The Indian Panorama

Month: November 2022

  • Guru Nanak- the builder of a Cohesive Society

    Guru Nanak- the builder of a Cohesive Society

    “Guru Nanak’s message can be briefly summarized as a doctrine of salvation through disciplined meditation on the divine name. The divine name signifies the total manifestation of God, a single Being, immanent both in the created world and within the human spirit. Salvation is understood in terms of escape from the transmigratory round of death and rebirth to a mystical union with God. Meditation must be strictly inward, and all external aids such as idols, temples, mosques, scriptures, and set prayers are explicitly rejected.” – Encyclopedia  Britannica.

    Guru Nanak primarily brought people from different faiths together and taught common sense goodness, serving humanity and caring for the neighbors. Indeed, the religion we call Sikhism started as an interfaith movement.

    Throughout his life, Guru Nanak emphasized that no person can be “above” any other person; all are a part of creation and are equally close to God. Indeed, no one is more privileged than the other. Given the misogynistic society 500 years ago, his teachings were ahead of his time to treat women as equals, and gender discrimination in the Sikh community has no religious basis. 

    By Mike Ghouse

    Gurpurab is the 554th birth celebration of the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak. It is one of the most sacred festivals of the Sikhs and Sikhism. Five hundred fifty-four years ago, God sent Guru Nanak to restore peace and harmony in society. The conflicts and tensions in India at that time needed a peacemaker, and he brought the Hindu and Muslim communities together through devotional hymns composed by Hindu and Muslim saints. The Quran says God sends a peacemaker to every society. He loves his creation and wants it to live cohesively with peace and harmony. Shri Krishna said whenever a society deteriorates and people live in fear of each other, he would emerge among them to restore righteousness. Similarly, Jesus, Buddha, Moses, Zoroaster, and other great souls have appeared to restore harmony among their people. Every one of them was an auto-corrector for society.

    Guru Nanak fulfilled what God wanted him to do to build cohesive societies where individuals feel secure about their uniqueness, be it the filters of faith, race, ethnicity, language, or culture.

    Guru Nanak’s birthday has a special significance to me. He primarily brought people from different faiths together and taught common sense goodness, serving humanity and caring for the neighbors. Indeed, the religion we call Sikhism started as an interfaith movement. One message that resonates with me is his guidance to “accept all humans as your equals and let them be your only sect (one humanity).” Throughout his life, Guru Nanak emphasized that no person can be “above” any other person; all are a part of creation and are equally close to God. Indeed, no one is more privileged than the other. Given the misogynistic society 500 years ago, his teachings were ahead of his time to treat women as equals, and gender discrimination in the Sikh community has no religious basis. He laid the foundation for a community to serve humankind, and the Sikh community has repeatedly demonstrated to the world that they care for fellow humans wholeheartedly.

    Sikhs, along with the Red Cross and other institutions, are among the first communities to rescue whenever a disaster strikes worldwide. When the Wisconsin shooting in a Gurdwara killed several people, the Sikhs in America showed the world how to deal with the conflict. They held prayer vigils throughout America instead of blaming or cursing the criminals. The Center for Pluralism recognized this model of conflict mitigation in their annual Unity Day and presented the recognition trophies to all five Sikh Gurdwaras in Dallas, Texas.

    The Langars (the food kitchens) he established serve millions of hungry people worldwide. Service to humanity is the number one form of worship. When you serve God’s creation, you are serving God.

    When the Government of India removed article 370 without the people’s consent, a few radical ministers in India rejoiced that Kashmir was open now and that they could take the Kashmiri women as they pleased. Thanks to the Sikh community for holding a press conference and challenging that no one “no mai ka lal” would harm any woman anywhere in India and that they would protect the women. It brought tremendous relief to women knowing that the Sikh community would stand by them.

    “Guru Nanak’s message can be briefly summarized as a doctrine of salvation through disciplined meditation on the divine name. The divine name signifies the total manifestation of God, a single Being, immanent both in the created world and within the human spirit. Salvation is understood in terms of escape from the transmigratory round of death and rebirth to a mystical union with God. Meditation must be strictly inward, and all external aids such as idols, temples, mosques, scriptures, and set prayers are explicitly rejected.” Britannica.  Let’s pray that the spirit of Guru Nanak reemerges in each of us to restore peace and harmony in the world.

    May the Noor (divine light) of Guru Nanak brighten the world.

    Happy Gurpurab!  

    (Mike Ghouse is the CEO and founder of the Center for Pluralism and an interfaith wedding Officiant. He offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day to the media, policymakers, and others. More about him at www.TheGhouseDiary.com)

     

  • Guru Nanak- Prophet of Oneness of Humanity

    Sree Guru Nanak Sahib Jee says : “There is One Light of Our Creator pervading in the Cosmos of Multi-verses, the entire Creation and in all Creatures”.
    • 15th-century inter-continental globe-trotter sans cash, credit/ATM-card & multi-million airplane
    • Humble Tribute on the 553rd Anniversary of the Blessed Advent of Satguru Nanak Rai Sahibji

    The Vision and Mission of Oneness, as enunciated by Guru Nanak Rai Ji (circa 1469 to 1539) The Prophet of Unification of Humanity, is as relevant now, as it was five centuries ago. It is based on the absolute premise: “There is One Light of Our Creator in All”.

    God, Yahweh, Allah, Bhagwaan, Prabhu, Eeshwar, WaahGuru (the Wondrous Lord) Paarbrahm, Hari, AkaalPurakh (The Timeless One) Kartaar (The Creator) Raheem (The Merciful One) Kareem (The Empathetic One) are only some of the innumerable Hallowed Names of The Only Supreme One. Guru Nanak said such Holy Noumenon are meant to unify the masses rather and should never be made a reason for flowing rivers of blood.

    By Amarjit Singh Anand

    The world is up in flames, today, even more than it was during the life and time of the Blessed Advent of the Divine Preceptor, Guru Nanak (1469-1539). In one verse, he laments and exclaims: “I can visualize the entire humanity engulfed in flames of hatred and bloodshed and righteousness has taken wings”. Guru Nanak Sahib saw in his deep, meditative trance that the entire earth was ablaze with the fires of hatred, prejudice, intolerance, bigotry, superstition, hollow ritualism, and so he set out on his world tour to remind humanity of the lessons of “Divinity in Humanity”. Guru Nanak was on a Divine Mission. He was a Spiritual Maestro, a Renaissance-Man, a Crusader for Interreligious Amity, an extraordinary social-reformist much ahead his era and yet he utters the absolute TRUTH that “he is, what he is, ONLY because of the Gracious Mercy of The Almighty and he is nothing without GOD”. In other words, Divine Guru is teaching humanity to embrace humility, by refraining from self-aggrandizement

    DivineWisdom enabled Guru Nanak ji to say that there is an infinite expanse of galaxies and constellations in the multi-verse, created by The Almighty Creator.

    The Sacred Anniversary of the Blessed Advent of Prophets, Seers, Dervishes, Sufis and Saints must certainly be celebrated but not merely on just one day. Their Divine Tenets are to be imbibed by us, every moment, thereby reminding ourselves to elevate thespirit and evolve the soul, by vanquishing the mind and keeping an anvil on the forehead of the wayward mind, which is perpetually drifting and is preoccupied 24/7, with myriad egocentric vices like cruelty, domineering, lust, greed, avarice, malice, hatred, jealousy, hypocrisy, sycophancy and self-aggrandizement, while devoting only a negligible percentage of energy and time towards creative, progressive, constructive, productive projects for self and for humanity.

    Guru Nanak Ji represents the zenith of humility when he says that he’s a mere beggar, a watchman and a minstrel singing Divine Praise, at the door of The Almighty Majesty and a speck of dust at the feet of holy saints and devotees of God. Guru Nanak is an epitome of an exemplary balance between the life of an average householder and a mystic extraordinaire.He went on world-tours, visiting the Centers of Pilgrimage of various religions, and so he succeeded in reaching millions of folks, to convey his Vision & Mission of peace and harmony, without the usage of our contemporary communication, transportation, public-relations outfits and social-media and without hi-fi-tech gadgets as laptop and cell-phone or sans an ATM-card or credit-card.  The Divine Prophet traveled far and wide, in an era which travel was extremely hazardous and consumed months and years, as the only mode of travel was the waterways or horses and camels. Guru Nanak Ji facilitated the release of slaves in Europe and America. King James of Scotland minted a coin with The Guru’s image. For more on Holy Travels www.SATGURU,weebly.com

    The Divine Preceptor of ONENESS of humanity traversed 27,000 miles, across various continents, in 25 years of his 70 years’ sojourn on this planet, during which he reformed several tyrannical rulers, vociferously advocated human rights and women’s rights, brought about social revolution, by speaking out against slavish mentality, superstitious belief system, hollow ritualistic practices, religious bigotry and suppression of the downtrodden social and economic classes. Guru Nanak Ji was the pioneer, enunciating the cause of Inter-Religious Peace and Harmony.

    Guru Nanak Sahibji reminds us:“We humans are unaware of whether we would survive to inhale the next breath. Hence, we must restrain the wild horses of the mind and must refrain from any misdeed, such that would have given us pain, when perpetrated against us”.

    He said without truly sincere devotion, everything is merely ritualistic and ceremonial worship. He said it’s an exercise in futility, terming it as a façade and a sham.

    God, Yahweh, Allah, Bhagwaan, Prabhu, Eeshwar, WaahGuru (the Wondrous Lord) Paarbrahm, Hari, AkaalPurakh (The Timeless One) Kartaar (The Creator) Raheem (The Merciful One) Kareem (The Empathetic One) are only some of the innumerable Hallowed Names of The Only Supreme One. Guru Nanak said such Holy Noumenon are meant to unify the masses rather and should never be made a reason for flowing rivers of blood.

    The teachings of Sree Krishna Ji, Sree Raam Chandra Ji,Prophets Abraham & Moses, Messiah Jesus of Nazareth, Hazrat Mohammed Sahib Ji, Prophet Bahaullah Ji, Prophet Zoroaster, Gautam Buddha Ji, Tirthaankar Mahavir Ji, Saint Kabeer Daas Ji, Sheikh Fareed Ji, Saint Ravi Daas Ji, Devotee Naam Dev Ji, Saint Parmanand Ji and innumerable others, are to uplift the entire humanity and are not restricted to a group or denomination because the Enlightened Ones are above any sectarian confines.

