The Indian Panorama

Year: 2017

  • NY City Health Department warns of spread of sexually transmitted infections

    NY City Health Department warns of spread of sexually transmitted infections

    To prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections, Health Department recommends condom use and regular testing; syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea can be cured with antibiotics

    NEW YORK CITY (TIP): The Health Department released, August 31, new data showing that rates of syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea continue to increase, mirroring national trends over the past three years. From 2015 to 2016, New York City rates of syphilis increased by 27 percent; rates of gonorrhea rose by 13 percent; and rates of chlamydia increased by 6 percent. The vast majority of syphilis and most gonorrhea cases are among men, particularly men who have sex with other men, while women continue to have the highest rates of chlamydia. These increases are related to many factors, including more New Yorkers being tested with improved techniques.

    As part of the Health Department’s efforts to address the increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), a new citywide campaign encouraging New Yorkers to get tested will appear in bus shelters and subways and run on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Gay Ad Network and Grindr. This new campaign follows “Bare It All,” a provocative and groundbreaking citywide awareness campaign that emboldens New Yorkers to talk openly with their doctors about their sex lives, drug use and other issues that affect their health. Earlier this year, the City also expanded clinical services and hours of operations at its Sexual Health Clinics (formerly known as STD clinics). Anyone 12 years or older can be tested for syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV at the City’s Sexual Health Clinics, even if they have no symptoms.

    New campaign will encourage STI testing and run on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Gay Ad Network and Grindr and in bus shelters and subway cars citywide

    As part of his plan to End the HIV Epidemic, Mayor Bill de Blasio has invested $23 million annually to reduce the number of new HIV infections, as well as assure a strong STI prevention infrastructure. The investment is unparalleled and places New York City in the best possible position to effectively curb STI increases.

     “Sex is part of human existence. It can contribute to one’s fulfillment and sense of wellbeing, but it can also pose health risks,” said Assistant Commissioner Dr. Susan Blank, Bureau of STD Control. “Short of abstinence – which is not realistic for many New Yorkers – condoms provide the best protection available for syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. New Yorkers should talk to their providers about if and how they have sex, so that their providers can screen for and treat any infections before they lead to long term complications.”

    Many people with STIs have no signs or symptoms. However, untreated STIs can have lasting health effects, including visual and hearing loss, dementia, paralysis, infertility and stillbirth. Having syphilis, gonorrhea or chlamydia can make it easier to get or spread HIV. The best way to prevent the spread of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia is through condom use, early detection and treatment. Sexually active New Yorkers are encouraged to be open and honest with their doctors about their sexual practices and ask about getting tested for STIs. Testing for these infections is easy, and they are curable with antibiotics.

    Among other recent efforts by the Health Department to prevent and treat STIs are:

    Sexual Health Clinics

    The City’s eight Sexual Health Clinics operate Monday through Friday, with Saturday hours available at the Riverside and Fort Greene clinics.

    LGBTQ Health Care Bill of Rights

    In June, the Department announced New York City’s first-ever LGBTQ Health Care Bill of Rights, which details health care protections on local, state and federal levels to empower LGBTQ New Yorkers to get the health care they deserve.

    PlaySure Kit

    In December 2015, the Health Department launched PlaySure – a novel health marketing campaign to prevent HIV and other STIs, followed by StaySure in 2016. The goal of these sex-positive campaigns is to reach all New Yorkers and encourage them to choose their preferred tools to prevent HIV and other STIs, regardless of their HIV status.

    NYC Condom

    In 2016, the Health Department and its partners distributed more than 38 million condoms at 3,500 diverse locations in New York City, including bars, clubs, restaurants, nail salons, barber shops, hospitals, clinics, universities, and community-based organizations. When used correctly and consistently, condoms are highly effective in preventing unintended pregnancies and offer effective protection against most STIs, including HIV. The City’s effort to increase the availability of condoms has contributed to citywide declines in teen pregnancy rates and HIV rates. To find free NYC Condoms, call 311 or visit nyc.gov/condoms. To learn more about condom use and sexual health or to download the free NYC Condom Finder app, please visit facebook.com/NYCcondom.

     

  • Credit Suisse’s NEXT Investors Backs Sapience Analytics

    Credit Suisse’s NEXT Investors Backs Sapience Analytics

    NEW YORK / PUNE (TIP):  Sapience Analytics, an innovative People Analytics solution company, announced, August 29,  a majority investment from Credit Suisse Asset Management’s NEXT Investors. The NEXT investment will be primarily used to accelerate Sapience Analytics’ expansion into the US market.

    Founded in 2009 with the vision to transform people, processes and productivity, Sapience Analytics is a market leader in People Analytics and provides a unique enterprise workforce analytics and efficiency solution. Sapience delivers unprecedented visibility into work patterns and behavior in an organization, which is being used by leaders of over 70 major customers to make better informed decisions and improve operating efficiencies across their enterprises. The Sapience platform focuses on helping companies achieve improved efficiencies for staffing, workload optimization, process improvement, robotic process automation, and outsourcing governance.

    “We are seeing rapid growth for Sapience in the US market. We stand to benefit from our relationship with the NEXT team and their rich industry network which will enhance our ability to accelerate further,” said Shirish Deodhar, CEO and Co-Founder of Sapience Analytics. “As a result of this investment, our headquarters will be relocated to the U.S., and we will continue to make strong management additions and add experienced board members to help capture a greater share of the large global enterprise market. Sapience is a unique People Analytics solution, and unlike other products, is based on automated capture and inferencing of work trends rather than any external or subjective people data.”

    Greg Grimaldi, Portfolio Manager, NEXT Investors at Credit Suisse Asset Management, said, “With operational efficiency and human capital productivity continuing to be a focus for the financial services industry, businesses need to be smarter in how they deploy resources and allocate workflow. Sapience Analytics helps solve a big pain point by empowering large institutions to efficiently manage human capital resources to help optimize work streams across an increasingly disparate workforce made up of permanent staff, third-party vendors, consultants, and contractors.”

    Joining the Sapience Analytics board of directors are Frank Fanzilli, Senior Advisor to NEXT Investors and former Global CIO at Credit Suisse First Boston, and Corporate Director at EnterpriseDB, SugarCRM, and Linux Foundation, and Mr. Grimaldi. As part of this investment, industry veteran Bradley Killinger has also joined as the President of the company, leading the North American business as well as global sales and marketing. His background includes prior leadership positions at IBM, Oracle, Unisys, among other firms.

    “The Sapience platform has a unique value proposition that helps customers significantly improve workforce productivity while also improving employee engagement. Our technology-agnostic approach allows for fast and easy deployments that enable early ROIs for our customers. I am thrilled to be joining such an innovative company as we help define the People Analytics market,” said Mr. Killinger.

    Sapience Analytics is helping more than 100,000 users and over 70 enterprises across 12 countries to move the needle on employee engagement, organizational productivity, and business profitability. The company’s current client base comes from Fortune Global 200 enterprises, top 50 global IT services firms, engineering, finance, and business process outsourcing companies.

  • Northeast Queens Women Rally for Paul Vallone

    Northeast Queens Women Rally for Paul Vallone

    Elected Officials and Prominent Community Leaders Endorse Vallone

    QUEENS, NY (TIP): On Monday, August 21, Council Member Vallone stood with Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic and many prominent female community leaders as they rallied to show their support for the Council Member’s re-election. Supporters cited not only his work to improve the quality of life for the residents of Northeast Queens but also his work on issues that affect women.

    “As a husband and father of two wonderful daughters, I am very aware of the issues that affect women throughout our City. I am proud to fight for legislation and initiatives that protect and empower women in their personal and professional lives,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “All the great work that we’ve accomplished in my first four years could not have happened without the help and support of all the women standing here with us today.  I look forward to another four years of productive partnership as we continue to fight for Northeast Queens.”

    During his tenure in the City Council, Council Member Vallone has secured funding for the complete renovation and restoration of a landmarked building in Fort Totten that will serve as the new home for the Center of the Women of New York (CWNY). Since their founding in 1987, the Center has shown that women working together can be an effective force. They are a voluntary, non-profit organization existing primarily on dues from their members and on the volunteer efforts of business, professional and community women. They strive to be a one-stop, walk-in resource center for women.

