As the United States celebrates 250 years of its founding, the story of Indian Americans has become an important chapter in the country’s journey. A land of dreams, United States of America, where alongside entrepreneurs, doctors, engineers, artists and public leaders, Indian-American media has grown in last three decades and played a unique role in strengthening the bond between India and the United States. We are proud to play a role with our group media platforms. Through news, radio, television, podcasts and community platforms, our media has connected millions of people with their roots while helping them build meaningful connect within diaspora and mainstream in their adopted homeland.
Today, the Indian American community contributes to every sphere of American life—from business and technology to education, healthcare, politics and culture. Yet, despite this success, the community has always valued its connection with India. From business to Festivals, languages, traditions, family ties and cultural values continue to shape the identity of generations of Indian Americans.
This is where we have made an invaluable contribution. Long before social media and digital platforms became widespread, our newspapers, television channels, and radio stations kept people informed about news and happenings in both countries. They covered global news from India, immigration issues, business opportunities, community achievements, cultural celebrations and developments in India that mattered to readers and listeners living thousands of miles away.
Among the media contributing to this mission is our Indian Eye News Group, which has built a multimedia network serving Indian American communities across North America, India and South America. With our daily, weekly and an integrated news portal, we have consistently highlighted stories that celebrate the achievements of the diaspora while strengthening the relationship between India and the United States.
The Indian Eye Weekly newspaper is our flagship publication distributed around the world, especially in the US – from East coast to West coast. We have moved forward with advancements in media consumptions, from Weekly to Daily to Live and from print to e-paper to digital. We have been innovative.
The Radio Zindagi Network has become one of the most recognizable voices for South Asians in North America. Broadcasting in fifteen cities, it reaches listeners every day with music, news, interviews and discussions on issues affecting the community. Though it serves with best in music from Bollywood and all regions, it serves as more than an entertainment platform. It informs immigrants about civic participation, education, health, business and public affairs while also providing updates from India. By bringing together voices from both countries, Radio Zindagi creates a shared space where culture and current affairs come together, helping listeners stay connected with both their heritage and their American experience.
Now our own Bhavya Gujarat is all set to play an equally important role for the Gujarati-speaking community, who we earlier served with Divya Bhaskar for almost 20 years in North America. By covering local community news and events alongside news from Gujarat and India, it will help preserve language, culture and traditions among generations living abroad. It will celebrate entrepreneurs, social workers, artists and young achievers while highlighting investment opportunities, tourism and cultural exchanges between Gujarat and the United States. In doing so, it will strengthen both community identity and economic ties between fastest growing Indian state of Gujarat.
Our soon to be launched platforms — The Indian Eye PODCAST and Television – will cater to the changing media habits of today’s audiences. Through in-depth interviews, discussions and special programs, we will provide a space for policymakers, business leaders, diplomats, educators, artists and community leaders to exchange ideas. These conversations will go beyond headlines, exploring the growing strategic partnership between India and the United States, innovation, education, entrepreneurship and cultural diplomacy. The platform will also give younger Indian Americans an opportunity to engage with issues that shape both countries, making it an important bridge between generations.
Regional language media has also become an essential part of the diaspora experience. Telugu Talkies as broadcasting platform is all set to serve Telugu-speaking audiences with entertainment, community news and cultural programming that keeps families connected to their linguistic heritage. It promotes Telugu community’s achievements in Technology, cinema, festivals and traditions while giving community organizations a platform to reach audiences across North America.
Similarly, Jee Punjabi has gradually emerged as a vibrant platform for Punjabi-speaking communities. Covering news, culture, music, faith and community events, it reflects the rich diversity of the Punjabi diaspora. It celebrates the contributions of Punjabi Americans while strengthening links with Punjab through stories on education, business, agriculture, culture and philanthropy. The platform also encourages dialogue between generations, ensuring that language and traditions continue to thrive in immigrant families.
Together, our platforms demonstrate that ethnic media is about much more than reporting news. They celebrate our successes, preserve languages, celebrate festivals, encourage civic participation, support small businesses, recognize community achievements and provide a trusted forum for discussion. They help immigrants navigate life in America while maintaining strong business as well as emotional and cultural ties with India as generations build deeper roots for heritage as well as business corridors between two regions.
As India and the United States deepen their partnership, our role will become even more significant. By informing, connecting and inspiring communities on both sides of the world, these platforms strengthen people-to-people ties that often prove more enduring than government agreements alone.
As we bring out a special edition on the 250th anniversary of the United States, we chronicle some of the journeys of members of our community who have contributed to a deeper understanding between the world’s oldest democracy and its largest one.
We will continue to reinforce the enduring friendship between India and the United States, one story, one broadcast and one conversation at a time.
Sunil Hali is the publisher of the Indian EYE Group of publications
