International airport terminals are very happening places with vibrant retail areas. Airports across the US look merrier and livelier with glittering Christmas trees, festive lights, bustling passengers, and frequent aircraft movement during the winter holiday period. How is it if you get to spend some more time with your departing family inside the terminal and accompany them to the boarding gate amid the “happy holidays” vibes? Isn’t it interesting?

A handful of US airports allow non-travelers to enter the terminal, go past TSA security and access the area that is usually reserved for passengers with boarding passes. Just before major airlines’ Black Friday flight sale became public on the eve of Thanksgiving Day 2025, San Diego International Airport launched the SAN Pass – a visitor pass program for non-ticketed visitors. With a SAN Pass, you can see off your family from the boarding gate, greet your visiting parents in the arrivals area, and hang out in the retail area of San Diego Airport.

How to apply for San Diego Airport’s visitor pass 

Applying for San Diego International Airport’s new visitor pass is as easy as that for Seattle Tacoma Airport’s visitor pass. Here’s a step-by-step guide to obtain the SAN Pass online. Currently, the visitor pass is not available offline.

• Apply online through SAN Airport’s official website. You can do it up to 7 days in advance or jus the day before your family’s travel is scheduled.
• Fill in your full legal name, date of birth, and gender matching your TSA ID.
• TSA reviews your application. If you apply in advance, you’ll typically get an approval email just after midnight on your day of visit. For same‑day applications, the response may come in about 15 minutes.
• Once approved, San Diego Airport sends you a PDF pass via email, which you must save on your mobile device (printed copies are not accepted).
• At the airport, go to the general screening line in Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, present the SAN Pass saved on your phone, along with a TSA‑approved ID, and go through standard security screening.

Who can apply for SAN Airport visitor pass?

The SAN Pass is available for non-ticketed individuals with a valid TSA-approved photo ID. You must be 18 years or older to apply for the visitor pass to San Diego Airport. Minors are allowed if accompanied by an adult with the SAN Pass. One adult can take up to three children along with him or her on one SAN visitor pass. For minors under 18, a government-issued photo ID is not required. This program is especially helpful for those who want to spend a few extra hours with their family and loved ones take flights from San Diego to India or any other destination.

Is San Diego Airport’s pass for visitors free?

Yes, the SAN visitor Pass is completely free for all eligible non-travelers. There is no application fee. The pass is valid for the day of its issuance.

What other California airports have visitor pass program?

• Ontario International Airport: ONT Visitor Pass
• Palm Springs International Airport: PSP Visitor Pass
• John Wayne International Airport: OC AirPass

TSA Security and San Diego Airport rules for visitor pass

• SAN Pass holders go through regular TSA security screening, just like passengers.
• PreCheck, CLEAR, or expedited lanes are not available.
• You must follow all TSA rules regarding prohibited items.
• The pass is completely free, but there is a cap on the number of passes issued daily.
• Passes are given on a first‑come, first‑served basis, subject to TSA approval.
• Misuse of the pass, such as trying to bypass the airport’s official visitor badge program, can result in revocation and a loss of future privileges.
• The program may be adjusted, suspended, or cancelled depending on airport operations or security requirements.

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Indeed, America is the incubator of ideas, the cradle of innovations, and the architect of billionaire-dollar careers. Evidently, recognition runs high for Kruti Patel Goyal, a new comer in the club of Indian American CEOs; Adarsh Kumar, who won the Global Student Prize from USA; Varun Mohan whom Google roped in for $2.4bn; Tejasvi Manoj whose AI app saves senior citizens from cyber scams. Now the American Dream of two Indian-origin college dropouts – Adarsh Hiremath and Surya Midha – hit the jackpot.

The college dropouts cum AI startup founders, Adarsh Hiremath and Surya Midha became the world’s youngest self-made billionaires only at 22, stealing the limelight from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who was the youngest billionaire at 23 in 2008. The Indian-American college friend duo, along with their business partner Brenden Foody, have reached this milestone after their startup – Mercor AI – is recently valued at USD 10 billion. What began as a simple AI-driven recruiting startup has now grown into one of the fastest-growing companies in the US Silicon Valley.

Who are Adarsh Hiremath and Surya Midha, the world’s youngest billionaires?

Born to Indian immigrants in California, Adarsh Hiremath and Surya Midha grew up imbibing core Indian values and listening to success stories of Silicon Valley ventures. Both attended Bellarmine College Preparatory, a Jesuit high school known for its academic excellence and award-winning debate team. That’s where they met and discovered their shared passion for technology and problem-solving.

Adarsh’s family traces its roots to Karnataka, while Surya’s parents migrated from New Delhi to the United States in the 1990s. Growing up as US citizens of Indian origin, they shared the discipline and determination of their immigrant families, while embracing the risk-taking mindset and problem-solving attitude of the West. This east-west cultural mix became the foundation of their entrepreneurial journey.

In 2023, they, along with their friend Brendan Foody, founded Mercor, aiming to connect software engineers from India and other emerging markets with tech companies in the US. As artificial intelligence gained global momentum, they quickly spotted a larger-than-life opportunity. The company pivoted from recruiting to providing “human-in-the-loop” AI training services, where real experts help improve AI models through data labeling, testing, and feedback. This shift defined Mercor’s meterio rise.

How Adarsh Hiremath and Surya Midha became billionaires at 22

Mercor AI’s stupendous valuation catapulted Adarsh Hiremath and Surya Midha to the league of Indian-origin billionaires, including the richest Indian American Jay Chaudhry. Powered by innovation and timing, Mercor now serves major AI labs like OpenAI and Anthropic, employing more than 30,000 global contractors, including engineers, lawyers, and medical professionals who assist in training large AI systems. The trio in the C-suite not only propelled Mercor into the global spotlight but also created history as the world’s youngest billionaires.

