The world is praising Riya Pawar, a 16-year-old Indian-American with a beautiful voice who sang the American national anthem at the Ronald Reagan Centre in Washington, DC, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Notably, Riya Pawar sang the national anthem of the US for Non-Residents and the Indian Diaspora present in the US on June 23, 2023. To everyone’s surprise, her performance was appreciated by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi as reported in the India Post.

The 16-year-old’s performance of the national anthem enthralled spectators and demonstrated not just her excellent vocal ability but also her dedication to creating cultural links. Her performance easily linked the two cultures, symbolising the unity and friendship that binds the United States and India, a report in New India said.

Reaction Of Riya Pawar
“It was an honour to sing our nation’s anthem in such a prestigious setting, surrounded by individuals who are dedicated to strengthening the bond between the United States and India. I am immensely grateful for this incredible opportunity. Riya Pawar, a 6-year-old Indian-American, was quoted saying after the event by the NewIndiaaboard report.

Riya Pawar’s Background
Riya’s parents, Shraddha and Rahul Pawar of Walchandnagar and Pune, and brother Rishan have been residing in New Jersey for numerous years. Riya began singing at the age of five and for many years, she has studied Hindustani classical music with Mr. Hemant Kulkarni. Moreover, she also studies Bollywood and Western music, according to the report which talked about her background.

Moreover, she has also won many competitions in all three genres, apart from singing. Riya is a multi-talented brilliant lady who won the title of Miss India Teen New Jersey 2021 and has been dubbed “Beauty with Brains” for her outstanding academic performance, the report also said.

PM Modi held a 3-day visit to the US, where his visit comprised bilateral meetings with US President Joe Biden, celebrating Yoga Day, addressing US Congress, speaking at a press conference, and meeting famous tech CEOs. The visit of PM Modi has been celebrated as one of the most successful visits, and many big media houses, including the New York Times and Washington Post, have reported the visit continuously.

“While addressing a joint meeting of Congress on Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his country is ‘the mother of democracy’, comments that stood in contrast to his critics’ claims that India’s government has undermined democratic principles,” WaPO was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.

In a world where wealth and success often seem reserved for the privileged few, there are rare individuals who defy all odds and rise to the top, carving their own path to unimaginable prosperity. Meet Jay Chaudhry, an Indian-American billionaire, CEO, and founder of the renowned cloud security company Zscaler, whose remarkable journey is an inspiration to us all.

Hailing from humble beginnings, Jay Chaudhry born in Panoh, a village in Una district of the state of Himachal Pradesh grew up devoid of basic amenities like electricity and running water. But instead of succumbing to the limitations of his surroundings, Jay set his sights on a different future—one where he would break free from the constraints of his upbringing and achieve extraordinary success.

With unwavering determination and an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Jay pursued his education relentlessly. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from the prestigious Institute of Technology at Banaras Hindu University, followed by a master’s degree in Computer Engineering. Not content with just one specialization, Jay also earned a Master’s in Industrial Engineering and an MBA from the University of Cincinnati, equipping himself with a diverse skill set that would prove invaluable in his entrepreneurial journey.

Jay’s path to greatness began with the founding of SecureIT and CipherTrust in 1997, laying the foundation for his future success. He further established notable ventures such as AirDefense and CoreHarbor, showcasing his exceptional business acumen and foresight. Prior to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Jay honed his managerial skills working for esteemed companies like NCR, IBM, Unisys, and IQ Software—a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence.

The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a turning point for Jay and his company, as Zscaler experienced unprecedented growth, becoming a key player in the realm of cloud security. As a result, Jay’s net worth soared, propelling him to the esteemed rank of the 9th richest Indian in 2021, according to Forbes. With a staggering net worth exceeding ₹70,932 crore, Jay Chaudhry’s entrepreneurial empire stands at an impressive valuation of ₹18,54,58 crore.

