The Indian Panorama

Month: April 2018

  • Disruptive Mr. Trump

    Disruptive Mr. Trump

    The consistent undermining of multilateralism by the U.S. must be countered

    This week has seen rounds of tit-for-tat tariffs between the U.S. and China, set off by U.S. President Donald Trump levying import duties of 25% and 10% on American steel and aluminum imports, respectively, in early March. Mr. Trump, who has repeatedly used the U.S. trade deficit of over $500 billion as a barometer for the country’s lot in the international trade order, has railed against the U.S. being treated “unfairly” by its trading partners, often singling out China. While it is true that China produces approximately half the world’s steel and that the European Union, India and other countries have complained about international steel markets being flooded with Chinese steel, only 3% of U.S. steel is sourced from China. Interestingly, among those exempted from the tariffs are Canada and Mexico, top sources for U.S steel imports. Mr. Trump has linked the threat of tariffs to the North American Free Trade Agreement, a trade deal among the U.S., Canada and Mexico that Mr. Trump has pried open for renegotiation. Earlier this week China retaliated with tariffs that would impact $3 billion worth of American goods. This was followed by the U.S. proposing tariffs on more than $50 billion of Chinese goods, including in the aerospace, robotics and communication industries — the outcome of an investigation of several months into whether Chinese policies were placing unreasonable obligations on U.S. companies to transfer technology and hand over intellectual property while setting up shop in China. Beijing responded with a second round of proposed tariffs impacting a similar value of U.S. imports into China. Mr. Trump has now asked the U.S. Trade Representative to examine if an additional $100 billion worth of goods can be taxed.

    Since the proposed tariffs have not kicked off, there may be room for negotiation. The economic ties between the countries are deep; China holds some $1.2 trillion in U.S. debt, and it is in everyone’s interest to avoid escalating matters. However, the larger cause for concern here is that Mr. Trump continues to undermine the World Trade Organisation and the international world trade order, now that it has served the West well and developing countries are in a significantly stronger position than when the WTO came into existence in 1995. Mr. Trump has pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, is pushing changes to NAFTA and has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement to combat climate change. While large-scale protectionism and unilateralism may please some of Mr. Trump’s constituents in the short run, undermining existing rules arbitrarily serves no nation, including the U.S., in the long run. In the current climate, it is therefore especially important for India to be a good steward for responsible globalization.

    (The Hindu)

  • America’s Taking on China is Good for the World

    America’s Taking on China is Good for the World

    By A.D. Amar
    “His (Trump’s) taking on China for its flagrant violation of the trade and intellectual property rights has given courage to Europe and Japan to chime in the American challenge on China’s practices. The challenge will spread as Trump succeeds further in controlling China’s behavior, and that will benefit the whole world”, says the author.     

    The implementation of China’s 75-year long project known as the “Great Trilogy of 21stCentury”that aims to erase the humiliating defeat China suffered at the hands of the British during the Anglo-Chinese trade wars or the Opium Wars of the 19thCentury and bring back its glorious past by taking the sole control of the world leadership. It started in 1978 and is to be completed by 2052. The strategy to achieve this populous goal involves benefiting from the laissez-faire policy of the free-market economies, particularly the USA and the countries in the Western Europe. Consequently, China decided to sell in these countries all types of products and services by applying predatory pricing policy with the goal to turn these countries into china’s captive markets.

    China devised policy to conduct its foreign trade as means to provide cash to fund its ambitious goal to displace the USA as the global leader. It has continued to build its cash reserves by selling but not buying or buying very little. To subvert the nations’ ability to export to China, it wrote or rewrote its laws and regulations more than 10,000 times a year, more that the rest of the world combined. The purpose has been to keep out competitive imports of any kind to preserve its huge cash reserves built by trade surpluses. While it worked to indigenize all products, services, processes, and technologies, it also worked to bring Chinese culture back to its past. This included displacing Buddha with Confucius by using the “Da Tong” that teaches achieving deals in the world with harmony.

    Since America is the world’s largest, freest market, China had larger designs to take over the US markets. It used its United Nations Security Council (UNSC) veto power as a strategy to achieve this goal. It used the veto power to negotiate the opening up of American import of goods from China whether it were apparels, consumer electronics, or whatever else. When so ever America got in conflict at any place in the world and went to the UNSC for its nod, China agreed to abstain from exercising its veto power against America for easing of Chinese imports into the USA. Also, this is how it made America have it become a member of the World Trade Organization and lift limits on import of apparel and other consumer goods that were supplied by many other smaller countries. In due course, it routed out other countries that competed against it in American market and turned America into China’s monopolistic market. Everything selling in the USA carried the China label.

    To maintain hefty cash reserves for its Great Trilogy of 21stCentury goal, globally, China imported one-dollar worth of goods for each five dollars of exports it made. This behavior became apparent in 2009 when it tremendously cut back on its imports to preserve its foreign cash reserves when its exports to some countries went down after the 2008-09 recession.

    In 2012, when the world was still going through an extended period of what was dubbed as “the greatest recession since the great depression”, China entered the global markets in a big strategic way with the cash it had preserved through the lopsided foreign trade. It started taking control of land and strategic natural resources and assets from mismanaged countries in Africa and Asia, and even in Europe by straightforward acquisition where possible or long-term leases. It started to build passageways to control its flow through the globe, building ports and strategic bases for monitoring and controlling global activities through international waters and to enhance the speed of its own movements along all continents. It started to claim its rights and, in some cases, forcibly take possession of lands based on its centuries, or in some cases millennia old dubious records.

    American presidents from the early seventies, starting with President Richard Nixon slowly but steadily, for one reason or another, gave in to China. This went on unchecked until President Bill Clinton. President George W. Bush, who had a strategy to reduce America’s dependence on China and get closer to India and other democratic countries, gave up on it after 9/11 as he decided to fight the Islamic terrorism for which he needed China’s support in the United Nations. President Barack Obama, as a candidate, had huge plans to confront China on its trade practices, the stealing of America’s intellectual property and constantly hacking into American business and government installations. After his election, in November 2009, during his first visit to China, he brought along plans to ask China to address its huge trade surplus with America and to open its markets to the USA to plug it. Instead, he was harangued by the Chinese President Hu Jintao on free trade. The meeting was so embarrassing for Obama that he did not have the courage to check on China for its trade imbalance, the stealing of intellectual property or the cyber hacking during any of his meetings with the Chinese for all of his eight years in the White House. He was afraid that China would carry forward its threat to withdraw its deposits at the US Treasury and cause a monetary havoc. Obama with the desire not to unravel the economy, kept low and China became bolder.

    No American president dared challenge China until President Donald Trump came in the White House. It is not just that Trump is bold to handle simultaneously problems along several fronts in the world but is smart and efficient to negotiate to get what is good for America. His taking on China for its flagrant violation of the trade and intellectual property rights has given courage to Europe and Japan to chime in the American challenge on China’s practices. The challenge will spread as Trump succeeds further in controlling China’s behavior, and that will benefit the whole world.

    (The author is Business Professor at Seton Hall University.  He can be reached at AD.Amar@shu.edu)

      

  • What democracy now means? Which way is India headed?

    What democracy now means? Which way is India headed?

    By KC Singh
    “Thus, the current attempt to weaken institutional base of democracy needs countering. The attack on the independence of media has been thwarted after uproar over the “fake news” order of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, but the recasting of the Press Council of India leaves doubts about government’s intentions. The attempt to bend judiciary to the executive’s dictates surfaced dramatically after open defiance of the Chief Justice by his four senior colleagues when they went public with their angst. The government, not seriously attempting to make Parliament function, poses further questions about its commitment to constitutionalism”, says the author.

    The Lok Sabha eventually adjourned sine die after weeks of being non-functional. The Opposition’s no-confidence motion was ruled by the Speaker as un-implementable as the House was not in order. Under similar conditions, the important annual Budget was allowed to be passed without debate. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for all BJP members of Parliament to observe a one-day fast against disruption by the Opposition. The Opposition, on the other hand, has alleged that those disturbing the House were, in fact, allies of the government.

    Denying Opposition the right to test the majority of a government sets a bad precedent as any government having lost majority can create conditions of chaos, with Speaker’s connivance, and preclude a floor test. Thus, a government can rule without a majority till its term ends while avoiding debate on important issues facing the nation. Democracies to succeed require not only written guidelines, but also many unwritten ground rules. Many books this year are addressing these fundamental questions.

    In How Democracies Die, authors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt reach into history for answers. They hypothesize that in the US post-election of President Donald Trump “politicians say and do things that are unprecedented in the United States”. They add that “American politicians now treat their rivals as enemies, intimidate free Press, and threaten to reject the results of elections”. Even more worrisome, they “weaken the institutional buffers of our democracy, including the courts, intelligence services, and ethics offices”. Finally, they note that in 2016 Americans elected a President, who for first time in US history, had “no experience in public office, little observable commitment to constitutional rights, and clear authoritarian tendencies”. Larry Diamond, an authority on democracy worldwide, believes the world has entered a period of democratic recession.

    In India, too, as it enters the final year before parliamentary elections, attempts are afoot to weaken institutional sinews. India thus shares the global democratic recession referred to above. Of course, this is not happening for the first time, as worse was witnessed during the Emergency, or in the unwise move by the Rajiv Gandhi government to curb Press freedom via legislative action. Clearly, all Prime Ministers since the 1980s having single-party majorities have shown a tendency to override democratic principles.

