Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone, who will be soon seen in Singham Again and Kalki 2898 AD, has topped the IMDb list of Top 100 Most Viewed Indian Stars of the Last Decade. Following her is the actor opposite whom she made her debut in Om Shanti Om, Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan. This list of all top Indian stars is determined by the actual page views of the more than 250 million monthly visitors to IMDb worldwide.
Deepika said, “I’m deeply grateful to be included in a list that captures the sentiment of a global audience. This recognition is truly humbling.” The third spot on the list is occupied by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Alia Bhatt is on the fourth spot followed by the late actor Irrfan Khan. Aamir Khan and Salman Khan, too find a place in the top 10. While Aamir is at number six, Salman holds the eighth spot, separated by the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput at number seven.
The list also includes Hrithik Roshan, Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Amitabh Bachchan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kareena Kapoor, Nayanthara, Ajay Devgn, Triptii Dimri and others. The list has actors from the Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada film industries. Kamal Haasan is at number 54. Source: IANS
Month: June 2024
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Deepika Padukone tops IMDb’s 100 Most Viewed Indian Stars, SRK is second
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Karan Johar announces ‘Dhadak 2’
Karan Johar has announced his new film, ‘Dhadak 2’. Produced by Johar, the film will star Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri and will be directed by Shazia Iqbal.
Sharing the announcement video, Karan Johar wrote in Hindi, “Once upon a time, there was a king and there was a queen. They were from different castes, and that’s the end of the story.”
The caption also read, “Presenting Dhadak 2 starring Siddhant Chaturvedi & Triptii Dimri. Directed by Shazia Iqbal. #Dhadak2 in cinemas 22nd November 2024 (sic).” The movie will explore barriers of class and status stitched in the minds of societies, underscoring a narrative of love that can never be fulfilled. ‘Dhadak 2’, produced by Zee Studios, Dharma Productions, and Cloud 9 Pictures, features Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri in the lead roles. Directed by Shazia Iqbal, the film is slated for release on November 22, 2024. -
‘Maharagni’ teaser: Kajol is a woman on mission in the action-thriller
Actors Kajol and Prabhu Deva have reunited after 27 years for their upcoming film ‘Maharagni’. Ajay Devgn unveiled the action-thriller’s first-look teaser on Tuesday, May 28. ‘Maharagni – Queen of Queens’ is an intense action and gripping tale of a vengeful woman.
Ajay Devgn released the teaser which begins with glimpses of Prabhu Deva performing action sequences. Kajol, who plays the titular character in the actioner, can be seen as a woman who is on a mission. The actor is also seen engaged in high-octane action sequences. The clip ends with Kajol saying, “Power is not demanded, it is taken away.”
Sharing the clip, Ajay captioned, “Ali re aali Maharagni aali (sic).” Meanwhile, Kajol wrote, “So kicked to share this with you guys. Maharagni.. aka Queen of queens. Take a moment and have fun ! Hope you guys like it. Directed by Charan Tej Uppalapati (sic).”
Helmed by Telugu director Charan Tej Uppalapati, the film also features Samyuktha, Prabhu Deva, Naseeruddin Shah, Jishu Sen Gupta, Aditya Seal, Chaya Kadam, Pramod Pathak. It is backed by Venkata Anish Dorigillu and Harman Baweja.
The director of the upcoming film said, “Collaborating with actors like Kajol, Prabhudeva, Naseer sir, Samyuktha Menon and Jisshu Sengupta has elevated the project to new heights. Their unmatched charisma and acting abilities breathe life into the characters, and I can’t wait for the audience to witness this on screen.”
The film will be released in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.
For the unversed, Kajol and Prabhu Deva had previously worked in the 1997 Tamil film ‘Minsara Kanavu’, dubbed in Hindi as ‘Sapnay’. -
Rani Mukerji feted with Movified Best Actor Award
Rani Mukerji has been awarded the Movified Best Actor Award in the Female Category. The actress was honoured for her work in the critically acclaimed film Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway. In the film, inspired by true events, Rani essayed the role of a mother, who fought the legal system of Norway over the custody of her child.
