FLUSHING, NY (TIP): 18th annual Dinner Dance and Award Ceremony of New American Voters Association (NAVA) was held at Flushing Marina on June 19, 2025 and was organized by NAVA’s Founder and President Dr. Dilip Nath. It was also a Juneteenth Celebration and was presented by “Joy of Dance”. Honorees who have dedicated themselves to public service and community service were awarded. Several elected officers gave speeches at the occasion namely, Hon. Borough President Donovan Richards, NYC public Advocate Hon. Jumaane Williams, Manhattan Borough President Hon. Mark Levine, Queens District Attorney Hon. Melinda Katz, NYS Senator Hon. John Liu, NYS Senator Hon. Leroy, Representative of Hon Senator Charles Schumer, Hon. Governor Kathy Hochul.
Dr Hari Shukla, Chairman of the New American Voter Association, was presented with a Proclamation by United States Senator Hon. Charles Schumer who stated that Dr Shukla is the Pioneer in the United States of using Surfactant in the preterm infants. He also mentioned that Dr Shukla’s formula for umbilical Catheter is used in 400 million children throughout the world . The event was attended by over two hundred members and supporters.
Dr. Hari Shukla and his wife are flanked by elected officials and NAVA organizers
NEW YORK CITY (TIP): The Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) USA hosted a remarkable celebration on Saturday, June 21, at the iconic Village East by Angelika theater in Manhattan, marking the screening of “The Renaissance Man”, a documentary film chronicling the inspiring life and legacy of Vivek Tankha. The event was part of the New York Indian Film Festival and drew an enthusiastic audience, including senior leaders of IOC-USA and distinguished members of the Indian diaspora.
The documentary highlights the extraordinary journey of Shri Vivek Tankha ji —Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India, former Additional Solicitor General, sitting Rajya Sabha MP, and a dedicated humanitarian. His contributions span multiple sectors, including public interest litigation, tribal healthcare, education, disability rights, and disaster relief. The film captures both his legal brilliance and his compassionate leadership, especially through his widely acclaimed initiative “Rahat”, which has provided critical medical and disaster aid to marginalized communities in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and beyond.
Photos of documentary viewing of film “ The Renaissance Man: Life and Times of Vivek Tankha” at the New York Film festival on June 21, 2025. showing Shri Vivek Tankha ji (sitting in center) responding to questions from the audience.
During the post-screening interaction, Mr. Tankha shared powerful insights into his motivations and lifelong mission to use law and public service as instruments for justice and upliftment. He spoke of landmark cases, including his pivotal legal work for the Bhopal Gas Tragedy victims, and emphasized the need for ethical and empathetic leadership in contemporary India.
The event was held under the leadership of Mohinder Singh Gilzian, President of the Indian Overseas Congress USA, who opened the celebration with high praise for Mr. Tankha.
“If even one percent of India’s population embodied the intellect, integrity, and compassion of Vivek Tankha,” said Mr. Gilzian, “India would be a different country. His life offers a blueprint for the kind of leadership our nation urgently needs.”
Adding to the evening’s grace and significance, Mr. Sam Pitroda, Global Chairman of Overseas Congress Department of A.I.C.C., sent a heartfelt video message applauding Mr. Tankha’s decades of service in law, policy, and social reform.
“Vivek is not just a legal scholar; he’s a people’s advocate. His work touches lives where it matters most,” Mr. Pitroda said.
The celebration was inaugurated with an inspiring and powerful opening remarks by Harbachan Singh, Secretary-General of IOC-USA, who recognized very highly Mr. Tankha’s awesome enduring legacy of justice and social responsibility. He likened all the solid attributes of Shri Vivek Tankha ji to those of Mahatmas and Heros and made a moving equation of his personality and service to them. Mr. Tankha embodied humility, softness and a profound depth of knowledge and human experience which has drawn crowds of people to him in total acceptance of him as no less than acclaimed Mahatmas and Heros.
The screening was more than a celebration of an individual—it was a tribute to a life of purpose, service, and vision. It resonated as a rallying call to the Indian diaspora to identify, support, and champion leaders like Vivek Tankha, whose integrity and impact go far beyond the boundaries of law and politics.
The event was graced by a wide array of IOC-USA leaders who honored Mr. Tankha with a bouquet and a traditional shawl, a symbolic gesture of respect and admiration. Among the IOC USA senior leaders present were: Working President (North East Zone) Pradeep Samala; Vice President John Joseph: Vice President Baldev Randhawa; General Secretaries; Sharath Chandra, Sophia Sharma and Rajeev Mohan; President of Maryland Chapter Chaudhry Pratap Singh; President of Andhra Chapter Srinivasrao Bhimineni; Chairman of the Punjab Chapter; Phuman SinghIbrahimpur; Secretary, IOC.USA Jaswinder Singh Kang and his team; Dr.Yogesh Dayma from Boston: Rockland Chapter President Shaimi Jacob: Amanpreet Aman and Mukesh (Mike) from New Jersey: Patel Sridhar Reddy from Telengana Chapter Detroit: Harpreet Singh Happy and Sunny Singh: Harvendar Singh and Qayam Masumi representing the New Jersey Chapter, among others.
In addition, several local IOC-USA leaders, business professionals, lawyers, dignitaries, activists, and scholars from across the United States traveled to New York to attend the event and personally extend their congratulations to Mr. Tankha.
The event concluded with a vibrant Q&A session, where attendees engaged with Mr. Tankha on a range of topics—from his legal battles and legislative work in Parliament to his grassroots efforts for the underprivileged and youth empowerment.
The screening was more than a celebration of an individual—it was a tribute to a life of purpose, service, and vision. It resonated as a rallying call to the Indian diaspora to identify, support, and champion leaders like Vivek Tankha, whose integrity and impact go far beyond the boundaries of law and politics.
At the reception, Secretary General Harbachan Singh led with the award of a Proclamation of Honor by Shri Vivek Tankha ji and Mohinder Singh ji to Attorney Jaspreet Singh in appreciation of his outstanding leadership, benevolent services and support of the community.
Following the above, Harbachan Singh requested the entire gathering to rise in solemn observance of a moment of silence in condolence and sympathy of the victims of the recent Air India airplane crash and sharing the sorrow and pain with the aggrieved families. Similar solemn observance was also observed to grief the sudden, shocking and painful to bear demise of the brother of Shri Vivek Tankha ji in India the day before this event accelerating the swift return to India of Mr. Vivek Tankha ji. May all the departed souls Rest in Peace! by the grace of Almighty God.
FIA President Abhishek Singh honoring a local law enforcement officer
NORTHBOROUGH, MA (TIP): The Foundation of Indian-Americans (FIA) New England, in association with The Boston Group, hosted a grand celebration of the 249th Independence Day of the United States on Sunday, June 29th. The event was held in Northborough, Massachusetts, bringing together communities to honor the values of freedom, unity, and cross-cultural pride.
The celebration began with a warm welcome by Jyoti Singh, FIA Board of Directors, and was emceed by Maggie Lemay, a U.S. military veteran, survivor of the 9/11 terrorist attack, and Ms. Continental Worldwide.
Sanjay Gokhale, Vice President of FIA, opened the ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a stirring rendition of the U.S. National Anthem performed by children from Padamini Dance Academy, accompanied by a local band.
Honoring American Heroes
A central highlight of the event was the honoring of American war veterans and local law enforcement. The following heroes were recognized:
Elizabeth Barry – U.S. Army Veteran
Bruce DeGraff – U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
Northborough Police Department, represented by Chief Brian Griffin and Officer Spencer
Community leaders Meetu Gupta and Irvin Victoria King were also honored for their civic contributions.
