The Indian Panorama

Month: June 2023

  • NJS RINGS IN CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION FINALE

    By Mabel Pais

    Grammy award-winning violinist Joshua Bell returns to perform Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 with the New Jersey Symphony led by Music Director Xian Zhang, June 9—11.

    left to right: Xian Zhang (Music Director), Daniel Bernard Roumain (Resident Artistic Catalyst), Joshua Bell (Star Guest Performer).(Photo Credit/ njsymphony.org)

    The program also features the world premiere of Daniel Bernard Roumain’s Farah (Joy) for Voice and Orchestra and Stravinsky’s ‘The Rite of Spring.’ Violinist and composer Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR) is a musical polymath who has embraced electronica, jazz, R&B, pop, hip-hop, gospel and traditional African American music, in addition to classical. Farah (Joy) is Roumain’s second work commissioned by the New Jersey Symphony in his capacity as the orchestra’s first Resident Artistic Catalyst.

    Scored for solo vocalist and orchestra, Farah (Joy) is in complete contrast to DBR’s commission last year, “Symphonic Scenes and Samples from We Shall Not Be Moved”, a work that centered on protest. Collaborating again with librettist Marc Bamuthi Joseph, DBR and Joseph chose to focus on joy.

    Grammy-Award winning violinist Joshua Bell brings life to Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1. With a renowned career spanning decades, he has established himself as one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of our time, captivating audiences worldwide with his performances.

    The program continues with The Rite of Spring, Stravinsky’s energetic and dark tale based on pagan rituals in Russia — a truly groundbreaking piece – became among the most important musical works of the 20th century.

    PROGRAM

    Season Finale with Joshua Bell

    Friday, June 9, 8:00 pm | New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark

    Saturday, June 10, 8 pm | Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank

    Sunday, June 11, 3 pm | New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark

    Xian Zhang conductor

    Joshua Bell violin

    Becky Bass vocalist

    New Jersey Symphony

    New Century Gala

    Sunday, June 11, at 1:30 pm

    The New Jersey Symphony is excited to present the culminating event of its centennial season and launch of its next century in conjunction with the New Century Gala.

    The event includes a pre-concert reception, premiere seating for the

    Season Finale with Joshua Bell concert and a post-concert dinner. (For information about the Young Professionals After Party – contact Jesse!)

    Classical Conversation

    Friday, June 9, at 7 pm and Saturday, June 10, at 7 pm

    Enjoy a lively Classical Conversation before the performance. Learn more about the music from New Jersey Symphony musicians, guest artists and other engaging insiders.

    Xian Zhang

    Grammy Awards-Winning Conductor Xian Zhang’s recording with Time for Three and The Philadelphia Orchestra, Letters for The Future (on Deutsche Grammophon), won awards in both the Best Contemporary Classical Composition (specifically Kevin Puts’ Contact), and Best Classical Instrumental Solo categories in 2023.

    Xian Zhang is currently in her seventh season as Music Director of the New Jersey Symphony, which marks its 100th anniversary season in 2022–23. With New Jersey Symphony, Zhang has commissioned composers such as Wynton Marsalis, Jessie Montgomery, Qigang Chen, Chen Yi, Steven Mackey, Thomas Adès, Daniel Bernard Roumain, Christopher Rouse, Vivian Li, Gary Morgan, Christian McBride and Paquito D’Rivera. She is also responsible for introducing their annual Lunar New Year celebrations.

    Zhang previously served as Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC National Orchestra’s Chorus of Wales, the first female conductor to hold a titled role with a BBC orchestra. In 2002, she won first prize in the Maazel-Vilar Conductor’s Competition. She was appointed New York Philharmonic’s Assistant Conductor in 2002, subsequently becoming their Associate Conductor and the first holder of the Arturo Toscanini Chair.

    Daniel Bernard Roumain

    Daniel Bernard Roumain’s acclaimed work as a composer, performer, educator and activist spans more than two decades, and he has been commissioned by venerable artists and institutions worldwide. “About as omnivorous as a contemporary artist gets” (New York Times), DBR is perhaps the only composer whose collaborations span Philip Glass, Bill T. Jones, Savion Glover and Lady Gaga.

    Known for his signature violin sounds infused with myriad electronic, urban and African American music influences, DBR takes his genre-bending music beyond the proscenium. He is a composer of chamber, orchestral and operatic works; has won an Emmy for Outstanding Musical Composition for his collaborations with ESPN; has been featured as keynote performer at technology conferences; and created large-scale, site-specific musical events for public spaces. DBR earned his doctorate in Music Composition from the University of Michigan and is currently Institute Professor and Professor of Practice at Arizona State University. Learn more at dbrmusic.com.

    Joshua Bell

    With a career spanning almost four decades, Grammy award-winning violinist Joshua Bell is one of the most celebrated artists of his era. Having performed with virtually every major orchestra in the world, Bell continues to maintain engagements as soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, conductor and Music Director of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields.

    Bell has been named 2010 “Instrumentalist of the Year” by Musical America, a 2007 “Young Global Leader” by the World Economic Forum, nominated for six Grammy awards, and received the 2007 Avery Fisher Prize. He has also received the 2003 Indiana Governor’s Arts Award and a Distinguished Alumni Service Award in 1991 from the Jacobs School of Music. In 2000, he was named an “Indiana Living Legend.”

    Bell has performed for three American presidents and the justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. He participated in former president Barack Obama’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities’ first cultural mission to Cuba, joining Cuban and American musicians on a 2017 Live from Lincoln Center Emmy nominated PBS special, Joshua Bell: Seasons of Cuba, celebrating renewed cultural diplomacy between Cuba and the United States. Learn more at joshuabell.com 

    Becky Bass

    Becky Bass is an award-winning vocalist, steel pannist and actor from St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, currently based in Providence, Rhode Island. A graduate of Brown University in 2013 in Theatre Arts & Performance Studies, Bass was awarded the prestigious Weston Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre upon graduation.

    As a multi-award winner, Bass performs her Caribbean Soul music as a solo artist and with several bands including Zili Musik and Sidy Maiga & Afrimanding. She also lends her talents to RPM Voices, a cross-cultural multi-generational gospel choir.

    Bass opened for and performed with international Grammy &  Emmy-Award winning artists including Oumou Sangare, Daniel Bernard Roumain, Yellowman, Warrior King and Wyclef Jean. She also performed at the National Gallery of Art’s Jazz in the Garden concert series, Lincoln Center, Off-Broadway theater LaMaMa and numerous festivals. Learn more at beckybass.com.

    TICKETS

    Tickets are available at njsymphony.org or by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476). For more information, visit njsymphony.org/season-finale-with-joshua-bell. 

    The New Jersey Symphony

    The Emmy and Grammy Award-winning New Jersey Symphony, celebrating its Centennial Season in 2022–23, is redefining what it means to be a nationally leading, relevant orchestra in the 21st century. Learn more at njsymphony.org.

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

  • Indo-US defense ties: Closer cooperation needed to counter China

    Two weeks ahead of PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington, India and the US have finalized a roadmap for defense industrial cooperation to fast-track technology tie-ups and co-produce military platforms such as air combat and land systems. Both sides have agreed to initiate negotiations on the Security of Supply Arrangement and a reciprocal defense procurement pact to promote supply chain stability.

