Norovirus, commonly known as the stomach bug, has been spreading quickly in the northeastern parts of the United States. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that leads to vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, and stomach pain, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Despite often being dubbed the “stomach flu,” it’s not related to influenza.
Norovirus spreads through various means, including direct contact with an infected person, consuming contaminated food or water, and touching contaminated surfaces, followed by touching the mouth or eating without washing hands.
Symptoms of norovirus typically emerge 12 to 48 hours after exposure and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, low-grade fever, and muscle pain.
While the illness is usually short-lived, lasting less than three days, it can be particularly severe for young children, the elderly, and individuals with a weak immune system.
The CDC emphasises the importance of thorough handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the toilet or changing diapers and before preparing or consuming food, as the cornerstone of prevention.
Alcohol-based hand sanitisers are less effective against norovirus.
Additional preventive measures include rinsing fruits and vegetables, staying home when sick, and avoiding food preparation for others until two days after symptoms have ceased.
Tag: Apple News
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Norovirus outbreak in the US: Know about the highly contagious stomach bug
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Foods for glowing skin
Avocado
Packed with antioxidants like lutein and beta carotene, avocados help soften the skin as well as hydrate it if applied topically. You can use a moisturising mask of avocado with 1 teaspoon honey to reap the benefits of this super fruit. You’ll feel the difference instantly! You can also check our interesting recipes to include avocado in your daily diet; perhaps, combine avocado with orange juice as a salad dressing or mix it up with cilantro and cumin for a dip or a sauce for a creamy portion of pasta.
Oranges
The peel of the orange, actually contains more vitamin C than the orange itself. The peel contains antimicrobial and antibacterial properties so using it regularly in face packs will give you clear and brighter skin in no time. What’s in season will make your skin glow. Orange peel and yoghurt face pack can instantly rejuvenate your skin; all you need is 1 tablespoon of orange peel powder and 2 tablespoon of yoghurt to do the trick. You can also add 1 tablespoon of sandalwood powder and 1 tablespoon of walnut powder to 1 tablespoon of orange peel powder with a few drops of lemon juice and rose water to get bright skin.
Pumpkin
Pumpkins have it all – antioxidants, vitamins (A and C) and minerals. Pumpkins are rich in zinc which is vital in the creation of new skin cells, and also helps regulate oil production, improve skin tone and reduce the appearance of open pores. All you have to do is eat a handful of pumpkin seeds to brighten your complexion and get the glow you’ve always wanted. You can also apply a DIY face mask of 3 teaspoons pumpkin, ½ teaspoon honey and ½ teaspoon milk for 15-20 minutes. -
Spicy Chicken Masala
Ingredients
2 Tbsp Mustard oil, 2 Tbsp Curry leaves, 1 tsp Kalonjee, 1 tsp Saunf, 2 tsp Garlic, 1 Cup Onion, chopped, 1 Cup Tomatoes, chopped, 1/2 tsp Ginger, 5 Nos Green Chillies, 1 Kg Boneless Chicken, 1 tsp Salt, 1 tsp Tomato puree, 1 Tbsp Red chilli powder, 1 tsp Cumin powder, 1 tsp Black salt, 1 tsp Peppercorn (crushed), 1 Cup Water, 1 Tbsp Mint, 1 Cup Coriander
Method
– Heat mustard oil in a pan.
– Add curry leaves and fry on a low flame.
– Take out the fried curry leaves and put kalonjee, saunf and garlic in the same oil. Roast them together until yellowish-brown.
– Now add chopped onion and mix them until golden brown.
– Add tomato puree, ginger and green chillies to the pan and mix well.
– Cover the pan and let it cook for a while.
– Now open the pan and add the boneless chicken pieces to the cooked masala.
– Mix the chicken thoroughly to coat it well with the masala.
– Add some salt and tomato puree. Stir well.
– Bring to simmer, and add red chilli powder, cumin powder, black salt and crushed peppercorn. Mix well.
– Add a cup of water and let it cook till simmer.
– Put a cup of mint leaves followed by coriander leaves. Mix thoroughly.
– Add the fried curry leaves in the end. Mix well and cook till simmer.
– Serve hot with little garnishing of coriander leaves. -
Layer perfume to create signature scent
Single Note Fragrances are the Easiest to Blend
If you are new to layering your scents, start with your perfumes that have predominately one note in them. For instance, a fragrance with a single note of vanilla is going to layer very well on top of a fragrance with a single note of gardenia. For those of you that like woodsy scents try layering a fragrance with a single note of oud wood on top of a fragrance with a single note of Turkish rose.
Order Matters
Did you notice in the examples above that I listed the fragrances with the heavier notes first? When you are layering your scents spray the stronger fragrance first so that it doesn’t overpower the lighter fragrance.