    In addition, the Council Member has allocated over $375,000 to fight domestic violence through the Domestic Violence and Empowerment (DOVE) initiative as well as supported legislation that equals the playing field for women.

    “Paul A. Vallone is a tireless advocate for Northeast Queens whose leadership has improved our quality of life,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. “I look forward to his reelection and continuing our work together to advance the World’s borough”

    “As we approach the 100-year-anniversary of the Women’s Suffrage Movement in New York, it is vital that we reflect on the strides women have made, but also where inequality still persists,” State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said. “Unfortunately, this presidential administration has proven inefficient in furthering equality for women, but I have seen everyday people as well as state and city elected officials take up the mantel and continue to push for equality for all. That is why it is imperative we continue to elect true progressives, like Councilman Vallone, who are proven allies for minority and disenfranchised groups.  As a progressive Democrat and a woman, I can think of no better person to represent the 19th City Council District.”

    “Council Member Paul Vallone has consistently and passionately advocated for Queens families in the City Council whether it concerns our schools, pedestrian safety, supporting small businesses, or elevating women in the workforce,” said Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. “I proudly endorse Paul and look forward to continuing our partnership on issues making a difference for the future of our communities.”

  • Deputy killed, CHP officers injured in shooting near Sacramento County motel

    Deputy killed, CHP officers injured in shooting near Sacramento County motel

    Suspect in shooting of California deputy identified has violent record

    SACRAMENTO, CA (TIP): Sacramento County Sheriff’s investigators have identified two of the three suspects involved in a deadly shootout that killed one deputy and injured two CHP officers.

    According to a press release, homicide detectives say Thomas Daniel Littlecloud, 32, of Castro Valley, used a high-powered assault rifle in a shootout with sheriff’s deputies which resulted in the shooting death of 21-year veteran Deputy Robert French Wednesday afternoon.

    The situation began a little after 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30, when the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department Auto Theft Task Force was near the Ramada Inn along Auburn Boulevard when they located a stolen car in the parking lot.

    The investigators attempted to stop the suspected car when a chase ensued. Two women entered the suspect car, which eventually led them to Elk Grove, where the women were eventually detained, according to deputies.

    California Highway Patrol officers arrested one woman, later identified as Priscilla Prendez, 23, of Oakland, and charged her with felony vehicle theft and evasion.

    The other woman was questioned and released, according to deputies.

    Since Prendez was reportedly on a searchable probation, CHP investigators returned to the Ramada Inn to search the room she was apparently staying in. The investigators knocked on the door of the room to see if other people were in the room, and were greeted by gunshots through the door and walls of the room toward the officers, deputies said.

    The gunfire struck the two CHP investigators, according to sheriff’s officials. Sheriff’s deputies were positioned on the back side of the hotel room where Littlecloud was trying to exit when they came into contact with the suspect.

    Littlecloud opened fire on the deputies, striking Deputy French. The suspect fled from the balcony into a nearby car where he then led officers on a chase south on Fulton Avenue and then east on El Camino Avenue, investigators said.

    The suspect crashed the car just west of Watt Avenue, and engaged pursuing officers in firefight. The suspect was struck by gunfire and detained. He was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital.

    Littlecloud is being treated at a local hospital and is currently in critical condition with life-threatening wounds.

    The car Littlecloud was driving was allegedly reported stolen out of the bay area, investigators said. Littlecloud has a criminal history dating back to 2004, including a six-year sentence for assault with a semi-automatic weapon and prison time of more than a year for vehicle theft, court records said.

    He was also sentenced in 2013 to three years for evading a police officer and possessing and illegal gun and twice violated parole in 2015.

    The two wounded CHP officers are being treated at a local hospital. They are in stable condition and expected to survive.

    Deputy French, 52, however, died of his injuries en route to the hospital. He leaves behind three adult children, grandchildren, a sister, and live-in girlfriend.

    An independent review of the officer involved shooting will be conducted by the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office and the Inspector General.

    The six other deputies involved in the shooting will be placed on paid administrative leave pending the investigation as per standard department protocol.

     

  • Five honored at AIA Benefit Gala to Fund Deepavali at South Street Seaport

    Five honored at AIA Benefit Gala to Fund Deepavali at South Street Seaport

    MELVILLE, NY (TIP): The Association of Indians in America, NY Chapter (AIA-NY) held its Benefit Gala in support for its 30th Annual Deepavali Festival at the Hilton Hotel in Melville, Long Island on August 26, 2016. The Gala was attended by a large number which included past presidents of AIA, Community Leaders and dignitaries including members of the media and sponsors who expressed their continued commitment and support for the Deepavali Festival.

    The 30th Annual Deepavali Festival will take place at the South Street Seaport on Sunday October 1st from 12 noon till 7pm, culminating with a spectacular display of Fireworks. The event is one of the largest in the tri-state area, attracting 75,000 – 100,000 people. Festival of Deepavali meaning ‘A row of lamps’ is also popularly known as Diwali, or ‘Festival of Lights’.  It signifies the triumph of ‘Good over Evil’. The festival will be a full day celebration with numerous corporate booths, food & clothing vendors, performances and activities for the whole family including a live grand display of fireworks.

    AIA President Gobind Munjal speaks about the flagship event of AIA-Diwali at South Street Seaport.

    Among the individuals honored at the Gala were Vaijinath Chakote, MD, Physician/ Entrepreneur, Empire Medical Services, Aditya Mattoo, MD, Nephrologist, NYU Langone Medical Center, Mr. Chintu Patel & Falguni Patel, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Amneal Pharmaceuticals and Ashutosh Tewari, MD, Chairman of Urology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital.

    The evening was blessed by the presence of Padma Vibhushan Legendary Pandit Jasraj Ji and special performances from Miss Teen Bollywood USA 2017, Manjari Parekh.

    This is the 30th year of Deepavali & 50th year of the Association of Indians in America. The highlights of 30th Deepavali 2017 will include Naach Inferno returning to the stage of Deepavali with college and university teams from around the Tri-State area as they showcase dances fusing both East and West cultures. Presented by Star Plus, the competition will be showcased globally.

    The Association of Indians in America (AIA) is the oldest not-for-profit organization of Asian Indians in America founded on August 20, 1967. It is the grassroots national organization of Asian immigrants in the United States. With chapters and membership spread across the United States of America, AIA represents the hopes and aspirations of those immigrants who are united by their common bond of Indian Heritage and American Commitment.

    This year, AIA-NY’s 30th Deepavali celebrations are going to be held on Sunday Oct 1, 2017 at the South Street Seaport. Please look for the announcement of a celebrity very soon.

    For more info, please find us on Facebook and visit our website at www.theaiany.org.

  • 13Year Old Indian Origin Boy Gets Top Score in Mensa IQ

    13Year Old Indian Origin Boy Gets Top Score in Mensa IQ

    Dhruv Garg achieved 162 in his entry IQ test – the maximum possible, which places him in the top one per cent of people in the world, a report said.

    “I’m really looking forward to the new school year, I really like school and want to use the app to help people,” Garg said.

    LONDON (TIP): A 13-year-old Indian-origin boy in the UK has got the highest possible score of 162 on a Mensa IQ test, placing him in the top one per cent people in the world who achieved this feat.

    Dhruv Garg, from Wokingham in south east England, was looking for something to occupy his time during the summer holidays and decided to try out for the intellectual society.

    The schoolboy achieved 162 in his entry IQ test – the maximum possible, which places him in the top one per cent of people in the world, the Daily Mirror reported.

    He also scored in the highest mark in the second test, known as the Culture Fair scale, getting 152.

    This score qualifies him amongst the rare one per cent of the population who take the Mensa exam worldwide in both the exams.

    Garg, who goes to Reading School, a grammar in Berkshire, has also been developing an app to combat social isolation by helping lonely people meet up.

    The app connects people who live in the same area who want to meet new people.

    “I was just so surprised to get the result. I was looking for something to do over the summer holidays and so I thought I’d try taking the test, but did not expect to do so well,” he said.

    “I’m really looking forward to the new school year, I really like school and want to use the app to help people,” Garg said.

    His mother, Divya, said the whole family is proud of their young prodigy, whose favorite subjects are maths and chemistry.

