Atlanta in the southeast coast is emerging as a destination of interest for several international airlines, including Emirates, Etihad, and Saudi Airlines. While Emirates and Saudia are trying to get Atlanta on their global networks, Etihad made a surprise announcement about the launch of its service to Hartsfield -Jackson Atlanta Int. Airport. If things go as planned, Etihad flights to Atlanta will take off on 2 July 2025 and provide one-stop connection to India via Abu Dhabi.

Atlanta is Etihad Airways’ fifth direct destination in the US after New York, Chicago, Boston, and Washington DC. Currently, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines are the only Middle East carriers countering the dominance of European airlines in Atlanta. Effective 2 July 2025, the flag carrier of Abu Dhabi will be operating four weekly flights to Atlanta, Georgia; it means Etihad will connect Atlanta to India via its hub, Zayed International Airport, four times in a week.

Indians and non-Indian travelers from the Greater Atlanta area will get on Etihad Airways’ connecting flights to New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Chennai, Jaipur, Kozhikode, and Thiruvananthapuram at Abu Dhabi, a great city of explore during a stopover or a long layover. Indian Eagle, the trusted air-ticketing partner of Indians in America, brings you this guide on Etihad Airways’ free stopover programs for Indians and US citizens.

After having commenced flights to Boston, Etihad eyed both Atlanta and Philadelphia but chose Atlanta following an in-depth study on potential revenues from this route. Notably, Atlanta is one of the top 10 US cities that home the fast-growing South Asian communities.

Airbus A350-1000 will be deployed for the upcoming Etihad flights to and from Atlanta, USA in summer 2025. Equipped with Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines, A350-1000 is bigger and more powerful than A350-900 that both Air India and Emirates are zeroing in on for some routes between India and USA. A350-1000 provides ample space in premium travel cabins and accommodates more seats than A350-900, thereby reducing the seat-mile cost by 15-25%. Apparently, Etihad flights to Atlanta may offer quality experience on board.

Etihad ranked fourth among the world’s 25 safest airlines in 2024, according to Airlineratings.com, the only airline safety rating website. It is a most passenger-friendly airline offering inflight nanny service, onboard medical care support, and US immigration pre-clearance facility. Inflight meals and entertainment options are customized for family travelers with children on Etihad flights from USA to India. Check out our exclusive article on the perks of flying Etihad.

The post It’s Official: Atlanta to Get Etihad Airways Flights with One-stop Connection to India in 2025 appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

This Republic Day 2020, the government of India honoured 141 achievers including four Indian Americans with Padma awards for their distinguished service and contribution in their respective fields. All the recipients of Padma awards 2020 were felicitated by President Ram Nath Kovind on the 71^st Republic Day in New Delhi, India. The third richest Indian-origin billionaire Romesh T. Wadhwani, marketing guru Jagdish Sheth, California University’s economics professor Prasanta Kumar Pattanaik, and S.P. Kothari, former deputy dean at MIT Sloan School of Management are the four Indian American Padma awardees in 2020.

Romesh T. Wadhwani, Jagdish Sheth, SP Kothari (from left to right)

Billionaire-cum-Philanthropist Romesh T. Wadhwani

One of the richest billionaires in USA  and the wealthiest Indian Americans on Forbes’ 2019 list, Romesh T. Wadhwani is awarded the Padma Shri on the eve of the 71^st Republic Day. The third richest Indian-origin billionaire in USA with net worth USD 3.3 billion, Romesh Wadhwani is the founder of CEO of Symphony Technology Group. A resident of California, he is not just an astute entrepreneur but a compassionate philanthropist too. His journey from the day his family relocated to India from Karachi during the Partition to the day he became the richest Gujarati businessman in USA, is full of inspiring tales. An IIT Bombay graduate with a PhD in electrical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, he set up the Wadhwani Foundation with focus on socio-economic development in India. In 2012, he launched a world-class research facility at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru and named it after his mother, Shanta Wadhwani.

Marketing Guru Jagdish Sheth   

Among the overseas Indians honoured with Padma awards is Indian American Jagdish Sheth from Atlanta, Georgia. Popularly known as marketing guru, Jagdish Sheth received Padma Bhushan for his contribution in literature and education. ‘Theory of Buyer Behaviour’, co-authored by him, is considered as a ‘bible’ of consumer psychology and marketing. It was Jagdish Seth who presented the Philip Kotler Presidential Award to Narendra Modi in January 2019. A Professor of Business at Emory University Goizueta Business School, he came to the USA for MBA studies at the University of Pittsburgh in 1962. He is a widely published author with more than 200 articles to his name in leading marketing journals across the world.