Number of Sprays
This one is a bit tricky because everyone’s body chemistry is different. Personally, when layering, I don’t exceed the amount of sprays that I would apply if I was only wearing one fragrance. An easy equation to remember as you practice layering is 1 spray of the heavier scent and 2 sprays of the lighter scent.
Stay in the Same Family
The general rule for layering your scents is to stay in the same family. In other words, layer your fresh citrus scents with other perfumes/colognes that are fresh and citrusy. Here’s a fragrance hack for those of you that want to be a bit more adventurous with your scents. There are notes in your fragrance that you can layer with almost anything regardless of the family they’re in and you’ll still smell come out with an awesome exotic scent. Vanilla, musk, and the vast majority of citrus/orange scents can be layered with notes outside of their respective families.
Layering Starts in the Shower
I alluded to this earlier in the intro, but I want to discuss it a little further. Layering consists of more than applying two-three different perfumes. It also consists of the scented lotion, shower gel, aftershave and even deodorants you use beforehand. (When you use these other scented products it actually helps make the perfume you apply last longer.)
Scents that Clash
In studying how to make my own fragrance the goal was never to create scents that clashed, but in experimenting and trying out different scents it happens, I haven’t fiqured out all of the combinations that clash, but here are a few no-no’s that personally did not work for my nose.
Layering Can be Subtle
Many people fall into the trap of thinking that layering their scents is only good for intensifying their overall aroma. This isn’t true you can also layer your fragrances to create a very nice, soft and subtle impression for when you’re going on an interview or on the job. To create a subtle impression with your scent, stick to using scented body wash, aftershave and lotion or a scented body balm. Personally, I would skip spraying the fragrance if the occasion is an interview or an important meeting. But if you’re up for spraying a fragrance the last layer should be an eau de toilette scent. -
Akshay, Tiger’s Mast Malang Jhoom reminds fans of Naatu Naatu
The makers of the upcoming action thriller film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan unveiled the second track titled Mast Malang Jhoom. Helmed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the film stars Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff in the lead roles. On Wednesday, Zee Music Company took to Instagram and treated fans to the full song video and captioned it, “Energy— Mast. Beats — Malang. Groove — Jhoom. It’s time to dance to the beats of Mast Malang Jhoom!#MastMalangJhoom Song out now.” In the party tack, Akshay and Tiger are seen performing their energetic dance moves.
Sonakshi Sinha also seen shaking a leg with Akshay and Tiger. The song sung by Vishal Mishra, Arijit Singh and Nikhita Gandhi. Composed by Vishal Mishra and energetic lyrics penned by Irshad Kamil. As soon as the song was released, fans chimed in the comment section. One of the users wrote, “Amazing jodi with superb song in Bollywood History.” Another user commented, “This vibe is amazing.” “What moves,” another comment read. -
Ben Affleck didn’t want ‘relationship on social media’ with JLo but caved in
Actor-director Ben Affleck and actress-singer Jennifer Lopez rekindled their romance in 2021 after almost 20 years. However, the Argo star had a request. JLo has 253 million followers on Instagram, and Ben didn’t want their relationship to play out in front of her followers. Ben made the revelation in the new Prime Video documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told. “Getting back together, I said, ‘Listen, one of the things I don’t want is a relationship on social media’,” the actor and director, 51, recalls. “Then I sort of realised it’s not a fair thing to ask. It’s sort of like, you’re gonna marry a boat captain and you go, ‘Well, I don’t like the water’.”
Despite Ben’s apprehensions, the couple has made it work, getting engaged in April 2022 and tying the knot in Las Vegas that July. In the years since, Jennifer, 54, has occasionally shared photos and videos of Ben to her social media feeds. This includes a video of them singing Sam Cooke’s What A Wonderful World in the car on his birthday in August. “We’re just two people with different kinds of approaches trying to learn to compromise”, he says. Source: IANS -
Chris Geere to join Amy Schumer in upcoming film ‘Kinda Pregnant’
Actor Chris Geere, known for his roles in Detective Pikachu and You’re the Worst, is set to join Amy Schumer in the romantic comedy Kinda Pregnant. The film will be directed by Tyler Spindel and is being made for the streaming platform Netflix with Happy Madison producing reported entertainment news outlet Deadline.
Written by Julie Paiva, the film follows Lainy (Schumer), who gets jealous of her pregnant best friend and ends up wearing a fake baby bump. Amidst all this, she meets the man of her dreams.
Geere, 42, has been a part of several shows including Single Parents, A Million Little Things, and Modern Family. Schumer, 42, was last seen in Netflix’s Amy Schumer: Emergency Contact which she also directed. -
Selena Gomez reveals how boyfriend Benny Blanco embarrassed her
Selena Gomez said that her boyfriend, Benny Blanco, embarrassed her in front of Jason Segel.
