Eesha Khare, 18, of Saratoga, Calif., who created a high-speed charger for portable electronic devices, won the Intel Foundation Young Scientist Award of $50,000 at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, held in Phoenix, Ariz., on May 17. Intel ISEF is a program of the non-profit Society for Science & the Public, which also recognized Henry Lin, 17, of Shreveport, La., with the same $50,000 prize for simulating thousands of clusters of galaxies and providing scientists with valuable new data. The top $75,000 Gordon E. Moore Award went to Ionut Budisteanu of Romania, for using artificial intelligence to create a viable model for a low-cost, self-driving car. Khare’s invention recognizes the crucial need for energy-efficient storage devices as portable electronics become ubiquitous in daily life, the release said. Her tiny device that fits inside cellphone batteries, allows them to fully charge within 20-30 seconds.

Flashing a wide grin and giving a thumbs-up as he realized his correct answer to the final question was his ticket to the Galapagos Islands, 12-year-old Sathwik Karnik of Norfolk, Mass., nailed the National Geographic Bee held in Washington, D.C., on May 22. He also won a $25,000 college scholarship and a lifetime membership of the National Geographic Society.  Sathwik correctly responded “Chimborazo” when asked the name of the peak in Ecuador farthest from the earth’s center. He bested 13-year-old Conrad Oberhaus, of Lincolnshire, Ill., by answering all of the final five questions correctly. Conrad also got Chimborazo right, but he had already stumbled on the name of the largest city in China’s Inner Mongolia region. “Baotou,” Sathwik answered correctly. Just moments after winning, the seventh-grader from King Philip Regional Middle School in Norfolk blurted, “I’m just speechless. I didn't expect to win, and I have no idea what I'm going to do next," the National Geographic reported.

– CHICAGO, Ill. About 300 Indian-Americans from 20 cities across the United States gathered at Waterford Banquet and Convention Center in Elmhurst, Ill., on May 18 to show their support for the Aam Aadmi Party led by Indian activist Arvind Kejriwal. The event was billed as the party’s first convention and was followed by volunteer workshop attended by 75 people. A resolution issued at the convention by Munish Raizada said: “We NRIs and PIOs look with great interest at this political experiment and extend full support to Aam Aadmi Party that wants to change the culture of politics in India.”  Addressing the supporters through a live video conference, Kejriwal spoke about his party’s role in India’s growth and the role that NRIs can play in furthering this cause, a press release issued by the Aam Aadmi Party said.  Kejriwal said he believes the party could be the catalyst for change in India by redefining the rules of politics.

British fighter jets escorted a Pakistan International Airlines passenger plane to Stansted Airport near London on Friday, where police went on board and arrested two men on suspicion of endangering an aircraft. Passengers were leaving the plane and no one was hurt in the incident, a spokesman for the airport said. Flight PK709 from Lahore in Pakistan had been due to land at Manchester in northern England with 297 passengers on board, but was diverted shortly before arrival. Britain is on high alert after a soldier was hacked to death on a London street on Wednesday in what the government are treating as a terrorist incident. A security source said early indications were that the plane was not the target of a terrorist attack. A passenger who had just got off the plane told the BBC the pilot had informed passengers after landing that he had diverted to Stansted because of threats.

California resident Vivek Shah pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Beckley, West Virginia May 9 of trying to extort $13 million from West Virginia coal magnate Chris Cline. Shah, 25, of West Hollywood, an aspiring actor with minor roles in “The Dark Knight” and “Our Family Wedding,” pleaded guilty to one count of transferring threatening communications in interstate commerce and seven counts of mailing or sending threatening communications through the mail, wehoville.com reported. Shan also targeted film producer Harvey Weinstein, Playtone film company owner Gary Goetzman, Relativity Media founder Ryan Kavanaugh, oil heiress Dannine Avara, Groupon co-founder Eric Lefkofsky and NHL Buffalo Sabres’ owner Terry Pegula, the report said. U.S. District Judge Irene Berger, who had imposed a gag order and sealed all records, will decide whether an agreed upon 87-month prison sentence is fair. Shah was also charged in California, but those cases been consolidated with the West Virginia case.

A former physician from Russellville, Ark., was resentenced to life in prison earlier this month for the bombing of the former state Medical Board chairman in February 2009. Randeep Mann, 54, was resentenced on May 1 by U.S. District Judge Brian Miller of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Mann was convicted in 2010 of conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction and other charges following the February 2009 bombing of Dr. Trent Pierce outside his West Memphis, Ark., home and is already serving a life sentence, arkansasmatters.com reported. One of Mann’s attorney’s, Blake Hendrix said he is still working to get Mann’s convictions reversed, the Huffington Post reported. “We’re still on track on the direct appeals and looking at the United States Supreme Court right now,” Hendrix is quoted saying by the Post. The U.S.