According to Forbes, the net worth of Adarsh Hiremath, Surya Midha, and Brendan Foody is based on Mercor’s $10bn valuation, not on liquid cash. Each of them reportedly owns about 22 percent of the company, which equals approximately $2.2 billion each on paper. Their net worth will multiply with the increasing valuation of Mercor AI. After raising $32 million in 2024 (Series A) and $100 million in early 2025 (Series B), Mercor closed a $350 million Series C round, which elevated its valuation to $10 billion.

This story is part of our continued series that gives a shoutout to achievements of Young Indians in America. Travel Beats is a subsidiary of IndianEagle.com, the most trusted air-ticketing partner of Indians and Americans. Best Indian Eagle flight deals make travel between USA and India cheaper, irrespective of routes.

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The most-anticipated recognition of Diwali as a public holiday in California is just GOV Gavin Newsom’s signature away. California would be the largest US state to celebrate the festival of lights this year, and the below list of Diwali events in San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Irvine, Dublin, and Sunnyvale would make it extra special. Temple pujas, Annakut offerings, Ramayan musicals, fireworks, cultural performances, and family activities are among the highlights of California Diwali events in 2025.

The selection of places for Diwali celebration in California is brought to you by Travel Beats, a leading portal for diaspora stories and US-India travel news by IndianEagle.com. Please note the events listed below are not our official recommendations. Wish you a very happy Deepavali (in advance) with a flat $25 discount on cheap airline tickets to India. Click here for the Indian Eagle flight discount code.

Fog Diwali Mela 2025 Fremont

The Fog Diwali Mela, Fremont is one of the largest Diwali celebrations in Bay Area, California. Organized by Festival of Globe (FOG), this all-day Fremont Fog Diwali 2025 mela offers live music, Bollywood and folk dance shows, cultural exhibits, and delicious Indian food stalls. Families can enjoy free parking, shopping booths, and kids’ activities and competitions while celebrating together in a vibrant atmosphere.

• Date: October 18, 2025 | Time: 11:00 AM – 8:30 PM
• Venue: Washington High School, 38442 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA
• Contact: vidyas@fiaonline.org | +1 510-491-4867
• Website: fogsv.org 

Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka Pleasanton 2025

Among Diwali events in California, the Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka of Pleasanton is the largest Indian celebration in North America, drawing over 30,000 attendees to the Bay Area. This iconic event combines the essence of Dussehra and Diwali into one unforgettable day of culture, devotion, entertainment, shopping, and community spirit.

Hosted by the Association of Indo Americans (AIA), the Pleasanton Diwali 2025 event is a celebration of Indian culture and heritage. The event program schedule features Ram Leela stage shows, Ram Mandir experience, Ravana Dahan, fireworks, Lakshmi Aarti, Dandiya, art competitions, Bollywood music and dance performances. More than 100 vendors sell Indian food, clothes, jewelry, and festive items, making it a complete cultural experience.

• Date: October 11, 2025
• Venue: Alameda County Fairgrounds, 2005 Valley Avenue, Pleasanton, CA
• Contact: +1 510-421-3535 | bayareamela@gmail.com
• Website: www.aiaglobal.org

Sunnyvale Diwali Festival 2025

The San Francisco Bay Area Diwali events list is incomplete without a mention of Sunnyvale’s Diwali festival. Downtown Sunnyvale will light up with its annual Diwali celebration, hosted by the South Asian Cultural Association of Sunnyvale (SACAS). The 2025 Sunnyvale Diwali Festival will come alive with cultural performances, live music, rangoli displays, diya painting competition, and henna art. Families can treat themselves to authentic Indian street food while shopping at festive stalls selling jewelry, clothing, and hand-crafted items.

• Date: October 5, 2025 | Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Venue: 230 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
• Contact: info@sacas.org
• Website: www.sacas.org

Also Check: Visit Ganesh and Hanuman Temple Atop Mount Madonna in California

Dublin Diwali 2025 Mela

The Dublin Diwali Mela is making its debut on the list of California Diwali events in 2025. Organized at Emerald Glen Park by TriValley Hindu Connect with support from the City of Dublin and local Indian groups, this event promises to be a rollercoaster of fun and entertainment through cultural dance, Bollywood shows, Dandiya, food stalls, crafts, and a diya lighting ceremony. It is designed to a community-driven Diwali celebration.

• Date: October 18, 2025 | Time: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Venue: Emerald Glen Park Amphitheater, 4201 Central Pkwy, Dublin, CA
• Contact: +1 408-507-2195 | dublindiwalimela@gmail.com 

Bay Area Diwali Festival Cupertino

The 23rd Bay Area Diwali Festival is a free public event that brings nearly 15,000 people to Cupertino Memorial Park. It is one of the most popular Diwali events in the Bay Area, San Francisco. Families can enjoy live classical and Bollywood performances, children’s art workshops, rangoli and diya painting, henna, cultural exhibits, and Indian food. In the evening, the community gathers for a spectacular aarti, symbolizing peace and unity that Diwali signifies.

• Date: October 11, 2025 | Time: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Venue: Memorial Park, 21121 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, CA
• Contact: info@cupertino-chamber.org | 1-408-252-7054
• Website: www.cupertino-chamber.org/bay-area-diwali/

Sacramento BAPS Temple Diwali and Annakut Celebration

If you are looking to celebrate Diwali in the traditional way, you must visit Sacramento’s BAPS Mandir for one of the most traditional Diwali events in California. Families can attend Chopda Pujan (account-book prayers) and Lakshmi Puja on Diwali day, followed by the grand Annakut festival, where a myriad number of vegetarian food dishes are offered to the deities. The temple premises is beautifully decorated with rangoli, lights, and festive displays.

