RAJA CHARI: Mars and Beyond!

Lt Col Raja Chari was one of the 12 astronauts chosen amongst 18,000 applicants to prep for the new mission to Mars by NASA.  He will start his two-year training as an associate astronaut starting August 2017.

KRIPA VARANASI: Inventor of LiquiGlide

Kripa Varanasi, a professor at MIT, along with one of his former students created a solution to help reduce leftovers at the bottom of containers such as paint, toothpaste, & ketchup.  

SAMIR LAKHANI: From Soap Bank to CNN Heroes

Samir Lakhani, a recipient of CNN Heroes Award, founded a soap bank in Cambodia in order to increase hygiene awareness and prevent the spread of diseases.  He came up with his idea while on a humanitarian mission in Cambodia, known for its famous Angkor Wat temple.

PRAVIN GORDHAN: Former Finance Minister of South Africa

Pravin Gordhan, former Finance Minister of South Africa, says contrary to popular belief, he doesn’t want his job back.

AMI BERA: Doctor Turned Congressman

Ami Bera has been a successful US congressman from the 7th congressional district of California since 2013.  As a member of the Democratic Party, he was re-elected in 2014 and again in 2016.  Seen here is a plug from former US President Barack Obama for his 2016 campaign. 

AMUL THAPAR: Another Trump Nomination

Amul Thapar has been nominated by US President Donald Trump to the Sixth Circuit of the Court of Appeals.  The Sixth Circuit is a federal court that oversees appellate jurisdiction in the following states: Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee.  

PARAG KHANNA: Best Selling Author Out With His New Book

Parag Khanna, a best-selling author & leading global strategist, authored and released a new book: Technocracy in America that explores the use of data to form governments.  In this video he is seen leading a TED talk about how megacities are changing the world from his previous best-seller Connectography.

SIMMER SINGH: Sikhs In The American Military

Simratpal “Simmer” Singh, a decorated Army Captain, is a devout Sikh who has finally prevailed against a three-decade ban preventing observant Sikhs from serving in the U.S. Army. 

SHORYA AWTAR: Inventor & Co-Founder Of FlexDex

Shorya Awtar, a Mechanical Engineering Professor, invented FlexDex, which is an all-mechanical platform that mounts to the surgeon’s arm. It uses a unique engineering approach to enable the tip of the instrument to mimic the direction of movement of the surgeon’s hand. It was funded by the National Science Foundation.

AJIT PAI: The New FCC Commissioner Under Trump

Ajit Varadaraj Pai is the Chairman of the United States Federal Communications Commission, appointed by President Donald Trump early into his administration and confirmed on January 23, 2017.