The Indian Panorama

Month: January 2026

  • Trump sets a perilous precedent

    Trump sets a perilous precedent

    The use of force by the US in Venezuela raises doubts about the legitimacy of its actions

    “The fact that the US action flouts international law related to state sovereignty and humanitarian rights protocols has been highlighted worldwide and even within the US — but to little avail. The Trump doctrine (Donroe is specific to Latin America) boils down to bludgeoning any interlocutor who does not toe the “Donald line”, and the use of tariffs as a weapon is all too familiar.”

    By C Uday Bhaskar

    The outcome of the UN Security Council’s emergency meeting on the US military operation, which resulted in the outrageous abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, was predictable. Strategic timidity in the face of the intimidation unleashed by US President Donald Trump is the dominant orientation of the global community. The famed horseshoe table did not issue any statement. Given that the spotlight was on the US, with its veto power as a permanent member of the UNSC, Washington would not have allowed any censure of its Operation Absolute Resolve.

    Panama was subjected to a similar action in 1989. There are notable parallels between the US capture of Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega on January 3, 1990, and the kidnapping of the Venezuelan President on the same day in 2026. The latter is the most direct US military intervention in Latin America since the Panama operation.

    In both cases, heads of state — sitting (Maduro) and de facto (Noriega) — have been indicted on federal drug trafficking charges; Noriega for racketeering and cocaine smuggling, and Maduro for narco-terrorism and related conspiracies that were deemed inimical to US national security. This action is being interpreted as the first step to implement the new doctrine unveiled by President Trump that builds on the 1823 Monroe doctrine and has been dubbed the Donroe doctrine.

    However, notwithstanding Trump’s assertion that Latin American affairs are now a top US security priority and that he would authorize military action and intervention at will, rumblings of dissent were evident at the UNSC’s January 5 meeting.

    The deliberations reflected the widespread international condemnation of the US action as a violation of international law, sovereignty and the UN Charter’s prohibition on the use of force against a state’s territorial integrity or political independence. Despite the distinctive backdrop, UN Secretary-General António Guterres was not present at the meeting; his statement, which was read out by an official, emphasized that “the power of the law must prevail” and called for inclusive democratic dialogue respecting human rights and Venezuela’s sovereignty. To his credit, Guterres was the first to condemn the US action and voiced the overwhelming global shock and anguish.

    At the UNSC meeting, two of the permanent members, Russia and China, along with Brazil, Colombia (which made a request for the meeting), Cuba and Mexico denounced the operation as an act of aggression, armed attack or “imperialist” intervention. Some demanded Maduro’s immediate release and rejected unilateral actions.

    Even US allies such as France and Denmark criticized the move for undermining the principles of international order, though some acknowledged Maduro’s repressive rule and the need to address drug trafficking and human rights issues through lawful means.

    In response, Mike Waltz, US Ambassador to the UN, defended the action as a “surgical law enforcement operation” against indicted “narco-terrorists”, not an act of war or occupation, and stated that the US had no plans to occupy Venezuela. This was not accepted by the global community. It is instructive that no nation, except Argentina and Ecuador, has unambiguously endorsed the belligerent US action against Maduro.

    The fact that the US action flouts international law related to state sovereignty and humanitarian rights protocols has been highlighted worldwide and even within the US — but to little avail. The Trump doctrine (Donroe is specific to Latin America) boils down to bludgeoning any interlocutor who does not toe the “Donald line”, and the use of tariffs as a weapon is all too familiar.

    Hence, most nations have chosen prudence in response to the US military operation. India, Japan and many other countries have issued anodyne statements that do not directly condemn the US action or uphold any normative principle of international law.

    The operation has raised disturbing questions. If the US arrogates unto itself the right to abduct/kidnap the head of another state for perceived transgression of American laws, is any global leader safe from such predatory action? Will leaders attending the UN General Assembly meeting in New York be sanguine about their own safety?

    The use of force by the US in Venezuela raises doubts about the legitimacy of its actions. At least 115 deaths were reported from US military strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats (including go-fast boats and semi-submersibles) in the months leading to Operation Absolute Resolve.

    These strikes were part of a campaign that began in early September 2025 and targeted vessels primarily in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. A total of 36 vessels were struck on the suspicion of carrying drugs. Should the US military have been part of such an operation against unarmed small vessels? The January 3 operation itself reportedly caused 70-80 fatalities, mostly Venezuelan and Cuban personnel tasked to protect Maduro.

    There is little doubt that the US has an impressive array of trans-border military capability that includes delivery of lethal precision-guided ordnance, pinpoint surveillance accuracy, strategic airlift and overwhelming cyber capabilities. All this was demonstrated both in Abbottabad (the killing of Osama bin Laden in 2011) and in the audacious capture of President Maduro. But Trump’s resolve to discipline Venezuela will remain tainted for blurring the Weberian dictum about the legitimacy of the use of military force.

    More such resolute actions have been mooted — Colombia, Cuba, Iran and even Mexico have been threatened by Trump. Fall in line or else face US ire. Greenland may provide the ultimate Alice in Wonderland scenario. If the next Trump move is to ‘acquire’ Greenland, and Denmark invokes Article VI of the NATO provisions, it is possible that troops of the US military will defend a NATO ally against the occupying US forces!

    Welcome to Trumpland, and all hail Emperor Donroe!

    (C Uday Bhaskar is Director, Society for Policy Studies)

  • Why is Trump interested in Greenland? Look at the thawing Arctic ice.

    Why is Trump interested in Greenland? Look at the thawing Arctic ice.

    By Gaby Hinsliff

    Forecasts suggest that global heating could create a shortcut from Asia to North America, and new routes for trading, shipping – and attack.

    Another week, another freak weather phenomenon you’ve probably never heard of. If it’s not the “weather bomb” of extreme wind and snow that Britain is hunkering down for as I write, it’s reports in the Guardian of reindeer in the Arctic struggling with the opposite problem: unnaturally warm weather leading to more rain that freezes to create a type of snow that they can’t easily dig through with their hooves to reach food. In a habitat as harsh as the Arctic, where survival relies on fine adaptation, even small shifts in weather patterns have endlessly rippling consequences – and not just for reindeer.

    For decades now, politicians have been warning of the coming climate wars – conflicts triggered by drought, flood, fire and storms forcing people on to the move, or pushing them into competition with neighbors for dwindling natural resources. For anyone who vaguely imagined this happening far from temperate Europe’s doorstep, in drought-stricken deserts or on Pacific islands sinking slowly into the sea, this week’s seemingly unhinged White House talk about taking ownership of Greenland is a blunt wake-up call. As Britain’s first sea lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, has been telling anyone prepared to listen, the unfreezing of the north due to the climate crisis has triggered a ferocious contest in the defrosting Arctic for some time over resources, territory and strategically critical access to the Atlantic. To understand how that threatens northern Europe, look down at the top of a globe rather than at a map.

    By the early 2040s, forecasts suggest global heating could have rendered the frozen waters around the north pole – the ocean separating Russia from Canada and Greenland – almost ice-free in summer. That potentially opens a new shortcut from Asia to North America, not around the planet’s middle but over the top, creating new routes for trading, shipping, fishing – and, more ominously, for attack.

    A new theatre of conflict is consequently emerging from under the melting ice, and China, Russia and the US are increasingly locked in a battle for dominance over it. Meanwhile as rising temperatures turn the high north into an autocrat’s chessboard, territories unlucky enough to be in the way – from Greenland to Canada to the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, long coveted by Russia – risk becoming pawns.

    Almost as dangerous for these countries as the threats exposed by a thawing pole are, in a way, the opportunities. Why on earth does the US think it needs to annex friendly Greenland in order to defend this critical Arctic frontier? After all, they’ve had troops stationed on this autonomous Danish territory since the second world war, and Denmark has obligingly made clear they’re more than welcome to bring more. The one benefit that does come uniquely with ownership, interestingly, is rights to the underground riches that could be unlocked as this frozen country heats up.

    Greenland is a rare, untapped source not just of oil and gas but of the rare earth minerals used to make everything from electric car batteries to datacenter processors – which are to US hopes of winning a technological race with China as rubber from Malaya or cotton from India were to the old colonial economies. Though it’s often a mistake to read too much logical method into the apparent presidential madness, there is no shortage of ideologues and tech bros in Trump’s orbit capable of putting all this together and selling it to him. And while mining the Arctic might not be economically viable for many years yet, Trump’s grumbles this week about Greenland being “full of Chinese and Russian ships everywhere” suggests someone has convinced him that he can’t let rivals beat him to a valuable potential development opportunity, a concept any former real estate mogul can grasp. After all, in Ukraine, Trump sought rights to mine rare earths in exchange for security guarantees, and in Gaza he mused about building hotels on its bombed-out ruins: why not seek to make a quick buck from environmental catastrophe?

    And while to Britons all this looks like a new age of empire, for the Maga faithful perhaps there’s an echo of a much more American story, that of settlers making their fortune by joining the wagon trail west, pushing the nation’s frontiers endlessly outwards, staking their claim to Indigenous people’s lands and holding grimly on to them through a brutal mix of trade and violence. The aim isn’t to invade Greenland, US secretary of state Marco Rubio explains, but to buy it, or at least rent exclusive military access. It’s a mark of how fast the relationship between the US and its former allies has collapsed – in just over a year – that this is meant to be reassuring: hey friends, we just want to exploit you, not kill you!

    Given the president’s legendarily short attention span, it’s difficult to know what fate awaits Greenland. Maybe he’ll simply get bored and move on, especially once the midterms are over and there is less need for drama abroad to distract from failures at home. Or maybe the White House will borrow instead from the Putin playbook, exploiting Greenlanders’ yearning for independence from Denmark to foment the kind of domestic unrest that is so easily whipped up in the age of social media – before pitching the US as a benign savior riding into town to keep them safe and make them rich.

    But either way, we had better get used to the idea this is the beginning, not the end, of the conflicts that may come as global heating redraws our maps, unpicks old alliances, and creates new deadly rivalries for land, water and natural resources.

    Of course, it will be worse for those already living on the edge of sustainability, in deserts too parched for anything to grow or in coastal towns already struggling with rising sea levels, or in places too poor to protect themselves from increasingly violent storms, than it will for lucky old temperate Europe. And of course, these risks could always be better managed by collaborative governments treating events like the unfreezing of the north as a collective challenge for humans to face together, rather than a deadly race for national advantage.

    But in the week Trump announced he would be pulling the US out of a raft of international climate initiatives, that clearly isn’t the world we live in. So if nothing else, let poor beleaguered Greenland be a reminder that the climate crisis will have geopolitical consequences we have barely yet begun to understand, and that whatever we can still do to cap the rising temperature or mitigate its effects still matters. Even, or maybe especially, if we can’t yet undo the damage that has already been so willfully done.

    (Gaby Hinsliff is a Guardian columnist)

     

  • Mamdani’s First Week as Mayor Raises Hopes for the City

    By Prof. Indrajit S Saluja
    By Prof. Indrajit S Saluja

    The morning, it is said, is the herald of the day. By that measure, Zohran Mamdani’s first week as Mayor of New York City has raised genuine hopes that the city is now being led by a man who does not merely promise but means to deliver. In just seven days, Mamdani has attempted to do precisely what he pledged during the campaign: govern like a man in a hurry—because New York’s affordability crisis is itself in a hurry.

    Sworn in just after midnight on January 1, 2026, Mamdani assumed office with an unusually elaborate “day-one” agenda and a collection of promises that together form a clear governing philosophy: make the city cheaper to live in, and make government feel closer, more responsive, and more humane. It is an ambitious undertaking in any era; it is especially daunting in a city where housing, transit, childcare, and public safety collide daily at the subway turnstile.

    So how has he fared in his first week? Judging by the early evidence, Mamdani’s start can fairly be described as directionally bold, administratively energetic, and politically combustible.

    Housing—the central pillar of his mandate—has been the clearest focus. Mamdani campaigned on freezing rents for rent-stabilized tenants, cracking down on predatory landlords, and expanding housing supply simultaneously. In his opening days, he placed early markers through executive actions aimed at speeding up housing production and strengthening tenant protections. Task forces were announced to identify city-owned land for housing development and to remove long-standing permitting barriers that delay projects and inflate costs. He also ordered citywide “rental ripoff” hearings—public forums intended to expose illegal or abusive practices and convert public testimony into enforcement and policy tools.

    This is not yet a rent freeze, nor a completed housing plan. But it is an unmistakable signal: Mamdani intends to deploy the executive authority of the mayor’s office to reorganize how City Hall wages the housing battle.

    His second notable initiative has centered on civic participation. Mamdani moved swiftly to create an Office of Mass Engagement, designed to coordinate public outreach across agencies and, in his own words, to “revolutionize” how ordinary New Yorkers are heard. Supporters see this as democratic renewal; critics call it political machinery dressed in bureaucratic clothing. Either way, the intent is clear—to institutionalize a continuous feedback loop between neighborhoods and City Hall, something many administrations profess to value but few attempt to systematize so early.

