Three Indian-origin youths have been named finalists for the prestigious White House Fellows Program that offers first-hand experience for working at the highest levels of the U.S. federal government, writes Lalit K. Jha.


The national finalists, selected through a highly competitive selection process, will be evaluated by the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships in Washington from June 11-14, according to a statement.

Luxme Hariharan, Payal Patel and Anil Yallapragada have been shortlisted for the White House Fellows Program, founded in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, that offers first-hand experience on working at the highest levels of the federal government.

Luxme Hariharan is a pediatric cataract, glaucoma, cornea and international health fellow, at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, University of Southern California Eye Institute.

Payal Patel is infectious diseases fellow, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, in Houston.

Anil Yallapragada is medical director, South Carolina Stroke Institute, Grand Strand Medical Center.