*New India Abroad is a Registered trademark and not affiliated with the newspaper named India Abroad marketed in the US from 1972 to 2021. Record number of Indians trying entry into US illegally ...Page 3 Highest Jain Community Award for Ajay Bhutoria ...Page 10 Year 2, Volume 2 Washington DC, Monday 06 November, 2023 www.newindiaabroad.com A platform for the voice of next generation Indian Diaspora Rep.Bera calls for immediate pause in Israel-Palestine Conflict ...Page 13 Jewish group honours Indian American for fighting antisemitism...Page 06 Diwali Dance Fest lights up Disney World STAFF REPORTER Over 400 young dancers from all over the United States gathered at Disney Springs® and Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park in October for the first-ever Youth Celebration of Diwali, presented by Jashn Productions. The three-day dance festival was directed by Jashn Productions' Jeanie Beri and was a visual and auditory feast. "Bringing Diwali to Walt Disney World® Resort for the first time ever was so exhilarating," said Beri. "We created history by sharing the joy and excitement of this important festival with the South Asian dance community. Celebrating the magic of Diwali in The Most Magical Place on Earth was truly a dream come true. Jashn Productions is looking forward to bringing people together to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of South Asia with future events like the Diwali Dance Fest” The festival kicked off with an official parade at Disney Springs®, where dancers performed a 20-minute choreographed piece. The Dance Fest Showcase, held at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park included 17 dance schools and performances from various states of India including Gujarat, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh weaving elements of pop and hip-hop. The evening was hosted by Television personality Nisha Mathur and actress Sway Bhatia. A first-of-its-kind celebration, the Diwali Dance Fest gave children the opportunity to showcase their talent on a worldrenowned platform. According to a release, over 1,000 guests experienced the sights and sounds of Diwali in the resort's Theater in the Wild as it echoed with the sounds of Indian music, and thunderous applause and cheers. “We extend our heartfelt appreciation and kudos to the entire DDF team for orchestrating the spectacular first-ever Diwali Dance Fest Showcase and Parade at Walt Disney World. It was an extraordinary event, leaving us all with cherished memories and hearts brimming with joy! All the performances were beautiful, and it was evident that they poured their heart and soul into every dance, every step, and every expression. The Showcase was not just a celebration of a cultural tradition but a representation of unity and the power of art to bridge gaps and bring people together” said Californiabased ICC Bollywood directors, Amit and Hiren. “The punctuality, coordination and professionalism by the Jashn Productions team were remarkable. You have set the bar very high. Thank you so much for including us and we appreciate the amount of thought, love, and effort that went into this” said DanceFlix Academy a dance school based in Georgia. On the occasion, Jashn Productions donated US$10,000 to the N-Lorem Foundation, which works to discover, develop, and provide personalized experimental ASO medicines for free to patients with nanorare conditions. A first-of-its-kind celebration, the Diwali Dance Fest gave children the opportunity to showcase their talent on a world-renowned platform. Image : Geo Media Co.
2 New India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 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 AIA celebrate Diwali and Dussehra in California / Images : AIA Double Dhamaka at AIA Diwali Dussehra event STAFF REPORTER T he Association of IndoAmericans (AIA) and Bolly 92.3 hosted their annual flagship event, "Dussehra and Diwali Dhamaka" - (DDD) last month at the Alameda County Fairground in Pleasanton, California. The event has gained a reputation for being one of the largest Diwali festivals in Northern California and was supported by over 45 Indian organizations in Bay Area this year. Over 20,000 people attended the day-long event to witness the most popular activities, such as Ravan Dahan, Fireworks, Disco Dandia, etc. Diwali was celebrated with a 9-minutelong fireworks display sponsored by Sanjiv Gupta, CPA, while Dussehra was commemorated by burning a 30-foot Ravan Effigy sponsored by Dr Prakash Advani. Dignitaries and local elected officials such as Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert (co-host) , Indian Consul General Dr. Srikar Reddy, State Senator Dave Cortese, Assembly Members Liz Ortega and Alex Lee, Alameda County Supervisors Elisa Marquez and Lena Tam, Vice Mayors Michael McCorriston and Jack Balch, and Councilmembers Raj Salwan, Sridhar Verose, Jean Josey, Marisol Rubio, and Sherry Hu graced the event and conveyed Diwali greetings to the gathering. Following a "Maha Mangal Arthi," devotees pulled Goddess Lakshmi's chariot through the streets in a procession. Another highlight of the evening was Disco Dandia, which continued until the very end of the event. People of all ages participated in the dance as live music was provided by singers from AIA, the Bay Area Telugu Association (BATA), and East Bay Karaoke (EBK). The venue was packed with over a hundred booths selling everything from clothing and jewelry to home furnishings and real estate. Rangoli and diya-making contests, carrom and chess tournaments, and carnival games all drew large crowds. This year, one of the more recent additions, "Thambola," attracted more than a thousand people. Attendees also feasted on cuisine from various local eateries at the festival-like setting. Dignitaries at the event
New India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023 3 MEHAK LUTHRA T he Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in collaboration with the Department of Labor (DOL), has announced that they will provide an additional 64,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. These new visas will be issued in addition to the 66,000 H-2B visas already allotted for the fiscal year as per congressional mandate. The additional H-2B visas have been allocated in accordance with the maximum limit set by the September 2023 Fiscal Year 2024 Continuing Resolution, a release noted. Industries such as hospitality, tourism, landscaping, and seafood processing often rely on seasonal or other temporary workers through the H-2B program to meet consumer demand. The supplemental allocation of visas aims to address the demand for seasonal or temporary workers, particularly in areas where there is a shortage of available U.S. workers. It is expected to contribute to the American economy. By announcing the availability of these supplemental visas at the beginning of FY 2024, the Departments aim to provide U.S. businesses with the ability to plan and address their workforce needs in advance, particularly for seasonal and temporary workers, the release stated. In this regard, DHS and DOL implemented safeguards to protect both American and foreign workers. This includes the requirement for employers to first seek and recruit American workers for available positions, as mandated by the visa program. Additionally, they are committed to preventing the exploitation of foreign workers by ensuring fair treatment by their employers. The H-2B program allows U.S. employers to hire noncitizens for temporary nonagricultural labor or services in the United States. This temporary employment may be for specific situations, seasonal requirements, or intermittent needs, rather than for long-term or permanent positions. STAFF REPORTER Data from the United States Customs and Border Protection (UCBP) shows a five fold increase in the number of people from India trying to illegally enter the United States between October 2022 and September 2023 compared to 2019-2020. Statistics for the latest period shows close to 97,000 people from India detained at US borders compared to about 20,000 three years ago. The majority of the illegals, about 42,000, have been caught at the borders of Mexico while some 30,000 had been apprehended at the Canadian borders of the United States. The rest have been picked up at other points of attempted entry. The five fold increase in the last three years include single adults making up the bulk of the detainees , entire families and shockingly children without any accompanied adults. What has not been a deterrent is the kind of hazards faced by people trying to get into the United States either through Mexico or Canada, the blistering heat or cold taking a human toll invariably and in some tragic instances leading to one or more deaths within a family. Rules being what they are young children are left in the custody of Immigration authorities. The surge in the last three years has been partially explained by the end of the pandemic era Title 42 in May that denied asylum hearings with a view to allowing authorities for swift deportations. At times known as the “donkey route”, human traffickers resort to taking people through tortuous land, seas and air of Central Asia, Middle East, Central and Latin Americas to seemingly safe havens in borders of Canada and the United States. Authorities have long maintained that a good percentage of people taking the chance of an entry into the United States are from Gujarat and Punjab with unscrupulous agents fleecing huge sums of money for the “promised” land. The general impression of enforcement agencies is that for every person detained at the border, ten others have made their way into the country. One count is that there are as many as 12 million persons illegally in the United States. Record number of Indians trying entry into US illegally DHS to add over 65,000 H-2B visas for FY 2024
4 New India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023 [email protected] BHAVANA P Hyderabad-based Tarun Ghulati, who holds British citizenship, is an independent candidate for the mayor of London. Given his 20 years of connection to the city, Ghulati is committed to ensuring that London keeps its place as a premier global metropolis while also putting the safety, security, and opportunities for personal development of all Londoners first. At a press conference in Hyderabad, Ghulati declared his intent to run for the London Mayor elections in 2024. He underlined his intention to fortify relationships between countries and diaspora populations in London. In his opinion, the Free Trade Agreement that exists between the United Kingdom and India has the potential to facilitate economic progress, raise living standards, and foster general prosperity. His goal is to eliminate obstacles to development and guarantee the safety of every resident to create a vibrant and united London. In addition to reviewing speed limits and low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), he intends to do away with the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and congestion fee on weekends and holidays, besides prioritizing affordable housing. London in Tarun Ghulati's vision is a global city that cuts across boundaries and generations. To promote innovation and progress, he wants to educate people with financial literacy, include the community in development initiatives, and encourage entrepreneurship. He envisions a London where everyone has access to a wealth of options. His campaign for London mayor is focused on the needs of the populace rather than politics as he works to uphold an impartial and unambiguous vision for the city. MADHU BALAJI I ndian American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal's sister Susheela Jayapal has announced she will run for Congress in Oregon to replace retiring Democrat Earl Blumenauer. Susheela will represent Oregon's 3rd congressional district. "We need a progressive champion in Washington to carry on Congressman Blumenauer's legacy, stand up to MAGA ideologues, and get things done for our community, without compromising our values. Today, I'm proud to announce my candidacy for Congress,” Susheela Jayapal wrote on X. In her bid, Susheela proposed to defend abortion and reproductive rights; take on big polluters and fight climate change to conserve; rise for democracy; make health care accessible to all; provide jobs and living wages for workers; and increase federal funding for affordable housing, shelters and treatment beds. She would also work towards making high quality education affordable and communities safer. Most recently, Susheela served as the Multnomah County Commissioner. She stepped down from the post on Oct.31, 2023 to pursue the Democratic nomination for Oregon's 3rd congressional district. She officially launched her campaign with endorsements from Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and Oregon State Representative Tawna Sanchez. Born in India, Susheela moved to the United States when she was 16 and attended Swarthmore College. She then graduated from the University of Chicago Law School. She has two children and lives in the Sabin neighbourhood of Portland. In May 2018, she was elected to Portland's nonpartisan Multnomah County Board of Commissioners. Sharing the news on X, formerly known as Twitter, Pramila Jayapal who serves as the chair for the Congressional Progressive Caucus, tweeted, "My incredible sister Susheela just launched her campaign for Congress! Her campaign is NOT accepting donations from corporate PACs, so she’s relying on support from grassroots donors to win." “I cannot imagine being on this path without Pramila and I can’t wait to work with her ― and we are going to irritate each other along the way,” Susheela said about working together with her sister Pramila Jayapal, in an interview with HuffPost. Susheela is running to replace retiring oregon democrat Earl Blumenauer Image : Multnomah County Tarun Ghulati in London's Susheela 2024 Mayoral race Jayapal announces Congress bid Image : LinkedIn