Veterans shared powerful memories of their service, including reflections on World War II, providing a moving moment that resonated deeply with attendees.
These heroes were presented with special honors by Ms. Shruthi Purushottam, Deputy Consul General of India, Boston, and FIA President Abhishek Singh, along with other FIA executives.
Messages of Unity & Support
A surprise video message from Former U.S. Congressman Joe Kennedy III extended heartfelt greetings and praised the Indian-American community for its contributions to the American fabric.
Subu Kota, founder of The Boston Group, remarked:
“The Indian-American community is an integral part of the fabric of the U.S. society and has always stood for the welfare and progress of this nation.”
A Celebration of Culture, Freedom & Community
The event was a vibrant expression of Indian-American pride and American patriotism, showcasing cultural performances, music, and cuisine. The festivities underscored the importance of inclusivity, multiculturalism, and civic unity.
The attendees
Gratitude and Acknowledgments
Special recognition goes to:
Mitesh & Padamini and her dance team for their tireless efforts since day one Santosh & Bhawana for their musical contributions & Maharshi & Jassi and American Band ;led by Mark Femino Pramod Kumar Ji for capturing moments through photography Hardyal Singh Ji for the flavorful cuisine
Kudos to the core FIA team: Rakesh–Deepti Kavsari, Amol–Piyusha & Pranita, Santosh–Girish Soni, Mohan Ji, Chanukya Rao, Divya Prakash, Naveen Kumar, Abhinav Yadav, Vishant Mahajan, and Himanshu Chouhan.
This year’s July 4th celebration was not just an event, but a true reflection of unity in diversity—celebrating America’s freedom through the lens of Indian-American values and culture.
HICKSVILLE, NY (TIP): The skies over Long Island’s most popular oceanfront park will be illuminated in dazzling colors Friday night as throngs of New Yorkers head to Jones Beach to catch a glimpse of the annual July 4 fireworks show., Newsday reports. But a word to the wise for those looking to enjoy the annual show: get there early as parking at Jones Beach tends to fill up hours before the show.
The 25-minute Jovia Financial Credit Union Fireworks Spectacular at Jones Beach begins at 9:30 p.m. and is expected to paint the night sky with colorful patterns and floral designs. Last year’s show drew 195,000 people — more than the 175,000 guests that were expected, according to state officials.
And with the forecast clear all day Friday, with temperatures in the low-80s and upper-70s, officials expect large crowds and crowded parking lots.
State officials advise people to get to the park early for the fireworks and then linger afterward to let traffic ease.
“We are advising that for those who wish to attend the fireworks program to plan on arriving by 7:30 p.m.,” said George Gorman, regional director of New York State Parks. “Traffic begins to back up significantly at 8 p.m.”
The show is expected to include patriotic tunes such as “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” “America” and “God Bless the U. S. A,” along with modern sing-along anthems like “Defying Gravity,” “Levitating,” “Hot to Go.”
The fireworks are included in the $10 parking admission. Radio stations WALK 97.5 FM and KJOY-98.3 FM will simulcast music during the fireworks presentation.
Costumed characters from Beauty and the Beast and Spiderman will walk the boardwalk from 4 p.m.to 7 p.m. to interact and take photos with the public. A band will be playing live music beginning at 8 p.m. until the start of the fireworks and then from 10 p.m. until 11 p.m. following the show.
During the day, guests can head to the boardwalk for an interactive green screen photo booth experience featuring patriotic and summer scenes.
Happy 4th of July!
(With inputs from Newsday)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill brings significant changes to the tax code and beyond. The bill permanently extends certain provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) that were set to expire, including an increased state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap, and introduces changes to taxes on tips and overtime for certain workers. Impacts to energy credits, Medicaid, the debt ceiling, and student loans are also included.
Key things you need to know:
Most of the new tax laws under the One Big, Beautiful Bill don’t kick in until tax year 2025 (i.e. the taxes you file in 2026) and some for tax year 2026. A few uncommon provisions are retroactive to tax year 2024, and TurboTax will be up-to-date with those when it’s time for you to file.
TurboTax will be updated in accordance with the new tax laws and IRS guidance when the new tax laws take effect.
As you follow the news about the One Big Beautiful Bill, you might be wondering about the key tax provisions that have passed. Questions like: Are tips and overtime now tax-free? What’s happening with SALT? And most importantly, how do the new tax laws impact your financial situation?
Here are some of the top questions we’re getting, along with the answers.
What key provisions passed under the One Big Beautiful Bill?
Key provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill include:
Raises SALT cap to $40,000 if you earn up to $500,000
Above-the-line deduction for tip income
Above-the-line deduction for overtime pay for certain workers
Above-the-line deduction for auto loan interest for certain vehicles
Child Tax Credit expansion
Enhanced deduction for seniors
Repeal of energy efficient credits for EVs, hybrids, charging, and energy efficient home improvements beginning in 2025
Permanently extends the deduction for qualified business income at 20%
Reforms Medicaid
Reforms Pell Grants and student loans
When do the new tax laws go into effect?
The majority of the tax provisions will go in effect in tax year 2025 (i.e. the taxes you file in 2026) and some for tax year 2026. A few uncommon provisions are retroactive to tax year 2024. TurboTax will be up-to-date in accordance with these provisions, including our done for you experiences, tax experts, and tools.
What passed from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and what does that mean for my taxes?
The One Big Beautiful Bill permanently extends certain tax provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including:
Elimination of personal and dependent exemptions, and itemized deductions for miscellaneous expenses like unreimbursed employee expenses
If you don’t qualify for new tax benefits, your tax outcome may look similar to last year’s since many provisions under the TCJA are being made permanent. However, if you’re a homeowner who paid property taxes and state income or sales tax, you may see tax savings due to the increased SALT deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000, allowing you to claim a larger deduction.
What is the new tax law for no taxes on tips?
In previous years, including tax year 2024, cash and non-cash tips were considered income subject to federal taxes, Social Security, and Medicare taxes, and were required to be reported to your employer if they exceeded $20 a month. The new provision creates a temporary above-the-line deduction for tips up to $25,000 for tax years 2025 through 2028. This deduction is available regardless of whether you itemize your deductions or not.
If you earn tips as a waitress, barista, or in another tipped occupation and your income is below $150,000, you may be eligible to claim this deduction. However, the tax benefit begins to phase out for income above $150,000. It’s essential to understand that this deduction doesn’t directly reduce your taxes dollar-for-dollar, and your actual tax savings will depend on your tax rate.
For example, if you earned $5,000 in tips and are in the 12% tax bracket, your tax savings would be $600 ($5,000 x 12%).
What is the new tax law for no tax on overtime?
Like the new tax provision for tips, the new provision for overtime introduces an above-the-line deduction for qualified overtime income up to $12,500 for tax years 2025 through 2028 and phases out for income above $150,000.
Certain workers, such as police officers, firefighters, nurses, and retail workers, may benefit from this deduction. However, while this deduction can lower your taxable income, it is not a dollar-for-dollar reduction of your taxes and the actual tax savings will depend on your tax rate.
For example, if you’re a nurse with $12,500 in qualified overtime and 22% tax rate, then your tax savings would be $2,750 ($12,500 X 22%).
Are there any additional benefits for seniors under the new law?
Yes, there’s an enhanced deduction for seniors up to $6,000 for individuals over 65 for tax years 2025 through 2028. The deduction phases out at $75,000 for single filers and at $150,000 if you’re married filing jointly.
How do I get a deduction if I pay a car note?
