The Indian Panorama

Month: June 2023

  • Tech the ‘master key’ to unlocking real potential of Indo-US relationship, says Ambassador Sandhu

    Tech the ‘master key’ to unlocking real potential of Indo-US relationship, says Ambassador Sandhu

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Describing technology as the force multiplier for the Indo-US partnership, India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu said tech is the “master key” to unlocking the real potential of the relationship.

    Sandhu’s comments come ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US next week. Modi has been invited by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for an official State Visit, which will include a State Dinner on June 22.

    “If you ask me, what I would bet on the most, what is that one force multiplier for this relationship, and for global wellbeing indeed, it is tech. It is that master key to unlock the real potential in the relationship,” Sandhu said on Monday.

    “There is a lot of synergy and complementarity between us in the tech space. Tech, to me, is powered by trust. It is as much strategic as (it is) commercial,” he added. Sandhu was addressing the annual India Ideas Summit of the US-India Business Council.

    “It was just four-and-a-half months ago that we had launched the iCET Industry Roundtable at this very location in the presence of both the NSAs (National Security Advisor) and (Commerce) Secretary (Gina) Raimondo.

    “And we have (US) NSA (Jake) Sullivan in Delhi today, including for the follow-up to the first round of iCET discussions,” he said.

    Biden and Modi announced the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in May 2022 to elevate and expand strategic technology partnership and defense industrial cooperation between the governments, businesses, and academic institutions of the two countries. The two sides are finalizing the joint statement, which is being described as a robust outcome document and as something that would shape the nature and contour of the Indo-US relationship for decades, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.

    Sandhu further said, “Under each iCET vertical, our teams have been in regular touch. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was in Delhi last week when India’s Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra was in (Washington) DC.

    “We launched the inaugural India-US Strategic Trade Dialogue, another game-changer dialogue, to discuss export controls. Delhi-DC depth has never been better.” Referring to Modi’s visit, the Indian envoy said there is great excitement on both sides.

    “My prime minister is only the third Indian leader in our independent history to be accorded the honor of a State Visit by the US President. He also becomes the only Indian leader to address the US Congress twice,” he said.

    According to the White House Historical Association, this will be the 11th State Dinner that a US President is hosting for an Indian leader. However, in the last 75 years, only two other Indian leaders have been given the honor of an official State Visit.

    The previous two State Visits included the one for President S Radhakrishnan in June 1963 and then for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in November 2009. When Modi addresses a joint meeting of the US Congress on June 23, it will make him only the third world leader, outside of Israel, to make such an address twice.

    The other two are Winston Churchill in 1941, 1943 and 1952 and Nelson Mandela in 1990 and 1994. Modi earlier addressed the US Congress in 2016. Sandhu said, “While I will not spill the beans, I can tell you with confidence that the ceremonial and substantive parts of the visit will fully complement each other and will be unparalleled.

    “This is not just because the governments have been working hard, this is because all of you have been working hard.”

    Asserting that the speed and the scale in the transformation of the relationship between the two countries have been phenomenal, Sandhu said India today has a mobile subscriber base of over 1.2 billion and 825 million Internet users.

    This means, in the last seven years, India has added one mobile subscriber and three Internet users every second. The cost of data has been cut by 98 per cent — one of the lowest globally. It is about inclusion, innovation and empowerment, the Indian envoy said.

    “While we are keen to attract US companies to invest in India and step-up R&D (research and development), given our own strengths and talents, we are delighted that Indian companies are investing and creating new jobs in the US.

    “Our companies are actively involved in skilling initiatives here and are contributing to local neighborhoods, just as US companies are doing in India,” Sandhu added.

    (Source: PTI)

  • US companies have made substantial contributions to India’s progress, and they stand ready to do more: Atul Keshap

    US companies have made substantial contributions to India’s progress, and they stand ready to do more: Atul Keshap

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP: American companies have made substantial contributions to India’s progress, and they stand ready to do more, the head of a top American business advocacy group has said.

    Addressing a gathering of top American corporate leadership at the annual India Ideas Summit here ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Official State visit to the US on June 22, US India Business Council (USIBC) president Atul Keshap said that American companies support India’s ambitions and align with its national interests.

    “Our companies have made substantial contributions to India’s progress, and they stand ready to do more. We understand the challenges, and we are ready to adapt, to listen, and to respond,” he said. “We are here to offer world-class products, choices, technologies, and services that support India’s ambitions and align with its national interests. Indeed, the rise of India in world affairs is good for Indians, good for America, and good for free people everywhere,” he said. Keshap said in his recent visits to India. He has witnessed a nation on the move, building, innovating, and growing with unprecedented vigor.

    “The metro lines, highways, and airports that are sprouting across the country symbolize the aspirations of its people and their journey towards a more prosperous future,” he said.

    “And, at the most fundamental level of humanity, drinking water, sanitation, electricity, food, and healthcare are transforming the lives of hundreds of millions and uplifting so many out of poverty. What is happening today in India is truly a modern miracle,” said the USIBC president. The former American diplomat who played a key role in strengthening the India-US relationship, Keshap, during his two-year tenure as USIBC president, witnessed US-India relations transform and approach what a friend of his has been calling escape velocity. “Not too long ago, it seemed that very real disagreements could take the relationship off course. But our civilizational partnership, founded on friendship, trust, and mutual affection, proved resilient. We are working together in more ways than ever, and the G2G and B2B activity ahead of this State Visit has shown the world that our two free and democratic nations are in it for the haul and are determined to make the world safe for free enterprise and free people,” he said.

    Keshap said it is his belief that by strengthening the economic ties between the US and India, the world’s oldest and largest democracies, and reaching our ambition of USD 500 billion in bilateral trade, they can demonstrate to the world that the future of the world will be anchored by democracy and freedom.

  • Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar announces plans to form ‘Hindu Caucus’ in US Congress

    Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar announces plans to form ‘Hindu Caucus’ in US Congress

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Leaders of the Hindu community from across the country gathered at the US Capitol for the summit, organized by Americans4Hindus and supported by 20 other organizations. Dr Romesh Japra, Founder and Chairman of American4Hindus said that the event was the first-ever summit held for political engagement. He further claimed that Hindu Americans are being discriminated in the US, which is why the diaspora group thought of bringing all the organizations together.

    “This is the first-ever summit we are holding for political engagement. We’ve done a lot of great work in every field but politically, we are way behind. We feel that Hindu Americans are being discriminated. That is why we thought it is a good idea to bring all the organizations together,” California-based Japra told ANI.

    “The purpose of this caucus is not only to ensure that there is no hate against Hinduism, to ensure that there is no bigotry and no discrimination towards (the) Hindu religion and those who practice Hindu religion,” he further said.

    During the summit, Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar announced plans to form a ‘Hindu Caucus’ in the US Congress that will bring like-minded lawmakers under one umbrella to ensure that there is no hate and bigotry against Hindus in the country.

    “It is important that every person has a right to choose a religion, pray (to) a God that he or she chooses without persecution, without discrimination, without hate or for those who may choose not to pray to a God,” Thanedar, who represents the 13th District of Michigan, said.

    “These are freedoms that are fundamental. These are fundamental human rights,” he added.

    Congressional caucuses are groups of members of the US Congress that meet to pursue common legislative objectives. Caucuses are formed as Congressional Member Organizations through the US House of Representatives and governed under the chamber’s rules.

    “With that thought in mind, I am pleased to work with Dr (Ramesh) Japra, I am pleased to work with Americans4Hindus to form a ‘Hindu Caucus’ in the United States Congress,” Thanedar said amid applause from the scores of Indian-Americans gathered at the Capitol Visitor Center here.

    Community leaders applauded Thanedar for taking the lead in forming the caucus, which will be open to members of both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. Indian-Americans now plan to reach out to their local representatives to join the caucus.

    “Everybody’s welcome. This is an inclusive caucus. This is a positive caucus, not a hate caucus. We are not against anybody. We are for all the people and for improving the quality of life, opportunities for all. That is what we are going to focus on,” Thanedar said.

    When asked about how far the caucus has progressed, Thanedar said it is at the early stages and they are inviting all members of the Congress to join.

