“Twitter was initially his mode of communication in domestic politics, during his bitterly fought presidential election campaign against Hillary Clinton. It has now become his favorite instrument to chastise America’s foes and friends alike, ranging from China and Iran to neighbors like Canada and Mexico, apart from allies like the EU and partners like India.”
Governments across the world and most notably the US use instruments of state power like military pressures, diplomatic isolation, travel bans and economic sanctions as instruments of persuasion. President Trump has, however, devised a new instrument of state coercion to express his displeasure and announce his proposed actions. This 21st century diplomatic innovation by Trump is his ‘Twitter handle’.
Twitter was initially his mode of communication in domestic politics, during his bitterly fought presidential election campaign against Hillary Clinton. It has now become his favorite instrument to chastise America’s foes and friends alike, ranging from China and Iran to neighbors like Canada and Mexico, apart from allies like the EU and partners like India. American friends, however, aver that Trump uses this unique method of addressing foreign rulers, primarily to cheer up his domestic base, apart from informing the world of his late-night thoughts!
Trump has excelled himself before, when he took on an exceptional target — his country’s most loyal ally — the UK. He poured scorn on and ridiculed the serving British ambassador in Washington, Kim Darroch, who regards himself as the prima donna of Washington’s diplomatic corps. Trump also hit out at British PM Theresa May, now resigned, for allegedly mishandling the Brexit negotiations to fashion a ‘soft exit’.
His epithets included a description of Darroch as Britain’s ‘wacky ambassador’, a ‘very stupid guy’ and a ‘stupid fool’. May received her share of abuses for her ‘failed Brexit negotiation’. He described her diplomacy as ‘badly handled’ and accused her of going ‘her own foolish way’, while leading her country into a ‘disaster’. True to form, his tweet ended with inevitable boasting about American military and economic might! All this followed leaks of confidential reports Darroch had sent to Whitehall, which were highly uncomplimentary about Trump’s qualities of head and heart.
Only Israel and Saudi Arabia appear to be free from any ‘Trump tirades and tantrums’. Many in Washington aver that this arises from the closeness of the Saudi and Israeli leadership to Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law. Kushner was recently in Bahrain, trying to sell his solution for Middle East peace to Arab leaders. The Kushner ‘solution’ required the Palestinians to renounce all claims to Jerusalem and the West Bank, in return for petrodollars from oil-rich Arab countries. The proposals were received coldly in Bahrain, with even Saudi Arabia making it clear that its approach to the Palestinian issue was distinctly different. Trump’s approach to crucial contemporary issues enjoys little international support. Even NATO allies differ with him on important issues like climate change and sanctions on Iran.
Trump’s desire to target India on trade issues became evident when Indian steel and aluminum products were hit with import duties of 25% and 10%, respectively, in March 2018. India’s exports of steel to the US of $761 million have fallen by 46% since. Trump also abolished the preferential duties that India was getting as a developing country. Trump’s tariff increases substantially hit India’s exports of mechanical and electrical machinery, chemicals, steel and auto parts. India retaliated in a measured manner, just over a month ago, targeting industries and agricultural products produced by Trump’s political/electoral supporters. They included new tariffs on imports ranging from almonds and walnuts to steel products.
The two sides decided to resolve these differences bilaterally, following the Modi-Trump summit in Osaka. Preliminary talks were held recently in New Delhi, with a visiting US delegation. India should, however, bear in mind that it is not the US alone that is unhappy with what it sees as growing Indian protectionist measures. The problems India faces from Trump’s policies pale in comparison to the impact of enhanced US duties on China’s exports. India’s annual exports to US amount to around $54.3 billion while China’s exports to the US amount to $539.67 billion annually. Recent restrictions curb China’s easy access to US high-tech products. The impact is being increasingly felt by China, whose remarkable industrial and technological transformation has been largely facilitated by access to US technology.
Resolving these issues is going to be more difficult than dealing with the protectionist restrictions that India faces now. While India’s exports to China have shown signs of rising, New Delhi has to devise strategies on how it could best utilize Chinese 5G networks and encourage Chinese investments in its industrial sector, at the same time ensuring that its national security is not compromised.
India is going to face other challenges which are the creation of the US Congress. The most important of these are the prospects of sanctions flowing from India’s acquisitions of Russian arms. India has let it be known that it has no intention of buckling under US pressure.
Banking and financial measures to bypass US sanctions were discussed during President Putin’s visit to India. They have since been put in place. While the US has threatened Turkey with sanctions for acquiring S-400 missile systems by ending the proposed supply of F-35 fifth-generation fighters, India has wisely stayed away from attempting to acquire such equipment from the US. The US Indo-Pacific strategy is premised on receiving support from Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia and India — a strategy which would have little relevance without the participation of India.
The US uses the dollar in international finance to coerce others by resorting to threats of financial sanctions, without securing international approval. The time has come to counter this coercive use of power by increasing the use of euro and Chinese renminbi for global transactions. The EU is not too happy at being tied up by unilateral US sanctions on Iran, despite Iran abiding by all provisions of an agreement the EU signed, together with Russia, China and the Obama administration.
NEW YORK(TIP): The Consulate General of India, New York, would be issuing Emergency Visa on Weekends and closed holidays in order to further improve the overall quality and delivery of services at the consulate. The Emergency Service will be rendered only in emergencies arising due to death/serious illness of immediate family member of US Passport holders during the weekends/holidays.
For availing the Emergency Service:
The applicant may call Consulate’s Emergency Number +1 917-815-7066 (only in the case of death or serious sickness of immediate family member).
The designated Consulate official would ascertain the genuineness of the Emergency and direct the applicant to visit CKGS website to fill visa form and pay fee online.
CKGS shall liaison with the applicant directly and upon receipt of duly filled in application form CKGS would proceed with registering the same and will send the completed data to Consulate for grant of visa.
Upon receipt of the data, Consulate will issue appropriate visa to the applicant.
Following documents are mandatory for grant of visa on emergency basis:
(i) Submission of visa online application at CKGS website and hard copy thereof.
(ii) Photograph and signature in .JPG format
(iii) Document (s) to establish the emergency
(iv)Proof of local address such as utility bills etc.
(v) Certificate of renunciation of Indian citizenship or application for renunciation, wherever applicable.
(vi)Printed confirmed air ticket for India
(vii) US passport valid for at least six months.
In case of any issue, please contact Consulate’s Emergency No. +1 917-815-7066 or CKGS weekend services could be contacted at phone: (213)-213 5019 and email: emergencyvisa.holidays@ckgs.com
NEW DELHI /NEW YORK(TIP): On July 22 India created history when India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV MkIII-M1, successfully launched the 3840 kgChandrayaan-2 spacecraftinto an earth orbit. Launch of Chandrayaan-2 was originally scheduled for 14 July 2019 at 21:21 UTC (15 July 2019 2:51 IST) but was called off due to a technical snag noticed while filling the cryogenic engine of the rocket with helium. Developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO), the mission was launched from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centreon 22 July 2019 at 2.43 PM IST (09:13 UTC) to the Moon.
Chandrayaan 2 Indian lunar mission will boldly go where no country has ever gone before — the Moon’s south polar region. Through this effort, the aim is to improve our understanding of the Moon — discoveries that will benefit India and humanity as a whole. These insights and experiences aim at a paradigm shift in how lunar expeditions are approached for years to come — propelling further voyages into the farthest frontiers.