A new temporary tax deduction allows you to deduct up to $10,000 in car loan interest per year for qualified auto loans. To qualify, the vehicle must be for personal use and assembled in the United States. This deduction phases out for single filers with incomes above $100,000 and married couples with incomes above $200,000.
What is the new law for parents?
Starting in tax year 2025, the Child Tax Credit will permanently increase to $2,200 per child under 17, with annual adjustments for inflation every year. To claim this credit, both taxpayers and children must now have a valid Social Security number.
What has changed for homeowners who pay property taxes?
A significant change relates to the state and local tax (SALT) deduction including local income, sales, and property taxes. Previously, the TCJA capped SALT at $10,000, set to expire in 2025. The new bill increases this cap to $40,000, effective from tax year 2025 through 2029. The deduction begins to phase out for single and married filing joint filers earning more than $500,000 and married couples filing separately earning more than $250,000.
This change benefits filers in states with high state and property taxes, allowing them to deduct more of their related expenses.
I made energy efficient improvements to my home. Can I still get a credit?
Energy efficient credits for home improvements under the Inflation Reduction Act will end for property placed in service after 2025. You can still claim these credits for improvements made in 2025 on your 2025 taxes (i.e. the ones you file in 2026), but this will be the last year they’re available.
I purchased an electric vehicle; can I still get a credit?
The new bill eliminates the clean vehicle credit for electric vehicles purchased after September 30, 2025. If you bought an electric vehicle before this date, you may be eligible for a clean vehicle credit up to $7,500 for a new EV or $4,000 for a used EV.
Will personal and dependent exemptions be reinstated?
No, personal and dependent exemptions are permanently eliminated. Although they were set to return in 2026 if the TCJA expired, the new bill makes the elimination permanent.
I work from home. Can I claim unreimbursed employee expenses again?
The TCJA temporarily eliminated miscellaneous itemized deductions, including unreimbursed employee expenses, from 2018 to 2025, and this elimination is now permanent. However, if you’re self-employed, you can still deduct expenses related to your home office.
I’m self-employed. What are the new tax benefits that I can claim?
If you’re self-employed or a business owner has a partnership or S-corp, you may be eligible for two significant tax deductions.
First, the 20% Qualified Business Income Deduction allows you to deduct up to 20% of your qualified business income. The new tax bill permanently extends this 20% deduction and increases the phase in ranges to $75,000 single and $150,000 married filing jointly.
Second, if you purchased equipment for your business, the new tax law also permanently allows you to write off 100% of your expenses for purchases like business equipment in the year you bought them.
Navigating the new tax laws can be complex, but we’re here to help you get the best outcome for your taxes. TurboTax will be up-to-date with the latest changes and guide your through the filing process, whether you want to do your taxes yourself or have a TurboTax Live expert do them for you.
(Lisa has over 20 years of experience in tax preparation. Her success is attributed to being able to interpret tax laws and help clients better understand them. She has held positions as a public auditor, controller, and operations manager. Lisa has appeared on the Steve Harvey Show, the Ellen Show, and major news broadcast to break down tax laws and help taxpayers understand what tax laws mean to them. For Lisa, getting timely and accurate information out to taxpayers to help them keep more of their money is paramount. More from Lisa Greene-Lewis)
LONDON/JALANDHAR (TIP): Indian-origin Meedhansh Kumar Gupta, a young tech prodigy from Jalandhar, has garnered global recognition at the prestigious Global Child Prodigy Awards (GCPA) 2025, held recently at the House of Commons, British Parliament, United Kingdom. The GCPA is a platform dedicated to celebrating extraordinary talent among children under 15. The event also launched the book Top 100 Child Prodigies 2025, with Gareth Bacon, Member of Parliament for Orpington, honoring talented young achievers from across the globe.
Meedhansh, one of the 100 honorees selected from thousands of nominations across 130 countries, was recognized for his outstanding contributions to education and technology. He is the sole recipient of this recognition from Punjab.
His journey began at just nine years old during the COVID-19 pandemic when he developed a telemedicine portal. Since then, Meedhansh has become a multi-award-winning tech innovator, using his skills for social welfare. His achievements include national and world records, notably being recognized as the Youngest Website Developer in 2020.
Passionate about knowledge-sharing, Meedhansh has trained thousands of peers under the NGO Mission Aatmanirbhar. Demonstrating a relentless pursuit of learning, he completed 50 technology courses in just one week via LinkedIn Learning, a feat that earned him a world record. In 2022, Meedhansh was awarded India’s highest civilian honor for children, the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
NEW YORK (TIP): Prateek Prasanna, an Indian American professor has received the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award for his project to harness eye gaze data as a key resource for guiding model learning.
Prasanna, an assistant professor from the Department of Biomedical Informatics at Stony Brook University, aims to integrate how radiologists and pathologists visually interpret medical images with artificial intelligence.
Titled “CAREER: Towards Gaze-guided Medical Image Analysis,” the project will enhance the interpretability and diagnostic performance of machine learning systems in both radiology and digital pathology, according to a university release.
The award recognizes Prasanna’s innovative approach to bridging human expertise and artificial intelligence in service of better healthcare outcomes. “I’m thrilled to receive the NSF CAREER award to advance AI for medical image interpretation. This support will help us build models that learn from the way expert clinicians see, think, and reason,” said Prasanna. “By integrating how experts visually navigate complex medical images, particularly through their gaze patterns, we hope to improve both the accuracy and interpretability of AI-driven diagnostic tools.”
“Our work not only advances the science of human-AI collaboration but also has the potential to transform training, decision-making, and patient care across a wide range of clinical applications,” he said. “By embedding clinical expertise into model development, we aim to build AI tools that are not only technically robust but also clinically meaningful.”
Prasanna leads the Imaging Informatics for Precision Medicine (IMAGINE) Lab at Stony Brook University, where his team focuses on developing clinically translatable machine learning tools that integrate imaging, pathology and genomic data to inform treatment decisions.
A key focus of the lab is combining machine-generated insights with expert clinical interpretations to enhance diagnostic workflows. The lab also conducts research in interpretable and explainable AI, with an emphasis on discovering computational biomarkers in settings where data is scarce or incomplete. Their work spans both oncology and non-oncology domains and is regularly published in leading technical and clinical venues.
The CAREER project’s education initiatives span mentoring trainees through hands-on research experiences, coursework, and clinical collaborations.
Prasanna will also lead curriculum development efforts, such as the SBU Radiology Informatics Microcredential Program, to train future-ready practitioners and foster meaningful dialogue between engineers and clinicians.
“We are proud to celebrate Dr. Prateek Prasanna for receiving the NSF CAREER Award, one of the National Science Foundation’s highest honors for early-career faculty. This award recognizes Dr. Prasanna’s promise as a leader in integrating cutting-edge research with transformative education in biomedical informatics and AI-driven healthcare solutions,” said Joel Saltz, founding chair of the Department of Biomedical Informatics.
“In addition to the CAREER Award, Dr. Prasanna was recently awarded an NIH R03 grant in collaboration with the School of Dental Medicine — an interdisciplinary project that emerged directly from connections formed during a bootcamp facilitated by Stony Brook’s Institute for Engineering-Driven Medicine, which organizes a variety of collaborative workshops, bootcamps and training initiatives.” Prasanna earned his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, his MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Rutgers University, and his BTech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the National Institute of Technology in Calicut, India.
Prasanna’s research focuses on building clinically translatable machine learning tools that leverage multiple data streams of imaging, pathology, and genomics to derive actionable insights for enabling better treatment decisions. His research involving the development of companion diagnostic tools for thoracic, neuro, and breast imaging applications has won several innovation awards.
