31 July-NIA-Epaper

A platform for the voice of next generation Indian Diaspora Year 1, Volume 41 Washington DC, Monday 31 July, 2023 *New India Abroad is a Registered trademark and not affiliated with the newspaper named India Abroad marketed in the US from 1972 to 2021. Hirsh Vardhan Singh enters U.S. presidential race ...Page 3 FIIDS urges Biden to make priority dates current for green cards ...Page 4 HWN inaugurates new chapter in Illinois Snacks that make you feel like you're at home! Order now - www.rajbhog.com ...Page 13 “Violence against women has been swept under the rug, not only in India but around the world.” - Veteran women’s rights activist Viji Sundaram. Bay Area groups express solidarity with women of Manipur SUNITA SOHRABJI F REMONT, California — A group of women gathered at the Unity Sculpture at Fremont’s Lake Elizabeth on July 27 to express solidarity with the women of Manipur, whose vulnerabilities to violence without recourse were exposed after a heinous attack in the state in May. A similar demonstration was held in Oakland, California on July 23. Members of the North American Manipuri Tribal Association called for members of Congress to weigh in on the months-long crisis between warring groups of tribals, the Meiteis and the Kukis. “When I heard that tribal women had been kidnapped, attacked, and raped, I was shocked, but not surprised. Violence against women has been swept under the rug, not only in India but around the world,” said longtime women’s rights activist Viji Sundaram, who spearheaded the Fremont demonstration. Three San Francisco Bay Area anti-domestic violence organizations collaborated to stage the July 27 event, including: Maitri, Narika, and Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments. The organization Indian Business and Professional Women, founded by Deepka Lalwani, also participated and got several local politicians on board for the protest. Organizers said the demonstration aimed to be apolitical, and non-partisan. “Women all over the world are violated, but lack avenues for recourse,” said Geetha Krishnamurthy, president of Maitri’s board of directors. “People need to stop using women’s bodies as political battlefields. Our bodies are not your battlegrounds. You cannot violate a woman to punish someone else,” she emphasized. “Violence against women in India and around the world has been nonstop. This incident was exposed, but of course there are thousands more where women have had to live with the brutality and shame in silence,” said Shailaja Dixit, executive director of Narika. She called for a moment of silence in which participants at the demonstration could process their grief. Dixit, who grew up in New Delhi, said that sexual assault was commonplace for Indian women, who face groping on public transportation, also known as eve teasing. “We must think about how to create a society more equitable for the women of Manipur, and women around the world,” she added. Fremont city councilman Raj Salwan did not attend the event in person due to scheduling conflicts, but sent a message of solidarity, which was read out by Lalwani. “The women of Manipur, like women everywhere, deserve to live in a society that respects their dignity, protects their rights, and upholds their fundamental freedoms. Yet, they were subjected to an appalling display of violence and humiliation.” “It is a stark reminder that despite the progress we have made as a society, there is still much work to be done. We must ensure that the survivors of this horrific incident receive justice and support,” said Salwan, the former vice mayor of Fremont. On May 4, two tribal women in Manipur were paraded naked through their village as a mob of hundreds of men looked on, cheered, and filmed the attack. Both women were sexually assaulted; the younger woman was gang-raped. A graphic video of the attack was released on July 19 sending shockwaves in India and the diaspora. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke a day later, calling the atrocity shameful. “What has happened to the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven. The guilty will not be spared,” he said. The National Commission on Women chief Rekha Sharma met with the victims July 26. Seven arrests, including one juvenile have been made in the case at the time of writing. Several women’s organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area staged an apolitical, non-partisan demonstration July 27 to draw attention to the atrocities against two tribal women in Manipur. Sunita Sohrabji photo

2 New India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 Indian Star LLC Published Weekly Copyright © 2023 Indian Star LLC Editor in Chief Dr. Sridhar Krishnaswami [email protected] Chief Executive Officer Rajeev Bhambri [email protected] Editor (Hindi) Dr. Rameshwar Dayal [email protected] Registered Address Indian Star LLC, 6215 Rockhurst Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817 USA Email [email protected] Ph. 908-472-0006 Website www.NewIndiaAbroad.Com Disclaimers: 1. New India Abroad is a Registered trademark and not affiliated with the newspaper named India Abroad marketed in the US from 1972 to 2021. 2. Indian Star LLC assumes no liability for claims / assumptions made in advertisements and advertorials. Views expressed by the writers are their own. A publication of Advisory Board Albert Jasani Entrepreneur and Philanthropist Dr Suresh Kumar President TIE-NJ Media Partner Bollywood Insider John Kerry visits India meets FM, takes part in G20 meet RISHIKA BHARDWAJ The United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate (SPEC) visited India to strengthen bilateral cooperation on climate, economic, and strategic technology goals. During his visit the official met with Indian Ministers and took part in the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Ministers (ECSM) Meeting in Chennai. Kerry held discussions with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during which they discussed the commitment to combating climate change and fostering renewable energy, focusing on joint efforts and collaborations between the two nations. The key areas of discussion centered around climate change mitigation, economic partnerships, and strategic technology initiatives. One of the highlights of the meeting was the proposal for the creation of an innovative investment platform aimed at facilitating the deployment of greenfield Renewable Energy projects in India. The platform is expected to foster a conducive environment for foreign and domestic investments in renewable energy, thereby accelerating India’s transition towards cleaner and greener energy sources. At the G20 meet, the US climate envoy highlighted environmental concerns and the course toward a sustainable future. In his speech, Kerry expressed gratitude to Minister Bhupender Yadav and his team for their leadership of the climate track during India’s tenure as the president of G20. “As President of the G20, India displayed great leadership and patience as the group worked through formulations on each issue.” The agenda at the meeting aimed to secure the G20’s commitment to include all greenhouse gases in the forthcoming round of Nationally Determined Contributions, support the global peaking of emissions by 2025 and formulate a strategy to transition away from unabated fossil fuels, including putting a halt on the construction of new coal-based infrastructure. However, despite the hope for progress, it faced resistance, with little success in achieving consensus. Kerry highlighted the lack of advancement on these crucial matters and noted that the G20 could have taken the lead on climate issues to create a substantial global impact. He urged the participants to look beyond their confines and observe the dire state of the planet. “It’s truly unfortunate that we were not able to move the needle on these key points. I have never seen such an unprecedented disconnect between what is happening in the outside world and what is happening inside our negotiating room,” the envoy said. Image - Twitter/@FinMinIndia US Climate Envoy John Kerry visited India to strengthen cooperation on climate, economic, and technology goals. US EPA Administrator monitors ocean health with Chennai students MADHU BALAJI United States E n v i r o n m e n t a l Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S Regan engaged with high school students in Chennai on July 27, 2023, during his visit to the city for the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Environment and Climate Sustainability. The official monitored water conditions in the Bay of Bengal and took a walk at Elliot’s Beach. Emphasizing that young adults have always been at the forefront of social and environmental movements, Regan said, “I was honoured to join students in Chennai to discuss the impacts of climate change and their efforts to protect our oceans. The US is committed to tackling the climate crisis and ensuring a just transition, working together with our international partners to deliver a healthier planet for all.” Administrator Regan along with students performed an experiment to measure the temperature and salinity of seawater samples, an activity conducted as part of “Ocean Matters,” an ongoing citizen science project organized by the US Consulate General Chennai in partnership with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to build the capacity of students to measure and monitor ocean health parameters. Jennifer Bullock, Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate General Chennai, said, “Safeguarding the oceans and coasts helps build resilience to mitigate climate risks such as overflooding, cyclonic surges, and intrusion of seawater into the land. Protecting the climateocean cycles also helps predictable monsoons and in turn, impacts food security, sustainable water management, and health. The ‘Ocean Matters’ project helps build the capacity of youth to predict ocean risks, act, and build resilience.” During the walk along the beach, Regan discussed challenges that coastal and island communities face, including ocean warming, rising sea levels, ocean acidification, loss of fish stocks, and harm to marine species. US EPA Administrator Michael S Regan engaged in ocean health activity at Elliot’s Beach in Chennai Image: US Embassy & Consulates in India US announces second H-1B lottery round BHAVANA P The United Nations Citizenship and Immigration services (USCIS) has announced a second round of random lottery selection for the highly sought-after H-1B visas for 2024. The surprising announcement comes after the USCIS said that “additional registrations” were required to meet the numerical allocations for the year. “Soon, we will select additional registrations from previously submitted electronic registrations using a random selection process,” USCIS said on July 27. “We will announce once we have completed this second selection process and have notified all prospective petitioners with selected registrations from this round of selection that they are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for the beneficiary named in the applicable selected registration.” As per the rules, only petitioners who have chosen to register for FY 2024 may submit H-1B capsubject petitions. For individuals who had chosen registrations for FY 2024, the initial filing window was from April 1 through June 30, 2023. The USCIS is only permitted to grant a total of 65,000 H-1B visas every year, as required by Congress. It may also grant an additional 20,000 H-1B visas to international students who have obtained advanced degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) at a U.S. university. A non-immigrant visa called the H-1B allows American businesses to hire foreign nationals for specialized jobs that require theoretical or technical skills. Photo by Global Residence Index / Unsplash

New India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 3 Kevin Thomas will be contesting for New York’s 4th District. The MAGA Republican, who has been once described as “Trump on Steroids”, is running to ensure that the American Dream remains alive and well Vivek Ramaswamy qualifies for first GOP primary debate STAFF REPORTER I ndian American Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has qualified to be part of the first GOP primary debate to be held next month in Milwaukee. The Indian American managed to reach the polling thresholds set by the Republican National Committee (RNC) as well as the fundraising requirements for joining the debate, as per information released by his campaign. Ramaswamy’s campaign said he had more than 65,000 unique donors, that is 25,000 donors more than the requirement set by the RNC. They said Ramaswamy had fulfilled the requirement of being polled at a minimum of 1 per cent in three national polls. They cited two Morning Consult polls from July 2023 that placed his support at 8 per cent and a Kaplan Strategies poll from this month that placed him at 12 per cent and a Harvard/Harris poll where he was placed at 10 per cent. Speaking of RNC’s requirements, Ramaswamy said, “I am a first-time candidate who started with very low name ID, no political donors, and no pre-existing fundraising lists. If an outsider can clear the bar, politically experienced candidates should be able to as well: if you can’t hit these metrics by late August, you have absolutely no chance of defeating Joe Biden in the general election.” The 37-year-old also plans to sign the RNC’s debate pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee, his campaign said. The pledge criteria are among the requirements for candidates to participate in the debate in Milwaukee on August 23, 2023. Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Tim Scott, Nikki Haley and Chris Christie have qualified for the debate as well as per their campaigns while former Vice President Mike Pence has yet to qualify. Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign said he had met the polling and donor requirements set by the Republican National Committee to qualify for the debate. Image-Twitter/@VivekGRamaswamy Kevin Thomas announces Congressional run BHAVANA P Kevin Thomas, an IndianAmerican state senator from New York, has declared his intention to run for the 4th Congressional District of New York. Thomas, the first Indian-American in New York history to serve in the State Senate, aims to unseat incumbent Anthony D’Esposito in the 2024 election. “My name is Kevin Thomas and I’m running for Congress to take back #NY04. In 2018, I beat a 40-year Republican incumbent, so I’m no stranger to a challenge. I’m ready to fight for our rights, tackle gun violence, and protect our democracy. Are you with me?” Thomas, who represents New York State Senate’s sixth district, wrote on Twitter. First elected to the State Senate in 2018, Thomas went on to beat longserving Republican Kemp Hannon by a margin of 50-49. He currently serves as the chairman of the Consumer Protection Committee and assistant majority leader in the State Senate. Additionally, he was a member of the New York State Advisory Committee. In a press release announcing his candidature, Thomas stated that he will fight to prevent property tax increases, clean up the water supply, ensure that New York law protects the right to an abortion, prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands, and promote affordable and secure communities. Image - Wikipedia Hirsh Vardhan Singh enters U.S. presidential race YASMIN TINWALA I ndian-American Republican, Hirsh Vardhan Singh announced his intention to enter the U.S. Presidential race in 2024 and sought the GOP nomination for the same. Describing himself as the “only pure-blood candidate for president” Singh made the announcement in a video posted on Twitter. “Today I am here to announce my intention to seek the Republican nomination for President of the United States. My name is Hirsh Singh, a lifelong Republican and an America First, Constitutional Carry, pro-life conservative who helped restore the conservative wing of New Jersey’s Republican party in 2017,” he said introducing himself in the video. A businessman and engineer by profession, Singh grew up in Atlantic County, NJ, and studied engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. In college, he was part of the Young Americans for Liberty, a libertarian, classical liberal, and conservative activism organization. According to his campaign website, Singh’s roots in conservative leadership and the aerospace defense industry have equipped him with the tenacity, innovation, and strategic thinking needed to take on the LeftWing establishment. In the video posted on Twitter, the “MAGA Republican” spoke about once being referred to as “Trump on steroids” and praised the former president as “the greatest president” of his lifetime whom he supported from Day 1. “It is time to move past the outdated politicians of a bygone era. I have the energy and technical knowhow to lead America to the future we deserve. I seek your support as your candidate for the president of the greatest nation in the world,” Singh said in the conclusion of the video. Image-Twitter/@HirshSingh

