NRI Top Stories ( Page 28 of 32 )

NRI father posts video of his minor son driving car April 29, 2013 11:31

An NRI businessman never knew he would invite troubles from the police for posting the video of his nine-year-old son driving a luxurious sports car, Ferrari F430. Mohammed Nishan, the man in the news apparently visited his home town Kerala recently to celebrate the birthday of his son on his home land. He gifted his son Ferrari F430 car and captured the video when his drove the vehicle. This video was posted by him to Facebook. All this happened in Peramangalam. While the parents were pride about the driving skills of their son, the police who had a glimpse of the video charged Mohammed Nishan under various acts including Motor Vehicles Act for the irresponsible behavior. Since the accused was an NRI, the police couldn't take him into the custody. The matter is now prejudice. Parents should make their children learn morals of life no matter even if they are born with silver spoons as everyone should leave their silver spoons down in earth when they take the unseen flights to unknown destinations! A rich is a person who has high morals and he would be the one who would be remembered forever. Don't know when rich parents will realize the same! (AW Phani)

AID New Jersey is organizing a 5K Walkathon on May 5th April 14, 2012 06:47

AID New Jersey is organizing a 5K Walkathon on May 5th for supporting child education, health, and sustainable development projects in India. Please join in the walk and support the efforts of AID India for sustainable development of India. Even a small contribution goes a long way in bringing relief, joy and hope to millions of underprivileged people in India. Please share Eureka Superkidz 5K Walk with your friends. Eureka Superkidz 5K Walk event page is on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/events/374048419282396 For more details one can visit the website at: http://www.eurekachild.org/

Health fair by TANA on April 29 at James Madison April 13, 2012 15:25

The North American Telugu Association is collaboration with Rhythmic Arts Dance and Music Center is all set to organize a health fair named Move It to Lose. This health fair is scheduled to take place on April 29 at James Madison Primary School. The main aim of this fair is to bring awareness among children on the ill effects of obesity. The show is likely to highlight as to how important it is to keep the body healthy and toned. As the name suggests, the fair would focus on walking and other natural exercises for burning the extra fat. It may be noted that obesity is one of the major concerns of USA. In fact, reports suggest that over one-fifth of children in the country are either obese or over weight. This would undoubtedly create so many health problems and to address the same NATA took up this noble cause. According to the sources, The The Mayor of Edison Mrs.Anotnia Ricigliano and the NJ Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula and other dignitaries are likely to attend this event. TANA has said that this fair is going to be a great show that features several demonstrations including healthy food, dance, aerobics and other exercises. (Phani)

