Author: Malavika Subramanyan

Citigroup’s CEO Jane Fraser highlighted Viswas Raghavan’s extensive banking experience, citing him as the ideal choice to lead the Cluster and Banking Heads within Citi’s global network. Raghavan, an Indian American executive formerly with JP Morgan, has been appointed as Citigroup’s new head of banking and executive vice chair. He will report directly to CEO Jane Fraser and is expected to assume his new role in the summer. Bringing a wealth of expertise in investment, corporate, and commercial banking, Raghavan will oversee one of Citi’s five primary business divisions. Fraser underscored Raghavan’s role in supporting strategic initiatives and driving Citi’s…

Geeta Batra, an esteemed economist hailing from India, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the Director of the Independent Evaluation Office of the World Bank’s Global Environment Facility (GEF). Born in New Delhi, Batra, aged 57, is the first woman from a developing nation to assume this prestigious role. Batra’s unanimous approval during the 66th GEF Council Meeting in Washington on Feb 9 came after her tenure as the Chief Evaluator & Deputy Director for Evaluation at the GEF’s Independent Evaluation Office (IEO), which is associated with the World Bank. Batra has outlined her key priorities, underscoring the importance…

A delegation comprising representatives from 17 universities in the United States is scheduled to visit India. Their itinerary includes visits to 26 academic institutions located in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. This visit is particularly noteworthy against the backdrop of recent incidents involving attacks on Indian students and individuals of Indian origin across various parts of India. The delegation’s visit is part of ongoing collaborative efforts between the United States and India, spearheaded by both governments. It follows high-profile state visits by the respective presidents and prime ministers, underscoring the Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership between the two nations. A…

Rahul Sahgal, a Swiss citizen of Indian descent, is poised to take on the role of CEO at the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce (Swiss AmCham) starting in the summer of 2024. His election to the position, following a unanimous vote on November 14, 2023, marks the succession of Martin Naville, who has stepped down after two decades of service. With an academic background in business administration and law from the University of St. Gallen (HSG), Sahgal brings a wealth of international experience in both corporate and government spheres to his new leadership role. His career trajectory began in finance and…

An academic study released recently challenges the common perception that Western economies, particularly those in Europe and North America, are the most conducive environments for starting businesses. Instead, the study conducted by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) reveals that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has maintained its position as the top destination for entrepreneurship for the third consecutive year, followed closely by India in second place. Surprisingly, countries like France, the US, Germany, and the UK, often considered as the usual leaders in business, rank lower, with positions ranging from 12th to 22nd. The GEM study evaluates various entrepreneurial conditions…

President Joe Biden plans to nominate Nimish Patel, an Indian American attorney, as a member of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, which advises the United States Trade Representative. The Committee, consisting of up to 45 members, provides counsel on trade, investment, and development issues, representing various sectors. Patel, currently chairing the Corporate and Securities Department at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp, LLP, brings extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, venture capital financing, and corporate restructuring. He advises clients across diverse industries, including artificial intelligence, life sciences, and entertainment, on governance and regulatory matters. Previously, Patel worked as a…

The American India Foundation Trust (AIFT) recently completed its 23rd annual India Mission Trip, offering a comprehensive overview of its impactful initiatives. The delegation, comprising 25 AIF board members, supporters, donors from India and the US, and industry leaders focusing on the US-India corridor, embarked on a week-long expedition across Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Haryana. Their objective was to gain insight into the diverse challenges faced by tribal and rural communities, including climate change, migration, and gender inequality, particularly in health, education, and livelihood sectors. During the trip, they observed the tangible outcomes of AIF’s programs, such as the…

The University of Connecticut’s Asian and Asian American Studies Institute (AAASI) collaborated with the Indian Cultural Center (ICC) to host the second annual student-curated exhibit at the Historical Society Museum Lobby in partnership with the Greenwich Historical Society. The exhibit, named ‘My Story Our Future: Voices of South Asian American Youth in Connecticut,’ displayed personal family oral histories and artifacts. Greenwich High School sophomore Mihir Shah shared, “My grandparents sacrificed a lot in India to ensure my father’s better life in America,” emphasizing the exhibit’s personal significance. Students, including Shah, conducted extensive oral history projects, interviewing family members and gathering…

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has named Dr. Samir Shah as its chair, effective March 4, 2023, for a four-year term, following his nomination by the UK government in December 2023. Shah, a seasoned figure in broadcasting with over four decades of experience, marks the first person of Indian origin to hold this position. Before assuming this role, he served as the CEO of Juniper, an independent television and radio production company, since 1998, and previously held key positions at the BBC, including head of current affairs and political programmes. In recognition of his extensive contributions to journalism, Shah received…

Ashwath Kaushik, a young talent of Indian descent hailing from Singapore, made headlines as the youngest chess player to defeat grandmaster Jacek Stopa of Poland during the 22nd Burgdorfer Stadthaus Open held in Switzerland. At just eight years old, Kaushik’s achievement adds him to the esteemed list of youthful prodigies who have triumphed over grandmasters before reaching the age of ten. His victory against the 37-year-old Stopa marked Kaushik’s fourth win in the tournament, where he defied expectations by securing a commendable 12th place finish. Initially seeded 59th among the 127 competitors, Kaushik’s impressive performance garnered attention despite the odds.…