Mumbai, Feb 10 : A $750,000 grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to an NGO linked to Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor’s brother-in-law, Anant Ahuja, has come under political scrutiny. A Republican representative has questioned the funding, which was allocated for a project addressing loneliness among migrant workers in India.
During a USAID funding review by the U.S. House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, Representative Nancy Mace highlighted concerns over the grant, sparking debate with a viral video. The video, captioned “USAID is too busy playing global good Samaritan to advance American interests,” questions whether such foreign aid aligns with U.S. priorities.
Grant Details and Purpose
Awarded in 2020, the grant was provided to Good Business Lab (GBL), an NGO co-founded by Anant Ahuja, who is also the brother of Kapoor’s husband, Anand Ahuja. GBL is a not-for-profit labor innovation organization that focuses on improving worker well-being through research-based initiatives.
The USAID funding aimed to support migrant garment workers in India, particularly young female workers facing social isolation and mental health challenges. The project involved a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 1,000 female factory workers across six factories. The workers were paired with senior colleagues for mentorship and emotional support, helping them navigate the psychological difficulties of migration.
Potential Impact on Industry
USAID officials noted that if successful, the model could be expanded to benefit 150,000 workers at Shahi Exports, India’s largest garment exporter, and potentially influence broader mental health initiatives in the industry. Notably, Shahi Exports is owned by Harish Ahuja, Sonam Kapoor’s father-in-law.
Political Controversy and Allegations
The funding has become a focal point amid ongoing political debates about USAID’s spending. Reports suggest that officials from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) attempted to halt fund transfers, raising concerns about political interference. Allegations have also surfaced that Congress-appropriated funds were being withheld to serve political interests.
USAID Under Fire
USAID has been at the center of a broader controversy after the Trump administration proposed shutting it down as an independent agency and merging it with the U.S. State Department. Critics, including Trump and Musk, have accused the agency of wasteful spending.
The White House has cited examples of controversial USAID expenditures, including:
– $70,000 for a DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) musical in Ireland
– $7,000 for a transgender opera in Colombia
– $32,000 for a transgender comic book in Peru
With growing scrutiny over international aid, the USAID grant to GBL is now under the spotlight, adding to the larger debate on U.S. foreign aid spending.
