Several Indian-Americans have achieved significant victories in the US midterm elections, with five securing seats in the House of Representatives and Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller winning re-election. The article profiles these successful candidates, highlighting their backgrounds and contributions to American politics.
Indian-American physician Amish Shah has made history by becoming the first from the community to represent Arizona in the US Congress. Shah, a Democrat, defeated Republican Jay Feely in Arizona's First Congressional District, flipping a Republican-held seat. A three-term member of the Arizona House of Representatives, Shah campaigned on issues like lowering costs, expanding healthcare, and solving the water crisis, and his victory is part of a broader trend of Indian-American candidates succeeding in US elections.
Democrat Ranjeev Puri, an Indian-American, has been elected as the Speaker of the Michigan House, marking a historic first for the community. Puri, who previously served as the first Sikh American in the Michigan House, expressed his honour and commitment to working with other state leaders to fulfil election promises. His election is celebrated as a significant step for Indian-American representation in US politics.
Indian-American Democratic lawmakers Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, Suhas Subramanyam, and Pramila Jayapal have been re-elected to the US House of Representatives, with Pia Dandiya making her debut, marking a strong showing by the community in the recent midterm elections where Democrats gained control of both the House and Senate.
Kerala-born Nithya Raman is currently leading incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in the Los Angeles mayoral race following a recent televised debate. The two Democrats sparred over critical issues like homelessness and public safety. If elected in the November 3 polls, Raman would be the first Indian-American Mayor of Los Angeles.
The Samosa Caucus, an informal group of Indian-American lawmakers, is set to expand its presence in the US House of Representatives following the recent elections. With Democrats gaining control of both the House and Senate, re-elected members like Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, Suhas Subramanyam, and Pramila Jayapal will be joined by newcomers Pia Dandiya and Amish Shah, significantly increasing Indian-American representation on Capitol Hill.
Jyot Singh has made history by becoming the first Sikh to be elected to the Georgia House of Representatives. The Yale University alumnus won his election for House District 97 in the November 3 elections, securing 68 per cent of the votes. Singh, a Democrat, highlighted his commitment to diversity and ensuring opportunities for all residents in his vision statement.
Trump seems to have made up his mind that a pliant Pakistan will be more useful than India. We cannot expect a change in Trump's policy towards India in his post midterm poll tenure as America's president, observes Ambassador T N Sreenivasan.
The University of Delhi and semiconductor major AMD have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to train up to 10,000 students and faculty in industry-relevant artificial intelligence skills over the next year. This collaboration will provide access to AMD's AI Engage Developer Programme, including its open-source ROCm AI software platform, learning resources, and developer GPU cloud credits, aiming to foster indigenous AI capabilities and bridge the gap between academia and industry.
The US government has suspended eight major IT firms, including Microsoft, Tata, Infosys, and Wipro, from the Permanent Labour Certification Programme, which allows companies to apply for green cards for foreign workers. This action, announced by Vice President J D Vance, Labour Secretary Keith Sonderling, and Attorney General Todd Blanche, is part of an effort to prevent American workers from being shut out of the job market. The Department of Labour cited abuse of the system, particularly by Microsoft, and also initiated an investigation into the J-1 visa programme used by several universities.
Pope Leo XIV welcomed his alma mater Villanova and rivals Notre Dame at the Vatican, joking about divided college loyalties ahead of their basketball clashes in Rome on Sunday.
Indonesian tennis sensation Janice Tjen returns to Chennai to defend her WTA singles title, reflecting on a demanding season where she learned to manage expectations and bounce back from setbacks. She discusses the increased competition on the WTA Tour, the growing popularity of tennis in Indonesia, and the invaluable lessons learned from playing doubles with Venus Williams. Tjen also credits her parents' strict upbringing and her collegiate pathway for instilling the resilience needed to navigate professional tennis.
Over 100 US lawmakers, led by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, have written to FBI Director Kash Patel demanding an investigation into an attempted mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Illinois as a federal hate crime. They also sought answers on measures to address online threats targeting Indian-Americans, criticising the Trump administration's past messaging for legitimising racial stereotypes.
The US is reportedly considering a USD 100,000 fee for Optional Practical Training (OPT) visas, which allow international students to work in the US after graduation. This move by the Trump administration follows a rejected H1-B visa fee proposal and could significantly impact foreign graduates and tech companies. The Department of Homeland Security is also exploring a USD 100,000 bond for green card applicants.
The American university, once the envy of the world, is in crisis, notes Ajit Balakrishnan in his latest column.
Imagine heading out to get biryani in New York and ending up on one of the world's most prestigious fashion runways. For Bhavitha Mandava, that unlikely detour became the beginning of a career that has taken her from a subway platform to Chanel, British Vogue, and now the coveted Pirelli Calendar.
'...but could demotivate employees seeking US residency.'
Indian educational institutions are adopting physical modifications like "anti-suicide" fans and barriers to prevent student suicides, drawing parallels with measures taken by foreign universities such as Houston, Cornell, Harvard, and NYU. While these measures are seen as "bandaid solutions" by some, experts suggest restricting access to lethal means is a valid part of a comprehensive suicide prevention strategy, alongside crucial mental health support.
