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    Newsmakers of the Week                                            NOVEMBER 07, 2025        |  The Indian Eye 33

                                                                                ties, chess federations, and technology partners, promoting the study of AI in
                                                                                chess, digital coaching tools, fan engagement innovations, and esports inte-
                                                                                gration. It also serves as a base for Tech Mahindra’s growing global chess ini-
                                                                                tiatives, including Global Chess League Season 3, set to take place in Mumbai
                                                                                later this year.
                                                                                    Speaking about the vision behind the centre, Peeyush Dubey, Chairper-
                                                                                son, Tech Mahindra Global Chess League, said, “The Experience Centre is
                                                                                more than just a space; it’s a living ecosystem for the global chess community.
                                                                                Our goal is to bring together players, fans, clubs, universities, and partners to
                                                                                co-create the future of chess. By combining the game’s strategic depth with
                                                                                Tech Mahindra’s expertise in AI and digital transformation, we’re building an
                                                                                innovation hub that reflects the future of the sport.”
                                                                                    Since its inception, the venue has already hosted notable events such as
                                                                                the Texas Women’s State Chess Championship, which brought together com-
                                                                                petitors from 13 countries. It will continue to host tournaments, chess-tech
                                                                                showcases, and interactive programs for enthusiasts, students, and partners.
                Following the celebration, the Indian Ambassador stated that he was “deep-
            ly honoured” to join President Trump and extended warm greetings on behalf of                TOM SUOZZI
            Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Indian-American community.
                “Deeply honoured to join President Donald J. Trump at the White House   Congressman backs different
            today to celebrate Diwali. Wished him on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra
            Modi a Happy Diwali and thanked him for this beautiful gesture. Warm Diwali   rule on beards for Sikh soldiers
            greetings to all celebrating, especially the vibrant 5-million-strong Indian diaspo-
            ra in the U.S.,” the Ambassador wrote in another post on X.                 ashington, DC: Congress-
                Trump, during the celebration, extended his warm greetings to the people
                                                                                        man Tom Suozzi penned a
            of India and Indian-Americans. During initial remarks, the US President praised   Wletter to US War Secretary
            Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a “great person” and a “great   Peter Hegseth, urging reconsideration
            friend”, while highlighting US-India ties in trade and regional peace.  of a policy requiring military person-
                “Let me extend our warmest wishes to the people of India. I just spoke to
            your Prime Minister today. Had a great conversation. We talked about trade...   nel to shave beards, affecting Sikh
                                                                                Americans and others with religious
            He’s very interested in that. Although we did talk a little while ago about let’s   or medical obligations.
            have no wars with Pakistan. The fact that trade was involved, I was able to talk   He recently introduced the Bi-
            about that. And we have no war with Pakistan and India. That was a very, very   partisan Indian American Heritage
            good thing,” Trump said at the event.                               Resolution to celebrate the rich histo-
                “He’s (PM Modi) a great person, and he’s become a great friend of mine
            over the years,” the US President added.                            ry and contributions of the Indian American community on Long Island and
                                                                                across the nation.
                               VISWANATHAN ANAND                                    Suozzi also wrote a letter to Secretary Hegseth raising concerns from his
                                                                                constituents, including Sikh Americans, regarding beards in the military, accord-
            Legend inaugurates Global Chess                                     ing to an official statement from his office.
                                                                                    The resolution, led alongside Republican Congresswoman Young Kim (R-
                   League Experience Centre                                     CA), acknowledges the strong people-to-people ties between the United States
                                                                                and India, recognizes the accomplishments of Indian Americans and their con-
                                                                                tributions to the strength of America, and condemns acts of hate, discrimination,
                   allas, TX: Tech Mahindra has                                 and violence against Indian Americans and the broader South Asian communi-
                   launched  the  Global  Chess                                 ty, including those targeted for their Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Muslim, or other religious
            DLeague (GCL) Experience                                            or cultural identity.
            Centre at its U.S. headquarters in                                      Suozzi also penned a letter to Secretary Hegseth regarding the Secretary’s
            Plano, Dallas. Viswanathan Anand,                                   recent comments about members of the military being mandated to shave their
            five-time  World  Chess  Champion,                                  beards. This policy, if implemented, would affect many Americans, including
            inaugurated the centre, marking a                                   Sikhs, who wish to serve but feel a religious obligation to maintain their beards.
            significant milestone in Tech Mahin-                                    In the letter, Suozzi writes that “While I strongly support your mission to
            dra’s mission to combine technology,                                restore professionalism and uniformity, these remarks have raised questions
            innovation, and the spirit of chess, as                             among otherwise highly motivated Americans whose faith or medical conditions
            per a release from GCL.                                             require the maintenance of facial hair... For Sikhs, serving one’s nation is a sacred
                The GCL Experience Centre serves as a unique hub for showcasing the   duty, an embodiment of the Sant-Sipahi ideal that blends faith and service. The
            intersection of technology, sports, and strategy, offering fans, players, and in-  Sikh religion requires adherents to maintain uncut hair and beards as a symbol
            novators an immersive environment to explore how cutting-edge AI, analyt-  of devotion and equality before God. Sikhs have courageously fought alongside
            ics, and digital platforms are transforming the world of chess.     American troops for generations, including in both World Wars.”
                Located at Tech Mahindra’s Dallas headquarters, the space offers a pan-  “I have a large and vibrant Indian American community in my district,”
            oramic view of Plano’s skyline and features state-of-the-art facilities for tour-  Suozzi said in an official statement. “This resolution helps honour the rich his-
            naments, live analysis, digital chess innovations, and community engagement.  tory and profound influence that generations of this community in my district,
                Viswanathan Anand said, “The Global Chess League has always stood   not to mention the 5.2 million Indian Americans in the US, have had throughout
            for innovation and collaboration. This Experience Centre represents the next   the country.”
            step in making chess more engaging, interactive, and global. I’m proud to see
            how Tech Mahindra is leveraging technology to expand the reach of the game   To read more about Indian diaspora and Global Indians, log on to and follow
            and inspire the next generation.”                                                     our website www.TheIndianEYE.com
                The Experience Centre is designed to foster collaboration with universi-

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