    India-US defense ties have made big strides in the past decade or so, thanks to a series of pacts, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (2016), which allows their militaries to use each other’s bases for repair and replenishment of supplies; the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (2018), which provides for interoperability between the two militaries and the sale of high-end technology from the US to India; and the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (2020), which provides for sharing of cutting-edge military technology, logistics and geospatial maps.

    Notably, despite all these initiatives, the US is third on the list of India’s biggest arms suppliers with a share of 11 per cent, way behind Russia (45 per cent) and France (29 per cent). This indicates that the US has a long way to go to become a bigger stakeholder in India’s defense imports and a greater contributor to the ‘Make in India’ programme. India’s preference for Russian and French manufacturers can be attributed to factors such as reliability, quality control, cost-effectiveness and ease of doing business. Facilitating transfer of technology and spurring indigenous production capabilities in India hold the key to stronger strategic cooperation between India and the US. Amid aggressive posturing by China in the Indo-Pacific, it is hoped that both nations will work harder on removing all impediments to the growth of their defense relations.
    (Tribune, India)

  • Complicated situation: On Donald Trump’s indictment and American politics

    With Donald Trump’s indictment, the U.S. polity will see further polarization

    The indictment of former U.S. President Donald Trump by a federal grand jury in the investigation by the Department of Justice (DoJ) into his alleged mishandling of hundreds of classified documents creates an unprecedented political situation ahead of the 2024 American presidential election. This is the first time in U.S. history that a federal government is bringing charges against a former President. According to Mr. Trump’s lawyers, the Republican party leader faces seven counts of charges, including violation of the Espionage Act and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Prosecutors say Mr. Trump deliberately withheld sensitive documents even after they demanded the return of such papers, which were recovered through a search warrant at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. For Mr. Trump, who assailed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election campaign over her use of a private server, this is an embarrassing situation. He already faces criminal charges in investigations by the Manhattan District Attorney over the payment of hush money to an adult film actor in 2016. A prosecutor in Georgia is probing alleged attempts by Mr. Trump and his allies to topple the results of the 2020 presidential elections, with charges expected in August. Fresh charges pursued by the federal government will further deepen his legal troubles just when the election campaign is heating up.

    If in New York the hush money investigation was initiated by a Democrat attorney, the classified documents probe was by a special counsel appointed by the DoJ, whose head, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, is a Biden pick. Classified documents were found at the residences of Mr. Biden, former Vice President Mike Pence and Mr. Trump last year. While a separate special counsel probe into Mr. Biden’s handling of the classified papers at the time when he was the Vice President is yet to conclude, the DoJ has decided not to seek criminal charges against Mr. Pence, who is challenging Mr. Trump in the Republican primaries. As of now, Mr. Trump is the leading contender for the Republican presidential ticket. So, what makes the indictment politically complicated is that Mr. Trump is not only a former President but also the key potential rival of Mr. Biden, the incumbent, in 2024. Mr. Trump has already seized the political angle, calling the cases a Democratic witch hunt and asking his supporters “not to surrender” the country “to the radical Left”. As he seems determined to use the cases for political mobilization, America’s divided polity is set to see further polarization. Amid this chaos, the DoJ cannot afford to be seen as partisan. It should ensure transparent investigations and build watertight cases based on legal merits.
    (The Hindu)

  • Another low: On the latest provocation by Canadian Sikh separatist groups in Canada

    Canada is doing very little to address India’s concerns on Sikh extremism

    A tableau, in Brampton, Canada, glorifying the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, has expectedly caused outrage across the polity in India. The tableau was part of an annual parade by Canadian Sikh separatist or “Khalistani” groups to mark their protest against Operation Bluestar, in 1984. An accompanying poster termed the killing as an act of “revenge”. Political leaders in India have called for Canada to apologize and to acknowledge the dangers of the rise of anti-Indian separatist and extremist forces. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said the incident was part of a broader pattern, indicating that these forces pose a real challenge not only to the India-Canadian relationship but also to Canada itself. He suggested that the failure to act against these groups was due to a desire to cater to Canadian “vote-banks” that the much broader community of about 8,00,000 Sikhs constitute. He added that the culture of validating violence as an acceptable form of protest was one that should concern Canada’s leadership as well, given past incidents such as the bombing of an Air India flight in 1985. India-Canada relations have been fraught over similar issues, as India has been protesting incidents of vandalism and anti-India and anti-Modi graffiti on temples and community centers there, as well as over Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s remarks criticizing the Narendra Modi government’s treatment of Punjab farmers who were protesting the 2020 agriculture Bill. As a result, India had called off high-level engagements and virtually snapped communications between New Delhi and Ottawa for several months before they were restored.

    The latest provocation could well lead to another such spiral, and both governments need to resolve the issues diplomatically if they want to avoid another nadir in bilateral ties. While the Canadian government is within its rights to protect free speech and expression in its country, it must understand India’s concern that tableaus that glorify the assassination of a Prime Minister constitute inflammatory hate speech and could fuel radicalism. Meanwhile, instead of seeking to shut down protests which are legal, or issuing démarche over every act of vandalism, it would be more productive if New Delhi is able to cooperate and share evidence of the extremist activity and terrorist acts such groups are conspiring on. Given that Khalistani protests have been seen in Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and parts of Europe, the Modi government must now chalk out a broader diplomatic strategy to ensure a more effective way of dealing with the problem, which could even be discussed with the leaders of all these countries, who are expected to visit India in September for the G-20 summit.
    (The Hindu)