    “When he got the maximum score, they told me it’s the highest mark possible but I didn’t realize what it meant. It was only when I spoke to Mensa that they told me I said, ‘oh my God’ this is special, this is really something worth celebrating,” she said.

    A keen cricketer and table tennis player, Garg can also complete a Rubik’s Cube in under 100 seconds.

    “In year, one was when we started to realize he was gifted as his teachers said he was very sharp and had to have special lessons, so all along he was always special. He is an avid reader and reads a lot of journals,” Garg’s mother said.

    Mensa is believed to be the largest and oldest high IQ society in the world. Membership is open to anyone who can demonstrate an IQ in the top two per cent of the population, measured by a recognized or approved IQ testing process.

     

  • Yoshita Singh, a senior journalist and author of the book ‘Shrilal Shukla’s Raag Darbari: Satire in Indian Literature- A Critical Analysis’ honored by Nassau County

    Yoshita Singh, a senior journalist and author of the book ‘Shrilal Shukla’s Raag Darbari: Satire in Indian Literature- A Critical Analysis’ honored by Nassau County

    MINEOLA, NY (TIP): Senior United Nations and New York journalist Yoshita Singh was honored with a citation as she presented her newly released book, a scholarly and analytical critique on satire in Indian literature based on the work of one of India’s most renowned authors, to Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos.

    Singh is an acclaimed and experienced journalist and has been covering New York and the United Nations for India’s most prestigious news agency Press Trust of India since 2011.

    She presented a copy of her debut book ‘Shrilal Shukla’s Raag Darbari: Satire in Indian Literature. A Critical Analysis’ to Maragos at his office in Nassau County on Au-gust 18. Also present on the occasion was Deputy Comptroller for Minority Affairs Dilip Chauhan. Maragos honored Singh with a citation that noted her new book.

    Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos honoring Senior journalist Yoshita Singh with citation during presentation of her new book ‘Shrilal Shukla’s Raag Darbari: Satire in Indian Literature. A Critical Analysis’ to him on August 18 at the Comptroller’s Office at 240 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY 11501.Seen in the picture, from L to R: Deputy Comptroller for Minority Affairs Mr. Dilip Chauhan, Nassau County Comptroller Mr. George Maragos, Yoshita Singh, Mrs. Savita Mohabe, Mr. Raj Mohabe.

    Singh has “accomplished extraordinary success and have distinguished yourself among your peers,” the citation read adding that Singh has “demonstrated selfless commitment to our community and its residents that warrants attention and gratitude.”

    The citation from the Nassau County Comptroller’s office recognizes outstanding individuals who have rendered significant contributions for the enhancement of the community.

    Maragos congratulated Singh on her new book, expressing confidence that the book will be a notable contribution in the field of literature, not only in India, and will enhance readers’ understanding of the use of satire in depicting prevalent political, social and cultural realities.

    Chauhan also congratulated Singh on her literary achievement, saying the book will definitely add to a reader’s perspective of the use of literary genres to highlight social best practices as well as ills.

    “Singh brilliantly demonstrates in her book that every form of literary expression, be it satire or humor, should be respected for the enduring messages they portray about life,” Chauhan said.

    Singh said she was honored to be able to present her book to the Comptroller and expressed gratitude for his words of appreciation for her and the citation. She said her book is a scholastic analysis on satire in Indian literature, with special focus on ‘Raag Darbari’, a brilliant novel by the late Shrilal Shukla, who is known as among the most accomplished writers in India for his political and social satires. Shukla was awarded India’s highest literary honor, the ‘Sahitya Akademi Award’ in 1969 for Raag Darbari.

    Singh said through her book, she has attempted a critical analysis of Shukla’s use of satire in depicting the realities and sensibilities of rural life in post-independence India and whether circumstances have changed or remained the same 70 years after the world’s largest democracy attained independence.

    Yoshita Singh is Senior Correspondent based in New York for the Press Trust of India. She covers the United Nations and New York for India’s largest newswire, which is headquartered in New Delhi. She has 14 years’ experience and has worked in Chicago, Boston and New Delhi.

    Singh has a Master’s Degree in English Literature from the University of Lucknow in India and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism through distance education from the Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communications in Pune. She also did a digital journalism course from Harvard University.

  • Indian-American Helps with Life Saving Medication during Hurricane Harvey

    Indian-American Helps with Life Saving Medication during Hurricane Harvey

    HOUSTON, TX (TIP):   When a Texas hospital called to request a rare disease medication, an Indian-American CEO of a pharmacy firm got it shipped by to Houston from Orlando by sending his employee to pick it up as all logistics company were unable to deliver overnight due to Hurricane Harvey.

    Harish Katharani, founder and CEO of Southside Group of Companies, explained Impavido – only oral treatment drug used for critically ill patients with Leishmaniasis – costs about USD 49,000 and hence is not readily stocked by pharmacies.

    Mr. Kathrani sent one of his employee to get the drug shipped to Texas Children’s Hospital in the midst of Harvey, the most powerful hurricane to hit the US mainland in 13 years. Harvey has left a trail of destruction across Texas, pummeling the region with heavy rains. Around 13 million people have been battling “catastrophic” flooding in Texas.

    In another incident, Medicare Advantage provider TexanPlus contacted Southside’s Texas Medical Centre to inquire if the firm could provide services to their patients during the hurricane weekend.

    Despite not being contracted by this health maintenance organization, Southside readily volunteered to provide healthcare services to their patients during this crisis.

    TexanPlus circulated an internal memo letting their case workers know about Southside’s availability during Hurricane Harvey.

    The Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston’s Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia stated that he was proud that one of their Chamber members was going above and beyond the call of duty to serve the community in this hour of need.

    Southside is a pharmacist owned and operated company established in 1992. They ship specialty medication to over 35 states. Their pharmacies will remain open during the weekend’s regular hours but their pharmacist and nurses are on call 24/7 to help Texans tide over the troubles case by the hurricane.

    Mr. Katharani, who came to the US in 1972, is a generous donor to various charitable organizations such as MS Society, Hep-C Clinic, Liver Foundations as well as to Cancer and HIV research institutions.

  • Sam Pitroda Announces Overseas Congress Expansion Worldwide

    Sam Pitroda Announces Overseas Congress Expansion Worldwide

    LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK (TIP): The newly appointed Chairman of the Overseas Congress Dept of AICC, Sam Pitroda addressed The Indian National Overseas Congress USA members in New York.

    A press release issued by INOC said INOC USA hosted a welcome event for its new leader at the Cotillion Banquet Hall in New York on August 26th, 2017. The event was attended by all the chapters of Overseas Congress, the executive committee and its National President Shudh Parkash Singh.

    The event started with Shudh Singh introducing Sam Pitroda as a great Patriot and a man who brought revolution in Telecom and Communication in India working with the complex bureaucracy, a difficult system and obsolete resources in the 1980’s. He said that Sam Pitroda was able to bring the telephone to every household in India with his initiative (CDOT) and said that he was fortunate to be working with a legend like Sam Pitroda who is our Chairman Overseas Congress Dept AICC. Shudh also stated he will follow all directions of Sam Pitroda like he always followed earlier Chairman’s directions.

     “Our dynamic leader Rahul Gandhi could not have appointed a better person to lead overseas congress in my opinion”, added Shudh Parkash Singh.

    Sam Pitroda spoke on his journey in transforming Digital and telecommunication system in India and also recalled the support he received from the then Prime Minister – Late Rajiv Gandhi. He said that he was specifically entrusted to rebuild and energize the Overseas Congress by the Congress President Smt.Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Shri Rahul Gandhi. He said that he will work on building Overseas Congress in many countries and asked all members to work unitedly in this mission as he said that only Congress can build a strong, secular and progressive India due to its inherent ideology. He recalled so many developments seeds that were sown with his initiatives and during the tenures of Late Rajiv Gandhi & Dr. Manmohan Singh that India is now reaping the benefits. He hoped that all NRI’s will work towards building a strong India. He mentioned he is at the fag end of his life, with two multiple bypass surgeries and Cancer and his only mission is to sow more seeds that will build a better India in the future. He said that he will do his best to give Overseas Congress a good platform for this mission.