    The third development has produced a tangible affordability headline: childcare. On January 8, Mayor Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul announced a pathway toward free childcare for two-year-olds in New York City, with a phased rollout beginning in high-need neighborhoods and initial funding commitments from the state. If this initiative survives the inevitable budget negotiations and Albany politics, it could become one of the most consequential early victories of the administration—because for working families, childcare costs function as a second rent.

    Yet the first week has also exposed predictable friction points. Mamdani’s ideological identity—he has openly embraced the democratic socialist label—along with his appointments, has already drawn intense scrutiny. Controversies surrounding prior statements by at least one appointee illustrate the risk of governing as a movement politician: personnel become policy proxies, and yesterday’s rhetoric becomes today’s headline.

    It bears emphasizing that no mayor delivers fare-free buses, city-owned grocery stores, or a reimagined public safety architecture in seven days. These were among Mamdani’s boldest campaign promises, and each requires sustained financing, legal authority, labor negotiations, and cooperation from the state. Week one, therefore, is not about outcomes; it is about seriousness.

    On that measure, Mamdani has passed the first test. He appears prepared, he is moving decisively, and he is choosing battles consistent with the mandate voters gave him. The harder test—already approaching—is whether moral urgency can be converted into administrative competence, and competence into durable, measurable results, without allowing ideology to substitute for execution.

    New Yorkers did not elect a slogan. They elected a mayor. The first week suggests Zohran Mamdani understands the difference. Now comes the part where the city insists on proof.

  • When the World Stands at the Edge: A Call for Sagacity and Humanity

    The frightening scenario of looming conflicts across the globe should trouble every thoughtful mind. From simmering regional tensions to great-power rivalries hardening into camps, the international atmosphere today bears an unsettling resemblance to a return of the Cold War—except that this time, the heat of an actual war seems alarmingly close. The rhetoric has grown sharper, military posturing more visible, and the space for calm diplomacy dangerously narrow. History warns us that such moments, if mishandled, can slide from hostility to devastation with terrifying speed.

    What is most distressing is not merely the presence of disputes—conflicts have always existed—but the manner in which they are being approached. Threats are issued casually, sanctions imposed reflexively, and the language of force has begun to overshadow the language of reason. In this volatile climate, the margin for error is dangerously thin. A miscalculation, a provocation misunderstood, or an act of pride could plunge entire regions into chaos, with consequences that spare no nation, howsoever powerful, howsoever distant it may believe itself to be.

    At such times, the world looks not to ordinary citizens, but to its leaders. Leadership, after all, is not conferred merely by elections, crowns, or constitutions. True leadership lies in the capacity to rise above impulse, anger, and populist applause. The common person may rush into quarrels and feuds without pausing to consider the consequences, but leaders are expected to be different. They are entrusted with power precisely because they are supposed to weigh consequences, foresee danger, and act with restraint.

    There is wisdom in the old saying: fools rush in where angels fear to tread. Power should never embolden recklessness; it should cultivate humility. Authority should not amplify ego; it should deepen a sense of responsibility. When leaders speak and act, they do so not merely on their own behalf, but for millions—sometimes billions—of lives whose futures hinge on their judgment. To forget this is to betray the very meaning of leadership.

    Power, at its best, should bring grace in conduct and humanity in decision-making. It should sharpen empathy rather than blunt it. A leader who cannot feel the pain of civilians displaced by war, the anguish of parents who lose children, or the economic ruin that follows prolonged conflict has no moral claim to greatness. Without humanity, what distinguishes those at the helm of nations from the ordinary individuals they govern?

    The world does not suffer from a shortage of weapons, armies, or alliances. What it lacks is sagacity—the calm wisdom to pause, reflect, and choose dialogue over destruction. Strength today should be measured not by the ability to intimidate or destroy, but by the courage to de-escalate, to negotiate, and to compromise without humiliation.

    World leaders must remember that history is an unforgiving judge. Those who lead humanity toward peace and shared prosperity are remembered with gratitude; those who drag the world into conflict and desolation are remembered with regret, if not condemnation. The choice before today’s leaders is stark. They can inflame divisions and march toward ruin, or they can rise above fear and pride, and guide the world toward stability and hope.

    At this perilous moment, humanity does not need more wars. It needs wiser leaders.

  • Swami Vivekananda Jayanti: National Youth Day and the awakening of a nation

    Swami Vivekananda Jayanti: National Youth Day and the awakening of a nation

    National Youth Day is observed every year on January 12, marking the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda-one of India’s greatest spiritual thinkers, reformers and global ambassadors of Hindu philosophy. Revered as a true luminary of modern India, Vivekananda is credited with introducing the Western world to the depth, rationality and universality of Hinduism and Vedanta, while simultaneously inspiring generations of Indian youth to rise with confidence, courage and character.
    In recognition of his extraordinary faith in young minds, the Government of India declared his birth anniversary as National Youth Day in 1984, and the observance formally began in 1985. The day serves not merely as a tribute, but as a reminder of Vivekananda’s timeless call to youth-led nation-building.
    Early Life: Narendranath Dutta and the Seeds of Greatness
    Swami Vivekananda was born as Narendranath Dutta on January 12, 1863, coinciding with the auspicious festival of Makar Sankranti, in an affluent and culturally refined Bengali family in Calcutta (now Kolkata). He was one of eight children born to Vishwanath Dutta, a successful attorney and influential personality, and Bhuvaneshwari Devi, a deeply religious woman whose spiritual temperament left a profound impression on her son.
    From a young age, Narendranath displayed exceptional intelligence, curiosity and fearlessness. While his father exposed him to rational thinking, Western ideas and liberal values, his mother nurtured in him a strong spiritual foundation rooted in devotion, discipline and moral strength.
    Education, Intellect and Physical Vigor
    At the age of eight, in 1871, Narendranath was enrolled at Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar’s Metropolitan Institution, and later studied at Presidency College in Calcutta. A brilliant student, he was deeply influenced by Western philosophy, Christianity and modern science, while simultaneously exploring Indian scriptures.
    What set Vivekananda apart was the breadth of his intellect. On one hand, he immersed himself in sacred Hindu texts such as the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads and Vedas; on the other, he studied Western philosophers and thinkers like David Hume, Herbert Spencer, John Stuart Mill and Immanuel Kant. This rare synthesis of Eastern spirituality and Western rationalism would later define his worldview.
    Equally important to him was physical strength. Narendranath was passionate about music-both vocal and instrumental-and actively participated in sports, including gymnastics, wrestling and bodybuilding. He firmly believed that a strong body was essential for a strong mind, a message he later emphasized repeatedly to Indian youth.
    Spiritual Quest and Inner Conflict
    Although raised in a religious household, Narendranath’s exposure to diverse philosophies led him to question orthodox beliefs and even the existence of God. At times, he leaned towards agnosticism, yet he could never completely deny the presence of a supreme reality.
    In 1880, he joined Keshab Chandra Sen’s Nava Vidhan and became associated with the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj, led by Keshab Chandra Sen and Debendranath Tagore.
    The Brahmo Samaj emphasized monotheism and rejected idol worship, which resonated with his rational temperament. However, his inner questions remained unresolved.
    Meeting Sri Ramakrishna: A Spiritual Turning Point
    During this period of intense spiritual turmoil, Narendranath first heard about Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa from William Hastie, the Principal of Scottish Church College. Intrigued, he eventually met Ramakrishna at the Dakshineshwar Kali Temple.
    Narendranath posed a question he had asked many spiritual leaders before:
    “Have you seen God?”
    Ramakrishna’s reply was immediate and disarmingly simple:
    “Yes, I have. I see God as clearly as I see you-only in a much deeper sense.”
    This answer profoundly impacted Narendranath. He began visiting Dakshineshwar regularly, and under Ramakrishna’s guidance, many of his doubts gradually dissolved. Ramakrishna’s teachings of universal religion, divine love and direct spiritual experience reshaped his understanding of God and life.
    Hardship, Renunciation and Acceptance of the Guru
    After the sudden death of his father, the Dutta family plunged into severe financial distress. In desperation, Narendranath approached Ramakrishna, requesting him to pray to Goddess Kali for material relief. Ramakrishna, however, asked him to pray himself.
    Standing before the deity, Narendranath found himself unable to ask for wealth or comfort. Instead, he prayed for conscience, strength and renunciation. This moment marked his spiritual awakening and the beginning of his ascetic journey. He fully accepted Sri Ramakrishna as his Guru, surrendering himself to the spiritual path.
    From Disciple to Monk
    In 1885, Sri Ramakrishna was diagnosed with throat cancer and shifted to Calcutta and later to Cossipore. Vivekananda and other disciples devoted themselves to nursing him. On August 16, 1886, Ramakrishna attained Mahasamadhi, leaving behind a spiritual legacy that would soon transform India.
    Before his passing, Ramakrishna taught his disciples that service to humanity is the highest form of worship. After his demise, fifteen disciples, including Narendranath, took shelter at Baranagar in North Calcutta, which later became known as Ramakrishna Math. In 1887, they formally took vows of monkhood. Narendranath became Swami Vivekananda, meaning “the bliss of discerning wisdom.”
    Parivrajak: Walking Through India’s Soul
    Vivekananda soon left the monastery to embark on a nationwide journey on foot, known as Parivrajaka Sannyasa. Traveling across villages, towns and princely states, he witnessed India’s poverty, social injustice, caste discrimination and spiritual decline firsthand.
    This journey awakened in him a deep resolve: India’s regeneration lay in uplifting the masses through education, spiritual strength and self-confidence.
    World Parliament of Religions,
    Chicago (1893)
    Determined to represent India and his Guru’s teachings, Vivekananda set out to attend the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago. Despite financial hardships and initial setbacks, he eventually took the stage on September 11, 1893.
    His opening words-
    “Sisters and Brothers of America”-
    earned him a thunderous standing ovation.
    Through his speeches, Vivekananda introduced the world to Vedanta, religious tolerance, universal brotherhood and spiritual humanism, firmly placing India on the global spiritual map.
    He spent nearly two and a half years in the United States, founding the Vedanta Society of New York, and later traveled to the United Kingdom, spreading Vedantic philosophy.
    Ramakrishna Mission: Service as Spiritual Practice
    Upon returning to India in 1897, Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission on May 1, 1897, at Belur Math near Calcutta. Rooted in Karma Yoga, the Mission aimed to serve the poor, sick and distressed as a form of worship.
    Its activities included:
    – Schools and colleges
    – Hospitals and healthcare services
    – Disaster relief and rehabilitation
    – Spiritual education through seminars and conferences
    The Mission remains a living embodiment of Vivekananda’s vision of practical spirituality.
    Philosophy and Teachings
    Vivekananda’s teachings were grounded in Sri Ramakrishna’s spiritual realizations and his own interpretation of Advaita Vedanta. He believed that:
    – The ultimate goal of life is freedom of the soul
    – All religions are valid paths to the same truth
    – Strength, fearlessness and service are essential virtues
    His clarion call to youth-
    “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached”-
    continues to inspire millions.
    Mahasamadhi: A Life Fulfilled
    Swami Vivekananda once predicted that he would not live beyond forty. On July 4, 1902, at the age of 39, he passed away while meditating, attaining Mahasamadhi. He was cremated on the banks of the River Ganga, leaving behind a legacy that transcends time.

    National Youth Day: A Living Legacy
    National Youth Day is more than a remembrance-it is a call to action. Swami Vivekananda’s life stands as a beacon for India’s youth, urging them to combine knowledge with character, strength with compassion, and faith with reason.
    Even today, his words echo with urgency and hope, reminding the nation that the future belongs to fearless, enlightened and selfless youth.
    National Youth Day celebrations
    Across schools, colleges and universities, the day begins with special assemblies, lectures and interactive sessions highlighting the life, philosophy and teachings of Swami Vivekananda. Students participate in debates, essay-writing competitions, quizzes and speeches that focus on leadership, character-building and social responsibility. These programs aim to make Vivekananda’s ideas relevant to contemporary challenges faced by young people.
    At the national and state levels, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, along with various youth organizations, holds youth conventions, leadership programs and National Youth Festivals around January 12. These events bring together young participants from different regions, encouraging cultural exchange, innovation and a spirit of unity. The celebrations often feature discussions on education, employment, entrepreneurship and civic responsibility.
    Cultural expression plays an important role in the observance. Dance, music, drama and street plays depicting episodes from Vivekananda’s life or conveying his message of universal brotherhood and service are staged in educational institutions and public spaces. Exhibitions displaying photographs, books and archival material related to his life and teachings are also organized, allowing people to engage with his legacy in a visual and accessible way.
    In keeping with Vivekananda’s emphasis on physical and mental strength, yoga sessions, meditation programs and fitness activities are widely conducted on National Youth Day. Public parks, campuses and community centers host group yoga practices and mindfulness sessions, reinforcing the idea that a strong body and a focused mind are essential foundations for personal and national growth.
    Community service forms the moral core of the celebrations. Inspired by Vivekananda’s belief that service to humanity is the highest form of worship, many youth groups and institutions organize blood donation camps, cleanliness drives, tree plantation programs, free medical camps and rural outreach initiatives. These activities encourage young people to translate ideals into action and develop a sense of social commitment.
    The Ramakrishna Mission and its centers across India and abroad observe National Youth Day with special prayers, spiritual discourses and youth conventions. Belur Math, the headquarters of the Mission, becomes a focal point for reflections on Vivekananda’s teachings, particularly his vision of harmonizing spirituality with social service.
    In recent years, National Youth Day has also expanded into the digital space, with educational institutions, government bodies and youth organizations sharing inspirational quotes, videos, webinars and online discussions on social media platforms. These digital initiatives help carry Vivekananda’s message to a wider, tech-savvy audience.
    Observed on January 12 each year, National Youth Day ultimately serves as a day of reflection, inspiration and renewal. It reminds India’s youth of Swami Vivekananda’s enduring call to rise above fear, build character and dedicate themselves to the service of society-affirming his timeless belief that the future of the nation rests in the hands of awakened and empowered young minds.

