Community

Photo: HungerMitao India-West Staff Reporter DALLAS, TX - HungerMitao, the Texas-based community service organization, has received a major boost in its fight against hunger with a one million–meal donation from Twisted X Global Brands, the company behind popular footwear lines. The contribution comes

India-West Staff Reporter LONG BEACH, CA — What began as a simple call of help turned into a remarkable display of community unity and compassion. When Dr. Manorama Gupta, President of the Global Peace Foundation organized a drive to collect gently used

India-West Staff Reporter MILPITAS, CA – Over 200 people gathered at the India Community Center here, on November 30, to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadurji, the ninth Sikh Guru who sacrificed his life in 1675 to

India-West Staff Reporter MEMPHIS, TN - Memphis will host the first Global Integrative Medicine Congress from May 8 to 10,2026, positioning the city as a center for emerging ideas in preventive health, lifestyle medicine, and mind–body science. The three-day gathering, organized by

India-West Staff Reporter UNION CITY, CA — Joel Regis, a 10-year-old athlete and 5th grader at Tom Kitayama Elementary School, earned two All American honors at the USATF National Junior Olympic Championships in Savannah, Georgia. Competing for Mission Valley Track and Field,

MUMBAI -India will begin their T20 World Cup title defense on February 7, 2026, against the USA in Mumbai as the ICC unveiled the full schedule for the tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The tenth edition of the competition

India-West Staff Reporter TUSTIN, CA - GOPIO International officially relaunched its Orange County chapter in Southern California at  a well-attended event that drew over 50  guests on November 16 at India Gate Restaurant, here. The gathering was hosted by incoming chapter chairman

India-West Staff Reporter LOS ANGELES, CA - The India Association of Los Angeles has elected a new leadership team for 2025 to 2026, choosing longtime volunteer Falguniba Zala as its next president. The unanimous vote on November 12 also confirmed a

India-West Staff Reporter REDLANDS, CA — On the afternoon of November 15, members of the Indian American community here, gathered at the Whitmer Auditorium at Colton High School to celebrate the festival of Diwali in a lively cultural show that blended

India-West News Desk SAUGUS, MA - The world of fast food is known for its constant motion, a whirlwind of orders and quick employee shifts. Yet, for Balbir Singh, one man has provided an anchor of extraordinary consistency.  An immigrant who came

PICTURE CREDIT-global.lehigh.edu India-West Staff Reporter BETHLEHEM, PA- India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, outlined key priorities shaping the India–U.S. partnership during a visit to Lehigh University, where he emphasized education, technology, and trust as central drivers of bilateral cooperation. More

PICTURE CREDIT UCSD.EDU India-West Staff Reporter LA JOLLA, CA—The University of California, San Diego has named Dr. Rohit Loomba as the first holder of the John C. Martin Endowed Chair in Liver Disease. The chair was established by a gift from the John

Photo: Manu and Rika Shah, who donated $250,000, explained the methodical manner of charity they use for their foundation. By Angad Nehru YORBA LINDA, CA – The Southern California chapter of Pratham USA marked its 30th anniversary on November 9 with a

India-West Staff Reporter LOS ANGELES -The UCLA Center for India and South Asia (CISA) has announced its Call for Papers for the Tenth Annual Graduate Interdisciplinary Conference on South Asia. The one-day event is scheduled for  May 22, 2026. This conference aims to create an

India-West Staff Reporter NEW YORK, NY- Child Rights and You America (CRY America),  wrapped up its annual CRY Walk 2025 series across the US. The series provides a vital opportunity for community members to support children who are denied basic rights and opportunities to

India-West Staff Reporter CERRITOS, CA – The Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts here was filled to capacity as the local community came together on October 19 to welcome Dr. K J Srinivasa, the first Consul General of the newly established

Photo: SABA-OC executive officers stand with several judicial officers in attendance, reflecting the strong support from Orange County’s bench for the new chapter’s mission of mentorship, representation, and community impact. By Angad Nehru IRVINE, CA  – Over a hundred attorneys, judges, law