    The Vision and Mission of Oneness, as enunciated by Guru Nanak Rai Ji (circa 1469 to 1539) The Prophet of Unification of Humanity, is as relevant now, as it was five centuries ago. It is based on the absolute premise: “There is One Light of Our Creator in All”.

    Guru Nanak Ji emphasized upon the “Religion of Righteousness”, thereby implying that an ideal Divine-Life can be lived, only when humans are empathetic towards everyone in the world.

    The history of Sikhism starts from the Blessed Advent of Sree Guru Nanak Sahib, in circa 1469, in Talwandi region, then part of a much larger India. His Tenets include Truthful living, humility, liberty, equality, justice, compassion, honest earning, serving the needy selflessly and protecting the weak and the meek. All this, he said would be tantamount to a Divine Life and real, true, actual worship and attainment of God and fulfillment of the purpose of human-birth.

    For over a thousand years, this region was invaded by a small bunch of horse-rider marauders, from Mongolia, Persia, Afghanistan, and the like. Taimur, Ghazni, Ghori, Nadir Shah, Abdali are only a few of those invaders, who plundered Hindu Temples, looted gold, took women and children as slaves, killed everyone who crossed their path.

    And then appeared a man on earth, the likes of whom are seen, only once in a millennium. Guru Nanak Sahib Jee confronted Babur, an invader who established his empire on Indian soil. Guru Nanak Ji’s Divine ambrosial words were adequate to transform a ruthless mass-murderer into one who fell at the Guru’s feet, pledging to rule with justice. Babur sought a boon of ruling for several generations and Guru Nanak Sahib Jee granted it and it came to fruition for seven generations, exactly during the lifetime of ten Divine Gurus.

    During the current global pandemic, the Divine Guru’s teachings of compassionate sharing, came to the fore, when millions of people were served with edibles, medicines, clothing, shelter and all essential services. As a collective, during the unprecedented lockdown, several governments officially requested the Sikhs to prepare food in Gurdwaras, to be served to individuals, as well as to be sent to hospitals and other institutions for the old and the infirm, orphans, and economically weaker sections.

    Guru Nanak reformed several tyrannical rulers, vociferously advocated human rights and women’s rights, brought about social revolution, by speaking out against slavish mentality, superstitious beliefs, hollow ritualistic practices, religious bigotry and suppression of the downtrodden social and economic classes.

    Guru Nanak Sahib Jee says : “I do not know how and what to speak. I utter only that, which YOU, O’ GOD, command me to churn out”. Guru Sahib says GOD is the bestower of all blessings. Guru Nanak claims no credit, whatsoever and says, “the earth is ONE global family and all creatures and creations come from OUR CREATOR, The Only Omniscient One”.

    (Amarjit Singh Anand is a writer and, promoter of interfaith dialogue, true to his Master, Guru Nanak’s philosophy.)

  • Dr. Harbans Lal – A Researcher and Scholar of Sikhism

    Dr. Lal’s interests lie in promoting many humanitarian and academic causes.

    Dr. Harbans Lal is  Emeritus Professor and Chairman, Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, Texas. Dr.  Lal began his long and profitable career in India at Punjab University,receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy. He later migrated to the United States in 1956 and received his Doctoral degree in Medical Sciences, majoring in Pharmacology from the University of Chicago in 1962. Over the years, Dr. Lal held various teaching and research positions at the IIT Research Institute, the University of Kansas, the University of Chicago, and theUniversity of Rhode Island. In 1980, he moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth areato be installed as the Professor and Chairman Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. He retired from this position in 2000 and now serves the University as Professor Emeritus. Professionally Dr. Lal is known for his research in behavioral medicine, experimental psychology, substance abuse, and theprolongation of a healthy lifespan by nutritional optimization and genetic engineering.

    During his professional life, Dr. Lal served on many national and international advisory boards, including the National Institute of Health Sciences Advisory Committees, the US Food and Drug Administration, and, for 14 years, as the Editor of a monthly journal, Drug Development Research. He has published over 400 research papers, 28 research books, several research reviews, and 56 chapters in medical textbooks during his academic career.

    At his retirement, he was recognized with the Distinguished Neuroscientist Award at the Annual Meeting of the Society forNeuroscience. The American College of Neuropsychopharmacology elected him as amember and included him amongthe top scientists recognized for making discoveries in medicines in the past 50 years.The Scientists of Indian Origin in America elected Dr. Harbans Lal as its President. Dr. Lal is Sikh ashis religious preference.He was elected unanimously as the President of the All India Sikh Students’ Federation in 1954. At the 1999 Celebration, The Anandpur FoundationIndia recognizedhim with the Order of theKhalsa Award for his distinguished service in promoting causes of the Sikh community.

    The Guru Nanak Dev University awarded Dr. Lalthe honorary Doctor of Literature degree in 1995 and appointed him as Professor Emeritus at the Guru Nanak Dev University at Amritsar.He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Academy of Guru Granth Studies in USA. Dr. Lal’s interests lie in promoting many humanitarian and academic causes. He continuously writes for many journals, including Dallas Morning News. He serves on many humanitarian and interfaith or religious organizations. He is a member of the Interfaith Council of the Center for World Thanksgiving, The Interfaith Center at Fort Worth, and advisor to the American Project on Religion and the News Media, to THE SIKH TIMES and the Sikh Foundation.

    In 2017, Dr. Harbans Lal was among the Faith leaders receiving the “International Medal of Honor” award for his lifelong commitment to promoting interfaith engagement among the adherents of all world religions.   The Grace International Seminary presented the award medal founded and led by President Dr. Karen Hollie-Thibodeaux, also the Senior Minister of The Lifeway Church of Dallas, which is the only seminary for women in the USA with chapters spread in other cities.  Dr. Lalalso received the USA  Unity Day and International Ummah awards.Most recently (2022), Dr. Lal was honored with the Stan Golden Men of Action award bythe Southwest Jewish Congress. Dr. Lalwas a Board Member of the UNA- Dallas.Dr. Lal participated in many UNO/NGOs and attended their conferences and symposia at the UNO campus in New York. He participated in the “Millennium Development Goals:  Civil Society Takes Action”at the UN in New York in 2004.  It focused on the worldwide efforts of non-governmental organizations to support the United Nations’ campaigns to reduce indices of extreme poverty by 2015 dramatically. He participated in a similar conference in New York in the year 2000 when the meeting of NGOs formulated and supported those goals for Civil Society.

    Dr. Lal became a Dallas Chapter of UNA member several years ago. Presently he is a member of the board and active in the Dallas Chapter Public Relations projects.  He is the Ambassador of the Parliamentof World’s Religions and serves on the editorial boards of the Sikh Review, Nishan Nigara, and J. of Sikhism and Comparative Religions.

  • Amarjit Singh Anand: Dedicated to spreading Guru Nanak’s Message of Oneness of Humanity

    As President of ‘Aspirations & Expressions’, Amarjit Singh Anand is the Initiator of 1GOD1humanity Accolades, and  Guru Nanak Benediction Awards.

    Born and raised in New Delhi, India, he attended premier Jesuit educational institutions. His ‘alma-mater’ Saint Michael’s & Saint Xavier’s, both provided the best nurturing and conducive environment, where some of his great teachers and visiting faculty  included Principal Eric Mendonza and Rev. John Beez (from U.S.A.)and Rev. Robert Meyer (from U.K.). Residing in New York since 1996, he is a freelance writer, translator, poet and orator, in Punjabi Hindi and English. Volunteerism for social causes is his passion, while writing is his profession. Amarjit Singh Anand feels humbled and honored as a recipient of the ‘Ambassador for Peace’ Award (2003) from The Interreligious International Federation for World Peace, New York, Affiliated to the United Nations Organization.

    A staunch believer in the dictum : a ‘Sikh means a lifelong-learner’ and while being an ardent student of the ‘School-of-Life’, his work of written-word, in the form of ‘A critique on humanism, spirituality, religion, world history and societal behavior’, is in progress. He is a voracious reader, having a keen interest in heritage, culture, performing & fine arts, history and politics.

    Anand was honored by the Global Interfaith Foundation, New York, in 2019. He is a recipient of the ‘National Volunteer’ Award (1999) from South Asian Marrow Association of Recruiters (SAMAR) New York, serving leukemia patients.

    He has worked as a Project Coordinator, with United Sikhs, an advocacy, empowerment and humanitarian-service NGO, recognized by the United Nations.

    He has made presentations at Interfaith meetings, educational institutions and Houses-of-Worship. He addressed the Commemorative Ceremonies at Ground Zero and at Buddhist Ceremonies of ‘Floating-Lanterns’, on the somber occasion of paying homage to 9/11 victims. He has participated in events organized by The Interfaith Center of New York at Stony Point, New York.

    Anand was invited to participate in Interfaith processions, organized by the ‘Children of Abraham’ (Jews Christians, Muslims) walking through the streets of Manhattan, NY, where participants addressed the public, over the microphone.

    He has organized youth-camps and Symposia, to disseminate the foundational tenets of Sikhism, Sikh heritage & history and Punjabi culture, at Gurdwara Glen Cove, New York. He is an avid researcher, with a natural inclination towards the Concept of Oneness, Global Consciousness, Giving-Back to society, spirituality, world-religions, meditation, amity, goodwill and harmonious co-existence.

    As President of ‘Aspirations & Expressions’, Amarjit Singh Anand is the Initiator of *1GOD1humanity Accolades* & *Guru Nanak Benediction Awards*, presented to HUMANISTS, transcending ALL races, religions, ethnicities, cultures, traditions; ALL those engaged in enhancing the *Spirit of ONENESS* and *Divinity-in-Humanity*, with a Vision & Mission to create a *Global-Village*, in consonance with an age-old traditional Indian philosophy of *Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam : The Earth is a Global Family*.

    Amarjit Singh Anand expresses his utmost gratitude to ‘Waheguru’ (The Almighty Omniscient One) and to his Spiritual-Mentor Guru Nanak Sahib Jee, for infinite blessings, bestowed upon him, to shape him into all that he is. He is equally grateful to his revered Parents, Late  Ujagar Singh Anand & Late Mrs. Pritam Kaur Anand, for endowing him with the gift of the best education and to all of his respected, knowledgeable teachers, for their wisdom.