TLCA Celebrates 2012 Nandana Naama Ugadi April 09, 2012 04:11

TLCA successfully celebrated 2012 Nandana Naama Samvatsara Ugadi program. The celebrations were witnessed by more than 1000 audience flooded from the Tri-State, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The audience witnessed local talent and performances by celebrities invited from India, including Movie stars, Tanikella Bharani, Gundu Hanumantha Rao, Dookudu, Vinayakudu fame actress and Nandi Award winner Sonia, Bunny heroine Gouri Munjal, singers Krishna Chaitanya and Shraavana Bhargavi. This star studded entertainment show which was a huge success. The cultural extravaganza started with a song singing praises of Lord Ganesha. It was followed by a well orchestrated Pancharatna, praises of Lord. Organized for the first time in the 40 years' history of the TLCA, TLCA's Got Talent, the brainchild of our President, Nagendra Gupta, received thunderous applause from the audience! Siddhu Elisetty stood runner up as Pooja Nattu was declared the winner. TLCA paid tribute to 80 years of Telugu cinema with a fulfilled medley performed by local members choreographed by Krishnasri Gandham and Kalpana Vanam. After the festive Vindu Bhojanam new Telugu Panchangam for the Nandana Nama Samvatsaram was read to keep up the tradition by priest. Mr. Veloor Nagendra Gupta, President, detailed his agenda for the yearin his Presidental address. Explaining the welfare programs taken up by TLCA, he said this year, TLCA will conduct two medical camps for the benefit of the community. Youth is our future and to promote use of Telugu among the Youth this year TLCA will organize a program called EFFECTIVE SPEAKING IN TELUGU FOR YOUTH. TLCA will continue the regular programs & events too. The next item was a scintillating fusion of music, drama and dance on the lives of the Telugu Sankeertanacharyulu (composures). The drama, Vaageyakarulu was a unique blend of drama with dance superbly choreographed by the well known classical dance teachers of New York and New Jersey, Guru Sadhana Paranji, Guru Satya Pradeep and Guru Indira Dixith. The drama enacted by noted New York TLCA artists enthralled the audience in every aspect. Another first in the history of TLCA is the audio release of the movie MIDHUNAM directed by Sri Tanikella Bharani by Smt Usha and Sri Poornachadra Reddy Aramalla. The first copy was presented to the Member of Parliament Sri Madhu Yashki. The momentous event of the show was honoring a renowned businessman, philanthropist, pride of Telugus in NY, Sri Babu Rao Mandava on being conferred the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor for 2011 for his service to our community. Sri Gundu Hanumantha Rao, noted cine artist comedian, entertained the audience with his humorous jokes. Thereafter Krishna Chaitanya and Shaavana Bhargavi, the cine playback singers, carried the audience in to the world of music and songs. Kids and adults joined steps with the young, dynamic singers and the hall reverberated with claps and applauses. Sonia and Gouri Munjal danced to the songs and stole the hearts of the viewers. At the end, President Nagendra Gupta thanked all those involved in organizing the event. He conveyed his thanks to Cultural Chair, Sri Dharmarao Tapi, Vice President Rao Voleti, Treasurer Satya Challapalli and all other Chairmen. Secreatary, Krishnasri Gandham proposed the vote of thanks to the donors, media and the audience for their august presence. Thanks to all the donors for supporting this succesful event and Special Thanks goes to Sri Malla Reddy and Sadhana garu for sponsoring the event with sumptuous dinner.

TAMA Ugadi Utsavalu in Atlanta April 06, 2012 03:57

Ugadi Utsavaalu, TAMA's cultural event to celebrate Telugu New Year Day, was celebrated on March 24th, 2012 at Independence High School, Alpharetta, GA. Our event sponsors for this Ugadi was Pramod Sajja (Paramount), Rajan Raju (Virtue Group), Srinivas Tatineni (Tecknosol Inc), Srinivas Nimmagadda (VensaiTechnologies), Thirumal Reddy ( Radio Kushi). A beautiful Saturday evening with warm and crisp weather, breaking the continuous spell of cold, turned out to be a perfect setting for a huge turnout that seemed to have enjoyed an eclectic mix of dances, songs and instrumentals featuring classical, folk and film songs. What more, a Medley Dance with Cine Hero-In Archana/Veda and comedy by Venky entertained audience thoroughly. One of the special aspects of this event was an enthusiastic participation from various local dance schools around the town. Panchaanga Sravanam by Mallikarjuna Sharma’s provided insight into what’s in store this year for people various sun signs. In TAMA 30 years history the very first time successfully introduced ‘Banthibojanalu’, which is really highlighted for entire event received fabulous response from TAMA Members. Emcees for the event, Ranganath N and Tejaswini D, Alekya engaged the audience with their comic exchanges and succinct anecdotes related to the importance of Ugadi festival. The event itself was flagged off by Cultural Secretary Varaprasad Yadana’s words followed by Ganesh prayer. President Suresh Peddi and Chairman Seetha Valluripalli explained about TAMA Long term projects and TAMA helpline. Vice President Mahesh Pawar provided vote of thanks for the event. Special thanks were extended to Anjaya Chowdary Lavu and Siva Gaddamanugu for assisting and hosting Cine artist Archana & Venky. TAMA Board and Executive Committee extends special thanks to all participants, program coordinators and numerous volunteers that helped at the event.

