Final-January-2026 (Mid-West)

For Indians AbroadYear 4 | Volume 3 | Mid West | January, 2026www.newindiaabroad.comSANJAY TAILOR IS FIRST INDIAN AMERICAN ON ILLINOIS SUPREME COURTHe has previously presided in multiple divisions, including Municipal, Domestic Relations, Law, Chancery, and CountyANUSHKA PATHAKIndian American judge Sanjay T. Tailor has been appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court, effective Jan. 30. He will be the first Asian American to serve in the position.Tailor will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Mary Jane Theis, who retires on Jan. 29. His term will run through Dec. 4, 2028.“I am grateful to Justice Mary Jane Theis and the other justices of the Illinois Supreme Court for their confidence and trust in appointing me Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court,” Tailor, who has served on the Illinois Appellate Court First District since 2022, said in a statement.“I also look forward to continuing the work of the Illinois Supreme Court to ensure that our system of justice serves all people fairly and equitably,” he added.Tailor brings more than two decades of judicial experience to the position. He was first appointed as an associate judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County in 2003. In Jan. 2021, he was appointed as an at-large circuit judge, where he served as presiding judge of the County Division. He was later elected as a circuit judge from the 9th Judicial Subcircuit in 2022 before being assigned to the Appellate Court.Over the course of his judicial career, Tailor has presided in multiple divisions, including Municipal, Domestic Relations, Law, Chancery, and County. Prior to joining the bench, he worked as an assistant state’s attorney with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, served as a senior attorney at the First National Bank of Chicago, and practiced as an associate at Chapman and Cutler LLP.In addition to his judicial duties, Tailor has taught Illinois civil procedure as an adjunct professor at Loyola University Chicago School of Law for nearly 20 years.Tailor currently serves as a board trustee of the Illinois Judicial College, a commissioner on the Illinois Supreme Court’s Commission on Access to Justice, and a board trustee of the Judges Retirement System of Illinois. He is also president of the Asian American Judges Association of Illinois and is affiliated with several legal and judicial organizations across the state.Tailor earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delaware and a Juris Doctor, with honors, from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.Justice Sanjay Tailor / Courtesy: Illinois Supreme CourtSCAN HERE AND SUBSCRIBEwww.newindiaabroad.com/sign-upSUBSCRIBE

India Abroad January, 2026® 2 3THANEDAR FACT CHECKS TRUMP’S DETROIT ECONOMIC CLUB SPEECHHis X thread challenged Trump’s claims on economics, inflation, and tariffsANUSHKA PATHAKCongressman Shri Thanedar disputed several claims made by President Donald Trump during his address at the Detroit Economic Club.In a real-time fact-checking thread on X, the Michigan Democrat addressed claims related to the economy, jobs, inflation, and trade as the speech unfolded on Jan. 13.“We’ll be fact checking President Trump’s lies at the Detroit Economic Club, stick around to get the truth’s about Trump’s lies,” he wrote, introducing a series of replies labeled “Trump fact check.”President Trump’s address at the Detroit Economic Club on Jan. 13 focused on claims of an economic rebound, including assertions that inflation had been brought under control, consumer prices were declining, and tariff policies were fueling manufacturing investment and job creation.Thanedar’s fact-checking thread, posted alongside the address, directly challenged several of these claims, citing recent economic indicators such as the December Consumer Price Index report, which showed inflation running at 2.7 percent year over year, above the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target.Economic performance and job growthOn employment and growth, Thanedar challenged claims of a strong recovery, writing that companies were not “roaring back” and arguing that the most recent year showed the weakest job growth since the pandemic period. He also disputed Michigan-specific claims, stating, “Since Trump took office, Michigan has LOST auto jobs,” directly countering assertions of manufacturing gains.Inflation and consumer pricesInflation was a central focus of the thread. Thanedar rejected claims that inflation had been defeated, saying it remained “WAY above the target rate.” He also challenged statements that grocery prices were falling, writing that prices had risen in recent months and increased by more than 3 percent since Trump took office.To support these points, Thanedar referenced the December Consumer Price Index report, which showed inflation at 2.7 percent year over year, above the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target.Tariffs and trade policyThanedar also pushed back on trade policy claims, writing that tariffs are “NOT a tax on foreign companies” but instead fall on Americans. He cited historical precedent to argue that tariffs worsened economic conditions during the Great Depression and referenced public opinion data to suggest limited support for such policies.Fiscal policy, other claimsAdditional posts addressed fiscal and policy issues. Thanedar disputed claims of budget discipline, stating that Trump “has NEVER balanced the budget” and added more to the deficit than any president during a single term.Other posts touched on healthcare costs, immigration enforcement, and digressions during the speech, including one remark stating, “He’s now ranting about muscular men playing flag football with women, I don’t even know what he’s talking about, but it’s clearly not the economy.”The exchange underscored ongoing partisan divisions over economic conditions in Michigan, a key swing state with a significant auto industry presence.CHICAGO SENIORS GROUP WELCOME NEW YEARDuring the event, the group also celebrated the birthdays of members born in DecemberPRANAVI SHARMAMore than 350 members and volunteers of United Senior Pariwar of Chicago gathered to celebrate Christmas and welcome the New Year 2026 at a community event in Chicago.The program began with a traditional Deep Pragatya ceremony and prayers led by Acharya Rohitbhai Joshi, vice president of United Senior Pariwar of Chicago, following Hindu rituals. The opening was accompanied by music.Rameshbhai Chokshi, president of United Senior Pariwar of Chicago, delivered the welcome address. A musical program followed, featuring performances by local artists Naliniben Parikh, Ishan, Douceben Shukla and Niranjbhai Patel, with Kamaleshbhai Desai on keyboard.The artists opened with a bhajan from the film Satyam Shivam Sundaram and later performed old Hindi songs. Attendees also took part in garba, described by organizers as an expression of Gujarati identity.During the event, the group celebrated the birthdays of members born in December. They were given sweets as a token of appreciation and wishes for good health.All attending members received a box of Mathipak in recognition of their support during 2025. Dinner was served featuring Punjabi food prepared by volunteers from the Swaminarayan Mandir.The gathering concluded with members bidding farewell to 2025 and welcoming the New Year 2026.Congressman Shri Thanedar / Courtesy: File PhotoThe program was started with the ceremony of Deep Pragatya and Acharya Rohitbhai Joshi (Vice President of USPC) with musical group. / Jayanti Oza

