The Indian American Public Affairs Council (IAPAC) hosted its annual gala at the Junior League of Houston, focusing on the urgent mental health crisis in America. The event, with over 220 attendees, aimed to inspire dialogue and collective action in addressing mental health challenges. Dr. Roopa Gir, President of IAPAC, welcomed guests and emphasized the need to reduce stigma and create culturally relevant solutions for diverse communities. The evening’s keynote address, delivered via video by Dr. Rahul Gupta, National Director for Drug Policy at the White House, highlighted the intersection of mental health and substance use, urging immediate action and…
Author: Deepika chandrasekar
Deepika chandrasekar
Deepika is on her way to becoming an influential figure in the world as a young writer with a big voice and a big heart. Deepika has always possessed the highly sought-after attribute of empathy. She attended the University of Madras and graduated with a BA and MA in English. She has her mother and daughter living with her in Chennai, while she is a single parent.
Eboo Patel, founder and president of Interfaith America, has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Newsweek/Stubblefield Institute Civility Award under the category of State & Community Leaders. The award recognizes individuals who exemplify civility in political communication, bipartisan collaboration, and fostering unity. Patel, a civic leader dedicated to making religious diversity a strength of American democracy, has worked extensively with governments, universities, and private organizations to bridge divides through faith cooperation. Named one of “America’s best leaders” by U.S. News and World Report, Patel also served on President Obama’s Inaugural Faith Council and has authored five books, including We Need…
In a move highlighting the growing presence of Indian-Americans in U.S. politics, President-elect Donald Trump has named Sriram Krishnan, a well-known Indian-American venture capitalist, as the Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Krishnan’s new role positions him to influence key areas like technology and immigration reform in the country. This appointment aligns with ongoing U.S. government discussions about removing the country cap on H-1B visas. Such a reform could open doors for a greater number of skilled Indian workers, particularly in technology and engineering. Krishnan, a strong advocate for merit-based…
On December 24, 2024, the Indian government unveiled several initiatives to bolster consumer protection, spearheaded by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. These efforts include launching cutting-edge AI-driven tools such as the National Consumer Helpline, the e-maap portal, and the Jago Grahak Jago mobile app. These advancements are designed to empower consumers, detect deceptive marketing practices, and expedite dispute resolution. Prominent e-commerce players like Reliance Retail, Tata Sons, and Zomato have pledged their support to improve the safety of online shopping. Speaking at the National Consumer Day celebration, Mr. Joshi underscored the nation’s progress in addressing consumer grievances. Between January and November…
At a recent event at Pitt University, the launch of the Vijayalakshmi Innovation Center for Women’s Health Analytics and Research (VIHAR) was announced, with Vanathi Gopalakrishnan sharing her excitement for the ambitious initiative. Gopalakrishnan, associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics, humorously noted that some people initially mistook the project for a yoga program, but clarified that VIHAR’s goal is to push the boundaries of women’s health research, particularly through artificial intelligence. The center, backed by a generous $10 million donation from Indian American siblings Vishnu and Harsha Vardhini, aims to create the world’s first comprehensive female digital health…
On December 24, 2024, India marks the 100th birth anniversary of one of its most legendary playback singers, Mohammed Rafi. Renowned for his unmatched versatility and timeless voice, Rafi remains an icon in the world of Bollywood music. His rich legacy is evident in the numerous hits he delivered for Bollywood stars like Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, and Rishi Kapoor. Despite passing away in 1980 at the age of 55, Rafi’s music continues to touch hearts across generations. Rafi was born on December 24, 1924, in Kotla Sultan Singh, a small village near Amritsar, to Allah Rakhi and…
Ram Charan’s much-awaited film Game Changer will host a grand pre-release event at the Curtis Culwell Center in Dallas, USA, on Saturday, December 21. The film, which marks Ram Charan’s return to the lead role after three years, is set for release on January 10, 2025. Directed by S Shankar, Game Changer features Kiara Advani, SJ Suryah, Nassar, Sunil Prakash Raj, and Jayaram in pivotal roles. In a move that solidifies his status as a global star, Ram Charan will become the first Indian actor to host a pre-release event in the United States. The announcement came through a video…
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Chennai-born Indian-American entrepreneur and venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan as Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Known for his close ties to tech magnate Elon Musk, Krishnan previously served as a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and is highly respected in Silicon Valley and the Indian-American community. In his new role, Krishnan will collaborate with David Sacks, Trump’s crypto and AI czar, to steer America’s AI leadership. His responsibilities include shaping AI policy across government agencies and consulting with the President’s Council of Advisors on…
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have sharply criticized the stopgap spending deal, urging all members of Congress to reject the bill, which they claim will result in excessive spending. The deal, which was introduced days before the December 20 shutdown deadline, aims to extend government funding and push the decision-making on next year’s budget to the next Congress and president. Ramaswamy highlighted the high costs associated with the bill, noting that keeping the government open until March 14 would cost around $380 billion, but the true price tag is much higher when factoring in new spending measures. These include the…
On December 21, 2024, the world will commemorate the inaugural World Meditation Day, following a historic resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly on November 29, 2024. This groundbreaking event will create an annual global observance of meditation, underscoring its profound benefits for mental and physical health and its potential to foster global peace and unity. To mark this milestone, India’s Permanent Mission at the UN hosted a special ceremony at the UN headquarters in New York. The event featured a live global meditation session, led by renowned spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of…
