On April 7, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John F. Kerry met with Prime Minister Modi in Delhi to discuss collaboration between the two countries on one of the Biden administration’s signature issues. The meeting, the highest level engagement between the two countries to date on the issue, took place a little more than two weeks before President Joe Biden’s scheduled April 22 -23 virtual summit on climate change. However, it was not the high-level bilateral event — … [Read more...]
America will again be ‘a shining city on a hill’ under Biden
With the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States, America is closing one of the darkest and saddest chapters in its history and opening a new one filled with hope and optimism. The swearing in of the former vice president and senator at noon on Wednesday will herald a new dawn not just in the United States, but the world as well. The destructive nature of Trump’s presidency has been well-documented by the U.S. and international media. To name just a … [Read more...]
A shameful chapter in American history
Never in my five decades as an American have I been more saddened or concerned for my adopted country of the United States of America than on January 6, 2021. That was the day the President of the United States, who decisively lost his bid for re-election, orchestrated an insurrection by encouraging his supporters to attack the Capitol building, where a joint session of Congress was meeting to certify the victory of his successor. The attack on the hallowed halls of … [Read more...]
Holiday and new year wishes for India and Indian Americans
Holidays and a new year are reasons to celebrate and to look for new beginnings. As we near 2021, we have a need to do both, writes columnist Frank F. Islam. I recently wrote an article for India doing that. I share it here with you my fellow members of the Indian American diaspora in the belief that you will find it of interest and hold many of these same sentiments for your relatives on the other side of the globe. ******* As we enter the holiday season and … [Read more...]
Trump’s India visit: More symbolism than substance
The past few days have been bad ones for the Trump presidency in general due to the President’s inability to think and speak directly about the coronavirus and the markets falling precipitously. By contrast, the few days before them with his India visit were very god ones for the President himself. Here’s why. In September of 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi went from India to the United States on a ballyhooed visit. It kicked off in Houston with an event called “Howdy Modi” … [Read more...]
India should be a secular democracy with equal opportunity and economic mobility for all
The county is now being bracketed with some of the worst violators of human rights. Mahatma Gandhi’s India doesn’t belong in that club. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), passed by the Indian Parliament on December 11, has triggered widespread protests across the country. Though large-scale agitations are not new to India, not since the days of the Emergency in the mid-1970s has the country witnessed such a nationwide mobilization on the streets. Protests have erupted in … [Read more...]
Philanthropist Frank Islam gets Global Business and Leadership Award
The honor is in recognition for his efforts in promoting education. A Kerala-based journal has honored entrepreneur and philanthropist Frank Islam for his efforts to promote education in India and the United States. The Indian American was bestowed the Global Business and Leadership Award by Cochin Herald at a ceremony held in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates on December 17. “I am humbled and honored to receive this award, and I accept this award with humility,” he said in a … [Read more...]
Indian American philanthropist Frank Islam receives interfaith award
WASHINGTON, D.C: Indian American entrepreneur and philanthropist Frank Islam received the third Interfaith Leadership Award on November 20, 2016, for his support of interfaith dialogue, and contributions to the arts and higher education around the world. The award, instituted by the InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington, was presented to the Potomac, MD, resident by Maryland state Sen. Jamie Raskin, who was elected to Congress from the state’s 8th Congressional district on … [Read more...]
It is in best interest of Indian Americans to vote for Clinton: ‘Hillblazer’ Frank Islam
WASHINGTON, DC: Since they began actively participating in US politics in the 1990s, the Indian American community has come a long way, as the number of key officeholders it has produced nationwide in the past decade indicates: two governors, two members of Congress, and more than a dozen state legislators. In the past few years, Indian Americans have also opened their wallet generously to contribute money to campaigns, ranging from grassroots level to presidential ones. Besides donating … [Read more...]
Frank Islam receives honorary degree from Aligarh Muslim University
Indian American entrepreneur and philanthropist Frank Islam received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from his alma mater Aligarh Muslim University. Islam is the 42nd recipient of the honorary degree awarded by AMU. Other recipients include singer A.R. Rehman (2009), thespian Dilip Kumar (2002) and former President of India Late Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (2008). The degree was presented by Chancellor Mufaddal Saifuddin. During his acceptance speech, Islam said that Aligarh … [Read more...]