Georgia Assembly has passed a resolution that condemns Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry, making it the first state in America to take such legislative action. The resolution highlights that Hinduism is a diverse religion with over 1.2 billion adherents worldwide, and it promotes values of acceptance, mutual respect, and peace. The resolution recognizes the contributions of the American-Hindu community in various fields, such as science, medicine, engineering, and hospitality. Additionally, the resolution acknowledges the contributions of yoga, meditation, ayurveda, music, and art, which have enriched American culture.

The resolution also acknowledges documented instances of hate crimes against Hindu Americans in many parts of the country, stating that Hinduphobia is institutionalized by some individuals in academia who support the dismantling of Hinduism. These individuals accuse Hinduism’s sacred texts and cultural practices of promoting violence and oppression. The move to pass this resolution was initiated by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), which organized the first-ever Hindu Advocacy Day. The Hindu Advocacy Day organized by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) was attended by approximately 25 lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties. These lawmakers joined the event to gain insight into the community’s concerns and to make a commitment to protect the community from discrimination.

Rajeev Menon, CoHNA’s vice president, expressed his appreciation for the lawmakers who helped pass the County Resolution. Despite the long hours of legislative work, they still showed their support for the Hindu community by attending Advocacy Day. Shobha Swamy, the general secretary of the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), emphasized that the Hindu-American community is being adversely impacted by untrue and discriminatory narratives that promote Hinduphobia. These narratives generate hatred and propagate the notion that Hindus and people of Indian origin need special laws and monitoring due to alleged inherent tendencies toward discrimination. She urged lawmakers to combat such bigotry, which promotes hatred and creates the perception that Hindus and people of Indian origin require special laws and monitoring due to inherent discriminatory tendencies.

Indian-American Richard Verma has been confirmed as Deputy Secretary of State, Management and Resources by the US Senate by a vote of 67-26.

In his new role, Verma will be responsible for directing, coordinating, and supervising State Department operations such as foreign assistance and civilian response programmes.

Verma previously served as US Ambassador to India (2015-17) during the Obama Administration, becoming the first person of Indian descent to hold that position.

He is presently the Chief Legal Officer and Head of Global Public Policy at Mastercard. He also served as the Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs, where he led the State Department’s efforts on Capitol Hill.

A US Air Force veteran, Verma served on active duty as a Judge Advocate. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal.

Verma is the recipient of the State Department’s Distinguished Service Award, the Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellowship, and was ranked by India Abroad as one of the 50 most influential Indian Americans.

He holds degrees from the Georgetown University Law Center (LLM), American University’s Washington College of Law (JD), and Lehigh University (BS).

An Indian-American Associate Professor at New York-based Albert Einstein College of Medicine has been honored with the Young Urologist Award in recognition of her efforts and commitment to advance the development of fellow young urologists.

Dr Nitya Abraham, Program Director for the Montefiore Urology residency program, has mentored countless students, residents, fellows and junior faculty both at her institution and others in the New York region.

“I’m grateful to my mentors over the years, my chair at Montefiore Medical Center, and of course, my parents and supportive husband, for molding and equipping me to win this award,” Abraham said in a statement.

“At a time when rates of physician burnout are increasing, it is wonderful that the American Urological Association and its leaders are recognising the hard work of many young urologists across the country,” she added.

According to the American Urological Association (AUA), a ‘young’ urologist is defined as someone (who has completed training) who has been in practice for 10 years or less.

Abraham is also the Chair of the Executive Curriculum Committee for Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and has served the AUA as an Oral Board Review Course faculty member. She is a member of the Society for Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine, and Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU) Young Urologists Committee and social media committee.

The awards committee described Abraham as a prolific researcher with a clinical research focus on the impact of social determinants of health on pelvic floor health.

She has received funding from the US Department of Defence for urinary diagnostic markers of interstitial cystitis, and is also a co-author of the AUA White Paper on Rationale and Strategies for Reducing Urologic Post-Operative Opioid Prescribing, a statement released by AUA said. A graduate of University of Connecticut, Abraham completed Medicine at New York University Langone Medical Center and the Urology residency at the same place.

She did a fellowship in Female Urology at Cleveland Clinic, following which she joined the Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. She is the daughter of Dr Thomas Abraham, Chairman of Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) International, and retired internist/geriatrician Dr Susy Abraham.

Along with Abraham, Rena Malik, MD from Mid-Atlantic Section at the University of Maryland; Jesse D. Sammon, DO from New England Section at Maine Medical Partners Urology; Sarah Vij, MD from North Central Section at Cleveland Clinic; Alexander J. Ernest from MD, Society of Government Service Urologists at Brooke Army Medical Center, etc., also received the award.

