Elected and appointed Indian-American officials, as well as allies from Congress and throughout the country mingled with business leaders, think tank analysts and distinguished community members at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 19 at the first Indiaspora Inaugural Ball. “This is a culmination of the journey of the Indian-Americans,” said Indiaspora founder M.R. Rangaswami.
Pakistan plans to release all Afghan Taliban prisoners still in its detention, including the group's former second-in-command, an official said on Friday, in the clearest signal yet that it backs reconciliation efforts. Regional power Pakistan is seen as critical to the success of U.S. and Afghan efforts to bring stability to Afghanistan, a task gaining urgency as the end of the U.S. combat mission in 2014 draws closer.
The Congress has for a long time acknowledged Rahul Gandhi as heir apparent and several party members had openly said that he is their leader. Which means his appointment on Saturday as the party’s vice president — a post just below that of Congress chief and Rahul’s mother Sonia — was in many ways just a matter of finding him a suitable title.
President Barack Obama took the official oath for his second term on Sunday at the White House in a small, private ceremony that set a more subdued tone compared to the historic start of his presidency four years ago. Gathered with his family in the Blue Room on the White House's ceremonial main floor, Obama put his hand on a family Bible and recited the 35-word oath that was read out loud by U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts.
It’s the news some Congress leaders have waited for with bated breath. On Saturday, spokesman Janardhan Dwivedi announced the party’s decision to make Rahul Gandhi its vice-president. Pressure had been mounting on the “young emperor” from within the troubled party to take charge. For years, Gandhi had shown no inclination to do so.
President Barack Obama will take the oath of office for the third, fourth and final time this weekend during an inauguration celebration that kicks off his second term in a more muted tone than his historic swearing-in four years ago.
– LEMONT, Ill. The Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago and the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh of Aurora, Ill, held simultaneous events celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanand, considered the pioneer of Hindu spirituality in North America. The Hindu Temple held a two-day East-West Yoga Conference “Remembering Swami Vivekananda” Jan.