4 New India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 They expressed concern about the magnitude of migration in the city, which is running out of resources and struggling to serve its people adequately Lawmakers urged the authorities to mark all dates for the filing of employment-based visa applications in the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ published Employment-Based Visa Bulletin as “current.” [email protected] NYC officials seek Biden’s help to address migrant influx STAFF REPORTER A group of 54 elected officials in New York City (NYC) urged President Biden to address the unprecedented migrant influx in the city. In a letter, the city’s public representatives sought to draw the White House’s attention on the mounting migration crises in NYC. The letter drafted by Indian American Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar read, “Our City is experiencing an unprecedented migrant influx, with a surge of asylum seekers arriving here in numbers never seen before in history. Our city is at a breaking point.” While the officials appreciated NYC being a beacon of hope for immigrants, they expressed concern about the magnitude of migration in the city, which is running out of resources and struggling to serve its people adequately. “This is one of the most significant humanitarian crises New York City has ever faced,” the letter highlighted. Seeking help from the country’s highest office the city officials proposed four point measures to the President’s office. They asked Biden to declare a federal state of emergency in the city, expedite work authorization, create an organized strategy at the border to fairly distribute newcomers across the country and provide additional federal funding for NYC. “There needs to be a system of rules in place to manage the migrant crisis.If you help our city run the response and provide the resources, allow the asylum seeking population to work, and implement a decompression strategy at the southern border, this crisis will become manageable for New York City,” their letter further read. Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar. Image - Twitter/Jenifer Rajkumar Senator Nikil Saval joins Google to empower students MEHAK LUTHRA Pennsylvania (PA) Senator Nikil Saval along with Speaker Joanna McClinton and PA Representative Donna Bullock, joined Google to help teach students how to stay safe and secure online at the Xtreme 5 Teen Tech Summit held on July 23. “Today, we saw so many cool things like flying drones and even a robot dog! The world is rapidly changing with all these new things — from the Internet to TikTok and YouTube.” said PA Senator Nikil Saval, “Learning to deal with these changes can be challenging for everyone, including grownups. Google’s presentation on staying safe is important for people of all ages that we all can learn from.” Google’s Online Safety Roadshow was showcased at the third Annual Xtreme5 Teen Tech Summit, organized by Grace3 Technologies and the National Black Empowerment Council. This event aligns with Google’s initiative to equip young individuals with the necessary tools and knowledge for safe exploration of the internet. More than 200 students participated, representing diverse demographic groups that are underrepresented in STEM fields and professions. The Summit, sponsored by Google, is intended to empower the upcoming generation of leaders through practical, real-world experiences with cutting-edge technologies like Drones, robotics, STEM career pathways, and other emerging technologies. It aims to equip students with valuable skills and knowledge for their future endeavours. Image - Harvard Lawmakers appeal to provide relief for high-skilled visa holders VIKAL SAMDARIYA I n a collective effort to address the gaps in the current immigration system and its gripping effects on the country’s economic development, a group of US legislators spearheaded by Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi and Larry Bucshon, sent a bipartisan letter to the Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. In their letter, the lawmakers urged the authorities to mark all dates for the filing of employmentbased visa applications in the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ published Employment-Based Visa Bulletin as “current.” According to the group doing so would provide relief to thousands of individuals attempting to legally navigate the prevailing immigration system. The lawmakers argued that making the dates current could potentially make some applicants eligible for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to change jobs, start businesses, and travel abroad to visit family without penalty. “Without this administrative action, which was also used during the administration of President George W. Bush, individuals are left in a constant state of limbo and, in some cases, are punished for utilizing a pathway of legal immigration by being forced to stay with one company or organization due to their green card status,” their letter read in part. The letter also emphasized the benefit of retaining of highly skilled workers, predominantly advanced degree holders in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for the country’s economic and global progress. “These talented individuals are eager to live and work in the U.S., but the current immigration system is broken, making it nearly impossible for them to stay,” the letter added. Raising concern on Canada’s recent move to facilitate the smooth immigration of skilled professionals,the lawmakers underlined, “Given decades-long backlogs and increased recruitment by Canada of foreign STEM talent, the number of individuals who remain committed to waiting for an employment-based green card is unclear.As a result, we encourage the administration to make all employment-based visas current on the Visa Bulletin on October 1, 2023.” Indian American Congressman Krishnamoorthi said bureaucratic delays in the US legal immigration system are holding back the economy leaving so many families in limbo. “By using its authority under the existing law, the Administration can ease this burden while strengthening the economy and helping to create jobs,” he emphasized. (L to R) Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Rep. Larry Bucshon.

New India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 5 New India Abroad thenewindiaabroad NewIndAbroad New India Abroad Email [email protected] Website www.NewIndiaAbroad.Com For advertising Rajeev Bhambri 908-472-0006 Packages A platform for the voice of next generation Indian Diaspora available include - Full page advert - - Half page advert - - Quarter page advert - - Special mention - Special Edition Call for Adverts! We are excited to announce our special print edition for India’s Independence Day. If you wish to promote your services/ products/ business book your slots now A priority date determines the immigrant’s spot in line to receive a visa or green card. If the priority date is “current,” the foreign national won’t have to wait for a visa or green card. FIIDS urges Biden to make priority dates current for green cards VIKAL SAMDARIYA Amid consistent demands to reduce green card wait time, the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS USA) launched an online petition to seek the Biden administration’s support to make the priority dates for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) adjustments of green card applicants from India, who are facing 195 years waiting times. The foundation cited Congressional Research Service Report - The EmploymentBased Immigration Backlog 2020, to underline the 195-year wait time for eligible Indian immigrants. According to the foundation “The current situation surrounding the seven per cent country cap on employment-based green card allocation is causing severe repercussions, particularly for countries like India, where the backlog has reached an astonishing 195 years.” In its petition, the Indian Diaspora group enumerated the implications of backlogs on the US growth story. The prolonged wait time to get green cards for Indian professionals is causing a brain drain to other countries, stifling growth in emerging American industries, limiting entrepreneurship and startup participation and restricting professional family members’ efficiency to contribute to economic development. Prolonging the delay further exacerbates the issue of documented dreamers, which leads to family separations despite having spent most of their lives in the US, FIIDS highlighted. To address the issue, the organization proposed making the priority dates for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) adjustments current, building on a precedent set during the Bush Administration in 2007.” “This action would allow individuals in the 195-year-long green card backlog to apply for EAD and Advance Parole, granting them the ability to start companies, develop patents, hire American workers, change jobs if desired, and have more agency over their lives rather than being tied to a single employer indefinitely.” FIIDS extended support to the bipartisan appeal led by Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi and Larry Bucshon to make the priority date current for employment-based green card backlogs. The Foundation appealed to all representatives of the US Congress to unite and support their cause. Representative image

6 New India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 Jenifer Rajkumar gets Atticus Award On receiving the award, Rajkumar expressed honour to serve the people to raise their voices. VIKAL SAMDARIYA Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar has been conferred the Atticus Award, an honour acknowledging her courage, leadership and commitment to social justice by the New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA). The Association President David Scher presented the award to Rajkumar at the NYSTLA’s New Lawyer Committee event on July 14. On receiving the award, Rajkumar expressed honour to serve the people to raise their voices. She tweeted, “It was a true honour to receive the “Atticus Award for Courage, Leadership and Social Justice” from the Trial Lawyers Association. Like the lawyers at NYSTLA @NYSTLA, I have been proud to dedicate my career to fighting for the vulnerable & the voiceless.” A civil rights lawyer, Rajkumar was part of many litigations on issues of the common public including the legal team of Velez v. Novartis, ranked by the United Nations as one of the top 10 cases in the world advancing women’s equality. She also collaborated with the U.S. Department of Justice on cases combating corporate fraud and excess, according to her profile. With her election to the New York State Assembly, she made history as the first South Asian-American woman ever to be electedfrom District 38. Jenifer’s legislative achievements are nationally recognized. Recently her bill to mark the festival of Diwali a school holiday in New York City passed by the New York state legislature, is before New York’s governor Kathy Hochul for assent. Before her election to the State Assembly, she served as Director of Immigration Affairs for New York State. Jenifer’s parents immigrated to the United States from India, settling in Queens where they got their start. Jenifer was born and raised in New York, the first generation of her family born in the United States, according to her bio. Senator Andrew Gournades, NYSTLA President David Scher Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. Image - Facebook/NYSTLA Raja Krishnamoorthi receives Ben Franklin Public Policy Award STAFF REPORTER Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi was honored with the Ben Franklin Public Policy Award by the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) for his unwavering legislative support and leadership of the US insurance sector. Receiving the award during NAMIC’s Congressional Contact Program at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Krishnamoorthi assured his continued support to the organization’s work across the US. He tweeted, “Thankful to @NAMIC for presenting me with the Ben Franklin Public Policy Award! I look forward to continuing to work with them and their policyholders across the country.” Krishnamoorthi serves as a key member of several Congress C o m m i t t e e s , Caucuses and Task Forces including as ranking member of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, making him the first South Asian American to lead a Congressional Committee. A seasoned politician and public policy expert, Krishnamoorthi was born to immigrants and raised in Peoria, Illinois. He graduated with honors from Harvard Law School and clerked for a federal judge before practising law in Chicago. According to the selection criteria for the award, Congress Members, who understand and support the insurance industry, successfully protect the free and open market environment, and work to facilitate the positive relationships between insurers and their insured are considered for the prestigious award. Every two years, the NAMIC distributes the awards on Capitol Hill during the association’s advocacy event to all lawmakers that have earned them for their actions in the previous Congress. For more than 120 years NAMIC has been serving in the best interests of mutual insurance companies – large and small – across the United States as well as in Canada, according to a release. Image - Twitter/Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi Krishnamoorthi assured his continued support to the NAMIC’s work across the US Congressman Khanna played a significant role in inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month to address the joint session of the US Congress. New England Diaspora felicitates Rep. Khanna SUPRIYA SINGH The New England Indian American community felicitated Congressman Ro Khanna, a prominent member of the ‘samosa caucus,’ representing Silicon Valley and California’s 17th district at a meet and greet fundraiser hosted by the US India Security Council’s president Ramesh Vishwanath Kapur. In his opening address, Kapur highlighted the Congressman’s unwavering perseverance and determination that led him to triumph in his third election, eventually defeating the incumbent. He also spoke about the upcoming visit of Congressman Khanna and other esteemed members of Congress to India in August, signifying the continued commitment to strengthening India-US ties. In his remarks, the Congressman emphasized the importance of recognizing India’s elected leaders and acknowledged that the relationship between India and the United States is pivotal. He stressed that India’s emergence as a powerful nation, two generations removed from colonialism, requires realistic expectations in terms of alignment with US policies. The event was co-hosted by Thomas Arul, Ashok Bhatt, Dr. Suvas Desai, Sanjay Gokhale, Priya Samant, Amar Sawhney, Deepika Sawhney, Pramit Maakoday, Manoj Schinde and Abhishek Singh. Prominent business and community leaders, including Puran Dang, Ranjani Saigal, Amrita Saigal, Gope Gidwani, and many others attended the event. According to a release, the Indian community of Massachusetts raised over $25,000 as part of fundraising during the event. It marked not only a celebration of Congressman Ro Khanna’s achievements but also a testament to the cohesive spirit and vibrant engagement of the New England Indian community in furthering bilateral relations between India and the United States, the release stated. Representative Ro Khanna (third from right) at the fundraiser.

