Brahm Kanchibhotla

Brahmanandam "Brahm" Kanchibhotla (1953 – 6 April 2020) was an Indian-American journalist known for his extensive writings on the development of the Telugu community in the USA.[1] He was a writer for India Abroad, News-India Times, United News of India, and The Indian Panorama, among others.[2]

Brahmanandam Kanchibhotla
Born1953
Edubadu, Andhra Pradesh, India
Died6 April 2020 (age 66)
Nassau County, New York
CitizenshipIndian
OccupationJournalist
SpouseAnjana Kanchibhotla
ChildrenSudama Kanchibhotla
Srujana Kanchibhotla

Life and career

Brahm Kanchibhotla was born in Edubadu village of Parchur Mandal in the Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, India.[3]

In 1992, Kanchibhotla came to the United States working as Business Editor for the News-India Times, handling front-page articles while also reporting on financial news. He later moved to India Weekly USA followed by The Urban Indian, both New York-based publications for the South Asian community. His work as a writer involved work on tiger conservation, restaurant workers, small businesses, and environmentalists' reactions to the early 2000s Bush budget.

Kanchibhotla is most-known in the South Asian community for when he was Senior Correspondent at the United News of India (UNI) news wire. In his half-decade stay there, he wrote about New York City's economy and its ethnic communities as well as international news focusing on the United Nations.

Death and legacy

On 28 March 2020, Brahm Kanchibhotla was admitted to the hospital after having shown COVID-19 symptoms for the past 5 days. He died from COVID-19 complications 9 days later on 6 April. He was 66 years old.[4][5]

As Kanchibhotla was also the first Indian journalist to die from the virus, his death sent ripples through the Indian and journalism communities. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi,[6] Vice-President of India Venkaiah Naidu,[7] Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu,[8] and Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy[9] all gave their condolences. US President Donald Trump also gave remarks to the journalist's death.[10]

When speaking on Kanchibhotla's legacy, Prime Minister Modi commended the journalist for his "fine work and efforts to bring India and USA closer."[11]

Kanchibhotla is survived by his wife Anjana and children, Sudama and Srujana.

In December 2020, the Brahm Kanchibhotla Scholarship was begun at Kanchibhotla's alma mater of Baruch College.[12]

References
  1. ["AP ] CM condoles Indian-American journalists demise in NYC". outlookindia.com. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  2. "You will be missed, Brahm Kanchibhotla". 10 April 2020.
  3. "Brahmanandam Kuchibhotla from Prakasam district dies of coronavirus in USA." ap7am.com.
  4. "Indian-Americans mourn death of veteran journalist due to coronavirus". The Hindu. 8 April 2020.
  5. "Indian-American journo Brahm Kanchibotla dies of COVID-19 in New York". WION.
  6. Modi, Narendra (7 April 2020). "Deeply anguished by the passing away of Indian-American journalist Mr. Brahm Kanchibotla. He will be remembered for his fine work and efforts to bring India and USA closer. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti".
  7. India, Vice President of (8 April 2020). "Deeply saddened to learn about the demise of Indian-American journalist, Mr Brahm Kanchibotla in New York. My condolences to the bereaved family members. May his soul rest in peace!".
  8. "Indian-Americans mourn death of veteran journalist". outlookindia.com.
  9. "AP CM condoles Indian-American journalist's demise in NYC". daijiworld.com.
  10. "Brahm Kanchibotla brought US and Southeast Asia closer: B'desh Information Min".
  11. "Coronavirus update: Deeply anguished, says PM Modi after Indian American journalist dies of Covid-19 in New York". Hindustan Times. 8 April 2020.
  12. Baruch College Fund. 10 December 2020 https://www.givecampus.com/schools/BaruchCollegeCUNY/brahm-kanchibhotla-scholarship. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
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