  • Indian American Teenage trailblazer Tanishq Abraham earns PhD at 19

    Indian American Teenage trailblazer Tanishq Abraham earns PhD at 19

    Parminder Aujla

    SACRAMENTO (TIP): In a world where the average age for obtaining a PhD is around 31, Dr Tanishq Mathew Abraham has defied the odds by earning his doctorate in biomedical engineering at just 19, making him one of the youngest PhD holders in the world.
    The path to obtaining a PhD in any discipline is filled with challenges and obstacles, but Tanishq’s journey was even more remarkable given his age. This young prodigy has not only demonstrated exceptional academic prowess but has also made significant contributions in the field of medical AI.
    Born and raised in Sacramento, California to Indian American parents, Tanishq displayed an extraordinary aptitude for learning from a young age of two.
    His father, Bijou Abraham, a software engineer, and mother Dr. Taji Abraham, a veterinary researcher by profession quickly recognized their child’s exceptional abilities and provided him with the resources and support needed to nurture his talents.
    Throughout his educational pursuit, Tanishq encountered the usual academic rigor and demanding coursework while also managing the unique challenges associated with being a prodigious individual in a university environment.
    However, Tanishq’s unwavering focus, resilience, and support from mentors and family have played a pivotal role in overcoming these obstacles.
    He specially credits the support from his parents and sister, Tiara Abraham, a teenage prodigy herself who at 17, is a 2nd year student in Master of Music degree at Indiana University.
    His inspiration comes from his late grandfather Dr. Zachariah Mathew, a veterinary researcher and visionary who encouraged Tanishq’s scientific mind and his 90-year-old grandma, Dr. Thankam Mathew, a trailblazer herself, who became the first Indian woman veterinarian to receive a PhD and attended his dissertation defense.
    Tanishq’s journey began at an early age when he displayed an insatiable curiosity and passion for learning when he joined college at seven. By the age of 10, he had already graduated high school.
    At 14, his passion for knowledge and innovation led him to pursue a PhD in biomedical engineering at University of California, Davis, focusing on the development of artificial intelligence (AI) systems for diagnostic pathology where he worked with Dr. Richard Levenson as his PhD advisor.
    His doctoral dissertation, titled “Virtual Staining of Slide-Free Microscopy Images with Deep Learning,” explores the potential of AI in revolutionizing the way medical professionals diagnose various diseases.
    Tanishq’s research delves into the application of advanced algorithms and deep learning techniques to transform medical images, potentially enabling doctors to make more accurate and timely diagnoses, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
    Recognizing the potential impact of medical AI during his PhD, 19-year-old Tanishq founded Medical AI Research Center (MedARC), a research center dedicated to advancing medical AI technology.
    As CEO, he leads a team of collaborators from Stanford University, Princeton University and members from national and international research organizations. MedARC’s mission is to develop generative AIs for medicine and build interdisciplinary teams to address clinical needs. Under Tanishq’s leadership, MedARC has already made significant strides in the field of medical AI. Last week, the research center published its first paper on MindEye, a state-of-the-art fMRI-to-image approach that retrieves and reconstructs images from brain activity. This technology has the potential to improve neurological disease research and diagnosis.
    Tanishq’s radically accelerated educational journey and achievement in obtaining a PhD in biomedical engineering at 19, have positioned him as a role model for aspiring scientists, young scholars, and individuals of all ages.
    He has participated in numerous conferences and events, sharing his experiences and encouraging others to follow their passions. His story resonates with those who face obstacles, encouraging them to embrace challenges and pursue their passions with hard work and perseverance.
    Despite his young age, Dr Tanishq Abraham has already made an impact on the world of biomedical engineering and medical AI. As he continues to break barriers and push the boundaries of what is possible, there is no doubt that this teenage trailblazer will continue to inspire and innovate for years to come.

  • Indian American legislator in Michigan introduced a bill to expand the definition of hate crime and include vandalization of a place of worship

    Indian American legislator in Michigan introduced a bill to expand the definition of hate crime and include vandalization of a place of worship

    MICHIGAN (TIP): An Indian American legislator in the US state of Michigan has introduced a bill to expand the definition of hate crime and include vandalization of a place of worship in it. Michigan State Representative Ranjeev Puri, whose parents migrated to the US from Amritsar in the 1970s, has also introduced a bill to establish the holidays of Diwali, Baisakhi, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha and Lunar New Year as official state-recognized holidays in Michigan. Into his second term as the State Representative, Puri is now the Michigan House Majority Whip, an influential position and has been advancing social issues. “I have introduced a bill to make Diwali, Baisakhi and Eid-ul-Fitr holidays in Michigan. I have another bill that would expand the definition of hate crimes. So, the original hate crime bill in Michigan was written in 1988 and has not been updated since. It’s been 35 years and so we are updating the definitions to be more inclusive,” Puri told the media in an interview. “If a religious institution such as a temple, mosque or a gurdwara is vandalized or desecrated, it is now going to be much easier to prosecute those people. There are a whole host of issues that we are tackling,” he said. Puri’s parents immigrated to the US in 1970. His father was instrumental in establishing the first Sikh gurdwara in Wisconsin.

     

  • Indian American Shilen Patel becomes Cal Water’s Chief Business Development Officer

    Indian American Shilen Patel becomes Cal Water’s Chief Business Development Officer

    Parminder Aujla

    SACRAMENTO (TIP): California Water Service (Cal Water), a subsidiary of California Water Service Group, has promoted Shilen M. Patel to Chief Business Development Officer, effective June 1, 2023.
    “Shilen has played a key role in executing our business development strategy. This promotion is well-deserved recognition for his contribution to our growth, and I look forward to welcoming him to the officer team,” said Martin A. Kropelnicki, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer in a June 1 announcement.
    Prior to joining Cal Water in July 2019, Patel served as Director, Strategy & Development at Veolia North America.
    A seasoned professional with more than 18 years of progressive business development and corporate strategy experience, he holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Political Science from UC Santa Barbara and is expected to complete a Master of Business Administration from Santa Clara University at the end of 2023.
    California Water Service Group is the largest regulated water utility in the western United States. It provides high-quality, reliable water and/or wastewater services to more than 2 million people in California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Washington, and Texas through its regulated subsidiaries, California Water Service, Hawaii Water Service, New Mexico Water Service, and Washington Water Service, and its utility holding company, Texas Water Service. What sets the Group apart is its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for its customers, communities, employees, and stockholders. Working as one team, the Group’s 1,100+ employees lead the way in protecting the planet, caring for people, and operating with the utmost integrity, according to a press release.
    Integral to the Group’s strategy is investing responsibly in water and wastewater infrastructure, sustainability initiatives, and community well-being. The company has been named one of “America’s Most Responsible Companies” by Newsweek and a Great Place to Work.

  • Indian-origin woman banned from teaching in UK for 2 years for committing fraud

    Indian-origin woman banned from teaching in UK for 2 years for committing fraud

    LONDON (TIP): An Indian-origin woman has been banned from teaching by the UK’s Department of Education for a minimum of two years for concealing charges of fraud against her from a school where she joined in 2018. Dipti Patel moved to Bolton from London when she became the head of physical education at Manchester Academy in Moss Side in 2018, the media reported. Patel said one of the reasons for the move was an armed burglary at her home, and the family made an insurance claim for tens of thousands of pounds after the incident.
    But an investigation found that it was a contrived burglary, and that the insurance claim was fraudulent.
    Patel was charged with an offence under the Fraud Act, but it was only when she was convicted that she told the school about the case.
    She also lied on an application for leave, saying it was to take a child to an appointment when it was to attend St Albans Crown Court, the report said.
    She was then referred to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) by the Manchester Academy.
    “Teachers must have proper and professional regard for the ethos, policies and practices of the school in which they teach and maintain high standards in their own attendance and punctuality,” an independent panel that looked into Patel’s conduct, said in its report.
    “The panel finds that the conduct of Mrs. Patel fell significantly short of the standards.” On May 12, the panel recommended a ban from the profession for a minimum of two years, which was accepted by the Department for Education.
    According to the prohibition order, Patel cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

  • Indian-origin professor Joyeeta Gupta awarded ‘Dutch Nobel Prize’ for her research on just and sustainable world

    Indian-origin professor Joyeeta Gupta awarded ‘Dutch Nobel Prize’ for her research on just and sustainable world