California University’s Professor Prasanta Kumar Pattanaik

One of the Indian American Padma Shri awardees, Prasanta Kumar Pattanaik received the prestigious honour in literature and education. A professor of Economics at the University of California, Pattanaik hails from Odisha. A graduate of Odisha’s Utkal University with a PhD from Delhi School of Economics, he has several feathers in his cap. Apart from being a fellow of the Human Development and Capability Association, Prasanta Kumar Pattanaik works as a research associate for the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative. He shares the distinction of being an advisory editor for the journal, Social Choice and Welfare, with Nobel Laureate and economist Amartya Sen.

MTI’s Former Deputy Dean S.P. Kothari   

S.P. Kothari from Boston is one of the Indian American Padma Shri recipients in 2020. Kothari is the Gordon Y. Billard Professor of Management. He was the deputy dean at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management. An eminent alumnus of IIM-Ahmedabad with a PhD from the University of Iowa, S.P. Kothari served as the chief economist and director of the Division of Economic and Risk Analysis in the United States. He was once the global head of Equity Research, Barclays Global Investor. The American Accounting Association honoured him with the Accounting Literature Award 2014. Indian American S.P. Kothari is one of the experts on India’s economic policies.

Subscribe to Travel Beats, a leading Indian American community portal, for latest news & stories about Indian Americans, Indian events in USA, US visa & immigration news and US to India travel alerts. Travel Beats is a subsidiary of Indian Eagle, a trusted travel booking partner of Indians in USA with a proven record of making business flights to India from USA cheaper.

The post 4 Indian Americans Including Richest Billionaire of Indian Origin Receive Padma Awards This Republic Day appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

In a first of its kind, robbery took place at two Hindu temples in the United States within a span of 24 hours. The way the jewelry of the deities of the temples was stolen in both the cases, as reported by the priests, the robbery appears to be a well-planned act by no armed gang, but a team of professional thieves disguised as devotees.

The Mahalakshmi Temple of Atlanta, Cumming and the Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Riverdale in the US state of Georgia are the temples which reported the theft of their deities’ gold jewelry worth thousands of dollars.

In the evening of May 16, a band of six thieves – three men and three women – walked into the Sri Mahalakshmi Temple of Atlanta in Cumming and stole the gold jewelry off the deities in a surprisingly casual way. Two men out of the six got into a causal conversation with the two priests who were present in the sanctum, and cut the priests’ attention off the deities with their curiosity about the history of the temple.

When the priests of Sri Mahalakshmi Temple in Atlanta were proposed for an interview on their knowledge of Hindu religion, they stepped out of the sanctum and came outside. Taking advantage of the moment when the sanctum was unguarded, the other members of the band including three women with their heads covered who were casually walking around the prayer room, entered the sanctum and took the gold jewelry off the idols.

When one of the priests intended to go back inside the temple, the two men held him back for a little more conversation. Meanwhile, the other thieving members including a little girl fled the complex, with ten gold necklaces which are valued at over $15,000. The robbery, which was captured on the surveillance cameras at Sri Mahalakshmi Temple of Atlanta, was discovered around 6.30 PM.

Within 24 hours of the theft at Sri Mahalakshmi Temple of Atlanta, the gold jewelry of the presiding deity at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta was stolen in a similar incident of heist.

Surprisingly, the robbery took place in the presence of two priests in the sanctum of the temple, as per the reports. When the priests were busy preparing for the evening rituals in the afternoon of May 17, two Caucasian couples tiptoed near the presiding deity, Lord Venkateswara and stole the jewelry. They also took the jewelry off the idol of Andal at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Riverdale. The estimated value of the stolen jewelry is not yet known.

The thieves have not been arrested yet in either of the robbery cases in Atlanta Metropolitan Area, Georgia.

This news story is brought to you by Indian Eagle Travel, a leading air travel booking partner of Indians in US cities including Atlanta. Indian Eagle excels in booking cheap flights to India from USA. Travel Beats, a subsidiary of Indian Eagle, is a thriving Indian American community portal for community news and stories.