New India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023 5 Kerala Center honors community members STAFF REPORTER I ndian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center, Inc. (The Kerala Center) recently celebrated its 31st Annual Awards Dinner at the Center’s auditorium in Elmont, NY, during which they honored eight individuals who made notable contributions in their professions and to society with their selfless dedication. The program commenced with the American and Indian National anthems sung by Riya Roy and Bincy Cherian. Kerala Center president Alex K. Esthappan welcomed the gathering and special guests New York Senator Kevin Thomas and Nassau County Legislator Carrie Solages. The guests felicitated the honorees and presented the awards. Dr. Shyam Kottilil of Baltimore, Maryland received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions in the field of virology and scientific research. In his keynote address, he discussed both the achievements and the shortcomings of the response to the COVID epidemic, as well as strategies for preventing future epidemics. Sajeeb Koya from Pickering, Ontario, Canada was recognised for entrepreneurship. His firm 3S International, Inc., is behind the LED Façade lighting that lights up Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. The current president of the Indian Nurses Association of New York (INANY), Dr. Anna George from Long Island, got the award for nursing. Dr. Shelby Kutty a physician-scientist and academic leader, serving as the Helen B. Taussig endowed professor and director of pediatric and congenital cardiology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine was recgnised in the field of medicine. Ajay Ghosh from Trumbull, Connecticut received the Media and Journalism award. He is chief editor and co-publisher of The Universal News Network and also serves as media coordinator for the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) and ITServe Alliance. Lata Menon from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada was recognised for her expertise in Legal Services, Sahitya Academy award winner Jayant Kamicheril from Reading, Pennsylvania got the Pravasi Malayalam Literature Award; while Gopala Pillai from Dallas, Texas was honored for her commitment towards community service. Senator Thomas, who has received an award before, spoke to the crowd and commended the Kerala Center for recognizing those who have worked tirelessly to improve society. Representative Solages said that he was inspired to study harder by his interactions with Indian and Malayalee peers at George Town University. He also stated that there is nothing wrong with loving both our home country and the United States. During the awards ceremony, P.T. Paulose and Jose Kadapuram, who served on the souvenir committee, presented U. A. Naseer with a copy of the souvenir they had created. Dr. Madhu Bhaskaran, the chairman of the Award Committee and Board of Directors, in his speech explained the process of selecting the awardees. Bincy Cherian, Tahseen Mohammed, Sibi David, Toni and Heera performed songs, and Noopura School of Dance performed Indian classical dances, for the audience at the awards night. Secretary Raju Thomas concluded the ceremony with a vote of thanks to honored guests, awardees, sponsors, and audience. Since its establishment in 1993, the Kerala Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving Keralites and the Indian American community in the tristate New York area. In the last 31 years, the Center has honored over 200 individuals of Keralite descent who excelled in their profession and/or made great contribution to the larger society. In the last 31 years, the Center has honored over 200 individuals of Keralite descent who excelled in their profession and/or made great contribution to the larger society. Image : Kerala Center Kerala Center Awardees 2023 – Ajay Ghosh, Dr. Shelby Kutty, Sajeeb Koya, Dr. Shyam Kottilil, Dr. Anna George, Gopala Pillai, Lata Menon, and Jayant Kamicheril Noopura School of Dance students performing classical dances at the event
6 New India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023 BHAVANA P T oms River resident Avinash Gupta, a longtime Lakewood cardiologist, has been elected president of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), a major non-profit serving the Indian diaspora in the United States. Gupta serves as Chief of Cardiology and president of the medical staff at Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus (MMCSC). Ankur Vaidya, the chairman of the FIA, greeted the incoming executive team and acknowledged their hard work. Looking back on his tenure as vice president of the FIA, Dr Gupta called it a worthwhile learning experience. Throughout his presidency, he vowed to lead FIA to unprecedented heights. Saurin Parikh, executive vice president; Smita Miki Patel, vice president; Deepak Goel, second vice president; Priti Patel, general secretary; Mahesh Dubal, joint secretary; Sanjeev Singh, treasurer; and Haresh Shah, joint treasurer, comprise the FIA executive team for 2024. Gupta has been involved in the social welfare and healthcare sectors in both the United States and India for over forty years. He is also a member of the Ocean County Board of Health. Gupta has held the position of president of the Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA) and the Monmouth Ocean County Association of Physicians from India (MOCAAPI). In 2012, the Sidhivinayak Temple and Indian Cultural Center were established in Toms River thanks to his leadership in the Hindu-American community. He has personally contributed thousands of dollars and innumerable hours to this organisation. He came to the US in 1986 following his graduation from Indian medical school. Before starting to practice cardiology in Lakewood in 1994, he completed his internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship in New York. He began his own business with his wife Geeta Gupta after working for Lakewood Medical Specialists, using Kimball Medical Center as his primary facility. In addition to being board-certified in lipidology, internal medicine, cardiology, and nuclear medicine, he is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology. Specialising in internal medicine and cardiology Gupta and his wife have a clinic in Lakewood that provides all tests related to cardiology care, including nuclear, echocardiograms, carotid ultrasounds, and regular exercise stress tests. Gupta has received many awards including the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas in 2020 for leadership and community service. As president, his goals will be to advance the welfare and interests of the Indian diaspora in the US, promote crosscultural dialogue and understanding, speak up for the needs of the community, and fortify the organization's standing as a grassroots, nonprofit umbrella organization. Dr Avinash Gupta / FIA president elect for 2024 MEHAK LUTHRA Dr Bharat Barai, an Indian-American physician, has been recognized and honoured by an influential Jewish organization for his unwavering commitment to fostering stronger relations between India, the United States, and Israel, as well as his stance against antisemitism. He was bestowed with the award "for standing against antisemitism" during the "Campus Championship Gala" organized by StandWithUS. Barai is a distinguished leader within the Hindu-American community. His notable public service roles encompass serving as a Trustee and former president of the Federation of Indian American Associations (FIA), as well as founding and previously chairing the Board of Trustees of the Manav Seva Mandir, a significant Hindu temple located in the Chicago area. He also serves as a Trustee of the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago, the Indian American Cultural Center NW Indiana, and various other Indian American organizations. Barai has played an instrumental role in advancing and strengthening relations between India, the United States, and Israel. He has been actively engaged in hosting numerous Indian leaders when they visit Chicago, and he has also accompanied several U.S. elected officials, including President Clinton, during their state visits to India. Within his leadership position in the Indian-American community, Barai has demonstrated a strong commitment to building and reinforcing connections with the Jewish and pro-Israel community. He played an integral role in facilitating StandWithUs's outreach efforts, enabling the organization to host various events that celebrated the commonalities between the two communities. These events included "Ancient Cultures-Modern Miracles," a commemoration of 65 years of Indian and Israeli independence, a Hindu-Jewish Festival of Lights in honour of Chanukah and Diwali, and numerous other programs. Jewish group honours Indian American for fighting antisemitism Dr Bharat Barai has played an instrumental role in advancing and strengthening relations between India, the US and Israel Avinash Gupta elected president of FIA
New India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023 7 STAFF REPORTER I n recognition of his accomplishments as a community leader, an advisor to the President of the United States for the Asian American Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Commission, an author and an entrepreneur from California, Ajay Bhutoria has been conferred the Acharya Maha Pragya Pratibha award, the highest Jain community recognition. The award ceremony was blessed by Parampujya Achayya Mahasharman in an event in Mumbai recently. According to a press note, the Award serves as a symbol of gratitude for contributions in various fields, including the promotion of Jainism principles, the facilitation of immigration reform in the USA, and leadership in advocating for peace, harmony, and economic, social, and health justice while upholding Jain values for all. “Mr. Ajay Bhutoria's unwavering commitment has played a pivotal role in reshaping the trajectory of US-India relations. His tireless efforts have been instrumental in fostering a strengthened partnership between these two influential nations. Of particular note is the significant policy change regarding H1B visa stamping, which is now allowed within the United States”, the press release said. Nandini Das bags British Academy Book prize MEHAK LUTHRA Nandini Das' "Courting India: England, Mughal India, and the Origins of Empire" is the winner of the 11th British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding. This prize, presented at a ceremony hosted by the British Academy, honors the book for its exceptional contribution to our knowledge of cultural dynamics around the world. In her debut book, Das offers a fresh perspective on the origins of the empire by delving into the arrival of Sir Thomas Roe, the first English ambassador in India during the early 17th century. As the winner, Das will be awarded a prize of £25,000 (US$ 30286). Praising Das on behalf of the judging panel, professor Charles Tripp said, “Nandini Das has written the true origin story of Britain and India. By using contemporary sources by Indian and by British political figures, officials and merchants she has given the story an unparalleled immediacy that brings to life these early encounters and the misunderstandings that sometimes threatened to wreck the whole endeavour.” “ At the same time, she grants us a privileged vantage point from which we can appreciate how a measure of mutual understanding did begin to emerge, even though it was vulnerable to the ups and downs of Mughal politics and to the restless ambitions of the British,” he added. Das serves as the professor of Early Modern English Literature and Culture at the University of Oxford. She has contributed to numerous publications on Renaissance travel, such as "The Cambridge History of Travel Writing" (2019) co-edited with Tim Youngs, "Keywords of Identity, Race, and Human Mobility in Early Modern England" (2021), and "Lives in Transit" (2022). Das is also actively involved in several research projects, including 'Travel, Transculturality and Identity in Early Modern England' and 'Teaching Race, Belonging, Empire and Migration' (TRACTION), both of which have received funding from the European Research Council. Her work has been recognized for its significant contribution to understanding global cultural dynamics. Image: X/@WaterstonesCamb Image : Awards Show Highest Jain Community Award for Ajay Bhutoria
