A platform for the voice of next generation Indian Diaspora Year 1, Volume 33 Washington DC, Monday 5 June, 2023 *New India Abroad is a Registered trademark and not affiliated with the newspaper named India Abroad marketed in the US from 1972 to 2021. PM Modi invited to address joint session of US Congress ...Page 2 Bill permits Sikhs to ride without helmets in CA ...Page 10 ...Page 14 India’s worst train disaster in over two decades Snacks that make you feel like you're at home! Order now - www.rajbhog.com Dev Shah wins spell bee championship His winning word was “psammophile” BHAVANA P Dev Shah, a 14-yearold Indian-American student from Largo, Florida, won the Scripps National Spelling Bee for the year 2023 after defeating fellow eighth-grader Charlotte Walsh, 14, from Arlington, Virginia, who finished in secondplace after she misspelt “daviely,” a Scottish-rooted word for listlessly, in the 14th round. Shah, who received a US$50,000 cash prize, commemorative medal and the Scripps Cup, was declared winner in round 15, when he spelt “psammophile,” correctly, which is described as ‘an organism that prefers or thrives in sandy soils or areas.’ A student at Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School, Shah had correctly, and swiftly, spelt “bathypitotmeter” in the 14th round, but under spelling bee rules he needed to land one more word to be declared winner. President and CEO of E.W. Scripps company Adam Symson said, “The Scripps National Spelling Bee is a familiar American experience that inspires and moves us all – it shines a spotlight on camaraderie, learning and language. As the longtime steward of this nearly 100-yearold tradition, Scripps is proud to celebrate Dev and all the young leaders who took the stage this week.” Along with the official trophy and medal, Shah also received a US$2,500 cash prize and reference library from the Bee’s dictionary partner, Merriam-Webster, US$400 of reference works, including a 1768 Encyclopedia Britannica Replica Set and a three-year membership to Britannica online premium from Encyclopedia Britannica. He also received a US$2,500 prize package supporting local celebrations in the champion’s hometown from SugarBee® Apple. He will have to donate US$2,000 Scholastic Dollars to the school of his choice in their honor. The Spelling Bee includes elementary and middle school students spelling words that most adults would struggle with. The National Spelling Bee first took place in 1925. Dev Shah, a 14-year-old speller from Largo, Florida, is the champion of the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Image : E. M. Pio Roda / Scripps National Spelling Bee Several Indian American kids made it to the finals of the competition. Image - Twitter/@ScrippsBee “NRIs are central architects of Modern India” ...Page 3
2 New India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 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. 7323476511 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 The lawmakers recalled PM Modi’s first address to the US Congress seven years ago and its impact on the relationship between both nations. PM Modi invited to address joint session of US Congress VIKAL SAMDARIYA Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to address the joint session of the US Congress on June 22, 2023, during his state visit to the United States. He will be in Washington on June 22-23, 2023. This is the second time PM Modi will address the US Congress joint session. He had previously addressed the US Congress during his earlier visit in June 2016. US Congress House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries on behalf of the bipartisan legislatures from the US House of Representatives and the US Senate extended a written invitation to PM Modi. Congressional leaders requested the Indian PM to share his vision of India’s future and the global challenges faced by both countries. Highlighting the USIndia relationship, the leaders said, “Based on our shared values and commitment to global peace and prosperity, the partnership between our two countries continues to grow. During your address, you will have the opportunity to share your vision for India’s future and speak on the global challenges our countries both face.” The lawmakers recalled PM Modi’s first address to the US Congress seven years ago and its impact on the relationship between both nations. “As you said in that address, ‘Our relationship is primed for a momentous future. The constraints of the past are behind us and foundations of the future are firmly in place.’ We look forward to paving the way for greater collaboration between our countries in the years to come,” the statement reads. “Once again, we would be honoured to have you join us for a Joint Meeting of Congress to celebrate the enduring friendship between the US and India. We look forward to continuing to work together to build a brighter future for our countries and for the world,” the invitation read. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in US Congress in 2016. Images (file)-Twitter/Narendra Modi Indian American Reps. divided over debt ceiling deal STAFF REPORTER To prevent America from a defaulting on its US$31.4 trillion debt the Republicanbacked, Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, was passed by both the chambers of United States Congress. “No one got everything they wanted but the American people got what they needed,” President Joe Biden said of the legislation that he signed into law on June 3, 2023. “We averted an economic crisis and an economic collapse,” he added. The bill will restrict federal discretionary spending during the next fiscal year and the following year. It also includes provisions that rescind funds that were provided from the six relief bills passed between 2020-2022, terminate the suspension of federal student loan payments, expand work requirements for those dependent on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, among others. Indian-American lawmakers were divided in their thoughts about the debt ceiling bill. The longest serving Indian American, Rep. Ami Bera, D-CA., voted yes for raising the debt ceiling. He maintained that the legislation was not perfect but will stop the country from defaulting on its debt, which could have been catastrophic for the economy and fellow countrymen. “I remain committed to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address government spending and reduce our national deficit. We cannot continue to saddle future generations with mountains of debt,” Bera tweeted after the vote. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-CA., voted against the Debt Ceiling agreement. He was particularly against added restrictions for SNAP dependents, and the expedited approvals of all permits needed to complete the completion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline which has been opposed by climate conservation groups and locals residing in its path. Hours before the lawmakers voted for and against the bill, Khanna tweeted, “We’re facing the greatest climate and affordability crisis in recent history and we’re about to make things a lot worse for people struggling the most.” Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-IL., voted yes to raising the debt ceiling due to his belief that defaulting on debt would be an “economic disaster” . Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-MI, also voted in favor of the bill because he believed it would instate the world’s trust in America’s economy. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-WA., voted against raising the debt ceiling, due to her disapproval of the provisions included in the bill. “This bill protected the wealthiest billionaires at the expense of working families, and I refused to accept that,” she tweeted. (L-R) Indian-American Representatives Ro Khanna, Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Pramila Jayapal and Shri Thanedar Among the five Indian American Reps three voted in favor of the bill while two opposed it.
New India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 3 Gandhi stressed that India’s strength stems from its diversity and the only way to combat hate in the society is through love and affection. Rahul Gandhi lauds diaspora for holding up tricolour YASMIN TINWALA F ormer president of the Indian National Congress, Rahul Gandhi, during his address to the Indian diaspora at an event in California, the first stop of his U.S. visit, lauded the diaspora for being ambassadors of the country and urged Indian students in United States to return to the country. Praising the Indian American community Gandhi said, “We think of our country, you are all our ambassadors. When America says Indian people are extremely intelligent, Indian people are masters of IT, Indian people are respectful – all these ideas that have come, they’ve come because of you, your actions, and your behavior. So, I thank you very much for that.” He added, “Thank you very much for holding up the Indian flag in America, showing the American people what it means to be Indian, respecting them, respecting their culture, learning from them, and also allowing them to learn from you. You make us all proud.” Responding to a question from a UC Berkeley student, who asked Gandhi to say a few words to the youth who hesitate going back home at a time when the India’s youth and the wrestlers were being treated in an “undignified” manner, the politician said, “As a young person, your country needs you. Your skills and your energy will be very useful to your country so if you feel like going back, do go back and help out.” For context, several Indian wrestlers started a protest outside the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi demanding the arrest of the country’s wrestling federation chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for allegedly sexually harassing multiple female athletes. Top wrestlers including Olympic medalists Sakshi Malik, Sangita Phogat, and Bajrang Punia along with several supporters were detained while protesting. The photos from the event went viral on social media, inviting reactions from the world over, including a statement from the International Olympic Committee which urged the Indian Olympic Association to ensure the protection of the athletes. Elaborating on the situation in India, Gandhi told the audience that what they see on the news from India is far away from the truth. “India is not what the media shows. The media likes to show, you know, a particular narrative. It likes to promote a particular narrative. That is actually not what is going on in India. It was very clear to me in the yatra.” The former member of parliament also spoke at length of his experience during the Bharat Jodo Yatra and the reason behind it. He stressed that India’s strength stems from its diversity and the only way to combat hate in the society is through love and affection. Gandhi also informed the gathering on his party’s stance on various political issues in India. Rahul Gandhi at the community event in California. Image - INC “NRIs are central architects of Modern India” Rahul Gandhi in NY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Rahul Gandhi addressed a huge crowd of Indian Americans at the Javits Center in New York on June 4, 2023. The event marked the end of the politician’s highly successful six-day United States tour, during which he met with students, industry leaders, business executives, local politicians and members of the entertainment industry. During his speech, the former Congress leader commended the diaspora for representing the essence of India in the United States while also embracing the culture and history of the foreign country. “None of you came here arrogantly. You came here with limited means and you built something, fantastic,” he said. “The reason the Indian Community is successful here is because the Indian Community has respected the United States, the people of the United States, the customs of the United States and it has embraced them. That is the heart of your success. So, I commend you for that. I respect you for that and I honor you for that,” he added. Further, the politician spoke about the conflicting idealogies of the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party in India. Drawing on the deadly Odisha train crash that claimed hundreds of lives, Gandhi said that the Modi government instead of taking responsibility for the mishap, like a Congress Railways Minister had done by resigning in the past, will only look for ways to blame the incident on the opposition. Sharing his vision of a progressive India with the audience, Gandhi stated that it is only possible with help from the vast Indian diaspora in the United States. He highlighted that all the prominent leaders of India’s freedom stuggle such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawarharlal Nehru, B.R. Ambedkar and others were essentially Non-resident Indians (NRIs) who studied abroad and brought back the best of the world to India. Concluding his address, Gandhi urged the audience to do the same, he said, “The central architect of Modern India was the NRI. So that is what I expect from you. Your role is to take the immense talent that you have and bring it to play. You can do it here in America. You can do it back home. You can do it building a bridge between America and India.” Rahul Gandhi with Rajan Gangahar community leader and Atul Kumria director Spirit Airlines at a community reception (Up) Indian Overseas Congress New Jersey members greeting Rahul Gandhi (Down) chairman IOC USA George Abraham, Harkesh Thakur with Rahul Gandhi and Mohinder Singh Gilzian, IOC USA president Rahul Gandhi addressing the Indian American community at mega event in New York as final stop on U.S. tour. Rahul Gandhi at Javits Center New York. Images-Twitter/@Congress Image-Twitter/@Congress
4 New India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 [email protected] Marsha Bipin Amin appointed Superior Court Judge MEHAK LUTHRA The Governor of California, Gavin Newsom recently appointed Marsha Bipin Amin to serve as the new San Diego County Superior Court Judge. According to a government release, Amin fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Laura Halgren. Amin, who graduated from the University of San Diego (USD) School of Law, is the second Indian-origin woman to be appointed as a judge by the governor after Sweena Pannu who was appointed to the Stanislaus County Superior Court. A Democrat, Amin has served as a managing attorney at the Fourth District Court of Appeal since 2018 and as a senior appellate court attorney from 2011 to 2018. Before that, she worked as an associate at Procopio and, from 2005 to 2006, was a Law Clerk at the Southern District of California Division of the U.S. District Court. Amin earned a Juris Doctor degree from USD School of Law and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California. Amin is one of the two Indian-origin women appointed by the governor as Superior Court Judge recently Image - ca.gov The CEO of Palo Alto Networks was recognized for his leadership and work epitomising the Society’s mission of cross-cultural understanding. ASSC honours business leader Nikesh Arora VIKAL SAMDARIYA I ndian American business executive Nikesh Arora, the chairman and CEO of Palo Alto Networks was honoured with the Tech Visionary Award by the Asia Society Southern California (ASSC) at its 2023 Annual Gala on May 21, 2023, in Los Angeles. He is internationally recognized for his leadership and work epitomising the Society’s mission of crosscultural understanding. The event was dedicated to building bridges of understanding and cooperation between Asia and the United States. It highlighted the achievements of the ASSC and its partners in bringing together leaders from diverse fields of entertainment, business, hospitality and technology. Before joining Palo Alto Networks in 2018, Arora served as president and chief operating officer of SoftBank Group Corp. Before that, the India-born tech leader spent ten years at Google, Inc. as a senior executive, where he was senior vice president and chief business officer, president of global sales operations and business development, and president of Europe, the Middle East and Africa, his profile reads. He also serves on the board of Compagnie Financière Richemont S.A., a public Switzerland-based luxury goods holding company, and Tipping Point, a non-profit organization that fights poverty in the Bay Area. Previously, he served on the boards of SoftBank Group Corp., Sprint Corp., ColgatePalmolive Inc. and Yahoo! Japan. Arora holds an M.B.A. in business administration from Northeastern University, an M.S. in finance from Boston College, and a B. Tech. in electrical engineering from the Institute of Technology at Banaras Hindu University. The chairman and CEO of Palo Alto Networks Nikesh Arora. Image - ASSC Rohit Verma is Moore School dean STAFF REPORTER I ndian- American academician Rohit Verma has been named dean of the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina (USC), effective August 1, 2023. A seasoned researcher, Verma currently serves as the founding provost of VinUniversity, Hanoi. Prior to his current assignment, he was the dean of external relations for Cornell SC Johnson College of Business Singapore, Tourism Board distinguished professor, executive director for Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures and executive director of Cornell Center for Hospitality Research. Verma has published several articles in academic journals and has authored numerous reports for the hospitality industry. He has received many academic awards, including a lifetime achievement award from the Production and Operations Management Society and several industry relevance awards from the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research. Lauding Verma’s experience, USC president Michael Amiridis welcomed him to the Carolina family. “His excellent academic record and his international perspective will be great compliments to the leadingedge work of the Darla Moore School of Business,” the president said. The Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur alumnus earned a PhD in business administration and MS in engineering from the University of Utah. “I hope to collaborate with all colleagues at the Moore School in ensuring that the school’s core values are reflected and prioritized in all aspects of our work,” Verma said. Image - LinkedIn/Rohit Verma