    (Source: PTI)

  • Former President Trump charged with 37 federal counts, including 31 violations of Espionage Act; pleads not guilty

    Former President Trump charged with 37 federal counts, including 31 violations of Espionage Act; pleads not guilty

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to charges that he broke the law dozens of times by hiding classified documents in his Florida home as he was formally arraigned at a Miami court, becoming the first former US president to face federal criminal charges. Wearing a navy suit and red tie, Trump, 77, was brought in about 15 minutes before the hearing began on Tuesday at the federal courthouse in Miami, Florida, and sat slumped over in his chair, hands clasped in his lap, as he waited for the judge to arrive. Trump’s son, Eric Trump, accompanied his father to the courthouse for the historic case that could alter the country’s political and legal landscape ahead of the 2024 race for the White House.

    Trump, who has announced his second bid for the presidency, looked down at the floor for most of the hearing and his lawyer waived a reading of the 49-page indictment, ABC News reported.

    Federal prosecutors accused Trump, a Republican, of willfully withholding classified documents obtained during his presidency and obstructing justice in his efforts to conceal those materials from authorities, as a detailed indictment unsealed on Friday. The former president was charged with 37 federal counts, including 31 violations of the Espionage Act.

    “We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty,” Trump’s lawyer Todd Blanche said at the arraignment in a small but packed courtroom.

    Flanked by two of his lawyers, Blanche and Christopher Kise, the former president listened impassively as US Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman said he planned to order the former president not to have any contact with witnesses in the case — or his co-defendant, Waltine “Walt” Nauta — as the case proceeds. Trump did not speak except to whisper to Blanche and Kise.

    Blanche objected to the judge’s proposal, saying that Nauta and a number of witnesses are members of Trump’s staff or security detail who rely on him for their livelihood. The facts of the case, Blanche said, revolve around “everything in President Trump’s life.”

    The judge relented somewhat, saying that Trump should not speak to Nauta or witnesses about the facts of the case. As to which Trump employees might be affected by the restriction, the judge instructed the prosecution team to provide a list. During the hearing, Goodman repeatedly referred to Trump as the “former president,” while his attorneys referred to him as “President Trump.” Nauta did not enter a plea, because he did not have a local Florida lawyer to represent him. An arraignment for him was scheduled for June 27. There was no discussion during the 45-minute court hearing of when, or where, Trump must next appear in court.

    Nauta served in the White House before and during Trump’s presidency and then followed him to Mar-a-Lago, the former president’s home and private club in Palm Beach. He is charged with conspiring with Trump to hide some of the classified documents from the government agents trying to recover them.

    The first former US president to stand accused of federal crimes, Trump could be sentenced to years in prison if found guilty. He publicly attacked special counsel Jack Smith, who is leading the investigation, in the hours before his court appearance, calling the veteran prosecutor a “thug” and a “lunatic” in social media posts. Smith, who was tapped by Attorney General Merrick Garland in November, sat in the courtroom on Tuesday but did not speak at the hearing.

    While Tuesday’s court appearance was the second time in a little over two months that Trump had pleaded not guilty to criminal charges in a courtroom – he also pleaded not guilty in April to charges brought by the Manhattan district attorney – the federal charges are a more serious legal threat to the former president, CNN said.

    Trump, who is again seeking the Republican presidential nomination, faces the prospect of sitting at a defendant’s table for federal and state trials that may overlap with the presidential primaries or nominating conventions.

    The former president and his body man Walt Nauta shuffled boxes containing the classified documents around Mar-a-Lago for months in an effort to elude federal authorities, moving the material from a ballroom to a bedroom, bathroom and storage room, the indictment says.

    At Trump’s direction, prosecutors allege, Nauta also hid some of the material from the former president’s attorneys, causing them to wrongly tell the Justice Department and FBI in June 2022 that a “diligent search” in response to a grand jury subpoena had yielded only a few dozen documents. The FBI in August seized more than 100 classified documents kept in Trump’s private residence.

    Meanwhile, Trump, received a hero’s welcome on Tuesday night as he returned to his New Jersey golf club for a private fundraiser after pleading not guilty. Trump told a couple of hundred supporters he had undergone “political persecution like something straight out of a fascist or communist nation.”

    “They ought to drop this case immediately because they’re destroying the country,” the 45th president said during his 30-minute address. Trump alleged — without evidence — that President Joe Biden ordered his prosecution. He attacked special counsel Jack Smith as “a deranged lunatic.”

    “Today we witnessed the most evil and heinous abuse of power in the history of our country. It’s a very sad thing to watch,” he said, a day before his birthday.

    “A corrupt sitting president had his top political opponents arrested on fake and fabricated charges of which he and numerous other presidents would be guilty.” The former president, who is the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination, argued he faces a double standard compared to Biden, whose handling of classified records from his vice presidency and Senate years is also under investigation by special counsel Robert Hur.

    “Hillary Clinton broke the law. And she didn’t get indicted,” Trump said. “Joe Biden broke the law and in many other ways we’re finding out and so far has not gotten indicted. I did everything right and they indicted me”.

    Trump argued that he refused to return the classified documents from Mar-a-Lago when asked to do so by the National Archives because he hadn’t found the time to go through the papers.

    “Many people have asked me why I had these boxes, why did you want them? The answer, in addition to having every right under the Presidential Records Act, is that these boxes were containing all types of personal belongings — many, many things — shirts and shoes and everything … clothing, memorabilia and much much more,” Trump said.

    “I hadn’t had a chance to go through all the boxes. It’s a long tedious job — takes a long time, which I was prepared to do, but I have a very busy life.” Trump said that Biden’s handling of classified records, some of which were stashed in his Wilmington garage, was worse.

    “Classified documents were strewn all over his garage floor where his now-famous Corvette is stored. He’s so proud of that car. There was no security and the door was left open most of the time,” he said.

    The ex-president argued that the Biden administration indicted him in a historical first to “distract” from corruption allegations linked to the first family’s foreign business dealings, including the recently surfaced allegation that then Vice-President Joe Biden and his son Hunter received USD 5 million apiece in bribes to do the bidding of corrupt Ukrainian natural gas company Burisma Holdings.

    “(It’s” no coincidence that these charges against me came down the very same day evidence revealed Joe Biden took a USD 5 million bribe from Ukraine,” Trump said.

    The former president sought to recast his federal criminal case as a potential boon to his candidacy.

    The White House declined to comment on the case Tuesday, June 13 during a press briefing and Biden answered “no” when asked if he would share his reaction to the arraignment.

    Trump supporters and anti-Trump protesters clashed outside the Miami courthouse during the day, and one man with a “Lock him up” sign was arrested for trying to halt the former president’s motorcade as it departed.

     

    Tuesday’s hearing was handled by Magistrate Judge Goodman, but now the case will move into the courtroom of District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump-appointed judge whose prior rulings have raised questions about how she will handle the case, CNN said.

    (source: Agencies)

  • Indian Embassy in Guatemala Celebrates Mission LiFE and World Environment Day

    Hon’ble Vice President of Guatemala, H.E. Mr. Guillermo Castillo Reyes Plants a Sapling at India House

    GUATEMALA CITY (TIP): In a significant event marking the celebration of Mission LiFE and World Environment Day, H.E. Guillermo Castillo Reyes, Vice President of Guatemala and his team visited India House on 7 June 2023. The Vice President was warmly welcomed by Ambassador H.E. Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra and other dignitaries from the Embassy.

    Hon’ble Vice President of Guatemala, H.E. Mr. Guillermo Castillo Reyes and Indian Ambassador to Guatemala Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra planting a sapling at the India House.

    The highlight of the visit was a tree plantation ceremony organized as part of the Mission LiFE (Living in a Friendly Environment) initiative. The Vice President and Ambassador Mohapatra planted saplings to symbolize the commitment to environmental sustainability and promote a greener future. This gesture underscored the importance of preserving nature and mitigating the impact of climate change.

    Members of the Delegation with H.E. Mr. Guillermo Castillo Reyes, Vice President of Guatemala and Indian Ambassador to Guatemala Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra attending tree plantation.

    Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) is an innovative initiative undertaken by the Government of India to address the pressing global issue of environmental sustainability. As part of this initiative, Embassy of India in Guatemala, recognizing the urgent need to protect the environment and ensure a greener future, is actively promoting and implementing eco-friendly practices, aiming to create a positive impact on the environment and inspire others to adopt sustainable living. The aim of Mission LiFE is to foster a sense of responsibility and commitment towards the environment. By actively engaging in sustainable practices, the mission seeks to contribute to the global efforts in mitigating climate change, preserving biodiversity, and promoting a healthier planet for future generations.

    Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra in discussion with H.E. Mr. Guillermo Castillo Reyes and other dignitaries.

    During the visit, fruitful discussions were held on strengthening the bilateral relationship between Guatemala and India. The focus was on exploring avenues for mutual cooperation in the areas of Science & Technology, Education, and Community Development. The discussions on science and technology emphasized the potential for joint research projects, technology transfer, and innovation exchanges. The exchange of ideas and experiences in the field of science and technology laid the foundation for future cooperation in these areas. Both nations recognized the significance of educational exchanges and capacity building initiatives to foster greater understanding and promote cultural ties. The discussions explored possibilities for student and faculty exchange programs, scholarships, and joint academic projects, aimed at nurturing a stronger educational partnership between Guatemala and India. Community development was also a focal point of the discussions, reflecting the shared commitment of both nations to uplift marginalized communities and promote inclusive growth. Both sides expressed their keenness to foster closer ties in these key sectors to benefit the people of both nations.

    Hon’ble Vice President of Guatemala, H.E. Mr. Guillermo Castillo Reyes delivering a speech at the dinner reception. 

    The evening concluded with a dinner hosted by Ambassador Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra in honor of Vice President Guillermo Castillo Reyes. The dinner provided an opportunity for informal exchanges and further discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation.

    Members of the delegation at the dinner reception with H.E. Mr. Guillermo Castillo Reyes and Dr. Manoj Mohapatra. 

    The visit of Vice President Guillermo Castillo Reyes to India House on World Environment Day served as a powerful testament to the shared commitment of Guatemala and India towards preserving the environment, fostering innovation, and building a brighter future for both nations. The discussions held during the visit were characterized by a spirit of collaboration and mutual respect, highlighting the commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties.

  • Indian security forces partisan; Manipur groups write to UN

    Indian security forces partisan; Manipur groups write to UN

    GUWAHATI (TIP): A conglomerate of 15 Manipur organizations has submitted a memorandum to the United Nations and international rights bodies seeking global attention to the ongoing crisis in the northeastern State.

    The organizations include the influential All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation, Manipur Students’ Federation, All Manipur Women’s Voluntary Association, and Pangal (Muslim) Students’ Organisation. The memorandum was submitted on June 13 to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and other agencies apart from the Amnesty International.

    “Unabated violation”

    Flagging the issues of hunger, poverty, and militarization of Manipur, the organizations flagged the “partisan role” of India’s Central Security Forces and “unabated violation” of the ground rules of the tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) by the Kuki extremists.

    Of some 30 outfits belonging to the Kuki-Zomi group of tribes, 25 are bound by the SoO, requiring them to stay in designated camps and not move around with firearms. The Manipur government and Imphal Valley-based organizations have been accusing the Kuki-Zomi extremists of killing Meitei people.

    The 15 organizations underlined the “breach of inter-community ties and peace” in Manipur and elsewhere in the northeast due to the involvement of “foreign (Myanmar-based) Chin-Kuki-Mizo mercenaries in inciting inter-ethnic violence” in the State.

    “An unbiased international attention and intervention is the need of the hour in accordance with the established international humanitarian laws,” they wrote.

    They also sought to draw the attention of the UN to the human rights violation and the blockade of highways, Manipur’s lifelines, by Kuki extremists along with members of the Committee on Tribal Unity, the Kuki Students’ Organisation, and the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum. The action of these groups has led to price rise, hunger, and poverty in Manipur, they said.

    The organizations blamed the “mobilization for the Greater Chin-Kuki homeland, also known as the Zalengam project” for affecting the inter-ethnic relations in the region and asserted that the ethnic Zo politics had worked in collusion with “narco-financed capital terror network” to tear the social fabric in Manipur.

    Insidious cross-border economic activities such as human-trafficking, poppy cultivation, deforestation, illegal immigration, and space politics have added to the complications in Manipur, they argued. Consequently, the region has transformed itself from a consumer to an opium producer, which is a cause of alarm for every ethnic community, they claimed.

    (Source: The Hindu)

  • Prime Minister Modi’s  historic state visit to US will strengthen ties between the two democracies

    Prime Minister Modi’s  historic state visit to US will strengthen ties between the two democracies

    Modi in his  address to the joint meeting of the US Congress will speak about his vison for India’s future and  the global challenges US and India face

    I.S. Saluja

    NEW YORK (TIP): A warm welcome awaits  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his historic state visit to the United States from June 21 to 24 at the invitation of President Joe Biden. It would be Modi’s sixth visit to the US since he became Prime Minister in 2014, but his first official state visit, a rare honor extended to only two Indian leaders before him — President S Radhakrishnan in June 1963 and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in November 2009.

    Modi will also be making history when he addresses a joint meeting of the US Congress on June 23 — one of the highest honors Washington affords to foreign dignitaries — for the second time in seven years. It will make him only the third world leader, outside of Israel, to do so. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries have invited Modi “to share your vision for India’s future and speak to the global challenges our countries both faces.

    Modi will fly into Washington on June 21 after attending the International Yoga Day celebrations on the north lawns of the UN complex in New York. The official visit will begin with the Bidens hosting a state dinner for Modi on June 22.

    According to the White House Historical Association, this would be the 11th state dinner that a US President is hosting for an Indian leader, but in the last 75 years, only Radhakrishnan and Manmohan Singh have been accorded the honor of an official state visit.

    Over the next two days, the two leaders would spend several hours together, beginning with a welcome ceremony on the South Lawns of the White House on the morning of June 22 attended by several thousand Indian Americans.

    This is expected to be one of the biggest White House welcome ceremonies, with the exception of the 2008 papal visit when, according to record, more than 13,500 people attended.

    More than 1,500 Indian Americans are reported to be planning to come to Washington from the New York and New Jersey areas. Over 500 Indian Americans each are coming from states like California, Illinois, Texas, Georgia and Florida.

    After the welcome ceremony, which would be addressed by the two leaders, Biden and Modi are then expected to walk towards the Oval Office for a one-on-one talk followed by a delegation-level meeting in the Cabinet meeting room.

    Vice President Kamala Harris would host the Prime Minister for lunch on June 23 at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department, which is being co-hosted by the Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the Second Gentleman. The two leaders are likely to deliver remarks during the luncheon. In between, several Cabinet ministers in the Biden administration and key leaders are likely to call on the Prime Minister for meetings. Interaction with the diaspora and the business community is one of the hallmarks of the Prime Ministers’ overseas trips, which is expected to consume most of the day’s proceedings on June 23. Modi will also address CEOs of top US companies at John F Kennedy Centre in Washington.

    Leading community organization Indiaspora and the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) are jointly hosting a speech by Modi on “We The People: Celebrating the US-India Partnership” at Ronald Reagan Center in Washington on June 23.

    A reception at the Hall of Nations Terrace (Kennedy Center) will follow the Prime Minister’s address.

    More than 600 community members are planning to gather at Freedom Plaza in front of the Willard Intercontinental in Washington located near the White House where the PM will be staying during his visit.

    (With inputs from agencies)

  • US eases norms on eligibility criteria for those awaiting Green Card

    US eases norms on eligibility criteria for those awaiting Green Card

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The Biden administration has eased norms by releasing policy guidance on the eligibility criteria for those waiting for green cards to work and stay in America, days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US.

    The guidance issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regarding the eligibility criteria for initial and renewal applications for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) in compelling circumstances is expected to help thousands of Indian technology professionals who are in the agonizingly long wait for a Green Card or permanent residency. A Green Card, known officially as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document issued to immigrants to the US as evidence that the bearer has been granted the privilege of residing permanently. Immigration law provides for approximately 140,000 employment-based green cards to be issued each year.

    However, only seven per cent of those green cards can go to individuals from a single country annually. The USCIS guidance outlines specific requirements that applicants must meet to be eligible for an initial EAD based on compelling circumstances. These include being the principal beneficiary of an approved Form I-140, being in valid non-immigrant status or authorized grace period, not having filed an adjustment of status application, and meeting certain biometrics and criminal background requirements.

