The Indian Panorama

Year: 2018

  • At the Crossroads: the Glen Cove Gurdwara

    At the Crossroads: the Glen Cove Gurdwara

    By I.J. Singh & Neena I. Singh

    There is no doubt that our beloved gurdwara is at an existential crisis at this time. We will stumble through it but will we learn any lessons?  Look at all the gurduaras around us in this country in despair.  Look at Sikh teachings and I am sure we can do much, much better.  Let’s see if we can remake our problems into a progressive opportunity rather than a destructive threat.

    No question that sharp lines, etched in stone, if judged by the vicious bitterness of current communication, now divide our community.  How best to move forward?  Welcome the differences; life teaches us that all progress stems from differences and how we handle them.

    We know of the move for all officers and trustees to resign and the gurduara to be managed by a collective of previous officers for a while, until we return to a more equitable and sensible frame of mind. Sounds good except for the correspondence that is hardly reflective, thoughtful, hopeful or helpful.

    An apology at the gurduara by one side was followed by harsh responses from many sides.  That cannot ever lead us to a productive solution. The issue of who has which papers and documents; how and when and to whom will they be delivered remains unresolved; also unresolved is the police report.

    Keep in mind that the gurduara is a community institution, not a private holding corporation.  We cannot allow any group to hijack the gurduara.  If it is a privately-owned corporation where the major agenda is the elaborate menu at langar with lack of relevant community programs then our note today is out of order, as is our attendance at the gurduara.  At this time the sangat is totally side-lined.  Do they have a place and a role in this gurduara?

    We offer a few working ideas here:

    1. Both sides should immediately stop issuing statements to justify their own behavior or condemning the other side.  Such activities absolutely do not help if the purpose is to resolve issues and differences.
    2. In the meantime, we should nominate a small group of 3 to 5 individuals (men and women) to run the gurduara as an interim arrangement. There should be representation of both sides in this subcommittee. A war of words has no place here. We need to talk to each other, not talk at each other.
    3. Let both sides provide any records they have to this small interim committee, who will hold them and secure them but will not issue any comments about them, except to see that they have received all material.
    4. This subcommittee would design what procedures – corrective steps, apologies, or resignations etc. – are necessary to bring the community together and not split it permanently. This subcommittee would also explore organizational and procedural mis-steps in how we run meetings, elections and related matters. At this time, we dare say that we have rules but rarely do we follow or understand them well.  At this time the daily briefings continue to roil the community.  They don’t help at all.
    5. This sub-committee should report its recommendations to the sangat in a public forum.

    Clearly, the goal is NOT to determine guilt but to close the divisions in the community.  Participants act from their own position that they think is justified and in good faith.  But an institution must have room for different views as well.  Good institutions have term limits for their officers.    We can revisit the Constitution as well, although the problem at this time may be that it is not being used.

    Let us create an institution that can be a model for other gurduarasthat our community – young and old — can find useful. Gurduaras should not collapse like Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s kingdom — a house of cards. He failed to foresee the future; let’s learn from that mistake. Gurduara of Slough in the UK seems like a good model; let’s explore their functioning.

    Let us focus on the program gurduaras can offer.  Keep an eye on waste of community funds and resources: time, money and energy! Procedures for resolution of problems must exist in the framework of every institution.

    Unanimity of opinion and homogeneity of thought does not make a successful progressive community and institution.  Respect differences and work with them.  An institution such as ours must display fundamental transparency, accountability and participatory self-governance.

    Any positive suggestions and initiatives should be both solicited and welcome?

    ijsingh99@gmail.com

     

  • Deep state, deeper problems: Pakistan

    Deep state, deeper problems: Pakistan

    Pakistan has been ill-served with the ‘corruption is the only problem’ oversimplification, as elections beckon

    By Husain Haqqani

    “It is ironic that Mr. Sharif faces jail ahead of an election that opinion polls indicate his party would win, if voting was free and fair, even as a long list of internationally designated terrorists is free to seek votes. That contradiction is at the heart of why the outcome of the elections is unlikely to change any of the fundamentals of the Pakistan crisis. If the PML-N overcomes all odds and still manages to win, the corruption cases will continue to cast their shadow. If someone like Imran Khan wins with the help of invisible hands, he would start his term under a different cloud.”

    Whatever their outcome, Pakistan’s general election scheduled for July 25 is unlikely to change four fundamental realities. First, Pakistan’s military-led establishment will continue to wield effective power, drawing strength from allegations of incompetence and corruption against civilian politicians. Second, civilian politicians will continue to justify their incompetence and corruption by invoking the specter of military intervention in politics. Third, jihadis and other religious extremists will continue to benefit from the unwillingness of the military and the judiciary to target them as well as the temptation of politicians to benefit from their support. Fourth and finally, Pakistan’s international isolation and economic problems, stemming from its ideological direction and mainstreaming of extremism will not end.

    The conviction of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by an accountability court last Friday has set the stage for him to portray himself as the latest martyr for democracy. He has argued, as others have done before him, that he is being punished not for corruption but for standing up to Pakistan’s invisible government — the military-intelligence combine that has dominated the country effectively since 1958.

    His supporters are willing to ignore the fact that Mr. Sharif’s own political career was launched by the Pakistan Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and the likelihood that allegations of unusual expansion of the Sharif fortune since the family’s advent in politics are true.

    Spotlight on the judiciary

    The conduct of Pakistan’s judiciary in the matter has been far from judicious. The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Saqib Nisar, views himself less as an adjudicator in accordance with the law and more as a super policy maker. He has expressed interest in everything — from water scarcity to running of mental hospitals and prisons. He has taken to touring various government facilities and has even created a fund for the construction of dams. The fund will receive public contributions because the Chief Justice knows the exchequer does not have enough money to build the dams he wants built.

    None of these actions is part of a Chief Justice’s job description, even after recognizing that some judges are more activist than others. Justice Nisar has made his political biases well known and the case against Mr. Sharif proceeded in reverse order. Instead of beginning in a trial court where evidence of his wrongdoing was established beyond reasonable doubt, he was first disqualified by the Supreme Court and then put on trial.

    But perceptions and common knowledge of political corruption cannot be a substitute for following legal principles. Elsewhere in the civilized world, the Pakistani practice of accusing someone of criminal conduct first in the highest court and then demanding that they prove their innocence would be deemed grossly unjust. The fact that this happens only in political cases further strengthens the view that politics, not corruption, is at the heart of such ‘prosecutions’.

    Moreover, the Supreme Court invited representatives of the Military Intelligence and the ISI to help investigate the money trail for Mr. Sharif’s alleged properties in London. This highly unusual procedure itself casts doubt on the real motives behind the former Prime Minister’s trial. The military-led prosecutions of politicians, even when their malfeasance is well known, helps the politicians in building their case that their political conduct is the source of their troubles.

    Pakistan is, therefore, unable to hold the politically powerful accountable through its politicized judiciary. The cynical view of Pakistani politics would be that three decades ago the deep state advanced Mr. Sharif’s political career while portraying Benazir Bhutto’s spouse, Asif Zardari, as corrupt; now Imran Khan is the ‘chosen one’ while Mr. Sharif’s alleged corruption is being targeted.

    Problem with this ‘narrative’

    The military, which now refers to itself as ‘the institution’, has helped build a simplified narrative to justify its constant intervention in political matters as well as to explain Pakistan’s myriad problems. According to this narrative, civilian politicians are incompetent and corrupt, which is the only reason the military needs to periodically intervene to set things right. There is no explanation for how politicians would ever learn the art of governance if they are to be constantly corrected by unelected generals and judges.

    Another part of ‘the narrative’ is the notion that Pakistan’s dysfunction and periodic economic crises are the result of the massive corruption by civilians. Imran Khan and his supporters have been advancing that simplified narrative. Their message finds resonance with those who want to believe that once kickbacks on large projects and their corrupt practices are eliminated, Pakistan would somehow become the land of milk and honey.

    There is, of course, no justification or excuse for corruption but Pakistan has been ill-served with the ‘corruption is the only problem’ over-simplification. Since at least 1990, it has become an excuse to gloss over more significant policy issues that hold Pakistan back. Corruption has been exposed in many countries, from Iceland to China but none of them is as dysfunctional as Pakistan.

    Limiting national discourse to a discussion of corruption makes it impossible for Pakistanis to discuss how jihadi ideology and religious extremism are leading to Pakistan’s isolation. Similarly, Pakistan’s slow growth in exports, for example, is hardly a function of corruption. It reflects low productivity and inadequate value addition which are consequences of poor human capital development and failure to attract investment, among other factors.

    Pakistan is the sixth largest country in the world in terms of population, has the sixth largest army in the world, and possesses one of the largest nuclear arsenals. Yet, it has the highest infant mortality rate; more than one-third of its children between the age of 5 and 15 are out of school. The country’s GDP on a nominal basis ranks 40 out of nearly 200 countries while its GDP per capita stands at 158 out of 216 countries and territories, according to World Bank data.

    None of these facts, however, has found any mention in the election campaign of any Pakistani political party. Although Mr. Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have at least cared to publish detailed manifestos, Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) published its manifesto on Monday, July 9, less than 20 days before the election. The party feels it only needs Mr. Khan’s charisma and the outrage against corruption or enemies of Pakistan to claim voters’ loyalty.