    Gurmit Singh Gill Mulanpur provided details of Chalo Punjab campaign he led for recent PUNJAB elections. He offered to repeat the same success for other states of India. Two veteran leaders from Punjab Mr. KK Bawa and Mr. Dakha also addressed the gathering.

    Rajendar Dichpally (National General Secretary) spoke on how NRI’s can play an important role in developing the Congress Party in India and hoped the new Chairman will encourage NRI’s to return to India to serve in Social and Public Life. He also asked Sam Pitroda to build an effective communication channel to take the good thoughts and feedback from NRI’s for various policies and programs that can be implemented in India. Dr.Rajinder Jenna spoke on the Telangana chapter activities and how the chapter was working with telangana Congress in giving ideas and support to their activities. Chaitanya asked Sam Pitroda to speak to the Consul General in New York to reintroduce direct flights from Newark (NJ) to Hyderabad (India).

    Kalathil Varghese spoke on the activities of Kerala Chapter and also introduced his team and spoke to the good work being done in the chapter under the leadership of Joby George where they organized a national convention in Chicago. Ravi Chopra recalled the good work done by the President Shudh Jasuja under the previous President’s and also his role in Organizing a massive reception for Congress President Smt.Sonia Gandhi in 2001. Phuman Singh spoke on the need for Congress Vice President Shri Rahul Gandhi to visit USA and address the Diaspora.

  • Annual New Jersey Gala Spotlights South Asian Children with Special Needs

    Annual New Jersey Gala Spotlights South Asian Children with Special Needs

    SOMERSET, NJ (TIP): Special needs children and their families will be honored through an innovative program and fashion show at the SKN Foundation’s annual gala on Friday, September 22nd at the Marigold Hotel in Somerset, New Jersey. The major beneficiary of this year’s fundraiser is the Special Needs Community Outreach Program for Empowerment (SCOPE). “Special needs children and their families are, historically, more isolated, and through the SCOPE program, we hope to create an accessible support system for South Asian families,” said Dr. Naveen Mehrotra, founder of the SKN Foundation.

    Guest of Honor Juhi Chawla, a renowned Indian actress, humanitarian and former Miss India says that “helping people brings more happiness than any material thing. Sharing is the true path to spiritual growth and happiness.” In addition to providing the keynote address, Chawla will also walk the runway as the show stopper for international fashion designer to the stars, Joy Mitra, who will be debuting a special collection he has created just for the cause.

    The fashion show will also enable special needs children to walk the ramp in their individual styles. “What an amazing opportunity for my son! I am so proud of him every day, and walking the ramp, dressed up so fabulously, allows him to know that we love him just as he is,” said Radha Lath, mother of Aditya Lath.

    The emcee for the evening will be Mini Mathur, a celebrity host and television personality in India. “Parents of special needs children have an unbelievable level of grit and determination as they face daily life issues, and I am honored to be shedding light on some of their challenges at the SKN Foundation Gala,” said Mathur. The event has been conceptualized and will be executed by Sonalika Ahuja of Beyond Media.

  • 200 Indian Students Trapped in Flood-Hit Houston, Rescue Efforts on: Tweets Sushma Swaraj

    200 Indian Students Trapped in Flood-Hit Houston, Rescue Efforts on: Tweets Sushma Swaraj

    HOUSTON, TX (TIP): Union minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted, August 30th that 200 Indian students have been trapped in Houston — one of the biggest cities in the US — which is witnessing devastating floods after Hurricane Harvey, one of the worst storms in decades, hit the area last week.

    In a series of tweets the foreign minister, who is known for her prompt interventions, said every effort is being made to rescue the students. She said she is in touch with the Consul General of India in Houston, Anupam Ray, who is in charge of the rescue operations.

    The students, the minister said, are at the campus of the University of Houston, an area under neck-deep water. The US Coast Guard did not allow India to send them food and other relief material, as boats are needed to reach the affected areas, she said. Currently, the local police, along with the US national and state guards, are carrying out the relief work. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has pushed in 4,000 troops for rescue and recovery missions in the floods, which he described as “epic and catastrophic”.

    Two of the students, she tweeted, are unwell and have been hospitalized. The ministry is ensuring that their relatives reach them as soon as possible.

    Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall on Friday, has been the most powerful hurricane to hit Texas in more than 50 years. The authorities say the region has witnessed a year’s worth of rain in just one week. Two persons have died in the resulting floods. The local media reported that the authorities expect the toll to rise as the storm triggers tidal surges and tornadoes.

    The locals in Houston and other areas of Texas have been asked not to leave their flooded homes as the roads are deep under water and completely impassable.

    The local media reported that over the weekend, there have been 1000 calls for rescues. Most people have been forced to take refuge in rooftops or higher grounds. Around 30,000 people will shelter, the state authorities have said.

  • DREAMERS get support: Rep. Joe Crowley and Rep. Roybal-Allard d support DACA

    DREAMERS get support: Rep. Joe Crowley and Rep. Roybal-Allard d support DACA

    Crowley Calls Trump compassionless

    WASHINGTON DC (TIP):  House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley (D-NY) issued the following statement on the Day of Action to support the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program:

    “President Trump promised compassion for the young men and women who came to the United States as children and grew up American. However, it is clear that  President Trump has no idea what compassion is.

    “His insistence on bending to the political will of the most extreme, anti-immigrant voices in his party is harmful to the United States’ long term success. Nowhere is this more true than when it comes to his position on DREAMers. These young people contribute to our economy, to our communities, and to our society. They should be celebrated for overcoming great odds to attend college, open small businesses, and serve in the military. While it seems clear that President Trump plans to effectively end the DACA program, it should be as equally clear that Democrats will stand with DREAMers to push back against this misguided decision. Our message to President Trump is simple: if you want to attack DREAMers, you’re going to have to go through us.”

    Rescinding DACA would devastate young immigrants and hurt local communities and economies, says Allard

    Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), the ranking Democrat on the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee and the co-chair of the Women’s Working Group on Immigration Reform, issued the following statement as President Trump considers the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

    “It is unconscionable and un-American that President Trump is even considering devastating the futures of the nearly 800,000 young Dreamers who are American in every way, but their immigration status. DACA helps young people who know no home but the United States, to use their talents to strengthen our economy, our society, and our communities.”

    “Since DACA was created, it has contributed to the positive economic outlook of cities, states, and our nation as a whole. Simply put, without the contributions, innovations and inventions of immigrants, America would suffer. Terminating this critical program would force hundreds of thousands of young people out of the workforce and into the shadows. It would disrupt businesses and send adverse shockwaves through the economies of most of our states.”

    “The President’s decision to terminate DACA would send a chilling message to immigrant communities across our nation. It would upend their lives and the lives of their families and would be at odds with the wishes of the vast majority of Americans, who, regardless of their political affiliation, overwhelmingly support giving these young individuals a chance at the American Dream to continue their lives in the only nation they call home.”

    “President Trump should not betray the trust of those who have come forward, passed background checks and were granted permission to live and work legally in America. In fact, Mr. Trump should embrace their stories and contributions, and not search for ways to undermine their place in our nation’s future.”

    “I call on President Trump to provide certainty for the 800,000 young individuals to remain in their American home and not submit them to the senseless cruelty of deportation.”

    “In the meantime, I will continue fighting in Congress to protect those covered by DACA. Together, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and I introduced the DREAM Act of 2017, a bipartisan, bicameral bill allowing certain U.S.-raised immigrant youth to earn lawful permanent residence and a pathway to American citizenship. I hope the stories of these DREAMers and the invaluable benefits of their presence helps to convince my colleagues in Congress to join me in this bill. ”

     

  • USCIS to Expand In-Person Interview Requirements for Certain Permanent Residency Applicants

    USCIS to Expand In-Person Interview Requirements for Certain Permanent Residency Applicants

    WASHINGTON DC (TIP): U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin expanding in-person interviews for certain immigration benefit applicants whose benefit, if granted, would allow them to permanently reside in the United States. This change complies with Executive Order 13780, “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States,” and is part of the agency’s comprehensive strategy to further improve the detection and prevention of fraud and further enhance the integrity of the immigration system.

    Effective Oct. 1, USCIS will begin to phase-in interviews for the following:

    • Adjustment of status applications based on employment (Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status).

    • Refugee/asylee relative petitions (Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition) for beneficiaries who are in the United States and are petitioning to join a principal asylee/refugee applicant.