India Abroad January, 2026 ® 2 3JEEVAN ZUTSHIFor all the turbulence of the mid-2020s, the new year may mark a subtle but significant shift, less about sweeping change and more about recalibration. Between the U.S. economy’s resilience, evolving global alliances, and a world still testing the limits of security and migration, 2026 looks set to blur the line between uncertainty and adaptation.The U.S. Economy could be slowing but for sure, not Stopping!By 2026, the American economy seems likely to settle into a slower yet steadier rhythm. After several years of post-pandemic adjustments, policymakers appear to have finally steered inflation closer to the Federal Reserve’s comfort zone. Yet, the new challenge lies in sustaining growth without reigniting price pressures. Businesses that aggressively hired during the recovery phase are now recalibrating, with productivity gains from artificial intelligence and automation cushioning the effects of tighter labor markets.Consumer sentiment, meanwhile, continues its seesaw behavior. The average American household still feels the pinch from higher living costs, even as job opportunities remain comparatively strong. Economic optimism in 2026 depends less on data points and more on confidence — in wages keeping pace with prices, in the housing market cracking open for first-time buyers, and in the Fed’s ability to execute a “soft landing” that doesn’t quietly turn into stagnation.On the global stage, the India–U.S. Partnership Matures! One of the most consequential partnerships continues to deepen. India and the United States have quietly moved from mutual curiosity to practical cooperation. The defense and technology agreements signed over the past few years are beginning to take shape in 2026, particularly in semiconductor manufacturing, cybersecurity, and clean energy collaboration. The symbolic gestures of friendship are giving way to joint ventures, research hubs, and a shared push toward economic self-reliance without isolationism.Still, the partnership is not without friction. U.S. policymakers are watching India’s domestic policies, particularly around digitization and press freedom, with cautious interest. Yet geopolitical pragmatism tends to outweigh value-based unease. Both countries recognize a common objective, maintaining strategic stability in the Indo-Pacific amid China’s continued assertiveness and Russia’s unpredictable pivot. The stakes feel very real in 2026, but so does the desire to manage competition through cooperation.On immigration it is more of a shifting Conversation. The politics of immigration remain raw, but the narrative in 2026 feels more nuanced than it did a few years ago. Economic necessity has forced a pragmatic tone. With many industries like health care, agriculture, and technology especially, still struggling to fill essential roles, both lawmakers and business coalitions are pressing for modernized visa programs. Some reforms earlier laid the groundwork for faster processing and better oversight, though implementation remains uneven.Public sentiment is equally complex. Americans are divided between security concerns and economic realism. The arrival of climate-driven migration from Latin America and beyond is reshaping demographics across the southern states. Cities like Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta are adapting by investing in integration services and community-led initiatives rather than relying solely on federal interventions. The broader question is no longer whether the U.S. can absorb immigration, but how it can do so without reigniting cultural polarization.Is the Global Security in Flux? The world’s security architecture enters 2026 under immense strain — not because it is collapsing, but because it is overstretched. The wars in Ukraine and Gaza have entered grinding phases, testing Western cohesion and exhausting public patience. At the same time, cyber warfare and disinformation campaigns continue to redefine how conflicts unfold, often without a single shot being fired.In Asia, Taiwan remains the eye of a geopolitical storm, though diplomatic deterrence has so far held. Meanwhile, global defense spending is climbing, but it’s increasingly directed toward technology, drones, AI surveillance, and missile interception rather than traditional troop buildups. The uneasy peace of 2026 rests on deterrence as much as on diplomacy. Every major power seems aware that a hot conflict would disrupt not only economies but also the AI-dependent digital infrastructure linking them all.If 2025 was about recalibration, 2026 is shaping up as a test of adaptation. The global economy is learning to live with moderated growth and moderated expectations. Alliances like India–U.S. show how strategic patience can yield genuine partnership. Migration pressures are prompting overdue policy pragmatism. And while security flashpoints remain, there’s also a dawning realization that unilateralism has become self-defeating in an interconnected world.The policy question for 2026 is not whether challenges persist. They do but whether governments can institutionalize adaptability as a core function of governance. The year ahead will test not only economic resilience but policy endurance, the ability to sustain stability amid low-intensity uncertainty.The future, in other words, isn’t breaking with the past but it’s negotiating with it. The choices made in 2026 may not make headlines for their drama, but they could well define the quiet architecture of what follows. The writer is the founder of Indo-American Community Federation.(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of India Abroad.)A New Year on the edge of transition where policy meets pragmatismThe defense and technology agreements between India and the United States are beginning to take shape in 2026, particularly in semiconductor manufacturing, cybersecurity, and clean energy collaboration

India Abroad January, 2026® 4 5AMERICA’S GREATEST COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE AND THE RISK OF LOSING IT IN 2026VIVEK WADHWAAmerica’s greatest competitive advantage has never been cheap capital or natural resources; it has been immigrants. They arrived hungry, worked harder, took risks others avoided, and built companies that forced entire industries to compete. That competition raised productivity, accelerated innovation, and generated extraordinary wealth, while also provoking resentment in every generation.From the Irish and Italians who powered industrial expansion, to Jewish refugees who transformed science and finance, to Asians who reshaped medicine and engineering, success triggered backlash. The language barely changed across eras: jobs were being taken, cultures were criticized, and life became harder for those unable or unwilling to compete.In one sense, the critics were right. Immigrants raised expectations, disrupted comfortable hierarchies, and exposed complacency. That friction was not a flaw in the American Dream; it was the engine.Nowhere was this more visible than in Silicon Valley.Immigrants did not simply participate in the Valley’s growth; they rebuilt the ecosystem repeatedly, from semiconductors to software to the internet, from mobile computing to cloud platforms, social networks, and now artificial intelligence. Each wave of innovation brought a new generation of immigrant founders and engineers who pushed boundaries, created companies, and reset standards.Across every major technology shift of the past half century, immigrants founded or co-founded a disproportionate share of the most valuable companies. They created millions of jobs for Americans, generated trillions in economic value, paid billions in taxes, and trained successive generations of engineers and founders. This pattern has been documented repeatedly over decades and remains remarkably consistent.Indians have been central to this story.Despite representing a tiny share of the U.S. population, Indian immigrants contribute roughly six percent of federal income tax revenue. They are among the most educated demographic groups in the country and are overrepresented among founders, senior engineers, researchers, and executives in frontier industries such as software, biotechnology, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence. Their companies employ Americans at scale, often far beyond the technology sector itself.Yet today, Indians find themselves at the center of a familiar backlash.This hostility is neither unique nor accidental. When economies slow or technologies shift, fear looks for visible targets. Skilled immigrants are easy to single out because their success is public and measurable. They compete hard, advance quickly, and accumulate expertise—and wealth.What distinguishes the current moment is policy.The H-1B system has evolved into a mechanism that restrains rather than integrates talent. It ties individuals to employers for years, discourages mobility, prevents entrepreneurship, and forces families into prolonged uncertainty. Even highly accomplished professionals remain unable to plan their lives with confidence. This structure distorts incentives. It benefits firms that prefer control over competition and stability over dynamism, while suppressing the very behaviors—risk-taking, company formation, labor mobility—that historically drove American growth. The system extracts value from talent while denying it agency.I confronted this reality firsthand while building my company Vionix Biosciences in Silicon Valley.We were developing a deep-tech diagnostic platform that required capabilities well beyond standard software engineering. We needed physicists who understood plasma dynamics, spectroscopists fluent in optical emission analysis, biomedical scientists who could work across fluids and tissues, and engineers comfortable integrating hardware, algorithms, and AI into a single system. We also needed people who could iterate experimentally, not just code. In Silicon Valley, this talent was either unavailable, prohibitively expensive, or fragmented across institutions unwilling to collaborate. Immigration constraints made it impossible to assemble a global team locally, even when exceptional scientists were eager to contribute.So I made the decision to move our R&D to India, which offered an abundance of deep scientific talent—graduates from IITs, IISc, AIIMS, and national labs—trained in physics, chemistry, materials science, biomedical engineering, signal processing, and applied AI. These teams were comfortable crossing disciplinary boundaries, working hands-on with hardware, and solving first-principles problems rather than optimizing incremental features. The results spoke for themselves. In less time and at a fraction of Silicon Valley’s cost, our teams achieved breakthroughs that I do not believe would have been possible in the U.S. Problems that Silicon Valley would have tried to solve by throwing money and layers of management at were solved through ingenuity, collaboration, and scientific rigor. This experience was a warning for the US. What my company was forced to do is not an exception; it foretells the future.As long as the United States continues to constrain skilled immigration and treat global talent as a political liability rather than a strategic asset, innovation will keep moving abroad. Companies will follow talent, research will follow opportunity, and breakthroughs will emerge where scientists can work freely, collaborate openly, and build without the risk that a visa decision will erase years of effort. India is ready for this moment. It is no longer supplying labor; it is building platforms, shaping science, and defining new models of innovation that combine depth, speed, and cost efficiency. Other countries are moving just as deliberately.The United States will surely wake up, as it has in previous generations, when competitiveness is unmistakably at stake. But this time will be different. Talent now has credible alternatives, and innovation no longer depends on a single geographic center. When the U.S. does correct course, it will not be reclaiming a lead but trying to recover one already lost. Sadly, that is the real cost of today’s anti-immigrant crusades.The writer is CEO of Vionix Biosciences. (The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of India Abroad.)

India Abroad January, 2026 ® 4 5 IANSThe Indian diaspora plays a central role in strengthening India’s global standing, but issues such as dual citizenship and voting rights require careful handling given India’s unique geopolitical and constitutional challenges, senior BJP leader Ram Madhav said.Addressing an Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) interaction here, Madhav acknowledged the emotional and political connection that overseas Indians maintain with their homeland. “Your brains work here, but your heart is in Bharat,” he told the audience, many of whom are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.Responding to audience questions about why India is not granting dual citizenship and voting rights to non-resident Indians (NRIs), Madhav said the issue is far more complex than it appears.He referred to territorial disputes, geopolitical complications, and regional security concerns.He said extending citizenship could have unintended consequences. “When you extend citizenship, whether you extend it to them also or not, so many other complications are involved,” he said.Madhav said India has instead expanded benefits under the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) framework. “That gives a lot of benefits already, short of voting,” he said, while acknowledging that further facilities could be considered.“More can be extended as you demand. You want anything more, that also can be considered,” he said, describing the current government as “very, very friendly to NRIs.”The BJP government has consistently addressed the issues of its diaspora, he asserted. Responding to questions related to illegal immigration, including concerns over undocumented migrants entering India, Madhav said the government was acting quietly but firmly. “We are doing more and propagating less,” he said.“Certain things have to be done correctly,” he added, declining to give figures. “Be assured that the concern that you have, ten times more concern is there in the people who are in the government.”Madhav contrasted India’s approach with what he described as performative politics elsewhere. “We are doing more and propagating less,” he said. He urged patience in addressing sensitive diaspora-linked issues, saying not everything should be handled publicly. “Not everything should be openly said,” he added.Madhav also cautioned against aggressive postures in international affairs, arguing that India’s global credibility rests on restraint. “Assertiveness has to be responsible. It cannot be aggressive,” he said.He underlined that India’s independent foreign policy has earned global respect. “You’ll be surprised to know 40 countries followed us,” he said, referring to India’s neutral stances on major global conflicts. Diaspora vital to India’s rise, but dual citizenship complex: Ram MadhavMadhav said the Indian diaspora has become a key pillar of India-U.S. relationsRam Madhav / File photo: IANS