    Economic woes

    The anti-corruption enthusiasm has sometimes added to Pakistan’s economic woes. Pakistan is currently burdened with compensation payments running into billions that must be made to foreign companies whose contracts were cancelled as part of investigations into corruption of officials involved in awarding those contracts. But fighting corruption is a useful slogan if the deep state wants to avoid fighting all jihadis and does not wish to acknowledge the flaws of its national narrative.

    It is ironic that Mr. Sharif faces jail ahead of an election that opinion polls indicate his party would win, if voting was free and fair, even as a long list of internationally designated terrorists is free to seek votes. That contradiction is at the heart of why the outcome of the elections is unlikely to change any of the fundamentals of the Pakistan crisis. If the PML-N overcomes all odds and still manages to win, the corruption cases will continue to cast their shadow. If someone like Imran Khan wins with the help of invisible hands, he would start his term under a different cloud.

    Pakistan will, unfortunately, not emerge stronger after an election whose winner lacks credibility and whose loser is likely to initiate confrontation with the winner right after polling day.

    (The author,  Director for South and Central Asia at the Hudson Institute, Washington DC, was Pakistan’s Ambassador to the U.S. from 2008-11. His latest book is ‘Reimagi

  • The New Trade Order

    The New Trade Order

    By Philip I. Levy

    Since the start of the year, U.S. President Donald Trump has lashed out at allies and adversaries alike on trade. Often, as with India, the U.S. has pushed for enhanced security cooperation at the same time it declared trade relations a national security threat. The belligerence has left many baffled.

    Some pointers

    A first question is why the Trump administration is launching its trade wars. There are at least three possible explanations worth considering: an actual casus belli, as with complaints about Chinese practices; a phantom casus belli, as in the preoccupation with meaningless bilateral trade deficits; or, finally, it might just be a straightforward desire to block trade.

    The evidence seems to point to the last possibility — simple protectionism. While the U.S. has significant concerns about Chinese economic practices, such as China’s aggressive approach to acquiring intellectual property from American businesses, the administration has been unable to focus its demands on these practices. When, a year ago, China offered a deal to address its steel overcapacity, Mr. Trump reportedly rejected the deal in favor of pursuing tariffs. Nor has the White House been able to prioritize among its global trade concerns. The discord with trading partners such as the European Union and Canada has undercut the possibility of presenting a united front on China complaints.

    Further, the Trump administration’s tariff justifications can shift rapidly. In May-June, the Trump administration extended steel and aluminum tariffs to Canada, among other countries. Ostensibly, the rationale was a threat to U.S. national security. Yet, at the G7 meetings later that month, Mr. Trump seemed to explain the aggressive U.S. stance by citing Canada’s protective dairy regime.

    There is ample evidence that Mr. Trump places a high priority on bilateral trade deficits, which he seems to equate with profit and loss statements. In May, hoping to assuage the President’s concerns, Chinese Vice-Premier Liu. He came to Washington to offer increased Chinese purchases of U.S. goods as a means of resolving the looming tariff threat. The Trump administration initially struck a deal, then reversed it roughly a week later. Countries with which the U.S. runs a trade surplus have also not been immune from trade attacks; Canada is a prime example.

    This then leaves the simpler explanation that Mr. Trump is fond of tariffs and believes that American industry will do better behind a wall of protection. He has been neither coy nor inconsistent about such feelings. When he first announced his intention to apply steel and aluminum tariffs in March, his press secretary was asked about the surprise policy move. She replied, “This is something, frankly, the President has been talking about for decades.”

    Within the system

    The U.S. prides itself, however, on its political system of checks and balances. Even with a protectionist President, how can one individual recraft a country’s long-standing trade position so dramatically? The puzzle deepens when one looks at the U.S. Constitution, which assigns the power to apply tariffs to Congress. And where are international protections against capricious protectionism?

    Domestically, Congress has tried to shift responsibility for trade on to the Executive Branch ever since it engaged in an ill-fated bout of protectionism in 1930. The underlying presumption was that individual members of Congress were more likely to succumb to protectionist pressures from their narrower constituencies, while the President was more likely to consider the broader national interest. Most domestic legislative safeguards, therefore, protected against a president being more liberal than Congress might desire; there are relatively few protections against a President who is more protectionist. Over the years, the legal authorizations for a President to apply protection accumulated, largely unused. Thus, the steel and aluminum tariffs were justified under an obscure provision of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, a law granting national security powers from the midst of the Cold War. The upshot is that a protectionist President has ample tools at hand.

    Turning to the global trading system, the burgeoning trade war demonstrates its limitations. The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and World Trade Organization were never designed to block a major world power from running amok. They relied, instead, on the principal players in global trade respecting the system. Trade disputes were anticipated, of course, but they were intended to be sincere cases of disagreement about rules and acceptable practices. The WTO Dispute Settlement Mechanism cannot act quickly enough to address the mounting spats about trade protectionism emanating from the U.S., a major reason why countries around the world have not waited for verdicts from their WTO complaints and have instead proceeded with retaliation.

    What lies ahead

    Finally, we can ask: what comes next for the global trading system? In the near term, we are likely to see escalation. U.S. tariffs on $34 billion of imports from China took effect on July 6. China has promised equivalent retaliation. Mr. Trump has promised to retaliate against that retaliation.

    The Trump administration also announced its intention to use its national security justification for tariffs on the auto sector. There are reports that Mr. Trump wants such tariffs in place before the U.S. mid-term elections in early November. While such a move would be qualitatively similar to the action against steel and aluminum trade, it would be quantitatively much more significant, given the magnitude of the autos trade. Europe has threatened retaliatory tariffs worth $300 billion should the auto tariffs proceed.

    There is little sign that Mr. Trump will be turned from his protectionist path by earnest explanations of the virtues of trade, though there have been valiant attempts both from the private sector and from members of Congress. If there is to be a change in the U.S. position, it is likely to come from an active reassertion of congressional authority over trade policy. At the moment, that still appears unlikely, but the pressures are mounting.

    Even if the President has trumpeted his passion for protection for years, many in the U.S. assumed he was exaggerating. It is only in the last month or two that the effects of both protection and retaliation have begun to be felt. While some businesses have been helped, many more have been hurt. For example, while there are roughly 140,000 Americans who work in steel production, there are about 2 million who work in industries that use steel as a major input. Those latter industries are beginning to cry for help, along with farmers who are seeing sales lost to retaliatory barriers. Stories such as the relocation of production of Harley-Davidson motorcycles have called into question the President’s claim that protection would revive American manufacturing.

    All this has led to a deeply conflicted Republican Party, which holds a majority in both houses of the legislature. Traditionally, Republicans have been the more pro-business, pro-trade party and members of Congress running for re-election this November were planning to mount a campaign based on unity, tax cuts, and good stewardship of the economy.

    Now those candidates need to decide whether or not to act against their President’s trade measures. If they choose to, they have the power to legislate and block the President’s trade belligerence, at the cost of enraging him. If they choose not to, they will likely disappoint their constituents. Their choice is likely to determine the next turn in Mr. Trump’s trade war.

    (The author is a Senior Fellow at the Chicago Council of Global Affairs and adjunct Professor at the Kellogg School of Management, U.S.)

     

  • A difficult campaign: on the Pakistan elections

    A difficult campaign: on the Pakistan elections

    In the run-up to the election, Pakistan’s judiciary and military are showing their hand

    Democracy has always been fragile in Pakistan. It was only in 2013 that a transfer of power from one democratically elected government to another was realized for the first time. As the country heads for the second such transfer, with a general election scheduled for July 25, the celebration is muted, overshadowed by a series of dramatic developments. Last week, former Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League leader Nawaz Sharif was sentenced to 10 years in prison in a corruption case involving undeclared property in London. The case, first outed in the Panama Papers, has seen Mr. Sharif disqualified from office and then barred from holding a party position in the ruling PML(N) after being held guilty by the Supreme Court. The charges are serious, even for a country plagued by corruption in high places. But many Pakistanis, including Mr. Sharif’s critics, believe the anti-corruption court was overzealous, and even motivated by those in the deep state unhappy with his recent run as Prime Minister. In an unusual move, military and intelligence officers had been dispatched to cities around the world to gather as much evidence as possible against him. Mr. Sharif, who has been sentenced along with his daughter and son-in-law, accuses the Opposition parties led by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf of having received support from the establishment to hold massive rallies calling for his ouster. This was a role Mr. Sharif himself played in the 1990s, when he was the politician favored by Pakistan’s all-powerful establishment.

    While the attempt to neutralize Mr. Sharif’s political role in Pakistan’s future is the biggest story in this campaign, it is by no means the only destabilizing trend. In the past few weeks, the media have battled harassment, with copies of the Dawn banned from cantonments. Journalists have faced death threats. This week, Awami National Party leader Haroon Bilour became the second member of his family to be assassinated, pointing to a systematic targeting of politicians who don’t adhere to an Islamist line or kowtow to the military. The atmosphere is by no means conducive to the conduct of a free and fair election and has been further vitiated by terrorist groups being ‘mainstreamed’ in the polity. The most notable such group is the Allah-o-Akbar Tehreek. Sectarian groups and radical Islamist ideology are being tolerated by the military, despite harsh strictures on terror funding from the Financial Action Task Force, and an international grey-listing that threatens to cripple the economy. The elections will serve as one marker for the democratic process; the larger struggle in Pakistan for the deepening of democracy will continue.