NATA organizes a Free IT Job Fair and Immigration Seminar in NJ March 29, 2012 07:50

North American Telugu Association (NATA) organizes a Unique Community Services Event 'IT Job Fair and Immigration Seminar' on May 6th, 2012 (Sunday) at Crowne Plaza Edison in NJ from 10.00 am to 3.30 pm. This free event was organized by the NATA Community Services team, led by Srinivas Ganagoni (CS Chair), Santosh Pathuri (CS Co-Chair), and Mahesh Bigala (PR Chair) under the guidance of Dr. Pailla Malla Reddy, Advisory Council member and AVN Reddy, President as part of NATA's core mission to provide community services and charitable activities. Popular Attorney Sheela Murthy along with Attorney Prashanthi Reddy will speak on the current immigration issues that our community is facing today and cover the Topics such as OPT Students, EAD/H1B/GC Options and Employer-Employee Relationship and various updates from USCIS. The seminar can be live telecasted on YUPPTV - NATA Channel and all can listen to Sheela Murthy's seminar by dialing conference ID: 712 432 1630 Access code: 643066# at 1.00 pm on May 6th, 2012. Many IT Software companies along with major Telecom Company such as IDT Corporation (IDT) will present on site to accept applications from eligible candidates to recruit their current Job opening. If you are interested to participate either in IT Job Fair and Immigration Seminar or if you have company would like to participate in the JOB fair.

Oman Telugu community felicitates Dr ABK on Ugadi March 27, 2012 13:21

The Indian Telugu community in Oman celebrated the festival of Ugadi with a mega event at Al Falaj Hotel on March 23rd, 2012. Dr A B K Prasad, hailed as the doyen of vernacular journalism of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, was among a number of well-known personalities felicitated on the occasion. In addition to his contribution to journalism, the stalwart was also recognised for his lifelong work in promoting Telugu culture. Speaking on the occasion, Dr ABK highlighted the significance of Telugu and dwelt on the traditions of the ancient Telugu people. “Brotherhood continues to be essence of life; only strong relations will enable people to live harmoniously,” he noted. The programme began with a classical kuchipudi dance performance by Koka Vijaya Lashmi depicting several thematic mythological illustrations. This was followed by a magic show by Altaf Ali, who is popularly known as Magic Ali. Prominent Telugu ghazal maestro Dr Srinivas enthralled the audience with his powerful renditions focusing on family and love. A legendary Indian classical vocalist who pioneered the art of Telugu ghazal singing, Dr Srinivas has set three Guinness World records and a Limca Record by singing ghazals on Gandhism in 125 world languages. The artistes were felicitated by an organising committee comprising Dr Rangaiah, Dr Keshav and Ramdas. Another dignitary feted on the occasion was fertility specialist Dr Rama Devi. The programme was co-ordinated by Prasanna Kumar, Rajendra Prasad, Guna Saida, Ramesh Babu, P V Srinivas, Bapi Raju, Madhusudhan, Naidu, Anil Kumar, Raja, Ganga Prasad, Padma Srinivas, Palepu Srinivas and Haribabu. Ramdas and Asma Khan were the emcees. The evening ended with the distribution of prizes to the winners of the rangoli, cooking, sports and elocution competitions. The entire programme was presented by Al Wiqayah Trading exclusively for members of the Telugu community residing in Oman.