    E-mail :GuruNANAK1oneness@gmail.com

    www.1GOD1humanity.org/events

  • PIC NEWS

    Jaipur Foot and Association of Indians in New York celebrated Diwali at Times Square with a display of their organizations and lighting on NASDAQ Tower.

    Mr. Prem Bhandari, Chairman Jaipur Foot USA with members of his organization and AIA President Harish Thakkar at the NASDAQ tower in Times Square.

     

    Queens District Attorney hosted a Diwali Celebration at Richie Rich Palace in Richmond Hill. Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar was also present.

    A Hindu priest (right) offered prayers and spoke about the significance of Diwali. Seen in the picture, from L to R: Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz , Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar and the priest.

     

    Indian American Forum Chairperson Indu Jaiswal along with Aligarh Medical Alumni Association (AMAANA) Vice President Dr. Tazeen Beg, welcomed renowned Bollywood actress and author Deepti Naval for her book launch and reading “A Country called childhood – A Memoir”. Emceed by Flora Parekh

    Deepti Naval, Dr Harshil Parekh, Flora Parekh, Anju Sharma, Jyoti Gupta at the book launch.

     

    A fire broke out at the American Museum of Natural History early Tuesday, November 1 morning.The FDNY battled the blaze inside the American Museum of Natural History at 200 Central Park West.

    American Museum of Natural History at 200 Central Park West.

     

  • Hussain Baqueri, President, Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation

    Hussain Baqueri, President, Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation

    Mr. Hussain Baqueri is the President of the Nargis Dutt Memorial Cancer Foundation. He has been President of the organization since 2019. However, the once extremely active organization has had some internal dissensions preventing the Foundation from being active for a couple of years. To top it came the harrowing period of Covid during which all activity of almost all organizations had to take a back seat. The Nargis Dutt Memorial Cancer Foundation is now back in action and are holding a gala and fundraiser on November 6 at Marriott in Uniondale, Long Island.

    The Indian Panorama Editor Prof. Indrajit Saluja, on November 3, 2022, spoke with Mr. Baqueri about the future plans of the Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation . Here are excerpts from the interview.

    TIP: You have been associated with the Nargis Dutt Memorial Cancer Foundation for a long time.?

    A. For about 15 years.

    TIP: What is your assessment of the organization?

    A. I think the heart of all the board members is out there . They we are trying very hard to do something for cancer patients in India. We are at a point where we need toupdate our bylaws and get into more . We’ve been in existence for 40 years. Our bylaws are 40 years old. So, as time has changed, we need to update. We are in the process of doing that at this time.

    TIP: This organization was founded by late Sunil Dutt after he lost his wife Nargis Dutt who was a casualty to cancer?

    A. Yes. In 1981. It was founded by Sunil Dutt and a few other friends. The only one that we have still involved with our organization is Mr. Inder Bindra who is one of the founding members of the foundation. And he’s been the only one who has been with us for 40 years now.

    TIP: And how about Priya Dutt, daughter of Sunil and Nargis? How much is she associated with your organization?

    A. Well since Sunil Dutt passed away, Priya has taken over the mantle of the organization of the nonprofit foundation in India and outside and she’s been very kind and spends her time to come and attend our functions and anytime we have any need, she is there. For example, when we do a project, we are here and she’s there, she goes out and makes sure the project is getting done properly, and it’s being implemented the way it was supposed to be.

    TIP: Could you kindly give our readers an idea of the amount of money that you have collected and invested for the welfare of the cancer patient and for fighting the disease during the last 40 years?

    A. We have collected over $6 million. We have spent over $6 million for the last 40 years buying equipment, mainly equipment, like mammography machines and you know analyzers, radiation equipment, dialysis equipment.

    TIP: That’s a great humanitarian service that you’re doing. And you must have some such projects in hand now. Of course, we know very well that for some reason the foundation was lying dormant for a few years.

    A. You know, COVID made us dormant for a while but even during COVID time, we carried out our humanitarian work. We participated in getting masks out to people, oxygen concentrators here and in India. We would feed the police officers, the nurses and doctors and we were involved with doing those things for the last three years.

    TIP: And all this was being done under your presidency?
    A. Yes. Thank you. Well, I have been the president since 2019. And then earlier I was President from 2014 to 2017.

    TIP: What are the projects that you have now in hand?

    A. The immediate project that we’re working on is an ocular oncology project. This is a project we are doing in conjunction with Goutami Eye Clinic. They have started a separate unit for that and that’s what is our project. And this is in Rajahmundry, India, which is not a major metropolitan city, but it’s a small town. And I think that’s where we need more of help in India because major cities have very good hospitals, but the rural India is still missingthe health care that is needed.

    TIP: What is the initial costof the project?

    A. It is approximately $100,000

    TIP: And how do you plan to raise that?

    A. We are trying to raise the money at the fundraising event and then reaching out to our donors to tell them what the project is. And we are working with Dr. VK Raju from Morgantown, West Virginia, who heads the Goutami Eye Institute and he’s also helping us fund the project.

    TIP: I understand, every year when you have the gala, you honor certain eminent persons. Are you honoringsome at this gala?
    A. Yes, we are . We have six people we are honoring this time. We have. Dr. Raju, an ophthalmologist from West Virginia. We have Nilesh Mehta who is a gastroenterologist and a hematologist in Long Island, New York. And then we have Dr. Sadiq. He’s a dentist from New Jersey. We have a gentleman by the name Sonny Singh. He’s from Seattle. He is an entrepreneur and his company makes stuff for healthcare facilities. And then we have Andy Mansukhani, who is our Immediate Past President. We always honor our immediate past president for his services. So, we are honoring him this time. And Mr. Peter Bheddahwho has been with us for over 30 years. He is no longer with us. He passed away a couple of years ago. So, we are honoring him posthumously.

    TIP: And how many people are you inviting to the gala?

    A. We are expecting about 300 people to the gala. The only problem is this year we have a very big wedding in the local area. It’s a destination wedding. And a lot of our prospective guests are in Cancun instead of in Long Island. It’s Okay. Naturally they cannot afford to miss the wedding What do I do? I don’t have to stop that. Okay, I stopped anyway.

    TIP: Okay. We get back to our job. So, what is the program by the way?

    A. Since it’s a Sunday program, we’re going to start early at 5.30. 5.30 to 7 o’clock is a cocktail hour. Then 7.30 Everybody comes in. We have the national anthems of both America and India. And then I will give a State of the Foundation speech just to let them know what’s going on; what we have done since the last time. Thank people and then introduce Priya. She’s our guest of honor this time, and she will have the podium for a few minutes. After that, we’ll go right into honoring. We have this time , other than the six honorees that I spoke about, the kids who volunteered in a 5k run and a walk in September which we had organized in Eisenhower Park in conjunction with other people organizations. I’m just acknowledging the kids out there.

    TIP: How many are there?
    A. There were 10 kids. They all are teenagers and they did an amazing job. We had about 250 people who came . So, we’re just honoring those kids and they also volunteer in our function.

    TIP: What else is there?

    A. And thenwe go right into the presentation of the project with Dr. Raju. And in fact,Dr. Prem Goel, who’s our chairman of the Medical Review Board, will then introduce Dr. Raju and the project and Dr. Raju will come in and talk about his project and how it impacts the people and what it’s all about. After that, we are going to do a fundraising for a few minutes and then once the fundraising is over, we are going to head straight into the fashion show. That’s our entertainment program for the evening.

    TIP: Could you tell us something briefly about the fashion show?

    A. The Fashion Show is being organized by Panache Entertainment. The lady’s name is NishiBehl. We have more local models. The clothes are from designers from India and Pakistan. And also, we will have a trunk show afterward. If people would like to buy some stuff, they can. It will be available outside. And, after the fashion show, there would be a dinner and socializing.

    TIP: You said there will be sale of the designer apparel. Would the Foundation get a share?

    A. They give us a percentage of whatever they sell. So, this way that there is a donation tothe foundation.

    TIP: What else would you like to tell our readers about your vision of the future of this great organization?

    A. I think the future is great for this organization. The only issue now is we have gotten a lot of organizations like this popped up in last few years and you’re in the United States. So, there’s more competition for the donation money when we have to do our job , and as long as we have a good project and we can convey to people, I am sure we will be successful in getting the projects. In fact, right now, I live part time in Florida. I have my Indian friends in Florida. And they are sending me donations from there. So, I mean everybody has to do their part to make this thing a successful operation.

    TIP: It must be really time consuming for you

    A. It is. Especially with my job. You know I’m a pilot. So, I don’t work from here when I’m working away from New York. I’m all over the world. So, that is very challenging, but I have taken some time off so I can dedicate to this function and make sure it works properly.

    TIP: At the cost of losing dollars?

    A. Somebody has to. Somebody has to do it.You have to make some sacrifice sometimes for the good of the people , and I believe in destiny. God is great I will make up . I’m sure he will give me back what I’ve lost in some other ways. So, I’m positive.

    TIP: There is always adequate compensation. And it will come your way ifyou believe in that. All the best, Mr. Baqueri in this great initiative of yours and we look forward to seeing you on the 6th.

    A. Thank you very much.

    TIP: Do you want to make an appeal to the public in general?

    A. Iwould like people to come, as many people as possible. And also, we will make enough room for them. And also, please open your heart and make a donation. Please make checks payable to Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation. And the address is PO Box 7707. Hicksville, New York 11802.And this donation would be tax exempt. We are a 501 C 3 Foundation. And, just for your readers’ knowledge, every single penny that we get goes to a project, goes to a good cause. Any travel, any expenses for boarding, lodging , food, we all support that individually. No money is spent from the organization. Every single penny goes to a project.