    (Tribune, India)

  • Trade War- US slaps more tariffs on $200b Chinese goods

    Trade War- US slaps more tariffs on $200b Chinese goods

    WASHINGTON(TIP): Escalating the US-China trade war, the Trump administration on Wednesday, July 11, announced 10 per cent tariffs on an additional $200 billion worth of Chinese imports, prompting Beijing to warn of “counter measures” to safeguard its interests.

    The Trump administration’s move comes after the US imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods worth $34 billion last Friday. Beijing immediately responded with its own tariffs on US goods worth $34 billion. The retaliatory tariffs that China enacted Friday targeted US cars and major agricultural goods, such as soybeans and meat.

    US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer released a list of thousands of additional goods that could face 10 per cent tariffs after a public comment period. It includes fruit and vegetables, handbags, refrigerators, rain jackets and baseball gloves.

    (Source: PTI)

  • Demarche to UK over ‘anti-India’ meet

    Demarche to UK over ‘anti-India’ meet

    NEW DELHI(TIP): India has issued a demarche to the UK protesting a meeting convened on August 12 in London by separatist organization Sikhs For Justice (SFJ).

    The SFJ that claims to be an international advocacy group has offered to sponsor youth and political activists from Punjab to travel to London for the August meeting.

    The meeting at Trafalgar Square is aimed at shaping up the “London Declaration on Referendum 2020” campaign seeking a separate Khalistan.

    India has lodged its protest through diplomatic channels against the proposed “anti-India activity”. “We have taken it up with UK and have issued a demarche. We expect UK will not allow such anti-India activities to be carried out in UK,” said MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.

    India’s official response comes a day after the British High Commission spokesperson in Delhi defended the right of people in the UK “to gather together and to demonstrate their views, provided that they do so within the law”.

    “However, will not tolerate any groups who spread hate or deliberately raise community fears and tensions by bringing disorder and violence to our towns and cities and the police have comprehensive powers to deal with such activities,” the British High Commission spokesperson told The Tribune in a cautious statement.

     Khalistan remains a sensitive issue in bilateral ties between the two countries. In April, India had lodged a protest with the UK after the Tricolour was burnt by Khalistani elements at Parliament Square, while PM Narendra Modi was addressing a diaspora event in Westminster.

    “Majority of the Sikh community have good relations with India and with the country where they stay. The rest are fringe elements,” underlined Raveesh Kumar on Thursday.

     According to its legal adviser based in New York, the SFJ plans to provide sponsorship letters to participants from Punjab and also arrange free stay for them from August 10 to 14. It plans to unveil a declaration advocating for “Sikhs’ right to self-determination for the independence of Punjab” at the Trafalgar meeting.

    Separatist group Sikhs For Justice plans to sponsor Punjab youth and political activists to travel to London for August 12 meet aimed at shaping up the “London Declaration on Referendum 2020” campaign seeking Khalistan

  • ’84 anti-Sikh riots: New SIT fails to start work as member’s position remains vacant

    ’84 anti-Sikh riots: New SIT fails to start work as member’s position remains vacant

    NEW DELHI(TIP): A new SIT headed which was set up in January this year to further investigate 186 cases relating to the 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases in Delhi, has failed to start its work, the Supreme Court was informed on Thursday.

    Counsel for the petitioner who has been instrumental in getting the order for a fresh SIT probe told a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra that a member’s position was vacant in the SIT headed by former Delhi High Court judge SN Dhingra.

     The SIT which is to probe 186 cases closed by the police, has yet to commence its work despite the court’s order to submit its first report in August, the petitioner’s counsel told the Bench.

    CJI Misra said he was aware of the matter and he would soon look into it.

    The Centre had on February 5 told the Supreme Court that ex-IPS officer Rajdeep Singh has refused to be a part of the new SIT and he would be replaced by former Indian Police Bureau Director General of Police NR Wasan. Serving IPS officer Abhishek Dular is the third member of the SIT.

    Justice Dhingra was a trial judge when punishments were handed out in 1990s to the accused of the Trilokpuri massacre of 1984. Kishori Lal, dubbed as the ‘butcher of Trilokpuri’, was among those sentenced by him.

    Almost 3,000 people were killed, most of them in Delhi, in the anti-Sikh riots that broke out following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984.

     The Bench had in January noted that the previous SIT had not carried out further probe into these 186 cases in which closure reports were filed. It had taken the decision after perusing the report of a two-judge supervisory panel which scrutinized 241 cases relating to 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi closed by an earlier SIT formed by the NDA government for re-investigation.

     Submitted on December 6, the report of the supervisory committee comprising Justice JM Panchal and Justice KSP Radhakrishnan was perused by the court.

     The court had already made it clear that it would not reopen cases in which accused had been acquitted.

     It had assigned the task of examining the said 241 cases closed by SIT to the supervisory committee which was to make recommendations as to whether the cases were rightly closed or not.

    Counsel for the petitioner who has been instrumental in getting the order for a fresh SIT probe told a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra that a member’s position was vacant in the SIT headed by former Delhi High Court judge SN Dhingra.

     The SIT which is to probe 186 cases closed by the police, has yet to commence its work despite the court’s order to submit its first report in August, the petitioner’s counsel told the Bench.

    It had assigned the task of examining the said 241 cases closed by SIT to the supervisory committee which was to make recommendations as to whether the cases were rightly closed or not.

     More than two years after the Narendra Modi government set up the SIT to re-investigate serious anti-Sikh riots cases of 1984 that had been closed, it has managed to file charge sheets only in very small number of cases taken up for further probe.

  • Charges against Stormy Daniels dropped hours after arrest: Police said they made a mistake in arresting porn film star

    Charges against Stormy Daniels dropped hours after arrest: Police said they made a mistake in arresting porn film star

    COLUMBUS, OHIO(TIP):  Charges were dropped Thursday, July 12,  against porn actress Stormy Daniels, just hours after she was arrested while performing at an Ohio strip club and charged with letting patrons touch her in violation of a state law, an Associated Press report says.

    Her attorney said she was set up in a Columbus police sting operation, something police deny.

    Charging documents say Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, was arrested for touching a patron at a “sexually oriented” business in violation of the law commonly known as the Community Defense Act.

    The documents said that Daniels, who was semi-nude, allegedly touched some of the patrons’ breasts and allowed them to touch her. She allegedly performed the same act with several officers who approached the stage and forced one officer’s head into her bare chest.

    She was released on bail before 6 a.m. Thursday. Daniels posted $6,000.

    Daniels’ attorney, Michael Avenatti, told The Associated Press that some patrons touched Daniels in a non-sexual” way during her performance. He told MSNBC later Thursday that police had prepared a sting operation with multiple officers. He said female undercover officers asked Daniels if they could place their face between her breasts.

    “It was an absurd use of law enforcement resources,” Avenatti said.

    The three counts against Daniels were first-degree misdemeanors, with a maximum penalty for one count would be six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

    Thursday afternoon, city prosecutors dropped the charges, saying the Ohio illegal touching law can’t be enforced because Daniels has only appeared once at the Columbus club.

    The law refers to someone “who regularly appears nude or seminude” at a club. Avenatti successfully argued Daniels “has not appeared consistently and repeatedly at Sirens,” according to prosecutors.

    Police said two other women were arrested along with Daniels. Prosecutors are also checking whether those women will be prosecuted, said City Attorney Zach Klein.

    The police department “engages in these operations routinely,” said spokesman Sgt. Dean Worthington.

    Avenatti posted on Twitter a statement by Daniels that said she apologized to her fans in Columbus, but she would not perform her previously scheduled Thursday night show.

  • Shashi Tharoor kicks up row with ‘Hindu Pakistan’ comment

    Shashi Tharoor kicks up row with ‘Hindu Pakistan’ comment

    THIRUVANANTHPURAM(TIP): Congress leader Shashi Tharoor sparked off a controversy with his statement that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is voted to power again, it will rewrite the Constitution that will eventually create a “Hindu Pakistan.”

    The BJP demanded an apology from Mr. Tharoor and called his statement “an attack on Indian democracy and Hindus”, while the Congress distanced itself and advised its leaders on “responsible phraseology.”

    At an event in Thiruvanthapuram on Wednesday, July 11,  Mr. Tharoor said: “If they have been able to win a repeat of their current strength in the Lok Sabha, then frankly, our own democratic Constitution, as we understand, will not survive… because then they will have all the three elements they need to tear up the Constitution of India and write a new one.

    “And that will enshrine the principle of Hindu Rashtra, that will remove equality for the minorities, and that will create a Hindu Pakistan…and that is not what Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, Sardar Patel, Maulana Azad and great heroes of freedom struggle fought for.”

    I will say it again: Tharoor

    He said: “I have said this before and I will say it again. Pakistan was created as a state with a dominant religion, that discriminates against its minorities and denies them equal rights. India never accepted the logic that had partitioned the country.

