870 Dancers Celebrate Indian Culture At FIA's 43rd Dance Pe Chance

Trenton, New Jersey — The Federation of Indian Associations showcased four decades of cultural excellence as its 43rd Dance Pe Chance event drew over 2,200 attendees to the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial on February 7, 2026. Held amid subzero wind chills, the sold-out celebration featured 870 young performers from 18 leading dance academies presenting 31 performances that honored India's 77th Republic Day and the 150th anniversary of the patriotic anthem Vande Mataram.

Teen Artists Honor Maharaja Ranjit Singh Legacy

Schaumburg, Illinois — On January 18, 2026, the Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago transported over 30 young artists back in time at the National India Hub in Schaumburg.

Atlanta's Telangana Society Launches Fresh Team

Cumming, Georgia: The Greater Atlanta Telangana Society (GATeS), a vibrant community organization serving the Telugu diaspora in the Atlanta region, officially introduced its newly appointed 2026 leadership team during a special inauguration event. The ceremony brought together the new Executive Committee, Board of Directors members, advisors, past leadership representatives, volunteers, and community members to celebrate the transition and vision for the year ahead.

Indian Wellness Author Deepak Chopra Faces Epstein Scandal

New York—Indian-origin wellness guru Deepak Chopra found himself at the center of controversy after his name appeared in newly released Jeffrey Epstein case documents.

Taj Mahal Necklace: India's Stolen Legacy Returns

Los Angeles — At the world premiere of Wuthering Heights on January 29, Margot Robbie arrived on the red carpet wearing one of the most historically significant pieces of jewelry ever worn at a Hollywood event: the Taj Mahal diamond necklace, a Cartier creation valued at approximately $8. 8 million.

Epstein Files Release Names Indian-American Filmmaker Nair

Washington, D.C.—Acclaimed Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair found herself unexpectedly in the spotlight after the U.S. Justice Department released over three million pages of documents connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on January 30, 2026.

Buddhist Leader Wins Grammy for Meditation Album

Los Angeles — At 90 years old, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama made history on Sunday by winning his first Grammy Award for Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording. The groundbreaking recognition at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards went to

Indian Americans Win India's Highest Honors

New Delhi — Three accomplished Indian Americans have been honored among India's 131 Padma Award recipients for 2026, a recognition of their remarkable contributions to medicine and sports announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs on January 25, just before Republic Day celebrations. The prestigious civilian honors, approved by President Droupadi Murmu, underscore the lasting impact of the Indian diaspora across the globe.

GATA Brings Sankranti Magic to Alpharetta Georgia

Alpharetta, Georgia — The Greater Atlanta Telugu Association (GATA) brought together hundreds of Telugu-speaking families to celebrate Sankranti in grand traditional style on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at DeSana Middle School. The harvest festival celebration showcased cultural performances, traditional food, and community spirit that connected Atlanta and surrounding areas.

Tina Tandon Brings U.S. Fashion Glamour to Indian Runway

New Delhi — Renowned New York-based fashion designer Tina Tandon is officially launching her work in India, marking a pivotal moment in creative collaboration between the United States and India. The highly anticipated India entry will be inaugurated with a special introductory event at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, followed by an exclusive event in Mumbai.

Indian Motorcycle Pays Homage with Classic Chief Vintage

Minneapolis—Indian Motorcycle, America's first motorcycle company founded in 1901, has unveiled the 2026 Chief Vintage, a stunning homage to the brand's golden era that perfectly blends 1940s-inspired aesthetics with cutting-edge modern technology.

Reshma Saujani Teaches Girls Bravery Over Perfection Today

United States- Reshma Saujani, founder of the international nonprofit Girls Who Code, has dedicated her career to teaching young women and girls one transformative lesson: the power of bravery over perfection.

Indian-American Driver Eyes F1 Academy Glory

New York-based fragrance and lifestyle brand Auraah has named Indian-American Formula 4 driver Yana Kapoor as its brand ambassador. The partnership aligns Kapoor's 2026 racing season with World Speed Motorsports and represents a milestone for the emerging talent on her path to the F1 Academy.

Shakespeare Meets Sacred Ritual: Hindu Funeral Reimagines Hamlet

Telluride-Riz Ahmed returns home to London for his father's funeral in a groundbreaking contemporary adaptation of William Shakespeare's most iconic tragedy.

Nina Davuluri Announces May Wedding, Celebrates Heritage

United States- Nina Davuluri, the groundbreaking first Indian American Miss America crowned in 2014, is stepping into a new chapter of her life with the announcement of her upcoming marriage to Ryan Coleman in May 2026.

Indian Influencer Slams H-1B Visas, Gets Roasted Online

United States—Indian-American MAGA influencer Priya Patel ignited a firestorm of backlash after calling for the complete elimination of the H-1B visa program, alleging widespread fraud, job theft, and housing abuse.

Arundhati Roy, Han Kang Among 2026 Literary Finalists

New York—The National Book Critics Circle announced its 2026 finalists Tuesday, showcasing unprecedented Asian and South Asian literary representation in America's most influential book awards. Indian author and activist Arundhati Roy, South Korean Nobel laureate Han Kang, and Vietnamese American intellectual Viet Thanh Nguyen all secured finalist positions, marking a watershed moment for diasporic voices in mainstream U.S. literary recognition.

Makar Sankranti 2026: Diaspora Traditions in Action

Toms River, New Jersey— Over 150 members of the Bihari and Jharkhand diaspora celebrate Makar Sankranti at Shri Siddhivinayak Temple on January 18, 2026. The Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA) collaborated with Bihar Foundation USA, despite heavy snowfall across New Jersey.

Harvard India Conference 2026: Sindhu and Tharoor Lead

Boston—The prestigious 23rd India Conference at Harvard is bringing together India's biggest names this February. Olympic badminton champion P.V. Sindhu, parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor, and renowned fashion designer Manish Malhotra will headline the two-day event.

Indian Intern Character's Lasting Workplace Impact

San Francisco — Cartoonist Scott Adams, creator of the beloved comic strip Dilbert, passed away in January 2026 at age 68 following a battle with metastatic prostate cancer. His death has reignited discussions about Asok, the hardworking Indian intern character who became an iconic symbol of South Asian representation in American pop culture for over three decades.

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.

Raja Kumari Makes History as First Indian-Origin Singer to Win American Music Award

Los Angeles— In a groundbreaking achievement, Indian-American rapper and singer Raja Kumari has become the first artist of Indian origin to win an American Music Award (AMA).

Rani Mukerji Returns as Fearless Cop in 'Mardaani 3' Releasing February 2026

Mumbai— Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji is set to reprise her role as Senior Inspector Shivani Shivaji Roy in the upcoming film 'Mardaani 3', scheduled for theatrical release on February 27, 2026. The announcement by Yash Raj Films (YRF) aligns the film's debut with the Holi festival, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. ​