  • AN OPEN APPEAL TO ASSEMBLY MEMBER JENIFER RAJKUMAR AND MAYOR ADAMS

    AN OPEN APPEAL TO ASSEMBLY MEMBER JENIFER RAJKUMAR AND MAYOR ADAMS

    • STOP EXPLOITING AND DUPING US ABOUT PROPOSED DIWALI HOLIDAY
    • Mayor knows he can make it happen by Executive Order

    By Albert Baldeo

    RICHMOND HILL, NY (TIP): As an elected District Leader with a large South Asian population, I make this appeal on behalf of the more than 500,000 Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist families living in our great City. Both Assembly member Jenifer Rajkumar, and the Mayor knows that the Mayor can declare Diwali a holiday, without anyone’s help. Indeed, both have repeatedly made unreserved Diwali holiday promises as major platform issues prior to being elected to their respective public offices. In the case of the Mayor, he promised “from Day 1, immediately after taking the oath of office.” The Mayor can implement his School Chancellor’s regulation to make Diwali a holiday, just as had been done under Mayor Bill de Blasio to create the Eid and Lunar New Year holidays. Most disappointingly, Assembly member Jenifer Rajkumar betrayed her constituents who voted her into office and collaborated on a flatulent promise that was nothing more than abdicating their promises and passing the buck to Albany legislators.

    Their combined failures and refusal to deliver on their promise were aggravated in their misrepresentations to the media that this was a done deal. What is worse, they are further exploiting communities, by manipulating and changing their tunes, to confuse and deceive us that Albany now has to play a part in this. It is the typical “bait and switch con game” we must denounce. This is the kind of evil and darkness Diwali shines a light on and eradicate. They have passed the buck to “blame typical dysfunction in the State legislature, as the culprit,” for the inevitable failure. To the Mayor and Jenifer Rajkumar, we say stop exploiting us with your mere rhetoric, deceitful promises and grandstanding.  All your noise is further manifestation of false and exploitative promises you made to us, and still continue to make, but failed to deliver. Rajkumar knows that her bill has been pending for years in the State legislature, did not even get the necessary State senator sponsor, nor make it out of committee, and has gone nowhere, yet she recycles her deceitful excuse to claim that “our time has come.” We further condemn her empty assurances and betrayal designed to manipulate this issue, prematurely promising that “my legislation makes the room,” while deceitfully claiming that “Mayor Adams is the first Mayor to get done what South Asians have been advocating for over 20 years.” Not only is she abusing us emotionally, but our kids also, while giving the Mayor a way out to renege on his promises and blame Albany for not supporting her long shot state bill.

    As articulated by former City Council member and Education Chair, Councilman Mark Treygar at a stated, public hearing to make Diwali a holiday, he verified that, “There are currently more than enough school days to declare Diwali a holiday, and the Mayor can take away a snow day, and make Diwali a holiday, tomorrow, if he wants to.” See 7:19 of this hearing:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7_Cz5d7W8E&t=550

    Stop exploiting and deceiving us with your lies, Jenifer Rajkumar and Mayor Adams, and deliver on your promise! Stop the hypocrisy!

     (Albert Baldeo is an elected District Leader in Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park and Ozone Park.)

  • Colors, Lights and Food Mark Joyous Diwali Celebrations at BAPS Mandirs across North America

    Colors, Lights and Food Mark Joyous Diwali Celebrations at BAPS Mandirs across North America

    DALLAS (TIP): From October 22 to October 26, colors, lights and foodfused with joy and tradition as Diwali –The Festival of Lights –was celebrated at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ.  Diwali is the most widely celebrated festival byIndians and Hindus around the world. October is being celebrated as Hindu Heritage Month, and community leaders, as well as policymakers, including US President Joe Biden, are participating in lighting lamps and offering best wishes for the festivities. The mandir welcomed visitors through the new, which had over 2,700diyas, a colorful Rangoli and flower decoration. In preparation for the festivities, many devotees, young and old, gave their time to help create decorations, prepare for children’s Diwali, and set the stage for the most significant ritual of Diwali, ‘Annakut’. Annakut, which literally means ‘a mountain of food’, is traditionally offered to God to celebrate the beginning of the Hindu New Year. Annakut was celebrated on October 26, 2022, with over 1500 food delicacies being offered to Bhagwan. This year, millions of devotees and well-wishers across the globe are taking part in the centennial celebrations of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual guru and leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. After darshan of the Annakut, visitors got to view an exhibition-themed “Century of Service,” which gave an immersive experience into the Life of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

    Pramukh Swami Maharaj lived by the principle, “In the joy of others, lies our own.” He dedicated his life to selflessly serving others for the greater good of humanity, traveling across the world as an ambassador of peace, harmony, and faith; all while maintaining firm faith in God and adhering to His teachings. Pramukh Swami Maharaj visited over 250,000 homes across more than 50 countries and replied to over 750,000 letters, personally counseling individuals, helping them through struggles, and inspiring them to live value-centric lives. His virtues and life’s work transformed individuals, families, and communities worldwide.

    Ami Shah, a visitor said, “I start my year at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ. The Annakut is awesome and I love coming here. This year the exhibition on Pramukh Swami Maharaj was just too good. It was amazing to know that this was created by youths who were explaining various sections enthusiastically.” “I experienced my culture while getting a taste of fine Indian cuisine. Every person I met had an expression of warmth and happiness on their face. I truly felt at home,” said Jignesh Patel.

    The multiple days of Diwali are steeped in traditions and rituals that symbolize new beginnings and a renewed commitment to family. The bright colors of Rangoli, the lamps, the elaborate offering of vegetarian food (Annakut) to Bhagwan, all mark a renewal of the good within and the goodwill towards all around us. This year His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj celebrated Diwali and Annakut in Gondal, in the state of Gujarat in India. He blessed the devotees for a happy and peaceful new year. He also stressed that since this year is also the centennial celebration of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, may all be blessed to live according to his virtuous life.

  • Hicksville Massage Parlor Closed, Woman Charged with Prostitution

    Police say an undercover investigation led to the arrest of a woman from Queens

    HICKSVILLE, NY (TIP): A massage  parlor in Hicksville was shut down Wednesday, November 2,  after an undercover investigation led to the arrest of a woman for prostitution. Police say that Narcotics Vice Squad detectives performed an undercover investigation of a massage parlor at 195 South Broadway at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday. The investigation led to the arrest of a 35-year-old woman, who was charged with unauthorized practice of a profession and prostitution.The building was secured by the Town of Oyster Bay Building Department. The woman was issued an appearance ticket and is due back in First District Court on Nov. 23.

  • Five prominent Indian-American politicians in race for US Congress in midterm polls

    Five prominent Indian-American politicians in race for US Congress in midterm polls

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): If the pollsters and opinions of political pundits are to be believed, Indian-Americans are likely to have a 100 per cent strike rate for the House of Representatives. The four incumbents – Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna and Pramila Jayapal – are likely to be re-elected. All four are from the Democratic party. Adding to the so-called Samosa Caucus of Indian-Americans in the House of Representatives would be the entrepreneur and businessman Shri Thanedar, who is seeking his election from the 13th Congressional District of Michigan. Bera, 57, the seniormost of all, is seeking his sixth term in the House of Representatives from the 7th Congressional District of California. Khanna, 46, who represents the 17th Congressional district from California, Krishnamoorthi, 49, (8th Congressional District of Illinois) and Jayapal, 57, from the 7th Congressional District of Washington State, are seeking their fourth consecutive terms. According to political experts, all four are comfortably placed against their Republican opponents. So does Thanedar, 67, who is seeking his maiden entry into the House of Representatives from the heavily African American portion of  Detroit. If elected, he would be the fifth Indian-American in the next Congress along with Bera, Khanna, Krishnamoorthi and Jayapal. Chennai-born Jayapal is the first ever and only Indian-American woman to be elected to the House of Representatives. During this election cycle, another Indian-American seems to be all set to create history in the State of Maryland. Aruna Miller, 57, a former member of the Maryland House of Delegates, is running as Lt Governor of the State on the Democratic ticket. Political pundits say she is all set to win. In that case, she would be the first-ever Indian American to be elected to this position in Maryland.

    Meanwhile, the Democrats and the Republicans have intensified their efforts to reach out to the Indian-Americans ahead of the November 8 midterm elections.

    The Washington Post newspaper on Friday said that Indian-Americans can play an important role in some of the tightly contested races. “Ahead of mid-term elections that could be decided by razor-thin margins, Democrats are hoping to capitalize on some of the optimism felt by Indian Americans, a growing and increasingly vital bloc of voters,” the daily wrote.

    In the critical State of Pennsylvania, popular TV host Padma Lakshmi, Phenomenal Media CEO Meena Harris and Jayapal would knock doors in Philadelphia to mobilize the community’s South Asian voters. The canvass launch will feature music, food and a lineup of distinguished speakers. Peloton Instructor Aditi Shah will lead a 20-minute grounding session to kick off the day, focusing on the importance and power of our collective community. Following the launch, over 4,000 estimated doors will be knocked in Upper Darby, Centre City and Northeast Philadelphia.

    “I’m inspired to be with so many incredible community activists and South Asian women leaders in Philadelphia this weekend to activate voters who can make the margin in this midterm election. Let’s get out, knock doors, and vote!” Lakshmi said. “This is the first time we’ve brought together this group of South Asian women leaders from all over the country to mobilize our community around civic engagement,” Harris said. “And the stakes are so high — right now we’re facing intersecting crises, including alarming new restrictions to abortion care, and attacks on free and fair elections. We have to fight, and I’m proud that our community is showing up,” she said. According to Neil Makhija, Indian-American Impact executive director, in 2016, Pennsylvania was decided by a slim margin of fewer than 45,000 votes.

    “This November, we’re determined to show up and show out, just as we did in Georgia, when we doubled turnout. With over 100,000 South Asian American voters in Pennsylvania alone, we have the opportunity to set the direction of the country,” he said.

    The midterm elections will have a significant impact on the direction of the nation, as well as the fate of the person and the party in power in the White House.

    Currently, Democrats are in the majority due to the tiebreaking power of Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, who serves ex officio as the president of the Senate. Controlling Congress means having the power to launch committee investigations.In his first two years as president, President Joe Biden has pushed through new laws on climate change, gun control, infrastructure investment and child poverty despite his narrow majorities in Congress.If one of those chambers switched to the Republicans, however, they would have the power to stop Democratic bills from being passed by Congress and the result would be gridlock.

    It will decide who controls Congress as well as state legislatures and governor’s offices. But the elections will give voters an opportunity to indirectly express their views on his presidency and the current direction of the country.

    With the US economy struggling and voters concerned about crime and undocumented immigration, the verdict could be a harsh one for President Biden.

    The outcome will influence the playing field for the 2024 presidential campaign, and especially the odds of Donald Trump running again.