    AMSTERDOM (TIP): Indian-origin professor Joyeeta Gupta is among the two scientists who have been named for the prestigious Spinoza Prize, also known as the Dutch Nobel Prize, it was announced on Wednesday, June 7.
    Gupta, the faculty professor of Sustainability and professor of Environment and Development in the Global South at the University of Amsterdam, received the prize for her outstanding, pioneering, and inspiring scientific work in which she focuses on a just and sustainable world, the Dutch Research Council said.
    Gupta will be officially presented with the highest distinction in Dutch science on October 4 alongside Toby Kiers, another scientist chosen for the award, the council said in a statement.
    Toby Kiers is a professor of Mutualistic Interactions at the University of Amsterdam.
    Gupta will receive 1.5 million euros to spend on scientific research and activities related to knowledge utilization, the statement said. Sometimes called the ‘Dutch Nobel Prize’, the Spinoza prize is the highest award in Dutch academia and is awarded each year to researchers working in the Netherlands who “according to international standards belong to the absolutely best researchers worldwide”.
    “The scientists who have received this award in the past represent the absolute best of Dutch academia, so I’m honored to be considered alongside them,” Gupta said.
    Gupta, who is also co-chair of the Earth Commission founded by Future Earth and supported by the Global Challenges Foundation, said she would work towards implementing her ideas on sharing ‘ecospace’ (environmental utilization space) globally that aims to protect environmental conditions in an equitable manner worldwide and would be a fitting way to bring global environmental and developmental issues together.
    Gupta’s research focused on how to solve issues arising from climate change through good governance, the statement said. “At the core of her research is an attempt to unravel the connections between the climate crisis, global water challenges, possible solutions and justice. To this end, her work brings together various scientific disciplines, from international law and economics to political science, development studies and environmental studies,” the statement said.

  • Indian-origin father-son duo arrested for assaulting, exploiting and extorting teenage girls in Canada

    Indian-origin father-son duo arrested for assaulting, exploiting and extorting teenage girls in Canada

    CALGARY (TIP): An Indian-origin man and his son have been arrested and charged in Canada for allegedly assaulting, exploiting and extorting multiple teenage girls over several months.
    Gurpartap Singh Walia, 56, and his son Sumrit Walia, 24, were arrested after an investigation was conducted to find a missing 13-year-old girl in April, a Calgary police statement said.
    The girl who was located later revealed that she was in a relationship with Sumrit who allegedly provided her with alcohol, drugs, and vapes in exchange for sex, it said.
    The father-son duo worked at and owned Haddon Convenience Store in Calgary.
    They also own Premier Liquor Wine and Spirits, located next door to the convenience store, where the assaults occurred, the statement said.
    As the investigation progressed, the officers determined that the father and son were providing vapes, marijuana, cigarettes and alcohol to multiple other teenage girls, who were sexually assaulted at the businesses.
    It is believed the incidents occurred between December 2022 and May 2023. The girls could not legally consent.
    Police arrested both suspects on June 1. A search warrant at a residence resulted in the seizure of 975 grams of cocaine with a street value of USD 97,500, and seven handguns.
    Search warrants were also executed at the two businesses, which resulted in the seizure of a computer with child pornography, drugs and drug paraphernalia, contraband tobacco, vape cartridges and collapsible batons.
    Sumrit was thus charged with one count of sexual interference with a minor, one count of sexual exploitation, one count of sexual assault, one count of possession of child pornography, and one count of accessing child pornography. He is also charged with one count of creating child pornography, seven counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, one count of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, one count of extortion, three counts of uttering threats, one count of selling contraband tobacco to youth and one count of breach of a court order.
    Meanwhile, his father Gurpartap Singh is charged with four counts of sexual assault, four counts of sexual interference with a minor and one count of selling contraband tobacco.

  • California bill will allow Sikhs to ride motorcycles without a helmet

    California bill will allow Sikhs to ride motorcycles without a helmet

    Parminder Aujla

    SACRAMENTO (TIP): Sikhs and other people whose faith requires them to wear a turban or patka could soon be allowed to ride motorcycles in California without a helmet as mandated by state law, according to media reports. The State Senate last Wednesday, May 31 voted to grant a religious exemption for the headwear. The measure, Senate Bill 847 from Republican Sen. Brian Dahle cleared the chamber by a 21-8 margin. Eight Democrats voted “no,” while 13 others sided with Republicans.
    “Freedom of religion is a core foundation of this country. We, as Americans, have the right to freely express our religion and I believe that right should equally extend to everyone,” Dahle stated after the bill passed as cited by the Sacramento Bee.
    Dahle added that existing state law doesn’t intentionally discriminate against Sikhs and other peoples of faith, but that “the reality is that those who practice those religions are limited in how they can express their customs.”
    His office cites the 2021 American Community Survey which found an estimated 211,000 Sikhs living in California — nearly half of all Sikhs in the country. “Although other countries and our own military make accommodations for Sikhs’ deep beliefs, out of the US states that require helmets, none has exemptions for Sikhs or any other group based on religious practice,” according to Dahle’s office.
    SB 847 now moves to the Assembly.
    Eighteen states, including California, have adopted universal helmet laws since a federal safety penalty was repealed in 1995, according to the media
    The California Highway Patrol enforces the universal helmet law, and violations are punished with a fine of up to $250 and/or a year on probation.
    “The turban I tie is about 7 meters. It’s not just a head covering,” a member of the Sikh community was quoted as saying during a Senate committee hearing. “We are not able to ride our bikes and practice our religion.”
    The Automobile Club of Southern California opposes the legislation, citing concerns that it would weaken the state’s universal motorcycle helmet law, according to the report.
    “The Auto Club supports helmet laws because they save lives and reduce serious injuries in traffic crashes involving motorcycles,” a spokesperson stated in an email to a newspaper.
    “Everyone has a right to self-expression, including while riding a motorcycle or any other form of transportation, but keeping riders safe should always remain a priority.”
    More than 5,500 motorcyclists died in 2020, and more than 180,000 were injured in motorcycle crashes, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Helmets were found to reduce the risk of head injuries from crashes by 69%. The County Health Executives Association of California also opposes Dahle’s legislation, Senate Bill 847, the report said.
    “CHEAC understands that wearing turbans and patkas are deeply important religious expressions, and we encourage innovation and equity in the design of helmets to accommodate head coverings instead of weakening existing helmet laws and risking the safety of these riders,” Michelle Gibbons, the association’s executive director, wrote in an email. According to an analysis of the bill, Sikhs or other groups are not exempt from helmet laws in other states due to religious practices. Several provinces in Canada, including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario exempt Sikhs from helmet laws. Exemptions have also been granted in the United Kingdom and India, the report noted.

  • French Open 2023: Unseeded Karolina Muchova to face World No 1 Iga Swiatek in final

    French Open 2023: Unseeded Karolina Muchova to face World No 1 Iga Swiatek in final

    As it is, Karolina Muchova was the unseeded, unexpected participant in the French Open 2023 semifinals. And then, dealing with cramping legs nearly three hours into the match, she was just one point from losing to No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, who entered Thursday, June 8, with a 12-0 Grand Slam record in 2023, including an Australian Open title. Muchova somehow worked her way out of that difficult situation, grabbing the last five games against an error-prone Sabalenka for a 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 7-5 victory at Roland Garros to reach her first major final at the last place she expected. “A roller coaster,” Muchova said.
    In Saturday’s, June 10, title match, she will meet No. 1 Iga Swiatek, the defending champion, who got past No. 14 Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-2, 7-6 (7) on Thursday night. Swiatek is seeking a third title in Paris and fourth major championship in all and her win in the semifinals assured the 22-year-old from Poland of remaining atop the WTA rankings. At No. 43, Muchova is the fourth-lowest-ranked women’s finalist in French Open history. On the other hand, she is now 5-0 for her career against players ranked in the Top 3. It was tough to decide which was more stunning: that Sabalenka lost — or the way she lost.

