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www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 20 CITY VIEWS July 4, 2025 - Continued On Page 22 US–India AI Alliance Gains Momentum: Experts Demand Action Over Rhetoric DSNDP Celebrates 500 Green Milestones With Mega Environmental Drive Across NYC And NJ T he virtual event “Harnessing AI for Economic Growth: US and India Collaboration Opportuni- ties” brought together leading voices from government, industry, and academia to chart a path forward for deeper AI collaboration between the United States and India. Organized by the Global Indian Trade and Cultural Council, USA (GITCC) in association with the Consulate General of India, New York, and the Global Indian Diaspora Alliance (Glo-India), the webinar went beyond the usual pleasantries, issuing a bold call for practical, accelerated coop- eration in artificial intelligence. The session opened with Lt. General Anil Kapoor (Retd.), former Director General of DGEME and board member of TIH, IIT Tirupati, who emphasized the transformational nature of AI, likening it to the advent of electricity in the Second Industrial Revolution. He stressed the critical convergence of quantum technol- ogy, semiconductors, sensors, and ad- vanced communications such as 6G, all of which are poised to shape how AI impacts society and the workforce. Mr. Gopal Khanna, Founder and Chair of the Health AI Institute, underscored the urgency of scaling business-to-business (B2B) and government-to-government (G2G) AI frameworks, noting that despite nine existing bilateral agreements, execu- tion remains slow. Khanna called health- care for underserved rural communities a top priority and proposed a “mutually assured survival” doctrine for democra- cies vulnerable to cyber threats. Education and talent development were central themes in remarks fromMr. Tarun Anand, founder of Universal AI University. Anand highlighted India’s im- mense user base for AI tools like ChatGPT, yet cautioned that the nation still lacks critical infrastructure such as chips, data centers, and next-gen cloud platforms. He advocated for U.S.–India collaboration to bridge these gaps and presented live examples of AI-driven solutions his uni- versity is piloting to aid rural populations. Anand also warned of rising threats from deepfakes and cybercrime, urging for joint regulatory frameworks. The pharmaceutical sector emerged as another key arena for AI innovation. Pro- fessor Dulal Panda, Director of NIPER Mo- hali, and Dr. Rajneesh Kumar, Associate Professor at IIT–BHU, demonstrated how AI is rapidly accelerating drug discovery— from five-year timelines to just 18 months. However, data hoarding by private firms was flagged as a major roadblock. Kumar called for federated data-sharing models to unlock life-saving innovation. Adding a corporate perspective, Mr. Biswajit Mitra, Chief Monetary Officer at Cadila Pharmaceuticals, expanded the AI conversation beyond R&D. He stressed the need for AI-driven transformation in marketing, manufacturing, and supply chain operations, especially in India’s vital generic drug sector. Mitra called for direct U.S. involvement to help elevate Indian pharma to global standards. A spirited discussion during the Q&A session addressed the ongoing “brain drain” dilemma. Dr. Saranjit Singh, former professor at NIPER, and Mr. Khanna proposed new government-backed pro- grams that allow Indian experts abroad to remain connected while gaining global exposure before returning to take leader- ship roles. The issue of retaining experi- enced professionals post-retirement was also raised by Prof. Rajeev Mehta, Chair of Glo-India. GITCC Chairman H.S. Panaser pledged advocacy for flexible advisory and contractual roles for seasoned experts, declaring that “wisdom doesn’t expire.” The event concluded with a resounding message: for the US and India to lead in the AI age, they must act decisively. This means closing infrastructure gaps, remov- ing barriers to data sharing, and enabling dynamic public-private partnerships. The opportunity is no longer theoretical—it is a global imperative. I n a remarkable show of environmental leader- ship and global unity, the Dr. Shri Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Pratisthan (DSNDP) marked the achievement of its 500th green initiative with a Mega Cleanliness Drive and Tree Plantation/ Conservation Event held across NewYork City and New Jersey. Titled “500 Green Milestones – Powered by DSNDP,” the large-scale effort brought together over 350 volunteers from the United States, India, and Canada in a celebration of collective service and sustainability. The event, aligned withWorld Environment Day, highlighted DSNDP’s commitment to environmen- tal justice under the guidance of visionary founder Dr. Appasaheb Dharmadhikari and in the presence of co-founder Dr. Sachin Dharmadhikari. Volun- teers gathered at 30 iconic public sites—including Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Build- ing, Grand Central Terminal, and theWorld Trade Center—spanning Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and multiple New Jersey counties such as Middle- sex, Union, and Somerset. Altogether, 237 volunteers contributed 474 hours of service, collecting 160 bags of waste totaling nearly 2,400 pounds, while also supporting critical tree conservation efforts. To mark the milestone, DSNDP’s community service video was aired on two high-visibility digital billboards in Times Square throughout the day, symbolizing the move- ment’s reach and impact. Since July 2022, DSNDP has mobilized more than 5,000 volunteers across 19 U.S. states and 127 cities in North America. Their collective work has removed over 87,000 pounds of litter and helped plant over 25,500 trees, all without incurring costs to local governments. These self-funded initia- tives have resulted in measurable fiscal savings and heightened environmental awareness at the grassroots level. The celebration began with an inaugural cer- emony at St. Peter’s University Skyroom in Jersey City. Distinguished guests included U.S. Congress- woman LaMonica McIver, New Jersey Senator By a StaffWriter By a StaffWriter PHOTOS:Courtesyof Global IndianTradeand Cultural Counci PHOTO:Courtesyof DSNDP H.S. Panaser, Chairman of GITCC, delivers opening remarks during the high-level webinar on US–India AI collaboration. Participants joined a webinar on US–India AI collaboration hosted by GITCC with the Consulate General of India, NY, and Glo-India. Volunteers from Dr. Shri Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Pratisthan (DSNDP) gather at Times Square, NYC during the “500 Green Milestones – Powered by DSNDP” mega environmental drive.