Obama appoints record number of Indian-Americans in 2013

December 29, 2013

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Washington, Dec 29: Indian-Americans never had it so good in the US, as a record number of members from the over three million-strong community were appointed to key positions in the White House in 2013.

Reflecting his special affection, President Barack Obama appointed a record number of Indian-Americans in the first year of his second innings at the White House, which experts say recognises the inherent talent of this ethnic community.

Possibly for the first time ever, more than a dozen Indian-Americans have been given key positions in the White House, while there are hardly any important departments where Indian-Americans do not occupy key posts.

There is no official list of Indian-Americans in the Obama Administration, but according to a list compiled by the PTI, the number easily crosses 50 -- a record figure so far.

Five Indian-Americans are holding key positions in the Obama Administration, which have been confirmed by the United States Senate.

While Rajiv Shah, Administrator of USAID, continues to be the highest ranking Indian-American in the administration; the most important administrative appointment of the year was that of Nisha Biswal, Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs.

Azita Raji, Member, President's Commission on White House Fellowship; Islam Siddiqui, Chief Agricultural Negotiator, US Trade Representative, and Vinai Thummalapally, Executive Director, Select USA, Department of Commerce, are the three others confirmed as administration officials by the Senate.

If confirmed by the Senate, Vivek Murthy, would be the first-ever Indian-American Surgeon General.

Two other Indian-Americans awaiting confirmation from the Senate include Arun Kumar, Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the US and Foreign Commercial Service.

Puneet Talwar, who played a key role in the Iranian nuclear deal, recently testified before the Senate for the key position of the Assistant Secretary of State for Political- Military Affairs.

If confirmed, for the first time ever two Assistant Secretary of State positions at the State Department would be held by Indian-Americans.

Obama himself praised Indian-Americans when he met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House on September 27.

"Indian-Americans make extraordinary contributions to the United States every single day - businessmen, scientists, academics, now Miss America is of Indian-American descent, and I think it's a signal of how close our countries are," Obama said.

In fact the top two positions in the South and Central Asia Bureau of the State Department are being held by Indian Americans. Atul Keshap was recently appointed as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for South Asia and is Deputy to Biswal.

In fact, the State Department over the past few years has seen a steady increase in number of Indian-Americans gaining key diplomatic positions.

In his remarks at the swearing in of Biswal, Secretary of State John Kerry recognised the talent of Indian-Americans.

"Nisha's experience and the success that so many Indian Americans bring to the American table shows to everybody in the world the deep ties that we have between the United States and India," Kerry said.

"When I joined, I knew of only two other Indian Americans; today, we have several dozens serving their country all around the world to advance American interests and promote American values," Keshap told PTI.

"A particular pleasure is seeing how many Indian Americans – ably led by Assistant Secretary Biswal - choose to spend their careers at the State Department working to advance relations between our two great democracies; they are building a legacy of accomplishment that will be of lasting benefit to both of our peoples for many decades to come," Keshap said.

"I think Indian American community's talents are being recognised," Ami Bera, the only Indian American in the current Congress, told PTI, referring to the large number of key positions being held by young Indian Americans in the various wings of the Obama Administration.

"I think that the first generation my generation who are born and raised here...many went into medicine, engineering and so forth. But the next generation our children and grandchildren...I think they are growing at being open to many different paths...political science, law etc so I think it is natural progression," he said.

While Bera has been a source of inspiration for the young Indian-Americans, this year also saw Indian-Americans entering the judiciary with a bang as Sri Srinivasan became the first South Asian to be sworn in as a judge of the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Prior to Obama's presidency, there had only been one South Asian federal judge nominated and confirmed to a lifetime appointment.

Obama has nominated five more including Srinivasan.

Among others being; Indira Talwani to the District Court Massachusetts, Vince Chhabria for District Court Northern District of California, and Manish Shah, Northern District of Illinois Court.

Not to miss is Preetinder Singh "Preet" Bharara, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, who is one of the most powerful US attorneys in the country now.

Among other key positions held in the administration are Kamala Vasagam, General Counsel, US Office of Personnel Management; Priya Aiyar, Deputy General Counsel, in the Department of Treasury; Kamran Khan, Vice-President for Compact Implementation, Millennium Challenge Corporation; the high profile Mythili Raman, Chief of Staff, Criminal Division, Department of Justice and Subhasri Ramanathan, Counselor to the Secretary, Department of Homeland Security.

While Daleep Singh is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Treasury for Europe & Eurasia; Vikram Singh is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security; and Kiran Ahuja, Executive Director, White House Initiative on Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI).

"Our Nation draws its strength from the diversity of its population and from its commitment to equal opportunity for all. We are at our best when we draw on the talents of all parts of our society, and our greatest accomplishments are achieved when diverse perspectives are brought to bear to overcome our greatest challenges," Ahuja told PTI.