    Previously, applicants in these categories did not require an in-person interview with USCIS officers in order for their application for permanent residency to be adjudicated. Beyond these categories, USCIS is planning an incremental expansion of interviews to other benefit types.

    “This change reflects the Administration’s commitment to upholding and strengthening the integrity of our nation’s immigration system,” said Acting USCIS Director James W. McCament. “USCIS and our federal partners are working collaboratively to develop more robust screening and vetting procedures for individuals seeking immigration benefits to reside in the United States.”

    Conducting in-person interviews will provide USCIS officers with the opportunity to verify the information provided in an individual’s application, to discover new information that may be relevant to the adjudication process, and to determine the credibility of the individual seeking permanent residence in the United States.  USCIS will meet the additional interview requirement through enhancements in training and technology as well as transitions in some aspects of case management.

     

  • Trump unveils Afghanistan and South Asia policy, calls for deeper strategic partnership with India

    Trump unveils Afghanistan and South Asia policy, calls for deeper strategic partnership with India

    WASHINGTON DC (TIP): US President Donald Trump announced a comprehensive review of the US South Asia policy in Afghanistan and the region. Calling out Pakistan’s duplicitous role in harboring agents of terror and violence on its soil, Trump called for further developing strategic partnership with India, ‘the world’s largest democracy and a key security and economic partner of the United States.’ Noting that billions of dollars were given as aid to Pakistan Trump declared, “They are housing the very terrorists we are fighting……That will have to change and that will change immediately. No partnership can survive a country’s harboring of terrorists.”

     President Trump hailed India’s role in stabilizing Afghanistan, adding, “We appreciate India’s important contributions to stability in Afghanistan, but India makes billions of dollars in trade from the United States, and we want them to help us war with Afghanistan, especially in the area of economic assistance and development.” Even as Trump elevates India’s bilateral status as an un-declared ally, in Afghanistan, India has long shared cultural, social, economic and security ties with the beleaguered nation. In the region, India is the biggest regional donor to Afghanistan and globally the fifth largest donor with over $3 billion in assistance. India has been an active partner in the reconstruction and infrastructure development in Afghanistan, building critical infrastructure including roadways, highways, dams, electricity lines, educational centers and even the Afghan Parliament building. India also trains Afghan military officers. Reinforcing its partnership with India and rebuking Pakistan for its role in terror activities in the region, Trump is strengthening India’s image as a force for good, democracy and stability. This shift in American policy in South Asia carries huge implications regarding India’s role vis-a- vis both Pakistan and China.

     Sanjay Puri, Chairman, US India Political Action Committee, said, “President Trump has recognized India’s key role in maintaining peace and stability in South Asia. As close strategic allies, India and the US can defeat ISIS and the Taliban and ensure stability in South Asia and Afghanistan.”

     

  • Two Indians Charged in Federal Court with Smuggling Counterfeit Cigarettes

    Two Indians Charged in Federal Court with Smuggling Counterfeit Cigarettes

    MIAMI, FL (TIP): Abhishek Shukla and Harish Shabhai Panchal, both citizens of India, appeared in Federal District Court in Miami on Aug 30 to be formally arraigned on an indictment charging them and two companies, Jubilee Tobacco Industries Corp., and Pelican Tobacco (India) Private Limited, both incorporated under the laws of India, with conspiring to smuggle counterfeit cigarettes into the United States.

    Shukla and Panchal each face the following potential prison sentences: up to five years on Count 1, up to three years on Counts 2 and 4, and ten years on each of Counts 3 and 5. Additionally, they face possible fines of up to $250,000 on each count, followed by supervised release of up to five years. Jubilee faces a fine of up to $500,000 on Count 1 and Pelican faces a possible fine of $500.000 per Count.

    According to court records, including allegations contained in the indictment, beginning as early as March 2015 and continuing through August 16, 2017, the defendants initiated contact with an individual cooperating with FDA-OCI, offering counterfeit cigarettes for sale. Through internet negotiations, agreement was reached for a 20-foot container to be shipped from India to Miami, Florida, laden with counterfeit Newport brand cigarettes. Payment for the shipment was made in installments through international wire transfers to bank accounts in India and in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. On November 1, 2016, the container arrived in the USA and was seized with the assistance of United States Customs and Border Protection Officers at the Port of Miami. If distributed in the State of Florida, the un-taxed importation would have an approximate value of $1.2 million. Analysis conducted by FDA’s Forensic Chemistry Center concluded that the cartons, packs, and cigarettes were all counterfeit.

    Within two weeks of the arrival, the coconspirators sought out the undercover agents offering another shipment, twice as large. By April 2017, deposits totaling $55,000 had been made to accounts in the name of Pelican for counterfeit Newport cigarettes. On June 9, 2017, the container arrived at the Port of Miami and was seized with the assistance of United States Customs and Border Protection Officers, and turned over to FDA Special Agents. If distributed in the State of Florida, the un-taxed importation would have an approximate value of $3.2 million.

    According to acts described in the conspiracy charge, Shukla and Panchal travelled to Miami in August 2017 to meet with the undercover agents in order to promote further business dealings. During the recorded meeting, they advised the agents that they had been partners for twelve years and personally oversaw the production of all the product being offered. They also assured the agents that they could counterfeit any American-made menthol cigarette with no problem, as well as other trademarked brands and that they could produce tobacco blends which would closely match the legitimate product.

  • Indian student dies in Texas flood

    Indian student dies in Texas flood

    HOUSTON, TX (TIP): Nikhil Bhatia, a 24-year-old Indian student has died three days after he was rescued along with an Indian woman from a swollen lake in Hurricane Harvey hit Texas where 13 million people are battling disastrous flooding. Bhatia was rescued from the Lake Bryan along with Shalini Singh on Saturday, Aug 26. Bhatia succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday, Aug 30. Shalini Singh is still critical.

    Bhatia, a PhD student at the Texas A&M University, completed his schooling from Jaipur’s St. Anslem’s Pink City Senior Secondary School in 2011 and did his B. Tech in Vellore, had recently graduated from Texas A&M University in Water Management and Hydrological Science. Shalini was pursuing master’s degree in public health from the same university.

    Bhatia, originally from Jaipur, along with Shalini, 25, from New Delhi, were swimming in the lake when a sudden current of water pushed them deeper. The friends accompanying them noticed that the duo were in distress and flagged down nearby police officers. Bryan Police officers were able to rescue and provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation to the victims until medics arrived, according to Bryan Mayor Andrew Nelson. Both were admitted to a hospital in a critical condition. Dr Anupam Ray, the Consul General of India in Houston, was attending to their medical needs. Bhatia’s mother, Dr Suman Bhatia, reached the US and was received by the consulate at Dallas Airport. External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj is in touch with Nikhil’s family. “Indian students Shalini and Nikhil Bhatia are in ICU. We are ensuring that their relatives reach (the US) at the earliest,” Sushma had tweeted earlier.

    At least 100,000 Indian-Americans living in and around Houston area have been severely affected by the tropical storm.

    The life-threatening storm has affected around 13 million people, with rains turning streets into rivers. At least 30 flood-related deaths have been confirmed by local officials.

  • September 1 New York Print Edition

    September 1 New York Print Edition

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    Print Replica ~ Digitally

    E-Edition

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”New York Edition” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” google_fonts=”font_family:Istok%20Web%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theindianpanorama.news%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F09%2FTIP-September-1-NYC-1.pdf|||”][vc_single_image image=”87353″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://www.theindianpanorama.news/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/TIP-September-1-NYC-1.pdf”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”82828″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://www.theindianpanorama.news/advertising-media-kit-portal-indian-panorama/”][vc_single_image image=”82829″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://www.theindianpanorama.news/advertising-media-kit-portal-indian-panorama/”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][td_block_ad_box spot_id=”custom_ad_3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Lead Stories This Week” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” google_fonts=”font_family:Istok%20Web%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Ftheindianpanorama.news%2Feditions%2F|||”][td_block_5 limit=”8″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”td-default”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Vegetarian Vision Convention on September 9 and 10 in New York

    Vegetarian Vision Convention on September 9 and 10 in New York

    NEW YORK CITY (TIP): Vegetarian Vision, a 501 (C ) Non-Profit Organization, will have a 2-day Health and Wellness EXPO to celebrate its 25th anniversary – International Vegetarian Convention at the Penn Plaza Pavilion (401 Seventh Ave. at 33 St., NYC) on Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10, 2017. The weekend will highlight Food for medicine – Health Talks by over 50 renowned speakers, compassion, healthy living and will feature non-stop food, fun, fitness, and wellness. The family-friendly festivities will include demonstrations, classes, tastings, fashion show, pageant, kids’ activities, youth activities and live cultural performances, beginning at 10 AM daily. Tickets are $15 for one day and $25 for the weekend. Additional information can be found on their website at www.vegetarianvision.org.