8 New India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023 Rep. Jayapal introduces All Students Count Act MEHAK LUTHRA E arlier this fall, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi was recognized with the Paul Simon Public Service Award by the Illinois Hunger Coalition (IHC) for his contributions to anti-hunger programs. In his acceptance speech, Krishnamoorthi stated that the Illinois Hunger Coalition has been protecting programs vital to Americans, including SNAP benefits and others. He emphasized the significance of these programs because he himself had benefited from them when his parents first came to the country. “Unfortunately, during the recession of 1973, my father lost his income and employment but thanks to the generosity of the American people, we were allowed to be on food stamps and in public housing. And after my parents were able to get back on their feet economically, we never forgot how important these programs were to our well-being, and that's why I fight every single day to make sure that SNAP and other programs like it are there for the next people who need it,” he said. The Congressman also expressed his gratitude to the Illinois Hunger Coalition and all those who stood steadfast with the Coalition. He thanked them for allowing him to be a part of their efforts and for the honor they bestowed upon him. The Illinois Hunger Coalition (IHC) is committed to eradicating racial, economic, and social disparities as well as hunger. They equip communities throughout the state with the means to combat hunger by enhancing and extending federal nutrition and health programs. In collaboration with federal, state, and local authorities, the IHC tailors programs and services to address the specific needs of communities, ensuring that affordable, culturally appropriate food, healthcare, and essential necessities are accessible to everyone in a respectful and dignified manner. STAFF REPORTER U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal and Senator Mazie Hirono are together introducing the All Students Count Act, legislation designed to promote equitableaccess to education. The Act's primary objective is to enhance the inclusivity of student data collections, ensuring that they comprehensively represent the diverse experiences of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander children, thus facilitating a more accurate assessment of educational needs and disparities within these communities. The Department of Education has made notable strides in disaggregating and enhancing data related to K-12 student achievement among major racial and ethnic groups, including designations such as "Asian" and "Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander." However, the current data collection and reporting procedures do not mandate the specific collection of data on Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander ethnic subgroups. This results in the oversimplification of the data, as it lumps together numerous distinct ethnic groups, each with its unique histories and varying degrees of access to social and economic opportunities, into broad and less informative categories. “As someone who came to this country alone, at 16, with nothing in my pockets – I deeply understand the unique challenges in the US education system that immigrant communities face and persist for generations after,” said Congresswoman Jayapal. “Our students deserve visibility at all levels. By ensuring that the Department of Education, state education agencies, and school districts collect and report data for a minimum of 15 Asian American and six Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander subgroups, we can work to close the education gap in our communities.” The All Students Count Act introduces crucial measures to enhance data collection and reporting in the education sector. It mandates the U.S. Department of Education, state education agencies, and school districts to collect and report data in a disaggregated manner, ensuring representation of a minimum of 15 Asian American subgroups and 6 Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander subgroups. Additionally, the Act instructs the Institute of Education Sciences to evaluate statistical methods aimed at optimizing reporting for these specific ethnic groups. Krishnamoorthi stated that the Illinois Hunger Coalition has been protecting programs vital to Americans, including SNAP benefits and others. The legislation is designed to promote equitable access to education Rep. Krishnamoorthi receives Paul Simon Public Service Award Raja Krishnamoorthi Image : X@CongressmanRaja Rep Jayapal Image : X@RepJayapal
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10 New India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023 MEHAK LUTHRA Citadel founder Ken Griffin has shown interest in Indian American Nikki Haley, who is running in the Republican presidential primary, according to Bloomberg. Griffin praised Nikki Haley's foreign policy experience and suggested that she would make a good president in an interview with David Rubenstein at the George Washington Presidential Library in Mount Vernon, Virginia. “Nikki Haley has the foreign policy experience we need right now,” he said. Last week, he referred to the former US Ambassador to the United Nations as a "rock star" on the campaign trail. Griffin has stated that he will not support former President Donald Trump and while he has not named an alternative candidate at this time, he has expressed dissatisfaction with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' policies that he believes infringe on personal rights. “I’m watching and really trying to understand where the key candidates in the Republican primary are going to land on issues that are important to me,” Griffin said, citing national security, education, the economy and inflation. The 55-year-old businessman has a net worth of $36 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. His firm, Citadel Securities, plays a crucial role in the functioning of US financial markets by executing trades, serving as a counterparty, and providing liquidity for stocks, bonds, and various other securities. In the 2022 midterm election cycle, Griffin made substantial donations totaling nearly $72.7 million, establishing himself as one of the country's most significant political contributors. Republican presidential campaigns and prominent party figures are closely monitoring his actions to see if he will support one of the eight GOP candidates competing for the 2024 nomination. RISHIKA BHARDWAJ Craig Mokhiber, a Human Rights official at the United Nations, tendered his resignation pointing to genocide in Palestine. In a letter to Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in New York, Mokhiber stated that the inability to stop the violence was the primary reason for his departure. Turk, who spent decades investigating human rights violations in Palestine, including living in Gaza as a UN human rights advisor in the 1990s, emphasized the crisis's deeply personal nature. Several governments, including the United States and the United Kingdom, were complicit in the massacre of Palestinian civilians, he said, lamenting the international community's inaction. Mokhiber expressed his helplessness in the situation, saying, “When the dust settled on the horrors that had been perpetrated against defenseless civilian populations, it became painfully clear that we had failed in our duty to meet the imperatives of prevention of mass atrocites, of protection of the vulnerable, and of accountability for perpetrators.” Characterizing the situation as a textbook case of genocide, Turk condemned the systematic persecution of the Palestinian people, saying, “The European, ethno-nationalist, settler colonial project in Palestine has entered its final phase, toward the expedited destruction of the last remnants of indigenous Palestinian life in Palestine. ” Mokhiber highlighted a historical irony, drawing parallels between the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Nakba's devastating impact on the Palestinian people. Being adopted the same year as that, even the 75th Anniversary of the UDHR this year was during an appalling genocide. Furthermore, he emphasized the immediate need for a ceasefire, an end to the Gaza siege, documentation of the genocidal assault, and the provision of humanitarian aid to Palestinians. He stressed the importance of supporting traumatized colleagues and families and advocated for a principled approach in the UN's political offices. Citadel founder Ken Griffin praises Nikki Haley UN Human Rights officer resigns citing "ongoing genocide” Image :X@CraigMokhiber Stay Ahead With Us! Email [email protected] Website www.NewIndiaAbroad.Com In the 2022 midterm election cycle, Griffin made substantial donations totaling nearly $72.7 million, establishing himself as one of the country's most significant political contributors.
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12 New India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023 Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma AN OFFENSIVE THAT HAS TO STOP IN THE NAME OF HUMANITY I t is now almost a month since the horrific terror attack on Israel took place by the dreaded Hamas outfit operating out of the Gaza. It is said in all about 1400 people lost their lives in the Jewish state on Oct 7, the terrorists knowing full well that the response is going to be so massive that the brunt is going to be on innocent civilians. Terrorists, as the world is aware, have no sense of shame as being cowards they hide behind women and children, in hospitals and places of worship. And this is precisely where the death toll has been heavy in massive retaliatory strikes by Israel. It is believed that more than 10,000 civilians have perished and hundreds more could be buried in the rubble in what has now come to be seen as a counter-offensive. And that sliver of land where some 2 million people stay has been sealed off, with no food, water and electricity. For all those in the comity of nations screaming about proportionality in military response, they had better wake up to reality. The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in the name of going after the Hamas fell right into another trap set by the terrorist group: the indiscriminate killing of men, women and children that is bound to rattle global conscience. Today the world has largely forgotten the outrage perpetrated by the Hamas; it is all focused on the sufferings of the Palestinians. And each day the pounding continues from land and air, Israel comes under more pressure to give a pause, at least from a humanitarian point of view. And the administration of Joe Biden in the United States looks helpless in the midst of the few Arab friends it has. It is high time to stop the killing of civilians in the Gaza for Prime Minister Netanyahu must realise that even if Gaza were to be flattened, the Hamas will still be around, in different name and form. Nations in the West, the Middle East and others interested in the well being of Palestinians must look for a political solution to find a permanent way out of a madness that is only plunging the region into further uncertainty. In the aftermath of 9/11, the United States and other major intelligence agencies took their eyes off the Hamas and started looking for bogus excuses and scapegoats to militarily intervene in countries like Afghanistan and Iraq. Maybe the world’s “best”, Mossad, slept at the switch. But today’s attention must be on arresting a catastrophe that has already unfolded in the Gaza. Strategic thinking, not revenge, is the need of the hour. EDITORIAL House We, at the State Department, are confronting the dark aftermath of Hamas’ vile terrorist attack, the ongoing conflict, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza – all as we can never lose sight of our vision of a two-state solution. As the first Punjabi-American ever elected to New York State Office, I will always fight for the freedom and dignity of Sikh Americans and people of every faith. DIASPORA TALKS DR SRIDHAR KRISHNASWAMI Opinion polls and that too before crucial political events can be conflicting and perhaps even confusing. But there is one survey that cannot be placed in that bracket: that of the approval rating of President Joe Biden. He is consistently slipping in the charts with the latest one showing that nearly 60 percent of Americans disapprove of the job he is doing at the Oval Office. On top of this add the number that close to 70 percent of even Democrats believe that he should not be running in 2024, he being 80 years next year and 85 at the time of stepping down after a second term, if re-elected. The concern for the Democrats should be more on the breakdowns. For instance, only 42 percent of white Americans support Biden; with backing of only 61 percent of African Americans and 55 percent of the Asian American community. The troublesome factor in all these is not just the low numbers. It is horrifying thought of an electoral outcome if substantial segments just sit at home on election day. And Biden’s approval rating among Independents is not something to write home about; it hovers around 40 percent. And all that political “lift” that the Democratic President was going to get from the United Auto Workers (UAW) successfully squeezing the Big Three automakers of Detroit is yet to make the charts. As if the existing scenario is not enough, Democratic strategists should be shocked into finding that Biden’s support from among Arab Americans has tanked to an astonishing low of 17 percent, or a 42 point drop from 2020. And all of this has to do with the conflict in the Gaza and the ensuing humanitarian catastrophe. A recent poll by the Arab American Institute has shown that two-thirds of Arab American voters have a negative view of Biden’s response to the ongoing violence, the drop in support seen as something “unprecedented” in nearly three decades of polling of this community. In political terms Biden and Democrats should take the ground realities in such battleground states like Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania seriously. Given the narrow margins of win in these states in 2020, the Biden White House should see with alarm