Chandrayaan 2 is:
1stspace mission to conduct a soft landing on the Moon’s south polar region
1stIndian expedition to attempt a soft landing on the lunar surface with home-grown technology
1stIndian mission to explore the lunar terrain with home-grown technology
A successful landing would make India 4thcountry ever to soft land on the lunar surface after the space agencies of the USSR, US and China
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Team ISRO for the successful launch of Chandrayaan-2.
ISRO Chairman Dr K Sivan congratulated the launch vehicle and satellite teams involved in this challenging mission. “Today is a historical day for Space Science and Technology in India. I am extremely happy to announce that GSLV MkIII-M1 successfully injected Chandrayaan-2 into an orbit of 6000 Km more than the intended orbit and is better.”
“Today is the beginning of the historical journey of India towards Moon and to land at a place near south pole to carry out scientific experiments to explore the unexplored. On July 15, 2019 ISRO intelligently observed a technical snag, Team ISRO worked out, fixed and corrected the snag within 24 hours. For the next one and a half day, the required tests were conducted to ensure that corrections made were proper and in right direction. Today ISRO bounced back with flying colours.” Dr. Sivan said.
The Moon is the closest cosmic body at which space discovery can be attempted and documented. It is also a promising test bed to demonstrate technologies required for deep-space missions. Chandrayaan 2 attempts to foster a new age of discovery, increase our understanding of space, stimulate the advancement of technology, promote global alliances, and inspire a future generation of explorers and scientists.
Moon provides the best linkage to Earth’s early history. It offers an undisturbed historical record of the inner Solar system environment. Though there are a few mature models, the origin of Moon still needs further explanations. Extensive mapping of lunar surface to study variations in lunar surface composition is essential to trace back the origin and evolution of the Moon. Evidence for water molecules discovered by Chandrayaan-1, requires further studies on the extent of water molecule distribution on the surface, below the surface and in the tenuous lunar exosphere to address the origin of water on Moon.
The lunar South Pole is especially interesting because of the lunar surface area here that remains in shadow is much larger than that at the North Pole. There is a possibility of the presence of water in permanently shadowed areas around it. In addition, South Pole region has craters that are cold traps and contain a fossil record of the early Solar System.
Chandrayaan-2 will attempt to soft land the lander -Vikram and rover- Pragyan in a high plain between two craters, Manzinus C and Simpelius N, at a latitude of about 70° south. Chandrayaan-2 is India’s second mission to the moon. It comprises a fully indigenous Orbiter, Lander (Vikram) and Rover (Pragyan). The Rover Pragyan is housed inside Vikram lander.
Former Prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayeeannounced the Chandrayaanproject on course in his Independence Day speech on 15 August 2008. The mission was a major boost to India’s space program. The idea of an Indian scientific mission to the Moon was first mooted in 1999 during a meeting of the Indian Academy of Sciences. The Astronautical Society of India (AeSI) carried forward the idea in 2000. Soon after, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) set up the National Lunar Mission Task Force, which concluded that ISRO has the technical expertise to carry out an Indian mission to the Moon. In April 2003 over 100 eminent Indian scientists in the fields of planetary and space sciences, Earth sciences,physics, chemistry, astronomy, astrophysics and engineering and communication sciences discussed and approved the Task Force recommendation to launch an Indian probe to the Moon. Six months later, in November, the Indian government gave the nod for the mission.
A look at major differences between Chandrayaan-1 which was launched by ISRO in October 2008 and Chandrayaan 2 launched on 22 July 2019
Chandrayaan-1was launched by ISRO in October 2008 and operated until August 2009. The mission included a lunar orbiter and an impactor.India launched the spacecraft using a PSLV-XLrocket, serial number C11, on 22 October 2008 The mission was a major boost to India’s space program,as India researched and developed its own technology in order to explore the Moon. The vehicle was inserted into lunar orbit on 8 November 2008.
Now the whole world is waiting for September 7 – a successful landing of Chandrayaan-2would make India 4thcountry ever to soft land on the lunar surface and will boldly go where no country has ever gone before.
WASHINGTON (TIP): Pointing out that Indian IT industry has been an important stakeholder in promoting and supporting stronger bilateral business relations between the US and India, India’s Ambassador to the US Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that programs such as the H-1B visa should be nurtured as a mutually beneficial partnership.
During the Roundtable on‘America’s Highly Skilled Workforce, the Talent Pipeline andH-1B Visas’ hosted by the Wilson Center in Partnership with NASSCOM on July 23, Ambassador Shringla congratulated NASSCOM for the reports and emphasized the contribution of Indian IT companies to the US economy.
“The Indian IT industry has been an important stakeholder in promoting and supporting stronger bilateral business relations between the two countries. They have invested billions of dollars across many States in the U.S., contributed to the competitiveness of global operations of U.S. companies, and supported hundreds of thousands of direct, indirect, and induced jobs in the United States”, he said.
“The movement of highly skilled Indian professionals in the U.S., through programs such as the H-1B visa, has been a mutually beneficial partnership which should be nurtured. There is a long history of foreign professionals coming to the U.S. and contributing to America’s economic success. By helping develop new products and services, engaged in cutting-edge research, and serving as enablers for U.S. companies to expand their client base, H1B visa users create jobs for American workers” he further added.
Ambassador Shringla also highlighted another aspect of the H-1B visa program, which is the Indian students’ contribution to the US economy. “Indian students are the second foreign student population with over 200,000 active students, 85% of them pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education. Studies have shown that Indian students contribute over $7.5 billion to the US economy. Students in the US who go on to work in H-1B visas also spur innovation and entrepreneurship”, he pointed out.
NEW YORK(TIP): Indian diplomats, US lawmakers and Community leaders in one voice condemned the brutal attack on a Hindu priest in New York City’s Borough of Queens in open daylight.
According to available reports, around 11 a.m. Thursday, July 18, near the Shiv Shakti Peeth in Glen Oaks in Queens, while Swami Harish Chander Puri was walking down the street in his religious attire, a man came up from behind and started hitting him, repeatedly.
The priest suffered bruises and abrasions all over his body, including his face during the attack. 52-year-old Sergio Gouveia, who reportedly screamed “this is my neighborhood” during the assault,was arrested by police in connection with the attack. He’s being charged with assault, harassment and criminal possession of a weapon.
“Swami Ji Harish Chander Puri spent this weekend recovering from a brutal, despicable act of hate. Our city is praying for him. But he says he’s praying for his attacker”, tweeted NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio.
“Glad that Hindu priest Swami Ji Harish Chander Puri is now recovering at home & that @NYPDnewshas arrested the man who allegedly attacked him. We cannot & will not stand for this violence in our city. We all stand w our Hindu neighbors”, said U.S. Rep. Carolyn B Maloney.
“I am disgusted over the violent attack on a Hindu priest in our borough. This type of brutal act is un-American and the person who committed this heinous crime is a coward. People from across the globe call Queens home and we are proud to embrace this rich diversity that exists in our communities and neighborhoods. I commend the NYPD for making a swift arrest in this case and I’m confident that justice will be served. I stand with the Hindu community and wish the victim a full recovery”, said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens).
“I will continue to stand in solidarity with the Hindu community in my district and across America. May god grant Swami Ji strength, so he may fully recover,” Tom Suozzi, representing New York’s 3rd Congressional District including parts of Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties, said on Twitter.
Meanwhile India’s Consul General in New York Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty met Swami Harish Chander Puri on July 21.
“Met with Swamiji of Shiv Shakti Peeth who was attacked by a miscreant. He is at home, recovering well and resumed his spiritual duties. Thanks to the Police for quick arrest of the assailant. Many thanks to @RepGraceMeng & @RepTomSuozzi & the Indian Community for their support,” Ambassador Chakravorty tweeted.