    Further, USCIS will exercise discretion to determine whether an applicant demonstrates compelling circumstances justifying the issuance of employment authorization.

    “These measures are a significant step towards supporting individuals facing challenging situations and ensuring their ability to work lawfully in the United States,” said Ajay Bhutoria, a prominent community leader and advocate for immigrant rights. He highlighted the importance of these measures for individuals and their dependents who find themselves in challenging situations such as serious illness or disability, employer disputes or retaliation, significant harm, or disruptions to employment.

    Bhutoria said the non-exhaustive list of qualifying circumstances, as provided by USCIS, offers individuals an opportunity to present evidence supporting their case.

    “For instance, individuals with approved immigrant visa petitions in oversubscribed categories or chargeability areas may submit evidence like school or higher education enrollment records, mortgage records, or long-term lease records to demonstrate compelling circumstances,” he said. This provision can prove crucial in situations where families face the potential loss of their home, withdrawal of children from school, or the need to relocate to their home country due to job loss, Bhutoria added.

    Foundation of India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), which has been advocating for laid-off H1-B workers, applauded USCIS for taking such a step that would help a large number of Indian IT professionals.  “I really feel proud that a sustained advocacy for more than six months started reflecting in considerations and adjustments by USCIS,” said Khanderao Kand from FIIDS.

    (Source: PTI)

  • Blinken not expecting breakthrough in China : NSA Jake Sullivan

    Blinken not expecting breakthrough in China : NSA Jake Sullivan

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The U.S. expects a “transformational moment” in India ties during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming trip to Washington, President Joe Biden’s National Security Adviser said as he downplayed chances for a diplomatic breakthrough in China when U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits next week.

    “Secretary Blinken’s trip to China will be a significant event, but it’s likely not even the most significant event of next week when it comes to US foreign policy,” Jake Sullivan said. Mr. Blinken will travel to Beijing on June 18 and 19, before Mr. Modi arrives in Washington on Thursday, June 22. Mr. Biden has made deepening ties with India a cornerstone of his efforts to contain China’s expanding influence, with his administration also hoping to persuade India.

    In China, one of Mr. Blinken’s objectives will be to manage escalation to ensure that the world’s two biggest military powers do not “veer into conflict”, Mr. Sullivan said. “Vigorous competition requires vigorous diplomacy,” he added.

    That visit to Beijing will be the first by a high-ranking official since Mr. Biden took office in January 2021, and comes after he postponed a trip in February after a suspected Chinese spy balloon flew through U.S. airspace.

  • Indian American man Srinivasrao Alaparthi sues boat captain and Florida resort owner for wife’s death

    Indian American man Srinivasrao Alaparthi sues boat captain and Florida resort owner for wife’s death

    NEW JERSEY (TIP): An Indian American man has filed a lawsuit against a boat captain and his resort for negligence that killed his wife and injured their son while parasailing on vacation in Florida, a media report said. Srinivasrao Alaparthi filed a 68-page lawsuit in Monroe County circuit court this week against the boat captain, his first mate and the resort, Captain Pip’s Marina & Hideaway, alleging negligence and wrongful death. On May 30, 2022, Alaparthi, his wife Supraja, 33, their son, 10, and nephew, 9, went parasailing in the Florida Keys when the weather turned bad. After a few minutes, the boat’s captain cut the towline connecting the parasail to the boat, while Alaparthi helplessly watched his wife and the two boys plunge into the water.

    “I can’t help but think that if the people we trusted from the parasailing company and Captain Pip’s Marina had done their jobs, my wife would still be with us today,” he was quoted as saying.

  • Man charged with murder of Hyderabad student Tejaswini in UK

    Man charged with murder of Hyderabad student Tejaswini in UK

    The second victim of the knife attack, Akhila, remains in hospital but is said to be out of danger

    LONDON (TIP): A 23-year-old man was on Thursday, June 15,  charged with the murder of Indian student Tejaswini Kontham and the attempted murder of her friend at a residential address in Wembley, north London. The Metropolitan Police said Keven Antonio Lourenco De Morais, previously referred to as a Brazilian national, has been remanded in police custody to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates Court in London. Two other people, one man and a woman, arrested in connection with the murder investigation at the crime scene have now been released with no further action. “Keven Antonio Lourenco De Morais, 23, of Neeld Crescent, Wembley was charged on Thursday, 15 June with the murder of Tejaswini Kontham and the attempted murder of a second woman,” the Met Police said in a statement.

    On Tuesday, Met Police officers attended a flat in Neeld Crescent, Wembley, along with the London Ambulance Service and found Tejaswini and another woman, aged 28, suffering from knife injuries.

    “Despite the efforts of emergency services, Tejaswini sadly died at the scene. Her family has been informed,” the police said.

    It led to a man-hunt for prime murder suspect De Morais, who was later arrested in the Harrow area of north London.

    The second victim of the knife attack has been named locally as Akhila, also from India who remains in hospital but is said to be out of danger. The Indian National Student Association (INSA) UK issued a statement to say that she remains in a state of shock following the attack, which claimed the life of her friend.

    “On behalf of Indian students in the UK, we convey our sincere condolences to her family and friends and pray that her soul rests in peace,” INSA UK said in a statement with reference to Tejaswini. “Our thoughts for Akhila also for her speedy recovery from this shock. We are hopeful that justice will be delivered for the affected families. We will do everything possible to ease some of their family members’ pain. We are in touch with the authorities and will support the repatriation process,” it said.

    According to INSA UK, Tejaswini – whose full name is Tejaswini Kontham Reddy – had recently graduated from the University of Greenwich in south London and went on to secure her post-study work visa. She moved to the flat in Wembley recently after securing a job in north London. Tejaswini’s father told a news channel in India on Wednesday that she had gone to London three years ago and had completed her MS course there. She came to Hyderabad in August last year and returned to London the next month. She was supposed to fly down here in May this year, he said. “We were planning to conduct her marriage. She said she will return after the alliance is finalized. She had resigned from her temporary job and said she will come back after working for another month,” he said.

    The victim’s uncle requested the government to make necessary arrangements to bring her body from the UK to Hyderabad.

    The Indian High Commission in London is yet to issue a statement with reference to the attack and death of an Indian national.

     

  • Indian-origin medical student among 3 killed in UK’s Nottingham knife attacks

    Indian-origin medical student among 3 killed in UK’s Nottingham knife attacks

    Grace O’Malley Kumar, 19, was a ‘talented hockey and cricket player’

    LONDON (TIP): An Indian-origin teenage medical student described as a talented hockey and cricket player was named on Wednesday as one of three victims of a frenzied series of knife attacks on the streets of Nottingham in central England that has shocked the country. Grace O’Malley Kumar, 19, was with fellow University of Nottingham student cricketer friend – Barnaby Webber, also 19 – when the as-yet unnamed attacker is said to have fatally stabbed the duo in the early hours of Tuesday.

    Nottinghamshire Police said the 31-year-old suspect, who remains in custody, then went on to stab a man in his 60s to death and also attempted to run over three people – still in hospital – with a van stolen from that man.

    “I know the whole house will want to thank the emergency services for their ongoing response to the shocking incident in Nottingham yesterday. Our thoughts are with those injured and with the families of those who lost their lives,” said British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the start of the House of Commons session on Wednesday.

    UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman later made a statement to update Parliament on the “horrific events” and confirmed that it is not being treated as a terrorist attack at this stage. “I can tell the House that the police are working flat out to establish the full facts and provide support to everyone affected. They are currently keeping an open mind as to the motives behind these attacks but I can confirm Nottinghamshire police are being assisted in their inquiries by counter terror police. Though, this does not mean that it is currently being treated as a terrorist attack,” said Braverman.

    Tracing some of the details, the minister said a knife was used in the attacks, two of the victims were students at Nottingham University and the third victim – a local school caretaker Ian Coates in his 60s – was the owner of the van that police believe the suspect stole and was used to run down three pedestrians who remain in hospital.

    “We are keeping an ‘open mind’ and are working alongside Counter Terrorism Policing to establish the facts – as we would normally do in these types of circumstances,” Kate Meynell, Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police, said in a statement.