    Europe, which saw in the 1930s the rise of authoritarian leaders and parties in Germany and Italy, using democratic processes to enter the political space, is again witnessing the slow strangulation of democratic principles. Take the example of Hungary, which gained freedom from communist stranglehold after the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989. Despite the history of its brave, but unsuccessful fight to overthrow communist shackles in 1956, and the memory of authoritarianism, its PM, Viktor Orban, is today allegedly centralizing political and economic power unknown since communist times. He is using the bugbear of immigration and external threats from the likes of his old patron Soros, who gave him a scholarship as a young dissident to study at Oxford in 1988, to get re-elected after eight years in power.

    Likewise, in Germany, the rise of extreme right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD), particularly in former East Germany, is forcing other moderately right-of-center parties to adopt politics of identity and belonging. At the federal level, after the last election and following the new grand alliance, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is, as The Economist states, “steering clear of culture wars in favor of bread and butter issues”. In faraway Costa Rica in central America, the victor Carlos Alvarado scored for liberal values by roundly defeating his fulminating rival Fabrico Alvarado who wanted to “put God in government”, targeting gays to start with. In Ethiopia, run for three decades by the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Front (EPRDF), this time, a charismatic and young Abiy Ahmed was elected by secret ballot among the top brass to be Prime Minister. Though hardly democracy in play, it showed a display of controlled freedom to choose a successor by all players representing different factions in the EPRDF. Whether this is the first step towards more open governance remains to be seen.

    Against this background and the consolidation of power by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the banner of democracy and liberalism has to be carried by India. It is a misnomer to think of these values as imports from the West. There is enough historical evidence in Greek and old Indian sources that India had thriving republics even at the time of Alexander’s invasion, though they existed alongside kingdoms run autocratically. The Dalai Lama puts it in Buddhist terms saying that the Himalayas were never as pristine white till the light came from India. That light includes liberal values strewed across Indian religious and philosophical discourses.

    Thus, the current attempt to weaken institutional base of democracy needs countering. The attack on the independence of media has been thwarted after uproar over the “fake news” order of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, but the recasting of the Press Council of India leaves doubts about government’s intentions. The attempt to bend judiciary to the executive’s dictates surfaced dramatically after open defiance of the Chief Justice by his four senior colleagues when they went public with their angst. The government, not seriously attempting to make Parliament function, poses further questions about its commitment to constitutionalism. That leaves the Election Commission as the last bastion to ensure free and fair elections. Many opposition parties are pointing fingers at the possibility of EVMs being tampered with. Belfer Centre at Harvard University has produced a report on EVMs in the US. In their federal system, the choice of machines is left to the states. The report calls machines, like the ones used in India, as “hackable”. It recommends the alternative machines used in the US, where vote is cast on paper and then scanned by machine. Thus, paper record remains in case of recount.

    Karnataka election is a watershed moment for Indian democracy. If the BJP wins, it can draw a wrong lesson that people endorse its tactics. If it loses, PM Narendra Modi will have a choice to go for reforms or perish.

    (The author is a former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs)

  • THEATER IN NJ: Paper Mill Playhouse’s The Sting (The Musical)

    THEATER IN NJ: Paper Mill Playhouse’s The Sting (The Musical)

    By Mabel Pais
    “The Sting, at its heart, is entertainment” – David Ward, screen-writer, 1973 film, The Sting
    “A musical is an entertainment….. perhaps, the most audacious of all.  Theater is a con and we are all willing marks” – Bob Martin, book-writer, The Sting
    “(Harry Connick is) a dream come true, the real deal. There’s not another on the planet who’s more talented or works harder” – Warren Carlyle, choreographer

    PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE, Millburn, NJ, is the recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, under the direction of Mark S. Hoebee (Producing Artistic Director) and Todd Schmidt (Managing Director).

    The Playhouse is one of the country’s leading regional theaters. It is where American musical theater is celebrated, cherished, and pushed in exciting new directions. A beloved New Jersey arts institution since 1938, Paper Mill has been consistently recognized for the high-quality artistry of its re-imagined classic musicals as well as its commitment to supporting the development of new works and the careers of Broadway’s best talent and emerging artists both onstage and behind the scenes.

    The Theater boasts award-winning access services and outreach initiatives as well as performer training programs that impact more than 35,000 students each year.

    The Playhouse’s productions have launched national tours and gone on to Broadway—including Disney’s Newsies, 25th Anniversary production of Les Misérables, Honeymoon in Vegas, A Bronx Tale, Bandstand, The Bodyguard—as well as television broadcasts on Showtime and PBS and original cast recordings.

    Paper Mill Playhouse, most recently, won two 2018 Discover Jersey Arts People Choice Awards: ‘Favorite Theater at See A Musical,’ and ‘Favorite Choral Group.’  Accepting the awards, Producing Artistic director, Mark S. Hoebee said, “We’re so grateful for this designation and to be among the top arts organizations in the state.  Programs like our show choir, Theatre School, classes for students with autism and other developmental disabilities and our Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory give students a supportive environment in which to study and explore elements of performance and learn essential life skills.”

    For more information, visit www.PaperMill.org

    Chicago. 1936.Get ready to enter a smoke-filled world of cons and capers, where nothing is what it seems, and no one is who they appear to be. An adaptation of the 1973 Academy Award-winning film, The Sting tells the tale of a pair of con men, small town grifter Johnny Hooker and big-time hustler Henry Gondorff (played by marquee Harry Connick, Jr.), who plot to bring down the city’s most corrupt racketeer. The Sting takes you back to an era where jazz reigns, the stakes are high, and the dice are always loaded.

    Left: J. Harrison Ghee (Johnny Hooker), Right: Harry Connick, Jr. (Henry Gondorff)
    Photo Credit: Jerry Dalia

    The world premiere production of the new musical The Sting begins at Paper Mill Playhouse. The musical is an adaptation of the Academy Award-winning 1973 film by the same name that starred Paul Newmanand Robert Redfordwho carried it to a best-picture Oscar. The movie won 7 Oscars.

    The Tony-award-winning creative team of director John Rando and choreographer Warren Carlyle bring to life this clever screen-to-stage adaptation by Bob Martin (book), and Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis (score), with more music and lyrics by headliner Harry Connick, Jr.

    The movie’s fans will be delighted with the musical version that retains all the charm and intrigue of the film while adding some exciting touches. The score also has music by Scott Joplin including the classic ragtime favorites, “The Entertainer,” and “The Easy Winners.”

    Center: Harry Connick, Jr. (Henry Gondorff) and the company of The Sting
    Photo Credit: Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

    The principal cast stars Harry Connick, Jr. as Henry Gondorff, with Peter Benson as The Erie Kid, Janet Dacal as Loretta, Christopher Gurr as J.J. Singleton, J. Harrison Ghee as Johnny Hooker, Tom Hewitt as Doyle Lonnegan, Richard Kline as Kid Twist, Kevyn Morrow as Luther, Kate Shindle as Billie, and Robert Wuhl as Snyder.

    Rounding out the cast are Lucien Barbarin, Darius Barnes, Keely Beirne, Michael Fatica, Luke Hawkins, Tyler Huckstep, Matt Loehr, Erica Mansfield, Drew McVety, Ramone Owens, Tyler Roberts, Angie Schworer, Christine Shepard, Britton Smith, Sherisse Springer, Diana Vaden, Kevin Worley and Lara Seibert Young.

    Center: J. Harrison Ghee (Johnny Hooker) and the company of The Sting.
    Photo Credit: Jerry Dalia

    The production team includes set design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, sound design by Randy Hansen, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, make up design by Cookie Jordan, vocal arrangements by Fred Lassen, dance arrangements by David Chase, orchestrations by Doug Besterman, and fight coordinator Robert Westley. The production stage manager is Bonnie L. Becker. Casting is by Tara Rubin Casting, Tara Rubin, CSA.

    Center: J. Harrison Ghee (Johnny Hooker) and the company of The Sting.
    Photo Credit: Jerry Dalia

    Runtime:  2 hrs. and 25 min.

    Weekly Schedule:  Wednesday to Sunday

    Closing Date:  April 29, 2018

    Accessibility Performances for The Sting

    Paper Mill Playhouse, a leader in accessibility, will offer audio-described performances for The Sting on Sunday, April 22, at 1:30pm and Saturday, April 28, at 1:30pm. Prior to these performances at noon, the theater will offer free sensory seminars. Sensory seminars offer an opportunity for patrons with vision loss to hear a live, in-depth description of the production elements of the show and hands-on interaction with key sets, props, and costumes. There will be a sign-interpreted and open-captioned performance on Sunday, April 29, at 7:00pm.

    Free Audience Enrichment Activities for The Sting

    Conversation Club: Join the theater’s educational team on Thursday evening, April 19, one hour before curtain for an informal, informative gathering. You’ll learn more about the performance you’re about to see.

    Q&A with the Cast:After the matinee on Saturday, April 28, stick around for a lively Q&A with cast members directly following the performance.

    For more information or tickets, visit www.PaperMill.orgor call the box office at 973.376.4343.

    www.PaperMill.org

    Facebook.com/PaperMillPlayhouse

    Twitter: @paper_mill

    Instagram:  papermillplayhouse

    TheStingBroadway.com

    @thestingbway

    (Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health and Wellness, and Spirituality).

  • Weekly Horoscope April 16 – April 22, 2018

    Weekly Horoscope April 16 – April 22, 2018

     By Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla
     Contact: +91 8141234275

    Aries:Ganesha says new associations now dominate and motivate your existence. In this period your life will revolve around people and relationships. You may also indulge in enormous feel good shopping. Your feelings will be at a peak and there will be intense bonding and sharing and, I dare say, many copious tears of joy, sorrow, anger, love and repentance. It is a period that will change you from the inside out.

