Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

Nikesh Arora, CEO and chairman of Palo Alto Networks Inc., boasting a net worth of $1.5 billion, recently made an entry into the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Education and Early Life Born on February 9, 1968, in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, Arora, an Indian-American business executive, investor, and entrepreneur, completed his schooling at The Air Force School. He pursued Electrical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, BHU, Varanasi, followed by a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Northeastern University and a Master of Science (MS) in Finance from Boston College. Professional Journey Kicking off his career in 1992 at Fidelity Investments,…

On January 22, Ayodhya will witness the Pran Pratishtha or consecration ceremony of the Ram temple, boasting a guest list meticulously curated to include representatives from over 150 communities across the country. Regarded as the second “Ram Mandir Andolan” by the Sangh Parivar, this event aims to unite Hindu society, transcending caste divisions. Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) president Alok Kumar highlights the inclusivity of the guest list, spanning saints from Dalit and tribal communities, individuals from impoverished families who contributed to the temple fund, and those involved in its construction. The extensive list, featuring 4,000 saints and 2,500 eminent persons,…

On January 1, Professor Ved Prakash Nanda, a distinguished Indian American legal scholar, passed away. Renowned for his contributions to literature and education, he had been honored with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in 2018. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed their condolences on his demise. Professor Nanda, serving as a Distinguished University Professor and Thompson G. Marsh Professor of Law at the University of Denver, Colorado, founded the International Legal Studies Program in 1972. The Ved Nanda Center for International and Comparative Law, established in his honor, reflected…

The Shah Happiness Foundation, a non-profit founded by Indian American couple Manu and Rika Shah, is set to establish the Shah Family Endowed Chair in Innovativeness at Chapman University’s George L. Argyros College of Business and Economics. This philanthropic initiative aims to advance research, education, and innovation where low-tech industries intersect with high-tech thinking. The Shah Family Endowed Chair will play a pivotal role in nurturing innovative thinking through a specialized full-semester course titled “Creativity and Innovation — Corporate Entrepreneurship.” Additionally, the endowed chair will actively engage in research and service activities, focusing on applying high-tech thinking to traditionally low-tech…

In the midst of political discourse surrounding the January 22 inauguration of the Ram Temple, Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam expressed that those declining the invitation to the grand event are unfortunate. Responding to comments by Karnataka minister Dasharathaiah Sudhakar, who accused the BJP of exploiting the event for electoral gains, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah affirmed support for the temple, emphasizing their favorable stance. Acharya Pramod criticized the unfortunate politicization of the event, stating that such negativity contradicts the democratic spirit. He highlighted the need for constructive opposition rather than animosity towards Prime Minister Modi. He argued against opposition leaders…

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin – Connecticut Chapter (GOPIO-CT) recently organized an impactful event called ‘College and Beyond’ at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Stamford, Connecticut. Aimed at high school and college students, as well as young professionals, the event, coordinated by GOPIO-CT Board Member Nandu Kuppuswamy, saw full attendance and featured a diverse panel of speakers. The panel, moderated by Kuppuswamy, included professionals from various fields. The goal was to guide high school students through the college admissions process, help with the transition from high school to college, and offer insights into leveraging academic and…

Ayodhya, the temple town, is undergoing elaborate preparations for the impending visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled for December 30. The city is being adorned with a divine ambiance through the use of flowers, lights, and sculptures ahead of the Prime Minister’s inauguration of an international airport and the redeveloped Ayodhya railway station. Notably, the grand consecration ceremony for the Ram Temple is set for January 22, a momentous occasion that the Prime Minister will grace with his presence. In addition to these significant events, four newly redeveloped, widened, and beautified roads in Ayodhya, including the Ram Path, will…

The premium processing fee for H-1B visa applications in the United States, administered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), is set to increase starting February 26, 2024. This adjustment affects several forms, including I-129, I-140, I-539, and I-765, which respectively pertain to various aspects of immigration such as alien worker petitions, non-immigrant status changes or extensions, and employment authorization. Specifically, the premium processing fees for these forms are being raised from US$ 1,500 to US$ 1,685, US$ 1,750 to US$ 1,965, and US$ 2,500 to US$ 2,805. The USCIS justifies this increase, citing a 12 percent rise…

Members of the Sikh American community showed their backing for Ohio’s multicultural education house bill (HB171) during a hearing at the State Capitol in Columbus. HB171, led by Ohio Progressive Asian Women’s Leadership (OPAWL), aims to incorporate information about the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in social sciences curricula, addressing the lack of representation for minority communities, including Sikhs. State Representative Mary Lightbody, the primary sponsor, expressed optimism about integrating diverse Asian community details, including Sikhism, into school curricula. Before the hearing, speakers from organizations like the Sikh Coalition, Ohio Education Association, Ohio Federation of Teachers, Council on Islamic…

Nisha Pahuja’s documentary “To Kill a Tiger” has earned a spot on the Oscars’ Best Documentary Feature Film shortlist, revealed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This Indo-Canadian film, portraying a family’s quest for justice after a sexual assault, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022, securing the Amplify Voices Award for Best Canadian Feature Film. Executive producers include Rupi Kaur, Mindy Kaling, and Dev Patel. Pahuja, based in Toronto, expressed gratitude on Instagram and highlighted the documentary’s portrayal of a painful yet resilient Indian family. The entire narrative unfolds in India, capturing the family’s…