Author: Malavika Subramanyan

Ajay Jain Bhutoria, originally from Rajasthan and raised in Assam, India, has experienced a remarkable journey from excelling academically in chemical engineering to becoming a political strategist in the United States. After relocating to the US for an MBA, Ajay worked with prominent companies like Price Waterhouse and IBM, specializing in IT, technology, and HR processes. His life took a turn when he met President Obama in San Francisco, sparking deep involvement in the Democratic Party and fundraising activities. During Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, Ajay served as a co-chair on the AAPI National Finance Committee, forming connections with influential figures.…

In the recent release of Forbes’ Highest-Paid Female Athletes, Indian badminton sensation P. V. Sindhu claimed the 16th position, sharing it with gymnast Simone Biles. Aged 28, Sindhu boasts a net worth of $7.1 million, marking her debut in the 2023 list. The two-time Olympic medalist and 2019 badminton world champion has not only excelled in her sport but has also emerged as a marketing force in India. Expanding her sponsorship portfolio in 2023, Sindhu secured partnerships with Centuary Mattress and American Pistachio Growers. This diversification reflects her influence beyond the badminton court. Her previous appearances on the list include…

The American India Foundation (AIF), a non-profit organization dedicated to catalyzing social change in India, has earned recognition as one of the Akamai Foundation’s global STEM education grant recipients for 2023. This acknowledgment falls under the early learner K-12 grant program initiated by the Akamai Foundation, the charitable arm of Akamai Technologies Inc., a cloud company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The foundation administers two grant programs, focusing on early learner STEM grants for K-12 education and ’empower’ grants. The primary objective of the STEM grants is to foster the development of the next generation of technology innovators by providing support…

Sukhdev Singh Bainiwal, a former candidate for the San Jose council, has announced his candidacy for District 8 once again, encompassing Evergreen and East San Jose, with the election scheduled for March 5, 2024. A 57-year-old engineer and former city airport commissioner, Bainiwal’s campaign focuses on addressing public safety through initiatives like neighborhood watches and increasing the police force. Additionally, he aims to tackle homelessness by promoting interim housing construction and streamlining the city’s permitting process to enhance affordable housing availability. San Jose faced a severe housing shortage in 2022, ranked as the worst in the U.S. According to Bainiwal,…

In a strategic move aimed at enhancing its leadership team, Atlas Systems, a New Jersey-based IT company, has appointed Sam Murali, an Indian American, as Chief Partnership Officer. According to the company’s release, Murali will lead Atlas’s sales efforts, focusing on cultivating key partnerships, especially with Microsoft. His primary objective is to strengthen collaboration with Microsoft, leveraging the versatile capabilities of the Azure AI platform. Murali’s responsibilities include close coordination with Microsoft and client teams to ensure the delivery of customized services and resources for optimal outcomes. The company has a significant association with Amazon Web Services (AWS), where Animesh…

A recent study published in Nature Communications suggests that adjusting the timing of meals could be beneficial in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. The research, based on data from 103,389 adults over a 7-year period, indicates a lower risk when individuals consume their first meal before 8 a.m. and the last before 9 p.m. Interestingly, this reduction in risk is more notable in women than in men. The study scrutinizes various factors, revealing that delaying the first meal or consuming the last after 9 p.m. is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular issues. Notably, the research sheds light…

Indian American executive Avi Avula has been appointed as the President and CEO of Methode Electronics Inc., a Chicago-based international engineering company. The effective date for Avula’s new role is January 29, 2024, following the retirement of Donald W Duda. The transition plan involves a three-month collaboration period between Duda and Avula, with Duda then serving as a strategic consultant for the subsequent nine months. Avula, with over 17 years of experience in the electronics industry, currently serves as the Vice President of Strategy for DuPont’s Electronics & Industrial (E&I) business. Before DuPont, he held various roles with applied materials,…

India is poised to make a substantial contribution, exceeding 16%, to global growth, earning recognition as an exceptional performer by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This acknowledgment stems from India’s strategic economic reforms, particularly in infrastructure and digitalization, solidifying its status as one of the fastest-growing major emerging markets. Ms. Nada Choueiri, Assistant Director at the IMF, lauds India’s robust economic growth, attributing it to a focused approach on infrastructure and digital advancements. The key elements for sustained progress are identified as political stability and streamlined procedures. The emphasis is placed on implementing labor reforms and harnessing the potential of…

Nikki Haley is emerging as a prominent alternative to Donald Trump in the upcoming Republican presidential primary in New Hampshire, as indicated by a CBS/YouGov poll released on December 18. While Trump maintains his lead, Haley has made significant strides by consolidating much of the non-Trump vote. The poll results follow the endorsement of Haley by New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, who emphasized the state’s opportunity to lead the country forward. According to the CBS poll, 29% of respondents expressed their preference for Haley in the Republican primary, compared to Trump’s 44%. In terms of readiness, 53% of GOP primary…

Over the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Indian banking system has undergone significant transformations, moving from the era of ‘phone banking’ to implementing prudential norms, mega mergers, recapitalization, and fostering a banking culture through initiatives like Jan Dhan accounts, digital banking/payment systems, and Mudra loans. According to a research report by the State Bank of India (SBI), the banking system’s total asset/liabilities growth during FY14-23 is 1.3 times higher than the growth in the last 60 years. Despite obstacles like demonetization, non-banking financial company setbacks, shifts in monetary policy, and the pandemic, the Indian banking system…