The Indian Panorama

Month: January 2025

  • US President Biden awards Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction

    US President Biden awards Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): US President Joe Biden on Saturday, January 11, conferred Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, recognizing the Pope’s significant influence and contributions, just days before leaving the White House.

    Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), President Biden expressed his admiration for Pope Francis and called the leader of the Catholic Church the “People’s Pope.”

    “Pope Francis, your humility and your grace are beyond words, and your love for all is unparalleled. As the People’s Pope, you are a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world,” Biden said on X. Pope Francis, your humility and your grace are beyond words, and your love for all is unparalleled. As the People’s Pope, you are a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world.

    Today, it was my honor to award His Holiness Pope Francis the Presidential… pic.twitter.com
    — President Biden (@POTUS) January 11, 2025

    In a statement from the White House, it was stated that President Biden spoke with the Pope and named him as a recipient of the medal, which is the highest civilian honor in the United States. The award is given to individuals who have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.”

    This was also the first time that Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction during his time at the White House, the statement added.

    According to The Hill, President Biden, the second Catholic president in US history, had initially planned to visit Rome but cancelled the trip due to the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles.

    Biden had originally planned to travel to Italy on Thursday to meet the Pope and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for what would have been his final foreign trip as president, the Hill reported.

    According to the Hill, the two leaders last met in June while Biden was in Italy for the G7 summit and also met in October 2021 when conservative Catholic bishops were considering whether Biden should be allowed to receive communion due to his pro-abortion rights position.

    (Source: ANI)

  • Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto likely to be Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day

    Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto likely to be Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The newly elected President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto is likely to be the Chief Guest at the 76th Republic Day celebrations of India, according to information received from reliable sources. The visit by the Indonesian leader becomes significant as India and Indonesia are commemorating 75 years of diplomatic relations.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesian President Subianto held their first meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio last year. During their meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment towards strengthening bilateral ties in the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The leaders noted that had called for celebrating the occasion in a befitting manner, as per the Ministry of External Affairs.

    “Indonesia and India have long-standing and excellent relations. We deeply value this relationship and are committed to enhancing it across various sectors,” said the President as per the Cabinet Secretariat of Indonesia.

    In October last year, Indonesia’s former defense minister, Prabowo Subianto took oath as the eighth President of Indonesia along with Gibran Rakabuming, son of former President Joko Widodo who was elected Vice President of the country.

    During his swearing-in ceremony, India was represented by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita.

    Earlier, Subianto had visited New Delhi during his role as the Defense Minister of Indonesia in 2020.

    According to the Embassy of India in Indonesia, he was the first Minister of any country that was received in India during the COVID pandemic. During his visit, Prabowo met with the Defense Minister and National Security Advisor and held extensive talks on various bilateral issues.

    Earlier, Pakistani media outlets had claimed that the Indonesian President would also pay a visit to Pakistan however there has been no confirmation on this.

    In December last year, Radio Pakistan reported that Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif had extended an invitation to the Indonesian President to “visit Pakistan at his early convenience”, on the sidelines of the D-8 (Developing 8) Summit in Cairo. Radio Pakistan said, “The Indonesian President graciously accepted the invitation”.

    India and Indonesia share cordial and friendly ties. The first Republic Day Parade was held on 26 January 1950, during which the President of Indonesia Sukarno was the chief guest.

    Notably, former Indonesian President Joko Widodo graced the Republic Day celebrations in 2018 along with other leaders from ASEAN.
    (Source: ANI)

  • Xi, Bolsanaro, Meloni Invited; Jaishankar to represent India at Trump Inauguration

    Xi, Bolsanaro, Meloni Invited; Jaishankar to represent India at Trump Inauguration

    WASHINGTON, DC / NEW DELHI (TIP): External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will attend the swearing-in ceremony of US President-elect Donald Trump, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Sunday, January 12. This comes after Jaishankar received an invitation from the Trump-Vance inaugural committee.

    “On the invitation of the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar will represent the Government of India at the Swearing-In Ceremony of President-Elect Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America,” said the MEA press note.

    During his visit, Jaishankar is expected to meet with representatives of the incoming Trump administration, as well as other visiting dignitaries, the press note added.

    The press release was conspicuously silent on whether the invitation for the ceremony on January 20 was in the name of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaishankar would be sent instead.

    So far, foreign media reports have suggested that invitations were extended to heads of state or, in one instance, a former head of state. However, the MEA press release did not specify whether the invitation was addressed to a particular individual or if the recipient was named.

    This development comes after Jaishankar’s recent visit to the US, where he met with Trump’s choice for National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, along with talks with officials from the outgoing Biden administration, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. On Monday, the external affairs minister also held talks with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, broadly reviewing the trajectory of India-US global strategic partnership in the last four years under the Biden administration. Sullivan was on a visit to India two weeks ahead of Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president of the US.

    The inauguration ceremony will mark the beginning of Trump’s second term as president. J.D. Vance will take oath as the vice president of the United States.

    Last month, Trump revealed that he had invited world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, to attend the inauguration of his presidential term – an unprecedented move for this American event.

    Initial reports suggested that Trump had personally extended an invitation to Jinping, sparking a sensation in the US. Throughout his campaign and after his victory, Trump had pledged to impose heavy tariffs on China, as well as on traditional allies like Canada and Mexico.

    From the outset, it was evident that President Xi would not be attending the inauguration. Earlier this week, the UK newspaper Financial Times reported that Xi plans to send a special envoy, possibly Vice President Han Zheng or Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The report also noted that Trump’s aides would prefer the envoy to be Cai Qi, a Politburo Standing Committee member who is believed to hold significantly more influence than Han or Wang.

    While much of the focus among foreign invitees was on China, reports in December also indicated that other world leaders, who were from right-wing parties, had also been invited to the inauguration.

    Argentinian President Javier Milei’s office confirmed receiving an invitation, while the Ambassador of El Salvador in Washington publicly stated that President Nayib Bukele had also been invited, according to an AP report on December 18. Notably, Milei was the first foreign leader to meet Trump after the election at his Mar-a-Lago club.

    Recently, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her intention to attend Trump’s inauguration but noted that she was reviewing her schedule before finally confirming her participation.

    Meanwhile, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro wrote on X on Wednesday that he has requested the return of his passport, which he had previously surrendered during an investigation into his alleged role in a 2023 coup attempt to stay in power. Bolsonaro explained that he needed the passport to attend the upcoming inauguration ceremony.

    During Trump’s first term, Modi made a concerted effort to strengthen ties, with Trump attending the ‘Howdy Modi’ rally in Houston and hosting him at a massive stadium event in Ahmedabad. However, unlike other world leaders, India has not clarified whether a specific invitation was extended to Modi.

    India is set to host the Quad leaders’ summit later this year, with Trump expected to visit for a second time.
    (With inputs from The Wire)

  • Indian Diaspora Integral to Vision of Developed India: President Murmu

    Indian Diaspora Integral to Vision of Developed India: President Murmu

    President of Trinidad & Tobago among 27 felicitated at the valedictory function

    BHUBANESWAR (TIP): President Droupadi Murmu addressed the valedictory session of the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention on January 10, 2025, underscoring the Indian Diaspora’s pivotal role in shaping India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047. The event also saw the presentation of the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards.

    In her address, President Murmu emphasized the Diaspora’s contribution to India’s global reputation in fields such as technology, medicine, arts, and entrepreneurship. She commended the awardees, stating that their achievements inspire millions worldwide and bring immense pride to India.

    Acknowledging Her Excellency Christine Kangaloo, President of Trinidad and Tobago, as an exemplary leader championing women and the Indian Diaspora, President Murmu praised her for setting a global benchmark.

    The President highlighted that the PBD Convention is more than an event—it serves as a platform to strengthen India’s ties with its Diaspora, foster collaborations, and exchange ideas.

    As India advances towards the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, President Murmu called on the global Indian community to actively participate in this national mission. She invoked the timeless philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world as one family—encouraging the Diaspora to contribute towards economic progress, social justice, and environmental stewardship.

    Concluding her address, President Murmu expressed hope and determination for the future, urging the Indian Diaspora to join hands in building a developed India that shines on the global stage as a beacon of progress and prosperity.

    The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention celebrates the contributions of overseas Indians and aims to deepen the bond between India and its global community.
    Prabhjot Singh, a Toronto-based senior journalist reports that twenty-seven eminent members of the Indian Diaspora drawn from 24 countries, including the President of Trinidad &Tobago, Christine Carla Kangaloo were felicitated by President Droupadi Murmu before the curtains were rung down on the 18th Pravasi Bharati Divas at Janata Maidan on Friday, January 10.

    The three-day convention that attracted more than 3000 delegates from overseas and over 7500 total participants had a series of sessions on various issues relating to youth, women, and investments and saw the engagement of global experts, including top leaders and captains of industry, trade, business, medicine, and community services.

    The last day sessions included “Diaspora Divas celebrating women’s leadership and influence – Nari Shakti”, which featured top women leaders drawn from various walks of life, and “Diaspora Dialogue: Stories of Culture, Connection, and Belongingness.”

    The session on women’s leadership was presided by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while Gajendra Singh, Shekhawat, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, presided over the session on Diaspora Dialogues.

    Though the focus remained on building bridges between the overseas community and India, panelists were unanimous in projecting India as a developed nation in 2047.

    The President, Droupadi Murmu, who hails from Odisha, while appreciating the role played by the overseas community in projecting a great image of the country, held that holding of the Pravasi Bharati Divas provided a much-needed platform for reaffirming the strong bondage between Diaspora and the country.