The Hindu American Foundation urged police to investigate the attack as a hate crime. “Such an attack — occurring as it did in the borough of Queens, perhaps the most ethnically diverse place in the entire world — is particularly senseless and tragic. We’re pleased that Swamiji is recovering from his injuries. We’re also pleased that Representatives Tom Suozzi, Grace Meng, and Carolyn Maloney have offered their support to the local Hindu community. In addition, we praise the office of Mayor Bill de Blasio for its quick response, sending community liaison officer Rohan Narine to the mandir. HAF urges police to investigate the attack as a hate crime, and if it is determined that bias was indeed the motivation for the appropriate charges added to those of assault, harassment, and weapons possession that Gouveia already faces”, HAF Director of Communications Mat McDermott, based in New York, said in a statement.
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams condemning the assault on the Hindu Priest in Glen Oaks, NY, said in a statement sent to The Indian Panorama :-
“This vicious, reprehensible assault was evil, plain and simple. If the reports indicating that the suspect viciously beat a Hindu priest for walking in his neighborhood in Glen Oaks, Queens, that is the textbook definition of a hate crime, and the perpetrator should be charged as such. We cherish our Hindu community, and while all violence must be condemned, it is particularly galling to see a man of faith beaten within an inch of his life for looking different.
“I spoke with Swami Ji Harish Chander Puri on Sunday over the phone and reiterated that we will always stand united against hate and will not tolerate attacks on our fellow New Yorkers. I was struck by his resiliency in the face of a horrific attack, and his willingness to forgive his assailant after all he had been through was truly awe-inspiring. We should all be inspired by his example and determination to move forward, and we should recommit ourselves to stopping the resurgence of hate in our city and beyond”.
NEW YORK(TIP): A day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan claimed his country’s spy agency ISI provided information that helped the US track down and kill Osama bin Laden, former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) General David Petraeus said he is “convinced” that the Pakistani intelligence did not know the Al-Qaeda chief was in Pakistan, even as he asserted that terror groups such as the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan and other “internal extremists” are the real “existential threat” for Pakistan and are a “very diabolically difficult problem to deal with”.
“The challenge for Pakistan, of course, is that the existential threat is not the country to its east, it is not India. It is the internal extremists. It is a very diabolically difficult problem to deal with,” Petraeus said Tuesday during an interactive session at the Indian Consulate, following his address on the topic of the Indo-Pacific.
Petraeus, a partner in the international investment firm KKR and Chairman of the KKR Global Institute, was the special guest for the ‘New India Lecture’ series organized by the Consulate General of India, New York in partnership with the US India Strategic Partnership Forum.
General (Ret) David Howell Petraeus (Left), former Director of CIA and Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty, India’s Consul General in New York at the Consulate General of India in New York Photo / Jay Mandal-On Assignment
Responding to a question on US-Pakistan relationship, Petraeus said he has experienced the bilateral ties “on a very first hand basis” as the Commander of the US Central Command around the year 2009 and there have been some “positive” as well as “disappointing and frustrating periods” in ties between Washington and Islamabad. He added that the US has always provided “enormous” support to Pakistan, recalling that he and former special adviser on Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke went to the US Congress and got 7.5 billion dollars for economic assistance for Pakistan over a five year period, which was in addition to the two billion dollars already extended in various categories of defense assistance and counter-terrorism support. “At the end of the day, of course there was a degree of disappointment,” he said.
On a question from Prof. Indrajit S Saluja, editor of The Indian Panorama, about slain Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden living in Pakistan before he was killed, Petraeus asserted the US is convinced that the Pakistani intelligence was not aware that the terrorist leader was hiding in their country.
“We are quite convinced that the ISI, Pakistani intelligence, no one else knew that he (bin Laden) was there (in Pakistan). They were not harboring him or hiding him or anything like that. We have very good insights on that. We probably differ with those who said that the Pakistanis were allowing him to live in that particular compound” in Abbottabad.
Petraeus’s assertion runs counter to claims made by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan that Pakistan’s powerful spy agency ISI provided information to the CIA which helped the US track down and kill the al-Qaeda chief. Khan’s comments are a significant revelation as Islamabad had so far denied having any knowledge of the terror chief until he was shot dead in 2011. Khan, who is visiting Washington on his maiden official trip, revealed this during an interview with Fox News when he was asked whether his country would release jailed Pakistani surgeon Shakeel Afridi who helped the CIA track down Osama. The Al Qaeda leader was killed in a covert raid by a US Navy SEAL team in Abbottabad, a garrison town north of Islamabad, on May 2, 2011.
“It was ISI that gave the information which led to the location of Osama bin Laden. If you ask CIA it was ISI which gave the initial location through the phone connection,” Khan has said.
A view of the audience Photo / Jay Mandal-On Assignment
Petraeus said that during counter-insurgency campaigns, Pakistani authorities could never close in on North Waziristan where terror outfits such as the Haqqani network, Al Qaeda and others had their headquarters and some of their forces. He added that the US learnt later on that bin Laden was not in that area but near the Pakistan Military Academy in Abbottabad. “I figured out later that I had probably flown right over his compound in a helicopter as I went to address the cadets at the military academy one time,” he said referring to the Pakistan Military Academy.
Petraeus said he hopes Khan will be able to deal with the challenges of his country, where the economy is “very distorted” and where the “realities of the situation are really quite difficult.”
On Afghanistan, the veteran and decorated US military officer said while the Afghans are fighting and dying for their country, “sadly the momentum of recent years has been against Afghanistan rather than for it. It’s why I have some reservations about the prospects for a peace agreement that we would all support. What adds to my concern is the fact that the Taliban has not even been willing to allow the democratically elected government of Afghanistan to sit at the same negotiating table with them.”
He however expressed hope that President Donald Trump’s special adviser to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad “can produce magic here and can produce an agreement that would allow us to draw down further, still achieve our objectives and ensure that our Afghan partners are taken care of as well.
“But yet I think it is a very challenging situation,” he said recalling that the US was not able to get a negotiated agreement at a time when he commanded 150,000 coalition forces and “when we had the momentum on the battlefield… so it is a little difficult to see why the Taliban would agree to much more than our departure.”
Petraeus also highlighted that what is more challenging is that the Taliban is just one group of many insurgent and extremist elements operating on Afghan soil. “You also have the Haqqani group. I am not at all confident that they are reconcilable , if some of the elements of the Taliban are. By the way, not all of them would necessarily agree to a peace agreement.” He added that among the other groups operating in the region are the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, remnants of Al Qaeda, Islamic State. “And you even have the other Taliban – the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, the Pakistani Taliban which along with some other groups, I want to contend is the true existential threat to Pakistan, not Pakistan’s neighbor to the east,” again a reference to India.
Further, the challenge has always been putting pressure on an enemy whose senior leaders are “beyond our reach in sanctuaries either in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas or in Balochistan.”
Petraeus said that the biggest lesson that the US has taken from the fight against the Islamic extremists since 9/11 is that “this is a generational struggle. This is not the fight of a decade or a few years. You can defeat this enemy, but you have to keep your eye on it. If you take your eyes off, what happens is that Al Qaeda in Iraq rises back up into the Islamic State, goes into Syria and takes advantage of the Syrian civil war and roars back into Iraq with an army.”
He added that just as the Taliban regrouped in Pakistan after it was destroyed in Afghanistan,it is essential that the pressure is kept on to defeat the terror groups and support the host nations,enabling them to do the frontline fighting, political reconciliation and reconstruction.