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6 New India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 Goel was honoured for his outstanding individual contribution in advancement of Canadian health care sector. Vivek Goel awarded 2023 M&T Leadership Award VIKAL SAMDARIYA The Canadian Health Leadership Network, Healthcare Excellence Canada, and the e-Health Conference host organizations awarded Indianorigin scholar and academician, Vivek Goel, the 2023 MacNaught-Taillon Leadership Award (M&T award) at the eHealth 2023 conference in Toronto, Ontario. President and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo (UWaterloo), Goel has been recognized for his outstanding individual contribution to Canadian health care through exemplary leadership and mentorship in the advancement of health policy, health information and health informatics, a news release noted. Accepting the honor, Goel said, “I am honoured to be selected for this award and to join such illustrious previous recipients. I am also particularly excited about the opportunity to support an emerging health leader through the award’s bursary.”A distinguished scholar with a long resume in teaching and research, Goel is professor emeritus at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. A leading publichealth researcher, and champion in health policy making, Goelhas held a number of senior leadership positions at the University of Toronto including as vice-president, provost and as vicepresident of research and innovation. Goel obtained his medical degree from McGill University, completed postgraduate medical training in community medicine at the University of Toronto, obtained a master’s in community health from the University of Toronto and a master’s in Biostatistics from Harvard University School of Public Health. The prestigious M&T Award named after Don MacNaught and Serge Taillon, who each played key roles in advancing evidence-informed health policy in Canada, is presented every three years. President and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo, Vivek Goel. Image - Twitter/ UWaterloo Vohra will study international relations in Madrid as part of the prestigious fellowship. Rishma Vohra named Eisenhower Fellow RISHIKA BHARDWAJ Eisenhower Fellowships, a renowned organization dedicated to fostering global leadership, unveiled its fourth class of Eisenhower Global Scholars ; and four graduates from prestigious American universities, including Indian American Rishma Vohra have been chosen as Fellows. According to a news release, the selected scholars will embark on a year-long academic journey at the University of Oxford and IE University in Madrid, to complete their masters and join an elite class of influential global network of Fellows. Vohra a graduate of Georgetown University, holds a bachelor’s degree in foreign service and will study international relations at the IE University in Madrid as part of the fellowship. The 21-year-old’s academic pursuits have focused on theology, philosophy, and political theory, with a particular passion for courses on human rights, migration, and humanitarian crises. She has interned at the U.S. Department of State in the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, as well as completed a fellowship with the Geneva Centre on Security Policy. At Georgetown she founded Guzaarish, a Bollywood-fusion dance team that achieved national recognition and performed at Vice President Kamala Harris’ Diwali celebration in 2022. During her time in Madrid, Vohra intends to delve into the lesser-known aspects of forced migration, shedding light on critical issues such as climate change that drive families to flee their homes. Eisenhower Fellowships’ Global Scholars Program, now in its fourth year, harnesses the power of EF’s vast network of accomplished Fellows worldwide. It inspires and empowers scholars to carry on President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s legacy. For 70 years, Eisenhower Fellowships has brought together global leaders to address challenges and create positive change. Over 2,500 leaders from 115 countries have benefited from their tailored experiences. The Chairman of Eisenhower Fellowships, Robert M. Gates, said, “We are delighted to provide these four exceptional young Americans with this wonderful opportunity to expand their horizons while exposing them to the world beyond our shores and immersing them in our global network of leaders.” Image - Eisenhower Fellowships website Rishma Vohra, Georgetown University; Arushi Nath won Best Project at Canada’s-Wide Science Fair for developing an algorithm that can determine the physical properties of asteroids. Indian-origin student breaks 33-year record at Canada Science Fair YASMIN TINWALA An eighth-grade Indian-origin student in Canada won the Best Project Award Innovation for the second time in a row at the 2023 Canada-Wide Science Fair. Arushi Nath created history as the first back-to-back best project award winner since 1989 – 1990, an official statement by the organizers said. The young innovator’s journey to the top honour at the Canada-Wide Science Fair started at a regional level, Nath said in a blog. She reached the finals after presenting her project -- Developing algorithms to determine asteroid’s physical properties and success of deflection missions – at the 2023 Toronto Science Fair held at the University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus, on April 1. Nath received a gold medal and other awards at that event, and the judges selected her and 10 other students, from the 300 participants, to present the projects in Alberta where she won Best Project: Innovation. With her project, Nath was able to determine the size, rotation and strength of the Didymos binary asteroid. She explained that determining the physical properties of asteroids is essential to deflect them. Her findings were validated by external source. “My project was about planetary defence. Currently, more are being discovered than we’re able to analyze and if an asteroid were in a collision course with the Earth we would need to know its physical properties to be able to deflect it. So my project tackles this issue. I created an algorithm that I can find the physical properties of asteroids and then I applied it in a real-world scenario to measure the effectiveness of the asteroid deflection mission,” she said while speaking at the Winner’s Panel at CWSP. Images-Twitter/@wonrobot
New India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 7 Arany, a professor at the University of Buffalo’s School of Dental Medicine, was honored with the T. H. Maiman Award for Excellence in dental laser research by the Academy of Laser Dentistry. Praveen Arany receives dental laser research award RISHIKA BHARDWAJ Praveen Arany, associate professor of oral biology at the University of Buffalo’s School of Dental Medicine, was honoured with the T. H. Maiman Award for Excellence in dental laser research. The Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD) presented the award to Dr Arany during their annual conference. The T. H. Maiman Award recognized Dr Arany’s significant contributions to clinical translational research in the field of lasers in dentistry, particularly in the area of photobiomodulation—a type of light therapy. Clinical translational research focuses on translating scientific discoveries into evidence-based treatments that enhance human health and well-being. Dr Arany earned his doctorate in biological sciences in dental medicine from Harvard University, after which he dedicated his research efforts to the clinical translation of biological mechanisms for wound healing and tissue regeneration. His work as an assistant clinical investigator at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), was highlighted by the ALD. With over 150 scientific publications to his credit, Arany’s expertise and contributions have extended beyond his research. He has held various leadership positions, including serving as the president of both the World and North American Associations for Photobiomodulation Therapy. According to a release his work has the potential to shape the future of dentistry by improving wound healing and tissue regeneration through innovative light-based therapies. Accepting the honor, Arany said, “The tremendous progress in this field is poised to change our fundamental approach to clinical dentistry with an emphasis on precision, individualized care.” He added, “It is a truly exciting time to be involved with lasers in dentistry as several policy and regulation changes are recognizing the significant utility of the field.” Praveen Arany; Image - Research Gate The election for Texas County Commissioner is scheduled to take place in November 2023. Taral Patel announces bid for Texas County Commissioner YASMIN TINWALA I ndian American Texas resident Taral V. Patel announced his bid for the Fort Bend County Commissioner’s office. The election is scheduled to take place in November 2023. “Today I’m announcing my campaign for Fort Bend County Commissioner. Together, we can push past the divisive politics that we see in the news – and build a stronger, diverse, & more united Fort Bend,” Patel tweeted along with a campaign video. Patel joined the Fort Bend Democratic Party as a teenager in 2008 and has worked to help the state bounce back during emergencies like the winter storm, electric grid failure, and COVID-19. In his video, Patel listed a few changes and plans for Fort Bend, after being elected. “First responders need a raise. Toll roads need to be cheaper. Wasteful spending needs to stop. And we need to be Texas’s first green county and go a 100 per cent sustainable,” he said. Patel’s website elaborates on the objectives further. One of them will be ensuring the community influences the county’s budgetary process. He also plans on implementing a 311 reporting program to fix all potholes in 24 hours, as per the campaign. His candidacy is supported by Fort County Judge, fellow Indian American KP George. “As Fort Bend County’s former Chief of Staff, Taral has been there for our community during the worst crises of our modern era, working around the clock, to save lives, protect property, and ensure the safety and well-being of all of our residents,” KP George said. Image-Taral Patel Kumar Barve sworn in as Maryland Public Service Commissioner SUPRIYA SINGH I ndian American Kumar P. Barve was officially been sworn in as a member of the Maryland Public Service Commission on June 3. He was appointed by Governor Wes Moore to succeed outgoing Commissioner Patrice M. Bubar, who has served since May 18, 2022. The first Indian American to be elected to a state legislature in the United States, Commissioner Barve has served in the Maryland House of delegates since 1991, holding leadership roles including chair of the Environment and Transportation Committee, Majority Leader, Majority Whip, and chair of the Montgomery County House delegation. Governor Moore while choosing him for the position, said that Barve is “a veteran of the Maryland House of Delegates and his leadership within the Environment and Transportation Committee makes him the ideal candidate for the role.” While in the General Assembly, Barve worked on issues including environmental regulation, energy generation and conservation, and greenhouse gas reduction. He sponsored several climate change laws, led Maryland’s effort to promote high-tech job creation, and was a central player in closing corporate tax loopholes and in transforming Maryland’s tax code to be more progressive. A resident of Rockville, Maryland, Barve graduated from Paint Branch High School in Silver Spring, and received a B.S. in Accounting from Georgetown University. Image- Twitter/@MarylandPSC
8 New India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program aspires to create future leaders with the skills necessary to bring about significant change. He is a renowned name in the Indian community for his various roles in cricket establishments in the US. Jatin Patel receives Lifetime Achievement Award BHAVANA P I ndian American multi-sports coach Jatin Patel becomes the eighth individual since 1981 to receive the Cricket Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award. He will be bestowed with a ring and blazer complete with an insignia during the 43rd induction ceremony on October 7, 2023, in Hartford, Connecticut, USA. The list of winners includes legendary West Indian all-rounder Sir Garfield “Gary” Sobers, Michael Holding, Lloyd Dixon, Roy Sweeney, Denzel Powell, Tony Becca, and Muhammad Ahmad Qureshi, also known as Maq Qureshi. Jatin Patel has already earned the USA President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifelong dedication to strengthening the nation via volunteerism, making this the third major honour him. For his 35 years of professional experience, he is already eligible for the Governor’s Long-Term Public Service Recognition of the State of Indiana. Jatin Patel previously earned the American Cricket Federation Inaugural Volunteer Award in 2013 and the Indiana Governor’s Public Service Achievement Award in 2010. On receiving the award, Jatin Patel said, “2023 is a momentous year for me as I received a Federal award, followed by CHOF international recognition. These are memorable achievements for the rest of my life. These are one of the greatest honours I have ever received as my accolades. In cricket terms, I scored a HatTrick.” Jatin Patel is a Professional Sports Performance Analyst recognised by the International Society of Performance Analysts of Sport (ISPAS). He founded the American Cricket Education Council (ACEC) in 2022. He has advanced degrees in both sports performance and analysis (FIFA and Olympic football). He is wellknown in the Indian community for his many contributions to American cricket organisations. Along with supporting more than sixty youth cricket academies and community programmes, colleges/universities, and schools in the USA, he also invented scholastic cricket and taught coaches. Jatin Patel, Cricket Hall of Fame & Board Director, Presenting Hall of Famer Dr. Shivnarine Chanderpaul, former West Indies Captain with his certificates & Induction Ceremony Booklet. image- Cricket hall of fame Amit Goyal shortlisted for Global Energy Prize STAFF REPORTER I ndian American researcher Amit Goyal has been shortlisted for the 2023 Global Energy Prize, which honors exceptional contributions to scientific and technological R&D in the energy sector. He has been nominated in the New Ways of Energy Application category. Goyal has been shortlisted among 15 scientists from nine countries, for his contribution to hightemperature superconductivity, discoveries, and inventions to fabricate long lengths of highperformance superconducting wire for all large-scale energy-related applications of High -temperature superconductors. Currently, the Director of the University of Buffalo Initiative on Plastics Recycling and Innovation, Goyal has spent more than 20 years creating alternative energy solutions. He is known for his work on 3D self-assembly of nanodots and nanorods for device applications as well as large-area, low-cost, highperformance “flexible electronic” devices, including photovoltaics, ferroelectrics, multiferroics, and superconductors. The Indian American has held positions at UT-Battelle/Oak Ridge National Laboratory as a distinguished scientist, distinguished inventor, and corporate fellow before joining UB and has over 25 years of experience leading various technical initiatives for various businesses. He also has expertise working with venture capital firms and angel investors as the founder, president, and CEO of two businesses, TapeSolar Inc. and TexMat LLC. The Prize, which promotes scientific advancement, underlines the value of international cooperation and the weight of public and private sector participation in efforts to achieve energy security and energy conservation on a worldwide scale. The recipients will be chosen during a closed meeting of the International Award Committee to be held in early July. Image- University at Buffalo Indian-origin MIT alumni named KnightHennessy Scholars MEHAK LUTHRA Two Indian-origin Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) alumni were awarded the 2023 Knight-Hennessy Scholarship. The Institute announced that the scholarship will fund scholars Bhav Jain and Sreya Vangara’s graduate studies at Stanford University for up to three years in any subject. The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program aspires to create future leaders with the skills necessary to bring about significant change, a strong multidisciplinary and intercultural viewpoint, and a dedication to the greater good. Scholars take part in training sessions and workshops in addition to their graduate studies to aid them in achieving their leadership goals. “We are so excited for Bhav and Sreya to continue their academic journey through the Knight-Hennessy program,” says Kim Benard, associate dean of distinguished fellowships in Career Advising and Professional Development. “They are not only great scholars, but also leaders who are committed to making change in the world.” Bhav, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, earned a BS in computer science and brain and cognitive sciences from MIT in May 2022. He will pursue an MD at Stanford University’s School of Medicine. As a physicianpolicymaker, Jain wants to develop high-quality, low-cost healthcare systems and revolutionize clinical treatment on a worldwide scale. From Germantown, Maryland, Vangara graduated from MIT in May 2022 with a double degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science and subsequently graduated with a master’s in international relations from Tsinghua University as a Schwarzman Scholar. She will pursue a PhD in mechanical engineering at Stanford University’s School of Engineering and intends to create less expensive nuclear-generating equipment for reliable and clean energy in developing nations, drawing inspiration from her Indian grandmother’s experience living without electricity. Bhav Jain and Sreya Vangara. Image - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
New India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 9 The organization that is largely made of Indian Americans criticised the California Senate Bill 403 California is the first U.S. state to issue legislation that exempts Sikhs from Bill permits Sikhs to ride using helmets without helmets in CA MEHAK LUTHRA The California Senate has passed a bill grant exemption to individuals who wear a turban or patka, as an expression of their religious belief and practice, from the requirement of wearing a safety helmet while operating a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle. Introduced by Senator Brian Dahle the bill cleared the Senate, with a 21-8 vote margin and will move to the assembly. According to the 2021 American Community Survey, approximately 211,000 Sikhs reside in California, accounting for nearly half of the Sikh population in the United States. “Freedom of religion is a core foundation of this country. We, as Americans, have the right to freely express our religion and I believe that right should equally extend to everyone. Any law that limits the ability to express one’s religion, goes against what this country is all about, “ Dahle said on the senate floor. “While current law does not intentionally discriminate against certain religions, the reality is that those who practice those religions are limited in how they can express their customs. Exempting those who wear turbans or patkas from wearing helmets is a simple way to ensure that everyone’s religious freedoms are protected,” he added. While other countries and even the U.S. military have made accommodations for the deeply held beliefs of Sikhs, no U.S. state that mandates helmet usage has implemented exemptions for Sikhs or any other religious group based on their religious practices. Photo by Sandy Millar / Unsplash AAHOA speaks out against discrimination STAFF REPORTER The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), recognized as the largest hotel owners association globally, has strongly opposed the California Senate Bill 403 (“SB 403”) out of concern that its implementation may lead to inappropriate and unlawful racial profiling, targeting, and attacks on individuals of Asian American descent and/or those who adhere to the principles of Hinduism. The organization argued that including “caste” as a protected category in anti-discrimination laws, such as Section 51 of the California Civil Code, as well as other Education Code and Government Code sections, is unnecessary and could potentially result in more harm than good. The existing Unruh Civil Rights Act already establishes that all individuals within the state’s jurisdiction are entitled to equal treatment, irrespective of factors such as sex, race, colour, religion, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, and immigration status, among others. The proposed bill seeks to extend this protection to include caste as well, ensuring that individuals are entitled to equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services regardless of their caste, as defined by the bill. “AAHOA was founded on the very basis of preventing discrimination and, therefore, has always strongly opposed any form of discrimination, including castebased, as inimical to our values as Americans and as human beings,” said AAHOA chairman Bharat Patel. “However, contrary to what it looks like on the surface, Senate Bill 403 singles out South Asians and other vulnerable ethnic communities and could lead to improper and unlawful racial profiling and stigmatization of individuals of Asian American descent.” AAHOA was established in 1989 with the primary objective to address the discrimination faced by Asian American hoteliers in the industry, specifically from banks and insurance companies. Over the course of more than three decades, AAHOA has dedicated significant efforts to combat racial profiling based on factors such as national origin, ethnicity, and ancestry. Their work has aimed to create a more inclusive and fair environment within the hotel industry and beyond. Image - AAHOA Khanna and Mace launch bipartisan childcare caucus VIKAL SAMDARIYA Representatives Ro Khanna and Nancy Mace announced the launch of a new Congressional Bipartisan Affordable Childcare Caucus to address the high cost of childcare in America and uplift families. The caucus has been endorsed by MomsFirst, a nonprofit that advocates for childcare benefits and paid leave. At a time when US legislatures are enumerating the debt ceiling bill in the context of its implication on their constituents, Democrat Khanna and Republican Mace launched the much-neededlegislative group to address the financial concern on childcare spending. The caucus was founded to advocate concerns of American families on inflated spending on child care. It was founded on the reality that in the 1940s, America had a universal childcare policy and since then, the cost of childcare has skyrocketed and families are paying up to $17,171 per year, according to a release. In this regard, the bipartisan caucus will put in efforts to reduce the cost of childcare to make care accessible for families nationwide by investing in good wages for care workers. Politico quoted Khanna as saying, “The goal is to find areas of common ground — that is pro-family, that are pro-working-class-Americans — and see how we can shape legislation that can get broad support.” “Additionally, we recognize the burdensome bureaucratic red tape and barriers which limit access in the child care industry,” Mace told Women Rule. “The caucus will work tirelessly to reduce unnecessary regulations and streamline processes.” CEO and founder of MomsFirst, Reshma Saujani was instrumental informing the caucus as she worked relentlessly to pursue legislatures to establish the Affordable Childcare Caucus in the US Congress. After the formation of the Caucus, she has also been campaigning to bring in more elected officials to the group to address the issue. “Having businesses on the record to say that we believe that this is an economic imperative for our workforce and for the communities that we operate in, and pushing elected officials to get something done on that, I think is what’s going to push us over the edge,” Saujani said. Image -Wikipedia Representatives Ro Khanna and Nancy Mace Image - CAP