Rani expressed gratitude towards Movified and its owner Neekeeta Singh. She said, “Thank you Movified, for honouring me with the Best Actor Female Award for Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway. I am so grateful for this recognition and would like to thank my director Ashima Chibber, my producers Nikkhil Advani, Monisha Advani, Madhu Bhojwani, everyone at Zee Studios, and Emmay Entertainment. My wonderful co-stars from Tallinn, Bengal and Mumbai, the Estonian crew, and all the technicians.”
The actress also shared that Mrs Chhaterjee Vs Norway held a very special place in her filmography. -
Modi begins ‘dhyan’ at Kanyakumari’s Rock Memorial
New Delhi (TIP)- With the conclusion of the campaigning for the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday began his 45-hour-long meditation at the famed Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari.
Upon his arrival to the city in the evening, the prime minister first offered prayers at the Bhagavathy Amman Temple before heading to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial.
Modi will meditate till evening of June 1 at Dhyan Mandthe apam, the place where revered Hindu philosopher Swami Vivekananda is believed to have had a divine vision about ‘Bharat Mata’.
Security has been beefed up due to Modi’s visit, and 2,000 police personnel stationed during his stay. The Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy also are also maintaining a tight vigil. Follow full coverage of the Lok Sabha elections.
The beach is also out of bounds for tourists from Thursday to Saturday and private boats are not allowed to ferry, according to PTI.
Modi had taken similar breaks at the end of the election campaign in 2014 when he visited Pratapgarh, where a battle was fought between the Maratha forces led by Shivaji and the Bijapur troops under General Afzal Khan; and in 2019 when he became the first person to meditate in a special cave in Kedarnath.
PM Modi’s visit to the Vivekananda Rock memorial has been opposed by the Congress. The party has alleged Modi was trying to “circumvent” the silence period restrictions with his 48-hour meditation trip in Kanyakumari and has urged the Election Commission to ensure it is not aired by the media as it violates the model code of conduct.It has also filed a formal complaint with the poll body.
Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, after a meeting of a Congress delegation with ECI officials, Modi’s meditation is a direct violation of the model code of conduct.
“…You are either campaigning this way or publicising yourself through new channels and print media,” Singhvi said.”
Campaigning for the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha elections in 57 seats in seven states and the Union territory of Chandigarh on June 1 ended Thursday evening.
Polling is scheduled in all 13 seats of Punjab and four of Himachal Pradesh, 13 constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, nine in West Bengal, eight in Bihar, six in Odisha and three seats in Jharkhand besides Chandigarh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third consecutive term from Varanasi. -
Air India’s Delhi-San Francisco flight delayed by 20 hours, passengers faint without AC amid heatwave
As Delhi burns at over 50 degrees Celsius, the delay for passengers at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport was unending. An Air India flight to San Francisco was on Thursday delayed by over 20 hours due to multiple reasons. Flight AI 183, originally scheduled to take off at 3.20 pm on Thursday was rescheduled to depart at 11 am on Friday, May 31. The passengers were allegedly made to wait without proper air-conditioning, causing several of them to faint. A passenger, Shweta Punj, took to X: “If there is a privatisation story that has failed it is Air India. DGCA [aviation regulator] AI 183 flight has been delayed for over eight hours, passengers were made to board the plane without air-conditioning, and then deplaned after some people fainted in the flight. This is inhuman,”
Punj also tagged Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
Responding to Punj’s post, Air India said: “Dear Ms. Punj, we truly regret to note the disruptions. Please rest assured that our team is actively working to address the delay and appreciates your ongoing support and understanding. We are also alerting our team to provide necessary assistance to the passengers.” Last week, too, an Air India flight suffered an inordinate delay while passengers were made to wait without proper assistance.
The Air India flight from Mumbai to San Francisco was delayed by over 25 hours. During this time, passengers had to sit inside the passenger cabin for around six hours with poor air-conditioning. Source: TNS -
After setback from top court, Kejriwal moves 2 bail pleas in Delhi court
New Delhi (TIP)- Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has moved two pleas in the Rouse Avenue court — one seeking regular bail in the money laundering case related to the excise policy “scam”, and another for a seven-day extension on his interim bail on medical grounds. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja will hear the interim bail plea on June 1, and the regular bail plea on June 7.
Kejriwal is currently out on interim bail till June 1, granted by the Supreme Court, following which he will have to surrender. On Wednesday, the apex court registry had refused to list Kejriwal’s plea to extend his interim bail by a week to undergo certain medical tests.
