and music composer secured the prestigious ‘Best Global Music Performance’ for ‘Pashto.’ In his heartfelt acceptance speech, Hussain expressed gratitude to the Academy and fellow musicians. Additionally, the collaboration ‘As We Speak,’ featuring Hussain, Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, and Rakesh Chaurasia, clinched the Grammy for ‘Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.’ Further contributing to the success, Hussain’s involvement in the Jazz group ‘Shakti’ led to the group winning ‘The Best Global Music Album’ award for their latest release, ‘This…

Renowned Michelin star chef Vikas Khanna has revealed plans for a new restaurant in New York, set to open its doors on March 23. This establishment, named ‘Bungalow,’ holds a special significance as it pays homage to Khanna’s late sister, Radhika, who succumbed to an autoimmune disease, lupus, and related complications on February 28, 2022. In a heartfelt social media announcement, Khanna expressed gratitude for the support of his followers, emphasizing that ‘Bungalow’ serves as a “cultural bridge between India and the US.” The chef also opened up about his personal challenges and past business endeavors that didn’t succeed. Radhika,…