India Abroad January, 2026® 6 7Hindu values, the U.S. Constitution, and a silent American contradictionGEETA SIKANDHindu Dharma—also referred to as Sanatan Hindu Dharma, or Hindutva in its civilizational sense—offers an ethical compass for governance, while the U.S. Constitution provides a civic framework. Together, they are not opposing systems but complementary ones. Each empowers individuals to live meaningful lives while contributing to society. Far from being in conflict, Hindu Dharmic values and American constitutional principles are philosophically, morally, and practically aligned.The U.S. Constitution rests on three foundational pillars: liberty, equality, and pluralism. Liberty and equality are the ideals; pluralism is the mechanism that allows diverse communities to coexist under a shared civic framework without abandoning their identities. Federalism, separation of powers, and constitutional protections were designed to manage difference, not erase it. These principles were not rhetorical aspirations but practical guarantees of equal treatment and fundamental rights.For Hindu Americans, this promise has long felt intuitive. Hindu civilizational values emphasize ethical conduct, restraint of power, pluralism of thought, and the balance between rights and responsibilities. In everyday life, these values express themselves through respect for the law, investment in education, entrepreneurship, and strong commitments to family, community, and civic duty.A Shift in American Experi- enceAnd yet, something has shifted. Despite their alignment with constitutional ideals and a strong record of contribution, Hindu Americans are increasingly viewed with suspicion rather than trust. Their faith is mischaracterized, their civic loyalty questioned, and their presence reframed as something to be managed rather than valued.How did this contradiction take hold?Relentlessly appalling attacks on Vivek Ramaswamy’s candidacy ultimately drove him off social media platforms. In recent years, Hindu candidates—including Vivek Ramaswamy and Neil Patel—have faced overt religious hostility. In one notable incident, a public question suggested that Ramaswamy’s Hindu faith disqualified him from political office, revealing a basic misunderstanding of America’s constitutional guarantee of religious liberty.These incidents are not isolated. They reflect a broader rise in Hinduphobia—religious prejudice against Hindus—documented by organizations such as the Coalition of Hindus of North America and the Hindu American Foundation. The implication that Hindu faith and American democracy are incompatible demands serious scrutiny. The answer is unequivocally no.Hindu Dharma and the ConstitutionAt the heart of Hindu Dharma lies a central idea: the same divine reality exists in all beings. The Upanishadic teaching Sarvam Khalvidam Brahman expresses this plainly. Every individual carries equal spiritual potential. Discrimination and dehumanization, therefore, are violations of Hindu Dharma itself.Hindu traditions have never required uniformity of belief. They emphasize Shastra Bodha and Shatru Bodha—the practices of reasoned inquiry, debate, and discernment, alongside the responsibility to identify and resist genuine threats. Ethical wealth creation, entrepreneurship, respect for law, and accountable governance are not peripheral values in Hindu civilization; they are foundational.For American readers, the parallels are unmistakable. Liberty of conscience, equality before the law, pluralism, and the expectation that freedom be paired with responsibility form the core of the U.S. Constitution. Hindu Dharma is not at odds with these principles. It arrived at them through its own civilizational journey.Much of today’s confusion centers on the term “Hindutva,” which has been widely misrepresented in U.S. academic and media spaces. At the World Hindu Congress in Bangkok in 2023, the term was clarified as referring to the civilizational essence of Sanatan Hindu Dharma, not a political ideology. This clarification responded directly to academic campaigns that falsely equated Hindutva with extremism or white supremacy.As documented by Hindu advocacy organizations and scholars, these portrayals reflect distortion rather than careful scholarship. When civilizational concepts are interpreted through ideological bias rather than historical and cultural context, misleading narratives harden into institutional prejudice.The irony is difficult to miss. A tradition rooted in pluralism, debate, moral restraint, and civic responsibility is increasingly portrayed as incompatible with democracy—even though its values mirror the very constitutional principles designed to protect all Americans.A Record That Speaks for ItselfThe lived record of Hindu Americans reinforces this alignment. While Hindus make up roughly 1.5 percent of the U.S. population, they contribute close to 6 percent of federal income taxes. Indian immigrants, according to economic research, Hindu civilizational values emphasize ethical conduct, restraint of power, pluralism of thought, and the balance between rights and responsibilitiesCapitol Hill/ File photo: Reuters

India Abroad January, 2026 ® 6 7provide the largest net positive fiscal contribution of any immigrant group, saving U.S. taxpayers an estimated $1.7 million per household over a 30-year period.Public data on welfare usage further underscores this distinction: when immigrant reliance on public assistance is ranked by country of origin, India is notably absent. Hindu Americans are prominently represented in medicine, technology, engineering, small business, academia, and public service. Their temples are self-funded, non-proselytizing, and their civic participation steady and consistent.This reality is widely recognized across the political spectrum. Surveys show broad acknowledgment that America has benefited from Indian immigration. The community is deeply invested in the nation’s success.From Fringe Hostility to Insti- tutional SuspicionDespite this record, Hindu Americans have increasingly become targets of hostility driven by narrative rather than evidence. Fringe white supremacist figures have amplified anti-Indian and anti-Hindu rhetoric online, portraying skilled immigrants as demographic or economic threats. Investigations show that much of this content is artificially amplified by foreign bot networks rather than organic American discourse.The H-1B visa program has become a focal point of this manufactured hostility. Labor-market versions of “replacement” rhetoric portray Hindu and Indian professionals as fraudsters or job thieves, despite data showing that H-1B workers fill critical shortages and make up a small fraction of the overall labor force. Claims of widespread fraud remain unsupported and function primarily as racialized propaganda. More troubling is how these narratives have moved beyond online spaces and into public institutions. Hindu candidates have faced overt religious hostility. Legislative actions such as California’s SB-403 and subsequent measures have disproportionately framed Hindus as suspect, despite existing civil rights laws already prohibiting discrimination. When such narratives enter law, the result is not protection but stigmatization. The consequences are no longer abstract. Hindu Americans are still reeling from a wave of attacks on Hindu temples across the United States. What begins as distortion, when left unchecked, moves from rhetoric to institutions—and from institutions to real harm.The Human CostHindu families and young people bear the brunt of these distortions. Educational materials that falsely equate Hinduism with caste oppression have contributed to bullying and psychological harm in schools, placing Hindu students in the position of defending identities misrepresented by authority figures.Data from academic research centers, hate-crime statistics, and state reporting programs show a clear rise in anti-Hindu incidents. Studies also indicate that some Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion frameworks may intensify hostility rather than reduce it when built on flawed assumptions. History offers a warning: when manufactured hatred becomes normalized, it rarely remains rhetorical.A Question That Demands an AnswerIf Hindu values align closely with the moral foundations of the U.S. Constitution, and if Hindu Americans have demonstrated consistent civic contribution and lawful conduct, why has this community become a focus of growing suspicion?The answer does not lie in constitutional principles or lived experience. It lies in selective narratives that distort pluralism and apply equality through ideological lenses rather than impartiality.A Call for FairnessHindu Americans are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for equal treatment under a Constitution they respect, uphold, and help sustain.A democracy committed to pluralism cannot afford selective suspicion—especially toward communities whose values and conduct align so closely with its founding ideals. The contradiction is now visible. Whether American institutions confront it openly or allow it to deepen silently will determine how faithfully those ideals are upheld. The writer is vice president for communications and community outreach at Americans4Hindus. (The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of India Abroad.)

