Tag: California

US State Dept’s Donald Lu visits Jain Temple in California, says ‘Indian Americans are backbone of strong relationship between two countries’

News April 24, 2024April 24, 2024 indica

Donald Lu, US State Department Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs on Wednesday visited a Jain Temple in California and stressed that the Indian Americans are the backbone of strong relationship between the two countries. Following his visit, community leader Ajay Bhutoria welcomed State Department Assistant Secretary Donald Lu along with Senior Advisor for Domestic Outreach Jennifer Miller and Marissa Morales, Administrative Support Specialist to the Assistant Secretary.

In California, actor-filmmaker Nandita Das espouses the importance of strongly believing in issues

Culture, LBGT, News March 8, 2024March 8, 2024 indica

Actor, filmmaker, and social justice advocate Nandita Das was in California recently and spoke about feminism and inequality, and was hopeful the new generation would end gender discrimination. She was invited to the 2024 Maitri Gala held March 2 in Palo Alto, CA. Das, the event’s keynote speaker, has written, directed, produced, and acted in the seven-minute short film ‘Listen to Her’. Played at the gala, the short focuses on two forms of abuse women grappled with during the pandemic lockdown — the overburden of work and a surge in domestic violence.

At 21, Indian American Utkarsh Jain is running for California state seat as Republican

News February 19, 2024February 19, 2024 indica

At 21, Utkarsh Jain is among the youngest Republicans running for the California State Assembly District 14 seat in the upcoming primary on March 5. He will face incumbent Buffy Wicks (D) and Margot Smith (D). Jain is a student of economics at the University of California, Berkeley, exploring his interests in finance, economics, politics, sales, consulting, and entrepreneurship. A profile on his website says that “as part of a community of small business owners, he is understanding people’s needs and forging connections.”

California: Governor Gavin Newsom appoints two South Asian Americans to key positions

News February 18, 2024February 18, 2024 indica

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the appointment of two Indian Americans to key positions in the state administration on Sunday. According to the media note released by Newsom’s office, Hemant Dhingra, of Clovis, has been appointed to the Medical Board of California. Nisha Devi Rodrigo, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.

Indian-origin man in California sentenced to prison for insider trading

News February 16, 2024February 16, 2024 indica

An Indian-origin person who was involved in insider trading through which they made over a million dollars illegally was sentenced to six months in prison and ordered to forfeit $130,369.28, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Jon S. Tigar, U.S. District Judge.

Four members of Indian American family in California found dead in San Mateo home

News February 15, 2024February 15, 2024 indica

Four members of an Indian American family — including the two parents and twin boys — were found dead inside their San Mateo home in California on Monday, according to the local police. Local media reported that the case is being investigated as a murder-suicide. Local and Indian media identified the couple as Anand Sujith Henry and Alice Benziger. According to court records, the husband filed for divorce in December 2016, but did not go through with it.

California Assemblymember Ash Kalra to run for a fifth term, lays out aims and goals

News February 8, 2024February 8, 2024 indica

Indian American Ash Kalra is running for the California Assembly for the fifth time. “I made the conscious choice of serving my community rather than chasing money or entering the corporate world because I wanted a fulfilling life,” Kalra told indica in a freewheeling chat. The 52-year-old Kalra represents California’s 25th Assembly District, which encompasses the majority of San José, including downtown and open space areas in southeast Santa Clara County.

Vandalism at Hindu temple in California riles community

News January 6, 2024January 6, 2024 indica

Graffiti on a Hindu temple in Hayward, California, sign board had upset the community.

Sherawali Temple in Hayward, California

According to Romiel Vijay Chand, owner of the Vijay Sherawali temple, the graffiti he saw on Dec 26 had a political message, written in black: “Modi is a terrorist” and “Khalistan.”The modus operandi is similar to the one seen at the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir temple in Newark, California, which was vandalized on Dec 22.

In California, the move to recall Senator Aisha Wahab picks up momentum

News December 29, 2023December 30, 2023 indica

The demand to recall California District 10 State Senator Aisha Wahab is building pace by the day. The California Secretary of State’s office approved petitions for circulation for the recall of Senator Wahab on December 15, and the first rally was held Dec 23 at the senator’s constituency in Fremont, Calif. More rally signature rallies are planned for Dec 30 in Milpitas and Dec 31 in Santa Clara.

Indian American Sikh engineer Sukhdev Bainiwal announces for council run from San Jose District 8

News December 21, 2023December 22, 2023 indica

Indian American Sikh engineer and former city airport commissioner Sukhdev Bainiwal will contest the from District 8 of city of San Jose. Bainiwal, who has been living in the city since age 11, says his Evergreen neighborhood has been in decline over four decades; therefore, he is determined to change its course. Topping his priority list is resolving the numerous issues that plague his favorite neighborhood.

Interview: Indian American Rishi Kumar confident of winning California’s congressional District 16

News, iStory December 12, 2023December 13, 2023 indica

Indian American Rishi Kumar, who is running in the crowded US Congress ballot for California’s District 16, says he is confident of his victory because of his grassroots campaign in a constituency that stretches from East San Jose to Pacifica and includes the cities of Palo Alto, Mountain View and Menlo Park. His high-tech, Silicon Valley background could well work in three of the most recognized urban tech agglomerations in the world.

Indian-origin man arrested for alleged sexual assault on minor girl in California

News October 25, 2023October 25, 2023 indica

An Indian-origin man was arrested for sexually assaulting a minor girl in California. The suspect Sandeep Sandeep was arrested on charges of assault with intent to commit a sex crime, sexual battery, and false imprisonment. He was presented in court on Oct 25, and the case hearing was continued to Oct 27 for a Hindi interpreter to be present, Cynthia Sumida, spokesperson, Santa Clara County Office of the District Attorney told indica.