    India, she said, was being acknowledged worldwide for the progress it had made since its independence in 1947.

    The President of Trinidad and Tobago, who was the chief guest, was among the recipients of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards. Those felicitated included Ravi Kumar of Odisha, who, speaking on behalf of all the awardees, applauded the efforts to bring together the overseas community with its motherland.

    Those felicitated on the occasion included: –
    Prof. Ajay Rane (Australia Community Service)

    Dr. Marialena Joan Fernandes (Austria Education)

    Dr. Philomena Ann Mohini Harris (Barbados)

    Swami Sanyuktanand (Fiji Community Service)

    Saraswati Vidya Niketan (Guyana Community Service)

    Dr. Lekh Raj Juneja (Japan Science & Technology)

    Dr. Prem Kumar (Kyrgyz Medical Sciences)

    Mr. Soukthavy Chowdhury (Laos Business)

    Mr. Krishna Savjani (Malawi Business)

    ‘Tan Sri’ Dr. Subramaniam K.V. Sathasivam (Malaysia Politics)

    Dr. Sarita Boodhoo (Mauritius Community Service)

    Mr. Abhaya Kumar (Moldova Business)

    Dr. Ram Niwas Hla Tun (Myanamar Education)

    Mr. Jaggannath Shekhar Asthana (Romania Business)

    Hindustani Samaj (Russia Community Service)

    Ms. Sudha Rani Gupta (Russia Education)

    Dr. Syed Anwar Khursheed (Saudi Arabia Medical Sciences)

    Mr. Atul Arvind Temurnikar (Singapore Education)

    Mr. Robert Masih Nahar (Spain Community Service)

    Dr. Kaushik Laxmidas Ramaiya (Tanzania Medicine)

    Christine Carla Kangaloo (Trinidad & Tobago Public Affairs)

    Mr. Ramakrishnan Sivaswamy Iyer (UAE Business)

    Mr. Bonthala Subbaiah Setty Ramesh Babu (Uganda Community Service)

    Baroness Usha Kumari Prashar (UK Politics)

    Dr. Sharad Lakhanpal (USA Medicine)

    Dr. Sharmila Ford (USA Community Service), and

    Mr. Ravi Kumar S. (USA Business)

    The valedictory function was attended among others by the External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar; Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan; and the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Jual Oran.

    Santoor concert by Abhay Rustum Sapori provided the climax. The Chief Minister of Odisha also announced the extension of the exhibition on Odisha for two more days to facilitate the locals.

  • Donald Trump’s imperial bullying must be nipped in the bud

    Donald Trump’s imperial bullying must be nipped in the bud

    Countries that cherish democratic values need to take a stand against the president-elect’s throwback to unabashed American expansionism

    “The crass activities of Trump’s sycophantic office boy, businessman Elon Musk, are all of a piece with this strategy of anti-democratic disruption and destabilization. By backing far-right parties in Germany and France, imposing his ignorant opinions on British politics and picking gratuitous fights with the EU, all the while hiding behind the fuzzy screen of unaccountable, fact-free social media, Musk advances a Trump agenda that is fundamentally about control. Control of politicians and political discourse, control of open debate and communication, control of territory, trade and wealth, to be achieved through transactional deal-making, crude barter, intimidation, humiliation, subversion and through threats of force.”

    Watching politicians promise one thing, then do another, is a common experience in all democratic countries. Situations in which voters do not expect a politician to keep his word, and in many instances fervently hope and pray he will not, are rarer. Donald Trump, the US president-elect, fits this latter category. When Trump threatens to subjugate Canada, a Nato ally, by force, unilaterally annex Greenland, the autonomous territory of a friendly EU state, and override Panama’s sovereignty for bogus security reasons, most people assume he is not serious and his remarks carry little real significance. This response, while comforting, is a mistake.

    It’s entirely possible that Trump, pumped with hype, hot air and testosterone in the lead-up to his 20 January inauguration, is being gratuitously disruptive. He likes to shake things up. It amuses his Make America Great Again (Maga) hyper-nationalist fan club. It may be that this former property developer and convicted felon, who counts himself a shrewd negotiator, is deliberately raising the stakes before more reasoned discussions about security and trade. But it is also possible Trump means what he says.

    If so, Trump will be following a well-trodden, discredited path. These days it is somehow considered impolite, especially if you are British, to remind Americans that their republic was also once an unapologetically imperial power. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, US administrations aggressively pursued their own version of the colonial empires of contemporary Britain, Germany, and France. In 1893, the sovereign state of Hawaii (whose royal family enjoyed close ties to Queen Victoria) fell victim to an American-assisted coup. In 1898, the US annexed Hawaii. Guam, Samoa and Puerto Rico followed. America’s loosely interpreted “manifest destiny” demanded ever more. The Philippines, Cuba and even China were all on the receiving end of US political-military, commercial and territorial ambitions.

    Far from being abandoned, neocolonialist American thinking persisted well into the latter half of the 20th century, operating under various guises. Newly-independent countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, liberated from collapsing European empires, were invited to join the “free world,” as defined and dominated by Washington. America promised protection and prosperity within the US-policed, post-1945 cold war order in return for fealty (plus military bases, trade concessions and access to resources). States that declined the invitation, such as Iran, Vietnam, and Nicaragua, paid a high price.

    Trump’s half-baked neo-imperialist tendencies are but one aspect of a deliberately disruptive modus operandi Viewed from this perspective, Trump’s territorial ambitions are not so much an aberration as a throwback or regression to periods of unabashed American expansionism. And his motives are not dissimilar. As in the past, it’s all about security, cash and control. Greenland has valuable mineral wealth. It also has growing strategic importance, vis-a-vis China and Russia, as the Arctic Sea ice melts and new trade routes open up. The US already maintains a military base there. Trump sees a lucrative opportunity – and by absorbing Greenland’s vast territory, a chance to make America even greater, again. Trump claims the protectionist, high-tariff America First policies he espouses were the reason why the US, at the height of the Gilded Age in the 1890s, was, in his words, “probably the wealthiest it ever was because it was a system of tariffs”. Like Denmark and Panama (where Trump would like to get his hands on the canal), Canada has robustly rejected his turgid annexation fantasies. But mercantilist ideas dating from that period plainly influence his thinking, such as it is. Justin Trudeau, Canada’s prime minister, says Trump’s menacing talk is a tactic designed to distract attention from the damaging inflationary impact of his threatened 25% increase in taxes on Canadian imports such as oil, electricity, timber and steel. “Everything American consumers buy from Canada [is] suddenly going to get a lot more expensive if he moves forward on these tariffs,” Trudeau warned.

    The broader, significant point is that Trump’s half-baked neo-imperialist tendencies are but one aspect of an overall, deliberately disruptive modus operandi designed to suborn, co-opt and disadvantage friend and foe alike. His intervention helped spur pre-existing turbulence in Canadian politics, resulting in Trudeau’s resignation. He has stirred up the longstanding independence debate in Greenland, where most people would probably prefer to be free of both Copenhagen and Washington. In Mexico, another target of his geopolitical wrecking ball, Trump’s antics grimly recall decades of Yanqui bullying and meddling in Latin America.

    The crass activities of Trump’s sycophantic office boy, businessman Elon Musk, are all of a piece with this strategy of anti-democratic disruption and destabilization. By backing far-right parties in Germany and France, imposing his ignorant opinions on British politics and picking gratuitous fights with the EU, all the while hiding behind the fuzzy screen of unaccountable, fact-free social media, Musk advances a Trump agenda that is fundamentally about control. Control of politicians and political discourse, control of open debate and communication, control of territory, trade and wealth, to be achieved through transactional deal-making, crude barter, intimidation, humiliation, subversion and, ultimately, through threats of force.

    This is how Trump operates. For him, this is “strongman” leadership. For others, it resembles mafioso-style extortion. It is this imperious, domineering, unscrupulous, manipulative and unprincipled, self-serving behavior that the world’s leaders must face up to once again over the coming four years. Britain and like-minded countries that cherish democratic values and free societies should not duck the challenge. Better to take a stand and draw a line now, as Greenland’s leaders have bravely done, than risk being steamrollered into subservience and satrapy.
    (Observer Editorial)

  • Manipur needs ‘truth & reconciliation’, not political apologies

    Manipur needs ‘truth & reconciliation’, not political apologies

    Manipur needs moral leadership and genuine outreach by the highest offices, and not political and insincere apologies

    “With no major restructuring or reimagining of the governance structure in Manipur envisaged, what it needs desperately to heal the societal divide (beyond more security personnel and fencing of borders, which must be done, in any case) is some honest soul-cleansing, a la ‘Truth and Reconciliation’, as was done in the aftermath of the ended Apartheid (White Rule) in South Africa, when portents of bloody revenge were inevitable.”

    By Lt Gen Bhopinder Singh Retd

    Official apologies can be powerful instruments to heal societal wounds, rectify policies and reignite hope for future unity. They can conclusively redress and reassure the disaffected to invest in another chance to normalize. However, for an apology to work, it needs to be sincere and not political.

    One of the most restorative apologies in modern history is Kniefall von Warschau or the ‘Warsaw Kneel’, with West German Chancellor Willy Brandt’s sudden and spontaneous gesture of genuflection before a war memorial in Poland to symbolically atone for Germany’s past with Poland. Brandt reflected on the poignant moment: “At the abyss of German history and under the weight of millions of murdered people, I did what people do when language fails.”

    The impact of the sincere apology without any unnecessary context or defensiveness was immediate. The clear courage and dignity in Brandt’s apology overcame the murky past and ushered in a new era of trust.