    (Source: PTI)

  • Diaspora group launches online petition urging Blinken to reduce visa wait time

    Diaspora group launches online petition urging Blinken to reduce visa wait time

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): A US-based diaspora body on Tuesday, October 31,  launched an online petition campaign urging the Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to reduce the long waitlist for various types of American visas being issued from India.

    “We request the State Department, Secretary of State Mr. Anthony Blinken and the US embassies in India to eliminate wait times for visa appointments in India. “Even after a two-year-long Covid-era pause in visa appointments at the US embassies in India, the visa appointment situation is far from normal, requiring 300 to 900 days of wait time based on the visa types, Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies or FIIDS said launching its online petition campaign.

    As per travel.state.gov reports on October 31, there is an average 900+ days’ wait time for appointments for visitors’ visa (B1/B2), an average 400 days’ wait time for students (F, M,J) and an average 300 days’ wait time for petition-based temp workers like H, L, O, P and Q across the USA consulates in India (Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata), it said. In contrast, the US consulates in China only have an average three days’ wait time, FIIDS said. The 900+ days’ delay deprives Indian Americans and Indian immigrants in the USA of having their beloved relatives to visit, whether in the time of difficulties, needs, or for celebrations, impacting their quality of life, it said. The 400+ days’ wait time affects students joining the US universities, that not only impacts students’ future but also negatively impacts the US universities, FIIDS said, adding, the 300+ days’ wait time is impacting productivity and success of various industries and businesses due to lack of skilled workers. We urge the US State Department and Sec Blinken to resolve this issue. We believe it is not only important for US interests but the right thing to do on moral and compassionate grounds, FIIDS said in its petition on Change.Org. “As per Reuters news on 27th Sept, the Secretary of State blamed the lack of resources and funding due to lost revenues from fees on this ‘self-financed program,’” the petition said.

    “We request the concerned authorities to take all necessary steps and to seek emergency funds to resolve this backlog. We are eager to assist in any way possible and will forge a coalition of individuals who will rise to the occasion to assist in mitigating this issue, it added.

    (Source: PTI)

  • Sankara Nethralaya USA raises over $32000 from Microsoft Give fundraising poker tournament

    Sankara Nethralaya USA raises over $32000 from Microsoft Give fundraising poker tournament

    ATLANTA,GA (TIP): Sankara Nethralaya USA is a not-for-profit charity organization providing ophthalmic (eye) care throughout India.  For the last 4 decades, SN has treated millions of indigent blind patients.

    During the month of October, Microsoft organizes the Give campaign. In this month, Microsoft encourages its employees to contribute to various causes and supports thousands of non-profit organizations across the globe.  Microsoft matches 100% of the employees’ contribution and volunteer hours during this month to promote philanthropy across the organization.

    Every year Sankara Nethralaya conducts one Poker Tournament with Microsoft Give program in October. This year, under the leadership of Board of Trustee Soma Jagadeesh, The Seattle team organized two poker tournaments. With Microsoft matching and volunteer hours, two events were organized on Oct.6th and Oct.13th.  Through these events, the organization raised $32500 which will sponsor 500 cataract surgeries for indigent blind patients.

    President Bala Reddy Indurti, President Emeritus SV Acharya, and Vice President Moorthy Rekapalli thanked all the trustees and volunteers who are working selflessly to restore vision for indigent patients. “Sankara Nethralaya USA wants to take this opportunity to thank Microsoft and all the individuals who came together to make this a great success. We have conducted the Give events on 2 different days during the month of October to contribute to the noble cause as per the feedback and response from previous years participants. This year 63 players participated and supported this cause,” Indurti told media.

  • Queensland govt announces 1 million Australian dollar reward for information on Punjabi-origin man wanted for Australian woman’s murder

    Queensland govt announces 1 million Australian dollar reward for information on Punjabi-origin man wanted for Australian woman’s murder

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell AO has noted the announcement by the Queensland government of an Australian  1-million-dollar reward for information leading to the location and arrest of Rajwinder Singh, 38, wanted for the murder of Toyah Cordingley.

    Cordingley was reported missing on October 21, 2018, and her body was found the following morning at Wangetti Beach, Queensland.

    This is the first time a reward of one million Australian dollars has been announced to “capture the attention of an international audience to reach this individual,” said a local police official.India has already approved his extradition order in March last year. Rajwinder Singh was born in Buttar Kalan in Moga district and is believed to be living in India, although his exact whereabouts are unknown. The police have released his images as he was on way to boarding a flight to India on October 23, 2018, leaving behind his wife and three children. His brother had earlier admitted that Rajwinder landed at Amritsar airport and was in mental distress over work-related issues. Little is known about him since. Three detectives of the Australian Federal Police have been in New Delhi working with the Central Bureau of Investigation on the case. The reward offered by the Queensland government will support efforts by Indian authorities to locate and apprehend Rajwinder, said an Australian High Commission statement. Officers versed in Hindi and Punjabi have been especially assigned to solve the murder which happened when Cordingley was walking her dog.

    “We know that people know this person, they know where this person is and we’re asking those people to do the right thing. This person is accused of a very heinous crime; a crime which has ripped a family apart,” said Police Minister Mark Ryan.

    Detective Inspector Sonia Smith who is in charge of the case is quoted as saying, “We strongly believe there are people who could share information about the whereabouts of Rajwinder. This is most definitely the time to come forward and tell us what you know.”

    In India, people with information can call the Australian Federal Police at the Australian High Commission on +91 11 4122 0972.

  • ‘No choice’, says Elon Musk as he justifies massive layoffs at Twitter

    ‘No choice’, says Elon Musk as he justifies massive layoffs at Twitter

    NEW YORK (TIP): Amid massive layoffs at Twitter across the world, including in India, and the subsequent backlash, the microblogging site’s new owner Elon Musk on Saturday, November 5,  justified the move, saying there was “no choice” when the company was losing millions of dollars daily.The company posted a net loss of USD 270 million in the second quarter ended June 30, 2022, compared to a profit of USD 66 million in the same period a year ago.

    “Regarding Twitter’s reduction in force, unfortunately there is no choice when the company is losing over $4M/day,” Musk tweeted.

    “Everyone exited was offered 3 months of severance, which is 50% more than legally required,” he added.

    Hundreds of employees were handed the pink slips at Twitter on Friday as Musk, 51, started overhauling the social media platform which he bought for a whopping USD 44 billion late last month.

    In a letter to employees obtained by multiple media outlets on Friday, the company said employees would find out by 9 am Pacific Standard Time if they had been laid off. The email did not say how many people would lose their jobs.

    Some employees tweeted early Friday that they had already lost access to their work accounts.Twitter has also fired the majority of its over 200 employees in India. Sources said the layoffs are across engineering, sales and marketing, and communications teams.

    However, there is no clarity yet on the severance package to be paid to employees laid off in India.The entire marketing and communications department in India has been sacked, the sources said.

    Musk has blamed activists for a significant drop in the company’s revenues. “Twitter has had a massive drop in revenue, due to activist groups pressuring advertisers, even though nothing has changed with content moderation and we did everything we could to appease the activists. Extremely messed up! They’re trying to destroy free speech in America,” Musk tweeted on Friday. Twitter’s roughly 7,500 employees have been expecting layoffs since Musk took the helm of the company. After he completed the acquisition of Twitter, Musk ousted CEO Parag Agrawal, legal executive Vijaya Gadde, Chief Financial Officer Ned Segal and General Counsel Sean Edgett.He also removed the company’s board of directors and installed himself as the sole board member. Musk has also announced Twitter will charge USD 8 (around Rs 660) per month from verified (blue tick) accounts—triggering intense debate on the social media platform. The firm is reportedly laying off 3,738 people out of its total headcount of 7,500 across the globe.

    Meanwhile, several Twitter employees on Thursday, November 4  night filed a class action lawsuit alleging that Twitter is in violation of the federal and California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act) after laying off some employees already, CNN reported. The WARN Act requires that an employer with more than 100 employees must provide 60 days’ advance written notice prior to a mass layoff “affecting 50 or more employees at a single site of employment.”

    “Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, has made clear that he believes complying with federal labor laws is ‘trivial’,” Attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan, who filed the lawsuit, said in a statement to CNN.

  • Hundreds of Indian Americans celebrate Chhath at over dozen places in US

    Glimpses of  Chhath celebration  at Donaldson Park, Highland Park New Jersey

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Hundreds of Indian Americans worshipped the Sun God on Sunday , October 30 evening and Monday, October 31  night at several places in the country, ranging from the Potomac River in a suburb of this city and Query Lake front in Fremont, to a makeshift pond in Connecticut and Donaldson Park in New Jersey. In New Jersey, India’s Consul General in New York Randhir  Jaiswal and his spouse Dr Abha Jaiswal joined the Morning Arag or the worship of the rising sun at Donaldson Park, Highland, along with nearly a thousand Indian Americans from the New York and New Jersey area.

    Organized by the Bihar and Jharkhand Association of North America and Bihar Foundation, one of the largest Chhath celebrations in the US saw the participation of families of top corporate leaders. In his brief remarks, Jaiswal highlighted the significance of the diaspora community in celebrating Indian festivals thousands of miles away from the country of their origin. Pushpa Mishra from New Jersey celebrated Chhath with friends and family. A first time Vrati or faster, she celebrated the festival with her spouse, Nirmal Mishra, a Director at Centroid Systems. Among those who joined the celebrations in New Jersey were Manish Varma, Global VP at GlaxoSmithKline, Amit Choudhry, COO of Wipro, Vikas Varma, Dr Director at Johnson & Johnson.

    All families came together to prepare Chhath Prasad and celebrate the puja at the ghaat, extremely well organized by BAJANA and their never tiring executive committee and their volunteers, said Alok Kumar, chairman Bihar Foundation.

    Braving the biting cold, a large number of Indian American gathered on the banks of the Potomac River, in a Virginia suburb of Washington DC, to participate in what is now considered as one of the oldest Chhath celebrations in the country.

    It was a community effort led by software engineer Kripa Shankar Singh, who along with his wife Manisha started the celebrations in a small way in 2006. On the same bank, the annual celebrations now attract several hundred people not only from those who trace their origin to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, where Chhath is celebrated, but also from neighboring Nepal as well.