    Taurus:You get out of the trough and start flying this period. There is happiness, fulfilment, gains and achievements.  You are filled with new longings, dreams and hopes and are possessed with a new zest for life and its glorious uncertainties. The tough days are over, and you climb the peaks of success from now on. You have worked hard for it and gone through very difficult times and Ganesha will reward you well.

    Gemini:The bubby flows, and the good times roll on and on as if to make up for lost time. Friends and colleagues rally around you and work issues out together. There is harmony at home and office and a lot of ground is thankfully covered. There is profitable travel and new associations to be made which will be beneficial in the long run. It will be a good idea to grab what comes your way as the tide has evidently changed and you climb the rungs of success.

    Cancer:You spend a lot of time at home and with domestic activities. There could be re-organizing and a lot of chopping and changing. You will spend happy moments with your spouse, children, parents, in-laws and extended family. There will be many auspicious occasions at home. Friends will also chip in and add to the harmony. There could be marriages, pujas and various family commitments to attend to.

    Leo:You continue making good progress. Work issues take your time and you look at expansion seriously. The period is ending, the worst is over, and the current is in your favor. You can feel it. All that you touch turns to gold and you know that you are destiny’s flavor of the season. Your hands are full with investments, bonds, loans, funds, real-estate deals, stocks and other such profitable issues.

    Virgo:Your work does tremendously well, and you earn plaudits. You are recognized for your efforts and, if employed, will be rewarded with a promotion and better perks. Your financial condition is stable and there is happiness at home too. You will explore new love and make new friends and acquaintances. There will be quality time spend with parents and family elders and you receive their blessings.

    Libra:You have come a long way and are more relaxed, easy – going and fun-loving. You seem to have dropped all your cares and are in a great mood. There is love, laughter, companionship and shared joys. There are new trends at work too and they are all beneficial. You don’t hesitate to grab every opportunity that comes your way and make substantial gains. This is an excellent period and you are filled with stamina, determination and zest.

    Scorpio:The hectic work phase continues without a pause. There are all sorts of expense, but it is not something that you should complain about because it is work related and it is money well spent. There is travel and new associations and your mood and spirits are on a high. You are blessed with energy and are happy too; life is working out well for you. There is joy at home too but what drives you this period is work.

    Sagittarius:You embark on a period of collaborations, companionships and associations. You are in meetings, social and business gatherings, conferences and everything to do with large amounts of people. You are in your elements and this is not time to be sullen, withdrawn or introverted. You are quite a draw and others seek you out for your charm, ingenuity and inventiveness. You have a way of attracting and regaling people with your soft, non-obstructive ways tinged with sincerity.

    Capricorn:You enter the period with a feeling of satisfaction. You have been on an upward spiral for some time now and the money, status and prestige that you have earned are well deserved. Success breeds success and you are full of confidence in your abilities. You sometimes come up with ideas that could be termed ‘crazy’ by average minds but they are actually strokes of genius.

    Aquarius:The collaborations that you have inked bear fruit almost immediately. Your fertile brain is abuzz with innumerable new ideas and you are waiting to pounce on opportunities to give expression to them. You will do exceptionally well if in the media, sales, law and other professions where there is people contact and ideating. You have the gift of the gab and can be a versatile writer too. Keeping your ego hidden is also good strategy and you are great strategies.

    Pisces:The period takes on a new intensity, a sort of culmination of all that you have embarked on. You scale new heights, come up with brilliant ideas and all your efforts are crowned with success. There is merrymaking with friends and family and the time is perfect for celebrations. Children bring joy and close family will rally around you and share your happiness. You are the ideas person, the imaginative visionary and dreamer.

     

     

     

  • April 6 New York & Dallas Print Editions

    April 6 New York & Dallas Print Editions

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  • Business-minded IR students go to nationals in Dallas

    Business-minded IR students go to nationals in Dallas

    BPA extends classroom learning to test real-world skills in business, tech, leadership, citizenship and academics

    DALLAS(TIP): Indian River High School is getting down to business. This spring, 10 students earned a trip to the 2018 Business Professionals of America (BPA) National Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas.

    IR’s winners included Gavin Clattenburg (first place, Extemporaneous Speech); Brooke Weaver (first place, Interview Skills); Alexa Fitz (second place, Entrepreneurship); Luke Morgan (second place, Banking & Finance); Morgan Bartholomew, Elaina Lopez, Jabes Lopez and Josue Lopez (second place, Video Production); Isaac Chandler (third place, PC Servicing & Troubleshooting); and Nick Marchetti (third place, Entrepreneurship). Their teacher advisors are Jeff Bunting and Steve Kilby.

    “I’m really thrilled that the students put forth the effort,” Bunting said. “They’re not just showing up and giving a presentation. The students are putting in a lot of their own personal time. We’re talking evenings and weekends. They’re taking wheat they’ve learned in the classroom … to the next level.”

    Although their state competition day ran from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., “The kids were absolute models of conduct. They were absolutely professional,” donning suits to compete, some for the first time, Bunting noted.

    BPA, he said, is producing better public speakers, with more confidence, since so many of them must present to judges.

    “Any presentation, any test — you just gotta walk in with confidence. I think all of us definitely do that,” Weaver said. “I definitely see a lot of future success in the organization with all the freshmen that just came in. I mean, they’re already at nationals, so it’s pretty awesome!”

    “Everybody should join BPA!” said Josue Lopez.

    In all, 24 IR students competed at the State Leadership Conference in Dover on Feb. 27. Nationals are May 9 to 14. Delaware’s delegation will network and learn alongside other U.S. students.

    BPA is a serious time commitment. Students started working in September, after school, on weekends and between their other commitments, to sports, student government, clubs and regular academics.

    Winning second place in Video Production were Morgan Bartholomew, Elaina Lopez, Jabes Lopez and Josue Lopez (no relation).

    All of the teams had to create a video on the importance of sleep. Bunting joked that the topics are often dull, probably to test the students’ creativity.

    But IR delivered. Judges were impressed with the video production and the students’ on-site interview. Their video included funny bits with other students, but also a serious interview with a school nurse. If they are named finalists, they’ll have just four hours to make another short video while they’re in Dallas.

    Bartholomew said she wasn’t initially interested in video production, but after three years, she’s planning to study it in college, and her footage has already appeared in local commercials and news.

    Isaac Chandler went in with cool confidence, having participated in middle school, but now placing third in PC Servicing & Troubleshooting, despite forgetting to bring a tech manual this year to the competition.

    The one-hour paper test asked about “diagnosing computer errors, what steps do you go through to fix the thing,” Chandler explained.

    Brooke Weaver earned first place for Interview Skills, which tested her job-hunting abilities. She interviewed for an administrative assistant position at an imaginary firm.

    Initially during practice, she would rely too heavily on written notes, until “I ripped up my answers and threw them away, and I sat down with Mr. Bunting and Mr. Kilby,” which helped her think on her feet in competition, she said.

    Alexa Fitz and Nick Marchetti earned second and third places, respectively, in the Entrepreneurship research project. They spent months writing a full business plan for a brand-new venture, including goals, financial background, licenses, equipment, the local market, potential problems and more.

    Having placed nationally in the past, Fitz doubled the 15-page limit by writing extensive appendices. She earned second place for her plan for a food truck featuring seafood delicacies, such as lobster rolls, crabcakes and shrimp salad.

    “Off-season is a big problem, though,” Fitz said. Tourists “all leave, so you’re left with not a whole lot of people to make money from. So, I established a catering system … so I could still make money during the offseason.”

    Marchetti earned third place for his firearms-store and shooting-range business plan.

    “You have to think about what people want and how you’re going to get them to buy your product,” said Marchetti, adding that he sees many local hunters but few gun stores or training areas in Sussex County.

    Gavin Clattenburg had to think fast to win a gold medal in Extemporaneous Speech, in which contestants only have a few minutes to prepare a two-minute speech on an assigned topic.

    “It’s pretty much a game of… if you know what you’re talking about, that’s great. But if you don’t, you just have to sound confident in it,” Clattenburg said. “It’s less about selling your research skills and more about selling your personality.”

    His general format is to start with a personal story, elaborate on three talking points and then add a strong conclusion.

    Six students also earned the prestigious Torch Award in Delaware, recognizing leadership, service, cooperation, knowledge, friendship, patriotism, as well as love, hope and faith: Madison Baker, Morgan Bartholomew, Gavin Clattenburg, Helen Davis, Alexa Fitz and Luke Morgan.

    Besides competing, students also attended various workshops and seminars on college transition, personal finance and business skills.

    Sending 10 students and Coach Kilby to Dallas carries a hefty price tag. IR has such a strong team that they must fundraise year-round, including a Color Run on June 2, plus a golf tournament in September.

    This spring, students have led the charge in fundraising with the “10 For 20 BPA Nationals Fundraiser.” They’re selling $20 tickets to a raffle drawing for a brand-new Apple iPhone X.

    Everyone wants this $1,000 phone, Morgan said, calling it “the mack daddy of the phones you can buy; the most expensive phone you can buy; the newest, the nicest, the highest capacity…” If not, the winner can sell it.

    Morgan sees this as the real test, as the teenagers fuel the fundraiser with their new business skills.

    “Understanding the numbers and how to market to people has really put everything together,” said Morgan, who earned second place in Banking & Finance, a paper test given before the state conference.