    During the two-day event, renowned celebrities, dignitaries and political leaders will be on hand to celebrate all things vegetarian. An expected 100+ merchants and vendors will be on site to introduce guests to the pleasure of vegetarianism. Over couple dozen food vendors will serve up plant-based, vegetarian and vegan fare from around the globe. Indian, Chinese Japanese, Indonesian, French, Kosher and American chefs will conduct cooking demonstrations and offer tasty samples throughout the day and adults will also be able to taste various vegan wines from a variety of purveyors while children enjoy various activities in the “Kids’ Corner.”

  • Babas can’t be stopped from political dabbling

    Babas can’t be stopped from political dabbling

    By R K Barik

    The judiciary has put a spanner in the BJP’s plans for Haryana, triggering an outburst from BJP chief Amit Shah. The BJP also faces hurdles in its Baba-first plan in Odisha where Naveen Patnaik has jailed 10 babas on charges of rape and cheating

    What is the mystery behind the Khattar government’s incompetence in handling Gurmeet ‘Ram Rahim’ Singh’s arrest? Is Khattar incompetent or is his administration inept? The real issue is their political design which needs a thorough probe.

    The Haryana CM’s handling of the law and order situation was criticized during the Jat agitation as well. The BJP Government did not restrain the Jat community from causing mayhem in some cities because it is part of the BJP’s political design to create anger in the other communities. That was the BJP’s politics of mobilization of other castes.

    The backroom boys of the BJP have worked out the execution of this plan in India in general and Haryana in particular. They found the Baba useful as he is rooted in the lower strata of society, especially the Dalits and marginalized communities.

    Why do the Babas dominate the local society? While conducting a study into the role of the babas in Odisha two years back I found that they have legitimacy in the prevailing tradition. Traditionally, the baba was a fakir without any wealth and power. With wisdom he helped the local people and earned his livelihoods by taking alms from the poor and rich alike.

    In Punjab and Haryana, the tradition of the Babas started in the similar manner. Capitalism helped the Deras to expand and gain wealth and power while in Odisha the market economy has grown at a slower pace. The Gurmeet Ram Rahims have acquired political power because of powerful politicians who have tried to benefit from their politicized social base. This has brought mafia with them to protect the ill-gotten wealth, women and power. But they do not bother being questioned by the legal society because of the support of police and the administration. This has created havoc in regional politics.

    But our study showed that the Chief Minister of Odisha allowed the police to take action against similar babas and they are now facing the courts. In Haryana, all the ministers led by the CM himself, went to Dera Sacha Sauda. As a result, the verdict against Ram Rahim encouraged his followers to create mayhem while Haryana Police and the paramilitary forces stood as bystanders.

    The BJP government of Haryana imbibed a lesson from Gujarat 2002. The then CM Narendra Modi used his political acumen to allow the dead bodies to from the train fire to go to Ahmedabad which fired the emotions of the Hindu community leading to riots. Again, as in Haryana, the Gujarat police and paramilitary forces stood as bystanders. Modi consolidated the Hindu community votes earning him repeated electoral victories.

    Here in Panchkula, the followers of Ram Rahim were allowed to attack government property, media and ordinary citizens resulting in the killing of 38 people. Ram Rahim was an ardent BJP supporter and his ashram had become the defacto office of the Haryana cabinet. Khattar, like Modi in Gujarat 2002, has no social support. Like Modi he is a pracharak and both are close friends. This riot is a planned and calculated pogrom which may lead to Modi and Khattar trying to consolidate their social base in Haryana.

    Let us examine the case of Odisha where around 10 babas were involved in cases of rape and cheating. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was instrumental in putting them behind bars while the BJP opposed the arrests by claiming the action was against Hindus. Patnaik refused to listen to anybody including two of his party MLAs who were ardent supporters of the Babas.

    The persecution of these Odisha babas is going on in the various courts. Here lies the difference in the administrations of Naveen Babu and Khattar.

    Baba politics of Odisha is different from Haryana’s Dera politics. The babas of Odisha do not have a single-caste support whereas the deras here have the support of specific castes. As the BJP is trying to replicate the Gujarat political project in Haryana, it is facing problems from the judiciary, specifically the High Court of Punjab and Haryana. That disturbs the political design of Amit Shah who has already blamed the courts. In Gujarat they got a sympathetic judiciary which helped them build their communal base after the riots organized by the Hindutva forces in 2002. To get justice, victims had to run to the Supreme Court which claimed that there was a failure of natural justice. It reopened the major cases and directed their trial outside Gujarat. In Haryana, they wanted the cult figure of Baba Ram Rahim to support BJP and by implication, the castes supporting Baba backed BJP as well.

    Can the BJP succeed now?  It is a million dollar question. They may take up the cases of the members of the Dera who were involved in violent clashes. That could help the mobilization of caste supporters of the Dera who would then prefer wait for a favorable High Court judge to bail out the Baba rather than try to destabilize the Khattar government. In the case of Odisha, the BJP worked with the Babas who are in jail but they do not have the caste support. That is the fear that is haunting the leaders of the BJP in Odisha. Moreover, Naveen babu does understand their political design he does not want to be the victim of the BJP design as happened in 2002.

    (The author is a Senior Fellow with ICSSR)

  • ‘I don’t share this optimism’

    ‘I don’t share this optimism’

    By Yogendra Yadav
    It is too early to feel elated. There is a VIP track in jail as Sanjay Dutt and Mukhtar Ansari have demonstrated. The episode also reeks of systemic failure and it seems odd that the nation is standing up to applaud a judge who just did his duty. And no one has questioned the death of so many fellow citizens in one police firing.
    The Indian State has personnel, apparatus, intent but no institutions that can undertake routine and regular governance.

    The sentencing of ‘Ram Rahim’ Gurmeet Singh has left us all a little smug. A false godman exposed, his empire about to be dismantled. At least one strand of the politician-baba nexus snapped. The government made to take firm action against violators of rule of law. Finally, if belatedly, the long arm of law has caught up with a high-profile criminal. A step in the right direction, it would seem.

     I do not share this optimism. Not just because this is a very small and tentative step and there is no room for complacency here. Gurmeet Singh has just been convicted by the first trial court; he may soon be out, pending the final disposal of protracted appeals. He may be in jail, but the experience of Shashikala and Sanjay Dutt reminds us that there is a VIP track even inside jails: special facilities, long hospital visits, unusual paroles and what not.

    For me ‘Ram Rahim’ episode stands for our systemic failure. The last one week exposed four dimensions of this failure: system of criminal justice, institutions of governance, political establishment and spiritual guardianship. The more we talk about some individual, episodic success, the more we underline our chronic collective failures.

    It would be odd to speak of the failure of the system of criminal justice in the week when judiciary is about the only institution that has redeemed itself. Everyone agrees and has rightly applauded the judge of the CBI court, Jagdeep Singh, for his courage and rectitude. The role of the Punjab & Haryana High Court must have restored the faith of many citizens, and not just those living in Panchkula, in the constitutional order of things. This also happens to be the week when the Supreme Court has annulled Triple Talaq and has given a stirring, incisive and far reaching verdict in defense of citizens’ personal freedoms under the right to privacy.

