Author: Malavika Subramanyan

Indian-American professors Bhargav Bhatt and Karuna Mantena were among the six recipients of the Infosys Prize 2023, acknowledged during a ceremony in Bangalore on January 13 by the Infosys Science Foundation (ISF). Bhatt, a joint professor at the Institute for Advanced Study and Princeton University, received the prize in mathematical sciences for his exceptional contributions to arithmetic geometry and commutative algebra. His collaboration with mathematician Peter Scholze introduced innovative concepts and powerful approaches to the field, particularly in prismatic cohomology. Meanwhile, Mantena, a political science professor at Columbia University, was honored in social sciences for her groundbreaking research on the…

Shyam Batra, a 62-year-old Indian-origin property entrepreneur, has joined the London mayoral race scheduled for May 2, 2024. He is committed to addressing issues stemming from a defunct police system and endeavors to restore London to its rightful place. Acknowledging the anticipated challenges, Batra expresses determination to create a safe and thriving London with the crucial support of its residents. He sees himself not merely as a political candidate but as someone who wishes to fix London and give people a voice. A key focus for Batra is the improvement of the transport system, with plans to replace old buses…

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is allocating more than $26 million to Zūm as part of the Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition. This funding is instrumental in Zūm’s mission to transition its school bus fleet to 100% electric vehicles, aligning with President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. Additionally, the grant will support the expansion of Zūm’s AI-driven technology platform, crucial in the company’s broader goal to decarbonize the school bus industry and address climate change. Founded by Ritu Narayan, an immigrant and mother, Zūm is transforming traditional school bus systems, with partnerships established across the nation, including major…

India has formally requested the reinstatement of its Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) status under the US program, a privilege revoked in 2019 by the Trump administration. During the India-US Trade Policy Forum, co-chaired by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, Goyal emphasized India’s interest in GSP restoration. Ambassador Tai acknowledged this could be considered based on US Congress-defined eligibility criteria. India, the leading GSP beneficiary in 2017, exported $5.7 billion duty-free goods to the US, covering 1,900 products like engineering goods and chemicals. The ministers highlighted the significant role of professionals, students, investors, and business…

Preesha Chakraborty, a nine-year-old Indian-American student from California, secured a place on the ‘world’s brightest students’ list by Johns Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth (JH-CTY). Among 16,000 students from 90 countries taking the JH-CTY test in Summer 2023 as a Grade 3 student at Warm Spring Elementary in Fremont, Preesha excelled in verbal and quantitative sections, reaching the 99th percentile of advanced Grade 5 performances and earning Grand Honors. This achievement qualifies her for over 250 JH-CTY courses, covering subjects like mathematics, computer programming, chemistry, physics, reading, and writing. At six, Preesha obtained a lifetime membership in the Mensa Foundation,…

On the second day of the 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, Chief Minister Mr. Bhupendra Patel reiterated Gujarat’s steadfast commitment to becoming a prominent hub for the semiconductor industry, a vision initiated in 2022. Established by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi in 2003, the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit has evolved into a flagship event for significant announcements and strategic initiatives. Addressing the audience, Chief Minister Mr. Bhupendra Patel emphasized the growing importance of technology in India, particularly in the semiconductor and electronic sectors. He highlighted Gujarat’s proactive embrace of advanced technologies like AI, shaping everyday life and…

Indian American strategy and transformation consultant Praveen Madan has taken on the role of CEO and publisher at Berrett-Koehler Publishers (BK), succeeding the retired David Marshall. Madan expressed gratitude for the opportunity and outlined his vision for a new publishing model, emphasizing BK’s commitment to being author-friendly and mission-driven. With a background in strategy consulting, Madan successfully led the turnaround of Kepler’s Books since 2012, implementing innovative strategies like adopting a nonprofit model, community financing, and raising wages. His success at Kepler’s has influenced other bookstores across the United States. BK’s founder, Steve Piersanti, praised Madan’s unique blend of outsider…

Manish Prabhat, currently the Ambassador of India to Uzbekistan, is set to become the next Ambassador of India to Denmark, according to an announcement from the Ministry of External Affairs. The ministry issued a statement revealing Prabhat’s upcoming role transition, anticipating his swift assumption of duties. Before his current position, Prabhat held the influential post of heading the Eurasia Division at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. With a rich diplomatic career, he has served in various Indian Missions abroad, including Moscow, Yerevan, Washington DC, Milan, and Paris, since joining the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1996. Prabhat’s…

UnitedLex, headquartered in New York, has appointed Rajitha Yelamanchali Boer as its Chief Client Officer. In her new role, Boer will concentrate on global client growth and retention, particularly in Europe and the Asia Pacific. Her focus extends to enhancing the client experience across all business lines, according to the company’s press statement. James Schellhase, UnitedLex’s CEO, emphasized Boer’s decades of experience, emphasizing a tailored approach to strategic client solutions. Boer’s expertise in eDiscovery, IP, and legal managed services is expected to bolster UnitedLex’s enterprise sales and account management. Rajitha Boer, expressing alignment with UnitedLex’s culture of innovation, highlighted the…

President Joe Biden has unveiled his intention to nominate Sunil R. Harjani, an Indian American judge, for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. This nomination is part of Biden’s commitment to ensuring diversity in the nation’s courts, reflecting a broad range of personal and professional backgrounds. Harjani, currently a United States Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Illinois since 2019, brings significant experience to the role. The announcement, including Harjani and five other nominees, aligns with Biden’s pledge to uphold the rule of law and the Constitution. This marks the 44th round of nominees…