Indian American Ashok Baddi Launches Michigan House Campaign Challenge

Washington— Indian American community leader Ashok Baddi has officially announced his bid for the Michigan House of Representatives from District 56, vowing to bring practical, people-first leadership to the diverse suburbs north of Detroit. The Hyderabad-born immigrant, who arrived in the United States in 2005 with his wife, a pediatric nephrologist, is challenging Democratic incumbent Sharon MacDonell in a race that reflects shifting demographics and political priorities in Michigan's booming Indian American community.

Indian-American Man Sues Over Wrongful Walmart Arrest

Kennesaw, Georgia — Mahendra "Mick" Patel, a 57-year-old Indian-American man, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Cobb County law enforcement and prosecutors alleging they wrongfully charged him with attempted kidnapping and jailed him for 47 days despite evidence of his innocence. The lawsuit, filed on February 9, 2026, stems from a March 2025 incident at an Acworth Walmart where Patel was accused of trying to snatch a young child from his mother, Caroline Miller, an allegation he has consistently denied.

Cockroaches and Expired Meat: Major Health Violations at Metro Atlanta Biryani Point

Clarkston—Health inspectors uncovered alarming violations at Biryani Point, an Indian restaurant on Market Street, during a December 2025 inspection. The investigation documented multiple live cockroaches crawling across the main kitchen floor and expired meat stored improperly.

Indian Americans Unite Against Rising Hate Incidents Nationwide

Stamford, Connecticut — The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) has launched a dedicated task force to document and combat rising hate campaigns and civil rights violations targeting Indian Americans across the United States. Formed in response to increasing anti-Indian and anti-Hindu sentiment, the initiative represents a coordinated civic response grounded in constitutional values and democratic principles rather than confrontation.

Indian Americans Celebrate New AIA Leadership | Nilima Madan

Hicksville, New York — The Association of Indians in America (AIA) marked a significant leadership transition on February 7, 2026, when National President Nilima Madan and her newly elected National Executive Committee took their oaths at a grand inaugural ceremony. Despite challenging winter weather, the event drew hundreds of participants both in person and via virtual participation from across the United States, reflecting the organization's national reach and community strength.

Anita Dongre Beverly Hills Store: Indian Fashion Designer Makes History

Beverly Hills — Indian fashion designer Anita Dongre has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first Indian designer to open a flagship store in Beverly Hills. The grand opening celebration on Wilshire Boulevard marked her 13th store worldwide and represents her most ambitious U.S. expansion since launching her Soho flagship in 2018, attracting celebrities like Mindy Kaling, Poorna Jagannathan, Jay Shetty, and Yvonne Orji.

Texas City Council Meeting Erupts Over Growing Indian-American Population

Frisco, Texas — A routine city council meeting on February 3, 2026, erupted into a heated clash when residents challenged the growing Indian-American population and accused city leaders of favoring one community. The heated exchange between right-wing activists and Indian-origin citizens exposed deep divisions over immigration policy, demographic change, and political influence in this fast-growing North Texas suburb.

Indian American Couple Gifts Record $4M to BITS Pilani Scholarships

Pilani, Rajasthan — In a historic gesture of gratitude and philanthropy, Indian American couple Chand P. Garg and his wife Manju Garg have donated USD 4 million to BITS Pilani, marking the largest individual contribution ever made by alumni to the institution.

AI Isn't Magic—Here's What Cognizant Found Instead

Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar has outlined an ambitious strategy for 2026, positioning the $21 billion IT services firm as the bridge between massive AI infrastructure investments and actual business value that enterprises are still struggling to realize.

Boston's Telugu Community Celebrates Major Milestone

Boston, Massachusetts: The Telugu Association of Greater Boston (TAGB) has marked its 2025-26 term with record-breaking achievements that underscore the organization's growing influence within the diaspora community. Under the leadership of President Srinivas Gondi, the 42-year-old cultural organization has shattered historical milestones, drawing unprecedented organizational and community support.

Uber Appoints H-1B Visa Holder as New CFO

San Francisco—Uber has appointed Balaji Krishnamurthy, 41, as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective February 16, 2026. The Indian-origin executive, who joined the company in 2019, replaces Prashanth Mahendra-Rajah, who is stepping down after nearly three years.

Shashi Tharoor's Son Fired as Washington Post Cuts 300 Jobs

Washington, D.C.— The Washington Post has announced one of the most sweeping workforce reductions in its nearly 150-year history, laying off roughly one-third of its 800-person newsroom. Among those let go is Ishaan Tharoor, senior international affairs columnist and son of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who had spent nearly 12 years at the publication.

