Author: Bhakti Sharma

Indian Americans have emerged as the top earners among Asian communities in the United States, boasting a median household income exceeding $150,000. This figure is roughly 40% higher than that of both Chinese and Japanese Americans, placing them significantly ahead in economic terms. In 2000, the Asian population in the U.S. was around 12 million. Fast forward to 2013, and that number had doubled. By 2023, Asians constituted 7.4% of the U.S. population, rising significantly from 4.2% in 2000. In terms of representation within the Asian American population, Chinese Americans lead the chart at 22%, followed by Indian Americans at…

The 64 Squares initiative, launched jointly by the Pravaha Foundation and chess tech company MGD1, has revealed its 2025 cohort, featuring five of India’s most talented women chess players. At the forefront is International Master Vantika Agrawal, a previous fellow from 2023, who continues to scale new heights in the chess world. In 2024, she clinched both team and individual gold medals at the Chess Olympiad and now sets her sights on earning the prestigious Grandmaster title. This year’s fellowship, valued at approximately $120,000, offers full support for coaching, tournament travel, and global exposure. Alongside Vantika, the selected players include…

Indian American author and Creative Director of the New Jersey-based Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI), Inni Kaur, recently visited the historic residence of Sikh scholar and literary icon Bhai Vir Singh. During her visit, she led a profound session reflecting on his influential writings and spiritual contributions. Kaur, who has penned multiple books on Sikh philosophy and the teachings of the Gurus, shared how Bhai Vir Singh’s literature played a pivotal role in shaping her understanding of Sikh values. Having spent her early years abroad and studied in a convent school, she shared that it was the writings of Bhai Vir…

US Vice President James David Vance is currently in Jaipur with his wife Usha Vance and their three children, soaking in the city’s royal legacy during a multi-day diplomatic visit to India. After meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a spiritual stop at Akshardham Temple in Delhi, the family landed in Jaipur late Monday and checked into the historic Rambagh Palace. On Tuesday morning, Vance and his family arrived at the grand Amer Fort. Traveling in an open-top jeep from Hathi Stand, they admired architectural marvels along the route, including Maotha Lake and the Kesar Kyari Garden. To ensure…

In celebration of its 100th year, the Guggenheim Foundation has announced the 2025 recipients of its prestigious fellowships. Among the 198 selected from nearly 3,500 applications across 53 disciplines, four Indian American professors stand out for their exceptional contributions to science, society, and storytelling. Swarat Chaudhuri, a computer science professor at the University of Texas at Austin, is pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence in mathematics. His AI tool Copra predicts theorem steps using large language models, and with his fellowship, he plans to create AI agents that generate new math problems and evaluate their creativity. His ultimate vision: AI…

Forbes has released its 2025 World’s Billionaires List, with several Indian Americans making their mark among the global elite, despite none reaching the top 200. These individuals have built fortunes across industries such as technology, cybersecurity, aviation, and finance, showcasing the expanding global impact of Indian-origin entrepreneurs. Among the most prominent is Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures and co-founder of Sun Microsystems, who has amassed $7.5 billion through decades of innovation in Silicon Valley, particularly in AI and green tech. Jay Chaudhry, CEO of cloud security firm Zscaler, appears on the list with a net worth of $8.3 billion.…

Maryland took a major step forward in the fight against the opioid crisis with its first-ever Substance Use Awareness Advocacy Day on April 2. The event, held at Lawyer’s Mall, brought together community advocates, government officials, and public health leaders to spotlight progress and ongoing challenges in addressing substance use across the state. Lieutenant Governor Aruna K. Miller and Special Secretary of Overdose Response Emily Keller led the day’s efforts, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to saving lives. “The battle is tough, but determination and action are making a real difference,” Miller said. “With support from our General Assembly partners, we’re…

French carmaker Renault Group announced on Monday that it will acquire the remaining 51 per cent stake in Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd (RNAIPL), currently held by Nissan Motor Corp, thereby becoming the sole owner of the company. This move marks a significant restructuring within the Renault-Nissan alliance, impacting both companies’ operational strategies in India. Despite selling its stake in RNAIPL, Japanese automaker Nissan has reaffirmed its commitment to the Indian market, with a focus on strengthening its presence and expanding market coverage. The company emphasized that RNAIPL would continue producing Nissan vehicles, including the new Nissan Magnite, ensuring…

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) has recognized Congressman Ami Bera, MD (CA-D), with the 2025 Legislative Champion Award for his bipartisan dedication to advancing nuclear medicine research. The award was presented at SNMMI’s Hill Day on March 26, 2025. Congressman Bera played a crucial role in securing language within the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Fiscal Year 2024 funding legislation, emphasizing the importance of nuclear medicine research in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). His efforts have contributed to enhancing medical outcomes for service members while helping reduce the DoD’s financial strain related to cancer treatment.…

In August 2024, Google lost a major antitrust lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), with Judge Amit Mehta declaring the company a monopolist that has acted to maintain its dominance. A key point in the case was Google’s $20 billion annual payment to Apple to remain the default search engine. As part of its proposed remedies, the DOJ is pushing Google to sell its Chrome browser, which holds nearly 90% of the global market share, exceeding that figure on mobile devices. A revised filing by the DOJ states, “Google must divest the Chrome browser… to allow a new…