Latest Update, October 4, 2021: The Indian American community added a new feather to its cap and that is the most coveted crown of Miss World America 2021. Shree Saini, a resident of Seattle, is the first Indian American to have won the ‘Miss World America 2021’ title. Crowned by Diana Hayden at the pageant in Los Angeles, Shree Saini had won the Miss India Worldwide title in 2018.

D. Anderson rightly said, “Feminism isn’t about making women strong. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.” This quote on women empowerment is true about Indian American anti-bullying activist Shree Saini who won the ‘Miss India Worldwide 2018’ title at the annual beauty pageant held in Fords, New Jersey. The crowning moment on the glittering night of December 14 cast spells of pride over the Indian American community.

With the Miss India USA 2017’ title in her possession, Shree Saini got to participate in the Miss India Worldwide 218 and represent her community at international levels. To be precise, she represented not only the United States but India at the same time. During her tenure as ‘Miss India USA 2017’, she traveled to 70 cities and 11 states in 5 countries, advocating one’s right to dignity against racial discrimination and championing various causes.

The ‘Miss India Worldwide 2018’ title winner, 22-year-old Shree Saini has something in common with actress Priyanka Chopra who rose over her bitter experience of bullying as well as racism in the US and became a global beauty icon. She was subjected to bullying in school for being a person of color from India after her parents relocated to Moses Lake in Washington State from Punjab. However, she was determined to have journeyed from a victim of bullying to a fighter of national repute to an activist of international fame.

Being an anti-bullying activist in the United States, Shree Saini spreads awareness about psychologically harmful effects of nonverbal bullying and educates students of vulnerable age on how to deal with it. She also empowers girls with tricks and techniques to keep bullies away. She also offers to help bullies hold themselves back from preying on others.

An undergraduate student at the University of Washington in Seattle, Shree Saini detests all forms of bullying, physical, mental, psychological, verbal and emotional. People of color from minority communities can fall prey to bullying anywhere – school, household and workplace. Not necessarily, bullying is always about physical violence. It can also be rendered in form of faultfinding, scandalous rumors and name-calling, according to the ‘Miss India Worldwide 2018’ title winner.

Also Check: Meet 13-year-old Young Indian IT Entrepreneur

Indian American Shree Saini feels attached to two causes: heart health and emotional health. She has been a dance enthusiast since her elementary school days. While in the middle school, she got a pacemaker which kept her aloof from dance for years. Instead of ruing her inability to pursue her interest, she enrolled in public speaking courses which empowered her to speak at public events and fundraising campaigns for her nonprofit in high school.

In the talent round of the Miss India Worldwide 2018 grand finale, Shree Saini gave a touching account of her struggles and hardships for being ridiculed by bullies in school, meeting with a fatal road accident, for suffering third degree burns on her face, and for almost losing her mother to sickness, in an eloquent dance form, which left the audience in tears.

With the ‘Miss India Worldwide 2018’ crown on her head, Indian American Shree Saini feels empowered to promote emotional health and eradicate human trafficking. We at Travel Beats, an Indian American Community portal by IndianEagle.com, congratulate her and wish her good luck. May her noble endeavors and humanitarian pursuits be divinely rewarded!

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The market for direct flights from USA to Bengaluru, India has remained untapped till date. However, American Airlines is all set to unlock the economic potential of this route later this year and jump into the fray with Emirates Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways that operate one-stop flights to Bengaluru from the United States.

Adding to the list of nonstop flights between USA and India, American Airlines will launch a daily nonstop flight from Seattle to Bengaluru in October 2020. The direct Seattle-Tacoma to Bengaluru flight is the second such service to India from the United States’ west coast, following the existing nonstop SFO to New Delhi flights. However, it is the first ever direct flight from the US to Bengaluru, the silicon valley of India.

With the launch of daily nonstop Seattle to Bengaluru flights, American Airlines is looking to cash in on the corporate demand for business flights to Bengaluru (BLR Airport) from the west coast. The upcoming service is likely to make Indians of San Francisco Bay Area, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, and New Mexico choose one-stop SEA-BLR itineraries over multi-stopover itineraries to Bengaluru, India.

“Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) is all set to welcome American Airlines’ 285-seater Boeing 787-9 for flights to and from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. It will help establish Bengaluru Airport as the Gateway to South India for the west coast of the USA,” said the MD and CEO of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL).

India’s third busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic, Bengaluru Kempegowda Airport is known for its high-tech infrastructure and world-class facilities. With two runways, the airport accommodates operations of Air France, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, KLM, Japan Airlines, Thai Airways, and other international airlines.

Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru will soon enter the league of major international airports with smart restrooms, like Hartsfield Jackson Airport, Atlanta. The restrooms at BLR airport will be equipped with Flight Information Display Systems to disseminate all flight details at a mere touch of a finger on the mirror. Read more about Kempegowda BLR Airport’s amenities including biometric boarding, automated bag drop and world-class entertainment arena.

Also Check: Alerts and Updates for USA to India Travel 2020

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A professor of international affairs at Harvard Extension School,Tom Nichols’ most recent tweet, “Indian food is terrible and we pretend it is not,” has raised a storm and gone viral with Indians worldwide roasting him over flaks in funny, witty and sarcastic retweets. Even, Padma Lakshmi, an Indian-origin American cookbook writer and the celebrity host of Top Chef in the US, retaliated in her response to Tom Nichols, saying, “Do you not have Taste buds?” Indian Eagle, a most trusted travel booking partner of Indians in USA, advised Tom Nicholas to fly Air India and taste a spoonful of curd rice on board.

Not only is Indian food among the best in the world, but also it sells like hotcakes in the United States. Passion for cooking and serving Indian food has made the likes of freedom fighter Rash Behari Bose famous in the global culinary history and has made it to a lucrative business for the likes of Mumbai’s ‘Bhel Queen’ Nila Mehta. An Indian-origin Microsoft techie in Redmond, Seattle could not resist her passion of dealing in Indian food over her pursuit of American Dreams.

ex- Microsoft techie, Shama Joshi serving food at her Roll OK Please truck

During her 14-year-long, illustrious career at the Redmond campus of Microsoft, Shama Joshi had been nurturing a dream of tossing green chillies on a heated pan, rolling out flatbread and serving fresh kathi rolls to a beeline of foodies. Bidding goodbye to her well-paying tech job, she bought a food truck with some of her savings, collaborated with one of her college friends, and ventured into a brand new world of passion – which many others won’t dare risking.

On her very first day of walking the road less traveled, Shama Joshi parked her Roll OK Please food truck just outside the Microsoft campus and took her colleagues aback with her cooking talent that most of them were unaware of. Then she took her baby for a stroll around Seattle and the Eastside.

As her father’s job in the Indian Army required them to move from one place to the other, her exposure to the diversity of Indian food culture nourished her culinary passion. The college friend who she roped in as a business partner belongs to Mumbai, home to food from different parts of the country. With the launch of her Roll OK Please food truck, Shama Joshi was also looking to represent the “ridiculous diversity” of Indian food in the United States’ culinary landscape where most cuisines of India are underrepresented.

Also Check: Indian American Siblings Empower Victims of Child Labor in India

Shama Joshi’s culinary passion manifested itself in her art of cooking healthful dishes, using freshly grounded spices, and employing the techniques she learned from her mother. Thus, she turned over a new leaf from a home cook to a professional. She would make cheese on her own. However, the transition was full of challenges as it required her to comply with the state health department’s regulations for food truck business and do lots of paperwork for necessary permits.  At times, loading and unloading propane tanks needed extra manual strength.

Over time, the Roll OK Please food truck began to be identified with Kathi Rolls – grilled and rolled flatbreads coated with beaten eggs, stuffed with various fillings ranging from spiced potato fries to spicy meat, and served with green chili sauce or mint chutney. Shama Joshi’s food truck became the first-ever Indian landmark in Seattle for its highly palatable specialty – Kathi Rolls.

Chicken Tikka Masala and Karahi Gosht were also popular with her Indian and non-Indian customers until she put the Roll OK Please food truck on sale. Currently, she is eyeing a bigger and more independent venture in the Seattle food community. She is a guest chef in several cooking schools.