• Date: Chopda Puja – October 20, 2025 | Annakut – October 26, 2025
• Venue: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, 10548 Armstrong Ave, Mather, CA
• Website:
• https://www.baps.org/Global-Network/North-America/Sacramento/Upcoming-Events.aspx

BAPS Swaminarayan Temple Diwali, Los Angeles

If spiritual ambience is your interest, then the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, Chino Hills is one of the best places to celebrate Diwali in Los Angeles, California. Every year, the temple hosts a grand four-day celebration comprising devotional worship, cultural festivities, and community bonding making it a must-visit landmark for Diwali celebrations in Southern California. Chopda Pujan and Annakut (a sacred, diverse, culinary offering to the deities) are among the highlights of Diwali at BAPS Swaminarayan Temple, Los Angeles. The entire temple premises wears a festive look with diyas, rangolis, and flamboyant displays.

• Date: October 18–21, 2025
• Venue: 15100 Fairfield Ranch Rd, Chino Hills, CA
• Website: Baps.org/Global-Network/North-America/LosAngeles/Upcoming-Events.aspx

Ektaa Diwali Festival Irvine 2025

Among the best Diwali events across Southern California is Ektaa Diwali Festival in Irvine. Organized by the Ektaa Center with support from the City of Irvine, the event at Green Park features fireworks, live cultural concerts, classical and Bollywood dances, games for children, and shopping stalls. It is one of the most-awaited family events for SoCal Indians.

• Date: October 4, 2025 | Time: 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• Venue: Great Park Live, 8000 Great Park Blvd, Irvine, CA
• Contact: info@ektaacenter.org
• Website: ektaacenter.org

Shri Mandir San Diego Diwali Mela 2025

The Hindu Mandir Society of San Diego, popularly known as Shri Mandir, hosts a vibrant Diwali Mela every year. The 2025 Diwali celebration will include Lakshmi Puja, Aarti, bhajans, cultural performances by local artists, fun activities, Bollywood dances, ethnic food stalls, and festive craft stalls. The temple becomes a hub of devotion and joy, making it one of the best places to celebrate Diwali in Southern California.

• Date: October 11, 2025 | Time: From 3:00 PM
• Venue: Shri Mandir Plaza, 9474 Black Mountain Rd, San Diego, CA
• Contact: +1 858 566 5644 | shrimandirmela@gmail.com
• Website: www.shrimandirsandiego.org

The post Where to Celebrate Diwali in California: Diwali Events Bay Area, Los Angeles, Irvine, San Diego first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

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The Deepavali Day Act, a nationwide movement by Indian American leaders from different walks of life trying to get a federal holiday on Diwali in the US, is still in the dark after 4 years of its introduction. However, something is better than nothing. After Texas and Pennsylvania, California officially declares Diwali, the festival of lights, as a state holiday for South Asian immigrants, including Indians.

PC: BAPS.org and California State Capitol

On June 2, the California State Assembly voted unanimously (78-0) to pass Assembly Bill 268, a proposal that would make Diwali an official state holiday. The bill was introduced by Assemblymembers Ash Kalra and Darshana Patel, California’s first two Hindu American legislators. Hailed as the best Diwali gift to California’s largest Indian-origin population in the US, the legislation – AB 268 – would enable community colleges, public schools, and state offices to close on Diwali.

The California State Assembly Bill 268 headed to the State Senate for approval. It was a significant step towards promoting inclusion of Indian immigrants who have been contributing to California’s growth in all spheres for decades. AB 268 would add the Festival of Lights not only to the list of California State holidays but also to the court calendars for judicial personnel. It would designate Diwali as a paid holiday for state employees in California.

Recognizing Diwali at the state level is not just about a day-off. It is about embracing the cultural identity of Indian immigrants who have woven themselves into the socio-economic fabrics of the Golden State. Diwali is also a time for Indian families across California for a reunion at temples in the state. By declaring Diwali as a state holiday, California made it possible to say, “Yes, Diwali belongs here too. Your traditions matter.”

“I’m grateful to my colleagues for their unanimous, bipartisan support of AB 268, which would have California officially recognize Diwali as a state holiday,” said Ash Kalra after the vote. Fellow Assemblymember Darshana Patel also highlighted the cultural significance of the bill, calling it a proud moment for the American Hindu community. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) added, “Kudos to the US Indian Seniors for mobilizing the Hindu community on this important initiative.”

“We are happy for our customers from California, who would get to celebrate Diwali with peace of mind, most probably starting this year. Diwali celebration is grand not only in California but also in the northeast coast where many school districts observe Diwali as a holiday. May the Deepavali Day Act gain momentum this year to make the Festival of Lights a federal holiday” said the chief customer relations officer of Indian Eagle, the most trusted travel-booking partner of Indians in the US.

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Durga Puja is one of the globally celebrated Indian festivals. Be it California, Canberra, or Canada, Indians celebrate the homecoming of Goddess Durga and her children in so grand way as if there is no tomorrow. Especially Bengalis don’t mind borders or bounds when it comes to nourishing their cultural roots and celebrating their festive traditions this time of the year. With Bengali Indians growing in numbers, California has become home to some of the best Durga Puja events in USA.

As the beats of dhak have started resonating in the air; the fragrance of Sheuli flowers has started filling the atmosphere, Indian Eagle – the most trusted travel-booking partner of Indians in USA – recommends the following best places for Durga Puja 2025 events in California.

