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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know US-India Strategic Partnership Forum Releases Coffee Table Book Celebrating America’s 250th T he US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) launched the second edition of its coffee table book titled “We The People – 250 Voices: A Tribute to the 250 Voices that Shaped the U.S.–India Rela- tions” on Monday, June 29, at its flagship leader- ship summit inWashington, D.C. The summit themed America@250 celebrated the 250th year of American independence and culminated with the launch of the coffee table book, alongside a special launch video for the book. This edition recognizes 250 individuals across eras who represent diverse professions but have dedicated their professional endeavors to enhance U.S.-India rela- tions. The individuals range from artists and architects, academics and activists, diplomats and doctors, entre- preneurs and engineers, presidents and prime ministers, policymakers and pioneers, and alive and deceased. “In their own ways, knowingly or unknowingly, they all played a part in helping to shape the most robust strate- gic partnership that we celebrate today,” USISPF said in its press release. While acknowledging that the list by no means implies only these 250 individuals, both deceased and living are the ones who have shaped the relationship, “We know that there are many more who, some yet unknown to us, have shaped and will continue to transform the relation- ship,” but the book is meant to “honor 250 individuals both past and contemporary, who have built diplomatic and cultural bonds and enhanced the soft power compo- nent of this strategic partnership.” The book also chronicles historic figures such as Abra- ham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, alongside contemporary leaders from government, individuals who shaped the relationship from the highest corridors of political and corporate power such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Donald Trump, Ambassador Sergio Gor, Secre- tary of State Marco Rubio, India’s External Affairs Minis- ter, Dr. S. Jaishankar along with business leaders, such as Indra Nooyi, Shantanu Narayen, Ajay Banga as well intel- lectuals from science, academia, healthcare, diplomacy, and civil society, such as Anoushka Shankar, Shubhans- hu Shukla, Indira Nooyi, SunitaWilliams, Kumar Man- galam Birla, Priyanka Chopra, Ajit Doval, Stephen Knapp, Padma Lakshmi, His Holiness Dalai Lama, Hasan Minhaj, Mira Nair, Frieda Pinto, AR Rahman, Rathan Rajan, Julia Roberts. “At the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), our mission has always been to translate strategic intent into tangible outcomes,” said Dr. Mukesh Aghi, USISPF President and CEO. “We have seen firsthand how our work is carried forward both by institutions and by people who believe in the potential of this relationship and invest their energy, expertise, and ambition in its growth. This book is a tribute to those individuals.” USISPF’s first coffee table book, We The People – 75 Years of U.S.-India Relations launched in 2022, com- memorated the platinum jubilee of India’s independence and celebrated 75 years of U.S.-India diplomatic ties. The Indo American Arts Council, IAAC, praised USISPF’s latest coffee-table book noting some of the individuals selected in it were luminaries in arts and culture. “The Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC) proudly congratulates several of its longtime patrons, supporters, collaborators, and friends who have been featured in the second edition ofWe The People – 250 Voices: A Tribute to the 250 Voices that Shaped the U.S.-India Relationship, published by the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF),” IAAC said in its press release. It specifically identified India’s Consul General in NewYork, Binaya Sri- kanta Pradhan; John Guy, an acclaimed art historian and curator; HugoWeihe, historian and curator and former head of Christie’s Indian and Southeast Asian Art; and Purna Saggurti of Bank of America. By a StaffWriter Coffee Table book “We The People – 250 Voices: A Tribute to the 250 Voices that Shaped the U.S.–India Relations” being released at the June 29th USISPF Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. Seen in picture, Mukesh Aghi, president of USISPF, Ambassador Ken Juster (former US ambassador to India), and Ashok Bajaj, restaurateur – Knights Bridge Group. PHOTO:USISPF A s part of the celebrations for India’s Inde- pendence Day, a Special Edition of the Know India program an- nounced a Quiz Compe- tition. “Celebrate #IndiaAt80 by exploring the incred- ible story of our nation!” the website of the Indian Consulate in NewYork posted on its X.com ac- count. “Participate in the Special Independence Day Edition of the #BharatKoJaniye Quiz and test your knowl- edge of India’s heritage, culture, traditions and achievements,” the post declared. Special Indian Independence Day Know India Quiz Competition PHOTO:X.COM @INDIAINNEWYORK Flyer for Quiz competition on occasion of India’s upcoming Independence Day. By a StaffWriter T he Indian Consulate in NewYork announced the launch of the “Vikshit Bharat 2047 Painting Competition” on the occasion of India’s Independence Day August 15, 2026. The Competition invites local artists, including members of the Indian diaspora, to express their vision of India’s future through original artwork. Selected entries will be displayed at the Consulate on Independence Day. The deadline for submissions is August 10, 2026. The competition is open to residents within the Consul- ate’s jurisdiction: NewYork, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, and Ohio. Scan the QR code in the poster or visit : https://forms. gle/FFQVwDqNTY4QrzTF8 to view the competition details and submit your entry. Painting Competition On “Vision Of India’s Future” By a StaffWriter PHOTO:X.COM @INDIAINNEWYORK Flyer on Viksit Bharat Painting Competition. News India Times (August 8, 2026 - August 14, 2026) August 14, 2026 8 Community