    To keep the participants warm in the wee hours of Monday, community leaders lit a bonfire and served hot Samosa and tea. It’s matter of pride that the manner in which the community has come together to celebrate the sacred Chhath festival, said Sunil Singh, an eminent Indian American from Virginia.

    In Connecticut, Chhath was performed in a makeshift pool, as celebrants enthralled the audience with the traditional Chhath songs at the indoor auditorium there. Devotees were seen carrying the offerings in baskets wrapped in yellow cloth over their heads. More than a 1,000 Indian Americans joined the Chhath celebrations in Quarry Lake, Fremont California. Participants came dressed in colorful Indian dresses, including saree, even as organizers played traditional Chhath songs. Just felt like being in India, said Reena Gupta.

    (Source: PTI)

  • Indian- American Dr. Veena Rao honored with the 2022 Pink Frog Legacy Award

    Indian- American Dr. Veena Rao honored with the 2022 Pink Frog Legacy Award

    ATLANTA, GA (TIP):  Veena N. Rao, PhD, professor and co-director of the Cancer Biology Program, at Morehouse School of Medicine, received the 2022 Pink Frog Legacy Award from the Pink Frog Foundation at its 10th Annual Pink Frog Affair at the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel, Morehouse College on Friday, October 14. The organization said it chose to honor Dr. Rao for her longstanding research on breast cancer.

    The anniversary celebration was a breast cancer awareness event and fundraiser which raised over $137,000 to support breast cancer patients in metro Atlanta.

    Founded in 2012, the Pink Frog Foundation, Inc. is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing support to breast cancer patients. In addition, the organization strives to provide emotional, social, and educational programming and to increase public awareness about the special needs and issues facing individuals with breast cancer.

    Dr. Rao is a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Morehouse School of Medicine and serves as co-director of the MSM Cancer Biology Program. She is also a Georgia Cancer Coalition Distinguished Cancer Scholar at MSM. Her research focuses on the BRCA1 gene and its role in breast and ovarian cancer in diverse populations, including triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) that are more prevalent in African American women, are highly aggressive and have higher rates of metastasis.

    She has obtained a patent for BRCA1 function-based assays, which can be used to stratify risk for TNBC in women who carry BRCA1 mutations and can also be used to develop targeted therapy for TNBC, a disease which currently has no mechanism-based precision treatments available. This technology when fully developed combined with BRCA1 genetic testing will revolutionize early detection for hereditary TNBC. Not to mention, the countless lives it will save through early detection of these aggressive cancers, thus reducing the mortality in African American women, leading to health equity in line with MSM’s mission. Dr. Rao earned her PhD in Biochemistry from Osmania University in India and completed part of her thesis work at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Max Planck Institute, and University of Edinburgh. She completed fellowships in human genetics at Yale University School of Medicine and molecular biology at University of California, Berkeley, as well as being the Fogarty International Visiting Fellow studying Molecular Oncology at the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Rao received Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Osmania University.

    Founded in 1975, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) is among the nation’s leading educators of primary care physicians, biomedical scientists, and public health professionals. An independent and private historically-Black medical school, MSM was recognized by the Annals of Internal Medicine as the nation’s number one medical school in fulfilling a social mission — the creation and advancement of health equity.

  • Global space cooperation is an integral part of Indian space programme says official

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Global space cooperation is an integral part of India’s space programme, a top Indian space scientist has said and supported the idea of nations coming together to replicate the International Space Station for another outpost in space.

    In this entire journey of the Indian space programme, global space cooperation has always been “an integral part”, Krunal Joshi who is currently a counsellor, Space (ISRO) at the Embassy of India told a recent ASCEND Conference.

    Participating in two-panel discussions at the prestigious ASCEND conference, hosted by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) in Las Vegas from October 24 to October 26, Joshi told the space scientific community that India has launched more than 350 satellites from 33 countries. In the 1960s, India dedicated Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station to the UN and a variety of research and launch experiments were done from here. India today has more than 230 agreements with over 55 countries and five multinational bodies. This ranges from building satellites to capacity building, he said.

    UNNATI (UNispace Nanosatellite Assembly & Training) started by ISRO under the aegis of the UN, where India is helping budding countries in capacity building, satellite building and how they can build nanosatellites. In 2019, India has 60 officials from 32 countries and in 2022, there are 32 officials from 22 nations. So, it’s a programme which is doing good for the upcoming countries. India’s Chandrayaan-I, he said, is one of the shining examples of how international collaboration can help to achieve something big. Countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden and Bulgaria contributed with their payload and more than 50 countries currently are emulating the science out of that. It’s a classic example of how big countries can come together in space, he added.

    Responding to a question, during one of the panel discussions, Joshi said that India is unlikely to build its international space station of its own but supported the idea of an international collaboration.

    “It is very difficult for India on its own to have an entire space station. We don’t know. I don’t think that that will be a more feasible solution. A more feasible solution would be for countries to come together and replicate what we did in the ISS,” Joshi said.

  • Indian American community lauded by New York City Mayor Eric Adams

    Indian American community lauded by New York City Mayor Eric Adams

    NEW YORK (TIP): Lauding the contributions of the Indian – American community to New York City, mayor Eric Adams has honored four community organizations and Grammy Award Winner Falu Shah for their work in  New York area. “Let me tell you, my love for this community. Let me tell you why I believe this community is so important to the city,” he said bestowing the honors at a largely attended Diwali celebration at the Gracie Mansion on Oct 25.

    “When I looked at during the 70s when we saw such a large wave of those who came from India, moved to Queens, wanted to believe in American dream,” Adams recalled.

    “You worked hard and opened small businesses, and you sent your children to school to learn different skills so they can be deputy mayors and doctors and leaders of agencies and help our city move forward. You fortify the strength of our city,” he said. “And when you do an analysis, you notice your presence in law enforcement, healthcare, small businesses, your faith,” Adams noted.

    “You’re one of the largest economic groups in this country, one of the largest educated groups in this country, one of the largest small business owners in this country. You believe in the American dream, and you live it out every day,” he said. The honorees were Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) and its chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, Federation of Indian Associations of NY, NJ, CT (FIA) Chairman Ankur Vaidya, Indiaspora Founder M.R. Rangaswamy, Tulsi Mandir of Richmond Hill Queens represented by its priest Lakra Maharaj, Romeo Hitlall of the Indo-Caribbean community and Grammy Award Winner Falu Shah. Over 1100 people attended the festive celebration with Indian food, dances of India and people dancing to the tune of Bollywood music.

    Others present with Mayor Adams were his senior team members of Indian origin including Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi, Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala, Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan and Deputy Commissioner Dilip Chauhan (Trade and Investment).

  • US condemns attack on Imran Khan during protest march

    US condemns attack on Imran Khan during protest march

    WASHINGTON,D.C. (TIP): The United States on Thursday, November 4,  condemned the attack on former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan during his protest march and said violence has no place in politics and America is deeply committed to a democratic and peaceful Pakistan. “The United States strongly condemns the shooting of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and others at a political rally. We wish Imran Khan and all others who were injured a quick and thorough recovery, and we offer our condolences to the family of the individual who was killed,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

    “Violence has no place in politics, and we call on all parties to refrain from violence, harassment, and intimidation. The United States is deeply committed to a democratic and peaceful Pakistan, and we stand with the Pakistani people,” Blinken said in a statement.

    Khan sustained bullet injury on his leg when a gunman opened fire on the container-mounted-truck carrying him during his protest march in Pakistan’s Punjab province, killing one person. The former prime minister was leading the long march to Islamabad demanding early elections. The White House also condemned the attack. “The United States strongly condemns the attack on Imran Khan and his supporters and hopes for the swift recovery of all who were injured,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One while travelling with President Joe Biden to New Mexico. “Violence has no place in politics. We call on all parties to remain peaceful and refrain from violence,” she said in response to a question.

    “Terrible news today about former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Political violence, whether in #Pakistan or in the US, is never acceptable,”. I send my best wishes for his recovery and for a peaceful political process in Pakistan,” tweeted Congressman Brad Sherman.

  • Indian-origin Carnatic vocalist Aruna Sairam honored with Chevalier Award

    Indian-origin Carnatic vocalist Aruna Sairam honored with Chevalier Award

    PARIS (TIP): Carnatic vocalist, composer, collaborator, humanitarian and speaker Aruna Sairam has been honored with the French government’s highest honor- Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des award. Aruna Sairam has been selected for this award not just for her singing prowess, but also for her contribution towards development of the Indo-France relationship.

    Announcing the award, Consul General of France in Chennai Lise Talbot Barre said that the Minister of Culture of the French Republic, Rima Abdul Malak had appointed Aruna Sairam to the rank of Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

    Lise said, “This award is the unequivocal token of my country’s appreciation for your brilliant career and of your numerous contributions to the French and international artistic scene”.

    “You have carried for over 30 years the marvelous beauty and subtlety of Carnatic music in India and across the world. This award thus underlines the friendship that you have always carried to France.

    “By your performance and your creation, you have revolutionized the world of Carnatic music. With your numerous joint programs with French artistes and frequent performances in France, you have greatly contributed to bring France and India closer together and develop cultural and artistic cooperation between our two countries,” the Consul General said.

    Expressing happiness on being selected for the honor, Aruna Sairam said, “I am very happy for getting such a prestigious award for just doing my duty as a musician and inheritor of the rich cultural heritage of our country. This also gives me additional responsibility to continue what I am doing. This award will help me to take my work to the next level. I thank the French government for their kind gesture.” Aruna Sairam began her classical training under her mother, Rajalakshmi Sethuraman. She then became a disciple of legendary vocalist, Sangita Kalanidhi T. Brinda, thereby continuing an illustrious line of women singers of the Tanjore tradition for more than eight generations. Later, she was mentored by several other maestros of our country.

    Her music has erased geographical borders when she was the first to incorporate Abhang, a Western Indian musical form, into a traditional, South Indian concert. By interacting with national and international musicians, Aruna communicates beyond regional contexts, using melody as a language of human expression. Not confining her body of work to performances, Aruna has contributed a great deal to the field of imparting her knowledge to students across the world. She founded the Nadayogam Trust. Aruna Sairam is recipient of several awards including the Padma Shri by the Central Government and the Sangita Kalanidhi by the Music Academy. She was also elected as the Vice-Chairperson of the Sangeet Natak Akademi. Apart from this she is also the recipient of Tamil Nadu government’s Kalaimamani Award and Kalidas Samman Award of Madhya Pradesh. Aruna Sairam has also received the US Congressional Award of Excellence and was also conferred appreciation by the Mayor of the City of New York and the city of San Diego.