The registry is learnt to have communicated to Kejriwal’s counsel that the plea is not maintainable as the court which reserved its order on his petition, challenging his arrest on May 17, had already given him permission to approach the trial court for regular bail.
A vacation bench of Justices J K Maheshwari and K V Viswanathan earlier said that it would refer Kejriwal’s request to list the application for urgent hearing to Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud for appropriate orders.
The CM was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in the Delhi excise policy case, becoming the first sitting CM to be held.
He was granted interim bail until June 1 for election campaigning.
The bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, which granted him interim bail on May 10, directed him to surrender on June 2.
Seeking an extension in the interim bail, Kejriwal stated that he lost six to seven kgs during the period of his arrest and could not regain weight even after his release.
The CM further said that the sudden and unexplained weight loss, coupled with high ketone levels, could be indicative of kidney damage, serious cardiac ailments and even cancer, and early detection was essential for preventing further progress of any disease and associated life risks.
The ED had earlier said that Kejriwal was “directly involved in the formulation” of the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy, which was drafted “considering the favours to be granted to the ‘South Group’ — a group of individuals from the southern part of India — which the ED claims “secured uninhibited access, undue favours, attained stakes in established wholesale businesses, and multiple retail zones (over and above what was allowed in the policy)”, and paid Rs 100 crore to AAP leaders in return. The agency also alleged that bribes received from the ‘South Group’ were funnelled into the AAP’s Goa Assembly poll campaign in 2021-2022.
Other AAP leaders arrested in the same case include former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia and Member of Parliament Sanjay Singh.
While Sisodia is still in judicial custody, Singh is out on bail.
Source: The Indian Express -
Prajwal Revanna arrested on his return from Germany in sex video case
JD (S) suspended MP Prajwal Revanna, who was arrested in the obscene video case at the Bengaluru Airport soon after he landed is expected to be produced before the magistrate in a Special Court of People’s Representatives within 24 hours of arrest.
The anticipatory bail application filed by Revanna earlier is also expected to be considered void as the JD (S) suspended MP has already been arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). The SIT may request the court to hand over Prajwal to their custody. Judicial custody will also result in imprisonment.
Revanna would be taken for medical examination before being produced in court.
Bhavani Revanna, mother of Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, has filed an anticipatory bail in the kidnapping case in which her husband was earlier arrested.
Bhavani has moved the Karnataka High Court seeking relief from arrest by SIT.
The order on Bhavani’s anticipatory bail application will be announced today in the Special Court of People’s Representatives. If the anticipatory bail application is rejected, it is more likely that Bhavani will be arrested by the SIT.
The SIT has also filed an application in the High Court questioning HD Revanna’s bail in the kidnapping case of a woman from KR Nagar, Mysore. According to SIT, Revanna should continue to remain in custody until this investigation is over and, therefore, the SIT has moved the High Court to cancel the bail.
The application will be heard in the High Court bench headed by Justice Krishna S Dixit. The hearing of the petition filed by Revanna to cancel this case will also be held today in the High Court. Prajawal Revanna who was brought to the CID office in Bengaluru after he landed at Kempegowda International Airport is likely to face a probe by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) over allegations of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation following a complaint by a woman who worked in his household. He returned to India from Berlin, Germany, nearly a month after leaving the country on a diplomatic passport and was immediately taken into custody. Source: ANI -
RBI shifts 100 tonnes of gold from UK to its vaults, first time since 1991
New Delhi (TIP)- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has shifted over 100 tonnes of gold from the UK to its vaults in the country. More gold is likely to be brought back with decisions on this yearly, sources told Business Today. This is the first time since 1991 that the precious metal has been added to the stock kept in the country.
More than half of RBI’s gold reserves are held overseas in safe custody with the Bank of England and the Bank of International Settlements, and about a third of it is stored domestically.
The move will also help RBI save storage costs, which are paid to the Bank of England.
According to the data released by the RBI, the central held held 822.10 tonnes worth of gold as a part of its foreign exchange reserves as of March 31, 2024, up from 794.63 tonnes held during the same period last year.