India Abroad January, 2026® 8 9AMIT KUMAR SHARMADespite a backdrop of uncertainty from shifting immigration policies in the United States to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and a global economy shaped by trade frictions and policy unpredictability global travel continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience. As someone who has witnessed the evolution of cross-border mobility since joining VFS Global in 2004, I can confidently say that the fundamentals driving international travel remain strong, even as the landscape becomes more complex.The Enduring Growth of Global MobilityVFS Global occupies a unique vantage point. As the world’s largest visa and consular services outsourcing company, we work with 69 governments across 165 countries, operating approximately 3,971 visa and passport application centers worldwide. This expansive network provides us with real-time insights into travel patterns, sentiment, and demand across every major corridor.The numbers tell a compelling story. According to projections from the World Travel and Tourism Council and the United Nations, the global visa outsourcing industry is expected to reach approximately USD 3.0 billion by 2025, with forecasted growth rates ranging between 9.3% and over 13% CAGR through 2033. This reflects sustained momentum in travel worldwide, driven by forces that transcend temporary geopolitical headwinds. Post-COVID, we’ve witnessed a marked transformation in how the middle-class approaches travel. What was once a once-a-year or once-every-twoyears activity has evolved into something more frequent and essential. This trend is particularly evident in emerging markets in India, China, Asia, and Africa where outbound travel has surged. Students are studying abroad in greater numbers, and globalized trade and business have further fueled this demand.Travel patterns vary significantly by region and purpose. In my current role overseeing the Americas a region that includes the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean, with operations in more than 30 countries I see distinct motivations across different corridors.Travel between India and the United States, for example, is largely driven by business needs, education, and family connections. Other corridors may be influenced by medical tourism, seasonal vacation peaks, or specific cultural factors. In the broader Americas region, substantial diaspora populations add complexity to demand. Countries such as Jamaica, Panama, and Guyana each have more than a million citizens living in the United States, creating sustained demand for consular and travel-related services. Within the United States, we’ve significantly expanded our presence. We began operations around 2006–2007, and today we operate 84 centers across 17 U.S. cities, representing approximately 29 different governments. Our partnership with the Government of India, which began in 2021, exemplifies this growth expanding from six locations to 17 centers to meet the needs of the growing Indian diaspora.Addressing Policy UncertaintyThe question on many minds is whether recent policy shifts around H-1B visas, foreign students, and immigration in the United States will significantly impact demand. Based on what we’re observing, we do not foresee any significant long-term impact. In the short term, there may be minor fluctuations. Students, for instance, may consider alternative destinations such as Europe, but this is unlikely to translate into sustained decline. Any drop in student intake in one academic cycle is best assessed against the next, as this demographic is naturally more sensitive to uncertainty due to their age and lower risk tolerance.Corporate travel remains stable, supported by ongoing global trade and business expansion into new markets. Tourism continues to be resilient, and the United States will continue to attract visitors. Ultimately, every country has inherent costs of doing business whether through fees, taxes, or administrative structures and a model without such costs simply does not exist.The Practical Realities of Visa PlanningThis sustained rise in travel naturally increases the importance of timely visa planning. For destinations with high demand, travelers must prepare well in advance often at least three months before their intended 4.25% APY*High-Yield SavingsOpen YourYour Success is Our PrideProudly Founded by First-GenerationAmerican Entrepreneurs.Scan to LearnMore or Open YourAccount Today!Delivering Personal, Premier Banking Experiences to All.*Annual Percentage Yield Effective as of 9-30-2025. Rates May Change After Account is Opened. $100 Minimum Deposit to Open and $100 Minimum Average Daily Balance to Avoid $6 Monthly Maintenance Fee.In a way, the festival mirrors the larger story of migration itself — survival through continuityNAVIGATING GLOBAL TRAVEL IN 2026TRENDS, RESILIENCE, AND THE FUTURE OF CROSS-BORDER MOBILITY

India Abroad January, 2026 ® 8 9travel date. Understanding these patterns is crucial. Across the calendar year, there are typically four to five major peak travel periods. August and September see elevated volumes due to the academic year start, with a large influx of student visa applications. May and June experience increased demand as travelers prepare for summer vacations in July. Early December becomes a peak period as people plan trips around the Christmas holidays. Corporate travel follows its own rhythm, with the most activity in the first two quarters and the latter half of the year typically sees reduced business travel as companies assess performance and manage costs accordingly. Large global events can dramatically influence demand as well. With the FIFA event scheduled in the United States next year, we anticipate millions of international visitors, many of whom will require visas, further intensifying demand.Critical Mission of Supporting GovernmentsOur role has evolved significantly since we began in 2001, though our organizational culture has remained consistent rooted in entrepreneurship, service delivery, and strong client-relationship management. At its core, our business enables governments to deliver efficient services to citizens and travelers, whether visas, passports, or consular support. With a few exceptions related to specific passport categories, visas remain a primary requirement for most cross-border travel. These visas come in various forms paper visas, visa stickers, e-visas, and visas on arrival. We support governments across all these formats based on their specific needs. For countries requiring sticker visas, we manage the documentation and operational components of the process. For others, such as Brazil, Suriname, Thailand, and Indonesia, we facilitate end-to-end e-visas. Applicants can simply visit the dedicated VFS Global website, enter required information, and through seamless integration with government systems, obtain the e-visa needed for travel without visiting a physical office.Looking Ahead and BeyondAs we navigate 2026 and beyond, I remain optimistic about he trajectory of global travel. Countries worldwide are actively adopting strategies to attract tourists, fully aware that tourism is a strong economic engine. The fundamental human desire to explore, connect, and experience different cultures transcends policy cycles and geopolitical tensions. The visa outsourcing industry’s projected growth reflects not just our own trajectory, but the broader reality that cross-border mobility is here to stay. As populations become more globally connected, as businesses expand across borders, and as individuals increasingly prioritize experiences and personal wellbeing, the need for efficient, reliable visa and consular services will only intensify. Our commitment remains unchanged: to innovate, expand, and deliver the service excellence that both governments and travelers depend on; in an increasingly connected world.The writer is the Head of the Americas, VFS Global (The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of India Abroad.)matrimonialU.S.-based North Indian family seeks a suitable alliance for their son, 26, Software Engineer, currently working and residing in California. U.S. citizen; Punjabi Brahmin background. Family is well-settled in the United States. We are looking for a compatible, educated match, preferably based in the U.S. Families may initiate contact directly; no agencies, please. Kindly share detailed particulars/biodata of the prospective bride via email at [email protected]

India Abroad January, 2026® 10 11EditorLalit K JhaRegistered Address6215 Rockhurst Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817Contact Us [email protected] / (301) 767-7798Websitewww.NewIndiaAbroad.ComDisclaimers:1. New India Abroad is a Registered trademark and not affiliated with the newspaper named India Abroad marketed in the US from 1972 to 2021. 2. Indian Star LLC assumes no liability for claims / assumptions made in advertisements and advertorials. Indian Star LLC Views expressed by the writers are their own. A publication of Published Weekly Media PartnerCopyright © 2025 Indian Star LLCThe Sari Swap & Sustainable Shaadi: Decarbonizing the desi wardrobeIn 2026, the resolution is “Circular Couture.” This story dives into the surge of Sari Swap collectives in cities like New York City, Los Angeles and San FranciscoPALLAVI MEHRAAs 2026 begins, a new cultural resolution is reshaping the traditional “Big Fat Indian Wedding” into something more mindful. In major hubs like New York City and San Francisco, the conversation has shifted from the price tag of a designer lehenga to its carbon footprint. For decades, the pressure to never repeat an outfit led to a cycle where heavy, hand-embroidered garments were worn for exactly six hours before being relegated to a vacuum-sealed bag for the next thirty years. Now, a generation of environmentally conscious brides is opting for “sustainable shaadis,” prioritizing environmental stewardship over the fleeting spectacle of one-time-wear luxury.Breaking the Single-Wear Cycle: The Rise of Community SwapsThis movement is being powered by the surge of community-driven initiatives like the Sari Swap collectives. Neha S., a tech professional who is organizing a Sari Swap in San Francisco says the shift is as much about community as it is about the planet. “For a long time, there was this unspoken stigma in the Indian American community about wearing something preloved or rented, especially at a wedding where everyone is sizing up your status,” Neha explains. “But in 2026, the status symbol isn’t the Sabyasachi tag, it’s the fact that you didn’t contribute to the 15 kilograms of carbon emissions required to produce a single heavy silk outfit!”From Heirlooms to High Fashion: The Upcycling RevolutionIn New York City, the movement has found a home in “heirloom upcycling,” a practice where brides rework their mother’s or grandmother’s wedding silks into modern, wearable silhouettes. Instead of buying a new $5,000 ensemble, many are taking 40-year-old Kanjeevarams to specialized tailors to be converted into structured blazers, sleek cigarette pants, or modern capes. This approach allows the modern bride to carry her heritage with her while avoiding the literal and figurative weight of traditional heavy bridal wear. Experts note that upcycling can reduce the water consumption of a single wedding wardrobe by up to 80%, as it bypasses the resource-heavy processes of new silk production and chemical dyeing.Divya M., a New York City-based consultant who loves to attend Indian Sari Swaps events added: “I saw a vintage Banarasi that had been to three weddings in three different states find a new home with a college student who wanted something meaningful for her graduation. It feels like we are finally reclaiming the communal spirit of our culture and stripping away the excess that the modern industry forced upon us. We’re realizing that glamour doesn’t have to be synonymous with landfill waste, and that realization is incredibly liberating for our generation,”Redefining Status: A New Cultural Legacy for the DiasporaIn the end, the decarbonization of the Desi wardrobe marks a turning point for the global Indian American community. By embracing rentals, swaps, and upcycling, the diaspora is proving that tradition does not have to be synonymous with waste. “There is something incredibly powerful about deconstructing a garment that your mother wore to the mandap and breathing new life into it for a 2026 context,” concludes Kajri A., a Southern California-based movie producer who is planning her wedding for later this year. “I’m planning on keeping the original gold zari border but used it to frame a modern, lightweight corset and a flowing organza skirt. I feel like I’ll have a deeper connection to my ancestors wearing those threads than I ever would have in a mass-produced designer piece. It’s about wearing a garment that honors the past while ensuring there is a planet left for the future!” The pressure of the “Big Fat Indian Wedding” spectacle is being replaced by a pride in environmental sustainability and creative resourcefulness. As the 2026 season begins, the “Sustainable Shaadi” is proving to be the most stylish choice of all, ensuring that the vibrant colors of South Asian heritage don’t come at the cost of a green future. 2040 W Auburn Rd,Rochester Hills, MI 48309YOU THINK IT, WE INK IT248-829-1011SCAN TO GET QUOTE GIVE FEEDBACKSCAN TOAshok BaddiGET YOUR BRAND NOTICED WITHOUR TOP-NOTCH PRINTING SERVICES!Representative Image / Unsplash