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Indian Americans of different age groups are setting examples of humanity and righteousness by jumping into action against the wrong. They don’t step back fearing consequences of their taking risks in protest against the unjust. In April this year, an Indian American storeowner named Jay Singh caught a teen thief at his 7-Eleven store in Ohio and took a corrective measure instead of a punitive action to teach him a lesson.

In a latest incident of bravery, selflessness and humanity, a 55-year-old Indian American woman risked her own life to rescue a 7-Eleven store clerk from a physical attack by four young men who were trying to loot the store. In the face-off with the attackers, she herself suffered multiple facial injuries and ended up in a hospital.

On May 2, the incident happened at the 7-Eleven store in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood in Washington. Indian American Baljinder Kaur, 55, was present at the store as a customer when the four robbers attempted to loot the store. When the store clerk saw two of the four men rushing towards the store, he sensed an impending danger and tried to pull down the shutter at the front door.

The two men rushing to the store pounced upon the male clerk before the clerk could block the entrance, and started beating him savagely. On hearing him calling for help, the lady came out of the store and saw the two men hitting him on the head. With a second thought, she jumped onto the scene to help the clerk.

The two other men who were sitting in a car outside the store rushed to the spot and took on the elderly lady. The situation turned worse within seconds as the clerk and the lady found it difficult to resist the men. They hit the store clerk on the head and punched the lady on the face. While the clerk fell unconscious and collapsed on the floor, Baljinder Kaur continued to fight the four men instead of stepping back.

The Fremont 7-Eleven clerk suffered a deep cut on his head, and several facial injuries were inflicted to the lady in the brawl. Her lips were swollen, and her right ear was hurt. The dislocation of the right shoulder was the severest injury that the lady succumbed to, according to her son. The four men fled the spot, and both the victims ended up being hospitalized in Seattle. Baljinder Kaur was discharged from the hospital after two days, but she was still down with pain in the injured shoulder.

The cops got footage of the entire incident captured on the surveillance video at the Fremont 7-Eleven in Seattle, Washington. Indian American Baljinder Kaur’s son is seeking justice for her. The Seattle Police has already arrested and booked the four robbers.

This story is brought to you by Indian Eagle, a most trusted air travel booking partner of Indians in the US. Indian Eagle not only strives to offer the cheapest fare deals for flights to India, but also gives a shout out to inspiring stories of Indians in America.

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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.

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The Indian American community will be having a gala time in August and September as the calendar of Indian events in USA is full of cultural programs for them. We have listed the best of upcoming events in California, Seattle, New Jersey, Houston, Dallas, Cleveland and Nashville for Indians in USA. It will make your search for Indian events in August and September easier.

Jai Ho! Independence Dance Party in Seattle, Washington

The 6^th annual Independence dance party on August 6 is one of the most awaited Indian events in Seattle. This event triggers the festive season for Indians in Seattle. Celebrate the 70^th Indian Independence Day by dancing all night to the best Bollywood beats. Do get dressed in orange or white or green as there is a dress code.

• Date: August 6
• Venue: NECTAR LOUNGE,412 North, 36th St, Seattle, WA
• Organizer’s Phone: 503-810-2510

20^th Festival of India in Duluth, Georgia

Initiated in 1997 to celebrate the 50^th Independence Day of India, the Festival of India is one of the popular Indian events in Georgia. Now Indians in Georgia will celebrate the 20^th edition of the event as the 70^th Indian Independence Day on August 6 in Duluth.

• Date: August 6
• Venue: Infinite Energy Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097
• Organizer’s Phone: 404-915-0497

Kailash Kher’s Live Concert in Cleveland, Ohio

One of the most loved Indian singers, Kailash Kher will be performing live in Cleveland on August 13. The musical event is expected to be one of the most exciting Indian events in Ohio as Kailash Kher will be performing for the Indian community in Cleveland for the first time ever.