During an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on Friday, the “Only Murders in the Building” star, 31, shared that she spied on the “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” actor at the Emmy Awards.
“He looked at me and she started waving,” Gomez said before explaining that she immediately began waving back because she’s a fan of Segel’s sitcom “How I Met Your Mother.”
“This is kind of embarrassing. This is such a weird habit, but every night I fall asleep to the same show,” she revealed. “It’ll either be ‘Friends’ or something comfy. But lately, it’s ‘How I Met Your Mother.’ So I fall asleep every night just watching the show and I’m a fan.”
Horrifyingly, Gomez “slowly realized” that Segel “was waving to someone behind me” and the encounter only got worse.
“He felt awkward and then inclined to come over,” she explained. “And then my boyfriend goes, ‘Oh, she falls asleep to you every night.’”
In December 2023, the “Wizards of Waverly Place” alum confirmed on social media that she and Blanco, 35, had been dating for six months.
At the time, she called the music producer, whose real name is Benjamin Levine, “the best thing that’s ever happened” to her and proclaimed that he treats her “better than any human being on this planet.”
Since then, the couple have not been shy about expressing their feelings for each other.
On Valentine’s Day, Gomez shared a photo of them sitting next to each other while sticking their tongues out at the camera. She also flashed a peace sign while Blanco held two fingers up to his lips. “I love you,” she wrote above the photo with a white heart. -
Glen Powell: Sydney Sweeney Is So Easy To Work With And So Fun
‘Anyone But You’ has definitely brought the limelight onto Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney. The two may have been accused by critics for not having too much chemistry onscreen in their romcom, but the two definitely seem to have fallen head over heels for one another in real life. Glen Powell recently made a statement that showed how much he wants to spend more time with Sydney Sweeney. So much so that he is trying to find out the next script that they can work together on. Sweet, isn’t it?
While talking to Variety, Glen Powell said, “When you find somebody that you really jive with, Sydney is so easy to work with and so fun. We’re definitely trying to find the next thing. Please send us all the scripts you got. You know we’re here for it. It’s been really wonderful to read a lot. Sydney reads everything, by the way, and in record time. She’s the fastest reader I think I’ve ever met.” -
Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh announce they are expecting their first child
Bollywood star couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are expecting their first child. They announced her pregnancy in February 2024. According to reports, Deepika is said to be in her second trimester. The star couple had gotten married in 2018. Her delivery is due in September 2024.
Deepika and Ranveer shared a post announcing their pregnancy on Thursday, Feb 29, The post read, “September 2024,” with cute motifs of baby clothes, baby shoes and balloons.
Earlier, there were speculations circulating that Deepika Padukone might be pregnant. These rumours stemmed from observations that she reportedly hid her baby bump while wearing a glittering saree at the 77th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA). Deepika Padukone was adorned in a couture saree and custom jewellery designed by Sabyasachi Mukherjee.
Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh met on the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela’. They dated for five years before getting married in November 2018.
When asked about becoming a parent, Deepika had a smile on her face and told Vogue, “Absolutely. Ranveer and I love children. We look forward to the day when we will start our own family.”
She further added, “When I meet the people I have grown up with—my aunts, uncles, family friends—they always mention how I haven’t changed one bit. That says a lot about our upbringing. In this industry, it’s easy to get carried away by fame and money. But no one treats me like a celebrity at home. I am a daughter and a sister first. I don’t want that to change. My family keeps me grounded and Ranveer and I hope to inculcate the same values in our children.”
On the work front, Deepika was last seen in Shah Rukh Khan’s superhit, ‘Jawan’. She will next be seen in the Rohit Shetty directorial, ‘Singham Again’. She will be sharing screen space with Ranveer Singh, Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff and Kareena Kapoor, among others. -
Vikrant Massey’s ‘The Sabarmati Report’ on 2002 Godhra incident to release on May 3
Vikrant Massey, who is basking in the success of his last film ‘12th Fail’, has announced his next. Titled ‘The Sabarmati Report’, the film will be about the unfortunate burning of the Sabarmati Express in Gujarat’s Godhra exactly 22 years back, on February 22, 2002.
Vikrant Massey announced the film with a short video. In the video, he plays a journalist, Shraban Kumar, who is breaking the news of the Godhra incident. As he reads on the teleprompter that it was an accident, he fumbles and then sternly claims that it wasn’t any accident.