The H-1B visa once symbolised the American Dream for Indians, but today's students are increasingly asking whether they need America at all. In 1995, the question was: How do I get to America? In 2026, it may be: Do I need to?
From a nostalgic TV detective to scene-stealing turns in Laapataa Ladies and Mirzapur: The Movie, we look at 10 performances that showcase Ravi Kishan's remarkable range.
India has strongly criticised the US decision to suspend the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) program for eight major IT firms, including Indian giants like TCS and Wipro. New Delhi also condemned US Vice President JD Vance's description of foreign professionals as "indentured servants," calling it "unwarranted and deeply offensive." The move is expected to impact thousands of Indian tech professionals seeking permanent residency in the US and further strains bilateral ties.
An Indian-origin engineer couple, Anuradha and Vikas Sinha, have donated $20 million to the University of North Texas (UNT) to establish the Anuradha and Vikas Sinha College of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics. This significant gift aims to create new opportunities for students and faculty, focusing on building and deploying intelligent systems and understanding their operation within human contexts. The donation underscores the couple's belief in education and immigrant contributions to the American dream, supporting leadership, scholarships, professorships, research, and entrepreneurship.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has stated that the recent suspension of eight IT firms, including itself, from a US green card programme will not impact its workforce strategy or customer engagements, citing its low number of applications and focus on local hiring.
Dr Komal Verma Saluja, a final-year student at Government Medical College Kota (GMCK), has been awarded the "Researcher of the Year Award 2026" by the India chapter of the American College of Physicians (ACP). She is the youngest and first medical student to receive this prestigious accolade. Saluja's research includes identifying an imaging biomarker for early cognitive decline in type 2 diabetes and developing a diagnostic method for fatty liver disease using echocardiography. Her achievements have brought pride to GMCK and highlight the need for more novel diagnostic and therapeutic research in India.
A US-based Hindu advocacy group, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), has issued a community alert for attendees of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's event in New York. The alert advises attendees to avoid confrontation with opposing activists and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement, amidst planned protests by groups like Hindus for Human Rights.
On the 25th anniversary of that world-changing morning in New York, it is also for the rest of to reflect. Not only on those who were killed but also on why the event happened and what led to it and what came after it, asserts Aakar Patel.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has voiced his opposition to the upcoming event at Madison Square Garden where RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is scheduled to address the Indian diaspora. Mamdani, however, noted that the city might lack jurisdiction to cancel the private event, which has also drawn protests from various interfaith and civil rights organisations.
Two-time Olympic gold medallist Shaunae Miller-Uibo has been announced as the International Event Ambassador for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. The Bahamian sprinter, known for her explosive finishes and consistent performance, will visit New Delhi to be part of the event, aiming to inspire runners with her journey of progress and consistency.
Iran's World Cup campaign has left many Iranian-Americans torn between supporting Team Melli and opposing the country's leadership, highlighting deep divisions within Los Angeles' influential Iranian diaspora.
Indian-origin golfers Rayhan Thomas and Mahanth Chirravuri successfully made the cut at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship. Both players are aiming to improve their standings in the Korn Ferry Finals Tour points race to secure full playing rights for the next season and potentially a PGA Tour card.
Alia Bhatt's upcoming cabaret performance in Love & War has sparked renewed interest in Bollywood's classic dance form, prompting a nostalgic look at the legendary actresses who mastered the art.
Scientists are stunned by the discovery of a nine-million-year-old capybara tooth fossil in Chile's Atacama Desert, a region currently devoid of capybaras. This finding not only marks the oldest record of the semi-aquatic rodent in coastal Chile but also significantly challenges the long-standing scientific view that the Atacama Desert has been continuously dry for 40 million years, suggesting a much wetter past.
From Hera Pheri to Krrish and Drishyam, these Bollywood franchises took their sequels in wildly different directions from the films that inspired them.
Adobe has announced Anil Chakravarthy as its new president and CEO, succeeding Shantanu Narayen, who will transition to executive chair. Chakravarthy, an alumnus of Banaras Hindu University and IIT, will assume the role on December 1, leading the company into an AI-driven era.
Afghan forces ended the assault after 10 hours of gunfire.
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended sanctions against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and advised the US government against extending diplomatic courtesies to its leaders. This comes ahead of RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's visit to the US, with USCIRF officials citing allegations of attacks on religious minorities by RSS sub-groups. India has consistently rejected USCIRF's reports as biased and selective.
The US Congress has paid tribute to the late Indian-American entrepreneur Sivaramakrishnan Somasegar, known as 'Soma', for his significant contributions to Microsoft and the broader technology sector. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene highlighted his impactful career at Microsoft, his role in fostering new startups, and his community involvement, including co-founding the Seattle Orcas cricket team.
A US Congress-constituted advisory body on religious freedom, the USCIRF, has urged the Trump administration to revoke the visa issued to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, citing concerns over alleged violent attacks against religious minorities by RSS subgroups.
Sculptor Akash Tirmal explains how he designed the 22 feet idol of Ganesh Galli's MumbaiCha Raja using Plaster of Paris, without any readymade moulds.
'If the intention was simply to replicate what's already been done elsewhere, there was no need for a committee at all -- there's already an Act passed there (in Uttarakhand); just copy it, paste it, and you're done. Why waste everyone's time convening a panel for that?'