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8 New India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 Akhtar and Kaur will contribute in creating a Green Innovation Fund to realize state’s clean energy goals Vineet Khosla will take office on July 31 Vineet Khosla joins The Washington Post as CTO YASMIN TINWALA The Washington Post announced the hiring of Vineet Khosla as their Chief Technology Officer. Khosla will move to Washington D.C. from California to join the publication on July 31. Khosla’s role will entail serving as a senior advisor to the CEO and will lead the publication’s engineering team and innovation strategy, helping to drive the company’s overall vision for its technology goals. The Post’s interim CEO Patty Stonesifer said Khosla’s hire comes at a critical moment and that he is an “excellent fit to lead The Post through our next phase of innovation.” “Vineet’s hiring solidifies The Post’s commitment to invest in new technologies that best serve our audiences. His career centres on building technology products backed by research and precise design; a specific skill set that will further establish The Post as a destination for readers daily,” Stonesifer said. Speaking of the goal at The Post, Khosla said, “My goal is to build a transformative user ecosystem that enhances the reader experience and provides growth opportunities, and I’m excited to be doing so at The Post.” Khosla said he is equally honoured and eager to join the company and “connect with teams across product, engineering, and the newsroom as we work together to drive The Post’s digital endeavours.” He will be making the switch to The Post from Uber where he served as a Senior Engineering Manager – Maps Routing Engine & APIs. Before that, he served as the Senior AI engineer at Apple where he built the core framework of Siri’s AI engine among other technology-related jobs he held in his career span of 18 years. Image - The Washington Post/Dan Clark Two named to Wisconsin Green Ribbon Commission VIKAL SAMDARIYA Wisconsin State Governor Tony Evers appointed Indian Americans Masood Akhtar and Kamaljit Kaur Jackson to the State’s Green Ribbon Commission on clean energy and environmental innovation. In April, the Governor constituted the Green Ribbon Commission to provide advice on the state’s Green Innovation Fund, the first environmental and clean energy fund in Wisconsin. Masood founded CleanTech Partners (CTP) to accelerate the commercialization of energy-saving and renewable energy technologies and served as the president. He is also a founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Biopulping International, Inc and co-founded the Bioenergy Deployment Consortium. A seasoned energy sector expert, he ensured a first-of-its-kind MOU signed between the US Department of Energy (DOE) and Wisconsin to promote greater energy efficiency throughout Wisconsin’s industrial sector, his credentials read. Masood has received many awards including the USDA Award for Environmental Protection and Federal Laboratory Consortium Award. On the invitation of the U.S. Congress, Masood has also testified before a committee on energyrelated issues. India-born Masood was one of the 50 Indian students who was awarded the Government of India Fellowship for higher studies abroad. Sikh American Kaur is the vice president, of programs and operations, for the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC). She worked in the public, nonprofit and private sectors in key positions. She serves on the Board of Directors for Visioning A Greater Racine (VGR) and is an examiner for the Baldrige National Quality Program, according to her profile. She has a bachelor’s in business administration from Cardinal Stritch University and an MBA fromthe University of Wisconsin. She is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. On the formation of the Green Ribbon Commission, Governor Evers said, “The commission will play a critical role in creating a Green Innovation Fund so we can work toward investing in and achieving our clean energy goals. I’m looking forward to the Commission’s work ahead and their important role in helping ensure Wisconsin is a leader in innovative clean energy industries and technologies.” Wisconsin Green Ribbon Commission members Masood Akhtar and Kamaljit Kaur Jackson Vidya Krishnan named to GSUSA Board STAFF REPORTER Girl Scouts of USA (GSUSA), the largest girl-led organization in the world, named Indian American technology and entrepreneurial leader Vidya Krishnan to its National Board of Directors for the 2023–2026 triennium. Krishnan was elected along with other members and office bearers to the board during the organization’s 56th National Council Session (NCS) in Florida. In her new role, Krishnan will be part of the 30-member National Board of Directors, which manages the organization’s governance, legal, and fiduciary responsibilities. In the election, the director of the Ford Foundation’s Office, Noorain Fatima Khan was elected as the National Board president for the triennium. Krishnan is currently chief learning officer and global head of learning and development at Ericsson, where she oversees a range of assigned tasks including next-generation technology, transformation of employee and customer experience, learning ecosystem, and portfolio creation. She has been with Ericsson for 23 years, joining the company in 1998 as director of wireless engineering and operations. She also heads the Ericsson-Girl Scouts Alliance. Before Ericsson, she was with American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T) for nearly five years in a technical role. The Indian American is an advocate for uplifting women and working to strengthen their participation in technology. Since 2006, she has volunteered as a coach for Destination Imagination, a global non-profit creative learning organization. She holds a B.S. degree from Princeton University and an M.S. degree from Stanford University in Electrical Engineering. Chief learning officer of Ericsson Vidya Krishnan elected to the GSUSA board. Image - Ericsson Classifieds [email protected] Book Your

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10 New India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 A similar legislation was passed by the full House of Representatives in the 117th Congress before it was blocked in the Senate. Jayapal, Wilson introduce bill to address South Asian heart health VIKAL SAMDARIYA I n an effort to raise awareness about the alarming rate of heart disease for South Asians across the United States, Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Joe Wilson moved a bipartisan bill called the South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act in Congress. The bill will also aim to bring out resources and strategies toward reversing this deadly trend for all communities, according to a release. Several studies have shown that South Asians in the United States,are experiencing a dramatic rise in heart disease and face four times the risk of heart disease compared to the general population. Despite making up 25 per cent of the world’s population, South Asians account for a disproportionate 60 per cent of the world’s heart disease cases and over 50 per cent of the world’s cardiovascular deaths, a text in support of the bill stated. Commenting on the significance of the bill, Indian American Jayapal recalled that she had experienced the devastating impact of the disease amongst the South Asian diaspora in the country. “I am fully committed to increasing understanding of heart disease and the unique risk factor in the South Asian community while ensuring that all those living with it get the resources, treatment, and support they need.” President of Indian American Impact, Neil Makhija praised Jayapal for her efforts to introduce the bill and urged the Congress to pass it. “For too long, South Asian Americans have been disproportionately impacted by the devastating effects of heart disease,” he said. This legislation is also sponsored by Reps. Ami Bera,Tony Cárdenas Judy Chu), Yvette Clarke Gerald E. Connolly, Adriano Espaillat, Brian Fitzpatrick, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Gregory Meeks, Grace Meng, Grace F. Napolitano, Jimmy Panetta, Adam Smith, Mark Takano, Lauren Underwood), and Nydia Velázquez. Several associations and civil society groups including the American Heart Association, Indian American Impact, MASALA Study and South Asian American Voter Empowerment Texas Education Fund supported the bill. ( L to R) Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Joe Wilson

New India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 11 Amit Varma pioneers award-winning construction system Varma has received several awards for his work on SpeedCore. MEHAK LUTHRA S eattle’s Rainier Square building garnered recognition and accolades for its adoption of the SpeedCore construction system, which was created by an Indianorigin professor at Purdue University. By implementing SpeedCore, the construction time for the 58-story building was remarkably reduced by approximately 10 months, which translates to almost 40 per cent. Amit Varma, the Karl H. Kettelhut professor of Civil Engineering at the University, embarked on a project with Ron Klemencic, which combines steel and concrete to create a highly efficient and robust construction solution. According to a statement by the University, the SpeedCore construction system can be visualized as a concrete sandwich, consisting of parallel steel plates connected by metal rods within the space between them. These steel modules can be prefabricated offsite and conveniently integrated into any construction layout, connecting them as required. Subsequently, concrete is poured into the gap between the steel plates, resulting in a strong and efficient composite steel-concrete-steel sandwich structure. Varma, also the director of Purdue’s Robert L. and Terry L. Bowen Laboratory for Large-Scale Civil Engineering Research, said, “You could say that it was the little brother of the steel and concrete composite SpeedCore wall system. I always felt that it was an amazing idea, and its time would come someday.” “In addition to earthquake resistance, we also have looked at the fire resistance of this system because of the steel plates,” Varma said. “There’s always the question of what fire is going to do to such a construction. So we’ve done actual testing and analysis and developed earthquake-resistant and fireresistant design equations for the system as well.” During his time at Purdue University, Varma conducted extensive research focused on the safety aspects of the construction system, particularly its application in the central core of high-rise buildings. He has received several awards, including the 2021 T.R. Higgins Lectureship Award from the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), for his work on SpeedCore. Image - Purdue University Soma Chakrabarti to be felicitated at STEM Conference MADHU BALAJI I ndian-origin professor Dr. Soma Chakrabarti, a lead education development manager at Ansys will be recognised for her contributions to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) during the Women of Color (WOC) STEM Conference — Digital Twin Experience (DTX), to be held from October 12 to 14, in Detroit, Michigan. The conference is organized by Career Communications Group, Inc, to promote multiculturalism and gender equity in STEM fields. Withover 20 years of experience in administration, teaching, and research in both academia and industry, Dr Chakrabarti has been named under the ‘technology all-star category.’ She has previously served as the assistant dean of the summer term at the University of Wisconsin, Madison; the director of continuing studies at the University of Delaware’s Division of Professional and Continuing Studies; and the director of the Center for Engineering and Interdisciplinary Professional Education at the University of Kansas Continuing Education Division. The IIT Delhi alumna has been the president of the International Association for Continuing Engineering Education (IACEE) since 2016. She has taught chemical engineering and was an associate research engineer in the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Dr Soma Chakrabarti Engineering at the University of Kansas. Image: Ansys She will be recognised under the ‘technology all-star category’ at the conference Prof Thalappil Pradeep of IIT Madras wins EniAward SUPRIYA SINGH Professor Thalappil Pradeep from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras’ Department of Chemistry has won the prestigious ‘Eni Award,’ which is considered among the top global honours for scientific research in energy and environment. The President of Italy is expected to present the award to Prof Pradeep who has been recognised for his work on affordable clean water using advanced materials. According to the award citation, Prof Pradeep “discovered advanced sustainable, affordable nanoscale materials for the removal of toxic contaminants from water. The technologies both sustainable and cost-effective, have been implemented as drinking water solutions benefitting 1.3 million people in India every day.” “I am grateful to the large team of students, associates and implementing partners whose intense efforts made this work possible. The country and my institution gave me everything,” Prof Pradeep said. “Water presents numerous opportunities in cleaning, sensing, distribution and data analytics. It is the most opportune moment nationally and globally to get into the water, for science, for industry or both. There is a career in it where one can get satisfaction, besides wealth and fame. We need more youngsters in the area to ensure water security,” he added. A pioneer in nanotechnology applications for clear water, Prof Pradeep’s work on pesticide removal has benefitted millions of people. He and his team developed ‘waterpositive’ materials to remove arsenic, uranium and other toxic contaminants from water and the technology has been approved for national implementation. He is expanding the reach of these technologies to other countries now. The professor has been earlier recognized with Padma Shri and Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water and Nikkei Asia Prize. He works on diverse aspects of materials and has won many national recognitions including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize. He has built advanced scientific instruments for his work. He has 550 papers and over 100 patents to his credit, besides being a co-founder of half a dozen companies. This is the 15th edition of the award, a prize established in 2007 which comprises a gold medal, a citation and a cash component. The award aims to promote radical breakthroughs in energy efficiency, renewables, decarbonization and safeguarding of the environment, stimulating the work of new generations of researchers. It is sponsored by Eni, a global multibillion-dollar energy company headquartered in Rome. The Awards are divided into three categories; energy transition, energy frontiers and advanced environmental solutions. Image- IIT Madras

EDITORIAL THE OUTRAGE IN MANIPUR THAT CANNOT BE WISHED AWAY 12 New India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 Student Bhumika Prem “The hardest part about being a legal immigrant is not being able to picture our own future, to imagine life as a grown up in this country because we living in a limbo.” MLC co-founder Sameer Mehta “Bart King represents the very best of American cricket performance to-date and we are hopeful that MLC will inspire a new generation of stars to emulate his feats in world cricket.” Diaspora Talks What happened in Manipur on May 4 or what is taking place in that Northeastern state is something beyond the pale and simply unconscionable. For a part of the country that was supposedly cut off on account of security concerns—or whatever—there is still very little to indicate that neither the state government nor the Center has come to full grips with the existing and evolving situations. Sweeping the horrific infoldings under the carpet of fake news or worse still pretending that everything is limping back to normality does great disservice to people who have been treated worse than dirt. The scandalous parading of two naked women who then raped in an open field by hoodlums and thugs and their relatives supposedly done to death for protecting their kin speaks of how low a society can stoop to. In any conflict situation the most endangered are women and female children but this is not a sign for authorities to look the other way in a state of resignation. The fact that law enforcement took nearly three months to file an FIR speaks volumes of the men in khaki who are supposed to be protectors, especially of the weak and most vulnerable. The Prime Minister rightfully said that the nation hangs its head in shame for what happened in that remote hamlet of Manipur on that fateful day. But how long can a civilized nation keep hanging its head in shame when after every pogrom or genocide the standard refrain is put out? It happened in 1984 after the assassination of Indira Gandhi when murderous hordes went on a killing spree of Sikhs and in 2002 after the Godhra riots, just to mention two instances of downright shame. For a country that prides itself as the cradle of civilizations, the brutality unleashed on the young women is something that the barbarians of yester years would not have been capable of or even dreamt of. For a state government, or for that matter even the central agencies, there are a number of unanswered questions. For starters, both the state and the center can explain what seems to be a gross intelligence lapse that would have allowed a critically important part of India to be plunged in mayhem. Saying that the state government would seek death penalty for the perpetrators of the violent assault on the women simply will not do. Worse is the argument that rapes occur in other states too. It is not only more shameful but downright preposterous. The state and the center will have to conduct a no-holds-barred enquiry to find out the underlying causes of the current spiral of violence in Manipur. Right now every thing would only point to the fact that the brutal assault on the women was only the tip of the iceberg; it could be anything including drugs and turf wars related to poppy. The onus is also on the national political opposition to play a constructive role in stabilizing a state that is so critical to the security and strategic imperatives of the country. For a country that prides itself as the cradle of civilizations, the brutality unleashed on the young women is something that the barbarians of yester years would not have been capable of or even dreamt of. The horrific Manipur incident sparked nationwide protests. Manipuri diaspora asks World Bank to pause funding for state project VIKAL SAMDARIYA The North American Manipur Tribal Association (NAMTA) asked the World Bank to pause funding for the ‘Manipur Infotech Enabled Development Project’ amid ongoing ethnic conflict between two communities in the state that has sparked global outrage. In a letter addressed to Ajay Banga, World Bank president, the association has demanded that, ‘funding to be paused and returned to a review process immediately.’ In view of the ongoing violence in the state, NAMTA raised concerns about the use of the allocated funds for the project. “We fear that the funds may be diverted from its intended purpose and has the potential of completely excluding one of the three major demographic groups from its benefits in the state,” the letter reads in part. The association also pointed out that the categorization of the project’s “Environmental and Social Risk” as “Moderate” was deeply inaccurate and alarming. “This categorization of the project is deeply inaccurate and alarming since it ignores one of the most violent times in the state’s entire history,” they stated. In May, tensions erupted in the state when the Kukis, a tribal community began protesting against the majority Meiteis community who were given official tribal status by a court ruling in March.The Kukis believe that the ruling would further strengthen the Meiteis participation in government and society and allow them to buy land or settle in majority of Kuki areas in the state. According to the state report submitted to the Supreme court hundreds of casualties are being recorded in the state with the bulk of it in Imphal West, Imphal East and Churachandpur districts. Additionally, thousands have been said to have fled the state to seek refuge in neighbouring areas. NAMTA raised concerns about the use of the allocated funds and environmental clearance for the project Image - NAMTA