Sharing the teaser, he wrote, “Paying homage to the 59 innocent people who lost their lives in the Godhra train burning incident 22 years ago, today. Presenting ‘The Sabarmati Report’, in cinemas on 3rd May, 2024. (sic)”
‘The Sabarmati Report’ will also feature Raashii Khanna and Ridhi Dogra, apart from Massey. Directed by Ranjan Chandel and produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, Amul V Mohan and Anshul Mohan, the film will be hitting the screens on May 3. -
Sandeshkhali must be avenged by voting against TMC: Modi
New Delhi (TIP)- Launching a scathing attack on West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) for “turning a blind eye” to the cases of sexual abuse of women at Sandeshkhali, PM Narendra Modi on Friday, March 1, appealed to people to avenge the excesses by voting against the TMC in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
“Har chot ki jawab vote mein hona chahiye,” the PM said, while addressing a rally at Arambag in Hoogly district of West Bengal. “The entire country is deeply upset after seeing what the TMC has done to the sisters of Sandeshkhali,” he said.
Referring to Khanakul, the ancestral village of 19th century social reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy, which was close to the venue of the public meeting, he said, “Even the soul of Raja Ram Mohan Roy would be pained by the happenings at Sandeshkhali.” PM Modi said while the TMC beat the drum of “maa, maati and maanush”, what it did in reality was very different. He also slammed the INDIA bloc for keeping silent on the Sandeshkhali atrocities. He accused Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge of insulting the people of Bengal by saying “such incidents do happen in Bengal”. “For INDIA bloc leaders, supporting the corrupt and appeasement politics are of prime importance rather than stand by those tortured in Sandeshkhali.
The TMC is confident that it has the support of the minorities, but the Muslim sisters and mothers too will vote against it,” he said. The PM, who is on a two-day visit to West Bengal to kick off BJP’s poll campaign, also raked up the issue of corruption and reminded the crowd about the visuals of wads of bank notes recovered by central agencies from the residences of TMC leaders during raids. “The Lok Sabha elections will mark the beginning of the countdown of the TMC’s exit from power in Bengal,” he said.
PM Modi also accused the state government of ignoring execution of projects for which funds had been already released by the Centre. “The government is sending funds to Bengal, but the TMC government is not utilising these and instead creating blockades,” he claimed. Source: TNS -
Taapsee to marry long-time boyfriend, badminton coach Mathias Boe in March
Taapsee Pannu, who was last seen in Dunki along with Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan, is set to tie the knot with her longtime partner Mathias Boe. The couple is set to exchange wedding vows in a grand celebration which will reportedly be a blend of traditions of Sikhism and Christianity. While the two like keeping a low key about their relationship but have never been secretive about it.
Taapsee Pannu has been dating the Indian badminton team’s coach for nearly 10 years now. Recently, the actress opened up about her relationship when she told Raj Shamani that she met Mathias the year that she was making her debut film, 2013’s Chashme Baddoor. “I have been with the same person since then and I have no thoughts of leaving him or being with anyone else because I am way too happy in the relationship,” she said.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Taapsee Pannu was recently seen in Rajkumar Hirani’s Dunki. The film also starred Shah Rukh Khan and was released in December 2023. Dunki was widely loved by all and collected over Rs 450 crore at the global box office. Next, Taapsee will be seen in the comedy-drama film, Woh Ladki Hai Kahan. The movie is written and directed by Arshad Syed and will also star Prateik Babbar and Pratik Gandhi in the lead roles. -
India to see warmer summer, more heatwave days this year
New Delhi (TIP)- The summer months of March to May are likely to be hotter than usual across most of the country, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday, March 1, while also predicting El Nino conditions to persist for most of this period, which could in turn result in a higher number of heatwave days.
Some regions, however, including the northwest that includes Delhi, could record normal to below normal night-time lows and daytime peaks, especially over the first 15 days of March when a series of western disturbance are predicted to bring rain in these regions.
IMD customarily puts out a forecast for the summer season in the first week of March every year, with the temperatures in the 12-week period from then having significant implications for public health and agriculture. For instance, unusually hot weather or excessive spells of rain in March could hurt a number of winter crops that are close to harvest in April and May.
“We are expecting maximum temperatures to remain below normal till around March 15 over northwest India. This is mainly because we are expecting cloudy skies and rainfall due to consecutive WDs,” said M Mohapatra, director general, IMD.
The rain spells, Mohapatra added, could hurt some crops. “During the next two weeks we expect intense rain and even hailstorm in some regions of northwest India. That can be damaging for the wheat crop. Light to moderate rain will be beneficial in some areas. Farmers have been advised to prepare,” he said.
But after that, temperatures are likely to pick up for most parts of the country due to the El Nino phenomenon in the equatorial pacific, which has cascading impact on weather across the world.