  • Top-order failure leaves India with mountain to climb after Day 2

    Top-order failure leaves India with mountain to climb after Day 2

    London (TIP)- India reached 151 for five at stumps on the second day of the World Test Championship Final against Australia here on Thursday, June 8, trailing their opponents by 318 runs in the first innings. The Australians were bowled out for 469 in their first essay, having resumed from overnight 327 for three at The Oval. The Indian pacers did well to restrict Australia after struggling against centurions Steve Smith and Travis Head on the first day. While Head went on to make a counterattacking 163, Smith notched up his 31st Test hundred before getting dismissed for a solid 121.
    Mohammed Siraj was the most successful Indian bowler, finishing with figures of 4/108 in 28.3 overs, while there were two wickets apiece for Mohammed Shami and Shardul Thakur.
    Dissecting the cheap dismissal of India’s world-class top-order, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar issued an eye-catching statement about Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, who perished for an embarrassing individual score against Australia. After hammering Australia in their backyard to punch their tickets for the summit clash, a lot was expected from Team India’s formidable batting lineup when Rohit and Co. squared off against Pat Cummins’ men in the final of the ICC World Test Championship at The Oval.
    With Indian bowlers making a strong comeback after taking a heavy beating on the opening day, Indian openers had their task cut out when Rohit and Shubman Gill kickstarted India’s innings on Day 2 at The Oval. After showing signs of a resurgence, Rohit was eventually out LBW (Leg Before Wicket) by Aussie skipper Cummins in the sixth over. Three balls later, Scott Boland bamboozled Gill in the next over before premier batter Cheteshwar Pujara followed suit and capped off a forgetful outing.
    Discussing the batting failures of the Indian batters, Gavaskar acknowledged that skipper Rohit has struggled for form since the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. “I think it’s a couple of misjudgements from probably like Shubman Gill, who has been in great form. Losing him was a big blow. Rohit Sharma has been not in the best of touches in the IPL. So, him playing across the line was not that much of a surprise. But again Pujara, not quite covering his stumps and getting out. So these were the dismissals that could have been avoided. But to Australia’s credit, they bowled a much fuller length, and got the batters into thinking that the line was such that most batters – however good you are, that off stump, there is always a little bit of uncertainty,” Gavaskar told Star Sports.

  • FIH Pro League: 3 cheers for India, go top of table

    FIH Pro League: 3 cheers for India, go top of table

    Eindhoven (TIP)- India displayed great resilience a day after suffering a stunning loss to outclass Argentina 3-0 in a FIH Pro League match here on June 8. A profligate India squandered a one-goal lead to go down 1-4 to hosts Netherlands on Wednesday night, but the Harmanpreet Singh-led side bounced back in style with a commanding win over Argentina. Skipper Harmanpreet led from the front, converting a penalty corner in the 33rd minute. Amit Rohidas also converted from a penalty corner in the 39th minute before Abhishek’s field goal in the 59th minute nailed it for India. By virtue of this win, India moved to the top of the standings with 27 points from 14 games, ahead of Great Britain (26 points from 12 matches). India will next play Netherlands in their reverse tie here on Saturday. On June 7 night, Harmanpreet (11th minute) had scored India’s lone goal despite the visitors being awarded as many as five penalty corners and two penalty strokes. Pepijn Reyenga (17th), Boris Burkhardt (40th) and Duco Telgenkamp (41th, 58th) scored in the home team’s victory. Source: PTI

  • Lionel Messi picks MLS’s Inter Miami

    Lionel Messi picks MLS’s Inter Miami

    Miami (TIP)- Lionel Messi has pulled off his latest stunning feat: He is headed to Major League Soccer and joining Inter Miami. After months — years, even — of speculation, Messi finally revealed his decision to join a Miami franchise that has been led by another global soccer icon, David Beckham, since its inception but has yet to make any real splashes on the field. That likely will soon change. One of Inter Miami’s owners, Jorge Mas, tweeted out a photo of a darkly silhouetted Messi jersey shortly before the Argentinian great revealed his decision in interviews with Spanish news outlets Mundo Deportivo and Sport. It was widely believed that Messi eventually would choose to play for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, following longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo to a nation where some clubs now are funded by the state’s sovereign wealth fund. Going back to Barcelona, a storied franchise where he spent most of his career, was another possibility. Source: AP

  • Mount Abu: The hill station of Rajasthan

    Mount Abu: The hill station of Rajasthan

    Situated amidst lush green, forested hills on the highest peak in the Aravali range, Mount Abu is the summer capital for the Indian state of Rajasthan. Its cool and soothing climate makes it an ideal retreat. Explore a number of Jain temples, including the Dilwara Temples, a complex carved of while marble, or visit the nearby Achalgarh fort, which houses many beautiful temples of its own.
    NAKKI LAKE
    Recognized as the first ever manmade lake in India, Nakki Lake is also a preferred place to see in Mount Abu. You can choose to take a boat ride at the lake and watch the sun set past the beautiful hills surrounding this place. Nakki Lake is also popular for being the place where the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi had been immersed. Toad rock, a place for sightseeing in Mount Abu is located close to Nakki Lake.

    GURU SHIKHAR
    Recognized as the highest point on this mountain range, Guru Shikhar is an exquisite place for sightseeing in Mount Abu. Taking about 300 steps up to Guru Shikhar, you reach the temple of Guru Dattatreya, an incarnation of the Divine Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva). People flock to this place both for its religious aspects and the panoramic views.
    TOAD ROCK VIEW POINT
    Known for being surrounded by a number of strangely shaped rocks, Nakki Lake offers numerous photo ops to visitors. One of the most popular destinations near Nakki Lake however, has to be the Toad Rock View Point. Located on the main trekking trail near the Lake, the Toad Rock has often been referred to as the mascot of Mount Abu. The massive rock structure is an excellent illustration of igneous rocks found in amazing shapes and is shaped, as the name suggests, like a toad. One of the most frequented places in the hill station; people visit this place out of sheer curiosity. It is pretty easy to climb the rock and the views that it offers of the Nakki Lake and the surrounding greenery are unparalleled. Apart from the novelty of the rock itself, the breathtaking scenery from atop just adds to whole experience, making it well worth your while.
    DILWARA JAIN TEMPLE
    Established some time in between the 11th and 13th centuries, the Dilwara Jain temples are considered to be among the best specimens of architectural perfection in the country. A complex of five temple structures, the Dilwara Jain temples are located at a distance of about 2.5 kilometres from Mount Abu. Carved out of white marble, these temples features interiors that have intricate designs spreading everywhere from doorways to ceilings. Dilwara Jain temples are a must visit place in Mount Abu.
    MOUNT ABU SANCTUARY
    Covering 288 square kilometres of area, the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary is a part of the subtropical forest in this region. Containing rich flora and fauna, this sanctuary allows you to come close to some rare and exotic species of wild animals, including the Indian fox, pangolin, grey jungle fowl, striped hyena, and also Indian leopard, the apex predator here.
    PEACE PARK
    Nestled in between two famous Aravali peaks, the Guru Shikhar and Achalgarh, the Peace Park in Mount Abu is a part of the Brahma Kumaris’ establishment. With an ambiance that creates the perfect blend of serenity and tranquillity, the park offers a beautiful backdrop for silence and peaceful recreation. At the Peace Park, one can visit the rock garden that houses a wide variety of Cactaceae, the orchard, citrus corner, and view the numerous floral displays that include coleus, shrubs, hibiscus, creepers and climbers, and an exquisitely beautiful rose garden. The park also has a number of areas, like a stone cave and huts, where people can meditate in a tranquil environment. The Brahma Kumaris also provide a guided tour of the park, and you can also watch a short video film that explains interesting meditation concepts. This place of solitude in the lap of nature is something you must experience.
    LAL MANDIR
    Located on Delwara Road, near the Delwara Jain Temple, is this small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple offers a very peaceful ambiance and is considered as one of the most ancient holy places located in Mount Abu. A small and beautiful temple, the Lal Mandir gets its name from the fact that all the walls of the temple have been painted red. The temple is one of the must visit spots in Mount Abu, popular among the religious tourists as well as others. The temple is also quite well-known for being a Swayambhu ‘ Shiva Temple, so named because the idol placed inside the temple can be seen wearing a ‘jenau’.

