Incredible Indians

On October 9, 2024, India mourned the loss of Sir Ratan Tata, a visionary industrialist and philanthropist whose leadership of the Tata Group made it a powerhouse in the realm of industry and whose life was full of service. He acted as chairman at Tata Sons from 1991 to 2012 and contributed to some of the diversified industries like Tata …

Zakir Hussain Allarakha Qureshi, born on March 9, 1951, was not only a tabla player but an icon who transformed the face of Indian classical music. He is the greatest ever tabla player; indeed, his contributions went far beyond his technical mastery; he was a virtuoso, composer, percussionist, and music producer whose influence resonated globally, crossing cultural boundaries. Born into …

I get asked this question a lot.  I’ll be honest. Neither candidate in my opinion did a great job of addressing immigration so far.  It is obviously a very challenging issue to discuss.  If I were to guess, more of the U.S. likely feels that the Biden-Harris Administration has done a poor job at securing the Southern Border.   At …

By Dr. Mohini Shinde People widely celebrate Rabindranath Tagore, a towering figure in literature and the arts, especially on his birth anniversary on May 7. Born on May 7, 1861, Tagore was not only a seminal figure in Indian culture but also a beacon of intellectual and artistic achievement globally. In 1913, Tagore became the first Asian to receive the …

Renowned billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist, Dr. Kiran Patel, alongside his wife Dr. Pallavi Patel, marked a significant milestone in their commitment to education and healthcare by inaugurating the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM) in Winter Garden, Florida. The launch event coincided with Dr. Kiran Patel’s 75th birthday, underscoring the couple’s dedication to advancing medical education. Dr. Kiran Patel revealed …

In the annals of history, the names of exceptional individuals shine like beacons, illuminating paths of inspiration and hope for generations to come. Dr. Kiran Patel, a renowned cardiologist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, is undeniably one such luminary, whose life story is a testament to the power of resilience, hard work, and unwavering determination. The Early Years and Entrepreneurial Spirit Born …

As Women’s History Month 2024 unfolds, we turn our gaze toward the vibrant tapestry of India, a land where women have shattered ceilings, defied expectations, and left indelible marks throughout history. From ancient times to the present day, Indian women have embodied resilience, creativity, and an unyielding spirit. Their stories are interwoven with India’s rich heritage, serving as a beacon …

Over recent decades, the influence of Indian-Americans in the realm of U.S. politics has surged. We are witnessing the ascendance of a new force, Indian-Americans, taking center stage and showing their potential for leadership roles in US politics. While the community has always played an active role in various sectors, their notable prominence in political scenarios has spiked in recent …

Vidya Krishnan, an Indian American technology and entrepreneurial leader, has been appointed to the National Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of USA (GSUSA) for the 2023–2026 term. The appointment was made during the 56th National Council Session (NCS) in Florida, where several members and office bearers were elected. As a member of the 30-person National Board of Directors, Krishnan …

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi was recognized and honored with the prestigious Ben Franklin Public Policy Award by the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) for his exceptional legislative support and leadership in the United States insurance sector. The award was presented to Krishnamoorthi during NAMIC’s Congressional Contact Program at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. In response, he expressed his gratitude …

Raj Shah, Managing editor of Desh-Videsh Media Group, sat down with Vivek Ramaswamy for a one-on-one interview focusing on issues like Foreign Policy, Immigration, the US-India relationship, and Religious discrimination. Raj Shah: How will President Vivek Ramaswamy’s Foreign policy be different from President Joe Biden’s foreign policy? Vivek Ramaswamy: The backbone of my foreign policy platform as President will be …

The first Indian to win the National Spelling Bee contest was Balu Natarajan in 1985 and the winning word was “milieu”. Here is the list of Indian-American Kids who have won the competition since 2008. 2022 – Winner: Chaitra Thummala; Word: moorhen – an aquatic bird of the rail family that is widespread in the New World, Eurasia, and Africa …

At a regional spelling bee in Orlando, Florida, 15 months ago, Dev Shah was disappointed since he didn’t achieve his goal of being selected for the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Nevertheless, Dev’s perseverance paid off, as he won this year’s National Spelling Bee. Over the previous 24 years, Indian-Americans have dominated the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which is noteworthy. Indian-Americans …

Some people are born to inspire by being a source of motivation and a catalyst for social change. One among them is Krishna Kumari. Born on May 9, 1961, Didi, as she is lovingly called, began her spiritual journey at the tender age of three under the aegis of two of the most prominent Saints of India, Sadhu T. L. …

Nikki Haley is an Indian-American politician, diplomat, and businesswoman who served as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations from 2017 to 2018. She was also the first woman to serve as the governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017. Nimrata Randhawa (her birth name) was born on January 20, 1972, in Bamberg, South Carolina, to Indian Sikh …