NEW YORK (TIP): Indian American media executive Vivek Shah has been elected as the new chair of the foundation board at CUNY to help further its mission to provide accessible, high-quality journalism education.
As Chief Executive Officer of Ziff Davis, a vertically focused digital media and internet company, Shah brings extensive experience in digital transformation and media leadership, according to a news release. His background includes senior management positions at Time, Inc., where he served as Digital Group President and President of the Fortune/Money Group.
Shah takes over from Arthur Sulzberger Jr., a board member since 2018 and former chairman of The New York Times Company, who continues as chair emeritus.
Four professionals have also joined the board: vice chair Robin Sparkman, president of ProPublica; Sarah Alvarez, James B. Steele Chair in Journalism Innovation at Temple University; Marjorie D. Parker, President and CEO of JobsFirstNYC, and Richard Stengel, former Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs in the Obama administration.
“The new leadership comes at a historic moment for the school,” said the release noting, “In 2024, thanks to a generous gift from Craig Newmark Philanthropies, the school announced a campaign to become the first tuition-free journalism school in the nation by 2027.”
“This board represents the caliber of leadership needed to achieve our ambitious tuition-free goals,” said Dean Graciela Mochkofsky. “Their combined expertise in media, technology, public service, and innovative journalism perfectly aligns with our mission to ensure that all students, regardless of background or income, can access exceptional journalism education.”
The Newmark J-School Foundation funds scholarships, internship stipends, research, training, and programmatic activities supporting the school’s educational mission, the release stated. This board expansion is core to the tuition-free campaign and reinforces CUNY’s decades-long commitment as a beacon of access and opportunity for New Yorkers. Shah also serves on the board of directors of StreetSquash, LiveOnNY, the Tufts University Board of Trustees and the Board of Advisors for its Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Shah graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.
SINGAPORE (TIP): Indian American tech entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan has launched an ambitious new initiative called “Network School” on a private island near Singapore. The 90-day experimental program is designed as a “technocapitalist college town” that brings together innovation, technology, and community-building in a physical setting.
The pilot program, which ran from late 2024 through early 2025, selected 128 participants from over 4,000 applicants spanning more than 80 countries. The island-based campus hosted an immersive curriculum focused on cryptocurrency, longevity science, decentralized governance, artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurship. The goal, Srinivasan said, is to foster a new generation of thinkers and builders aligned with the ideals of the “network state”—a digital-first society with shared values and the potential to gain physical territory. The concept draws inspiration from Srinivasan’s 2022 book The Network State, which envisions online communities forming self-governing physical jurisdictions. Network School aims to translate these ideas into practice, creating a model for future digital-native societies.
Participants followed a rigorous daily schedule that included lectures, workshops, fitness routines, and communal living. The program featured health and longevity guidance from experts and emphasized personal development alongside technological innovation.
Srinivasan has described the school as a hybrid between a startup incubator, university, and wellness retreat. Attendees could earn cryptocurrency through learning modules and contribute to building early-stage experiments in network governance and decentralized systems.
While the project has garnered praise for its bold vision, it has also drawn criticism for its exclusivity and opaque application process. Some applicants voiced concerns about the lack of transparency around costs and selection criteria. Others have questioned the ideological underpinnings of the program, citing its alignment with libertarian and technocratic philosophies.
Despite the criticisms, Srinivasan is already expanding the project. A second, larger cohort of 256 participants began a year-long program in March 2025, with plans underway to replicate the model in cities such as Dubai, Miami, and Tokyo.
The initiative marks one of the most concrete efforts to date to blend physical community-building with the values of decentralized digital networks. Whether Network School becomes a blueprint for the future or remains an ambitious experiment remains to be seen.
Actor Brad Pitt has warned young actors about the pressures of the film industry, advising them not to get caught up in this trend of working on a superhero film or franchise, cautioning that such roles can limit their creative potential.
Brad spoke about the thing when he joined Travis and Jason Kelce on the New Heights podcast during his F1 promotional tour.
Brad said, “I like watching what the new generation is coming in with. I like to see what they are up against and the way they negotiate and work their way through it. They enjoy it more. We were more uptight, and it had to be about acting… like, you didn’t sell out, you didn’t sell out”.
He added, “But now it’s like, ‘We can be artists in many different arenas, so let’s do it and let’s enjoy it.’ But they also get caught up in you ‘have to have a franchise’ or ‘have to have a superhero.’ But I keep saying, ‘Don’t! Don’t! They’ll die”.
The actor feels getting sucked up in franchise fare or comic book movies can lead to exhaustion for young actors.
While Brad had a cameo in Deadpool 2, he has avoided superhero movies. He has also steered clear of big Hollywood franchises outside of his Ocean’s trilogy with George Clooney and Matt Damon.
Brad’s recent film, the racing drama F1, is currently running in theatres. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the film tells the story of Sonny Hayes, a veteran Formula One driver, who makes a comeback to the sport after a 30-year hiatus. A talented and promising driver, a severe accident ended his career.
In the film, Brad’s character, Sonny, is brought back into the world of Formula One by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (played by Javier Bardem), who now owns a struggling F1 team. As Sonny attempts to help the team make a comeback, he faces challenges both on and off the track, including reconciling with his past. F1 also stars Javier Bardem, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, and Sarah Niles. The film has taken a $144-million opening in the US, the highest of Brad’s career.
Sydney Sweeney may have been seen mingling with Hollywood’s biggest names at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s luxurious Venice wedding bash, but she’s not romantically involved with anyone. The actress, who recently ended her engagement to longtime partner Jonathan Davino, has made it clear she is prioritising her work and personal well-being. Despite being spotted with Orlando Bloom and Tom Brady over the wedding weekend, sources with direct knowledge told TMZ that she is very much single – and intends to stay that way for now.
Rumors swirled after photos surfaced of the Euphoria star walking through the streets of Venice with both Brady and Bloom. But insiders were quick to shut it down, saying nothing romantic was happening. “She’s not dating anyone and isn’t interested either. Right now, it’s all about her career and enjoying life,” the source told TMZ.
Sweeney and Davino split earlier this year, with the breakup confirmed in January. Though neither has publicly commented on the reason, the actress seems content keeping her focus away from relationships for now.
The first trailer for Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated Greek mythology film, ‘The Odyssey’ has leaked online. Although the critically acclaimed filmmaker wanted to release it only in cinemas, like he did with ‘Oppenheimer’, fans with smartphones recorded it anyway. The trailer was intended to debut exclusively in theatres, but clips quickly appeared on TikTok and YouTube. Universal Pictures actively removed most videos using copyright strikes, but not before fans got a glimpse of Tom Holland, Jon Bernthal, and Matt Damon.
The trailer opens with a wide shot of the sea and a rough voiceover saying, “Darkness. Zeus’ law was broken. A kingdom without a king since my master died. He knew the war was unwinnable. Yet somehow, he won.”
The scene then shows Holland as Telemachus, son of Odysseus, who is on a mission to find his missing father. He talks with Jon Bernthal’s character, whose role is still unknown. Holland says, “I have to find out what happened to my father.” Bernthal replies, “Interested in rumours? Gossip. Who has a story about Odysseus?” Then he asks the crowd, “You? You have a story?”
The video then showcased Greek soldiers marching by torchlight, a shadowy Trojan Horse submerged in water, and Matt Damon’s Odysseus clinging to driftwood at sea, all capturing the film’s epic scale and visual grandeur.
Based on Homer’s classic ‘The Odyssey’, the film follows Odysseus’ journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. It shows his famous Trojan Horse trick and the long, dangerous trip filled with monsters like the Cyclops.