  • A case for NRIs to get a right to vote

    By Prabhjot Singh

    If the hearing on several petitions filed on behalf of overseas Indians is any indication, the Supreme Court appears to be suitably inclined in their favor. The Apex Court has been hearing petitions to make voting via postal ballots available for NRIs. There is a substantial population of NRIs, mostly migrant skilled and unskilled laborers from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the Middle East and other parts of the world that have been seeking voting rights for a long time.

    Though at one stage, the Apex Court held that extending the postal ballot facility available to those serving in remote far-flung areas security forces was different from extending the same to those who have chosen to work or live abroad for various reasons. At the same time, the Supreme Court acknowledged that it would be beyond the means of the migrant laborers to travel back home just to exercise their franchise. It was in this context; it sought the union government’s stance on the subject. Once granted the right to vote, Nis would become a decisive factor in the country’s electoral politics.

    Besides the migrant laborers, an equally strong section is of Indian students studying abroad. Their number has been growing by hundreds of thousands every year. A substantial section of these students wants to retain their Indian citizenship and be part of the political system here. The Union Government had introduced a Bill in the Parliament to make necessary amendments to the Representation of the People Act – the law that governs electoral politics in the country –  to allow MRIs to vote by proxy. But it lapsed with the dissolution of the last Lok Sabha.

    This amendment suggested the removal of unreasonable restrictions that require NRIs to be physically present to exercise their franchise. Before arriving at any decision, the Apex Court also wanted to know whether the Union Government was considering any option of allowing digital voting while maintaining the secrecy and sanctity of the voting process.

    Another possibility of permitting remote voting is also under consideration as the Election Commission has also prepared a report for extending voting rights to NRIs remotely. One hopes the right to vote to the NRIs will not remain a wait for Godot.

  • The Midterms: Indian American Samosa Caucus likely to win

    Indian Americans need to get more involved in electoral politics

    Midterms on November 8 are just about less than 4 days ago. The Indian American community is participating in a big way both in the form of candidates and in the form of voters. Usually, it has been seen that the Indian American community is more supportive of the Democratic Party,  and that is why we see more Indian Americans on the  Democratic Party ticket  than on the Republican Party ticket. A survey showed that most Asian Americans support the Democratic candidate in congressional races. 70% Indian American voters said they would vote Democrats while only  17% favored Republicans.

    The most important elections that we would be witnessing  are of the Samosa Caucus   Indian American Congressmen who are seeking reelection.They are Raja Krishnamoorthy,   Pramila  Jayapal, Ami Bera and Ro Khanna. It’s not going to be an easy cake work for them anymore primarily because of the divisions that have surfaced  in the American society.Another reason is the falling approvalrate of the Democratic Party President Joe Biden. And the disapproval rate hinges on certain issues of concern to the American society, mainly the economic issue of  inflation, and the crumbling law and order situation However, thefour Indian American congressmen seeking reelection have more chances of winning than losing. One is surprised to find that the Indian American community does not find any issues worth consideration.  There is a strange  indifference to the issues. The only thing one hears  is that the Indian community wants greater representation. But then not many Indian Americans get involved in active and electoral politics.  Wherever they are involved, they have seenfavorable results, as in New Jersey State. Quite a few  from Indian American community  are in the Senate as also theyhold positions in the local  administration. There are Mayors, Council Presidents and council members. Merely saying that we want more representation doesn’t help. Indian Americans need to get more involved in electoral politics.

  • Indian Overseas Congress USA Organizes Bharat Jodo (Unite India ) Walk in New York City

    Indian Overseas Congress USA Organizes Bharat Jodo (Unite India ) Walk in New York City

    Participants get ready to walk to Gandhi statue in Union Square.
    Sam Pitroda and other leaders garlanded the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Union Square.

    NEW YORK (TIP): The Indian Overseas Congress ( IOC) USA conducted a UNITY WALK in NEW YORK from Times Square (47th St & Steps) to Union Square (Gandhi Statue) on Sunday, October 30th at 3:00 PM. The NEW YORK Yatra ( Walk) has been inspired by Bharat Jodo Yatra, currently in progress, led by Shri. Rahul Gandhi emphasized unity and peace in India and the sub-continent.

    Dr. Sam Pitroda, Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, flagged off the unity walk from 47th St and 7th Ave. Around 300 or more members from the Diaspora walked via fifth Ave all the way to Union Square, where the Mahatma Gandhi statue was garlanded. In his concluding remarks, Mr. Pitroda urged India to continue to be led by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and respect the ideals of Democracy, Freedom, Human Rights, Justice, Equality, inclusion, and related values and wisdom outlined in the Indian Constitution.

    Speaking with The Indian Panorama, Sam said that the idea behind Unity Walk is to really bring in focus. larger issues related to unity, democracy, freedom.  Inspiration for the walk “really comes from Rahul Ji”, he said. Sam said: “In India the Bharat Jodo yatra is  going through right now, which is 3500 kilometers,  150 days and anywhere from 50 to 100,000 people join him every day. We thought there is a message in that Yatra which needs to be conveyed to larger audience. Problems are the same everywhere in the world today. World is going through a very difficult time partly because of Ukraine war partly inflation, economy,unemployment, and the roots really lie in  polarized politics violence, a  sort of drifting away from democratic values,  a little more authoritarian attitude.

    And it is not just visible in India. It is visible in many parts of the world. We had part of that during Trump’s  time. World is going through one of the most difficult periods I would say in last 80 years.Our world needs to be redesigned, the senior Congress leader said. Indian Overseas Congress organized the Unit walk under the leadership of Mr. Mohinder Singh Gilzian (President), George Abraham (Vice-Chair), Pradeep Samala (Chairman, unity Walk committee), Harbachan Singh (Secretary-General), Gurmit Gill, Leela Maret, Rajeswar Reddy, Ram Gadula, Gulshan and many others. IOC USA declared solidarity with all initiatives that uphold the country’s constitution according to the organizers.

  • Dr. Manoj Mohapatra, India’s Ambassador to Guatemala

    Dr. Manoj Mohapatra, India’s Ambassador to Guatemala

    “We have identified five areas of verticals of cooperation – it’s called SPEED – Supply chain, Pharmaceutical, Education, Energy, and Digital.” Dr.  Manoj Mohapatra is India’s Ambassador to Guatemala, one of the better-known countries in Central America.

    The Indian Panorama editor Prof. Indrajit Saluja was in Guatemala at Ambassador Mohapatra’s invitation to attend a Trade Exhibition of Indian Handicrafts and participate in the ongoing Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav related other events from September 22 to September 25, 2022,  at various locations in Guatemala. However, the majority of the events took place in Guatemala City. Ambassador Mohapatra graciously agreed to sit with Prof. Saluja for an interview. Here are some excerpts from the long interview the Ambassador gave to The Indian Panorama in his office at the Indian Embassy in Guatemala City on September 22, 2022.

     TIP:How would you characterize the relationship between India and Guatemala?

     Amb.Year 2022 marks two milestones in our historical relationship. First one – We are celebrating 75 years of India’s independence ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ here in Guatemala who last year celebrated 200 years of its independence. The other one is, we are also celebrating 50 years of establishment of diplomatic relationship between India and Guatemala. In the last fifty years we have built a solid foundation. We have identified certain areas where we would be working together with Guatemala. In this regard we have identified five areas of verticals of cooperation – it’s called SPEED – Supply chain, Pharmaceutical, Education, Energy, and Digital. Although the geographical distance between India and Guatemala is quite far, it takes about 70 days to reach a container from India to Guatemala, to overcome those challenges we are working together. We have already made some progress in these five verticals.

    TIP: Can you please tell us about the events you have lined up to celebrate ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and the initiatives promoting relationship and businesses between India and Guatemala?

     Amb.We have an excellent relationship with Guatemala in the political sphere. What is important is that the foundation that we have laid has been very fruitful for strengthening the economic and commercial relationship between two countries. Guatemala has always been supportive of India. What is more important is the geographical proximity of Guatemala with Northern and Latin American countries- it’s like a window between the two. It only takes three days to reach America from Guatemala by ship. Guatemala has signed a free trade agreement with the USA. That has been very much helpful for them. If our companies would be coming here to manufacture certain items which would be marketed in the USA – that would be very much helpful. One of the sectors is textile. We have seen our companies here bring semi-finished products from India. The areas that we have identified – one of them is the supply chain. About 20 Indian companies have shown interest to come here for a warehouse project in Guatemala City. We are working on the project to overcome the geographical distance between India and Guatemala. Our exports are very much welcome here. We have seen a 40% export growth increase in 2022 compared to 2021. We have exported more than one billion dollars worth of Indian goods.

    India has become the pharmaceutical hub of the world. During the pandemic, India was the first country to supply 200,000 doses of Covid 19 vaccine to Guatemala. Indian pharma companies are marketing generic medicines here. In fact, two companies have opened a chain of pharmaceuticals here in Guatemala. They are also doing very well in the region. As we speak today, 3 to 4 delegations from Guatemala are currently attending IFEX in India. We see the willingness to buy generic medicines from India and we have seen the commitment that they would be buying 1 billion dollars worth of medicine from India.

    Now let’s speak about the energy sector. Ten days back we organized the first technical level meeting between Indian companies ONGC, Indian Oil, Reliance and others with their counterparts in Guatemala. Guatemala is sitting on a huge pile of gas that will cater to India’s requirements for more than 20 to 25 years. We are going to host a second technical level meeting soon which will make clear which Indian companies will come here to deal with the gas. The renewable energy companies are also keen to come to Guatemala because it’s very cost effective here. We are encouraging Guatemala and Honduras to join the international solar alliance. We are working with all three governments for the solar energy project. We are also working on wind energy.

    Now comes education. I am happy to announce that we have established a college called ‘Barefoot College.’ It’s located in Jaipur. We have selected 20 girls who did not have access to electricity. We have given them the training of solar energy and rather than taking the ladies to India, we have opened a branch here to train them. And for doing so, we did not take any support from the Govt of India or Govt of Guatemala. We did this through corporate initiative. Our target is to train about 240 girls here. The trained girls would themselves install the solar panels in their house.

