Page 35 - The Indian EYE 061926

Newsmakers of the Week JUNE 19, 2026 | The Indian Eye 35

Los Angeles voters recognized what Indian American Impact has always
SADANAND DHUME known: Nithya Raman is exactly the leader this city needs. Her vision for a city
CFR Names Senior Fellow for where working families can afford to stay, immigrants are protected, and no
one is left behind has resonated across one of the most diverse electorates in
South Asia America. As an immigrant herself, Nithya knows firsthand what is at stake for
communities like ours.
If she wins in November, South Asian Americans will lead the two largest
ew York, NY: The Council on cities in the United States. Indian American Impact could not be more proud
Foreign Relations (CFR) has to stand with Nithya, and we will do everything in our power to see her across
Nannounced the appointment the finish line.”
of Sadanand Dhume as a senior fel- Since its inception in 2016, Indian American Impact has endorsed and
low for India, Pakistan, and South supported 200+ candidates across the country, contributing to the historic
Asia within its David Rockefeller rise of Indian and South Asian American representation in politics. Through
Studies Program, the organization’s strategic investments and grassroots organizing, Impact has marshaled up-
think tank focused on global policy wards of $20 million to candidates and robust voter mobilization and policy
research. advocacy efforts, amplifying the voices of South Asian Americans and driving
In his new role, Dhume will con- positive change in communities nationwide.
duct research on the political econo-
my and foreign policy of South Asia, MAJOR ABHILASHA BARAK
a region of growing strategic impor-
tance in global affairs. His work is ex- United Nations honors Indian
pected to contribute to CFR’s analysis
of key political, economic, and diplo- Woman peacekeeper
matic developments across the region.
“I am pleased to welcome Sadanand to our Studies Program,” said CFR Se-
nior Vice President Shannon K. O’Neil. “Sadanand’s distinctive experience as
a reporter and scholar covering South Asia will provide integral insight into this
important and dynamic region and implications for U.S. foreign policy there.”
Dhume is widely recognized for his expertise on South Asia and currently
authors East Is East, a biweekly column in The Wall Street Journal that exam-
ines the region’s politics, economics, and foreign policy trends.
Mr. Dhume is also the author of the biweekly East Is East column in
the Wall Street Journal on South Asia, focusing on the region’s politics, eco-
nomics, and foreign policy. Most recently, he served as a senior fellow at the
American Enterprise Institute. Previously, he worked as a foreign correspon-
dent for the Far Eastern Economic Review and the Wall Street Journal Asia
in India and Indonesia.
The appointment brings to CFR a veteran journalist and policy analyst
with extensive experience covering and interpreting South Asian affairs.
His academic background reflects his multidisciplinary expertise. Dhume
earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Delhi, a Master
of Science in Journalism from Columbia Journalism School, and a Master of
Public Affairs from the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. ew York, NY: Indian woman peacekeeper Major Abhilasha Barak, who
is also the country’s first woman combat helicopter pilot, has been
NITHYA RAMAN Nawarded the prestigious 2025 UN Military Gender Advocate Award.
Barak, who is serving with the UN Peacekeeping in Lebanon, received
IAI Congratulates Candidate for the award from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a ceremony on

Advancing to LA Election Friday here.
“Congratulations to our UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year, Ma-
jor Abhilasha Barak of India, who is serving for peace with UN Peacekeeping
ashington, DC: Indian in Lebanon. Her work shows the critical role that UNIFIL plays & how its
American Impact proudly presence is transforming the lives of women & girls, even under the most
Wcongratulates Nithya Ra- challenging circumstances. Major Barak, you are a role model to those you
man on advancing to the November serve & those you serve with. Thank you for your service,” Guterres said in a
runoff election for Mayor of Los An- post on X.
geles – a race that could make her the The UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award is presented an-
first South Asian American mayor of nually since 2016 to a military peacekeeper - male or female - who has shown
the nation’s second-largest city. outstanding commitment and leadership in promoting the principles of UN
This victory reflects the growing Security Council Resolution 1325.
political power of Indian and South The resolution calls on to mainstream a gender perspective in all aspects
Asian American communities in Cal- of peacekeeping and peacebuilding and to ensure women’s participation in
ifornia, a state with more than 1 mil- peace and political processes.
lion South Asian residents – the largest such population in the country. The Resolution also calls for the protection from, and prevention of, con-
Chintan Patel, Executive Director of Indian American Impact, released flict-related sexual violence and for an expansion of the role and contribution
the following statement: of women in UN operations, including uniformed women peacekeepers.
“Nithya Raman’s advancement to the November runoff is a testament to
the power of a campaign built on a simple, urgent truth: Los Angeles must be To read more about Indian diaspora and Global Indians, log on to and follow
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