"That is why his administration reflects the diversity of America, and why the President is committed to building a government that represents the people it serves - not only through relevant programs and services, but also in its composition. We are proud of the inclusion of AAPIs at all levels of government, and look forward to continuing on that progress," Ahuja said.

Vikram Aiyer is Deputy Chief of Staff, US Patent and Trademark Office in the Department of Commerce; Gaurab Bansal, Deputy Chief of Staff, Export-Import Bank; Amit Bose, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs, Department of Transportation; Jyoti Jasrasaria, Confidential Assistant to the Deputy US Trade Representative; Ven Neralla, Director of Congressional Affairs for Research, Education, and Economics, and National Institute of Food and Agriculture, US Department of Agriculture and Rajan Trivedi, Special Assistant to the Vice President and CEO, Millenium Challenge Corporation.

Obama Administration has the distinction of hiring the largest number of Indian Americans to his White House.

This includes Shilpa Phadke, Special Assistant to the President, Office of Cabinet Affairs; Anuj Gupta, Associate Staff Secretary, Office of the Staff Secretary; Rishi R Sahgal, Deputy Associate Counsel, Office of the White House Counsel; Shilpa Hegde, Assistant Staff Secretary, Office of the Staff Secretary; Rohan Patel, Associate Director, White House Council on Environmental Quality, and Jeremy Bernton, Outreach and Recruitment Director, Presidential Office.

Among other Indian-Americans occupying key positions are Gautam Raghavan, Advisor, White House Office of Public Engagement; Pavneet Singh, Senior Advisor and Director for International Economic Affairs, White House National Security Staff; Taara Rangarajan, Advisor to the National Security Advisor, White House National Security Staff; Puneet Talwar, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Iran, Iraq and the Gulf States.

Prem G Kumar, Senior Director for Middle East and North Africa, White House National Security Staff; Nitin K Chadda, Director for Iran Affairs, White House National Security Council and Avin Sharma, Economics Director, White House Office of Presidential Personnel also hold key positions.

"This is a record. The community owes it to Obama for recognising the talent of Indian Americans," Dr Sambhu Banik, a Bethesda psychologist, told PTI.

In 1990, he was appointed by President Ronald Regan as executive director of the President's Committee on Mental Retardation. In 1987, Regan appointed Joy Cherian to Equal Employment Opportunities Commission.

Also for the first time, Indian American Nina Davuluri, 24, was crowned with the Miss American title in 2013.

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News Network
March 18,2024

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Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed a landslide victory in the just-concluded presidential polls, securing him a fifth term in power. While Putin hailed the results as an indication of "trust" and "hope" in him, critics panned the polls for its preordained nature.

As early results poured in, Putin won 87.8% of the vote, the highest-ever result in Russia's post-Soviet history, Reuters quoted Public Opinion Foundation (FOM) exit polls. The Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) put Putin on 87%. 

If he completes the term, the 71-year-old President will also script history as Russia's longest-serving leader for more than 200 years, overtaking Josef Stalin. 

While Communist candidate Nikolai Kharitonov finished second with just under 4%, newcomer Vladislav Davankov third, and ultra-nationalist Leonid Slutsky fourth, partial results suggested.

In his victory speech, Putin said he would prioritise resolving tasks associated with Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine and would strengthen the Russian military. 

"We have many tasks ahead. But when we are consolidated - no matter who wants to intimidate us, suppress us - nobody has ever succeeded in history, they have not succeeded now, and they will not succeed ever in the future," said Putin. He was welcomed by his supporters to the stage with "Putin Putin" chants. He also hailed the results as an indication of "trust" and "hope" in him.

Later, while interacting with reporters, Putin also warned the West that a direct conflict between Russia and the U.S.-led NATO military alliance would mean the planet was one step away from World War Three but said hardly anyone wanted such a scenario. "It is clear to everyone, that this will be one step away from a full-scale World War Three. I think hardly anyone is interested in this," Putin told reporters after winning the biggest-ever landslide in post-Soviet Russian history.

Meanwhile, the Western world condemned the elections, stating the polls were neither free nor fair. While Germany called it a "pseudo-election" under an authoritarian ruler reliant on censorship, repression and violence, UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron condemned "the illegal holding of elections on Ukrainian territory".

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said, "The Russian dictator is simulating another election".

Earlier during the elections, heeding an opposition call to protest, hundreds of  Russians crowded outside polling stations at noon Sunday, on the last day of the elections. The associates of Alexei Navalny, the critic of Putin who died earlier this month in an Arctic prison, had urged people who were unhappy with Putin or the war in Ukraine to go to the polls at noon on Sunday. Many turned up and lines outside a number of polling stations both inside Russia and at its embassies around the world appeared to swell at that time.

