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Indiaspora Welcomes President Biden’s Nomination of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti for U.S. Ambassador to India
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Press Release
Indiaspora welcomes President Biden’s Nomination of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti for U.S. Ambassador to India
Mayor Garcetti’s close political ties to President Biden and his experience in the national and international arenas present a welcome opportunity for the diaspora to work together to continue bridging US-India ties
San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC — July 9, 2021 — Indiaspora, a nonprofit organization of global Indian diaspora leaders, expressed enthusiasm Wednesday for the Biden administration’s announcement of the nomination of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to the post of U.S Ambassador to India.As the Mayor of Los Angeles, the United States’ second largest city, Garcetti would bring valuable political and administrative experience to the role. A close political confidante of President Biden who served as a Co-chair of his campaign in 2020, Garcetti also would have the President’s ear.“We are excited that President Biden has nominated a reputed leader who has proven himself on several fronts,” said founder of Indiaspora MR Rangaswami, a Silicon Valley-based entrepreneur and investor, about Garcetti’s nomination. “It speaks volumes to the importance of the U.S.-India relationship that a close and trusted ally of President Biden may be America’s point person in Delhi.”Garcetti has a range of international experience, having lived and worked in Asia as well as Europe and Africa. A Rhodes’ Scholar, he appointed Los Angeles' first Deputy Mayor for International Affairs, expanding L.A.'s global ties to bring more jobs, economic opportunity, culture, education, and visitors to the city, according to Los Angeles’ government website.“Mayor Garcetti recognizes the importance of international cooperation and how to bring different actors together on the world stage,” said Executive Director of Indiaspora Sanjeev Joshipura, speaking to Garcetti’s accomplishments as Mayor of Los Angeles, which include bringing the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games to the United States for the first time in more than 30 years, as well as leading an effort of more than 400 fellow mayors across America to adopt the Paris Climate agreement.“We appreciate the administration’s recent recognition of Indiaspora’s, and more broadly, the diaspora’s role in serving as a bridge between the U.S. and India. The diaspora’s importance in this regard is only poised to grow, and we enthusiastically welcome President Biden’s nomination of Mayor Garcetti to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to India,” said Joshipura.About IndiasporaIndiaspora (www.indiaspora.org) is a nonprofit community of powerful global Indian leaders from diverse backgrounds and professions who are committed to inspiring the diaspora to be a force for positive impact by providing a platform to collaborate, engage, and catalyze social change.
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Indiaspora participates in U.S. State Department discussion on diaspora response to India's COVID-19 pandemic
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Following a message from Vice President Harris thanking the Indian diaspora, Indiaspora participated in a State Department-hosted discussion on the diaspora response to the COVID-19 pandemic in India
Indiaspora Founder MR Rangaswami discussed strong American response through giving and their ChaloGive campaign
PRESS RELEASE
San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC — May 7, 2021 — Following remarks from Vice President Harris on the United States’ strong partnership with India, Silicon Valley angel investor and entrepreneur MR Rangaswami, who founded Indiaspora, a nonprofit community of global Indian diaspora leaders, spoke about the outpouring of support from the Indian diaspora toward India’s COVID-19 relief efforts during a discussion hosted by the State Department.“The message from the Vice President about the strong and long-standing U.S.-India partnership was a reaffirming one, and we are humbled by her acknowledgement of how Indiaspora has played a critical role,” said Executive Director of Indiaspora Sanjeev Joshipura. “During a time when people are hurting, the message was clear that the United States, along with its Indian diaspora, will continue to stand with India.”Following Vice President Harris’s remarks, Indiaspora Founder MR Rangaswami spoke about the diaspora and the broader American community’s unprecedented response to India’s COVID-19 pandemic during a panel discussion hosted by the U.S. State Department, “Bolstering U.S. COVID Relief Efforts in India: Perspectives from the Diaspora,” with fellow diaspora leaders. “One of our biggest focus areas for Indiaspora is philanthropy. When COVID-19 first hit, we started a campaign called ChaloGive. This has hit everyone on a personal basis. I’m treating this as a personal emergency as well as a call to action,” said MR Rangaswami, who lost his sister to COVID-19 a few months ago. “We are grateful to the U.S. government, to the diaspora, and to