In 1991, the Chandra Shekhar government pledged the precious metal to tackle the balance of payments crisis. Between July 4 and 18, 1991, the RBI pledged 46.91 tonnes of gold with the Bank of England and the Bank of Japan to raise $400 million.
The central bank bought 200 tonnes of gold from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) around 15 years ago.
In 2009, during the UPA government’s tenure, with Manmohan Singh as prime minister, India bought 200 tonnes of gold valued at $6.7 billion to diversify its assets.
Over the last few years, a steady build-up in gold stocks has taken place through purchases by the Reserve Bank.
The central bank’s objective of holding gold in reserves is mainly to diversify its foreign currency assets base, as a hedge against inflation and foreign currency risks. The RBI has started to accumulate gold regularly from the market since December 2017.
The share of gold in the country’s total foreign exchange reserves increased from 7.75 percent at the end of December 2023 to about 8.7 percent as of April 2024 end.
Within the country, gold is held in vaults in RBI’s building on Mumbai’s Mint Road as well as Nagpur.
According to a World Gold Council report, global central banks own about 17 percent of all the gold ever mined, with reserves topping 36,699 metric tons (MT) as of year-end 2023. They acquired the vast majority in the last 14 years after becoming net buyers of the metal in 2010.
Source: Business Today -
China flexes China flexes muscle, places advanced stealth fighter jets 200 km from Sikkim
New Delhi (TIP)- Latest satellite images have revealed that China has deployed its most advanced J-20 stealth fighter jets at its dual use military-civilian airfield at Shigatse, which is less than 200 km north of Sikkim.
All Source Analysis, a firm that looks at geospatial intelligence, on Thursday posted on X details of satellite imagery, saying “The analysis of imagery collected over Shigatse Airbase in China shows the deployment of six likely J-20 stealth fighter aircraft near the Indian border.”
Multiple images collected over the course of the same day indicate the J20 aircraft arrived at the airbase on May 27 preceded by the arrival of a Y-20 transport aircraft for the probable deployment of ground crew and support equipment, the post read.
Sources in the Indian security establishment said the satellite image was genuine and the deployment had been noted. An Indian Air Force (IAF) spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.
The J-20 aircraft, a twin-engine stealth fighter was introduced in 2017, but are not permanently based at Shigatse. Shigatse is the base of the J-10 fighter aircraft and KJ-500 early warning and control aircraft. Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet, has its airport at an altitude of 12,400 ft.
India does not have a stealth jet as yet, but a squadron (16 jets) of its most-modern plane, the Rafale, is located at Hasimara in northern West Bengal.
The J-20 was deployed last year at Xinjiang, north of Ladakh. India matches this Chinese expansion by significantly upgrading its own airbases with hardened shelters for its aircraft in addition to expanding its tiered surface-to-air missile defences, which has included the deployment of the Russian-built S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile system in eastern India.
The deployment of the S-400 system, which has the ability to track stealth platforms, is designed to deter offensive Chinese fighter sweeps along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). In 2021, a year after the military standoff commenced in eastern Ladakh, a US-based policy research organisation, The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) released a report “How is China expanding its infrastructure to project power along its western borders?”
China started constructing or upgrading 37 airports and heliports in Tibet and Xinjiang since 2017. “The pace of this activity sped up significantly in 2020,” the report said.
Source: TNS -
Unleashing Inner Power – A Resounding Success in Manhattan with Didi Krishna
New York, NY (TIP): The “Unlock Your Inner Power” event in Manhattan was a resounding success, drawing over 600 guests including distinguished dignitaries such as India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, Jagdish Sewhani, Anna Yusim of Yale University, Dr. Candice Perkins, Kunal Sood, community leaders, Indian media houses, journalists, authors, actors, and other esteemed guests. Hosted by the Sadhu Vaswani Center for World Peace, the event united the Western and Indian communities in a profound evening of spiritual enrichment and cultural celebration.
Didi Krishna has a word with India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj Grammy-nominated devotional singer Krishna Das, joined by Nina Rao and Arjun on the tabla, mesmerized the audience with his enchanting kirtan and soulful singing.
India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj set the tone with a powerful speech, highlighting the importance of inner strength and global harmony.