The post In Two Similar Robbery Cases, Thieves Steal Jewelry off Deities at Two Hindu Temples in USA appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

It has been one year and a half since the Indian community leaders in the US state of Georgia started gathering support for a petition to the Consulate General of India for direct Air India flights from Atlanta to India, in July 2017. Meanwhile, Air India launched nonstop flights from San Francisco to Mumbai. Just recently, Air India’s New York to Mumbai nonstop service saw the daylight. But, any possibility of nonstop flights to India from Atlanta was not hinted at until now. Hope, the fingers crossed in prayers for nonstop Air India flights from Atlanta to major Indian cities will make the ‘V’ sign in 2019.

The Federation of Indian American Associations (FIA) of Georgia has presented a memorandum to Indian government, seeking assistance in making seamless air connectivity from Atlanta to India possible for over 2 lakh Indians in Georgia. The memorandum was submitted to the Minister of State for External Affairs General on November 25, 2018. The President of FIA Georgia, Dr. Vasudev Patel is very sanguine about a positive impact of the memorandum in making Atlanta an Air India gateway in the Southeast USA.

“There are bright prospects for nonstop Air India flights from Atlanta to Delhi or Mumbai, as not only Georgia Indians but Indians from the neighboring states like Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina will be able to leverage the service to their benefit. With the Indian community growing in and around Atlanta, the mounting pressure on Air India to operate direct flights to and from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is not unjust,” the chief marketing officer of Indian Eagle Travel opined.

Currently, Qatar Airways, British Airways and Air France offer good deals for cheap Atlanta to Delhi flights, economy and business, with one-stop layover at their primary hubs – Doha, London and Paris respectively. While British Airways takes 17hr 40min from Atlanta to Delhi IGI Airport, Air France takes 19hr 10min. Qatar Airways’ Atlanta to Delhi flights are as long as 20hr 30min, which includes a layover of 3hr 25 min at Doha. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport being one of the hubs, Delta Airlines operates one-stop Atlanta to India flights in codeshare partnership with other airlines, including Jet Airways.

In response to the memorandum, General Vijay Kumar Singh, the Minister of State for External Affairs has promised to push for nonstop Air India flights from Atlanta to Mumbai or New Delhi, according to a press release. He said that Indians in Georgia do definitely deserve nonstop flights to India from Atlanta for better connectivity and the shortest travel time.

“In 2019, Delta Airlines is supposed to make its comeback to India with nonstop flights to Mumbai from any of its hubs in the US. It may be Atlanta, New York, Seattle, Los Angeles, or Detroit. Georgia Indians will be more than happy if Atlanta be the base of nonstop Delta flights to Mumbai in 2019. On top of that, if Air India launches nonstop service to and from Atlanta, it will be a double celebration for them,” said the chief information officer of IndianEagle.com.

The post Indian American Associations of Georgia Push for Nonstop Air India Flights from Atlanta to India appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Nate Natesan, the one-man army of Swacch Devalaya in the US state of Georgia, reminds us of Rabindranath Tagore’s motivational song, “If no one responds to your call, move alone. O dear, move alone.” We at Indian Eagle take pleasure in publishing and sharing the inspiring story of Nate Natesan as part of our continued effort to promote good work by Indian Americans, through our community portal, Travel Beats.

Nate Natesan, an Atlanta-based Indian American, is living Mahatma Gandhi’s words “Be the change you want to see in the world” by keeping temples clean and instilling self-discipline among devotees through his reform movement Swacch Devalaya in Georgia. Since 2006, he has been putting visitors’ shoes and sandals orderly on racks in order to keep temple premises clean and raise awareness about civic sense among the people.

One of the few great humans of Atlanta and the founder of Swacch Devalaya, Nate Natesan is a business analyst. He traveled with a degree in Mathematics from Bombay University in Mumbai to New Jersey, and did MBA in finance at Rutgers University NJ. He has worked in several MNCs in Mumbai, Pune, New Jersey and Atlanta. He believes that the purity of soul begins with self-discipline and that no work is small or insignificant if it does good to the community.

Inception of Swacch Devalaya

Swacch Devalaya in Atlanta surfaced long before Swacch Bharat in India. Nate Natesan’s generous act of arranging people’s shoes at temples in Atlanta had been a nameless pursuit of volunteerism until he launched Swacch Devalaya on Facebook in June 2014. However, the present Swacch Devalaya in Georgia was ideated in 2006 during his visit to the Chinmaya Mission Balavihar where he found a mess of visitors’ shoes scattered here and there to his utter surprise.

People’s lack of self-discipline and no concern for cleanliness motivated Nate Natesan to set an example of leadership in bringing the change. Since then he has been arranging devotees’ shoes on the floor and on racks to keep temple premises and entrance clean. He started from satsanghs at public places once a week and went on to do the same at Hanuman Mandir nearby his home, two evenings a week in 2010.

