In a captivating discussion, Meenakshi Ahamed, author and journalist, dives into her latest work on the remarkable ascent of Indian Americans across technology, medicine, and public policy. She highlights the pivotal role of mentorship and the unique challenges faced by Indian American women. The conversation also uncovers the influence of caste on success narratives, and examines the societal pressures that often dictate career paths. Ahamed’s insightful anecdotes reveal the secret ingredients behind this inspiring community's success in America.
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insights INSIGHT
Political Voice Follows Economic Success
Indian Americans' political influence surged around the nuclear deal passage in the U.S. Congress. - Economic establishment preceded their political voice in America.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Kanwal Rekhi: Tech Godfather
Kanwal Rekhi pioneered Indian American tech mentoring and founded investment group TiE. - He overcame bias with invention and fostered an ecosystem supporting immigrant startups.
insights INSIGHT
Execution Equals Vision in Tech
Execution is as critical as creativity in Indian American tech success. - Leaders like Satya Nadella exemplify visionary management paired with strong delivery skills.
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A Matter of Trust, India-U Relations from Truman to Trump
A Matter of Trust, India-U Relations from Truman to Trump
None
Meenakshi Ahamed
Indian Genius, The Meteoric Rise of Indians in America
Indian Genius, The Meteoric Rise of Indians in America
The Meteoric Rise of Indians in America
Meenakshi Ahamed
The Checklist Manifesto
How To Get Things Right
Atul Gawande
In 'The Checklist Manifesto', Atul Gawande explores the power of checklists in overcoming the complexities of modern professional work. He argues that despite advanced training and technology, professionals often fail due to the sheer volume and complexity of knowledge. Gawande illustrates how checklists, first introduced by the U.S. Air Force, have been successfully adopted in various fields, including medicine, to reduce errors and improve outcomes. He provides compelling examples, such as the reduction of fatalities in surgical procedures and the elimination of hospital infections, to demonstrate the effectiveness of checklists. The book emphasizes the importance of balancing autonomy and control, empowering frontline workers, and continuously improving checklists based on feedback and experience[1][3][5].
Being Mortal
Atul Gawande
In *Being Mortal*, Atul Gawande explores the limitations and failures of modern medicine in dealing with aging and death. Through personal stories, case studies, and research, Gawande argues that the medical profession often prioritizes prolonging life over improving its quality. He highlights the need for greater communication and planning around end-of-life care, emphasizing the importance of autonomy, dignity, and individual preferences. The book encourages readers to rethink their approach to aging and dying, focusing on what makes life meaningful and fulfilling until the very end.
Indian Genius: The Meteoric Rise of Indians in America is a new book by the author and journalist Meenakshi Ahamed. While many immigrant groups have found success in the United States, few have excelled as far and as fast as Indian Americans, reaching heights in a single generation that many thought would take the better part of a century to achieve. Ahamed’s new book offers fascinating portraits of several Indian Americans in three distinct sectors—technology, medicine, and public policy. The book tries to understand what exactly accounts for Indian Americans' ability to break into mainstream American culture and their meteoric rise within its ranks.Listeners may remember our 2021 conversation with Meena on her previous book, A Matter of Trust: India–US Relations from Truman to Trump.To talk about her new book, Meena joins Milan on the show this week. They talk about the “godfather” of the Indian tech community in Silicon Valley, the balance between creativity and execution, and the role of caste. Plus, the two discuss the real (and perceived) influence of Indian Americans in Washington.
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