Shot entirely on IMAX cameras, ‘The Odyssey’ is Nolan’s biggest and most expensive film yet, with a USD 250 million (approx Rs 2143 crore) budget. Filming is happening in Greece, Morocco, and Italy, staying true to the story’s Mediterranean setting.
‘The Odyssey’ is set to release worldwide in theatres on July 17, 2026.
Deepika Padukone has created history by becoming the first Indian actor to be named one of the honourees for the Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2026 in the Motion Pictures category. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce revealed the list live, placing Padukone alongside international stars like Demi Moore, Rachel McAdams, Emily Blunt, Timothe Chalamet, Rami Malek, and Stanley Tucci.
The honourees were chosen from hundreds of nominations by a panel during a meeting held on June 20. The selection was later approved by the Chamber’s board of directors. At the event, which was streamed live, Peter Roth, former CEO of Warner Bros, Television and chairman of the Walk of Fame selection committee, said, “We are excited to announce the newest selections of 35 esteemed individuals who will be enshrined on the Walk of Fame as part of the prestigious Class of 2026.”
He further added, “These talented individuals have made significant contributions to the world of entertainment, and we are thrilled to honour them with this well-deserved recognition.”
Deepika has long been regarded as a trendsetting figure beyond India. In 2018, she was included in TIME magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world. She also received the TIME100 Impact Award for her work on mental health awareness and film campaigns.
Her unveiling of the FIFA World Cup trophy at the 2022 final in Qatar was yet another major milestone in her international career. Beyond acting, Padukone has redefined Indian celebrity visibility on the world fashion scene. She was the first Indian face endorsed by high-end brands Cartier and Louis Vuitton, paving the way for others on the world fashion platform.
While her international stature continues to rise, Deepika is still among the strongest and best-paid female actors in Indian cinema. With a string of successful movies and even more big projects in the line, including one with director Atlee, Deepika is all set to be back at work, after a break to embrace motherhood.
Actor Paresh Rawal clarified that he is back to being a part of ‘Hera Pheri 3’ over a month after announcing his exit from the film. During his appearance on a podcast recently, the popular actor said things have been sorted with the film’s team, and he has joined his ‘friends for many years’ Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty in the Priyadarshan-directorial. Rawal, who played the iconic Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in the comedy franchise, told Himanshu Mehta on his podcast, “Nahi controversy kuch nahi hai (No, there is no controversy). I believe that when people have loved something so much, then you have to be extra careful.”
He shared that he just wanted everyone associated with the film to put more effort into work. “It is our responsibility toward the audience. The audience has given you so much adulation. You can’t take things for granted. Mehnat karke unko do (Work hard and give them the film). So I was of the opinion that sab saath mein aaye, mehnat karein. Aur kuch nahin (Everyone should come together, work hard). It is all resolved now,” he explained.
When asked to comment on the trio finally coming back to lead the beloved franchise, Rawal talked about his wish for everyone to be doing better.
“Pehle bhi aane hi waali thi (The film was being released earlier as well), but it’s just that we had to fine-tune ourselves (laughs). After all, all of them are creative, be it Priyadarshan, Akshay or Suniel. They are friends for many, many, many years,” he said.
After Rawal’s abrupt exit from the film, Akshay Kumar’s production house filed a Rs 25 crore suit against him, claiming that his actions caused financial losses and disrupted the production schedule.
The shooting for ‘Hera Pheri 3’ is scheduled to begin in January next year.
Actor Aamir Khan shared that he had no issues playing the role of a lover in ‘Thugs Of Hindostan’ opposite his co-star Fatima Sana Shaikh. The actor was speaking in an interview when he said Vijay Krishna Acharya (the director) offered to remove the romantic angle between them since Shaikh had played his daughter in ‘Dangal’. However, the 60-year-old said he didn’t mind playing Shaikh’s lover because he only played her father in a film, not in real-life.In a conversation with Lallantop, Khan revealed that the director had said, “We won’t have a romantic track between you and her because she was your daughter in ‘Dangal’. How can she play your girlfriend here? Audience will reject this.”To this, the actor responded, “I don’t believe in all of this. Main asal mein thode uska baap hun, aur na asal mein main uska boyfriend hun. Hum log film bana rahe hain bhai (I am not her father in real life, and neither am I her boyfriend in real life. We are making a movie).”
New Delhi (TIP)- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is reportedly considering appointing a woman as its next national president. This decision comes as the party looks to fill the leadership vacuum after JP Nadda’s term ended in January 2023. Nadda was given an extension until June 2024 to guide the party through the then Lok Sabha elections.
Among the leading contenders for the post are Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, former Andhra Pradesh state president D Purandeswari, and Tamil Nadu MLA Vanathi Srinivasan. Per India Today, Sitharaman recently held a meeting with Nadda and General Secretary BL Santhosh at the party headquarters in New Delhi. Her extensive experience and leadership potential make her a strong contender for the position. If appointed, Sitharaman, who was born in the temple town of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, could help the party strengthen its presence in southern India. Her leadership would also represent the party’s support for the proposed 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha.
Sitharaman joined the BJP in 2008 and has previously served as defense minister. As the finance minister, she has presented seven straight budgets, including an interim one in February 2024.
Purandeswari, a multilingual leader with cross-party political experience, is another key name in the mix.
She was part of “Operation Sindoor,” a multi-party international delegation. Srinivasan, a lawyer-turned-politician from Tamil Nadu who currently serves as MLA from Coimbatore South, is also being considered for the post. She has held several key roles, including state secretary, general secretary, and vice president of Tamil Nadu, since joining the party in 1993.
The BJP’s ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has backed the idea of appointing a woman to the party’s top post, sources told India Today. This is seen as both a symbolic and strategic move considering women voters have been instrumental in BJP’s victories in recent elections across states like Maharashtra, Haryana, and Delhi.
If the BJP goes ahead with this decision, it will be a historic first for the party.
New Delhi (TIP)- Prominent opposition parties have given their in-principle approval to support the motion to remove Allahabad High Court judge Yashwant Varma and the process of collecting signatures could begin soon, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Thursday, July 3. He said the government was yet to decide whether the motion would be brought in the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. For the Lok Sabha, signatures of a minimum 100 MPs is required. For the Rajya Sabha, the requirement is the support of at least 50 MPs.
He said the signatures would be collected after the government decides on the House where the motion will be brought.
The monsoon session will commence from July 21 and end on August 21.
According to the Judges (Inquiry) Act of 1968, once a motion to remove a judge is admitted in any of the Houses, the Speaker or the Chairman, as the case may be, will constitute a three-member committee to investigate the grounds on which the removal (or, in popular term, impeachment) has been sought.
The committee consists of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) or a Supreme Court judge, the Chief Justice of one of the 25 high courts and a “distinguished jurist”. Rijiju said since the matter involves corruption in the judiciary, the government wants all political parties to be on board.
On being asked about the report of the in-committee which proved the cash discovery incident at Justice Varma’s official residence here, he said the report of the three-judge panel had not indicted Justice Varma and was meant to recommend future course of action as Parliament can only remove a judge.
A fire incident at Justice Varma’s residence in the national capital in March, when he was a judge at the Delhi High Court, had led to the discovery of several burnt sacks of banknotes in the outhouse. Though the judge claimed ignorance about the cash, the Supreme Court-appointed committee indicted him after speaking to a number of witnesses and recording his statement. Source: PTI
New Delhi (TIP)- In a terse message to China, India asserted on Thursday, July 3, that the right to pick the 14th Dalai Lama’s successor rests with the incumbent and the institution, a day after Beijing said that his reincarnation must have its approval.