    “A dedicated team of detectives is investigating the circumstances surrounding these incidents and will continue to gather evidence over the coming days,” she said. While the victims are yet to be formally named by the police, local media reports from Nottingham have thrown light on some information around Grace Kumar as the daughter of London-based doctor of Indian-origin, Dr Sanjoy Kumar. He is being dubbed a “hero” doctor who had saved the lives of some teenage stab victims in his local surgery back in 2009. Tributes have been pouring in for Grace, who was studying to become a doctor like him and played for the England under-18s hockey team and was also a talented cricketer.

    “Grace was an adored daughter and sister; she was a truly wonderful and beautiful young lady,” Kumar’s family said in a statement.

    “Grace was not just a sister to James but his best friend. He is completely heartbroken. As parents, words cannot explain our complete and utter devastation. She will be so dearly missed. We were so incredibly proud of Grace’s achievements and what a truly lovely person she was. She was resilient and wise beyond her years,” they said.

    They said Grace was full of life. “Grace was so happy in life fulfilling her ambition of studying to become a doctor whilst playing topflight hockey at university. She leaves behind devastated extended family and friends,” they added.

    England Hockey, the sport’s governing body, also paid tributes to her. “We are all deeply saddened by the news of the tragic death of Grace Kumar in Nottingham on Tuesday,” England Hockey said in its tribute. Woodford Wells Cricket Club in Essex described Grace Kumar as a “fiercely competitive, talented and dedicated cricketer”.

    Earlier, the University of Nottingham confirmed the “sudden and unexpected death” of two of its students.

    “All of us at Nottingham are deeply shocked and saddened by the deaths of two of our students following a major incident in Nottingham city center. I know our entire university community will join me in offering our deepest condolences to their family and close friends, as well as the other victims of the incident. Our thoughts are very much with them all at this incredibly difficult time,” said Vice-Chancellor Shearer West. “The university is supporting the students’ family and friends, as well as staff and students. Our security team is working closely with Nottinghamshire Police and the authorities to support the ongoing investigation into the incident,” she said.

  • Accused of attack on Indian High Commission, Amritpal’s supporter Avtar Singh Khanda dies in UK

    Accused of attack on Indian High Commission, Amritpal’s supporter Avtar Singh Khanda dies in UK

    LONDON (TIP): Avtar Singh Khanda, a close associate of arrested Khalistan supporter Amritpal Singh and self-styled chief of the banned Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), died of blood cancer at a hospital in Birmingham, the UK, this morning. He was linked to anti-India activities, including the attack on the Tricolor at the High Commission of India in London.

    According to reports, the Sikh Federation (UK), which is considered to be one of the largest Sikh organizations based in the country, has confirmed that Khanda was terminally ill with blood cancer and had been on a life-support system for the last few days. Khanda’s health conditions started worsening late last night soon after the NIA released a list of 45 suspects, including him, who were wanted in the March 19 anti-India protest at the Indian High Commission in London, sources in the agency said. Indian investigating agencies have long been accusing Khanda of radicalizing the youth in Punjab and in countries like the UK, Canada, the US, Germany, Australia against India. Born in Moga district of Punjab, Khanda, a bomb expert, allegedly helped Amritpal evade arrest for 37 days, said the sources.

  • Indian origin students in Canada facing deportation get a reprieve

    Indian origin students in Canada facing deportation get a reprieve

    Canada says will provide ‘appropriate remedy’ for Indian students facing deportation

    TORONTO (TIP): The Canadian government is developing a process to ensure that a large number of Indian students facing the prospect of deportation on charges of obtaining visas using fake admission letters will get an opportunity to prove that they were taken advantage of, immigration minister Sean Fraser has said. The Indian students, mostly from Punjab, face deportation from Canada after the authorities here found their admission offer letters to educational institutions fake. The matter came to light in March when these students applied for permanent residency in Canada.

    Responding to a question in Parliament on Monday, June 12,  Fraser, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser asserted that the “innocent students, who are the victims of fraud”, would be allowed to “prove that they were taken advantage of.” The government will provide an “appropriate remedy” for them, he said while noting that many students were “dealing with serious mental health concerns with the uncertainty they are struggling with.”

    “We’ll put a process in place to allow them to prove that they were taken advantage of and provide an appropriate remedy for them,” Fraser said in response to a question by Jenny Kwan, a member of the opposition New Democratic Party. The minister, however, reiterated that the fraudsters or those complicit in fraudulent schemes would bear the consequences of not following Canada’s laws. India has repeatedly been urging Canadian authorities to be fair and take a humanitarian approach since the students were allegedly victims of some agents. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India has taken up the issue with Canadian authorities.

    “If there were people, who misled them (the students), the culpable parties should be acted upon. It is unfair to punish a student who undertook education in good faith,” he said in New Delhi. “We are in touch with Canada on the issue,” he said.

    Some Indian students in Canada facing the prospect of deportation on charges of obtaining visas using fake admission letters have received “stay orders” from Canadian authorities, government sources said in New Delhi on Sunday.

    The sources also said that the actual number of Indian students facing deportation from Canada is much less than 700.

    Last week, a Canadian parliamentary committee voted unanimously to urge the border services agency to stop the deportation of Indian students who were duped by unscrupulous education consultants in India to enter the country with fraudulent college admission letters. Kwan, who tabled the motion, said on Monday that “international students who have been defrauded by crooked consultants should not be punished with deportation and inadmissibility based on misrepresentation”. Last week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, responding to a question by Indian-origin MP Jagmeet Singh on the fate of the Indian students, said, “We are deeply aware of cases of international students facing removal orders over fraudulent college acceptance letters.”

     

    “To be clear, our focus is on identifying the culprits, not penalizing the victims. Victims of fraud will have an opportunity to demonstrate their situations and present evidence to support their cases,” he said.

    (Source: PTI)

  • Indian American couple Ramesh Chopra and Neena Chopra gifts $250K for India Center chair at UCF

    Indian American couple Ramesh Chopra and Neena Chopra gifts $250K for India Center chair at UCF

    TAMPA, FL (TIP): A $250,000 gift from an Indian American couple, Ramesh Chopra and Neena Chopra will help University of Central Florida set up the Indian Community Endowed Chair for The India Center. The generous support of the two Port Orange, Florida residents will help amplify the mission of the center, which is to broaden the awareness and understanding of India’s role in the world today, according to a university release. Establishing an endowed chair highlights the importance of studying India at UCF, it said. In Fall 2022, over 3,000 students from 149 countries enrolled at UCF. Students from India represented the second-largest group of international students with 460 individuals enrolled.

    Chopra’s gift will be amplified by a $50,000 match from the university through the UCF Challenge. This strategic initiative provides matching funding from the transformational $40 million gift made in 2021 by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

    With the Chopra family’s gift, donors to date have pledged more than $2.5 million toward the $5 million goal to establish the endowed chair position.

    “It is our hope that our gift will help The India Center create a strong foundation for ongoing research and teaching about India, a diverse and dynamic culture that is both ancient and modern,” says Ramesh Chopra.

    Ramesh and Neena Chopra have both practiced medicine in Florida for over 40 years and live in Port Orange. The couple first moved to Florida in 1982 from Minneapolis, Minnesota.

    They are active in the Indian American community in Central Florida and helped establish CAPI, a network of Indian American medical professionals who fundraise and pool resources to support health and wellness initiatives, professional growth and leadership development.

    The couple has a son and daughter, who are both physicians, and four grandchildren.

    “We are honored that the Chopra family has chosen to support The India Center at UCF,” says Kerstin Hamann, interim director of The India Center, an associate dean in the College of Sciences and a Pegasus Professor in the School of Politics, Security and International Affairs.

    “Their gift makes a significant contribution to support the work and enhance the reputation of the center as we strive to become the nation’s preeminent location for the study of contemporary India.”

    The mission of The India Center at UCF is to broaden the awareness and understanding of India’s role in the world today. The center is housed in the School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs in the College of Sciences, according to the release.

    Established in 2012, the center hosts symposia and events of interest to the regional Indian American community and to UCF students and faculty interested in India and its impact in Florida, the nation and beyond.

    The center has supported the work of UCF scholars and students in India and has received a variety of delegations from India.

    The India Center at UCF develops India-US partnerships among universities, companies, governmental, cultural, and other organizations to address issues and opportunities important to both India and the US in areas ranging across technology, politics, security, medicine and more.