India-West Staff Reporter CHINO HILLS, CA - BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir here in Southern California hosted 'Sangam', a major interfaith and multicultural Diwali celebration, aimed at fostering unity and cultural harmony. The gathering drew a diverse group of attendees, including diplomats, faith

CHICAGO, IL - Indian Americans are bridging continents and changing lives in rural India through the Ek Kadam Aur Foundation (EKA), a nonprofit registered in both the United States and India. The organization’s flagship initiative, ‘Arunodaya’ which is Sanskrit for ‘Sunrise,’

India-West Staff Reporter NEWPORT BEACH, CA – The Bihar Jharkhand Bandhu Association (BJBA) hosted the Chhath Puja Mahaparv on October 27 and 28, transforming the tranquil waters of the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort into a site of spiritual devotion. Devotees from

India-West News Desk AUSTIN, TX - A 23-year-old student from Andhra Pradesh, Rajyalakshmi (Raji) Yarlagadda, who had recently graduated from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, was found dead in her sleep on November 7. Her sudden passing has left her family and

India-West Staff Reporter  ARTESIA, CA- To observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the South Asian Network (SAN) organized a march here, along the city’s Pioneer Boulevard. The demonstration gathered survivors, families, youth, and leaders to "make awaz" and break the silence surrounding domestic violence. Dozens of marchers, clad

India-West Staff Reporter BUENA PARK, CA - Kusumben Hark Vasa, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully on October 29. She lived a life full of love, laughter, and joy, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and dedication,

India-West Staff Reporter NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) has sharply criticized Rutgers University for hosting a panel titled ‘Hindutva in America: A Threat to Equality and Religious Pluralism,’ calling the discussion one-sided and dismissive

India-West Staff Reporter SAN FRANCISCO, CA — More than 170 leaders in US-India philanthropy gathered on October 28 for the Philanthropy Summit organized by Indiaspora and the India Philanthropy Alliance (IPA), celebrating the rapid rise of Indian American giving and setting

Photos: Subhadra Photographay By BHARTTI KUMAR IRVINE, CA - The 11th annual Diwali Fest at the Great Park amphitheater on October 5 drew, by some estimates, nearly 8,000 attendees for a day-long celebration of art, tradition, and community. What began in 2014 as

EDISON, NJ – Community members gathered at Papaianni Park here, to celebrate Chhath Mahaparv with devotion and reverence, honoring the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya through traditional rituals and offerings. Organized by the Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA), the annual celebration brought together

India-West Staff Reporter NORWALK, CA - Gujaratis of North America (GONA), in collaboration with Love Sports, hosted a ‘Gujarati Unity’ Festival Diwali celebration on October 26 at the Sanatan Dharma Temple, bringing together the vibrant Gujarati community for an evening of

NEW YORK- A group of members of US Congress has expressed concern that an event at a university here could "fuel further prejudice" against Hindus at a time when Hindu temples have been targets of violence. In a letter addressed to

NEW YORK, NY – Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of the worldwide BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, was honored with the distinguished Achievement in Building Better Communities award at the Forum on Faith 2025 in New York City. A statement from the spiritual

IVINS, UT- Sahith Theegala, who shot 68-67 on the first two days, was unable to maintain his momentum, carding a one-under 70 in the third round of the Bank of Utah Championship and slid down the standings. Competing at the scenic Black Desert Resort Golf

India-West Staff Reporter ELK GROVE, CA — The City of Elk Grove came alive with light and celebration on October 13, as hundreds gathered at District 56 for the 6th annual Diwali Festival. Hosted by USA Sanatan in partnership with the

Photo: Andria Xu (Left), Nandika Nambiar (Right) India-West Staff Reporter SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Raju Agarwal’s first visit to a school in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert left a lasting impression. He saw students struggling to speak English and realized that access to quality

India-West Staff Reporter DALLAS, TX - In a suburban Texas food bank, volunteers of all ages move quickly along long tables, packing boxes of rice, beans, and fresh produce. Among them are members of the Indian American community, united under the

