Indian American teens are sweeping awards everywhere from US government competitions like Congressional App Challenge, US Presidential Scholar Awards to beauty pageants, poet laureates, spelling bee championship and American TV reality shows. While the Indian Diaspora is tuned to American Idol Season 15 for listening to the two Indian American contestants, three Indian American high school students occupied the first three spots in the US National Brain Been Championship.

Indian American Akhil Kondepudi, a high school student, was recently declared the winner of the US National Brain Bee Championship, which was held at the University of Maryland’s School of Dentistry. Akhil Kondepudi, a resident of St Louis in Missouri, successfully competed with other 53 regional-level Brain Bee winners from the United States and took the top prize home.

Minneapolis-based Indian American Hemanth Asirvatham ranked second in the US National Brain Bee Championship. The third prize went to Indian American Sehej Bindra in New Jersey. Hemanth Asirvatham and Sehej Bindra were given $1000 and $500 respectively. More 4 out of the 10 winners are from the Indian Community in America.

The rest four Indian Americans out of the 10 selected in the US National Brain Been Championship are Sneha Shinde from Ohio, Aayush Setty from Atlanta, Veda Chanda from Pennsylvania, and Lasya Kambhampati from Kansas City.

The winner of the 11^th edition of US National Brain Bee Championship, St Louis-based Akhil Kondepudi got an award of $1500 along with internship in a world-class neuroscience lab. Being winner, he will shoulder the responsibility of representing the United States at the World Bran Bee Championship which will be held in Berlin in July 2018.

Also Check: 17-year-old Indian American Invents Heart Disease Therapy

The US Brain Bee Championship, an official regional version of the International Brain Bee competition, is held during the Brain Awareness Week in March every year. It assesses high school contestants’ knowledge of the human brain on various aspects like intelligence, emotions, memory, vision, hearing, sleep, sensations, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, addition, etc.

The multilevel assessment of high school students’ knowledge of human brain involves a neuroanatomy laboratory practical exam, a diagnosis of real human brains, and brain MRI imaging identification. Instituted 20 years ago by Dr. Norbert Myslinski, the International Brain Bee Championship seeks to make young students learn about the human brain, study clinical neurosciences and invent better cures for cerebral ailments. The motto is to build more fertile, agile brains to treat brain disorders.

Recently, 12-year-old Raghav Dandi from Vermond, Florida won the regional Scripps Spelling Bea Contest. Nyasa Modi of Frisco and Abhijay Kodali of Flower Mound in Texas are the winner duo of the 60^th annual Golden Chic Dallas Regional Spelling Bee contest. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for upcoming updates about the Indian community in USA. – Indian Eagle

This news story about the US National Brain Bee Championship winners including Akhil Kondepudi is part of our continued effort at Indian Eagle to promote the achievements of Indian Americans and young Indians worldwide. Subscribe to our free newsletter for inspiring stories of young Indians in USA.

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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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Three Indian Americans are named for the 2017 Padma Shri awards. They are among the 75 Padma Shri awardees of 2017. Padma Shri is India’s fourth highest civilian honor. These three Indian Americans are sitar maestro Imrat Khan, TV Asia’s Chairman HR Shah, and Anant Agarwal, MIT professor and edX CEO.

Ustad Imrat Khan is the younger brother of late sitar exponent Vilayat Khan. A resident of St Louis in Missouri, Imrat Khan is revered as the world’s best player of surbahar, a sitar-like instrument with deep-toned strings which his great grandfather, Ustad Sahabdad Khan, had developed. The Padma Shri awardee, Imrat Khan along with his brother pioneered ‘gayaki ang’, the purest vocal form of Indian instrumental music. Mastering the art of playing in gayaki ang is the dream of all instrumentalists. The 81-year-old sitar maestro is a visiting professor at Washington University in St Louis.

Among the Indian American Padma Shri awardees of 2017, Anant Agarwal is the master brain behind the development of edX, a portal for free online education by Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. An IIT Madras graduate and an MIT professor, Anant Agarwal is recognized for effectively addressing the need to help working professionals with career development programs for free. A resident of Weston, he was on Forbes’ list of top 15 education innovators in 2012. Indian American Anant Agarwal treasures a Guinness World Record for the largest microphone array.