Nate Natesan took the mission to all temples in Atlanta following the online launch of Swacch Devalaya in Georgia in 2014. He single handedly clears the mess of footwear and keeps shoes in an order at Shirdi Sai Mandir, Sri Mahalakshmi Temple, Shakti Mandir, Shiv Mandir and Sanatana Mandir on both usual days and special occasions. Though it requires him to stand all the time to manage a huge throng of shoes, he continues it out of his love for community and his belief, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”

Response to Swacch Devalaya

Though temple priests, authorities and devotees admire him for his Swacch Devalaya movement, no one comes forward with a helping hand other than a few who randomly assist him for a short duration. However, it does not discourage him to continue volunteering at temples in and around Atlanta. Rather he attends various events and networks with people from different walks of life to promote the mission and vision of Swachh Devalaya in Atlanta, GA.

Wherever Nate Natesan finds a platform or whenever he gets an opportunity to speak about his reform movement, he does not step back. At times, he distributes fliers at public places to spread the message about cleanliness, self-discipline and civic sense far and wide. He is also active on social media. He posts updates of Swacch Devalaya and shares recognitions of the movement on his Facebook page.

Nate Natesan is a man of principles. He is so committed to the goals of Swacch Devalaya that he bears expenses for fliers, shoe bags, transport and other things as well as activities out of his own pocket. He neither approaches any organization nor asks anyone to donate to further his initiative. What he expects people to contribute or donate towards his mission is nothing but Time.

Mission of Swacch Devalaya

The mission of Swacch Devalaya is aligned with Nate Natesan’s vision of a disciplined community with good civic sense and love for cleanliness. He says unambiguously that a temple is a community home, and so it is everyone’s responsibility to keep it clean. He occasionally writes to various organizations to promote the cause. He concludes saying that he will continue volunteering at temples as long as his body permits.

The mission of Swacch Devalaya in Georgia is not limited to the act of arranging shoes at temples. It also emphasizes other areas of cleanliness like parking cars at designated places, abiding by temple rules, respecting public property, adhering to queues for Aarti and Prasad, teaching kids discipline and educating them on cleanliness.

Nate Natesan is a true leader in selfless service to the community. He has rendered various community services including volunteering in soup kitchens. He is looking to form “an army of volunteers to tutor children who hardly get any help towards learning.

Success Stories of Swacch Devalaya

Nate Natesan earned nomination for CNN Heroes. Every year CNN receives nominations for ordinary individuals playing extraordinary agents of change for betterment of the world, and selects ten CNN Heroes out of nominations. Nate Natesan is a hero of Atlanta to Indians in Atlanta Metropolitan area. Some of the major temples in Atlanta have recognized Swacch Devalaya and embraced it.

The inspiring story of Nate Natesan’s Swacch Devalaya in Atlanta has found space in in electronic and print media. A possible change in children who are better organized at home under the influence of Swacch Devalaya, according to their parents, is the best achievement for this Atlanta Indian hero. Recently, Sewa International USA honored him for his initiative to keep temples clean.

We at Indian Eagle salute to Nate Natesan, who may be seen wearing a Swacch Devalaya vest and arranging people’s footwear at temples in Atlanta and at various Indian community events. Do take a moment to thank him for his selfless community service if you happen to meet him ever. Let’s promote and embrace Swacch Devalaya to give back to him.    

Also Read: Atlanta Indian Shefali Quit Lucrative Job to Serve the Poor 

The post Indian American Nate Natesan Promotes Cleanliness, Self-discipline, Civic Sense through Swacch Devalaya appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

India was the cradle of chess, a globally popular mind game, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica. Earlier known as Chaturanga, chess used to be a royal game in ancient India. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a set of chess to the King of Bhutan and his family on a 4-day visit to India. Often, one’s diplomatic and decision-making skills are linked to one’s prowess in the game of chess. There is another great usefulness of this mind game, and that too is for cerebral health of senior citizens.

Yes, chess can be used for a cause. That’s what two Indian American girls – Anuhya Tadepalli and Poojita Chinmay – are doing for the sake of the aging population in Metro Atlanta Area, Georgia. They use chess to empower seniors against age-related mental health challenges. We at Indian Eagle pride ourselves on giving a shout out to their initiative, Chess for a Cause in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area, as part of our series of inspiring stories about Young Indians in the USA.