  • Pongal: Tamil Nadu’s festival of gratitude to the sun, soil and sustenance

    Pongal: Tamil Nadu’s festival of gratitude to the sun, soil and sustenance

    As the winter Sun climbs higher in the southern sky and the land turns generous after months of cultivation, South India, particularly Tamil Nadu awakens to one of its most cherished festivals-Pongal. Celebrated over four days in mid-January, Pongal is not merely a harvest festival; it is a profound expression of thanksgiving-to the Sun (Surya), the earth, the farmer, and the cattle that sustain agrarian life.
    Rooted in ancient Tamil civilization and aligned with the solar transition of Uttarayan and Makar Sankranti, Pongal embodies a timeless philosophy: that human prosperity is inseparable from harmony with nature.
    The Origin of Pongal: An Ancient Tamil Thanksgiving
    The word Pongal comes from the Tamil verb “ponga”, meaning to boil over-a symbolic gesture of abundance, prosperity and overflowing joy. The festival’s origins can be traced back more than two millennia, referenced in classical Tamil literature, including Sangam texts, which celebrate agriculture, seasonal rhythms and Sun worship.
    Pongal is believed to have emerged as a Dravidian harvest observance, long before its later assimilation into broader pan-Indian solar festivals. Over time, it became closely associated with Makar Sankranti, marking the Sun’s northward journey and the end of the winter solstice.
    In ancient Tamil society, where agriculture was central to survival and culture, Pongal served as a communal pause-an opportunity to acknowledge nature’s benevolence and reaffirm collective responsibility toward land and livestock.
    Significance of Pongal: Gratitude as a Way of Life
    At its heart, Pongal is a festival of gratitude. It celebrates not conquest or mythic triumph, but the quiet miracle of sustenance-the grain that ripens, the cattle that plough, the Sun that nourishes.
    Spiritually, Pongal honors:
    – Surya, the life-giving Sun
    – Bhumi Devi, the fertile Earth
    – Mattu (cattle), partners in agriculture
    – Farmers, custodians of food security
    The festival reinforces the Tamil worldview that prosperity must be acknowledged, shared and respected-not exploited.
    The boiling of Pongal rice until it spills over the pot is accompanied by joyful cries of “Pongalo Pongal!”, invoking abundance in homes, fields and hearts.
    The Four Days of Pongal: Rituals and Observances
    Bhogi Pongal: Renewal and Release
    The festival begins with Bhogi Pongal, dedicated to renewal. Old possessions, broken tools and discarded items are ceremonially burnt, symbolising the shedding of negativity and stagnation.
    Homes are cleaned, walls freshly decorated, and intricate kolams (rangoli) drawn at entrances using rice flour-both an aesthetic and ecological act, as they feed birds and insects.
    Bhogi honors Indra, the deity of rain, acknowledging the water that sustains crops.
    Thai Pongal: The Festival of the Sun
    The second and most important day, Thai Pongal, is dedicated to Surya. Families prepare the sacred dish-Pongal-using newly harvested rice, milk and jaggery, often outdoors under the open sky.
    As the pot boils over, prayers are offered to the Sun, thanking him for warmth, light and life. The dish is first offered to the deity before being shared among family and neighbours, reinforcing the spirit of community.
    Mattu Pongal: Honoring the Silent Workers
    Mattu Pongal is a moving tribute to cattle-bulls, cows and buffaloes-acknowledging their indispensable role in agriculture. Animals are bathed, decorated with garlands, bells and painted horns, and fed special meals.
    In villages, this day reflects a deep ethical tradition-recognizing labor beyond the human. It also coincides with traditional events such as Jallikattu, a centuries-old sport celebrating valor and cattle rearing, now regulated and symbolic of cultural identity.
    Kaanum Pongal: Community and Kinship
    The final day, Kaanum Pongal, is devoted to social bonding. Families visit relatives, exchange gifts and enjoy picnics near rivers or fields.
    Women offer prayers for the prosperity of their brothers, echoing themes of protection and familial harmony. The day emphasises that harvest celebrations are incomplete without human connection.
    Food, Kolams and Cultural Expression
    Food lies at the heart of Pongal, not as indulgence but as ritual. Variants such as Sakkarai Pongal, Ven Pongal and sugarcane delicacies dominate festive tables.
    Kolams drawn with mathematical precision reflect Tamil Nadu’s unique fusion of art, science and spirituality. Folk songs, rural games and temple festivities add vibrancy, ensuring that Pongal is celebrated as much in the streets as in the home.
    Pongal in Contemporary Times
    While urbanisation has transformed lifestyles, Pongal remains deeply relevant. Cities celebrate with community feasts, cultural performances and eco-conscious practices. Schools and institutions use the festival to reconnect younger generations with agrarian values.
    Importantly, Pongal has evolved into a symbol of Tamil identity and pride, transcending religious boundaries and uniting people across communities.
    A Festival Rooted in Humility and Harmony
    Pongal endures because it celebrates the fundamentals of life-food, family and gratitude. In a world increasingly disconnected from nature, the festival serves as a gentle reminder that prosperity is not self-created, but co-produced by sun, soil, rain and labour.
    As pots boil over and kolams bloom at dawn, Pongal quietly teaches an enduring lesson: to receive with humility, to share with joy, and to live in harmony with the earth that sustains us.

  • Taiwan detects 23 Chinese aircraft, 6 vessels, official ship around itself

    Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense detected the presence of 23 Chinese military aircraft, six naval vessels and an official ship operating in its territorial waters as of 6am (local time) on Friday, Jan 9.
    In a post on X, the MND said, “23 PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN ships and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 19 out of 23 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded.”
    Earlier on Thursday, Taiwan’s MND detected 21 sorties of PLA aircraft and five PLAN vessels.
    In a post on X, the MND said, “Overall 21 sorties of PLA aircraft in various types (including J-10, H-6K, KJ-500, etc.) were detected from 1456hr today. 19 out of 21 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the northern, central and southwestern ADIZ in conducting air-sea joint training along with other PLAN vessels. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly.” Earlier in the day, it had said, “9 sorties of PLA aircraft, 5 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 9 out of 9 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded.”

  • Maghi Mela: Punjab’s sacred confluence of faith, sacrifice and liberation

    Maghi Mela: Punjab’s sacred confluence of faith, sacrifice and liberation

    Every January, as the Sun begins its northward journey and Punjab emerges from the depths of winter, thousands of devotees converge at a sacred town whose very name echoes redemption-Sri Muktsar Sahib. Here, on the occasion of Maghi, Punjab observes one of its most solemn and spiritually charged gatherings: Maghi Mela.
    Held a day after Lohri and coinciding with Makar Sankranti, Maghi Mela is not a festival of revelry but of remembrance, repentance and renewal. It commemorates the unparalleled sacrifice of the Chali Mukte-the Forty Liberated Ones-whose martyrdom transformed this land into a symbol of spiritual emancipation within Sikh history.
    Sri Muktsar Sahib: The Land of Liberation
    At the heart of Maghi Mela lies Sri Muktsar Sahib, a revered Sikh pilgrimage centre in southern Punjab. The town derives its name from the historic transformation it witnessed-Muktsar, meaning “the pool of liberation”.
    Originally known as Khidrana, this site became sacred following the battle fought here in 1705 between Guru Gobind Singh’s followers and the Mughal forces. It was here that forty Sikhs, who had earlier renounced their allegiance to the Guru under duress, returned to defend him, driven by remorse and unshakable faith.
    After the fierce battle, Guru Gobind Singh personally blessed the martyrs, tearing up the document of renunciation and declaring them “Mukte”-those who had attained liberation. The transformation of Khidrana into Sri Muktsar Sahib stands as one of the most powerful moments of forgiveness and grace in Sikh tradition.
    Today, the town is dotted with historic gurdwaras, sacred sarovars and memorials associated with the Chali Mukte, making it the epicentre of Maghi observances.
    Origins of Maghi Mela: History Forged in Sacrifice
    The origins of Maghi Mela are inseparable from the Battle of Muktsar. During the prolonged siege of Anandpur Sahib by Mughal and hill chieftain forces, forty Sikhs-exhausted and fearful-signed a document disavowing Guru Gobind Singh. However, their conscience soon awakened.
    Under the leadership of Mai Bhago, a formidable Sikh woman warrior, the forty Sikhs pursued the Guru and confronted the Mughal army at Khidrana. Despite being vastly outnumbered, they fought with extraordinary bravery, attaining martyrdom while ensuring the Guru’s safety.
    Their sacrifice was not merely martial-it was moral and spiritual, exemplifying the Sikh ideals of responsibility, repentance and selfless courage.
    Spiritual Significance: From Repentance to Redemption
    Maghi Mela occupies a unique place in Sikh spirituality because it commemorates not only martyrdom but the possibility of redemption. The story of the Chali Mukte teaches that spiritual liberation is attainable through sincere remorse and righteous action.
    The observance coincides with Uttarayan, reinforcing the symbolism of turning toward light-both cosmically and inwardly. For pilgrims, Maghi becomes a moment of introspection, encouraging them to confront personal failings and renew commitment to truth and justice.
    Pilgrimage and the Sacred Sarovar
    A defining ritual of Maghi Mela is the holy dip at the sacred sarovar of Sri Muktsar Sahib. Pilgrims arrive in the pre-dawn hours, braving the winter cold to bathe in waters believed to carry the blessings of the Chali Mukte.
    After the dip, devotees visit key gurdwaras, including:
    – Gurdwara Tuti Gandi Sahib, marking where Guru Gobind Singh tore the renunciation letter
    – Gurdwara Tibbi Sahib, associated with the Guru’s strategic position
    – Gurdwara Shahid Ganj, commemorating the martyrs
    These visits transform the mela into a living historical journey, where faith and memory merge.
    Traditions and Observances: Faith in Action Ardas, Kirtan and Katha
    Special prayers are offered throughout the day, accompanied by continuous kirtan and historical discourses recounting the battle and its lessons. The emphasis remains on humility, courage and moral responsibility.
    Langar: The Spirit of Equality
    Massive langars operate day and night, feeding thousands. Volunteers from across Punjab and beyond serve meals selflessly, reflecting the Sikh principle that service to humanity is service to the Divine.
    Charity and Community Service
    In keeping with the spirit of Maghi and Makar Sankranti, acts of charity-donations of food, clothes and money-form an integral part of the observance.
    Maghi Beyond the Shrine:
    Cultural and Agrarian Dimensions
    While Sri Muktsar Sahib remains the spiritual nucleus, Maghi is observed across Punjab as:
    – The beginning of the new agricultural year
    – A time for settling land leases and accounts
    – A marker of seasonal transition and renewed labour
    Folk gatherings, local fairs and markets accompany the religious observance, lending Maghi a gentle cultural vibrancy without diminishing its solemn tone.
    Maghi Mela in Contemporary Times
    Today, Maghi Mela draws pilgrims from across India and the global Sikh diaspora. Modern civic arrangements support the massive turnout, while educational initiatives-exhibitions, lectures and publications-ensure the historical and spiritual essence of Sri Muktsar Sahib is preserved for future generations.
    Maghi Mela is ultimately a tribute to the idea that faith is not defined by perfection, but by the courage to return, repent and rise. The Chali Mukte did not erase their past-they redeemed it through sacrifice.
    As pilgrims gather each year at Sri Muktsar Sahib, they are reminded that liberation is not distant or abstract. It lies in truthful living, moral courage and unwavering devotion.
    In the quiet prayers by the sacred sarovar and the echo of Gurbani across the winter air, Maghi Mela continues to affirm Punjab’s timeless lesson:
    that even in failure, the path to liberation remains open.