    Recently, the deeply fractured, polarized and largely unacknowledged realm of Manipur re-entered the national imagination with a supposed ‘apology’ by its Chief Minister, who has presided over its slide since violence erupted in May 2023. Questions about the sincerity of the apology abound. Did it tantamount to taking ownership and accountability? Was it unequivocal? Did it resort to rote whataboutery and blame-shifting? Did it include acknowledging missteps and, therefore, rectification of outlook? Or, was it just a mealy-mouthed political statement, essentially implying more of the same, going forward?

    The CM’s statement clearly lacked both personal ownership (as it pandered to generalities) and empathy, as he said perfunctorily, “Whatever happened has happened. We have to forgive and forget the past mistakes and make a new beginning.” As if on cue, and seemingly oblivious to reality, he added incredulously: “The Centre provided enough security personnel and funds”!

    This begs the question that if there was no shortage of support from the Centre, why has the situation deteriorated dangerously? Was it, then, a shortage of governance intent or capabilities? Either way, an unforgivable shortcoming, if any sincerity was implicit. The final straw came with the CM blaming the previous governments (from opposition parties) for the prevailing situation, thereby effectively absolving himself and his governance from the need for any remorse.

    Weeks earlier, the Union Home Ministry had issued its annual report on Manipur which highlighted a laundry list of measures taken, including personnel, financial, material, and detailed an earlier visit by the Home Minister to end the strife and disaffection. The language was almost self-patting, “The central government took a series of immediate and sustained actions to handle the situation.”

    But what was not mentioned in the report or in the CM’s purported ‘apology’ was the fact that the societal divide has only worsened and the resultant violence increased.

    As the face and perception of Meitei majoritarianism (against minority Kukis), the CM could have been more specific in defining who he sought to ‘forgive’ and what he wanted others to ‘forget’ in his ostensible ‘apology’. After all, it was only a political ‘apology’.

    With no major restructuring or reimagining of the governance structure in Manipur envisaged, what it needs desperately to heal the societal divide (beyond more security personnel and fencing of borders, which must be done, in any case) is some honest soul-cleansing, a la ‘Truth and Reconciliation’, as was done in the aftermath of the ended Apartheid (White Rule) in South Africa, when portents of bloody revenge were inevitable.

    With a complex, polarized and contested past (much like Manipur), South Africa, too, could have regressed to an explosive us-versus-them rhetoric, but for the sagacity and wisdom of the leadership under ‘Africa’s Gandhi’, i.e., Nelson Mandela.

    Like the inclusive spirit of unity-in-diversity, as enshrined in the constitutional “Idea of India”, the South African leadership had chosen to valourise and posit their own civilizational concept of ‘Ubuntu,’ which is predicated on the interconnectedness of humankind. This approach is especially important as it offers a fresh and real chance to come clean by seeking forgiveness over prosecution, unlike the spirit prevailing in a solely militaristic approach, as is visible in Manipur.

    If one comes from a more unbiased and progressive outlook that in any conflict, excesses or wrongs are committed by all sides (as opposed to binary ‘othering’, as is the wont in India these days), then a sense of restorative justice prevails.

    Importantly, in the South African experiment under Truth and Reconciliation, the corrective action was not implied for ‘Whites’ only, but also onto ANC (African National Congress) cadres, who, too, had committed excesses. Individuals seeking amnesty came clean on human rights violations that they had perpetuated with the aim of restoring the victim’s dignity and seeking forgiveness.

    A natural outcome of ‘bringing out the truth’ has a reconciliatory and forward-moving effect that cannot be achieved with retributive justice, as there are layers after layers to ‘truths’ in such places. A majoritarian spirit of ‘victor’s justice’ is avoided. In Manipur, one side definitely imagines the State to be favoring the other. Importantly, this process does not preclude justice from running its course if the magnitude and brutality (and also non-acceptance) prevails amongst parties on specific instances.

    What Manipur needs is a total reconstruction of its society (and narratives). That can only emerge if the recent past is opened to inform the distraught populace on both sides about what really happened in order to accept, forgive and heal the same for a collective future. As only a wise statesman and not just a politician, Nelson Mandela could say: “All of us, as a nation that has newly found itself, share in the shame at the capacity of human beings of any race or language group to be inhumane to other human beings. We should all share in the commitment to a South Africa in which that will never happen again.”

    Manipur needs such moral leadership and genuine outreach by the highest offices, and not political and insincere apologies.

    (The author is a retired Lt. General of the Indian Army)

  • Trump’s new term draws near amid skepticism

    Trump’s new term draws near amid skepticism

    If the most important day of a person’s life begins with a grievance against the institution of the Fourth Estate, he is likely to spend the rest of his public life undermining it.

    “But his next presidency may be different. The spate of resignations in the mainstream American media in recent weeks — including the dissolution and reconstitution of the Editorial Board of The Washington Post in October — are ominous. Partisan new owners of legacy media have chosen to kow-tow to Trump even before he has moved into the White House. Social media will mostly be the new President’s facilitator instead of an outlet for free expression. Meta’s latest decision to get rid of independent, third-party fact-checkers in the US is the latest assault on truth in that country.”

    By KP Nayar

    As the United States readies for the inauguration of Donald Trump as its 47th President, I have a sense of déjà vu. Trump’s swearing-in as the 45th President is the only presidential inauguration that I skipped since I was posted to Washington as a foreign correspondent in the final full year of the Bill Clinton presidency 26 years ago.

    I skipped the ceremonies on the advice of bipartisan political contacts and reliable security sources. Behind their well-meaning advice was the primary fact that I am a journalist. My badge at the inaugural ceremonies would identify me as one. Moreover, I would be in the media enclosure near the Reflecting Pool, which, on a clear day, will reflect the swearing-in of new presidents on the steps of Capitol Hill. During that poll season which saw Trump emerging victorious, the Republicans treated the media as an enemy. This was not entirely without reason. The bulk of the US media — especially the mass subscription liberal media on the east and west coasts — was unfair to Trump throughout the campaign. He did not have a level playing field in dealings with American journalists.

    I am brown in complexion. Black people are an inalienable part of the US social fabric. If they are trifled with by rednecks in a city like Washington, which is predominantly Black, there will be consequences for the perpetrators of white racism. Not so with the brown-skinned minuscule minority, who are also meek compared to African Americans. This also shows very visibly in the ongoing mudslinging against H-1B immigrants.

    The underlying anger which culminated in the January 6, 2021, riot on Capitol Hill was already there when Trump was being sworn in for the first time. Trump began his presidency with a peeve that the US media had deliberately under-reported the crowds at his inauguration. If the most important day of a person’s political life begins with a grievance against the institution of the Fourth Estate, he is likely to spend the rest of his public life undermining that institution. Never mind that the Fourth Estate is one of the pillars of democracy in the US. Trump did not succeed in this destructive mission as President. That was not for want of trying every day for four years from 2017.

    But his next presidency may be different. The spate of resignations in the mainstream American media in recent weeks — including the dissolution and reconstitution of the Editorial Board of The Washington Post in October — are ominous. Partisan new owners of legacy media have chosen to kow-tow to Trump even before he has moved into the White House. Social media will mostly be the new President’s facilitator instead of an outlet for free expression. Meta’s latest decision to get rid of independent, third-party fact-checkers in the US is the latest assault on truth in that country.

    A saving grace is that institutions in the US are strong. That is why they survived the tenure of the 45th President. Officers of the Metropolitan and Capitol Police paid with their lives to save the high-domed edifice, which is emblematic the world over, of the oldest democracy on earth. On January 20, they will once again be prepared to offer the ultimate sacrifice to protect those they may not personally like and whom they have voted against in Washington, Maryland and Virginia, the tripoints which are similar to the National Capital Territory (NCT) surrounding Delhi. In a tribute to the strength of America’s institutions, law enforcement agencies are allowing demonstrations against the incoming President. A major rally in Washington in support of Trump is also planned on the day before he takes office. It is praiseworthy that in a media briefing last week, US Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said such demonstrations are not being viewed as security threats and upheld the rights of people to protest. There are few other countries where this can happen. The Secret Service is the lead agency in charge of security at the presidential inauguration.

    Unlike the run-up to Trump’s first swearing-in and the start of Joe Biden’s presidency soon after the violent attack on the Capitol, fate ordained that there would be a dress rehearsal of safeguards on a presidential scale during all of last week. The 39th US President, Jimmy Carter, died on December 29. Mandatory events associated with his “lying in state,” and tributes before his funeral occasioned one such dress rehearsal. The other, of course, was the archaic certification by the US Congress of electoral college votes that Trump has, indeed, been elected President. It was such certification of Biden’s election four years ago that rioters tried to derail and physically harm then Vice-President Mike Pence and then Speaker of House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi. Because of all this, Washington has fortuitously been protection-ready since Christmas, unlike any previous presidential inauguration in recent memory.

    There is an eerie similarity between Narendra Modi’s first swearing-in as Prime Minister in 2014 and Trump’s second coming, as it were. Modi invited Pakistan’s then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif — among other guests — and Trump has similarly invited China’s President Xi Jinping. Unlike Sharif, Xi is not going to Washington. The Foreign Ministry in Beijing is keeping everyone guessing on the level of China’s representation. No previous US president-elect has invited foreign leaders to his inauguration, and according to the US State Department, no Head of State has been in Washington during previous January 20 ceremonies. At the time of writing this piece, only Argentina’s President Javier Milei, who is looked upon as Washington’s poodle by some Latin American countries, is expected to attend.

