OVERVIEW
On the anniversary of our launch, the Center reflects on a year full of community, critical engagement, and exhilaration.
Upon joining Seattle University, Professor of Law Sital Kalantry envisioned creating an interdisciplinary center focused on the study of contemporary India and Indian Americans. This vision became a reality through a generous gift from the Roundglass Foundation, founded by Sunny Singh, a healthcare entrepreneur and philanthropist.
On September 6, 2023, the Roundglass India Center was launched during the highly anticipated Seattle-Setu Conference. The conference aimed to showcase Seattle’s pivotal role in building economic and political bridges with India and brought together legal experts, business executives, philanthropists, and social entrepreneurs to explore the benefits Indian companies bring to Washington state’s economy.
Today, the Center is organized around four main pillars of programming: events, student scholarships, faculty research, and the Access to Justice Project. This report highlights the progress gained in each area:
1. Events: We produced eight major public events, welcoming Indian and Indian American leaders and partnered with 13 organizations to educate our communities on current issues.
2. Student Scholarships: We provide scholarships for brilliant students from India, with the first full tuition recipient, Ashok Kumar, now interning at the Roundglass Foundation after earning an LLM in Technology and Innovation in May 2024.
3. Faculty Research: The Center launched the Raman Family Faculty Grant program, funding cutting edge research on India and Indian Americans.
4. Access to Justice Project: In partnership with Jindal Global University, the Center is conducting research to develop practical solutions that advance access to justice for women in Punjab.
In June, we became an award-winning center, recognized by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion for our innovative approach to building an inclusive campus culture.
The milestones of the past year are just the beginning; we have much to look forward to, including a whole new lineup of programming in fall 2024. Join us and discover how you can contribute to making positive change in the Indian American community and in India. An exciting future lies ahead.
ABOUT
Background
The Roundglass India Center, based at Seattle University, was founded by Professor Sital Kalantry. Prior to joining Seattle University, she was a law professor for 15 years at Cornell Law School. Frustrated by the lack of focus on India at American law schools, she founded the India Center for Law & Justice at Cornell Law School to draw attention to the comparative study of law and policy in India.
When she moved to Seattle University, she envisioned creating an interdisciplinary university center that builds bridges between diaspora communities and organizations in Seattle and India. This vision became a reality in September 2023 through the generous gift of the Roundglass Foundation, founded by Sunny Singh, a healthcare entrepreneur and philanthropist, whose work is transforming the lives of millions of people in India.
Numerous professors at Seattle University across various colleges, including schools of liberal arts, business, and engineering, conduct impact-oriented research on India that promotes development in India and the United States. Along with these faculty affiliate professors, the Center is run by a small but determined team of staff.
Mission
The Roundglass India Center at Seattle University focuses on the study of contemporary India as well as the Indian American community.
Our mission is to educate our communities on current issues impacting them and conduct cutting edge research on India and Indian Americans with the goal of advancing positive social, economic, and policy change in the United States and India.
Team
Sital Kalantry Founder and Director
Shannon Young Manager
Stefani Sanchez
Design and Media Production Coordinator
EVENTS
Our events bring together luminaries from diverse fields to advance conversations about contemporary India and Indian Americans. We host prominent speakers on interdisciplinary topics, including academic scholars, business leaders, government officials, and social change-makers.
From conferences, public lectures, classroom visits, to networking receptions, our goal is to educate our communities on current issues impacting them. We strive to keep events free and open to the public, so our impact stretches beyond our campus into the greater Seattle community. By partnering with external organizations to expand our networks and inviting the greater public to our free events, we are working to advance social, economic, and policy change in the United States and India.
Event Registrations and Partnerships 2023-2024
1,372 REGISTRATIONS
including staff, faculty, students, alumni, and community members
8 CENTER PRODUCED EVENTS
Seattle-Setu Conference
September 6, 2023
The Seattle-Setu Conference showcased Seattle’s pivotal role in building social, economic, and political bridges with India and marked the launch of the Roundglass India Center. The word setu is derived from Sanskrit, meaning bridge. The conference highlighted the importance of the strategic partnership and opportunities between the US and India. This timely conference reflected the growth of the Indian population within the greater Seattle area. With over 70,000 individuals of Indian descent living on the Eastside, the expansion of major Seattle-based companies such as Amazon, Boeing, and Microsoft has attracted international talent to their workforce.