    “But the BJP/RSS idea of a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is the mirror image of Pakistan a state with a dominant majority religion that seeks to put its minorities in a subordinate place. That would be a Hindu Pakistan, and it is not what our freedom movement fought for, nor the idea of India enshrined in our Constitution.”

    Mr. Tharoor said many proud Hindus like him cherished the inclusive nature of the faith and had no desire to live, as their Pakistani neighbors were forced to, in an intolerant theocratic state.

    “We want to preserve India and not turn our beloved country into a Hindu version of Pakistan,” he wrote.

    Mr. Tharoor got some support from former Vice-President Hamid Ansari.

    “I have not read what he [Tharoor] has said. But he is an educated man, a writer, an MP…and heads Parliament’s committee on external affairs. Whatever he says, he will say after thorough consideration,” Mr. Ansari told a TV news channel.

    The BJP used strong language to hit back at him.

    “Shashi Tharoor is the same person who called Indians ‘cattle-class’. He is ‘cattle-class-ing’ the Indian democracy. You call yourself an educated and erudite spokesperson of the Congress. If you want to love Pakistan, do so, but do not display such hatred towards Indians,” BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra told reporters at a briefing.

    Congress communication chief Randeep Surjewala, however, articulated the party’s position in a series of tweets. “India’s values & fundamentals are an unequivocal guarantee of our civilizational role & set us apart from the divisive idea of Pakistan. All Congress leaders must realize this historic responsibility bestowed upon us while choosing words & phraseology to reject BJP’s hatred,” he said.

    “Modi Govt thrives upon an unprecedented atmosphere of division, bigotry, hatred, intolerance & polarization for last 4 years. Congress, on the other hand, represents India’s civilizational values of pluralism, diversity, compassion & harmony between faiths & ethnicities,” added Mr. Surjewala.

    (Source: PTI)

     

  • Trump claims he subdued NATO allies with his ‘go it alone’ ultimatum

    Trump claims he subdued NATO allies with his ‘go it alone’ ultimatum

    Tells European allies to increase spending or lose US support

    BRUSSELS(TIP): Donald Trump claimed a personal victory at a NATO summit on Thursday, July 12 after telling European allies to increase spending or lose Washington’s support, an ultimatum that forced leaders to huddle in a crisis session with the US President. Trump emerged declaring his continued commitment to a Western alliance built on US military might that has stood up to Moscow since World War Two.

     People present said he had earlier warned he would “go it alone” if allies, notably Germany, did not make vast increases in their defense budgets for next year.

    “I let them know that I was extremely unhappy,” he said, but added that the talks ended on the best of terms: “It all came together at the end. It was a little tough for a little while.”

    German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who called the summit “very intense”, and other leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, played down the extent to which they had pledged to accelerate spending plans as fast as Trump wanted.

     Macron and others said they did not interpret Trump’s words as a direct threat to quit the alliance Washington founded in 1949 to contain Soviet expansion. Trump, asked if he thought he could withdraw from NATO without backing from Congress, said he believed he could but it was “unnecessary”. Others say Congressional approval would be required—and would be unlikely to be forthcoming.

     Trump hailed a personal victory for his own strategy in complaining loudly that NATO budgets were unfair to US taxpayers, and the emergence of what he said was a warm consensus around him.

     Several diplomats, however, said his undiplomatic intervention, including pointing at other leaders and addressing Merkel as “you, Angela”, had irritated many.

    Spending targets

    • NATO members have committed to spending at least 2% of their national income on defense by 2024, though the terms allow for stretching that in some cases to 2030
    • The United States, far the biggest economy, spent 3.6% last year, while Germany, the second biggest, paid out just 1.2% and only a handful of countries met the 2% target.
    • Trump said he wanted them all to hit that target by January, prompting consternation. Many have already settled their 2019 budgets and the sums involved are immense.
  • July 13 New York & Dallas Print Editions

    July 13 New York & Dallas Print Editions

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  • Weekly Horoscope: July 9 to 15

    Weekly Horoscope: July 9 to 15

    By Bejan Daruwalla

    Aries:Ganesha says from the first period of concentrating on money and acquisitions, you turn your attention to family and intimate bonding. You are also deeply attached to your family, and your parents and siblings mean the world to you. You know that the family can be well looked after if you earn well and so – family and finance – gohand in hand. You make extra efforts to secure the financial aspects for your extended family and look for new avenues of investment and expansion. You will tap the markets and indulge in speculation with some success, too. (I must add here that a lot depends on the individual horoscopes and these are mere generalizations; and also remind you of the fact that the stars impel and don’t compel.

    Taurus: –Your life acquires a new intensity and tempo. You are on the fast track to success and even the fastest escalator is too slow. There may be a few delays and impediments, but you manage to get over all that with some breathtaking risk-taking ability. This is a period of unmitigated passion with your loved one. You find joy in intimacy and you move from physical pleasure to super consciousness and that, I must add, is quite a remarkable journey.

    Gemini: –After all the initial expansion and money making, you enter a world of new ideas and inspirations. You also entertain and have fun at social gatherings. It is not that you are not working, but meetings also help you network and make the right connections. You are less driven now and enjoy lighter moments with friends and family. You have to guard against depression, though, as there will minor irritants and they will plunge you into deep thinking mode.

    Cancer: –This is a period of consolidation. You will be making contacts with all sorts of people, you will be in a frenzy of communication, reaching out to everyone. You make valuable contacts and your business/work grows. You make money, with the right decisions at the right time and are prudent enough to invest the extra in gilt edged securities and also in purchases that make good money sense. There is travel, an upswing in your prestige.

    Leo: –You get encouraged by the good times and pitch in for more expansion. You think big and take risks like a gambler at Las Vegas. You are also in the throes of a new relationship and it is going well. Remember that there is the force of gravity and the higher you go, the harder you can fall. So, it’s good to spread out and be on a high but don’t over-extend yourself either physically and financially. If fortunes change (and you never know what happens when) you will fall flat on your face. You also get a tad arrogant and feel that you are the beginning and end of all life forms.

    Virgo: –You are moving in many directions and the force is with you. You are doing too much too soon. You are also travelling and meeting people. Sometimes, you get too frank, blunt and outspoken and this will not help your cause one bit. You will also spend recklessly and indulge in all forms of speculation and gambling. There is new romance, attachments, love affairs and you revel in it. If in love, you could take it to the next level. All in all, an expansive period in which many things happen to you.

    Libra: –You slow down a bit and think issues over. You have to deal with mounting expenses and are mired in your own doings of the last period. You look for more meaning in whatever you do and take recourse in spiritual books perhaps, even gods and godmen. But there is more than intellectual movement; you move physically too, on business and for pleasure. You look at inner growth and greater knowledge which you realize will help you achieve.

    Scorpio: –You are communicating frenetically this period. Local and domestic affairs will occupy your attention and set off a great deal of action, though it may not always be to your liking or inclination. There will be intrusions from others which you should guard against. You have been moving fast and in different directions. Prioritize your life and don’t scatter your energies like you have been doing for some time now. The home environment needs attention.

    Sagittarius: –You streamline all your activities. You look to others for help in this and it is a welcome move as the world wants to help someone who is keen on doing so. No one likes losers, and you like to be a winner in the game of life and not a whiner. You have many accomplices now who will also, later, want a share in the pie. You are never winners. You make changes in the basics and let go of old dependency needs or crutches which may have helped you stay afloat in the past. You have a lot of self-belief now and your relationships are revitalized. There are promises of long-term stability.

    Capricorn: –Once again, you seek out avenues for more money as it means recognition, power and security in your lexicon. I do not say that it is not true, but an overemphasis on money may well be your undoing in the long run. You work hard and are motivated to move heaven and earth to achieve your goals. There will be a lot of stress and you need to take care. Family, loved ones, children, parents, in-laws and all the others in your extended family demand your time and you will be walking the tightrope. A tense period.

    Aquarius: –There is outstanding success in store for you. You are determined and all fired up and move in the right direction with panache. You weed out all that you don’t need which includes friends who don’t mean well and other pretenders. Your attitude is right and you have an infectious optimism which will ensure that you get your point across without ruffling feathers. Family bonding will also be pleasing, fulfilling and there are promises of success and joy in all areas of your life. You make steady progress and squash all rivalry before it turns ugly and disastrous.

    Pisces: –While the work areas is moving along smoothly, you also make some personal conquests. You are more creative and attract many like-minded people who will collaborate with you both at work and at play. You pave the path to success with concrete results. Your work skills are sharpened, and your personal equation enhanced. You have laid the foundation and it is time to work on them and reap the dividends. With the right attitude and the hard work that you put in, there is no room for failure.

  • G4C 15TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL: SPECIAL PROCLAMATION FROM NYC MAYOR

    G4C 15TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL: SPECIAL PROCLAMATION FROM NYC MAYOR

    By Mabel Pais

    About Games for Change

    Since 2004,Games for Change(G4C) has been empowering game creators and innovators to drive real-world change, using games that help people to learn, improve their communities, and contribute to make the world a better place. G4C partners with technology and gaming companies as well as nonprofits, foundations and government agencies, to run world class events, public arcades, design challenges and youth programs. G4C supports a global community of game developers working to use games to tackle real-world challenges, from humanitarian conflicts to climate change and education.