  • Yogini Ekadashi

    Yogini Ekadashi

    Ekadashi fasting holds an important place in Hinduism. Ekadashi of Krishna Paksha of Ashadha month is called Yogini Ekadashi. In this fast, the idol of Lord Narayana is bathed in the Ganges water and offered prasad, aarti is offered with flowers and lamps. In Yogini Ekadashi fast, donations should be given to poor Brahmins. By observing this fast, the sin incurred by cutting the Peepal tree is destroyed and the heaven is attained.
    Importance
    On the day of Yogini Ekadashi, Shri Hari or Lord Narayan, one of Lord Vishnu’s other names, is worshipped. The day is significant for devotees who believe that the Yogini Ekadashi Vrat or fast gives them prosperity and joy in their lives. Since this fast occurs only once a year, those who observe it gain virtues equivalent to feeding 88 thousand Brahmins. According to the Padma Purana, everyone who religiously observes the Yogini Ekadashi rituals experiences meaningful life changes.
    Yogini Ekadashi Vrat Katha
    There are two Yogini Ekadashi Stories. One is Yudhishthir, the Pandavas eldest son, and the other is Hem Mali, the gardener of Kubera, the Lord of Wealth.
    Lord Krishna had also counselled his cousin Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava, on the significance of the Yogini Ekadashi vrat. Lord Krishna, Lord Vishnu’s Avatar on Earth, had stated: “Oh, king, I will tell you about the best of all fasting days, the Ekadasi, which occurs during the dark part of the month of Ashadha. It is known as Yogini Ekadasi, and it eliminates all types of immoral responses and grants ultimate salvation.
    This Ekadasi carries people who sink in the vast ocean of material life and transports you to the shore of the spiritual realm. The day is the core of all holy fasting days in all three worlds. Fasting on Yogini Ekadashi is really strong and fortunate. King Kuber was a devout Shiva devotee who offered flowers to the Lord on a daily basis. A Yaksha named Hem Mali worked as a gardener. He will get Kuber flowers from Mansarovar on a daily basis. However, he did receive the flowers but neglected to send them to Kuber because he was too preoccupied with his lovely wife. As a result, the king sent his servant to ascertain the true cause of Hem’s carelessness.
    When Kuber found out, he became enraged and cursed Hem with the deadly disease leprosy and forced him to be divorced from his wife. Hem had left the palace and was suffering greatly as a result of the illness.
    The hem came across the ashram of Rishi Markandeya after roaming for several years in the jungle, and after hearing his tale, he advised him to observe Yogini Ekadashi Vrat.
    Hem Mali observed the fast with zeal and prayed for forgiveness to Lord Vishnu. As a consequence of the Lord’s acceptance of his prayers, Hem was cleansed of all his sins. He was no longer afflicted and was reunited with his loving wife.
    Similarly, on Yogini Ekadashi, all devotees who observe this fast and pray to Lord Vishnu with pure thoughts and feelings will be liberated from all problems and health-related concerns.
    On this day, you may offer prayers to the Lord of the Lotus Feet by reciting Vishnu Mantras or Vishnu Sahasranamam. Fasting on Yogini Ekadashi is said to be equivalent to feeding 88 Brahmins.
    The best day to get rid of worrying health problems is Yogini Ekadashi. Learn the proper Puja rituals method from our experts to obtain Lord Vishnu’s divine blessings.
    Rituals
    Yogini Ekadashi devotees or observers are expected to rise early and take a holy bath before beginning the ceremony’s rituals.
    When conducting all of the rituals, it is important to have complete commitment and devotion. Yogini Ekadashi Vrat must be observed by devotees.

    Devotees must worship and pray to the goddess, as well as bring incense sticks, candles, and tulsi leaves. To complete the fast, you must recite the tale of Yogini Ekadashi. The deity’s aarti must be done, and then holy food (prasad) must be distributed to everyone.
    Devotees must attend Lord Vishnu’s temple during the Yogini Ekadashi festival to receive the deity’s divine blessings. All Yogini Ekadashi Fast rituals begin on the eve of Dashami (tenth day).
    On this particular day, observers are expected to eat a single Satvik meal before the sunset date. The Vrat will last until the end of the Ekadashi tithi.
    Nighttime sleep is not permitted for the observers. To appease Lord Vishnu, they must spend their whole day reciting Mantras. The recitation of the ‘Vishnu Sahasranama’ is considered extremely auspicious. Devotees worship Lord Vishnu with great reverence on this day.
    On the eve of Yogini Ekadashi, doing charity is thought to be extremely rewarding. The observer should help the Brahmins by donating food, clothing, and funds.Yogini Ekadashi fast is considered the most important Ekadashi fast by Hindus. Yogini Ekadashi fasting begins on the night of Dashami (the tenth day) of the lunar month’s dark half. Here are some of the advantages of fasting on this day.
    This fasting cycle is very beneficial for getting rid of different illnesses and diseases.It aids devotees in attaining salvation from sins and evil deeds.Fasting during this time frame heightens moral consciousness.
    It strengthens trust and loyalty to Lord Vishnu, who fulfils all wishes and provides his devotees with a luxurious life. You can also perform an online Vishnu Puja for that.
    On this day, penance leads to the forgiveness of sins and the clearing of the road to Moksha.
    Yogini Ekadashi has a strong effect on one’s life if the fast and puja is followed strictly. The fast like other Ekadashi fasts begin from sunrise and continues until the next day sunrise. The person observing the vrat should not consume any kind of cereal or grain like wheat, barley, or rice.
    The food eaten should be made separately without salt. He/she should wake up before sunrise of the day of yogini Ekadashi and have a bath. It is also important that one remains clean throughout the day and chant Lord Vishnu chants. As per the fast demands, the devotee should remain awake during the night and pray for good health to Lord Vishnu.

