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Photo: @ShabbosK India-West News Desk NEW YORK, NY- A New York taxi driver’s account of helping people in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks has resurfaced on social media, drawing thousands of reactions as the US marks the 25th anniversary of

India-West News Desk SAN RAMON, CA – Three San Ramon high school students have each won $5,000 for their original event ideas in Discover San Ramon’s second annual Event Innovator Competition. Neil Korambeth of California High School, Aditi Ranjan and Chloe Fisher

India-West News Desk WASHINGTON, DC - Two students have been named winners of the India Philanthropy Alliance’s 7th Annual Youth Essay Competition, which asks young writers to examine challenges facing India and develop possible solutions. Aditi Soham, the high school winner, wrote about

India-West News Desk MOUNTAIN HOUSE, CA - The local community here celebrated Krishna Janmashtami with great devotion and enthusiasm, featuring devotional music, traditional rituals, and a series of handcrafted tableaux illustrating key episodes from the life of Lord Krishna. Devotees from Mountain

India-West News Desk TORRANCE, CA - The Sri Panchamukha Hanuman Temple hosted Jai Ho 2026, its fourth annual celebration of India’s Independence Day, bringing the community together for a day of culture, entertainment and fellowship. This year’s celebration was particularly significant as

India-West News Desk COSTA MESA, CA – The South Asian Helpline And Referral Agency (SAHARA) celebrated a remarkable evening of generosity and community at its 35th Annual Gala, held on August 30 at the Hilton Costa Mesa here, where 280 guests gathered in support of the

India-West News Desk WASHINGTON, DC - Anti-South Asian hate rose significantly online between January 2023 and December 2025, with anti-South Asian slurs increasing by 109%, according to a new report by Stop AAPI Hate. The September 2026 report, ‘The State of Anti-South

India-West News Desk PHOENIX, AZ - Sethuraman Panchanathan, Arizona State University’s University Professor of Technology and Innovation and former director of the National Science Foundation, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Arthur M. Bueche Award by the National Academy

India-West News Desk GARLAND, TX – The Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation has raised approximately $222,000 in donations and pledges through a recent fundraising campaign to support its work in rural and tribal communities in Bharat. The funds are expected to

India-West News Desk SANTA CLARA, CA – Santa Clara University will become the new home of the Under-Told Stories Project, the documentary journalism initiative founded by veteran PBS NewsHour correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro. The move comes as de Sam Lazaro takes on

India-West News Desk CHICAGO, IL - Devon Avenue in Little India was a sea of flags, music and energy as the Federation of Indian Associations wrapped up its months-long patriotic celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence while highlighting India-U.S.

India-West News Desk KATHMANDU — Twenty-two U.S. citizens are among an 80-member group associated with the Isha Foundation that remains unaccounted for after flash floods struck near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26. The group, traveling with Isha Sacred Walks, also includes 12 from

Photo: UC Berkeley India-West News Desk WASHINGTON, DC — While international applicant numbers from India plummeted by 15 percent during the 2025–26 admissions cycle, Indian American students surged ahead as one of the fastest-growing domestic applicant demographics in the United States. According to

India-West News Desk FOLSOM, CA - Jag Nagendra, a candidate for Folsom City Council, has been named one of the 2026 Top 60 Change Makers, a regional honor presented by The Sacramento Bee and the Nehemiah Leaders Programs. The recognition highlights Nagendra's

India-West News Desk LAS VEGAS, NV – Las Vegas shimmered in saffron, white, green and navy blue on August 16 as Friends of India, Las Vegas (FOILV) brought together more than 300 people to celebrate India’s 80th Independence Day. Held at the

Photo: @monica.singhsalazar India-West News Desk SANTA CRUZ, CA -A 19-year-old University of California, Santa Cruz student died after a vehicle went off West Cliff Drive and plunged into the ocean near the Steamer Lane surf break early August 13, authorities said. The crash