    UCF and The India Center have established partnerships with eight educational institutions in India for student and faculty collaborations and joint graduate degree programs with two colleges in India.

    “We are grateful to the Chopra family for their generosity and vision in advancing our goal of creating the Indian Community Endowed Chair for The India Center at UCF,” says Michael D. Johnson, UCF provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

    “The endowed chair will help The India Center expand opportunities for students and faculty to better understand one of the world’s most influential countries and how it impacts us.” Among the most ethnically diverse countries in the world, India is estimated to surpass China as the world’s most populous country in 2023, the release noted. India is also a major player on the world stage of economics, security, politics and technology. People of Indian origin are one of the fastest growing migrant populations in the United States, according to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The Carnegie Endowment notes that between 2000 and 2018, the Indian American population grew by 150%. In Florida, Orange County is home to the state’s third largest population of immigrants from India behind Hillsborough and Broward counties in 2021, according to the Migration Policy Institute.

     

  • British-Indian Priti Patel, Kulveer Ranger in Boris Johnson’s honors list

    British-Indian Priti Patel, Kulveer Ranger in Boris Johnson’s honors list

    LONDON (TIP): British Indians Priti Patel and Kulveer Singh Ranger have been rewarded in former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s honors list, which came hours before he stepped down as an MP.

    The honors list, a tradition granted to outgoing prime ministers, included 38 honors and seven peerages, and was approved by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak nine months after Johnson stepped down as premier. Former home secretary Priti Patel was named Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire, while Ranger, former director of transport, was elevated to the Lords.

    Patel, 51, served as Home Secretary under Boris Johnson beginning July 2019, and tendered her resignation from the post in September 2022, just before the appointment of Liz Truss as prime minister.

    A day after Johnson’s resignation last week, Patel praised the leader calling him as the UK’s “most electorally successful prime minister since Margaret Thatcher”.

    “Boris Johnson has served our country and his constituency with distinction. He led the world in supporting Ukraine, got Brexit done, and was our most electorally successful prime minister since Margaret Thatcher. Boris is a political titan whose legacy will stand the test of time,” Patel tweeted. Ranger was chosen as the Director for Transport Policy after Johnson won the mayoral election in May 2008. “It is with great pride I can confirm that I have been elevated to the House of Lords. This recognition is not just mine but I share with my family and friends, the Sikh community, and many industry colleagues and Conservative friends — all of whom I’ve had the pleasure to be supported by and stand shoulder to shoulder with over the last 25 years,” Ranger wrote in a tweet, thanking Johnson.

    “I am proud of what we achieved but now look forward to continuing to champion and improve the things that I am passionate about in the years ahead,” Ranger wrote. In 2011, Ranger became the Director for Environment and Digital London and his work resulted in a record fall in bike thefts, according to a media report.

    Born to Sikh immigrant parents in Hammersmith in West London, Ranger is also a special adviser to the UK government on digital strategy.

     

  • Weekly Horoscope – June 19, 2023 to June 25, 2023

    Weekly Horoscope – June 19, 2023 to June 25, 2023

    Aries
    Ganesha says, you can expect the day to go just as planned. However, you will discover a fact that you have all agreed is false and it will start being important to you again, Dear Aries. Think about this while you go about your day. You will judge yourself against other people and experience dejection as a result. Be content with what you’re made of and avoid comparing yourself to others since you should be aware that someone somewhere is lacking the characteristics you offer. Even if they can be busy with everyday duties, your buddy nevertheless longs to be in your presence. All of this week’s deals will be profitable. It will happen if decisions are made this week. If you make this week’s usual diet changes, you’ll feel a little healthier.

    Taurus

    Ganesha says, your home problems will be resolved, allowing you to concentrate on more crucial matters. Make sure you work this week with an emphasis on the details. You may forget about a crucial person in your life who might have altered your course as a result of your fixation with physical appearance. look into the hearts and minds of people. Consider making changes to your current business. The folks that work for you deserve your gratitude. Your relationship is likely to have a few small difficulties. Think about embracing their viewpoint and paying attention to what they have to say. This week, make room for them to be open with you in order to strengthen your bond. It is advised that you work out for overall health.

    Gemini

    Ganesha says, you will feel sympathetic and friendly during the entire day. Your main objectives should be to disseminate optimism and to be respectful and courteous to others. You will assist somebody in letting go of their anxiety and focusing on the positive aspects of their life. When your Jupiter travels to a new position and begins to deliver you contradictory messages, connecting with the person you are intrigued in may assist you figure things out. This week, proceed with precaution while nearing hot things since you run the risk of becoming burned. You will spend a lot of effort into developing brilliant ideas for your company. The company will progressively improve.

    Cancer

    Ganesha says, if you are looking for help or guidance, do not set off on your adventure too soon. If you have already made up the choice, there is no rush, but there is also not an incentive to put it off. You should be on the alert for adults of Scorpio zodiac sign. As your Venus is rising, you will be able to ensure that there are good things happening this week. Stop debating whether you should arrive first or not. People you are concerned about need to hear these things directly from you. If you are honest with each other, you will be able to stay together for a very long period. The best time to search for new and improved solutions is this week. Try to find a profession that is pleasant for you.

    Leo

    Ganesha says, this week, you will shine brilliantly. This week, no one will be able to steer clear of you or your business. At work, people will gravitate towards you because of your fresh ideas and in-depth research. This week, the coworkers’ apprentices look eagerly at having you as their role model. This week, you will be a dazzling demonstration of commitment and brilliance. Your personal position is also getting better this week, despite some disputes and real estate issues at your home. Your romantic life has been off and lifeless lately but this week will be different. This week, your mate will ask for some privacy since they need it. This week, the effects of your unsafe sleeping patterns will be felt.

    Virgo

    Ganesha says, you might expect a challenging and distressing in the first half of the week, but you will be all fine by the end of the week. This week, your astrological motions cause some of your delicate subjects to dominate your thoughts, which will affect how productive you are at your job and how well you can focus. It will be difficult to get through in the first half of the week. By dusk, you will have a better understanding of the situation and it appears that the problem has been resolved. Your intentions of seeing that special someone might not go as planned, and you might find yourself spending some time trapped at work. This week, your supervisor will anticipate more and tougher hours from you, but you might be able to work something out.

    Libra

    Ganesha says, when you have to go to a key convention with your clientele this week, your interpersonal skills will be pushed to the test. Since the interview will determine whether you are encouraged, you must do well there. Your coworkers are going to attempt to control and conquer you at work, but this week you will outperform them. The two of you will have a good time and celebrate your career achievement. You will have happy romantic connections today. As your time spent on computers grows, you will feel eye discomfort.

    Scorpio

    Ganesha says, you will have a range of activities and tasks during the week. You will come up with creative concepts that you may pitch to a startup business. This week, you will receive a call from the position of your choice. This week, your governing concept will be to follow the crowd, even though doing so involves some danger. The path of the fresh moons will have an effect on your life, relationships, and economic standing. This week, you will have to pay some unforeseen bills. Despite the reality that finances are an issue right now, everything is going to improve shortly. At some point in the week, knee discomfort is probably going to strike. Sit back and try to avoid taking any lengthy excursions.

    Sagittarius

    Ganesha says, this week, you will get confirmation that you are headed in the correct direction. You will be prepared to move much more quickly towards your goals this week. You will look for deeper purpose throughout your existence this week. On a managerial level, you will be able to offer your best at work. Your wise choices will surprise your old coworker. You will be able to look after your health independently. We will talk about your issues with cognitive anomalies this week. Your caring actions in respect to your romantic connection will astound your lover. You will be able to communicate effectively with one another as well. Be cautious because medical professionals may likely need you to deal with certain renal difficulties.

    Capricorn

    Ganesha says, you will have a joyful and pleasurable week. You will invest a lot of time and effort in your friendships and connections. You will also achieve financial success. Throughout your career, the type of work you do will change frequently, but your ability to adapt will continue to keep you healthy. The merchants of this week should be careful of their competitors. This week, anybody may fool others on their own. If you are in a love connection, your spouse will cheer you up if you have been having a bad day. Make sure that you’re giving them delight as well. You will not be consuming enough water, which will affect your health in a variety of ways. Ensure that you implement the necessary safety precautions.