Launched in 2016, Chess for a Cause is a noble, volunteering, nonprofit organization with the goal of relieving age-related mental health ailments like dementia in a rapidly-aging America. One of the volunteering organizations in the Metro Atlanta Area, Chess for a Cause is steered by a team of high school chess players towards its mission. The Chess for a Cause team makes volunteering visits to assisted living facilities for the elderly in Atlanta Metropolitan Area and demonstrates mental health benefits of chess to them. They teach seniors how to play chess through interactive videos and hands-on practice.

Apart from teaching chess to senior citizens and playing it with them, the founders of Chess of a Cause – Anuhya Tadepalli and Poojita Chinmay – research on various forms of dementia including Alzheimer’s in the elderly. “We formed Chess for a Cause in order to bring the benefits of chess to the doorsteps of senior in our community through volunteer work from high school students,” says Anuhya Tadepalli, an Indian American resident of Milton.

Also Read: Indian American Girls Fund Children’s Cleft Lip Surgery in India

In June 2017, Anuhya Tadepalli’s Chess for a Cause was selected as one of the winners in a statewide competition, which was intended to recognize innovative ways to support and engage the elderly or differently-abled seniors. Chess for a Cause was awarded by the Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services.

Chess for a Cause is currently associated with 14 senior citizen healthcare facilities in Milton, Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek, Sandy Springs and Suwanee in the Metro Atlanta Area.

How Chess for a Cause happened to Anuhya Tadepalli and Poojita Chinmay, is a story worth sharing. These two Indian American girls hit upon the idea of using the game of chess as a mental health stimulant for the elderly while volunteering for seniors at a local memory care facility one summer. Anuhya Tadepalli, a senior at Milton High School and Poojita Chinmay, a junior at Gwinnett County’ School of Mathematics, Science and Technology dived deep into research on how playing chess could help adults cope with age-related mental health problems.

Milton’s Mayor Joe Lockwood praised Anuhya Tadepalli and thumbed up her initiative as an inspiration to everyone. He said eloquently that Anuhya’s volunteering for senior citizens’ mental wellbeing not only has medical benefits but social and psychological benefits as well.

Not only Anuhya and Poojita, but more and more Indian American teens are coming forward to serve the aging populace of America. Chicago-based Dhivya Sridar’s I-AM SHAKTI is a ray of hope for victims of mental health disorders. California Indian Anika Kumar’s ‘Forget Me Not’ phone call program is a voluntary service to help socially isolated elderly people bare their hearts and minds. Thus, these young Indian Americans are bridging the generation gap with the elderly while working for community welfare. – Indian Eagle

The founders of Chess for a Cause are inviting volunteers to join their mission across the US state of Georgia. Those who are interested can comment below or write to us at share@blogbox.indianeagle.com.

The post Chess for a Cause in Georgia: Two Indian American Girls’ Initiative for Victims of Dementia in USA appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Unfortunately, Hurricane Irma has not lost much momentum even after wreaking havoc throughout Florida and the Caribbean almost for a week. According to the latest weather forecasts, Irma is staggeringly moving towards Atlanta causing chilly breeze and drizzles in South and Middle Georgia this morning. With the passing of the morning into day, heavy downpours and strong winds are expected in Atlanta Metropolitan Area. The world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson-Atlanta International Airport (ATL) falls on the way of Hurricane Irma to Ohio and Illinois.

A state of emergency has already been declared in all 159 counties of Georgia, and a warning has been issued to Atlanta Metropolitan Area. Atlanta started preparing for eventualities as early as Monday morning. At the same time, Hurricane Irma will not be more powerful than a tropical storm by the time it reaches Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in late hours of the day, according to the National Hurricane Service.

However, concerns about travel to, from and through Atlanta cannot be ignored even if Hurricane Irma loses velocity and becomes a tropical storm. Air traffic control stops operating when winds continue to blow at 55 mph or higher. Irma may not go below 73 mph by the time it reaches Atlanta International Airport. On Sunday night (yesterday), Atlanta Airport tweeted that high winds and rains could delay flight operations in 24 hours.

Delta Airlines Travel Alert for Atlanta Airport

Atlanta is one of the major hubs for Delta Airlines flights to and from USA. Delta operates more than 80% of flights at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Apprehending disruption of services from Monday afternoon through Tuesday (September 12), Delta requested customers to reschedule their travel dates and announced to waive change fees for it. The airline has already canceled 130 connection flights at Atlanta Airport, which were scheduled on Monday afternoon.

