News India Times

www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know News India Times (November 22, 2025 - November 28, 2025) November 28, 2025 8 US Affairs Rep. Krishnamoorthi Introduces Bill To Promote Tourism C ongressman Raja Krishnamoor- thi (D-IL) introduced the Brand USA Restoration Act, legislation to restore $80 million in federal funding for Brand USA, the na- tion’s public-private tourism partnership. The bill replenishes the Travel Promo- tion Fund to offset the nearly 80 percent cut made in President Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Act’, Krishnamoorthi’s of- fice said in a November 20, 2025, press release. Noting that Brand USA plays a critical role in marketing the United States to international travelers, and supports millions of American jobs, as the FIFA World Cup rolls around and US celebrates its 250th birthday, Krishnamoorthi said, “Restoring Brand USA’s funding is about protecting American jobs and strength- ening our economy. When we attract visitors from around the world, we sup- port American workers, small businesses, and communities in every state. This bill ensures that the United States continues to compete globally and remains a top destination for international travel.” The legislation has been strongly en- dorsed by the Asian American Hotel Own- ers Association (AAHOA), an organization dominated by Indian Americans, which represents thousands of hotel owners across the United States. “Restoring full funding to Brand USA was a top priority at our Fall National Ad- vocacy Conference because this is about keeping international travelers coming to the United States and protecting our members’ businesses,” said Kamalesh (KP) Patel, AAHOA Chairman. “Brand USA has generated $140 billion in economic impact and supported over 300,000 Amer- ican jobs, yet recent funding cuts threaten to slow this momentum.” Patel added. Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA President and CEO, added, “Brand USA drives millions of international travelers to the U.S., gen- erating tens of billions in visitor spending and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. For AAHOA Members, who own over 60 percent of U.S. hotels, this funding is a major step forward—every $1 dollar for Brand USA creates $20 in visitor spending. PHOTO:FACEBOOK Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois. Community By a StaffWriter Yakub Mathew’S Debut Chronicle On Maha Kumbh 2025, Brings Hundreds To IAAC Literary Festival In New York M ore than 600 people attended the launch of Yakub Mathew’s literary debut, Seeking the Infinite: Maha Kumbh 2025, hosted by the Indo-American Arts Council at its Literary Festival, held at the International House, NewYork City, on Sunday, November 16, 2025. The renowned Sadhguru, released the book by accept- ing a copy in front of an audience that packed Davis Hall at International House, a press release from IAAC said. The launch was followed by an interesting and thought-provoking panel discussion moderated by branding consultant Suhel Seth. The panel comprised of Harvard scholar Diana Eck, Rabbi Scott Matous, President and In-house Rabbi at All Faiths Seminary International and Executive Director at the MAKOR Center for Judaism in NewYork City, spiri- tual master Gurudev Sri Anish, and the Very Rev. Winnie Varghese, Dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Seeking the Infinite is described as “a living chronicle of spiritual encounters where faith traditions meet in humility and the sacred becomes a shared language.” Through a tapestry of essays, dialogues, and reflections, the book takes readers from the riverside rituals of the Maha Kumbh to intimate rooftop conversations, encouraging a shift in perspective—from viewing the festival as mere spectacle to seeing it as a “crucible of human yearning—for meaning, belonging, and transcendence.” Praising its inclusive and pluralist spirit, Diana Eck observed about the book that: “You invite them to share their own… it’s multi- vocal with lots of different voices… it brings together your own sense of the importance of attenuating the differences between religions to a real interfaith vision.” The anthology features insights from over fifty renowned personalities, weaving together diverse perspectives. Its foreword is contrib- uted by luminaries like Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Muzaffar Ali, and Anupam Kher. Tharoor writes, “This coffee-table book is more than a collection of photographs; it is a window into the very essence—Mahima—of the Maha Kumbh. Here, each spread invites the reader to pause, to feel, and to remember that the search for the divine is both an inward journey and an outward celebration of our shared humanity.” Under the guidance of Suhel Seth, the panel delved into the complex relationship between religion and spiri- tuality. Seth’s provocative question—“If you were given a choice, would you want the person to be religious or spiritual? You can only choose one…”—sparked dynamic and thoughtful discussion. Yakub Mathew, a financial leader at institutions such as HSBC, Citi Private Banking, andWells Fargo Advisors, brings to his writing a wealth of cross-cultural experi- ence. With advanced degrees from St. Stephen’s College, Madras University, and the Asian Institute of Manage- ment, Mathew is lauded for his “trust-based, empower- ing leadership style and commitment to values-driven service.” His venture into literature “is a reflection of his adaptability and dedication to purposeful, values-orient- ed leadership,” the press release said. The Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, concluded in February 2025 after 45 days of celebra- tion. According to government estimates, more than 660 million devotees frommyriad faiths converged at the Triveni Sangam to take a holy dip, underscoring the festival’s magnitude and spiritual significance. Rooted in the ancient Rigveda and entwined with the mythic tale of Sagar Manthan—when drops of the nectar of immortality fell at Praya- graj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain—the Kumbh Mela rotates among these four locations in cycles of 4, 6, and 12 years. The rare Maha Kumbh, believed to occur once every 144 years, was commemorated in Prayagraj, marking a historic moment for millions. Mathew shared thoughts of his visit to the Maha Kumbh, a lifelong dream. “Joined by my wife and seventeen dear friends from across the globe, the experience became a profound cel- ebration of the completion of my 60th year and a spiritual journey that inspired deep reflection on life’s eternal questions.” By a StaffWriter PHOTOS: IAAC Renowned Sadhguru, right, released author Yakub Mathew’s literary debut, Seeking the Infinite: Maha Kumbh 2025, at the IAAC Literary Festival, November 16, 2025, at International House, New York City. More than 600 people attended the launch of Yakub Mathew’s literary debut- Seeking the Infinite: Maha Kumbh 2025 – November 16, at the IAAC Literary Festival in NYC.