Six people of Indian origin are among 18 recipients of Rockefeller Foundation’s Global Fellowship on Social Innovation announced May 6. Dr. Kumanan Rasanathan, Manju Mary George, Megha Bhagat, Sandhya Rao, Sunandan Tiwari and Yogesh Rajkotia are among the inaugural fellows interested in addressing the root causes of problems affecting poor or vulnerable populations, according to the foundation website.  Rasanathan is a public health physician working for UNICEF in New York on improving the delivery of maternal and child health services in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, his bio data on the foundation website said. Prior to joining UNICEF, Rasanathan worked at WHO in Geneva on primary health care and the social determinants of health. He has also worked in New Zealand, Australia, China and the United Kingdom, as a clinician, researcher, policymaker and program manager.

After months of political posturing and procrastination, the United States Senate broke with its own seven-year tradition and in a historic move May 23 unanimously confirmed the appointment of Srikanth "Sri" Srinivasan, 46, to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Indian-Americans were exuberant over the confirmation, having urged lawmakers for months to approve it. President Obama hailed the 97-0 vote, noting that this was the first confirmation of a D.C. Circuit Court nomination in seven years. He called Srinivasan “a trailblazer who personifies the best of America.”  Currently the principal deputy solicitor general, the Chandigarh-born Srinivasan, who grew up in Kansas, becomes the first Indian-American as well as the first South Asian-American to become a federal judge at what is universally considered the second highest court in the land after the Supreme Court.

Bollywood producer Pooja Bhatt is auctioning off a role in one of her next Hindi-language films to help raise money to reduce rising cases of violence against women in India, the charity Oxfam has said. The opportunity, organised by Oxfam's partner Scottish Circle, is available to people in Scotland, where the highest bidder will win the chance to star in a film that will be screened to millions. "I would be delighted to offer a role to the highest bidder in either the film ‘Bad', which would be a speaking part… Or they could win a part in my film ‘Cabaret', where they will get to participate in an elaborate song sequence complete with colour, dancers and the works," Bhatt said in a statement issued by Oxfam. In December 2012, the gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old student in Delhi received widespread international coverage as thousands of urban middle class Indians took to the streets to protest crime against women and girls in the country.

Flashing a wide grin and giving a thumbs up as he realized his correct answer to the final question was his ticket to the Galapagos Islands, 12-year old Sathwik Karnik of Norfolk, Massachusetts, nailed his victory at the National Geographic Bee May 22, answering all 5 final questions correctly. He also won a $25,000 college scholarship and a lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society.  Sathwik correctly named “Chimborazo” - a mountain peak in Ecuador— when asked what was the name of the peak in Ecuador farthest from the earth’s center. He bested 13-year-old Conrad Oberhaus, of Lincolnshire, Illinois, by answering all of the final 5 questions correctly. Conrad also got Chimborazo right, but he had already stumbled on the name of the largest city in China’s Inner Mongolia region. “Baotou,” Sathwik answered correctly. Just moments after winning, the 7th grader from King Philip Regional Middle School in Norfolk, Mass., blurted, “I’m just speechless.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on Wednesday he had given a "wish list" of military equipment to India during a visit this week, presenting a conundrum for New Delhi as it weighs whether arming the Afghan army is in its interests. India wants to stabilise Afghanistan and is concerned about the resurgence of militant groups after foreign combat troops leave in 2014. But arming Afghanistan would alarm Pakistan. It takes issue with the influence of its old rival in Afghanistan. India does not want to get drawn into a proxy war with Pakistan, which has ties to the Taliban. India and Afghanistan signed a strategic partnership agreement in 2011 under which New Delhi agreed to assist in the training and equipping of Afghan security forces. India has trained Afghan security force personnel in its military academies, but it has provided little military equipment, according to Indian officials.

A Pakistani court on Monday granted bail to former army chief and president Pervez Musharraf who has been under house arrest on charges of failing to provide adequate security for former prime minister Benazir Bhutto before her 2007 assassination. Musharraf, who took power in a 1999 coup, returned to Pakistan in March after nearly four years of self-imposed exile to contest a May 11 general election, but he was disqualified from standing because of pending court cases. The election was won by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister Musharraf ousted in his coup 14 years ago. Musharraf became the first former army chief to be arrested, breaking an unwritten rule that the top ranks of the military are untouchable, even after they have retired. But the current army chief has suggested the military is unhappy with how authorities have treated Musharraf.