  • Makar Sankranti: When the Sun turns north

    Makar Sankranti: When the Sun turns north

    Each January, as winter slowly loosens its grip and the chill in the air carries the promise of warmth, India witnesses a quiet yet momentous cosmic shift. The Sun begins its northward journey, crossing into Makara Rashi (Capricorn). This celestial transition is celebrated as Makar Sankranti-one of the subcontinent’s most ancient, scientifically precise and spiritually resonant festivals.
    Unlike most Indian festivals governed by the lunar calendar, Makar Sankranti follows the solar cycle, falling almost unfailingly on January 14 (occasionally January 15). It marks the beginning of Uttarayan, the auspicious half of the year when days lengthen and light triumphs over darkness. Across India’s vast geography, this solar event blossoms into harvest celebrations, pilgrimages, rituals of charity and vibrant regional traditions-each echoing the same eternal truth: renewal is inevitable.
    The Significance of Makar Sankranti
    At its core, Makar Sankranti is a festival of transition-from cold to warmth, from scarcity to abundance, from dormancy to growth. In Hindu cosmology, the Sun (Surya) is not merely a celestial body but the visible manifestation of divine consciousness, the sustainer of life and the regulator of time.
    The Rig Veda venerates the Sun as the cosmic witness:
    “?ditya? sarva-bh?t?n?? cak?u?”
    (The Sun is the eye of all beings)
    When the Sun begins its northward ascent, it symbolises spiritual awakening and upward movement-a belief that elevates Makar Sankranti far beyond a seasonal marker.
    The Bhagavad Gita reinforces this sanctity:
    “Agnir jyotir aha? ?ukla? ?a?-m?s? uttar?ya?am…” (8.24)
    (Fire, light, day, the bright fortnight and the six months of Uttarayan…)
    Lord Krishna identifies Uttarayan as the path associated with liberation, establishing Makar Sankranti as a cosmic gateway aligned with moksha-consciousness.
    Bhishma Pitamah and the Power of Auspicious Time
    One of the most profound scriptural moments linked to Makar Sankranti appears in the Mahabharata. Bhishma Pitamah, endowed with icch?-m?tyu (the boon to choose the time of death), lies on a bed of arrows through weeks of suffering, waiting patiently for the Sun to turn northward.
    His departure during Uttarayan embodies an enduring belief: time itself becomes sacred when aligned with cosmic rhythm. The episode elevates Makar Sankranti into a moment when destiny, discipline and divinity converge.
    Legends of Harmony: Surya and Shani
    Puranic lore narrates that on Makar Sankranti, Lord Surya visits his son Shani Dev, the ruler of Capricorn. Despite their strained relationship, this symbolic meeting represents reconciliation, balance and moral order.
    The legend quietly shapes the festival’s ethical core-setting aside ego, resolving conflict and restoring harmony, much like the Sun’s steady, impartial warmth that touches all life equally.
    Observances and Rituals
    Makar Sankranti is marked by rituals that emphasise cleansing, gratitude and generosity.
    Holy Dips and Sun Worship
    Before sunrise, devotees take ritual baths in sacred rivers-the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri-or at the sea. The act symbolises the washing away of past burdens and a fresh alignment with natural forces.
    Pilgrimages such as the Gangasagar Mela in West Bengal and congregations at Prayagraj and Haridwar draw millions, rooted in the belief-recorded in the Puranas-that waters are especially sanctified on this day.
    Daana: The Dharma of Charity
    Charity is central to Makar Sankranti. The Dharma Shastras emphasise that gifts offered during Uttarayan yield multiplied spiritual merit.
    Donations of til (sesame seeds), jaggery, grains, cattle fodder, clothes and blankets are considered especially auspicious. Sesame, believed to be sanctified by Yama, carries the power to cleanse karmic debts.
    The popular saying-“Til-gud ghya, god god bola”-is not merely cultural but ethical: let sweetness enter the body and kindness enter speech.
    Regional Celebrations
    Makar Sankranti is among the most pan-Indian festivals, celebrated under diverse names:
    – Punjab & North India: Lohri and Maghi, with bonfires, folk songs and harvest feasts
    – Tamil Nadu: Pongal, a four-day thanksgiving to the Sun, cattle and nature
    – Assam: Magh Bihu, blending feasting with community bonding
    – Gujarat & Rajasthan: Kite festivals filling the skies with colour and joy
    – Maharashtra: Exchange of til-gul sweets and warm greetings
    – Andhra Pradesh & Telangana: Sankranti with rangoli, bullock festivities and ancestral rituals
    – West Bengal: Gangasagar Mela, one of India’s largest pilgrimages
    Despite regional variations, the essence remains unchanged-gratitude for harvest, reverence for nature and hope for renewal.
    Food Symbolism: Sweetness Against Winter’s Edge
    Traditional foods prepared during Makar Sankranti reflect both seasonal wisdom and spiritual metaphor. Sesame and jaggery-warming, nourishing ingredients-dominate kitchens across India.
    Whether as til laddoos, chikki, pongal or khichdi, these foods symbolise:
    – Protection against winter’s chill
    – Strength and resilience
    – Sweetness in human relationships
    Ayurveda views this diet as harmonising the body during seasonal transition, reinforcing how ancient practices balanced ritual, health and environment.
    Makar Sankranti in Contemporary Times
    In modern India, Makar Sankranti continues to evolve-celebrated through community gatherings, eco-friendly kite festivals, charitable drives and digital greetings. Yet its solar precision and philosophical grounding remain untouched.
    It stands apart as a festival where science and spirituality coexist seamlessly, reminding people that ancient wisdom was deeply attuned to cosmic order.
    A Festival That Teaches Alignment
    More than a harvest festival or ritual observance, Makar Sankranti is a lesson in alignment-with time, nature and inner purpose. As the Sun turns northward, the festival invites humanity to rise above inertia, bitterness and darkness.
    It affirms a timeless truth embedded in Indian thought: when the cosmos moves toward light, so must the human spirit.

  • Lohri: The Bonfire Festival that heralds hope, harvest and renewal

    Lohri: The Bonfire Festival that heralds hope, harvest and renewal

    As winter tightens its grip over North India, a sudden glow begins to punctuate the cold January nights. Bonfires crackle in village courtyards and urban colonies alike, folk songs rise into the frosty air, and communities gather in warmth and celebration. This is Lohri-Punjab’s most evocative winter festival, where fire becomes both symbol and centre, marking the triumph of life over cold, scarcity over abundance, and despair over hope.
    Celebrated annually on January 13, Lohri stands at the threshold of seasons, welcoming the gradual retreat of winter and the approach of longer, brighter days. Rooted in agrarian rhythms, folk legends and communal joy, Lohri is far more than a festival-it is a living expression of North India’s cultural soul.
    The Significance of Lohri
    At its heart, Lohri is a harvest festival, deeply connected to the agricultural cycle of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and parts of western Uttar Pradesh. It marks the ripening of the Rabi crop, particularly wheat, which is sown in winter and harvested in spring. For farming communities, Lohri is a moment of thanksgiving-an offering of gratitude to nature for sustaining life through harsh winters.
    The festival also coincides with the winter solstice period, when days begin to lengthen. The bonfire, central to Lohri celebrations, symbolises the Sun’s return, warmth, energy and renewal. Fire is revered as a purifier and protector, believed to burn away negativity, illness and misfortune.
    Traditionally, Lohri holds special significance for:
    – Newlyweds, celebrating their first Lohri together
    – Newborn children, especially the birth of a son in older traditions (though today the celebration is increasingly gender-neutral)
    For these families, Lohri is a public affirmation of joy, continuity and prosperity.
    The Legend of Dulla Bhatti:
    Punjab’s Folk Hero
    No Lohri celebration is complete without invoking the legendary figure of Dulla Bhatti, a 16th-century Punjabi folk hero who lived during the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar. Often described as the “Robin Hood of Punjab,” Dulla Bhatti is remembered for his defiance of tyranny and his compassion for the vulnerable.
    According to folklore, Dulla Bhatti rescued poor girls from being forcibly sold or enslaved and arranged their marriages with dignity. Lacking dowries, he is said to have acted as their brother, providing them with essentials and lighting the sacred fire during their wedding rituals.
    Children singing Lohri songs still chant:
    “Sundar mundriye ho!
    Tera kaun vichara ho?
    Dulla Bhatti wala ho!”
    Through these verses, Dulla Bhatti lives on as a symbol of justice, bravery and social responsibility, embodying the moral values that Lohri celebrates.
    The Bonfire Ritual
    The most iconic image of Lohri is the bonfire, lit after sunset in open spaces. Families and neighbours gather around it, circling the flames in reverence. Offerings are thrown into the fire-til (sesame seeds), gur (jaggery), peanuts, popcorn and rewri-each carrying symbolic meaning.
    – Til and gur represent warmth, sweetness and energy during winter
    – Peanuts and popcorn symbolise abundance and fertility
    – Fire serves as a witness to prayers for health, prosperity and protection
    – People offer prayers, walk around the fire (parikrama), and bow in respect, acknowledging nature’s generosity and divine forces.
    Music, Dance and Community Joy Lohri is inseparable from Punjabi folk culture.
    As the night deepens, the atmosphere comes alive with the rhythmic beats of the dhol. Men perform the energetic Bhangra, leaping and twirling in celebration of harvest and vitality, while women gather for Gidda, singing traditional songs filled with humour, longing and wisdom.
    The songs of Lohri are both festive and reflective-celebrating fertility, family bonds, bravery and the cycles of life. In villages, children go door-to-door singing Lohri songs and collecting treats, reinforcing the spirit of sharing and community bonding.
    Traditional Foods
    Food plays a central role in Lohri celebrations, reflecting seasonal produce and rustic flavours. Common delicacies include:
    – Makki di roti (cornbread)
    – Sarson da saag (mustard greens)
    – Til-gur laddoos
    – Rewri and gajak
    – Warm milk and sugarcane products
    These hearty foods provide nourishment during winter while strengthening communal ties as families and neighbors eat together.
    The First Lohri
    Among all Lohri celebrations, none are as emotionally charged and ceremonially elaborate as the First Lohri of a newborn child or a newlywed bride. These observances transform the festival from a seasonal ritual into a deeply personal milestone, marking entry into new phases of life and family.
    The First Lohri of a Child: Welcoming Life and Lineage
    The birth of a child-traditionally the firstborn-adds a special glow to Lohri celebrations. The child’s first Lohri is considered a blessing-filled occasion, symbolising fertility, continuity and divine grace. In Punjabi households, this Lohri is celebrated with heightened enthusiasm, as elders invoke prosperity, good health and protection for the newborn.
    The family hosts a gathering where:
    – The child is dressed in new clothes, often in bright reds or traditional Punjabi attire
    – The bonfire becomes the centre of prayers, with special offerings made in the child’s name
    – Elders bless the infant, touching til-gur to the lips as a sign of sweetness and abundance
    – Relatives bring gifts, sweets, clothes and sometimes symbolic gold or silver items
    – Folk songs sung during this Lohri often reference growth, courage and honour, embedding the child into the shared cultural memory of the community.
    – While older customs emphasized the birth of a son, modern celebrations increasingly honour daughters with equal pride, reflecting evolving social values while retaining ritual warmth.
    The First Lohri of a Bride: Welcoming a New Daughter
    Equally significant is the First Lohri of a newly married woman, celebrated as her formal introduction into her marital home’s traditions. This Lohri is both a welcome and a blessing-an acknowledgment of the bride as a bearer of continuity, harmony and prosperity.
    The bride’s parental family traditionally sends:
    – Lohri thaalis filled with rewri, gajak, peanuts and popcorn
    – New clothes, jewellery or shawls
    – Festive foods and sweets prepared at home
    Dressed in finery, the bride participates in the bonfire rituals, often receiving special attention as relatives shower her with blessings and songs. Women gather around her, singing traditional suhag and Lohri geet, celebrating marriage, companionship and shared futures.
    This observance underscores the festival’s deeper message-that Lohri is not merely about harvests, but about human relationships and generational continuity.
    Rituals of Inclusion and Continuity
    What unites both these First Lohri celebrations is their emphasis on inclusion-welcoming new life and new relationships into the collective fold. The bonfire becomes a witness to transitions, carrying prayers for fertility, harmony and protection skyward with its flames.
    In contemporary times, many families consciously celebrate both bride and child together, using Lohri as a platform to reaffirm equality, gratitude and shared joy.
    Lohri in Modern Times
    While Lohri’s roots lie in rural agrarian life, the festival has gracefully adapted to urban settings. In cities, residential societies organise community bonfires, cultural evenings and folk performances. Social media and digital greetings have added a contemporary touch, but the essence remains unchanged.
    Encouragingly, Lohri is also witnessing a progressive shift-celebrated equally for daughters and sons, emphasising joy, equality and inclusiveness over old biases.
    A Festival of Warmth in Every Sense
    In an age of fast-paced lives and fading traditions, Lohri endures because it fulfils a deep human need-for warmth, togetherness and hope. Around its flames, generations meet, stories are shared, and the coldest night becomes a celebration of life itself.
    More than a harvest festival, Lohri is a reminder that even in the depths of winter, renewal is inevitable, and that community, gratitude and fire can light the way forward.

  • NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/GOTHAM HEALTH LAUNCHES PHARMACY HOME DELIVERY PROGRAM ACROSS NEW YORK CITY

    NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/GOTHAM HEALTH LAUNCHES PHARMACY HOME DELIVERY PROGRAM ACROSS NEW YORK CITY

    New service delivers prescriptions directly to patients’ homes, advancing health equity and ensuring faster, more reliable access to essential medications across all five boroughs

    NEW YORK (TIP): NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, on January 8,  announced the launch of its Pharmacy Home Delivery Program, now available at all 29 Gotham Health locations across New York City. In partnership with ScriptDrop, this innovative program offers patients the convenience of having their prescriptions delivered directly to their homes, addressing one of healthcare’s most persistent barriers: access to medication. According to ScriptDrop, 89% of patients found that home delivery improved medication adherence.

    The launch of this program enhances healthcare access, particularly for under-resourced populations facing transportation, mobility, or financial challenges. The Pharmacy Home Delivery Program ensures that Gotham Health patients, no matter where they live within New York City, can receive medications promptly and securely at their doorstep. Patients will receive their medications within one business day, with helpful tracking details via text, and they will be required to sign for their medications upon arrival. The program delivers all prescription medications except for controlled substances and refrigerated medications.

    “Our goal has always been to remove barriers to care, and access to medications is a key piece of that,” said Michelle Lewis, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health. “With this program, we’re not only improving convenience for patients but also addressing healthcare equity by making it easier for our most vulnerable communities to stay on top of their health. Medication adherence is critical for managing chronic conditions, and this service helps ensure that our patients are getting the medications they need to live healthier lives.”

    Key Features of the Pharmacy Home Delivery Program:

    • Access for All: Available to all Gotham Health patients, regardless of insurance status, income level, or health condition.
    • Easy Enrollment: Patients can sign up by contacting their care team through MyChart, phone, or in person during their next visit.
    • Real-Time Tracking and Notifications: Patients receive a text with the delivery timeframe and can track their order via a secure link. If needed, delivery drivers will confirm addresses and delivery instructions by phone.
    • Speedy Service: Prescriptions are delivered within one business day, Monday through Friday.

    By making it easier for patients to adhere to prescribed medications, the Pharmacy Home Delivery Program is not just about convenience, it is also about improving health outcomes, preventing disease progression, and reducing unnecessary hospital visits. This service is another step forward in Gotham Health’s ongoing efforts to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care in communities that need it most.

    As healthcare continues to evolve, programs like this are reshaping how care is delivered, providing New Yorkers with the tools they need to manage their health, wherever they are.

    To make an appointment with our providers, please call 1-844-NYC-4NYC (1-844-692-4692).

     About NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health

    NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health is a Federally Qualified Healthcare Provider formed in 2015 to enable individuals and families to address their health care needs in their own neighborhoods. Serving more than 100,000 New Yorkers annually in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island, and Queens, Gotham Health consists of 29 healthcare sites in all five boroughs of New York City. Gotham Health provides easy-to-access, high-quality, affordable health care services with a focus on primary care. It is committed to promoting healthy lifestyles and building healthy communities, with a focus upon providing patients and families convenient access to high-quality preventive care, such as annual check-ups and immunizations. Health care teams are trained to help patients manage ongoing conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease.

     About NYC Health + Hospitals

    NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlusHealth—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 46,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

  • New York Department of State Issues Warning to Consumers after Investigations of Med Spa Service Providers

    New York Department of State Issues Warning to Consumers after Investigations of Med Spa Service Providers

    • Over 200 Inspections Conducted Statewide Resulting in Suspensions, Revocations, and Fines
    • Improper Services Have Caused Serious Injuries – Case Examples Included Below

    NEW YORK :   A business that is promoting itself as a ‘med spa’ or offering ‘med spa’ services MUST be licensed as a medical facility and licensed professionals must be performing the services

    Secretary Mosley said, “Consumers need to be aware of the dangers when medical procedures, including cosmetic medical procedures, are being performed by individuals without an appropriate license. Unlicensed or unqualified staff, dirty needles, expired or counterfeit Botox and fillers, and unsanitary conditions can lead to serious injury or even death.”

    The New York Department of State warns consumers to be cautious about seeking Med Spa services from unlicensed entities after statewide investigations into businesses providing unauthorized med spa services. Phase one of the probe began in New York City. The Department of State’s Division of Licensing led the investigation, partnering with the New York State Department of Health, New York State Education Department and the New York City Office of Oversight and Investigations, inspecting appearance enhancement businesses offering medical procedures, including the injection of Botox, fillers and intravenous infusions.

    During the inspections, investigators observed expired and suspected counterfeit products, as well as the presence of controlled substances, including Fentanyl, Xylocaine, and Propofol. Investigators discovered sharps containers with used needles, new unopened needles, and medical devices for procedures like laser liposuction, buttock augmentation, centrifugation, non-ablative skin lasers, cryotherapy, and laser tattoo removal. Investigators also identified numerous individuals without the appropriate license providing these medical services.

    In total, 223 businesses have been inspected throughout New York State. Of the businesses inspected, 87 were cited for possible violations concerning, among other issues, the unlawful practice of medicine. The majority of inspections are still pending hearing and awaiting resolution, but outcomes following several inspections have ranged from monetary fines to license suspensions or license revocations. The Department of State’s Division of Licensing Services is continuing to inspect these types of businesses as part of their annual inspection program.

    Based on the results of the Department’s inspections, and reports of injuries to Med Spa customers receiving injections of counterfeit drugs by unlicensed individuals, such as allergic reactions, burns, double vision and harmful poisoning, the Department’s Divisions of Licensing and Consumer Protection are providing consumers guidance to ensure they are receiving safe care from a licensed professional.

    In the matter of the complaint of Department of State, Division of Licensing Services against Fei Min, a criminal complaint was filed alleging the appearance enhancement license under the name ‘Princess Beauty, LLC’, and Cosmetology license under the name Fei Min in Flushing, Queens, “injected unknown substances into her face, neck, and breasts” and told her that the injections were “Botox, stem cell, collagen treatments, and other injectable or microneedle treatments”. The complainant received “128–140” neck injections of unknown substances, resulting in “redness, bleeding, swelling and substantial pain”. Min later performed additional injections on the complainant in an attempt to address the reactions. The injection sites then blistered and became inflamed and “reddish,” and the complainant experienced pain, itching, trouble sleeping, and a slight fever. Marks from the blisters and some scars still remain on the complainant. This case resulted in the revocation of Min’s Cosmetology license.

    In the matter of the complaint of Department of State, Division of Licensing Services against Patricia Rivas, the Department alleged that that Rivas, a licensed esthetician, was operating an unlicensed salon in Warwick, NY and providing, among other things, cosmetic injections, cryotherapy, and laser services ultimately resulting in a MRSA infection, sepsis, and hospitalization to a consumer. Following investigation, the Secretary of State issued an emergency suspension order and negotiated the revocation of Rivas’s license.

    Secretary of State, Walter T. Mosley said, “Consumers need to be aware of the dangers when medical procedures, including cosmetic medical procedures, are being performed by individuals without an appropriate license, such as a physician or a nurse. Unlicensed or unqualified staff, dirty needles, expired or counterfeit drugs such as Botox or fillers, and unsanitary conditions can lead to serious injury or even death. I urge consumers to pay close attention to our tips so they can get the services they want and not pay the ultimate price with a botched treatment.”

    State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “The Department of Health reminds New Yorkers of the importance of ensuring their provider has the proper qualifications and training, especially as cosmetic med spa procedures become more popular. Licensed health care professionals undergo rigorous training to understand the complexities of human physiology, and are the only individuals qualified to perform these services. The Department of Health will continue to investigate and hold individuals and practices accountable who offer unauthorized services that put people’s lives at risk.”

    State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “New Yorkers deserve to know that the medical services they receive are safe, legitimate, and provided by properly trained professionals. When unqualified individuals operate outside the law, the risks to consumers are real and serious. NYSED is committed to protecting the public by upholding licensure standards and working closely with our partner agencies to ensure accountability, transparency, and safety. Through strong collaboration and public awareness, we can help ensure New Yorkers are informed and protected.”

    MED SPA FAST FACTS:

    What types of services do places referred to as Med Spas offer?

    Med spa service providers generally offer a range of services including both non-medical procedures, that can be performed by individuals with a non-medical license, as well as services that are medical procedures that can only be performed by individuals holding a professional license.

    CONSUMER TIP: Even a “non-invasive” procedure may be a medical procedure requiring a professional license. Before receiving any treatment, view the Department of State’s web site to learn the professional license required, and ask your provider if they hold that license.

    The types of licenses required for different procedures may be viewed on the Department of State’s website.

    How do I know if a service is a medical service?

    Medical services tend to be more invasive and riskier than traditional spa offerings, although there are several well-known cosmetic procedures that require a medical license to perform. Some common medical procedures include, but are not limited to:

    Injections of any drugs (including Botox) or any fillers (including as Restylane) whether by needle or pressure pen.

    Cool Sculpting

    Liposuction (lipoplasty)

    Cryotherapy

    Microneedling

    Ear Candling

    Laser procedures (except for laser hair removal)

    Peels (dermal)

    Pen Treatments

    Plasma Treatments

    Radiofrequency Procedures (e.g., Facials and Body Treatments)

    Skin Tag Removal

    Ultrasound

    Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1, compound or name brand weight loss drugs such as Ozempic)

    Intravenous (IV) Therapy

    Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

    Vitamin Infusions

    Any business offering these procedures or promoting “med spa” services must be licensed as a medical facility or a medical practice. These medical facilities employ licensed physicians or nurse practitioners to serve as medical directors, who ensure that patients receive safe and effective medical care from qualified staff. Physician practices are owned and operated by licensed physicians responsible for providing safe and effective care to patients.

    CONSUMER TIPS: Providers offering these services through a professional entity, such as a professional corporation (PC) or a professional limited liability company (PLLC), must receive a Certificate of Authorization from the New York State Education Department. Before receiving any treatments, you may wish to verify an entity’s professional licensure on the NYS Education Department’s website.

    Even if the provider is organized as a “PC” or “PLLC” they cannot have the word “spa” in their name. If your medical provider has “spa” in their name, that could be a red flag for other violations.

    Which New York state agency licenses med spas?

    There is no individual NYS agency that licenses providers of med spa services. Depending on the type of services provided, providers may be regulated by the Department of State, the State Education Department and/or the Department of Health.  It is highly recommended that consumers check with the appropriate agency to ensure that such providers are appropriately licensed prior to services being performed.

    KEY STEPS TO ENSURE CARE by Licensed Medical Professionals:

    How to Identify Licensed Medical Professionals: Medical facilities that offer med spa services usually have a medical director who is a licensed physician or nurse practitioner in good standing. The name of the medical director and their credentials should be easily found on business’s website. Physician practices are owned, operated and staffed by licensed physicians or nurse practitioners. Licensed physician assistants and registered nurses often work for physician practices. It is a red flag if this information is not available. Look for any memberships to reputable professional organizations or associations. Check the New York State Department of Health Office of Professional Medical Conduct website to see if the physician has had disciplinary action taken against them. Additionally, you can verify whether someone is a licensed health care professional, such as a physician or nurse, on the New York State Education Department’s website.

    See what other consumers have to say: Look online for reviews and pay attention to consumer complaints.

    Get a medical consultation before any procedures: All providers of med spa services must provide consultations and give you the opportunity to ask questions about the procedures you’d like to have done. These are medical procedures, and you must be seen by a medical professional prior to receiving any services. Important questions to ask include:

    1. Who will perform the procedure and what that entails;
    1. How much experience the practitioner has with the procedure;
    1. Whether the practitioner has had any adverse outcomes or complications and how these were managed;
    1. While Med Spas may provide a wide variety of services, it is best to work with a practitioner who has significant experience performing the specific procedure you would like done.

    Know how to file complaints: Consumers need to file complaints with the appropriate authority.

    Complaints against any physician or physician assistant: File a complaint with the Department of Health’s (DOH) Office of Professional Medical Conduct (OPMC) regarding any physician or physician assistant at 1-800-663-6114

    Complaints against unlicensed med spa service providers:  File a complaint with the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions

    Complaints against estheticians or cosmetologists performing med spa procedures: File a complaint online with the New York Department of State Division of Licensing Services  or  by calling (518) 474-4429.

    Unlawful practice of medical procedures/Harm: In cases where an unlicensed practitioner has performed a procedure in violation of the law that has caused harm, consider contacting local law enforcement.

    About the New York State Division of Licensing Services

    The New York Department of State’s Division of Licensing Services (DLS) oversees the licensure, registration, and regulation of over 35 occupations throughout the state. DLS develops and administers examinations, approves curriculum and instructors, processes license applications, investigates consumer complaints and conducts state initiated inspections. The Division is also responsible for the authentication of public documents for use in other countries.