• Date: August 13
• Venue: Playhouse Square, 1501 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115

70^th Independence Day Celebration in Nashville, Tennessee

Indians in Nashville don’t lag behind when it comes to celebrating the Independence Day of India in USA. Said to be the biggest of all upcoming Indian events in Tennessee, the 70^th Independence Day will be celebrated on August 16 in Nashville. Nashville’s Indian community is gearing up with cultural performances.

• Date: August 21
• Venue: Vanderbilt University, Langford Auditorium, Garland Ave, Nashville, TN 37212
• Organizer’s Phone: 615-430-1762

Shreya Ghoshal Live Concert in Houston, Texas

Among the Houston events in September, Shreya Ghoshal’s live concert has already sent waves of excitement across the Indian community in Texas. Hold on to your breath until Shreya Ghoshal spellbinds you with her melodious voice on September 2.

• Date: September 2
• Venue: Arena Theatre, 7326 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77074
• Organizer’s Phone: 713-545-4115

Sonu Nigam & Atif Aslam Live Concert in Houston, Texas

A musical extravaganza by such popular singers as Sonu Nigam and Atif Aslam awaits the Indian community in Houston this September. They will entertain Indians in Houston with electrifying numbers from Bollywood films on September 23.

• Date: September 23
• Venue: NRG Arena, 1 NRG Parkway, Houston, TX 77054

Radio Zindagi Ganesh Utsav in Milpitas, California

Indians in Milpitas in California celebrate Ganesh Utsav like Ganesh Puja in Mumbai, Hyderabad and other Indian cities. For the popularity of its maiden edition in 2015, Radio Zindgi Ganesh Utsav in Milpitas has become one of the best Indian events in USA. The Milpitas Ganesh Utsav 2016 is a 4-day cultural extravaganza starting on September 8. A 15-feet tall Ganesh statue will be worshipped this year.

• Dates: September 8, 9, 10, 11
• Venue: Milpitas Sports Center, 1325 E Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas, CA 95035
• Organizer’s Phone: 510-387-5381

Ilayaraja Telugu Live Music Concert in San Jose, California

Good news for Telugu music lovers in San Jose Indian community! Music maestro Ilayaraja will take you on a musical ride with his popular songs on September 10. Acclaimed singers Hariharan and Chitra will sing alongside Ilayaraja at this Telugu Live Music Concern among the upcoming events in San Jose.

• Date: September 10
• Venue: San Jose Event Center, 290 South 7th Street, San Jose, CA 95192
• Organizer’s Phone: 408-785-2282

Gulzar in New Jersey

Indians in New Jersey are eagerly waiting to catch up with eminent Indian celeb Gulzar in Rahway on September 17. Gulzar will sing some of the best songs from his collection in a live concert among the upcoming Indian events in New Jersey.

• Date: September 17
• Venue: Union County Arts Center, 1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07095
• Organizer’s Phone: 973-652-6607

Onam Celebrations in Pleasanton, California

The Indian community in California is all set to celebrate Kerala’s biggest festival Onam on September 18 in Pleasanton. This upcoming festivity is an opportunity for California Indians to get together. With a grand Onam feast and traditional revelries like Pookkalam, Maveli along with Thiruvathira dance, this upcoming India event in California is second to none.

• Date: September 18
• Venue: Senior Center, Pleasanton, 5353 Sunol Boulevard, Pleasanton, CA 94566
• Organizer’s Phone: 309-310-1539

Dream Team USA Concert Tour 2016

Bollywood stars including Varun Dhawan, Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt, Sidharth Malhotra and Karan Johar are all set to enthrall Indians in USA with the ‘Dream Team’ musical concert. One of the most awaited Indian events in USA, the six-city musical tour kicks off on August 12 in Houston and will travel to San Jose on August 13, Atlanta on August 14, Chicago on August 19, Los Angeles on August 20 and New Jersey on August 21.

• Dates: August 12, August 13, August 14, August 19, August 20, August 21
• Venues: Houston, San Jose, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey

Travel Beats by IndianEagle, a leading travel organization, is an Indian American community portal sharing latest news, stories and events for Indians in USA. Subscribe to Travel Beats’ free newsletter for the latest and interesting updates.