    About Parsons School of Design

    Parsons School of Design is one of the world’s leading institutions for art and design education. Based in New York but active around the world, the school offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the full spectrum of art and design disciplines. Critical thinking and collaboration are at the heart of a Parsons education. Parsons graduates are leaders in their fields, with a shared commitment to creatively and critically addressing the complexities of life in the 21st century.www.newschool.edu/parsons/

     “For 15 years, Games for Changehas encouraged the top minds in tech to develop digital games that can bring about positive social change”– Mayor de Blasio

     “Life is Strange: Before the Storm” Wins Big at Games for Change Awards Ceremony with Two Honors, Including Game of the Year;

     The Games for Change (G4C) Festival for the 15thyear had its three day-long programming, June 28-30, 2018, at the Parsons School of Design, at the New School University, New York, with a special proclamation from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, declaring June 28 as “Games for Change Day.”  It was enthusiastically attended each day by at least 300 guests.

    By exploring the challenges faced by refugees, LGBTQ youth, children with autism, people suffering from mental illness, and much more, the games and presentations featured at the Games for Change festival over the last fifteen years have promoted equality, understanding, and inclusivity by giving players the opportunity to experience reality from a different point of view.

     “For 15 years, Games for Changehas encouraged the top minds in tech to develop digital games that can bring about positive social change,” said Mayor de Blasio in the Proclamation. “I am proud to join with all those gathered here to applaud G4C, all of this year’s award winners, and everyone participating in the festival for their commitment to forging a better tomorrow for us all.”

    Day 1 of the Festival also featured the Games for ChangeAwards ceremony, which honored games in the following categories: Best Gameplay, Most Innovative, Most Significant Impact and Best Learning Game, and Game of the Year. The winners announced were:

    • BEST GAMEPLAY (Honoring the games with highly compelling and engaging gameplay whose game mechanics align with and reinforce impact goals.)

    WINNER: What Remains of Edith Finch(Developed byGiant Sparrow)

    What Remains of Edith Finch is a collection of strange tales about a family in Washington State. As Edith, you’ll explore the colossal Finch house, searching for stories as she explores her family history and tries to figure out why she’s the last one in her family left alive.

    • MOST INNOVATIVE (Honoring the games that demonstrate creativity and aspire to bring new ideas through unique game design, technology and/or audiences. These games embrace experimentation to break conventions of form or concept in a manner that may pave new ways for the sector.)

    WINNER: Tree(Developed byNew Reality Company)

    Tree transforms you into a majestic rainforest tree. With your arms as branches and body as a trunk, you’ll experience the tree’s life from a seedling to its fullest form and witness its fate firsthand. 

    • MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPACT (Honoring the games that target a specific social issue with proven actions/outcomes like awareness, civic learning, community building, or behavior change.)

    WINNER:Life is Strange: Before the Storm(Developed byDeck Nine Games)

    • BEST LEARNING GAME [Honoring the games that offer meaningful engagement around intended learning objectives with measurable outcomes. Examples of types of learning include cognitive skills (academic subjects, memory), social/emotional skills (empathy, bullying), physical health (movement, nutrition), and creative well-being.]

    WINNER: Attentat 1942(Developed byCharles University, Czech Academy of Sciences)

    Attentat 1942 is a unique game that tells the story of Nazi occupation from the perspective of those who experienced it firsthand. The game is built on dialogues with survivors, interactive comics, and authentic historical footage. Speak to eyewitnesses, live their memories, and discover the untold story of your family.

    • GAME OF THE YEAR (Honoring the exemplary game that achieves all three dimensions: impact, innovation and gameplay)

    WINNER:Life is Strange: Before the Storm(Developed byDeck Nine Games)

    Life is Strange: Before the Storm features Chloe Price, a 16 year-old rebel who forms an unlikely friendship with Rachel Amber, a popular girl destined for success. When Rachel’s world is turned upside down by a family secret they give each other the strength to overcome their demons.

    • THE GAMES FOR CHANGE x POLYGON PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

    WINNER:Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice(Developed byNinja Theory)

    Set in the Viking age, a broken Celtic warrior embarks on a haunting vision quest into Viking Hell to fight for the soul of her dead lover. Created in collaboration with neuroscientists and people who experience psychosis, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice will pull you deep into Senua’s mind.

    Katie Salen (University of California, Irvine; Chief Designer and co-founder of Connected Camps and founding Executive Director of Institute of Play) who gave a keynote presentation that explored a play-based approach to raising socially and emotionally aware gamers, was presented with the Games for Change Vanguard Awardfor her commitment to games with social impact.

    G4C 2018 Festival Team
    (Left to Right): Kai Falkenberg, NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment
    Susanna Pollack, President of Games for Change
    Asi Burak, Chairman, Games for Change
    Suzanne Seggerman, Co-Founder, Games for Change
    Ben Stokes, Co-Founder, Games for Change
    Barry Joseph, Co-Founder, Games for Change

    This year, Games for Change launched a CharityBuzz campaign, with bidding lots that include: Lunch with Dr. Adam Gazzaleyand a tour of the Neuroscape Lab in San Francisco; Meet with speaker Prof. Aorangi Popovicand Visit the Center for Game Science in Seattle; Meet speaker Dan Ayoub, Tour & Private Demo at the Microsoft Holocene Lab; Meet Maxime Durand, Chief Historian of Assassin’s Creed & Tour the Ubisoft HQ in Montreal; VIP Tour of Ubisoft in San Francisco, Lunch, Guitar Lesson and Hotel & Airfare. The campaign is open until Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 3:00 PM EST.

    Festival attendees were treated to a slate of presentations by industry leaders in the Festival’s three focused tracks: Neurograming & Health, Civics & Social Issues and Games for Learning. The keynote speakers included, Rajesh Anandan(Senior Vice President UNICEF Ventures, UNICEF USA), Adam Bellow(Co-Founder, Breakout EDU), Robert Torres, (Chief Strategy Officer, Teach the World Foundation), Katie Salen, (2018 Games for Change Vanguard Award recipient), Maxime Durand (Franchise Historian for Assassin’s Creed, Ubisoft Montreal), Marc-Andre Ethier(Professor, Universite de Montreal), and Kate Edwards(CEO & Principal Consultant, Geogrify.)

    The G4C Festival continued on Friday, June 29 and on Saturday, June 30 with the XR for Change Summit.

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

  • Nritya Ranjani showcases the rich cultural heritage of India

    Nritya Ranjani showcases the rich cultural heritage of India

    LONG ISLAND, NY(TIP): The Nartan Rang Dance Academy of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan held its annual production, Nritya Ranjani,at the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center on Long Island on Sunday, June 24th, 2018. Nritya Ranjani 2018: Nritya Yatra, A Cultural Journey, told the story of a mother-daughter duo traveling through the Indian subcontinent in search of knowledge & experience through the rich culture & heritage of India’s numerous festivals. Together, the pair navigated the ups and downs of culture shock and generation gaps, much as they happen with the millennial generation of today.

    Junior Students performing on a Bollywood song
    Fusion dance by Siddhi Vaishnav and Ciera Paily

    Taking the journey from September to August, the production encompassed the holidays of Ganeshotsav, Navratri, Durga Puja, Diwali, Christmas, Uttarayan, Republic Day, Mahashivaratri, Holi, Baisakhi, Ramadan, the monsoon season, and Janmashtami. Choreographed by Nartan Rang creative director Swati Vaishnav & her daughter Siddhi, Nritya Yatraseamlessly wove together the threads of the immigrant and “ABCD” experiences via kathak, bharatnatyam, folk, Bollywood, and fusion dance, forging a bond with the audience through art and storytelling that all could relate to.

    4-6 years old kids performing Happy Diwali

    Over the past three decades, the Nartan Rang Dance Academy’s vision has always been to endeavor to promote Indian dance forms to the younger generations and to encourage and inspire both adults and children of all ages and backgrounds to learn and appreciate the divine art and heritage of South Asia. The Academy will proudly continue to strive in the preservation, expansion, and growth of the South Asian diaspora for years to come. Registration for the 2018-19 year begins in mid-August. Please call (516) 395-1209 or E-Mail nartanrangdance@gmail.com

  • Afghani Sikh and Hindu Community pay tribute to their brethren slain in Afghanistan

    Afghani Sikh and Hindu Community pay tribute to their brethren slain in Afghanistan

    Afghanistan Consul General in New York Abdul Satar Haqbin mourns with community

    HICKSVILLE, NY(TIP): The gory incident of the slaying of 19 Sikh and Hindu community leaders in Jalalabad, Afghanistan on July 1 came alive before the eyes of the gathering at Gurdwara Nanak Darbar here on July 5. The Afghani Singh and Hindu community which has a large presence in this part of New York organized an Akhand Paath in the memory of their slain brethren. The Sikhs who immigrated from Afghanistan after having suffered for years set up a Gurdwara by the name Gurdwara Nanak Darbar while the Afghani Hindus set up a temple by the name Asa Mai Hindu Temple. Both shrines are located in the vicinity of each other in Hicksville. The entire community which immigrated from Afghanistan is close knit and share their joys and sorrows.