that 25 percent of Arab American voters saying they are unsure of who they will be voting in 2024. Worse, support to a third party candidate has gone up to 17 percent from 4 percent. The perception of Muslim and Arab American voters is that the Biden administration has not done enough in the Gaza in the wake of stepped up Israeli air and ground strikes and cutting off food, water and electricity. The small advantage for Democrats is that the anger in the Arab American community does not necessarily turn into votes for the Republicans where the pro-Israel and anti-Hamas rhetoric is harsher and tougher. But the Biden administration has run into another problem in the House of Representatives with the new Speaker Jim Johnson delinking Israel from the President’s security package and in the process delaying that US$ 14.5 billions in assistance that the jewish state could need urgently. It is all staring at the incumbent: low approval ratings, security package in trouble on Capitol Hill and the prospect of a government shut down in about two weeks. - Currently Editor-in-Chief of New India Abroad, the author has reported for The Hindu from Washington DC on North America and United Nations. A recent poll by the Arab American Institute has shown that twothirds of Arab American voters have a negative view of Biden’s response to the ongoing violence, the drop in support seen as something “unprecedented” in nearly three decades of polling of this community. How much longer before Biden wakes up? NY Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Several United Nations agencies are calling for an immediate pause in the Israeli offensives in the Gaza stressing that women, nursing mothers, children and new born are “disproportionately bearing the burden”, not just in terms of casualties but in reduced access to health care services. The collective call has come from the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency and the World Health Organisation. Citing the Ministry of Health of Gaza data, the UN agencies maintain that 67 per cent of all casualties are that of women and children and thousands more have been injured. As of November 3 it is said that 2326 women and 3760 children have been killed, it is stated. “There are an estimated 50 000 pregnant women in Gaza, with more than 180 giving birth every day. Fifteen per cent of them are likely to experience pregnancy or birth-related complications and need additional medical care”, the agencies have said in a statement. The United Nations has also made the point that humanitarian agencies need sustained and safe access so as to bring in food, medicine, water and fuel inside Gaza. “An immediate humanitarian pause is needed to alleviate the suffering and prevent a desperate situation from becoming catastrophic”, the functional agencies of the United Nations have stressed. “ All parties to the conflict must abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure including health care. All civilians, including the hostages currently held in Gaza, have the right to health care. All hostages must be released without delay or conditions”, they added. New India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023 13 The UN agencies maintain that 67 per cent of all casualties are that of women and children and thousands more have been injured Image : X/@RepBera Rep.Bera calls for immediate pause in Israel-Palestine Conflict STAFF REPORTER Struggling civilians in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war must have access to humanitarian aid, hence the need for an immediate pause, says Congressman Ami Bera. “While I firmly believe Israel has the right to exist and to defend itself, so do innocent Palestinians have a right to a life of peace and dignity” the Democrat from California said in a video message. “I hope that one day Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace. I don’t know if that is an impossible dream. But I do know it will never be accomplished if innocent Israelis are murdered and innocent Palestinians are killed” he added. “We need an immediate pause in order to get needed humanitarian aid, food, water, and medicine to struggling civilians. Then we need to find a different path forward”, the influential law maker who is a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee sitting also on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence said. Prevent a desperate situation from becoming catastrophic, UN Agencies plead Air strikes on Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip have caused widespread damage
14 New India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023 MEHAK LUTHRA T he highly anticipated debate between Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna took place at St. Anselm College's New Hampshire Institute of Politics in Manchester. Moderated by Boston Globe reporter James Pindell, the initially cordial exchange soon transformed into a heated conversation, revealing their fundamental differences on various issues. Ramaswamy and Khanna discussed a range of topics including the economy, foreign affairs, climate change, and the future of America, each segment lasting for 10 minutes. “My view is that Israel has an absolute right to its own national selfdefense. That's the answer,” Ramaswamy said when asked about Israel's war with Hamas in the wake of the extremist group's terror attack on Israel on 7 October. Khanna, who began by mentioning his early opposition to the Iraq War when discussing foreign affairs, had a differing viewpoint, emphasizing the importance of "American leadership" rather than "American isolationism." "One point though .... I agree with you. We should not be in a ground war. We should not get involved in the war," he said of Israel and Hamas. On economic matters, Ramaswamy advocated boosting domestic production of valuable goods, including expanding energy production via drilling, nuclear power, fracking, and more. He also pointed to government regulations and bureaucracy as the primary hindrances to these efforts. “It is, I think, regrettable to be carrying the water of Joe Biden when in fact ... everyday Americans know they're suffering at the hands of policies that came from this administration,” Ramaswamy said. Khanna disagreed, emphasizing the significance of government intervention in promoting economic growth. “Vivek and I completely disagree with what I call 'economic patriotism': the role of the government to rebuild industry which has been hollowed out,” he said. On climate change, Ramaswamy argued that "climate change policies" could potentially cause more harm than the environmental changes themselves, a perspective that contrasts with the concerns raised by many scientists and environmental activists. Khanna expressed his disbelief and emphasized the importance of a habitable planet for human flourishing. He pointed to flooding incidents in the state earlier this year as examples of climate-related challenges. Towards the end of the debate, both Ramaswamy and Khanna reached one point of agreement; on the country’s future. "When I was growing up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, my parents could not have met a staff member or a member of Congress. Today, there are five South Asians in the United States Congress. This is a country of progress," Khanna said. In conclusion Ramaswamy said, “We might disagree on corporate tax rates or whatever those details are. But we agree on the basic rules of the road to meritocracy, free speech, the pursuit of excellence, self-governance over aristocracy, I think most of us in this country do," he said. "We still share the ideals of the American Revolution in common, but now it's up to us to move just beyond celebrating diversity and differences to celebrate those ideals that unite us.” Ramaswamy and Khanna discussed a range of topics including economy, foreign affairs, climate change, and the future of America, each segment lasting for 10 minutes. Vivek Ramaswamy, Ro Khanna in heated political debate STAFF REPORTER A recent CNN poll conducted by SSRS indicates that former President Donald Trump currently enjoys majority support in the early primary state of South Carolina. His primary challenger in the state is Nikki Haley, the state’s former governor. In South Carolina, 53 percent of likely Republican primary voters have chosen Donald Trump as their top pick for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, while Nikki Haley received support from 22 percent of the respondents, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis garnered 11 percent votes. The poll also reveals that in South Carolina, 80 percent of likely GOP primary voters either currently support Donald Trump or are open to considering him, marking the highest level of support among all the candidates tested. Furthermore, majorities of likely GOP primary voters express support for or consideration of Nikki Haley (72 percent), Tim Scott (72 percent), and Ron DeSantis (68 percent). In contrast, the majority of respondents have ruled out entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy (60 percent) and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (71 percent). Among white evangelical Christian voters in South Carolina, a significant segment of the GOP primary electorate, Donald Trump is the top choice for 55 percent of them. In comparison, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis receive less support from this group, with 18 percent and 16 percent respectively. Nikki Haley distant second to Trump in home state: CNN poll Haley served as the governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017
New India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023 15 MEHAK LUTHRA Soldiers from the 1156th Engineer Company of the New York Army National Guard learned about Indian military history and tried some authentic Indian cuisine during drill training at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill earlier this month. This event was part of a series of cultural meals organized during one drill weekend each quarter. The aim of these gatherings, as explained by 1st Sgt. Theodore Gentile, the company's first sergeant, is to familiarize the members of the 1156th Engineer Company, which is part of the 204th Engineer Battalion, with the diverse cultural backgrounds of its members, a statement released by the United States Army stated. The idea for the cultural meal and history lesson came from Sgt. Talwinder Singh, a Sikh plumber in the company and a native of Queens. His inspiration for this presentation came from a lecture given by Dr. Gunderphal Sign Josan, the founder of the Saragarhi Foundation. This foundation is dedicated to commemorating the historic battle that took place in 1897 on the frontier between Afghanistan and the British Empire. “This group, the Saragarhi Foundation, was willing to come here and give us a whole brief on the battle, and then tie it in with the food, so it’s an awesome experience to have the history of their culture and their military tie in with ours,” said Gentile in a release published by the US Army. Sgt. Talwinder Singh expressed his happiness at having the opportunity to share some of his cultural history and food with the other Soldiers of the 1156th. “I’m starting here, and hopefully we will go forward to other battalions, and other companies, and slowly teach everybody about us,” Singh maintained. NY Army Guard engineers receive lesson in Indian military history UnB, NJ National Guard host webinar on ROTC pathway STAFF REPORTER University and Beyond (UnB), a student education and career excellence startup, in collaboration with The New Jersey National Guard, recently organized a webinar to inform students on the essential components of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) pathway. Commonly referred to as the ROTC, The program provides an opportunity to school or graduate students to gain leadership skills and prepare for a career in the U.S. military. The Army, Navy amd Air Force all have their own ROTC program which are offered in over 1,700 colleges and universities across the country. The webinar, which attracted an audience of students, parents, and faculty, covered various aspects of the ROTC pathway, including its benefits, requirements, and opportunities. “Attendees were able to acquire in-depth knowledge about the structure, benefits, and opportunities associated with the ROTC program, empowering them to make informed decisions about their future educational and career paths,” a release stated. Presenting the webinar, SSG Mohammed Masood spoke about the ROTC program offered at Rutgers University,"The New Jersey National Guard…working alongside with Rutgers ROTC, housed within Rutgers University, prepares cadets for leadership roles in the U.S. military through rigorous training and academic programs.” “With a strong emphasis on character development and academic achievement, Rutgers ROTC produces officers who are prepared to meet the challenges of modern military service with intelligence, integrity, and valor,” he added. Various aspects of the ROTC pathway, including its benefits, requirements, and opportunities were covered The event was part of a series of cultural meals organized during one drill weekend each quarter. Image: Representative Image / iStock Image: Spc. Joseph Liggio Dr. Gurinderpal Singh Josan, founder and chairman of Saragarhi Foundation Inc., delivers a lecture on the historic Battle of Saragarhi to Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard’s 1156th Engineer Company on Camp Smith Training Site, New York, Oct. 14, 2023.
