Of the eleven finalists in the 95th Scripps National Spelling Bee, ten are of Indian origin By Geeta Goindi National Harbor, Maryland, June 2, 2023 – In one of the most widely viewed and eagerly awaited competitions, an Indian-American whizkid, Dev Shah, 14, of Largo, Florida, has been crowned champion of the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee. The contest Thursday marked another triumph for the Indian diaspora — the Spelling Bee has been dominated by children of Indian heritage who have earned the coveted championship trophy in 22 of the past 24 years. In the current edition, they constituted ..read more

Following Senate confirmation, Dr. Arati Prabhakar will be the first Indian-American, the first woman and person of color to head the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) By Geeta Goindi Washington, DC, June 23, 2022 – President Joe Biden has nominated Indian-American engineer and applied physicist Dr. Arati Prabhakar to head the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). When confirmed by the Senate to this important cabinet post, she will serve as the president’s chief adviser on science and technology.  It is an historic nomination! Prabhakar will be the firs ..read more

Noting that people-to-people ties are at the core of the India-US relationship, Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu said, “We are committed to strengthening this vital linkage and yoga is an important medium”. By Geeta Goindi Washington, DC, June 19, 2022 – Ahead of the eighth International Day of Yoga, the Indian Embassy in Washington, together with Friends of Yoga, organized an inspiring event in the heart of the nation’s capital celebrating an ancient Indian discipline, now a way of life for many around the globe. Under a pristine blue sky on a morning which felt more like early Spring than mi ..read more

White House calls India “an incredibly important partner”; World’s largest and oldest democracies are “natural partners”, says Modi By Geeta Goindi Washington, DC, April 12, 2022 – President Joe Biden began his official engagements this week with a virtual summit which he held with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deepen US-India ties. The “candid” conversation between the two leaders was clearly dominated by the “worrying” situation in Ukraine. In his opening remarks at the summit, the president welcomed India’s efforts to send humanitarian aid which has included shipments of much-needed medic ..read more

The Fellowship “represents an investment in the leaders, innovators, and pioneers of tomorrow”, says President Joe Biden By Geeta Goindi Washington, DC, September 27, 2021 – President Joe Biden has unveiled an inspiring initiative that will enable 100 students from the Quad nations, including India, to pursue advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at leading universities in the United States. The president convened the first in-person meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) at the White House Friday, bringing together Indian Prime Minister Na ..read more

“I know from personal experience and from my family of the commitment of the Indian people to democracy and to freedom”, says Vice President Harris By Geeta Goindi Washington, DC, September 24, 2021 – Vice President Kamala Harris welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the White House complex, Thursday, a day ahead of his bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden and the Quad Leaders Summit. The event included a photo-op of Harris and Modi exchanging pleasantries and delivering remarks before their bilateral meeting in the vice president’s ornate ceremonial office located in the Eisenhower E ..read more