  • Pizza Hut Australia purchased by US group that owns Taco Bell, Wendy’s locations

    Pizza Hut Australia purchased by US group that owns Taco Bell, Wendy’s locations

    Franchise operator Flynn Restaurant Group is acquiring Pizza Hut Australia, marking the US company’s first international acquisition. Flynn is buying the Australia franchising license from Sydney-based private investment firm Allegro Funds, adding 260 Pizza Hut restaurants in the country to its lineup, according to a statement Wednesday, June 7. The San Francisco-based group already owns 945 Pizza Huts in its home market. Flynn didn’t disclose terms. The acquisition will give Flynn about 2,600 locations across the two countries and boost annual sales to roughly $4.5 billion from $4.2 billion. Flynn says it is the largest franchise operator in the world, with a portfolio of restaurants that includes Applebee’s, Taco Bell, Panera Bread, Arby’s and Wendy’s locations in 44 US states.
    The group looked abroad for growth because it already has a large domestic share, founder and Chief Executive Officer Greg Flynn said in an interview. Australia made sense as the company’s first international market because it is culturally similar to the US and diners there like American brands, he said.
    Flynn Co-Chief Operating Officer Ron Bellamy will oversee the Australian business, though the existing management team will continue to run the operation. Pizza Hut Australia has notched 50 consecutive months of positive same-store sales growth, a key gauge of restaurant momentum, according to the statement.
    The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and consent from Pizza Hut’s owner, Yum! Brands Inc. The process is expected to be completed by the end of June. Source: Bloomberg

  • Rising imports, falling exports push US trade deficit to six-month high

    Rising imports, falling exports push US trade deficit to six-month high

    WASHINGTON (TIP)- The U.S. trade deficit widened by the most in eight years in April as imports of goods rebounded while exports of energy products declined, a trend that if sustained, could result in trade being a drag on economic growth in the second quarter. The increase reported by the Commerce Department on Wednesday was the biggest since April 2015 and pushed the trade gap to the highest level in six months. It led economists to expect that trade could chop off as much as 2.5 percentage points from gross domestic product this quarter, unless imports reversed course, a tall order given the persistent strength in domestic demand. A strong dollar and slowing global demand could curb exports. “The terms of trade are worsening and this will bring down second-quarter estimates of real GDP growth closer to the 1% stall speed where bad things can happen and the economy can stumble and go over the cliff,” said Christopher Rupkey, chief economist at FWDBONDS in New York.
    The trade deficit jumped 23.0% to $74.6 billion. Data for March was revised to show the trade gap narrowing to $60.6 billion instead of the previously reported $64.2 billion. The government revised the goods trade data from 2018 while the trade services figures were revised from 2017.
    Those revisions showed the trade deficit was not as large as previously thought in the first quarter. As a result, economists expect the government to raise its GDP growth estimate for the January-March quarter to as high as a 2.3% annualized rate when it publishes its third estimate later this month.
    The revisions to the trade data followed on the heels of last week’s solid construction spending data. The government’s second estimate of first-quarter GDP last month showed trade made no contribution to the economy’s 1.3% growth rate after adding to GDP for three straight quarters.
    Adjusted for inflation, the goods trade deficit shot up 16.5% to $95.8 billion in April. Goldman Sachs lowered its second-quarter GDP growth tracking estimate by half a percentage point to a 1.7% rate.
    Stocks on Wall Street were trading mostly lower. The dollar slipped against a basket of currencies. U.S. Treasury prices fell. Goods imports rose 2.0% to $263.2 billion in April, boosted by motor vehicles, parts and engines. There were also increases in imports of industrial supplies and materials, though petroleum imports fell to the lowest level since August 2021.
    Imports of consumer goods surged $1.8 billion, driven by cellphones and other household goods. Food imports were the lowest since December 2021. Imports of services decreased $0.4 billion to $60.4 billion, weighed down by declines in transport and travel. Overall imports increased 1.5% to $323.6 billion.
    Exports of goods plunged 5.3%, the most in three years, to $167.1 billion. That was the lowest level since February 2022.
    Exports are being crimped by slowing global demand. Though the dollar gave up some gains early in the year in the wake of 500 basis points worth of interest rate increases from the Federal Reserve since March 2022, the greenback has regained ground in recent weeks against the currencies of the United States’ main trade partners. That trend could make U.S.-made goods less competitive on the global market in the months ahead. Source: Reuters

  • RBI retains FY24 GDP growth forecast at 6.5%

    The Reserve Bank on Thursday , June 8, retained the GDP growth projection for current fiscal year at 6.5 per cent, on the back of supportive domestic demand conditions. In April, the central bank had marginally revised upwards the 2023-24 GDP growth projection to 6.5 per cent, from its earlier forecast of 6.4 per cent.
    Domestic demand condition remains supportive of growth and also the demand in rural areas is on the revival path, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said while announcing the 2nd bi-monthly policy for 2023-24.
    India’s economy grew 6.1 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2022-23, pushing up the annual growth rate to 7.2 per cent, as against 7 per cent anticipated earlier.
    Das said the higher rabi crop production in 2022-23, the expected normal monsoon, and the sustained buoyancy in services should support private consumption and the overall economic activity in the current year.
    The government’s thrust on capital expenditure, moderation in commodity prices and robust credit growth are expected to nurture investment activity, said the Monetary Policy Statement, 2023-24.
    Weak external demand, geo-economic fragmentation and protracted geopolitical tensions, however, pose risks to the outlook, it added. Source: PTI
    Rs 89,047-crore revival package for BSNL gets Cabinet nod
    The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, June 7, approved the third revival package for BSNL with a total outlay of Rs 89,047 crore.
    The package includes allotment of 4G and 5G spectrum for BSNL through equity infusion, an official statement said. Also, the authorised capital of BSNL will be increased from Rs 1,50,000 crore to Rs 2,10,000 crore.
    The package comprises allotment of premium wireless frequencies 700 MHz band spectrum worth Rs 46,338.6 crore; 70 MHz of frequencies in 3300 MHz band worth Rs 26,184.2 crore; frequencies in 26 GHz band worth Rs 6,564.93 crore; in 2500 MHz band worth Rs 9,428.2 crore and Rs 531.89 crore for miscellaneous items. The spectrum allocation will enable BSNL to roll out pan-India 4G and 5G services, 4G coverage in rural and uncovered villages under various connectivity projects, provide Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services for high-speed internet and provide services/spectrum for Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN). The government had provided first revival package worth Rs 69,000 crore for BSNL and MTNL in 2019. The second package worth Rs 1.64 lakh crore was announced in 2022.

  • Google introduces new ‘Reading practice’ feature for Play Books

    Tech giant Google has introduced a new ‘Reading practice’ feature for its Play Books Android application and Kids Space, which will help new readers independently improve their vocabulary and comprehension skills. Now available in the US, the new feature will highlight the text as the user reads out loud, tracking where they are in the book and helping them to focus on the next word, the tech giant said in a blogpost.
    If the user gets stuck on how to pronounce a word, they can tap it to hear what it sounds like.
    Also, the new feature provides a child-friendly definition of a word, if the user wants to learn more about the word. “At the end of the page, they’ll have the option to practice any words they skipped or mispronounced,” the company said. The tech giant further mentioned that users can use the “Reading practice” filter in Google Play Books to narrow down their store or library searches to ebooks that offer Reading practice.