16 New India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023 MEHAK LUTHRA Adi Mehrotra, a mechanical engineering master's degree candidate in his second year at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is devoted to two initiatives: the advancement of mechanical engineering education at the institute and the development of clean energy vehicles. In the realm of vehicle design, he leads the MIT Electric Vehicle Team, a student-led research group focused on exploring the future of transportation through the creation of a hydrogenpowered motorcycle. Simultaneously, for his master's thesis research, Mehrotra is also working on establishing a novel mechatronics curriculum, which integrates mechanical and electrical engineering into an interdisciplinary course. In his initial four years at MIT, Mehrotra played a crucial role in the Solar Electric Vehicle Team (SEVT) and eventually guided the team to a triumphant performance in a five-day, 900- mile race. Subsequently, he applied the expertise he acquired from SEVT during a summer internship in Ghana with the startup Moving Health. In this role, he contributed to the development of lowcost ambulances designed to transport patients from remote villages to medical facilities, all while reducing reliance on gasoline. During his time as a high school student in East Brunswick, New Jersey, Mehrotra's enthusiasm for building and creating flourished. He recalls, “I built a lot of my own projects, in the basement, mostly relying on wood or metal.” Additionally, he played a role in co-founding the FIRST Robotics team chapter at his school. Mehrotra's passion for design also thrived through his involvement with MIT D-Lab, an initiative dedicated to designing solutions for use in the developing world. “There are a lot of classes at MIT that have taught me a lot of things, of course. However, in D-Lab, I walked in with one assumption about good ways to make the world a better place and they kind of flipped that on its head. [D-Lab] approaches problem-solving from this local perspective that if you can help one person very well, that is a bigger success than helping 100 people poorly,” he said. STAFF REPORTER P rofessor Vik Dhillon, an astrophysicist of Indian origin from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom, is a member of a team that has made significant strides in unravelling the mystery of how the heaviest chemical elements are formed in the universe. This breakthrough has been achieved through the use of an advanced camera. Dhillon, who plays a pivotal role in the University's Department of Physics and Astronomy and leads the ULTRACAM project, highlights the camera's groundbreaking capability. This camera stands as the first instrument capable of accurately pinpointing the gamma-ray burst, which signifies the commencement of the Kilonova explosion. Kilonova, arising from the fusion of two compact neutron stars, bears great importance as they are believed to be the origin of the heaviest elements on the periodic table, including gold, platinum, and uranium, which are present on Earth. “Our camera ULTRACAM was the first instrument to pinpoint the location of the gamma-ray burst, the second brightest one ever observed, that indicated the start of the kilonova explosion. Our discovery then allowed us to trigger other telescopes around the world for follow-up observations, including the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST),” Dhillon said. Before joining the University of Sheffield, Dhillon's career included roles at the Royal Greenwich Observatory, with positions at Herstmonceux/ Sussex, La Palma, and later in Cambridge. His contributions to the field were recognized when he received the Royal Astronomical Society Jackson-Gwilt Medal in 2013. Moreover, he held the prestigious title of ERC Advanced Grant holder from 2014 to 2019. Image: digitalmedia.sheffield.ac.uk Image: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Adi Mehrotra MIT graduate spearheads sustainable vehicle development Mehrotra's passion for design also thrived through his involvement with MIT D-Lab. Vik Dhillon plays a pivotal role in the University's Departments of Physics and Astronomy and leads the ULTRACAM project Indian origin astrophysicist unravels the mystery of universe
STAFF REPORTER Madhur Kakkar has been recognised with the ‘Icons of the UAE’ award. The award was presented to him by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor at a ceremony organised by NKN Media and India Today Group. With a career spanning over 18 years in the financial sector, Madhur’s journey began in 2006 when the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) opened its doors for business, said a release. At 23, he immersed himself in intensive training programs, which fortified his understanding of computational mathematics and equipped him to factor in risk when formulating strategies to generate returns for clients. In his last role as the executive director at Century Financial, Madhur was pivotal in positioning the company’s platform as a preferred choice for high-net-worth Individuals (HNIs) and family offices. Reflecting on his recent accolade, Madhur said: “This recognition is profoundly humbling. It is a source of great joy to be acknowledged for the journey, especially at this particular stage in time when I can feel the wind under my wings as I am looking to soar to newer heights.” At the end of his speech, Madhur unveiled Quantl AI, a revolutionary systematic trading platform designed for trading digital assets. He emphasised his objective of identifying automated solutions for trading in the financial markets and highlighted the forward-looking approach at the core of Quantl’s offerings. New India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023 17 Madhur Kakkar honoured with 'Icons of the UAE' Award Image: NIH Image: LinkedIn SUPRIYA SINGH I ndian-American Humsa Venkatesh is among the six Harvard Medical School researchers who have received the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director’s New Innovator Award The award supports unusually innovative research from early-career investigators within 10 years of their final degree or clinical residency who have not yet received an NIH R01 or equivalent grant. Humsa Venkatesh is an HMS assistant professor of neurology at Brigham and Women’s, whose research studies the electrical components of tumour pathophysiology and highlights the extent to which neural activity controls and facilitates disease progression. Her research studies the electrical components of tumour pathophysiology and highlights the extent to which neural activity controls and facilitates disease progression. The understanding of these co-opting mechanisms has led to novel strategies to broadly treat cancers, by disabling their ability to electrically integrate into neural circuitry. Her pioneering research in this emerging field of cancer neuroscience aims to harness the systems-level microenvironmental dependencies of tumour growth to develop innovative treatments. Humsa received her undergraduate degree in Chemical Biology from the University of California, Berkeley and her PhD in Cancer Biology from Stanford University. After completing her postdoctoral work, she joined the Stanford faculty in 2019 and has now started her Cancer Neuroscience research program as an Assistant Professor at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. She has been recognized by the MIT Technology Review as a Pioneer Under 35 ‘TR35’ (2018), by Genetic Engineering News as a ‘Top 10 innovator to watch under 40’ (2019), and won the Science & SciLife Prize for Young Scientists (2019). Humsa Venkatesh receives NIH Director's New Innovator Award Madhur Kakkar With a career spanning over 18 years in the financial sector, Madhur’s journey began in 2006 with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
18 New India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023
New India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023 19 MEHAK LUTHRA Monty Singh, the Chief International Officer at Victoria University, was named the inaugural executive sponsor of VU’s recently launched Cultural Inclusion Network, Brilliant Together- Cultural Inclusion and Racial Equality Plan 2023-2026. It will build on the existing vision and values of VU’s strategic plan Start Well, Finish Brilliantly. “Now, more than ever, we need to support people of diverse backgrounds and faiths, and First Nations Peoples, to be heard, to be elevated and have equitable representation, and to be safe. The actions under Brilliant Together speak to that by focusing on transformative organizational change, capacity building, creating welcoming places and spaces, and ensuring our whole community has opportunities to thrive and succeed,” Singh said. The creation of Brilliant Together is a direct response to VU's Anti-Racism policy and is in alignment with various federal and state legislation, including the Victorian Racial and Religious Tolerance Act, the Equal Opportunity Act, and the Federal Race Discrimination Act. Additionally, this plan reinforces VU's commitment to the new Welcoming Universities benchmark, for which VU is among the five pilot universities nationwide. This initiative encourages universities to actively measure and evaluate their cultural diversity and inclusion practices, ensuring that these objectives are not only reached but also sustained over time. Before his role at VU, Singh served as the vice president (Global) and chief international officer at Southern Cross University. He has also held comparable positions at institutions such as Macquarie University and Charles Sturt University. Monty boasts a wealth of knowledge and expertise in areas like international recruitment, marketing, collaborations, partnerships, and international operations. His career spans both the public and private sectors, with experiences at the national and international levels. MADHU BALAJI I ndian American Rahul Mathur has been appointed as the chief financial officer (CFO) of UK-based Alphawave IP Group plc, a technology services company based in the United Kingdom. According to a press statement, Mathur will take charge from October 30, 2023. The company powers nextgeneration technology services to customers in North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the UK. Delighted to join the management team at Alphawave Semi/ Alphawave IP Group, Mathur said, "It is an exciting time to join such an ambitious high-growth business with leading connectivity technology for next-generation AI infrastructure. I look forward to working with Tony and the team, bringing my experience as a CFO in the semiconductor industry, to successfully execute the business strategy and create long-term shareholder value.” The co-founder, president and chief executive officer of Alphawave Semi, Tony Pialis, welcomed Mathur and said, "His extensive experience in senior finance positions within listed semiconductor companies will be invaluable as we continue to build the foundations for the next phase of business growth, working with our customers to create next-generation AI infrastructure.” Before joining Alphawave, Mathur has been serving as the chief financial officer (CFO) of Avantus since 2021. He was the CFO and senior vice president of finance at Rambus between 2016 and 2021. At the company, Mathur was an integral part of its transformation as a product company, consistently delivering strong financial results and shareholder value. Before Rambus, Rahul served in senior finance roles in global semiconductor and technology companies including Cypress Semiconductor Corp., Spansion Inc., and KLA. Mathur's area of expertise includes corporate finance, strategic planning, investor relations and risk management. He earned his bachelor of arts in applied mathematics from Dartmouth College and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. BHAVANA P T ata Group-owned Air India has announced that it will begin non-stop service between Mumbai, India's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), and Melbourne, Australia's Tullamarine Airport (MEL) on December 15. The service will be offered three times weekly. Announcing the route, Air India said on social media platform X, “Fly to Australia non-stop, like never before! The first-ever Mumbai x Melbourne non-stop flights will be taking off 3x weekly starting from 15th December 2023.” Victoria, Australia, is home to an estimated 200,000 Indians, or roughly 40 percent of Australia's total Indian diaspora, and the state government has backed a new service between Mumbai and Melbourne that will add nearly 40,000 seats per year. The purpose of the expanded services is to accommodate the growing number of visitors who come to the area for both business and pleasure, as well as to spend time with friends and relatives. Air India's Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, with 18 flat beds in Business Class and 238 seats in Economy, will service the Mumbai–Melbourne route. Air India previously operated a short hop service to Melbourne in 1981, however this is the first time the BOMMEL route will be non-stop. The Labor Government of Victoria estimates that the annual economic impact of Air India flights to the state will be $55 million, with 264 new jobs created in the aviation and tourism sectors. The previous year, Victoria welcomed 149,000 Indian visitors. Air India announces non-stop Mumbai-Melbourne route Monty Singh named Executive Sponsor of VU's Cultural Inclusion Network Alphawave IP names Rahul Mathur as its new CFO This flight will be operated with a Boeing 787- 8 aircraft and backed by Victoria’s state government. Image: Victoria University Image: LinkedIn profile
