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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know Children’s Rights & You (CRY) Fundraising Gala Held In 5 Cities C RY America’s 2026 Gala Series brought together communities across five major U.S. cities, featur- ing award-winning actor Vikrant Massey, whose advocacy for children’s rights inspired attendees at the events. The galas were hosted in NewYork, Houston, Seattle, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego, attracting members of the Indian diaspora who came together in strong support of CRY America’s mission. “Guests contributed generously toward initiatives fo- cused on ensuring underprivileged children have access to education, healthcare, and protection from child labor and child marriage,” organizers said in a press release. Each evening offered a cocktail hour, hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment, dinner, donor appreciation segments, and a pledge session. Bollywood music and dancing added to the celebratory spirit. An online auction featur- ing paintings by Indian artists, designer outfits, and fine jewelry generated additional support. Guest speakers who shared their perspectives on giving back and community responsibility, emphasized that the Indian diaspora holds both the means and the opportunity to drive meaningful change by supporting organizations like CRY America. Speakers included Sree Sreenivasan, CEO of Digimen- tors, co-founder of SAJA, the South Asian Journalists Association and co-host of the annual Nobel Prize Peace Conference spoke in NewYork. Executive Director of Children’s Inc., Sandy Santana, spoke in Houston. Corporate Vice President, HR from Microsoft Priya Priyadarshini, addressed the room in Seattle. Venky Harinarayan, entrepreneur, venture capitalist, philanthropist, and co-founder of the cricket team San Francisco Unicorns spoke in the Bay Area, and in San Di- ego, Dr. K.J. Srinivasa, Consul General of India, LA spoke along with Kranti Ponnam, an accomplished business leader in Business, Technology, and Real Estate sectors. KV Ramana, a pioneering social worker, told mov- ing stories from the Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh. He detailed his work with the Yanadi tribal community, explaining that securing land rights was the essential first step in building the trust necessary to eliminate child labor, halt child marriages, and establish pioneering mini-child centers (Anganwadis). Executive Director of CRY America Sandeep Bathala, thanked the community for continuing to empower sustainable change in children’s lives. She highlighted that every contribution helps expand access to essential services and strengthens long-term impact across under- served regions. Organizers thanked the sponsors and supporters including House of Spices, Dallas Venture Capital and Allstate Foundation among others as well as our Gala Committees, generous donors, project partners, media houses, volunteers & staff for their ongoing commitment. CRY, Child Rights and You America Inc (CRY America) is a 501c3 non-profit, has since its inception, received support frommore than 35,000 donors and 2,000 volun- teers, and estimates it has impacted the lives of 825,000 children living across 5,000 villages and slums through support to 111 Projects in India and the USA. For more information: contact Renuka Ramachandran at 617-981- 2826; visit http://cryamerica.org or write to support@ cryamerica.org By a StaffWriter PHOTOS:CRY AMERICA Actor Vikrant Massey walking on to the stage at the CRY America gala series held in 5 cities. CRY America organizers and supporters pose for a photo. US - India News India Times (May 9, 2026 - May 15, 2026) May 15, 2026 7 I ndia’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, met with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to deliberate on strategies for enhancing economic and technological ties between the two regions. During the meeting held in Harrisburg on Monday, the Ambassador provided a detailed briefing on India’s rapid economic expansion, specifically highlighting the ongoing “infrastructure, digital, and manufacturing transformation”. Expressing optimism over the bilateral engagement, Governor Shapiro shared his vision for the partnership on X. “I look forward to continuing to work together to at- tract more investment, expand our talent pipelines, and create more good-paying jobs for both Pennsylvanians and Indians alike,” he stated. According to a post by the Indian Embassy on X, the discussions were centred on leveraging India’s growth to create mutual opportunities in high-tech sectors and industrial development. This high-level dialogue underscores an economic and academic relationship that continues to strengthen, de- fined by substantial capital flows, a prominent diaspora, and strategic alliances in sectors such as information technology, life sciences, and manufacturing. As of 2026, these bilateral engagements remain fo- cused on accelerating technological advancement, foster- ing job creation, and stimulating mutual investment to sustain long-term growth. This momentum is supported by the fact that India has emerged as a critical trading partner for the state, with numerous Pennsylvania-based firms establishing signifi- cant footprints in India’s food processing, agriculture, and chemical industries. The investment flow remains reciprocal, as over 18 Indian enterprises have injected more than USD 540 mil- lion into the Pennsylvania economy to date. This robust relationship is further bolstered by formal agreements, such as the partnership established in 2020 between Pennsylvania and the Kutch Region of Gujarat, which focuses specifically on economic synergy and col- laboration. The state’s demographic landscape also plays a pivotal role in this partnership, with more than 200,000 Indian- Americans residing in Pennsylvania, serving as a vital bridge between the two regions. Beyond the workforce, the academic bond is rein- forced by nearly 10,000 Indian students enrolled in the state’s educational institutions, fostering a continuous exchange of talent. These educational and research ties are anchored by the University of Pennsylvania, home to the Center for the Advanced Study of India (CASI). Founded in 1992, it holds the distinction of being the first research centre in the United States dedicated to the study of contemporary India. -ANI Indian Envoy Kwatra, Pennsylvania Governor Discuss Boosting Economic And Technological Ties PHOTO:ANI India’s Ambassador Vinay Kwatra meets Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. Community