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Moments of pride dawned upon the Indian American community when it was announced “The 2016 Great Immigrants: The Pride of America Award goes to four Indian Americans” among the 42 winners representing 30 countries. They are Sundar Pichai, Bharati Mukherjee, Hari Sreenivasan and Vikram Malhotra.

The Carnegie Corporation of New York, founded by Scottish immigrant Andrew Carnegie, institutionalized the Pride of America Award in 2006 to felicitate eminent naturalized citizens of America for their notable contributions to the progress of society.

“The accomplished winners of ‘The 2016 Great Immigrants: The Pride of America Award’ represent millions of immigrants who have come to the United States for various reasons such as business, employment, education, politics, security and reunion with relatives or family. They, like all Americans, share a common faith in this country,” says Vartan Gregorian, President of Carnegie Corporation

Google CEO Sundar Pichai needs no introduction! A Chennai-born IIT graduate from India, he earned an MS degree from Stanford University and pursued MBA at Wharton School. Since 2004 he has been a Google employee and worked on development of several Google products including Gmail, Chrome OS, Google Drive and Google Maps.

Among the Indian American winners of “The 2016 Great Immigrants: The Pride of America Award”, Bharati Mukherjee is a professor and published author in USA. A graduate of Calcutta University in Kolkata, she did PhD at the University of Iowa. She has authored several novels, including “The Tiger’s Daughter,” “The Holder of the World,” and “Wife.”

Bharati Mukherjee is a professor of English at the University of California, Berkeley. Previously she had taught at the City University of New York, the University of Iowa, Queens College and McGill University. She won the 1988 National Book Critics Circle Award for “The Middleman and Other Stories.”

Hari Sreenivasan, an anchor and senior journalist at PBS Newshour, received American citizenship in 2008. Born in Mumbai and schooled in Seattle, he graduated in politics and mass communication from the University of Puget Sound. Prior to joining PBS Newshour, Sreenivasan worked with ABC News in New York City and CBS News in Dallas.

It was Hari Sreenivasan who hosted a talk with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Madison Square in Midtown Manhattan during the latter’s first visit to the United States in 2014.

Vikram Malhotra, Chairman of the Americas at McKinsey, is the fourth Indian American recipient of “The 2016 Great Immigrants: The Pride of America Award”. He joined McKinsey in 1986 and currently serves the conglomerate’s clients in the financial service sector. In his illustrious career, he has worked with major financial institutions in private banking, retail banking, asset management and consulting.

Outside McKinsey, Vikram Malhotra is a member of several nonprofit organizations including the Touch Foundation, the Asia Society and the Conference Board. He is also a trustee on the board of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his MBA from.

These four Indian American winners’ journey from India to USA, professional accomplishments and contributions to society are full of inspiration.

Travel Beats is a digital portal for Indian Diaspora by IndianEagle, a leading international travel organization. It publishes latest news, interesting features, inspirational stories from USA and India.

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The Seattle Metropolitan Area in the US state of Washington houses nearly 55,000 Indian Americans, according to the 2010 census. The Seattle Metropolitan Area includes Seattle, Tacoma and Bellevue where most of the Indian restaurants are located. Out of 80,000 Indian restaurants across the United States, some of the most popular Seattle restaurants serve the best Indian food. We at IndianEagle handpicked 10 best Indian restaurants in Seattle based on our survey on where to get the best Indian food Seattle.  

Taste of India

Taste of India is one of the few restaurants for the best Indian food Seattle offers to Indian expats. Famous for bottomless iced tea, it treats guests to a very traditional Indian menu which is reasonably priced. Indian Americans in Seattle swear by delicious saag with butter naan and butter chicken with garlic naan at Taste of India. The menu is not as varied as that of other Indian restaurants in Seattle, but the dishes are among the best.

Roti

One of the best Seattle restaurants for Indian food, Roti is a great family dining destination. Owned and run by Chef Davinder Kohli, Roti is equally famous for its ambience, food and hospitality. Roti restaurant in Seattle boasts a menu of more than 75 dishes cooked with fresh spices ground every morning. Variety and authenticity are hallmarks of the menu at Roti where 11 types of Indian bread are served with different veg and non-veg curries. The food is accompanied by homemade apricot, mint and tamarind sauces. The interior décor inspired by traditional Indian art and culture makes Roti a must-visit Indian restaurant Seattle.

