Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) will celebrate its 36th anniversary by honoring exceptional individuals at its 2025 Convention. The event will take place from March 28 to 30 at the Brisbane Marriott in Queensland, Australia, with the grand awards ceremony scheduled for March 29. GOPIO will recognize five individuals for their professional and business accomplishments and three for their dedication to community service. The conference will be inaugurated by prominent dignitaries, including Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, and India’s Consul General Neetu M. Bhagotia. They will be welcomed by GOPIO leaders, including…

The New York City mayoral race is heating up, with Indian American candidate Zohran Mamdani emerging as a strong contender. His campaign has gained momentum due to widespread community support, progressive policies, and significant fundraising success. Mamdani, son of Indian filmmaker Mira Nair and Ugandan-born academic Mahmood Mamdani, has positioned himself as a challenger to the traditional political elite. His campaign has particularly resonated with Indian American communities, Muslim voters, and young progressives, expanding representation in New York politics. With over $840,000 raised in the last two months from more than 16,000 donors, Mamdani’s financial backing has exceeded expectations. Since…

Canadian YouTuber, comedian, and actress Lilly Singh has introduced HYPHEN8, a groundbreaking media network designed to uplift South Asian YouTube creators. Developed in partnership with Skara Ventures, this initiative aims to equip digital creators with essential tools and opportunities to enhance their careers. HYPHEN8 will focus on securing direct advertising deals, optimizing revenue streams, and fostering brand collaborations for content creators. Singh, who started her YouTube journey in 2010, recalled the lack of support available to South Asian creators at the time. With HYPHEN8, she hopes to provide mentorship and valuable industry resources that will help emerging talents navigate the…

The University of Michigan’s College of Engineering has honored Somya Valecha, a computer engineering undergraduate, with the Distinguished Academic Achievement Award for her exceptional academic performance and leadership contributions. Despite being only in her second year, Valecha has taken on multiple leadership roles while consistently earning a place on the Dean’s Honor List. As the Professional Excellence Officer for the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), she organized career-building initiatives such as networking events and an Interview Prep Workshop. She also played a key role as Hospitality Chair for the Fall Engineering Career Fair, facilitating connections between students and recruiters. Additionally,…

Shikha Bajaj was celebrated as a transformational leader at the 13th Annual Congressional International Women’s Day Celebration, hosted by the American Multi-Ethnic Coalition (AMEC) on March 12, 2025. Known for her dedication to empowerment, inclusivity, and leadership, Bajaj has inspired individuals and organizations worldwide to break barriers and embrace their uniqueness. Her award-winning book, Own Your Color, has been recognized as one of the top self-help books of the year, earning over 10 prestigious awards, including the BookFest Awards, International Impact Book Awards, and Book Excellence Award. Her influence as an author placed her among the Top 50 Most Influential…

Avani Modi Sarkar, an Indian-American entrepreneur, co-founded Modi Toys with her brother Viral Modi in 2018 after becoming a mother. The brand, which creates mantra-singing plush toys and children’s books, is designed to introduce Hindu culture to young Indian-American kids growing up in multicultural environments. “The idea stemmed from a personal need,” Sarkar shared, explaining how she and her brother wanted a soft toy that played Hindu mantras when squeezed. However, when they found nothing like it on the market, they decided to create their own. Modi Sarkar, recognized by Forbes Next 1000, Inc Female Founder 100, and E&Y Entrepreneur…

The Trump administration has enlisted Abhishek Kambli, an Indian-origin lawyer, to defend its use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 for deporting illegal immigrants, despite a federal judge’s orders to halt the flights. Kambli, serving as Deputy Associate Attorney General at the Justice Department, faced criticism from Judge James Boasberg after the administration insisted it was adhering to judicial rulings while privately asserting executive authority to continue deportations. Judge Boasberg, under pressure from MAGA hardliners calling for his impeachment, ordered Kambli to provide a written certification by Tuesday noon confirming that no deportations had occurred. This followed the administration’s…

The people of Jhulasan, a village in Gujarat and the hometown of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, erupted in celebration on Wednesday as they welcomed her safe return to Earth. The villagers performed aarti and offered prayers following her nearly nine-month-long mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The excitement began as the Dragon spacecraft successfully splashed down, bringing Williams back alongside her fellow Crew-9 astronauts Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Prior to her arrival, her cousin Dinesh Rawal had organized a Yagna in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, seeking blessings for her safe return. After spending months in…

Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have finally returned to Earth after an unexpected 286-day mission in space. The two NASA astronauts originally launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule on June 5, 2024, for what was planned as a brief test mission lasting just over a week. However, persistent technical issues with their spacecraft extended their stay on the International Space Station (ISS) far beyond the intended duration. Both astronauts, who are veteran NASA members and former U.S. Navy test pilots, found themselves stranded in orbit due to multiple Starliner malfunctions. The spacecraft experienced a helium leak and thruster malfunctions, raising…

In a conversation with AI researcher Lex Fridman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised former US President Donald Trump’s unwavering dedication to his country, particularly in the aftermath of last year’s assassination attempt. Reflecting on Trump’s perseverance during his election campaign, Modi highlighted his unwavering dedication to the country, even after being shot. He remarked that Trump’s life is devoted to America and drew a comparison between Trump’s “America First” policy and his own “India First” approach, underscoring their mutual focus on national interests. Modi reminisced about the 2019 Howdy Modi event in Houston, where Trump joined him in addressing a…