CITIGROUP CHAIRMAN PANDIT TO TAKE $1 SALARY TILL CITY TURNS AROUND
 
Citigroup's Chairman Vikram Pandit has vowed to take a token salary of $1 and no bonus until the ailing banking giant returns to profitability. Pandi and seven other executives from the American financial institution appeared before the US House Financial Services Committee. Pandit said taxpayers were right to expect a return for their investment, adding that the bank will pay $3.4 billion in annual dividends on the debt.

 
INDIAN AMERICANS NAMED TO KEY US POSTS
 
GOPIO Ireland President Dr Prabhu Kulkarni was presented Prestigious Lampitt Medal in recognition of his service to the UK based 125 year old International Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).  The Award was presented at black tie Dinner held in Society's head quarters in Belgrave Square in London on October 30th, 2008.
 
President Obama Picks Sanjay as Surgeon General
 
President Barack Obama has offered the job of surgeon general of the United States to Dr. Sanjay Gupta, an Indian American neurosurgeon and health affairs correspondent for CNN and CBS. Dr. Gupta will have to go through a Senate confirmation. The Michigan-born son of parents who were born in India, Gupta has always been drawn to health policy. He was a White House fellow in the late 1990s, writing speeches and crafting policy for Hillary Clinton. His appointment would give the administration a prominent official of Indian descent and a skilled television spokesman.
 
Gupta anchors the medical affairs program "House Call with Dr. Sanjay Gupta" on CNN. His role as journalist and physician has sometimes overlapped. During the 2003 Iraq invasion, Gupta was embedded with a navy unit called Devil Docs and, while covering its mission, performed brain surgery five times, the first of which was on a two-year-old Iraqi boy.
 
Gupta is a member of the staff and faculty of the Department of Neurosurgery at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. He regularly performs surgery at Emory University Hospital and at Grady Memorial Hospital, where he serves as associate chief of neurosurgery.
 
Gupta joined CNN in 2001. As chief medical correspondent for the health and medical unit, he is a lead reporter on breaking medical news, provides regular health and medical updates for "American Morning," and reports for CNN documentaries. Based in Atlanta, Gupta also contributes health stories to CNN.com, co-hosts "Accent Health" for Turner Private Networks, provides medical segments for the syndicated version of "ER" on TNT and writes a column for Time magazine. He also anchors the global health program "Vital Signs" for CNN International and is featured in a weekly podcast on health issues called "Paging Dr. Gupta".
 
Preeta Bansal Named General Counsel
 
President Obama has appointed a leading Indian-American lawyer Preeta Bansal as General Counsel and Senior Policy Advisor at the Office of Management (OMB) and Budget at the White House. Considered to be part of the Obama's inner circle, Bansal was earlier mentioned as possible Solicitor General in the Obama Administration. Bansal was a Partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom LLP in New York City.
 
Since 2003, Bansal has also been a Commissioner of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, serving as Chair from 2004-2005. In that capacity, Bansal participated in US diplomatic missions to Iraq, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, China, Russia, Vietnam, Turkey, Hong Kong, and South Asia, and presided over a nationally acclaimed Commission study on DHS's procedures for expedited removal of US asylum seekers.
 
From 1999-2002, Bansal was Solicitor General of the State of New York, where she helped supervise the legal positions of 600 attorneys in the New York Attorney General's office.
 
From 1993-1996, Bansal served as a counsellor in the Office of Policy Development and Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice, and as a Special Counsel in the Office of the White House Counsel.
 
Bansal received a J.D., magna cum laude from Harvard Law School and an A.B., magna cum laude from Harvard-Radcliffe College. She was a law clerk to Justice John Paul Stevens of the United States Supreme Court.
 
She has been a Commissioner on Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Election Modernization Task Force and serves on numerous non-profit boards.
 
Eboo S. Patel Appointed to Interfaith Council
 
President Barack Obama has included an Indian American Eboo Patel in a revamped White House office for faith-based and neighborhood programs, expanding an initiative started by the Bush administration to support charitable organizations delivering social services. Patel has been the founder and executive director of the Chicago-based Interfaith Youth Corps,. He has been named to a 25-member President's Advisory Council composed of religious leaders and scholars from different backgrounds.
 