    About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection

    The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides voluntary mediation between a consumer and a business when a consumer has been unsuccessful at reaching a resolution on their own. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection. The Division can also be reached via X at @NYSConsumer or Facebook.

  • Outrage in NYC after ICE agent in Minneapolis shoots fleeing woman dead

    Outrage in NYC after ICE agent in Minneapolis shoots fleeing woman dead

    NEW YORK (TIP): New York elected officials and immigrant advocate groups are reacting with horror and outrage after an ICE agent shot and killed a 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis during an immigration crackdown.

    Video circulating online appears to show a female driver blocking the path of federal agents on the roadway with her SUV. When one agent attempted to open the door of the vehicle, the driver looked to pull away — leading a second agent to draw their gun and fire. The woman was shot three times and died, according to preliminary reports.

    “Oh my God,” a voice could be heard screaming off screen.

    DHS officials allege that the unnamed driver attempted to mow down the federal officer, with Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller and Kristi Noem, the Homeland Security Secretary, calling it “domestic terrorism” — without providing any proof to back up such a claim.

    “An ICE officer, fearing for his life, the lives of his fellow law enforcement and the safety of the public, fired defensive shots,” a statement by DHS read.

    Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz responded on social media by instantly denouncing the official narrative.

    “I’ve seen the video. Don’t believe this propaganda machine. The state will ensure there is a full, fair, and expeditious investigation to ensure accountability and justice,” Walz wrote.

    Meanwhile, New York elected officials are echoing Walz’s sentiments. U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman, who has been an outspoken critic of ICE tactics in Manhattan’s immigration courts, also took to social media to express outrage to Miller.

    “We’re done with your gaslighting @stephenm. Even if the officer were run over, it’s not domestic terrorism. But as you can see from the path of the car after she was shot, she was trying to drive away. You are inciting untrained thugs to murder Americans. This is on you,” Goldman wrote.

    Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed the shooting during an unrelated press conference late Wednesday afternoon in which he called it horrific.

    “We know that when ICE agents attack immigrants, they attack every single one of us across this country. And this is a city that stands up for immigrants across the five boroughs, and I have made it clear to everyone within my city government, and that extends to NYPD, that we are going to uphold our sanctuary city policies,” Mamdani said. “We are going to adhere to that. That is why one of the 11 executive orders that we signed was to repeal the previous administration’s order to allow for collaboration with ICE on Rikers Island.

    The mayor also pledged not to aid immigration enforcement in any way, including making certain the NYPD does not aid ICE.

    “What we are going to be doing is following the laws that we have set, laws which have kept New Yorkers safe, and we are going to make it clear to each and every person in the city what their rights are. That’s why we took the time to make a Know Your Rights video, because it goes back to the earlier question, if you don’t know of your rights, then how can you be expected to actually use those rights?” Mamdani said. “So, we are going to take every opportunity we have to inform New Yorkers of what they already can do, and also to make it clear to our own city government agencies and departments across the board, including NYPD, that we are not here to assist ICE agents in their work. We are here to follow the laws of New York City.”

    amNewYork also reached out to New York Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who has also pushed back on ICE operations in the Big Apple.

    “ICE has a total disregard for public safety, and human life. Because of Trump’s reckless, lawless deportation agenda, today a woman was shot to death. And in 2025, 32 human beings died in ICE custody. The Department of Homeland Security is making everyone less safe,” Williams said.

    State Senator Jessica Ramos, who serves a massive immigrant population in Jackson Heights, Queens, spoke to amNewYork about the fatal shooting.

    “ICE relies on fear, chaos, and enforcement tactics that treat entire communities as suspects and creates the conditions for tragedy. Now a woman is dead and we all saw it. We need less muscle memory and more rule of law, restraint, and accountability,” Ramos said.

    It wasn’t only New York politicians who fumed over the fatal shooting. Immigration advocates also let loose.

    Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO of New York Immigration Coalition, charged that this is the next step in ICE escalation.

    “Today’s news from Minneapolis is a tragedy and marks a violent escalation in ICE’s tactics and the state’s repression of political dissidents. Let’s be very clear: ICE and the federal agents are the ones sowing chaos and violence in our cities — and are now killing people who oppose their fascist abduction program. “This tragedy did not happen in a vacuum. It is the direct and predictable result of a federal agency that has been allowed to operate with impunity, secrecy, and unchecked force.”
    (Source: amNewYork)

  • Gov. Hochul and Mayor Mamdani unveil free child care plan in New York City

    Gov. Hochul and Mayor Mamdani unveil free child care plan in New York City

    NEW YORK (TIP): New York City parents may soon have access to free child care for their 2-year-olds, under a plan unveiled Thursday, January 8, by Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani — a major boon for the city’s mayor on one of his signature campaign promises just days into his new job, an AP report says.

    The two Democrats announced the program at a celebratory event in Brooklyn, with Hochul and Mamdani casting the initiative as a transformative step toward easing the city’s notoriously high cost of living.

    “This is the day that everything changes,” Hochul said, also debuting a proposal to expand statewide access to child care in the coming years.

    For Mamdani, whose ambitious agenda has been met with heavy skepticism, the announcement was a significant political victory in the opening days of his mayoralty, coming after a campaign that centered on elevating the needs of the city’s struggling working-class residents.

    “Today we take one step to realizing a city where every New Yorker, every family, every child can afford to keep calling it their home,” Mamdani said.

    “To those who doubt the power of the people to make their own destiny, to the cynics who insist that politics is too broken to deliver meaningful change, to those who think that the promises of a campaign cannot survive once confronted with the realities of government, today is your answer,” he added.

    Hochul, a moderate who is up for reelection this year, has been politically aligned with the city’s new progressive mayor on his plan to offer free child care in the city, though questions remained on how the program could take shape and what it might cost over the long term.

    The governor said she is committing to funding the first two years of the city’s free child care program for 2-year-olds, describing it as an expansion of the city’s existing universal pre-K and 3-K programs.

    The first year will focus on “high-need areas” selected by the city, then expand across the city by its fourth year, according to the statement.

    Speaking to reporters after the event, Mamdani said he expects the program to cover around 2,000 children this fall and then continue to expand until it becomes a universal program. He said that the city will work with home-based providers to carry out the plan.

    Additionally, Hochul rolled out a sweeping, longer-term proposal to expand access to universal pre-K statewide, with the goal of having the program available throughout New York by the start of the 2028-2029 school year.

    She will include the plans in her annual state of the state address, but said she anticipates investing $1.7 billion for the programs she announced Thursday.

    Rebecca Bailin, executive director for the advocacy group New Yorkers United for Child Care, called the plan a “historic moment,” adding: “By bringing together the Governor and Mayor around a shared commitment to child care, tens of thousands of families could finally get the relief they desperately need.”
    (With inputs from agencies)

  • The US Has Yet to Notify the UN About Washington’s Withdrawal From Entities

    The US Has Yet to Notify the UN About Washington’s Withdrawal From Entities

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The United Nations says that beyond the social media announcement from the United States government on Jan. 7 about its withdrawal from 66 international and UN entities, the information has not been officially communicated to the world body. Washington has also not followed the legal process required for a country to dissociate from binding international treaties it has signed and ratified, such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

    “I checked with our legal counsel earlier today, we had not received any official letter,” Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, told journalists on Jan. 8. “We have not received any further official communication beyond what was posted on the White House website.”

    Washington announced in the evening of Jan. 7 on social media that it is withdrawing from a broad slate of international organizations and UN bodies, substantiating the threat by President Trump to separate with UN bodies that do not serve his country’s interests or that the US considers a waste of Americans’ taxpayer money.

    The decision by the US to cut ties to 66 international organizations, treaties and UN entities was apparently a result of a review conducted under Executive Order 14199, one of the wide-ranging executive orders signed by Trump in February 2025. The review could be a prelude to the US Congress releasing more funding to the UN general operating budget now that the review is done.

    UN reacts

    On Jan. 8, when the UN released its first official response to the news, Guterres expressed “regrets” over the US announcement but added that “all United Nations entities will go on with the implementation of their mandates as given by Member States.”

    “The United Nations has a responsibility to deliver for those who depend on us,” the statement, conveyed from Dujarric by email to the media, continued. “We will continue to carry out our mandates with determination.”

    Of the 66 organizations, 31 are linked to the UN. They include the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, an organ led by a Chinese national; various regional economic and social commissions; the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children in Armed Conflict and the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict; the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change; and peace-building agencies as well as others that promote international law, sustainable environmental practices and gender rights, such as UN Women. The UN Population Fund, also listed, was severed by the US in early 2025. (A list of the UN bodies and their roles is explained at the end of this story.)

    Since the Trump administration has taken the reins in 2025, the US has turned its back on matters at the UN related to gender equality, climate change, diversity/equity/inclusion as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.

    Vanessa Frazier, who leads the office on children and armed conflict, which aims to protect children’s rights amid war, said in a post on X that “ it is quite unfortunate that the US now seems to be of the opinion that children being collateral of war is OK”

    According to the US, “withdrawal” from UN entities is defined as ceasing participation and/or funding to the extent permitted by law.

    “Poorly run”

    US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement on Jan. 7, as the White House released the list of 66 entities it was cutting off, the organizations were “redundant, mismanaged, unnecessary, wasteful, or poorly run,” and in some cases “captured by the interests of actors advancing agendas contrary to US national interests.” He added that continued participation in such bodies was incompatible with American sovereignty and prosperity.

    The move marks a major escalation in Washington’s shift from multilateral engagement, prompting concern and bewilderment across diplomatic, legal and academic communities. Trump pulled out of some high-profile UN agencies during his first term and again in the beginning of his second term, such as the Human Rights Council and the World Health Organization, but the Jan. 7 actions are more far reaching in scale. And the moves will worsen the dire financial crisis the organization is struggling to manage.

    The US released $2 billion at the end of 2025 to fund UN-coordinated humanitarian aid for a select list of countries as the US is still withholding at least two years of mandated dues to the organization’s regular budget, totaling approximately $1.3 billion.

    It is unclear whether the withdrawals from UN bodies will impact the US paying its assessed contribution — if it does so — but Dujarric said Washington is obligated to pay regardless of unilateral withdrawal from a UN agency or program.

    Many of those the US said it would withdraw from are funded by UN assessed contributions paid by member states. Dujarric said some of the agencies rely on funding from “the regular budget, with the vast majority of their work then being funded voluntarily.”

    “Member states who signed on, joined this club have to pay the dues,” he said. “We can, we can, the Charter is not à la carte, as we said, and . . . we know we’re not going to renegotiate the Charter. The UN is an organization of 193 member states, two observer states [the Holy See and Palestine]. It is in the interest of all these member states and the two observers to defend the principles that they themselves have created.”

    According to Article 19 of the UN Charter, a member state risks losing its vote in the 193-member General Assembly if its arrears equal or exceed the amount due for the previous two years, but it is unclear what happens in the Security Council when a permanent member runs afoul of Article 19. A European diplomat told PassBlue, however, that even small US contributions to certain entities over the last few years could mean it is meeting some level of its legal financial obligations.

    Picking and choosing

    Ronny Patz, an independent analyst on the UN, said that while US engagement with the UN peace-building architecture has historically been limited, the departure of a permanent member of the Security Council from peace-building work represents a symbolic, practical setback for collective conflict-prevention efforts.

    Patz warned that the move risks normalizing what he described as “à la carte multilateralism,” whereby states choose which international organizations to support. “Once selective disengagement is tolerated,” Patz said in a post on LinkedIn, “all member states could refuse to fund or participate in the parts they dislike, weakening the UN’s role as a multipurpose organization built on cross-domain compromise.”

    Theodoros Rousopoulos, president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, expressed concern over the withdrawal from the Council’s Venice Commission, an advisory body on constitutional matters, as the rule of law is pressured globally.

    In the US, Democratic members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee criticized the Trump decision, saying that participation in international organizations allows Washington to shape global norms, strengthen alliances and counter adversaries. “America first = America alone,” the committee posted on its X page.

    Ben Saul, the UN specialist on human rights and counterterrorism, said that the withdrawal from the International Law Commission “weakens efforts to forge cooperative global solutions to common human challenges.”

    He added: “The US will weaken global counterterrorism efforts by withdrawing from the Global Counterterrorism Forum and the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law.”

    Dujarric summed up Guterres’s attitude despite the latest US setbacks, saying on Jan. 8: “I spent quite a time with him this morning, and he is determined as ever to continue his work and continuing to defend the Charter and continuing to defend this international institution.”

    What the UN organizations do

    Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA): Acts as the UN’s policy engine on global development, producing data and analysis on population trends, inequality, sustainable development goals and public administration. Governments rely on its statistics and guidance to shape domestic policy.

    Economic Commission for Africa (ECA): Supports African governments with research and policy advice on economic growth, industrialization, trade integration and climate resilience, often shaping regional development strategies.

    Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC): Known for its economic research, ECLAC analyzes inequality, growth and fiscal policy in Latin America and the Caribbean and advises governments on development planning.

    Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP): Works on inclusive growth, infrastructure, disaster risk reduction and digital connectivity across the Asia-Pacific, the world’s most populous region.

    Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA): Focuses on development challenges in the Arab world, including economic reform, social protection, water scarcity and post-conflict recovery.

    International Law Commission: A body of legal experts tasked with developing and clarifying international law, including treaties governing diplomacy, state responsibility and the laws of war.

    International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals: Handles remaining legal responsibilities from the Rwanda and former Yugoslavia war crimes tribunals, including appeals, witness protection and sentence enforcement.

    International Trade Centre (ITC): Helps small businesses and exporters in developing countries access global markets, providing technical assistance on trade rules, quality standards and supply chains.

    Office of the Special Adviser on Africa: Advises the UN Secretary-General on political, security and development trends in Africa and helps coordinate international support for the continent.

    Office of the Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict: Documents and advocates against the recruitment, abuse and killing of children in war zones, pressing governments and armed groups to comply with international law.

    Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict: Works to prevent sexual violence used as a weapon of war, supporting survivors and pushing for accountability in conflict and post-conflict settings.

    Office of the Special Representative on Violence Against Children: Addresses violence against children beyond conflict zones, including abuse, exploitation and harmful practices, often working with national governments on child-protection laws.

    Peacebuilding Commission: Brings together donors, governments and regional actors to support countries emerging from conflict, aiming to prevent relapse into violence.

    Peacebuilding Fund: Provides rapid, flexible funding for peacebuilding efforts in fragile states, often filling gaps where traditional aid is too slow.

    Permanent Forum on People of African Descent: An advisory body focused on addressing racism, discrimination and development challenges faced by people of African descent worldwide.

    UN Alliance of Civilizations: Promotes dialogue across cultures and religions, aiming to counter extremism and reduce polarization through education, media and youth programs.

    UN Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+): Helps developing countries protect forests by linking conservation to climate finance and sustainable land use.

    UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD): Provides research and policy advice on trade, debt, investment and technology, often advocating for fairer global economic rules for developing nations.

    UN Democracy Fund: Finances grassroots projects that support democratic participation, civil society and human rights, particularly in fragile democracies.

    UN Energy: Coordinates the UN’s work on access to affordable, reliable and clean energy, aligning agencies around global energy goals.

    UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women): Leads UN efforts on women’s rights, gender equality and violence prevention, advising governments and supporting programs on the ground.

    UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): The treaty body that oversees global climate negotiations, including the Paris Agreement, and tracks countries’ emissions commitments.

    UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat): Focuses on sustainable urban development, housing policy and slum upgrading as cities grow rapidly worldwide.

    UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR): Trains diplomats, civil servants and emergency responders, particularly from developing countries, on governance, diplomacy and crisis management.

    UN Oceans: Coordinates UN action on ocean conservation, fisheries management and marine pollution across multiple agencies.

    UN Population Fund (UNFPA): Works on reproductive health, maternal care and population data, often operating in fragile or humanitarian settings.

    UN Register of Conventional Arms: Encourages transparency in international arms transfers to build confidence and reduce the risk of conflict escalation.

    UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination: Brings together the heads of UN agencies to align strategy, budgets and policy priorities across the system.

    UN System Staff College: Provides professional training for UN staff and partners, focusing on leadership, coordination and complex crises.

    UN Water: Coordinates global efforts on freshwater access, sanitation and water management across UN agencies.

    UN University: A network of research institutes producing academic work on peace, sustainability, technology and development, often advising governments and the UN itself.
    (Source: Pass Blue)

  • Housefull Hearts & High Voltage Vibes: The Night Chicago Welcomed 2026 in Grand Desi Style

    Housefull Hearts & High Voltage Vibes: The Night Chicago Welcomed 2026 in Grand Desi Style

    • Balloon Drops, Belly Rolls & Bollywood Beats: The Housefull Revolution of New Year’s Eve 2025
    • Chicago’s Desi Dynasty Rings in 2026: One Night, One Venue, One Million Memories

    CHICAGO, IL (TIP): Chicago’s South Asian Community Rings in 2026 with Electrifying Housefull New Year’s Eve Celebration at Ashton Place. As the final hours of 2025 counted down on December 31, the grand ballroom at Ashton Place in Willowbrook, Illinois, transformed into a vibrant hub of joy, music, and community spirit. This sold-out “Housefull” New Year’s Eve event welcomed families, friends, and revelers from Chicago’s South Asian diaspora for an unforgettable night of celebration, marking a heartfelt goodbye to 2025 and a warm hello to 2026.

    From the moment guests arrived at 8:00 pm, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Dazzling lights illuminated the venue, smiles lit up every face, and beautiful costumes added to the festive energy. The open bar flowed generously, while the unlimited lavish buffet offered a delicious array of dishes that kept everyone satisfied and energized throughout the evening. The entertainment kicked off with high-energy flair. Anusha Reddy was host who did welcome speech.

    Time for a dance

    Professional singer and co-organizer Shraddha Marathe, also known as a composer, songwriter, and CEO of DE Dream Event LLC, welcomed the crowd with infectious enthusiasm. She highlighted the night’s highlights: unlimited food and drinks, non-stop fun, and a powerhouse lineup featuring DJ Salman, who kept the beats pumping with a perfect mix of Bollywood classics, energetic hits, and timeless favorites that had every generation on their feet.

    The Star Performer

    Live singing performances brought soul and nostalgia to the celebration. The talented singers Pratibha Jairath, Raju Bankapur, and Dr. Pardeep Sood delivered a medley of popular numbers that filled the room with emotion. The audience sang along, danced freely, and created magical moments as the performers transitioned seamlessly from one beloved song to another, including crowd-pleasers that evoked laughter, romance, and pure joy.

    Adding captivating visual spectacles was mesmerizing live acts. Ashorina, a renowned Chicago-based belly dancer from the acclaimed Safire Belly Dancers troupe, delivered powerful, graceful, and technically brilliant oriental performances that left the audience spellbound with her elegant movements and cultural authenticity. Her routine blended tradition with dynamic energy, earning cheers and admiration.

    Following this, Patti Zikmund brought athletic artistry to the stage with a breathtaking pole dance showcase. Combining strength, precision, and expressive flair, her performance added an exciting new dimension to the evening, drawing enthusiastic applause from the thrilled crowd.

    Entertainers all

    For the younger attendees, thoughtful activities ensured everyone could join the fun—face painting, balloon twisting, and a 360-photo booth right outside captured memorable moments with loved ones.

    As midnight approached, the energy reached its peak. The crowd gathered for a spectacular balloon drop that showered the room in colorful confetti, accompanied by a celebratory champagne toast to health, happiness, success, and wonderful memories in the year ahead. Hugs, cheers, and renewed dancing carried the party into the early hours of January 1, 2026.

    Throughout the night, the emcee—warm, humorous, and engaging—kept the momentum alive. She introduced the visionary promoters and partners: Altaf Bukhari (the positive captain of the ship), Nikhil Gupta (the entertainer), Anusha Reddy (the beautiful entrepreneur), Pranav Mathur, Brij Kukreja (personality), Shraddha Marathe, and others. The event also honored key sponsors and community leaders with heartfelt recognition and floral bouquets on stage, including Anil Loomba (successful businessman and philanthropist), Sunil Shah (New York Life founder and FIA chairman), Dr. Bhupinder and Anita Beri (veterinarian and CEO of Animal Care Cross Road Hospital), Manish and Shailja Gandhi, Sudhir Sukheja, and supporters like Mukesh Shah CPA and Prashant Mohanty.

    The success stemmed from dedicated teamwork and community generosity. Promoters Altaf Bukhari, Nikhil Gupta, Anusha Reddy, Shraddha Marathe, and Pranav Mathur, along with supporters Pratibha Jairath, Brij Kukreja, and Abhi Trivedi, created this seamless experience. Heartfelt thanks extended to friends including Dinesh K., Leela, Vimi, Meenu S., Rekha B., Deepa G., young Meenu V., Ashwini Ji, Kiran, Preeti, Shashi ji, the Srivastav group, Parveen Ji, and many more who made it possible.

    Recognizing Supporters

    Altaf Bukhari is president of Federation of Indian Associations (FIA)-Chicago IL, Prominent community leader, politician, businessman and promoter in show business. Anusha Reddy who is organizer , host of the evening, owner of AA (Anusha & Ahana) Entertainment who is also an entrepreneur (owns taco maya Arlington heights).

    What truly defined the night was its genuine family atmosphere. Multiple generations danced side by side, shared laughs, reflected on 2025’s best moments (in one word), and built new connections. Guests praised the smooth flow, exceptional food, top-notch entertainment, and welcoming vibe that made it feel like a big family gathering.

    New Year welcome with Champaigne.

    In a world craving meaningful togetherness, this Housefull celebration at Ashton Place stood as a powerful reminder of cultural pride, gratitude, and collective joy. It wasn’t just a party, it was a vibrant testament to unity, hope, new aspirations, and the strength of community.

    As attendees departed into the fresh dawn of 2026, they carried memories of laughter, music, dance, and renewed optimism for the year ahead.

    “This Housefull New Year’s Eve at Ashton Place beautifully captured the essence of community celebration—where laughter, music, heartfelt performances, and shared gratitude turn a simple gathering into something truly magical. The energy, from live singing and captivating dances to the midnight toast, showcased the warmth and unity of our South Asian diaspora. As we embrace 2026, let these moments inspire us to keep building connections, supporting one another, and celebrating life with the same joy and positivity” Suresh Bodiwala Chairman and Founder, Asian Media USA.
    (Photographs and Press release / Asian Media USA)

  • India advises citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iran amid unrest

    India advises citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iran amid unrest

    Media reports claim that protests have spread to 26 of Iran’s 31 provinces

    NEW DELHI (TIP): India on Monday advised its nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran in view of the deteriorating internal security situation triggered by widespread anti-government protests across the country.

    In an advisory issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Indian citizens and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), currently in Iran, have been asked to exercise due caution, steer clear of protest sites and demonstrations, and closely monitor local developments through the website and social media handles of the Indian Embassy in Tehran.

    “Indian nationals living in Iran on resident-visas are advised to register with the Indian Embassy, if not already done so,” the advisory said, adding that the guidance would remain in force until further notice.

    The advisory comes amid a fresh wave of protests in Iran, sparked by a worsening economic crisis, which has now entered its ninth day. Demonstrations were reported on Sunday in Tehran and several provinces, including Fars, Ilam, North Khorasan and Semnan, according to videos circulating online.

    Media reports claimed that protests have spread to 26 of Iran’s 31 provinces since last week, with at least 19 protesters and one member of the security forces killed so far.

    The unrest has drawn sharp international attention, with US President Donald Trump renewing warnings of possible American action if Iranian authorities resort to violent crackdowns. “We’re watching it very closely. If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think they’re going to get hit very hard by the United States,” Trump said.

    India has maintained regular contact with its diplomatic mission in Tehran and is monitoring the situation closely. Officials said further advisories would be issued depending on how the situation evolves.

    Iran hosts a sizable Indian community, including students, professionals and workers, and is also a key regional partner for India, particularly in connectivity and energy-related initiatives.

  • Two Indian-origin drivers arrested in US with $7 million cocaine

    Two Indian-origin drivers arrested in US with $7 million cocaine

    SACRAMENTO (TIP) : Two Indian-origin truck drivers from California were arrested in the US after authorities discovered 309 pounds of cocaine, valued at approximately $7 million (approx. Rs 63 crore), hidden inside their semi-truck.
    The arrests come amid an ongoing legal and political dispute over the issuance and revocation of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) for immigrant truckers, particularly Sikhs, in California.
    The men, identified as Gurpreet Singh, 25; and Jasveer Singh, 30; were arrested on January 3. Both hold California-issued commercial driver’s licenses and are currently being held at the Putnam County Jail on bonds set at $1 million each. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed detainers on both men due to concerns regarding their immigration status.
    According to police reports, Jasveer Singh initially told officers that he was transporting an empty tractor-trailer to a restaurant in Richmond to wait for a load. However, officers noticed several cardboard boxes covered with a blanket in the sleeper berth of the truck, which raised suspicion. A free-air K-9 sniff alerted officers to the presence of illegal drugs, and a subsequent search revealed the cocaine.
    Authorities said the arrests align with prior Department of Homeland Security (DHS) records related to the men’s entry into the country and their legal status. Both men face preliminary charges of dealing in narcotics, classified as a Level 2 felony. Indiana Governor Mike Braun praised the Indiana State Police for the seizure, reiterating the state’s zero-tolerance approach towards drug trafficking.
    The arrests come at a time of heightened scrutiny of truck driving programs and licensing practices across the US. According to an AP report, nearly 44 per cent of approximately 16,000 truck driving programs nationwide could be forced to shut down following a federal Transportation Department review that found many may not be meeting minimum regulatory requirements.
    In California, a group of immigrant truckers has filed a lawsuit against the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, alleging violations of workers’ rights after officials moved to revoke commercial driver’s licenses. State authorities said about 17,000 truckers were notified last month that their CDLs would be revoked because their license expiration dates extended beyond the period during which they were legally permitted to remain in the US.
    The action followed renewed pressure from the Trump administration, which has intensified enforcement against states issuing licenses to immigrants. The federal government has threatened to withhold funding from California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and New York over the issue.
    The Sikh Coalition, along with the San Francisco-based Asian Law Caucus, has filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of affected drivers. Advocacy groups say Sikh truckers have increasingly faced harassment and discrimination, particularly after recent fatal truck crashes in Florida and California involving Sikh drivers.