Multiple conversations during panels emphasized the opportunities for both India and Seattle to benefit from the expansion of companies, technologies, and industries. Panel discussions focused on the benefits that Indian companies bring to Washington state’s economy, investments flowing from the state to India, and opportunities for Seattle to engage with India.
With over 300 registrations for audience members, three separate panels on business, law, and philanthropy featured leaders from greater Seattle, Washington DC, and India. Press coverage included Seattle Times, Northwest Asian Weekly, and a total of 46 Indian media outlets.
The Roundglass India Center offers deep gratitude to our co-sponsors and partners:
• Asia Society
• Elliot Bay Book Company
• Greater Seattle Partners
• Indian American Community Services (IACS)
• K&L Gates
• Middle Eastern/South Asian Law Student Association (MESALA), Seattle University
• Mala and Suri Raman
• Roundglass Foundation
• Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
• Seattle Times
• Seattle University Center for Environmental Justice and Sustainability
• Seattle University School of Law
• South Asian Bar Association of Washington
• Pallavi Mehta Wahi and Ashish Wahi
• World Affairs Council
Co-Sponsors: Roundglass Foundation, Seattle Times, Greater Seattle Partners, K&L Gates, South Asian Bar Association of Washington, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Indian American Community Services, Mala and Suri Raman, Pallavi Mehta Wahi and Ashish Wahi
Panels:
Global Collaborations: Embracing Opportunities and Overcoming Challenges
Navigating the Legal Landscape: Empowering Businesses for Transnational Success
Empowering Change: Impact on Social & Economic Development in India
Attendance: 334 total
Speakers:
Avik Bhattacharya
Director, Global Strategy and Market Development, Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Pratibha Jain
General Counsel and Head of Strategy, Everstone Group
Sital Kalantry
Professor of Law and Associate Dean and Director of the Roundglass India Center, Seattle University
Samir Kumar
Vice President, International Consumer, Amazon
Arun Lakhani
Chairman & Managing Director, Vishvaraj Group
Pallavi Mehta Wahi
Co-U.S. and Seattle Managing Partner, K&L Gates
Prakriti Poddar
Global Head, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Roundglass Foundation
Raj Shah Founder, Shah Safari
Pallavi Shroff
Managing Partner, National Practice Head, Dispute Resolution, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co.
Anand Swaminathan
Executive Vice President and Global Industry leader, Infosys Communications, Media and Technology
Anurag Varma
Senior VP, Head of Public Affairs, Adani North America
Ankur Vora
Chief Strategy Officer, Gates Foundation
Dilip Wagle
Senior Partner Emeritus, McKinsey & Company; Social Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
“India at 75” with Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Prof. Raj Kumar
October 20, 2023
The Center collaborated with the School of Law to explore how the Supreme Court of the largest democracy in the world — India — has progressed since its founding 75 years ago. Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, a member of the Parliament of India and a senior advocate at the Supreme Court of India who has argued many of its most consequential cases, led the conversation. Additional perspectives were offered by Professor C. Raj Kumar, founding Vice Chancellor of Jindal Global University, Director Sital Kalantry, whose new co-authored book, Court on Trial, presents data-driven suggestions for improving the effectiveness and integrity of the court, and Dean Tony Varona.
Co-Sponsor: Seattle University School of Law
Welcome Reception for New Indian Consulate
December 7, 2023
“In partnership with the Roundglass Foundation, Seattle University is uniquely positioned to build on the existing connections between Seattle and India among the business, academic and other communities. With our faculty’s expertise and scholarship, diverse student body, location in a global city and Roundglass Foundation’s commitment to education, economic development, sustainable living and wellness, we will strengthen our relationships with Indian business, government and academic leaders, as well as enhance study of India in the United States.”