Los Angeles Durga Puja: Dakshini Bengali Association, CA 

Dakshini Bengali Association, California hosts one of the biggest Durga Puja events 2025 in the Greater Los Angeles Area. A nonprofit, charitable, cultural organization; Dakshini Bengali Association has a great lineup of events including live concerts to enthrall the audience during the celebration. Among the performing artists on the guest list is Abhijeet Bhattacharya, an Indian playback singer, who will perform on October 11. Another live performance by the Anupam Roy Band is scheduled on October 10. Both are ticketed shows at Dakshini.  

• Dates: October 10, 11 and 12
• Venue: Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, Manhattan Beach Boulevard, LA County
• Contact: Communications@dakshini.org, +1 310-344-1804

Also Read: Amazing Things to Know about Durga Puja

Bay Area Prabasi Durga Puja 2025

Bay Area Prabasi, a nonprofit Bengali Cultural Organization in Alameda County, is hosting the biggest Durga Puja celebration in North America this year as a mark of the community’s 52nd anniversary. Famed for one of the oldest and best Durga Puja events in California, Bay Area Prabasi is known for its simplicity and sophistication rather than extravagance.

On October 3, Bay Area Prabasi Durga Puja will present the most popular Jodi No. 1 competition with Rachna Banerjee. On the evening of October 4, you can dance to the nostalgic tunes of the 90s Retro Bolly concert with Abhijeet Bhattacharya. Another enthralling experience awaits on October 5 with a live performance by Rupankar Bagchi.

• Dates: October 3, 4, and 5
• Venue: Santa Clara Fairgrounds, 131 Old Tully Road, San Jose CA 95111
• Contact: info@prabasi.org, 626-277-7932
• Website: Prabasi.org

BASC Durgotsav 2025, Southern California

BASC, the Bengali Association of Southern California, hosts one of the best Durga Puja celebrations in California. A nonprofit philanthropic organization in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County, BASC is among the few best places to catch up with Indians and indulge in Bengali culture during Durga Puja away from home. 

On October 3, the first day of the puja celebration, the Bengali Association of Southern California will present an unforgettable evening with Fossils, an iconic Bengali rock band. On October 4, a live performance by the legendary Kailash Kher will bring soulful renditions of songs like Allah ke Bande and Saiyaan, which have touched millions of hearts for years.

On October 18, the first day of the puja, the Bengali Association of Southern California will present an unforgettable evening with Nandy Sisters, the social media sensation duo in playback singing. A live performance by Sukhwinder Singh will make you grove to hit Bollywood numbers on October 19.

• Dates: October 3, 5, and 5
• Venue: Bridges Auditorium, 450 N College Way, Claremont, CA 91711
• Contact: info@bascweb.org, 714-342-5266, +1 626-390-1224
• Website: bascweb.org

Also Read: How Goddess Kali Came to California from Kolkata

Pashchimi Durga Puja 2025, Bay Area

Wondering where to celebrate Durga Puja in the San Francisco Bay Area? One of the most popular California Durga puja events 2025, Bay Area Pashchimi upholds the best of Bengali culture and traditions this time of the year. Founded in 2004 as a nonprofit organization, Pashchimi has teamed up with Children International for this puja. Children International strives to provide underprivileged girl children with seamless access to education in India. Pashchimi Durga Puja is known for its adherence to age-old traditions.

• Dates: September 27 to October 1
• Venue: Oasis Palace Restaurant, 35145 Newark Blvd, CA
• Contact: contact@pashchimi.org, 408-883-5304
• Website: Pashchimi.org

Santa Clara WomenNow Durga Puja, Bay Area

Of Bay Area Durga Puja events 2025, WomenNow TV’s Durga Utsav in Santa Clara is a unique, all-women celebration. Inspired by the idea of celebrating the collective power of women in real life, WomenNow TV’s CEO Ena Sarkar and her team organize the festivity every year. Ena Sarkar, the founder and CEO of WomenNow TV, a South Asian talk show, is at the helm of this California Durga Puja. Their celebration starts with pushpanjali on Maha Ashtami and ends with sindoor khela on Maha Dashami. The outdoor event features shopping markets, street food stalls, and cultural activities including Dandiya nights.

Read our exclusive article on Santa Clara Durga Utsav by WomenNow TV.

The festivities will begin with a Royal Rass Dandiya evening on September 26. On September 27 and 28, there will be cultural and devotional events such as Saptami and Ashtami Pujo, Royal Ball DJ Night, Royal Fashion Show, Parama Awards, Sindoor Utsav, Nabami and Dashami Pujo, along with other cultural celebrations.

• Dates: September 26, 27 and 28
• Venue:21840 McClellan Road, Cupertino
• Contact: info@womennow.tv, +1 510-364-4271

Los Angeles Durga Puja 2025: Valley Bengali Community

Valley Bengali Community’s Durga puja is another grand celebration in the Greater Los Angeles Area. Musical evenings are a highlight of the event, and 2025 marks 10 glorious years.  The 10th Durgotsav by the Valley Bengali Community will see soulful performances by Joy–Lopa Express on September 26, Surojit O Bondhura on September 27, and Madhubanti Bagchi on September 28. All three evenings will see the best of classic and contemporary music.

• Dates: September 26, 27 and 28
• Venue: Canoga Park High School 6850 Topanga Canyon Blvd. Canoga Park 91303
• Contact: vbc@valleybengali.org, 818-564-6592
• Website: Durga.valleybengali.org

SAIKAT Durga Puja 2024, San Diego

Among Southern California Durga Puja events, SAIKAT Durgotsav 2025 has a great lineup of cultural programs, including a melodious evening, a dance drama, a stage play and other performing arts by different age groups. SAIKAT, the Bengali Association of San Diego, is an active philanthropic organization volunteering hours for and contributing to charities. On the occasion of Durga Puja, SAIKAT releases an annual magazine giving space to their community members’ literary and creative writeups.