First Hindi Language Tool For Grief Diagnosis Released

New York — Researchers at the City University of New York (CUNY) and Weill Cornell Medicine have successfully developed and validated the first Hindi-language tool for diagnosing Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD), a significant breakthrough for Hindi-speaking communities in the United States.

From 2006 to 2026: How GOPIO-CT Built Connecticut's Strongest Desi Network

Stamford, Connecticut — The Connecticut Chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT) officially launched its 20th anniversary celebrations this month, marking two decades of community service and cultural pride since its 2006 founding. The organization held a planning meeting on January 24, 2026, followed by a Republic Day celebration that honored India's democratic heritage and outlined ambitious plans for recognizing outstanding community members.

Rape Convict Loses American Citizenship in New Case

Washington, D.C.—The U.S. Justice Department has launched legal proceedings to revoke the citizenship of Gurmeet Singh, an Indian-origin man who obtained naturalized citizenship in 2011 while concealing serious violent crimes from immigration authorities. Singh was later convicted of rape in the first degree and kidnapping in the second degree, prompting federal officials to pursue denaturalization on five independent legal grounds.

America's Drug Problem: Why India Controls Our Medicines

Washington, D.C.— U.S. lawmakers are intensifying scrutiny over America's heavy reliance on Indian pharmaceutical exports, with bipartisan efforts emerging to strengthen drug safety oversight and incentivize domestic manufacturing. The debate centers on critical vulnerabilities in the nation's medicine supply chain, where nearly 40-50% of generic drugs consumed by Americans originate from Indian manufacturers, raising alarm bells about quality control and regulatory compliance.

22-Year-Old Indian National Indicted for Running Border Smuggling Racket

New York— A 22-year-old Indian national has been indicted for running an illegal human smuggling operation that transported Indian nationals from Canada into the United States across the northern border. Shivam Lnu directed the smuggling racket from January through June 2025, using multiple drivers, vehicles, and WhatsApp messaging to coordinate the illegal transport of migrants into Clinton County, New York.

India Offers 21-Year Tax-Free Zone for Tech Giants

New Delhi— India announced a landmark 21-year tax holiday on Sunday for foreign companies operating data centres in the country, aiming to attract global tech giants and secure its position in the booming artificial intelligence infrastructure race.

Jaishankar Heads to US Amid Trade Crisis

New Delhi— External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar departed on Monday for a three-day diplomatic mission to the United States, where he will participate in a Washington-hosted ministerial on critical minerals supply chains.

Gemini Powers Up ICC Cricket Analysis

New Delhi — Google has partnered with the International Cricket Council to demonstrate how artificial intelligence can revolutionize the way fans experience cricket.

Hyderabad Tech Pro Dies in Raleigh Road Tragedy

Raleigh, North Carolina — A 35-year-old Indian tech professional, Arun Kumar Sandram from Hyderabad, tragically lost his life in a fatal road accident late Sunday night on Interstate 40 East near the I-440 interchange.

Indian Couple Arrested in Virginia FBI Raid for Drug and Sex Trafficking

Dumfries, Virginia — An Indian-origin couple operating a Virginia motel has been arrested following a dramatic FBI raid that exposed a sophisticated drug and sex trafficking network. Kosha Sharma, 52, known as "Ma" or "Mama K, and her husband, Tarun Sharma, 55, called Pop" or "Pa," face federal charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl, alongside sex trafficking allegations. The January 15, 2026, raid marks the culmination of a months-long undercover investigation that documented illegal activities at the Red Carpet Inn in Dumfries.

Indian American Poet Honors Tamil Legend with Album

Indian American filmmaker and poet Sumathy Ram has released "Viswaragam," a historic tribute album honoring legendary Tamil composer M. S. Viswanathan. The album, released on January 14, 2026, transforms 22 original Tamil poems into music through a groundbreaking collaboration that marks the first time Viswanathan worked with a female lyricist.

US Restaurant Caught Screening Pirated Prabhas Film Illegally

Dublin, Ohio—Within 48 hours of Prabhas' horror-comedy film "Raja Saab" hitting theaters across India on January 9, 2026, a shocking incident unfolded thousands of miles away in the United States. A North Indian restaurant in Dublin, Ohio allegedly screened a pirated version of the film to its diners, triggering widespread outrage across the Telugu film industry and the Indian diaspora community.