10 New India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 Major General Harry Kleinbeck Pickett will be reburied at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. India to repatriate US war veteran’s remains after 58 years YASMIN TINWALA On the occasion of Memorial Day, the U.S. Consulate General Kolkata announced the repartition of an American war veteran’s remains back to his country from Kolkata, India. Major General Harry Kleinbeck Pickett, was an exceptionally decorated United States Marine Corps Officer who served with distinction during both World War I and World War II. According to a statement by the embassy, Pickett died in 1965 while visiting Darjeeling in West Bengal and was buried in a cemetery there. The embassy informed that Pickett’s family with support from the U.S. government conducted successful discussions with the Government of India and the state of West Bengal resulting in his final journey home. His remains will be sent back to his family after 58 years and be re-buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia which also happens to be the resting place of thousands of veterans and several former U.S. presidents including John F. Kennedy. “Our priority as U.S. government public servants is protecting and supporting American citizens,” said Melinda Pavek, U.S. Consul General in Kolkata. “Helping reunite Major General Pickett with his beloved family in the United States, the country he defended in both World War I and II, is a privilege and honour for us. My team and I are grateful for the support we received from the Government of India and the state of West Bengal which made his return possible.” She further added, “We are grateful to amplify this as a success story under our strategic partnership because the United States and India are better together when we support our citizens.” U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti presiding over the repartition ceremony. Image - US Embassy India
New India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 11 Since its establishment, UP has played a significant role in organizing campaigns that have successfully raised $100,000 for research Passionate about Vemulapalli has deep interest international relations and serves as a debate coach at the Isidore Newman School in New Orleans The Alternative Format podcast produced by Karsten Prinds at the University of Southern Denmark is available on all major podcast platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify. PhD through ‘alternative format’ SUPRIYA SINGH Dr Anuja Pradhan, assistant professor in consumption, culture, and commerce at the University of Southern Denmark, and Dr Scott Jones, assistant professor of marketing at the University of Birmingham both of whom completed their PhDs in an alternative format have started a new four-part podcast, called ‘Alternative Format’, in order to help students do the same. Traditionally, a PhD is obtained by completing a monograph or thesis. Recently, many students from political science to marketing have chosen the alternative format which consists of preparing a series of 3 or 4 articles suitable for publication in an academic journal. Elucidating the format, Pradhan said, “As academics and teachers we want to empower students and PhD supervisors when it comes to the alternative format. These kinds of PhDs are becoming more commonplace, but sometimes it can be hard to know how you should be assisting a student or formatting your papers. We hope that both future and current PhD students and supervisors will find Alternative Format a helpful resource created by two people who have gone through the experience themselves.” A release shared by the University of Birmingham states that each episode of the podcast tackles different issues related to doing a PhD by alternative formats, such as why people choose to complete their PhDs this way; the writing process of the alternative format thesis, and the advantages and challenges of writing journal-style articles; practical advice for preparing for and undertaking a viva, and how this might be different by alternative format. In one of the episodes dedicated to PhD supervisors, Scott and Anuja are joined by Professor Maria Piacentini, Professor Emerita Margaret Hogg of Lancaster University, and Professor Finola Kerrigan of Birmingham University, who share their experiences as supervisors and examiners of the alternative format, the release said. The Alternative Format podcast produced by Karsten Prinds at the University of Southern Denmark is available on all major podcast platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify. The podcast has been supported by and is in collaboration with the Academy of Marketing and the Marketing Trust. From right to Left – Karsten Prinds, Scott Jones, Anuja Pradhan. Image- University of Birmingham Harun Vemulapalli receives Lamar Governor’s Fellowship High schooler’s NGO to empower youth MEHAK LUTHRA An Indian-origin student at Kirkland, Washington’s Eastside Preparatory School named Rakshith Srinivasan has taken the initiative to start a nonprofit organization called Unlimited Potential (UP). According to an official statement, the primary focus of UP is to raise awareness and gather funds for sports medicine research. The organization’s goal is to enable children who have physical disabilities or chronic health conditions to participate in school sports seamlessly. Through its efforts, UP aims to empower these children, providing them with opportunities to engage in sports activities with ease and enjoyment. According to research, an estimated 3.5 million children under the age of 14 in North America are unable to participate in sports due to physical disabilities, genetic disorders, or chronic health conditions. In response to this issue, UP envisions a world where children facing such challenges are equipped with the necessary tools to overcome them. The organization aims to create an inclusive environment where every child can actively participate in school sports, regardless of their physical abilities or health conditions. “Our mission at Unlimited Potential is to generate awareness within our communities about game-changing research in sports medicine and to raise funds for researchers and doctors working on complex medical problems. We believe accelerating research and enabling affordability should ultimately lead to enabling our vision of - No Wheel Chairs by 2050”! said Srinivasan, the founder of Unlimited Potential. Since its establishment, UP has played a significant role in organizing campaigns that have successfully raised $100,000 for research. These funds were generated through the support of community donors within their respective school districts. Subsequently, UP presented the raised funds to various research labs, including the Seattle Children’s Orthopedic Research Lab and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, among others. VIKAL SAMDARIYA L ouisiana Governor John Bel Edwards named Indian American Harun Vemulapalli as the recipient of the 2023 Lamar Governor’s Fellowship program along with twelve other fellows. The fellowship aims to offer firsthand experience on public policy as well as the state’s rich history and current affairs of the Louisiana government. Under the fellowship scheme, each student has been assigned to work in a cabinet-level agency in Baton Rouge based on their interest in the study and the opportunity to participate in a weekly speaker series with field trips designed to enhance their overall experience and understanding of the Louisiana government, a release noted. A Prairieville resident, Vemulapalli is a student of the University of California, majoring in Political Science and Data Theory, and minoring in Film Studies. As a Lamar Governor’s fellow, he has been assigned to work with the Louisiana National Guard. Hailing from a Telugu family, Vemulapalli has a keen interest in international relations, and writes for the Bruin Political Review, a political science journal at UCLA. He serves as a debate coach at the Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, teaching at debate summer programs across the United States. He is also a research assistant at the Luskin School of Public Affairs and an active member of Phi Alpha Delta, a professional pre-law fraternity at UCLA, according to his bio. In a statement, Governor Edwards said, “Every year, I am inspired by our fellows and their excitement for serving Louisiana. These 13 students represent the next generation of Louisiana’s leaders. Our goal is to provide them with an invaluable learning experience and help them understand their vital role in our state’s future.” The recipient of the 2023 Lamar Governor’s Fellowship Harun Vemulapalli. Image - Louisiana Governor UP volunteers distribute funds for Sarcoma Bone cancer research with Fred Hutcheson Cancer Centre in Seattle Washington. Image- Unlimited Potential
Chanel CEO Leena Nair “I’ve known what it is to be the first to have privileges and to take the responsibility of those privileges seriously. Being the first woman in many roles has given me an enormous sense of responsibility to make it easier for those who come after me – to lift as I climb.” Diaspora Talks Surgeon General Vivek Murthy “Creating tech-free zones is just one of many actions detailed in my new Advisory to minimize the risk of harm to our young people. By taking this and other steps I’ve outlined, we can help protect the health and well-being of our children.” EDITORIAL This is the usual season when attention, including that of media, is on examination results of Boards, entrance examinations for engineering, medicine, law and what not, and not to forget the visas to foreign countries to those young minds looking at higher education and opportunities in foreign lands. And an occasional discussion on the rights and wrongs of education in India and on ways to stem the so-called brain drain. It brings joy to see an economically and socially disadvantaged kid coming away at the top of the class, state or country in a qualifying examination. Kudos indeed to the young mind, the parents, teachers and heads of institutions who in many instances had to dip their hands in their own pockets to make all this happen. Just imagine that all this could happen in government or corporation schools that are at times woefully inadequate even in basic infrastructure like proper classrooms, teacher strength and washroom facilities. Not all of education boils down to numbers or in that race to achieve the Gross Enrolment Ratio to catch up with the West and the Asia Pacific. For instance the pride of North America is not in its private and exclusive institutions at the elementary, middle and high schools—it is in their state/county funded public schools that provide a first rate education on par or better than the elitist centers of education. And the same goes to most of the Universities in the United States that are dependent on mostly the state exchequer. Of course private institutions thrive on endowments which is a different story in itself. It is said that in India there about 1000 plus Universities and 50,000 colleges and adding a few more is not going to address the quality of education in a country that at one time was known as the universal hub of knowledge. Somehow and somewhere down the line we seem to have lost the way; and starting the blame game is not going to help matters. If anything this worn out exercise will again postpone the steps that are to be taken to fix a system that is not beyond redemption. Bright young minds are not something that come about overnight. They require nurturing from the very beginning and this is where public schools in a country like India can make all the difference, be it in the urban or rural areas. Starting from scratch requires asking painful questions including addressing the cancer of corruption in the recruitment of teachers and making sure only the proper hands enter the portals of learning. Unless proper mechanisms are put in place, we risk seeing the world go by. And the best place to start is public kindergarten and elementary schools. DEALING WITH EDUCATION IN A PROPER FASHION 12 New India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 In a country that at one time was known as the universal hub of knowledge somehow and somewhere down the line we seem to have lost the way NCERT drops key science topics from class 10 textbooks YASMIN TINWALA The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), a Government of India-affiliated organization has dropped chapters about the periodic classification of elements from Grade 10 textbooks. “In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is imperative to reduce the content load on students. The National Education Policy 2020, also emphasizes reducing the content load and providing opportunities for experiential learning with a creative mindset. In this background, NCERT has undertaken the exercise to rationalize the textbooks across all classes,” read a statement by the NCERT. The chapter on the periodic table was temporarily excluded from the curriculum during the pandemic, and the NCERT has made the exclusion permanent. Science is a compulsory subject for Class 10 students who will no longer be able to study the periodic table, in addition to other banned chapters. Students who opt for chemistry as a subject in grades 11 and 12 will be able to learn the periodic table. The decision to drop a plethora of subjects, including the periodic table comes more than a month after NCERT excluded Darwin’s theory of evolution from class 9 and 10 textbooks. The other chapters that have been banned from Science textbooks include sources of energy, sustainable management of natural resources, and popular struggles and movements. The move to exclude Darwin’s theories was met with harsh criticism from industry experts and educators. Thousands of scientists, science teachers, educators, science popularisers and rational minded citizens condemned the directive by the NCERT. In an open letter through the Breakthrough Science Society, they said, “In the current educational structure, only a small fraction of students choose the science stream in grade 11 or 12. Thus, the exclusion of key concepts from the curriculum till grade 10 amounts to a vast majority of students missing a critical part of essential learning in this field.”. Due to the exclusion, students of class 10 will no longer be able to study the periodic table as part of the compulsory Science subject. Photo by Vedrana Filipović / Unsplash
YASMIN TINWALA The Uttar Pradesh government inaugurated the Matrubhumi Yojana to enable former residents of the state who have migrated to another city or country for work, contribute to its developmental plans. The state’s Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said they were launching the program after knowing about the diaspora’s positive attitude toward these plans. The government through the scheme aims to facilitate people both individuals and private institutions to contribute to the development of villages. Under the scheme, if any individual or organisation wishes to contribute to development works in any village panchayat and is willing to bear 60 per cent of the cost, the remaining 40 per cent will be arranged by the state government. Speaking of the significance of the scheme, Adityanath said, “This will serve two purposes: firstly, individuals will be able to reconnect with their roots, and secondly, they will be able to contribute towards their motherland.” One of these includes the construction of a convention center which will be utilized to host communal events like mass weddings. Adityanath said the government will provide land for the construction along with 40 per cent of the funds to the person/entities willing to arrange the rest. During the launch, a former resident of the state, who is living in California for over two decades addressed the gathering virtually and spoke about jis plans to give back to his homeland. The expat said he wished to contribute to the convention center, schools, and setting up preventive care dispensaries in the state and the scheme was a great opportunity to do so. The Matrubhumi Yojana was announced by Adityanath in September 2021 with the aim to help common citizens aid the developmental work in Uttar Pradesh. “Under this, every person will get a chance to directly participate in various works of infrastructure development in the villages. The government will bear 50 per cent of the total cost of the project, while the remaining 50 per cent will be contributed by the interested people. In return, the project can be named after the relatives of the collaborators as per their wish,” Adityanath had said. New India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 13 The scheme was launched after knowing about the diaspora’s positive attitude toward developmental plans in Uttar Pradesh. The summit will explore the U.S.-India economic partnership across sectors. Vivek Ramaswamy voices concern over Elon Musk’s China comments STAFF REPORTER I ndian American entrepreneur and Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said he was ‘deeply concerned’ about fellow businessman and Twitter CEO Elon Musk’s remarks about the America-China relationship. Musk who was on a two-day trip to China recently, met with several Chinese government officials and local business leaders. The Chinese foreign ministry quoted Musk describing the U.S. and Communist China as ‘conjoined twins’ and opposing the decoupling of the two countries. Perturbed by the above comments, Ramaswamy tweeted, “It’s deeply concerning that Elon Musk met with China’s foreign minister yesterday to oppose decoupling and referred to the U.S. and communist China as ‘conjoined twins.’ Tesla’s VP in China reposted that statement on Weibo in China, but curiously not here in the US.” The Republican highlighted how Musk had called for the reunification of China and Taiwan in an interview in October 2022. Musk’s comments came a month after U.S. President Joe Biden said the country would support Taiwan in case of a Chinese invasion. The politician said the Chinese Communist Party had turned the U.S. most prominent leaders and celebrities into muppets to ‘advance their agenda’, naming Musk along with Tim Cook, Larry Fink, and LeBron James. Ramaswamy said it was a ‘real risk’ when thought leaders from the country were aligning with China. “That tilts the global scales of perception in China’s favour - and sadly, it’s working. The U.S. needs leaders who aren’t in China’s pocket, yet Biden is just another embodiment of that same problem,” he tweeted. Image-Twitter/@VivekGRamaswamy USIBC to host 2023 India Ideas Summit in Washington VIKAL SAMDARIYA The United States India Business Council (USIBC) announced that its 2023 India Ideas Summit will be held on June 12-13, 2023 on the sidelines of its 48th Annual General Meeting at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce headquarters in Washington D.C. In a statement, USIBC shared the summit themed ‘Trust, Resilience, and Growth’ – will focus on how these three organizing principles underpin the U.S.-India economic partnership across sectors. “As the Summit is the flagship event of USIBC, and the premier convention of government, industry, and thought leaders in the U.S.- India Corridor, USIBC’s annual India Ideas Summit has become an institution,”it said. This year’s summit carries an additional significance as it will take place about ten days in advance of PM Modi’s state visit to the US scheduled to begin from June 22, 2023, in an effort to strengthen bilateral relations. Every year, the bilateral trade council hosts conversations that explore important technological developments, chart an agenda for the trade relationship, and highlight how India-US commercial ties serve shared strategic and economic interests. UP launches Matrubhumi Yojana to connect diaspora with villages Image - Twitter/@myyogiadityanath