Established in 2012-2013, AUA’s Young Urologist of the Year Award is presented annually to select early-career members in recognition of their efforts and commitment to advancing the development of fellow young urologists. The following members were selected by their colleagues who serve on the Young Urologists Committee and endorsed by their respective Section/Society to receive this special honor for 2023.

Indian-American business leader Ajay Banga is poised to become the next President of the World Bank which has said he is the sole nominee for the post as no other candidates were nominated.

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors will interview Mr. Banga before he is formally appointed.

In February, President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. would be nominating Mr. Banga to lead the World Bank because he is “well equipped” to lead the global institution at “this critical moment in history.” The World Bank on Wednesday closed a month-long window for nominations for its next president, with no alternatives announced to 63-year-old Banga.

Mr. Banga is the only application received for the position of president of the World Bank, the financial institution said on Thursday.

“The Board received one nomination and would like to announce that Mr Ajay Banga, a US national, will be considered for the position,” the bank said.

“In accordance with established procedures, the Board of Executive Directors will conduct a formal interview with the candidate in Washington D.C., and expect to conclude the Presidential selection in due course,” said a statement issued by the bank.

The bank has not announced the timing of the interview.

The former Mastercard Inc. chief, Mr. Banga currently serves as Vice Chairman at General Atlantic.

A new leader of the World Bank is expected to be chosen by early May.

“Over the next few months, you will see the World Bank undergo an important transition. We expect that Ajay Banga – President Biden’s nominee — will be elected President of the World Bank,” US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told lawmakers at a Congressional hearing on Wednesday.

“He will be charged with accelerating our progress to evolve the institution to better address 21st-century challenges. This evolution will help the Bank deliver on its vital poverty alleviation and development goals,” Ms. Yellen said.

If confirmed, Mr. Banga would become the first-ever Indian-American and Sikh-American to head either of the two top international financial institutions: the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Mr. Banga is expected to replace the current World Bank president David Malpass, who will step down in June, nearly a year before his term is scheduled to expire.

Mr. Malpass faced strong criticism over the bank’s commitment to climate action and over his personal views on climate change.

Last week, reports emerged that China sounded doubtful about backing Banga, saying it is “open” to supporting “other potential candidates” based on merit.

Mr. Banga, however, received overwhelming support from major countries across the world, including India.

Following Mr. Banga’s nomination, he has travelled to several countries for support.

A coalition of 55 advocates, academics, executives, luminaries, and former government officials — including four Nobel Laureates — wrote an open letter to welcome and support Banga’s nomination as the next President of the World Bank.

Raised in India, Mr. Banga has a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing developing countries and how the World Bank can deliver on its ambitious agenda to reduce poverty and expand prosperity, President Biden had said.

He has also worked closely with Vice President Harris as the Co-Chair of the Partnership for Central America.

He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2016.

Mr. Banga is expected to take over the reins of the anti-poverty lender at a crucial time, with the US and Western nations pitching for reforms to focus on addressing a slew of wide-ranging global issues like climate change.

The US Senate has confirmed Indian-American lawyer, diplomat and executive Richard Verma as the Deputy Secretary of State, Management and Resources, a position which is normally seen as the CEO of the powerful State Department in the US government. Verma, 54, was confirmed by a vote of 67-26 on Thursday.

He served as the US ambassador to India from January 16, 2015, to January 20, 2017, and is currently the chief legal officer and the head of global public policy at Mastercard.

During the previous Obama administration, Verma served as the Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs.

Earlier in his career, he was National Security Advisor to United States Senator Harry Reid and was Democratic Whip, Minority Leader and then Majority Leader of the United States Senate.

Verma has served as Vice Chairman of The Asia Group, Partner and Senior Counsellor at Steptoe and Johnson LLP, and Senior Counsellor at the Albright Stonebridge Group.

He is a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he served as a Judge Advocate.

Verma, who was born in 1968 to an Indian immigrant, grew up in Pennsylvania. He attended a private college on a US Air Force scholarship. He earned a B.S at Lehigh University, a J.D. cum laude at American University, an LLM with distinction at Georgetown University Law Center, and a PhD at Georgetown University.

He is the recipient of numerous awards and decorations, including the Distinguished Service Medal from the Department of State, the International Affairs Fellowship from the Council on Foreign Relations and the Meritorious Service Medal from the United States Air Force.

Verma was appointed to the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board and is a former member of the Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism Commission.

He serves as a trustee of The Ford Foundation and is on numerous other boards, including that of the National Endowment for Democracy and Lehigh University.