    According to books written by people who were in the inner circle of Trump’s White House, the President is highly superstitious. Porn star Stormy Daniels said in a documentary released last year that Trump’s weird hairdo is because he believed he would be powerless if he lost or properly combed his hair. That superstitious trait may explain the vehemence with which Trump criticized Biden for ordering a 30-day state mourning for Carter. In a historic first, flags will fly at half-mast during Trump’s swearing-in as a result. Even for those who are not superstitious, it is not an auspicious way to start a new presidential tenure.
    (The author is a senior journalist)

  • Indian national pleads guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material

    WASHINGTON, DC (TIP): A 30-year-old Indian national who was previously employed with a cruise line, has pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material, a US attorney said on Friday. Abdul Rouvoof Shaik faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to USD 250,000, and a period of supervised release of up to life. According to court documents, Shaik was previously employed by Carnival Cruise Lines and was arrested in July 2024 after special agents with the US Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, found he was in possession of child pornography at the Erato Street Cruise Terminal in New Orleans.

  • Sikh man among two Indian Americans elected to Virginia state legislatures

    Sikh man among two Indian Americans elected to Virginia state legislatures

    RICHMOND, VA (TIP): Two Indian Americans were elected in special elections to Virginia’s legislatures, ensuring the Democratic Party keeps its slender majority despite the national Trump wave in last year’s election.

    Kannan Srinivasan was elected to the State Senate and J.J. Singh to the State House of Delegates on Wednesday, January 8. In what seems like a round of musical chairs, Singh takes the seat held in the House by Srinivasan, who in turn succeeds Suhas Subramanyam, who resigned the State Senate seat and was elected to Congress in November.

    The races featured another Indian American, Republican Ram Venkatachalam, who lost to Singh.

    Srinivasan will join another Indian American, the Hyderabad-born Ghazala Hashmi, in the State Senate.

    He grew up in Tamil Nadu and was a chartered accountant in India before emigrating to the US, where he built a 30-year career in business and finance. Srinivasan was elected to the Virginia House in 2023.

    J.J. Singh, who was born in Virginia, will probably be the first legislator in the US to wear a turban, although other Sikhs have been elected. Singh worked in the White House Office of Management and Budget under former President Barack Obama. He had earlier served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Bolivia and as a senior US Senate advisor.

    The elections were crucial to the Democrats, who had only a one-seat majority in both chambers in a state where the governor is a Republican. Vice President Kamala Harris defeated President-elect Donald Trump in the state, but there are concerns among the Democrats that his national victory could seep into the races.

    The election was a shocking disappointment for Kamala Harris, who stepped in to carry the Democratic Party torch after President Joe Biden dropped out as questions arose over his mental and physical capabilities.

    The Democrats put more resources into the race than the Republicans to ensure their candidate’s victory.
    (Source: IANS)

  • Indian-origin tech firms corner 1/5th of H1B visas issued by US

    Indian-origin tech firms corner 1/5th of H1B visas issued by US

    NEW YORK (TIP): Indian-origin tech companies cornered a fifth of all H1B visas issued by the US with Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services leading the pack, an analysis of data from the US immigration department showed.

    According to data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, in April-September 2024 period, out of the total 1.3 lakh H1B visas issued to different employers, about 24,766 visas were issued to Indian-origin companies.

    Out of these, Infosys took the lead with 8,140 beneficiaries, followed by TCS (5,274), and HCL America (2,953).

    Infosys came second to only Amazon.com Services LLC, which topped with 9,265 visas. Cognizant, which was founded in Chennai but now has headquarters in New Jersey, ranked third in the list with 6,321 visas.
    (Source: PTI)

  • Six Indian Americans sworn-in as members of US House of Representatives

    Six Indian Americans sworn-in as members of US House of Representatives

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): n a momentous occasion for Indian Americans, six of their leaders on Friday, January 3, 2025 were sworn-in as the members of the US House of Representatives, the largest so far for this minority ethnic community in the United States.
    “When I was first sworn in twelve years ago, I was the sole Indian American Member of Congress and only the third in US history. Now, our coalition is six strong! I am excited to welcome even more Indian Americans to the halls of Congress in the years to come!” Congressman Dr Ami Bera said in a post on X.
    Bera, the senior most of them, who has been sworn-in for the seventh consecutive term as a representative of the seventh Congressional District of California, also posted a picture of all the six Indian American Congressman from the floor of the House.
    Suhash Subramanian, who represents the 10th Congressional District of Virginia is the newest Indian American to be a member of the House of Representatives.
    “First day of work! Honored to be sworn into the #119th Congress, and excited to get to work to deliver results for VA10,” he said as he posted a picture of him along with his family and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
    “Ready to Serve,” said Congressman Shri Thanedar who represents the 13th Congressional District of Michigan as he posted a selfie of his from the House floor. All the six Indian American lawmakers are from the Democratic Party and voted for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in the election for House Speakership. Republican Mike Johnson was elected as the House Speaker.
    Congressman Ro Khanna represents the 17th Congressional District of California and Raja Krishnamoorthi represents the eighth Congressional District of Illinois. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, representing the seventh Congressional District of Washington state, is the first ever Indian American woman to be elected to the House of Representatives.
    All the three – Khanna, Krishnamoorthi and Jayapal – have been sworn-in for a fifth consecutive term, during which they have emerged as powerful lawmakers in their own way.
    Krishnamoorthi is a Ranking Member of the powerful China Committee and also a member of the House Intelligence Committee. Jayapal is leader of the highly powerful progressive group of lawmakers. Khanna is not only a member of several powerful House committees but also is seen as a potential presidential candidate in the years to some.
    All the six Indian Americans constitute an informal Samosa Caucus, a term coined by Krishnamoorthi. When sworn in for the first term in 2012, Dr Bera had then wished to have 10 Indian Americans in the House of Representatives.
    Several Indian Americans aspiring to be elected to the House lost elections either during the primaries or in the November 5 general elections. At least three of them were women: Sushila Jaipal, Bhavani Patel and Krystal Kaul.
    Dalip Singh Saund was the first Indian-American to be elected to the House of Representatives in 1957. Also, the first Sikh, he was elected for three consecutive terms. He was from the Democratic Party.
    It took nearly five decades for a second Indian-American to enter the US House of Representatives. Bobby Jindal represented the First Congressional District of Louisiana from 2005 to 2008. He later went on to become the two-term Governor of Louisiana, making him the first Indian American to be elected as the governor of a US State. Jindal is the only Indian American to be elected to the House on a Republican ticket.
    (Source: PTI)

  • FIA’s 5th NRI Conclave Celebrates Indo-US Ties with Cultural Grandeur and Economic Vision

    FIA’s 5th NRI Conclave Celebrates Indo-US Ties with Cultural Grandeur and Economic Vision

    Ganesha Vandana performed by Nupurdhwani Dance Academy of Jatani, Bhubaneswar.

    BHUBANESWAR, ODISHA(TIP): The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) NY-NJ-CT-NE hosted its landmark 5th NRI Conclave at ITC Welcome, Bhubaneswar, transforming the evening of January 7, 2025, into a celebration of cultural heritage and economic collaboration between India and its diaspora. The event was graced by distinguished dignitaries including Shri Sampad Chandra Swain, Honorable Minister for Industries Skill Development and Technical Education, Government of Odisha, and Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of India, marking a significant milestone in strengthening diaspora relations.

    FIA President Saurin Parikh welcomed the guests.

    The evening commenced with a traditional lamp lighting ceremony, presided over by Shri Sampad Chandra Swain, in the presence of Saurin Parikh, FIA President; Dr. Avinash Gupta, FIA Immediate Past President; Sreekanth Akkapalli, FIA Convenor 2025 and CEO of TV9 North America; and other prominent leaders.

    Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of India recalled his long association with the FIA and FIA’s pioneering role, stating, “FIA has been instrumental in laying the groundwork for cultural and global initiatives”.

    The cultural festivities began with an enchanting Ganesha Vandana performed by Nupurdhwani Dance Academy of Jatani, Bhubaneswar, setting an auspicious tone for the evening. The academy later presented a mesmerizing Odissi dance performance, showcasing Odisha’s rich cultural heritage.

    In his welcome address, FIA President Saurin Parikh acknowledged the presence of distinguished international delegates, including Dr. Satheesh Kathula, AAPI USA President, Sreekanth Akkapalli, CEO of TV9 North America and Head of Onyx Realty, and Prof. Indrajit S Saluja, CEO of The Indian Panorama, highlighting the global reach of the conclave.

    Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of India, delivered a compelling address drawing from his extensive experience with FIA. “My connection with FIA spans many years, dating back to my tenure as the Consul General of India in New York,” he reflected. Jaiswal emphasized FIA’s pioneering role, stating, “FIA has been instrumental in laying the groundwork for cultural and global initiatives like this. Their proactive approach in organizing this 5th NRI Conclave has created a vital platform for meaningful dialogue between the diaspora and their homeland, setting a precedent for enhanced government-diaspora conversations.”

    Shri Sampad Chandra Swain, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education, presented a vision for Odisha’s future, and invited the diaspora entrepreneurs to explore the abundant opportunities in Odisha and become partners in our remarkable growth journey.”

    The keynote address by Shri Sampad Chandra Swain, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education, presented a vision for Odisha’s future. “This NRI Conclave serves a dual purpose – not only does it facilitate crucial dialogue between the diaspora and their beloved motherland, but it also showcases Odisha as a prime destination for diaspora investment and growth,” Minister Swain emphasized. He extended an invitation to the diaspora community, stating, “Our government is committed to advancing the state through robust infrastructure development and technological innovation. I warmly invite diaspora entrepreneurs to explore the abundant opportunities in Odisha and become partners in our remarkable growth journey.”