  • Scientists find mysterious cosmic threads in the centre of milky way

    Scientists find mysterious cosmic threads in the centre of milky way

    An international team of scientists has discovered hundreds of mysterious structures in the centre of the Milky Way galaxy. According to The Guardian, these ‘cosmic threads’ point towards the supermassive black hole. Each of these filaments stretches about five to 10 light years and appears like dots and dashes of Morse code on a vast scale, the outlet further said. A study detailing the discovery of these elongated bodies of luminous gas has been published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
    These structures are located 2,500 light years away from Earth. Farhad Yusef-Zadeh, the lead author and an astronomer at Northwestern University in Illinois’ Evanston, said he was “stunned” by the discovery.
    “They all seem to trace back to the black hole. They are telling us something about the activity of the black hole itself,” he told The Guardian. The data was captured by South African Radio Astronomy Observatory’s MeerKAT radio telescope. It is the most sensitive radio telescope in the world and captured the images of the threads during an unprecedented 200-hour survey of the galactic core.
    “The new MeerKAT observations have been a game changer,” Mr Yusef-Zadeh. “It’s really a technical achievement from radio astronomers.” CNN said the findings come 40 years after Mr Yusef-Zadeh discovered another population of nearly 1,000 one-dimensional filaments.
    The findings about the black hole located about 26,000 light-years from Earth are “really exciting” and “demonstrate how beautiful the universe is,” said Erika Hamden, an assistant professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona. She was not involved in the study.
    The vertical filaments are located perpendicular to the galactic plane, while the horizontal ones are parallel to the plane and point radially toward the black hole, according to the news release. The vertical filaments surround the nucleus of the Milky Way, but the horizontal ones appear to spread out to one side toward the black hole.

  • How AI could soon take over elections and undermine democracy, free will

    How AI could soon take over elections and undermine democracy, free will

    Could organizations use artificial intelligence language models such as ChatGPT to induce voters to behave in specific ways? Sen. Josh Hawley asked OpenAI CEO Sam Altman this question in a May 16, 2023, U.S. Senate hearing on artificial intelligence. Altman replied that he was indeed concerned that some people might use language models to manipulate, persuade and engage in one-on-one interactions with voters.
    Altman did not elaborate, but he might have had something like this scenario in mind. Imagine that soon, political technologists develop a machine called Clogger – a political campaign in a black box. Clogger relentlessly pursues just one objective: to maximize the chances that its candidate – the campaign that buys the services of Clogger Inc. – prevails in an election.
    While platforms like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube use forms of AI to get users to spend more time on their sites, Clogger’s AI would have a different objective: to change people’s voting behavior.
    As a political scientist and a legal scholar who study the intersection of technology and democracy, we believe that something like Clogger could use automation to dramatically increase the scale and potentially the effectiveness of behavior manipulation and microtargeting techniques that political campaigns have used since the early 2000s. Just as advertisers use your browsing and social media history to individually target commercial and political ads now, Clogger would pay attention to you – and hundreds of millions of other voters – individually.
    It would offer three advances over the current state-of-the-art algorithmic behavior manipulation. First, its language model would generate messages — texts, social media and email, perhaps including images and videos — tailored to you personally. Whereas advertisers strategically place a relatively small number of ads, language models such as ChatGPT can generate countless unique messages for you personally – and millions for others – over the course of a campaign.
    Second, Clogger would use a technique called reinforcement learning to generate a succession of messages that become increasingly more likely to change your vote. Reinforcement learning is a machine-learning, trial-and-error approach in which the computer takes actions and gets feedback about which work better in order to learn how to accomplish an objective. Machines that can play Go, Chess and many video games better than any human have used reinforcement learning.
    Third, over the course of a campaign, Clogger’s messages could evolve in order to take into account your responses to the machine’s prior dispatches and what it has learned about changing others’ minds. Clogger would be able to carry on dynamic “conversations” with you – and millions of other people – over time. Clogger’s messages would be similar to ads that follow you across different websites and social media.
    Source: The Conversation

  • Apple reveals 15-inch MacBook Air at developer conference

    Apple Inc has said it will add a 15-inch MacBook Air to the company’s lineup, powered by an Apple-designed M2 processor chip. The laptop with six speakers will start at $1,299 and be available next week. The 13-inch MacBook Air will drop to $1,099. Apple updated its Mac Studio desktop machine, saying its new M2 Ultra chip can process artificial intelligence work that rival chips do not have enough memory to handle.
    Apple also introduced a new version of the Mac Pro, its highest-performing desktop, with an M2 Ultra chip. Until Monday, the Mac Pro was the last computer in Apple’s lineup that still used an Intel chip. Apple’s Mac lineup has experienced a revival since it started using its own chips in 2020, but in recent quarters sales have slumped along with the broader PC market. The big highlight of the day is expected to be Apple unveiling a mixed-reality headset, its first big move into a new product category since the introduction of the Apple Watch nine years ago. The launch will see Apple test a market crowded with devices that have yet to gain traction with consumers and put it in direct competition with Facebook-owner Meta Platforms.

  • Harness benefits of cinnamon for healthy hair

    Harness benefits of cinnamon for healthy hair

    Are you suffering from excessive hair fall? Are those tangled hair strands on the comb giving you nightmares? If yes, then it’s time to buckle up and pay attention to your hair health. We understand the sight of dull and rough hair may trigger a frantic search for home remedies, with people resorting to expensive hair oils and shampoos. But what we often fail to realise is that our diet has a crucial role to play. It is rightly said, we are what we eat and there are a variety of food ingredients to prevent hair fall and promote hair growth as well. The best part is, you do not need to go miles to get hold of those foods; instead, scan through your kitchen pantry and pick a jar of cinnamon.
    Cinnamon, also called dalchini in Hindi, has been a part of our diet since time immemorial. It is aromatic, flavourful and adds a good dose of healthy nutrients to our diet. Cinnamon is packed with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties, potassium, magnesium and several essential vitamins and minerals that are known to help us detox, lose weight, manage diabetes and heart health among others.
    As mentioned earlier, cinnamon is packed with various essential vitamins and minerals and these nutrients may help boost hair health too by reducing hair fall, promoting hair growth and treating dandruff.
    How Cinnamon Helps Slow Hair Fall?
    Hair fall ranging between 50 and 100 strands a day is considered normal, but when the number increases it becomes a matter of concern. That is where a dose of cinnamon may come to help. According to a study, published in the International Journal of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine, a compound in cinnamon, named cinnamaldehyde, may help with blood circulation in hair follicles, reducing the risks of hair fall.
    How Does Cinnamon Help Promote Hair Growth?
    A study conducted by researchers at the University of California found that cinnamon contains a compound named procyanidin, which is linked to the growth of hair. Besides, it is also a potent source of antioxidants, which help you detox, promoting blood and oxygen flow in the body.How Does Cinnamon Help Prevent Dandruff?Cinnamon is packed with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and according to several studies, these properties may work against Malassezia, a fungus that is known to cause dandruff in hair.