India Abroad January, 2026 ® 10 11MALVIKA CHOUDHARYRepublican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy on Jan. 7 named Ohio Senate President Rob McColley as his running mate in the 2026 race for governor.The campaign said McColley will run for lieutenant governor, with a rally planned in Cleveland to formally present the ticket to supporters.“I’m excited to announce Rob McColley as my running mate to be the next lieutenant governor of Ohio,” Ramaswamy said in a statement. “I’m an entrepreneur, not a politician, and selected Rob to be a governing partner who can help advance our ambitious legislative agenda. Rob is a proven conservative leader, and he is committed to my vision to make the American Dream a reality for every Ohioan.”The campaign said the Ramaswamy-McColley ticket will focus on policies aimed at increasing take-home pay, improving education, and addressing crime, while promoting Ohio as a state to live, work and raise a family.McColley, who was unanimously elected president of the Ohio Senate in January 2025, said he is joining the ticket because he believes Ramaswamy’s background in business positions him to lead the state.“Ohio needs a businessman, not a bureaucrat; a creator, not a quitter; a visionary, not a victim. That leader is Vivek Ramaswamy,” McColley said. “He will be one of the boldest leaders in the history of our state, and I’m honored to help execute his vision.”Reflecting on an earlier meeting with Ramaswamy, McColley said he was struck not only by his accomplishments but by his family life and priorities. He said Ramaswamy’s focus on opportunity for the next generation resonated with him as a husband and father.First elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2014, McColley has served in the General Assembly for more than a decade and built a legislative record that includes efforts to cut taxes, reduce regulatory requirements and pass legislation aimed at preventing a repeat of statewide shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. A native of northwest Ohio, he lives in Napoleon with his wife, Denise, and their three children. The announcement comes as Ramaswamy’s campaign points to what it describes as growing momentum ahead of the 2026 election. The campaign has cited endorsements from President Donald Trump and the Ohio Republican Party and said Ramaswamy has visited all 88 STAFF REPORTERFor Nick Pyati, the decision to run for Congress came not from longheld ambition but from frustration with Washington’s trajectory in recent months. “I had no plans to run for office. I liked my job and had no reason to leave. But after the first hundred days of the Trump Administration—and Democrats’ failure to respond—I left my job to help build a party that can win again,” Pyati said, announcing his run on social media.The former Microsoft strategy executive and Justice Department attorney, who is running to fill the seat left open by retiring Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky in Illinois’ 9th congressional district, called for a “stronger, fairer, and freer America.” In the campaign launch video, Pyati pointed to what he described as a failure by political leadership to meet the current moment, arguing that “unprecedented times” have been met with recycled ideas rather than a coherent strategy within his party to counter Trump-era policies. According to him, the central idea that once built both the Democratic Party and the country had “gone missing,” and his campaign was “bringing it back.”Beyond dysfunction in the Democratic Party, Pyati’s campaign centers on a broader vision under what it calls a “New American Century,” arguing that the United States must renew the American Dream by expanding opportunity, addressing the cost of living, and strengthening families and communities. Pyati’s campaign frames economic growth as central to education, family support, research, and sustaining U.S. global leadership. It also calls for safeguarding democratic institutions, advancing civil and human rights, and defending democratic values internationally.In the final months of his campaign, Pyati hopes to highlight the importance of Illinois’ ninth district in shaping national discourse. “Its communities are extraordinary in their civic engagement, and it’s a progressive district in the American heartland. We should be leading the national conversation, not following it. Our representative should be setting the agenda for what Democrats can be, not just reliably voting the party line,” he said in message to residents of the district.The Democratic primary for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District is scheduled for March 17.RAMASWAMY PICKS RUNNING MATE IN OHIO GOVERNOR RACEThe campaign said McColley will run for lieutenant governor, alongside RamaswamyEx–Microsoft leader launches congressional bid amid Trump-era concernsPositioning himself as a political outsider, Pyati has emphasized that he is not a career politician and said his decision to run followed months of waiting for party leaders to respond effectively to the current political environmentVivek Ramaswamy/ Rob McColley / WikipediaNick Pyati / X (Nick Pyati)

India Abroad January, 2026® 12 13Chicago’s South Asian Community celebrated 2026 in Desi StyleThis sold-out event included families, friends, and revelers from Chicago’s South Asian diaspora RWITTIKA CHAKRABORTYChicago’s South Asian diaspora celebrated New Year’s Eve at the grand ballroom at Ashton Place in Willowbrook, Illinois, marking an event filled with glee, music, and community spirit.This sold-out event included families, friends, and revelers from Chicago’s South Asian community, with guests arriving at 8 p.m. to bid goodbye to 2025 and offer a warm welcome to 2026.Anusha Reddy hosted the event and delivered the welcome speech.The event had an open bar and an unlimited, diverse buffet.Singer, composer, songwriter, and CEO of DE Dream Event LLC, and co-organizer of the event, Shraddha Marathe, also welcomed the crowd, sharing the night’s highlights, which included DJ Salman, who played a mix of Bollywood classics, hits, and timeless favorites for the guests.Live singing performances were presented by singers Pratibha Jairath, Raju Bankapur, and Dr. Pardeep Sood, to which the audience sang and danced along.Other performing acts included Chicago-based belly dancer from the Safire Belly Dancers troupe, Ashorina, followed by Patti Zikmund, who brought athletic artistry to the stage with a pole dance showcase.For the younger attendees, face painting, balloon twisting, and a 360-degree photo booth were organized.As midnight approached, the crowd gathered for a balloon drop that showered the room in colorful confetti, accompanied by a celebratory champagne toast to health, happiness, success, and wonderful memories in the year ahead.Speaking about the event, Chairman and Founder, Asian Media USA, said,“This Housefull New Year’s Eve at Ashton Place beautifully captured the essence of community celebration—where laughter, music, heartfelt performances, and shared gratitude turn a simple gathering into something truly magical.”“The energy, from live singing and captivating dances to the midnight toast, showcased the warmth and unity of our South Asian diaspora. As we embrace 2026, let these moments inspire us to keep building connections, supporting one another, and celebrating life with the same joy and positivity.”The emcee also introduced the promoters and partners, and honored key sponsors and community leaders with recognition and floral bouquets on stage.Chicago’s South Asian diaspora celebrated New Year’s Eve / Asian Media USAChicago’s South Asian diaspora celebrated New Year’s Eve at the grand ballroom at Ashton Place in Willowbrook, Illinois. / Asian Media USAChicago’s South Asian diaspora celebrated New Year’s Eve at the grand ballroom at Ashton Place in Willowbrook, Illinois / Asian Media USA