“El Nino conditions have weakened but they are still prevailing and expected to continue till May. El Nino is associated with above normal number of heatwave days also. So, we can expect a hot summer,” added Mohapatra.
The 12 weeks of the beginning of the summer will also coincide with hectic political activity with large gatherings across the country in campaign rallies as it heads into general elections, which will culminate with the last of the voting roughly around the first week of May. Heatwaves could potentially be a cause for concern in many parts.
The summer season is classified from March to end of May, before the monsoon season officially starts from June.
The IMD director general said that of late, the transition from winter to summer temperatures has been quicker than usual. “We have observed that spring is arriving early. It is because winter is diffusing sooner than before. A milder winter end is nothing but spring. This is being seen globally due to global warming,” said Mohapatra.
According to Friday’s forecast, above-normal maximum/day temperatures are likely over most parts of the country, except over some isolated areas of northwest, northeast, central and peninsular India. The minimum or night time temperatures are also likely to be above normal over most parts of the country, IMD said.
Monthly maximum temperatures for March will be likely to be above normal over most areas of peninsular, northeast and west central India. Night time temperatures are likely to be above normal over most parts of the country except some isolated areas along the Himalayas where normal to below normal minimum temperatures are most likely in March, IMD added.
The weather department has also warned that above-normal number of heatwave days are likely over most parts of the country except over northeast India, western himalayan region, southwest peninsula and west coast during March to May.
The IMD forecast went into some detail on the El Nino phenomenon, saying that majority of climate models gave indicated it will persist through March-May 2024 and then transition to ENSO-neutral thereafter.
Source: HT -
India, China in ‘constructive communication’ to settle Ladakh standoff: Chinese military
Beijing (TIP)- China and India have maintained “constructive communication” to find a mutually acceptable solution to resolve the standoff in eastern Ladakh, the Chinese military has said, underlining that Beijing attaches “great importance” to ties with New Delhi to jointly maintain peace at the borders.
The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in a standoff in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks.
“The two sides had positive, in-depth and constructive communication on resolving the border issues of each other’s concern and agreed to reach a mutually acceptable solution at an early date,” Ministry of National Defence spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang told the Chinese media at a press briefing here on Thursday, referring to the commander-level talks held on February 19 between India and China.
“China attaches great importance to the China-India military-to-military relations and hopes that India and China will work towards the same goal, enhance mutual trust, properly settle differences and jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas,” he was quoted as saying by China Military Online, the official news portal of the Chinese Defence Ministry.
The talks held on February 19 were the 21st round of talks between the two militaries to resolve the eastern Ladakh logjam, which will enter its fourth year in May this year. The Chinese military action in May 2020 resulted in the Galwan Valley clash that marked the most serious military conflict between India and China in decades.
According to the Chinese military, the two sides have so far agreed to disengage at four points—the Galwan Valley, the Pangong Lake, Hot Springs, and Jianan Daban (Gogra) — contributing to the de-escalation of tensions along the border.
But the talks were deadlocked over reaching a similar agreement at Depsang and Demchok, where the Indian side strongly pressed for resolution of two lingering issues. Both sides issued separate press releases on the 21st round of talks.
A press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the latest talks said the two sides agreed to maintain communication on the way ahead through the relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms.
“The discussions built on the previous rounds, seeking complete disengagement in the remaining areas along the LAC (Line of Actual Control) in eastern Ladakh as an essential basis for the restoration of peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas,” it said in a statement.The MEA said the two sides shared their perspectives on this in the talks held in a “friendly and cordial” atmosphere. “The two sides have agreed to maintain communication on the way ahead through the relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms. They also committed to maintain peace and tranquillity on the ground in the border areas in the interim,” it said. Source: PTI -
10 injured in Bengaluru cafe blast, CM hints at use of IED
A low intensity bomb blast at a popular eatery here on Friday left 10 persons injured even as the police invoked the stringent UAPA provisions in the case.
The police suspect that an improvised explosive device (IED) fitted with a timer inside a bag could have exploded. Officials from the local unit of the NIA arrived at the spot and conducted inquiry. The Bengaluru police haev registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosive Substances Act.
The cafe which is located at Whitefield’s Brookfield area, a vibrant neighbourhood, a business centre as well as a tech hub. It is usually crowded with employees from nearby offices during the lunch hours. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said investigation was on to ascertain the cause and nature of the explosion at the cafe, and added it might have been caused by an “improvised explosive” device.