ALotusinthemud.com publisher Parveen Chopra has a word with Didi Krishna. Seen in the middle is film director Neha Didi Krishna, the current spiritual leader of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission, captivated the attendees with her insightful talk and guided meditation, guiding everyone to the source of their inner power. The event also featured a recorded video message from the revered spiritual master, Dada J.P. Vaswani, whose timeless wisdom touched many hearts. The evening was a testament to the unifying power of spirituality, as attendees from diverse backgrounds came together to explore their inner potential and foster a sense of community. The Sadhu Vaswani Center for World Peace, dedicated to spreading the teachings of Dada J.P. Vaswani, was proud to host this impactful event for the greater benefit of all.
Kunal Sood greets Didi Krishna. Looking on is India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj Upcoming Event: World Peace Festival in New Jersey
Building on the success of the Manhattan event, the Sadhu Vaswani Center for World Peace is thrilled to announce the World Peace Festival, to be held on June 1st in New Jersey. This free-to-attend event promises to be a grand community and interfaith gathering, with families, friends, and community leaders engaging in essential dialogues about peace in today’s world.
The festival will feature a variety of performances, a peace pageant, a guided meditation by Didi Krishna, interfaith talks, and delicious Indian food including snacks and lunch. Over 1,000 people are expected to join this momentous occasion, making it a unique opportunity for connection and inspiration. This will be Didi Krishna’s last event in person in the tri-state area for the year, so we invite everyone to participate and make the most of this special day. Just as the Manhattan event opened many hearts, we aim to achieve even greater impact with the World Peace Festival.
Didi Krishna poses for a photograph with her followers Join us on June 1st to partake in this transformative event and be a part of the movement for global peace and unity. For more details and to register, please visit our website at www.sadhuvaswanicenter.com
Let us come together to create a more peaceful and compassionate world.
For more information about the Sadhu Vaswani Center for World Peace and our upcoming events, please visit our website or follow us on social media.
· Website: www.sadhuvaswanicenter.com
· Instagram: @sadhuvaswanicenter
Join us on June 1st for the World Peace Festival in New Jersey – an event not to be
missed!
https://bit.ly/worldpeacefestival
A meditation session -
Phelps Hospital Workers Secure Tentative Contract Agreement W/Substantial Raises, No-Cost Family Health Insurance & Strong Pensions
SLEEPY HOLLOW, NY (TIP): After around-the-clock bargaining sessions all week, caregivers at Phelps Hospital reached a tentative agreement at 5:13 a.m. this morning, averting a planned one-day strike for tomorrow, May 31. “Over 900 caregivers standing together are more powerful than any of us standing alone–and that’s how we won so much. Caring for our patients is our top priority and we are looking forward to working collaboratively with management to strengthen patient care,” said Anne Moss, a registered nurse in the intensive care unit who has worked at the hospital since 2011.
The 238-bed Phelps Hospital is part of Northwell Health which is New York State’s largest healthcare provider and private employer. In June 2022, approximately 900 Phelps Hospital caregivers including registered nurses, certified nursing assistants; housekeeping staff, food service workers, and others voted to form a union with 1199SEIU. Tens of thousands of 1199SEIU members at other Northwell facilities, including nearby Northern Westchester Hospital, already have strong 1199SEIU contracts.
The tentative agreement with Phelps Hospital includes substantial wage increases–retroactive to April 2023–bringing the Sleepy Hollow caregivers on par with their 1199SEIU colleagues at other Northwell Health facilities. The agreement, which is modeled after the pattern established by 1199SEIU’s master contract with the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes of New York, also includes no-cost family health insurance and secure pensions. Other highlights of the agreement are employer paid childcare and education funds, job security provisions, and language ensuring that frontline caregivers will have meaningful input in developing staffing guidelines to ensure the best possible patient care. More details about the agreement will be released pending a ratification vote by the 1199SEIU hospital workers next week.
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NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS UNVEILS NEXT PHASE OF CLASS SIZE REDUCTION PLAN FOR 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR
Plan includes an immediate $182 million going to schools for next year to support class size reduction
NEW YORK, NY(TIP): New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) is proud to announce the release of the draft version of the second annual Class Size Reduction Plan for the 2024-2025 school year. In this plan, district-level targets have been set to improve the percent of classes at or below the new class size caps by 3% across all districts. Principals are being given a menu of optional implementation strategies to select from to meet this goal, including using new funding to hire staff, repurposing space, optimizing teacher programming, reallocating existing funding, and utilizing virtual learning. They will have flexibility in how they utilize these strategies or others, working with superintendents and school communities.