14 New India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 Mukesh Ambani joins Advisory Committee for COP28, bringing Indian expertise and emphasizing the importance of sustainable business practices in addressing climate change. Mukesh Ambani joins COP28 Advisory Committee India stresses immediate reform of UNSC BHAVANA P I ndia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, called for immediate reform of the UN Security Council, stating that the body’s existing makeup no longer reflects the reality of an interconnected and multipolar globe. According to Khamboj, there is an urgent need for a Council that is more inclusive, effective, and representative in preserving international peace and security. She made the remarks during a Roundtable on Security Council Reform at the UN’s headquarters hosted by the Permanent Missions of Brazil, India, South Africa, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. India has advocated for multilateralism on several occasions and asked for the UNSC to be more inclusive of all nations. “We are reminded of the world’s evolving challenges and the pressing need for a Council that is more representative, more inclusive, and effective in maintaining global peace and security,” the envoy said. She stressed that it is important to acknowledge the contributions made by nations that have proven capable of fostering peace, advancing development, and addressing global issues. India’s top diplomat maintained that the Security Council’s legitimacy, credibility, and efficacy might all be improved by enlarging its membership in both the permanent and non-permanent categories. “More voices at the table means a broader range of perspectives, experiences, and expertise to guide decision-making processes,” she added. “The urgency of reform is also underscored by the unprecedented global challenges that transcend borders, climate change, terrorism, pandemics and humanitarian crises and require collective efforts and shared responsibilities,” she said. A reformed Security Council would enable a pool of resources, expertise and perspectives from a wider range of countries empowering us to confront these issues with greater effectiveness and unity. RISHIKA BHARDWAJ I ndian business tycoon, Mukesh Ambani, chairman and CEO of Reliance Industries, has been named to the president’s advisory committee for the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Other than Sunita Narain, Ambani is the only Indian representative on the prestigious committee, alongside other global leaders. The meeting being hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai Expo City, is scheduled to take place from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12, 2023. The Conference of Parties (COP) is the key decision-making body of the UNFCCC, established to address the urgent threat of climate change. The Advisory Committee, comprising 31 members representing policy, business, energy, finance, civil society, youth, and humanitarian action, includes a majority from the Global South. Their collective expertise will guide the COP Presidency in the lead-up to COP28 and beyond. The billionaire has previously advocated for a green industrial revolution and described climate change as the biggest threat to mankind. His company is committed to reducing its carbon emissions and achieving net-zero emissions by 2035 and has set a target of achieving 100 GW of solar energy by 2030. COP meetings, held annually, rotate among the five recognized UN regions. The first COP meeting took place in Berlin, Germany, in March 1995, and subsequent conferences have been held each year, subject to decision by the Parties. Image - Reliance Industries Limited India’s permanent representative to the UN, reiterated the need for a Council that represents the changing reality and advocated for UNSC changes. Ruchira Kamboj at the roundtable Image- Twitter@/IndiaUNNewyork Two passenger trains and a goods train– were derailed in Odisha’s Balasore late Friday evening,. India’s worst train disaster in over two decades STAFF REPORTER I ndia’s deadliest train crash in 20 years took place in Odisha on June 2, 2023, involving the BengaluruHowrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a stationary goods train, which killed at least 233 persons and wounded more than 900 at the time of writing. Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister of railways, announced the creation of a high-level commission to look into the collision. The Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, NDRF units, fire rescue teams, medical professionals, police officers, and ambulances were dispatched to the scene as part of continuing rescue efforts. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has proclaimed a one-day state of mourning for the victims and ordered a probe into the crash. Expressing his condolences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of a high level conference, that will evaluate the circumstances surrounding the rail accident. “Distressed by the train accident in Odisha. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Spoke to Railway Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw and took stock of the situation. Rescue ops are underway at the site of the mishap and all possible assistance is being given to those affected,” Modi tweeted. Various heads of state including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Justin Trudeau, and United States Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti condoled the lives lost in the incident. Three-train disaster at Odisha’s Balasore Image-twitter
New India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 15 The direct flight between Chennai and Tokyo was discontinued during the Covid-19 pandemic and has not been resumed subsequently. Stalin requests resumption of Chennai-Tokyo flights MEHAK LUTHRA The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M K Stalin has requested the centre to resume direct flights between Tokyo and Chennai in addition to increasing the frequency of flights between Singapore and Madurai. He returned from a 9-day trip to Singapore and Japan on May 31, 2023. In a letter addressed to the Union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Chief Minister highlighted that the sole direct flight established between Chennai and Tokyo by All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline, was discontinued during the Covid-19 pandemic and has not been resumed subsequently. “The lack of direct flight connectivity more than doubles the travel time between these two destinations by about 7 hours, which is significant. There have been persistent requests from the Japanese business community in Tamil Nadu to resume direct flight services between Chennai and Tokyo,” Stalin’s letter read. Stating that Chennai is home to the largest Japanese community in India, he reiterated “The state is to host the Global Investors’ Meet in January 2024 and as we seek to attract greater investments from Japan, resumption of direct flights would indeed be a commendable measure.” The Chief Minister in his letter also made a plea for connectivity between Singapore and Madurai owing to the large population of Tamil diaspora in the country. Stalin explained that the issue was raised by Singapore’s Minister for home affairs and law, K Shanmugham during their meeting. “ I would be grateful if the request of permitting more flights to operate between Singapore and Madurai is favourably considered,” he added. Image - Twitter @mkstalin
16 New India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 The U.S. has witnessed a historic decline in poverty despite the 2007-2009 recession and Covid-19 induced economic turmoil. The new immigration arrangement will invite newcomers with specific skills, training or language ability as permanent residents. Canada announces ‘Express Entry’ to welcome skilled workers as permanent residents VIKAL SAMDARIYA I n an effort to increase skilled immigration to Canada, the government on May 31, 2023 launched “Express Entry”, the country’s first ever categorybased selection that will provide citizenship to highly skilled immigrants. Announced by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada, Sean Fraser the “Express Entry” system is designed to invite newcomers with specific skills, training or language ability as permanent residents in a bid to address the shortage of workforce. “Everywhere I go, I’ve heard loud and clear from employers across the country who are experiencing chronic labour shortages.These changes to the Express Entry system will ensure that they have the skilled workers they need to grow and succeed,” Fraser said. According to a government statement, the category-based selection will focus on immigrants who have a strong French language proficiency or credible work experience in the healthcare, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions, trades, transport and agriculture and agrifood. Further details on the timing of invitations for individual categories and the process of application will be announced in the coming weeks, the government said. On placing a special focus on Francophone immigration, Fraser added, “We can also grow our economy and help businesses with labour shortages while also increasing the number of French-proficient candidates to help ensure the vitality of Frenchspeaking communities. Put simply, Canada’s immigration system has never been more responsive to the country’s social or economic needs.” With the new measures, the Canadian government hopes to meet the labour shortage in the country with the new invitationbased category as employers are strugglingto fill countless vacant positions across the country. According to Employment and Social Development Canada, the number of occupations facing shortages doubled between 2019 and 2021. Image. Unsplash/Jason Hafso UKIBC disappointed over restrictions on overseas students STAFF REPORTER The UK-India Business Council (UKIBC) expressed its disappointment with the UK government’s decision to restrict international students from bringing their family members into the country as dependants on their student visa effective from January 2024, According to the new rules, announced by the Home Secretary of the UK, Suella Braverman, overseas students other than those enrolled in research programs will no longer be eligible to bring their families with them. The decision was made in an effort to bring down net migration to the country. Expressing its disappointment, the bilateral business group maintained that the new rules do not put limits on the number of Indian students that can study in the UK. “Though the restrictions are disappointing, it will not impact the Indian students what with figures showing that in the last full academic year of 2021-22, 126,535 students from India were studying in the UK, the second most of any nationality.” The group highlighted the significance of hosting Indian students in the UK to boost bilateral relations and stressed on the progress made in recent years to expand student mobility and deepen academic collaboration between the UK and India. Expressing its commitment to furthering the bilateral ties, the group said, “It was positive to see the Government reaffirm its commitment to the International Education Strategy which plays an important part in supporting the economy through the economic contribution students can bring to the UK.” Image - UKIBC Sharp decline in poverty among US immigrants STAFF REPORTER The United States reported a significant decline in poverty in recent years across the immigrant population with a particularly sharp drop in child poverty, a Migration Policy Institute (MPI) report revealed. Poverty declined among both naturalized and non-citizen immigrant populations, and across all major racial and ethnic categories, the report further elaborated. MPI said that despite a surge in the immigrant population during the 2009-2019 decade, poverty amongst the community declined from 9.6 million in 2009 to slightly less than 8 million a decade later in 2019. The report found that the drop was 25 per cent to 18 per cent in the said period. Drop in poverty continued between 2019 to 2021 period and it went down from 18 per cent to 13 per cent. The significant decline in immigrants’ poverty rate was attributed to the introduction of large-scale government aid packages during the pandemic, in the report According to the policy institute the decrease in poverty rate trend continued between 2019 and 2021, notwithstanding the economic turmoil generated by the pandemic, as the government at all levels introduced aid programs to blunt the financial harms. The report highlighted that during the past decade, the proportion of immigrant adults without a high school education decreased and the share with a college degree surged. Significantly, the share of immigrant women in the workforce also grew while the size of immigrant families declined. The report reasoned, “the changing legal status composition of the immigrant population also likely contributed to poverty declines as shares of naturalized citizens and green-card holders rose while the unauthorized share of the foreign-born population fell from 28 percent to 23 percent between 2010 and 2019.” “In short, the broad, somewhat surprising declines in poverty across the nation’s immigrant population likely result not only from the stronger social welfare policies and spending in recent years but also from the immigrant population’s changing characteristics and positive immigrant integration trends,” MPI researchers Jeanne Batalova and Michael Fix observed. In 2021, 3.5 million children under age 18 lived in poverty as compared to 12.1 million in 2009. About 2 million of the 3.5 million children in poverty were U.S.-born children with only U.S.- born parents, down from 7.5 million in 2009; over the same period, the number of children of immigrants in poverty fell from 4.6 million to 1.5 million, researchers calculated. MPI mapped the poverty decline rate among the racial and ethnic groups and noted some developments were poised to reverse some of the poverty declines, including the termination of pandemiclinked assistance, coming at a time of rising inflation. Part of the story will also turn on how well post-pandemic arrivals are integrated into U.S. society, according to a release on the report. Image - MPI
New India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 17 Saskatchewan exempts Sikhs from wearing helmets during special rallies MEHAK LUTHRA The government of Canada’s Saskatchewan granted Sikh motorcyclists temporary exemption from wearing helmets during special events like charity rides. The administration amended the Vehicle Equipment Regulations providing the authorized Minister the power to temporarily waive the requirement to wear a helmet while operating a motorbike. The decision comes after British Columbia-based Legendary Sikh Riders requested the authorities to consider a reform that would enable them to ride across Canada and raise money for charitable causes. According to a news release, the new policy allows members of the Sikh religion to ride without helmets on approval by the Minister on an event-by-event basis. “Exemptions would be event-specific, and this change does not grant a permanent, blanket exemption for all members of the Sikh religion to ride motorcycles without a helmet,” a government statement noted. Since Sikh individuals wear turbans as an integral part of their religious practice, it may pose challenges to wearing helmets. In certain provinces in Canada, such as British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario, there are permanent exemptions in place that allow Sikh individuals to be exempted from wearing helmets while riding motorcycles due to religious reasons. “Helmets are an essential piece of safety equipment for motorcyclists,” Minister for Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) Don Morgan said. “While we have no plans to introduce a blanket exemption to motorcycle helmet laws, our government sees this provision for temporary exemptions as a fair compromise that will enawble future charity fundraisers to proceed.” Image - Facebook/@LegendarySikhRiders The IRCC began investigating immigration issues immediately after 700 Indian students got deported over false visas Canada to support Indian students who face deportation BHAVANA P Canadian Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced that international students will have an opportunity to present evidence to the authorities in order to prevent their deportation. This comes months after the Canadian Border Security Agency (CBSA) issued deportation orders to over 700 Indian students whose admission offer letters to educational institutions were discovered to be fraudulent. In a tweet, the Minister informed that recent complaints of bogus acceptance letters were being carefully looked into by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). “To be clear: Our focus is on identifying culprits, not penalizing victims. Victims of fraud will have an opportunity to demonstrate their situation & present evidence to support their case,” the tweet read. “We recognize the immense contributions international students bring to our country & remain committed to supporting victims of fraud as we evaluate each case,” it added. Jenny Kwan, a member of parliament at Vancouver East, and NDP Critic for Housing, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, in a letter to Fraser, addressed the issue of deportation of Indian students. She said, “These students find themselves in a devastating situation through no fault of their own, as they were unknowingly provided unauthentic admission letters. According to reports, the students applied for visas through a consulting company which has since been closed. The issue only came to light when the students applied for Permanent Residency.” The MP urged the Minister to look into the matter and grant stay orders on the deportation of the students. “Barring any concerns with serious criminality, I would also urge you to support the calls of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change and Migrant Rights network, by providing the students with a pathway to permanent status as part of a broad regularization program, and by waiving inadmissibility on the basis of misrepresentation,” she added. Photo by Dom Fou / Unsplash U of G establishes new chair in Indian Studies STAFF REPORTER The University of Guelph in Canada recently announced the establishment of a new visiting chair in Indian studies. The agreement was signed by Sanjay Kumar Verma, the High Commissioner of India to Canada, and Apoorva Srivastava, the Consul General of India (Toronto), during a campus visit. The objective of the initiative is to enhance research and teaching collaboration between Canada and India. The visiting chair aims to foster a deeper understanding of Indian culture, history, and society. According to an official statement, the University is committed to promoting educational and scholarly exchanges with India, South Asia and the Indian Diaspora facilitating knowledge-sharing and cultural exchange. On behalf of the India Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), Srivastava and the University of Guelph president Dr Charlotte Yates signed a memorandum of intent to establish the new position. According to the agreement a visiting professor from India will spend one semester each year at the University teaching, conducting research, and giving a public lecture. “This new chair will bring eminent Indian scholars to campus every year,” Yates said. (L-R) Apoorva Srivastava Consul General of India (Toronto), Sanjay Kumar Verma, high commissioner of India to Canada with president Dr. Charlotte Yates during a campus event to announce a new visiting chair in Indian studies. Image - Twitter @uofg