    So it was when the Akhand Paath Sahib in the memory of those killed was organized by the Sikh sangat of Gurdwara Nanak Darbar. Members from Asa Mai Mandir and from other Hindu temples came to pay their tribute to the dear departed ones. Many had known those who were killed. In particular, Rawail Singh and Avtar Singh who were political leaders of the  Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan, were household names.

    Speaking on the occasion, Afghanistan Consul General in New York, Abdul Satar Haqbin said he was both “happy and sad”. Happy that he was with the community in a Sikh temple which he had always wanted to visit. And sad because of the tragic incident in Afghanistan on July 1 in which 19 Hindu and Sikh community leaders were killed. Among the killed were young and old, professionals, businessmen and workers. The gory incident has made government, parliament, and people of Afghanistan sad.

    Speaking about the turn of the events in Afghanistan, the Consul General said that Afghanistan was a very peaceful country until 40 years ago. But after Russia invaded Afghanistan, peace deserted the country and all kinds of problems started. But, “we have to regain peace”, said the CG. Sikhs and Hindus have made great sacrifices for Afghanistan. They have laid down their lives for the country. They have bravely served in the military. “I thank the Sikhs and the Hindus” for their sacrifices and contribution to Afghanistan. Haqbin was sad to recall how once upon a time there were 200,000 Sikhs and Hindus living in Afghanistan and now only a handful were left there.

    The Sikhs and the Hindus are held in high esteem. No sooner than the reports of the killings came in, the governor and senior officials visited the site of the incident and the gurdwara to express their condolences. They felt concerned for the Hindu and Sikh community and expressed their support to them.

    The Consul General paid his tribute to those killed and said he will ensure all possible help to the bereaved families.

    The Consul General was honored with a Siropa

    The Consul General was honored with a siropa.

    The Gurdwara General Secretary Harcharan Singh Gulati who has been in constant touch with the Sikh and Hindu community in Afghanistan, said that the Sikhs have been living in Afghanistan for the last hundreds of years. He spoke feelingly about the Sikh historical gurdwaras in Afghanistan and recalled how Rawail Singh and Avtar Singh stayed back only to look after those gurdwaras. They are “true martyrs”, Gulati said.

    A view of the sangat
    The grief stricken managing committee members of Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar
    Photos / Courtesy H.S. Ahluwalia

    A number of community leaders, Gurdwara and Mandir managers and intellectuals, who included, among others, Dr. Amarjit Singh, Giani Jagtar Singh Jachak, Prof. Indrajit S Saluja, Paramjit Singh Bedi, Mohan Singh, Virenderpal Singh Sikka, spoke on the occasion.

    Earlier, a large number of Sikhs and Hindus participated in the Bhog of Shri Akhand Paath Sahib and listened to Gurbani Kirtan.

     

     

     

  • Ramesh Chennithala, Opposition Party leader in Kerala implores NRIs to support democracy and freedom

    Ramesh Chennithala, Opposition Party leader in Kerala implores NRIs to support democracy and freedom

    LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK(TIP): Ramesh Chennithala, the opposition party leader in Kerala urged the NRIs in America to take an active part in defense of democracy and freedom in India. He was expressing his opinion in a dinner meeting hosted by Mohinder Singh Gilzian, President of INOC, USA.

    “It is the Congress party that paid the high price for freedom with the blood and sweat of the people who believed in those values and that very freedom should not be taken for granted” Chennithala added.

    Chennithala is on an official visit to the United States to attend the FOKANA convention to be held in Philadelphia. The INOC leaders who were present at the meeting requested Chennithala to urge the Kerala community in the U.S. to come together in unity and support the organization.

    George Abraham, Vice-Chairman of IOC, Harbachan Singh, Secretary-General of INOC, USA, Malini Shah, Vice-President, Jasvir Singh Nawanshahar, President, Punjab Chapter, Thomas T. Oommen, Chairman, Kerala Chapter, Jose Jacob, Treasurer, Kerala Chapter, Varghese Thekkekara, VP of Kerala chapter, Koshy Oommen, Executive Member also participated in discussions.

    V.P. Sajeendran MLA (Kunnathunadu), Indrajit Saluja, Publisher of Indian Panorama and Dr. George Mathew, Chairman of the Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi were also present as special guests.

     

     

  • Nassau County Celebrates Vaisakhi: 8 honored on the occasion

    Nassau County Celebrates Vaisakhi: 8 honored on the occasion

    MINEOLA, NY(TIP): Nassau County organized the annual Vaisakhi celebrations in the Legislative Chamber in Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building, June 22. Hon. Richard Nicoletto, Nassau County Presiding Officer delivered the keynote address, in the absence of Executive Laura Curran who could not make it to the event.

    Zahid Syed, Jasbir Jay Singh, Pinky Jaggi, Meenu Bhasin, Honoree Herman Singh, Nassau County Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello, Malik Nadeem, Sharanjit Thind & Kawaljeet Chandi

    On the occasion, eight community members were honored. They included Lalit Aery, Jaspal Singh Arora, Dr. Inderpal Chhabra, Imran Igra, Shikha Sehgal, Bhavna Sharma, Herman Singh, and Satbir Singh Sondhi.

    A cultural program designed by Jaya Bhadkar and Pinky Jaggi pleased the gathering.

    Zahid Syed, Jasbir Jay Singh, Pinky Jaggi, Amit Sehgal, Honoree Shikha Sehgal, Nassau County Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello, Malik Nadeem, Sharanjit Thind & Kawaljeet Chandi

    Earlier, Zahid Syed, Commissioner, Commission on Human Rights, delivered the welcome address. Zahid also recognized elected officials, while host committee was recognized by Jay Jasbir Singh. Sharanjit Singh Thind recognized media and Beena Kothari community leaders.  Kanwaljit Chandi and Ali Mirza made special announcements about the events planned in months ahead.

  • India Day Parade Curtain Raiser Warms Up FIA

    India Day Parade Curtain Raiser Warms Up FIA

    NEW YORK CITY(TIP): Federation of Indian Associations held a Curtain Raiser for its upcoming largest India Day Parade at the Consulate General of India on   Thursday June 28, 2018.

    To bring India into this American soil and at the venue, green-white- and orange colors were seen all around with the American and Indian flags side by side.

    The event started with Dr. Kusum Punjabi’s welcome speech and the singing of the national anthem. Dr. Kusum Punjabi stated that since FIA was founded 48 years ago on the promise of promoting ethic solidarity though various programs and events along with community services and cultural activities and various outreach programs, everyone at FIA believes to preserve India’s cultures and ethics. She also congratulated all the leaders by adding that no organization can succeed without its strong leaders. As she emphasized on FIA’s prevalent motto from Indian Vedic verse, “wherever women are respected, God resides there” will come true as FIA is committed to bring all cultures on one stage by strongly believing in “vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” meaning “world is one family.” Dr. Kusum then invited FIA president Srujal Parikh on stage for welcome speech by adding that Parikh is not only a visionary president of FIA but is dedicated to NYPD and a trustee of NYPD Indian police officers organization since a decade.

    A view of the gathering

    President Srujal Parikh said they take great pride in not only working together at FIA to bring diverse cultures on one stage but also women empowerment initiatives are taken to make difference in the lives of girls and women. He then added that here at FIA we strongly believe in gender equality. As a community, we must strive to foster an environment so there is no gender discrimination and women will have equal opportunity of independent decision making. Parikh thanked all the committee members, board of trustees and all who work shoulder to shoulder in making FIA a successful organization.

    Srujal Parikh invited Consul General of India, all the committee members, this year’s Grand Marshal, and very bright and beautiful Hollywood-Bollywood actress Ms. Pooja Kumar, representative from Ripley’s believe it or not, on stage to unveil official upcoming India day parade’s invitation.

    ​As consulate General of India took stage to address the audience, he said he felt so close to motherland in American soil by working so closely with FIA and its members. He gave a brief history of making FIA a successful organization of 48 years. He remembered FIA’s early stages when late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was invited to lead parade and merely 300 persons were on New York’s streets. He urged everyone to bring friends and family members to be a part of this epic event and make it more successful this year on August 18th.

    ​Others who addressed included Chairman Ramesh Pate, Media Chair Ankur Vaidya, Padma Shri H.R. Shah, Vidyadhar Garapati, Padma Shri Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Chintu Patel, and Andy Bhatia

    ​

    Dance performance by Dancing Shiva
    Photos / Paresh Gandhi

    Performers from Dancing Shiva gave a dance performance which was choreographed by Jenny Beri.

    A Raffle draw followed, and winners were gifted radio 5000 series.

    Dr. Kusum Panjabi extended appreciation on behalf of everyone at FIA and all the guests to Albert Jassani for sponsoring delightful appetizers and dinner.

    (Based on a press release issued by Media committee, FIA)

  • IALI celebrates 40th Anniversary Gala Luncheon in Style

    IALI celebrates 40th Anniversary Gala Luncheon in Style

    GREAT NECK, NY(TIP): India Association of Long Island (IALI), one of the oldest, largest Indian Non-Profit Organization, representing all regions of India and serving the Indian community, held its Annual Gala to celebrate the 40thAnniversary on Saturday, June 30, 2018.

