Author: Bhakti Sharma

Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna recently outlined key reasons for Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential election loss to Donald Trump, emphasizing the need for the Democratic Party to prioritize economic issues. In an interview with CBS News, Khanna explained that the Democrats must refocus on addressing widespread financial struggles, from raising the minimum wage to improving access to affordable childcare, to better connect with American voters. Khanna noted that the party’s lack of a strong economic message weakened its appeal to a broad spectrum of Americans, including working-class voters who feel that the American Dream is slipping away. He suggested that a…

The Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC) is excited to announce that Dr. Samin Sharma, Director of Interventional Cardiology at Mount Sinai Heart, will be the recipient of its prestigious 2024 Trailblazer Award. This award celebrates Dr. Sharma’s exceptional contributions to the medical field and his pioneering advancements in interventional cardiology, as well as his pride in his cultural roots and community. The award will be presented at the IAAC Renaissance Gala on Sunday, November 10th, at International House in New York City, starting with a public program at 6 p.m. Dr. Sharma is internationally recognized for his clinical expertise, groundbreaking research,…

Kashyap “Kash” Patel, a prominent Trump supporter and former Republican official, may be selected as deputy CIA director in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. Often described as a loyalist willing to go above and beyond for Trump, Patel has a well-established background in defense and intelligence, having served in various critical roles during Trump’s previous term. In the recent U.S. elections, Patel was an active campaign figure for Trump, who now steps in as the 47th U.S. president. Patel’s close association with Trump and his assertive stance against those perceived as political opponents have made him a key figure in Trump’s…

Following Donald Trump’s re-election to a second term, several prominent Indian-American figures extended their congratulations, emphasizing their eagerness to work with his administration to advance the US-India relationship. Trump won the 2024 presidential race with 295 electoral votes, surpassing his 2020 performance, securing key swing states, and improving his reach in both red and blue states. Among those celebrating Trump’s victory was Vivek Ramaswamy, an ally of the president, who praised Trump’s resilience. He described Trump as “not an ideologue or a policy expert, but an American badass,” pointing to the many challenges the president has faced, such as legal…

Vice President Kamala Harris’s connection with the Indian-American community seemed like a guaranteed win. Her Indian heritage made her an appealing figure for a group traditionally aligned with the Democratic Party. However, the 2024 election revealed a surprising shift in loyalties, contributing to former President Trump’s decisive victory. Indian-American voting behavior is mirroring a broader trend across the U.S.: dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party’s increasing emphasis on progressive social issues at the expense of more practical concerns like economic growth, national security, and family values. Recent exit polls from November 5 reflect a clear rightward shift in Asian-American voters. According…

In the latest US elections, the Indian American community has made significant strides, with six members now serving in the House of Representatives, a historic increase from the previous five. Among the newly elected is Suhas Subramanyam, who has made history as the first Indian American to represent Virginia, as well as the entire East Coast, in the US House. A lawyer and Virginia State Senator, Subramanyam triumphed over Republican Mike Clancy in a closely contested race for the 10th Congressional District. His victory is part of a larger trend of Indian Americans making waves in American politics. Joining Subramanyam…

The Indian stock market responded strongly on Wednesday to the US election results, with Sensex and Nifty 50 both rising over 1% as former President Donald Trump appeared poised for re-election. Sensex closed 901.50 points higher at 80,378.13, while Nifty gained 270.75 points to settle at 24,484.05. Market optimism reflects anticipation of a Trump presidency, though his protectionist economic stance could bring mixed effects for India. Analysts expect Trump’s economic policies to impact US Federal Reserve interest rate strategies, likely curtailing planned rate cuts. This could affect foreign investment flows into India, potentially slowing capital market growth and complicating India’s…

The White House is set to welcome its first-ever Indian American and Hindu second lady, Usha Vance, following Ohio Senator JD Vance’s upcoming role as vice president. This historic milestone follows Doug Emhoff’s role as the first second gentleman and the first Jewish individual in the position. After major networks projected Donald Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, JD Vance expressed his gratitude to his wife, Usha, for her support in achieving this role. At 38, Usha Vance will be the youngest second lady since Jane Hadley Barkley in 1949, during the Truman administration. Born to Indian immigrant parents,…

Ayodhya’s transformation into a global spiritual and economic powerhouse has been sparked by the construction of the Ram Mandir, an iconic project in modern Bharat’s history. The completion of the temple, marked by the Pran Pratishtha ceremony led by PM Modi earlier this year, has not only revived the spiritual importance of this ancient city but also revolutionized its economy. In the first half of 2024, Ayodhya saw an influx of 110 million tourists, highlighting its burgeoning status as a major pilgrimage and tourist destination. The temple’s development has driven significant economic growth, creating new job opportunities, fostering business expansion,…

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently revealed the appointment of two distinguished Indian American members to the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC). Gene L. Dodaro, the Comptroller General of the United States and head of GAO, made the announcement. These new appointees, Henish Bhansali, MD, FACP, and Krishna Ramachandran, MBA, MS, will serve on the committee until 2027. The PTAC is an important body that provides advice to the Department of Health and Human Services on optimizing the use of Medicare funds, which total around $1 trillion annually. Dodaro emphasized the committee’s vital role in shaping value-based…