India Abroad January, 2026 ® 12 13Ohio oncologist Dr. Satheesh Kathula inaugurates CPR center in HyderabadThe initiative will be supported by Indo-US Community CPR and Project Heart India, with the organizations providing ongoing training and expertise ISHANI DUTTAGUPTADr. Satheesh Kathula, an oncologist based in Dayton, Ohio, and former president of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), inaugurated a permanent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training center at Kanha Ashram in Hyderabad. The center aims to provide structured CPR education to members of the community.Dr. Kathula, who donated the equipment for the center in honor of his parents’ memory, emphasized the life-saving importance of CPR.The Kanha Ashram training center is expected to serve as a vital community resource, equipping individuals with essential skills to respond effectively during cardiac emergencies and ultimately save lives.Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Kathula, who served as AAPI president in 2024–25, said it was an honor to launch the initiative and contribute to its establishment. AAPI is a nonprofit organization representing more than 35,000 Indian American physicians.“CPR saves lives. I was privileged to donate manikins and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to support hands-on training at the center,” he said.While CPR awareness camps have traditionally been conducted on a temporary basis, Dr. Kathula noted that the new center represents a significant step forward by offering permanent access to life-saving education.The initiative will be supported by Indo-US Community CPR and Project Heart India, with the organizations providing ongoing training and expertise.MUMBAI-BORN RAGHAV RAO’S ‘MISSY’ TO DEBUT IN U.S.Set across multiple geographies, the novel moves from rural Tamil Nadu to ChicagoDr. Kathula inaugurating the CPR center. / Courtesy PhotoPRANAVI SHARMAMumbai-born author Raghav Rao’s novel ‘Missy’ will be published in the United States for the first time on March 15, 2026, after earlier releases in India and the United Kingdom in 2024, according to the publisher. The book centers on a Chicago driving school instructor who teaches fellow immigrants how to navigate city traffic as well as their new lives in the United States. As she guides students from varied backgrounds through gridlocked streets, her own past in India begins to resurface.Set across multiple geographies, the novel moves from rural Tamil Nadu to Chicago. It examines themes of assimilation, the desire to return to one’s homeland and the limits of both impulses, the publisher said.Rao was born in Mumbai and grew up in London, Los Angeles and southern India. He teaches at the University of Chicago and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and also writes a newsletter focused on information saturation. The U.S. edition of ‘Missy’ will be released by Northwestern University Press’ TriQuarterly Books imprint. The paperback edition runs 304 pages and is priced at $26.Digital review copies of the novel are currently available, while physical review copies will be released at a later date, the publisher said. Cover of the book ‘Missy’ and Raghav Rao. / Northwestern University Press.

India Abroad January, 2026® 14 15HILTON DROPS INDIAN-OWNED HOTEL OVER CANCELLED ICE BOOKINGSThe Trump administration has increased the number of officers in the area after allegations of fraud involving Somali immigrantsREUTERSHilton Worldwide Holdings has removed from its system a Minneapolis hotel that has refused to accept the bookings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, the hotel operator said on Jan. 6.A Hampton Inn hotel, a Hilton brand owned by Indians, outside Minneapolis, Minnesota, refused to accommodate ICE agents, the Department of Homeland Security said in a post on social media platform X on Jan. 5.The Trump administration has increased the number of officers in the area after allegations of fraud involving Somali immigrants.“We are taking immediate action to remove this hotel from our systems. Hilton is—and has always been—a welcoming place for all,” the company said on X. It made its comments after a video was posted on X on Jan. 6, which appeared to show ICE agents again being refused rooms at the Hampton Inn in Lakeview, after Hilton and the independent operator of the hotel apologized for an initial incident.“A recent video clearly raises concerns that they are not meeting our standards and values,” Hilton said. In a previous statement, Hilton said the property was independently owned and operated. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the department welcomed Jan. 6’s move by Hilton.“Discriminatory business practices targeting DHS and deliberately undermining federal law enforcement are un-American and have real business consequences,” she said in a statement.Everpeak Hospitality, which runs the Hampton Inn, was not immediately available for comment on the video on Jan. 6. It said on Jan. 5 it was in touch with the impacted guests to ensure they were accommodated.“We do not discriminate against any individuals or agencies and apologize to those impacted,” it said on its website. McLaughlin said on X that the agency has not heard from Everpeak Hospitality. DHS had said on Jan. 5 that after ICE officers booked rooms using official government emails and rates, a staff member at the Hampton Inn on Jan. 2 canceled their reservations. “We are not allowing any ICE or immigrant agents to stay at our property,” read an email from the hotel posted on X by DHS. Shares of the hotel operator rose 1.87 percent in morning trading, after being down 2.46 percent at close on Jan. 5.REUTERSChicago O’Hare International Airport, long a crossroads of U.S. air travel, has become the front line in an intensifying contest between United Airlines and American Airlines.What began as a post-pandemic rebuilding of flight schedules — with United restoring capacity faster and American ramping up more recently — has evolved into a contest over gates, routes, premium offerings and market share at one of the world’s most connected airports.Analysts say the result could have long-term implications, as better gate access and more convenient schedules can help airlines win corporate travelers, who tend to pay higher fares.American is rebuilding at O’Hare after its post-pandemic flying remained below 2019 levels, pointing to roots in Chicago that date to its first scheduled flight in 1926. The airline calls O’Hare its third-largest hub. United, headquartered in Chicago, is focused on defending — and extending — its lead at its hometown hub.In late December, American unveiled its largest-ever spring schedule at O’Hare, adding about 100 peak-day flights and serving more than 75 destinations. The ramp-up would lift spring operations above 500 daily flights — roughly 30 percent more than last year — and extend seasonal transatlantic service to Paris and Dublin.United is pressing its advantage. This summer it plans nearly 650 daily flights to about 200 destinations from O’Hare, reflecting its larger gate footprint and wider range of connections at the airport. The carrier says it has added thousands of local employees and plans thousands more by 2027.Those investments appear to be paying off. United said it canceled about 1 percent of its scheduled flights at O’Hare last year, the lowest rate in its history at the airport. The airline also said it holds nearly a 20 percentage-point lead in local passenger share over American, a gap it attributed to sustained investment, faster growth and more reliable operations.United says O’Hare is “solidly profitable,” a point its CEO, Scott Kirby, has used to question whether American’s comeback is sustainable. American CEO Robert Isom counters that Chicago can support two major hub airlines.United and American compete to dominate Chicago’s O’Hare airportAmerican is rebuilding at O’Hare after its post-pandemic flying remained below 2019 levels, pointing to roots in Chicago that date to its first scheduled flight in 1926FILE PHOTO: The logo of Hilton hotels group is pictured in central Brussels, Belgium August 4, 2017. / REUTERS/Francois Lenoir/File PhotoAn airplane takes off at Chicago O’Hare International Airport on the day passengers board their flights for the Thanksgiving holidays, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., November 26, 2025. / REUTERS/Jim Vondruska

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India Abroad January, 2026® 16 17SHINJINI GHOSHAmerican lawmakers Rich McCormick and Ami Bera on Jan. 12 underscored the importance of bipartisan cooperation in strengthening U.S.-India relations, citing shared democratic values and growing strategic alignment.Speaking at an event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the two lawmakers discussed a wide range of issues, including technology, defense cooperation, artificial intelligence, immigration and the role of the Indian diaspora. The discussion was moderated by Richard M. Rossow, chair on India and emerging Asia economics at CSIS.“You have the oldest democracy and the largest democracy, if they unite … we can literally usher in a new generation of peace that can last a hundred years,” McCormick said, adding that failure to do so would be “catastrophic for us.”McCormick, a Republican from Georgia and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, stressed the need for the United States to maintain open access to its products as coop eration with India deepens, particularly in emerging technologies.“The Indian market, if you think about it, will either rely on us or China,” he said. “If we start limiting access to our products, that’s going to be bad for us as a country. We need to make sure their market stays open, stays fair, that we are not having reciprocal tariffs that force the price points up, making our product unaffordable.”Bera, a Democrat from California and the longest-serving Indian American member of Congress, highlighted India’s potential role in global diplomacy, including in resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict.“This is India’s moment to test its global diplomatic chops,” Bera said, suggesting that such engagement could also help build a relationship with President Donald Trump.Bera also called for rethinking U.S. immigration policy, particularly in high-demand sectors such as artificial intelligence, describing the current H-1B system as broken.“Can we create corridors around problems we want to solve?” he asked. “AI could be one of those where workers are moving back and forth. I think that is one area we can work on in a bipartisan way, rethinking specific needs and creating new visa categories.”McCormick agreed, saying immigration and workforce policies must evolve with changing economic realities. “We need to adapt and adjust every year,” he said.Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent engagement with China, McCormick said he initially viewed it with concern.“I was worried that we were seeing a shift in world politics that would be really worrisome,” he said, adding that a pragmatic approach was sometimes necessary to keep partners “away from bad actors.” The lawmakers acknowledged persistent trade frictions with India but stressed that both sides remain committed to a long-term strategic and economic partnership that goes beyond short-term disputes over tariffs, visas, and market access. Representative Bera said that despite periodic tensions, the underlying trajectory of the relationship remains strong. “When you talk to the business community, they’re playing the long game here. They get it,” he said.McCormick said economic disagreements should be viewed through a broader strategic lens. “We have to make sure there’s balance there, that there’s equal buy-in,” he said, adding that perfect symmetry is unrealistic. “It’s not going to be perfectly balanced. Anybody who’s married understands that.”Ami Bera also highlighted India’s potential role in global diplomacy, including in resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflictAmerican lawmakers Rich McCormick and Ami Bera in a discussion with Richard M. Rossow. / Shinjini GhoshBipartisan support key to strengthening U.S.-India relations, say American lawmakers