Among those heeding the call was Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny's widow, who joined a long line in Berlin. She later told reporters that she cast her vote and wrote her late husband's name on the ballot.  Asked whether she had a message for Putin, Navalnaya replied: "Please stop asking for messages from me or from somebody for Mr. Putin. There could be no negotiations and nothing with Mr. Putin, because he's a killer, he's a gangster."

One woman in Moscow, who said her name was Yulia, told the AP that she was voting for the first time. "Even if my vote doesn't change anything, my conscience will be clear ... for the future that I want to see for our country," she said. Like others, she didn't give her full name because of security concerns.

Another Moscow voter, who also identified himself only by his first name, Vadim, said he hoped for change, but added that "unfortunately, it's unlikely".

More acts of rebellion were reported on Saturday too. Cases were filed against at least 15 people for pouring dye in ballot boxes, started fires or lobbing Molotov cocktails at polling stations. Ella Pamfilova, the head of Russia’s CEC, said 29 polling stations across 20 regions in Russia were targeted, including eight arson attempts.

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News Network
March 25,2024

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A teenager who led over 100 people to safety during Friday’s terrorist attack at a Moscow concert hall, has been hailed as a hero. 15-year-old Islam Khalilov, who worked part-time in one of the cloakrooms at Crocus City, recounted the events of the tragic evening to the Ruptly video agency.

The concert venue situated just outside of Moscow was packed ahead of a performance by the Russian rock band Picnic, when a group of terrorists armed with assault rifles forced their way into the building. They fired indiscriminately at fleeing people and then set the concert hall on fire.

According to the latest estimates, the attack has claimed the lives of at least 137 people, with about 180 injured.

Khalilov told the video agency that “it was when people started running from the escalator, from the stairway” that he realized that an emergency was occurring. The teenager said that he was acting on “instincts” at the time and used his thorough knowledge of the premises to quickly arrange visitors’ evacuation toward another building within the Crocus City complex.

“I started shouting all across the foyer, all across Crocus City Hall - ‘Folks, there’s a shooting! All run to the expo!’ – and I was showing where they had to go and was helping everyone,” he explained.

According to the cloakroom attendant, “there was a stampede, and everyone was in shock at first. No one knew what to do and where to go.”

Khalilov added that he himself was running behind the entire group to make sure he had not left anyone behind.

The teenager admitted to being “really scared” all along, but still managed to make the right use the instructions he’d previously been given on how to evacuate patrons in case of an emergency.

He told Ruptly that, at one point, he had caught a glimpse of one of the terrorists.

“I saw one, [he was] bearded and in green fatigues, he was walking around with an assault rifle,” the teenager recounted.

He also recalled seeing a man getting fatally shot by one of the assailants, adding that he “can’t stop thinking about it.”

The 15-year-old said he doesn’t consider himself a hero, and that he was just doing his job.

Explaining what helped him overcome fear, Khalilov reasoned that “It’s better to sacrifice yourself than to let a hundred people die.”

After Khalilov’s feat had been reported-on by several Russian media outlets, his favorite football club, FC Spartak Moscow, invited him to a meeting where he was presented with free passes to their matches.

Popular Russian rap artist Morgenstern said he had transferred 1,000,000 rubles ($11,000) to the teenager – something that Khalilov has confirmed to media.

The leader of Russia's Muslims, Mufti Ravil Guynutdin, has announced that Khalilov would receive a medal for his bravery.

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News Network
March 28,2024

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Russia says it is "extremely hard to believe" that Daesh could have staged the recent hugely deadly attack on a Moscow concert hall that the country's intelligence and security officials have blamed on Ukraine and its Western backers.

Four gunmen burst into the Russian capital's Crocus City Hall on Friday and began shooting at the people, who were attending an event. The Takfiri terrorist group has allegedly claimed responsibility for the massacre that killed at least 143.

Speaking on Wednesday, however, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova cast that claim into serious doubt.

"In order to ward off suspicions from the collective West, they urgently needed to come up with something, so they resorted to ISIS (Daesh), pulled an ace out of their sleeve, and literally a few hours after the terrorist attack, the Anglo-Saxon media began disseminating precisely these versions," she said.

The chief of the Russian internal intelligence (FSB), Alexander Bortnikov has suggested that not only Ukraine, but also the United States and Britain might have been behind the shooting.

The Russian Federal Security Service has also said the gunmen planned to travel to Ukraine, where they were to be welcomed as "heroes." The FSB said Western intelligence services aided the attackers.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has also suggested that Ukraine stood to derive benefit from the attack and that Kiev might have played a role.

He has said that someone on the Ukrainian side had prepared a "window" for the gunmen to escape across the border before they were captured in western Russia on Friday night.

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