    A powerful highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the India Day Parade theme for 2025 by Minister Swain, accompanied by the FIA Executive Committee. The theme “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah” (May all be happy) carries a profound message of universal well-being and peace: “May all be happy, may all be free from illness, may all see what is auspicious, may no-one suffer.” In these times of global challenges and conflicts, this ancient Sanskrit prayer serves as a timely reminder of humanity’s shared aspirations for peace and harmony. The theme reflects FIA’s commitment to fostering unity across cultures and borders, standing as a universal prayer for global peace and understanding. This initiative particularly resonates in today’s world, where the need for cross-cultural harmony and mutual understanding has never been more crucial.

    Minister Swain, accompanied by Mr. Jaiswal, and the FIA Executive Committee, unveiled India Day Parade theme for 2025.

    The conclave featured strategic discussions focused on Odisha’s development opportunities, particularly in the tourism and MSME sectors, positioning the state as an emerging hub for investment and economic growth. Through interactive sessions and networking opportunities, the event successfully created pathways for bilateral growth and cultural exchange.

    The FIA presented a memento to Minister Swain.
    The FIA presented a memento to Shri Randhir Jaiswal. From L to R: Dr. Avinash Gupta, Srujal Parikh, Shri Jaiswal, Ankur Vaidya, Prof. Indrajit Saluja, and Saurin Parikh.
    The FIA Executive.
    They also spoke. L to R: Ms Nupur Ray-Patel, Ms Srishti Kaul, Ankur Vaidya, Dr. Avinash Gupta.
    view of the gathering. Minister Swain and FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya are seen in the front.
  • Nijjar murder accused still in mandatory detention: Canada

    Nijjar murder accused still in mandatory detention: Canada

    VANCOUVER (TIP): Four Indian nationals accused in the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are currently subject to mandatory detention orders issued by a British Columbia court.

    “The court imposed mandatory detention orders on all four accused. They remain in custody and no bail hearings are scheduled,” confirmed Ann Seymour, Acting Communications Counsel for the BC Prosecution Service, which operates under the Ministry of Attorney General.

    In response to some online reports suggesting that four Indian nationals had been released, Seymour clarified on Thursday, January 9, that they remain in custody.

    Though court records marked the custody status of the accused as ‘N’, indicating they were not detained and sparking reports of their release, the official, Seymour, confirmed that they remain in custody under detention orders.

    The accused in the case have been identified as Karan Brar, Kamalpreet Singh, Karanpreet Singh, and Amandeep Singh. The detention orders mean that they will stay in custody until their trial begins. However, a judge may review a bail application at a later date, though bail is unlikely due to the serious charges they face, including first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

    Nijjar was killed on June 18, 2023, in Surrey, British Columbia. Three months later, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated in the House of Commons that there was “credible evidence” suggesting a potential link between Indian agents and Nijjar’s murder. India had dismissed these charges as “absurd” and “motivated.”

    Karan, Kamalpreet and Karanpreet were arrested in and around Edmonton in May 2023. Amandeep was charged shortly after, while in the custody of Peel Regional Police (PRP), and was arrested in November 2023 on nine charges, including unauthorized possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance.
    (Source: TNS)

  • 5 Indian-origin men charged with murder

    5 Indian-origin men charged with murder

    NEW JERSEY (TIP): Five Indian-origin men have been charged with murder in the US in connection with the death of a 35-year-old man from India. Sandeep Kumar, 34, of South Ozone Park, New York, was charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the death of Kuldeep Kumar in Manchester Township around October 22, 2024, according to a statement by Ocean County prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police Colonel Patrick Callahan.

    Investigation into Kuldeep’s death revealed that Sandeep acted in concert with other defendants in carrying out Kuldeep Kumar’s murder. Other defendants in the case are Sourav Kumar, 23, Gaurav Singh 27, Nirmal Singh 30, and Gurdeep Singh 22, all from Greenwood, Indiana.

    On December 14, 2024, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit was contacted for a report of a deceased located in the Greenwood Wildlife Management Area of Manchester Township. According to a postmortem examination, the cause of the individual’s death was multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, and the manner of death was homicide. The individual was identified as Kuldeep Kumar.

    Following an investigation, it was revealed Kuldeep had been reported missing by family members on October 26, 2024, and Sourav, Gaurav, Nirmal and Gurdeep acted together and in support of one another in carrying out his murder. They all were charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder. They were transported to Johnson County Jail in Franklin, Indiana, where they will remain lodged pending their extradition to New Jersey.

    Sandeep was taken into custody on January 3 and processed at the New Jersey State Police Barracks in Holmdel. Kumar was later transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
    (Source: PTI)

  • Rules on family reunions put on hold

    Rules on family reunions put on hold

    By Prabhjot Singh

    OTTAWA (TIP): The New Year did not augur well for those hoping to reunite with their wards in Canada in the next couple of years. After slashing down the immigration quotas and discontinuing LMAI points in the Express Entry scheme, the Government of Canada has delivered yet another blow to parents and grandparents of immigrants. It has now decided to suspend the application process for sponsoring parent and grandparent permanent residency.

    The latest directive published in the Canada Gazette reiterates that the government remains committed to family reunification but will not accept any new applications under the scheme. Instead, it will focus on processing applications received last year.

    The suspension of the application process, says the directive, corroborates Immigration Minister Marc Miller’s opinion that this will “best support” the government’s goals around immigration and family reunification.

    It is not only the family reunification, other immigration streams, too, have seen new sponsorships paused to help clear the existing backlog.

    Recent changes have met with mixed responses from politicians, social scientists, economists and immigration specialists. Mayors of some of the smaller towns in Ontario and British Columbia have been voicing their concerns over the changes and want the Federal Government to reconsider them. They have argued that while they have been encountering negative population growth, they have no takers for the jobs they have to offer. In addition, new immigrants contribute immensely to the local economies. They insist that the federal government should abide by its original immigration levels.

    The recent changes, however, see an overall decrease in immigration over the next three years. Since the government has been under immense pressure from the Opposition parties and various other organizations, it has been constantly reviewing its plans and targets. Under the family reunification scheme, especially in cases relating to parents and grandparents, the goal was to admit more than 24,000 people through this stream this year.

    The new directive says a maximum of 15,000 applications made in 2024 through the family reunification program will be processed thus leaving a huge gap. Under the parent and grandparent program, 35,700 randomly selected people were invited to submit applications in 2024, to accept 20,500 applications. According to the 2024 annual report to Parliament on immigration, tabled by Miller, there were more than 40,000 parent and grandparent permanent residency sponsorships in the inventory as of the end of 2023. The report puts the average processing time for a sponsorship application at 24 months.

  • Chandra Arya declares his candidacy for Prime Ministership

    Chandra Arya declares his candidacy for Prime Ministership

    By Prabhjot Singh

    TORONTO (TIP): Chandra Arya, Liberal MP from Nepean, sprang a surprise on Friday, January 10 by declaring his candidature for the position of Prime Minister of Canada.

    In a social media post, Arya announced his candidature, holding that he was “ready to lead a small, more efficient government to rebuild our nation and secure prosperity for future generations.”

    While the process to choose a successor to Justin Trudeau is still to be formally initiated, he has become the first candidate to make public his intent. He is known for his “pro-India stance” as he has been openly opposing any proposals or motions brought up on the floor of the House in support of Sikh separatism or “anti-India campaigns.”

    Justin Trudeau often faced criticism by the Government of India for not taking any action against those performing “anti-India activities carried out from the Canadian soil.”

    When Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland sprang a major surprise by sending a stunning resignation letter to Justin Trudeau on December 17, hours before she was to present her fall Financial Statement in the House of Commons, Chandra Arya was the first member of the Liberal caucus to declare his support to her as replacement of Justin Trudeau.

    He was also the first Liberal MP of South Asian descent to ask Justin Trudeau to step down as he claimed he had a “difference of opinion” with the Prime Minister on various contagious issues. He posted a letter on his social media handles within a few hours after Justin Trudeau rejigged his Cabinet following Chrystia Freeland’s resignation.

    “I am running to be the next Prime Minister of Canada to lead a small, more efficient government to rebuild our nation and secure prosperity for future generations. We are facing significant structural problems that haven’t been seen for generations and solving them will require tough choices.

    “I have always worked hard for what is best for Canadians, and for the sake of our children and grandchildren, we must make bold decisions that are necessary. If elected as the next Leader of the Liberal Party, I offer my knowledge and expertise to do so. We have a perfect storm: many Canadians, especially younger generations, face significant affordability issues.

    “The working middle class is struggling today, and many working families are retiring directly into poverty. Canada deserves leadership that is not afraid to make the big decisions. Decisions that rebuild our economy, restore hope, create equal opportunities for all Canadians, and secure prosperity for our children and grandchildren.

    “Bold political decisions are not optional—they are necessary. With prudence and pragmatism as my guiding principles, I am stepping forward to take on this responsibility and lead Canada as its next Prime Minister. Join me in this journey. Let us rebuild, revitalize, and secure the future. For all Canadians, for generations to come,” he said in his social media post.

    He said that more details, including his policy proposals, were in the statement next in the thread. You can also visit my website http://AryaCanada.ca which will be operational later today,” he concluded.

    (Prabhjot Singh, is a Toronto-based award winning independent journalist, He was celebrated by AIPS, the international body of sports journalists, for covering ten Olympics at its centennial celebrations held at UNESCO Centre in Paris during the 2024 Olympic Games. Besides, he has written extensively about business and the financial markets, the health industry, the public and private sectors, and aviation. He has worked as a political reporter besides covering Sikh and Punjab politics. He is particularly interested in Indian Diaspora and Sikh Diaspora in particular. His work has also appeared in various international and national  newspapers, magazines and journals)

  • Has PBD started losing its sheen?