Eduardo Peñalver
President, Seattle University
To mark the arrival of the new Indian consulate to Seattle seven years after it was first announced, the Center hosted a high profile welcome reception. Special guests included Consul General Prakash Gupta and Ms. Neha Prakash, with welcome remarks by Director Sital Kalantry, Consul General Prakash Gupta, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, and Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson. The guests included mayors, public officials, representatives from Port of Seattle and SEATAC airport, real estate developers, business CEOs, and leaders from the greater Seattle Indian diaspora community. The event appeared in local press including NW Asian Weekly and The Indian Eye
An Evening with Author Prachi Gupta in Conversation with Ruchika Tulshyan
February 20, 2024
Described by the Washington Post as “vulnerable and courageous,” Prachi Gupta’s memoir They Called Us Exceptional is widely considered one of the best books of 2023. The coming-of-age memoir explores the convoluted and painful experiences of a second-generation Indian American woman who faces detrimental cultural assumptions and struggles with mental health and family dysfunction. Gupta spoke in conversation with Inclusion on Purpose author Ruchika Tulshyan. The discussion explored how to better support South Asian communities impacted by a Model Minority Myth that hyper-focuses on educational and professional achievement, while downplaying private struggles such as abuse, addiction or mental illness.
Co-Sponsor: Elliot Bay Book Company
Senator Manka Dhingra: Breaking Barriers | Fireside Chat with Students
March 28, 2024
Senator Manka Dhingra shared wisdom from her beginnings as a law student and King County prosecutor to becoming the first Sikh state legislator elected in the nation in 2017 and the current day Deputy Majority Leader of the Washington State Senate. Hosted in conversation with Middle Eastern/South Asian Law Student Association leaders, excerpts from the Sikh Lens film Breaking Barriers for Manka Dhingra was also screened.
Co-Sponsor: Middle Eastern/South Asian Law Student Association (MESALA), Seattle University
Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi and the Movement for Global Compassion: A Fireside Chat
April 5, 2024
Kailash Satyarthi’s four decades of social reform for the oppressed and voiceless has changed the world. His latest endeavor is the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion with a vision to globalize compassion to restore justice, peace, equity and sustainability in the world by working to define, evaluate and enhance Compassion Quotient in individuals, institutions and communities. The resulting conversation was fueled by hope, optimism, and commitment to shaping a more just world.
“Do
Indian Americans Vote Based on Their Politics or Ethnicity?”: A Fireside Chat
April 19, 2024
In a captivating fireside chat, Karthick Ramakrishnan, Professor of Public Policy and Founder and Director of AAPI Data, and Director Sital Kalantry delved into the factors shaping Indian American political beliefs and voting patterns.
Co-Sponsor: Indian American Community Services
Harvesting Opportunities: Cultivating US-India Collaboration in Agriculture and Food
May 1, 2024
This timely panel featured experts in higher education, food sciences, agricultural development, and food security as they explored the growing opportunities for collaboration between India and the US.
Co-Sponsor: Seattle University Center for Environmental Justice and Sustainability
SCHOLARSHIPS
Background
The Center’s scholarship program offers a transformative opportunity to pursue a world class education at Seattle University. Deserving students from India, particularly from less-privileged backgrounds, can apply for a full tuition scholarship to master programs including Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Business Administration (MBA), or Master of Science (MS). These scholarships remove financial barriers for students from less affluent backgrounds who show promise of becoming the next generation of pioneering change-makers. Scholarship recipients benefit from life-changing opportunities to move forward in their careers and in service to their communities. The presence of these students at Seattle University deepens our engagement with India, its peoples, and contributions to intellectual life across the disciplines.
Profile
The Satya & Rao Remala Foundation, founded by early pioneers of Seattle’s tech sector, works to break generational cycles of poverty by supporting educational opportunities and access to healthcare in India, Washington state, and beyond. The Foundation generously awarded a full tuition scholarship to Ashok Kumar to pursue his LLM degree.
Originally from Haliwav, India, Kumar attended law school with support and mentorship from IDIA, an organization that empowers underprivileged and marginalized communities by creating top quality lawyers from within India. He chose Seattle University’s LLM program for its specialization in Technology and Innovation Law. Students in the program examine the interplay between technological innovation, complex legal doctrines and regulatory approaches, business and market models, and the various actors whose interests, perspectives, and goals affect the technology law landscape.