Those having confirmed Delta flight tickets dated between September 6 and 17 for traveling to, from or through Georgia airports Atlanta, Albany and Columbus are eligible for waiver on Delta’s change fee for rescheduling their travel (in the same class and on the same route) on or by September 30, 2017. If one’s confirmed travel on Delta is rescheduled beyond September 30 under the circumstances influenced by Irma, the change fee will be waived but fare difference may apply. In this case, rescheduled travel must be taken within one year from the date of the original issue.

Yesterday, Delta Air Lines also hinted at disruption of catering service for inflight meals under the impact of Hurricane Irma. The airline has also paused pet-in-cabin and baggage fees for those traveling through the Irma-hit cities and the cities likely to be affected.

Indian Eagle Travel

We are at work 24×7 to assist our customers in rescheduling or canceling their travel to, from and through Atlanta and other cities in Georgia. We do appreciate your patience if you are not able to reach us over phone (1-800-615-3969) due to high call volumes. We are in contact with the airlines which operate flights to and from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and other Georgia airports. However, be advised to check your flight status (delayed or canceled) on the operating airline’s website.

The National Weather Service’s Forecasts for Atlanta Airport: 

Monday Night: Tropical storm conditions expected. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.
Tuesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 am and 9 am, then a chance of showers after 9 am. Cloudy, with a high near 71. South wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 9 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers after 9 am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Wednesday Night: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 9 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80.
Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9 pm, then a slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

The post Georgia Airports Including Atlanta Prepare for Possible Eventualities of Hurricane Irma appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Nonstop Air India flights to and from Atlanta seem to be the next headline for Indians in Georgia, USA since a group of leading Atlanta Indians came forward to approach Air India with a petition to make the capital of Georgia its gateway in the Southeast United States. The Consulate General of India in Atlanta has thumbed up the proposal. The Atlanta Indian community is all set to gather momentum for the petition to Air India.

With increasing numbers of Indian population in Atlanta and neighboring cities, demand for nonstop flights from Atlanta to Delhi and other Indian cities is on the rise. Being a thriving economic hub in the Southeast, Atlanta has potential to be a promising destination among the US gateways of Air India. Atlanta Indians are looking to welcome the flag carrier of India for a base at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest air travel hub.

Air India is on an expansion spree in the United States for better connectivity with New Delhi and other major Indian cities. Undeniably, Atlanta is one of the next targets of the airline’s expansion plan. Air India has already announced to operate nonstop flights to Delhi from Dallas and Los Angeles later this year (2017). The Delhi-Washington DC nonstop service has been a success since its launch on July 7 this year. Currently, Air India has five US gateways.

If Georgia Indians get nonstop Air India flights from Atlanta to India, the airline will have to face stiff competition from other international carriers which made their way to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in 2016. Both Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines launched one-stop connecting flights between Atlanta and key Indian cities via their respective hubs in the Gulf region last year.

Air India’s other competitors are Lufthansa and Delta Airlines in the Southeast. Lufthansa operates some routes to India from Atlanta through its hub in Frankfurt. Delta Airlines operates flights from Atlanta to Mumbai, Delhi and other Indian cities via Amsterdam in codeshare partnership with Jet Airways. Notably, cheap fare deals for Atlanta to India flights by the rivals of Air India are available at Indian Eagle.

Nagesh Singh, the consul general of India in Atlanta, has long been a driving force behind the Atlanta Indian community’s proposal for nonstop flights to India for better connectivity and shorter travel time on popular long-haul routes. In addition, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is ready to welcome Air India.

The post Atlanta Indians to Propose Air India for Nonstop Flights from Atlanta to Major Indian Cities appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Indian Independence Day Celebrations in USA are the biggest events for Indians in America. The calendar of August 2017 is full of events around the 71^st Indian Independence Day in USA. Needless to say; the Indian community in US cities will be having a gala time throughout the month of August. We at Indian Eagle handpicked some of the best 71^st Indian Independence Day celebrations in USA cities for you.

List of 71st Indian Independence Day Celebrations in USA

Festival of India in Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta will soak in Indian culture and heritage at the Festival of India on August 5. First held in 1997 to commemorate the 50^th Independence Day of India, the festival became one of the biggest Indian Independence day events in Atlanta. Among the most-awaited Atlanta Indian events in August 2017, the 21^st edition of the festival will celebrate India’s 71^st Independence Day with mouthwatering dishes from various Indian cuisines and cultural programs on Indian performing arts. The event will also feature petting zoo for kids, shopping booths and seminars on different topics. Being hosted by India American Cultural Association, the event will be held at Infinite Energy Center in Duluth.