18 New India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 Apple Swift Student Challenge is an annual competition that aims to uplift the next generation of developers, creators, and entrepreneurs. Indian student wins Apple Swift Student Challenge MADHU BALAJI An Indian student has been named among two others as the Swift Student Challenge winner of Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). The competition was organized by the tech giant as part of its annual WWDC scheduled to kick start on June 5, 2023. Asmi Jain of Indore, Madhya Pradesh was recognised for creating an app to help her friend’s uncle who suffered from eye misalignment and facial paralysis due to brain surgery. Jain, from Medi-Caps University, designed her winning playground to track a user’s eye movements as they try to follow a ball moving around the screen. According to a statement by Apple Inc, the playground’s purpose is to help strengthen the eye muscles. Though it was inspired by her friend’s uncle, the developer hopes it can be used by people with a variety of eye conditions and injuries. Speaking of her project Jain said, “My next goal is to get feedback and make sure it’s effective and user-friendly, and then release it on the App Store. Ultimately, I want to expand it so that it helps strengthen all of the muscles in the face, and I hope it can one day serve as a therapy tool that people like my friend’s uncle can use at their own pace.” Jain and a few other students of the Medi-Caps University recently created a forum at their university for working through tough coding problems. “Coding lets me create things that help my friends and my community. And it gives me a sense of independence that is very empowering,” Jain added. Apple Swift Student Challenge is an annual competition that aims to uplift the next generation of developers, creators, and entrepreneurs. The participants will have to create an interactive Swift playground that allows users to write Swift code and see results in realtime. Swift Student Challenge winner Asmi Jain created an app playground designed to help users strengthen their eye muscles. Image: Apple Inc Kashmiri scholar wins Joukowsky Prize MEHAK LUTHRA AKashmir scholar, Suvaid Yaseen received the p r e s t i g i o u s Joukowsky Prize for his dissertation at Brown University in Rhode Island. The dissertation titled ‘Islamic Intersections: Religion and Politics in Kashmir in the Long Twentieth Century’ explains the lives and ideas of Kashmiri poets, teachers, ulema (Muslim scholars), activists, rebels, and revolutionaries. As described by his nominators, Yaseen’s dissertation, which examines the Kashmir Valley, a mountainous area at the intersection of India, Pakistan, and China, presents a groundbreaking reassessment of one of the most fiercely contested regions in the world today. This region has previously been labeled as everything from a utopia to an insurgent space of Muslim militancy. “Working with five languages in small vernacular archives in a conflict zone, I consider his dissertation groundbreaking as an intellectual history from below that demands a substantive rethinking of religious political imagination,” said Vazira Fazila-Yacoobali Zamindar, associate professor of History. Yaseen’s dissertation is noteworthy in particular for the fieldwork and skills needed to collect the data. His dissertation includes an incredibly substantial amount of theoretical and historical material. He examined papers in Kashmiri, Urdu-Hindi, Persian, and Arabic while visiting libraries and private archives around the world. His archival research has uncovered linkages that enable him to use Kashmir as an illustration of a novel perspective on Islam, identity, and politics during a time of many major transformations. Yaseen has published an article in the prestigious Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society titled ‘Poetry as history: Maulana Muhammad Anwar Shopiani and the Ahl-i Hadith movement in Kashmir,’ based on his dissertation study. “Transforming the dissertation into a book is the next big step. It involves a different kind of intellectual labour than writing a dissertation. I look forward to working through my ideas and writing over the coming years,” he said. Suvaid Yaseen. Image - Brown University Botanist honored at Chelsea Flower Show YASMIN TINWALA The Royal Horticultural Society honored women who have achieved remarkable success in the field of horticulture at the recently concluded Chelsea Flower Show 2023 in London. Eight women were commemorated through a special installation at the show called The Monument. The trailblazing women included Indian botanist Dr Janaki Ammal, who was the first woman in America to earn a Ph.D. in the field of botany. Ammal’s potrait (first from left) at the show. Image - Twitter/@The_RHS For the unversed, the study of botany was often favored by women until Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus’s Systema Naturae was published in 1735 wherein he made comparisons of plants with sex lives of humans. Linnaeus’ work sent shockwaves across society and botany was no longer considered appropriate for women to study. Despite these hiccups, women, including Ammal, continued to carry out crucial research to help society understand horticulture better. Born in 1897 in Tellicherry, Kerala, Ammal was known for conducting scientific research in cytogenetics (study of chromosomes) and phytogeography (study of the distribution of plants or taxonomic groups of plants). She is noted for her research on chromosome numbers in plants which was crucial for selecting plants for cross-breeding and developing high-yield crops of sugarcane and eggplant. Ammal lived and worked in the U.S. and UK during her career, before being invited to return to her home country by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951, to work as the director-general of the Botanical Survey of India. She then went on to helm the Central Botanical Laboratory, the Regional Research Laboratory, and the Bhabha Atomic Center. Later on, she settled in Chennai in 1970 as an Emeritus Scientist at the Center for Advanced Study in Botany at the University of Madras. She then moved on to work in the Centre’s Field Laboratory near Madras until her demise in 1984. Image-Wikipedia
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20 New India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 British Council, Microsoft to improve English skills in Indian youth SUPRIYA SINGH The British Council and Microsoft India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a co-developed three-year partnership program, ‘English Skills for Youth’. According to a Microsoft release, the cooperation aims to enhance the life opportunities of young people, aged between 18-25 years old, particularly women, in socio-economically marginalized communities across India. The program aims to impart one of the most in-demand skills – the English language – to the students, whose primary objective is to enhance employability skills for the youth, the release said. The beneficiaries will also be equipped with essential underpinning skills, including collaboration, critical thinking, soft skills, and leadership abilities, offering a holistic development plan for the youth which are crucial for improving employment prospects and facilitating further education opportunities. It will have a deliberate intake of 75% women learners to bridge the gender divide in the workplace. The project seeks to benefit 60,000 youth and 600 teachers during the initial three-year pilot phase, intending to reach 400,000 youngsters engaged in Microsoft Philanthropies-funded projects. “ This partnership model brings together expertise in developing the range of skills such as working collaboratively, critical thinking, English communication and soft skills, and leadership skills that are crucial for the age group of 18-25 years to improve their employability opportunities,” Alison Barrett MBE, Director India, British Council, said. “We are very excited about the long-term positive impact that will be delivered at scale through the expansive network of Microsoft Philanthropies, preparing young women and students to take charge of their learning and livelihoods,” she added. Present at the signing, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa, South Asia, UN at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the UK Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, said, “The UK-India relationship has flourished over many decades, expanding once again through our commitments in the 2030 Roadmap for India-UK’s future relations.” Navtez Bal, executive director, Public Sector, Microsoft India, said, “Bridging the skills gap is foundational to building towards inclusive economic and societal progress in today’s digital economy. Beyond imparting digital skills, it is critical to provide holistic training content including soft skills to job seekers of tomorrow. We are excited to partner with British Council and have a deep impact on the country’s youth with in-demand skills for future-ready jobs.” This unique partnership model enables the British Council and Microsoft to work at scale, leveraging existing and large delivery platforms of Microsoft Philanthropies. Left to right: Alison Barrett MBE, Director India, British Council; Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa, South Asia, UN at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the UK Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict; and Navtez Bal, executive director, Public Sector, Microsoft India, at the MoU signing. Image- Microsoft ‘Apnaklub’ changes rural landscape MEHAK LUTHRA The citizens living in villages or small cities in India rely on local Kiranas, the equivalent of a US variety store, for their essentials such as cooking oil, rice, or toothpaste. However, they function on an inefficient and outdated business model. Harvard Business School alumnus, Shruti founded ApnaKlub, a digital B2B FMCG platform where shop owners can order fast-moving consumer goods online. Kiranas are a mainstay of the country’s $932 billion retail economy. “Kiranas are limited-inventory, 2,000- to 5,000-square-foot shops that don’t always get on-time deliveries or access to affordable credit,” explains Shruti. “These are micro-businesses that run on tight margins. If shopkeepers run out of something, they have to travel to a larger market by scooter, rickshaw, or bus to restock. Their orders are relatively small, so they can’t negotiate on prices or credit terms.” After witnessing her uncle’s Kirana go out of business due to pricing and product selection issues, she came up with her new venture. ApnaKlub (Hindi for “Our Club”), offers a more efficient purchase and distribution model in the form of a digital solution for shop owners, allowing them to order the goods they require online. These orders are then fulfilled by local wholesalers who consolidate the orders from nearby Kiranas along with others. This innovative system enables shop owners to access a wide range of products through a simplified process, leveraging the power of technology and collaboration among local businesses. “We’re like a Costco or Sam’s Club, but for retailers,” Shruti explains. Once the orders are in hand, ApnaKlub—which leases warehouse space and trucks—sources the requested products from brandname manufacturers and distribute them to the wholesalers, who deliver within a reliable time frame. We leverage technology to bring our customers to supply consistency, better profit margins, and access to more brands and SKUs,” Shruti says. The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi graduate, who finished at the top of her class, came to HBS to develop the skills necessary to start an impact investment fund for small firms in India. She already had expertise in consulting and impact investing. Shruti. Image - Harvard Business School Dharmesh Shah donated $250,000 to Khan Academy, a non-profit that runs on the mission to ‘provide a free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere.’ Indian-origin Entrepreneur donates profits after selling chat.com YASMIN TINWALA I ndian American entrepreneur Dharmesh Shah reaped benefits from a domain name purchase he made in March 2023 and paid it forward to support personalized education powered by AI. As per his LinkedIn post. Shah donated US $250,000 out of the profit he made from the sale to American educator Sal Khan’s organization Khan Academy, a non-profit that runs on the mission to ‘provide a free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere.’ Shah, founder and chief technical officer at Massachusetts-based company HubSpot, purchased chat.com for over US$ 10 million. Disclosing the reason for a purchase of this scale, Shah said, “The reason I bought chat.com is simple: I think Chat-based UX (#ChatUX) is the next big thing in software. Communicating with computers/software through a natural language interface is much more intuitive. This is made possible by Generative AI.” He added, “Chat.com is brilliant in terms of simplicity, shortness and being total *on point* and meeting the moment. It immediately creates user trust. Somebody (not me) will build a massively successful product/company on it.” Shah purchased the back of the successful word game WordPlay. com which he owns. He revealed the game had 16 million users and had recorded 150 million games played, as of March 2023. Shah held back details regarding the purchaser and the amount it was sold at. Also he committed to donating an additional US$ 10 to Khan Academy, for every comment on the LinkedIn post. Image-HubSpot
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22 New India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 United World Wrestling condemns detention of Indian wrestlers SUPRIYA SINGH Amid the ongoing wrestlers’ protest in India, United World Wrestling (UWW), the official governing body of the sport, has issued a statement condemning the detention of the wrestlers who organised a protest march towards the new Parliament building which was inaugurated on May 28. India’s top wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia have been protesting for almost a month at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh who has been accused of sexual harassment. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the UWW said, “For several months, United World Wrestling has followed with great concern the situation in India where wrestlers are protesting allegations of abuse and harassment by the president of the WFI. It has taken due note that the WFI President has been put aside at an early stage and is currently not in charge.” “The events of these last days are even more worrying that the wrestlers were arrested and temporarily detained by the police for initiating a march of protest. The site where they had been protesting for more than a month has also been cleared out by the authorities,” it added. The governing body has condemned the treatment and detention of the wrestlers and has expressed its disappointment over the lack of results of the investigations so far. It has further urged the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations. UWW said it will meet with the wrestlers to inquire about their condition and safety and reconfirm support for a fair and just resolution of their concerns. “The 45-day deadline that was initially set to hold this elective assembly shall be respected. Failing to do so may lead UWW to suspend the federation, thereby forcing the athletes to compete under a neutral flag. It is reminded that UWW already took a measure in this situation by reallocating the Asian Championship planned in New Delhi earlier this year,” the world body warned. Female wrestlers being detained by the police during protests. Images-Twitter
New India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 23 IMA India recently disclosed through its 2023 Global Operations Benchmarking survey that nearly 80 percent of global CEOs choose India as their top destination over China. India as top alternative to China for MNCs BHAVANA P The 2023 Global operations benchmarking survey, conducted by IMA India, showed the country as an emerging destination for MNCs. A poll of 100 CEOs who largely represent international B2B-focused companies stated that India is the top destination that multinational enterprises are looking for as an alternative to China. As per the study, 88 per cent of CEOs who surveyed companies with a presence in India, chose India as their top option over China due to its growing geopolitical aggressiveness, dubious trade and commercial practices, and rising labour prices. “In the last five years, foreign MNCs have increased their on-ground presence in India, partly as a result of diversification away from China. In particular, the IT & ITES companies are ramping up the share of their global workforce that is based in India,” said Suraj Saigal, Research Director, IMA India. In the last three years, over 70 per cent of the companies, according to a study based on the poll, have seen significant changes in their business strategy based on-theground operations in China. Comparatively speaking, the industrial sector exhibits a more pronounced pullback than the services sector. The percentage of people making adjustments has declined in 41 per cent of cases, while 56 per cent have cut down on investments and sourced less from China. While a handful of enterprises have quit the industry, 6 per cent have reduced their market participation. In addition, taking into consideration recent changes in commercial and geopolitical tactics, the study looked at how corporations are recognising and seizing India’s business possibilities. India’s predicted worldwide workforce share climbed from 22.4 per cent to 24.9 per cent between FY18 and FY23 in mean percentage terms, while its revenue share increased from 14.8 per cent to 15.8 per cent. These numbers show India’s gradual rise in the world scene throughout this time. However, even those that choose India listed infrastructure, legal restrictions, and skill-related problems as major obstacles. The study determined that the worldwide trend away from multilateral commerce towards bilateral trade connections was the cause for the rising popularity of friend-shoring. The emergence of ‘deglobalization,’ protectionism, and nationalism has forced governments to cooperate with nations with which they already have cordial bilateral connections rather than depending on international or regional trade accords. Photo by Rodeo Project Management Software / Unsplash The planet is 731 light years from Earth and revolves around its star seven days a week. Indian scientists discover planet bigger than Jupiter STAFF REPORTER Amultinational team of researchers under the direction of professor Abhijit Chakraborty of the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, discovered the densest extraterrestrial planet, which is 13 times larger than Jupiter. This is the third exoplanet that the scientists from PRL have found in India. ‘Astronomy & Astrophysics Letters’ has published the full facts of the discovery. The group of researchers, which included members from Germany, Switzerland, the United States, and India, used the PRL Advanced Radial-velocity Abu-sky Search spectrograph (PARAS) at the Gurushikhar Observatory in Mount Abu to precisely measure the planet’s mass. The exoplanet is 14 g/cm3 in mass and according to the Indian Space Research Organisation what sets this discovery apart is that the planet falls into the transition mass range of massive giant planets and low-mass brown dwarfs. “The detection of such systems provides valuable insights into the formation, migration, and evolution mechanisms of massive exoplanets,” ISRO said in a statement. The planet is 731 light years from Earth and revolves around its star seven days a week. With a surface temperature of 1396 degrees Celsius, the planet was found to be extremely hot. The star it orbits is called TOI4603 or HD 245134, and Nasa’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) had initially declared the star as a possible candidate to host a secondary body of unknown nature. The body has now been confirmed to be a planet and has been named TOI 4603b or HD 245134b. One of the most massive and dense giant planets that orbit its host star at a distance less than one-tenth of the distance between the Sun and Earth is the recently discovered exoplanet TOI 4603b. Photo by NASA / Unsplash RISHIKA BHARDWAJ S atya Nadella, chairman and CEO of Microsoft said that the new generation of AI will eliminate the drudgery of work and unleash creativity. He made the remarks on the release of Microsoft’s 2023 Work Trend Indexannual report titled, ‘Will AI Fix Work?’ “There’s an enormous opportunity for AI-powered tools to help alleviate digital debt, build AI aptitude, and empower employees,” Nadella said referring to the findings of the report. The index reveals three crucial insights for quick and responsible AI adoption. AI is transforming work, relieving burdens, and enhancing productivity and creativity for individuals and organizations. The first insight reads - ‘Digital debt is costing us innovation. Digital overload hampers productivity and stifles innovation. The constant barrage of data, emails, meetings, and notifications overwhelms us, making it difficult to fulfil our job responsibilities. Leaders are worried about the lack of fresh ideas. Time spent managing digital debt steals precious moments from creative work essential for innovation, turning it into more than just a nuisance.’ The second finding says, ‘There is a growing alliance between employees and AI. Despite concerns about job displacement, the study revealed that employees are more eager to leverage AI for lightening their workloads than they are afraid of AI replacing their jobs. While almost half of the respondents worry about AI replacing their roles, a significant majority of 70% would willingly delegate work to AI to alleviate their burdens.’ The third underlines - ‘Every employee needs AI aptitude. People express openness to utilizing AI in various aspects of their work, including administrative tasks, analytical work, and even creative endeavours. The more individuals understand AI, the more they recognize its potential to enhance meaningful aspects of their jobs, such as creativity.’ Employees and managers envision a future influenced by AI, aiming for high-quality work in less time, efficient prioritization, and reduced information overload. AI’s transformative impact on work dynamics may arrive sooner than expected, possibly within months rather than years. To adapt to AI as a copilot, employees must develop new skills like critical thinking, problemsolving, creativity, and collaboration with AI. Leaders stress the significance of using AI effectively, creating prompts, evaluating creative work, and wwavoiding bias. AI holds the potential to alleviate work burdens and drive innovation, offering the long-awaited promise of increased productivity. However, it won’t merely fix work; it will introduce an entirely new approach. AI will unleash creativity- Microsoft CEO Illustration by Jon Han Image - Microsoft ‘Will AI Fix Work?’ report