India-West News Desk LOS ANGELES, CA - A three-part UCLA podcast is telling the story of Mohana Sundari, a Chennai woman who became an auto-rickshaw driver and later helped organize women working in traditionally male-dominated sectors. “Autoqueen Trilogy,” produced by Re:Work at the

GANDHINAGAR-Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, on the seventh day of his US tour, visited the BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in New Jersey on August 23. The Chief Minister was warmly welcomed by BAPS saints at the

Photo: Chitrakutdham Talgajarda Morari Bapu India-West News Desk CAMBRIDGE, MA- Spiritual leader Morari Bapu has on nine-day recital of the Ramcharitmanas at Harvard University here, with the program also featuring scholarly discussions and an observance of Tulsi Jayanti. Titled 'Manas Guru Prasad', the recital began

India-West News Desk LOS ANGELES, CA - Designer and entrepreneur Anijo Mathew took over as dean of the University of Southern California’s Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy on August 1. Mathew joins USC from the Institute of Design at Illinois Institute

India-West News Desk AKRON, OH - Life Gurukula has acquired a former Catholic convent in Akron for $2.21 million as it prepares to establish a Hindu temple and retreat center on the 16-acre property. The Hindu spiritual organization purchased the property at

India-West News Desk DIAMOND BAR, CA – A DEVIS (Desi Vibes in SoCal) Dance-A-Thon brought the South Asian community together in Diamond Bar on August 16 for a morning of movement, wellness and celebration. Led by Sarina Jain, creator of Masala Bhangra,’the

PICTURE CREDIT- Jonathan Conklin Photography India-West News Desk SANTA CLARA, CA – Ravi Bapna, an expert in artificial intelligence, big data analytics and digital transformation, has been named the next dean of Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business. He will assume the

WASHINGTON, DC - Communities across the US marked India’s 80th Independence Day with flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades and cultural programmes in Washington, Chicago, Boston and Seattle. At India House here, Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra praised the diaspora for its contribution to

India-West News Desk WASHINGTON, DC - President Donald Trump honored 16-year-old California lifeguard Ryder Williams at the White House for rescuing 10-year-old Nathaniel Rai from dangerous surf at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz. Nathaniel and his family joined Williams and his

NEW YORK, NY-The family of teenager Romanch Mahajan, who was killed after the horse pulling their carriage bolted in June 2025, has initiated legal proceedings demanding $105 million in compensation from the New York City government. The family claims in a

India-West News Desk LOS ANGELES, CA - The Consulate General of India in Los Angeles commemorated India’s 80th Independence Day with a flag-hoisting ceremony at its newly established premises, bringing together members of the Indian diaspora, Indian citizens and friends of

India-West News Desk SAN JOSE, CA - More than 25,000 people gathered in Downtown San Jose on August 15 for AIA SWADES 2026, which featured an India Day Parade with more than 80 floats and marching groups and participation from over

NEW YORK, NY — New York Governor Kathy Hochul was the political star who led the city's 44th annual India Day Parade on August 16, marching at the head of the celebration as about 200,000 people marched or lined Madison

WASHINGTON, DC- After New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Delaware, several more US states and cities have proclaimed August 15 as India Day, honoring India’s Independence Day and recognizing the Indian American community’s contributions to the country’s economy, culture and civic

India-West News Desk AUGUSTA, GA - Ravi Komaravolu, a research faculty scientist at the Immunology Center of Georgia at Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia, has been invited to serve on the Editorial Board of ‘Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology’, an American

India-West News Desk MILPITAS, CA – The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) marked the United States’ 250th anniversary alongside India’s Independence Day celebrations with a ‘Celebration of Democracy’ on August 2 at FalconX here, bringing together more than

India-West News Desk DOVER, DE - Delaware has become the fourth state to recognize August 15 as ‘India Day,’ as India prepares to celebrate its 80th Independence Day. Governor Matthew Meyer’s proclamation recognizes the contributions of Delaware residents of Indian heritage through

India-West News Desk HOUSTON, TX — Lone Star College CyFair has named a conference room in honor of Ashok and Ishu Wadhwani, recognizing more than two decades of the family’s support for the Lone Star College System. Born in Calcutta, Ishu Wadhwani