    Information on the fundraiser is online at www.facebook.com/10for20NF. Payment is accepted via cash, check and PayPal. The live drawing will be held April 28 at 6 p.m. at Hooked Up Ale House & Raw Bar in Millville. Entrants do not have to be present to win.

    “Thank you to our coaches, students and people who have come to help us, inside and outside the organization,” Morgan said. “And if you’re reading this, share our Facebook page relentlessly!”

    Anyone wishing to sponsor the Indian River High School BPA can contact Jeff Bunting at (302) 732-1500.

  • Indian American inducted into 2018 RGV Walk of Fame in Texas

    Indian American inducted into 2018 RGV Walk of Fame in Texas

    DALLAS (TIP): Indian American Barry Patel has been inducted into 2018 Rio Grande Valley Walk of Fame at State Farm Arena which was sponsored by the City of Hidalgo, Texas, according to a Valley Morning Star report.

    Patel was nominated by the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce for the impact he has had on the community.

    Patel has built seven hotels on South Padre Island and owns a total of 22 hotels in the Valley which has resulted in $400 million revenue with employment for 500 to 600 people.

    Patel is also dedicated to the community of South Padre Island as he has served on numerous committees throughout the years and has been the Mayor of South Padre Island for the last three, while he continues to share his vision for the future of South Padre.

    He is currently constructing a new Marriot Hotel on the Island and his numerous development projects have made the Island a premier tourist destination as well as a beautiful home to its residents.

    Patel has also made the beaches of South Padre Island more beautiful and safe.

    According to a Valley Morning Star report, Patel has been supporting local non-profit organizations, community events and public organizations, and currently serves as a Chairman on the Cameron County Beach & Dune Protection Committee along with being an active member of the Asian American Hotel Owner’s Association.

    Patel has also been recognized by the RGV Hispanic Chamber, the Indian Association of the RGV, the Gujarati Samaj RGV, the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce and the RGV Partnership.

    He has a Bachelors in Pharmacy from the University of Bradford in England, he began his career as a pharmacist from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and was registered in Texas, Florida and New York.

    Patel’s family includes five brothers and one sister, together they all have 11 children and six grandchildren, according to a Valley Morning Star report.

    Patel is married to Jayshree Patel.

  • Magnitude 5.3 earthquake hits off Southern California coast, shakes Los Angeles

    Magnitude 5.3 earthquake hits off Southern California coast, shakes Los Angeles

    LOS ANGELES(TIP): An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 struck off the coast of Southern California on Thursday, April 5, officials at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) say. CBS Los Angeles reports the quake originated near the Channel Islands. It happened around 12:30 p.m. local time about 38 miles southwest of the mainland city of Ventura, according to the USGS.

    “A 5.3 is a good jolt,” Dr. Susan Hough of the USGS said Thursday at a press conference with Dr. Jennifer Andrews of Caltech, and that it was no surprise people in Los Angeles felt the quake.

    “We would expect aftershocks, and there is the potential for some triggered seismicity,” Andrews said.

    The quake’s strength was revised upward from initial estimates of magnitude 5.0. It struck about 10.5 miles underground, the USGS said.

    Asked was it likely to follow typical aftershock patterns, Hough said “We can never count on earthquakes to obey the averages” but said that they did expect an aftershock pattern, most likely peaking in the magnitude 4 range.

    “Earthquakes are not at all predictable. We can say what’s happened in the past, we cannot say what’s going to happen,” Hough said, adding: “There’s always a 1 in 20 chance that an event like this will trigger something bigger.”

    An early warning system did alert residents in Los Angeles before the shaking was felt, Caltech confirms.

    Los Angeles Fire Department said it went into “earthquake mode” and firefighters from all 106 of its firehouses began surveys of their territories, including bridges, dams, large buildings and power lines.

    “We currently have no reports of damage or injuries,” fire department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart said.

    Ventura County officials announced they are “in a heightened response posture to assist our citizens” in wake of Thursday’s temblor.

    Officials took this opportunity to urge residents to make a communications plan if they don’t have one already and to check if they have emergency supplies on hand.

    Although there was no significant damage reported, some bricks fell from a chimney at a historic ranch in the Channel Islands region.

    Channel Islands National Park spokeswoman Yvonne Menard tells The Associated Press that bricks fells at a ranch building on Santa Cruz Island that dates back to the 1860s. She added that visitors and staff members on the island felt the quake, but nobody was injured.

    Most of Santa Cruz, including the ranch area, is owned by The Nature Conservancy, which cooperatively manages the island with the Park Service.

    (Source: Agencies)

     

  • Special counsel served Paul Manafort with new search warrants in March

    Special counsel served Paul Manafort with new search warrants in March

    WASHINGTON(TIP): Special counsel prosecutors revealed in court filings Thursday, April 5 night that they had obtained on March 9 seven new search warrants against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who has been charged with more than 30 counts of bank fraud, making false statements to investigators and other charges in two criminal cases. Manafort pleaded not guilty.

    The court documents list search warrants against various properties, a storage unit, bank accounts, email addresses and devices. The warrants are not terribly surprising, reports CBS News’ Paula Reid, as Manafort is charged in two criminal cases and investigators have signaled they may bring additional charges as they look to pressure him to cooperate.

    Manafort is accused of lobbying and doing other work for a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine headed by ousted Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovych, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. They are accused of failing to register as foreign agents representing the Ukrainians and also allegedly laundered up to $75 million in payments. The activities date from 2006 through February 2017.

    In March, he was charged with secretly paying European politicians to lobby politicians on behalf of Ukraine.

    Manafort’s business associate Rick Gates pleaded guilty in February on charges of conspiring against the U.S. and of making false statements to the federal government.

  • Scott Pruitt asked to use sirens in D.C. traffic and was told no for non-emergency

    Scott Pruitt asked to use sirens in D.C. traffic and was told no for non-emergency

    WASHINGTON(TIP): Environmental Protection Agency, Administrator Scott Pruitt wanted to use his vehicle’s lights and sirens to get to his official appointment, but the lead agent in charge of his security detail advised him that sirens were to be used only in emergencies, news reports say.

    The agent who denied Scott the pleasure of his will, was removed in less than two weeks from Pruitt’s detail, and reassigned to a new job within the EPA.

    Pruitt’s lavish travel, which totals more than $182,000, according to the Environmental Integrity Project, has included first class domestic and international flights for him and his security detail, private charters and a military jet. Reports on his expensive travel arrangements began a torrent of negative headlines over the past several months that peaked over the last week with stories examining his housing arrangements and very generous raises for two of his staffers. The bad publicity has cast an ethical cloud over the EPA administrator that’s put him in danger of being the next casualty in the Trump Cabinet.

    “I can’t make any statements about the future of Scott Pruitt,” White House spokesman Hogan Gidley told Fox News Thursday.

    Recently however, two Democratic senators wrote a letter to the EPA asking, “Under what circumstances did the prior Special Agent in Charge leave?”

    Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse and Tom Carper also said in the letter that they want to know why Perrotta and one of his business partners received an EPA security contract. Perrotta, they noted, citing the Associated Press, runs a side business called the Sequoia Security Group. His business partner, Edwin Steinmetz, who runs another security company, was awarded a $3,000 contract to sweep Pruitt’s office for bugs. “Two other contracts,” both under the $3,500 threshold for public reporting, “were given for the purchase of biometric locks.”

    “These facts raise questions about Mr. Perrotta’s compliance with EPA regulations and concerns that he may have used his position at the agency to influence the award of EPA contracts to a person or company in which he has a financial interest,” the Senators wrote.

  • YouTube shooter legally purchased firearm in San Diego earlier this year

    YouTube shooter legally purchased firearm in San Diego earlier this year

    SACRAMENTO(TIP): Details are emerging about the woman behind the YouTube headquarters shooting Tuesday, April 3 that injured three people in San Bruno, California. Police said Thursday, April 5 that Nasim Aghdam legally purchased the firearm in San Diego on January 16, 2018 from a gun dealer in her name.

    It was a 9mm Smith and Wesson that had a capacity of 10 rounds. San Bruno police confirm that one of the magazines was empty and that Aghdam loaded a second to fire more shots at YouTube employees before she turned the firearm on herself.

    However, authorities have not been able to confirm how many total shots were fired and that there is a possibility that the first magazine may have not been fully loaded.

    Authorities have promised a deeper investigation into the shooter’s past and her anger with the policies of the world’s largest online video website, identified as her motive for attacking it.

    Aghdam, an Iranian native in her late 30s, walked through a parking garage into a courtyard at the campus Tuesday and opened fire, police said. She wounded three people before killing herself.

    YouTube said Wednesday it will increase security at its headquarters and offices around the world.

     

  • Weekly Horoscope April 9- 15, 2018

    Weekly Horoscope April 9- 15, 2018

    By Bejan Daruwalla

    Aries: Ganesha says many new trends are at work here. While you are as busy as ever, with work, money, family and several other obligations taking your time and energy, you are suddenly pitch-forked into a whirlwind romance that finally leaves you empty, more lonely, lost and dissipated. It starts beautifully and then takes an ugly turn with accusations and counter accusations. You feel cheated and let down.

    Taurus: You get back to work and are motivated by money and the good things of life. You need focus as there are many expenses foreseen and you may also indulge in getting new acquisitions for yourself, the family and the office. You will also have to guard against excessive drinking or smoking, if you have these habits. If you don’t look after yourself, there could be a serious health scare.