     

  • Punjab-born community leader Sahibee Anand appointed Northeast England head of Overseas Friends of BJP UK

    Punjab-born community leader Sahibee Anand appointed Northeast England head of Overseas Friends of BJP UK

    LONDON (TIP) : Punjab-born community leader Sahibee Anand has been appointed as Northeast England Regional Convenor of Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party UK (OFBJP UK), a voluntary organization focused on diaspora outreach, cultural engagement, and people-to-people connections. Anand hails from Mohali, Punjab, and brings extensive grassroots experience in public service and community organization.
    In his new role, he will work to strengthen coordination, civic awareness, and structured engagement among the Indian diaspora in Northeast England, a region witnessing steady growth in its Indian-origin population. The appointment was announced by Kuldeep Singh Shekhawat, president of OFBJP UK, as part of the organization’s efforts to empower regional leadership and deepen community engagement among overseas Indians in the UK.

  • Indian-origin 59-year-old Singapore resident sentenced to 10 years in connection with Wirecard AG fraud

    Indian-origin 59-year-old Singapore resident sentenced to 10 years in connection with Wirecard AG fraud

    SINGAPORE (TIP) : An Indian-origin Singaporean was on Tuesday, January 6, sentenced to 10 years in jail for involvement in falsification of documents concerning hundreds of millions of dollars by a Singapore-based company linked to Wirecard AG.
    Wirecard AG was a German payments company that collapsed in 2020.
    A Briton was also given six-and-a-half years in the case.
    R Shanmugaratnam, 59, and James Henry O’Sullivan, 51, were each handed jail terms by the State Courts at a sentencing hearing, according to a Channel News Asia report.
    Both had been convicted of numerous charges last September following a trial.
    Shanmugaratnam, who was given a longer jail sentence, is the director of local accounting firm Citadelle Corporate Services.
    O’Sullivan had engaged Citadelle’s services to set up companies in Singapore and to provide company secretarial services.
    In September, Shanmugaratnam was convicted of 13 charges for falsifying 13 balance confirmation letters between 2016 and 2018 with fraudulent intent.
    O’Sullivan was found guilty of five charges for abetting Shanmugaratnam by instigating him to fraudulently issue five of those letters in 2017, according to the report.
    Both men had taken instructions from senior Wirecard executives, issuing several false confirmation letters and intentionally misrepresenting to auditors that Wirecard AG had hundreds of millions in euros held in Citadelle’s escrow bank accounts in Singapore, according to media reports.
    After the sentences were passed, both men told the court through their lawyers that they will be filing appeals against their convictions and sentences.
    They also have pending charges related to falsification that have been fixed for pre-trial conferences.
    Both men were offered bail pending their appeals, according to the report.

     

  • Indian American Couple from Andhra killed in road accident in US

    Indian American Couple from Andhra killed in road accident in US

    WASHINGTON (TIP): A couple from Andhra Pradesh settled in the United States died in a road accident in Washington, a police official said on Monday.
    K Krishna Kishore (49), a native of Palakollu, moved to the US in 1999 and married Asha (45), a native of Kakinada, who had already been settled there.
    “The couple, Kishore and Asha, who were settled in the United States, lost their lives in a road accident in Washington on Sunday, leaving their families in West Godavari district devastated,” the official said.
    Kishore’s father, Purushottam, who has vision impairment, and his mother continue to reside in West Godavari district.
    According to police, the couple had two children—a son and a daughter—while Kishore’s sister is also settled in the United States.
    The couple had recently visited their native village and returned to the US.

  • Family of Indian American Nikitha Godishala murdered by her boyfriend in US seeks international arrest warrant against suspect   

    Family of Indian American Nikitha Godishala murdered by her boyfriend in US seeks international arrest warrant against suspect   

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The family members of Indian American Nikitha Godishala, who was found dead in the US, want the authorities there to issue an international arrest warrant against the suspect in her alleged killing for his quick arrest.
    Godishala’s kin are in touch with the US authorities so that her mortal remains can be brought to Hyderabad, a family member said here on Tuesday, January 6.
    The 27-year-old woman of Ellicott City in America was reported missing on January 2. Howard County police had said that she was found dead with stab wounds in the Columbia, Maryland apartment of her ex-roommate, Arjun Sharma, 26.
    The US police have obtained a warrant for Sharma’s arrest on first- and second-degree murder charges, alleging that he killed her and fled to India.
    “He (Arjun Sharma) should be arrested by issuing an international arrest warrant and punished sternly,” the family member told media.
    Nikitha’s father Anand and mother, who is a heart patient, have been in grief since they came to know of the tragedy, he said.
    The process of completing the formalities related to bringing back the body are under way online.
    The family got in touch with Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy, who on Monday said he spoke to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to repatriate the body to India.
    Citing media reports, Anand on Monday said his daughter came to know that Sharma had taken loans from many people and was planning to leave for India.
    He said the suspect called Nikitha on the pretext of returning money which he owed to his daughter but “killed” her.
    The Indian Embassy in Washington DC has said on X that it is in contact with Godishala’s family and is extending all possible consular assistance.
    “The Embassy is also following up the matter with the local authorities,” it said.
    Nikitha, elder daughter of Anand, was living in the US for the last four years and was employed as a data and strategy analyst at Vheda Health after completing her MS in the US.

  • Court blocks Indian American Sridhar Vembu, co-founder Zoho, asset transfers amid $1.7B divorce battle

    Court blocks Indian American Sridhar Vembu, co-founder Zoho, asset transfers amid $1.7B divorce battle

    SAN FRANCISCO (TIP): : Sridhar Vembu, co-founder and chief scientist of software company Zoho, is making headlines for reasons far removed from the tech world. A California court has ordered Vembu to post a $1.7 billion bond as part of a contentious divorce with his ex-wife, Pramila Srinivasan.

    The ruling comes amid concerns that asset transfers could leave Srinivasan at a disadvantage, highlighting how personal legal battles can intersect with the management of major tech companies. A California court is moving to protect the assets the couple built over nearly 30 years of marriage, according to The News Minute.

    Vembu, known for his support of rural development in India and his preference for a modest lifestyle, has not yet fully complied with the court’s directive. The case has drawn attention to the complex ownership structure of Zoho and its potential role in the ongoing divorce proceedings.

    In a sharply worded order, the court appointed Kyle Everett of San Francisco as a receiver to oversee several entities tied to Vembu, including Zoho Corporation, Zoho Technologies, Zoho Distribution Corp., and T&V Holdings, along with the personal assets of Vembu and his associate Tony Thomas. Everett’s role is to take control of assets, records, and property to ensure they are preserved until the divorce proceedings are fully resolved.

    The court blocked a multi-stage asset transfer that would have moved control of the U.S.-based Zoho Corporation to an entity fully owned by Tony Thomas. Judges rejected Vembu’s argument that the transfer was intended for tax purposes, calling it “not credible” and noting that it violated temporary restraining orders meant to protect marital property. “The record in this case demonstrates that Petitioner has acted without regard for Respondent’s interests in community assets and without regard for the law,” the order stated.

    Vembu initially did not post any bond and later proposed amounts up to $150 million, all of which the court rejected. Srinivasan, meanwhile, posted a $275,000 bond to initiate the receivership, while related entities secured stays by providing their own guarantees.

    The legal battle traces back to Vembu’s 2021 divorce filing in California, where he and Srinivasan lived with their son before Vembu relocated to India in late 2019. Under California law, assets acquired during marriage are generally divided equally unless both parties agree otherwise in writing.

    Srinivasan alleges that Vembu secretly transferred significant Zoho shares to family members, including his sister Radha Vembu, who holds a 47.8 percent stake, and his brother Sekar Vembu, who owns 35.2 percent, leaving him with what she claims is only a 5 percent holding in the parent company, Zoho Corporation Pvt Ltd (ZCPL), based in Chennai. She asserts that she supported Vembu financially during Zoho’s early days, enabling him to leave his job to pursue entrepreneurship. “I felt shocked to learn only after he filed for divorce that he claimed to own just 5 percent of the company he had spent our marriage building,” Srinivasan stated in court filings.

    Vembu denies these allegations, maintaining that his stake has always been 5 percent following a 2010 restructuring in which ZCPL purchased the U.S. entity’s intellectual property for $50 million — a transaction Srinivasan contests as unverified. The court noted a lack of financial transparency, raising the possibility of breaches of fiduciary duty that could entitle Srinivasan to a larger share of the company.

    The January 2025 order came in response to an application filed by Pramila Srinivasan. The court concluded that Sridhar Vembu acted “without regard for the law” and lacked transparency in transactions affecting the couple’s joint assets.

     

  • Breaking American laws can have serious consequences for student visa: US Embassy

    Breaking American laws can have serious consequences for student visa: US Embassy

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The US Embassy in India on Wednesday, January 7, said breaking American laws can have “serious consequences” for a student visa, as it termed a sojourn in the country, a privilege, not a right.

    The embassy in a post on X cautioned that one could become ineligible for future US visas if they are “arrested or violate any laws.”

    “Breaking U.S. laws can have serious consequences for your student visa. If you are arrested or violate any laws, your visa may be revoked, you may be deported, and you could be ineligible for future U.S. visas. Follow the rules and don’t jeopardize your travel,” the embassy posted on X.

    “A US visa is a privilege, not a right,” it said in an assertion it has made through many posts on X in the past several months.

    On June 19, it wrote, “A US visa is a privilege, not a right. US visa screening does not stop after a visa is issued – and we may revoke your visa if you break the law.”

  • Attorney General James Sues Trump Administration to Protect Billions of Dollars for Childcare and Support for Vulnerable Families

    Attorney General James Sues Trump Administration to Protect Billions of Dollars for Childcare and Support for Vulnerable Families

    NEW YORK (TIP): New York Attorney General Letitia James today led a coalition of four other attorneys general in suing the Trump administration to stop the illegal withholding of over $10 billion in critical funds to their states that help ensure low-income families can afford childcare, housing, food, and more. On January 5 and 6, the administration sent letters to New York, California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota announcing that the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) was freezing funding for three critical programs: the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF); Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); and the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG). Attorney General James and the coalition argue that freezing these funds will immediately jeopardize some of the most important anti-poverty programs in the states, putting vulnerable families at risk. Attorney General James and the coalition are seeking a court order declaring the funding freeze unlawful and preventing the administration from implementing it.

    “Once again, the most vulnerable families in our communities are bearing the brunt of this administration’s campaign of chaos and retribution,” said Attorney General James. “After jeopardizing food assistance and health care, this administration is now threatening to cut off childcare and other critical programs that parents depend on to provide for their children. As New Yorkers struggle with the rising cost of living, I will not allow this administration to play political games with the resources families need to help make ends meet.”

    In New York, ACF funds provide essential support for hundreds of thousands of families every year. New York receives over $2.4 billion in TANF funds, which provide direct cash assistance to over 200,000 families throughout the state to help families pay for housing, food, and other essentials. For Grant Year 2025, New York received $638 million in CCDF funds, which provide childcare for low-income families. New York also receives $93 million in SSBG funds, which support foster care, childcare, and other critical social services to prevent neglect, abuse, and exploitation of children and vulnerable adults.

    If implemented, the funding freeze would be devastating for families in the coalition’s states. Families would lose access to reliable childcare, forcing parents and caregivers into an impossible choice of either missing work or leaving children in a potentially unsafe environment. Childcare providers would lose essential funding, and even children who do not receive ACF-funded care could lose access if facilities are forced to reduce staff or shut down. Employers would lose valuable workers, hurting states’ economies, and families would lose critical cash assistance to help them afford essentials like gas, groceries, and rent.

    Attorney General James and the coalition assert that the administration has provided no legitimate justification for freezing these funds. While the letters sent to states claim that the freeze is necessary to prevent “potential” fraud, the administration has failed to provide any evidence of this fraud. Attorney General James and the coalition argue that the administration’s actions – which ignore the detailed legal requirements for imposing sanctions under these programs – violate the law and the Constitution. The administration’s actions also ignore the laws and regulations governing these ACF programs and violate Congress’s power over spending and the constitutional principle of separation of powers. Attorney General James and the coalition are seeking a court order declaring the funding freeze illegal and preventing it from being implemented.

    Joining Attorney General James in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota.
    (Based on a Press Release issued by NY AG office)