“I always remind folks that we went to Afghanistan for a reason and we have stayed for a reason. We went there because the 9/11 attacks were planned in eastern Afghanistan when Al Qaeda had a sanctuary there. We went in to eliminate that sanctuary and we have stayed to ensure that it is not re-established,” he said adding that the challenge now is that it’s not just the Al Qaeda trying to reestablish, it is the Islamic State that also has a “fascination” with this area (eastern Afghanistan).
He noted that the US has been helping the Afghan government and forces, who are fighting very hard and sustaining casualties. “India has helped Afghanistan considerably as well.”
The US is successfully drawing down its forces in Afghanistan, he said adding that another core interest for the US in Afghanistan is that the nation provides a platform from where Washington conducts counter-terrorism campaign in the region. “It is well known that the launch of the operation that killed Osama bin Laden was from a base in eastern Afghanistan.”
India’s Ambassador to the US Harsh Vardhan Shringla participated in a conversation with Dow Wilson, President & CEO, Varian Medical Systems at the 2nd Annual Leadership Summit of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) held in Washington DC July 11.
In his remarks, Ambassador highlighted the enormous potentials of the India-US bilateral economic & strategic partnership. Ambassador Shringla said that strengthening trade will require empowering ministers and coming up with solutions that are mutually beneficial for both sides.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Senior Advisor to the President Jared Kushner were among the prominent speakers at the summit. “There is an opportunity to lift the values of the whole world, create more markets, and be more entrepreneurial through the US-India strategic partnership”, said Pelosi.
“Our trade differences are a lot less than the opportunities. Lets deepen our relationships with traditional trade partners through USMCA and NAFTA and turn to the real challenge i.e. China”, said Senator Dan Sullivan.
On the sidelines of the summit, Ambassador met Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Secretary Wilbur Ross, Senior Advisor Jared Kushner and senior industry representatives, including Ambassador Manuel Rocha, SVP, Global Corporate affairs, Xcoal Energy & Resources; Ankhi Das, Public Policy Director-India, South & Central Asia, Facebook; Dr. Vivek Lall, Vice President, Lockheed Martin Corporation; Harvinder Singh, Divisional VP, Abbott; Vishal Wanchoo, President & CEO, South Asia GE India; and Sudipta Bhattacharya, Country Head and Shailesh Vyas from the Adani Group.
The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) estimates that U.S.-India bilateral trade is likely to grow from $143 billion to $238 billion by 2025. This growth will occur if trade grows by 7.5% each year, as has been the trend for the last 7 years.
The estimate also projects that, by 2025, bilateral trade could range between $283 billion to $327 billion, at an annual average growth rate of 10%-12.5% (as witnessed in 2017 and 2018). The assessment underscores pathways for growth and economic opportunity in our bilateral ties by highlighting current trends. Sectors such as defense trade, commercial aircrafts, oil and LNG, coal, machinery and electronics are areas of potential growth in U.S. investments and commerce into India. Similarly, Indian industry has an opportunity to promote the automotive, pharmaceuticals, seafood, IT and travel services to the U.S. market.
The assessment was launched at USISPF’s second annual leadership summit, amid overwhelming bipartisan support for U.S.-India ties. U.S. Cabinet officials in attendance included: Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; Rick Perry, United States Secretary of Energy; Wilbur Ross, U.S. Commerce Secretary; Jeffrey Gerrish, Deputy United States Trade Representative for Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Industrial Competitiveness; U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK); and India’s Ambassador to the United States, Harsh Shringla. During the summit, speakers highlighted areas of bilateral cooperation, including: trade and investment; strategic energy ties; manufacturing, and the U.S.-India innovation partnership.
Speaking at the summit, USISPF Chair, John Chambers said, “Prime Minister Modi’s
re-election is the start of a new era for India and US-India relations. It is my honor to be in Washington, D.C. today to commemorate the second annual USISPF leadership summit, where conversations with political and business leaders from both countries focused on India’s projected growth in the coming months and years. While India’s ambition to become a $5 trillion economy by 2025 is certainly welcome for businesses, government, and individual citizens in the U.S. and India, it is essential that we level the playing field and stay away from protectionism. I am confident that we can achieve $327 billion in bilateral trade by 2025 if we grow at 13% every year. I challenge the government and industry to work together to advance this objective.”
USISPF President and CEO Mukesh Aghi said, “In collaboration with government and industry leaders, we are making tremendous strides in moving the needle on our commercial priorities. Next week, the Atlantic Council and the Forum will release a report with recommendations to both governments on how to advance the bilateral trade relationship. We will also release recommendations on growing U.S-India cooperation in high-technology manufacturing sectors, such as aerospace and medical devices.”
The Texas India Forum, a Houston-based non-profit, will host “Howdy, Modi!” a large community summit that will host India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the region on September 22, 2019. “Howdy”, shorthand for “How do you do?,” is a friendly greeting commonly used in the southwestern United States.
The event is expected to bring together tens of thousands of people to encourage and explore common interests and an expanded partnership between the United States and India’s fast growing economy. Texas alone has over 500,000 people of Indian descent, contributing significantly to signature sectors including space, energy, medicine, education, information technology, and business.
“There is unprecedented synergy between our region and the aspirations of a ‘New India’ that Prime Minister Narendra Modi represents. The American dream shares many similarities with emerging Indian dream, and an event of this scale suggests an opportunity to build bridges across two great democracies,” said Jugal Malani, a convener of the “Howdy, Modi!” organizing committee.
Attendance at the summit will be free, but passes will be required. Passes are available on a first-come-first- serve basis and exclusively through an online registration process (www.howdymodi.org). Hundreds of prominent business and community leaders from across America are expected to attend.
In addition to the Prime Minister’s address, the program is expected to include a cultural program that showcases the Indian-American community and will be broadcast live online and on television channels reaching over 1 Billion people across the United States and India.
This will be the first trip to the United States for Prime Minister Modi after his landslide victory in Indian elections earlier this year. The Prime Minister of India has previously addressed similar gatherings at Madison Square Garden in New York and the SAP Center in San Jose.
ASPIRE PAC, the political arm of Asian American and Pacific Islander Members of Congress, voted to endorse and support Indian American candidate Sri Kulkarni in his campaign for Texas’ 22nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Sri has served his country and community with dedication and distinction throughout his life, and ASPIRE is thrilled to endorse his campaign to represent Texas,” said Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY), Chair of ASPIRE. “Sri knows what’s at stake in protecting American families, and he will fight to protect access to healthcare and safe schools for our children in Congress.”
Srinivas Rao Preston Kulkarni is a former diplomat and a candidate for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in Texas’s 22nd congressional district in 2020. In 2018, he narrowly lost a Congressional race in the same district to incumbent Congressman Pete Olson.
Sri received a Pearson Fellowship to serve as a defense, foreign policy, and veterans’ affairs advisor in the U.S. Senate, working on some of the most critical threats facing our national security. Sri went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Harvard, where he started an initiative called “Breaking Bread,” aimed at reducing the partisan hostility and divisiveness afflicting our country.
Inspired by a calling to serve his country, Sri was commissioned as a United States Foreign Service Officer by Secretary of State Colin Powell. In the Foreign Service, Sri served tours overseas in Iraq, Israel, Russia, Taiwan, and Jamaica, promoting American values.
ASPIRE PAC was established to work for fair representation in the U.S. Congress by supporting and increasing the number of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) policymakers and federal candidates with large AAPI constituencies. The PAC works to support the values and address the issues important to the AAPI community.
Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon’s chemistry burns up the stage”
The Daily Beast
“Superb! As hilarious as it is touching” – The Hollywood Reporter
Get swept off your feet at Terrence McNally’s “Frankie and Johnny In The Clair De Lune.” It’s one evening of theater you’ll never forget!