    Aquarius

    Ganesha says, you will be in command of how your day is conducted. The first item on the agenda will be your intentional effort. You will be accountable for your errors and make sure that your relationships with others are clear. The business-related components will provide you with a slight challenge. A personnel scarcity will be the issue rather than a monetary catastrophe. Make sure you are still in touch with the appropriate persons. Regarding your love connections, you will meet the individual of your prayers before God and instantly feel drawn to them. You should be cautious about your health because your stomach discomfort will be terrible in the latter half of the week.

    Pisces

    Ganesha says, this week, you will be in a better position to make decisions about the confusing events in your life. You will be able to ensure the equilibrium of your entire finances. Your business concepts will be original, which will provide you with more assurance regarding your spending. This week will provide you the opportunity to focus on finding your partner’s better traits. For you, Pisces, crucial conversations between both partners are at stake this week. This week will be difficult for your children. By being extra cautious in regard to renal issues, you will gain a lot.

  • Birthday Horoscope- June 19 to June 25

    Birthday Horoscope- June 19 to June 25

    June 19
    Ganesha says today is a day of boundless creativity and unwavering ambition for you. Your imagination knows no limits, and you have the power to transform your ideas into reality. Embrace the challenges that come your way, for they will only fuel your determination. Remember to strike a balance between your work and personal life to ensure long-term success and fulfillment.

    June 20
    Ganesha says your magnetic personality shines brightly today, as you are destined to lead with confidence and enthusiasm. Others are naturally drawn to your charisma and energy. Trust your instincts and make use of your natural organizational skills to bring structure to your endeavors. Take some time to rest and recharge, as it is essential to maintain your energy levels.

    June 21
    Ganesha says your wisdom and intuition are your greatest assets today. Trust the deep understanding you possess and let it guide your actions. Your empathetic nature and ability to connect with others will lead you to success. Embrace your inner wisdom and use it to make thoughtful decisions. Remember to engage in self-reflection and self-care to nurture your intuitive gifts.

    June 22
    Ganesha says today, your attention to detail and practicality will set you apart from the crowd. You have a keen eye for opportunities and a knack for finding efficient solutions. Embrace your analytical nature and let it guide your decision-making process. Your dedication and discipline will pave the way for success. Stay adaptable and open to new ideas while maintaining your methodical approach.

    June 23
    Ganesha says today, your charismatic and charming aura will captivate those around you. Your words hold immense power, and you have the ability to inspire and uplift others. Embrace your gift of expression and use it to spread positivity. Your optimistic outlook will help you overcome challenges with ease. Remember to stay true to yourself and maintain authenticity as you navigate through life’s adventures.

    June 24
    Ganesha says today, your nurturing and compassionate nature will be your guiding light. You have a natural ability to provide comfort and support to those in need. Embrace your empathetic qualities and let them shine through your actions. Your intuition will be your trusted companion as you navigate through complex situations. Remember to priorities self-care alongside caring for others, as your well-being is equally important.

    June 25
    Ganesha says today, your adventurous spirit and thirst for knowledge will lead you on a remarkable journey. Embrace your love for learning and exploration, as they are your key to personal and professional growth. Your adaptability will be your greatest asset, allowing you to thrive in new and unfamiliar situations. Remember to celebrate each milestone along the way and enjoy the beauty of the journey itself.

  • USAID Administrator Samantha Power meets World Bank President Ajay Banga; discusses climate finance, financial support to Ukraine

    USAID Administrator Samantha Power meets World Bank President Ajay Banga; discusses climate finance, financial support to Ukraine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): USAID Administrator Samantha Power has met World Bank President Ajay Banga and discussed a slew of crucial matters, including climate finance, debt sustainability and economic support to Ukraine, according to an official statement.

    The meeting happened on Wednesday, June 7, and the two also discussed about Banga’s vision for the World Bank and the opportunities for more collaborations with United States Agency for International Development (USAID), given the scale of issues the world faces. “USAID Administrator Samantha Power met World Bank President Ajay Banga on Wednesday to discuss debt sustainability, climate finance, anti-corruption efforts, including how digitization initiatives can increase accountability, and economic support for Ukraine,” the statement said.

    According to a readout of the call, the two explored ways to engage the private sector in addressing global challenges, enhance job creation to generate sustainable economic growth, and strengthen internal measurement and evaluations to improve the effectiveness of aid and development efforts.

    Power and Banga also discussed access to multilateral finance for countries to build resilience before a disaster, respond effectively during the immediate aftermath, and rebuild post-disaster, said the statement.
    Samantha Power tweeted:
    Samantha Power
    @PowerUSAID
    Great to meet with Ajay Banga in his new role as president of
    @WorldBank
    We discussed his vision for tackling the many interconnected global challenges we face & our work together on issues including debt sustainability, anti-corruption & climate change. https://usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/jun-07-2023-administrator-samantha-power-meets-world-bank-group-president-ajay-banga
    (With inputs from PTI)

  • Upcoming State visit will affirm the deep and close partnership between India and US: White House

    Upcoming State visit will affirm the deep and close partnership between India and US: White House

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The upcoming Official State visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US will affirm the deep and close partnership between the two countries and the warm bonds of family and friendship that link Americans and Indians together, the White House said Wednesday, June 7. Prime Minister Modi will embark on his first state visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden in June. The US president and the First Lady will also host Modi at a state dinner on June 22.
    “The upcoming visit we believe will affirm the deep and close partnership between the United States and India and the warm bonds of family and friendship that link Americans and Indians together,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference.
    “The Prime Minister and the President will discuss ways to strengthen our two countries, shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific and our shared resolve to elevate our strategic technology partnership including defense. So that certainly will be talked about in clean energy and space,” she said responding to a question on the State Visit.
    “But I’m just not going to get into details on what the particulars will be. And as we get closer to June 22nd, we certainly have more to share,” she said in response to a question.
    Modi’s visit to the US comes ahead of the G20 Summit being hosted by India in September.
    After becoming Prime Minister in 2014, Modi has made more than half a dozen trips to the United States for bilateral and multilateral meetings with all three American presidents, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and now Biden, but this is for the first time he has been invited for an official state visit, a privilege accorded to America’s close friends and allies.
    His last visit to Washington was in September 2021 at the invitation of President Biden for a bilateral meeting. He had also attended the first in-person Quad Leaders Summit hosted by Biden.
    (Source: PTI)

  • India has incredibly important role to play in world: Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal

    India has incredibly important role to play in world: Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): India has an incredibly important role to play in the world, powerful Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said Tuesday, , June 6, adding the two countries face many similar challenges in their respective affairs, but have some great opportunities to work together to address them.

    She said India-US relations are very important on multiple levels — ”we are two democracies. Our constitutions both start with ‘We, the People’. We have similar sets of values historically, and we have similar challenges”.

    ”It is clear that India has an incredibly important role to play in the world.,” Jayapal told PTI on the sidelines of the Indian-American Impact Summit here. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited by the US President Joe Biden for an official state visit that includes a state dinner on June 22.

    Modi would also address a joint session of the Congress the same day, making him only the third world leader, other than those from Israel, to make such an address twice.

    ”We have similar challenges in terms of efforts to try and limit participation of all individuals, of all people, regardless of religion or race, or gender. I think there are many similar challenges, but also some incredible opportunities for the two countries to work together,” Jayapal said in response to a question.

    The Congresswoman said she has raised concerns about the human rights situation in India in the past.

    “I think it’s very clear to anybody who knows me that my focus has always been on lifting up the human rights of every person. That continues to be a concern of mine. I raise it here in the United States. We have human rights concerns here with our own government. I’ve been very clear about those as well over time,” she said.

    ”I think that in order for India to really prosper and reach its fullest potential, we need to make sure that we keep the country as an open democracy. One that respects the rights of all religious minorities. One that respects the ability for people to be LGBTQ, one that respects freedom of the press. I hope that Prime Minister Modi understands his responsibility as the leader of such a great country to be able to protect those rights for everyone,” Jayapal said. Earlier, participating in a live podcast at the start of the Indian-American Impact Summit, the Congresswoman called for a legislative agenda for the Indian Americans.

