This article from Scroll.in explores how Indian immigrants in U.S. tech companies navigate the “corporate speak” of Silicon Valley, highlighting cultural, linguistic and generational dynamics in diaspora work life.
Punjabi Radio USA (KLOK 1170 AM / 99.3 FM) is a commercial AM radio station in San Jose, California, serving the San Francisco Bay Area and dedicated to Punjabi-language talk shows and music programming for the Punjabi diaspora. The station broadcasts 24/7 and is part of a larger network covering multiple California markets. Its mission centers on connecting listeners with Punjabi culture, news, devotional content, and community discourse. Launched under the Punjabi Radio USA brand in 2010, the station has become a vital media platform for Punjabi Americans.
Rubab. The "rubab رُباب" is a short-necked lute with sympathetic strings heavily popular in the Pashtun music of Afghanistan. It is also used in Persian classical and folk music.
Serving the Bay Area’s Punjabi and broader South Asian community, Radio Punjab AM 1310 (KMKY) broadcasts in Punjabi, Hindi, and English from Oakland, California. Owned by Charanjit Batth through Radio Punjab AM 1310 Inc., the station offers a dynamic mix of news, devotional programming, talk shows, and music that connects Punjabi-American listeners across Northern California.
The 1310 kHz frequency carries a deep history. Dating back to its 1920s origins under the early call letters KLS, it has evolved through formats and ownership to become one of the region’s longest-running radio signals. Since its transition to a South Asian format, Radio Punjab has become a cultural mainstay, linking farmers in the Central Valley, families in the East Bay, and entrepreneurs across the Bay Area.
Even as AM broadcasting faces challenges, Radio Punjab continues to reflect the vitality of community radio—preserving language, faith, and connection for the diaspora.
Launched in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2011, Radio Zindagi (KZDG 1550 AM) is the first 24/7 South Asian radio station in the United States. Owned by Factorial Media, it operates as part of a national network with sister stations in New York/New Jersey and Washington, D.C. The station’s name, Zindagi (“life” in Hindi), reflects its mission to connect and celebrate the cultures and stories of the South Asian diaspora. Programming blends Bollywood music, talk shows, news, and community storytelling in Hindi, English, Punjabi, Tamil, Bengali, and other languages. Through interviews, local coverage, and public-interest segments, Radio Zindagi has become a vital cultural hub linking South Asian identity, media, and community life in the Bay Area.
Raj Mathai — A Trusted Voice in Bay Area Journalism
Raj Mathai is a veteran television journalist and news anchor at NBC Bay Area (KNTV), where he has become one of the region’s most trusted and recognizable broadcast figures. Born in Trivandrum, India, and raised in the Bay Area, Mathai has spent over two decades covering the stories that shape Northern California—from breaking news and major civic events to technology and culture.
Before becoming a news anchor, Mathai made history as one of the first Indian-American sportscasters in the United States, serving as NBC Bay Area’s sports director and anchoring coverage of multiple Super Bowls, Olympics, and major Bay Area sports milestones. His career reflects both journalistic excellence and cultural representation, helping pave the way for greater diversity in mainstream American media.
Beyond the newsroom, Mathai is deeply involved in community engagement and mentorship, supporting initiatives that uplift emerging journalists and promote inclusion in local media. His credibility, empathy, and professionalism have made him a defining voice in Bay Area journalism.