"The revamped office will work on behalf of Americans committed to improving their communities, no matter their religious or political beliefs," said Obama.
 
The new office will be a resource for nonprofits and community organizations, both secular and faith based, looking for ways to make a bigger impact in their communities, learn their obligations under the law, cut through red tape, and make the most of what the federal government has to offer.
 
Rashad Hussain Appointed Deputy Counsel to President Obama
 
President Obama has appointed Rashad Hussain, as the Deputy Associate Counsel to the President.  Hussain was born in 1978 to Indian immigrant parents living in Plano, Texas. He earned his JD from Yale University and his MPA from Harvard University. Elected to Phi Beta Kappa, he holds bachelor's degrees with highest distinction in both philosophy and political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which he completed in two years. Rashad also holds an MA from Harvard University in Near Eastern languages and civilizations. He finds his heritage central to his identity as an Indian American and his career goals, especially in light of events in recent history.
 
Rashad has worked extensively on Capitol Hill, both as an intern in the office of former House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt during the summer of 2000 and as a legislative aide on the House Judiciary Committee, where he worked for a year and a half between his time at Harvard University and Yale University. He has been clerking for Judge Damon Keith on the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Detroit, MI.
 
Nick Rathod Joins the White House
 
President Obama has appointed Nick Rathod as Deputy Associate Director of the White House Office of Inter Governmental Affairs. Rathod, a civil rights attorney and one of the founders of South Asians for Obama, was in the transition team where he had served as director of Intergovernmental Affairs.
 
At the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Rothod and his colleagues will work with governors and mayors all over America on issues that are important to their states and cities and work with them on moving the agenda forward.
 
Rathod had earlier served in the New York governor's office and as senior manager of state and regional affairs at the Center for American Progress, a progressive think tank.
 
MONA KALEEM WINS MALCOLM X AWARD
 
Mona Kaleem, a fourth year medical student at the Howard University College of Medicine in Washington DC has received the Malcolm X Award. Dr Ewart F Brown, Jr, premier of Bermuda and leader of the Progressive Labor Party, awards the $20,000 annual prize to a medical student who has demonstrated a sincere interest in the policies which affect the health of minorities in the United States.
 
Kaleem was selected for her leadership in healthcare organizations targeted at minorities and the uninsured, including the American Medical Student Association, Student Sight Savers, the MCC Medical Clinic and a free community clinic run by medical students at Howard. 
 
Kaleem has contributed to over 12 studies in pathogentics of neurodegenerative disorders, and in 2006 was awarded first prize at the Howard University College of Medicine Research Competition for her investigation of novel candidate genes in late onset Alzheimer's disease. She has participated in medical missions to India along with her mother Dr. Tahoora Kawaja, an internist in Baltimore, Maryland.  This spring Kaleem will volunteer at the V N Desai Municipal General Hospital in Mumbai with Child Family Health International Program. She will graduate from medical school in 2009 and plans to pursue a residency in ophthalmology.
 
TWO INDO-CANADIANS HONORED WITH CANADA'S TOP AWARD
 
Cypress, a city of 50,000 people in Orange County, Southern California elected Dr. Prakash Narain M.D and Doug Bailey as Mayor Pro-Tem and Mayor respectively on December 8, 2008.
 
Two Indo-Canadians are among 60 prominent Canadians including pop singer Celine Dion who have been given the country's highest civilian award, the Order of Canada.
 
Toronto-based Bharatanatyam artist Lata Pada and Edmonton-based cardiac surgeon Arvind Koshal are in the list of honor winners released by Canadian Governor General Michaelle Jean in Ottawa lat month. The awards will be conferred at a formal ceremony later.
 
Naming Pada has been given this honor "for her contributions to the development of South Asian dance as a choreographer, teacher, dancer and artistic director, as well as for her commitment and support of the Indian community in Canada. Pada runs the famous Sampradya Bharatnatyam Dance Academy in Toronto suburb of Mississauga."
 
Koshal has been given the highest civilian honor "for his contributions to the field of cardiac surgery in Canada, notably in performing several innovative techniques, and for his leadership in developing one of the leading cardiac care programs in the country."
 