NATA fund raising over one million mark March 21, 2012 06:55

The North American Telugu Association (NATA) conducted several funding-raising events in many cities in the US and raised over one million dollars for its mega convention, which will be held in Houston from June 29th to July 1st, 2012. This is a record amount for a new Telugu organization in such short-time, said Advisors Dr. Malla Reddy and Dr. Prem Reddy. All BODs, RVPs, SC chairs, RCs, conference advisers, and chairs worked together as a team and produced results beyond our imaginations, said President AVN Reddy and President-elect Dr. Sanjeeva Reddy.The regional distribution of the amount collected so far is chronologically outlined below: NY team fund-raising event: In the NY/NJ areas alone, NATA team under the advisorship of Dr. Pailla Malla Reddy collected about $500,000 including the magnanimous $100,000 donation made by Dr. Malla Reddy himself, who many hail as the true philanthropic leader of Telugu community. The NY team held its fund-raiser on March 9th at Akbar Hotel, New York. This event was hosted by Dr. Malla Reddy to promote Houston Conference and raise funds for the conference. The team collected a whopping$300,000 from local donors. Thanks to Dr. Malla Reddy's inspiration and motivation of donors. This event was attended by 350 NATA members from New York and Connecticut. NATA President AVN Reddy, Advisory Council Dr. Malla Reddy, President-elect Dr. Sanjeeva Reddy, EVP Rajeshwar Reddy, Convener Jithender Reddy, Secretary Pradeep Samala, Treasurer Ramsurya Reddy, Jt. Treasurer Chinnababu Reddy, BODs Dr. Stanley Reddy and Phani Bhushan Tadepalli, Venkat Vaddadi, RVP Alla Rami Reddy, RCs Vikram Jangam, Krishna Maddipatla, Linga Reddy, Narasimha Reddy, Prabhu Goud, Sridhar Kumbala, Swetha Reddy and Vishnu Kumar Kotimreddy were present. Thanks to NATA Conference Finance Committee Chair Dr. Raghava Reddy Ghosala and convention team members Anna Reddy and Sekhar Konala for their presence. The event started with a grand welcome speech by Dr. Malla Reddy and Dr. Stanley Reddy. President AVN Reddy thanked Dr. Malla Reddy and the New York team for organizing such a big event and explained the reason for fund-raising in his speech. Convener Jithender Reddy assured that the conference team is taking all measures to make the Houston Conference a memorable event for everybody. TLCA President Nagender Gupta spoke on this occasion and encouraged the participants to donate for the Convention. Singer Vamsi Priya entertained the audience with great melodious songs and RC Prabhu Goud entertained the audience with his mimicry. BOD Phani Bhushan Tadepalli and community leader Mahesh Saladi were the MCs for this event and promoted the fund-raising. Local community leaders from TLCA were present and donated money for the conference. All participants and NATA leaders thanked Dr. Malla Reddy for hosting this dinner and making it a big success. Dallas team-fund raising event: NATA Dallas chapter has raised over $100,000 in a grand fund-raiser in Dallas-Fort Worth for the Convention. This event was hosted by Drs. Ramana and Jyothi Reddy, who cordially welcomed the guests to their beautiful residence in Fort Worth. The event was attended by over 50 Telugu community leaders, physicians and business owners and IT Professionals from the Dallas- Ft Worth metropolitan areas. Regional Vice-President Mr. Rao Kalvala welcomed members and shared his views on conventions and the impact NATA leadership has made for over 30 years to the progress of Telugu Communities in United States, with the enrichment of Telugu Literature, Culture, Music and Spiritual Practices. Mr. AVN Reddy shared progress of NATA community services such as recently conducted medical camps, educational programs, scholarships and drinking water projects in India, and requested DFW community for their support for NATA convention. Convener Jithender Reddy strongly urged DFW community leader for their support. Mr. Prasad Thotakura, TANA President, reiterated the richness of Telugu culture and the relentless support from Telugu communities across the nation. He pledged full cooperation for NATA events. Dr. AllaSrinivas Reddy (BOD) appreciated the efforts of NATA teams involved in community services and the need and requested for the support.Other