New India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 13 State Trooper Tiwana, a practising Sikh, has been actively barred from growing even marginal facial hair and wearing a turban, in keeping with the tenets of his religious beliefs. Sikhs demand implementation of religious garb law in NY State Police SUPRIYA SINGH Assemblyman David Weprin along with Charles Murphy, president of the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association, has demanded immediate implementation of the guidelines upholding the Religious Garb Law that protects against discrimination based on religious attire, clothing, or facial hair in the New York State Police. They held a press conference demanding the implementation of the law against the backdrop of an ongoing incident regarding the lack of religious accommodation in the New York State Police. Later, they called on the acting Superintendent, Steven Nigrelli and reiterated the demand. The leadership of the Sikh Officers Association and representatives from the Sikh Cultural Center were also present. State Trooper Tiwana, a practising Sikh, has been actively barred from growing even marginal facial hair and wearing a turban, in keeping with the tenets of his religious beliefs. This represents a clear and egregious violation of the Religious Garb Bill that was signed into law in 2019, sponsored by Assemblyman Weprin and State Senator John Liu, they said. “I proudly represent the 24th Assembly District, one of the most diverse areas in New York State. No one should be forced to live in two worlds, to hide their religious identity at work, to live a double life, or to choose between their faith and serving their community,” Assemblyman David Weprin said. “I am the sponsor of the ‘Religious Garb Law,’ which was signed into law as Chapter 154 in the laws of 2019 explicitly prohibits discrimination by any employer against religious attire and facial hair. I am deeply alarmed that the individual tasked with upholding and enforcing our state’s laws, Acting Superintendent Nigrelli is himself not following the law,” he further said. “We strongly urge the New York State Police to grant Trooper Tiwana his constitutional right to exercise his religious beliefs and to grow a beard that is customary with his Sikh faith,” Charlie Murphy, president of the New York State Troopers PBA said. State Senator John Liu said:” The Religious Attire Law was passed four years ago with the stipulation that it takes effect 60 days after becoming law, and it is disgraceful that any state entity has yet to change its policies to comply with this now long-standing law. To make matters worse, the NYS Police should be first in line to comply with new directives, but are still actively barring a trooper of the Sikh faith from growing facial hair and wearing a turban.” “Our religious garb law exists to protect the rights and dignity of all, ensuring that none face discrimination based on their religious attire or beliefs,” said Council Member Lynn Schulman. “In 2019, I was proud to co-sponsor Assemblyman Weprin’s legislation, known as the Religious Attire Law, which prohibits workplace discrimination based on religious belief or dress,” said Assemblyman Edward Braunstein. “Sikh Americans have served our Nation in every war since WW I, and in police departments across the country, including the NYPD. We must honour their dedication to public safety by welcoming them into the ranks of our State Police,” Assemblywoman Jennifer Rajkumar said. “If the New York State Police truly values diversity, equity, and inclusion in their ranks, they must accommodate religious observances including facial hair and turbans,” said Assemblyman Khaleel Anderson. Image- Assemblyman David Weprin Office HWN inaugurates new chapter in Illinois MADHU BALAJI Hindu Women’s Network (HW, inspired by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), recently inaugurated its new chapter at the Manav Seva Mandir, Bensenville, Illinois. Over 75 individuals representing various fields, including engineering, medical, dental, science, accounting, and homemakers attended the event. “We were blessed to have community representations from several other community groups,” Hindu Women’s Network said in a statement. The vision, mission, goals, and roadmap of the organization were presented during the event. According to a release, the core team of HWN, which includes Vandana Jhingan, Kruti Patel, Pinu Dhruna, Sadhana Shinde, Sushma Patel, Seema Verma, and Yashaswini Desai introduced their initiatives to the audience. Mudra Dance Academy’s artistic director Kshama Shah presented a performance about Lord Durga Sakthi, showcasing the force of women empowerment. Midwest bureau chief TV Asia Vandhana Jhingan who attended the event stressed the audience to invest time together, unite women’s power, be supportive of each other and build a strong network. She encouraged the audience to engage in volunteering programs selflessly. Dr Jayashree Raju, internist of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, enlightened the gathering about health, diet, and lifestyle. She advised them to undertake annual health checkups, focus on dieting, and perform daily exercise. Attorney Laxmi Sarathy, an active member of the Illinois State Bar Association for commercial banking, collections & bankruptcy section council, also addressed the gathering and encouraged women to take charge and be financially independent. Shailja Mehta, an IT professional, who attended the launch said, “I enjoyed the HWN session and look forward to being an active part of this team. Eager to have Ayurveda/healthy recipes, financial planning, knowledge sharing platform.” Another attendee Seema Verma of Mundelein, said, “I would love to attend, learn, and contribute to Hindu Women’s Network, do networking and learn from each other, I have enjoyed very much today’s program.” Over 75 individuals representing various fields, including engineering, medical, dental, science, accounting, and homemakers attended the event. Inauguration of HWN’s new chapter at the Manav Seva Mandir, Bensenville, Illinois Image: HWN Gathering at the event

14 New India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 SPECIAL PRINT EDITION SSUUBBSSCCRRIIBBEE NNOOWW!! TO COMMEMORATE INDIA'S INDEPENDENCE DAY WE WILL BE GIVING AWAY FREE COLLECTOR'S COPY TO OUR PAID SUBSCRIBERS IN THE UNITED STATES INDEPENDENCE DAY TO GET YOUR FREE COPY CLICK HERE

New India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 15 l न्यू इंडि्ा अब्रॉि नेटवर्क भारती्य-अमेररकी दंपती और उनके शकिोर बेटे को िबशलन, ओहा्यो शसथत उनके घर पर मृत पा्या ग्या है। तीनों की मौत गोली लगने से हुई है। पुशलस मृत्यु का कारण पता लगाने में र्ुटी है। दंपती और उनके बेटे की हत्या हुई ्या ्यह सामूशहक आतमहत्या का मामला है, इसकी पडताल की र्ा रही है। मीशि्या ररपोटस्र में बता्या ग्या है शक भारती्य मूल के रार्न रार्ाराम (54), िांशतलता रार्न (51) और उनके बेटे अनीर रार्ाराम (19) के िव 18 र्नवरी को उनके घर में शमले। पररवार के एक र्ानने वाले ने उनकी खैरर्यत र्ानने के शलए फोन शक्या था लेशकन शकसी ने उठा्या नहीं। इसके बाद उसने पुशलस को इत्ला दी। पुशलस मौके पर पहुंची तो घर में िव शमले। पुशलस के खुशफ्या सूत्ों ने अपनी प्ारंशभक र्ांच में कहा है शक तीनों की मौत गोली लगने से हुई है। ्यह हत्या ्या सामूशहक आतमहत्या का मामला हो सकता है। अशधकारर्यों का कहना है शक उनहें इस बात के सुबूत नहीं शमले हैं शक घर में कोई र्बद्रसती घुसा हो। ्यह भी लग रहा है शक घर के अंदर िव कई शदनों से पडे हुए थे। रिेंकशलन काउंटी का्या्रल्य के ररकॉडस्र के आधार पर बता्या ग्या है शक रार्न पररवार उस घर में 1998 से रह रहा था। रार्न शसनशसनाटी शसथत टेक्ोसॉफट कॉपटोरेिन में इंर्ीशन्यर थे। उनकी पत्ी र्ेपी मॉग्रन चेस में काम करती थीं। बेटा अनीर ऑकसफोि्ट, ओशह्यो शम्यामी शवशवशवद्ाल्य के फाम्रर सकूल ऑफ शबर्नेस में अकाउंशटंग प्मुख था। शवशवशवद्ाल्य ने एक ब्यान में कहा है शक छात् अनीर की मृत्यु की खबर से संसथान के कम्रचारी और बेहद दुखी हैं। पररवार के पररशचत और दोसत भी घटना को लेकर व्यशथत हैं। िबशलन कॉफमैन हाई सकूल के एक शिक्षक एली शर्मरमैन ने मीशि्या से कहा शक वह अनीि को तब से र्ानती हैं र्ब वह कॉफमैन में पहले साल आ्या था। वह सामुदाश्यक सेवा संगठन से भी र्ुडा हुआ था। एक समझदार, िांत और मेहनती बच्ा था। वह पढाई में तो अचछा था ही, उसमें नेतृतव के भी गुण थे। अनीर के बचपन के एक दोसत गाबे शफनटा ने मीशि्या से कहा शक उनकी मुलाकात तब हुई थी, र्ब वे आठवीं कलास में थे। हाल ही में वह दुबई की ्यात्ा पर गए थे र्हां अनीर ने अपने एक िर पर र्ीत हाशसल की थी, वह िर था सकाईिाइशवंग का। अनीि ऐसा लडका था र्ो शर्ंदगी को पूरी तरह र्ीना चाहता था। उसकी और पररवार की मौत से हमें बहुत दुख है। 16 न् यू इंडि्ा अब्रॉि सोमवार, 30 जनवरी, 2023 ओहायो में भाितीय मूल िे दंपकत औि बेटे िे िव कमले, हतया या सामूकहि आतमहतया? खबरों में बताया गया है लक भारतीय मूल के राजन राजाराम (54), िांलतलता राजन (51) और उनके बेटे अनीष राजाराम (19) के िव उनके घर में लमले। तीनों की मौत गनोली लगने से हुई बताई गई है। The new AMD Bangalore campus will increase the company office footprint to 10 locations in India. US chipmaker AMD to invest $400 million in India VIKAL SAMDARIYA American chip making giant, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) announced that it will invest approximately $400 million in India over the next five years and open a new AMD campus, the company’s largest design centre in Bengaluru. AMD’s chief technology officer Mark Papermaster announced the company’s investment plan at Semiconductor India Conference 2023, Gandhinagar. India’s annual flagship event was inaugurated by PM Modi and addressed by the Papermaster and Foxconn Chairman Young Liu and Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra. Union Cabinet Minister for Telecommunications, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Chandrasekhar welcomed the AMD plan to invest in India. Recalling AMD’s growth in India Papermaster said, “By further investing and expanding our presence in Bangalore, we are committed to driving innovation in India to support the India Semiconductor Mission.” On the company’s investment plan, country head and senior vice president of AMD India Jaya Jagadish tweeted, “I am thrilled to share that @AMD is making an investment of ~$400M over the next five years to expand our R&D operations in India. We will also add 3000 new engineering roles by 2028.” AMD has been an active part of the semiconductor ecosystem in India since 2001 when the company’s first site was established in New Delhi. The new 500,000-square-foot Bangalore campus will increase the AMD office footprint to 10 total locations across these cities: Bangalore, Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad and Mumbai, according to a release. (L to R) Country head and senior vice president of AMD India Jaya Jagadish, Minister of State Rajeev Chandrasekhar and AMD’s chief technology officer Mark Papermaster. Image - Twtter/ Rajeev Chandrasekhar