    Five very deserving, hard-working, and outstanding individuals were honored at the 40thAnniversary gala for their achievements and exemplary service to community:

    • Dev R. Chitkara, MD, FACS
    • Vishnu Dayal, Ph. D
    • Neeta Jain, Ph. D
    • Jagga Rao Alluri, MD
    • Founders of Human Care Medical Charitable Trust

    Dr. Nirmal Kumar, Dr. Ish Kumar & Mr. Sanjay Khurana

    The festivities were graced by the presence of Oyster Bay Town Supervisor, Joseph Saladino, who presented citations to all the esteemed Honorees for their outstanding accomplishments, dedication and service to the community. He also praised Indian Community for its increasing presence and contributions to the region.

    The program commenced with opening remarks by IALI Secretary Shashi Malik, followed by IALI Cultural Chair Amita Karwal who introduced a dance program, “Jhalkiyan” – a medley of dances from different regions of India starting with Ganesh Vandana, Ghoomar from Rajasthan, Lavani from Maharashtra, Kathak classical dance from North India and Bhangara from Punjab, exquisitely performed by Jyotika Patel, Neelam Modi, Vrinda Shorewala, Manjari Parikh respectively.

    IALI officials with Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino who presented a Citation to IALI President Gunjan Rastogi

    IALI President Gunjan Rastogi in her speech spoke eloquently and walked the audience through a well thought out presentation that highlighted all the IALI forums and IALI events held so far in 2018. She thanked all the attendees for their support and specifically gave a very big thank you to Advertisers of the Journal. A heartfelt thank you was given to the donations made by the Benefactor Sponsors and Patron Sponsors for 40thyear of IALI Celebration. The president thanked the TV and Print Media for their support to IALI. She reminded all to come and join IALI’s signature event – IndiaFest on Sunday, 23rdSeptember 2018, being held at North Hempstead Park (BAR Beach) Port Washington, NY, a free event for the community, being held at the same location where the first event took place in 1990.

    The event was very well attended by IALI Members, Honorees’ families and friends, Community Leaders and representatives of many organizations namely – AIA, AIF, APPI-QLI, Arya Samaj of Long Island, Children’s Hope, Domestic Harmony Foundation, Hindu Center, India Home, Kannada KOOTA, Nargis Dutt Foundation, NIAASC and TLCA. Last but not the least, 14 out of 28 past presidents also attended the affair to celebrate the 40thAnniversay Gala Luncheon.

    A captivating dance performance

    The program was wonderfully emceed by Mrs. Swati B. Hofmann and following the speeches, the floor was opened for all to join to energetic beats of DJ Azi ramping up the sound. A delicious, sumptuous and extravagant lunch was catered by Tandoor Restaurant. The ballroom was beautifully and elegantly decorated by Glamorous Event Planners and Productions. The program ended with a Vote of Thanks by IALI Secretary Shashi Malik.

    (Based on IALI Press Release)

     

     

  • UNDER MAYOR DE BLASIO, CITY INVESTING IN M/WBES AT RECORD LEVELS

    UNDER MAYOR DE BLASIO, CITY INVESTING IN M/WBES AT RECORD LEVELS

    More than 600 Businesses Attend Event to do Business with City, 20 Percent Increase from Last Year

    NEW YORK CITY(TIP): Under Mayor Bill de Blasio, New York City is investing in minority and women-owned businesses at record levels, including connecting more minority- and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs) to public and private contracting opportunities than ever before. On Wednesday, June 27th, the de Blasio Administration hosted the 12th Annual M/WBE Procurement Fair, attended by more than 600 City-certified minority- and women-owned businesses; and nearly 90 City and State agencies, public authorities, and private-sector companies – making this a record-breaking year for both MWBE and agency attendees.

    “The Annual M/WBE Procurement Fair helps minority and women entrepreneurs access City resources and build long-lasting networks that will grow these businesses for years to come,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “These events are key to creating a fairer city where every business owner – regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity – has the chance to participate and succeed in our economy.”

    The Annual M/WBE Procurement Fair helps put in practice the results of the Mayor’s commitment to using the City’s purchasing power to support M/WBEs. In May, the City announced it is two years ahead of schedule to meet his OneNYC goal, which aims to award $16 billion to M/WBEs by the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. The City has awarded approximately $7.8 billion to M/WBEs since the goal was established in 2015 – $1.8 billion more than initial projections. As a result, the Mayor will increase his OneNYC goal to award $20 billion to M/WBEs by the end of FY 2025.

    In May, the City increased the loan cap on the City’s Contract Financing Loan Fund, a program that allows M/WBEs and small businesses to access affordable loans. Currently, M/WBEs and small businesses have access to loans totaling $500,000. Beginning this summer, they will be able to access loans totaling up to $1 million per year at a low three-percent interest rate.

    “Communities of color and women are the future economic engine of New York City. That’s why Mayor de Blasio is investing in them more than the city ever has before. Since 2015, the City has awarded approximately $7.8 billion to minority and women-owned business, nearly $2 billion dollars more than initial projections. Now, we’re doubling down, awarding $20 billion to minority and women businesses by 2025 and making it easier to access loans for expansion,” said Deputy Mayor Phil Thompson. “When we invest in communities of color, our city prospers.”

    “The procurement fair, with its unprecedented turnout, represents the City’s focus on improving access to real opportunities for its M/WBE’s. From the opening discussion with lenders on how M/WBEs and small businesses can access low-interest loans funds totaling $70 million, to the many workshops designed for M/WBEs to engage with agencies, the event was the most successful yet”, said Jonnel Doris, Senior Advisor and Director of the Mayor’s Office of M/WBEs.

    “The City’s annual Procurement Fair directly connects City agency procurement needs with the diversity of local businesses, forging strong connections and opportunities to grow these businesses and put them in a stronger position” said Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services.

    The Procurement Fair offered networking opportunities with purchasing staff as well as access to an Opportunity Room where participants learned about available or upcoming contracting opportunities. The Procurement Fair also featured a panel on accessing capital.

    The Fair is part of Mayor de Blasio’s larger commitment to increase the pipeline of M/WBEs, impact policy and improve performance. The Administration is taking aggressive steps to strengthen M/WBEs and ensure the City’s procurement reflects the diversity of NYC businesses by:

    Awarding $20 Billion to M/WBEs by end of FY 2025

    Certifying 9,000 M/WBEs by end of FY 2019

    Awarding 30% of the value of all City contracts by end of FY 2021

    The City is continuing to certify available firms, to meet the Mayor’s goal of City-certifying 9,000 M/WBEs by end of FY 2019. Currently, the City boasts nearly 6,000 certified M/WBEs in its program, a roughly 60-percent increase since the beginning of the Administration.

    “As chair of the Committee on Women, it is clear to me that supporting our M/WBE and small city contractors are critical to the economic empowerment of women and minorities. This administration has shown a real commitment to creating innovative and effective new tools for us to do exactly that. I want to congratulate NYC Small Business Services on hosting its 12th Annual Procurement Fair. Thank you to the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor, and Commissioner Bishop for their ongoing leadership and partnership on this issue and best wishes to everyone participating in the Fair,” said Council Member Helen Rosenthal (Manhattan, District 6).

    Free services are available to help strengthen certified M/WBEs, including access to technical assistance, bonding, financing, teaming and mentorship. M/WBEs are also eligible to participate in the City’s Corporate Alliance Program, which trains and connects City-certified firms with private sector contracting opportunities, as well as Strategic Steps for Growth, a nine-month business management course for M/WBEs offered by the City in partnership with New York University.

    Firms interested in starting the M/WBE certification process or participating in M/WBE programming can learn more by calling 311, visiting nyc.gov/getcertified or meeting with a client manager at one of the City’s seven NYC Business Solutions Centers located in all five boroughs.

    About the Department of Small Business Services (SBS)

    SBS helps unlock economic potential and create economic security for all New Yorkers by connecting New Yorkers to good jobs, creating stronger businesses, and building vibrant neighborhoods across the five boroughs. For more information, visit nyc.gov/sbs or call 311.

  • Manhattan Borough President Brewer invites public schools, nonprofits to apply for Manhattan Community Award Program

    Manhattan Borough President Brewer invites public schools, nonprofits to apply for Manhattan Community Award Program

    NEW YORK CITY(TIP): Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer announced July 2 that applications are open for her office’s Manhattan Community Award Program (MCAP).

    The program provides small funding awards—typically between $3,500 and $5,000—to nonprofit organizations and public schools to help support programming or operational expenses. Each award is contracted through one of four City agencies – Department for the Aging (DFTA), Department of Corrections (DOC), Department of Education (DOE), or Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). Proposals must relate to the specific agency’s overall mission and goals.

    “Community awards enhance the work of local nonprofits and schools every year,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “They make unique events and programs possible that support our students, enrich our seniors’ lives, and improve our neighborhoods.”

    Applicants must complete an online application with questions related to their organization’s operations and how the awarded funds would be used. A review panel made up of the Borough President’s Office budget staff will assess applications.