Bengal Tiger

Bengal Tiger in Seattle is one of the few places where Indian food is prepared according to individual palates. The dishes are seasoned with a blend of fresh herbs and spices. The menu of Bengal Tiger is curated from different regions of India. The most popular dishes at this Indian restaurant Seattle include Madras Curry from Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu in South India, and Vindaloo from Goa in West India. The food cooked by Chef Udin boasts northeast Indian culinary influences due to the chef’s ancestry in Bengal. Biryani is a must taste here.

Cedars

A favorite of Indian Americans for the best Indian food Seattle, Cedars has been operating for two generations spanning over 40 years at the same historic location, the Seattle Heritage Home. Each bite of freshly cooked naan breads with succulent tandoori meats is an act of sinful indulgence here. Butter Chicken, Palak Paneer, and Korma Rogan Josh are some of the must tries from the comprehensive menu of Cedars. Many stop by Cedars in Seattle for its bottomless Chai with a secret blend of ingredients in pure milk which is served in a homely way. The best thing is that the restaurant offers free refills to keep your cup full till you have enough of it. No wonder why Cedars has bagged several awards for the best Indian restaurant Seattle.

Travelers Thali House

Frequented by Indian expats in Seattle, Travelers Thali House is the only Indian restaurant where vegetarian thalis (complete meals) from different cuisines of India are available. The menu of Travelers Thali House Seattle changes every month to serve different dishes with different flavors. The restaurant is equally popular for serving chai (tea) with mouth-watering Indian sweets and snacks. It also deserves to be mentioned as a haven of Indian street food including papri chaat, samosa chaat, bhel puri, gol gappa, etc.

Masala of India Cuisine

Among the top 10 Indian restaurants in Seattle, Masala of India Cuisine is known for its warm, homely atmosphere, delicious Indian food and friendly service. The restaurant owner Sanjay Sharma welcomes guests with a hearty smile and treats them to his 100-year-old family recipes. The menu of Masala of India Cuisine is a wide selection of veg and non-veg dishes, most of which are favorites of Indian Americans in Seattle. Rice pudding is a must try among the desserts here.

Bombay Grill

Bombay Grill, one of the top Seattle restaurants for Indian food, has been synonymous with the pleasure of fine dining for 42 years. The executive chef of Bombay Grill Seattle has kept Indian culinary traditions alive away from home. Though seafood is mainstay of the menu, Bazari Chicken seasoned with Indian spices is a must have here. Each of the dishes on the menu bears evidence to the chef’s art of blending traditional spices and flavors for different exclusive tastes. The restaurant also houses a subterranean cocktail lounge.

Maharaja

Among the best Seattle restaurants for Indian food, Maharaja is a most frequented haven of Punjabi cuisine. It is popular for serving Punjabi dishes with bold flavors in an inviting ambience. Cooked with traditional spices and ingredients, the food is full of euphoria here. Dining at Maharaja Seattle is a joyous culinary ride.

Garam Masala

Garam Masala is one of the answers to where to get the best Indian food Seattle. Stop by Garam Masala to savor such traditional Indian delicacies as Bombay Fish Curry with tangy flavor and spicy essence. This Indian restaurant in Seattle is synonymous with Fish Biryani, a dish of Indian basmati rice with boneless pieces of fish cooked in a blend of exotic spices. You can order food from Garam Masala’s menu online.

Saffron Grill

Saffron Grill is one of the few Indian restaurants that make Seattle a home away from home for NRIs. Equally known for its delicious food and sophisticated interior décor, the restaurant is a must visit for its signature dish, Butter Chicken dipped in smooth tomato creamy butter sauce. Traditional Tikka Masala from the menu of Saffron Grill Seattle is a must mention for its rich flavor. Such uncommon dishes as Jaipuri Masala from the City of Jaipur make Saffron Grill the best Indian restaurant Seattle for foodies in love with traditional Indian menus.