Started in 1967 to mark the 100th anniversary celebrations of formation of the country, the Order of Canada recognizes outstanding people for their achievements in various fields, dedication to the community and service to the country. The award has three levels in this descending order - Companion of the Order of Canada, Officer of the Order of Canada, and Member of the Order of Canada. A person already made the Member of the Order of Canada can be promoted to the higher level within the award.
 
INDIAN AMERICAN MANJU GANERIWALA BECOMES VIRGINIA STATE TREASURER
 
An Indian American Manju Ganeriwala is the new treasurer of Virginia. Maharashtra-born Ganeriwala, has served as deputy secretary of finance since January 2006 and has taken over from J. Braxton Powell on Jan 1, 2009 as the person in charge of managing the economic recovery of the state.
 
"Manju Ganeriwala brings a proven record for financial analysis and management that is in keeping with the high standards that Virginia holds as one of the Best Managed States in the nation," Virginia Governor Timothy M Kaine said announcing her appointment.
 
As treasurer of Virginia, Ganeriwala will serve as the chairperson of the Treasury Board of Virginia, which has oversight for for $8-10 billion of investments and debt management of the state.
 
She previously served as deputy director for finance and administration in the Department of Medical Assistance Services from June 2000 to January 2006. She has worked in state government since July 1985.
 
Born in Akola, Maharashtra, Ganeriwala holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University of Bombay and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
 
This is the second major appointment of an Indian American in Kaine's administration after Aneesh Chopra, who was made the technology secretary in his cabinet at the beginning of his administration in 2006.
 
BRITISH QUEEN HONORS BRITISH INDIANS
 
Indarjit Singh, who heads the London-based Network of Sikh Organizations, and Tarun Kapur, executive headteacher, Ashton-on-Mersey and Broadoak Schools, Trafford, were both awarded the CBE, one of the highest honors in British Queen's New Year's Honors annual list.
 
Singh, a regular voice on BBC radio, was given the award for services to religion and community, while Kapur was honored for services to education.
 
Other Indian-origin people who were honored with various other awards include Anita Kumari Bhalla, editor of Public Space Broadcasting, BBC; Kuldip Kaur Bharj, senior lecturer in midwifery, Leeds University; Uday Kumar Dholakia for services to business in Leicestershire; Lakhbir Kaur and Lucky Dhillon for services to the Asian media; Asha Khemka, principal of the West Nottinghamshire College; Chitra Bharucha for services to the animal feed industry; Parvin Bhatia, a general practitioner in Richmond, London; Pradip Kumar Datta, founder, Wick Surgical Courses; Jagdish Dave for services to education and to Asian people; and Shiv Pabary, a dentist at Newcastle and Gateshead.
 
RARE HONOR FOR LOS ANGELES SCIENTIST DR. M.L. BHAUMIK
 
Indian-American physicist Dr. Mani Bhaumik has been chosen as the sole patron for the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) 2009; A rare honor for an India born, Los Angeles resident. The International Astronomical Union (IAU), in their announcement, said, "It is proud to have Dr. Mani Bhaumik as dedicated supporter of IYA2009's global activities.''
 
The IAU and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) are observing 2009 as the International Year of Astronomy to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei's astronomical telescope.
 
The announcement further said, "Dr. Mani Bhuamik is a physicist, internationally bestselling author, celebrated lecturer, entrepreneur, and a philanthropist. He is a laser physicist who announced the successful demonstration of the world's first efficient excimer laser at the Denver, Colorado meeting of the Optical Society of America in May 1973.
 
"This is the class of laser that would eventually eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses in many cases requiring vision correction. The procedure popularly known as Lasik takes less than a minute and has helped over fifteen million people worldwide.''
 
Bhaumik was the first person in India to receive a PhD from the IIT system in 1958 which secured him a Sloan Foundation fellowship to the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA). He went on to become a multi-millionaire through his invention of the Excimer laser for eyesight correction and hundreds of other patents.
 
Bhaumik, best-seller book `The Cosmic Detective' has also been chosen as the official book for the year-long celebrations. The book was released by MOIA Minister Vayalar Ravi at the GOPIO Awards banquet on Jan 6, 2009 in Chennai. Dr. Bhaumik is a life member of GOPIO Int'l.