New Delhi: US President Donald Trump’s order to shut down diversity programs cost Indian-origin Neela Rajendra her job. Neela, who was working as the head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), was fired. NASA tried to save her job, but it failed in front of the tough stance of the Trump administration. This incident raises serious questions on diversity policies at NASA.

To save Neela Rajendra during the layoff of 900 employees last year, NASA changed her designation to ‘Head of Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success’. However, her responsibilities remained related to DEI. JPL director Laurie Leshin told employees in an email, “Neela is no longer with us. We are grateful for her contribution.” Trump believes that diversity programs “create divisions on the basis of race and gender and are a waste of taxpayers’ money.”
Neela played an important role in increasing the participation of women and minorities in NASA through campaigns like ‘Space Workforce 2030’. Her dismissal has disappointed the Indian-American community. Analysts say that this move could affect NASA’s inclusive image. Trump’s decision has further heated up the debate on diversity policies in America.