16 New India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023

New India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 17 Global health leader Dr Rakesh Kumar was appointed as its chief executive officer (CEO). W-IDH to transform national digital health ecosystem MADHU BALAJI I ndian American businessman and philanthropist Sunil Wadhwani’s WISH Foundation announced the establishment of the Wadhwani- Institute for Digital Health (W-IDH) in India to transform the country’s digital health infrastructure. Global health leader Dr Rakesh Kumar was appointed as its chief executive officer (CEO). Speaking on the launch, Dr Kumar said, “The creation of W-IDH represents a landmark moment in India’s digital health journey. Our mission is to utilize this institute to expedite the adoption of high-quality universal health coverage through technology, thus optimizing cost efficiencies and improving patient outcomes. “ The institute, which aims to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030, will act as a hub for technology and innovation, strengthening the worldwide digital health ecosystem. It will power development of digital innovation labs which will facilitate the localization, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of digital health technologies across government, states, private sector and academia. According to the press statement, it will also establish a collaborative network with key players in India to build the ‘national digital health ecosystem.’ As the new CEO, the former IAS officer Dr Kumar will play a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s mission of leveraging technology to deliver quality healthcare to communities in need. Dr Kumar has formal training in medicine, ophthalmology, global health, public administration and management. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, working in policy and program implementation with the Indian government and UN agencies, Dr Kumar brings a wealth of experience and expertise to WISH. He has a proven background in driving strategic growth, enhancing operational efficiency, and improving patient outcomes,” the Indian non-profit healthcare provider WISH said in its statement. The organization supports over 1000 digital health and wellness centers in various cities and states in India. It also established an innovation unit at the National Health Authority of India (NHA) to improve digital health innovations such as smart clinics and e-health modules. Dr Rakesh Kumar Photo by Scott Graham / Unsplash Image: WISH Foundation Anandam Trust successfully completes US tour SUCHITRA SRINIVAS Chennai-based Anandam Trust hosted a series of meet-and-greet events in the United States to offer information about its projects, including the upcoming new palliative care facility. Anandam is a well-known name in Chennai for its committed free assistance to the elderly who have no income and no family to care for. The twenty-year-old trust has steadily expanded to provide education and medical care as well to the needy. Speaking to New India Abroad, Bhageerathy Ramamoorthy, the founder of Anandam, who worked in Indian bank before taking voluntary retirement to pursue her inner calling said, “While working at the bank, it used to be very painful to watch old people waiting in long lines to collect their pension to make ends meet.” With an aim to help elders who have no family or other means of assistance, she founded Anandam, a devoted home for the elderly in 2003. Starting with only three seniors, the trust is now responsible for the housing and care of 110 older people, all of whom are considered family. The trust recently held birthday celebrations following religious rituals for many of the seniors in a Mandap (community hall) to honor them. To make the most of their limited time, the seniors volunteered to teach kids from the area’s low-income families. In 2010, they opened a tuition center where they taught music, math, and science to approximately 270 underprivileged kids. As a result of increased outreach to these neighborhoods, a medical facility was established in 2015. “We provide free consultation, lab services, and medicines to benefit 1.5 lakh people in 20 nearby villages,” Bhageerathy said. Another noteworthy accomplishment of their growth is the establishment of the Anandam School for Special Children in the Ambattur neighborhood of Chennai. “We discovered that children on the autism spectrum required different types of care and attention, and parents living in absolute poverty lacked the resources to address this,” Bhageerathy said explaining the motive behind the school. “With trained faculty, we train these kids in music and sports and more.” Maintaining that volunteers work for free with no expectations, the founder emphasized that all funds raised are directed only towards Anandam’s welfare initiatives. In the United States, the group was enthusiastically received in Seattle, San Jose, Austin, and New Jersey, where charitable events were organized in collaboration with the US non-profit Sadananda. Concerts by acclaimed vocalist Gayathri Venkataraghavan were an added treat at these events. In a chat with New India Abroad, Gayathri who is closely associated with Anandam’s initiatives and the one who played a key role in the current US tour said, “The response from well-wishers in the US has been very positive. It was really uplifting to receive calls from strangers offering to adopt grandparents for the year or to finance a child’s schooling. We need more aid to fund the current projects, particularly the palliative care initiative.” The palliative care center will shelter terminally ill patients and provide both medical and psychological support. It costs $1500 every day to cover the expenses of all charitable activities at Anandam, Gayathri pointed out. Seniors at Anandam in a yoga session Jugalbandi concert by Gayathri Venkataraghavan and Flute Raman at New Jersey Fundraiser. Bhageerathy Ramamoorthy, Managing Trustee at Anandam addressing the New Jersey event. Image (provided) Image from Website

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New India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 19 International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group member headquartered in Washington, US, will provide equity and debt financing solutions to such companies. Mahindra Group to enable US firms expand manufacturing base in India MADHU BALAJI Mahindra Group has announced plans to support US companies enhance their international footprint and expand by leveraging the advantages of India as a manufacturing hub. According to the company’s statement, the Group will support companies expanding their manufacturing base in India through an integrated approach to manufacturing (infrastructure, supply chain, technology/automation, and others); a modular plug-and-play suite of offerings; experience sharing on regulations and compliance; and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) focus. Meanwhile, International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group member headquartered in Washington, US, will provide equity and debt financing solutions to such companies. Speaking about the initiative, Dr Anish Shah, managing director and CEO, of Mahindra Group, said, “Mahindra Group is delighted to announce a dedicated platform in the US – a decisive step aimed at enhancing global manufacturing and supply chain solutions for American companies. With this bold move, we will empower American businesses to unlock the immense potential of manufacturing in India.” “We are committed to leveraging our experience, capabilities, and expansive scale thereby strengthening the global manufacturing landscape. Together, we will forge a path towards a shared, prosperous future, marked by strong collaboration and growth,” the CEO added. According to the news release, the initiative’s modular approach will further allow businesses to select products, services, and financing options from the Mahindra Group’s suite of offerings based on their requirements. With a demonstrated commitment to the highest ESG standards, the multinational federation of companies believes that sustainable manufacturing solutions will be a key component of the initiative. Mahindra & Mahindra factory in Mumbai Image: Mahindra BBC selects TCS to streamline its finance and payroll functions YASMIN TINWALA The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) selected Tata Consultancy Services to transform its finance and payroll functions. During the multiyear partnership TCS “will leverage its contextual knowledge, proprietary platforms, partner ecosystem and future-ready talent pool” to help power the reimagination of BBC’s media business model and drive growth. Among a plethora of developmental changes to the processes and operations at the media broadcasting company, TCS will help deploy a new partner payroll platform and services with an integrated analytics layer to streamline BBC’s payroll function, as per a news release. Amit Kapur, country head of TCS, UK and Ireland, said, “We are pleased to be selected by the BBC as their partner to transform their finance and payroll function. TCS’ digital capabilities and domain expertise will help them achieve their business objectives while building greater agility and resilience in their operations.” He added, “This partnership will strengthen TCS’ position as a leader in delivering transformative business services to the media and entertainment industry.” TCS’s presence in the UK spans over 4.5 decades. It works with over 200 businesses in the region and employs more than 21,000 people in the UK and Ireland. It ranked as the number one IT service provider for customer satisfaction in the UK for eight years as per an independent survey by Whitelane Research and PA Consulting. “This partnership will strengthen TCS’ position as a leader in delivering transformative business services to the media and entertainment industry,” said TCS’s Amit Kapur. Revolut to offer non-US citizens banking solutions SUPRIYA SINGH Global financial super app Revolut with more than 30 million customers globally has announced its plans to allow non-US lawful citizens in the US, who do not possess a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to open accounts on its platform. According to the firm, the are more than 2.5 million people in the United States on some sort of visa and who do not have an SSN or ITIN; of which 1 million are students. This population is generally ignored by financial institutions and, as a result, do not have access to cost-effective financial services and are left with limited options for managing their finances, the firm said in statement. Through the new hassle-free solution, the immigrants can use their government issued ID and a valid US visa to create an account and gain access to Revolut’s many everyday money management products. This includes international-related features, such as a global debit card, low fee currency exchange and international transfers, and early salary access (up to 2 days). Speaking about the development, Danil Ovechkin, Revolut US head of Growth, said, “We’re delighted to offer Revolut accounts to these communities of non-US citizens, who have been ignored by many traditional banks and fintechs.” “We are proud to be giving these customers the ability to sign up for an account, and making their lives easier by having the possibility of access to a quality financial product and accessing our everyday products designed to support their day-to-day needs. As we continue to expand access to our fast, secure, and easy financial super app, we’re redefining how to manage money to all communities within the US,” he added. As part of the new accounts, non-US citizens won’t have access to Revolut’s credit products, investment features such as Stocks and Savings Vaults, the firm’s statement noted. Image- Revolut

A state delegation led by Industries Minister Samir Kumar Mahaseth and Additional Chief Secretary Sandeep Poundrik participated in the event, 20 New India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 Diaspora participates in “Invest in Bihar” summit SUPRIYA SINGH I n an effort to attract investments to the state, the Industry Department of the Bihar government hosted the “Invest in Bihar” summit in the United States. The summit was organised in partnership with the Bihar Foundation USA, a diaspora cell of Bihar govt and the Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA). A state delegation led by Industries Minister Samir Kumar Mahaseth and Additional Chief Secretary Sandeep Poundrik participated in the event, which was attended by 130 reputed entrepreneurs and professionals from the United States. The delegation was welcomed by Bihar Foundation USA chairman Alok Kumar and BJANA president Anurag Kumar. Speaking on the occasion, Mahaseth said that through this summit, the government is encouraging investment in the state. He urged entrepreneurs from the United States, who have been “running businesses across India and the world over” to seize the opportunity and invest in Bihar. Making a detailed presentation on the investment opportunities in the state, Poundrik told potential investors that whether it is textile, manufacturing or IT, a large chunk of manpower comes from Bihar. “Bihar government is acting proactively and taking all possible steps to make a conducive climate here. The government is developing plug-and-play stations where investors will be able to come and start work directly. They will not be required to go through situations like land acquisition and power shortages. This will speed up investment,” Poundrik announced. Various attendees including Ajay Kumar Singh founder and CEO of Slayback Pharma and Dr Pankaj Mohan CEO and chairman of Sonnet BioTherapeutics, Inc expressed their intentions to invest in Bihar especially in Lakhisarai and Buxar respectively. Participants at the summit also posed questions to the officials. Prashant Kumar, CEO of New Jersey-based Mareana Inc, asked about the plans to retain talent from various IITs and engineering colleges along with provisioning some innovative recreational facilities so that hired resources stay back in the state. Amit Anand, partner at Deloitte Consulting, questioned about opportunities for setting up large offices in Bihar. Poundrik pointed out that Bihar has suffered a lot due to the wrong perception created over the years that it does not have much to offer and is not a safe investment destination. He assured that the state will provide the same ease of doing business that is associated with the developed states in India. Images- Supplied Google’s Madhav Chinnappa laid off RISHIKA BHARDWAJ Madhav Chinnappa, the director of News Ecosystem Development at Google was laid off as part of the tech giants’ recent layoffs. In a LinkedIn post, Chinnappa expressed his reflections and gratitude for his 13-year stint with the company and the contributions he made to various projects. The Indian American mentioned his involvement in the Google News Initiative Innovation Challenges and highlighted Ludovic Blecher’s JERF (Journalism Emergency Relief Fund) as one of Google’s remarkable endeavors in supporting the vulnerable news ecosystem, involving approximately 300 Googlers. Chinnappa who was part of initiatives like the Digital News that helped European media research, added, “The product plus training and research elements never got the credit I thought they deserved!”. He took pride in the global expansion of #NewsGeist and a rather unique achievement of convincing the Doodle team to create a Eurovision Doodle. Expressing gratitude to his teammates and colleagues, he said, “And to be clear, not a single thing I mentioned above could have been achieved without my teammates and colleagues as everything is a team effort. There are too many to mention but they are a special bunch and I will miss them all!” Looking ahead, Chinnappa acknowledged the privilege of having some time plans to figure out his next steps. He mentioned pressing family issues that required his immediate attention, which is why he plans to take August off before heading to India in September to care for his mother. It is only in October that he will start contemplating future work opportunities, with an eye on exploring new endeavors in 2024. As he bid farewell to Google, the comments section on LinkedIn flooded in with heartfelt messages. Various professionals in the industry came in to offer their support and provide him with important and helpful resources. Madhav Chinnappa Image - Reuters Institute, University of Oxford Madhav Chinnappa, director of News Ecosystem Development at Google, was laid off in recent layoffs after a 13-year tenure. Udemy picks Prasad Raje as first CPO MADHU BALAJI Edtech platform Udemy has announced the appointment of Indian-origin Prasad Raje as its chief product officer (CPO) effective August 14, 2023. In the newly created role, Raje will report to Udemy president and CEO Greg Brown and will oversee the design/user experience and product management. Previously Raje was the chief product officer at Outreach, a sales execution platform. He holds over two decades of experience building enterprise SaaS companies, including founding and growing three startups. He has also served as the senior vice president of product at RingCentral. Acknowledging Raje’s track record of leading product for high-performing, agile and customer-focused enterprise technology organizations, Udemy CEO Greg Brown said, “He brings a wealth of industry knowledge and has successfully delivered many innovative products that truly resonate with global enterprises and consumers. His strong technology expertise, strategic business acumen, and transformational leadership skills make him a powerful addition to our leadership team.” Brown added, “With Prasad’s fresh perspective, experience and insights, we are confident that we can further enhance our product offerings and deliver increased value to our marketplace and Udemy Business customers.” Commenting on the appointment, the IIT Bombay alumnus said, “As Udemy’s first CPO, I look forward to building and executing a global product strategy that will further enhance learner and instructor experiences, as well as the value delivered to customers.” Prasad Raje Image: LinkedIn profile