“The incident should not be politicised and everyone should cooperate,” Siddaramaiah said, adding strict action would be taken against those involved. Describing the explosion as a “bomb blast”, state police chief Alok Mohan said nobody was seriously injured in the incident. -
Govt signs Rs 39,125 cr deals for BrahMos missiles, radars, aero engines
New Delhi (TIP)- In a big push for the ongoing self-reliance drive in the defence manufacturing sector, the defence ministry on Friday, March 1, signed five contracts worth Rs.39,125 crore for BrahMos missiles, ship-borne Brahmos systems, close-in weapon systems, high-power radars, and aero-engines for MiG-29 fighter planes.
“These deals will further strengthen indigenous capabilities, save foreign exchange and reduce dependency on foreign origin equipment manufacturers,” the defence ministry said in a statement.
Two of these deals were signed with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited — one for around 200 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles worth Rs.19,518.65 crore and the other for ship-borne BrahMos systems worth ?988.07 crore. The Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved these deals recently to boost India’s naval power. The BrahMos missile has been developed by India and Russia.
“These missiles would be utilised to meet combat and training requirements of the Indian Navy. This project is likely to generate employment of 9 lakh man-days in the joint venture entity and around 135 lakh man-days in ancillary industries…The ship-borne BrahMos system is the Indian Navy’s primary weapon for maritime strike operations fitted on board various frontline warships. This project is likely to generate employment of around 60,000 man-days over a period of 7-8 years,” the statement said.
It is the fastest cruise missile in the world with a speed of Mach 2.8, nearly three times the speed of sound. BrahMos variants can be launched from land, air and sea, and all three variants are in service in the Indian armed forces. BrahMos missiles can strike targets at 290 km and its extended range variant can hit targets at 500 km.
Two contracts were signed with Larsen & Toubro Limited for close-in weapon systems (CIWS) worth Rs 7,668.82 crore for terminal air defence of select locations in the country, and high-power radars (HPR) with advanced surveillance features for ?5,700 crore to boost air defence capabilities.
CIWS is planned for deployments at various locations across India to protect vital assets from all types of low-flying, low-signature aerial threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles, L&T said in a statement. It consists of air defence guns, tracking radars and search radars linked to a command and control station.
“The CIWS project will boost and encourage active participation of Indian aerospace, defence and associated industries including MSMEs. The direct and indirect employment generated by this project would be about 2,400 persons/year over five years,” the defence ministry statement said. -
Don’t seek votes on caste, religious lines: EC to parties
With Congress leaders feverishly pitching for caste census and Prime Minister Narendra Modi betting big on the Ram Temple ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission (EC) has said that no appeal should be made on the basis of caste and communal feelings of electors.
In a set of advisories issued on Friday, March 1, to the political parties, the election body said no temple, mosque, gurdwara or any other place of worship could be used for election propaganda or electioneering.
“No appeal shall be made on the basis of caste or communal feelings of the electors. No activity which may aggravate existing differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different castes/communities/religious/linguistic groups can be attempted,” the EC said.
“References that ridicule the relations between devotee and deity or suggestions of divine censure shall not be made,” it said. The poll body went on to add that political parties and leaders should not make false statements and utterances aimed at misleading the voters. -
Pankaj Udhas: Velvet voice of ghazal falls silent
Renowned ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas, whose velvet smooth voice gave expression to the many colors of love, longing and heartache in songs such as “Chitthi Ayee Hai” and “Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein”, died here on Monday, Feb 26, after prolonged illness. He was 72.
Udhas, who also made a mark as a playback singer in many Hindi films, including “Dayavan”, “Naam”, “Saajan” and “Mohra”, died around 11 am at the Breach Candy hospital.
“With a very heavy heart, we are saddened to inform you of the sad demise of Padmashri Pankaj Udhas on 26th February 2024 due to a prolonged illness,” his daughter Nayaab wrote in an Instagram post.
“This is not only a personal loss, but the whole nation has lost a prolific singer and a great human being,” Breach Candy Hospital Trust said in a note.
The last rites of the singer, who hit his peak in the 1990s, were performed on Feb 27. He is survived by wife Farida and daughters Reva and Nayaab.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among the many who mourned the singer’s death.
“Pankaj Udhas ji, honored with Padma Shri and other awards, made an important contribution in popularising music. My condolences to his family and fans,” the president said.
According to the prime minister, Udhas’ singing conveyed a range of emotions and his ghazals spoke directly to the soul.
“He was a beacon of Indian music, whose melodies transcended generations. I recall my various interactions with him over the years. His departure leaves a void in the music world that can never be filled. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” Modi said.
Udhas, one of those credited for making the genre popular along with Talat Aziz and Jagjit Singh, released his first album “Aahat” in 1980 and went on to release over 50 albums in a four-decade career. This was apart from the songs, evoking gentle romance, he crooned as a playback singer.