    By Prabhjot Singh

    The Ministry of External Affairs and the Odisha Government are patting their backs for the “overwhelming success” of the just concluded biannual event for the elite of the Indian Diaspora.

    The three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas held at a specially erected tented township at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, not only saw 27 eminent members of the Indian Diaspora drawn from 24 countries being honored with Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards, but also witnessed concerted efforts by the NDA government in projecting “Viksit” (developed) Bharat by 2047, the centennial year of India’s independence.

    Overall, delegates were appreciative of the arrangements made for the smooth conduct of the convention. Odisha government put its best foot forward to attract Foreign Direct Investment in various areas, specifically in mining and tourism sectors.
    “Focus was rightly more on the projection of India as an emerging economic power but at the same time, the other party in the convention, the Diaspora, was left wondering at its shrinking space in the bilateral convention,” commented a number of delegates from the USA, Australia, and the UK.

    They held that the reason for the decreasing participation of delegates from the West or the developed nations was the changing mandate of the convention. Instead, this time some of the Asian nations, including Mauritius, Oman, Qatar, UAE, Malaysia, and a few African nations constituted more than two-thirds strength of all delegates.

    The focus was more on showcasing the progress the country has made during the present NDA regime in various fields, including technology. It also provided a platform for the Odisha government to showcase to the world the “investment opportunities” it offers in various fields in general and tourism in particular.

    It was in 2002 that the then BJP-led NDA government under the stewardship of Atal Bihari Vajpayee endorsed the recommendation of the LM Singhvi Committee report, and the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention was launched.

    This mega event was originally planned to act as a bridge between the overseas community and the Union Government in making them partners in the overall development of India as a “new economic” power. It was mandated to provide a platform for the exchange of views on the issues facing the country and its Diaspora worldwide.

    Of late, feel the delegates, the NDA government has been hijacking the agenda of this mega event by projecting its policies and programs. Issues and problems facing the Diaspora are gradually getting pushed to the periphery. Even individual or institutional achievements of the overseas community are getting marginalized. The only consolatory component of the biannual convention is the felicitation of the elite of the overseas community.

    In the 2025 PBD 27 such personalities and institutions who have made a mark in community service; business, trade, and industry; science and technology; education and academics; politics; environment; healthcare and medicine; and art, culture and literature were celebrated by the President, Droupadi Murmu. Some areas, like sports, where members of the Indian Diaspora have made laudable singular and collective achievements, are still to get recognition through Pravasi Samman awards. Of the nearly 300 overseas Indians honored till now, not even a single sportsperson figure in the list. Monologues have replaced dialogues. Even the participation of youth and women, too, has shown a decline. This is in spite of the fact that the first day of the convention remains committed to youth development and its connectivity to the roots.

    Of late, leaders in science, technology, research, business, trade, industry, and other areas have started skipping this convention. Even some of the political bigwigs, including the first Great Britain Prime Minister of Indian descent, Rishi Sunak, and the first woman US Presidential candidate, Kamla Harris, did not find mention in the event designed specifically for the likes of them.

    Interest in the States, too, has been diminishing in the PBD. In the initial editions, the States used to celebrate their “days” by showcasing the progress they have made since independence while offering attractive investment opportunities to major industrial, business, financial, hospitality and tourist industry giants. Instead, the focus now veers on the host State only.

    Odisha, too, has joined the select band of States which have named a nodal minister as a one-man authority or single window clearance procedure to facilitate investments. The earlier practice of various States putting up special stalls and making their senior officials available to participating delegates has been discontinued.

    Though the chief guest at this biannual mega convention is normally a Head of a state of Indian descent, participation of other overseas politicians of Indian descent has diminished.

    Many delegates held that the programme needs a revisit and redesign to meet the rapidly changing requirements of the of the nearly 36 million strong overseas Indian community. India, they say, remains the single largest source of both skilled and unskilled manpower and contagious issues related to identity and globalization need to be addressed more aggressively.

    Some developed nations like the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, acknowledged as top favorite destinations for Indian youth, including students, are making rapid changes to their immigration policies and programs because of which there hangs a sword of uncertainty, and their apprehensions of “deportation” from the countries of their present abode need to be taken up more seriously at the events like PBD.

  • Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s ‘Sikhs for Justice’ banned for another 5 years

    Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s ‘Sikhs for Justice’ banned for another 5 years

    The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal upholds ban on the pro-Khalistani group

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal has confirmed a notification issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) banning pro-Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun-led ‘Sikhs for Justice (SFJ)’ for a period of five years.

    The UAPA Tribunal of Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta, a sitting judge of the Delhi High Court, ruled that the evidence given by the Centre established SFJ’s connections with Khalistani terror groups such as Babbar Khalsa International and Khalistan Tiger Force, as well as its collaboration with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to revive militancy in the Punjab.

    It added that the evidence highlighted SFJ’s involvement in recruiting and radicalizing youth using social media platforms, financing terrorism through smuggling networks to procure weapons and explosives, and issuing death threats to political figures, including the Prime Minister and the Home Minister.

    In a notification issued on July 9, 2024, the MHA extended the declaration of SFJ as an unlawful association for another five years, saying that Pannun-led SFJ’s activities have the “potential of disrupting peace, unity, and integrity of the country”.

    Thereafter, a reference was made to the UAPA Tribunal for the purpose of adjudicating whether or not there was sufficient cause for declaring the association unlawful.

    According to the MHA, SFJ is involved in anti-national and subversive activities in Punjab, with the intention to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India. The MHA also said that SFJ is in “close touch with militant outfits and activists, and is supporting violent forms of extremism and militancy in Punjab and elsewhere to carve out a sovereign Khalistan out of the territory of Union of India”.

    The pro-Khalistani outfit “can escalate its subversive activities including attempts to carve out Khalistan Nation out of the territory of Union of India by destabilizing the Government established by law”, it added.
    (Source: IANS)

  • British Sikh brother-sister duo jailed for charity fraud in UK

    British Sikh brother-sister duo jailed for charity fraud in UK

    LONDON (TIP): A Birmingham-based brother and sister duo associated with the Sikh Youth UK group have been sentenced by a UK court after being found guilty of fraud offences relating to charitable donations.

    Rajbinder Kaur, 55, was convicted for money laundering and six counts of theft amounting to GBP 50,000 and one count under Section 60 of the UK’s Charities Act 2011, which covers knowingly or recklessly providing false or misleading information to the Charity Commission.
    Her brother Kaldip Singh Lehal, 43, was also convicted for the same charge under the Charities Act.
    Kaur and Lehal ran the Sikh Youth UK (SYUK) group.
    While Kaur was sentenced to two years and eight months, by Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday, Lehal was given a four months’ sentence suspended for 18 months and 80 hours of community service.

    “Kaur tried to portray herself as someone naive about financial matters despite having worked in a bank,” Superintendent Annie Miller from West Midlands Police said in a statement following the sentencing this week.

    “SYUK was clearly a means to fund her lifestyle and pay her debts off, but in the simplest of terms Kaur was stealing large amounts of money that had been donated by local people for good causes,” she said.

    The pair were initially arrested in July 2019 and subsequently charged in September 2019.

    “This has been a very long and complex investigation into fraud, and we have worked closely with the Charity Commission to bring this pair to justice,” Miller added.

    The duo was convicted in September 2024 following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court during which it emerged that Kaur and Lehal had made an application in 2016 to the sector’s independent regulator Charity Commission for it to become a registered charity. But when the Commission asked for further information about SYUK, the information was not given, so the charity application was closed.

    The court heard that SYUK received countless donations during fundraising events including a sponsored winter sleep-out and a football tournament, both in 2018.

    Kaur, a former bank worker, would transfer funds from the SYUK bank to her own account and then pay off her personal debts and loans as well as sending money to others, including family members.

    Kaur had over 50 personal bank accounts in an attempt to make it as complicated as possible to follow the flow of stolen money, West Midlands Police said.

    The case dates back to October 2018, when West Midlands Police notified the Charity Commission of concerns relating to SYUK’s receipt and use of charitable funds. While Sikh Youth UK is not a registered charity, the commission claims jurisdiction due to the funds being charitable.

    The watchdog said it exercised its powers under Section 52 of the Charities Act 2011 to obtain copies of bank statements. The Commission’s analysis of the information identified a number of regulatory concerns which warranted further investigation. The Commission therefore opened a statutory inquiry on November 15, 2018, and publicly announced its investigation only in July 2019 to avoid prejudicing any criminal proceedings. SYUK activists gathered outside Birmingham Crown Court this week to protest what they branded as a “witch-hunt” against the group.
    (Source: PTI)

  • Safety and security of Indian nationals anywhere in the world are the top priority for the Government of India

    Safety and security of Indian nationals anywhere in the world are the top priority for the Government of India

    • Prabhjot Singh

    BHUBNESWAR (TIP): The security and safety of Indian nationals anywhere in the world get top priorities of the Union Government Senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Odisha Government held that the Union Government was fully conscious of its duties and responsibilities towards Indian nationals.

    “If Indian nationals face any problems anywhere, the government of India is there to protect and assist them. We have been cautioning people against falling prey to unauthorized manpower agents,’ says Arun K. Chatterjee, Secretary of the Union Ministry of External Affairs.

    He said that the institution of PBD has been serving as an integral part of bonding between the Government of India and a strong overseas Indian community.