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22 New India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 In his speech Modi promised that India will be among the top three economies of the world in his third term India moving ahead with Think Big, Dream Big, Act Big… PM VIKAL SAMDARIYA Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “India is moving ahead with the principle of ‘Think Big, Dream Big, Act Big’ to achieve big targets and transition into a developed nation. He made the remarks during the inaugural event of the International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC) complex at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. The PM unveiled the G-20 coin and G-20 stamp and also took part in the naming ceremony of the Convention Centre as ‘Bharat Mandapam.’ Addressing the gathering, he said, “Bharat Mandapam is a call for India’s capabilities and new energy of the nation, it is a philosophy of India’s grandeur and willpower.” Inspired by ‘Anubhav Mandapam’ of Bhagwan Basaveshwara which represented the tradition of debate and expression, the new centre has world class infrastructure for hosting meetings, conferences, and exhibitions. According to the PM, the entire world will witness India’s strides and growing stature when the G20 Summit takes place a few weeks from now at the venue. In his address, Modi promised that “India will be among the top three economies of the world in his third term.” The Prime Minister also assured the citizens that in the third term, the pace of the development journey of India will increase manifold and the citizens would see their dreams come true. The PM will have to emerge victorious in the upcoming general election in mid-2024 to secure his third term in office. Highlighting that India was the 10th largest economy in the world when the present government came to power in 2014, but as of today, India is the 5thlargest economy in the world, he said, “The entire nation is witness to the pillars of development of the present government’s present and the previous term.” In his speech, the PM spoke about his past achievements in diverse sectors at length.“New India is moving forward and overcoming all obstacles in the way,” he added affirming that the development journey of India is now unstoppable. Newly developed IECC complex at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Image - Twitter/ Narendra Modi

New India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 23 The report finds that many cases now take years to adjudicate. Asylum seekers, who represent 40 per cent of the court’s caseload MPI offers solutions to address US immigration courts’ pending caseloads VIKAL SAMDARIYA With a backlog of nearly 2 million cases, the U.S. immigration court system is in crisis, says Migration Policy Institute (MPI). The Washingtonbased policy institute recently released a comprehensive report, ‘At the Breaking Point: Rethinking the U.S. Immigration Court System’, to offer a solution to address the pending caseloads on immigration. The Immigration Court is an administrative court within the Department of Justice (DOJ) mandated to adjudicate the legality of an individual’s status to remain in the US territory under the set immigration process and categories. To address the issues, the report recommends temporarily scheduling new cases on a “last-in, first-decided” basis; model practice in state and federal court systems and establishing two tiers of immigration judges, magistrate and merits judges; terminating cases that do not meet prosecutorial guidelines, which presently focus on felons, security threats and recent entrants. In its recommendations, the report mooted a system to restart the asylum officer rule, which allows border asylum cases to be decided by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) asylum officers rather than immigration judges. The report also proposed to increase access to legal representation, which is a critical issue plaguing the courts. On pending cases, the report argued “The immigration courts are facing an unprecedented crisis.With a backlog of nearly 2 million cases, more than 700,000 of which were received last fiscal year, as well as resource and decision-making constraints, it can take years for the system’s 650 or so immigration judges to render decisions.” The report finds that many cases now take years to adjudicate. Asylum seekers, who represent 40 per cent of the court’s caseload, now wait four years on average for their initial asylum hearing to be scheduled, with final decisions farther off. “Serious concerns have also been raised about the quality of court decisions,” MPI noted. The report opined, “These years-long waits leave people in need of protection in limbo, hamper immigration enforcement for those determined to be removable from the United States and function as a pull factor incentivizing unauthorized immigration.” The report traces the factors that have driven the court system to crisis. It also assesses steps taken recently to improve the courts’ functioning and offers recommendations that the executive branch could implement to address the massive backlogs and improve the pace and quality of decision-making. Twin issues of caseload quantity and decision quality have wide-ranging roots, from long-standing operational challenges in the courts to new crises in the Americas that have intensified humanitarian protection needs and other migration pressures. The courts’ dysfunction has had severe knock-on effects on other parts of the nation’s immigration infrastructure, including notably the immigration enforcement and asylum systems. Image - MPI US Congressional committee flags ‘inadequate’ FDA drug testing in India YASMIN TINWALA The Energy and Commerce Republican committee in the U.S. alleged that inspections carried out by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in China and India were “inadequate,” in a letter citing that these countries have a “pattern of repeatedly violating FDA safety regulations.” An excerpt from the letter reads, “The FDA’s recent decision to address shortages of critical drugs by allowing the temporary import of otherwise unapproved drugs from India and China makes having effective foreign inspection programs in those countries critical.” It further said, “Given that approximately 32 per cent of generic drugs and 45 per cent of active pharmaceutical ingredients are from these two countries, we are worried that the United States is overly reliant on sourcing from foreign manufacturers with a demonstrated pattern of repeatedly violating FDA safety regulations.” The committee has requested certain information from the FDA by August 1, 2023. This includes information about foreign facilities that have been penalized for noncompliance and the action taken by the FDA regarding the same. They also demanded information about the number of FDA inspectors currently conducting foreign inspections in each country. Speaking of India-specific information demanded, the committee want to know how many facilities that received a warning letter in the past decade were inspected in person, inspected remotely, or not inspected at all since the letter was issued. They also want to know how many times has an Indian manufacturer been inspected and had their warning letter lifted before the FDA investigator filed a report, allowing the company to get approval for a drug shortage product. Photo by Myriam Zilles / Unsplash Indicators hint at looming recession in US MEHAK LUTHRA I n June, an index created to monitor U.S. business cycles recorded its 15th consecutive month of decline. The decline was influenced by a decrease in consumer confidence and a rise in unemployment claims marking the longest period of decrease since the period leading up to the 2007- 2009 recession. According to the Conference Board, the Leading Economic Index, which predicts future economic activity, fell by 0.7% in June, reaching a level of 106.1. This follows a revised 0.6% decline in May. “The Leading Index has been in decline for fifteen months—the longest streak of consecutive decreases since 2007- 08, during the runup to the Great Recession,” said Justyna Zabinska-La Monica, Senior Manager, Business Cycle Indicators, at The Conference Board. “Taken together, June’s data suggests economic activity will continue to decelerate in the months ahead. We forecast that the US economy is likely to be in recession from Q3 2023 to Q1 2024. Elevated prices, tighter monetary policy, harder-to-get credit, and reduced government spending are poised to dampen economic growth further.” The Conference Board said the contraction in the LEI is accelerating, falling 4.2% over the last six months compared to 3.8% between June and December 2022. Photo by Markus Spiske / Unsplash

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MI New York crowned MLC Champions Anup Jalota performs at sold out event in NY *India Abroad is a Registered trademark and not affiliated with the newspaper named India Abroad marketed in the US from 1972 to 2021. The Life And Times Of Jubilee KUMAR ...Page 6 Year 1, Volume 41 Washington DC, Monday 31 July, 2023 Melange ...Page 2 ...Page 8 Community attends the launch of the Maharana Association of North America. Maharana Pratap Association launched in Texas SUPRIYA SINGH The Maharana Association of North America was launched in the presence of more than 150 Indian Americans in Frisco, Texas earlier this month. Named after the legendary warrior King Maharana Pratap of Mewar who fought many battles, including at Haldighati against the Mughal king Akbar, the organization will aim to preserve and promote his legacy. The association’s release highlighted that a generation of freedom fighters, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Guru Gobind Singh , were inspired by Maharana’s story and continued the freedom struggle for centuries. Bal Ram Singh, professor and president at the Institute of Advanced Sciences, administered the oath to the global executive committee of the organization. In his keynote address, Singh emphasized the role of servant leadership to truly serve the community. The association will be led by president Rambha Singh, a successful entrepreneur based in Arizona who is involved in many philanthropic projects. According to the release, she supports an underprivileged children’s school in Varanasi and has generously provided financial assistance for various social projects across India and USA. The organization’s vice president UdaySinh Solanki currently based in Vadodara supports important causes for the community. He along with other members of the global executive committee spoke about the vision, mission and ways to get involved in community service. As per the release, the association is currently planning to launch local, state and regional chapters both in India and USA for the volunteers to get involved. It is also open to partnerships with like-minded individuals and organisations for wider outreach. Their website is currently under construction and will be used to launch a membership program, the release stated. Various social activists and local community leaders including Sashi Kejriwal, Kiran Chukkapalli and Chatar Singh Tanwar spoke about the challenges facing the Hindu community and the need to embody the values taught by the life of Maharana Pratap. Images - Maharana Association President Rambha Singh delivers her remarks at the launch. CoHNA event echoes concern on rising Hinduphobia MADHU BALAJI The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) recently organized the 2nd National Hindu Advocacy Day at the US Capitol and brought together lawmakers, community leaders, delegates and researchers to discuss the concerns of Hindus living in the US. According to the press statement, over 21 lawmakers were at the event which centred on Hinduphobia. Echoing concerns from the attendees, Congressman Rich McCormick (R-GA) emphasized the need to pay attention to how “there is discrimination not just by race but also by religion and Hinduphobia and intimidation of the Hindu community is an old problem.” He highlighted issues about bills such as California’s SB403. Speaking about the significance of ensuring representation for diverse groups and freedom of religion, Congressman Shri Thanedar (D-MI) said, “I believe strongly in freedom of religion for every individual and stand against any kind of attacks and phobia.” Mentioning that the Hindu religion is being attacked and needs to be protected, Thanedar added, “Like others, Hindus deserve to be able to practice their religion without any kind of hate, prejudice or phobia. As a Congressman, I noted the lack of a Hindu caucus and therefore helped create one.” Lawmakers, community leaders, delegates and researchers discussed concerns of Hindus living in the US. (Image: CoHNA) Other representatives who joined the event include Representative Hank Johnson (D-GA), Representative Tom Keane (R-NJ), Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA), Representative Sanford Bishop (DGA), and Ohio State Senator Niraj Antani. Nikunj Trivedi, president of CoHNA, emphasized that the year has been productive in advocacy for the Hindu community as states seek to educate about t the problem with resolutions and proclamations against Hinduphobia. “Our 2nd National Hindu Advocacy Day on the Hill builds on that promising start, but much more remains to be done as the community has seen itself come in the crosshairs, with the spread of policies and laws targeting the community via Hinduphobic concepts like caste. We have also seen fear and self-censoring spread in the community as it gets targeted in the online world and faces reallife violence from transnational actors such as the Khalistan terror groups,” he added. CoHNA event attendees including Ohio State Senator Niraj Antani, Congressman Rich McCormick (R-GA) among others. Lawmakers, community leaders, delegates and researchers discussed concerns of Hindus living in the US. Image: CoHNA Image: CoHNA

II India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 STAFF REPORTER Global Indians for Bharat Vikas, in collaboration with Global Citizens Forum and Rajarshi Bhupendra Modi recently hosted a musical evening of Bhajans by celebrated Bhajan artist, Anup Jalota, in New York. The Padma Shri awardee was greeted and felicitated by Pramit Maakoday, the director of Global Indians for Bharat Vikas, and Jagdish Sehwani. According to an official statement, the sold out concert attracted over 1000 attendees who came together to celebrate the spirit of global citizenship and unity. Prominent spiritual leaders, Swami Sri Chidanand Saraswati and Saraswati Bhagwati also graced the event with their presence. “The soul-stirring Bhajans by Anup Jalota, the Bhajan Samrat, elevated the spiritual atmosphere of the gathering, resonating deeply with the hearts of the attendees,” the organizers said in a statement. “His mellifluous voice and devotional renditions created an ambiance of tranquility and devotion.” A film documentary on the life of revered 8th-century sage Adi Shankaracharya, was screened at the beginning of the event to provide a profound insight into the legacy and teachings of the great spiritual leader. Emcees Ashish Khanna and Jagdish Sehwani, hosted the concert and guided the proceedings. The event concluded with the distribution of prasad to all attendees, symbolizing the spirit of communal sharing and togetherness. “The event highlighted the joint efforts of Global Citizens Forum, and Rajarshi Bhupendra Modi, who collaborated to create a platform for fostering meaningful connections among individuals from diverse backgrounds, embodying the essence of global citizenship,” the organizers said. Anup Jalota performs at sold out event in NY The gathering was enlightened on the importance of morality with thoughtprovoking speeches and interactive skits Images - Provided