20 New India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023 BHAVANA P I ndia, along with 27 other nations and the European Union (EU) signed the worldsfirst Bletchley Declaration, that aims to establish “ a shared understanding of the opportunities and risks posed by frontier AI and the need for governments to work together to meet the most significant challenges.” The agreement was reached after several governments met at Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire, UK, for the 'AI Safety Summit 2023' to share their thoughts on AI. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Indian Minister of State for Electronics and IT and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, delivered the keynote address at the opening plenary session. The Minister highlighted India's view on AI, stressing that the country is committed to AI with a strong emphasis on accountability, safety, and trust. “We have maintained that international collaborations, such as these, are extremely important, as we move forward in shaping the future of technology in an era where it is presenting some of the most exciting opportunities ever for mankind,” he said. “Our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has argued for several years that the future of technology, whether it involves innovation, partnerships, or the institutional framework for regulating technology and innovation for the benefit of all mankind, should be driven by a coalition of nations rather than just one or two countries. He believes that the institutional framework should be less episodic and much more sustained with strategic clarity,” he added. The Declaration accomplishes crucial summit goals by establishing mutual awareness and responsibility for risks, opportunities, and a forward path for international cooperation on cutting-edge AI safety and research, especially through heightened scientific collaboration. Countries agreed that there could be significant risks associated with the intentional or unintentional misuse of cutting-edge AI control, with cybersecurity, biotechnology, and misinformation posing the greatest concern. As stated in the Declaration, there is "potential for severe, even catastrophic harm, whether intentional or unintentional, stemming from the most significant capabilities of these AI models." The signatories also mentioned prejudice and privacy problems, which go beyond the scope of frontier AI. Recognizing the need to gain a deeper understanding of the risks and capabilities that are still unknown, the countries also agreed to set up a network of scientific research on the safety of AI. Countries to sign the declaration besides India include Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, European Union, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, Nigeria, The Philippines, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America. RISHIKA BHARDWAJ Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a speech at the United States Embassy, in London, addressing the audience about the critical need for a comprehensive approach to the governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to ensure its safe and responsible deployment. Harris acknowledged the revolutionary potential of AI technology, citing its potential to revolutionize a number of different fields, in her speech. However, she also emphasized the dangers of AI, warning against the existential threats it could pose through means such as AIenabled cyberattacks and bio-weapons. The Vice President said, “Just as AI has the potential to do profound good, it also has the potential to cause profound harm. From AI-enabled cyberattacks at a scale beyond anything we have seen before to AI-formulated bio-weapons that could endanger the lives of millions, these threats are often referred to as the “existential threats of AI” because, of course, they could endanger the very existence of humanity.” Vice President Harris detailed several initiatives and policies that the Biden administration is implementing to address these complicated issues. She also advocated for the development of a universal standard. Harris applauded the commitment of 10 major foundations to invest $200 million to safeguard workers' rights and promote transparency in the application of artificial intelligence. Highlighting the need for legislative action to strengthen AI safety and privacy protections,she further said, “ ...as history has shown, in the absence of regulation and strong government oversight, some technology companies choose to prioritize profit over the wellbeing of their customers, the safety of our communities, and the stability of our democracies.” Vice President Harris concluded her speech by calling on world leaders to seize the moment and work together to ensure that artificial intelligence serves the public interest, particularly in protecting the climate, fundamental freedoms, and rights. Kamala Harris proposes goals for AI governance India, EU and 27 nations sign the Bletchley declaration AI Safety Summit 2023 which resulted in the worldfirst Bletchley Declaration Image: UK Gov/website The Declaration was adopted at the UK Global AI Safety Summit held at Bletchley Park In her speech on the Future of Artificial Intelligence, Vice President Kamala Harris outlined plans for AI safety.
BHAVANA P T he top middle school science competition in the US, the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge, saw an Indian American youngster from San Jose, California place second. A $2,000 reward will be given to Lynbrook High School student Shripriya Kalbhavi for creating EasyBZ, an affordable microneedle patch that enables self-automated medicine delivery without the need for tablets or needles. Notably, Heman Bekele of Annandale, Virginia, won the $25,000 first-place prize and the esteemed title of "America's Top Young Scientist" for his compound-based Skin Cancer Treating Soap (SCTS). “Scientific research and innovations have always interested me, and I find the scientists, especially doctors, all around me to be extremely inspiring because they work to help people every day,” Kalbhavi said according to a blog by 3M. Additionally, she aspires to become a neurosurgeon as per the blog. “I have always felt a calling towards contributing to my community in the field of medicine, especially when it comes to neuroscience and women’s health, and I would love the opportunity to perform precise work as a neurosurgeon.” She runs a podcast called “Famous Personalities” where she discusses the experiences and lives of other scientists. “As part of the theme of my show, I research women scientists and speak about their lives, achievements, and research,” she said. In addition to Kalbhavi, five more Indian American teenagers took home the top ten awards. A $1,000 award and a $500 gift card are given to each of them. Anisha Dhoot of Portland, Oregon, a 9th grader at Westview High School in Beaverton School District, Ishaan Iyer of Rancho Cucamonga, California, a 6th grader at Day Creek Intermediate School in Etiwanda School District, Anish Kosaraju of Saratoga, California, a 9th grader at The Harker School in Campbell Union School District, Adhip Maitra of Oviedo, Florida, a 9th grader at Oviedo High School in Seminole County School District, Shruti Sivaraman of Austin, Texas, an 8th grader at Canyon Vista Middle School in Round Rock Independent School District. MEHAK LUTHRA Nostrum Laboratories Inc. (Nostrum), founded by Indian American Nirmal Mulye, has agreed to pay a minimum of $3,825,000 and up to $50 million to settle allegations of False Claims Act violations related to the company's alleged underpayment of Medicaid rebates for its drug Nitrofurantoin Oral Suspension (Nitro OS). Under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, pharmaceutical manufacturers are obligated to provide quarterly rebates to state Medicaid programs in return for the inclusion of their drugs in Medicaid coverage. The program's regulations mandate that manufacturers pay rebates based on inflation rates for their drugs. This mechanism is designed to protect the Medicaid program from bearing the burden of drug price increases exceeding the rate of inflation. As part of the settlement, Nostrum and Mulye admitted, among other things, that in December 2015, Nostrum purchased Nitro OS from another manufacturer and continued marketing the product based on the product's preexisting FDA approval, and that in January 2018, Nostrum temporarily halted production of Nitro OS due to the product's lead content not aligning with the revised 2018 FDA guidance. “Nostrum Laboratories reduced the amount that it paid to the Medicaid program by improperly calculating the rebates it owed, even after hiking the cost of one of their drugs by over 400%,” said Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen of the FBI Boston Field Office. “Today’s settlement is a win for taxpayers by ensuring that this pharmaceutical company cannot boost its bottom line at the expense of the Medicaid program and the vulnerable population it serves.” classified [email protected] Book Your New India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023 21 Indian-origin CEO to pay $50 million for violating False Claims Act Under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, pharmaceutical manufacturers are obligated to provide quarterly rebates to state Medicaid programs. Shripriya Kalbhavi, an Indian American 9th grader secured second place for developing EasyBZ. Shripriya Kalbhavi ranks second in the 3M Young Scientist Challenge
