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Newsmakers of the Week OCTOBER 31, 2025 | The Indian Eye 33

FBLA is a nonprofit education association with more than 200,000 mem- Nebraska Medicine, providing com-
bers that prepares students for careers in business and leadership. The National fort and assistance to patients and visi-
Leadership Conference is the organization’s premier annual gathering, featur- tors. She also served as University and
ing competitive events judged by business professionals and educators. Teen Volunteer Coordinator at CHI
Lakhani credited advisors Goldin, Nicole Izzo and Jessica Ruth Rogovitz Bergan Mercy, helping young volun-
for building a program that values collaboration over competition among team- teers explore careers in healthcare.
mates. The Jericho FBLA chapter has earned a reputation for strong state and At UNO, Rai’s leadership has
national showings, regularly advancing multiple students to the National Lead- been equally influential. From serving
ership Conference. as Chair of the College of Informa-
TRAVIS SCOTT tion Science & Technology Student

American rapper delivers power- Advisory Board to her current role as
Student Body Vice President, she has
championed collaboration, representation, and student advocacy across campus.
packed performance in Delhi it means showing up, creating space, and making opportunities for everyone,”
“Making a difference doesn’t always mean big projects with large funding—
Rai said. “My goal is to create an environment where everyone feels heard,
merica’s Grammy-nominated valued, and empowered.”
rapper Travis Scott kick-start- Rai plans to combine her passions for technology and medicine to improve pa-
Aed his India tour with a pow- tient care experiences. Her commitment to service and her approach to leadership
er-packed concert in Delhi. exemplify the spirit of the Marian Ivers Community Service Leadership Award.
The famed Jawaharlal Nehru
Stadium in Delhi, a witness to several ASHLEY TELLIS
record-breaking sports performances,
saw fans experience the explosive- Defence Expert released for
ness, rage and energy of Travis’s mu-
sic live for the very first time, and they pre-trial period
matched him in intensity as some of
the rapper’s greatest hits, including ndian-origin US defence expert
“FE!N” echoed outside the walls of Ashley Tellis, a senior adviser to
the arena. The Delhi gig of his CIR- Ithe US State Department, has
CUS MAXIMUS World Tour on Saturday evening commenced with a high-oc- been released on bail for a pre-trial
tane opening set by Canadian rapper and singer, NAV, who set the tone for the period after being arrested earlier
night with his signature energy and chart-topping mixes. this month for unlawfully removing
Spinning viral anthems like ‘Lemonade’, he had the crowd on their feet
long before Travis Scott took the stage, turning the anticipation into a full-blown classified documents and allegedly
holding unauthorized meetings with
celebration of sound and rhythm. Chinese officials, according to a Fox
From the very first beat of ‘Hyaena’ the stadium buzzed with electricity as
tens of thousands of fans erupted in a unified roar of excitement when Travis News report.
Tellis, who served as an unpaid
Scott stormed the stage. The performance ignited an unrelenting surge of ener- senior adviser at the State Department and a contractor with the Office of Net
gy that carried through the night. Assessment (ONA) at the US Department of Defense — recently renamed
Speaking to the crowd, Travis exclaimed, “It’s my first time in Delhi, let’s
show the world how Delhi pops”. the Department of War — is accused of unlawful retention of national defense
information and mishandling top-secret materials.
He also shared a video on X, showcasing the wild energy and vibrant visuals
Court filings show that Tellis, long regarded as a subject-matter expert on
of fans from last night’s show. India and South Asia, began working for the State Department in 2001. He also
He is also set to perform on Sunday evening. Fans in Mumbai will also get
a chance to experience Travis’ live performance in November. held a top-secret security clearance and served as a senior fellow at the Carne-
gie Endowment for International Peace.
During a search of his Virginia home, authorities reportedly recovered
ADITI RAI more than 1,000 pages of classified documents labeled “TOP SECRET” and
Student honored with 2025 “SECRET.” Prosecutors allege that on September 12, Tellis asked a colleague
to print several restricted documents and, on September 25, printed sensitive
Marian Ivers Award US Air Force materials detailing military aircraft capabilities.
Investigators further claim that Tellis met multiple times with Chinese gov-
ernment representatives between 2022 and 2023. One such meeting allegedly
niversity of Nebraska at Omaha student Aditi Rai has been named took place at a restaurant in Virginia in September 2022, where prosecutors say
the 2025 recipient of the Marian Ivers Community Service Leadership he was seen carrying a manila envelope. Another reported meeting, on April 11,
UAward, recognized for her compassionate approach to leadership and 2023, involved discussions about Iranian-Chinese relations and emerging tech-
her dedication to empowering others to thrive. nologies, while a third encounter in September 2023 included Tellis receiving a
As a senior at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), majoring in gift bag from Chinese officials.
Computer Science with a minor in Chemistry, Rai balances a demanding aca- The Justice Department, which continues to investigate the case, described
demic schedule with a deep commitment to service. Her volunteerism spans the recovered material as “highly sensitive national defense information.” How-
from international outreach to local healthcare, reflecting her belief that mean- ever, following a closed-door bail hearing this week, the presiding judge allowed
ingful impact can come from both large initiatives and simple acts of kindness. Tellis to be released under strict pre-trial supervision, including surrender of
Her journey began as an English-speaking buddy for Ukrainian students, his passport, electronic monitoring, and a ban on contact with foreign officials.
later evolving into leadership roles with global nonprofits such as Aid2Day and
Interns4Good, where she helped raise thousands of dollars for children battling To read more about Indian diaspora and Global Indians, log on to and follow
cancer and connected thousands of high school students with community part- our website www.TheIndianEYE.com
ners for different projects. Locally, Rai has volunteered with CHI Health and

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