    ”I think it would be good to have a legislative agenda for our community that says, here are three or four important things that we would like to get passed,” she said.
    (Source: PTI)

  • PM Modi to address Indian Americans in Washington on June 23: Community leader

    PM Modi to address Indian Americans in Washington on June 23: Community leader

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a gathering of Indian Americans from across the US in Washington on June 23 on the role of diaspora in India’s growth story, an eminent community leader has said. Prime Minister Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. The US president and the First Lady will host Modi at a state dinner on June 22. The visit also includes an address to the Joint Session of the Congress on June 22.

    Modi will address an invitation-only gathering of diaspora leaders from across the country on the evening of June 23, Indian American community leader Dr. Bharat Barai said.

    The prestigious Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, which has hosted several high-profile meetings in the past, has been reserved for the prime minister’s address. The venue, named after former US President Ronald Reagan, has a capacity of 900 people, Barai told PTI on Wednesday.

    It is the first federal building in Washington designed for both governmental and private sector purposes.

    Preparations are in full swing for the only community event to be held during the visit of the prime minister. A national organizing committee of 25 eminent people has been constituted, he said.

    The event would be hosted by US India Community Foundation. A co-host committee has also been set up. The community has been given wide representation in both committees, Barai said.

    He said earlier the plans were to host Modi at a giant stadium in Chicago for him to address 40,000 Indian Americans. But because of the scheduling issues, it could not be finalized. The prime minister finally gave his consent to address the community on the evening of June 23, soon after which he is likely to leave the US for India, he said. Meanwhile, two US lawmakers spoke in the US House of Representatives this week about the significance of Modi’s visit to the US.

    “I take this opportunity to address a very important visit by Prime Minister Modi this week. I am excited that this person is coming to America to extend goodwill between our two nations in one of the most strategically important relationships we have in the world,” Congressman Rich McCormick said on Tuesday, June 6. Congressman Joe Wilson from North Carolina said the existing US-India partnership has been highlighted by Modi being warmly welcomed here in the House Chamber, Madison Square Garden, and ‘Howdy, Modi’ in Houston.

    “With India as the largest democracy and America as the oldest democracy, both have shared values of democracy with rule of law opposing authoritarians with the rule of the gun,” he said.
    (Source: PTI)

  • Four children wounded in knife attack in French town, two in critical condition; assailant arrested

    Four children wounded in knife attack in French town, two in critical condition; assailant arrested

    Annecy, France (TIP) : A Syrian national wounded four young children and an adult in a knife attack in a park in the southeastern French town of Annecy on June 8, police said, and some of the victims were in critical condition. The attacker was a Syrian national with legal refugee status in France, a police official told Reuters. He was not known to security agencies and his motives were unclear, an investigative source said.
    French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Twitter that the attacker had been arrested. BFM TV showed footage of several policemen overpowering an individual in the park.
    Two children and one adult were in life-threatening condition, while two children were slightly hurt, police said.
    The wounded children were aged between 22 months and 3 years, they said.
    “Children and one adult are between life and death. The nation is in shock,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement on Twitter, calling the attack “an act of absolute cowardice”.
    Witnesses said at least one of the children wounded in the attack was in a stroller. The incident took place at around 0745 GMT in the playground of a picturesque lakeside park in Annecy, a town in the French Alps.
    “He jumped (in the playground), started shouting and then went towards the strollers, repeatedly hitting the little ones with a knife,” a witness who gave his name as Ferdinand told BFM TV.
    “Mothers were crying, everybody was running,” said George, another witness and owner of a nearby restaurant.
    Several witnesses described the scene of the attack, the Le Paquiet park, as an usually tranquil place popular with tourists for its stunning views of Lake Annecy and the mountains.
    “It’s a place where babysitters and parents take young children to play. I often see around 15 toddlers there in the morning, and the atmosphere is fantastic,” said Yohan, who works at an ice-cream parlour just opposite the park.
    France has been shocked by a number of violent incidents over the past few months, including the fatal stabbing last month of a nurse in the northern town of Reims. Also last month, a drunk driver accidentally killed three policemen.
    Macron has denounced what he calls a “de-civilisation process” in the country, while opposition lawmakers say his government has been too lax on law and order.
    “Nothing more abominable than to attack children,” National Assembly speaker Yael Braun-Pivet said on Twitter. Parliament observed a minute of silence to mark the incident. (Reuters)

  • Syrians lose life-saving care as Turkey halts medical visits

    Syrians lose life-saving care as Turkey halts medical visits

    HALZOUN (TIP): Huddled inside a tent in rebel-held northwestern Syria, Umm Khaled says she fears her baby will die unless she gets specialist treatment in neighbouring Turkey for a congenital heart defect.
    Seriously ill Syrians in the country’s last rebel bastion of Idlib used to be able to access life-saving care across the border. But the main crossing there for medical visits slammed shut after a deadly earthquake ravaged southern Turkey on February 6, prompting Ankara to prioritise its domestic needs.
    In just a week before the disaster, baby Islam needs urgent cardiac surgery, unavailable in Syria’s war-scarred Idlib region where the healthcare system fell into further disarray after the quake.
    “I watch my daughter suffer and I can’t do anything about it,” said Umm Khaled, showing only her eyes and hands beneath her black niqab.
    The 27-year-old said her baby was losing weight and her condition worsening.
    Islam often struggles to breathe, and a doctor has warned that repeated such episodes, which put further strain on her heart, could be deadly without an operation or treatment. But only cancer patients have been allowed to cross into Turkey after months of waiting — and only since Monday.
    “When she cries, she turns blue and her heart beats very fast,” Umm Khaled said, as her three other young children sat on the ground in their tent in the village of Halzoun.
    “I hope they’ll open the crossing soon,” she said, baby Islam squirming in her lap.
    Treatment ‘unavailable’
    Doctors in Idlib refer most heart and cancer patients to Turkey, where they can receive free treatment under an agreement between local authorities and Ankara. Burns victims, premature babies and people requiring complicated surgery have also been allowed to cross.
    But after the quake-ravaged health facilities on the Turkish side of the border, Ankara halted medical visits through the Bab al-Hawa crossing — the sole access point for patients from Idlib.
    The border has remained open for United Nations humanitarian aid, goods and even Syrians visiting relatives in the area. Firas al-Ali, diagnosed with a benign tumour near his brain in 2017, has undergone surgery and tests in Turkey, where he usually gets medication and treatment every three months. He had been waiting for treatment on February 23, but then the earthquake struck. “Due to the delay, I’m getting pain in my eyes and my head,” the 35-year-old blacksmith said.
    “My treatment is unavailable here and if it is, it is expensive and I can’t afford it.” Rebel-held Idlib is home to around three million people, many of them displaced from other parts of Syria and dependent on humanitarian aid.
    Government-held areas of Syria are off-limits to civilians from Idlib. The Syrian side of the Bab al-Hawa crossing into Turkey is controlled by the country’s former Al-Qaeda affiliate, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
    Syrians ‘risk dying’
    The Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) runs the only centre in Idlib for cancer patients. Paediatric oncologist Abdel Razzaq Bakur said the clinic lacked diagnostic equipment and medications and had been overwhelmed by “numerous patients who urgently need to be admitted in Turkey.” (AFP)

  • Canadian border agency urged to stop deporting Indian students caught in fake admission letter scandal

    Canadian border agency urged to stop deporting Indian students caught in fake admission letter scandal

    TORONTO (TIP): A Canadian parliamentary committee has voted unanimously to urge the border services agency to stop the deportation of nearly 700 Indian students who were duped by unscrupulous education consultants in India to enter the country with “fraudulent college admission letters.”
    The Indian students, mostly from Punjab, face deportation from Canada after authorities found that their admission offer letters to educational institutions were fake.
    The matter came to light in March when these students applied for permanent residency in Canada.
    In a symbolic move, the all-party immigration committee voted unanimously on Wednesday to call on the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to waive the inadmissibility of the affected students, The Toronto Star newspaper reported. The committee also asked the CBSA to provide the students, as many as 700 from India, with an alternative pathway to permanent residence on humanitarian grounds or through a regularisation programme, the report said. Calling the students victims of fraud, Jenny Kwan, a lawmaker who tabled the motion said, “So as a first step, this is absolutely essential and necessary. The students are victims of fraud and should not be penalised.”
    These students, I’ve met with many of them, now are just in such a terrible state. They’ve lost money, and they are stuck in a terrible situation. And some of them have deportation orders. Others have pending meetings with CBSA,” she added. (PTI)