• Dates: October 4 and 5
• Venue: San Pasqual High School, San Diego
• Contact: ec@saikat.org
• Website: Saikat.org

Also Check: What Makes Travel to Kolkata Cheaper and Better

Baybasi Durga Puja 2025, Foster City

This year marks the 17th year of BayBasi organizing one of the best Durga Puja events in the Bay Area. Their handmade pandal set against the panoramic view of a lagoon in the backdrop is a must visit. A leading non-profit organization of Bengalis in Foster City, BayBasi has a crowd-pulling schedule of cultural programs including Dandiya Night on September 26. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’s music director, composer, singer and mentor Rathijit, along with the soulful Shreya Ghosal and talented musicians, will perform on September 28 at BayBasi Durga Puja 2025.

• Dates: September 26, 27 and 28
• Venue:The Vibe Teen Center, 670 Shell Blvd, Foster City, CA 94404
• Contact: +1 650-489-8139 | baybasi@baybasi.us
• Website: Baybasi.us

Santa Barbara Vedanta Temple Durga Puja 2025

The Vedanta Society of Southern California organizes Durga Puja at the Santa Barbara Temple every year. Founded in 1956 and consecrated to Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the Santa Barbara Vedanta Temple deserves a mention for its absolute devotion to Goddess Durga in compliance with the rituals and traditions followed by Belur Math in Bengal. Unlike other Durga Puja events in California, the Santa Barbara Vedanta Temple’s Durga Puja celebration is known for its simplicity. The serene location of the temple in a scenic mountain range overlooking the Pacific Ocean is another pull.

• Dates: September 27 to October 2
• Venue: 927 Ladera Ln, Montecito, CA 93108
• Contact: santabarbara@vedanta.org, 805 969 2903
• Website: Vedanta.org/santa-barbara-temple/

NorCal Bengali Association Prothoma Durga Puja 2025, Bay Area

The Northern California Bengali Association of Silicon Valley is one of the best places to enjoy Durga Puja events in the SF Bay Area. More than 100 members of the community prepare the culinary offering (bhog) for Goddess Durga and her children. Various cultural performances including dhunuchi naach and Prangon dance are lined up as part of the schedule at NorCal Prothoma Durga Pujo 2025. The women members of NorCal Bengali Association will perform a Prangon dance to welcome Maa Durga.

Lakkhichhara Band featuring Raju Das Baul will set the stage on fire with their dynamic performance on September 26. On September 27, playback singer Mahalakshmi Iyer will captivate the audience with her soulful voice after NoCal Bengali Association presents Devi – a Broadway-style dance show by classical dancers across the US. The celebration will conclude on September 28 with an electrifying act by Anirban Bhattacharya and Hooliganism. The women members of NorCal Bengali Association’s Prothoma will perform Agomoni dance to welcome Maa Durga

• Dates: September 26, 27 and 28
• Venue: HUSD Performing Arts Center, Hayward, 2390 Panama Street, CA 94545
• Contact: +1 408-940-6846
• Website: Norcalba.org

The post Details of California Durga Puja 2025: Know Where to Celebrate in Bay Area and Southern California first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

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The global Indian community has been googling who are Indian-origin billionaires among the richest immigrants in America since Forbes’ 2025 list was published. For the first time, 12 Indian Americans made it to the Forbes list of billionaires, with Jay Chaudhry having retained the distinction – the wealthiest Indian-origin billionaire in USA – since 2021. His net worth rose to $17.9bn from $12bn in 2021. America’s highest paid CEO Nikesh Arora, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and Atlanta-based Raj Sardana, a self-made billionaire, are the newcomers in the elite club of America’s billionaire immigrants.

Jay Chaudhry, Net Worth $17.9 Billion

With a net worth of $17.9 billion, Jay Chaudhry, CEO of Zscaler, is the richest Indian American billionaire and one of the 10 wealthiest immigrants in the USA. His journey from a small Himalayan village to Wall Street is an inspiring story of American Dream. Born in a remote village without running water in Himachal Pradesh, Jay Chaudhry is a leading cyber security business tycoon in San Francisco Bay Area. He co-founded Zscaler, a virtual security check-post for companies exposed to cyber threats, in San Jose after a short stint in sales and marketing positions at MNCs like IBM. He is an alumnus of Harvard University and the University of Cincinnati. Unlike other billionaires, he says “My success so far has mainly been because I have very little attachment for money. I definitely do not feel like a billionaire even with a multibillion-dollar fortune.”

Vinod Khosla, Net Worth $9.2 Billion

Vinod Khosla’s net worth has swelled to $9.2 billion from USD 2.3 billion in 2020. Sun Microsystems’ ex-cofounder Vinod Khosla is now the second richest of all Indian American billionaires, according to Forbes 2025. An alumnus of Mount St Mary’s School in New Delhi, he studied at IIT Delhi, Carnegie Mellon University, and Stanford Graduate School of Business. A newspaper article on the founding of Intel piqued his interest in technology when he was a teenager. He established Khosla Ventures, a venture capital firm in Menlo Park, California and co-founded the Indus Entrepreneurs (NiE), a non-profit network of entrepreneurs.

Rakesh Gangwal, Net Worth $6.6 Billion

Miami-based Rakesh Gangwal, with a net worth of $6.6 billion, is on Forbes 2025 list of richest immigrants in America. A former co-founder of IndiGo, India’s largest low-cost airline, Rakesh Gangwal topped the list of 10 Indian-origin American billionaires in 2018. With a drastic dip in his fortunes due to the pandemic’s impact on aviation, Kolkata–born Rakesh Gangwal’s net worth dropped to $2.3 billion in 2020. An alumnus of IIM Lucknow in mechanical engineering, he studied MBA at Wharton School of Pennsylvania University and fulfilled his American Dream when he became the Chairman of US Airways Group after a stint in strategic planning for United Airlines in 1984. He founded InterGlobe Aviation Ltd. in 2000 and co-founded IndiGo in 2006. Today, IndiGo is the Indian airline in terms of domestic market share.