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New India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023 23 RISHIKA BHARDWAJ Ritu Raman, the d’Arbeloff Career Development assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering at MIT, has spearheaded a groundbreaking study alongside her collaborators that may lead to a potential solution to restore mobility for those who have suffered muscle loss due to disease or trauma. Severe muscle injuries, often resulting from traumatic accidents, have posed challenges to medical science. To address the issue, the researchers developed special muscle grafts that respond to light. During the initial testing on injured mice, researchers found that on exercising the implanted graft in light the mice were able to recover completely and quickly. Their research, published in Biomaterials, showed the implantation helped the mice's muscles get much better motor function, even matching the levels of healthy subjects within just two weeks. Raman said, “For so many years, I had an idea that if we were able to exercise muscle grafts after they'd been implanted in an injury, we'd be able to keep the graft active and prevent it from atrophying by integrating it with the surrounding host tissue.” Explaining their procedure of testing, Raman explained, “We engineer optogenetic muscle grafts that contract in response to light and implant these within mice with muscle loss injuries in their hind legs. We then ‘exercise’ the implant daily by noninvasively shining light on the mouse's leg through the skin. The approach keeps muscle implants active while they are engrafting with the surrounding host tissue.” She added, “Exercising muscle grafts after they've been implanted does more than just make muscle stronger, it also appears to affect how muscle communicates with other tissue, like blood vessels and nerves. By actively communicating with the implant and exercising the muscle graft, you can actually improve and accelerate recovery timelines.” When patients sustain muscle damage, doctors typically implant artificial tissue and watch for recovery. But the new approach is different, as they have to get the muscles to contract and move after being implanted. This has the potential to improve the quality of life for people who have lost muscle mass as a result of serious injuries. MIT researchers, led by Ritu Raman, developed light-responsive muscle grafts that enhanced muscle recovery post-trauma. Severe muscle injuries, often resulting from traumatic accidents, have posed challenges to medical science New technique promises faster muscle recovery
24 New India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023
*India Abroad is a Registered trademark and not affiliated with the newspaper named India Abroad marketed in the US from 1972 to 2021. ...Page II ...Page III Year 2, Volume 2 Washington DC, Monday 06 November, 2023 Shah Rukh Khan starrer Dunki teaser out IAAC Literary Festival returns to New York Alleviating nature of Music ...Page V STAFF REPORTER Diwali was celebrated on a grand scale at Times Square in New York on October 28, 2023 with over 500,000 people in attendance. The Festival of Lights, is one of India's most cherished holidays, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and the triumph of good over evil. The event which highlighted the rich traditions of Diwali in the heart of New York City, was sponsored by Gopi Dairy in collaboration with Aapka Colors, the flagship channel of Viacom18, India's fastest growing entertainment networks. Dignitaries including NYC Mayor Adams, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, director for the United States Domestic Policy, Neera Tanden, and Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar graced the festivities and took part in the lamp lighting ceremony. The celebrations which began at 11 a.m. culminated in a concert which started at 8 p.m., featuring renowned artists from Bollywood. Mika Singh, headlined the event and former American Idol contestant, Shuba along with, British Indian classical singer, Shivali, enthralled the audience with their performances. Speaking at the event, Neeta Bhasinfounder of Diwali at Times Square said, "The annual Diwali festival in Times Square plays a pivotal role in the western hemisphere as the festival's significance and fostering a peaceful and harmonious world. During Diwali, people decorate their homes and share sweets and gifts with their friends and loved ones. Our Title Sponsor, Gopi Dairy, aligns perfectly with the tradition of spreading sweetness and joy." Expressing his excitement over Aapka Colors’ association with the prestigious Diwali at Times Square event, Govind Shahi, executive vice president, and head of International Business, IndiaCast Media, said “As a network dedicated to providing quality entertainment, culture, and connectivity to our diverse audience, being associated with Diwali at Times Square aligns perfectly with our core values. This event is a true celebration of the rich traditions and heritage of India, and we are proud to lend our support to such an extraordinary platform.” NYC Times Square witnesses Grand Diwali celebrations The celebrations which began at 11 a.m. culminated in an electrifying concert which started 8 p.m., featuring renowned artists from Bollywood. Image: X/@NYCMayor NYC Mayor Eric Adams presenting a citation to Mika Singh Humanitarian and philanthropist Meera Gandhi with the dignitaries on the stage
II India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023 STAFF REPORTER T he Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC) will host its 2023 Literary Festival, on November 18 and 19 at the Conrad New York Downtown. This year's event will be attended by over 60 prominent literary personalities who will gather to celebrate literature, culture, and intellectual discourse. Among the distinguished lineup of authors and thought leaders, the event will host Jose Thomas, recipient of IAAC's 2023 Trail Blazer Award, who will discuss his biography 'By Choice'. Additionally, the festival will feature Pulitzer Prize winner Vijay Seshadri, National Book Award finalist Sarah Thankam Mathews, Grammy-nominated artist, humanitarian, and author Chandrika Tandon and the accomplished actor and Lambda Literary Award winner, Maulik Pancholy among others. Apart from literary discussions, various topics such as the making of India’s Covaxin with immediate past director general, Indian Council of Medical Research; Secretary to the GOI Dr. Balram Bhargava and a live poetry panel led by poetry curator, Dr. Ravi Shankar are also part of the festival lineup. "We believe that the IAAC Literary Festival is not just a gathering of words, but a convergence of worlds. It's a celebration of the totality of voices and cultures that bridge continents, even as it reflects an authentic Indo-American experience.", stated Rakesh Kaul, vice chairman, IAAC. "As the Literary Festival Director, my passion is to weave stories and conversations that not only inspire but also highlight the rich fabric of human experiences.”, said Preethi Urs, literary festival director. The two-day event will culminate at the Indo-American Arts Council's Annual Benefit Gala, set to take place on Sunday, November 19, from 6 pm onwards at the Conrad New York Downtown. All of the Literary Festival authors and moderators will be in attendance at the gala. PanIIT USA to host conference in Washington IAAC Literary Festival returns to New York STAFF REPORTER P anIIT USA, an organization representing alumni of all Indian Institutes of Technology, will host the IIT2024 Global Conference in Washington, DC from 12-14 January. The conference, themed “The Future Is Here Now”, will bring together IIT alumni from across the world to discuss innovation, and explore how technological innovations can shape a better future for all. From artificial intelligence to sustainable development and cutting-edge medical breakthroughs, the IIT2024 Global Conference speakers will cover a diverse range of innovations along with entrepreneurship and India’s rising global influence, a release stated. The list of speakers includes Vinod Khosla (founder and managing partner, Khosla Ventures), Vint Cerf (VP and chief internet evangelist for Google), Arvind Krishna (chairman and CEO, IBM), Sal Khan (founder and CEO, Khan Academy), David Rubenstein (co-founder and cochairman, The Carlyle Group), Nirupama Menon Rao (Former Indian foreign secretary and Ambassador to US) and Steven Chu (Nobel laureate, Physics and Former Energy Secretary). The conference will host speaker keynotes, panel discussions, and interactive workshops, that will give the attendees a chance to interact with the luminaries. Apart from that, there will be ample networking opportunities for alumni to reconnect with old friends, forge new partnerships, and strengthen the global IIT community, the release mentioned. The conference, themed “The Future Is Here Now”, will bring together IIT alumni from across the world
India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023 III SUNITA SOHRABJI Can music cure cancer? A decisive no, says Dr. Tara Rajendran, an oncologist and Indian classical musician. But it can certainly soothe the soul, and relieve some of the anxiety a patient experiences while undergoing treatment and considering mortality. Rajendran is one of two finalists for the Hidden Compass 2024 Pathfinder Prize. She made her pitch to judges Nov. 1, exploring the intersectionality of medicine and music. Rajendran is in competition with a group of LGBTQ Alpinists, who propose to climb the Matterhorn to discover the history of queer climbers. Voting began Nov. 1 evening. One winner will be announced Nov. 13. In an interview with New India Abroad, shortly after pitching to judges, Rajendran explained her research on music in medicine. Here are excerpts from the interview. NIA: How did your pitching session go? TR: It went really well for both the teams. It was really competitive because this year there were proposals from around the world. What they told us was my pitch was moving and different, because it had an element of music as well as medicine. Your grandmother suffered from cancer. Did that influence your work? TR: I was five years old and one of my earliest memories is waking up in the middle of the night listening to my grandmothers screaming with back pain. Blood cells are formed in the bone marrow right in the back. There is this uncontrolled division of cells and they just keep multiplying and the bone is getting expanded. So anything in bone is extra painful. She was bedridden and the pain was excruciating. So my mother and my maternal uncles used to play classical music. They used to play this particular composition called Mohanam. Even high dose analgesics, nothing can avert that amount of pain, but that music was helping her cope with stress and anxiety. Witnessing this, my uncle thought I should learn music. I think it all roots back to this particular anxiolytic impact of music that his mother was able to experience. I was put into vocal classes and veena classes when I was seven years old. I kept performing, winning state and district competitions. But then you started medical school, correct? TR: Yes, and there was no time for me to travel and perform. I was always inclined towards oncology as a specialty. I came to the US and studied at Harvard, Stanford, and Cornell. And I observed: in every hospital reception area, the lobby or a chemotherapy room, anywhere and everywhere, there was music, be it passive music or live music. There will be a grand Steinway piano, or somebody will come and play or a cello. That was kind of an epiphany. Western classical music is amazing and it's incorporated into the healthcare infrastructure so beautifully. But you can’t just give any kind of music. Music is associated with autobiographical memories. Music medicine works best when the patient has selected the music. In Alzheimer’s disease, even as the memory goes, the musical memory is preserved. It is fascinating research, and we are only at its frontiers. Cancer comes with a lot of psychological burdens. There is guilt, there is shame, there is a fear of recurrence and ‘what will happen to my children if something happens to me?’ If you approach the subject holistically, if you can improve quality of life slightly, that's going to hugely impact the patient’s outcome in the long run, not only of the patient but also of the caregiver’s. Alleviating nature of Music Oncologist Dr. Tara Rajendran, who has played the veena since the age of 7, is one of two finalists for the Hidden Compass 2024 Pathfinder Prize.