India added that Union ministers Kiren Rijiju (BJP) and Rajiv Ranjan Singh (JDU), Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu and Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang will attend the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday celebrations in Dharamshala on July 6.
On Thursday, Rijiju said that the institution of the Dalai Lama is the most important and defining institution for Tibetans not just in Tibet but across the world. “And all those who follow the Dalai Lama feel that the Incarnation is to be decided by the established convention and as per the wish of the Dalai Lama himself… Nobody else has the right to decide it except him and the conventions in place,” Rijiju said. The minister said the Indian government’s decision to depute two senior ministers to attend the celebrations is not a political issue.
India has for long stated that the process of naming the successor is a long standing tradition that the Dalai Lama undertakes and no third party has a role to play here.
The Dalai Lama said on Wednesday that the 600-year-old institution of spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhists will continue after his death and a trust created by him will be the sole authority to recognise his reincarnation, effectively shutting out any role for China in choosing his successor.
Speculation has swirled about the future of the institution since the Nobel laureate head of Tibetan Buddhism said in 2011 that he would decide on his 90th birthday – which falls on July 6 this year – whether the position should continue. His Wednesday announcement, which clarifies matters, came at a Tibetan religious conference in McLeodganj, near Dharamshala, that is part of a week of celebrations to mark his birthday.
Hours later, an irate Beijing, which describes the Dalai Lama as a “separatist”, countered that the spiritual leader’s reincarnation “must be approved by the central (Chinese) government”.
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular news briefing, “The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama and other great Buddhist figures must be chosen by drawing lots from a golden urn, and approved by the central government.”
“The Chinese government implements a policy of freedom of religious belief, but there are regulations on religious affairs and methods for managing the reincarnation of Tibetan living Buddhas,” she added. Source: HT
Nearly two months after air defence missiles played a key role in thwarting threats from Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, the Ministry of Defence has approved the procurement of more such weapons along with 12 specialised warships that can lay mines undersea and even detect them. In military parlance, these are called surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and are fired from the ground at airborne targets such as drones, planes and jets. The SAMs are mated with air defence radars that direct the missiles towards incoming targets.
During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan fired hundreds of drones and missiles at India, which were shot down by the layered air defence system that included the SAMs.
The SAMs are part of the acquisition proposals amounting to nearly Rs 1.05 lakh crore, a process to be undertaken through indigenous sourcing. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the apex decision-making body on procurements in the MoD, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, today accorded the acceptance of necessity (AoN) for the purchase of 10 separate equipment for the forces.
New Delhi (TIP)- After the US Congress cleared President Donald Trump’s massive legislation about government spending, focus is now on its impact not only in the US but on the world. For India, one of the most visible and direct impacts will be on remittances, that is, the money sent to or invested in India by NRIs. Migration is also in focus. Since the 900-page details of what Trump has named ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ are now in, let’s break down the immediate impact on Indians.
Charges on sending money home
The originally proposed 5 per cent tax on remittances sent from US to foreign countries was slashed to just 1 per cent in the final draft, which has now passed. There are about 4.5 million or 45 lakh Indian citizens or persons of Indian origin in the US, many of them big earners for families back in India.
“US bank and card-based remittances remain exempt, but NRIs who make high-value or recurrent transfers may need to reconsider their financial plans,” Ram Naik, co-founder and director, The Guardians Real Estate Advisory, told HT. This comes into affect from January 1, 2026.
Tax on foreign income
While the bill deals with a humungous number of things – some of which even led to fights between Trump and his ex-BFF Elon Musk – there are no changes to the existing rules on foreign-source rental income earned by US residents, including NRIs holding a green card or US citizenship.
“Such income will continue to be taxed under current law,” says Sandeep Bhalla, Partner, Dhruva Advisors, a tax and regulatory advisory services firm. This means tax paid in India can be claimed as tax credit in the US, as before, to avoid double taxation on the same income.
Border crackdown
Immigrants from India, especially undocumented border-crossers and those who take the ‘donkey route’, are not immune to the crackdown proposed in Trump’s bill. It gives about billions of additional funds towards immigration-control and national security efforts, in line with Trump’s pledge to carry out the “largest mass deportation operation in American history.”
The US is reported to have identified about 18,000 Indian nationals who entered illegally. The Indian government has said it would take back these people and break the “human trafficking ecosystem”.
Unauthorised immigrants make up 3% of the US population, as per research cited by the BBC. The number of Indians among them is contested, however: estimates vary from 2.2 lakh as per US government data, to 7 lakh as per the Pew Research Center, making them the third-largest group after Mexico and El Salvador. Yet Indians make up only a small share of the overall unauthorised migrant population in the US.
A 2025 Johns Hopkins University research paper essentially says illegal Indian population in the US grew in numbers and as a percentage of total unauthorised migrants: from 0.8% in 1990 to 3.9% in 2015, before dropping to 2% in 2022 as per latest data available.
Fees for applications
Trump’s bill raises the costs for those trying to stay in the US legally too.
Bloomberg reported that the bill increases the fees for work permits, asylum applications and other humanitarian protections. Cuts to Medicaid and other government safety-net programmes will also impact immigrants and low-income groups. Fees include a minimum $100 to apply for asylum, $550 for employee authorisation applications, $500 for Temporary Protected Status and $1,000 for humanitarian parole. There is to be a fine of $5,000 for anyone caught crossing the border between ports of entry. There are to be no fee waivers for low-income applicants either.
These appear to be some of the immediate impacts, while medium- and long-term effects in Indians and the Indian economy remain to pan out. Source: HT
New Delhi (TIP)- Insurance companies are not liable to pay compensation to families of individuals who die as a result of their own rash and reckless driving, the Supreme Court has said.
A Bench of Justice PS Narasimha and Justice R Mahadevan refused to grant Rs 80 lakh compensation sought by the wife, son and parents of a man who died while driving a car at high speed.
Refusing to interfere with the Karnataka High Court’s November 23, 2024, order dismissing the plea filed by the legal heirs of the deceased claiming compensation, the Bench on Wednesday said, “We are not inclined to interfere with the impugned judgment passed by the high court. Hence, the Special Leave Petition is dismissed.”
While driving his car from Mallasandra village to Arasikere town on June 18, 2014, NS Ravisha met with an accident. His father, sister and her children were also travelling in the car. The court concluded that Ravisha drove the car in a negligent manner without following traffic rules and lost control over the vehicle, leading to the accident. Ravisha sustained fatal injuries in the accident.
The high court had held that because “the accident occurred due to the rash and negligent driving of the deceased himself and he being self-tort-feasor, the legal heirs cannot claim any compensation for his death, otherwise it would amount to a person who committed breach getting the compensation for his own wrongs.”
New Delhi (TIP)- The posting of anti-India videos by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who is a designated terrorist, was discussed extensively during a meeting of a parliamentary panel on home affairs, with Intelligence officials informing the MPs that efforts were afoot to take down such content.
Sources said a policy was also in the works to block offensive anti-India websites and content.
The Rajya Sabha panel, which undertook a six-hour-long discussion on the ramifications and prevention of cybercrime, was informed by intelligence officials that Pannun’s videos, which were released at regular intervals and were available on the Internet, would be blocked in coordination with US agencies.
Led by Rajya Sabha BJP MP Radhamohan Das Agarwal, the panel is learnt to have told the officials that the agencies were “on the job and necessary action was underway”.
Several members also sought to know from CBI and NIA chiefs Praveen Sood and Sadanand Date, who were present at the meeting, as to what action was being taken to check the rising cases of digital fraud. A few members cited data on digital arrest between 2022 and 2024, saying cases rose by 21 times and their cumulative worth was Rs 2,000 crore.
