Thank you, Sanjay for that great introduction! Thank you, Manoj and Geeta, for your leadership. Both of you provide the example and set the standard. Both of you are difference makers. You have done a terrific job in founding and sustaining it. Let us give them a big round of applause. This is the fifth DC South Asian Film Festival (DCSAFF) closing ceremony in which I have participated. Thank you Manoj and Geeta for inviting me to deliver the closing remarks again. It’s wonderful to be … [Read more...]
Articles
Frank blogs regularly for the Huffington Post and writes occasional columns and articles for publications such as the International Business Times and The Economic Times of India.
Frank writes on a wide variety of topics that are critical to shaping the future of America and the American dream and to making the United States and the world a better place. These include: Business; education; poverty and inequality; politics and public policy; immigration; manufacturing; innovation; leadership; citizenship; and social commentary.
Frank’s most recent blogs are highlighted on this page. To read other blogs or articles by Frank, click on the categories or publications links on the left.
As a reporter and a businessman from India, we see the vital role of American journalism
The U.S. is a leader in the field, and can bolster confidence globally that this is an essential craft. “Gulam Jeelani” is not a common name in the U.S. It may have seemed unusual to see the name attached to news stories about a late winter storm or a school board investigation. Let us explain: You were participants in an effort to lift up journalism around the world. Both of us are from India, but one of us (Frank) left to pursue his dreams in America and has succeeded in … [Read more...]
Entrepreneurship helps female empowerment
Entrepreneurship in India today takes many forms. It ranges from entrepreneurs running neighbourhood stores, to those establishing businesses in emerging cutting-edge areas such as information technology, media and entertainment, and life sciences, to start-up operations related to new national initiatives such as Make in India. One of the things that those successful entrepreneurial ventures have in common is that they address an unsatisfied need. This is written to … [Read more...]
“I am extremely positive about the future of America”
Frank F. Islam is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, civic leader and thought leader. Frank has a special commitment to civic, educational and artistic causes. In all of his endeavors, he strives to create opportunities that are sustainable and uplifting for humanity — guided by the virtues of hard work, focus, quality, innovation and kindness. Frank currently heads the FI Investment Group, a private investment holding company that he established in 2007 after he sold … [Read more...]
Secrets to success for India’s budding entrepreneurs and startups
India is blessed to be the third-largest start-up economy in the world. Unfortunately, there is a curse that comes with that blessing. That is, as indicated in a 2016 report issued by the IBM Institute for Business Value and Oxford Economics, 90 per cent of Indian start-ups fail within five years. The question is what can be done to reduce the number of failures? What are the secrets to success for India's budding entrepreneurs and its business start-ups? There are many. But, … [Read more...]
Frank Islam Profile in India Life and Times
Article on Frank Islam in India Abroad on speech at JFK Library
Article in India Abroad on Alfred Press Friendly Fellowship
Muslim women as change agents
Education is the powerful equaliser that can empower them to make India a better place. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently called for empowerment and education of Muslim women. One would have expected this call to receive widespread acceptance and support. It did not. There was resistance on several fronts for a variety of reasons. Some saw Modi’s move as a political stunt. Some questioned whether Modi was doing anything meaningful in the area of education and empowerment of Muslim … [Read more...]
Frank Islam column on philanthropy vs charity
In February 2017, I went to India from the United State of America to dedicate the Frank and Debbie Islam Management Complex at my Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) alma mater. At the dedication of that complex, I said: “While the bricks and mortar are important, far more important is what will go on in this setting. It will be a place for sharing of information and imparting and development of knowledge. It will be a place where faculty and students can collaborate on innovative projects. It will … [Read more...]