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IV India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 This year’s camp was of special significance as the Gurmat camp completed 50 years. SUPRIYA SINGH The Hare Krishna community in New England inaugurated the Sri Radha Damodar Temple as the largest temple in the region. The inauguration attracted distinguished spiritual leaders, guests, and thousands of enthusiastic visitors, a release from the organization stated. Spiritual leaders including Madhu Pandit Dasa, Chanchalapathi Dasa, Jai Chaitanya Dasa, and Bhakti Lata Devi Dasi, who attended the inauguration offered their blessings and guidance to the community. Dignitaries including Senator Mike Moore, Harvard professor Francis X. Clooney, cardiologist Ram Emani, and associate dean of MIT Thea Keith Lucas, were among the guests of honour. Harvard students performed kirtans during the event that spanned four days while performances by the Lasya School of Dance enthralled the audience. A rendition of Narayana Teertha kritis was presented by Sruthilayalu group. The inauguration ceremonies were performed by Kulashekara Chaitanya Dasa, an accomplished priest from India, along with a priest from New Jersey. A testament to the devotion and dedication of its followers, the new temple features awe-inspiring Rajasthani architecture with the altar, meticulously crafted in Jaipur. It houses exquisite deities, including Sri Radha Damodara (moola and utsavar), Sri Gaura Nitai (moola and utsavar), and Srila Prabhupada. According to the release, it will serve as a beacon for the teachings and vision imparted by Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada and serve his mission of spreading Krishna consciousness as well as fostering spiritual growth. Sri Radha Damodar Temple inaugurated in New England Special guests at the inauguration ceremony. Images - Abhishek Singh SYANA’s Gurmat Camp instils cultural values among Sikh youth STAFF REPORTER The Sikh Youth Alliance of North America (SYANA) organized a week-long Gurmat camp in the YMCA Camp Copneconic in Fenton, Michigan to instil cultural values and spiritual awareness among the Sikh youth. According to a release, over 130 Sikh youth between the ages of eight to eighteen years from various parts of the USA and Canada attended the camp. The camp teaches the youth the Sikh way of life by inspiring traditions of the faith and encouraging relationships that strengthen a spiritual experience through Sangat (the community). During the camp, every participant got a chance to recite at least one Shabad (hymn) they learned during Kirtan classes. Every year, the camp has a theme shabad that is recited every day twice during morning and evening divan. This year the theme shabad was “simar manaa raam naam chithaarae.” (Meditate, contemplate the Name of the Lord, O mind) This year’s camp was of special significance as the Gurmat camp completed 50 years. Kuldeep Singh, the founder and national convener of SYANA said, “For the past 50 years, SYANA has provided Sikh children with a one-week summer endeavour, involving the youngest members of our Panth in Keertan, Paath, Gurmat, History and most importantly, the benefits of Guru-oriented Sangat.” Singh further recalled how in the early 1970s, he along with a group of Sikhs felt the need to organize Gurmat camps for the Sikh youth in North America. He added that the first camp was held in 1973 in the basement of his residence in the Detroit Metropolitan area, Michigan. Many of the old campers from the 1980s and 90s, who are now volunteers and organizers thanked the founder Kuldeep Singh, his wife Arminder Kaur and volunteers since 1985, Dr Amarjit Singh and his wife Dr Amarjit Kaur for organizing the enlightening camp, the release stated. The camp concluded with a final day gatka demonstration by the participants and a Kirtan Darbar. The successful execution of the camp by SYANA for the past many years has not only nurtured the spiritual growth of the Sikh youth but also strengthened their cultural roots. These camps empower the next generation of Sikh leaders who will carry forward the essence of Sikhism in the USA, Canada and beyond. Images - SYANA

India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 V The Workshop is preparing for its 18th South Asian Theater Festival, set to be held from September 8-10 at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. Tandon has released four albums, including the Grammy-nominated Soul Call (2009) and Shivoham – The Quest (2018). Epic Actors’ workshop gets new space at coLAB Arts SUPRIYA SINGH The Epic Actors’ Workshop known a dedicated platform for South Asian theatre has announced its brand new space at coLAB Arts in New Brunswick, NJ. This development comes as the Workshop is gearing up for its 18th South Asian Theater Festival, set to be held from September 8-10 at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. “We are delighted to establish our new artistic home at coLAB Arts,” said Dipan Ray, one of the original visionary forces behind Epic Actors’ Workshop. “This move represents a fresh chapter in our journey as we continue to push the boundaries of culturally diverse theatre and delve deeper into the world of performing arts. We are eager to engage with the vibrant arts community in New Brunswick and beyond, and we look forward to creating memorable theatrical experiences for our audiences.” According to a release, the new location with state-of-the-art facilities will provide the group with increased opportunities to develop exceptional theatrical experiences for audiences in the NJ/NY region. The spacious and dynamic setting at coLAB Arts will allow Epic Actors’ Workshop to expand its repertoire and explore new creative avenues for producing innovative and thought-provoking performances, the release added. The South Asian Theater Festival is an esteemed event that celebrates the richness and diversity of South Asian theatrical expression. The festival, will feature Epic Actors’ Workshop’s latest production, a Bengali adaptation of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” as one of its highlighted performances. The festival provides a platform for talented artists from the South Asian cultural diaspora living in the United States to showcase their talents, share their stories, and foster cross-cultural understanding through the medium of theatre, the release stated. Image- coLAB Arts ZEE5 Global announces premiere of “Gadar: Ek Prem Katha” Chandrika Tandon to release fifth album MADHU BALAJI I ndian American businesswoman and philanthropist Chandrika Tandon is all set to release her fifth album, titled Ammu’s Treasures, in September. According to a press statement, Chandrika’s new recording described as “a hug for the world,” was inspired by her grandchildren. The 3-volume collection of 35 familiar songs and 20 soothing chants features a distinguished lineup of musicians including Béla Fleck, Kenny Werner, Eugene Friesen, Romero Lubambo, Rakesh Chaurasia, Purbayan Chatterjee, and the Czech National Symphony Orchestra. “This album, which began as a simple gift from a loving grandmother to her grandchildren, has become an expression of intergenerational love and wisdom for everyone,” a release said. Tandon has released four albums, including the Grammy-nominated Soul Call (2009) and Shivoham – The Quest (2018), an oratorio that premiered in a sold-out concert at the Kennedy Center. Her performances have reached iconic venues including Lincoln Center, the Smithsonian, Olympiastadion (Berlin), NYC’s Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, and the World Culture Festival (New Delhi). The Grammy-nominated musician is recognized for her donation of US$100 million to New York University (NYU), where the School of Engineering now bears her name. She chairs the board of the NYU Tandon School of Engineering and is a trustee of the University, NYU Langone Health; and also a board member of the NYU Stern School of Business. Tandon is a Harold Acton Fellow at NYU and a Sterling Fellow at Yale University, where she serves on the President’s Council on International Activities. She was one of the eminent personalities whom Indian Prime Minister Modi met at the United Nations during his visit to the US last month. The New York-based businesswoman came to the United States at the age of 24, earning her bachelor’s degree from Madras Christian College, Chennai, and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad. STAFF REPORTER ZEE5 Global has announced the world digital premiere of “Gadar: Ek Prem Katha”. The 22-year-old movie starring Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel, Utkarsh Sharma and late actor, Amrish Puri is re-released on the platform in 4K resolution. “ZEE5 Global is home to the biggest blockbusters from South Asia and we strive to bring our viewers access to their favourite stars on screens. Gadar: Ek Prem Katha is a timeless blockbuster that continues to delight viewers even 22 years after its release,” Archana Anand, chief business officer, ZEE5 Global said. “With the re-release of the film in 4K with Dolby Atmos on the platform, we hope to provide viewers with an all-new way of experiencing the cult film’s moving story of love, patriotism and courage,” she added. Set against the backdrop of partition in 1947, the movie revolves around the journey of Tara Singh (Sunny Deol) a Sikh truck driver who falls in love with a Muslim girl – Sakeena (Ameesha Patel) belonging to an aristocratic family. The two eventually get married and have a son but their happiness is short-lived. Sakeena’s father enters their life and hatches a plan to separate the two. He forces her to stay in Pakistan and separates her from her family. Sakeena moves to Pakistan while Tara struggles to reunite with his love “The movie will be an immersive, seamless and top-quality viewing experience once again for its viewers on ZEE5 Global. The platform has been investing a lot to provide good content for its viewers. It will be super to see Sunny Deol set the screen ablaze with enhanced audiovisual fare. The film will once again touch the emotional chord of the audiences,” director Anil Sharma said. Image - Zee5 Chandrika Tandon Image: LinkedIn profile

VI India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 Media Partner There are few actors who have left such an indelible mark on the han minds of cinegoers, amongst them Rajendra Kumar. Few know our beloved Jubilee Kumar’s complete name read Rajendra Kumar Tuli but surnames never made our heroes, their work did and Rajendra Kumar certainly did more than his: bit. Think about Bollywood films of the 1960s and 70s and it is impossible not to imagine shots of the actor romancing the camera that it of course, when he wasn’t brooding in front of it for an intense scene. But there was much more to Kumar, than the expressive man we saw onscreen. On the occasion of his 96th birth anniversary and 24th death anniversary on July 20 and July. 12 respectively, Bollywood Insider takes a walk down memory lane to pay tribute to the great actor who certainly deserved all the accolades that came his way. TURBULENT CHILDHOOD Rajendra Kumar was born in Sialkot in a family consisting of a grandfather who was a military contractor and a father who owned a textile business. If it was not for the Partition of India that resulted in his family’s sudden shift to India. Young Rajendra would have perhaps never made it to Bombay (now Mumbai). But when the borders were redefined, the actor’s fate was sealed. His family-like several others-left everything they had known, and called their own, behind to forge a new life in India. Rajendra found himself drawn to the City of Dreams for a chance to be a part of the fledgling but attractive Hindi film industry. TRIUMPHANT TIMES Despite his handsome and charming look, Rajendra did not see himself as an actor who would face the camera. He signes up as an assistant to filmmaker H 5 Rawall and spent the next five years working with him in films like Patango, Sagni and Pockerman. However, when the opportunity presented itself. Rajendra did not shy away from making a debut with a cameo appearance in Sugoi He also took up a small role in forure which starred Dilip Kumar and Nargis. This small role, however got him noticed and director Devendra Goel cast him in his first film: Wachan. The promising debutant delivered hit and was immediately branded a star upon the film’ release. His impressive performance, albeit in a supporting role in Mother India, fetched him rave reviews too but it was with his romantic turn in Goony Uthi Shehnat, that be well and truly arrived. There was an looking back after that for the actor who went on to act in as many as 80 films in his career spanning five decades. BOLLYWOOD’S MONEY-SPINNER The film industry can be a very superstitious place. Back then, actors whose films worked wonders at the box office would be treated like royalty and Rajendra Kumar enjoyed this status for the longest time. Dubbed “Jubilee Kumar’ after the hevy of films that ran into golden and silver jubilees at the theatres, he was a force to reckon with. Filmmakers would line outside his house hoping he would sign their film next. Apparently, there was a time when five theatres on Lamington Road played only his films and all ran to packed houses. Films like Dhool Ka Phool, Gharana, Aas Ka Panchhi Sasural, Dil Ek Mandir, Mere Mehboob, Sangam, Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Zindagi, Arzoo, Suraj, and Gora Aur Kolo earned him much acclaim. He was lauded for outshining his seniors like Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand when it came to achieving success at the ticket windows. Despite his heady success as the box office, Rajendra Kumar was not addicted to the fame and success, when his career started going downhill, he was gracious enough to accept it without getting embittered Incidentally, his successor Rajesh Khanna delivered his first superhit Aradhana immediately after buying Rajendra’s bungalow and the trade attributed it to Rajendra’s luck rubbing off on him. ROMANCE IS THE NAME OF THE GAME Rajendra established himself as the ultimate romantic hero of his time. While his peers stuck to either drama or action, he would take up versatile roles. He came to be known for his magical chemistry with the leading actresses of that era. His pairing with Sadhana in films like Mere Mehboob and Arzoo was very well-received. He also made a great pair with Saira Banu and their pair in films such as Jhuk Gaya Aasman, Aman and Aaye Milan Ki Belo was a hit. A MAN OF MANY TALENTS While he may not have harboured acting aspirations, destiny had other plans for him, making him the poster boy of romantic films back in the good ol’ days. However, Rajendra did not limit himself to acting. Once his career as a filmstar started declining, he did not shy away from character roles and even acted in a few Punjabi films. As a producer, he did not find much success but two films, made with a personal agenda and a lot of love-wooed the box office. Those were; the film with which he launched his son Kumar Gaurav, Love Story and the other where he roped in Sanjay Dutt for Naam. Till his last breath, he kept track of the film trade and would have box office reports faxed to him despite his ailing health, While he had envisioned his son Kumar Gaurav to be just as successful as him, he had made peace with his son’s failure too. SIMPLE LIVING Behind the camera, Rajendra was a humble and kind-hearted individual. Despite his stardom, he was down-to-earth and liked to lead a life of few needs. His generosity and support for aspiring actors and filmmakers were legendary, earning him respect and admiration throughout the industry. Sunil Dutt spoke fondly about his reel-life brother and the time he stood by him like a rock when Sanjay Dutt was in trouble over drug abuse. Dutt recounted how Rajendra would be present during all police raids to ensure no evidence was planted and the investigation was conducted with due diligence. The actor also campaigned for Dutt Sr when the latter contested the elections. The friendship eventually turned into a relationship when Rajendra’s son Kumar Gaurav married Sunil’s daughter Namrata. Rumour has it that the actor was also keen that his daughter Kajal marry Sanjay Dutt but fate had other plans. While he may have not won awards or recognitions like his peers, Rajendra Kumar’s contribution to Hindi cinema cannot be disregarded. His legacy does not only comprise of beautiful lyrics and romantic scenes, his legacy in Hindi cinema comprises of the many families he gave a livelihood to, by just being the person he was – Jubilee Kumar! The Life And Times Of JUBILEE KUMAR