24 New India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 3 Monday, 6 February, 2023 New India Abroad Ami Bera on the Select Committee on Intelligence, Raja Krishnamoorthi on the Select Committee that looks at Strategic Competition between the US and China; Ro Khanna on the Sub-committee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies and Information Systems and Pramila Jaypal on the Sub-committee on Immigration. Indian American Legislators in key House Committees STAFF REPORTER The Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives has picked four Indian American law makers for critical Committee positions: Ami Bera of California for Select Committee on Intelligence: Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois as Ranking Member in the Select Committee that looks at Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party; Ro Khanna of California as Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies and Information Systems (CITI) and Pramila Jaypal of the State of Washington as Ranking Member in the Sub-committee on Immigration. Bera’s influential House Permanent Select Committee oversees intelligence activities of the United States including that of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), the National Security Agency (NSA) and military intelligence programs. “At a time of increased threats, both at home and abroad, I take seriously this new role and the responsibility entrusted to me to protect and defend American families”, Bera has said. In a new Committee formed in the 118th Congress to specifically investigate and develop policy to address America’s economic, technological and security competition with the Communist Party of China, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi will be serving as Ranking Member. “The Chinese Communist Party poses serious economic and security threats to the United States and to democracy and prosperity across the globe, illustrated by its threats against Taiwan’s democracy, its weaponization of TikTok, and its theft of hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of American intellectual property”, the Illinois Democrat said. “… at a time when anti-Asian hate and violence are on the rise, it’s essential that this committee focuses its vital work on protecting all Americans from the threat posed by the CCP, while avoiding dangerous rhetoric that fuels the types of xenophobia that have endangered members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community”, he added. Congressman Krishnamoorthi is also a senior Member in the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. While Ro Khanna is also a member of the committee on the Chinese Communist Party, he has been selected as a Ranking member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies and Information Systems (CITI) in the 118th Congress. “Our adversaries are making advances in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence for their defense systems and have the potential to unleash cyberattacks against our critical infrastructure,”Khanna said. “In planning for the future of defense, our emerging and commercial technologies must be at the forefront. One of my goals on this committee will be to strengthen the bridge between Silicon Valley and the Department of Defense,” he added. Pramila Jayapal has been tapped to serve in the sub committee of the House Judiciary Committee on Immigration, Integrity, Security and Enforcement as a Ranking Member making her the first immigrant in a leadership role. “As the first South Asian woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and one of only two dozen naturalized citizens in Congress, I am honored and humbled to serve as the Ranking Member…”, she said in a statement. “ It is extremely meaningful to me that I will now be in this position to better move the needle and re-center our broken immigration system around dignity, humanity, and justice”, she added. Congresswoman Jayapal’s Sub committee will have jurisdiction over immigration law and policy, naturalization, border security, refugee admissions, nonborder immigration enforcement, and other various issues. Images- Twitter Mohanty will take charge from February 23, 2023. Kuldip Mohanty is Chief Information Officer in North Dakota MADHU BALAJI Governor of North Dakota Doug Burgum has announced the appointment of Kuldip Mohanty to the North Dakota Information Technology (NDIT) department as the state’s next chief information officer (CIO). Mohanty will take charge from February 23, 2023. He has served the private sector for about 30 years. “Kuldip brings a wealth of experience in modernizing services and transforming IT that will help the State of North Dakota become more efficient and responsive, serving citizens 24/7 with smart, easy-touse systems. With his leadership of the outstanding team at NDIT, we look forward to building upon North Dakota’s reputation as a national leader in cybersecurity as we reduce redundancies, improve services and enhance the security of citizens’ data,” Burgum said. “It is a great honor and privilege to serve the people of North Dakota. I’m thankful to Gov. Burgum for the opportunity to lead the amazing team at North Dakota Information Technology,” Mohanty said. “I look forward to building on the momentum and successes of NDIT and collaborating with all stakeholders to build a citizen-centric, frictionless customer experience,” he added. Mohanty has served as senior vice president of IT and North America CIO for ManpowerGroup, a leading global workforce solutions company, from 2018- 2019. He has also served as vice president of enterprise IT strategy and services for CNO Financial Group from 2014-2018. Mohanty has a master’s degree in computer applications from Jorhat Engineering College and a master of business administration degree from the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at DePaul University in Chicago. He serves on the board of the executive service corps in Chicago and has worked to improve education and health care in rural India with the Abhaya Foundation. Kuldip Mohanty Image: Twitter 22 Monday, 6 February, 2023 New India Abroad Known for combining Bollywood influences in her music, Aurora said she had so much to learn from all the artists performing at the event. SRK after Pathaan success My genuine desire is to spread happiness Khan said the overwhelming success of the film on the worldwide box office has “still not sunk in” SANJEEV KUMAR Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan a.k.a SRK on Jan 30, 2023 expressed his love for acting after the success of his new film, Pathaan, and said, “My genuine desire is to spread happiness and I feel bad if I fail to do so’. Khan made these remarks during the first press meet organized for the success of Pathaan, which has proved to be a blockbuster earning around US$ 67 million in just five days. His co-stars, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham, and director Siddharth Anand were also present on the occasion. SRK started the press meet by thanking fans, cast and crew for all the love and said, “There were some things that could have stalled happy release of the film, Pathaan and we can’t thank people enough on behalf of all Bollywood colleagues for bringing life back in cinemas.” Commenting on the controversy surrounding the movie, Khan said, “Our aim by making movies is to spread love and kindness even if we are playing bad characters, say bad things and it isn’t intended to hurt any sentiments. Fun and entertainment should left at that and it shouldn’t be taken seriously,” Khan added. He shared that his intention in film making was to ensure that people can watch it with love. Yet there were some incidents when some fans got too excited and might have broken a chair or two. “But It shouldn’t hurt or disturb anyone. Cinema watching, film making and film experience is an experience of love, more than an empty box of popcorn,” the Bollywood superstar said. Responding to a query on getting immense love after his movies become a hit, Khan retorted that his fans’ love remain the same even after a film doesn’t work. of fans who love me. My elders had told “I have millions, billions me that if some things don’t work go to the people who loves you. So whenever I am happy or sad, I go to my balcony (to meet people who love him). I am grateful that the God has given me lifetime ticket to the balcony.” Talking about his four year hiatus from movies, the actor said two and half years got marred by Covid and I, too, like everyone else, had good and bad parts. But most importantly, I was with my children and for first time, I saw my children, Aryan, Suhana and Abram grow up. “After Zero tanked then many people said my films wont work anymore now. So I had even thought of an alternate career during Covid, cooking and learned Italian cooking,” he said, adding he was planning to open Red Chillies Food Eatery. at Pathaan 2 by saying that he was grateful King Khan also hinted to Yash Raj Films (YRF) and Anand for giving him the opportunity to work in the movie and would definitely like to work in the sequel of the spy thriller. Image- Twitter/@JacyKhan “Feel so welcomed” Indian American singer Raveena Aurora on performing at Lollapalooza India STAFF REPORTER I ndian American singer and songwriter Raveena Aurora was overwhelmed with the love she received from the audience during her performance, at the inaugural Lollapalooza music festival held in Mumbai, India on January 29, 2023. Aurora took to Instagram to share her feelings after the show, “First show in India, can’t even explain how special this was, especially because of how much ‘Asha’s awakening’ (her new music album) was inspired by here.” “I think maybe in a way I was always searching for a sense of belonging somewhere and I think for a moment I felt it at this show,” the singer added. Known for combining Bollywood influences in her music, Aurora said she had so much to learn from all the artists performing at the event. “There is so much beauty and talent in every corner of my country. I love u all so much and thank u for making me feel so welcomed, I hope this is a spark to many more shows in India,” the 29-year-old singer wrote. It is worth noting that Aurora who is recognized for her ability to pair soothing sounds with powerful and soulful lyrics previously created headlines as the first ever Indian American to perform at Coachella 2022. Inspired by Indian singing legends such as Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle, Aurora’s songs usually bring attention to social issues such as sexual assault, identity politics, sexuality, and heartbreak. Raised by Sikh parents in New York and Connecticut, she is considered a trailblazer for her exploration of sexuality and identity in her art, especially in the representation of the queer South Asian Community. Image - Instagram/@Raveena Aurora 15 Monday, 6 February, 2023 New India Abroad Dr. Shivangi maintained that health care across the world is regarded as an important determinant in promoting the general, physical, mental, and social well-being of people around the world and can contribute to a significant part of a country’s economy STAFF REPORTER S tressing that the diaspora wants to make India’s health care a world class endeavour by utilizing information technology, medicine, finance, banking and politics, Dr. Sampat Shivangi, a physician, an influential community leader and a veteran of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) recommended that the government of India must collaborate with the professional body. “I want to stress the importance of working together with solid cooperation and partnership, which will make such a tremendous change in the Indian healthcare system,” Dr. Shivangi said in remarks made to delegates at the recently held Pravasi Bharatya Diwas in Indore. During the recent Covid catastrophe, AAPI provided extensive support to India raising more than US$ 5 millions that were used to procure and provide Oxygen Concentrators, Ventilators, High Flow Oxygen and setting up dozens of Oxygen plants, and Chemiluminescence ImmunoAnalyzers (CLIA). The AAPI also adopted several villages and closely coordinated the overall development by providing primary care and preventive medicine to dozens of rural villages across India. A close friend of the Bush family, Dr. Shivangi was instrumental in lobbying for the first Diwali celebration in the White House and for President George W. Bush to make his trip to India. He had accompanied President Bill Clinton during his historic visit to India. The prominent Indian origin Physician also played a critical role during the United States-Indian Civilian Nuclear Agreement, seen as a landmark deal of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and George Bush tenures. Dr. Shivangi maintained that health care across the world is regarded as an important determinant in promoting the general, physical, mental, and social well-being of people around the world and can contribute to a significant part of a country’s economy, development, and industrialization when efficiently improving human health and providing access to affordable highquality health care. “India has made striking progress in health standards in the postindependence era. The sustained efforts to control the country’s population & the political will to march towards the SDG in health will help India to make a significant impact in the international health sector”, he said. Dr. Shivangi, an obstetrician/gynecologist, has been elected by a US state Republican Party as a full delegate to the National Convention. He is one of the top fund-raisers in Mississipi state for the Republican Party. Besides being a politician by choice, the medical practitioner is also the first Indian to be on the American Medical Association, the apex law making body. Dr. Sampat Shivangi was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Sanman in 2016 in Bengaluru by the then President Pranab Mukhejee. He was awarded the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor in New York in 2008. Diaspora has role in promoting healthcare ecosystem during Amritkaal… Dr. Sampat Shivangi Dr. Sampat Shivangi with Minister of Health Mansukh Mandaviya 7 Monday, 6 February, 2023 New India Abroad India’s Republic Day celebrated at Vaishnav Temple of New York BHAVANA P The first traditional Pashtimargiya temple in North America, The Vaishnav Temple of New York (VTNY), along with the The Cajani Sam of New York (CSNY) celebrated 74th Republic Day of India, with almost 300 Indian “Desh Bhakts” on January 29, 2023. Founded by the late Dr. Arvind Shah, in 1986, VTNY along with the Indian community have been celebrating India’s Republic Day for more than 30 years. Dr. Bobby Kalotee, chairman of the Nassau County Commission on Human Rights, and Ragini Srivastava, Town Clerk of the Town of North Hempstead, in Nassau County, New York, were the event’s chief guests. Dr. Pratix Shroff and his family, who are devout Vaishnavs, sponsored the event. Famous for both general and cosmetic dentistry, Shroff has for long supported VTNY. The celebration began with a parade of the Indian and American flags, in which all the dignitaries, trustees, executive committee members, and other Indians from VTNY and CSNY participated. Everyone was welcomed by Kamat Madaria, secretary of VTNY. Champakbhai Parikh and his sons Bharathbhai Parikh Charpakhat led the flag hoisting event, which has been conducted for more than 20 years, while all the senior members of VTNY and CSNY joined on the stage with the dignitaries. Avantika Shah sung the American National Anthem, which was followed by the Vande Mataram, flag hoisting by dignitaries, Rashtra Dwaj salami, and everyone singing India’s National Anthem. The community members were then honoured for their altruistic contribution by Kalotre and Srivastava. The festivities also included patriotic song dance performances by young kids and teenagers from the community. The celebration grandly commenced with a parade of the Indian and American flags, which recorded participation from the dignitaries, trustees, and executive committee members. As part of India’s commitment to the idea that “the world is a family,” BMVSS (Jaipur Foot), which is the largest lower limb rehabilitation facility, aims to help people worldwide. Bobby Kalotee and Ragini Srivastava presented Citation to Mrs. and Mr. Jignesh Pratix Shroff, addressing the gathering, as the events sponsor. 74th Republic Day Flag Hosting at Vaishnav Temple of New York. Images - Provided Jaipur Foot camp inaugurated in Beirut STAFF REPORTER On the occasion of India’s 74th Republic Day, the Jaipur Foot artificial limb fitment camp was launched in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon at the Rafik Hariri University Hospital. Organized by Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayati (BMVSS), Jaipur, under the Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ “India for Humanity” initiative, the camp was was attended by Dr. Jihad Saadeh, chairman of the Rafik Hariri University Hospital, Colonel Nadim Kakoun, who represented the Lebanese Armed Forces, and Joseph El Helo, Minister of Public Health. The Elite Center of Culture and Education Tripoli, Dar El Handassa, El Khalil Foundation, and Rotary club were among the partner associations represented at the inauguration ceremony. Speaking on the occassion, Joseph El Helo commended the Indian government’s efforts and thanked it for supporting the handicapped people of Lebanon. He hoped that this partnership would persist. Dr. Jihad Saadeh emphasized the necessity of such programmes in Lebanon and recognized the efforts of the Government of India and the Jaipur Foot organization. Charge d’Affaires Sandeep Grover stressed on the value that India places on its long-standing relations with Lebanon and expressed his happiness that the inaugural Jaipur Foot camp was launched on India’s Republic Day, a day of special significance. According to D R Mehta, the founder and chief patron of BMVSS the ‘India for Humanity’ campaign was inaugurated in 2018 to mark Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birthday by late External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayati (BMVSS) in the Jaipur foot camp Images - BMVSS A platform for the voice of next generation Indian Americans Bringing you the Latest from Indian communities around the world New India Abroad thenewindiaabroad NewIndAbroad New India Abroad Email [email protected] Website www.NewIndiaAbroad.Com subscribe now