India-West News Desk CANTON, MI- Michigan Indian-American Community Services (MICS) honored Padma Shri awardee Stephen Knapp at its annual Indian Heritage Public Speaking Contest, where students presented speeches on India’s history, culture, philosophy and values. The event, held at the India Geeta

India-West News Desk NEW YORK, NY – The states of New York and New Jersey have both proclaimed August 15, 2026, as India Independence Day, recognizing the contributions of Indian Americans and the longstanding relationship between India and the United States

India-West News Desk TORRANCE, CA - Sri Panchamukha Hanuman Temple hosted its second annual Community Health & Wellness Camp on July 25, bringing healthcare professionals, volunteers and community members together for a day focused on health, wellness and community service. More than

India-West News DeskSANTA BARBARA, CA - The body of Vikram Mubayi, a doctoral student at the University of California Santa Barbara, was recovered on August 3 in the Sierra Nevada mountains after he went missing during a hiking trip. Mubayi had

BOSTON, MA - Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has declared August 15 as 'India Day', honoring India’s Independence Day and recognizing the contributions of Indian Americans to the state’s economy, culture and public life. Healey signed the proclamation on August 1, marking

India-West News Desk SAN FRANCISCO, CA - The Golden State Valkyries celebrated South Asian Heritage Night on August 4 at the Chase Center here, highlighting South Asian music, dance and cuisine as the team hosted the Toronto Tempo in a WNBA

WASHINGTON, DC - Maryland Governor Wes Moore credited the Telugu community with helping shape the state's success across several key sectors, highlighting its contributions to technology, healthcare, business, and academia.Addressing the closing session of the 19th convention of the American Telugu Association

India-West News Desk LOS ANGELES, CA -Thousands of devotees and visitors lined the streets of Santa Monica and Venice on August 2 as ISKCON New Dwaraka celebrated the 50th anniversary of its annual Ratha-yatra, marking the Golden Jubilee of one of

India-West News Desk BETHLEHEM, PA – Bethlehem-based ninth-grade student Aryash Shyam has been named the new host of 'Teen Scientist,' the award-winning monthly science program on WDIY 88.1 FM, the Lehigh Valley's NPR member station. Shyam, a student scientist and inventor, will make his

India-West News Desk WASHINGTON, DC – Human trafficking survivor and advocate Harold D’Souza was recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense during its Combating Trafficking in Persons program at the Pentagon on July 30 for his work advancing survivor-informed efforts to

Photos: Socialmedia India-West News Desk OAKLAND, CA – SiliconAndhra marked its 25th anniversary by setting three Guinness World Records during its silver jubilee celebrations at Oakland Arena on August 1, where organizers said, more than 12,000 people gathered to celebrate Telugu language, literature and

India-West News Desk CERRITOS, CA - The Vidya Bharati Foundation of America (VBFA) hosted its 2026 Los Angeles Gala at the Sheraton Cerritos Hotel here on July 26, welcoming more than 300 guests from across Southern California. The sold-out event was

NEW YORK, NY - US Army Staff Sergeant Angel Rampersad, who was killed in the Iran war, was given a hero's farewell at her funeral on August 1, attended by military officials, elected leaders and hundreds of mourners. "My daughter was

WASHINGTON, DC - Radiation oncologist Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori, a 2026 Padma Bhushan awardee, has said HPV vaccination could give India a decisive advantage in its fight against cervical cancer and help eliminate the disease in the coming years. "Now, with the

India-West News Desk ROBBINSVILLE, NJ - Shashank Madala, a rising senior at Robbinsville High School, represented the United States at the 2026 International Economics Olympiad in Shenzhen, China, as one of five students selected to compete on Team USA. The 2026 competition brought

By Anindya Chatterjee COSTA MESA, CA - In September 2025, a group of Bengali families from across Southern Orange County gathered at a high school in Costa Mesa for something new: a Durga Puja celebration built entirely from scratch, by volunteers,