IV India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023
India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023 V SUCHITRA SRINIVAS Recently released Tamil feature film Shot Boot Three, received a warm welcome in the US and has been acclaimed to be a wellmeaning family entertainer. Speaking to NIA the New Jersey-based executive producer Venkatesh Sadagopan, fondly addressed as Venky said that the movie was screened in several cities in the US and has received an encouraging response. “AP International was given the global rights to screen the movie and they engaged Prime Media to control the screening in the US. The movie was screened in Boston, New Jersey, Connecticut, Charlotte, Dallas, Fremont, and Chicago. “For a movie with no big name as heroes the response and review is quite impressive,” said Venky. In Tamil Nadu, the movie was shown on 70 screens across the state. “Initially we received only a commitment for 20 screens, after the preview shows and initial positive press review they added more, " said Venky. First-time producer Venky expressed that it was highly gratifying and emotional to hear the positive initial response after the first show. The movie resorted to crowdfunding to finance the production. The initial pitch for funds was made in 2021 at the American Tamil Entrepreneur Association (ATEA) conference in New Jersey. The concept received a good response giving Venky along with Arun Vaidyanathan, the producer and Director the much needed impetus. The story was initially about only 4 kids and a dog and later star actors like Sneha, Venkat Prabhu, and Yogi Babu were roped in, explained Venky. The movie has already received OTT offers and Venky said that their crew is confident that Shot Boot Three will do well here as well. The movie has sent subtle messages about modern-day parenting.“More interestingly, the importance of petfriendliness in upbringing children that helps instill human kindness is also being stressed, not in a preaching tone but with an element of humor, exclaimed Venky”. With music from Veena Maestro Rajesh Vaidya, the tone seems to have played well. The movie is shot clean with no obscene or violent expressions, quite good for the family audience; a mission Venky stressed that all movie makers should care for. As films are the most powerful medium that can impress the younger generation it is important that we let them get positive and productive influence, Venky opined. Venky along with Arun, is mulling on a couple of upcoming projects one of which could be a web series to be shot in the US. Roll up your sleeves aspiring Indian American artists, for you could be on screens soon with this production team. The movie has already received OTT offers and Venky said that their crew is confident that Shot Boot Three will do well here as well. NJ producers’ Tamil movie, Shot Boot Three receives an applause! Shah Rukh Khan starrer Dunki teaser out MADHU BALAJI T he first teaser of Shah Rukh Khan's highly anticipated comedy-drama titled Dunki was released on November 2, 2023, coinciding with the actor’s 58th birthday. The film is directed by Rajkumar Hirani known for films like 3 idiots, PK and Munna Bhai series which have all seen major success at the box office. It is co-produced by Rajkumar Hirani Films and Jio Studios. Dunki is the third Hindi film this year from Khan following blockbusters Pathaan starring Deepika Padukone and John Abraham; and Atlee's Jawan starring Vijay Sethupathi, Nayanthara and Deepika Padukone. The film, set to release in theatres in December 2023, features actors Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, Boman Irani, and Vikram Kocchar among others. Based on the concept of "donkey flight", an unlawful backdoor entry technique, Dunki depicts the lives of Indians who choose to enter the nation using an illegal process and struggle to return home. The film was wrapped up in April 2023. Its soundtrack was composed by Pritam while cinematography were handled by Hirani and C K Muraleedharan. Announcing the film's worldwide release in cinemas this Christmas, actor Khan tweeted, "A story of simple and real people trying to fulfill their dreams and desires. Of friendship, love, and being together… Of being in a relationship called Home!" He added that the film is a heartwarming story by a heartwarming storyteller. "It's an honour to be a part of this journey." Actor Boman Irani shared the teaser on X and wrote, "A rollercoaster journey of dreams, friendship, and hearts bound by a relationship called “home”. The film is slated to release in December 2023. Still from Dunki teaser / Image: Red Chillies Entertainment
VI ARSHA VIDYA PITHAM 651, Route 115, SAYLORSBURG, PA 570-992-2339 The Gift For a Day Program Arsha Vidya Gurukulam was founded in 1986 by Pujya Sri Swami Dayananda Saraswati. The Gurukulam is situated on 99 acres of partially wooded land in the Pocono Mountains, graced by a Lord Dakṣ iņ ā mū rti temple. The facility houses a 400-seat state of the art auditorium and dining complex, library, reading room, bookstore, modern accommodations suited to contemplative study, The traditional study of Vedanta & Yoga, Sanskrit, Jyotisha, and Ayurveda camps are organized at the Gurukulam . The ashram is run on the donations of the members. The Members value the teachings at AVG and support the gurukulam by donating $500 for a day’s expense of running the gurukulam under Gift For a Day Program. When $2000 is donated for four Gift-For-A-Day programs per family of 2 adults & children and they become Patron Members for that year. The features of Patron Membership are as given below: 1. The new patron members (who opt for 4 GFDs per year) can avail one week camp for free in place of free books for the first year. 2.All the existing patron members can avail themselves of any one of the long weekend camps if they do not get a chance to attend the patron camps. 3. There is no need to pay donation for using homa building once a year for all the patron members depending on the availability of the priest’s slot for that day. 4.The donation is tax exempt. India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023
VII Aries : You are heading towards a period in which you will have many work and, therefore, economic opportunities, Aries. Think about your goals and keep your eyes open to recognize them and take advantage of 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 else's advice. You will have the judgment and ability to face any problem and come out of it with flying colors. Taurus : These days you will be overly sensitive, Taurus, and you must do your best to see reality and not get carried away by your perceptions. You may think the whole world is against you, or you may get angry over unimportant matters. Do not 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 exceed your extreme sensitivity, you might regret it. Your finances are going through a very favorable period, which will boost your morale and allow you to benefit from a more comfortable situation. Gemini : It's time to start looking for new work opportunities, Gemini. You have worked hard to advance in your current company but your struggle does not seem to have paid off, perhaps in part because your relationships with some people in power have not been very harmonious. This week you will also begin to feel the need to feel freer, to be more independent. If you share a relationship with other partners, this feeling will make you a little uncomfortable, because you will want to make your own decisions without having to consult them. Cancer : Finally, your head is no longer in a fog due to professional problems, Cancer. The difficult period you went through recently, due to disagreements with one of your superiors, is over. If you have chosen to ignore the problem and continue to work hard to prove your professional worth, now is the time to reap the rewards of your efforts, because they will not have been in vain. You were able to prove your level and your tenacity. This week you will get the recognition you deserve. This 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 are a lonely heart right now, don't be melancholic, celebrate your professional success and go out with friends. Leo : It's time for you to analyze what's 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 will be able to think about the reasons for these disagreements. Perhaps you unconsciously provoke them yourself. If you invest money, focus on the return on 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 and scams, small scale, of course, but they are very annoying. Virgo : Excessive activity at work will have a negative effect on your mood, Virgo. Avoid this as it could lead to relationship problems 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 doing and you may feel unsafe. Stay calm, you are perfectly capable of achieving anything you want. You have no shortage of capabilities and resources. The most important thing 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. Libra : You will have an intense week of work which will allow you to demonstrate your skills and your ability to work perfectly even under pressure, Libra. This will be very positive for you, so don't get overwhelmed. In business, on the other hand, caution is required. You may have already encountered problems completing a project and, although you do not see yourself capable of solving it, 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 realize that your other half loses his temper over unimportant trifles. Scorpio : You have 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 dreamed of and you w i l l gain great professional prestige. On the other hand, financial matters are at risk. Now is not the right time to start a project. Additionally, maybe someone you know will ask you to lend them money. If you want it, do it, but more than likely you won't get it back. On the sentimental level, free-hearted Scorpios could be surprised. Maybe a long-time friend will eventually confess to you that they've been in love with you your whole life. Sagittarius : ThisYou might be disappointed these days, Sagittarius. It is possible that, for various reasons, a project that you wanted to carry out in the field of work is put on hold. Don't be discouraged, the opportunity will present itself later. This week, try to take things calmly, because in the financial area too you need to act with caution. The atmosphere is turbulent and it is not the right time to make important decisions. Even less if they involve high expenses. Therefore, if you have been thinking about buying a car or even an apartment, wait a little longer until these issues are better aspected by the stars. On the sentimental level, you may have to face certain 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. Capricorn : You are entering a good phase of 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 will put yourself in a situation that will eventually cause you problems. Take advantage of the fact that this week the stars are good for reflection 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. Aquarius : In You will have a very positive week in the work area, Aquarius, and you could be in for a nice surprise. Every time there has been an internal promotion in your company, you have wanted to take steps to achieve it but you have never acted because you thought it was useless and that you would not be taken into account. But now you know for a fact that your superiors have noticed you and that you have a lot of support. This will boost your morale significantly. However, you should refine some aspects of your character, such as always wanting to be right and not listening to the opinions of more experienced people. Pisces : These are very important days for you because 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 notices your abilities. You stand out from others by your performance. In your free time, think about everything that is happening. Weekly Horoscope Sundeep Kochar Astrologer https://www.sundeepkochar.com India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023
STAFF REPORTER I ndia defeated Sri Lanka in its seventh match of the ODI World Cup at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai, extending its winning streak. The team's triumph not only propelled them to the top of the points standings but also solidified their position as the first to advance to the tournament's semifinals. The Men in Blue won by a huge margin of 302 runs courtesy of the bowlers who decimated the opponents’ batting lineup. Sri Lanka got off to a solid start in the first innings by electing to bowl. Dilshan Madushanka dismissed Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, in the opening over. However, stability and momentum were restored to the Indian innings following a 189-run partnership between Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, during which both players scored half centuries. Additionally, Shreyas Iyer's 82 runs contributed to the group's mammoth total of 357 runs. Pathum Nissanka was dismissed for a duck by Jasprit Bumrah in the very first delivery of the second innings. Following in Bumrah's footsteps, Mohammed Siraj took two wickets in the next over, sending Sri Lanka reeling at 3-2 after two overs. Sri Lanka's wickets continued to fall as Mohammad Shami entered the attack, taking five wickets in total to become India's leading wicket-taker in ODI history. Sri Lanka was eventually all out at 55, with India winning by more than 300 runs. “Very happy knowing that we have officially qualified now, been a good effort from the squad when we started off in Chennai. The way we approached these 7 games, it was quite clinical, everyone put in the effort and a lot of individuals have put their hand up,” Skipper Sharma said after the match. “Our bowling is in good shape and with the kind of rhythm that we are in, everyone is enjoying and everyone is happy for each other’s success. I always focus on hitting the good areas and length. It’s very important to be in rhythm in white ball cricket and hit the good areas. The kind of support we get from the crowd, I want to thank each and every one of them,” Shami said of the bowling performance. Published Weekly Copyright © 2022 Indian Star LLC Editor in Chief Dr. Sridhar Krishnaswami [email protected] Chief Executive Officer Rajeev Bhambri [email protected] 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 [email protected] India Abroad Monday, 06 November, 2023 Inaugural US Gatka Championship concludes successfully STAFF REPORTER T he first US National Gatka Championship organised by the Gatka Federation USA recently concluded at The Sikh Center of New York Inc. The nationwide event to promote the Sikh Martial Art attracted hundreds of participants from various state Gatka associations, a release noted. The overall trophy was bagged by the New York Gatka Association, while the Kansas Gatka Association secured the runner-up position, and the New Jersey Gatka Association achieved third place. On the final day of the championship, Gurinder Singh Khalsa chairman, Kalvinder Singh president, Dr. Deep Singh general secretary along with Dr. Tinna presented the trophies to the winners. Officials from the Gatka Federation USA congratulated all winners and emphasized the Federation’s commitment to promoting the Sikh martial art. They also assured their support for all State Gatka associations, akharas, academies and players. The final results of the 1st US National Gatka Championship were as follows; In Single Soti Individual under men's event, Amritneer Singh Shaheed from Baba Ajit Singh Gatka Akhara NJ stood first. In the girls cacategory,urvinder Kaur from Kansas Gatka Association secured the first position. In the Single Soti under 17 Girls event Oneet Kaur from Baba Ajit Singh Gatka Akhara NJ, clinched first position while Vanshdeep Singh form Akal Gatka Gurmat Group New York, stood first in the men's category. In the under-14 girls demonstration-individual event, Harnidh Kaur from Baba Deep Singh Gatka Academy, NY came first and in the boys category, Gurraj Singh stood first. Besides these winners Gurpreet Singh from Baba Deep Singh Gatka Academy, NY and Oneet Kaur secured most valuable players awards in the men's and women’s category. The Kansas Gatka Association clinched the Best team award at the championship. The judges and referees at the tournament were S. Lovepreet Singh Aman (Center Referee) from Canada, Sahib Singh (Canada), Sujan Singh, Jagjit Singh, Taranjot Singh, Jakirat Singh, Jashandeep Singh, Mandeep Singh, Simran Kaur, Prabhjot Singh, Gurpeet Singh, Sarabjit Kaur as Commentator, Sarabjit Singh and Dalbir Singh. The overall trophy was bagged by the New York Gatka Association Gatka Match Overall winner team Akal Gatka Gurmat Group New York Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli put up a 189-run partnership Image: Supplied Image: X/@AmitShah India first to enter semi finals of ODI World Cup