AUDRA MCDONALD, Tony (six-time), Grammy (two-time), and Emmy Award Winner and MICHAEL SHANNON Academy (two-time) Award Nominee star in the new Broadway production of Four-Time Tony Award Winner TERRENCE McNALLY’s “FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE.” The Play is directed by Obie Award winner ARIN ARBUS making her Broadway debut.
This new Broadway production of the play celebrates the artistic achievements of playwright Terrence McNally, recipient of the 2019 Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, whose career spans six decades, director Arin Arbus in her Broadway debut, and stars Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon in their first collaboration.
The play is produced by Tom Kirdahy, Debbie Bisno and Hunter Arnold. It is playing at the Broadhurst Theatre, 235 West 44th Street, on Broadway.
Arin Arbus (director) with Terrence McNally (playwright) Photo / Jenny Anderson
“Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune” runs until Sunday, July 28, 2019.
Originally produced more than 30 years ago Off-Broadway, “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune” is one of McNally’s most acclaimed plays and has now appeared on Broadway as the playwright celebrated his 80th birthday. The play was a runaway hit from 1987 to 1989, returned to Broadway in a highly praised production in 2002 and was also turned into a feature film.
Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon two of the most acclaimed actors of their generation, bring new life to the bruised dreamers of Terrence McNally’s timely and timeless romance. Director Arin Arbus directs this portrait of two lonely souls: a waitress and a short order cook who meet for a one-night-stand—but discover a connection deeper than they ever expected. Over a night filled with intimate thoughts and outlandish coincidences, meatloaf sandwiches and moonlit dreams, piano suites and the sweetest talk, they realize that making love is easy—falling in love is hard.
Aside from Claude Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” music, we are treated to excerpts from Bach, Scriabin, Shostakovich and Wagner.
The creative team includes Riccardo Hernandez(Sets), Emily Rebholz (Costumes), Natasha Katz(Lighting), Nevin Steinberg (Sound), J. Jared Janas (Hair, Wig and Makeup), Laurie Goldfeder (Production Stage Manager) and 101 Productions, Ltd. (General Manager).
Category: Broadway, Comedy/Drama, Play
Performance Time: 2 hrs. 15 min.
Closing Date: July 28, 2019
Venue: Broadhurst Theater, 235 W 44th St.
For more information visit FrankieAndJohnnyBroadway.com
Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube at @FandJBway
Tickets are available at FrankieAndJohnnyBroadway.com or Telecharge.com at 212 239 6200.
Left to right: Arin Arbus, Michael Shannon, Terrence McNally, Audra McDonald Photo / Courtesy, Polk & Co
About Terrence McNally
“(Terrence [McNally] is able to get to the core of the human condition.)
I defy you to name another playwright who can do that” – Audra McDonald
Terrence McNally, born November 3, 1938 at St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.A, is an American playwright, librettist(writer of books for musicals), and screenwriter. He grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas. His career spans six decades. His works explore human relationships—frequently those of gay men—and are typically characterized by dark humor.
His parents, both from New York, liked Broadway shows and took him with them on occasional trips to New York, where Terrence saw his first musicals at age eight.
McNally knew from childhood that he was gay, started college at Columbia University before turning seventeen, and began his literary career early. He wrote and copy-edited for his high school newspaper. It was a high school English teacher who encouraged him to become a writer, and he never forgot her.
After graduation from Columbia in 1960, McNally worked as a newspaper reporter, became a tutor for the teenage sons of the American novelist John Steinbeckwhile the family traveled the world during the last days of ocean liners, and worked as a stage manager at The Actors Studio.
In 1965, he had his first Broadway play produced (and his first flop), “And Things That Go Bump in the Night,” which featured an openly gay character. Undaunted, he proceeded to write a string of progressively more successful plays and musicals in an amazingly prolific career that’s well into its sixth decade.
His three dozen plays included “Bad Habits” (produced 1971), “The Ritz” (originally produced as “The Tubs,” 1973; film 1976), and “Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune” (produced 1987; film 1991) “The Lisbon Traviata” (1989). In 1995 McNally won a Tony Awardfor best play, for “Love! Valour! Compassion!” (film 1997), and “Master Class” (1995) one of several works he wrote aboutopera. Among his later plays were Deuce, which opened on Broadwayin 2007, and “Golden Age,” which followed in 2012.
In his play “Mothers and Sons” (2014), McNally examined a mother coming to terms with her late son’s homosexuality and with society’s evolving understanding of what constitutesa family. “Fire and Air” (2018) is about the “Ballets Russes”and founder Serge Diaghilev’s relationship with “Vaslav Nijinsky.”
The dozen musicals for which McNally wrote the libretto include “Kiss of the Spider Woman” (1992) and “Ragtime” (1996). His corpus of work also includes several opera librettos and movie screenplays.
McNally’s librettos for “Kiss of the Spider Woman” and “Ragtime” won him Tony Awardsin 1993 and 1998, respectively. Additional credits as a librettist included “The Full Monty” (produced 2000), “Catch Me if You Can” (produced 2011), and “The Visit” (produced 2001). He earned an additional Tony nomination for a 2015 revival of the latter musical.In 2019, he received a Tony for lifetime achievement.
Doc on McNally’s Life, LGBTQ Activism
As part of the many events in New York City to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, Pride and Resistance of the LGBTQ Community, PBS aired the new documentary: American Masters – “Terrence McNally: Every Act of Life.” The series premiered nationwide on June 14 on PBS, pbs.org/americanmasters and the PBS Video app in honor of LGBT Pride Month.
“Every Act of Life” lifts the curtain on the life, career and inspirations of the complicated and brilliant Emmy-and-four-time Tony Award-winning McNally, explores past productions of Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune and features original interviews with Terrence McNally and Audra McDonald.
In the documentary, McNally speaks plainly about his relationships with his lovers, beginning with Edward Albee, who was writing “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” when they met, and moving on to a serious romantic affair with the late playwright Wendy Wasserstein. He is married to theater producer Tom Kirdahy.
Having survived grueling treatment for lung cancer, McNally is currently working on three plays. How fortunate for him, and for us, that he disregarded Steinbeck’s heartfelt suggestion: “Don’t become a playwright. It’ll break your heart.”
McNally’s brother Peter is interviewed in depth in the film and offers thoughtful words about their childhood. The many show biz talking heads, including Audra McDonald, F. Murray Abraham, Christine Baranski, Tyne Daly, Nathan Lane, and Billy Porter, all have fascinating stories to tell. “Every Act of Life” is available as a DVD.
The Actors Studiowhere McNally worked as a stage manager, is the prestigious professional actors’ workshop in New York Citywhose members have been among the most influential performers in American theatre and film since World War II. It was founded in New York City in 1947 by directors Cheryl Crawford, Elia Kazan, and Robert Lewis. It is one of the leading centers for the Stanislavsky methodof dramatic training.
For more information on The Actors Studio, visit theactorsstudio.org.
(Mabel Pais writes on the Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, and Health & Wellness.
First-ever Jain Sadhvi to receive the title of “Acharya”
By I.S. Saluja / Bidisha Roy
Icould not have been more blessed than when I got a call from my friend Prem Bhandari, President of Jaipur Foot USA, the organization which is known worldwide for providing artificial foot across the globe, to interview Acharya Shri Chandana Ji, popularly known as Tai Maharaj at another friend, Kanak Golia’s house in Manhasset, Long Island , New York. I have known Kanak and his lovely wife Prabha as deeply spiritual and philanthropic who have always welcomed spiritual masters and lent their support to organizations and individuals working for the betterment of humanity.