the greater American community for stepping up during this time.”Moderated by the U.S. State Department’s South and Central Asia Senior Bureau Official, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Ervin Massinga, the panel discussion also included the following speakers: Honorable State Senator Dr. Ghazala Hashmi of Virginia; Gunisha Kaur, Assistant Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine, Medical Director, Weill Cornell Center for Human Rights; and Lata Krishnan, American Indian Foundation Founder and Co-Chair of the Board. In addition to remarks from Vice President Harris, the USAID's Deputy Assistant Administrator Anjali Kaur also offered remarks about USAID's contributions to the relief efforts. Indiaspora officially launched their giving platform ChaloGive.org May 3rd as a grassroots initiative for the public to donate to COVID-19 relief efforts in India after Indiaspora served as a $1 million matching partner for the high-profile fundraiser, HELP INDIA BREATHE, organized by author and podcast host Jay Shetty.The ChaloGive for India campaign facilitates giving by the global diaspora toward on-the-ground NGOs working in three areas of COVID-19 relief: the creation of urgently needed COVID care centers and makeshift hospitals through nonprofit WISH Foundation, direct cash transfer to families who have lost a primary earning member through nonprofit GiveIndia, and food relief and livelihood assistance for migrant workers and other underserved populations through EdelGive Foundation to nonprofits Goonj and Jan Sahas.Donors from anywhere in the world can either choose one area to donate to, or make a contribution that will be evenly split between all three areas. U.S. donors also receive a tax exemption.Visit ChaloGive.org for additional information and resources.About ChaloGive:Indiaspora launched its inaugural ChaloGive giving campaign in October 2019 to encourage higher levels of giving by the diaspora by partnering with more than 20 India-based NGOs, several of which are part of the India Philanthropy Alliance (IPA). Indiaspora launched its second campaign, ChaloGive for COVID-19 in April 2020 during the first wave of the COVID-19 crisis to alleviate food insecurity in both the U.S. and India by partnering with nonprofits Feeding America and Goonj, respectively.About Indiaspora:Indiaspora (www.indiaspora.org) is a nonprofit community of powerful global Indian leaders from diverse backgrounds and professions who are committed to inspiring the diaspora to be a force for positive impact by providing a platform to collaborate, engage, and catalyze social change.
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MEDIA CONTACT:Mansi PatelIndiasporaDirector of Communicationsmansi@indiaspora.org(772) 486-0351
Indiaspora Post-Election Analysis 2020 November 4th aims for community-building for Indian Americans in historic election cycle
Media Advisory
Indiaspora Post-Election Analysis 2020 November 4th aims for community-building for Indian Americans in historic election cycle
Indiaspora will host a virtual political analysis show in the wake of the 2020 U.S. presidential election with live commentary from recently elected & re-elected Indian American political leaders on the federal and state levels; political and policy experts; Indian Americans from the national presidential campaigns; and community advocates and organizers who will discuss their reactions to the election, what's next for our community, and the future of U.S.-India relations.Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA — November 4, 2020 — In the wake of a historic election cycle for the Indian American community, Indiaspora has organized a virtual political show for the community to meet U.S. Congressional members, candidates, state legislators, U.S.-India policy experts, and key leaders in the political, organizing and advocacy space.MR Rangaswami, Founder of Indiaspora, and Executive Director, Sanjeev Joshipura, will host more than 40 guests confirmed to speak on the four-hour virtual show.In the course of the 2020 election cycle, the Indian American community demonstrated a considerable increase in political engagement both in financial contributions and political participation, with more than 200 to 300 Democratic and Republican candidates of Indian origin running for local, state and federal office; several candidates will join the show to discuss their races. Newly-elected Vermont state Senator Kesha Ram, the first woman of color elected to the Vermont Senate; Jenifer Rajkumar, the first Indian American woman elected to the New York State Assembly; and Ohio state Senator Niraj Antani, the first Indian-American elected to the Ohio Senate, are scheduled to join.The 2020 presidential election also holds special significance given Senator Kamala Harris’s historic nomination as the first Indian American and first woman of color on a major presidential ticket; Indiaspora’s Post-Election 2020 show comes on the heels of this watershed moment for the Indian American community as a whole, which has seen an Indian American candidate represented on the national stage this election cycle.What: Indiaspora Post-Election Analysis 2020When: Nov. 4th 7 - 11pm EST | Nov. 4th 4 - 8pm PST | Nov. 5th 5:30 - 9:30 am IST VirtualTo see the full agenda, and to register, visit here.