    Gemini: You are swinging away and are the soul of the office and the party. There is no letting up on the work front though. You may be on the verge of a burn-out and you desperately need to de-stress. There are meetings, collaborations and many monetary deals waiting to be finalized by you. This is not the time for romance and friends as you burn the midnight oil and are on the rack. The situation will even out a bit soon, but this is a good time to cash in as the dividends will be there to see and relish before the period ends.

    Cancer: The bull in this period goads you on. There is no slowing down in the enormity of the workload; if anything, it just increases. You have many responsibilities and need to put in great effort. I must add here that it is all not in vain because success is yours for the asking. You will make money and expand in a big way. Health will be good, and you will be filled with energy and zeal to go full throttle.

    Leo: All that you embark on now leads to glory. It is a very successful period and you have to grab the high tide or, to paraphrase Groucho Marx, the low tide can get so low that you don’t even see the water, and you don’t want that for sure! So, Ganesha is offering you the best of the period and I suggest you grab it for all you are worth. Such great times don’t come visiting often and right now you stand to embrace the joys of real success. Family life is fine, but you may not have much free time for loved ones.

    Virgo: You are on a roll and the phase gets even more intense. All you need to guard against is stress which can take a toll and you don’t want to be hospitalized at this juncture in particular. You decide to win the battle in the mind, and it’s all mind over matter now. You have renewed strength and purpose. Money matters are handled with flair and intelligence and you will pore over every detail and get under the fine print to protect yourself from any financial damage later on.

    Libra: The work phase is ebbing, and your mind wanders in different directions. Suddenly, you have time and you don’t know what to do with it. You spend time with family and friends and even decide to leave it all and go away from the action for a bout of solitude. It has all been very demanding and you need the rest. Your mind is in a whirl and you need to do a recap of the events that have taken you by storm.

    Scorpio: You can’t remain from the scene of action for too long and you are back for the slog refreshed and ready to take on more like Charles Atlas. But there is more peace of mind, harmony and balance now and you don’t go overboard with your expansion and money-making plans. The short break has been good for you and provided many valuable realizations. You know what you have missed out on the family suddenly becomes very special to you.

    Sagittarius: With this new focus you manage to balance work and play well without going overboard in either area. You have learnt your lesson and try, at least for now, for a sense of balance in your life. You will be busy with the home and its myriad affairs like deeds, documents, legal issues, renovation and refurbishing. You are confident and work through all the details to be fully satisfied.

    Capricorn: Many aspects of your life and work are calling for your attention and you don’t know which to take up first. Expenses are mounting plus there is travel, collaborations and all kinds of communication. You do not have to show your vulnerable side this period and so it will be necessary to watch your emotions carefully. Please don’t wear them on your sleeve as you are wont to. It can be a confusing and paradoxical period ahead and there are several pulls which could weigh on your mind and hold you back from progress.

    Aquarius: Your emotions are still messed up. You are alienating yourself from the family, friends, associates, and from work. You seem harassed by the demons lurking within you. No one is responsible for this but yourself. It is self – created and it is up to you to solve it. It is difficult to fathom how it all started and what caused it but now that it is embedded in your psyche like an alien it is tearing you apart. You may take to music and art and spend time deep within looking for answers.

    Pisces: The situation improves, and you focus on personal, social and professional relationships. There are many things needing your attention – family, financial matters, work, friendships and all the distractions of the world. There are many deals, transactions and fine interactions in the offing. There are responsibilities and liabilities to attend to and you need to be on the ball. But you are lucky and manage to steer the course.

  • President Trump speaks of hitting China with $100 billion in tariffs

    President Trump speaks of hitting China with $100 billion in tariffs

    WASHINGTON(TIP): In a marked escalation of a trade war with China, President Trump said Thursday, April 5, that he will consider hitting China with an additional $100 billion in tariffs, on top of the $50 billion the White House has already authorized.In a statement late Thursday, President said that he was responding to China’s “unfair retaliation” against the United States, which this week outlined hundreds of Chinese products, like flat-screen TVs and medical devices, that could be subject to American tariffs. The Chinese, in response, detailed their own list of $50 billion worth of American products, like soybeans and pork, that would be hit with levies.

    “Rather than remedy its misconduct, China has chosen to harm our farmers and manufacturers,” Trump said, adding that he has instructed the United States trade representative to determine if another $100 billion in tariffs were warranted and, “if so, to identify the products upon which to impose such tariffs.”

    The story was first broken by New York Times.

  • Documentary featuring South Asian Spelling Bee debuts at film festivals nationally

    Documentary featuring South Asian Spelling Bee debuts at film festivals nationally

    NEW YORK(TIP):  The soon to be released “Breaking the Bee” documentary that details the rise and dominance of the Indian American diaspora in spelling bees has been accepted into major Film Festival circuits, Daisy Walia of Touchdown Media said, April 3, in a statement to The Indian Panorama.

    Starting this month, one can see “Breaking the Bee” at the Cleveland International Film Festival on April 6th & 8th, then on May12th at the New York Indian Film Festival in New York City.

    “Breaking the Bee” follows four second-generation Indian-American children, ages 7 to 14, over the course of a year, or “bee season,” as they train to reach (and win) the 2017 Scripps National Spelling Bee. It’s an inside look at studying, family life, competing in qualifying bees, and being a kid with big dreams. Some are in their final year of eligibility while others are just beginning their spelling careers. With expert commentary from CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Fareed Zakaria, comedian Hari Kondabolu, ESPN’s Kevin Negandhi, and past Scripps winners, the film offers an analysis into what drives this trend, while exploring the ups and downs of chasing a dream and pondering just how long this incredible trend can last.

    The film is directed by Sam Rega and produced by Chris Weller, both of whom worked at Business Insider when they got the idea to produce the film.

    Since 1999, all but four contest winners have been Indian-American, and of the 285-plus children who make it to Scripps each year, roughly 25% come from families of Indian descent. This is something of an anomaly, as Indian-Americans make up just 1% of the United States population.

    The perfect storm has been brewing for decades — from the 1965 immigration law that eliminated quota systems for Indian immigrants, thus driving a wave of highly-educated individuals to come to the United States, to the formation of Indian-only spelling bees, to the explosion of mainstream interest in competitive spelling, ever since ESPN began broadcasting the Scripps Bee in 1994.

    The film details the South Asian Spelling Bee’s contribution to this phenomenon with expert interviews with its Founder Rahul Walia. The SASB as its fondly known amongst Desis was started in 2008 and has the distinction of being a precursor to the winners of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.  Winners of SASB have been winners at Scripps and while Scripps has produced 3 sets of co-champions, SASB has been considered tougher since only one speller ever becomes the champion.

    On its Facebook page, one can see 5-star reviews from parents and spellers alike who attribute their overall success to the experience they got at SASB.

    “It’s the Gold Standard of Spelling Bee,” says Usha & Ganesh Dasari, parents of the spelling bee duo Shobha and Shourav. Shourav is one of the four spellers “Breaking the Bee” follows.

    The SASB is conducted every summer and starts June 16th this year. It will be conducted nationally in 6 major cities and registration is now open at www.southasianspellingbee.com. The series is shown on Sony Entertainment Television Asia and is sponsored by Kawan Foods and Touchdown Media Inc.

    Purchase tickets:

    Cleveland International Film Festival: (https://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/2018/breaking-the-bee)

    NYIFF:  (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/breaking-the-bee-tickets-44253493390)

    For more information on “Breaking the Bee” and to watch the trailer visit: www.breakingthebee.com.

    Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/breakingthebee),

    Instagram (http://www.instragram.com/breakingthebee)

    Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/breakingthebee).

  • Ilaiyaraaja the King of Raaga Enthrals audiences in Chicago

    Ilaiyaraaja the King of Raaga Enthrals audiences in Chicago

    CHICAGO, IL(TIP): Chicagoland’s much awaited dream came true when music maestro, Ilaiyaraaja, performed live with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra from Hungary and Indian Classical Musicians on Saturday March 24 at the Naperville Yard Center. The 55 musicians, 10 singers and 1 legend gave a spectacular performance that rocked music lovers in Midwest. A name synonymous with the Indian Music Industry Raaja is an incomparable genius who totally transformed the perception of people towards film music. Cloud9 events proudly presented the much-awaited concert that enthralled an audience of 4000 plus who were left mesmerized by his memorable musical compositions. The live concert was performed by singers Chithra, Mano, Haricharan and Rahul Nambiar. They were accompanied by a talented orchestra of 50 musicians. They performed a total of 39 songs in both Tamil and Telugu languages.

    Ilaiyaraaja’s acumen and knowledge of the aesthetics of music and cinema is what sets him apart from the rest. He is a multifaceted artist and has composed over 6000 songs and worked for 1000 movies. Raaja, as he is popularly known and affectionately called, comes from a family of musicians, and has won five Indian National Film Awards; three for Best Music Direction and two for Best Background Score.  In 2010 he received the Padma Bhushan, awarded by the Government of India and in 2018 he was presented the Padma Vibhushan award which is the second-highest civilian award of the Republic of India. The living legend paid an emotional tribute to his audience by singing that he would continue to make music for his fans living seven seas away from their motherland. This gesture deeply touched the audience and made them appreciate his love for music. Over 35 songs sung at the concert included “Janani janani – Thai Mookambigai”,  “Om sivoham – Naan kadavul”,  “Jagadhanandha kaaraka- Telugu”, “Ram ram salame ram ram-Hey Ram”, “Malaiyil yaaro- Kshathriyan”, “Ninukkori varnam-Gharshana-Telugu”, “Yen Iniya pon nila-Moodu Pani”, “Madai thirandhu-Nizhalgal”, “Abbani theeyani-Telugu”, “Sendhoora Poove- Sirimalle poove-Telugu” and so on.

