NASA sacks Indian-origin DEI chief Neela Rajendra after US President Trump’s executive order

In United States, NASA’s jet propulsion laboratory has sacked Neela Rajendra, the Indian-origin head of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) unit, from her position. The dismissal came in compliance with US President Donald Trump’s sweeping executive order aimed at dismantling DEI initiatives across all federal agencies. President Trump’s executive order argues that DEI initiatives promote division, misuse public funds, and have contributed to discriminatory practices. In an attempt to save her from being fired, NASA had reportedly changed her designation to ‘Head of Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success’ shortly after President Trump’s executive order. However, attempts to protect her ultimately failed.