Romesh T. Wadhwani, Net Worth $5 Billion  

Symphony Technology Group’s founder and CEO Romesh T. Wadhwani from California with a net worth of $5bn continues to be among the 10 richest Indian American billionaires in 2025. His fortunes rose from $3.4 billion in 2020. Romesh Wadhwani is not just the richest Gujarati Indian entrepreneur in USA but a compassionate philanthropist too. His family shifted from Pakistan to India during the 1947 Partition. He is an alumnus of IIT Bombay in electrical engineering and holds a PhD degree from Carnegie Mellon University. Romesh T. Wadhwani is a self-made serial entrepreneur. He set up the Wadhwani Foundation with several initiatives including the National Entrepreneurship Network to drive socio-economic development in countries like India. In 2012, he opened a research center at the National Center for Biological Sciences in Bengaluru.

Rajiv Jain, Net Worth $4.7bn 

Forbes 2025 list of richest immigrants in America features Rajiv Jain with a net worth of $4.7 billion among 12 Indian American billionaires. Born and raised in north India, Rajiv Jain is the founder, chairman and chief investment officer of GQG Partners, a Fort Lauderdale-based global investment firm managing over $150 billion in assets. He moved to the US in the early 1990s to pursue MBA at the University of Miami. He started his career as an equity analyst and had a progressive career spanning two decades at Vontobel Asset Management where he became co-CEO in 2014. His firm is closely tied to India, with major stakes in ITC, HDFC, RIL, ICICI Bank, SBI, Sun Pharma, Infosys, Bharti Airtel, Adani Group, and more.

Kavitark Ram Shriram, Net Worth $3bn 

With a net worth of $3 billion, Kavitark Ram Shriram stands sixth among the richest Indian Americans in 2025.  Among the early investors in Google, Kavitark was born in Chennai and graduated in mathematics at Chennai’s Loyola College. Based in California, he worked for Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon, before making headlines for his investment worth $250,000 in Google. A board member of Google’s parent company, Alphabet, Kavitark Ram Shriram founded Sherpalo, a venture capital firm for technology startups in 2000. He joined the league of Indian American philanthropists by donating a whopping $61 million to Stanford University.

Raj Sardana, Net Worth $2bn

Born in Delhi to a family displaced by the 1947 Partition, Innova Solutions CEO Raj Sardana from Atlanta is a new face on Forbes’ 2025 list of billionaire immigrants in the US. His journey from just $100 in 1981 to his current net worth $2bn is phenomenal. After he moved to the US, he worked in a college cafeteria while studying MS Georgia Tech. Later, he opened a small print shop in Georgia, which became the foundation of Innova Solutions. Today, the company has over 50,000 employees in multiple countries. From humble beginnings to building a billion-dollar company, Raj Sardana’s pursuit of American Dream is the envy of many.

David Paul, Net Worth $1.5bn

With a net worth estimated at $1.5 billion, David C. Paul, Executive Chairman of Globus Medical, one of the top spine and orthopedic device makers in the US, is featured on the Forbes 2025 list of richest immigrants in the United States. Born in India and educated in Chennai, he moved to the US to pursue a master’s degree at Temple University in Philadelphia. He began his career in biomedical research and later started Globus Medical in 2003. Currently living in Audubon, Pennsylvania, David is a prolific innovator with dozens of patents in surgical technology. Globus Medical operates a major subsidiary in Chennai, showcasing Indian-American innovation in global healthcare.

Nikesh Arora, Net Worth $1.4bn

California-based Nikesh Arora, with a a net worth of $1.4 billion, is one of the richest Indian American CEOs on Forbes’ 2025 list of immigrant billionaires. Originally from north India, Nikesh was born into an army family and studied engineering at IIT-BHU before heading to the US for MBA at Northeastern University and master’s in finance from Boston College. He spent nearly a decade in top roles at Google, then went on to become the President of SoftBank. Since he joined Palo Alto Networks in 2018, he has transformed the company into a cybersecurity giant. In 2023, he hit the headlines as the highest paid Indian-origin CEO in the US, earning over $150 million in a single year.

Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella

Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella, both sporting net worth of around $1.1 billion, are among the Forbes ‘America’s Richest Immigrants 2025’ list. They’re also at the helm of two of the biggest tech giants in the world, Google and Microsoft. Sundar, based in Los Altos Hills, is a graduate of IIT Kharagpur, Stanford University, and Wharton, and has been serving as the CEO of Alphabet and Google since 2015. Satya, originally from Hyderabad and now living in Washington, holds degrees in computer science engineering and business from institutions in both India and the US. He became the CEO of Microsoft in 2014 and now also serves as the chairman of the board.

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Dr Amarjit Singh Marwah, an Indian American community leader, philanthropist, and scholar, is among the few Indian Americans whom the US honored by renaming major thoroughfares and intersections after them. The City of Los Angeles immortalized Dr. Marwah by naming the intersection of Vermont and Finley Avenues, Marwah Square, in 2019, just 2 years before Berkeley City got a street named after Indian American Kala Bagai in 2021.