Travel Beats is a digital portal for Indians and NRIs by IndianEagle, a leading international organization booking travel from Seattle to India. It publishes the latest news, interesting features, inspirational stories and useful tips about travel, tourism, culture, entertainment, food and philanthropy.

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Indian American lecturer Keya Sen, a master of science from the University College of Science in Kolkata, is awarded the Fulbright Global Scholar grant for her research on public health in India, Bangladesh and China. Keya Sen is a lecturer and scientific adviser in the University of Washington Bothell (UW Bothell), one of the three campuses of Washington University.

Keya Sen began her public health research project in 2014 in Bothell campus of the university. She did research on pathogen campylobacter, a type of bacteria, carried by crows that nestle in the university campus. Those infected by the bacteria can suffer from gastroenteritis, a nausea-causing inflammation, diarrhea and abdominal cramp. But the infection may not necessarily be spread by the crow. Keya Sen explores this theory at the genetic level in her research.

She is a public health microbiologist too, with a PhD degree in biological science from the School of Medicine, New York University. She previously worked for the US’ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Food & Drug Administration.

Lecturer Keya Sen, a resident of greater Seattle area, is the 7^th recipient of the Fulbright Global Scholar award from the University of Washington Bothell. Given in recognition of one’s academic achievement, the award supports teaching and research professionals’ academic trips to three countries in pursuit of globally relevant topics.

Also Check Stories of Indians in America

Travel Beats is a digital news portal for Indians and NRIs by IndianEagle, a leading international organization booking travel from the US to India. It publishes the latest news and stories from India and USA.

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Felicitation of Rita Meher, an Indian American entrepreneur, by the Seattle Globalist is great Seattle news of the week for the South Asians in the United States. Co-founder of Tasveer, a nonprofit arts and cultural organization, Rita Meher is titled the “Globalist of the Year 2015.”

The “Globalist of the Year” award is given to those whose epoch-making projects have lots of impact on international communities in Seattle and the United States at large. The Seattle Globalist recognized Rita Meher’s consistent efforts to dispel racial stereotypes about the South Asian community in the US after the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

Rita Meher cofounded Tasveer with Farah Nousheen in 2002 aiming to revive the image of South Asians in the American media, which was distorted and misrepresented in the wake of the September 11 attacks. Tasveer provides South Asians with an effective medium to tell their thought-provoking stories online.

Tasveer, based in Seattle, is on a mission to put South Asian communities in a good light through cultural events. It curates thought-provoking stories, visual artworks and films by South Asians from across the globe. Rita Meher believes that a community lives, its fame spreads and its name goes global by means of art and culture.

The Seattle South Asian Film Festival is one of the noble efforts by her as a social entrepreneur and cofounder of Tasveer. She believes that celluloid is a most effective visual medium and film is a most powerful art of telling stories to connect a culture with other cultures, and a community with other communities.

The Seattle South Asian Film Festival (SSAFF) was initiated in 2006. Produced by Tasveer, it is a 12-day Seattle event screening a selection of substantial South Asian films across Greater Seattle Area. It provides Americans a platform to explore and engage with the South Asian cultures in a lively, stimulating, interactive environment. It also brings to the fore human right issues and socio-cultural issues in the South Asian regions.

The 10^th Seattle South Asian Film Festival will commence on October 15 and continue till October 25. One of the largest South Asian film festivals in the USA and the most popular Seattle events, SSAFF 2015 will be held in five cities: Seattle, Redmond, Bothell, Renton and Bellevue.

Of other Seattle events, Rita Meher heads the South Asian Women’s Festival. It showcases the South Asian adaptation of the Vagina Monologues. Since its official inception in 2002, Tasveer has held over 500 screenings and events across Greater Seattle Area.

Apart from the “Globalist of the Year” title, Rita Meher has received the Rising Star Award from the Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation. We at Indian Eagle heartily congratulates Rita Meher! 

Travel Beats is a cultural wing of Indian Eagle, a leading international travel organization booking flights to India from USA. Get the best flights from Seattle to New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata at the lowest prices!

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