    More information on MCAP funding and how to apply can be found here.

    General information on all opportunities for funding through Brewer’s office is available here.

    The Borough President’s Office Grant Portal can be accessed here.

    The deadline for MCAP submissions via the Grants Portal is August 10, 2018.

    Representatives of public schools and local nonprofits are strongly encouraged to reach out directly with questions or requests for more information. The Borough President’s budget staff can be reached by email to budget@manhattanbp.nyc.gov.

  • Indian American Seema Nanda appointed as the new CEO of Democratic National Committee

    Indian American Seema Nanda appointed as the new CEO of Democratic National Committee

    WASHINGTON D.C.(TIP): Indian American Seema Nanda has been appointed as the new CEO of the Democratic National Committee. Announcing the appointment, DNC said in a press release that Nanda, who served on​ the transition team of DNC Chair Tom​ Perez, will manage the organization’s day-to-day operations.

    “This position is the opportunity of a lifetime, for which I am incredibly honored and humbled,” Nanda said in a statement issued by the DNC. “People are hurting all across our country. And I believe that Democrats are offering the positive solutions so desperately-needed right now – solutions forged by the strength of our diversity, the rigor of our ideas, and the decency of our values. I am grateful to Chairman Perez and Mary Beth for selecting me, and I look forward to joining my new DNC colleagues in the fight for our nation’s values and future.”

    The selection of Nanda is significant because it comes in a mid-term cycle that is seen by Democrats as a make-or-break election. Women have been playing a highly visible role in the party’s efforts to snatch at least one chamber of Congress, which will enable Democrats to block parts of the agenda of President Trump.

     “I’m beyond excited that Seema is bringing her talent and brilliance to the DNC,” said Perez said in a statement. “I’ve seen firsthand Seema’s exceptional ability to lead. She is a seasoned manager who has a proven track record of success and a well-documented history of fighting for our Democratic values, whether it’s on immigration, civil rights or leveling the playing field for our workers.”

    Besides serving on the transition team, which reviewed DNC’s operations after the disastrous 2016 presidential elections, Nanda also worked as Perez’s chief of staff to while he was the Secretary of the US Department of Labor. At the department, she also served as Deputy Solicitor.

    Perez said he was “one hundred percent certain that Seema’s leadership will help the DNC capitalize on the unprecedented grassroots energy and enthusiasm surging throughout the country.”

    Nanda, a graduate of Boston College Law School and Brown University, succeeds the current CEO Mary Beth Cahill, who will continue to serve through the transition.

    Nanda’s appointment came after a five-month search.

    “If there’s anything I’ve learned during my search for a permanent CEO, there’s no shortage of qualified and passionate leaders in our party. Seema undoubtedly fits the bill,” said Cahill. “With Seema joining our senior leadership team, I know that the DNC will be in good hands. Working alongside Chairman Perez and the team has been an honor and a privilege. Though I’m leaving my role in the building, I’ll never stop working to make sure Democrats everywhere continue to win from the school board to the Oval Office.”

  • Indian-Origin UK based Swaraj Paul to Donate Substantially to London Zoo

    Indian-Origin UK based Swaraj Paul to Donate Substantially to London Zoo

    LONDON(TIP): Indian-origin UK based industrialist Lord Swaraj Paul has come to the rescue of London Zoo once again and will provide a substantial financial donation for the world-famous zoo’s latest transformation project.

    Earlier, Lord Paul had stepped in to save the London Zoo from bankruptcy back in 1993 with a 1-million-pound donation to fund a new children’s zoo section in memory of his late daughter Ambika’s love for the place.

    He has since been a consistent supporter of the popular tourist spot in London, where later his son Angad got married to his wife Michelle in 2005.

    The Zoo has long been planning to restore and enhance one of its great treasures – the landmark aviary designed by Lord Snowdon. The aviary is at risk and in urgent need of attention, Mr Paul said during his speech at an annual Paul family celebration held at the London Zoo on July 1.

    The Caparo Group chief will be providing a substantial financial donation, the exact figure to be revealed at a later stage, for the zoo’s latest transformation project.

    ZSL’s director-general, Dominic Jermey, welcomed Mr Paul’s “lifetime of engagement” with the London Zoo, where Lord Paul would bring his daughter Ambika as a refuge from her cancer treatment.

    Mr Paul also revealed some detail of a new American luxury Angad Arts Hotel set to open in St Louis, Missouri, later this year, which would be the world’s first hotel where a room can be booked by the color of its decor to suit the mood of the clients.

     

  • Indian American Top Lawyer Appointed Acting Head of Drug Enforcement Agency

    Indian American Top Lawyer Appointed Acting Head of Drug Enforcement Agency

     WASHINGTON(TIP): Indian American White House top lawyer, Uttam Dhillon, has been appointed as the new Acting Administrator of the crucial Drug Enforcement Agency that combats the smuggling and use of narcotics in the US.

    Mr. Dhillon replaces Robert Patterson, who has retired after 30 years of service.

    Mr. Dhillon, who till recently worked in the White House as deputy counsel and deputy assistant to President Donald Trump, took up the role of Acting Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) on July 3.

    “With one American dying of a drug overdose every nine minutes, there can be no doubt that we are facing the deadliest drug epidemic in our history,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said announcing his appointment.

    The work of the Drug Enforcement Administration is critical to fighting this crisis, and President Donald Trump and he are committed to continuing to give it the strong leadership it deserves, Sessions said.

    Mr. Dhillon is a dedicated public servant who has served with distinction in the White House, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, Congress, and as a career federal prosecutor taking on drug traffickers at the highest levels.

    Having a long career battling drug traffickers and violent crime in 2006, Mr. Dhillon was confirmed by the Senate as the first Director of the Office of Counternarcotics Enforcement at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

    In that role, he served as the primary policy advisor on counternarcotics issues, focused on combating the connections between illegal drug trafficking and terrorism and developed regional counternarcotics strategies for DHS.

    Prior to DHS, Mr. Dhillon served as an Associate Deputy Attorney General in the Department of Justice, where he chaired the Attorney General’s Anti-Gang Coordination Committee and led efforts to formulate and implement Department of Justice policies and programs to combat violent crime and criminal gangs.

    Earlier in his career, Mr. Dhillon worked as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Central District of California for six and a half years.

    During that period, he was appointed to the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and worked with federal and local law enforcement agencies to direct complex investigations of violent gangs and major narcotics trafficking organizations.

    More recently, he has served as Deputy Counsel and Deputy Assistant to the President.

    Mr. Dhillon received his law degree from Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley, an MA from the University of California, San Diego, and a BA from California State University, Sacramento.

  • Indian-Origin former Equifax software engineering manager charged for illegal trading

    Indian-Origin former Equifax software engineering manager charged for illegal trading

    NEW YORK(TIP): An Indian-origin software engineering manager has been charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission that he traded on confidential information he received while creating a website for consumers impacted by a data breach.

    Sudhakar Reddy Bonthu, 44, is a permanent resident of the US State of Georgia. Mr Bonthu was an Equifax employee from September 2003 until March 2018.

    The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said Mr Bonthu committed securities fraud by engaging in illegal insider trading in the securities of information solutions and human resources company Equifax.

    The Securities and Exchange Commission charged him with insider trading in advance of the company’s September 2017 announcement of a massive data breach that exposed Social Security numbers and other personal information of approximately 148 million US customers.

    This is the second case the Securities and Exchange Commission has filed arising from the Equifax data breach.

    In March, Securities and Exchange Commission had charged former chief information officer of a US business unit of Equifax Jun Ying with insider trading.

    Beginning in September 2013, Mr Bonthu was a Production Development Manager of Software Engineering in Equifax’s Global Consumer Solutions business unit. On March 12, 2018, his employment was terminated by Equifax and is currently unemployed.

    In a complaint filed in federal court in Atlanta on June 28, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged that Mr Bonthu traded on confidential information he received while creating a website for consumers impacted by a data breach.

    According to the complaint, Mr Bonthu was told the work was being done for an unnamed potential client, but based on information he received, he concluded that Equifax itself was the victim of the breach.

    The Securities and Exchange Commission alleges that Bonthu violated company policy when he traded on the non-public information by purchasing Equifax put options.

    Less than a week later, after Equifax publicly announced the data breach and its stock declined nearly 14 per cent, Mr Bonthu sold the put options and netted more than $75,000, a return of more than 3,500 per cent on his initial investment.

    Mr Bonthu was terminated from Equifax in March after refusing to cooperate with an internal investigation into whether he had violated the company’s insider trading policy.

    “As we allege, (Sudhakar) Bonthu, who was entrusted with confidential information by his employer, misused that information to conclude that his company had suffered a massive data breach and then sought to illegally profit,” said Richard R Best, Director of the SEC’s Atlanta Regional Office.

    “Corporate insiders simply cannot abuse their access to sensitive information and illegally enrich themselves,” Mr Best said.

    In a parallel proceeding, the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia filed criminal charges against Mr Bonthu.

    To settle the Securities and Exchange Commission’s civil charges, Bonthu has agreed to a permanent injunction and to return his allegedly ill-gotten gains plus interest. This settlement is subject to court approval.