Two recent New England events explored the role of South Asians in the upcoming election.

Panelists at the Network of Indian Professionals’ recent Boston conference explored the issue of South Asians in politics in a panel discussion titled: “Dream a South Asian President: What Do South Asians Know About Politics?”

Indian American voters could be particularly crucial to the 2008 presidential election outcome in three battleground states:

New Hampshire  (Four electoral votes)  – Presidential elections in the Granite State have been particularly close in recent years. The last two have been decided by a combined 16,000 votes.

Tina Ambani, former Bollywood starlet and wife of industrialist Anil Ambani, has been elected to the board of trustees at The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Mass.

Group seeks backing in quest to distribute its $100 budget computers

In the summer of 2006, Nicholas Negroponte approached the Indian government with a rather unique proposal. Negroponte’s fledgling nonprofit organization, One Laptop Per Child Inc., would sell laptop computers to the government that could be distributed to schools across the country.

Cambridge startup firm helps companies raise rankings on Google

Dharmesh Shah has some simple advice for small businesses looking to market their products to potential customers: Stop trying so hard.

Nanobiosym, a Boston-based nanotechnology firm, has added Ratan Tata, chairman of the multibillion-dollar global conglomerate Tata Group, as an advisor.

Gaytri D. Kachroo has joined McCarter & English in Boston as a partner in the International and Corporate practice group, and the Securities and Financial Institutions group. Kachroo's transactional practice focuses on cross-border deals with India and Canada, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and outsourcing.

Band leader enjoys life without business plan

Rocker Miki Singh says he is happy at last.

In 2000, from a distance, it might have appeared as though Singh was on top of the world.

Boston music producer and The Singhs band member Brother Cleve might not be of Indian descent – “There’s not a drop of Asian blood in me,” he acknowledges – but that hasn’t restrained Cleve’s ongoing fascination with Bollywood film and music and virtually every facet of Indian culture.

Director Shankar’s Tamil magnum opus, “Enthiran,” formerly called “Robot,” has been in the news ever since its announcement. The filming unit has flown to the Americas for the first schedule of shooting.

“Billa,” starring Ajit and Nayantara, a super-hit of 2007, is now being remade in Telugu with Prabhas in Ajith’s role. Anushka, the sensuous siren, has agreed to play Nayantara’s part, along with her daring appearance in a black bikini.

Even before the release of her first film “Rajakumari,” beautiful actress Nikitha is making waves in Sandalwood. Her second film “Vamshi,” in which she pairs up with power star Puneeth Rajkumar, is complete and she has bagged another big film (“Dubai Babu”) with yet another big star, Upendra, in which she will play the role of a radio disc jockey.

Akshaya Patra event draws 400, raises $75K for school lunch program

The Akshaya Patra Foundation claims it has the key to eradicate hunger.

The foundation, which is the largest nongovernmental organization (NGO) of its kind in the world, held its second annual benefit gala at the Westin Hotel in Waltham on Sunday, Sept. 21.

Pratham Boston holds first large-scale dinner, draws 150 at $150

After months of planning, Vikas Taneja, chapter president of nonprofit organization Pratham Boston, said all he had left to do was cross his fingers on Sept. 20 and hope the group’s first fund-raiser gala went off with out a hitch.

The Hindu Cultural Center of Connecticut (www.hinduculturalcenter.org) hosted its second annual Heritage India Festival on the Fairfield Town Green on Sept. 7. Fairfield First Selectman Ken Flatto and Selectman Sherri Steeneck delivered the welcome addresses. Christopher Tymniak spoke on behalf of Gov. Jodi Rell. Congressman Christopher Shays paid an unscheduled visit and addressed the gathering.

The India Society of Worcester (ISW) celebrated the 61st anniversary of India’s Independence with an afternoon of Indian culture, dance, fashion and cuisine on Aug. 10. More than 1,500 people attended the event at the Italian American Cultural Center in Worcester.

The Telugu Association of North America (TANA) and Nannapaneni Mohan & Friends Foundation have donated more than 800 school backpacks with school supplies to three schools in Massachusetts.

Women at the middle level of their high-tech careers are extremely valuable to their organizations but new research indicates that this seems to be the very point at which they face the greatest barriers to advancement.