He is perhaps most famous for “Naa Kajaare ki dhar”, “Aye ghame zindagi kuch to de mashwara”, “Maikhane se sharab”, “Chandi jaisa rang hai tera sone jaise baal”, “Aaj fir tum pe pyaar aaya”, “Mohabbat inyat karam dekhte hain”, “Jaaneman karwate badal badal” and “Chahat desh se aane wale” Udhas was synonymous with ghazals, an Arabic word that means “conversing with the beloved”. It developed in Persia in the 10th century AD from the Arabic verse form ‘qasida’, according to rekhta.com But he was much more than that.
“Ghazal singer, art lover & an avid reader. I love to travel to different destinations; I relish different cuisines. Apart from ghazals, I listen to Beatles,” his Facebook profile says.
Udhas, who received the Padma Shri in 2006, was also a science graduate working to eradicate thalassemia, according to his X profile.
He was born in Gujarat’s Rajkot town to a family of musicians. His father Keshubhai Udhas played the string instrument dilruba. And his two elder brothers Manhar Udhas and Nirmal Udhas were well-known singers too. The young Pankaj initially started learning tabla at the Sangeet Natya Academy in Rajkot. But he was more inclined towards Hindustani classical music and started learning from Ghulam Qadir Khan.
Shah Rukh Khan recalled in an interview that he earned his first money by working as an usher in an Udhas concert and used the Rs 50 to travel to Agra to see the Taj Mahal.
Udhas is also credited with making John Abraham a popular face, giving him the opportunity to appear in his album “Mahek” in 1999. The songs “Chupke chupke sakhiyon se baatein” and “Yun mere khat ka jawab aya” were a rage and the actor became a familiar face.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said Udhas’ death is an “irreparable loss” to the music world.
“Deeply saddened the news of passing of Pankaj Udhas ji. His career, spanning more than 4 decades, enriched our music industry and gifted us with some of the most memorable and melodious renditions of gazals,” he wrote on X.
Long time friend and fellow singer Anup Jalota said he knew Udhas had been unwell for the last several months but didn’t realise he would go away so soon.
“I’ve lost my friend. We would discuss everything. Pankaj, Talat and I… our trio was famous. We had great fun together. We would do concerts together. He has had a great contribution in making ghazals popular and accessible. It can never be forgotten,” Jalota said.
Anuradha Paudwal who collaborated with Udhas on many songs, including “Mohabbat, inayat, karam” and “Tere khamosh hoton se”, said she was shocked by news of his death.
“He was a very good artist for the world but to me he was a very close and dear friend… We studied together in St. Xavier’s and then we both joined the industry. We recorded many duets, many of them were popular. He was a great singer, a great artist, very soft spoken… but over and above that, he was a very nice human being. He was close to everyone,” Paudwal told PTI.
Actor Madhuri Dixit, who featured in “Saajan”, her 1991 film with Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan, also remembered Udhas’ hit number “Jeeye toh jeeye kaise bin aap ke” from the film.
“Deeply saddened by the loss of a music legend, Pankaj Udhas Ji. His gazals touched the souls of people worldwide. His legacy will forever linger in our hearts! Om Shanti,” she said in a post on X. Singer Daler Mehndi said his heart was heavy with the news of the death of the gentlest music exponent.
“Chitthi na koi sandesh… wishing you a beautiful, peaceful journey ahead… sureeley Pankaj-ji, your songs remain etched in our memories,” he said in an X post. Source: PTI -
International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day (IWD), grew out of the labor movement to become a recognised annual event by the United Nations (UN). The seeds of it were planted in 1908, when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter working hours, better pay and the right to vote. A year later, the Socialist Party of America declared the first National Woman’s Day.
The idea to make the day international came from a woman called Clara Zetkin, communist activist and advocate for women’s rights. She suggested the idea in 1910 at an International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. There were 100 women there, from 17 countries, and they agreed on her suggestion unanimously.
It was first celebrated in 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland.
Things were made official in 1975 when the United Nations started celebrating the day. The first theme adopted by the UN (in 1996) was “Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future”.
International Women’s Day has become a date to celebrate how far women have come in society, in politics and in economics, while the political roots of the day mean strikes and protests are organised to raise awareness of continued inequality.
RUSSIAN REVOLUTION: A TURNING POINT
Throughout the early 20th century, International Women’s Day became increasingly associated with the fight for women’s suffrage and labour rights. In 1917, Russian women observed a strike for ‘Bread and Peace’ on March 8th, which marked the beginning of the Russian Revolution.
The date coincided with International Women’s Day, and the strike played a significant role in the eventual overthrow of the Tsarist regime and the granting of women’s suffrage in Russia.
RECOGNITION BY THE UNITED NATIONS
Following these events, International Women’s Day continued to be celebrated annually, spreading to other countries and becoming a symbol of women’s solidarity and activism.