Graduating in May 2024, Kumar is now employed as a legal intern at the Roundglass Foundation.
FACULTY
Seattle University faculty members conduct research on India and Indian Americans across numerous disciplines, including Albers School of Business & Economics, College of Arts & Sciences, College of Science & Engineering, and the School of Law.
Faculty affiliated with the Center range from established academic leaders to early career scholars developing emerging work. Our faculty have received numerous awards and recognition for their work.
Learn more about current projects our faculty members are working on in the following section.
Faculty Affiliates
Ajay Abraham, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Marketing
Shiny Abraham, PhD
Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Vinod Acharya, PhD
Associate Director, Honors; Teaching Professor, Philosophy
Tapoja Chaudhuri, PhD
Assistant Teaching Professor, Anthropology and Sociology
Niranjan ‘Chips’ Chipalkatti, PhD, ACA Professor and Chair, Department of Accounting
Serena Chopra, PhD, MFA Assistant Professor, English/Creative Writing
Rashmi Chordiya, PhD Assistant Professor, Public Administration
Vinay Datar, PhD Professor, Department of Finance
Mathew Isaac, PhD
Professor, Department of Accounting; Chair, Department of Marketing; Thomas F. Gleed Chair of Business Administration, 2022-2025
Nalini Iyer, PhD Professor, English
Sonora Jha, PhD Professor, Communication and Media
Sital Kalantry, JD
Associate Dean of International Programs, Professor of Law, and Director Roundglass India Center
Tayyab Mahmud, JD
Director, Center for Global Justice; Professor of Law and African and African American Studies
Russell Powell, JD Director, SJD Program; Professor of Law
Meenakshi Rishi, PhD
Professor, Department of Economics; Howard J. Bosanko Professor of International Economics and Finance, 2023-2026
Amit Shukla, PhD
Dean and Howard S. Wright Chair and Professor of Mechanical Engineering
The Raman Family Research Grants
The heart of the Center’s faculty research is the Raman Family Faculty Research Grants. Named in honor of a generous gift from Mala and Suri Raman, the program advances scholarship on contemporary India and/or the Indian Diaspora in all academic disciplines. The funds are designed to support seasoned scholars of South Asian Studies while encouraging new faculty to expand their research into topics relevant to India. This work fosters a deeper understanding of the contributions of India and the diaspora to the global stage.
2023-2024 Raman Family Faculty Grant Recipients
Dr. Tapoja Chaudhuri
Department of Anthropology and Sociology
Climate Change and Philanthropy: A focus on the Indian diaspora in the PNW
Dr. Rebecca Cobb
Couples and Family Therapy Program
Moksha Patam: Adaptation of an Ancient Indian Game for Culturally Relevant Teletherapy Intervention
Dr. Sonora Jha
Department of Communication and Media
Intersections of Caste, Disability, and the Female Body in India
Dr. Rashmi Chordiya
Department of Public Affairs and Nonprofit Leadership
Liberatory Public Service in Action: Case Studies from the United States and India
Dr. Mathew Isaac
Department of Marketing
Cherished Numbers: Do Preferred or Auspicious
Numerical Values Influence Marketplace Judgments in the U.S. and India?
Dr. Meenakshi Rishi
Department of Economics
Global Finance Conclave at Jindal Global University
ACCESS TO JUSTICE PROJECT
Despite constitutional guarantees, Indian women from marginalized backgrounds continue to face significant barriers in accessing justice due to factors such as violence, economic inequality, and limited access to legal resources. Our Access to Justice project—led in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team from Jindal Global University’s Centre for Justice, Law & Society—aims to address these challenges in the Mohali district of Punjab.
Design
• The early phases of the study focused on identifying obstacles to justice through consultations with local academics and activists working on gender issues in Punjab. These discussions highlighted the need for a research design that captures a holistic understanding of women’s perceptions and experiences.