The Indian American TV personality is quitting the show after 19 seasons as host and judge. UChicago student group fosters South Asian values Kamal Haasan, Madhavan receive top honors at IIFA 2023 ...Page 4 *India Abroad is a Registered trademark and not affiliated with the newspaper named India Abroad marketed in the US from 1972 to 2021. HindiUSA Plainsboro spotlights Hindu culture ...Page 4 Year 1, Volume 33 Washington DC, Monday 5 June, 2023 Melange Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA hosts Sewa activities MADHU BALAJI The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) USA, a non-profit cultural organization that paves way for its volunteers to serve and support American society launched several social activities called sewa activities. Beginning from Earth Day, over 120 volunteers have taken part in the planned environmental-related activities to protect the earth. According to a news release various chapters of the organization adopted roads and highways across the US to carry out the activities. In Naperville volunteers cleaned about 4 miles of stretch under Adopt-A-Highway events while volunteers from Portland, Oregon, were involved in cleaning one mile stretch of County Road and thirty volunteers were involved in the beach clean-up event at Seal Beach, California. Flowermound, Texas volunteers also participated in an annual spring trash off and cleanup event while New Jersey, HSS volunteers were involved in the Earth Day celebrations organized by Edison Health Department. HSS highlighted that other sewa activities such as blood donation camps were carried out in San Ramon which collected 90 units of blood, Washington which had 31 donors and another in Dallas, Texas. Additionally book fairs and reforestation activities were carried out by volunteers from the HSS Peoria chapter and Mountain House, California chapter respectively. HSS volunteers participate in cleanup activities for Earth day. Image HSS USA Adopt-A-Highway by HSS New Jersey Image: HSS Padma Lakshmi announces exit from Top Chef YASMIN TINWALA I ndian American model and writer, Padma Lakshmi who had been the host, and a part of the judging panel of Top Chef U.S. since its sophomore season, announced her exit from the franchise. Lakshmi’s run on the show lasted 19 seasons, over 17 years. Sharing the news in an emotional note on her social media page, Lakshmi said, “After much soul searching I have made the difficult decision to leave Top Chef. Having completed a glorious 20th season as host and executive producer, I am extremely proud to have been part of such a successful show and of the impact it had in the worlds of television and food.” The 52-year-old wrote she will miss working alongside her work family but the step needed to be taken to help her concentrate better on other career prospects. Lakshmi bagged a deal with Hulu for a travel and food show called Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi. The show explores the rich and diverse food culture of various immigrant groups across the U.S., as Lakshmi seeks out the people who have shaped what American food is today. The show’s first season aired in 2020 and the second season featuring 10 episodes released on Hulu on May 5, 2023. Aside from her TV career, Lakshmi has authored five books, two of which have been bestsellers. She also owns two businesses – a jewelry line, the Padma Collection, and Easy Exotic, a culinary product line. The multi-hyphenate has more books in the pipeline alongside other creative pursuits, as per her exit announcement from the show which earned her 13 Emmy nominations. Image - Facebook/@PadmaLakshmi ...Page 6
2 India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 Various patriotic songs were taught including Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana. l न्यू इंडि्ा अब्रॉि नेटवर्क भारती्य-अमेररकी दंपती और उनके शकिोर बेटे को िबशलन, ओहा्यो शसथत उनके घर पर मृत पा्या ग्या है। तीनों की मौत गोली लगने से हुई है। पुशलस मृत्यु का कारण पता लगाने में र्ुटी है। दंपती और उनके बेटे की हत्या हुई ्या ्यह सामूशहक आतमहत्या का मामला है, इसकी पडताल की र्ा रही है। मीशि्या ररपोटस्र में बता्या ग्या है शक भारती्य मूल के रार्न रार्ाराम (54), िांशतलता रार्न (51) और उनके बेटे अनीर रार्ाराम (19) के िव 18 र्नवरी को उनके घर में शमले। पररवार के एक र्ानने वाले ने उनकी खैरर्यत र्ानने के शलए फोन शक्या था लेशकन शकसी ने उठा्या नहीं। इसके बाद उसने पुशलस को इत्ला दी। पुशलस मौके पर पहुंची तो घर में िव शमले। पुशलस के खुशफ्या सूत्ों ने अपनी प्ारंशभक र्ांच में कहा है शक तीनों की मौत गोली लगने से हुई है। ्यह हत्या ्या सामूशहक आतमहत्या का मामला हो सकता है। अशधकारर्यों का कहना है शक उनहें इस बात के सुबूत नहीं शमले हैं शक घर में कोई र्बद्रसती घुसा हो। ्यह भी लग रहा है शक घर के अंदर िव कई शदनों से पडे हुए थे। रिेंकशलन काउंटी का्या्रल्य के ररकॉडस्र के आधार पर बता्या ग्या है शक रार्न पररवार उस घर में 1998 से रह रहा था। रार्न शसनशसनाटी शसथत टेक्ोसॉफट कॉपटोरेिन में इंर्ीशन्यर थे। उनकी पत्ी र्ेपी मॉग्रन चेस में काम करती थीं। बेटा अनीर ऑकसफोि्ट, ओशह्यो शम्यामी शवशवशवद्ाल्य के फाम्रर सकूल ऑफ शबर्नेस में अकाउंशटंग प्मुख था। शवशवशवद्ाल्य ने एक ब्यान में कहा है शक छात् अनीर की मृत्यु की खबर से संसथान के कम्रचारी और बेहद दुखी हैं। पररवार के पररशचत और दोसत भी घटना को लेकर व्यशथत हैं। िबशलन कॉफमैन हाई सकूल के एक शिक्षक एली शर्मरमैन ने मीशि्या से कहा शक वह अनीि को तब से र्ानती हैं र्ब वह कॉफमैन में पहले साल आ्या था। वह सामुदाश्यक सेवा संगठन से भी र्ुडा हुआ था। एक समझदार, िांत और मेहनती बच्ा था। वह पढाई में तो अचछा था ही, उसमें नेतृतव के भी गुण थे। अनीर के बचपन के एक दोसत गाबे शफनटा ने मीशि्या से कहा शक उनकी मुलाकात तब हुई थी, र्ब वे आठवीं कलास में थे। हाल ही में वह दुबई की ्यात्ा पर गए थे र्हां अनीर ने अपने एक िर पर र्ीत हाशसल की थी, वह िर था सकाईिाइशवंग का। अनीि ऐसा लडका था र्ो शर्ंदगी को पूरी तरह र्ीना चाहता था। उसकी और पररवार की मौत से हमें बहुत दुख है। 16 न् यू इंडि्ा अब्रॉि सोमवार, 30 जनवरी, 2023 ओहायो में भाितीय मूल िे दंपकत औि बेटे िे िव कमले, हतया या सामूकहि आतमहतया? खबरों में बताया गया है लक भारतीय मूल के राजन राजाराम (54), िांलतलता राजन (51) और उनके बेटे अनीष राजाराम (19) के िव उनके घर में लमले। तीनों की मौत गनोली लगने से हुई बताई गई है। Guangzhou organises Hindi patriotic songs workshop MEHAK LUTHRA I ndian Consulate General in Guangzhou organized a workshop to teach the singing of Hindi patriotic songs to the Indian diaspora in South China as part of the celebrations for World Hindi Day 2023 at the Consulate premises. The workshop’s goal was to instill a sense of patriotism among the Indian Diaspora by promoting Hindi and Indian culture. All age groups in the Indian community actively participated in the Workshop. The objective of celebrating World Hindi Day and the importance of learning Hindi were both emphasized by Consul General Shri Shambhu Hakki in his speech. The attendees were also given information by the consul general about how to make Hindi learning fun for children by using music. Dr Vivek Mani Tripathi, Assistant Professor, Hindi Department, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS), gave a speech on “Hindi Sahitya” thereafter. Local resource people from the Indian community who had knowledge of Indian music guided the workshop. Hakki, a performer of Hindustani Classical Music, led the resource people. The participants in the session received instructions on the proper pronunciation, technique, and melody for singing Hindi patriotic songs. The participants learned various patriotic songs such as ‘Jana Gana Mana’; ‘Vande Mataram’ ‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon’; ‘Ae Watan’; ‘Teri Mitti’; ‘Ye Jo Des Hai Tera’; ‘Mere Desh ki Dharti’ during the Workshop. The Consulate also intends to set up a second practice session so that Indian Diaspora members can improve their ability to sing patriotic songs. The Hindi Department of GDUFS and Friends of India in South China students participated in a singing competition of Hindi songs as well as a workshop to teach Hindi songs as part of the celebrations of World Hindi Day. Image - Consulate General of India Guangzhou
India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 3 HERE'SYOUR CHANCETOBEADJ DIASPORA JOURNO With Indians in all corners of the world, there's never a dull moment! New India Abroad gives you the unique opportunity to capture such moments and be a journalist for your community. All you have to do is: Cover communitynews Sendusyourreport Waitforittobepublished Inform us about diaspora events in your area. You can cover both immediate and future events Send us a report with all the details and other material like images, audio/video clips, and interviews Our team will edit and publish your story in our paper & website with due credit given to you NOW ANYBODY CAN BE A DJ! New India Abroad prides itself in being a platform for the Indian Diaspora - Be it in the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East or Africa. Send your stories to [email protected] HERE'SYOUR CHANCETOBEADJ DIASPORA JOURNO With Indians in all corners of the world, there's never a dull moment! New India Abroad gives you the unique opportunity to capture such moments and be a journalist for your community. All you have to do is: Cover communitynews Sendusyourreport Waitforittobepublished Inform us about diaspora events in your area. You can cover both immediate and future events Send us a report with all the details and other material like images, audio/video clips, and interviews Our team will edit and publish your story in our paper & website with due credit given to you NOW ANYBODY CAN BE A DJ! New India Abroad prides itself in being a platform for the Indian Diaspora - Be it in the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East or Africa. Send your stories to [email protected]
4 India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 The South Asian Business Group (SABG), encourages the student community to explore and lead initiatives related to South Asia. UChicago student group fosters South Asian values YASMIN TINWALA I n honour of the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Chicago Booth School of Business spotlighted their campus’s largest student cultural group. The South Asian Business Group (SABG), encourages the student community to explore and lead initiatives related to South Asia. According to the University, SABG is an inclusive platform that encourages participation from all students regardless of their background or ethnicity. It provides holistic support and numerous opportunities for students to build their network through a host of cultural, social, and professional events. The group also helps MBA aspirants by connecting them with experienced second-year students to provide mentorship right from the beginning of their MBA journey. Aside from providing support through their professional development endeavours, SBAG also organizes mixers to celebrate festivals such as Holi, Eid, Onam, and their flagship event, the Diwali Cruise that full-time MBA student and SBAG co-chair Tanya Kalra describes as “an absolute must-attend experience.” The Diwali event hosted by SBAG annually takes place on a cruise on Lake Michigan. The cruise event is the culmination of the month-long celebrations, as per the university’s newspaper. In 2022, the SBAG hosted a Mimosas and Mehndi (henna art) event a day before the cruise. A week before that, students forayed on a shopping trip to pick out the best Diwali outfits. In preparation for the main event, firstand second-year students regularly met for dance practices on South Asian songs, choreographed by expert student choreographers. More than 350 students were a part of the cruise last year. Speaking of other SBAG initiatives, the platform also organizes group gatherings to help students network, and have fun at the same time as learning the “pay it forward” approach that is the main theme of these events as well as Booth University. Image-Chicago Booth Tipu’s sword fetches over US$17 million at Bonhams auction Smriti Keshari’s “Altar” explores creativity and emotion of AI RISHIKA BHARDWAJ Tipu Sultan’s legendary bedchamber sword was sold for over a staggering US$17 million on May 23 at the Bonhams Islamic and Indian Art sale. This set a new world auction record for an Indian and Islamic object. Among the array of weapons recovered from Tipu Sultan’s palace following the fall of his royal stronghold at Seringapatam on May 4, 1799, few possess the profound historical resonance and direct connection to the Tiger of Mysore as the bedchamber sword discovered in his private quarters. Undoubtedly a part of Tipu’s arsenal, this sword is considered the finest and most crucial weapon with a documented association with the ruler. Nima Sagharchi, Group Head of Islamic and Indian Art, said, “The sword has an extraordinary history, an astonishing provenance and unrivalled craftsmanship. It was no surprise it was so hotly contested between two phone bidders and a bidder in the room. We are delighted with the result.” The sword, discovered within Tipu Sultan’s reach while he slept in his locked and bolted bedchamber, showcases exceptional craftsmanship with an inscribed blade and an exquisitely adorned hilt. It was manufactured by Mughal swordsmiths in the style of German blades introduced to India in the 16th century, featuring gold calligraphy symbolizing the qualities of God. The sword is historically significant as it was given to Major General David Baird by the army to acknowledge his bravery and leadership during the assault that resulted in the defeat of Tipu Sultan. Baird commanded the soldiers on May 4, 1799, leading to the successful conclusion of the month-long siege of Seringapatam. The sale of Tipu Sultan’s Bedchamber Sword at Bonhams not only attests to its extraordinary historical value but also underscores the enduring fascination with India’s rich heritage. The sword’s record-breaking price reflects its unique status as an iconic artefact intertwined with the remarkable tale of his life and reign. Bruno Vinciguerra, CEO, of Bonhams, said, “This is one of the most astonishing objects Bonhams has had the privilege of bringing to auction. It is a stupendous price for a stupendous piece. I am so thrilled for our teams that worked so hard to deliver this result.” STAFF REPORTER I ndian-American artist and film director Smriti Keshari’s captivating installation, ‘Altar,’ is currently on display at NAS (National Academy of Sciences) Building, East Gallery, Washington. Currently on exhibit till September 2023. “Altar” immerses viewers in a captivating and emotionally-charged exploration of the realm of artificial intelligence (AI). The exhibition, organized by the Cultural Programs of the NAS in collaboration with The Science & Entertainment Exchange, aims to examine the power, creativity, and potential societal impact of AI. It delves into its impact on human existence, inviting visitors to reflect on the intricate connection between AI, society, and the environment, sparking dialogue and contemplation about the future of humanity in the AI era. “Altar” presents a sculpture that enshrines the Python code AlphaGo, a significant milestone in AI development that some experts believe marks the moment when artificial intelligence surpassed human potential by displaying creativity. By immortalizing this groundbreaking code in a physical form, Keshari aims to ignite contemplation on the implications and consequences of AI’s increasing influence on our lives. The installation highlights the tension between humanity’s desire for progress and the fear of AI’s uncontrollable future. Keshari emphasizes the importance of understanding the power structures behind AI, including planetary resources, human labour, and data. By examining the social and environmental impacts, Keshari prompts viewers to rethink their views on the AI era. Keshari has received support from prestigious organizations like the MacArthur Foundation, Carnegie Corporation, and Ford Foundation. She uses art as a tool for social change and has spoken at influential platforms such as the United Nations, BBC, and TED, where she was a TED Prize finalist and named Foreign Policy’s Global Creative Thinker in 2016. Her latest work, “DISINTEGRATION,” premiered at BAM and solidified her reputation as a visionary artist. Installation photos of Smriti Keshari’s Altar. Image - CPNAS website
India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 5 Diplomats visit BAPS Temple in Abu Dhabi HindiUSA Plainsboro spotlights Hindu culture MADHU BALAJI I n an effort to spotlight Hindu culture, HindiUSA’s West Windsor Plainsboro chapter partnered with the Plainsboro Public Library and Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) to host Darshana exhibition at Plainsboro, New Jersey. The Hindu awareness exhibition included several artworks that allowed individuals around the US to learn about one of the oldest civilizations in the world, including topics ranging from matters relating to Hindu philosophies, festivities, and additionally their way of life. According to a release, Gulshan Mirg planned the exhibition for three months and was the main motivator for the success of the event. Vice principal of High School South, Ernie Covington in an interview expressed how the event helped him gain newfound knowledge and helped others understand the ancient Hindu civilization as well. The Mayors inaugurated the event by launching the first poster provided by HSS and marked the start of the exhibition. The program commenced with a Tikka ceremony where the vermillion paste was placed on the foreheads of the attendees which was followed by two dance performances – Bharatanatyam and Odissi. Dignitaries including the Mayor of Plainsboro Peter Cantu, Mayor of West Windsor Hemant Marathe, Venkat from the HSS board, Committee member of Plainsboro Neil Lewis, director of the Plainsboro Library Darren Miguez, West Windsor’s Councilwomen Andrea Mandel and Sonia Gawas, Human Relations Council chair Jyotima Prasad, School Board Members Miss Elizabeth George-Cheniara, Dana Krug, Pooja Bansal, Plainsboro Fire Company Firefighter Surabhi Arora, Rescue Squad president Arun Bantval and vice president Neena Karnad and members fromHindiUSA’s expo spotlights Hindu culture other departments graced the event. VIKAL SAMDARIYA Ambassadors and diplomats from over 30 countries convened at the construction site of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi to witness the amalgamation of ancient art and architecture, modern science and technology, universal values and cultural appreciation. They were hosted by Ambassador of India to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir. Greeting the dignitaries, Swami Brahmaviharidas said, “Your presence here sends a hopeful message of harmony and is a testament to the belief that dialogue, exchange, and engagement can bring us all closer together and make this world a happier place.” Reiterating the significance of the historic temple, in a video message, Minister of External Affairs of India, Dr S. Jaishankar shared his hopes of what it would mean for UAE and the world as well as his deep respect for the vision and direction of the UAE leadership. He emphasized that one of his life’s most touching and fulfilling moments was the announcement and now seeing the BAPS Hindu Mandir coming up. The Indian ambassador in his address, lauded the deep-rooted long-standing relationship between the two countries in diverse areas from culture to trade. On the occasion, the Ambassador of New Zealand Dr Richard Kay described the mandir as “a cultural asset that will be a fantastic addition to the skyline of the UAE.” Appreciating the carvings and architecture of the upcoming temple, Ambassador of the Maldives, Aminath Shabeena urged everyone to visit the temple upon its completion while Ambassador of Israel, Amir Hayek, said, “This monument is being constructed in a country built on tolerance and will most certainly contribute to harmony in the region and the world.” According to a release, the BAPS Hindu Temple, which reflects the enduring friendship between the two nations and is expected to be completed by February 2024. Ambassadors and diplomats of various countries hailed the temple as a symbol of religious tolerance that will contribute immensely to world peace The expo was inaugurated by Mayors who attended by launching the first poster provided by HSS Ambassadors and diplomats at the construction site of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi. Image / Twitter/ India in UAE Image - BAPS Darshana exhibition at Plainsboro, New Jersey Image: HindiUSA Darshana expo Presenters at the expo Image: HindiUSA Image: HindiUSA