community members Mr. Ramakrishna Lavu (NATS), Mr. Gurram Srinivas Reddy, Mrs. Shyamala Rumalla, Dr. Pudur Jagadeeshwaran, Dr. Viswanadham Puligandla shared their views and pledged support. Due to such great effort by the Dallas team, the DFW community donated over $100 thousands for the 2012 NATA convention. Over 50 members participated in this event, including Ramasurya Reddy (Treasurer), Dr. Samba Reddy (Media chair), Dr. Raghava Reddy (BOD), Sridhar Reddy Korsapati (BOD) and several regional coordinators. The team worked effectively in making this event successful. Los Angeles team fund-raising event: The Los Angeles, CA team held its fund-raiser on February 24th at Dr. Prem Reddy's guest house in Newport Beach, CA and promoted the Convention. With the help of local donors, NATA raised over $200,000in contributions, including the magnanimous donation of $100,000 by Dr. Prem Reddy, an advisory council member and great philanthropic leader of Telugu community. A health fair and a grand star-night, sponsored by Dr. Prem Reddy, were conducted by the CA south team.Advisory council Dharma Reddy, BOD Mallik Banda, RVP Anil Errabelli, RVP Nageshwar Rao Ankamma, RC Veera Reddy and many others participated in these events. Many NATA leaders from other cities including Dr. Malla Reddy, AVN Reddy, Dr. Sanjeeva Reddy, Dr. Samba Reddy, Jithender Reddy, Rajeshwar Reddy, Dr. Sreedhar Reddy Korsapati, Srinivas Ganagoni and many others also participated in these events. Houston team fund-raising event: The Houston team held fund-raisers and the team is still working on few more fund raisers within the next few weeks. With help from local donors, the team is expecting to raise decent contributions. Several leaders including President AVN Reddy, Convener Jithender Reddy, Co-convener Harinath Medi, Coordinator Dr. Janaradhana Reddy, Media Chair Dr. Samba Reddy, RVP Manohar Medi and BOD Chitten Raju hail from the greater Houston metropolitan areas. NATA board meeting fund-raisers: A grand cultural program and fund-raiser was conducted as part of the NATA board meeting in Dallas on October 1, 2011. The meeting was attended by many BODs and all advisory members Dr. Prem Reddy, Dr. Malla Reddy, Dr. M.S. Reddy, Dr. Mohan Mallam and Dharma Reddy participated in the board meeting and inspired the team and the attendees. NATA Day celebrations were a grand success. The team felicitated Dr. Prem Reddy and Dr. Malla Reddy with a grand flower garlands. Thanks to both leaders for helping to raise an additional $100,000 for the conference. Thanks also to Sridhar Reddy Korsapati, Rao Kalvala, local NATA leaders, volunteers and sponsors for all wonderful arrangements at these events. At Washington board meeting, NATA has received over $300,000 in pledges mainly from advisory members, board members, RVPs, committee chairs, regional coordinators and other members. Part of Drs. Malla Reddy and Prem Reddy's donations ($50,000 each) were announced that day. Dr. M.S. Reddy & Shyama Reddy and Dr. Haranath Policherla announced $25,000 followed by several generous donors who made donations in the amount ranging from $1500 to $25,000. Atlanta team fund raiser event: RVP Bala Indurti and NATA team has organized a fund raiser event in Atlanta on 7/30/11. They raised over $63,000.The fundraising dinner was attended by close to 300 people. 'We are glad that the community responded well to the event,' said Bala Indurti. It was a team effort by a great team we have here who has diligently worked for several months. We were glad that executive committee President AVN Reddy, Dr. Sanjeeva Reddy, Rajeshwar Reddy,Dr. Adisesha Reddy (NATA Foundation Chair) and South BOD Ramesh Appareddy were able to attend and provide the support. We are glad that Sri Ghantasala Ratnakumar was able to attend and make it a memorable event. He enthralled the audiences with some of golden melodies from bygone era. The Team thanked Srinivas Reddy Vangimalla, Ravi Kandimalla, Srinivas Kottlur, Ramana Dodla Phani Dokka, Venkat Chennubhotla and Ramesh Duvvuri. Take away the other names. Future fund raisers: NATA teams are planning fund-raising events in Oklahoma City,OK (March 24th), Hanford, CA (April 13th), San Jose, CA(April 14th), Berkeley, CA (April 15th), New Orleans, LA (April 29th), Detroit, MI (May 5th) and Canada (May 6th).