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Indiaspora (www.indiaspora.org) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established to transform the success of Indian-Americans into meaningful impact worldwide. Their members are a powerful network of diaspora leaders from diverse backgrounds and professions who are committed to building stronger communities with a culture of giving and inspiring social change. In 2013, Indiaspora held an inaugural presidential ball, and in 2017, Indiaspora held a gala to recognize the success of Indian Americans on the political stage. MEDIA CONTACT:Mansi Patel, Senior Manager, Communications, Indiasporamansi@indiaspora.orgcell: 772-486-0351---
Indiaspora Founder MR Rangaswami Receives “Global Service Award” at Canada-India Business Council’s Diwali Awards
RELEASE DATE OCTOBER 28, 2020
Indiaspora Founder MR Rangaswami to receive “Global Service Award” at Canada-India Business Council’s Diwali Awards
The premier trade group recognizes Indiaspora Founder and Silicon Valley investor MR Rangaswami for furthering Indian diaspora relations globally
San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC — October 28, 2020 — Indiaspora’s Founder, MR Rangaswami, has been recognized by the Canada-India Business Council with its new 2020 “Global Service Award” for launching Indiaspora and connecting the Indian diaspora globally. The award will be presented virtually Thursday, October 29th, as part of the Canada-India Business Council’s virtual Diwali Awards to be held from 5 pm - 6 pm EDT.
The inaugural award is given to an individual who demonstrates excellence, and a record of exceptional service for the betterment of others. The “Global Service Award” recognizes selflessness, dedication, and a significant contribution to either Canada or India.
"It's an awesome privilege to accept this award from the prestigious Canada-India Business Council. This award will give us momentum on our journey of connecting the Indian diaspora globally and making an impact. We view Canada and Indo-Canadians as an integral partner in this mission,” said Indiaspora founder MR Rangaswami, a Silicon Valley software executive, investor, and entrepreneur.
“MR has served in numerous ways throughout his life, with grace and humility. What he has done in eight short years through Indiaspora, by convening, mobilizing, and catalyzing key diaspora leaders in the United States and around the world, is nothing short of remarkable,” said Victor Thomas, President and CEO of Canada-India Business Council. “We are thrilled to recognize him with the Canada-India Business Council’s first-ever ‘Global Service Award.’”
"The 1.6 million strong Indian community - affluent, hard-working, peaceful and fully integrated into the Canadian ethos - is a living bridge fostering people to people ties between India and Canada. The community is making a significant contribution to the growth and prosperity of Canada, which is well recognized by Canadian society and the government,” said Apoorva Srivastava, Consul General of India in Toronto, who also will be one of the presenters at the Diwali Awards event.
“There are several organizations who are working tirelessly for the well-being of the community members. Indiaspora is one such organization, which since its inception, has amplified the voice of the community and transformed it into a vibrant and dynamic force. I congratulate Mr. Rangaswami and the Indiaspora team for their stupendous work in the service of the community. Today’s award is a recognition of their efforts in helping the community to unite together for their common good,” said Consul General Srivastava.
As part of its “Global Connect” program to lead high-level delegations of the Indian diaspora to different countries, Indiaspora organized a delegation of their members and prominent friends from the U.S. to Canada to meet Canadian, Indian, and Indo-Canadian leaders in government, academia, philanthropy, the arts, finance, business and technology in October 2018. The “Track II” diplomacy meetings took place in Toronto and Ottawa in the wake of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) proposed earlier that month, as well as Prime Minister Trudeau’s trade trip to India earlier that year.
“MR is a true example of how to provide selfless service while making a meaningful impact in the world through various initiatives, including as founder of Indiaspora,” said Sukesh Kumar, a Partner and National Leader of KPMG’s India Practice, and an Indiaspora Patron who has played a leading role in Indiaspora’s Canadian activities. “What makes him even more special is his humility and approaching every situation with a smile.”
"I was delighted to be a part of Indiaspora's high-level delegation to Canada led by MR Rangaswami. The enthusiasm to engage with our group, which was evident among Indo-Canadian leaders in diverse professions, was testament to his amazing relationship building and convening capacity,” said Arjun Divecha, a U.S.-based investor who is head of Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co’s Emerging Markets Equity team and an Indiaspora Founders Circle member who was part of Indiaspora’s delegation to Canada. “Under his dynamic, visionary leadership, Indiaspora is fast becoming a premier organization working to build meaningful relationships across Indian diaspora leaders globally, including of course in Canada.”
Ms. Patricia Koval, Chair of the Canada-India Business Council will be introducing the “Global Service Award” on Thursday prior to Mr. Rangawami’s remarks.
Other Canada-India Business Council honorees on Thursday include Paytm Canada (Harinder Takhar, CEO) with the Member of the Year Award; G(irls)20 (Bailey Greenspon, Acting-CEO) with the Roy MacLaren Humanitarian Award, and Teck Resources Limited (Donald Lindsay, President and CEO) with the Thomas Bata Corporate of the Year Award.