– CHICAGO, Ill. Dr. Jayesh Shah, 44, will become the youngest physician to take over as head of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, AAPI, during the 31st annual convention in Chicago May 23-27. In its 31 years of existence, the physicians’ organization has grown in stature and successfully influenced policies relating to foreign medical graduates. It has not been as successful in changing mainstream policies relating to health care and health insurance, something Shah, who takes over May 26, hopes to change.  Shah is board certified in internal medicine and undersea and hyperbaric medicine and a certified wound specialist. Born and brought up in Baroda, Shah came to the United States in 1992. After finishing his residency at the St. Luke’s/Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York, he moved to San Antonio, Texas, in 1996. There, under the mentorship of Dr. Paul Sheffield, a pioneer in hyperbaric medicine, Shah has also emerged as a scientist and researcher.

The government and the United Nations on Tuesday unveiled new guidelines on how to deal with the reproductive and sexual healthcare needs of girls and women when a disaster strikes. The guidelines spelled out in a 223-page manual are designed to help humanitarian workers reduce sexual violence, HIV transmission and maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. "When a disaster strikes, although the first concern is survival, other essential needs do not disappear. Women have unique health concerns, from hygiene to life-threatening complications related to pregnancy and childbirth," said Frederika Meijer, country director of the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA). "The integration of sexual and reproductive health in disaster preparedness and response is a priority at all levels," she said at the launch of the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP). India is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world with large chunks of its 1.

– HAMILTON, N.J. Students from Rhythm s Dance Academy showcased their talents at an event held May 18 at the Destiny Arts Theater here to raise funds for the South Asiam Marrow Association of Recruiters (SAMAR). The event raised $1,050 through sponsorships and donations, Anusha Sivaramakrishnan, artisitic director of the school told Desi Talk.  SAMAR, a non-profit, leukemia marrow donor recruitment organization founded by Rafiya Peerbhoy Khan and Moazzam Khan, with several chapters across the country. Dancers from age three to 40, lead by Sivaramakrishnan and Lakshmi Narayanam of Rhythms Dance Academy performed Bharata Natyam set to a blend of classical and fusion music. More than 100 people attended the event which also included a bone marrow drive, featuring 27-year-old Ankush Goyal, a luekemia survivor. Sivaramakrishnan started her training in Bharata Natyam at gae five from Vasantha Kumari.

Queens County Democrats on May 20 endorsed Reshma Saujani, candidate for New York City public advocate. Saujani, the former deputy public advocate of the city, has also raised an impressive campaign war chest totaling around $1.1 million, her spokesperson told Desi Talk.  The Democratic primaries are scheduled for Sept. 10, and getting the Queens County Democrats behind her gives Saujani an edge in her bid to win the party’s nomination going into the Nov. 5 elections. The Queens County Democratic Organization is the largest county party to endorse her in the public advocate race, a release from Saujani’s campaign said. Saujani thanked U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., and the diverse constituents of the county, promising to work in their interest. In April, Saujani formally launched her five-borough "Opportunity for All" campaign tour in Queens.

Josette Sheeran, vice chair of the World Economic Forum, was on May 21 named as the president and CEO of Asia Society and will assume office June 10, according to an announcement by the group.  “I am very honored to be selected to lead the premier institution connecting Asia to the world and the world to Asia,” Sheeran was quoted saying in the announcement. “It will be a great privilege to play a central role in the explosion of exchanges between east and the west – in diplomacy, arts and culture, and in education,” she added.  “Josette Sheeran is a proven executive with a long and successful record of global leadership and far-reaching diplomatic experience with the nations of Asia," Asia Society Board Co-Chairs Henrietta Fore and Ronnie Chan said in a joint statement. "We are delighted that she will be Asia Society's next president at this time of continued growth for our organization.

In these days of spiraling costs of higher education, 5 Indian-Americans and 1 Bangladeshi American can heave a sigh of relief having won a $90,000 Soros Fellowship. The 5 Indian- Americans who won included Amar Bakshi and Sejal Hathi of Yale University Nishant Batsha of Columbia University, New York and Amrapali Maitra and Vivek Viswanathan of Stanford University. Ryaan Ahmed, whose parents were from Bangladesh, is studying at Harvard. The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans on May 17 announced 30 winners of its 2013 national competition drawn from more than 1,050 applicants. All of the scholars have extraordinary qualifications as well as life-changing experiences. Bakshi is studying law and business administration at Yale and showed leadership qualities even as a teenager. Following several visits to India, he founded a non-profit to improve education by linking under-resourced schools with local artisans, the Soros website says.