Indian Americans Are Influential Players in American Media March 19, 2012 07:48

With two of them governors, four billionaires and over a score sitting in high places in government, Indian Americans not only keep making news but have also emerged as major players in American media. Take Indian-born Aparism Bobby Ghosh, for instance, who was last week named by Time magazine as 'Editor-at-Large'. In naming Ghosh, Time Managing Editor Richard Stengel, called him "one of Time's greatest assets and this past year was one of his best yet." Then there is Fareed Zakaria, who too was introduced as Editor-at-Large of Time Magazine in October 2010 after spending 10 years overseeing all of Newsweek's editions abroad. Called "the most influential foreign policy adviser of his generation" by Esquire Magazine, Zakaria hosts what has been dibbed one of the most intelligent shows on American TV, 'Fareed Zakaria GPS' on CNN every Sunday. Equally ubiquitous is Sanjay Gupta, the multiple Emmy-award winning chief medical correspondent for CNN. A practicing neurosurgeon, Gupta has reported from earthquake- and tsunami-ravaged Japan, earthquake devastated Haiti and covered live the unprecedented flooding in Pakistan. Vinnie Malhotra, a former programme development executive at ESPN and long-time ABC News producer, has just joined CNN as senior vice president for development and acquisitions. Last month, Raju Narisetti, credited with creating Mint, the successful business daily out of Delhi, returned to the Wall Street Journal, where he had spent 23 years earlier, as Managing Editor of its Digital Network. Nisid Hajari, Managing Editor of Newsweek is busy writing "Midnight's Furies," a dramatic history of the Partition of India and Pakistan, told through the characters of Gandhi, Jinnah, Nehru, Churchill, and Mountbatten. Rajiv Chandrasekaran is the National Editor of The Washington Post, where he has worked since 1994. His first book "Imperial Life in the Emerald City:Inside Iraq's Green Zone" published in 2006 won the 2007 Samuel Johnson Prize and was a finalist for the 2006 National Book Awards for non-fiction. ESPN's sports anchor Kevin Negandhi is the first anchor of Indian-American descent to be on a national sports network in American Television history and Ali Velshi, son of Murad Velshi, the first Canadian of Indian origin elected to the legislative assembly of Ontario, serves as CNN's chief business correspondent. Other names include Davan Maharaj, managing editor of the Los Angeles Times; Stephanie Mehta, Fortune magazine Executive Editor overseeing technology, and Nikhil Deogun, Senior Vice President and Editor in Chief Business News, CNBC, the most-watched business TV network in the world. Peter Bhatia, editor of The Oregonian, one of America's top regional newspapers, is the first South Asian to run a major US daily. Hundreds of lesser known Indian Americans are among the producers, reporters, copy editors and production assistants, bringing Americans their daily news -showing how far Indian-American have come in the media world where only a few of them commanded bylines in the 1990s.

Nithin Reddy wins top $100,000 prize in US science talent search March 15, 2012 07:38