AC Charania has made history as the second consecutive Indian-American to become the NASA Chief Technologist. This is a tremendous achievement for Charania and for the Indian-American community, as well as for all of us who are inspired by the possibilities of space exploration. Charania succeeds Bhavya Lal, another Indian-American. Who is AC Charania? AC Charania received bachelor’s and master’s …

AC Charania, an Indian-American aerospace industry expert, has been named NASA’s chief technologist to advise Administrator Bill Nelson on technology strategy and programs. This is a tremendous achievement for Charania and for the Indian community, as well as for all of us who are inspired by the possibilities of space exploration. Who is AC Charania? Before joining NASA, Charania held …

Raj Subramaniam President and CEO of FedEx Has broad background in international leadership, sharp business acumen, and emphasis on globalization Under his direction, FedEx has advanced its digital capabilities and transformed the customer experience In charge of initiatives to lessen the negative effects on the environment, including the usage of electric vehicles, biofuels, and renewable energy sources Has served on …

A successful change of leadership starts with an able and accomplished individual who can assume new responsibilities with proficiency and ease. The Texas Tribune has found an ideal candidate for its new CEO in Sonal Shah, who is highly qualified and suitably experienced to excel in the post. The achievement of Indian-American Sonal Shah makes India proud and is certainly …

  “All Indian lead­ers will be of low cal­i­bre and men of straw. They will have sweet tongues and silly hearts.” In 1931, Winston Churchill, late prime minister of Britain, said these words describing Indians and Indian leaders.  The evil empire of Britain ruled and looted India for decades. The tide has turned and now Britain Prime minister Rishi Sunak, …

Currently, not only in India, but all over the world, millions of people including political leaders from hundreds of countries are getting inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. In this article, however, we will look into how Mahatma Gandhi was inspired. Gandhiji was a people person. He met hundreds of people every day. He was also a very avid reader. Therefore, it …

It is indeed a great honor for Kishan Tallapally to be nominated as a member of the Johns Creek City Arts, Culture and Entertainment (ACE) Committee. The city of Johns Creek has the unique feature of cultural diversity. The residents of the city represent various ethos and values and live a united life of peace and harmony in the city. …

Crossing five decades of life does not mean becoming old; it means adding to one’s wisdom, experience, and achievements in life. Forbes “50 over 50” awards are given as a salutation to the accomplishments of 50+ women in various categories, including Lifestyle, Impact, Entrepreneurs, and Money. This year, seven Indian American women have made it to this list. They are …

A prodigy with music in his genes, A.R. Rahman is an exceptional talent who has made Indian music rich and versatile. He successfully integrated Indian classical music with Western classical music and western instruments to create tunes that were unique and never heard before. His music creates an everlasting impression on the minds of the audience — the magic that …

“Working as the Deputy Assistant to the former US President Barack Obama, Sonal formed the White House’s Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation.” Sonal Shah can truly be called a “Woman of Substance.” Apart from being a top-grade academician, Shah is a successful entrepreneur, innovator, and philanthropist from the core of her heart. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. …

Did you know there is an unusual school in an unusual place run by an unusual teacher? Rajesh Kumar is a shopkeeper by profession but spends hours every morning teaching around 80 children from the poorest of the poor in India’s capital, New Delhi. The 43 year old visited the construction of the Delhi transit station a few years ago …

Vivekmurtidas Swami, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha The COVID-19 Pandemic will forever be remembered as a period of isolation, distancing, and change. Along with our longing to get back to “normal,” we hoped for peace and normalcy around the world. Unfortunately, peace continues to evade many parts of the world. Daily headlines are peppered with numerous instances of interpersonal, community-related and mass-scale …

By Sanjay Chandran Violinists from India are known for fiddling with their fiddles. As early as the 1930s, the legendary Carnatic (South Indian classical genre) musician T. Chowdiah had added an extra string to his violin. Over the years, it was rumored that it may have even included two more strings. However, it is debatable whether this modification enhanced Chowdiah’s …

The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian awards conferred by the Government of India to persons of exceptional and extraordinary quality, honoring their distinguished contributions in their fields of expertise. The names of awardees are announced on Republic Day (January 26) each year. The awards are given by the President of India at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in a …

Every year, on the eve of Republic Day, the president of India delivers an annual speech which often calls for collective introspection. The speeches seek to remind Indians not only about how far the country has come since its inception, but also how far we must go in the pursuit of the core ideals that the makers of our Constitution …