A pioneer of American Dream for Indian students in the 1950s, a decade of possibilities and uncertainties for a free India; Dr Marwah took his last breath on January 7, 2025 at the age of 98. His journey from Pakistan to India to the United States after the 1947 Partition became a legacy of achievements, community activism, and unparalleled philanthropy. Air India having started international flights in June 1948, gave a runway to the dreams and aspirations of young Indians amidst the socio-economic volatility across the country. Dr. Marwah was one of them.

Not many Indian immigrants in USA know that it was Dr Amarjit Singh Marwah who founded Hollywood Sikh Gurdwara, the first Sikh temple in America, in 1969. Early in the 1950s, he came to the US on a Fulbright Scholarship after 4 years of practice as a dentist in Punjab. He graduated in dentistry from King Edward Medical College in Lahore before his family of physicians shifted to Punjab after the partition. He dared to dream big while the aftereffects of the partition continued to linger.

Turban-clad Amarjit in his 20s was an anomaly in the 1950s’ New York. Owing to his bushy beard and inherent benevolence, he earned the nickname “Young Santa” alongside having secured the Guggenheim Foundation’s Pediatric Dentistry Fellowship in New York. His pursuit of American Dream took an exciting turn with an MS degree in Pathology from the College of Dentistry at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

In 1954, he became not only a Doctor of Dental Surgery at Howard University in Washington DC but also the first Indian to obtain a license to practice dentistry in America. In the same year, he returned to his alma mater, the University of Illinois, as a faculty member, very much in line with what he had grown to be known for – a man of roots.

At the same time, Amarjit was not blind to the underlying social alienation faced by Asians, particularly Indians, in the 1950s USA. He recognized that increasing the community’s representation within the establishment could be of great help. In 1957, he managed the election campaigns for Dalip Singh Saund, the first Sikh and the first Indian American to be elected to the US Congress, thus opening doors for Indians in the American corridor of power.

In 1957, Dr. Marwah was granted U.S. citizenship, the culmination of his American Dream. This was the first brick to the first-ever Indian home that came up in Los Angeles after he relocated to Baldwin Hills, as a professor at the University of Southern California.

Dr. Marwah’s skilful hands in dentistry quickly earned him a prominent place in the field. His fame spread, attracting some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Among his clients were Gregory Peck, Elizabeth Taylor, sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, spiritual teacher Harbhajan Yogi, and champion boxer Muhammed Ali. Singer-actor Barbra Streisand was one of his neighbors at 14-acre Malibu Ranch where he owned a property.

As Dr. Marwah’s influence expanded, he became well-acquainted with influential personalities from different walks of life. He hosted both President Zail Singh and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at his California home. The Marwah family property at Malibu Ranch overlooking the Pacific Ocean served as the wedding venue for the 38^th US President Gerald Ford’s son.

The experience of social depravity brought Dr. Amarjit Singh Marwah close to Tom Bradley, Los Angeles’ first Black mayor. Bradley appointed Dr. Marwah as a City Commissioner, a position he held for 18 years, setting a record for any Indian American. During his tenure, he chaired both the Cultural Heritage Commission and the Hollywood Art Commission, overseeing the protection of nearly 300 historical sites, including the Walk of Fame and Roosevelt Hotel. This was poetic how an immigrant conserved the nativity of a foreign land.

Dr Marwah built a community nest in California and offered warm hospitality to many Indian immigrants there. Additionally, he supported many humanitarian causes in USA and India. He helped establish a Los Angeles High School in Mumbai, with an annual contribution of $10K to support the school. He adopted two villages, Guru Ki Dhab and Guru Nanak Basti, in Punjab. He founded KK Marwah College for Girls (named after his wife, Kuljit Kaur Marwah) in Punjab. He co-founded the Bank of Punjab, a precursor to present-day HDFC Bank.

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The 10-year-old Indian American prodigy who earned accolades for her first stage performance at Carnegie Hall, New York in 2016 has grown into a musical genius with an M.A. degree. Once again, she created history and made Indian Diaspora proud with her master’s degree in music of voice at only 18 years. She is the youngest to have achieved this milestone across the statewide campuses of Indiana University.

She is none other than Tiara Abraham, sister of another Indian American prodigy Tanishq Abraham, the world’s youngest biomedical engineer who earned a PhD at 19. The sibling duo hails from an immigrant family of scientists and engineers in California. Their grandmother, who celebrated her 90^th birthday last year, holds the distinction of being the first Indian woman veterinarian with a PhD. Despite having a strong family background in STEM, Tiara chose music as her career when she was merely 7 and debuted as a singer at 10.

“We were at first skeptical, because being a singer is competitive and there’s no guarantee how far you can go in music,” said Tiara’s mother. “That was always a fear for us. But it’s always good to be in something you enjoy doing. There’s no point in forcing her to do science just because it brings more security,” she was quoted by the magazine of her daughter’s alma mater, the University of California, Davis.

Tiara started classical voice training and community college at a tender age of 7, just like her brother who had enrolled for Stanford University’s Education Program for Gifted Youth at the age of 5 and delivered his first TEDx talk at 9. Within 3 years of having started vocal training, she recorded and released her first music album titled Winter Nightingale, a collection of nine classic carols and holiday songs in 6 languages – English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Latin.

Indian American Tiara Abraham’s first album was a wonderful culmination of her father’s discovery of her latent musical talent when she sang ‘Happy Birthday’ in vibrato style, which is quite difficult for someone at the age of 5. Tiara’s father, a software engineer, appointed a private tutor to train her in vocal music. Owing to her regular practice, hard work and passion, she won a local music competition and got the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York.

Both Tiara and Tanishq are members of Mensa, a high-IQ society in America. Tiara became a member of Mensa when she was only 4. Tiara, along with Indian-origin Viveka Saravanan, won the YoungArts Awards 2024 in the classical voice category. YoungArts Week is the most prestigious national competition for emerging artists across the United States. Inspired by opera vocalist Renée Fleming and soprano lyricist Kathleen Battle, she wishes to become a soprano classical singer.