    1. S. Chithra or simply Chithra, is an Indian playback singer from Kerala. Chithra also sings Indian classical, devotional, and popular music. She has sung in a number of languages that include Urdu, Latin, Arabic, Sinhalese and English. She has recorded over 25,000 Songs for various films and music-albums. She is a recipient of six National Film Awards, seven Film fare Awards South and 35 different state film awards. Another popular singer, Nagoor Babu popularly known as Mano entertained the audience with his melodious voice. Mano is a playback singer, voice-over artist, actor, producer, and anchor and music composer. Haricharan comes from a family of music connoisseurs and started learning music at an early age of seven from. Sethu Mahadevan followed by legends like K. V. Narayanaswamy , T. M. Prabhavathi and P. S. Narayanaswamy . Rahul Nambiar is an Indian playback singer and live performer and has lent his voice for several advertisement jingles.

    Cloud9 Events is a group of passionate individuals working together to organize events to promote Indian culture and heritage overseas with the goal to bring entertainment to the Chicago Indian Community. The kind of events Cloud9 aims to organize are Indian classical dance performances, Indian Musical & Dance Shows / Ramana Abbaraju – Member – Event Marketing & Sales Concerts, Book Launches, Literary Events and Indian Trade Bazars. Sudhir Velpula , the Cloud 9 Events Managing Principal along with team members, Gopi Pittala (Planning, Operations and Finance) , Ramana Abbaraju ( Event Marketing & Sales, Raj Addagatla and others coordinated the entire event.  The platinum sponsors HR Pundits, Bookstogo, Radhikas Kitchen, Pietsch, Professional Home Mortgage Solutions, Regal Jewels and Hot Breads. Sponsors of the event were Pegasus Knowledge Solutions, Hot Breads, International Legal & Business Services Group, Patel Brothers, Allstate, Pietsch Financial group, Sunrise Indian Supermarket, ebooks2go, some dental group.

    De Wayne Williams President of Williams Security & Protection Agency did excellent job to protect all Stars of Ilaiyaraaja Live concert

    (Photograph and Press release / Asian Media USA)

     

  • Sikhs of New York Presents Turban Day on April 7th in Times Square

    Sikhs of New York Presents Turban Day on April 7th in Times Square

    Non-profit Organization Hopes to Tie 10,000 Turbans to Educate About Sikhism

    NEW YORK CITY, NY(TIP): Turban is a quintessential part of Sikh identity and represents the most pertinent element of the Sikh Faith that teaches them that all people are equal irrespective of caste, religion, country, thus signifying equal status. Turban gives Strength and identity to a Sikh and induces the courage to face all odds, always ready to help and serve mankind.

    The Sikhs of New York will present Turban Day April 7th from 11am until 4 p.m. in Times Square as part of the annual mid-April celebration of Vaisakhi, which is commemorated by millions of Sikhs annually.

    While the Nonprofit organization, this year in its 6th Turban day, aims to tie 10,000 turbans, and make a mark in Guinness World Record. More the thousands will be educated about the Sikh Turban on ground and millions through Social media.

    More than 1400, Volunteers from around the world, will be travelling to New York to take part in the event and will be tying turbans to Americans and Non-Sikhs, not only celebrate the centuries old birth of Sikhism, but also promote awareness of the continued misplaced violence targeted at people who practice the religion.

    “Last year we were overwhelmed with the support from the community with 880+ volunteers travelling from different parts of US, Canada and UK helping to tie 8,000 Turbans. This year, our target is to tie 10,000 Turbans and attempt a Guinness World Record,” said Chanpreet Singh, the organization’s founder. “We started Turban Day in 2013 at Baruch College to promote and educate people about the Sikh religion and identity. We are spreading awareness about the Sikh turban and culture. The turban is the crown of each Sikh and represents pride and valor. Turban Day provides an opportunity for those that do not wear a turban to experience a turban and learn about its significance first hand.”

    The organization will be attempting a world record for the world’s largest Turban tying event in 8 hours starting at 9am on Saturday.

    Apart from tying Turbans, The cultural presentations at the free event include yoga by SJ Khalsa of Kundalini Yoga East in New York City, who promotes a healthy lifestyle. Featured performances will include Dr. Zeus, a well-known music producer travelling from the UK, as well as singing and Bhangra dancing.

    About Sikhs of New York

    With a collective effort from the communities of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, the Sikhs of New York aims to bring a modern approach to re-establishing the Sikh identity in the United States. A blend of traditions, cultures and beliefs together represents the ideology of Sikhs of NY. For more information, please visit www.sikhsofny.org.

  • Jericho-based teams of young girls and boys of Elementary and Middle Schools have made us proud

    Jericho-based teams of young girls and boys of Elementary and Middle Schools have made us proud

    JERICHO, NY(TIP): The RoboFalcons, a group of young tech enthusiast boys from Jericho Middle School, have been working hard again in preparation for the First Lego League (FLL) Championships. The six-man crew has been working tirelessly outside of school hours to design and create robots. “It’s not just about robotics. It’s a great program for kids to learn how to construct projects while teaching them to work as a team together,” per Rohit Bhatia, head coach of the RoboFalcons and father of one of the team’s members. The team, now in its fourth year, was assembled by Rohit Bhatia, a Jericho resident with a desire to expose bright young minds to the science behind robotics and the associated technology. The group is not an officially recognized club in the middle school, yet the children within it are eager to devote their time to meeting and working together to achieve a common goal.

    This year, Rohit also put together another Junior FLL rookie team – TechnoQueens, with 6 girls (including his daughter) from Jericho Elementary schools.   These young and motivated girls have so much fun learning together and working on this year’s project Aqua Adventure. They’re all so motivated and so excited to get to work. “They understand that it’s not mandatory and truly appreciate the time they put in. What we’re doing is learning and having fun and making friends throughout the process.”

    These driven young students had their sights  set on winning their FLL Championships and Jr FLL Expos, an annual international program targeted at middle school and elementary school students, in which registered teams must create robots within the parameters of the mission set forth by the league. The program is intended to challenge participants to discover solutions to real-world problems through the use of math, science and technology.

    At the back of Long Island FIRST events held on March 3rd ( Jr FLL Expo, Mineola) and March 4th (SBPLI Long Island FLL Championship, Longwood)  both the  teams have further progressed to World Competitions in their respective leagues.

    Techno Queens. From L to R: Co-coach Amit Bansal, Sahana Patel, Risha Bansal, Amneet Kaur, Arna Tyagi, Falak Doshi, Ria Bhatia, Coach Rohit Bhatia

    Jr FLL Girls Team, ‘TechnoQueens’, presented and explained their project and model made out of Legos – ‘VILL-AQUATEC’- about bringing clean water  through various technologies to remote villages around world. They impressed the judges with their presentations and excitement; and won the ‘Explosive Ideas Award’.  They would now be presenting the same in World Expo in Detroit from April 26th-28th. They would join the other 60 out of 14,000+ teams globally in Jr World Expo.

    The boys FLL team, ‘RoboFalcons’, did very well in all aspects of Robot Score, technical judging and team values. Most importantly, they got an award on their Project Solution…In addition to winning the Championship award for ‘Innovative Solution, the team was also presented with opportunity to present their innovative solution to FIRST ‘Global Innovation Award’ forum which selects the world-wide winners.

    Boys built the prototype with thermal sensor with Raspberry Pi and created a mobile app (using MIT Scratch programming)- and connected the phone via Bluetooth socket to Raspberry Pi. They were able to demonstrate the change in values (depicting contamination) and display it instantly on the mobile app. Quite an accomplishment- and they did this all by hands on learning themselves. They also designed a 3D printer-based sphere model of their Aqua Bot !

    They now advance to be part of FLL Razorback Championship to be held at University of Arkansas from May 17-20th – and would join other 72 teams from other parts of USA and other 19 countries from around the world.

    Also, to note that the Fund-raising campaign the kids’ have been running with WaterAid has raised about $2700  and kids are continuing to spread awareness- aimed to get clean water to Llano Verde School, Nicaragua. They are really proud of it and have received great kudos from WaterAid team for the same!

     

  • Senator Vin Gopal honors 11 members of South Asian Community

    Senator Vin Gopal honors 11 members of South Asian Community

    PISCATAWAY, NJ(TIP):  Senator Vin Gopal was honored to recognize several outstanding members of the South-Asian American community Friday, March 30 at the Deewan Banquet Hall.

    The 2018 honorees include: Entrepreneur of the Year Chirag Patel, Amneal Pharmaceuticals; Non-Profit of the Year SKN Foundation; Organization of the Year Indian Business Association, Iselin, NJ; Physician of the Year Dr. Sumul Raval; Public Servant of the Year Shanti Narra, Middlesex County Freeholder; Restaurateur of the Year, Harpal Obhan, Deewan Banquet Hall; Attorney of the Year Satish Poondi, Wilentz Law Firm; Educator of the Year Dr. Khyati Joshi, Professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University; Pharmacist of the Year Sam Maddali, United Pharmacy Network; Student of the Year Krina Shah, Freehold, NJ; and Rising Star Shariq Ahmed, Edison, NJ.

    “I am awed by the incredible work that the South-Asian community does in our great state every day,” said Sen. Vin Gopal.

    “The leadership of South-Asian American business owners, scientists, doctors and students has reinvigorated local economies, provided fresh insight into complex problems and exemplified the service and passion of citizenship. As the state’s first South-Asian American Senator, I am extremely proud to represent this community and serve as their voice in Trenton.