To support implementation, NYCPS is providing an additional $45 million in Contracts for Excellence funds and $137 million earmarked exclusively for class size reduction, focused on high-need schools with space availability.
This comprehensive plan aims to ensure continued compliance with class size regulations and further enhance the learning environment across the city.
“Our draft class size reduction plan for the 2024-2025 school year outlines clear, actionable steps to ensure we remain in compliance with the class size law,” said Schools Chancellor David C. Banks. “Further, it provides targeted support for high-need schools and supports robust teacher recruitment – powered by $182 million in new school funding. By working collaboratively with the United Federation of Teachers and the Council for School Supervisors and Administrators, we are committed to creating optimal learning environments that will set our students up for success.”
Additional Highlights of the Plan:
Current Compliance and Projections:
NYCPS has maintained a rate of 40% of classes at or below the caps for the 2023-2024 school year, surpassing the required benchmark of 20%.
For the 2024-2025 school year, the plan provides the support necessary to maintain compliance with the law, which requires 40% of classes to be at or below the new class size caps.
District and Borough Compliance:
Districts with the highest rates of classes at or below the caps include Districts 23 (Ocean Hill, Brownsville), 7 (Mott Haven, Melrose), and 16 (Stuyvesant Heights, Crown Heights).
The Bronx leads in borough-wide percentage of classes at or below the caps at 54%, while Staten Island has the lowest rate at 24%.
Focus on High-Need Schools:
Schools with the most need have the lowest class sizes overall, with 62% of their classes at or below the caps. In contrast, only 25% of classes in schools with the least need are at or below the caps.
Space and Staffing Requirements:
An estimated approx. 540 schools require additional space for full compliance at the end of the phase-in in SY 2027-28, pending confirmation from Principals following a survey and review process.
NYCPS anticipates the need to hire 10-12,000 teachers, including 3-4,000 special education teachers, to support the reduction in class sizes.
Teacher Recruitment and Pathways:
Enhanced recruitment efforts include an earlier application window for high-needs schools, peer recruiters, school tours, and increased early recruitment stipends.
NYCPS is expanding pathways for students, paraprofessionals, and teacher aides to transition into teaching roles.
Capital Planning:
In collaboration with the School Construction Authority, NYCPS is working to increase the number of available seats in high-need areas. The plan includes the addition of 27,000 seats from previous capital plans and recommendations for converting spaces in 25 schools to achieve compliance.
The New York City class size reduction law, passed in 2022 by the New York State Legislature, sets new caps for classes in NYC Public Schools. The law set specific benchmarks for compliance over a five year timeframe, starting with a 20% compliance rate for the 2023-2024 school year, increasing to 40% for the 2024-2025 school year. Schools are required to work towards these benchmarks until full phase-in in SY 2027-28.
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FIA honors Additional Director General of Police Gujarat Dr K.L. Rao
EDISON (TIP): FIA honored the Additional Director General of Police Director General of Police and Director-General of Prisons & Correctional Administration of Gujarat at the Meet and Greet session on Tuesday 22nd May at Akbar Restaurant New Jersey.
In attendance were Padma Shri Sudhir Parikh, FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya, and the Executive team of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA).
It was a significant event that celebrated the accomplishments of an extraordinary individual in the field of law enforcement. The DG of Police, who holds the distinction of being the first IPS officer with a PhD, is renowned for his compassionate initiatives that have greatly impacted the living standards of prisoners in Gujarat.
With a deep commitment to prison reforms, the DG of Police has left an indelible mark on the Indian Criminal Justice system through his innovative and humane approach towards rehabilitation and reformation. His dedication to improving the lives of prisoners has not only brought about positive change within the prison system but has also earned him recognition and respect from his peers and the community at large.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of law enforcement and his tireless efforts towards prison reforms, the FIA executive team took the opportunity to honor the DG of Police during the meet and greet event. This gesture symbolizes the appreciation and admiration of the Indian Diaspora in the USA for his unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of those within the criminal justice system.
