Indian-Americans, now numbering five million strong, have emerged as one of the most influential immigrant communities in the United States. Despite constituting merely 1.5% of the total US population, this community has made substantial contributions across diverse sectors such as business, academia, culture, and public service, according to a recent report by Indiaspora, a non-profit organization.
"Indian-Americans represent just 1.5% of the US population, yet their impact across various facets of American society is disproportionately significant," stated MR Rangaswami, founder of Indiaspora, as reported by PTI.
The "Indiaspora Impact Report: Small Community, Big Contributions," commissioned by the Boston Consulting Group, marks the first in a series that highlights the Indian diaspora's profound influence on American public service, business innovation, cultural enrichment, and more.
The report delineates how Indian-Americans have been pivotal in founding major corporations, significantly boosting tax revenues, and playing a crucial role in the economic dynamism of the United States.
INDIAN-AMERICAN CONTRIBUTIONS IN BUSINESS AND INNOVATION
CEOs of Indian origin helm 16 Fortune 500 companies, including notable figures like Sundar Pichai of Google and Reshma Kewalramani of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Collectively, these companies employ 2.7 million Americans and generate nearly one trillion dollars in revenue.
Beyond corporate giants, Indian-Americans have carved a niche in the startup ecosystem, co-founding 72 out of 648 US unicorns, such as Cambridge Mobile Telematics and Solugen, which collectively employ more than 55,000 people and command a valuation of $195 billion, the report reveals.
The report also underscores that Indian Americans own approximately 60% of all hotels in the United States.
In terms of financial contributions, the community is estimated to contribute 5-6% of all income taxes, amounting to an impressive $250 billion to $300 billion. Furthermore, their entrepreneurial endeavours indirectly support the creation of 11-12 million American jobs.
INDIAN AMERICANS IN SCIENCE AND ACADEMIA
In the realm of academia, Indian-Americans have left an indelible mark. From 1975 to 2019, the share of patents in the US held by innovators of Indian origin surged from 2% to 10%.
In 2023, Indian-origin scientists secured approximately 11% of all National Institutes of Health grants and contributed to 13% of scientific publications.
Eminent figures such as immunotherapy pioneer Navin Varadarajan and former National Science Foundation director Subra Suresh have been instrumental in pioneering advancements in healthcare, according to the report.
Indian-Americans also constitute about 2.6% of all full-time faculty in US colleges and universities, with notable leaders such as Neeli Bendapudi, the first female president of Penn State, and Arun Majumdar, the inaugural Dean of Stanford’s Doerr School of Sustainability.
CULTURAL INFLUENCE OF INDIAN-AMERICANS
Culturally, Indian-Americans have significantly enriched the American tapestry. Michelin-starred chefs like Vikas Khanna and Maneet Chauhan have popularized Indian cuisine, while wellness advocates such as Deepak Chopra have brought Ayurveda and holistic health practices into mainstream American lifestyles.
Yoga, introduced by Swami Vivekananda, has become a cornerstone of American wellness routines, embraced by approximately 10% of the population by 2023.
Indian festivals like Diwali and Holi are widely celebrated across the US, and Bollywood's cultural footprint continues to expand, exemplified by figures like Priyanka Chopra Jonas successfully transitioning to Hollywood.
In the realm of fashion, traditional elements like henna and lehengas have permeated mainstream American fashion, with designers like Falguni and Shane Peacock showcasing their creations at prestigious events such as New York Fashion Week, the report highlights.
INDIAN AMERICANS IN LITERATURE AND PHILANTHROPY
In literature, authors such as Jhumpa Lahiri and Abraham Verghese have offered profound insights into the Indian-American experience, contributing significantly to American literary discourse.
Philanthropically, organizations like the American India Foundation and the Desai Foundation have mobilized substantial resources to enhance lives both in the US and India.
INDIAN-AMERICANS IN POLITICS
Politically, Indian-Americans have attained increasing prominence, holding over 150 key positions within the federal administration by 2023, marking a significant rise from 60 positions in 2013. Vice President Kamala Harris, making history as the first woman, first African American, and first South Asian American to hold the office, exemplifies this trajectory.