    Talking to the media after the three-day Pravasi Bharati Divas 2025, Arun K. Chatterjee was joined by the Chief Secretary of Odisha, Manoj Ahuja, and other senior functionaries of both the Union Ministry of External Affairs and the Odisha government. They were unanimous in their briefing that the three-day mega event organized by the Odisha Government was a roaring success “as we have got very positive feedback from all sections, including participants.”

    They were, however, confronted by some unsavory questions, especially about the denial of invitations to parents and other family members of overseas Indians belonging to Odisha.

    They assailed the organizers for ignoring the claims of the local people as participants in the mega event.

    Manoj Ahuja held that the Odisha Government had focused on promoting tourism as most of the delegates visited almost all 31 places of historic and religious interest. “They all were happy with the hospitality of Odisha and arrangements made for the smooth conduct of the mega event.”

    Since Odisha has emerged as an ideal destination for investment in various sectors, including tourism, the State Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, has announced a Nodal Minister as a single point of contact to facilitate seamless investments in the State.

    Arun Chatterjee said that Odisha has emerged as a leader of five Eastern States as it abounds in natural minerals, sports, knowledge economy and other areas. It has tremendous tourism potential as it has been successful in showcasing itself as a potential investment destination.

    Besides looking east, it also emerged as a strong destination for “chalo India” initiative.

    Manoj Ahuja also revealed that the Odisha government would soon conduct a census of blue-collar job seekers working in the Middle East and elsewhere. Arun Chatterjee, while responding to another question on blue-collar migrants from India, said that the Prime Minister during his recent visit to Kuwait, held a meeting with 200 blue-collar Indian workers there. “It was a lively interaction,” he said.

    Responding to a question from Prof. Indrajit S Saluja, chief editor of the New York based Indian American English weekly The Indian Panorama about the participation of youth in the PBD, Arun Chatterjee revealed that the union government was conducting almost every month a group of youth of Indian origin for a three-week Know India programme. Four hundred youths benefit from this fully funded programme of the Indian government. At the end of their visit to the country of their ancestors they feel “incredibly” connected to their roots, he said.

    Arun Chatterjee and Manoj Ahuja were joined by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Kumar Jaiswal; and Ankan Banerjee, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, besides Sanjay Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary, Information and Public Relations of Odisha Government, at the media briefing.

  • Punjab’s disappointing token presence at PBD 2025

    • Prabhjot Singh

    BHUBANESWAR (TIP)- Punjab’s claim as one of major contributors to Indian Diaspora notwithstanding, its near total absence at the Pravasi Bharati Divas 2025 is intriguing.

    Except for a small stall by Punjab Tourism at the venue, delegates attending the bi-annual convention rue the absence of senior officials, including Minister for NRIs, at the biannual event.

    Delegates from the US – Indrajit Saluja and Manjuri at the PBD 2025 (Photo: Prabhjot Singh)

    “Punjab should have been at the forefront. Even after 18 editions, the State has yet to host a single edition of the PBD. It has been holding meets with NRIs but never done it at the national level. Over the years, its participation, too, has been on the down slide,” says New York-based journalist Prof Indrajit Saluja. Though the State government has released full page advertisements in major newspapers and other media channels, it should have sent teams of its senior officials to interact with delegates to woo them to invest in the State, he added.

    Canberra (Australia)-based Ravinder Sahni says that Punjabis are a global community. “I am pleasantly surprised not to find many Punjabi delegates here. May be the State Government has other ways and means to reach out the global Punjabi Diaspora.

    “There is also an urgent need to engage younger generation in the PBD events that serve as a great platform not only for the community leaders to sit together and carry the country’s image forward.

    Canberra (Australia)-based Ravinder Sahni says that Punjabis are a global community. “I am surprised not to find many Punjabi delegates here”. (Photo: Prabhjot Singh)

    “I am into politics and represent Labour party down under,” says Ravinder Sahni while praising arrangements made by the Odisha government for its maiden show.

    Manjuri, an IT expert, travelled all the way from Dallas in the US, for her second successive PBD.

    “I attended the last edition at Indore also and feel that it is a great opportunity to interact with the elite of the overseas Indian community,” she adds while revealing her association with a spiritual group that has its headquarters in Odisha.

    Khusbhu Merchant and Shobit Prakash travelled all the way from Rajasthan, where they are associated with a rural-based university, RNB.

    “We are here to explore possibilities of how we can take Indian education in general and rural education to a new and higher level with the support of Indian Diaspora. India has the talent, and we must provide the platforms for our rural youth to be at par with their counterparts in urban areas and overseas,” they said.

    Kanwerdeep Singh of Punjab Tourism at PBD 2025 in Bhubaneswar (Photo: Prabhjot Singh)

    Kanwerdeep Singh from Anandpur Sahib has been deputed by Punjab Tourism Corporation to manage a stall to woo delegates to visit Punjab, both for its religious and heritage sites besides exploring possibilities for investments in Punjab.

  • Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2025 starts with a focus on youth

    “The customary conclave of our younger generation as part of the #PBD celebrations is a testimony to their vital role and significant contribution in the building of a Viksit Bharat and 🇮🇳’s global image”:  EAM

    • Prabhjot Singh
    India’s EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar inaugurated the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Bhubaneswar on January 8, 2025

    BHUBANESWAR (TIP): States that invest in their youth and stay focused on trade, technology, and tourism are bound to succeed in the present competitive world. These inferences were drawn at the preliminary session on” Beyond Borders: Diaspora Youth Leadership in a Globalized World” and the joint business session with the host Odisha government on Wednesday, the opening day of the 18th Pravasi Bharati Divas, at a sprawling tented township at Janata Maidan.

    India’s External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, who was the guest of honor on the inaugural day, focused on the transformative role the Indian youth could play in various key areas of development. “It is critical to invest in our youth in order to achieve their full potential,” Jaishankar said, adding that maintaining their role is important in key areas like AI and EV, innovation and start-ups, space, drones, and sports.

    More than 3000 delegates drawn from all over the world are participating in the annual three-day event dedicated to Indian Diaspora. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will formally declare the convention open in this historic city of temples on Thursday.

    Odisha’s government has put its best foot forward to showcase its development to the elite of the Indian Diaspora while seeking FDI in various projects, including tourism.

    “We have been overwhelmed by the reception we got on our arrival here,” says Professor Indrajit Saluja, a US delegate. All delegates were accorded a traditional welcome at Biju Patnaik International Airport. Bhubaneshwar has been given a facelift, as most of the official and commercial buildings have been decked out and illuminated at night. from San Francisco was all praise for the organizers for taking delegates to various shrines, including famous Jagannath temple at Puri.

    Ravindra Jain, who has made Myanmar as his second home, also lauded the Odisha government for holding the event. “Last year, I played a role when the PBD was held in my hometown of Indore,” he said.

    “The youth have an important role to play in the present-day competitive world which is fast becoming a global village,” he said, revealing that his son, now settled in British Columbia, had the distinction of becoming President of the Kelowna University Students Association in 2019.

    Though there are not many youth delegates attending the convention, yet their growing participation in the Pravasi Bharati Divas is encouraging, says Naresh Chavda, a delegate from Canada.

    “Efforts of the Indian government to encourage youth of Indian origin to discover their roots and stay connected with the motherland of their ancestors is a welcome sign. India leads the world with its growing and empowered youth force,” he added.

    A large part of the government’s actions was to give the right motivation to the younger generation to accelerate their efforts, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said holding that “while development itself is a very complex task, it becomes much easier when we are confident that nothing is beyond us,” EAM Jaishankar remarked.

    He also highlighted an observation by badminton star PV Sindhu, on why Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a youth icon. “She summed it up as his attitude which moved our nation from ‘chalta hai’ to ‘badal sakta hai’ to ‘hoga kaise nahin’,” he recalled.

    India’s EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar with admiring delegates

    Jaishankar believes this is the spirit which has driven India’s achievements in recent years, from supplying vaccines and medicines to the entire world during COVID-19 to undertaking missions like the Chandrayaan landing, the Aditya L1 observatory and the proposed Gaganyaan human spaceflight endeavor.

    Ambitious visions need strong foundations to be realized, EAM Jaishankar remarked, stating, “It is critical to invest in our youth in order to achieve their full potential.” He also referred to transformational efforts of campaigns and programs like Swacch Bharat, Beti Padhao, Awas and Anna Yojana, Mudra, Swanidhi, Ayushman Bharat, and Jal Jeevan.

    “If you were to see them in their entirety, connecting those dots will give you an appreciation of how we are securing the future of our youth. They will help bring their skills and creativity to the fore, ensuring that India’s talents are fully available to the global workplace,” he stated.

    Later speaking at the Joint Business Session with the Government of Odisha on the side-lines of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Jaishankar highlighted the role of the 3Ts -Trade, Technology, and Tourism – for a state like Odisha.

    Odisha has resources which need investments, connectivity, and value addition to increase Trade and leverage the state’s location, he stated. He referred to the Bali Yatra, Odisha’s historical connection with Southeast Asia. “Whether it is orthodox shipping, whether it is green shipping, whether it is power grids, whether as I say it is resources to value add on it, the potential for trade based in Odisha is enormous,” he noted.

    On Technology, he emphasized that it was increasingly associated with trusted talent. “The talent of Odisha, the fact that today you have young demography, you have a strong education backbone of the state. Today technology also offers a lot of possibilities for collaboration,” he said.

    Odisha is simply incredible in terms of what it has to offer when it comes to Tourism, EAM Jaishankar remarked, adding that tourism is the biggest employer generator and multiplier in the world. “Those who will invest in tourism in this state are actually contributing to development and inclusive growth in the state in a very powerful way,” he pointed out.