    Yet there is something odd if the whole nation has to applaud a judge for performing his normal duty. It is an acknowledgement that routine, regular dispensation of justice is so rare, when the accused happens to be someone as powerful as Gurmeet Singh. We cannot lose sight of the fact that it took fifteen years since the first complaint and nearly ten years of hearing for justice to be dispensed. It reminds us of all the pitfalls that our criminal justice system suffers from: victim’s reluctance to approach police in the first instance, refusal to take cognizance of the first complaint, brazen refusal to record dying declaration of a brave journalist for three weeks, protracted delays, appeals and other ways in which the powerful bend the law. It was a fortuitous coming together of fearless victim, meticulous & honest investigator and an upright judge that brought Gurmeet Singh to the book. This case brings out the capricious nature of our criminal justice system. As any good lawyer would tell you, it’s a lottery.

    The governance failure in Panchkula touched a new low. Everything about the violence on the 25th was known well in advance: the date, the time, the venue and the actors. Thus, the occurrence on the 25th can only be attributed to lack of political will and the reluctant refusal to observe elementary protocols of law & order that were observed, for example, in Punjab. The episode also highlighted another growing institutional deficit: when the top boss blinks, everyone down the line takes a snooze.

    If Haryana government’s inaction highlighted one aspect of government’s failure, its subsequent action highlighted the other dimension. Given the low credibility of Dera’s supporters, no one has yet asked searching questions about the death of 38 persons, one of the highest casualties, in police firing in one incident in recent times. Granting that use of force was necessary and sanctioned to deal with an unruly crowd, the question still remains if force was used as per procedure laid by law. Was the crowd given sufficient & effective warnings to disperse and told about possible consequences? Were all other avenues – tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, firing in air — duly exhausted before resorting to firing on the crowd? And, was there even an attempt to fire below the waist, as required?

    Put together, the criminal inaction and action of Haryana government present the picture of a state that withers away, at least momentarily. The Indian State has personnel, apparatus, intent but no institutions that can undertake routine and regular governance.

    The failure of political establishment is deeper than what we think. It is not just the comic, tragic failure of Mr. Khattar and his colleagues ever hopeful of dislodging him. It is not just the brazen collusion between the ruling BJP and Dera Sacha Sauda. We must not forget that all the major parties of Haryana and Punjab including the Congress, the Akalis and the INLD, have been in bed with the Dera at one point or the other in recent history. The BJP is clearly paying back for Dera’s support during 2014 elections, But so did the Congress in 2009 and the INLD before that. Let us not forget that none of the national leaders of any party that matters electorally in this region – BJP, Congress, SAD, INLD, AAP – have had the courage to welcome this verdict. Clearly no one wants to rule out a future deal with the Dera. It’s not just that our political establishment is opportunistic and ethically compromised, above all, this establishment is so weak, ever-dependent on the tiniest vote-bank that comes its way.

    (The author is a politician, psepholigist and academic)

  • In State of bedlam: Governance under question

    In State of bedlam: Governance under question

    By MG Devasahayam

    “Before doing so she did not call up the CM, not even the Chief Secretary or Home Secretary. Because there was no need since DM is the final authority. But this very DM had earlier allowed such massive and unruly crowd to assemble inside this small, satellite town of Chandigarh, despite prohibitory orders being in place! This is a clear case of governance failure and the state abdicating its primary role — that of maintaining law and order by taking preventive action”, says the author.

    L’affaire Panchkula threw up a strange phenomenon, rather an apparition as to the maintenance of law and order, the primary responsibility of any civilized state. The District Magistrate and the police, representing the state, allowed the unruly crowd to assemble in large numbers. The Punjab and Haryana High Court directed how this crowd was to be controlled and it was the Army that controlled it. A complete role reversal of governance and government!

    Everyone is pouncing on the Haryana Chief Minister. Naturally so, because this is the third time in three years that Khattar has proved his inefficiency. The Rampal incident in November 2014, which left six dead, was the beginning. The breakdown of the official machinery during the Jat agitation in February 2016 was the second. Now, it is the dera havoc in Panchkula and other places in the state that left many dead and bleeding.

    But why is the CM being targeted when the statute is clear on who is responsible for maintaining law and order? Section 144 (1), CrPC, is meant to prevent unruly crowd to gather and indulge in arson and vandalism, and gives power to the DM, or other executive magistrates to issue such direction to ‘prevent obstruction, annoyance or injury to any person lawfully employed, or danger to human life, health or safety, or a disturbance of the public tranquility, or a riot, of an affray’.

    Rule 1.15 of Punjab Police Rule, 1934 (adopted by Haryana) is more specific: ‘The DM is the head of the criminal administration of the district, and the police force is the instrument provided by government to enable him to enforce his authority and fulfil his responsibility for the maintenance of law and order. The police force in a district is, therefore, placed by law under the general control and direction of the DM who is responsible that it carries out its duties in such a manner that effective protection is afforded to the public against lawlessness and disorder.’ Therefore, it is the legally mandated duty of the DM called DC to take decisions and direct all steps to maintain law and order. The police is bound to obey all such directions.

    When a situation becomes serious, as happened during the Jat agitation and now in Panchkula, Section 130 CrPC kicks in. This legal clause states that decision to requisition ‘armed forces’ to disperse ‘violent assembly of people’, which cannot otherwise be dispersed by the police or other forces available, should be taken by the DM. He/she ‘may require any officer in command of any group of persons belonging to the armed forces to disperse the assembly with the help of the armed forces under his command, and to arrest and confine such persons forming part of it….’ Law also says that ‘every such officer of the armed forces shall obey such requisition in such manner as he thinks fit, but in so doing he shall use as little force and do as little injury to person and property, as may be consistent with dispersing the assembly and arresting and detaining such persons’.

    Law and the standard operating procedure are clear. The DM is the competent authority to direct the police and when the situation gets out of civilian control, to requisition the Army by a written order from the Magistrate on duty. The Army is then entirely in control with the officer-in-command in charge. Only that the Army is expected to bring the situation under control quickly and hand it back to the civil authorities and exit the scene.

    The DC Panchkula, Gauri Parasher Joshi, performed her role rather belatedly and yet she saved the situation by pressing the Army into action when violence and arson reigned supreme. After being outnumbered by thousands of dera followers, the police fled the spot, leaving the young officer to almost fend for herself. Left alone with a single PSO, she decided to hand over the situation to the Army, which helped avoid further deterioration of the situation.

    Before doing so she did not call up the CM, not even the Chief Secretary or Home Secretary. Because there was no need since DM is the final authority. But this very DM had earlier allowed such massive and unruly crowd to assemble inside this small, satellite town of Chandigarh, despite prohibitory orders being in place! This is a clear case of governance failure and the state abdicating its primary role — that of maintaining law and order by taking preventive action.

    Fortuitously, the high court took over this role at the nick of time and shot-off a catena of orders: ‘All parties and every section of society should maintain peace and harmony; in case anybody indulges in any kind of violence, arson, loot, etc., he or they should be dealt with firmly by use of force, if necessary; the police force and paramilitary forces would have free-hand to deal with the situation wherever and whenever required against any individual or any section of society or organization; in case of need, the Army shall be deployed and made operational….’

    All these are legally mandated duties of administrative and police officers who belong to the elite services of IAS and IPS, covenanted and protected by constitutional safeguards. Why then have they surrendered to politicians who have come to power at the mercy of rapists, murderers and money-launderers? So much so, the court had to issue such specific directions: ‘In case any politician or anybody else including ministers interferes in the enforcement of law, FIR be registered against him/them… No politician, leader, social worker, spiritual leader, religious leader or any such organization shall make any provocative speech or statement, which may have the tendency to affect public order.’

    This raises a critical question — has the state lost it relevance, or rather has it withered away? Withering away of the state is a concept of Marxism, coined by Friedrich Engels, and referring to the idea that, with realization of the ideals of socialism, the social institution of a state will eventually become obsolete and disappear, as society will be able to govern itself without the state and its coercive enforcement of the law.

    India shifted from equitable socialism to crony capitalism long ago. Under this, state is pandering to cheats, crooks and charlatans who either have big money or control vote-banks. Because ‘god-men’ command both, they are the object of adoration by small men who run the Indian state. As the adage goes ‘when small men cast long shadows, it means that the sun is about to set’. No wonder then that the state is fast withering away!