India Abroad January, 2026 ® 16 17Contact us: [email protected] the arrival of the new U.S. ambassador in New Delhi and renewed engagement across trade and strategic sectors, an Indian American community leader on Jan. 14 expressed optimism about the trajectory of India–U.S. relations.“Sergio Gor taking charge as ambassador of the United States to India is a very, very positive step,” said Jasdip Singh Jessee, a leader associated with Sikhs for Trump.Jessee said the prolonged vacancy in the ambassadorial post had created uncertainty at a critical time. “There was a vacuum for a long time at a very crucial moment when our relationship was spiralling down,” he said, adding that the new ambassador’s arrival “makes a big difference.”He noted that Gor’s close relationship with President Donald Trump signals India’s importance in Washington’s foreign policy priorities.“One thing people should know about Sergio Gor is that he is very close to President Trump,” Jessee said. “President Trump sending his confidant to India shows that India is a very important country in the eyes of President Trump.”Jessee said Gor’s early public remarks in India had been encouraging and well received. “So far, I’ve seen the ambassador’s remarks there. They’ve been very positive, very uplifting, upbeat,” he said, adding that Indian media coverage of Gor’s outreach had been “very positive and balanced.”He pointed to expanding engagement beyond traditional diplomacy, particularly in economic and strategic cooperation. “A lot of other channels are being opened now for trade,” Jessee said. “Even minerals are now on the table.”Jessee said discussions on a trade deal began soon after Gor assumed charge and described recent high-level contacts as further signs of momentum.“We have very positive news that our External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio,” he said, referring to recent talks between Indian and U.S. officials. He added that the Indian American diaspora remains deeply invested in strengthening ties between the two democracies.“We always hope, the Indian diaspora here, that India and the U.S. have a very strong relationship,” Jessee said. “We want to help take this relationship to the next level.”Jasdip Singh Jessee said the prolonged vacancy in the ambassadorial post had created uncertainty at a critical timeWith Gor in Delhi, Indian American leader sees positive turn in India–U.S. tiesPresident Droupadi Murmu receives credentials from Sergio Gor, Ambassador of the United States of America, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. / IANS/X/@rashtrapatibhvn

India Abroad January, 2026® 18 19THE “DESI RUN CLUB” BOOMTrading solitary gyms for community stridesReplacing the typical solitary treadmill resolution, 2026 is seeing a surge in South Asian-led run clubs in major hubs like New Jersey, Fremont, and HoustonPALLAVI MEHRAThe dawn of 2026 has ushered in a refreshing shift in wellness trends within the South Asian diaspora. Gone are the days of solitary, often monotonous, treadmill resolutions.In their place, a vibrant phenomenon is taking root across major hubs like New Jersey, Fremont, and Seattle: the rise of the Desi Run Club. These burgeoning communities are redefining fitness by mixing high-performance training with cultural connection. “I used to dread my runs,” confesses Priya P., a 35-yearold finance executive in Miami. “It felt like a chore. But with the club, it becomes a fun event. We motivate each other, celebrate small victories, and honestly, the post-run chai and samosas are a huge draw!”The genius of these clubs lies in their cultural resonance. Post-run protein shakes are frequently traded for artisanal chai, and the playlists are a vibrant mix of Bollywood beats and Bhangra rhythms, transforming a standard workout into a joyous celebration.Desi Run Clubs to WatchAs the movement grows, several key organizations have become staples for the community, offering everything from marathon training to social “chai-and-chat” jogs.Indian American Running Club (IARC): Originally founded in New York, the IARC has become a national blueprint for desi fitness. A 501(c)3 non-profit, they focus on empowering runners of all levels through structured training programs and community-based events.This club hosts group runs, training runs, running events, and programs on the road, track, and trails.It also hosts education sessions about topics of interest for runners, provides awards, hosts social events, and all such other things as may be conducive to the encouragement of running. Moreover, it engages in community activities, to publicize by appropriate means, the benefits of running as a means of physical fitness to improve the health status of people in our community.Masala Milers (NYC): Based in Manhattan and Brooklyn, this club is famous for its “inclusive and social” vibe. They often host weekend runs in Central Park followed by social mixers at local South Asian-owned cafes.South Asian Run Club (SARC): A major player in the NYC running scene, SARC prides itself on being a free resource for the community, providing race calendars and networking opportunities for those looking to turn a hobby into a competitive pursuit.Desi Runners (Seattle): In the Pacific Northwest, Desi Runners Seattle has carved out a unique space by blending the region’s rugged outdoor spirit with South Asian cultural values. While many clubs focus on city streets, this group is known for its “Summit & Samosas” philosophy, often transitioning from road runs to challenging trail sessions at Tiger Mountain or Rattlesnake Ledge. In addition to running, the club serves as a vital social anchor, hosting “Rainy City Chai Runs” where members navigate the Seattle drizzle together, ending the workout at local cafes in Bellevue or Redmond to refuel with artisanal chai and networking.The “Desi Run Club” phenomenon showcases the evolving nature of the Indian American community. As these groups continue to flourish, they are charting a new course for how the diaspora can run together, both literally and figuratively, towards a healthier, more connected future.Indian American Running Club / Courtesy: HandoutIARC members at the Mastercard New York Mini 10K. / Handout

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India Abroad January, 2026® 20 212026: THE DAWN OF Q2 IN THE 21ST CENTURYAs 2026 begins, we are not merely turning a calendar page. We are crossing a psychological and historical thresholdRAKESH MALHOTRAThe first quarter of the 21st century — those intense, formative years from 2001 to 2025 — has quietly closed. A chapter defined by acceleration, uncertainty and transformation has reached its natural pause. What lies ahead feels different, not because the world has suddenly become calmer, but because we have grown more conscious of what we have unleashed.This is the beginning of Quarter Two.THE FIRST QUARTER: AN AGE OF SHOCK AND SPEEDThe early decades of this century were anything but gentle. We began with fears of technological collapse that never arrived, only to witness an explosion of connectivity that reshaped nearly every human relationship. We watched intelligence, both artificial and collective, emerge as a defining force. We lived through pandemics that pushed humanity inward and crises that forced us back toward one another. Old institutions wavered. New empires, built on code rather than land, rose faster than nations ever could.Certainties dissolved. Possibilities multiplied. The first quarter was not about mastery; it was about experimentation. We built tools in haste, asked questions loudly and imperfectly, and learned — sometimes painfully — what scale without wisdom can do.FROM EXPERIMENT TO EXPERIENCEWhat distinguishes 2026 is not novelty, but maturity. The experiments of the early century have now yielded their first real harvests. Some outcomes have been bitter. Many have been extraordinary. Most have been instructive. We now understand that technology is not neutral, that growth without purpose hollows meaning, and that progress divorced from humanity eventually turns against itself. We have learned that speed is powerful, but direction is decisive.The questions we once shouted in confusion can now be asked with clearer voices. The dreams we once sketched casually have become blueprints demanding responsibility.2026: THE ADULTHOOD OF THE CENTURYEvery era has an adolescence — chaotic, impulsive, energetic and unsure of itself. The first 25 years of this century carried exactly that character.With 2026, the 21st century enters adulthood. This does not mean stability replaces change. It means intent replaces impulse. It means discernment begins to matter more than disruption. It means leaders across business, policy, culture and community are no longer judged solely by what they can invent, but by what they choose to build and protect.We are beginning to understand the power we now hold — in data, in biology, in energy and in narrative. And slowly, sometimes unevenly, we are learning to wield that power with wisdom rather than wonder alone.FROM DISRUPTION TO DIRECTIONThe next quarter-century will not be defined by disruption for its own sake. That era has run its course. What defines the years ahead will be direction. Not invention alone, but intention.Not scale alone, but meaning. Not growth alone, but shared prosperity. The central question of our time is no longer, Can we change the world?It is, What kind of world do we choose to inhabit?CHOOSING THE WORLD WE BUILDThe future will be shaped less by tools and more by values.A sustainable world in this second quarter must be: rooted in peace rather than perpetual conflict, lifted by joy rather than constant anxiety, sustained by happiness that is shared, not hoarded.This is not idealism. It is pragmatism informed by experience. Systems that ignore human dignity eventually fail. Economies that exclude eventually fracture. Progress that forgets people ultimately reverses itself.A LEADERSHIP MOMENTThis is, unmistakably, a leadership moment. Leadership in Q2 of the century will look different from leadership in Q1. It will demand: positive action over loud positioning, bold thinking anchored in empathy, courage paired with restraint.Love, faith and belief — often dismissed as soft — will emerge as strategic assets. Not as sentiment, but as stabilizers in an age of volatility. The leaders who endure will be those who understand that trust compounds faster than capital and that meaning scales more sustainably than metrics alone.THE OPENING BELL2026 is not a finish line. It is an opening bell. The game ahead is longer. The stakes are higher. The responsibility is clearer. And the opportunity to build something wiser than what we inherited is real. The second quarter of the 21st century has begun. History will not measure us by how fast we disrupted, but by how deliberately we chose, how thoughtfully we built, and how human our progress ultimately became.The future is no longer waiting to be imagined. It is asking to be shaped.The writer is the President of Global Indian diaspora foundation. (The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of India abroad.)Representative image / Courtesy Photo