    “These honorees truly embody and exemplify the passion, determination and talent that defines our community. It is my great privilege to recognize each of these incredible honorees who stand as pillars in our community. I thank each of our honorees for their work and service and join our community at large in congratulating them on their very well-deserved awards.

    “Thank you to Harpal Obhan for hosting our award ceremony at your beautiful establishment, the Deewan Banquet Hall, as well as Ritesh Shah, chairman of the South-Asian American Caucus in Monmouth County, for his dedication to civil service and public activism. I would also like to thank my co-MC for the evening, Assemblyman Raj Mukherji.”

    The South-Asian community is comprised of individuals of Indian, Bangladeshi, Bhutanese, Maldivian, Nepali, Pakistani and Sri Lankan descent.

  • AIA Organizes Desi Next Bowling Event to promote networking among young families

    AIA Organizes Desi Next Bowling Event to promote networking among young families

    LONG ISLAND, NY(TIP): The Association of Indians in America, NY Chapter (AIA-NY) organized its first Bowling Event under its recently launched cultural exchange group called “Desi Next” at AMF Syosset Lanes in Long Island on Saturday March 31, 2018 to promote Networking within young families while having fun in relaxed environment. Over 100 young enthusiasts along with their families and children attended the event. All guests were introduced with each other and their families to encourage conversation between them and get to know each other while bowling and having food and fun. Everybody enjoyed a lot and complimented the organization and the young team of Rajeev, Anuj and Atul for arranging such fun filled event, which was a huge success.

    AIA NY Chapter has been striving hard to bring programs focused on young generation with a view to attract children and youth population. To name a few, Activities like the Intercollegiate Dance Competition called “Naach Inferno”, and bringing Neel Sethi, the Hollywood child star of the Disney movie “The Jungle Book”.

    We have been trying to continue to expand and strengthen youth development programs and activities and have been working towards energizing our youths, while understanding their concerns, said Gobind Munjal, the president of AIA NY Chapter. We try to give the young adults the autonomy to build their programs that suits and attracts the younger generation. Keeping this in mind, AIA NY Chapter launched “Desi Next” in January 2017 to provide a platform for the younger generation where they can socialize, interact, address their issues and concerns and develop programs to suit their need. We appointed young individuals Anuj Goenka, Atul Kukar and Rajeev Chaudhri to lead the charge for these youth programs. On January 22nd, 2017, we managed to arrange the very first program under Desi Next and it was a huge success with 150 young adults and their children attending the event. Desi Next plans to bring Young Indian families, youth and kids together through Sports, Family get-togethers and Community outreach activities.

    We are soon going to have a membership drive for the young adults and we plan to add many new young members this year. With that in mind, our young Desi Next team Rajeev Chaudhary, Anuj Goenka & Atul Kukar did a fantastic job in organizing this Bowling event, which got rave reviews. We are encouraged by the tremendous success of this event and we are going to have many more such programs in the coming months. One such program being planned is to give free Golf lessons to the younger generation in the coming few months and the other a family picnic for them.

    AIA NY Chapter other upcoming programs are as follows:

    • Investment Seminar on May 17, 2018
    • Fundraiser Event for our Project India Charity Program on June 9, 2018 in Manhattan.
    • Benefit Gala on Sept 15, 2018 for the 31stDeepavali Festival.
    • 31stDeepavali Festival Celebrations on Oct 7, 2018 at the Iconic South Street Seaport in Manhattan, culminating with a spectacular display of Fireworks.
    • Children Deepavali in Libraries around end of October 2018.

    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.

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

    (Press Release)

     

     

  • Weprin Announces State Budget Investments for All New Yorkers

    Weprin Announces State Budget Investments for All New Yorkers

    ALBANY, NEW YORK(TIP):  Assemblyman David I. Weprin announced, April 5, that the New York State has passed an on-time $168.3 billion 2018-19 state budget that includes a nearly $1 billion increase in education funding, significant investments in infrastructure and transportation, protection for New York’s homeowners from federal tax changes and support for seniors’ health and well-being.

    The 2018-19 state budget fully funds the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Subway Action Plan – for a total of $836 million – to make emergency repairs and enhance subway performance. The plan also expands select bus services throughout the city, so residents can get around more easily and reach their destinations on time. And, to establish a long-term funding stream for New York City public transportation, the budget enacts a $2.75 surcharge on for-hire vehicles, $2.50 for yellow cabs and $0.75 for pooled trips below 96th Street in Manhattan; averting an executive proposal which would have placed a $11.52 toll charge for all vehicles below 60th street in Manhattan and over $25 for trucks; resulting in particularly burdensome costs for small businesses and a potential pass along of increased costs to consumers.

    The budget also seeks to limit the impact of the federal tax plan on New York’s homeowners, which increases taxes on many middle-class families by restricting state and local tax deductibility by creating state-operated charitable contributions funds designed to help improve health care and educational outcomes for all New Yorkers. Taxpayers who donate to the funds will be able to claim these contributions as deductions on their state and federal tax deductions, as well as claim a state tax credit equal to 85 percent of the donation amount.

    Other highlights of the final 2018-19 state budget include: –

    • $8.16 million to support long-term care for seniors and $7.81 million to preserve spousal refusal to couples do not lose their life savings in the event a spouse becomes ill and needs nursing home care.
    • Restorations of $13.99 million to prevent hospital and nursing home reductions and $12 million in managed care reductions.
    • $26.6 billion in education funding, including a $618 million increase in Foundation Aid and key allocations to college opportunity programs, including to the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), the Education Opportunity Program (EOP), the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP), the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (C-STEP), as well as for the Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge (SEEK), Liberty Partnerships and College Discovery programs.
    • $12.1 million to SUNY and $6.3 million to CUNY, as well as community colleges to increase community college base aid. The plan includes funding for CUNY Child Care Centers, CUNY Accelerated Study in Associate Program (ASAP), Educational Opportunity Centers (EOCs), and $92 million in state operating support for SUNY hospitals.
    • $35.1 million in critical Bundy Aid for independent colleges, based on degree productivity.
    • $15 million for STEM instruction in nonpublic schools, including parochial schools and yeshivas, for a 200-percent increase over 2016.
    • $30 million in operating and capital support for New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) for treatment and recovery programs, residential service opportunities, and public awareness and education activities.
    • $100 million for a first-in-the-nation opioid stewardship program with a fund to be used for the ongoing and growing costs of prevention, treatment, and recovery services for individuals with a substance abuse disorder.
    • $1 million in additional funding for libraries, providing a total of $96.6 million; including $75,000 for the Queens Library’s Langston Hughes Cultural Center.
    • $350,000 in assistance for nonprofits dedicated to resettling individuals and families from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    • A measure creating a commission to ensure that the people of New York State are accurately counted in the 2020 U.S. Census.
    • Legislation to ensure that employers across the state have comprehensive policies to combat sexual harassment in the workplace, bars confidentiality clauses in any settlement except when specifically requested by the victim and banning mandatory arbitration agreements for claims of sexual harassment.
    • Legislation prohibiting domestic abusers from possessing both handguns and long guns and prohibits individuals with an outstanding warrant for a felony or other serious offense from receiving or renewing a firearm license.

    As Chair of the Assembly Committee on Correction, Weprin also announced that the budget also provides $50 million for the first installment of funding for a six-year plan enacted in 2017 to increase the state’s investment in public defense legal services in addition to $5 million for the Liberty Defense Project to provide vital legal services to immigrants, $4.5 million in additional funding for civil and immigrant legal services, $750,000 for Prisoners’ Legal Services and, $500,000 for additional alternatives to incarceration programs.

    “Although we faced a particularly challenging budget year, the final state budget includes significant investments in education, transportation, healthcare and indigent defense funding” said Assemblyman David I. Weprin. “Along with dealing with the effects of the Washington tax plan, the final budget also averted an executive proposal which would have placed a $11.52 toll charge for all vehicles below 60th street in Manhattan and over $25 for trucks; resulting in particularly burdensome costs for small businesses and a potential pass along of increased costs to consumers.”

     

     

     

  • Chairman Crowley Advocates for Additional Funding to Make College More Affordable for Low-Income Students

    Chairman Crowley Advocates for Additional Funding to Make College More Affordable for Low-Income Students

    JACKSON HEIGHTS, NY (TIP): House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley (D-NY) announced, April 3, his request for additional funding for federal aid programs that benefit low-income college students in the upcoming 2019 government funding bill.

    The three campus-based aid programs, the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work Study, and Perkins Loans, work together with Pell Grants and Direct Student Loans to provide low-income students with a manageable balance of grants, loans, and work to help pay for college. In the most recent academic year, more than 188,000 awards totaling $280 million in tuition assistance were granted through these programs in New York State.

    Funding for work study programs and opportunity grants were slashed in recent years as congressional Republicans pushed forward budgets that dramatically lessened domestic spending on education. And, earlier this year, Congress failed to reauthorize the Perkins Loan program, which helps fill the gap for students with unmet financial needs.

    More than 80 members joined Congressman Crowley’s push to increase funding for these programs by $67 million.

    “With higher spending allocations for FY 2019, the campus-based aid programs can be reinvigorated to become the strong institutional partnership programs to the Pell Grant program they are intended to be,” the lawmakers wrote to the House Committee on Appropriations. “The aid these programs provide to low-income students and families is indispensable in allowing them to attend college without having to borrow or work more to pay for college, which results in increased rates of degree completion.”