Indian American teenager Nithin Reddy Tumma has won a whopping $100,000 prize in the prestigious Intel Science Talent competition for his research on devising a more effective and less toxic breast cancer treatment. Tumma, 17, from Michigan won the top honours in the competition that also saw two other Indian Americans - Neel Patel from Florida and Anirudh Prabhu from Indiana - finding a place in the top 10. The winners overcame tough competition from a group of 40 finalists, seven of them Indian Americans, in what is touted as the toughest national science competition. The 40 finalists met President Barack Obama at the White House Tuesday. Tumma analysed the molecular mechanisms in cancer cells and found that by inhibiting certain proteins, the growth of cancer cells may be slowed and their malignancy decreased. Tumma is first in his class of 332, a varsity tennis player and a volunteer for the Port Huron Museum, where he started a restoration effort for historical and cultural landmarks. Placed sixth, Neel Patel of Florida received a $25,000 award for studying how non-speech patterns of sounds called sonifications can convey information, which could lead to a computer-user interface as revolutionary as the graphical interface was 30 years ago. Prabhu from Indiana received a $25,000 for the seventh spot for his investigation of the odd-perfect number problem, and his suggestion that odd perfect numbers do not exist. Andrey Sushko, 17, of Washington State, won the $75,000 second prize for his development of a tiny motor, only 7 mm in diameter, which uses the surface tension of water to turn its shaft. Mimi Yen, 17, of Brooklyn, won the third prize of $50,000 for her study of evolution and genetics that focuses on microscopic worms, specifically looking at their sex habits and hermaphrodite tendencies.

Top Indians in the Obama administration March 12, 2012 09:28

President Barack Obama, whose administration has by far the largest number of Indian Americans, has appointed two more to key White House jobs. USAID administrator Rajiv Shah is the highest ranking Indian American appointee. A list of top Indians in the Obama administration: Paula Gangopadhyay, Member, National Museum and Library Services Board, Sonny Ramaswamy, Director, National Institute of Food and Agriculture Anuj Chang Desai, Member Foreign Settlement Claims Commission Sonal Shah, Deputy assistant to the President, director, Office of SICP, Domestic Policy Council Farah Pandith, US special representative to Muslim communities Anju Bhargava, Member, faith-based advisory council Rajen Anand, Executive director, policy, USDA Centre for Nutrition and Promotion Nisha Desai Biswal, Assistant Administrative Bureau for Asia Deepa Gupta, Member, National Council on the Arts Arunava Joshi Majumdar, Under Secretary US department of energy Preet Bharara, US attorney for Southern District of New York Ajit Vardaraj Pai, Commissioner, Federal Communication Commission Geeta Pasi, Ambassador to Republic of Djibouti Subra Suresh, NSF Director Rajesh De, Deputy assistant attorney general, US department of justice

Two more Indian Americans to key jobs: Obama March 10, 2012 05:09

President Barack Obama, who with over two dozen appointments has more Indian Americans serving in White House jobs than in any previous administration, has named two more to key posts. While Indore educated Paula Gangopadhyay was named member, National Museum and Library Services Board, Bangalore educated Sonny Ramaswamy was named Director, National Institute of Food and Agriculture. "These dedicated individuals bring a wealth of experience and talent to their new roles and I am proud to have them serve in this Administration. I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come," he said in making seven new appointments. Currently the Chief Learning Officer at The Henry Ford, where she is responsible for leadership, strategy, and education, Gangopadhyay has held a variety of positions in education and arts policy. These include Executive Director of the Plymouth Community Arts Council from 2006 to 2008; Curator at the Public Museum of Grand Rapids from 2002 to 2006; and Executive Director of the Great Lakes Centre for Education, Research and Practice from 2000 to 2001. Gangopadhyay has served as a member of many state and national boards, including the Michigan Humanities Council. She received her BA and MA from Indore University, and her post-graduate certification in archival, museum and editing studies from Duquesne University. Ramaswamy is Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University and Director of the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station. Previously, Ramaswamy was Associate Dean of the Purdue University College of Agriculture and directed the University's agricultural research programmes from 2006 to 2009. Prior to joining the Purdue faculty, Ramaswamy was head of the Department of Entomology at Kansas State University from 1997 to 2006, where he held the title of Distinguished Professor. Ramaswamy received a BS and MS in Entomology from the University of Agricultural Sciences in Bangalore, India, and a PhD in Entomology from Rutgers University. Meanwhile, Obama has found a replacement for America's first Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Indian American Aneesh Chopra who quit last month apparently to try his hand at politics. Chopra's successor Todd Park has served as CTO of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) since August 2009, where he has been an agent for change, according to the White House.