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India Abroad January, 2026 ® 22 23CONGRESSMAN KRISHNAMOORTHI LEADS ILLINOIS SENATE PRIMARY: POLLKrishnamoorthi has over 31 percent voters backing him, however, the race is undecided with 46 percent of voters saying they’re still undecided JEFFIN T. KALEEKALCongressman Raja Krishnamoorthi is inching closer to a Senate seat win, according to a new WGNTV/Emerson College Poll.The report, published Jan. 8, comes months before the March 17 Illinois primary, in which the incumbent congressman is competing against Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly.The poll found that 31 percent of voters have already aligned themselves with Krishnamoorthi, while 10 percent pledged support for Stratton and 8 percent backed Kelly.However, despite Krishnamoorthi leading his competition in the current poll, his support did not surpass the number of undecided voters. A significant 46 percent of respondents said they remain undecided, a factor that could still swing the election away from Rep. Krishnamoorthi.Pollsters suggested that Krishnamoorthi’s lead is closely tied to his substantial financial advantage over his rivals. The five-term congressman entered the race with nearly $20 million in cash on hand and raised an additional $3.6 million in the final three months of 2025.His campaign has used these funds to dominate television advertising, spending $7 million on broadcast ads, while opponents Stratton and Kelly have spent virtually nothing on TV advertising. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi / X@CongressmanRajaINDIANA UNIVERSITY APPOINTS SANDEEP GOEL AS ADJUNCT PROFESSORThe appointment brings a healthcare regulatory compliance executive with more than three decades of industry experience into the classroomMALVIKA CHOUDHARYIndiana University Bloomington appointed Indian American Sandeep Goel as an adjunct professor in the master of science in Healthcare Management program (MSHM).Goel, president and chief executive officer of Courtemanche & Associates, will teach in the MSHM program, a joint curriculum offered by the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. The MSHM program is designed to prepare graduate students for leadership positions in healthcare organizations, with a focus on management, policy, and regulatory environments. University officials said Goel’s appointment strengthens the program’s emphasis on applied learning informed by industry experience.Goel brings more than 30 years of global business leadership and quality management experience across multiple industries, including pharmaceuticals, electronics, and chemicals. He has more than 25 years of experience in healthcare regulatory compliance and has led quality improvement initiatives focused on policies, standards, and organizational processes.As president and CEO of SAYAS Alliance Inc. since 2020, Goel oversees two entities: Courtemanche & Associates and Medical Resource Network. Courtemanche & Associates, founded in 1994, specializes in healthcare accreditation and regulatory compliance consulting and has provided services to more than 600 clients across 45 U.S. states. Throughout his career, Goel has emphasized data- and information-driven decision-making in legal, technical, and commercial contexts. He has worked closely with healthcare organizations launching new products and services to ensure regulatory compliance and has formed partnerships to promote industry best practices through speaking engagements, webinars, and professional publications. He has also served as a board member for a nationally recognized association involved in developing accreditation and certification guidelines.In the classroom, Goel is expected to bring an experiential learning approach shaped by his background in strategic planning, innovation, leadership development, partnerships, and regulatory problem-solving.“It’s a privilege to help develop the next generation of healthcare leaders while staying deeply engaged in the industry’s evolving landscape,” Goel said. “The intersection of business, regulation, and healthcare delivery is where meaningful transformation occurs.” Before joining Indiana University Bloomington, Goel served as executive-in-residence and adjunct professor at Elon University’s Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, where he taught undergraduate business courses, guest lectured across disciplines, and connected students with applied industry projects and internships. Goel holds bachelor of science degrees in chemical engineering and biology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a master of business administration from Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business.Sandeep Goel / courtemanche-assocs.com

India Abroad January, 2026® 24 PBFROM GHEVAR-LIKE DHOKLA TO YOGURT CHAAT WITH STRAWBERRIES: INDIENNE SHINES BRIGHTInstagram content creator Anushk Sharma shared a heartfelt review of the Michelin starred Indian restaurant in ChicagoJEFFIN T. KALEEKALA Michelin starred Indian restaurant in Chicago is drawing attention after a review of the restaurant was posted by content creator Anushk Sharma on Instagram.Sharma went to ‘Indienne’ in Chicago for his birthday and left raving reviews for the place. Indienne reimagines traditional Indian flavors with a contemporary approach, and elevates classic dishes into a sophisticated highend tasting menu.Sharma reviewed the vegetarian tasting menu that showcased seasonal ingredients and contemporary techniques. He was served numerous dishes including paneer kofta, dhokla, medu vada, yogurt chaat, pani puri, morel manti, mushroom galouti, assorted vegetarian kebabs, and multiple dessert courses.Sharma was also taken aback by the hospitality he received, from freshly ironed table-clothes to a server folding hand-towels in the washroom.The restaurant kicked things off with Dhokla with a twist. He remarked that the Dhokla had a consistency that was similar to Ghevar and it was paired with a chutney, something that shocked Sharma.He paid high praise for numerous dishes including Mushroom Galouti kebab, Yogurt Chaat with strawberries and Medu Vada. He, however, was not a big fan of the Gol Gappa with jelly-like filling and the restaurant’s “mediocre” Dal Makhani.The $450 meal was “totally worth” the money, according to Sharma. Despite having mixed feelings about some of the experiments done by the restaurant, Sharma ranks the place as a must visit. Screengrab from the video / Anushk Sharma via InstagramQUICKLLY BRINGS INDIAN MEALS TO COSTCO, ALDIThe online marketplace has grown through digital commerce driven by demand for accessible Indian products in the U.S. since its inception in 2017 ANUSHKA PATHAKQuicklly, an online U.S.-based marketplace for Indian cuisine, announced Jan. 13 that its ready-to-heat Indian meals brand, Just by Quicklly, is entering major American grocery chains Costco and ALDI.The expansion marks a broader push to place Indian cuisine into mainstream American retail, moving beyond online-only distribution.The retail rollout introduces restaurant-style Indian dishes designed for everyday shoppers. The ‘Just by Quicklly’ range includes readyto-eat meals made with rBST-free dairy, grass-fed lamb, antibiotic-free chicken, and long-grain Himalayan basmati rice, with offerings catering to halal, vegan, plant-based, and gluten-free preferences.“Our vision is to help shape the next evolution of Indian cuisine through strategic partnerships that deliver elevated, immersive food experiences,” said founders Hanish Pahwa and Keval Raj. “Launching with Costco and ALDI allows us to bring the depth and diversity of Indian flavors to more households than ever before.”At Costco, the initial launch features butter chicken as a flagship product across 81 stores in the Southeast region. The assortment also includes Lamb Vindaloo, reflecting culinary influences from Goa shaped by centuries of Portuguese history.At ALDI, butter chicken and chicken tikka masala will be available across about 2,500 stores nationwide, representing one of the company’s largest national retail expansions.Founded in 2017, Quicklly has grown through digital commerce driven by demand for accessible Indian products in the U.S. The partnerships with Costco and ALDI extend the company’s presence from online distribution into large-scale physical retail.Quicklly’s Indian meal brand, ‘Just by Quicklly’ / Courtesy: Quicklly