    The External Affairs Minister also highlighted the Modi Government’s commitment to Purvodaya or the Renaissance, revival and rejuvenation of the East. He pointed out that India was historically at the greatest point when the eastern parts of India were at the height of glory. In this context, EAM Jaishankar noted that one of the earliest commitments in this third term of the Modi Government was to make the practical decisions to enable the Purvodaya to happen. “A crucial fulcrum of that in many ways is the state of Odisha,” he remarked.

    Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, presided over the plenary session on “Beyond Borders: Diaspora Youth Leadership in a Globalized World” which was moderated by Binny Bansal, Co-founder of Flipkart.

    Y B Prabhakaran – Malaysian Politician and Member of Parliament for Batu and Member of the People’s Justice Party (PKR); Eeshaanee Shandilya – Business Analyst, HSBC Global Services; Don McLain Gill – Lecturer, Department of International Studies, De La Salle University (He specializes in Philippine foreign policy, India-Southeast Asian security relations, and maritime security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, and India-Southeast Asian relations); Revathy Pillay – IT Business Analyst and Southside Radio FM Presenter and dynamic youth ambassador and radio personality dedicated to empowering youth voices;
    Mohiuddin Mohamad Ali-Ali, vice-chairman of Galfar Engineering & contracting SAOG and president of the Oman chapter of the Indo-Gulf & Middle East chamber, Muscat; Mickela Panday – Daughter of former Prime Minister of T&T Basdeo Panday. The Political Leader of the newest political party in T&T- the Patriotic Front, launched in 2019 and a former MP were the panelists for the plenary session.

  • Take India Abroad, says PM Narendra Modi

    Take India Abroad, says PM Narendra Modi

    • It is time to spread a message about India’s rich and cultural heritage. As ambassadors of India, you must also look beyond some major cities and explore small towns and villages that make this country unique.
    • Wherever you live in any part of the world, plant a sapling in your mother’s name in the new city of your domicile. Spread a message about the philosophy, diversity and rich civilization you come from.
    • Institute awards to commemorate local heroes and Indian missions overseas will extend all possible support. When you come next time for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, bring along at least five people from your new neighborhoods.

    By Prabhjot Singh

    BHUBANESWAR (TIP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his inaugural address to the 18th Pravasi Bharati Divas at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneshwar on Thursday, January 8 was accorded a standing ovation on his arrival at the nearly packed specially erected pandal.

    Though the verve and exuberance that usually accompany his addresses at such august gatherings were missing, he made up for it with his exclamations, appealing to the participating delegates to play a proactive role in projecting India abroad.

    More than 3000 delegates drawn from around the globe are participating in the biannual event held every year from January 8 to 10 to commemorate the return of the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, from his stint in South Africa. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was started in 2003 and has served as a unique platform for overseas Indians to share their achievements and issues with people and governments of the country of their original domicile.

    A view of the gathering

    Prime Minister eulogized the contribution of the Indian Diaspora in making it the number one nation in the world for remittances back home. Stressing the need for connecting the new generation with its roots in India, Narendra Modi wanted the delegates to talk about India, its history, its culture, its diversity, and its progress not only with their children but also in their neighborhoods and workplaces.

    He exhorted them to work as ambassadors of India as the country was making rapid strides in all areas, including technology.

    Federation of Indian Associations, NY- NJ-CT-NE (FIA) Delegates at the PBD 2025 (Photo: Jay Mandal-on assignment)

    Prime Minister also remotely flagged off the inaugural journey of the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special Tourist train for the Indian diaspora, which will depart from the Nizamuddin Railway Station in Delhi and would travel to multiple destinations of tourist and religious importance in India for three weeks. The Pravasi Bharatiya Express will be conducted under the Pravasi Teertha Darshan Yojana of the Ministry of External Affairs.

    He also urged the delegates to visit all places of religious and historic significance, including Prayagraj, to avail themselves of a rare opportunity of attending the “Mahakumbh.”

    After inaugurating the convention, PM Modi also went around various exhibitions and put up different departments of both the Union Government and the host Odisha government to showcase the progress the country has made since attaining Independence in 1947.

    In 2047, when India completes its centenary of independence, it will be a superpower.

    Prime Minister Modi inaugurated and went round the 4 exhibitions at the PBD.

    Mr. Modi inaugurated four exhibitions – Vishwaroop Ram: The Universal Legacy of Ramayana – by ICCR; Diaspora’s Contribution to Technology– by MEA (curated by Dr Masooma Rizvi); “Bharat Bharatiya: Swadesh Pardes – Abhilekhiye Virasat – Launch of Oman collection”, by National Archives of India; and exhibition on Heritage and Culture of Odisha by Odisha government.

    Earlier, External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, and Odisha Governor, Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, talked about the importance of the PBD and the role the Indian Diaspora has played in both rebuilding India and its image overseas.

    The Chief Guest, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Christine Carla Kangaloo addressed the gathering virtually. During her address, she remembered with fondness and pride her Indian ancestry as well as the contribution of Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago. (Photo: ANI)

    The Chief guest, the President of Trinidad and Tobago Christine Carla Kangaloo while addressing the august gathering remotely, talked about her own journey and also those of others in her country who migrated to Trinidad and Tobago more than a hundred years ago.

  • 3-Day 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at Bhubaneswar Concludes

    3-Day 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at Bhubaneswar Concludes

    • Over 3000 Delegates from across 70 countries attended, claim EAM Officials
    • 27 Honored with Pravasi Bharatiya Samman
    • Participation of Indian Diaspora from Developed Countries declines
    • Youth participation Inadequate
    PM in a group photograph during the inauguration of the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention at Bhubaneswar, in Odisha on January 09, 2025.  (Photo/ PIB)
    • I.S. Saluja

    BHUBANESWAR (TIP): The 3-day 18th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas concluded here on Friday, January 10th, with the President of India Droupadi Murmu presiding over the Valedictory session during which she presented the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman to 27 distinguished persons of Indian origin.

    (Read the story on the front page)

    More than 3000 delegates drawn from around the globe participated in the biannual event held every year from January 8 to 10 to commemorate the return of the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, from his stint in South Africa. The Pravasi Bharati Divas was started in 2003 and has served as a unique platform for overseas Indians to share their achievements and issues with people and governments of the country of their original domicile. 

    The 18th PBD was inaugurated by Prime Minister of India, Narendra Damodardass Modi on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at a specially erected hall in the sprawling Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar. He was accorded a rousing reception by the large gathering of NRI’s, local politicians, guests and officials.

    (Read the story on the front page). 

    The Indian Panorama team, which included editor Prof. Indrajit S Saluja, senior journalist Prabhjot Singh and the on-assignment photographer Jay Mandal, covered the three-day mega event to celebrate the vibrant Indian Diaspora has filed a couple of stories which are being published below.

  • Birthday Horoscope-January 13, 2025 to January 19, 2025

    Birthday Horoscope-January 13, 2025 to January 19, 2025

    • By Astrologer Chirag Daruwalla 

    January 13

    Ganesha says some significant choices would be made this time. You would feel highly energized and prepared to put forth extra effort to accomplish your professional goals. You would have incredible financial success thanks to your enormous energy and fierce drive. By the middle of the day, any legal or property conflicts plaguing you will have been resolved amicably. The spouse would continue to be supportive and show your love and affection. A huge source of happiness would be having kids.

    January 14

    Ganesha says today will provide you with a few exceptional possibilities, but you must seize them quickly before others do. Investments and even speculative activities would result in monetary advantages. While partnerships should be avoided, they would create new streams of income. Later, it appears likely that you’ll take a trip to somewhere foreign. While the well-being of a family member may raise worries and anxiety for you, your health will continue to be fine.

    January 15

    Ganesha says you would be at the height of your self-assurance and resolve. You would likely be promoted or transferred, and the organization where you work would experience significant administrative changes. At least two different sources would provide you with revenue.  Midway through the month, your financial situation would start to improve, bringing home prosperity and happiness. Significant help would come from your emotional companion. Adequate care may be required for a sibling’s health.

    January 16

    Ganesha says despite your best efforts and numerous odd jobs completed, your boss would be under a lot of pressure and may only partially appreciate your work. Your salary would increase, but you would also spend more on luxuries, making it very challenging for you to plan any savings. Due to your busy job schedule, your romantic connection will suffer. Property conflicts will be resolved amicably. You will enjoy your day with your family and have a great time.

    January 17 

    Ganesha says several of the unexpected happenings would be to your advantage. Your financial situation would be comfortable thanks to past investment gains. You should solely focus on achieving your career objectives and not worry about rumors and gossip. Both business and leisure travelers would make long-distance trips. Despite the extra hours you could work in the first several months, your health should be good. There are benefits to yoga and meditation.

    January 18 

    Ganesha says you would devote a lot of things to seeking out new employment. Being extremely motivated and imaginative, you could quickly seize upcoming opportunities. Businesspeople should expect a lot of high returns after signing significant agreements. Your emotional ties to your close pals would get in the way of any plans you could have with your spouse. You must arrange your social activities such that no one is harmed. Gains from the sale of real estate may not be completely excluded.

    January 19 

    Ganesha says the task you undertake this time will provide you with a tremendous deal of satisfaction. Your coworkers and colleagues would be supportive, and some of them would end up being your closest friends. Although you would make good money from your job, it would be difficult for you to keep your profits. It would be enjoyable to get romantically involved, and there would be a good potential that you may get married. Be prepared to receive gifts and delights in both cash and kind.