– ISELIN, N.J. Continuous rain and damp weather did not hamper the spirit of shoppers who came to Little India here to avail discounts and special offers as part of the second annual Oak Tree Shopping Festival held May 18 and 19. Holding umbrellas or covering their heads with a shopping bag or a hoodie, shoppers went from store to store, while taking a break to stop at one of Oak Tree Road’s many restaurants or chat with their favorite celebrity.  Adding glamour to the two-day event was television actress Rucha Hasabnis, more popular as Raashi on Star TV’s “Saath Nibhana Saathiya.” Dressed in a sari, Hasabnis, who was present at the event on both days, posed with fans and also danced with performers from Rohit Baxi’s Satrangi Fusion School of Dance.  On May 18 the 25-year-old officially declared the festival open by cutting the ribbon with Woodbridge Councilman Jim Major and Oak Tree Road merchants.

British-Indian actor Dev Patel has been roped in to play legendary mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan in a biopic directed by Mathew Brown which will highlight his contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory and infinite series.  “The Man Who Knew Infinity: A Life of the Genius Ramanujan,” adapted by Robert Kanigel’s book of the same name, will also include a Hollywood A-lister, who will play Ramanujan’s mentor GH Hardy, the Press Trust of India reported. Born in a rural village in Tamil Nadu in 1887, Ramanujan was a self—taught mathematician. In 1912–1913, he sent samples of his theorems to three academics at the University of Cambridge. G H Hardy recognized his brilliance and invited him to visit and work with him at Cambridge. Ramanujan became a Fellow of the Royal Society and a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. He died at the age of 32 in 1920.

Two microscope slides bearing the blood of former Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi are to go on sale in London on Tuesday and are expected to fetch from 10,000 pounds to 15,000 pounds. The slides were obtained in 1924 when the father of the Indian independence movement was recovering from an appendectomy near Mumbai. He was thought to have donated the blood to the family he was staying with at the time. "To Gandhi devotees, it has the same status as a sacred relic to a Christian," said Richard Westwood-Brookes, a historical documents expert at Mullock's auctioneers which is selling the item. "It is an artefact which is revered by disciples of Gandhi, particularly in India and therefore that is the sort of person who would go for it," he added. The slides are part of a larger collection of items obtained by Mullock's, which include the former leader's sandals, shawl and bed linen.

Indian movie actors and a new wave of directors are on a mission at the Cannes film festival - to show that their industry, which turns 100 this year, is more than just Bollywood. The largest Indian contingent to date is on the French Riviera at the world's leading cinema showcase to promote the world's biggest film industry that makes over 1,000 films a year, compared with about 600 in Hollywood. Movies from Bollywood's Mumbai studios and other regional films have struggled at the global box office, with Indian cinema largely dismissed as lengthy, song-and-dance numbers. But the industry sees the 66th Cannes festival, where India is a "guest country" to mark its centenary, as a chance to showcase a new genre of Indian movies globally and to promote India as a place to both make films and win a massive audience.

India and China will study new ways to ease tensions on their ill-defined border after an army standoff in the Himalayas, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Monday on his first official foreign trip. The number two in the Chinese leadership offered New Delhi a "handshake across the Himalayas" and said the world's most populous nations could become a new engine for the global economy if they could avoid friction on the militarized border. "Both sides believe that we need to improve the various border-related mechanisms that we have put into place and make them more efficient. We need to appropriately manage and resolve our differences," Li said at a joint news conference with India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The two men appeared smiling and relaxed. India's Foreign Ministry said they got on well. There were small breakthroughs on trade, but no major agreements were signed.

(Reuters) - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told visiting Chinese President Li Keqiang on Sunday a recent military standoff in the Himalayas could affect relations between the two countries as they looked to boost bilateral trade. At a meeting shortly after Li arrived in India on his first foreign trip, Singh said relations were affected when "peace and tranquillity" on the border was impacted, a senior government official with knowledge of the discussions told Reuters. The official said Singh was referring to a three-week standoff over disputed territory in the western Himalayas, which was only resolved on May 3 after a public outcry in India. The world's two most populous nations disagree about large areas on their ill-defined border and fought a brief but bloody war across it 50 years ago. Although there have been no shooting incidents for decades, both sides maintain a large military presence and often patrol inside disputed areas.

(Reuters) - The Congress party is debating holding a general election in November, six months ahead of schedule, senior party leaders said, reflecting an internal discussion over whether to pull the plug on the shaky ruling coalition or have it serve a full term. Officially, the Congress party says the government - which has been battered by a series of corruption scandals and now governs as a minority after two allies withdrew from the ruling coalition - will limp on until elections are due in May 2014. But there is no consensus in the upper echelons of Congress on when to call elections, according to interviews with more than a dozen party leaders. There is a split between those who say the sluggish economy needs more time to recover and those who worry that waiting until 2014 could be a tactical mistake.