His remarkable achievements have not gone unnoticed on the global stage, as Jay Chaudhry secured a coveted spot on the esteemed Forbes 400 list of richest people in America, with a net worth of US$16.3 billion as of October 2021. This remarkable accomplishment places him at the 45th rank, solidifying his status as one of the most influential and successful Indian-Americans in the business world.

Jay’s rise to prominence serves as a powerful reminder that greatness knows no boundaries and that anyone with the right mindset and unwavering determination can transcend their circumstances and achieve unparalleled success. His story is a testament to the incredible potential within each of us, urging us to dream big, work hard, and break free from the shackles of mediocrity.

As Jay Chaudhry continues to make waves in the business world, his extraordinary journey stands as a shining example of what is possible when passion, resilience, and relentless pursuit of excellence converge. From a small-town boy to a billionaire titan, Jay’s story inspires us to push the boundaries of our own potential, reminding us that the path to success is paved by those who dare to dream and have the courage to turn those dreams into reality.

Indian Americans are eagerly waiting to extend a warm welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his first state visit to the US during June 21-24.

Thousands of expatriates will gather in Washington to welcome PM Modi, who will arrive in the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden and first Lady Jill Biden.

While a group of Indian Americans are planning to go to Andrews Air Force Base when the PM’s Air India One will land from New York, over 600 community members are planning to gather at the Freedom Plaza in front of the Willard Intercontinental in Washington near the White House, where the PM will be staying during his visit.

At the Freedom Plaza, the community has planned to showcase the cultural fabric of India through cultural events representing India from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, and from West to East, Adapa Prasad, President of Overseas Friends of BJP-USA, told ANI.

“It is India’s diverse cultural show and growth story. We have roughly 25 programs representing Kashmir to Kerala and Maharashtra to the northeast with 160 artists participating,” Mr Prasad said.

PM Modi will also become the first Indian Prime Minister to address a Joint Meeting of the US Congress for the second time. Indian Americans said the invitation sent to him to address the US Congress serves as a reminder of the historic significance of the relationship between the US and India, reflecting on the shared dream and commitment to global peace and prosperity, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.

“I think it is crucial for us to understand the kind of the importance of Modi ji speaking on the stage. A lot of global leaders have spoken separately in the Union House of Representatives. They have spoken at state dinners and all of that. But somebody addressing the state of the joint session is something very, very unusual. So, that tells how geopolitics has come around, that tells how much Modi ji has made an influence in the entire geopolitical world,” Srilkeha Reddy Palle, a resident of Virginia, told ANI.

It’s not just PM Modi’s appeal among the Indian expatriates that is “unique” that connects with them, some are also excited to express gratitude to him for the recent developments in India.

Mohan Sapru, a member of the Kashmiri Hindu community, in Washington, said, “I just want to express our gratitude to the Prime Minister for the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A in Kashmir. And I’m sure together we will be working together with Modi ji for resolving all the issues with regard Kashmiri Hindus’ resettlement safely back in Kashmir.”

In the US, PM Modi will also address the chairman and CEOs of top US companies at John F Kennedy Centre in Washington, followed by an address to the Indian expatriates at Ronald Reagan Center in DC in the evening.

Several top Indian-Americans have expressed their excitement to join PM Modi on the North Lawns of the UN complex in New York, on June 21, where he will lead the International Yoga Day event soon after arriving in the country.

“The Indian American community feels that they are part of this historic story. They’re proud that this momentous occasion is happening, that too when India became the fifth largest economy and the third largest, so the community itself is very proud about their country of origin,” Mr Prasad further noted.

On June 22, more than 7,000 Indian Americans are planning to be on the South Lawns of the White House when President Biden and the First Lady would welcome the Prime Minister with a 21-gun salute. The White House will be closing the registration shortly for those attending the welcome ceremony.

“India was known as an underdeveloped country. All that has changed in the last 10 years. Thanks a lot to Shri Modi ji who has transformed India not only with the IT generation but by rising high above all the expectations of people in terms of infrastructure development, in terms of financial independence given to all the markets,” said Premkumar Swaminathan, who is from Tamil Nadu.