Aries You are heading into a period in which you will have many jobs and, therefore, economic opportunities, Aries. Think about your goals and open your eyes wide to recognize them and build on them. A certain astral conjunction helps you increase your ability to adapt to changes and new situations. Your intuition will be very sharp, so if you have to decide something, trust your inner voice more than anyone’s advice. You will have the judgment and ability to tackle any problem and come out of it with flying colors. Do not go into a business that is offered to you; it may be very tempting, but it is also very risky. In love, don’t get carried away by envious reviews that might make you jealous. Don’t believe a word of their gossip, and control your urge to make a scene because your partner might be hurt by your doubts and attitude, and you might alienate them. Taurus You’ll be overly sensitive these days, Taurus, and you need to do your best to see reality and not get carried away with your perceptions. You may think the whole world is against you or get angry over unimportant matters. Don’t blame anyone for what they say or do; everyone is free to express themselves. Before you start, think twice. You can be very harsh with your words, and the fact is that when you go beyond your extreme touchiness, you might regret it. Your finances are going through a very favourable period, which will lift your spirits and allow you to benefit from a more comfortable situation. Finally, the economic balance that was partly responsible for your state of mind will return to your life. You have many things to think about, but until the last days of the week, you will surely not have the mental clarity necessary to do so. Wait; don’t make decisions that might be wrong. In the love aspect, this mindset complicates things for you. Think about it. Gemini It’s time to start looking for new work opportunities, Gemini. You have worked hard to grow in your current company, but your struggle does not seem to have paid off, perhaps in part because your relationships with certain people in power have not been very harmonious. This week, you will also begin to feel the need to feel more free and to be more independent. If you share a relationship with other partners, this feeling will make you feel a little uncomfortable because you will want to make your own decisions without having to consult them. Don’t be bitter about it. Talk about it calmly, discuss your aspirations, and you can find a solution together. In love, sometimes you have to take refuge with your friends because your partner goes too far with his suspicions of infidelity. You then feel alone and unable to refute his arguments because he does not reflect the truth. Ask yourself if you really want to spend your life with someone who doubts you. Cancer Finally, your head is no longer in the fog because of professional problems with cancer. The difficult period you went through recently due to disagreements with one of your superiors is over. If you’ve chosen to ignore the problem and keep working hard to prove your professional worth, now is the time to reap the rewards of your efforts, because they won’t have been in vain. You were able to prove your level and your tenacity. This week, you will get the recognition you deserve. It will bring you many benefits, and you will finally feel relieved. This is very important because you spend most of your day at work. This change will also be beneficial for your love life because you will transmit relaxation and happiness, and your partner will be delighted. If you’re a lonely heart right now, don’t be melancholy; celebrate your career success and hang out with friends. Love is closer than you think, but if you’re more interested in other things, you won’t be able to detect it. Refine your intuition. Leo The time has come for you to analyse what is happening at work, Leo. You’ve had friction with a boss or co-worker, and you don’t seem to feel comfortable. But this week, the atmosphere will be more relaxed, and you can reflect on the reasons for these disagreements. Perhaps you unconsciously provoke them yourself. If you invest money, focus on the return of that investment. You have achieved good results, but you need to develop a business plan to plan the next steps. Be careful with money, which tends to slip through your fingers. And also beware of scams. They are small-scale, of course, but they are very annoying. In love, a very pleasant week awaits you, which will allow you to compensate for other disappointments. If you have started a relationship, you are full of illusions. Enjoy the present and do not think too much about the future. Virgo Too much activity at work will have a negative effect on your mood, Virgo. Avoid this, as it could lead to relationship issues with your colleagues. You should be happy because an increase in activity means things are going well—better than they have been so far. You may be nervous because you will have to do things you are not used to, and you may feel unsafe. Keep calm; you are perfectly capable of achieving anything you want. You are not lacking in abilities or resources. The most important thing to do to succeed is to control your nervousness. This will allow you to generate additional income later, but you will probably spend a few days in a difficult situation. Not because you don’t have enough money, but because it flows from your hands like water. Control your expenses. In love,, there will also be movement. You may notice strange behaviours in your partner that will alert you. Before making a mess, think that you are the one who is stressed. Come to your senses. Libra You will have an intense week of work that will allow you to demonstrate your skills and your ability to work perfectly even under pressure, Libra. It will be very positive for you, so don’t get overwhelmed. In business, on the other hand, caution is required. Perhaps you have already encountered problems in completing a project and, although you do not see yourself capable of solving them, you do not want to listen to those who give you a way out. Be a little more humble and change your attitude. On the other hand, in love, you have a clear vision, and you realise that your other half gets carried away over trifles of no importance. Now that you have found someone who loves you and makes you feel safe. Scorpio You have had an excellent week in the field of work thanks to a very positive astral influence, Scorpio. Now you can achieve anything you want. Towards the end of the week, you are likely to get the opportunity you have been dreaming of, and you will gain great professional prestige. On the other hand, financial matters are at risk. This is not the right time to start a project. Also, maybe someone you know will ask you to lend them some money. If you feel like it, do it, but more than likely you won’t get it back. On a sentimental level, free-hearted Scorpios might be surprised. Maybe a longtime friend will finally tell you that he’s been in love with you all your life. If he leaves you in shock and you’re considering giving him a resounding “no”, think twice because an affirmative answer is more advisable. He knows you very well, he loves you very much, and you have always felt good with him or her. Try ! Sagittarius You might be disappointed these days, Sagittarius. It is possible that, for various reasons, a project that you want to carry out in your field of work is put on hold. Do not be discouraged; the opportunity will come later. This week, try to take things calmly, because in the financial field, too, you must act with caution. The atmosphere is turbulent, and it’s not the right time to make important decisions. Even less if they involve high expenses. Therefore, if you have thought about buying a car or even an apartment, wait a little longer for these questions to be better answered by the stars. On a sentimental level, you may have to face some problems with your partner. You are more attractive than ever, and you have many suitors. You may be tempted to fool around with some of your admirers, perhaps in your work environment. If this gets to your partner’s ears, there could be a major argument. It’s not worth it. Capricorn You are entering a good phase in your professional life, Capricorn. Now you feel more comfortable because your work is valued. Despite this, it is advisable to exercise a little more restraint when you have to say something in this environment, as you tend to be too abrupt. The same problem can arise if you have your own business. If something doesn’t go the way you planned, you’ll put yourself in a situation that will end up getting you into trouble. Take advantage of the fact that the stars are thought-provoking this week and think about how you can improve this aspect of your character. Try to be more tolerant, especially of other people’s mistakes, to avoid unnecessary resentment. It’s always best to be on good terms with those you spend so much time with. On a sentimental level, these days, problems could arise with your partner because of your lack of confidence in him. At first, he may even be amused by your jealousy, but if you continue with this attitude, he will eventually get bored. Aquarius You will have a very positive week in the field of work, Aquarius, and you could have a good surprise. Each time there was an internal promotion in your company, you wanted to take steps to achieve it, but you never acted because you thought it was useless and that you would not be taken into account. But now you know for sure that your superiors have noticed you and that you have great support. This will boost your morale significantly. However, there are some aspects of your character that you should polish up, such as always wanting to be right and not listening to the advice of more experienced people. Listen to the advice of others, also in the financial field. If you turn a deaf ear and go your own way, you could lose money. In love, you don’t listen to your partner when he or she tries to inform you, and then you complain that he or she doesn’t tell you anything. It’s up to you to solve this problem. Pisces These are very important days for you as they could influence your professional projection, Pisces. The most positive thing might come to you from a powerful person in your company, perhaps someone recently hired, who will notice your abilities. You distinguish yourself from others through your performance. In your free time, think about everything that’s going on. A good astral alignment will allow you to have precise thoughts on all aspects of your life. You will clearly see the path to follow and the mistakes not to make. On a sentimental level, if you are alone right now, you will meet someone who will completely change your life and who can make you immensely happy. Weekly Horoscope Sundeep Kochar Astrologer https://www.sundeepkochar.com India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 VII

VIII India Abroad Monday, 31 July, 2023 Published Weekly Copyright © 2023 Indian Star LLC Editor in Chief Dr. Sridhar Krishnaswami Chief Executive Officer Rajeev Bhambri Registered Address Indian Star LLC, 6215 Rockhurst Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817 USA Disclaimers: 1. India Abroad is a Registered trademark and not affiliated with the newspaper named India Abroad marketed in the US from 1972 to 2021. 2. Indian Star LLC assumes no liability for claims / assumptions made in advertisements and advertorials. Views expressed by the writers are their own. Indian Star LLC A publication of Editor (Hindi) Dr. Rameshwar Dayal Akshay Bhatia wins first PGA Tour victory YASMIN TINWALA I ndian-American golfer Akshay Bhatia registered his first PGA Tour victory at the Barracuda Championship in California. The win came four years after he turned professional at age 17. Talking about the win, he said “I knew that if I got into a position like this, I could do it. I’ve done it at every level. That putt on 18 in regulation was just, man, it’s a crazy feeling. I was telling my caddie, like, your brain and everything, you can feel all this adrenaline, all this shakiness. It’s pretty crazy. “ Bhatia played in the Barracuda Championship under special temporary membership considering his previous wins that includes a runner-up finish at the Puerto Rico Open in March. Bhatia birdied the closing regulation hole to set up a play-off after which he defeated Patrick Rodgers at Tahoe Mountain Club to seal his win. The victory immediately helped him become a PGA Tour member and thus eligible for the FedExCup playoffs if he earns the required number of points. His current standing is 92nd with 435 points. Speaking of his journey, Bhatia who was visibly emotional and short of words when talking to reporters after the win, said, “It’s been a tough road. I’ve had a lot of up, and a lot of down. A lot of good, a lot of bad,” he said. Image-Twitter/@PGATour Satwiksairaj, Chirag clinch 2023 Korea Open title RISHIKA BHARDWAJ S atwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, the Indian men’s doubles badminton duo, won the Korea Open 2023 in Yeosu on July 23. They defeated the world no. 1 Indonesian pair Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto with a score of 17-21, 21-13, 21-14 in a thrilling final at Jinnam Stadium. This marked Rankireddy and Shetty’s seventh title on the BWF World Tour, maintaining their unbeaten streak for ten consecutive matches. After a tough start the Indian pair rallied, claiming control in the second game and forcing a decider. Rankireddy and Shetty’s determination paid off in the third game, securing a win after a 62-minute intense duel against the Indonesian champions. The Indian doubles team had previously won the 2023 Swiss Open (Super 300) and the 2023 Indonesian Open (Super 1000) earlier this year. The Korean Open is their third Super 500 title of their career. Notably, former world champion PV Sindhu remains the only other Indian to have claimed the Korea Open title, winning it in 2017. As they gear up for Paris 2024 Olympics, the results at the Korea Open are significant for the players’ qualifying rankings. Image - Twitter/@Shettychirag04 STAFF REPORTER MI New York clinched the inaugural Major League Cricket title after defeating Seattle Orcas by seven wickets on July 30 at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. Satya Nadella, Seattle Orcas co-owner and Microsoft Chairman and CEO, delivered the first ball of the final match. Leading from the front, MI NY captain Nicholas Pooran’s exceptional batting helped his team chase their 184 run target in just 16 overs. He struck consecutive sixes to take MI New York’s score to 80/2 in just 6 overs. He smashed a total of 10 fours and 13 sixes during his innings to score 137 runs off 55 balls. With his outstanding performance, Pooran not only took his team to the finish line but scored the league’s fastest 50 runs and became its leading run-scorer. Speaking of the victory, he said, “We spoke today about having an opportunity to do something special. I am very proud of everything every individual did and everyone contributed in some way. The people in the dressing room told me that I just needed to bat like Nicky P and not think about batting like the captain. I just backed my skills. The platform was there today and the opportunity MI New York crowned MLC Champions was there.” Pooran also bagged the SLING TV Most Valuable Player of the Tournament award while the NTT Leading Wicket Taker award was presented to Trent Boult. MLC also honored Bart King, considered to be the best American to ever play cricket, by presenting the Domestic Player of the Tournament award named after him to Cameron Gannon. Images- MLC