An hour spent in conversation with Acharya ji revealed a person who is a harbinger of hope and peace. Her tremendous work in spiritual and social spheres sets her apart from many traditional spiritual gurus. One cannot but marvel her courage in undertaking to educate children in Naxalite areas of Bihar, at a grave threat and risk to her life. She simply transformed the thinking of Naxals and provided their children the education which brought them respectability and happiness.
Here are some excerpts from the interview.
Q.At the age of 83 plus you are still so active – so busy with your social work and you travel a lot. How do you get the strength?
Ans.The people for whom I work – their love, best wishes and happiness are my strength. If you go to the seaside when it’s raining – and you hold your palms properly, water will pour in. If you do the opposite – it won’t. I kept my palms that way to get the water. I am doing this since my childhood. I always loved to do good things in life. I even didn’t hesitate to steal food from my home for the poor kids around me. I got scolded for that, but I remained the same. If any underprivileged needs something I’ll do it for the person. For someone’s good, telling lie is not a sin for me. If you are doing wrong to harm someone, then it’s a sin but if it is for good cause then it’s a virtue. If your thoughts are right, then you can’t get wrong. Is it a sin if you are plucking fruits from a tree to feed a hungry? Are you doing injustice to the tree? No.
Q. You do various kinds of social work for poor, disadvantaged people for changing their lives for good and are successful in doing so. You have done a lot for their education. What is your experience in the education sector?
Ans.If you look at the world today – there is an ocean of jobs to be done. In my country I chose Rajgir in Bihar. I started with primary school, then high school and then college. Right now, there are 10,000 students are studying in my schools in various parts of India. I tried to go places where getting education was really tough. It was not an easy job. Gaining trust of people was very difficult. I worked in the Naxalite area. It’s been twenty years, but I am doing social work for last forty years. We have schools in Gujarat and Rajasthan and Nepal as well. In total we are working in 25 places. My mission was to do quality job. From infrastructure to education – I wanted to ensure best quality for my students. They should not feel that they are being deprived or not getting proper treatment just because they are poor. Now our students are coming at top 10 at CBSE exams.
For several worldwide, Acharya Chandana ji is so much more than a religious leader because she strongly believes that religion is not about finding Moksha but about striving to resolve the everyday challenges of people and bring peace to their lives. Most importantly, she vehemently focuses on serving people rather than preaching about compassion.
Regarded as one of the rarest, most precious souls in the history of Jain spirituality, Acharya Shri Chandanaji, known to the world as Tai Maharaj, is the vision of peace who believes “Religion accepts life in its entirety. To work towards getting rid of any physical or mental suffering is true religion. Service is no different from spirituality, service is spirituality.”
She embraced diksha (renunciation of the material world) at the tender age of 14. As a Sadhvi, she also took a vow of silence, one that lasted 12 years. When the seed for a cause such as Veerayatan was sowed in her heart and mind, she first questioned why Sadhus and Sadhvis could not physically contribute in making a difference to society.
A clairvoyant and thinking leader, Tai Maharaj then decided to add onto the traditional Jain school of thought. She began her journey to tangibly uplift and impact those facing everyday challenges of survival.
Acharya ji giving her blessings to Kanak and Prabha Golia at their residence Also seen is Sanghamitra Ji
Simply clad in a white sari, always accompanied by a smile on her face, Tai Maharaj unrestrictedly showers her blessings and kindness. She is a ray of sunshine in the sorrow-struck lives of millions. You may spot her on the dusty ground of Bihar, surrounded by the poor and sick, and you’ll see how she warms the cockles of their hearts. Or you may see her walking confidently on the delicate rubble of earthquake-shattered Kutch, her arm around an orphan, pain in her eyes, as she swiftly facilitates shelter for those who lost their families and hope to Mother Nature.
In 1973, she founded Veerayatan that stands on the three pillars of Seva (service to humanity), Shiksha (education for all), and Sadhana (self-development) to inspire and empower lives.
But as all beginnings go, the inception of Veerayatan was riddled with challenges for its founder. Acharya Shriji had to alter mindsets, and gain the confidence, trust, and belief of people to justify her hands-on work for the greater good. For her, the unconditional teachings of love by Tirthankar Mahavir and Gurudev were not just ritualistic. They had to be spread, shared, and sown; Veerayatan was born.
Veerayatan was founded with the mission to directly work towards the care of humanity through health, education, and spirituality without distinction. Veerayatan is actively enabling meaningful projects across the globe. Acharya Shriji envisions the organization’s efforts to grow in leaps and bounds in the future.
Veerayatan comprises:
Mrs. & Mr. Chintu Patel seeking blessings of Acharya Ji
Seva Mandirs, which include medical camps, eye surgeries, and post-surgery care for the most underserved populace.
Schools, colleges, hostels, and vocational training that aim to empower masses with an earning ability and skill.
Rehabilitation and emergency relief programs in the wake of natural calamities.
Brahmi Kala Mandir: An art gallery comprising inventive media to better understand life, culture, and religion.
Guest houses and libraries.
Prayer halls, spiritual retreats, and inspirational programs for all age groups.
Veerayatan has many international chapters as well including a USA chapter. Veerayatan International USA was founded in 1996 with inspiration from Acharyashri Chandanaji and through the dedication of Dr. Nayan Shah from Hughesville, Maryland.
Under Acharya Ji’s visionary leadership, along with Sadhviji’s dedication and through the support of hundreds of volunteers and patrons, Veerayatan International USA has been able to serve thousands of people across the globe. Veerayatan International works with organizations such as JAINA (Federation of Jain Associations in North America) to support its Mission.
The USA chapter Board of Trustees: Dr. Nayan Shah (Chair), Mr. Amar Shah, Dr. Kiran Patel, Dr. Kiran Mehta, Mr. Mukesh Turakhia, Mr. Jainesh Mehta, Dr. Vinod Shah
Executive Committee:
President: Chair Mr. Mukesh Turakhia
Vice President: Chair Mrs. Punita Shah
Secretary: Chair Mr. Yogesh Bapna .
Treasurer: Chair Mr. Satish Shah .
Public Relations Chair: Mr. Mukesh Gandhi
Seva, Shiksha, Sadhna Chair: Mrs. Prabha Golia
Youth Committee Chair: Ms. Nidhi Turakhia
Key Supporters include Mr. Kanak Golia, Mr. Bhupendra Mukim, Mr. Ashok Sancheti, Mr. Prem Bhandari, Ms. Sampurna, Ms. Mangla, Mr. Chintu Patel, Mr. Nilesh & Preeti Mehta, Mr. Ambrish – Rupa Shah and many more.
The primary activities of the US committee include
– Creating awareness of the Veerayatan Mission (Seva – Service to Humanity, Siksha – Education and Sadhana – spiritual upliftment) in the North America community including at key events like Jaina, etc.
– Hosting large seminar gatherings in multiple US cities during the visit of Acharya Shri Chandana Ji and other Sadhvis
– Identifying, sponsoring and raising funds for Seva, Siksha and Sadhana projects including large capital expenditure projects like hospital, school, religious scholar training institution; and small projects like sponsoring to educate a child, conduct an eye operation, etc.
– Expanding and maintaining relationship with the Veerayatan community in North America, and coordinating activities with other global centers
Despite being 83 years old, Acharya Shriji visits USA at least once a year. She was the keynote speaker at the Jaina Conference held in July in Los Angeles. During this visit she held seminars in multiple cities including Seva, Siksha and Sadhana Seminar in Indian Consulate in New York that was sponsored by Shri Kanak – Prabha Golia, Chair of Seva, Siksha and Sadhana and the event was attended by large number of people from the tri-state region.