India Day Parade in New York

The Indian Independence Day celebrations in New York City are second to none. Desis in New York will commemorate India’s independence with the grand India Day Parade on August 20. One of the biggest Indian events in New York in August 2017, it was initiated in 1981 and became an annual tradition for New York Indians. The India Day Parade NYC is a great chance to witness the Indian Independence Day celebrations in New York. Organized by Federations of Indian Associations, the NYC India Day Parade 2017 will start at Madison Avenue’s 40^th Street and end at the 23^rd Street.

India Day in Boston

Boston Indians are not less enthusiastic about Indian Independence Day celebration than Indians in other US cities. The India Day by India Association of Greater Boston on August 20 is among the best Boston Indian events in August 2017 as the event marks the celebration of 71^st Indian Independence Day. One of the top Indian Independence Day events in USA, the India Day in Boston has the theme ‘Unity in Diversity’. In keeping with the theme, the programs on the schedule of the India Day 2017 in Boston will showcase the cultural diversity of India.  The Hatch Memorial Shell is the venue for the India Day in Boston.

2017 India Day in Naperville, Chicago

Indian Independence Day celebrations in Chicago include the 2017 India Day in Naperville on August 13. Hosted by Indian Community Outreach, it seems one of the largest events for Indians in Naperville in August 2017 to celebrate India’s 71^st Independence Day. To be held at Naperville’s Knock Park, the event will start with a spectacular parade followed by a live concert by Bollywood rockstar Mika Singh. Other entertainment programs include local talent show and fashion show. The Indian Independence Day events in Naperville will conclude with a breathtaking display of fireworks.

India Independence Day in Los Angeles

Are you looking for the top Indian Independence Day events in Los Angeles? Then you should definitely show up at the India Independence Day in California’s Chatsworth on August 26. Among the August 2017 events for Los Angeles Indian community, it will offer Bay Area Indians an amazing chance to take part in Indian Independence Day celebrations in California. The Desis can have tryst with Indian culture, heritage and food as the event venue will have several booths dedicated to Indian food and cultural performance. There will also be many fun programs for kids besides a health fair. The event is sponsored by Emirates Airlines and the India Association of Los Angeles at Chatsworth High School in California.

FOG India Day Parade in Fremont, CAL

Among the Indian Independence Day celebrations in Fremont, the 2017 FOG India Day Parade in Fremont on August 13 celebrates whatever is Indian to the core. Among the biggest Indian parades in USA, it features majestic processions of Grand Marshals riding more than 100 open-top cars, 50 colorful floats, cultural presentations, etc. Expected to see the participation of over 150,000 people, it will surely be on the list of events for Indians in San Francisco in August 2017. Paseo Padre Parkway in Fremont is the venue for the grand parade.

Jai Ho! Independence Bollywood Party in Seattle

Among the upcoming Indian Independence Day celebrations in Seattle, Jai Ho! Bollywood Party will make Indians in Seattle celebrate the 71^st anniversary of Indian independence by shaking their legs to some of the best Bollywood songs. The best of Seattle Indian events in August 2017, it will be a great opportunity to socialize with the fellow Desis. The party will also feature eminent DJ Ki and other special guests for entertaining the audience. Make sure to wear either orange, white and green clothes or traditional Indian attires as there is a dress code. Being hosted by DJ Prashant, the dance party will be held on August 12 at the Crocodile Club in Seattle.

India Independence Day Parade in Chicago

India Day Parade NYC might be famous as the world’s biggest Indian day parade, but Chicago’s annual India Independence Day Parade is undoubtedly one of the not-to-be-missed Indian Independence Day celebrations in Illinois. With a lineup of exciting activities for Chicago Indians, the parade is among the top Indian events in Chicago in August 2017. The Indian Independence Day Parade in Chicago will start at 11 AM on August 19 from Devon Avenue.

Parade of India in Austin, Texas

The Parade of India in Austin on August 12 is what Austin Indians are eagerly waiting for to get soaked in patriotism during the Indian Independence Day celebrations in Austin. Of the upcoming Austin Indian events in August 2017, it will be a spectacular celebration of not only Indian independence but also Indian culture. The schedule of the 2017 Parade of India in Austin is chock-a-block with a number of cultural performances alongside many fun activities such as face painting for kids. Delicious Indian food at the Parade of India in Austin will surely be a treat to the taste buds. The Texas State Capitol is the venue for the parade in Austin.