Dr. Ravi P. Bhatia  Mahatma Gandhi, one of the greatest proponents of peace and nonviolence, was shot dead by a Hindu bigot on January 30, 1948. How could this have happened has been debated and explained by scholars and the courts, which pronounced death sentences on the murderer. Many, in mourning, favored the execution. But for pacifists, the decision—rather than …

A CMO or Chief Marketing Officer is the anchor of any company because it is the CMO who describes its marketing strategies – playing a pivotal role in making people aware of the brand. Precisely, a CMO is the leader who heads the promotional aspect of a company and whose job it is to create a lasting impression in the …

India has been the pioneer nation in respecting, celebrating, and upholding the power and supremacy of women. Naari (women) have always been a source of shakti (power) in the Indian tradition. That power has been well represented by numerous Indian American women (five of whom we’ll celebrate here) throughout our history. The significant achievements and success stories of these dominant, …

‘Shree’ means ‘Goddess Lakshmi’, the embodiment of wealth and prosperity. Shree also means ‘beauty’, ‘grace’, ‘power’, ‘brilliance’, and ‘dignity’. Shree Saini, the first Indian-American to become Miss World America, stands for the qualities depicted in the name ‘Shree’. Along with all these qualities, she possesses the outstanding and indomitable spirit of a fighter who never gives up; a fighter who …

There is no doubt that Indian Americans  represent a segment of the United States population who make mammoth contributions across a variety of fields, whether in business, politics, entertainment, and many others. In a recent conversation with NASA scientists after the historic landing of the rover Perseverance on Mars, even the President of the United States of America, Joe Biden …

Last month, the world celebrated Women’s History Month by recognizing remarkable women across all fields. In India’s own history, there are 15 women who are seldom discussed, despite being the most progressive, powerful thought leaders of their time. Without the contribution of these Indian women, the Indian constitution may not have been inclusive and would have looked much different. With …

A culture that worships goddesses produces strong women. – Shyamala Gopalan The very sound of the word Kamala, another name for the goddess Laxmi, throned on a lotus flower, reminds us of nothing but India and Indian heritage. And Kamala Devi Harris particularly accentuated this throughout her career even in her recent election campaigns. It is always her pride to …

By Professor John Charles Wooding January 30, Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary, is marked as Martyr’s Day. Gandhi ji gave Indians the vision, courage and confidence that they were as good if not better than the Britishers and showed that they can defeat the greatest power of the world through non-violence and non-cooperation. In this issue we will be covering a …

Indian American Sundar Pichai, who first began his career as a materials engineer and is now the CEO of both Google, Inc. and its holding company, Alphabet Inc., earned a place on TIME magazine’s list of 100 Most Influential People of 2020. Pichai was born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, and grew up in Ashok Nagar, Chennai, with his family. He …

By Sandeep Balakrishna and Raj Shah In our own time, perhaps the greatest embodiment of this Asuric or demonic trait is the person of the 89-year-old George Soros who is commonly described as a philanthropist. We fail to understand the meaning of the word “philanthropy” when it’s applied to a wealthy person who arrogates to himself the right to destabilize …

TIME magazine released its list of 100 Most Influential People of 2020 which features pioneers, celebrities, musicians, artists, leaders and titans who have helped in their own ways to shape the world through their influence. Some of these notable figures include physician Dr. Anthony Fauci, NASA Astronaut Christinia Koch, and tennis player Naomi Osaka. Five Indians and Indian Americans also …

By Raj Shah, Managing Editor, Desh-Videsh History was made at Rashtrapati Bhawan on the evening of May 26, 2014, as Narendra Modi took oath as the Prime Minister of India after a historic mandate from the people of India. In Narendra Modi, the people of India see a dynamic, decisive and development-oriented leader who has emerged as a ray of …

By Raj Shah, Managing Editor, Desh-Videsh In less than two weeks, Desh Videsh Media Group and Florida Fine arts came together to create a music series to alleviate some of anxiety and stress caused by the COVID-19 shutdown. Sa Ni Dha Pa Live – Sur Sangam in Your Living room, a web-based music series, is a true community project, and …

Since 1993, Desh-Videsh Media Group has always pledged to serve our growing community. With our mission in mind and in collaboration with businesses and leaders from our community, we are excited to bring you our newest project – Desh-Videsh Live. Desh-Videsh Live presents viewers with a series of informative videos and webinars that you can watch from the comfort of …

By Raj Shah, Managing Editor, Desh-Videsh Carnatic Edition Janani Nagaraj, Violin and Vocal Semi-Classical/Ghazal Janani Nagaraj, Sophomore, has been classically trained in violin, vocal and dance since the age of 5. She has been learning violin from Shri. Sanjay Chandran. For her first three years of Carnatic vocal, she was trained by her mother Smt. Priya Nagaraj. From the age of …