Acharya ji is the inextinguishable force behind the revolution in Jain religious history by introducing the concept of compassion in action to the renounced community. Leading by example, she inspired these people to actively engage in social work for the betterment of humanity.
A receiver of many firsts such as the title of Acharya, she went on to establish this additional branch of Jainism for the first time in its history.
Prem Bhandari, Kanak Golia and Prabha Golia are among the group of devotees to seek Acharya Ji’s blessings. Also seen is Acharya ji’s constant companion Sanghamitra ji.
A true source of inspiration to humanity, she has been bestowed with many awards and honors for her undying focus on doing good. Here are a few of them:
18th August 2012: Vishva Vibhuti Award by Param Pujya Shri Jayanti Muniji Maharaj.
20th October 2008: Nagari Abhinandan by Koshi Region People for the service of mankind in flood affected areas.
JAINA Convention 2007: JAINA Presidential Award for the exemplary work Veerayatan has done in spreading the work of Lord Mahavir to one and all through compassion, education, non-violence, etc.
15th August 2004: Woman of the Year Award by Jnr. Chamber, Marine Line, Mumbai for the motherhood epitomized by Acharya Shriji.
5th September 2002: Shri Devi Ahilya National Award – It was presented at Indore by Smt. Sumitra Mahajan, Central Minister, for the services to the mankind in the field of health, education, population, pollution protection, natural calamities through Veerayatan.
28-31 August 2000: Millennium World Peace Summit of religious and spiritual leaders held in UNO. Acharya Shriji represented the Jain delegation in the summit from different nations. Her valuable ideas for eradication of poverty on an international level became the subject of discussion among the more than 1200 strong delegation.
8th November 1995: Mahaveer Foundation Award for excellence in propagating non-violence, truth, vegetarianism, education, medicine, community, and social service. It was presented by K R Narayanan, Vice-President of India with a gift of Rs 500,000.
1987: The title of “Acharya” given by Pujya Rashtrasant Amar Muniji. She became the first-ever Jain Sadhvi to receive this prestigious accolade in the Jain community since the time of Lord Mahavir (2600 years). She accepted it as respect towards women and to establish the mindset that any capable individual, Sadhu or Sadhvi, could be a high priest.
1987: Sant Balaji Award
1987: Sangali Jan Seva Award
Acharya Shri Chandana Ji giving a gift to Prof. Indrajit S Saluja, editor of The Indian Panorama
Acharya Chandana Ji has surely made the world a better place to live in. Her tremendous contribution in transforming the social fabric in many parts of India will be better understood with the passage of time.
SAN DIEGO (TIP): Two Indian American Professors are among four faculty members from the University of California San Diegowho have been named recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).
Piya Pal, professor of electrical and computer engineering; and Padmini Rangamani, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering—both at the Jacobs School of Engineering are the recipients of the highest honor bestowed by the United States government to scientists and engineers in the early stages of their independent research careers.
“Our efforts to attract, retain and grow nationally recognized, top-quality, diverse faculty at UC San Diego are paying dividends to our students as well as our community,” said UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. “Through leadership in their respective fields, dedication to accessible public education, and commitment to community engagement, these four early-career faculty members demonstrate UC San Diego’s vision to be a leading student-centered, research-focused, service-oriented public research university.”
Pal was recognized for her fundamental contributions to signal processing by designing innovative geometries and developing new optimization techniques that overcome bottlenecks of traditional array designs, and for enhancing fundamental performance limits of sparse inference problems. She was nominated by the Department of Defense.
Rangamani was recognized for her exceptional research accomplishments in the advancement of Theoretical Biophysics in physical biology and medicine, and for fundamental contributions to the physical understanding of lipid bilayers. She was nominated by the Department of Defense.
NEWARK(TIP): Surya Makkar, a mathematical financeand information technology management majorin the Stillman School of Business, received a $2,500 scholarship from the New Jersey Society for Information Management (NJ SIM) Foundation.
Makkar is one of four students in the state who received this scholarship at the foundation’s annual charity golf outing. The New Jersey Chapter of the Society for Information Management, one of 30 chapters in the country, is a professional association of executives, academics and consultants in the information management field. The New Jersey chapter’s nonprofit organization, the NJ SIM Foundation awards an annual scholarship to IT management students who demonstrate both academic excellence and leadership in their schools’ IT programs.
David Rosenthal, associate professor and chair of the Department of Computing and Decision Sciences, nominated Makkar. Rosenthal taught Makkar in his Management Information Systems (BITM 2701) course during his freshman year and serves as his academic adviser.
Makkar is also actively involved in the University community. This summer, he is interning with the Bank of America as a financial analyst.
NEW YORK(TIP): Disgraced Indian art dealer Subhash Kapoor, previously the owner of the Art of the Past gallery in Manhattan, and seven co-conspirators have been charged with operating a $145 million smuggling ring that dealt with thousands of looted antiquities over a period of 30 years.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office filed criminal charges against Kapoor and seven others and arrest warrants for the eight men were filed in New York City criminal court on July 15. Subhash Kapoor will be extradited to the US following the completion of his long-running trial in India. Currently he is on trial in Chennai for allegedly running a $100 million international smuggling racket.
On 30 October 2011, Kapoor was arrested at Frankfurt International Airport and on 14 July 2012 extradited to Chennai, India on charges of receiving artifacts that had been stolen from disused temples in southern India. Many of these objects were purchased by museums throughout the world. For example, in 2008 an 11th-century Chola-period bronze statue of a Dancing Shiva was sold by Kapoor tothe National Gallery of Australia for $5.6 million. The statue was allegedly stolen from a temple in Tamil Nadu.
ATLANTA(TIP): On July 16, Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp appointed fourteen people to various boards, commissions, and authorities including an Indian American.
Kartik H. Bhatt has been appointed as a consumer member for the Georgia Board of Examiners for the Certification of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Laboratory Analysts. Bhatt and his wife, Twisha, have a child and live in Marietta. Bhatt is a property manager with Laxminarayan 108, LLC.
WASHINGTON (TIP): The U.S. Senate on July 10 confirmed 41-year-old Pittsburgh lawyer J. Nicholas Ranjan as a judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Nicholas Ranjan, a partner with K&L Gates in Downtown and nominated by President Donald Trump, was confirmed by an 80-14 vote.
Ranjan’s practice focuses on appellate and complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on energy law, class action defense, and domestic arbitration.
He has been selected by Chambers USA as one of the top commercial litigators in Pennsylvania multiple times, with clients commending his “creative approach and responsiveness.” He has also been selected as a fellow with The Litigation Counsel of America, which is an invitation-only trial lawyer honorary, representing less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers.
Mr. Ranjan is the pro bono coordinator for the firm’s Pittsburgh office. During his time in this position, the Allegheny County Bar Association awarded the firm the pro bono law firm of the year award. He also is the chairman of the Pittsburgh office’s diversity committee and is a member of the K&L Gates global diversity committee. He is active in leading diversity initiatives within the firm and in the community. For these efforts, he was a recipient of the Leadership Excellence Award, awarded by the Pittsburgh Leadership Conference.
PHOENIX(TIP): An Indian origin man accused of killing his estranged wife in Arizona in 2007 before fleeing to India for several years has been convicted of first-degree murder.
Twelve years after Avtar Grewal, 44, killed his 30-year-old wife Navneet Kaur, a jury has found him guilty of first-degree murder for his wife’s death on July 16.
