Meet man, brother-in-law of a Bollywood actress, who reportedly got Rs 65000000 from USAID for…., the actress is…

During a USAID funding hearing on Wednesday, the issue was highlighted by the US House Oversight Committee. Representative Nancy Mace shared a viral video questioning whether such foreign aid aligns with American interests.

A US lawmaker has raised concerns about a USD 750,000 (Rs. 6.56 crore) grant given by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to an NGO linked to Anant Ahuja, the brother-in-law of Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor. The grant, meant to support a project addressing loneliness among migrant workers in India, has come under scrutiny amid growing debates over how USAID funds are being used.

During a USAID funding hearing on Wednesday, the issue was highlighted by the US House Oversight Committee. Representative Nancy Mace shared a viral video questioning whether such foreign aid aligns with American interests. The video, captioned “USAID is too busy playing global good Samaritan to advance American interests,” has fueled the controversy.

The grant, awarded in 2020, was given to the Good Business Lab (GBL), an organization co-founded by Anant Ahuja. He also serves as its CEO. GBL is a non-profit that focuses on improving worker well-being through research-driven initiatives that benefit both employees and businesses.

Who is Anant Ahuja?

Anant Ahuja is the CEO and co-founder of Good Business Lab (GBL), a non-profit organization that works to improve the well-being of workers by using research-based solutions that benefit both employees and businesses. He also heads the Organizational Development team at Shahi Exports, India’s largest apparel exporter, a company started by his grandmother.

Anant studied Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania. He strongly believes that businesses can play a key role in development and sustainability, which inspired him to create GBL. The organization focuses on finding ways to balance between worker wellbeing and business interests.

Outside of his professional life, Anant is passionate about music. He is a producer, DJ, and a member of the music group MadStarBase.

What was the fund intended for?

The USAID grant was aimed at helping migrant garment workers in India, particularly young female workers struggling with social isolation and mental health challenges. According to USAID’s official page, the funds were used for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 1,000 junior female factory workers across six factories.

However, the funding has now come under intense scrutiny, especially amid political tensions over how USAID allocates its budget. Reports indicate that officials from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) attempted to block the agency’s fund transfers, sparking concerns about political interference. There are also allegations that Congress-approved funds were being withheld for political reasons