By Raj Shah, Managing Editor, Desh-Videsh The COVID-19 pandemic has created a time of unprecedented uncertainty and anxiety for many. The lockdown has caused many of us to feel isolated and at a loss for ways to spend the time. To alleviate some of these pressures, Desh-Videsh Media Group and Florida Fine Arts have come together and launched a community …

From Vedic Sanskrit poems in the ancient Vedas crafted over 10,000 years ago to Hindi and English verses by Indian poets in modern times, poetry has found a special spot in the literary world. India has been the birthplace of some of the most versatile and talented poets and writers. Be it ancient poet Ved Vyas, Nobel prize winner Rabindranath …

It was my pleasure to interview Sanjay Chandran, who is modest, soft spoken, and exceptionally talented in music as well as in his professional career.  He is among eleven young alumni who received the Penn State Alumni Association’s Alumni Achievement Award in 2006. Chandran is currently the chief executive Allianz Medical, Inc. He is also currently serving as a member …

As India celebrated its 71st Republic Day on January 26, 2020, with the usual ceremony, splendid display and glory, the country also honored Indians who have made excellent contributions in a variety of fields and made the nation proud. It is that time of the year, when India’s Republic Day celebration is accompanied by the much-awaited announcement of the names …

We’ve all heard the phrase ‘practice what you preach’, right? Well, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems to be following it quite diligently as well, especially when it comes to his Swachh Bharat Abhiyan aka Clean India Campaign. Just before the second round of informal summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, PM Modi was plogging at a beach in Mamallapuram, …

Compiled by Doug McGetchin, Associate Professor of History, Florida Atlantic University In the 2019 summer session at Florida Atlantic University, the class “Gandhi and Global Nonviolence” explored the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi under the direction of history professor Doug McGetchin. Gandhi’s life, especially his leadership in the Indian independence movement, was the main focus of the course, but …

On September 28, India’s veteran singer Lata Mangeshkar turned 90. The singer, who is known as India’s Nightingale, was showered with wishes, love and blessings from all over the world. Fondly known as Didi, Lata Mangeshkar has sung not only in Hindi, but also in over 36 regional Indian languages. She has been awarded with the Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, …

He is Bollywood’s true Shahenshah. Acclaimed French director Francois Truffaut has called him a “one-man industry.” The Government of India awarded him with the Padma Shri (1984), Padma Bhushan (2001), and Padma Vibhushan (2015). The Government of France awarded him with its highest civilian honor, Knight of the Legion of Honor. He has been awarded multiple honorary doctorate degrees by …

Shovana Narayan and Anita Dua, co-authors of Illuminating Indian Classical Dances Through Yoga, spoke about their new book at the India International Centre in New Delhi, India. The book launch was hosted by Shyam Jaju, National Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Pavan K Varma, a former diplomat, author, and politician. Leading Kathak expert, former bureaucrat, and …

India’s heartthrob batsman Virat Kohli created history by scoring the fastest 11,000 ODI runs in the cricket world, beating Sachin Tendulkar’s world record of 11,000 runs in 276 innings. Kohli achieved this hit-mark in less than 11 years of his ODI debut, beating Tendulkar’s record of more than 12 years to reach the same. Kohli’s record 11,000 runs came in …

Rishik Gandhasri School Name: Chaboya Middle School City/State: San Jose, CA Grade: 7 Age: 13 Accomplishments: Rishik has played 3 different instruments, but his favorite one is the saxophone. He is an active participant in his school band. Sponsering Organization: Bay Area Regional Spelling Bee Bio: My favorite subjects are math, science, reading and STEAM. I love building LEGOs and …

By Doug McGetchin, Associate Professor of History, Florida Atlantic University As promised earlier this year, in honor of the 150th birth anniversary of our beloved Father of Nation and my mentor, Mahatma Gandhi ji, we will feature one article about him in every issue. Given this month is the Education issue, it is only fitting we discuss Gandhi’s greatest guru …

Do you know what the common link is for these individuals – Rohan Raja, Karthik Nemmani, Ananya Vinay, Jairam Hathwar, Gokul Venkatachalam, and Sukanya Roy? All are names of Indian-origin, but there is an even greater commonality. Each of these are young students who have won the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee competition over the years. All Photos Credit to …

If you are a student age 21 or younger, we want to hear from you! To submit a poem for inclusion in the next issue, please email us at editor@deshvidesh.com. – This month’s poems are by Vanaja Raju School Friends Friends make it fun for everyone to get their schoolwork done. They talk and talk and walk and walk, they …

Gandhi at 150: Symposium and Celebration in South Florida Florida Atlantic University‘s Peace…