According to media reports, Grewal killed Navneet Kaur in her Ahwatukee house in 2007 after she told him she wanted a divorce. He strangled her and then submerged her in a bathtub of water and fled to India. He was arrested by international authorities and extradited back to the US in 2011.
NEW YORK(TIP): In its first five years, the Modi government has done the foundational work for India’s targeted growth, and now it’s time to focus on accelerate the growth – which must be led by private sector, says Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog.
Addressing a gathering at the ‘India Investment Seminar’ organized by the Indian Consulate at New York, July 17, Dr. Rajiv Kumar spoke on India’s Investment scenario and economic reforms and interacted with New York’s Investment Community.
In his welcome note, Consul General Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty gave a brief summary of accomplishments of Dr Kumar who took over as Vice Chairman NITI Aayog in the rank and status of a Cabinet Minister, on 1 September 2017.
Highlighting the reform measures introduced in the recent budget, Dr Kumar said that there are more than a dozen provisions in the budget to encourage the private sector to lead India’s growth and it’s time to make space for them and give the private sectormore incentive.
“The intention and the sharp focus of the Modi government is very clear and it is that private enterprise must be given the space, the incentives to play its role in the economy. The government has no intention at all to try and be the main driver of growth in the country because it is not possible,” he said. “The next five years, India is going to be at the cusp of a major transformation and if we succeed, as this government is wanting to, you will see a decade plus more of sustained high growth which will be undertaken with inclusion but also with sustainability,” he further added.
Dr Kumar acknowledged that there is still space for bolder reforms like changing the mindset. Noting that agriculture needs corporate investment, as there have hardly been any investments in that sector, but for that structural reforms are essential, he pointed out. Focus is also being given for major transformation in the mining, oil and natural gas sectors, electric mobility sectors, textile and leather, as well as ‘sunshine’ industry like tourism, he added.
During a Q&A session, answering a question by Prof Indrajit S Saluja, Chief Editor of The Indian Panorama about water scarcity in different states, Dr Kumar said the water index, introduced by NITI Aayog, has raised the alarm. He said the problem and its solution both are associated with agriculture. At the moment about 90 percent of the water is consumed by agriculture, he said. The agriculture has to be more water efficient and if there is a shift to horticulture, water could be freed up for other uses, he suggested.
Dr. Kumar answering questions from The Indian Panorama Editor Prof. Indrajit S. Saluja
Later, in a brief interview with The Indian Panorama, Dr Kumar answered a few questions from Chief Editor Prof Indrajit S Saluja.
As in charge of policy planning in India, what would be your top priority? I am not talking about the government, what would be your top priority?
Ans. My top priority would be two – one is agricultural transformation and I stick by that. The other one is to eliminate mal nourishment. Our children and our women – 38% of our children are mal nourished – it’s a shame. Fifteen percent of our women are anemic. If we can’t change that, we are not going anywhere at all. And the third would be water. If I can solve these three, I would die as a satisfied person. I just headed a committee called the North East Water Management Authority. They did a very good job; we have to implement that. It would solve the Brahmaputra problem at least.
2. When it comes to human beings, what kind of quality of life do you think you would be able to provide for people of India under your supervisory capacity as chief planner of India?
Ans. I am not a planner. I gave up planning. I am just a thinker. Our problem is much bigger than quality of life. You know if I can tackle, get people sufficient amount of potable good water and a clean environment, if I can get them quality education and health – that in the five years I am not promising. But the beginning is being made. Those are the areas we want to work on. For that (We need) domestic private investment. FDI contributes no more than 3 to 4 percent in our total investment. We have to depend on domestic investment and domestic investors.
WASHINGTON(TIP): In a rare move, the US House of Representatives has passed a resolution to condemn President Donald Trump’s “racist” tweets against four non-white Democratic congresswomen who have been critical of his harsh immigration policies.
The vote on Tuesday, July 16, came days after Trump’s tweets about four newly elected lawmakers — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan — triggered widespread uproar.
Trump, on Sunday, July 14, in a series of controversial tweets, said that four Democratic Progressive congresswomen should just “go back” to where they came from.
Moved by Congressman Tom Malinowski, the resolution was passed by the 435-member House of Representatives, the Lower House of the US Congress, on a partisan line of 240-184 votes.
The resolution also got support of four Republicans and an Independent in the House where the Democratic Party has a majority. Though the result carries no legal repercussions for President Trump, it was an embarrassing one for him.
Reproaching a sitting President on the record is an extremely rare in the US House. “It’s not who we are. It is playing with fire because the words that the president used are heard by people with disturbed minds who do terrible things, violent things, and a line needs to be drawn,” Malinowski told the House. “So that’s what we hope to do,” he said.
“These comments from the White House are disgraceful and disgusting and these comments are racist,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said during the debate. Trump had been accused of racism and xenophobia for telling the members of congress to leave the country. The President has since tweeted: “I don’t have a Racist bone in my body!”
Congresswoman Grace Meng said President Trump’s comments are “racist” and his vile rants on Twitter are beyond the pale and show his callous disregard for the office he holds.
Little political damage
Trump has a history of what critics consider race-baiting. He led a movement that falsely claimed Barack Obama, America’s first black President, was not born in the US
A Reuters poll this week showed little immediate political damage from his latest tweetstorm. Support among Republicans increased slightly, while he lost support with Democrats and independents after the comments.
NEW YORK(TIP): Tommy E. Remengesau, President of the Republic of Palau, signed the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement, 15 July 2019, at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, New York. President Remengesau recognized the ISA as a key initiative for promoting sustainable energy.
Palau became the 76th country to sign the ISA Framework Agreement. To date, a total of 54 of the 76 countries have ratified the Framework Agreement.
President Remengesau praised India as an important partner for South-South Cooperation and commended the positive role being played by the India-UN Development Fund in promoting sustainable development projects in partner countries. He appreciated that India made no distinction between the size of countries and treated small countries like Palau with respect and mutual understanding.
Background: The International Solar Alliance was jointly launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then French President Francois Hollande at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris on 30 November 2015. It is a major global initiative for contributing to the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement through rapid and massive deployment of solar energy. The ISA Framework Agreement was opened for signature during the 2016 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Morocco on 15 November 2016. The ISA became a treaty-based intergovernmental body on 6 December 2017. The Founding Conference of the ISA was jointly hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in New Delhi on 11 March 2018. It was attended by leaders of 48 countries, including 25 Heads of State/Government. The First Assembly of the ISA was held in New Delhi on 3 October 2018. The Assembly was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the United Nations Secretary-General H.E. Mr. António Guterres.
LONDON (TIP) The Indian High Commission in London in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and India Inc. on July 14 hosted an event in honor of India’s Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal in London during his UK visit. This was the Minister’s first visit to the UK since taking office in the new Government.
India Inc. Founder & CEO Manoj Ladwa conducted an in-depth Fireside Chat with Piyush Goyal, which involved a wide-ranging interaction between the minister and representatives of the Indian diaspora in Britain.
The Minister in his own words:
The norm across government is transparency and more transparency
This government has proved that it is willing to take on black money head on
India is doing more to tackle climate change than any other country despite not being responsible for the problem
The per capita consumption of coal in India is what the US consumed 150 years ago
At no point of time any more can there be any trade pact which will be at the cost of India’s interests
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has laid out a truly remarkable roadmap in her Budget for India to move towards the goal of becoming a $5-trillion economy by 2024
I don’t agree with the naysayers who say there hasn’t been job creation because the nature of job creation has changed
(Courtesy – India Inc.)
Signup to our Newsletter!
Don’t miss out on all the happenings around the world