Apart from his remarkable work in the field, the DG of Police is also a published author, with his book ‘Jail- History and Present’s standing as a testament to his deep-seated passion for prison reforms. The book not only reflects his extensive knowledge and experience in the field but also serves as a guide for those seeking to understand and contribute to the ongoing efforts to improve the prison system in India.
Overall, the meet and greet between FIA and the DG of Police of Gujarat was a fitting tribute to a visionary leader who has dedicated his career to bringing about positive change and transformation in the realm of law enforcement and prison reforms. His exemplary work serves as an inspiration to all those working towards creating a more just and compassionate society.
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GOPIO Chamber of Commerce and Industry to be launched worldwide
NEW YORK (TIP): After relaunching of the GOPIO Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) at the GOPIO Convention 2024 held in April 2024, GCCI held a brainstorming meeting of GOPIO officials and businesspeople from the New York area on May 23rd at the conference room of Braj Aggarwal CPA PC in New York City. The meeting discussed the implementation of GCCI worldwide launch. It was also an occasion to host Ahmedabad Advocate Nachiket Dave who practices in the Gujarat High Court and Supreme Court in New Delhi. Advocate Dave will be active in GOPIO-Ahmedabad and also plans to launch GCCI-Ahmedabad.
For more information on GICC or to become a member, call 203-329-810 or email at Gopio@optonline.net
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4th Annual Long Island Vaisakhi Mela draws huge crowds
The Sikh martial art Gatka on display LONG ISLAND (TIP): Long Island Punjabi Circle celebrated 4th annual Vaisakhi Mela, supported by Event Masters, Metropolitan Caterers, NC Asian American Affairs, IAAC, New York Kabaddi Club, Femina Spa , and LIDC on Sunday, May 19. The marketplace attracted a large number of buyers. Clothes, jewelry, and shoes vendors did good business. Corporates showcased their products and services.
United Mortgage was the main attraction with a huge booth setup and banners all over as they were the Grand Sponsors of the event. Top Caterers like Metropolitan, Punjabi Dhaba, Badshah, Royal, Momos & Yass Tea had sumptuous food and drinks, with the unending line of customers.
The Kids Section sponsored by Patel Brothers, Hicksville, had free games, rides, Choo Choo Train, Cotton Candy, Popcorn, Pony rides, Drinks, and Ice Cream.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Harry Singh Bolla at the mela The Raffle booth decorated with vibrant chunnis was a showstopper as KIA Car was the First prize to win. Lots of prizes including Big Screen TV’s, Jewelry sets, I-Pods, and other prizes were encouraging people to buy the raffle tickets.
Famous Punjabi singer and heart throb Gulab Sidhu, Indian Idol Khuda Baksh, Voice of Punjab Harmanpreet Kaur and others gave great performances and made everyone dance to their tunes.Bhangra & Giddha showcased the Punjabi cultural roots
An artist plays Dhol The administration of Nassau County including the office of Asian Affairs were given the credit with gratitude by Mela team. The County Executive Bruce Blakeman, NYS Senator Steve Rhoads, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, NYS Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz, NYS Assemblyman John K. Mikulin, NC Human Rights Commission Chairman Bobby Kumar Kalotee, ICCI T-20 World Cup Chairman Harry Singh Bolla, Senior Advisor Akram Chaudhary and many more graced the Stage with Citations and Proclamations apart from enjoying the event.
Every Year Mela Team helps a family with generous donation, and this time they chose a family of their own, team member, volunteer Late Davinder Singh. Apart from the $2500 contribution from Mela, Harry Singh Bolla of Bolla Oil donated $5000. The Vaisakhi Mela Organizers consisting of Onkar Singh, Rajeev Maini, Deepak Bansal, Jay Sharma and Jasbir Jay Singh thanked Sponsors, Supporters, Volunteers, and the team who worked hard behind the scenes to make the event a great success.
They also thanked Metropolitan Caterers for Dinner, the celebrated singers Gulab Sidhu and Khuda Baksh as well as the Sponsors Richard Hernandez, Ravi Chopra, Purushottam ji and many others.
Gagan and Guri of One Touch Studio who took care of photography and also supported the event were also profusely thanked. The 5th edition of the Mela will be held on 3rd Sunday of 2025.
A singer charms 
Turn of the organizers to have their say.