Indian American HR Shah is named among the 75 Padma Shri awardees of 2017, in recognition of his contribution to the field of journalism. He relocated to USA in 1971 to rise above his humble background in Gujarat. The first Indian American to have been running a 24-hour TV channel (TV Asia) in the US since 1997, HR Shah is a reputed entrepreneur and philanthropist. He was recognized as an outstanding immigrant and awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2005. He is the Chairman of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in USA too.

All the 75 Padma Shri awardees of 2017 will be ceremoniously felicitated by the President of India in March or April.

Travel Beats is a leading Indian American portal by Indian Eagle, a trusted partner of Indians in USA for booking their travel to India. Subscribe to Travel Beats’ free newsletter for the latest immigration, visa, air travel and community news. 

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Two Indian American scientists, Ramesh Raliya and Pratim Biswas, at Washington University in St Louis have found a sustainable way to boost agricultural production in keeping with the increasing global population, during their research on the use of nanoparticle technology in agriculture. Their epoch-making invention of an eco-friendly alternative to conventional phosphorus-rich fertilizers is expected to usher in a new age of organic farming.

Pratim Biswas at Washington University in St Louis is a professor of environmental engineering science and Ramesh Raliya is a research scientist. Both in the School of Engineering and Applied Science discovered that the use of zinc oxide nanoparticles in farming would not only improve the growth of food crops but also save water bodies from the polluting effects of phosphorus deposits.

Professor Pratim Biswas (left) and Scientist Ramesh Raliya (right)

Conventional fertilizers rich in rock phosphorus are either applied to the soil or mixed with water used for irrigation in order to nourish plants with nutrients for growth. Studies reveal that plants absorb only 42% of phosphorus from fertilizers, and the rest is drained into water bodies. Thus phosphorus builds up in water bodies and pollutes water by growing algae. Since farmers are using a plenty of phosphorus-rich fertilizer, which equals to 85% of the world’s mined phosphorus, natural phosphorus has become a limited resource and may run out of supply in the next 80 years.

Published in Washington University’s Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, the research by Ramesh Raliya and Pratim Biswas is the first study to highlight drawbacks of using conventional fertilizers in farming and benefits of using zinc oxide nanoparticles in fertilization of plants. Prevention of food crisis and water pollution is the greatest benefit of replacing nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers with zinc oxide nanoparticles.

Research scientist Ramesh Raliya, Pratim Biswas at Washington University in St Louis and their collaborators including Jagadish Chandra Tarafdar at Central Arid Zone Research Institute in Jodhpur, India, created zinc oxide nanoparticles from a fungus around the roots of mung bean (green gram) plants to show how it helps plants absorb nutrients from the soil in an environment-friendly way. Zinc, one of the essential nutrients for growth of plants, stimulates three enzymes to transform the complex structure of natural phosphorus into a form that plants can easily take in from the soil without any fertilizer.

Extreme atmospheric conditions due to climate change make it difficult for plants to absorb phosphorus from the soil. That’s why farmers apply more and more external phosphorus to ensure sufficient growth of plants, without realizing its consequences on environment and nature. The Indian American scientist duo at Washington University aims to help farmers grow food crops without fertilizers, and that is what their successful experiment has proven.

Their use of zinc oxide nanoparticles increased the green gram plants’ intake of phosphorus from the soil by 11% by stimulating the activity of three enzymes from 84% to 108%. The promising results of the experiment include a 27% increase in biomass and a 6% increase in production of beans.

Professor Pratim Biswas at Washington University in St Louis says that 45% of the worldwide use of phosphorus for farming is reported in India and China. Developing countries including India and China import much of this phosphorus from the United States. If both India and China adopt this revolutionary innovation of nanoparticle technology, they will be able not only to reduce import of phosphorus but also to export surplus food, fight food crisis and contribute towards sustainability of environment at the same time.

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

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