Opposition members are learnt to have asked the officials of the Ministry of Corporation Affairs why despite the Centre’s ‘Digital India’ push, cases of digital fraud and arrest were on the rise.
In January and February 2025 itself, around 17,000 cases of digital arrest (worth Rs 200 crore) had been detected.
The CBI chief is learnt to have told the panel that the agency could not act on its own, and that it was awaiting approval from several states to proceed in many cases. Source: TNS
A lot has been said and written about air disasters in general, and the recent crash of AI 171, a flight from Ahmedabad to Gatwick (London), in particular. The flight was carrying 169 Indians, 53 Britons and seven Portuguese nationals in addition to a lone Canadian (a woman dentist).
The plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed just minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad International Airport.
Going by the Aviation Safety Network database, it was the first crash of a Boeing 787 aircraft. It is not only Air India, the national flag carrier of India, that has Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners in its fleet; Air Canada has eight Boeing 787-8 aircraft in its fleet and 32 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Another Canadian carrier, WestJet, has seven Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in its fleet.
Incidentally, the ill-fated Air India Dreamliner took off from Ahmedabad, one of the eight Indian airports maintained by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL). Of late, the Indian aviation industry has quickly moved from the public sector to the public-private sector mode. These are not only the airports, but also the airlines that have witnessed a change in management and control. Air India was taken over by the Tata Group in 2022.
Though the civil aviation sector has witnessed phenomenal growth in India, issues related to safety have at times been compromised.
But has the growth of the aviation industry been supplemented by the trained staff, including pilots, cabin crew and ground staff? Both Indigo and Air India have been announcing their ambitious plans to expand their fleet. But are they getting a sufficient number of trained and experienced pilots to operate the new, sophisticated and technologically advanced aircraft?
The issue was highlighted in one of my latest blogs, reproduced below:
“Who is killing civilian pilots?”
The death of a promising Air India pilot earlier this month (April) has set in motion an animated debate about the health and well-being of pilots employed by national and international airlines. Did Captain Arman Singh Chaudhary have his promising career cut short due to the non-implementation of Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL)?
Captain Arman Singh Chaudhary, an Air India Express pilot, reportedly died of a cardiac arrest shortly after landing a Srinagar – Delhi flight earlier this month.
His death was not an isolated incident of its kind. There had been instances when pilots had died in distress while on duty. In August 2023, an IndiGo pilot, Manoj Balasubramanian, fell unconscious while on duty at Nagpur airport and passed away soon after. “He took ill at Nagpur airport and was rushed to the hospital where he unfortunately passed away,” Indigo Airlines had said in a statement on August 17, 2023.
A substantial percentage of air disasters are blamed on “human factors” or human failures. “Fatigue” or “overload” on pilots who fly more than the stipulations is equally important causes of air accidents.
“Fatigue” or long hours at the wheel used to be the major factor for devastating accidents on roads, as poorly paid truck and bus drivers would doze off while at the wheel, leading to huge losses of human lives. Now, the same “fatigue” factor has come to worry the aviation sector.
The deaths of pilots have been sending alarming signs for a long time. Intriguingly, little or no serious attention is paid to such “unnatural deaths” of an extremely scarce trained manpower. The question being asked in aviation circles is: How many pilots have lost their lives due to the non-implementation of FDTL rules as per standards of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)?
Pilot FDTL Rules are designed in favor of corporate airlines so that they can make more money at the expense of pilots. Since the issue has been a subject of judicial adjudication, there is a court direction that the new FDTL rules be implemented in a phased manner from July 1. The airlines, as the reports indicate, are reluctant to implement these directions as they would be forced to employ more and more pilots.
Trained and experienced individuals are an asset for any airline. Though they are highly paid but they always carry a huge responsibility on their shoulders by flying hundreds of passengers across different destinations day in and day out.
Pilots are assets as they are heavily paid. If civil aviation is considered one of the safest modes of travel or communication, it is because of the competence of pilots.
Under the present rules, a commercial pilot is not supposed to travel more than 35 hours a week. But revenue crazy airlines are expanding their operations by flouting the FDTL regulations with impunity.
The Pilots’ associations have been seeking the intervention of the courts. The corporate houses, as major airlines in India are, just want profits and profits. Their appetite for more and more revenue is not getting satiated.
While airlines want their cake to grow bigger, pilots are getting rubbed on the wrong side.. Prima facie, fatigue is killing pilots as they are overworked.
Though the Director-General of Civil Aviation has ordered an investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of a young and bright pilot, Capt. Arman Singh Chaudhary. According to reports, he wanted to report on the fateful flight. But his plea was turned down, and he was made to fly. All these things are expected to come out when the Inquiry Committee set up by the Director-General of Civil Aviation comes out with its report in its stipulated six months.
The aviation industry has its issues and problems. While the managements want more and more revenue, the deserved attention to the well-being and health of the crew and other stakeholders is compromised. This is supported by a statement made at a FAA symposium in 2016.
“It has been estimated that 4-7% of civil aviation incidents and accidents can be attributed to fatigued pilots. “In the last 16 years, fatigue has been associated with 250 fatalities in air carrier accidents.” Robert Sumwalt, NTSB vice chairman, said at an FAA symposium in July 2016.
The ball is now in the court of the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation as well as its front agency, the Director-General of Civil Aviation.
Fingers have also been raised at the growing control of the private sector not only for the operation, management and development of airports but also on sensitive issues like security and safety of air travel. Some big players already have their own security teams in operational mode at important airports that are generally under the operational, management and maintenance control of private players. The role of the state agencies, including paramilitary forces, has been marginalized.
Introduction of multiple layers of security has also been reportedly responsible for the growing incidence of “conflict of interest” between private agencies and the state paramilitary agencies. While the personnel of the State paramilitary forces are deployed at airports with proper training, the same cannot be said of the private agencies engaged by the private players given the mandate to operate, maintain and manage important airports.
Going by its website, the Adani Group (AAHL) claims that it made its maiden venture into the airports sector by emerging as the highest bidder for the operation, management, and development of six airports: Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mangalore, Jaipur, Guwahati, and Thiruvananthapuram. It signed concession agreements with the Airports Authority of India for all six airports.
AAHL also holds a 73% stake in Mumbai International Airport Ltd, which in turn holds a 74% stake in Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd. With eight airports in its management and development portfolio, AAHL is India’s largest airport infrastructure company, accounting for 25% of passenger footfalls and 33% of India’s air cargo traffic.
“The Adani Group is committed to offering best-in-class airport infrastructure to passengers, ensuring a seamless and secure airport experience. Through Adani Airports, it envisions redefining the city-airport relationship by building shared facilities that cater to the ever-evolving global travel, lifestyle, and work requirements,” claims the website.
Other than airports, the most important component of the aviation sector is the airlines. The government-run or public sector airlines no longer hold sway. At present, the biggest player is Indigo as it has become one of the fastest-growing low-cost carriers in the world and the largest airline in India. Its success has been attributed to its unique business model, which reduces costs. According to Wikipedia, it operates a single type of aircraft, the Airbus A320 family, in a similar seating configuration, which simplifies crew training and maintenance. The airline strikes bulk deals with Airbus, reducing unit costs. The airline targets a quick, 20-minute turnaround time to prepare the aircraft for the next flight, ensuring planes fly about 12 hours per day. Employees share multiple roles, with a check-in staff doubling as baggage handlers.