• In April 2024, a pilot study involved interviews with women from diverse socio-economic backgrounds in Mohali, Mansa, and Bhatinda. Primary themes emerged, including workplace culture, land rights, caste, substance abuse, domestic violence, and the need for informal women-majority spaces to share experiences.
• The remaining project phases include field research, which will culminate in a report and paper publication anticipated in January 2025.
Impact
The project is unique in its focus on women and the intersectional identities that shape their lived experiences, including religion, caste, class, sexuality, and ethnicity. It ambitiously aims to “map out” participants’ experiences by neighborhood, community, and geographic location to identify both similarities and differences.
Beyond identifying obstacles to women’s access to justice, the project seeks to develop practical, actionable solutions for meaningful change.
AWARDS & MEDIA Awards
On June 5, Seattle University’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion honored the Roundglass India Center with the Inclusive Excellence Innovation Award. This prestigious award recognizes a team that has demonstrated exceptional innovation and creativity in advancing inclusive excellence.
Vice President Natasha Martin praised the Roundglass India Center, stating, “It is one of the most exciting and enriching academic initiatives on campus. The Center has fostered significant scholarly engagement and developed educational programs that bridge the university with a global community, particularly across the Indian diaspora.”
Op-Eds
• July 22, 2024: Kamala Harris and the future of Indian Americans in politics - Seattle Times
• March 4, 2024: Why the Wait for a Green Card is Endless - Times of India
• December 22, 2023: Outdated Green Card Laws Hurt Workers from India - Seattle Times
• September 6, 2023: Why the U.S. Should Embrace India - Seattle Times
Media Mentions In
• Asia Pacific News Today
• Bar and Bench
• Crosscut Weekly
• Geekwire
• India West Journal
• Indiaspora Newsletter
• New India Abroad
• Northwest Asian Weekly
• Seattle Times
• The Indian Eye
• Times of India
Outdated Green Card Laws Hurt Workers from India
Why the U.S. Should Embrace India
Kamala Harris and the future of Indian Americans in politics
Why the Wait for a Green Card is Endless
A LOOK AHEAD
As we approach our second year of growth, the Center has ambitious plans to sustain the remarkable momentum of our launch year. The need and demand for India-focused programs in the greater Seattle area has never been stronger. Roundglass India Center is honored to bridge connections between Seattle University, the greater public, local businesses and nonprofits, and Indian organizations. As such, we will add a new pillar of original programming in the form of a podcast that shares the incredible stories of Indian American luminaries. Working with the Indian Consulate in Seattle, we will host a community-wide Indian Culture Festival to promote intercultural exchange and learning in Seattle. And we will continue to host cutting edge conversations and research with the goal of advancing positive social, economic, and policy change in the United States and India.
Desi Roots & Routes Podcast
On September 20, 2024, the Center will launch a compelling new podcast produced by award-winning agency Lower Street. Uncover the incredible stories of trailblazing Indian Americans, exploring their roots in India and the routes they took to become inspiring leaders in various fields across the United States. Starting in Seattle and traveling to new cities each season, join host Sital Kalantry as she delves into the personal and professional journeys of our guests, revealing how they navigate intersectional identities, overcome cultural barriers, and contribute to cultural preservation and community building.
Season one focuses on the Emerald City of Seattle and features guests such as Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Rita Meher, Sunny Singh, Krishna Thiagarajan, Ankur Vora, and Pallavi Mehta Wahi with expert commentary provided by Professor Nalini Iyer.
India Culture Festival
Seattle University is the first university to launch an India Culture Festival in partnership with the Indian Consulate of Seattle. Co-sponsored by the Indian Consulate, Office of Global Engagement, and Roundglass India Center, the festival will highlight widely celebrated aspects of Indian culture such as food, dance, film, scholarship, and tech innovation and bring in talented speakers and performers to campus.
This educational and celebratory event is free and highlights Seattle University’s dedication to intercultural exchange and empowering future leaders for a just and humane world. The Indian Consulate hopes to inspire similar festivals at universities throughout the United States.
Get Connected
seattleu.edu/roundglass-india-center roundglass@seattleu.edu @roundglassindiacenter