    In the education sector, Indian companies have recruited about 10,000 Guatemalans directly. We are making a bridge between Indian companies and the universities and anybody who is passing out of the universities, is recruited by the Indian companies. We have hosted job fairs organized by Indian company. The fifth vertical is digital. Indian IT companies have hired 9 to 10 thousand people here.

    Some Indian companies will come here for infrastructure development like the airport project. We have already started discussions.

    TIP: How about cooperation in the field of education? Are there any plans for opening an IIT in Guatemala

    Amb.The Govt of India has announced that IITs would go abroad. We have submitted a proposal to Guatemala Govt that we would be very happy to established an IIT here. This will take some time because it’s a lengthy process. We are also working on some universities of both countries to make partners. We are organizing video conferences as well. It’s a Spanish speaking region so we are trying to overcome that challenge associated with the language.

     TIP: Any plans for cooperation in providing medical education in Guatemala?

    Amb.We are encouraging some of our hospitals and startups to come here to improve health care sector. Let’s see what best we can do. We got very good response from Govt of Guatemala and El Salvador in this regard.

     

    TIP: How about  geo-economic alliance in this part of the world?

    Amb.Guatemala and India have a strong foundation. Guatemala is having advantage of coming Indian companies here because of the skilled and cheap workforce. Our companies are trying to become multinational and looking for more markets. Central American countries play a major role in this because of their proximity to Northern and Latin American countries. This is going to be a win-win situation for both.

    TIP: What is the general  view of people of Guatemala about Indians?

    Amb.That is the challenge we have as of now. People to people contact remains difficult because of the geographical distance. Another problem is that we don’t speak the Spanish language. We have marked certain sectors to make people to people contact. One of them is getting Bollywood here. We are screening Bollywood movies in Spanish in various places. We are also hosting fashion shows, Indian handicrafts, textiles, automobiles etc. We would also like to see producers making shootings of Bollywood movies here because this country is full of natural beauties including volcanoes. We have invited some producers already to come here and see. We will also send about 200 people from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador to India every year to different sectors who will become natural ambassadors when they return.

  • Guru Nanak who taught oneness of humanity

    Guru Nanak who taught oneness of humanity

    By Prabhjot Singh

    I am reminded of a story – call it a fable –  dating back to 1986. A middle-aged Sikh, travelling from Toronto to Delhi, had a memorable encounter with a young boy at an international airport in Europe. As the India-bound passenger was absorbed in reading a newspaper, the boy, who emerged from nowhere, started watching him closely. The boys eyes were focused on the face of his unknown elderly co-passenger. When caught in his act of close admiration of his stranger elderly guest, the boy apologized profusely. Initially reluctant to reveal reason for his curiously, he subsequently opened up and innocently gave expression to his inquisitively. “Don’t your moustaches get burnt when you smoke?”, he asked.

    “No, they don’t because I do not smoke. Further, my religion prohibits smoking,” was the reply that shook the boy, who retorted back “How come you do not smoke? Everyone smokes. What is your religion? Are you Muslim?,” were the questions that followed.

    “I am a Sikh and we do not smoke.”

    The short and crisp reply baffled the boy who was little hesitant to accept that any religion can prohibit smoking. He got enthusiastic and started asking questions about Sikhism, is origin  and also who all are Sikhs. As the boy and the man got engaged in an animated conversion, mother of the boy, begged intervention to take away her son for the flight that was ready for boarding.  The boy could not contain his excitement and was vociferous in sharing with his Mom  about “Sikhs” who do not smoke. She took aside the Sikh passenger aside to confide in him that she lost her husband to smoking. That she said was the reason her son gets overwhelmed on seeing people not  smoking. Before leaving, the boy extracted a promise his new friend for correspondence to share further knowledge about “Sikhism”. The Sikh passenger wrote down his address on a piece of paper with an assurance that any correspondence from the boy would not go responded. While both went their ways, a new relationship was established. The boy, as promised, got some books about Sikhism gifted from his unknown Sikh friend in the subsequent years. So much so that he embarked upon a journey to visit the sanctum sanctorum Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. Subsequently, he and his friends embraced Sikhism and set up a gurdwara in their hometown in Europe.

    Like this boy, not many know what Sikhism founded by Sri Guru Nanak Dev is all about. Guru Nanak was a pioneer, a social reformer, a scientist and above all a committed family man. He raised an awareness about  issues that the contemporary world is talking now. Advanced countries like Canada that take pride in promoting and supporting multiculturalism, diversity, gender equity, volunteerism, and environment conservation are perhaps drawing their inspiration from the teachings of Guru Nanak’s Sikhism, one of the youngest, most modern and scientific religion that accords wholesome respect to all other religions and faiths. It was he who not only advocated for universal brotherhood, gender equity, but also in  one God, the Almighty, or Waheguru, or Allah  as believers and followers of different faiths and religions call him. It is his philosophy of “oneness of humanity” that prompted the US-based Bindra family to institute an Interfaith Peace award in 2008. Dalai Lama was the first recipient of this prestigious award.

    Guru Nanak taught that we discover our oneness with humanity by exploring the differences that separate us. The Guru Nanak Interfaith Prize recognizes and supports the efforts of those individuals and organizations who work to advance that vision.

    According to Guru Nanak, religions are paradoxical. They help us to discover and cultivate what is best and most hopeful about one another and the world that sustains us. And yet, they often spark conflict and violence. The Guru Nanak Interfaith Prize is based on the conviction that religious dialogue helps to minimize religious conflict by cultivating awareness that we each view the world from the limitations of our own traditions, and we have much to learn from the traditions of others.

    As a precautious child, Guru Nanak demonstrated his concern for the poor and needy at an early age. Guru Nanak pioneered volunteerism and the concept of “tera, tera” meaning that everything belongs to the Almighty. When he  was given 20 rupees by his father for doing a profitable business, young Guru Nanak, instead of  multiplying the amount through trade as was the common practice, he set up a community kitchen to feed the poor and hungry. It was the beginning of “langar” or community kitchen that has since then grown from strength to strength and has come to known as USP of Sikhism. In natural and manmade calamities, followers of Guru Nanak are always in forefront in organizing “langar” and other relief measures voluntarily. When asked to explain his conduct, young Nanak’s simple reply was, “I have made a true bargain”, which in the Sikh parlance is known as Sacha Sauda.

    When his father realized  that his son was unfit for business, he sent him to his sister’s house in Sultanpur Lodhi where he was employed as storekeeper by the local chief. It was during his stay in Sultanpur Lodhi that Nanak got enlightenment on the banks of rivulet named Kali Bein. The first words he uttered after his enlightenment were:

    Na koi Hindu nako Musalman , clearly indicating that his mission was to unite humanity by asking them to transcend the boundaries created in the name of religion, caste and color. It was on the banks of Kali Bein that Nanak, the Guru, recited Mool Mantara – the Primal creed of the new religion.

    Guru Nanak’s God is One without a second, His name is Truth and he alone is the Creator of the Universe. As children of one God, all have to be treated as equal in whatever station of life they are. To share his message of unity of mankind, Guru Nanak went on long journeys to   parts of India and the neighboring countries. He travelled far and wide in the high Himalayas covered with snow, thesandy deserts of Rajasthan, the neighboring countries Afghanistan, Iran,Iraq and Sri Lanka.

    In the Himalayas he visited Leh Ladakh and Chung Thang where now stands Gurdwara Nanak Lama. I had an opportunity to visit one of his lesser-known transit at Kargil. He even travelled to Mecca in the blue garb of a Haji to join the faithful in prayer at Kaaba. During his interaction with the Muslim divines, the Guru was asked to tell as to who was superior – a Hindu or a Muslim? His simple reply was “Without good actions both were of no consequence.”

    Naam Japna, Kirat Karni, and Vand Chhakna – hard and honest labor, meditation, and sharing fruits of one’s earnings with others – form the gist of his teachings. To put his teaching into practice in daily life, the Guru established a new town on the banks of river Ravi and named it Kartarpur – the city of God. It was here that a model\ society based upon Guru’s teachings and those of other saints especially  the concept of Begum Pura by Bhagat Ravi Das  was established.

    Begum Pura in the words of Bhagat Ravi Das was a land without worry,where people lived happily without any excessive taxes, undue interferenceof the State, and greed to amass wealth.

    More than any other period of human history, the need for unity ofthought and action today is the most urgent. When the world isfragmenting, and fragments clash with fragments surrendering all sense andpurpose of living for the larger humanity, it is the humanity which seekstranscendence from narrow limits and boundaries. The world today is besetwith violence and rejection. The cries and pains of millions from all parts of the world remind  humanity to revert to teachings of universal Baba, Guru Nanak. More than Sikhs as his disciples, there are Sindhis and others who religiously follow his teachings. The moral core of our being is being invoked as if to look beyond our narrow confines and provide succor to the large number of people who are being ejected from their land, from their hearth and from their historic associations. The cries of the refugees and  children  born out of conflicts are too loud to be ignored. At a time when the world is facing serious challenges resulting from unchecked exploitation of natural resources, growing race for arms, continued exploitation of poor by the rich and growing environmental degradation, it will be worthwhile to work for an alternative model of society based on truth, gender equality, protection of the environment and universal responsibility as advocated by Guru Nanak and his Sikhism.

    For lasting peace in the turbulent world that we live in, a divine message from the Guru looks more relevant than ever before :

    ਜਗਤੁਜਲੰਦਾਰਖਿਲੈਆਪਣੀਕਿਰਪਾਧਾਰਿ॥

     ਜਿਤੁਦੁਆਰੈਉਬਰੈਤਿਤੈਲੈਹੁਉਬਾਰਿ॥

    This world is burning O’ Lord, Show Thy mercy, Thy Grace

    And save it through whatever Door Thou can.

    (Prabhjot Singh is a veteran journalist with over three decades of experience covering a wide spectrum of subjects and stories. He has covered  Punjab and Sikh affairs for more than three decades besides covering seven Olympics and several major sporting events and hosting TV shows. For more in-depth analysis please visit probingeye.com  or follow him on Twitter.com/probingeye)