In July 2023, the Indian aviation controlling authority Directorate General of Civil Aviation, imposed a fine of ₹30 lakh (US$35,000) on IndiGo for certain systemic deficiencies concerning documentation pertaining to operations, training, and engineering procedures. In March 2025, the Income Tax Department imposed a penalty of ₹944.20 crore (US$110 million) on InterGlobe Aviation, IndiGo’s parent company, for the assessment year 2021-22.
With headquarters in Gurugram, Indigo has become the largest airline in India by passengers carried and fleet size, with a 64.1% domestic market share as of April 2025. It is the second largest Asian airline and one of the largest in the world in terms of passengers carried, with more than 31.9 million passengers carried in the fourth quarter of 2025. As of June 2025, IndiGo operates over 2,200 daily flights to 127 destinations – 91 domestic and 36 international. It operates cargo services under its subsidiary, IndiGo CarGo. Its primary hub is at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi. Its turnover is now touching 90,000 crore with a net profit after taxes past 8,000 crore.
Established as a private company by Rahul Bhatia of InterGlobe Enterprises—an Indian multinational conglomerate based in Gurugram— and Rakesh Gangwal in 2005. It took delivery of its first aircraft in July 2006 and commenced operations a month later, on August 4, 2006. The airline became the largest Indian carrier by passenger market share in December 2012. The company went public in October 2015.
Air India is the flag carrier of India with its main hub at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and secondary hubs at Kempe Gowda International Airport in Bengaluru and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, alongside several focus cities across India. Headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana, India, the airline is owned by Air India Limited, which is owned by the Tata group (74.9%) and Singapore Airlines (25.1%). As of November 2024, the airline serves 102 domestic and international destinations, operating a variety of Airbus and Boeing aircraft and is the second-largest airline in India in terms of passengers carried after Indigo. Air India became the 27th member of Star Alliance on July 11, 2014.
Of all airlines in India, Air India has one of the worst track records of air and passenger safety.
Some major air crashes involving India
June 12, 2025
Air India Flight 171
A London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a residential area in Meghani Nagar shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, with 242 people onboard. Several casualties are feared. The flight was piloted by Capt. Sumit Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kunder.
August 7, 2020
Air India Express Flight 1344
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Air India Express Flight 1344 crashed while landing in heavy rain at Kozhikode airport. The repatriation flight overshot the tabletop runway, fell into a valley, and broke apart. Of the 190 on board, 21 people, including both pilots, died.
May 22, 2010
Air India Express Flight 812
Air India Express Flight 812 overshot the runway while landing at the Mangalore International Airport in Karnataka. The Boeing 737-800, coming from Dubai, plunged into a gorge beyond the tabletop runway and burst into flames, killing 158 people.
July 17, 2000
Alliance Air Flight 7412
Alliance Air Flight 7412 crashed into a densely populated residential area in Bihar’s Patna while attempting to land. The Boeing 737-200 experienced a stall at low altitude due to the reported improper handling during the final approach. Sixty people were killed, including five on the ground.
November 12, 1996
Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision
India’s deadliest air disaster claimed 349 lives when Saudia Flight 763 and Kazakhstan Airlines Flight 1907 collided mid-air near Charkhi Dadri, Haryana. A communication lapse and the Kazakh aircraft’s descent below its assigned altitude caused the crash. The tragedy led to mandatory Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS) installation on all commercial aircraft in India.
February 14, 1990
Indian Airlines Flight 605
An Indian Airlines flight crashed while approaching Bengaluru’s HAL Airport, killing 92 of the 146 people on board. The Airbus A320, a relatively new aircraft in India at the time, descended too low and hit the ground short of the runway, skidding onto a golf course.
October 19, 1988
Indian Airlines Flight 113
An Indian Airlines Flight 113, a Boeing 737-200, crashed on its approach to Ahmedabad Airport. The flight, arriving from Mumbai, struck trees and crashed short of the runway, killing 133 of the 135 people on board.
January 1, 1978
Air India Flight 855
A Dubai-bound Air India flight, a Boeing 747, plunged into the Arabian Sea shortly after taking off from Mumbai, killing all 213 people on board. The crash took place in nighttime conditions over the sea, contributing to the crew’s spatial disorientation.
May 31, 1973
Indian Airlines Flight 440
The Indian Airlines Flight 440 crashed during its approach to Delhi’s Palam Airport. The Boeing 737-200 encountered severe weather and struck high-tension wires just short of the runway. Of the 65 people on board, 48 died. Among the dead was prominent Indian politician Mohan Kumara Mangalam. The crash underscored the need for improved weather radar at Indian airports.
(Prabhjot Singh is a senior journalist who writes with equal aplomb on sports and politics. He can be reached at prabhjot416@gmail.com)
PORT OF SPAIN (TIP): The journey of the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago is one of courage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, emphasizing that the hardships their ancestors endured could have “broken even the strongest spirits”. Mr. Modi made the comments at a community event at the National Cycling Velodrome, Couva, on Thursday (July 3, 2025).
He arrived in Trinidad and Tobago earlier in the day for a two-day visit.
The Prime Minister, whose first engagement in the Caribbean nation was with the Indian community, said that it felt completely natural, as “we are part of one family”. Trinidad and Tobago has a population of approximately 1300000, 45 per cent of whom are of Indian origin.
“The journey of the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago is about courage. The circumstances your ancestors faced could have broken even the strongest of spirits. But they faced hardships with hope. They met problems with persistence,” he said.
“They left the Ganga and Yamuna behind but carried the Ramayana in their hearts,” he said, calling them messengers of a “timeless civilization”.
“The community programme in Port of Spain was spectacular. The energy and warmth of the people made it truly unforgettable. Evidently, our cultural bonds shine brightly!” he said in an X post.
In his address, the Prime Minister stressed that the Indian community members’ contribution has benefited Trinidad and Tobago “culturally, economically and spiritually”. Citing eminent Indian-origin figures in the country including Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and President Christine Carla Kangaloo, he said the descendants of Girmitiyas are no longer defined by struggle, but by their “success, service, and values”.
Girmitiyas were indentured laborers from British India transported to work on plantations in Fiji, South Africa, Eastern Africa (namely Mauritius, Seychelles, Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda), Malaysia, Singapore, and the Caribbean as part of the Indian indenture system. He added that work is ongoing to create a comprehensive database of the Girmitiya community across the world.
Mr. Modi said that between the past and the present, the friendship between the two nations has “grown even stronger”.
“Our bonds go well beyond geography and generations,” Prime Minister Modi said.
“The Indian diaspora is our pride. As I have often said, each one of you is a Rashtradoot — an Ambassador of India’s values, culture and heritage,” he said.
Mr. Modi said that India is the fastest-growing major economy in the world. “Soon we will be among the top three economies of the world.” “As we grow, we are ensuring that it is of mutual benefit to the world. Today’s India is a land of opportunities,” he said, adding that “India has a lot to offer”.
India not just a partner but co-traveler in Ghana’s development journey: PM Modi
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, who addressed the community before Mr. Modi, said that the Indian leader will be conferred on Friday (July 4, 2025) with ‘The Order of Trinidad and Tobago’, the Caribbean nation’s highest honor.
Mr. Modi, who is here as part of his five-nation tour, will hold talks with the top leadership of Trinidad and Tobago to further strengthen bilateral relations.
Earlier, he was received by his counterpart Persad-Bissessar at Piarco International Airport, where he was accorded a ceremonial welcome and a guard of honor.
This is his first visit to the country as a Prime Minister and the first Indian bilateral visit at the Prime Ministerial level to Trinidad and Tobago since 1999.
Prime Minister Modi is also expected to address a Joint Session of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago. His visit will impart fresh impetus to the deep-rooted and historical ties between the two countries.
(Source: PTI)
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