India-West News Desk MORRISVILLE, NC — The Morrisville Police Department said illegal fireworks set off at Church Street Park following Diwali on October 21 damaged the park’s cricket field and left a significant amount of litter, creating safety risks for visitors

India-West Staff Reporter SUNY Old Westbury Assistant Professor Renu Balyan has been named to the State University of New York’s inaugural class of AI for the Public Good Fellows, recognizing her extensive research in deep learning and computational tools alongside 19

PICTURE CREDIT-Brotman Baty Institute India-West Staff Reporter SEATTLE, WA - Dr. Jay A. Shendure, professor of genome sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine, one of 100 new members

India-West Staff Reporter ATLANTA, GA – Atlanta City Hall glowed with the lights of Diwali as Mayor Andre Dickens joined the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) for the third annual celebration of the festival of lights on October 20. The

Photo: J'adore Andy India-West Staff Reporter NEW YORK, NY – More than 400 supporters gathered at HK Hall on October 16 for the 12th annual ‘Diwali on the Hudson,’ New York City’s long-running Diwali charity event hosted by The Desai Foundation. The evening

India-West Staff Reporter OCEANSIDE, CA – MiraCosta College recently honored retiring Superintendent and President Dr. Sunita “Sunny” Cooke at its annual Community Leaders Breakfast, celebrating her transformative 11-year tenure and the college’s “Built to Adapt” future. The event drew more than

India-West Staff Reporter LOS ANGELES, CA -  Los Angeles City Hall hosted an event for members of the Indian diaspora and the Consulate General of India on Diwali. The celebration featured the lighting of traditional lamps, music and dance performances, and the

India-West Staff Reporter BOSTON, MA -  The India Society of Worcester (ISW), one of New England’s largest community organizations, brought Diwali festivities to the heart of Boston with a grand celebration at Faneuil Hall Marketplace. The vibrant event drew hundreds of

PICTURE CREDIT-India in USA (Consulate General of India, Houston) Facebook India-West Staff Reporter HOUSTON, TX — The Consulate General of India and the City of Houston marked Diwali 2025 with a celebration at City Hall, bringing together elected officials, members of the Consular Corps, and the

India-West Staff Reporter MILPITAS, CA – The Bay Area Telugu Association (BATA) celebrated the festival of lights, Deepavali, with community spirit. The celebration brought together hundreds of Telugu families from across the Bay Area for an evening of cultural performances, music,

Photo: Youth were recognized at the gala for embodying the spirit of compassion. By Komal Agrawal LONG BEACH, CA — The ballroom of the Hyatt Regency in Long Beach shimmered with purpose as more than 250 guests gathered for the Akshaya Patra

Photo: P. Taufiq Photography India-West Staff Reporter LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL – Over 500 dancers from around the world came together at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom for the third annual Diwali Dance Fest, produced by Jashn Productions and led by Jeanie Beri. For the first time,

NEW YORK, NY - A stretch of a road in New York has been renamed Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Marg honoring the ninth Sikh guru’s legacy. Councilwoman Lynn Schulman, who moved the city resolution for the reaming said it recognizes “the 9th Sikh Guru’s legacy of sacrifice,

By Fatema Baldliwala ENCINO, CA — The spirit of Diwali shone brightly at the Encino Community Center this year, as the Valley Indian Senior Association (VISA) brought together generations of Indian Americans to celebrate the Festival of Lights with warmth, gratitude,

India-West Staff Reporter PHILADELPHIA, PA — The American Association of Veterinarians of Indian Origin (AAVIO) hosted its Northeast Chapter meeting on October 12, bringing together veterinary professionals to explore emerging market trends, innovations, and best practices in the field. Kim Hutchinson of

India-West Staff Reporter DANVILLE, CA – As October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, 17-year-old Vaishnav Anand, a student at The Athenian School, is working to  turning awareness into action through pioneering research in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. On October 11, he presented his