A London resident, Aisha Desai, received Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Points of Light award for her Ramadan Lights UK initiative, an effort to create light installations to mark Ramadan. Inspired by the festive Christmas lights of central London from her childhood, Desai aimed to offer a similar experience to Muslim communities nationwide. The award acknowledges individual volunteers who actively contribute to their communities and serve as inspirations to others. During the pandemic, Desai initiated a crowdfunding campaign to illuminate her neighborhood, demonstrating resilience and community spirit amidst challenging times. In collaboration with the ‘Ramadan Open Tent Project,’ Desai orchestrated the…
Author: Nupur Rohila
Nupur Rohila
Love, nature, women's empowerment, and social issues make up the bulk of Nupur's writing topics. She earned a Master of Arts in Ancient History and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Delhi University before she began writing. It just so happens that Nupur also aced the Junior Research Fellowship exam for history. At present, Neha is working as a freelance content writer.
India has recently enacted the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), a measure that had been in the making for over four years. This legislation offers amnesty and an accelerated pathway to citizenship for specific refugees who had escaped religious persecution in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan prior to December 31, 2014. Importantly, the CAA does not modify the rights of Indian citizens nor does it impose any religious criteria for general immigration. Contrary to some misconceptions, it does not bar Muslims from immigrating to India. Suhag Shukla, the Executive Director of the Hindu American Foundation, has hailed the implementation of the CAA…
Indian American high school senior Achyuta Rajaram claimed the top spot and a $250,000 cash prize in the Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) competition, which is currently in its 83rd year and regarded as America’s oldest and most esteemed science and math contest for high school seniors. Rajaram, a student at Phillips Exeter Academy, earned the prestigious award for his development of an automated method to identify the components of a computer model involved in decision-making processes. This innovation enhances understanding of how algorithms function, aiding in their optimization for effectiveness, fairness, and safety, as stated by the competition organizers.…
Karan Soni, a Delhi-born actor-comedian, is slated to feature in upcoming episodes of ABC Network’s sitcom ‘Abbott Elementary.’ The show’s ongoing third season has already aired five episodes, with Soni also directing episode 6. Renowned for its stellar cast, the Emmy-winning mockumentary has featured notable cameos in its current season, including appearances by Jalen Hurts, Jason Kelce, and Brandon Graham in the premiere episode. Bradley Cooper recently made a cameo in the episode aired on March 10. According to a Deadline report, future episodes will introduce more familiar faces interacting with students at Philadelphia’s Willard R. Abbott Elementary School. Soni…
The Alumni Achievement Awards ceremony on March 15 will see Santosh Sankar honored with the Alumni Achievement award by The Pennsylvania State University’s Alumni Association. Graduating in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in finance and a minor in information systems management, Sankar currently co-founds the venture capital firm Dynamo Ventures in Chattanooga, Tennessee. During his time at Penn, he actively engaged with various societies and events, including The Nittany Lion Fund, The Penn State Investment Association, The Next CEO Competition, and Penn State Dance MaraTHON. He remains committed to mentoring students at the Penn State Smeal College of Business, a…
The supernatural thriller “Shaitaan,” released globally in theaters on March 8, features Indian actor R Madhavan in the role of the antagonist. Directed by Vikas Bahl, the film centers on themes of black magic and delves into the supernatural realm, with Madhavan portraying the character of ‘Shaitaan’ (Devil). Presented by Jio Studios, Devgn Films, and Panorama Studios, the movie boasts a strong ensemble cast, including Ajay Devgn and Jyothika, alongside Madhavan as the antagonist. Departing from his usual romantic hero roles, Madhavan’s portrayal of evil incarnate is expected to captivate audiences, according to the film’s makers. Madhavan’s character, Shaitaan, symbolizes…
The SMX CSR Leadership Summit & Awards 3.0 celebrated impactful initiatives, with The Art of Living and Schneider Electric India Foundation receiving the Best CSR Impact Award for Solar Electrification, which demonstrated their joint commitment towards driving positive change & promoting a sustainable energy future. The Art of Living also bagged the prestigious Best CSR Impact Award for Forestation/Reforestation, recognizing their commendable efforts in restoring mangroves in the Sunderbans project. Powerful Voices, Powerful Impact On February 15, 2024, the summit featured Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar as the keynote speaker, injecting profound wisdom into the event. Gurudev highlighted the importance of…
Nikki Haley’s ambitious bid for the US presidency symbolizes the rise of Indian American women in politics and society, despite ending her campaign just before International Women’s Day. Conversely, Vice President Kamala Harris gears up for another vice presidential run, marking significant milestones in women’s political representation. Indian American women excel across politics, business, academia, and beyond, breaking barriers and demonstrating remarkable versatility. Haley’s defiance against former President Donald Trump and her trailblazing political path highlight her impact on Republican politics. Similarly, Harris’s tenure as California’s attorney general propelled her to become the first woman vice president, breaking numerous barriers…
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unveiled its initial roster of 195 candidates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, prompting the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) in the US to launch its 2024 campaign. Their objective: assisting in securing 400 seats in the parliamentary polls. Among the nominees, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stands for re-election from Varanasi, one of the 51 seats allocated to Uttar Pradesh. Adapa Prasad, president of OFBJP USA, affirmed the Indian Diaspora’s support for the BJP, following a kick-off event attended by approximately 100 core members in a Maryland suburb of Washington DC. The impending general elections,…
Boeing has announced the promotion of Uma Amuluru, an Indian American, as its chief human resources officer and executive vice president for human resources, effective April 1. She will succeed Michael D’Ambrose and report directly to the company’s president and CEO David Calhoun. In her new role, Amuluru will oversee Boeing’s strategic human resources functions, including talent planning, global talent acquisition, learning and development, compensation and benefits, employee and labor relations, and diversity and inclusion initiatives. Calhoun praised Amuluru’s leadership skills and highlighted her proven track record in team building and organizational strengthening, emphasizing the significance of Boeing’s vast global…