6 India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 ‘Shaakuntalam’ wins big at Cannes, while Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Kennedy’ leaves audience in awe and cast emotional ‘Shaakuntalam’ bags 4 awards, ‘Kennedy’ gets 7-minute standing ovation at Cannes RISHIKA BHARDWAJ Tollywood’s highly anticipated mythological tale ‘Shaakuntalam,’ bagged four prestigious International Awards at the renowned Cannes World Film Festival 2023. Despite falling short of local expectations, ‘Shaakuntalam’ managed to garner international acclaim, solidifying its place on the global stage. The film bagged accolades in the categories of ‘Best Foreign Film,’ ‘Best Costume Design,’ ‘Best Fantasy Film,’ and ‘Best Indian Film.’ Directed by Gunasekhar and starring Samantha Ruth Prabhu, it is a mesmerizing mythological drama. Produced by Neelima Guna and Hanshita Reddy, the film is now streaming on Amazon Prime. ‘Shaakuntalam’ holds the distinction of being released in five languages, namely Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi, aiming to captivate audiences across multiple regions. The film’s narrative revolves around a mythical romance, bringing to life a play written by the renowned poet Kalidasa. On the other hand, Anurag Kashyap’s police noir thriller ‘Kennedy’ garnered a remarkable seven-minute standing ovation. The movie, featured in the Midnight Screening section of the prestigious event, left actress Sunny Leone overwhelmed and teary-eyed as the audience expressed their appreciation for the film. A video capturing the heartwarming scene was shared by the official YouTube channel of the Festival de Cannes. In the six-minute34-second clip, lead actors Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone could be seen visibly emotional, applauding alongside the rest of the audience. Anurag Kashyap, the director, wore a wide smile with tears in his eyes. The video further showcased Anurag Kashyap approaching filmmaker Sudhir Mishra, touching his feet as a mark of respect, and then embracing him. It was reported that ‘Kennedy’ drew inspiration from a story shared by Sudhir Mishra with Anurag many years ago, adding an emotional layer to the film’s success. The thunderous applause and standing ovation received by the film at the Cannes Film Festival serve as a testament to Anurag Kashyap’s directorial prowess and the compelling performances delivered by the actors. Image - Twitter/@GunaaTeamworks Marathi film ‘Ghar Banduk Biryani’ to premiere on ZEE5 Kamal Haasan, Madhavan receive top honors at IIFA 2023 STAFF REPORTER One of Bollywood’s biggest award nights, the IIFA Awards 2023 was held in Abu Dhabi in the presence of leading names from the industry. Legendary actor Kamal Haasan was felicitated for his outstanding achievement in Indian cinema. The actor who has worked in both regional and Hindi films was felicitated by his friend and singer AR Rahman during the event. Several other stars including Salman Khan,Varun Dhawan, and Jacqueline Fernandez performed at the event. Salman Khan hit the floor with a fusion of Bollywood and urban dance while actress Kriti Sanon also performed dance moves with the Norwegian dance group Quick Style on her super hit song Param Sundari from the film Mimi. R Madhavan received the IIFA trophy under the ‘direction’ category for his stellar work in Rocketry: The Nambi Effect. Abhishek Pathak’s Drishyam 2 was selected as the best picture. Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Kumar Mangat Pathak and the director were presented the IIFA trophy for the film. Actors Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D’Souza, were recognized for their outstanding achievements in regional cinema. Actor Hrithik Roshan received the trophy for his lead role in the action-packed film Vikram Vedha, a remake of the Tamil film. Producer Jayantilal Gada was on stage to receive the trophy on behalf of actress Alia Bhatt for her best actress in a lead role recognition in the film Gangubai Kathiawadi. Veteran actor Anil Kapoor bagged an award for his supporting role in JugJugg Jeeyo; Mouni Roy for hers in Brahmastra Part One: Shiva. Actors, Shantanu Maheshwari and Babil Khan were recognized for their debut performances in Gangubai Kathiawadi and Qala respectively. Khushalii Kumar was recognized for her debut in Dhokha: Round D Corner. Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal won the playback singer awards for Kesariya and Rasiya from Brahmastra Part One: Shiva. Pritam Chakraborty and Amitabh Bhattacharya were also awarded for their music and lyrics. Meanwhile, Jasmeet K Reen and Parveez Sheikh won the best story original award for Darlings. MADHU BALAJI L eading South Asian content provider, ZEE5 Global will premiere the highly-acclaimed Marathi film ‘Ghar Banduk Biryani’ on June 2, 2023. The film is produced by Zee Studios and national award-winning director Nagraj Manjule and is directed by debut film-maker Hemand Awtade. The streaming company launched the trailer for the film, that stars Nagraj Manjule, Sayaji Shinde, Akash Thosar and Sayli Patil in lead roles. Director Hemant Jangal Awtade said, “Ghar Banduk Biryani will always be special for me as it was my debut film. I will always be grateful to Nagraj Manjule and Zee Studios for this one. The response it garnered on its theatrical release was ecstatic and I am sure with its premiere on ZEE5 Global the larger audience will be able to watch it and I hope they like it too”. Archana Anand, chief business officer of ZEE5 Global, said, “At ZEE5 Global, our primary focus lies in presenting captivating narratives across languages. Marathi content is gaining popularity, as evident from the success of titles like Zombivili, Dharamveer, and Vaalvi.” Celebrating the premiere, she added, “This marks our third collaboration with Nagraj Manjule, following the outstanding performance of his previous films Sairat and Jhund on our platform. With this World Digital Premiere, we have full confidence that this unique story, accompanied by exceptional performances, will deeply resonate with our global viewers.” According to the media, the film has grossed over US$609,220 in Maharashtra, the third-highest for a Marathi film in 2023. Still from the film Ghar Banduk Biryani Image: Zee Studios Actor R Madhavan at IIFA 2023 AR Rahman and Kamal Haasan at IIFA 2023 Image: IIFA Image: Twitter/@IIFA
Aries You are heading into a period in which you will have many jobs and, therefore, economic opportunities, Aries. Think about your goals and open your eyes wide to recognize them and build on them. A certain astral conjunction helps you increase your ability to adapt to changes and new situations. Your intuition will be very sharp, so if you have to decide something, trust your inner voice more than anyone’s advice. You will have the judgment and ability to tackle any problem and come out of it with flying colors. Do not go into a business that is offered to you; it may be very tempting, but it is also very risky. In love, don’t get carried away by envious reviews that might make you jealous. Don’t believe a word of their gossip, and control your urge to make a scene because your partner might be hurt by your doubts and attitude, and you might alienate them. Taurus You’ll be overly sensitive these days, Taurus, and you need to do your best to see reality and not get carried away with your perceptions. You may think the whole world is against you or get angry over unimportant matters. Don’t blame anyone for what they say or do; everyone is free to express themselves. Before you start, think twice. You can be very harsh with your words, and the fact is that when you go beyond your extreme touchiness, you might regret it. Your finances are going through a very favorable period, which will lift your spirits and allow you to benefit from a more comfortable situation. Finally, the economic balance that was partly responsible for your state of mind will return to your life. You have many things to think about, but until the last days of the week, you will surely not have the mental clarity necessary to do so. Wait; don’t make decisions that might be wrong. In the love aspect, this mindset complicates things for you. Think about it. Gemini It’s time to start looking for new work opportunities, Gemini. You have worked hard to grow in your current company, but your struggle does not seem to have paid off, perhaps in part because your relationships with certain people in power have not been very harmonious. This week, you will also begin to feel the need to feel more free and to be more independent. If you share a relationship with other partners, this feeling will make you feel a little uncomfortable because you will want to make your own decisions without having to consult them. Don’t be bitter about it. Talk about it calmly, discuss your aspirations, and you can find a solution together. In love, sometimes you have to take refuge with your friends because your partner goes too far with his suspicions of infidelity. You then feel alone and unable to refute his arguments because he does not reflect the truth. Ask yourself if you really want to spend your life with someone who doubts you. Cancer Finally, your head is no longer in the fog because of professional problems with cancer. The difficult period you went through recently due to disagreements with one of your superiors is over. If you’ve chosen to ignore the problem and keep working hard to prove your professional worth, now is the time to reap the rewards of your efforts, because they won’t have been in vain. You were able to prove your level and your tenacity. This week, you will get the recognition you deserve. It will bring you many benefits, and you will finally feel relieved. This is very important because you spend most of your day at work. This change will also be beneficial for your love life because you will transmit relaxation and happiness, and your partner will be delighted. If you’re a lonely heart right now, don’t be melancholy; celebrate your career success and hang out with friends. Love is closer than you think, but if you’re more interested in other things, you won’t be able to detect it. Refine your intuition. Leo The time has come for you to analyze what is happening at work, Leo. You’ve had friction with a boss or co-worker, and you don’t seem to feel comfortable. But this week, the atmosphere will be more relaxed, and you will be able to reflect on 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. They are small-scale, of course, but they are very annoying. In love, a very pleasant week awaits you, which will allow you to compensate for other disappointments. If you have started a relationship, you are full of illusions. Enjoy the present and do not think too much about the future. Virgo Too much activity at work will have a negative effect on your mood, Virgo. Avoid this, as it could lead to relationship issues with your colleagues. You should be happy because an increase in activity means things are going well—better than they have been so far. You may be nervous because you will have to do things you are not used to, and you may feel unsafe. Keep calm; you are perfectly capable of achieving anything you want. You are not lacking in abilities or resources. The most important thing to do to succeed is to control your nervousness. This will allow you to generate additional income later, but you will probably spend a few days in a difficult situation. Not because you don’t have enough money, but because it flows out of your hands like water. Control your expenses. In love, there will also be movement. You may notice strange behaviors in your partner that will alert you. Before making a mess, think that you are the one who is stressed. Come to your senses. Libra You will have an intense week of work that will allow you to demonstrate your skills and your ability to work perfectly even under pressure, Libra. It will be very positive for you, so don’t get overwhelmed. In business, on the other hand, caution is required. Perhaps you have already encountered problems in carrying out a project, and although you do not see yourself as capable of solving them, you do not want to listen to those who give you a way out. Be a little more humble and change your attitude. On the other hand, in love, you have a clear vision, and you realize that your other half gets carried away over trifles of no importance. Now that you have found someone who loves you and makes you feel safe. Scorpio You have had an excellent week in the field of work thanks to a very positive astral influence, Scorpio. Now you can achieve anything you want. Towards the end of the week, you are likely to get the opportunity you have been dreaming of, and you will gain great professional prestige. On the other hand, financial matters are at risk. This is not the right time to start a project. Also, someone you know may ask you to lend them some money. If you feel like it, do it, but more than likely you won’t get it back. On a sentimental level, free-hearted Scorpios might be surprised. Maybe a longtime friend will finally tell you that he’s been in love with you all your life. If he leaves you in shock and you are considering answering him with a big “no”, think twice because an affirmative answer is more advisable. He knows you very well, he loves you very much, and you have always felt good with him or her. Try! Sagittarius You might be disappointed these days, Sagittarius. It is possible that, for various reasons, a project that you want to carry out in your field of work is put on hold. Do not be discouraged; the opportunity will come later. This week, try to take things calmly, because in the financial field, too, you must act with caution. The atmosphere is turbulent, and it’s not the right time to make important decisions. Even less if they involve high expenses. Therefore, if you have thought about buying a car or even an apartment, wait a little longer until these questions are better answered by the stars. On a sentimental level, you may have to face some problems with your partner. You are more attractive than ever, and you have many suitors. You may be tempted to frolic with some of your admirers, perhaps in your work environment. If this gets to your partner’s ears, there could be a major argument. It’s not worth it. Capricorn You are entering a good phase in your professional life, Capricorn. Now you feel more comfortable because your work is valued. Despite this, it is advisable to exercise a little more restraint when you have to say something in this environment, as you tend to be too abrupt. The same problem can arise if you have your own business. If something doesn’t go the way you planned, you’ll put yourself in a situation that will end up getting you into trouble. Take advantage of the fact that the stars are thought-provoking this week and think about how you can improve this aspect of your character. Try to be more tolerant, especially of other people’s mistakes, to avoid unnecessary resentment. It’s always best to be on good terms with those you spend so much time with. On a sentimental level, these days, problems could arise with your partner because of your lack of confidence in him. At first, he may even be amused by your jealousy, but if you continue with this attitude, he will eventually get bored. Aquarius You will have a very positive week in the field of work, Aquarius, and you could have a good surprise. Each time there was an internal promotion in your company, you wanted to take steps to achieve it, but you never acted because you thought it was useless and that you would not be taken into account. But now you know for sure that your superiors have noticed you and that you have great support. This will boost your morale significantly. However, there are some aspects of your character that you should polish up, such as always wanting to be right and not listening to the advice of more experienced people. Listen to the advice of others, also in the financial field. If you turn a deaf ear and go your own way, you could lose money. In love, you don’t listen to your partner when he or she tries to inform you, and then you complain that he or she doesn’t tell you anything. It’s up to you to solve this problem. Pisces These are very important days for you as they could influence your professional projection, Pisces. The most positive thing might come to you from a powerful person in your company, perhaps someone recently hired, who will notice your abilities. You distinguish yourself from others through your performance. In your free time, reflect on everything that is going on. A good astral alignment will allow you to have precise thoughts on all aspects of your life. You will clearly see the path to follow and the mistakes not to make. On a sentimental level, if you are alone right now, you will meet someone who will completely change your life and who can make you immensely happy. Weekly Horoscope Sundeep Kochar Astrologer https://www.sundeepkochar.com India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 7
CSk lifted their fifth IPL trophy after defeating Gujarat Titans with 5 wickets. 8 India Abroad Monday, 5 June, 2023 Published Weekly Copyright © 2023 Indian Star LLC Editor in Chief Dr. Sridhar Krishnaswami Chief Executive Officer Rajeev Bhambri Registered Address Indian Star LLC, 6215 Rockhurst Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817 USA Disclaimers: 1. India Abroad is a Registered trademark and not affiliated with the newspaper named India Abroad marketed in the US from 1972 to 2021. 2. Indian Star LLC assumes no liability for claims / assumptions made in advertisements and advertorials. Views expressed by the writers are their own. Indian Star LLC A publication of Editor (Hindi) Dr. Rameshwar Dayal BHAVANA P Chennai Super Kings painted the Narendra Modi Stadium yellow after defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets on Tuesday, May 30 to win their fifth IPL title. Due to persistent rain, the match could not be played on Sunday as scheduled and therefore was moved to the reserve day. On this day too rain attempted to ruin the show once again, but the ground staff ’s dedication treated the spectators to a visual spectacle of 35 exciting overs of play. After their dramatic victory, CSK posted a video of the team’s celebration in their hotel. The ‘Men in Yellow’ were seen exiting the stadium to cries of ‘Dhoni-Dhoni’ from the crowd which followed their journey to their hotel. The squad arrived at the hotel dancing to the sounds of ‘Dhol,’ to a boisterous welcome. Matheesha Pathirana, the seamer was seen holding the coveted IPL trophy and the entire CSK team was excited. A customized five-tier cake that represented Chennai’s journey from winning their first IPL championship in 2010 to winning their fifth in 2023 was sliced at the end of the video by captain MS Dhoni. On the victory, Dhoni said, “This is the best time to announce my retirement. But the amount of love I have received all over, the easy thing would be to walk away from here, but the harder thing would be working hard for 9 months and trying to play another IPL. It would be a gift from me, and won’t be easy on the body. You do get emotional, the first game at CSK had everyone chanting my name. My eyes welled up, I needed to take some time off in the dugout. I realized I needed to enjoy this. I think they love me for what I am, they love that I am so grounded, I don’t try to portray something I’m not. Just keep it simple. Every trophy is special, but what is special about IPL is every crunch game you need to be ready. There were lapses today, the bowling department didn’t work, but it was the batting department that took the pressure off them today.” Returning to the contest, CSK skipper Dhoni won the toss on the big day and put GT to bat on their home ground. Gujarat scored a staggering 214/4 as a result of a stunning performance by Sai Sudharsan (96 off 47), but in vain. In the DLS format due to rain Ravindra Jadeja’s heroics (15 off 6) enabled CSK to successfully chase down the revised target (171 in 15 overs). With ten needed off the final two balls, the all-rounder struck a six and a four to seal an exciting victory for his team. After their triumph, CSK are now tied with the Mumbai Indians for the most IPL trophies won (five). CSK wins fifth IPL title in last ball thriller CSK upon their fifth win Image-@/ChennaiIPL Monank Patel to lead US team in World Cup Qualifier MEHAK LUTHRA The USA has named a 15-member squad to compete in the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe that begins next month. Monank Patel, an Indian-origin American cricketer who has played for the United States since 2018 as a right-handed top-order batsman and wicket-keeper has been chosen to lead the team for the qualifier playoff. Patel currently captains the United States national cricket team. He began his international career in 2018 when he was named in the United States squad for the 2018–19 ICC World Twenty20 Americas Qualifier tournament in Morrisville, North Carolina. He was the leading run-scorer in the tournament, with 208 runs in six matches. He has numerous records under his belt for ODI as well as T20 matches. He was the leading run-scorer for the United States in the 2019-20 Regional Super50 tournament, with 230 runs in eight matches. 28-year-old Aaron Jones will act as deputy to Patel in the upcoming qualifier playoff in Zimbabwe. The USA is placed alongside West Indies, Zimbabwe, Netherlands, and Nepal in Group A. The USA squad named Abhishek Paradkar, Ali Khan, Gajanand Singh, Jasdeep Singh, Kyle Philip, Nisarg Patel, Nostush Kenjige, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Saurabh Netravalkar, Shayan Jahangir, Steven Taylor, Sushant Modani and Usman Rafiq for this playoff. Image - Twitter @usacricket Yashasvi Jaiswal to join Team India STAFF REPORTER The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed the India and Australia squads for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 Final to be played at The Oval from June 7–11. The final lineup of the Indian squad included young rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal as a standby player. He got scouted for the team after exhibiting remarkable skills in the recent 2023 IPL where he played for Rajasthan Royals (RR). Jaiswal was named the “Emerging Player of the Year” for his accomplishments in the recently concluded IPL, which saw him score 625 runs in just 14 games at an average of 48.08. The Indian team captained by Rohit Sharma now includes Ravichandran Ashwin, KS Bharat, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadakt, and Umesh Yadav. Mukesh Kumar, and Suryakumar Yadav have been named as standbys along with Jaiswal The WTC billed as the ‘Ultimate Test’, which was launched in 2019 to provide meaning to the game’s longest format, is in its second iteration. The first edition’s victors, New Zealand, defeated India in the championship match by an eight-wicket margin in Southampton. WTC Final, has set aside June 12 as a reserve day to make up for any loss of play on the scheduled five days. The winners of the tournament take home US$ 1.6 million, with US$ 800,000 going to the runner-up. Image- Instagram/@Yashasvijaiswal28