This story is part of our continued effort to give a shoutout to achievements of Young Indians in America. Travel Beats is a leading diaspora portal and a subsidiary of Indian Eagle, a most trusted air-ticketing partner of Indians abroad. Sign up to our newsletter for latest community stories, US visa and immigration updates, and everything about US-India air travel.

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The US is home to more than a million Hindi-speaking Indian immigrants, who have been eagerly anticipating linguistically inclusive classrooms for their kids for years. After all, the day may not be far when Hindi will be exalted to the status of a second language at American schools and when Indian-origin kids will essentially learn Hindi from the elementary school level. California seems to be spearheading this linguistic inclusivity in schools and finally, the most widely spoken Indian language in the US is getting her due.

Two renowned schools – John M. Horner Middle School and Irvington High School in Fremont – are all set to add Hindi as a world language to their curriculum for the academic year 2024-2025 that starts in August. The Indian American community welcomed the Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) Board’s pilot program, which came with the promise of expansion to other middle and high schools in the region in the coming years.

“I look at the demand, and I look at the value that this Hindi offering will produce for the community, (and hence) for me, it’s a no-brainer,” said FUSD Board member Vivek Prasad, who voted in favor of the pilot program along with other trustees and board president.

Nearly one lakh Asian Indians have settled in and around Fremont, the epicenter of the Silicon Valley, making it one of the American cities with a growing Indian-origin population. Kids of these Indian immigrant families account for more than 50% of students attending Fremont schools, including Horner Middle School and Irvington High School (where a whopping 65% students are from Indian-origin households).

The scenario is more or less the same in various US cities like San Francisco, New York, Dallas, and Washington DC with the highest concentration of Indian immigrants. Hence, the vast Indian-origin community, whose contribution to America’s economy is significantly higher than any other ethnic group, has been demanding inclusion of Hindi in the US education system for years. As of now, Hindi-language courses are offered at the high school or university level in the USA. Therefore, many Indian families resort to after-school programs for their kids to learn Hindi and foster their cultural connection to the Indian language.

Leading Indian American groups have also submitted a proposal to the US President Joe Biden for teaching of Hindi as a second language in US schools, highlighting its socio-economic impact among other potential benefits. While the proposal is yet to find its course to approval, the latest initiative by the US Silicon Valley schools raises hopes of a favorable outcome in near future, just as the declaration of Deepavali as a public school holiday by New York and other states fueled the hope for Deepavali Day Act enactment – another long-awaited dream of the Indian American community in USA.

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The search for exceptional young talent across America often results in a winning moment for Indian-origin prodigies, and in turn, a matter of pride for the vast Indian community. After 4 Indian American kids emerged as the nation’s brightest students in the 2023 Junior Innovators Challenge, 9-year-old Preesha Chakraborty is named one of the world’s brightest students by the prestigious Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY). And her achievement at the start of 2024 rings the bell for yet another remarkable year for America’s Indian-origin kids taking part in various national-level competitions, from STEM to spelling to beauty pageants.

Preesha Chakraborty now joins the meritorious club of Indian American child prodigies such as Natasha Perianayagam, Samedha Saxena, Aaryaveer Kochhar, Advay Misra, and Vihaan Mane, who have been adjudged as the world’s brightest students by Johns Hopkins in recent years. Her cognitive abilities shined through in the above-grade-level tests such as SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test), ACT (American College Testing), and School and College Ability Test (SCAT) conducted as part of the CTY Talent Search 2023. The 3^rd grader from Fremont, California, was among the 16,000 students who appeared for the esteemed CTY Test from across 90 countries.

Preesha’s impressive score in the verbal and quantitative sections is on par with the 99th percentile of advanced Grade 5 performances. This catapulted her to the coveted list of brightest students and earned her the Grand Honors distinction, which qualifies her for more than 250 CTY’s online and on-campus summer programs for 2-12 graders in various academic areas such as mathematics, computer programming, chemistry, physics, reading, and writing.

Johns Hopkins recognition adds a grand feather in her tiny cap. Her Indian-origin parents recognized young Preesha’s exceptional learning abilities and encouraged her to take part in various talent tests and competitions, including NNAT (Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test), which became a launchpad for her Mensa Foundation membership.

At the age of 6, the young mastermind made an envious entry into the Mensa Foundation as one of its youngest members. The renowned foundation offers life-time membership for the intellectually gifted who score 98th percentile or higher in an approved intelligence test. Apart from academics, traveling, hiking and mixed martial arts interest Preesha Chakraborty from Fremont.

The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth identifies promising students and provides a genuine index to their academic potential. Around 30% of students qualify for High Honors or Grand Honors/SET distinction from among tens of thousands of participants every year. The alumni of this renowned organization in the field of education, include Rhodes Scholars, MacArthur Fellows, and the founders of Facebook and Google.

The origin of the Center for Talented Youth dates back to the late 70s when a seventh grader from Baltimore had finished all mathematical lessons one could have at school. It prompted a professor of psychology from Johns Hopkins to design unique grade-based academic assessment programs for talented kids. According to Amy Shelton, CTY’s executive director, recognizing their curiosity and capacity for learning motivates them to pursue their passions, enrich their knowledge, connect with other young scholars, broaden their perspectives and achieve milestones in their respective communities and beyond.

This story is part of our continued effort to give a shoutout to achievements of Young Indians in America. Travel Beats is a subsidiary of IndianEagle.com, a most trusted air-ticketing partner of Indians abroad. Indian Eagle flight deals have a proven track record of making USA to India travel cheaper throughout the year.

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