Mansi Patel, Senior Manager, Communications, Indiaspora
Washington, DC
cell: 772-486-0351
2020 Business Leaders List U.S. Press Release
RELEASED JULY 8, 2020UPDATED JULY 17, 2020
2020 Indiaspora Business Leaders List recognizes 60 executives of Indian heritage leading global corporations
Indian diaspora leaders are reaching the pinnacle of corporate success in greater numbers than ever, many use their platforms for social change, advocacy
San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC — July 8, 2020 — Indiaspora, a nonprofit organization of global Indian diaspora leaders from various backgrounds and professions, released today their inaugural list honoring executives of the Indian diaspora who are leading the largest global corporations in 2020.Drawing from the latest editions of Fortune and Forbes U.S. and global lists, the Indiaspora Business Leaders List includes 60 executives serving at the helm of their respective companies as Chief Executive Officer, President, or Chairman of the Board. Under their leadership, these companies collectively employ more than 3.6 million worldwide and account for a combined USD $1 trillion in revenue and $4 trillion in market capitalization. Headquartered across 11 different countries including the U.S., Canada, England, and Singapore, these companies have delivered annualized returns of 23 percent during the tenure of these executives, outperforming the S&P 500 by 10 percent.“We wanted to capture this incredible feat that our community is achieving with increasing numbers,” said Indiaspora Founder MR Rangaswami, a Silicon Valley-based entrepreneur and investor. “The impact that the Indian diaspora is having in the realm of business is remarkable. It’s one of the reasons we launched this project, and we hope our lists will continue to raise the profile of those who have reached the very top of their fields while also serving as agents for positive change.”The list includes immigrants from India as well as professionals born in countries such as Uganda, Ethiopia, England, and the U.S.“I’m amazed to see how far we’ve come in terms of representation in business,” said Raj Gupta, former CEO of Fortune 300 company Rohm and Haas, and one of the first executives of the Indian diaspora to join the ranks of corporate leadership along with pioneers such as Indra Nooyi of PepsiCo and Dinesh Paliwal of Harman International. “There used to be only a handful of us leading corporations. Now that we are reaching prominence, I am eager to see how the next generation leaves its own legacy.” Mr. Gupta, an Indiaspora member, serves as Chairman of two companies on the Business Leaders List, Aptiv and Avantor.Agents for Change and Inclusion"It’s inspiring to see so many leaders of Indian heritage playing a significant role in business and in society,” said Ajay Banga, President and CEO of Mastercard. “Our culture and our values are a common starting point. But it’s what we do with the opportunities presented to us that make a difference. When we lean into our diverse experiences to deal with challenges like the pandemic or racial injustice, we can have an even greater impact on the lives of those around us.”Many of these diaspora executives have led their companies in advancing social change by addressing racial injustice, climate and sustainability justice, and the disproportionate effects of COVID-19 through policy and financial commitments. For example:
- Tech industry leader Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet, has announced new goals for racial equity, including improving leadership representation of underrepresented groups at Google, and an “economic opportunity package” for the Black community.
- Many of the leaders’ companies have created or contributed funds in response to COVID-19, with monetary and humanitarian aid totaling more than $400 million.
- More than a dozen leaders have aligned their companies’ business practices to meet United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and are members of the UN Global Compact.
The Indiaspora Business Leaders List also calls attention to the presence of a glass ceiling that women, including Indian women, still face. Out of 1,000 companies represented on the Fortune 500 list, only 61 have women CEOs; the Indiaspora List has a marginally higher percentage of women, yet includes only five women out of the 60 leaders.“It’s an honor to join so many outstanding leaders on this year’s Indiaspora Business Leaders list, each of whom is making a meaningful impact within their industry,” said Reshma Kewalramani, M.D., CEO and President of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. “As a physician and CEO dedicated to creating transformative medicines that improve the lives of people with serious diseases, I believe deeply in the critical role a diverse and inclusive culture plays in being able to achieve that mission at Vertex. We are committed to developing the next generation of leaders from all backgrounds, and I look forward to some of those names showing up on this list and others like it in the years to come.”About the Indiaspora Business Leaders ListThe following lists were used to identify honorees: Fortune 500 (which features 1,000 companies), Forbes Global 2000, Fortune Global 500 and the Forbes Largest Private U.S. Companies.Please visit the Indiaspora Business Leaders List website for additional resources, including information and news about the honorees, more than a dozen quotes from executives, and actions that the executives and their companies are undertaking in response to COVID-19, the current racial justice movement, and climate and sustainability needs.About IndiasporaIndiaspora (www.indiaspora.org) is a nonprofit organization established to transform the success of the Indian diaspora into meaningful impact worldwide. Our members are a powerful network of global leaders who serve as a platform to build stronger communities with a culture of giving and inspiring social change. Media contact:Mansi PatelSenior Manager, Communications and Outreach, Indiasporamansi@indiaspora.orgcell: 772-486-0351