  • IDC Mourns the Passing of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, South African Anti-Apartheid Crusader

    IDC Mourns the Passing of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, South African Anti-Apartheid Crusader

    NEW YORK(TIP): The Indian Diaspora Council International (IDC) joins in solidarity with organizations, institutions, agencies, advocacy groups and individuals in South Africa and other countries in mourning the passing of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela who passed away on 2nd April 2018 at the age of 81 years. Mrs. Madikizela-Mandela, born on 26 September 1936, was a renowned South African anti-apartheid crusader and politician, the former wife of South Africa’s late president Nelson Mandela, who passed away at the age of 81 on 2nd April 2018. She was born on 26 September 1936.

    She served as a Member of Parliament from 1994 until her death and was a deputy minister from 1994 to 1996. A member of the African National Congress (ANC) political party, she served on the ANC’s National Executive Committee and headed its Women’s League. Mrs. Madikizela-Mandela was known to her supporters as the “Mother of the Nation”.

    She was married to Nelson Mandela for 38 years, including the 27 years he was imprisoned (18 of those years on Robben Island near Cape Town, South Africa). “She kept the memory of her imprisoned husband Nelson Mandela alive during his years on Robben Island and helped give the struggle for justice in South Africa one of its most recognizable faces,” the statement said. The couple were divorced in 1996, two years after Nelson Mandela became South Africa’s first black President. They had two daughters together. Nelson Mandela died in 2013.

    The family said in a statement that she passed away at the Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa after a long illness, for which she had been in and out of hospital since the start of the year.

    “Mrs. Madikizela-Mandela was one of the greatest icons of the struggle against apartheid,” the statement said. “She fought valiantly against the apartheid state and sacrificed her life for the freedom of the country.”

    “During the crucial time while Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years, the people of South Africa desperately needed a strong, iconic and unwavering voice to keep the anti-apartheid struggle going forward, and Mrs. Madikizela-Mandela met that challenge with skill and perseverance which vastly contributed to end of apartheid in South Africa” – Farook Khan (IDC Coordinator, South Africa).

    “She inspired women everywhere with her undaunted determination and courage to stand up and fight for what is right despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles, to right the wrongs of society, to achieve fundamental human rights and equitable treatment. We owe Mrs. Madikizela-Mandela a lifelong debt of gratitude” – Rita Abraham (South Africa), Chair of IDC’s Women’s Forum.

    “Very few have achieved what Mrs. Madikizela-Mandela has for the betterment of South Africa, contributing enormously to ending an unjust system which was forcibly inflicted upon the majority” – Ashook Ramsaran, President, IDC International

    For information, please contact Mr. Farook Khan (IDC Coordinator, South Africa) @ farook@mweb.co.za

    Indian Diaspora Council International (IDC), established in 1997, is an international non-profit organization with global affiliates and membership in 21 countries with the objective to embrace, engage, and enhance the shared heritage, aspirations, and interests of persons of Indian origin with optimum inclusivity.

     

  • New Jersey public library celebrating Hindu festival Holi

    New Jersey public library celebrating Hindu festival Holi

    NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ(TIP): New Brunswick Free Public Library (NBFPL) in New Jersey, run by the City of New Brunswick, is celebrating Hindu festival of Holi on April 7.

    There is no charge to participate in the festival which includes color festivities using dry and wet colors, mehndi (henna), music, dance, food, etc. “You will not be allowed back in the building after color play”, the announcement points out.

    Commending NBFPL for celebrating Holi, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement, termed it as a step in the positive direction, and urged all the public libraries in New Jersey to celebrate various Hindu religious festivals like Diwali, Holi, Krishna-Janmashtami, Maha-Shivaratri, Navaratri, Ramnavami, Ganesha Chaturthi, Hanuman Jayanti, etc.; in view of presence of substantial number of Hindus in the state.

    Awareness about other religions thus created by such festival celebrations like NBFPL Holi, would generate better understanding among various religious communities of New Jersey and result in more harmony, Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, added.

    Joie de vivre festival of Holi welcomes the beginning of spring and starts about ten days before the full moon of Phalguna. The ceremonies include the lighting of the bonfires, during which all evils are symbolically burnt. Holi also commemorates the frolics of youthful Lord Krishna; celebrates the death of demoness Putana, burning of demoness Holika, and destruction of Kama by Shiva. Holi fell on March two this year.

  • De Blasio Administration launches NYC National Service Support Center

    De Blasio Administration launches NYC National Service Support Center

    New York Mets and the NYC National Service Leadership Council hosted “National Service Night” at Citi Field to recognize impact of service year members in NYC

    NEW YORK CITY, NY(TIP): NYC Service announced, April 4, the launch of the NYC National Service Support Center, which provides training, technical assistance, capacity building resources, and consultations to nearly 40 service year programs across the City. The National Service Support Center is also working with the NYC National Service Leadership Council to support the goals of the NYC National Service Growth (+Sustainability) Plan. The plan aims to double the number of service year members in NYC from 4,000 to 8,000, serving one million New Yorkers by 2020.

    This announcement comes as communities across the country celebrated the Corporation for National and Community Service’s (CNCS) National Service Recognition Day. On April 2, NYC Service and the NYC National Service Leadership Council partnered with the New York Mets to host a “National Service Night” at Citi Field to celebrate the work of over 7,000 AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members in NYC.

    “Yesterday we celebrated the thousands of NYC AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members across the five boroughs who dedicate their time to serving others,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Their contributions are helping us work towards a stronger, more sustainable, and more equitable New York City and I hope more will join their ranks.”

    “NYC Service is thrilled to partner with the Mets and formally recognize the thousands of AmeriCorps and Senior Members in our City who deliver measurable change on critical priorities like education, economic opportunity, health, and the environment,” said NYC Chief Service Officer Paula Gavin. “One year after announcing our plan to double the number of service year members in NYC by 2020, we are excited to launch the NYC National Service Support Center to sustain and expand the impact of service year programs in our City and remain committed to this effort. I want to thank the New York Mets for celebrating with us yesterday and the NYC National Service Leadership Council for their ongoing partnership to strengthen national service in NYC.”

    “The Mets are honored to participate in National Service Recognition Night,” said New York Mets COO Jeff Wilpon. “We’ve partnered with the NYC Service Leadership Council to help recognize and reward over 7,000 AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members for their service to our great city. Tonight also provides a chance for others to learn about national service programming opportunities available in New York.”

    “The impact of the NYC VISTA program is in the communities we serve and in the life of every VISTA,” said Bryan Jackson, NYC VISTA Member. “Organizations that host VISTAs are able to expand to serve the needs of their community with the fresh perspective and high energy that the VISTAs bring. And for those who have felt the call to serve, it provides not only valuable experience, but insight into what is possible with commitment and dedication. At the core, that’s what VISTA is all about: making our country and our world a better place by serving others.”

    “My NYC Service experience has allowed me to serve in the realm of public policy and government administration,” said Sarah Alshawish, NYC VISTA Member. “In the Commissioner’s office of ACS, I project manage the monitoring of new corrective action plans to close practice gaps in the child welfare system. Working alongside child welfare experts and partners from the NYPD, housing, public benefits and healthcare sectors has provided me great insight into the collaboration of city agencies to address challenges faced by families in vulnerable circumstances.”

    “AmeriCorps programs such as Public Allies have given New Yorkers the platform to create the change they want to see in the world by directly serving in their own communities,” said Uthman Olowa, Public Allies NY AmeriCorps Member.

    “The volunteers of the Community Service Society’s RSVP program devote hundreds of thousands of hours a year in improving the lives of their communities by providing vital services such as mentoring, benefits counseling, financial advocacy, alleviating food insecurity and many other essential services that would otherwise not be provided to vulnerable populations throughout the five boroughs,” said David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society. “They demonstrate that national service is a lifelong commitment.”

    “Loneliness and isolation affects many seniors, especially low-income seniors who lack support systems,” said David Garza, Executive Director of Henry Street Settlement. “The Senior Corps Senior Companion program alleviates loneliness for vulnerable seniors by connecting them to a caring individual and provides the Companions with an important purpose, allowing them to make a difference.

    “Public Allies New York recruits young people from diverse backgrounds to serve communities across the city,” said James Bernard, Executive Director of Public Allies New York. “We are a member of a 26-city national movement committed to advancing social justice and equity by engaging and activating the leadership of all young people. We’re about inclusion, we’re about collaboration, and we’re about integrity. Since 1992, we have helped thousands of underrepresented young leaders serve our country, get on successful pathways to higher education and careers, and bring communities together to work for the common good.”

    “Up2Us Sports believes in the service year movement in NYC,” said Paula Caccamo, Founder and CEO of Up2Us Sports. “In the past 5 years, we have supported more than 400 young adults to be coaches and mentors for youth in all five boroughs.  Our AmeriCorps coaches have helped grow youth sports throughout our city and have used the power of sports to mentor youth in life skills, academic goal setting, and conflict resolution.”

    “We have had a lot of success as a collective, with so much diversity in our service year program types, to create solutions to programmatic challenges,” said Jumpstart NY Regional Vice President Kerri Osborne. “We utilize the NYC National Service Support Center to broaden our reach, with staff developing citywide campaigns, supporting advocacy initiatives, and providing technical assistance for service year programming.”

    About NYC Service

    NYC Service, a division of the Office of the Mayor, promotes volunteerism, engages New Yorkers in service, builds volunteer capacity, and mobilizes the power of volunteers and national service members to impact New York City’s greatest needs. To learn more about NYC Service and connect, visit nyc.gov/service.