Magnificent India- Independence Day Celebrations in Stafford

Indians in Stafford are gearing up to take part in the 71^st Independence Day celebrations in Houston at the Magnificent India festival on August 20. One of the best August 2017 events for Houston Indians, it will be an ethnic extravaganza full of cultural programs. While Indian kids can participate in quiz and elocution contests, the grown-ups can catch up with their fellow Indians over appetizing Indian dishes and drinks. The Riyaaz Qawaali music concert is another highlight of the event. Being organized by the non-profit India Culture Center, it will be held at Stafford Centre.

Independence Day Mela in St. Louis, Missouri  

The list of Indian Independence Day celebrations in St. Louis includes Independence Day Mela by the India Association of St. Louis on August 13 in Missouri. The event will start with the hoisting of Indian Flag. One of the most awaited Indian community events in St. Louis in August 2017; the Independence Day Mela in St. Louis takes Missouri Indians on a ride of nostalgia through whatever is Indian essentially and what they miss in USA. Mahatma Gandhi Center in St. Louis is the venue for the event.

India Festival 2017 in Portland, Oregon

Indians in Portland are about to experience the culture, food, traditions and heritage of India like never before during the 71^st Indian Independence Day celebrations in USA. One of the amazing Portland Indian community events in August 2017, the India Festival 2017 will commemorate India’s 71^st Independence Day with dance, food and music. The cultural gala includes also children’s craft workshop, rangoli making and sari tying in its schedule of entertaining programs for Portland Indians. Hosted by India Cultural Association Portland, the India Festival 2017 in Portland will be held on August 13 at Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Indian Eagle is a leading travel partner of Indians in USA for booking their flights to India from US cities. The lowest airfare along with the best service is guaranteed. Indian Eagle’s Indian American community portal, Travel Beats publishes the latest tourist, travel, visa and immigration news.

The post Details of 10 Best Indian Independence Day Celebrations for Indians in America in August 2017 appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Indian American photographer Anand Varma from Atlanta is named ‘Emerging Explorer’ by National Geographic. One of the achievers in the Atlanta Indian community, he is one of the 14 individuals from different walks of life, who National Geographic selected as Emerging Explorers of the year 2017.

National Geographic’s list of Emerging Explorers recognizes exceptional talent of aspiring artists, storytellers, scientists, innovators and conservationists from across the world, who act as agents of change for betterment of the world through their work of art, technology, engineering, education, or innovation.

Atlanta-based Anand Varma is a science photographer and traveler. He is a passionate storyteller too. He is fond of discovering and telling stories behind the science of everything in day-to-day life. He observes primate behavior, studies hummingbird biomechanics, explores forest ecology and likes through the lens of his camera.

Being a first-generation Indian American, Anand grew up in Atlanta exploring the charms of woods and admiring the vivacity of streams unlike other children. His curiosity about the world of nature knew no bounds when he found his dad’s old camera in his teens. It set him on an adventure spree to discover joys and wonders in the natural world.

Anand Varma’s interest in photography is not limited to exploring the wonders of nature and telling their stories. A graduate in interactive biology from the University of California, Berkeley, he also helps biologists communicate their research through photographs. His photographs depict the science behind an array of things from amphibian diseases to mangrove forests.

His tryst with National Geographic dates back to 2006 since when he has assisted several personalities with 13 articles published in National Geographic. The title ‘Emerging Explorer’ is not his first recognition from National Geographic. He received a Young Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society in 2010.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Anand Varma wanted to become a marine biologist because of his obsession with marine life. When he was a teen, he worked in a local aquarium store where he was required to sell various fishes and study their biology. It deepened his interest in marine life. A die-hard admirer of Charles Darwin and E. O. Wilson, he worked as a wetland photographer in temperate rain forests and arid grasslands during a project with National Geographic.

Alongside conferring the title ‘Emerging Explorer,’ National Geographic awards each $10,000 for research and exploration in their respective fields, so that the selected individuals can enlarge the impact on the world they are making through their work. “These bold people with their transformative ideas are taking National Geographic’s mission further and improving the world as they go,” National Geographic said in a press release.

Travel Beats, a dedicated Indian Diaspora portal by Indian Eagle, publishes the latest news and interesting stories from India and USA. Subscribe to Travel Beats’ free newsletter for the latest updates on Indian American community and air travel. 

The post Indian American Anand Varma from Atlanta is Named Emerging Explorer by National Geographic appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.