Unveiling The Meteoric Rise Of Indian Americans

Indian Genius: The Meteoric Rise of Indians in America by Meenakshi Ahamed, Harper Collins, 346 pages, $40

Meenakshi Ahamed’s book, Indian Genius: The Meteoric Rise of Indians in America, set to be published on March 4, explores the remarkable transformation of Indian Americans and their influence on industries and popular culture. The 346-page book delves into how this community has achieved unprecedented success in just one generation, surpassing other immigrant groups.

Ahamed’s narrative highlights the extraordinary impact of Indian Americans in technology, medicine, and public policy, showcasing luminaries such as Satya Nadella, Shantanu Narayen, Vinod Khosla, Chandrika Tandon and Deepak Chopra. The book provides fresh insights into the cultural values, educational foundations, and personal traits that have propelled these individuals to success.

The book is divided into three sections: The Techies, The Healers, and The Influencers. It features the stories of innovators from India who made their mark in Silicon Valley, starting with Kanwal Rekhi and Suhas Patil. But surprisingly there is no Sundar Pichai.

In the field of medicine, the book profiles individuals like Siddhartha Mukherjee and Vivek Murthy. Additionally, the narrative highlights figures like Fareed Zakaria, Neal Katyal and Nikki Haley, who are increasingly shaping public policy but there is no Usha Vance or Kamala Harris.

Indian Americans have achieved significant success in terms of economic and educational outcomes. The median household income of Indian Americans is $100,000 higher than the general U.S. population, and 72% of them are college graduates, far surpassing national averages.

A seasoned journalist and the author of A Matter of Trust: India–U.S. Relations from Truman to Trump, Ahamed brings decades of experience, having contributed to The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic.

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