    (The author is a former Haryana Cadre IAS officer)

  • The cover-up: Demonetization was more pain than gain

    The cover-up: Demonetization was more pain than gain

    If 99 per cent of the demonetized currency has returned to the banks, as the RBI has said, it means the fight against black money through demonetization was not properly thought through. The Prime Minister had declared then: “The Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes hoarded by anti-national and anti-social elements will become worthless bits of paper.” That has not happened. This “anti-rich idea”, the “surgical strike” on black money, was successfully marketed by the BJP in the UP and other state elections. The Finance Minister had claimed that Rs 3 lakh crore of black money would get extinguished. Instead just Rs 1,600 crore has not re-entered the banking system.

    The Finance Minister’s claim on the country making digital gains is also untenable. Digital transactions, according to the RBI, fell 20 per cent this April, compared to the previous month. To cover up the embarrassment, Arun Jaitley has changed the narrative: The demonetization objective was to force unaccounted money out of the cupboards and vaults at homes into bank accounts so that tax officials could establish the money trail. His assertion that personal income tax collections have gone up 25 per cent post-demonetization is also open to question. Official tax data indicates the I-T collection rise was higher at 27 per cent a year before. Any fight against black money would be incomplete without first tackling the issues of political funding, benami properties and offshore investments.

    The exercise of extinguishing 86 per cent of the nation’s currency had caused countrywide dislocation and loss of jobs in the unorganized sector, hurt farmer incomes and led to a growth slowdown and some 104 deaths. The RBI ended up spending over Rs 30,000 crore on the printing of new notes and managing the logistics of demonetization. It spent 132.8 per cent more on printing new notes — Rs 7,965 crore during 2016-17 compared to Rs 3,421 crore in the preceding year. Here is an institution that compromised its autonomy, put itself to loss and invited criticism for the shoddy currency replacement work. The inescapable conclusion is: the pain of demonetization was real; the gain remains intangible.

    (The Tribune, Chandigarh)

  • Indian American Professor awarded Talanta Medal for outstanding contributions to analytical chemistry

    Indian American Professor awarded Talanta Medal for outstanding contributions to analytical chemistry

    ARLINGTON, TX (TIP):  Professor Purnendu “Sandy” Dasgupta, the Hamish Small Chair of Ion Analysis in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Texas at Arlington, has been named recipient of the 2017 Talanta Medal, an international award that recognizes world leaders in the analytical chemistry field.

    The Talanta Medal was initiated in 1961 by Pergamon Press, which was later acquired by multinational publishing group Elsevier, as a prestigious award of a gold medal for outstanding contributions to analytical chemistry. Dasgupta is the fourth American academic to win the award and the first of Indian origin. A special issue of Talanta, an acclaimed international journal devoted to Analytical Chemistry, will be published to coincide with the award ceremony, to commemorate this occasion.

    Dasgupta’s high-impact research is improving public health on a global scale, a clear demonstration of advancing the University’s Strategic Plan 2020: Bold Solutions | Global Impact. Dasgupta has won numerous awards over the course of his career. In 2016, he was awarded the Eastern Analytical Symposium’s highest award, the Award for Outstanding Achievements in the Fields of Analytical Chemistry, and the Tech Titans Technology Inventors Award for his many innovations in chemical and environmental analysis.

    Other honors include the 2015 American Chemical Society Division of Analytical Chemistry J. Calvin Giddings Award for Excellence in Education; the 2012 Stephen Dal Nogare Award in Chromatography; the 2012 Wilfred T. Doherty Award, DFW Section of the ACS; and the 2011 ACS Award in Chromatography. He also was named a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and an honorary member of the Japan Society of Analytical Chemistry, both in 2015.

    Dasgupta received a bachelor’s degree with honors in Chemistry from Bankura Christian College in 1968 and a master’s degree in inorganic chemistry from the University of Burdwan in 1970, both located in West Bengal, India. He came to the United States in 1973 and earned his doctorate in analytical chemistry under Philip W. West, with a minor in electrical engineering, from Louisiana State University in 1977. He has published more than 400 papers and holds 29 patents.

  • CGU Professor Samir Chatterjee to be honored with Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Samman award

    CGU Professor Samir Chatterjee to be honored with Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Samman award

    CLAREMONT, CA (TIP): Claremont Graduate University Professor Samir Chatterjee has been selected for the Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Samman award, which is given to non-resident Indians for “outstanding services, achievements and contributions for keeping the ‘Flag of India high.’ The award is given by the NRI Welfare Society of India, an organization established to strengthen bonds between India and non-resident Indians. The award will be presented on September 27 at the Global Indian Summit at the House of Lords in London.

    Professor Samir Chatterjee is the Fletcher Jones Chair of Technology Design & Management at CGU’s Center for Information Systems & Technology (CISAT). He is also considered a leading technology designer and strategist for 21st-century health care. His entry into health care field has been via Telemedicine. Today he leads the emerging field of Persuasive Technology, a stimulating interdisciplinary research field that focuses on how interactive technologies and services can be designed to influence people’s attitudes and support positive behavior change.

    Chatterjee received a Bachelor’s of Technology in Electronics & Telecommunications Engineering (1988) from Jadavpur University, India; as well as an MS (1991) and PhD (1994) in Computer Science from the School of Computer Science, University of Central Florida. He joined CGU in July 2001. In May 2015, he was awarded the distinguished lifetime achievement award for contributions to Design Science Research, presented by the IS design community. He is also an adjunct faculty at Keck Graduate Institute, where he teaches a course on Healthcare Informatics. He has also taught in the Drucker School of Management’s Executive MBA Program.

    Throughout his career, Chatterjee has had substantial influence on the advancement of technology within the health care industry. He founded the Network Convergence Laboratory (now IDEA Labs), made possible by a grant from the National Science Foundation. He was co-founder and chairman of VoiceCore Technologies Inc., which he formed in 2001. In 2013, he founded DCL Health (Dr. Chatterjee’s Laboratories Health LLC), a wireless health care startup. He works closely with the Venture Capital and entrepreneurial startup community in the Southern California area.

    Since 2006 he has been an evangelist and champion of design science as a research method in the IS community. He started the successful DESRIST series of conferences, and his book Design Research in Information Systems: Theory & Practice, co-authored by Alan Hevner, is important in the field. One of his design methodology research (DSR) papers is the third-most cited DSR paper in the IS community. He works closely with his graduate students in the lab; at any given time, the lab has several ongoing projects, with six to eight doctoral students involved in various stages of their dissertations.

    His current projects include designing ICT and mobile solutions to address management of such chronic diseases as obesity/diabetes as well as oral health hygiene. He is also working closely with Loma Linda Medical Center on remote monitoring technology to assist patients with congestive heart failure.

  • Indian American Fined $40,000 for Filing False VISA Applications

    Indian American Fined $40,000 for Filing False VISA Applications

    MANCHESTER, NH (TIP): An Indian American businessman in Manchester, New Hampshire Rohit Saksena, 42, was sentenced to serve three years of probation and pay a $40,000 fine for filing false visa applications, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced.

    According to court documents, Saksena is the president and chief executive officer of Saks IT Group LLC, a company based in Manchester, New Hampshire. Saks IT Group contracts with other companies to provide information technology consulting services and places its employees with other companies to provide professional technology services. From approximately March 2014 through approximately December 2015, Saksena filed 45 fraudulent visa applications with United State Citizenship and Immigration Services falsely claiming that Saks IT Group was hiring foreign workers to provide professional services to a company in Cupertino, California. The California company had not entered into a contract with Saks IT Group and had no jobs available for the foreign workers. Saksena knew that the foreign workers would not be employed at the California company.

    Saksena filed the false visa applications under the H-1B visa program. That program allows American businesses to temporarily employ foreign workers with specialized or technical expertise in a particular field like accounting, engineering, or computer science when qualified U.S. workers cannot be found to fill those positions. Under the H-1B visa program, a U.S. employer may employ a highly educated foreign worker subject to strict conditions, which include a demonstrated need for the foreign worker to fill a vacant position and assurance that the U.S. company will employ the foreign worker. Saksena filed visa applications that falsely claimed jobs awaited the foreign workers at the California company. He supported those applications with bogus Independent Contractor Agreements between the California company and Saks IT Group and with sham Work Orders that purported to show that the foreign worker would provide professional services for the California company. Some of the false visa applications resulted in foreign workers receiving H-1B visas. Many of the fraudulent applications were denied once Saksena’s deception came to light.

    Saksena previously pleaded guilty on May 1, 2017, to making false statements to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.