Author: Deepika chandrasekar

The South Asian Association (SAA) at Harvard University has named celebrated Indian chef, filmmaker, and author Vikas Khanna as its 2025 Person of the Year. This recognition honors his extraordinary contributions in taking Indian cuisine to international prominence and solidifying it as a powerful medium of cultural storytelling. Receiving the award with deep gratitude, Khanna said, “This isn’t just an award—it’s a promise. A promise to keep representing our rich heritage through every dish.” His journey from the lanes of Amritsar to Michelin-starred kitchens in New York reflects his resilience, creativity, and commitment to his roots. Beyond the kitchen, Khanna…

Singer and actress Shannon K is gearing up to join a prestigious lineup at Coachella 2025, marking a monumental moment in her career. As the daughter of iconic Bollywood playback singer Kumar Sanu, Shannon will step into the global spotlight with her debut at one of the world’s most celebrated music festivals. Her appearance marks a historic milestone, making her the first independent singer of Indian origin to represent India at Coachella. The legendary festival is set to take place in Indio, California, over two weekends—April 11–13 and April 18–20—at the Empire Polo Club. With an expected crowd of 120,000…

Americares, a leading global health-focused relief and development organization, has welcomed philanthropist Shweta Rawat to its Board of Directors. With a track record in advancing disability inclusion, women’s leadership, and economic empowerment, Rawat is set to play a key role in shaping the organization’s future. Rawat, a committed supporter of Americares for over ten years, currently serves as the founder and chairperson of The Hans Foundation — one of India’s top philanthropic institutions known for supporting transformative projects for marginalized communities. Her leadership has guided the foundation toward building long-term solutions for underserved populations across India. She is also the…

Among the 30 recipients of The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans this year, seven remarkable Indian American individuals have secured spots, standing out from over 2,600 applicants. This prestigious program, designed for immigrants and children of immigrants, offers up to $90,000 over two years to support graduate education in the United States. Arjun Ramani from Indiana is pursuing a PhD in economics at MIT, focusing on innovation and technological change. His academic journey began at Stanford, where he studied economics and computer science with an emphasis on artificial intelligence. A published writer at The Economist, Ramani’s reporting…

Mumbai’s iconic Siddhivinayak Temple in Prabhadevi, dedicated to Lord Ganesha, has reported a significant surge in its financial earnings, reflecting its continued prominence as a major pilgrimage destination. For the fiscal year 2024–25, the temple reported a total revenue of $1.6 million—a 15% increase from the prior year, as shared by the temple trust’s executive officer, Veena Patil. According to the trust’s annual financial plan, presented on March 31, income for the upcoming fiscal year, 2025–26, is projected to climb even further, reaching an estimated $1.85 million. Deputy executive officer Sandeep Rathod credited this growth to effective administration and better…

In a historic confirmation, Indian American attorney Harmeet Kaur Dhillon has been appointed Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division in the U.S. Department of Justice, making her the first Sikh American to hold this key position. The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), a national advocacy group, issued a tempered response to the appointment. In its statement, SALDEF highlighted the crucial role the Civil Rights Division plays in safeguarding constitutional protections and enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws for marginalized communities. “This role demands unwavering and unbiased dedication to protecting the rights of every community,” stated Kiran Kaur…

The Hindu Manifesto, a new book by spiritual thinker and global Hindu leader Swami Vigyananand, is set to be released on April 26, 2025. The book outlines a civilisational roadmap rooted in ancient Hindu wisdom, with RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat scheduled to launch the publication. Described as a blueprint for national and societal renewal, The Hindu Manifesto draws from classical Indian texts like the Vedas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Arthashastra, and Shukranitisar. The work proposes a value-driven framework for governance and development, emphasising the relevance of Hindu thought in addressing modern-day challenges. Central to the book are eight guiding Sutras. The first…

In a major step toward integrating industry expertise with academic innovation, Ajay Anand, an Indian American executive at Johnson & Johnson, has been named the first Executive in Residence for the Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative (WAIAI). Currently serving as Senior Vice President of Global Services, Strategy, and Business Services at Johnson & Johnson, Anand now brings his leadership acumen to the esteemed Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Wharton’s new Executive in Residence program aims to connect leaders from top companies with faculty and students, enhancing the relevance of artificial intelligence research while fostering a new generation of…

 Dr. Indrajeet Chaubey has been appointed as the next provost and executive vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Arkansas, with his term beginning on July 1, 2025. He will be stepping into the role currently held by Terry Martin, who will transition back to teaching full-time within the College of Engineering. A distinguished figure in hydrology and water quality, Dr. Chaubey has led extensive research into the impact of watershed management on water resources, agricultural productivity, and environmental sustainability. His scholarly contributions include more than 160 peer-reviewed publications and research funding exceeding $40 million. Expressing his enthusiasm…

On Thursday, April 3, 2025, the Central Jersey chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CJ) held its Executive Board Induction and Networking Event at Jhopri Restaurant in Plainsboro, New Jersey. The gathering brought together lifetime members, community guests, and local business professionals. Among the dignitaries was West Windsor Township Mayor Hemant Marathe, who served as the Guest of Honor. The evening began with a rendition of the U.S. national anthem by Sia Dixit, followed by a collective singing of the Indian national anthem by all attendees. Sapna Mehta extended a warm welcome to everyone, setting the…