US Calling: Kashmiri woman runs for US House of Representatives, ex-Miss India leading Netflix in power list

Krystle’s not just about talk, though. She’s got the credentials. Her impressive resume includes expertise in foreign policy and national security, and she’s fluent in eight languages: Hindi, Punjabi, Dari, Urdu, and Arabic, among others. Kaul’s robust stance on counter-terrorism stems from her national security background, showing that she’s not only prepared but also dedicated to understanding the complexities of governance on both national and international levels. “I had a desire to eventually run for Congress. But obviously, it’s a path. It’s a journey to get there. So I first devoted my studies, my first three degrees, to understanding diplomacy, negotiation, political science, and all the theory that you need to understand” She’s leveraging her background, which spans the Pentagon, think tanks, and the defense industry, to advocate for these causes. Her district, with its significant population of Indian Americans and South Asians, is a strategic choice for her candidacy. With her campaign Kaul is on a mission to make significant changes. Her campaign is built on three solid blocks: education, healthcare, and public safety. She’s all about making them accessible and affordable, especially for the little guys running small businesses. And with a district full of Indian Americans and South Asians, she’s in a sweet spot to really connect.

Indian American Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix is one of the ‘World’s 100 Most Powerful Women’ of 2023

When compiling lists, Editors have famously said what they look for is people, whose ideas, example, talent, and discoveries transform the world we live in. Influence is clearly about the soft power of ideas and example. Indian American Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix is one of the “Forbes World’s 100 Most Powerful Women of 2023’, a list that “spotlights a dynamic array of leaders ……..marking significant strides in women’s global impact.” Forbes says that this year’s list, “while highlighting women’s advancements, poses critical questions about the state of their power.”

From humble beginnings Bela’s made it big-time! At just four years old, her family lands in the US, running car washes where Bela and her sister worked and now she’s jet-setting in style, zipping around to Netflix’s 26 global offices. Yet, she’s all about keeping it real, brimming with pride for her roots and her mom continues to cook for hundreds every week at the local temple. Bela’s journey from Miss India Universe 1991 to a TV maven is nothing short of awe-inspiring. She’s earned her chops at CBS and NBC Universal over two decades. She joined Netflix in 2016 and spearheaded its entry into reality TV. In 2019 she oversaw non-English programming and was promoted as Global head of television in 2020 with oversight of all TV programming in the USA and abroad. And hey, if you’ve been hooked on Squid Game, Bridgerton, or Stranger Things, you’ve got Bela to thank for bringing the heat to our screens. She’s got this mantra, “Great storytelling can come from anywhere and be loved everywhere,” and she lives by it, making sure Netflix serves up stories that resonate globally. Bela believes “Success is about recognising that people like having more”. Plus, she’s got a cool partnership with her hubby, writer-producer Doug Prochillo, and together they’re parents to three children.

(The author is a former IRS officer presently in the US. https://twitter.com/punamsidhu)