During the mid-20th century, the focus of International Women’s Day expanded to address a broader range of issues affecting women, including reproductive rights, workplace discrimination, and violence against women.
While much progress has been made since the inception of International Women’s Day, significant challenges remain. Gender inequality persists in many aspects of society, including access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
Women continue to face discrimination and violence based on their gender, and their voices are often marginalised in decision-making processes.
RENEWING COMMITMENT TO EQUALITY
As we commemorate International Women’s Day each year, let us renew our commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable world, where every woman and girl has the opportunity to fulfil her potential and contribute to the betterment of society.
Together, we can strive towards a future where gender equality is not only a goal but a reality for all.
Why 8 March?
Clara’s idea for an International Women’s Day had no fixed date.
It wasn’t formalised until a war-time strike in 1917 when Russian women demanded “bread and peace” – and four days into the strike the Tsar was forced to abdicate and the provisional government granted women the right to vote. The date when the women’s strike commenced on the Julian calendar, which was then in use in Russia, was Sunday 23 February. This day in the Gregorian calendar was 8 March – and that’s when it’s celebrated today.
Purple, green and white are the colors of the day, according to the International Women’s Day website.
“Purple signifies justice and dignity. Green symbolizes hope. White represents purity, albeit a controversial concept. The colours originated from the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK in 1908,” they say.
How is Women’s Day celebrated?
International Women’s Day is a national holiday in many countries, including Russia where flower sales double during the three or four days around 8 March.
In China, many women are given a half-day off work on 8 March, as advised by the State Council.
In Italy, International Women’s Day, or la Festa della Donna, is celebrated by the giving of mimosa blossoms. The origin of this tradition is unclear but it is believed to have started in Rome after World War Two. In the US, the month of March is Women’s History Month. A presidential proclamation issued every year honours the achievements of American women.
SIGNIFICANCE OF WOMEN’S DAY
International Women’s Day holds immense significance globally as a day dedicated to celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It serves as a reminder of the contributions women have made to society, often in the face of adversity and discrimination.
Moreover, Women’s Day highlights the persistent challenges women continue to face, including gender-based violence, unequal access to education and healthcare, and under-representation in leadership roles.
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
While Women’s Day is a time for celebration, it also serves as a reminder of the work that remains to be done. Gender inequality persists in various forms, including unequal pay, lack of access to education and healthcare, and gender-based violence.
Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from governments, civil society, and the private sector to enact policies and programs that promote gender equality and empower women and girls.
WHY DO WE NEED IT?
Gender inequality persists in areas like pay, education, healthcare, and violence. IWD raises awareness, celebrates women, and pushes for change toward equal opportunities and rights.What Is The IWD 2024 Theme?
The theme of this year’s Women’s Day is ‘Invest in women: Accelerate progress’. This theme means that establishing gender equality and women’s well-being in all aspects of life is more important than ever in order to develop strong economies and a healthy world. When we value and respect women from all different backgrounds, the world gets better for everyone.
Here are key areas needing joint action:
Investing in women, a human rights issue
Time is running out. Gender equality is the greatest human rights challenge, benefiting everyone.
Ending poverty
Due to the COVID pandemic and conflicts, 75 million more people have fallen into severe poverty since 2020. Immediate action is crucial to prevent over 342 million women and girls living in poverty by 2030.
Gender-responsive financing
Conflicts and rising prices may lead 75% of countries to cut public spending by 2025, negatively impacting women and their essential services.
Shifting to a green economy
The current economic system disproportionately affects women. Advocates propose a shift to a green economy and care society to amplify women’s voices.
Supporting feminist change-makers
Despite leading efforts, feminist organizations receive only 0.13% of official development assistance. -
It is Time to Go Back, Only to Move Forward in Time
CHICAGO, IL (TIP): Prayagraj Hule is a renowned Vedantic Scholar. He recently concluded a 5-day series on self-help at the International University of Vedic Wellness in Streamwood, IL. His talks resonated with people across Chicago land, leaving a profound impact on the youth and individuals of diverse backgrounds. This universal message transcended race and religion, offering knowledge that spoke to the shared human experience.
In collaboration with the University, Prayagraj will offer youth and adult retreats in 2024 as well as online sessions throughout the year. For more information contact Aparna Kulkarni 847-306-7616 or AparnaK@umasinc.com.
Unearthing Human Nature
Vedanta is a science which deals with human beings. An encyclopedia which has the compilation of subtlest thoughts related to human relationship with the Transcendental Self. Rendered by several enlightened sages of India. These great people dedicated their lives thousands of years ago to reflect upon the mystery of human origin, purpose of living and constitution of human inner nature. The effort of such crystalline contemplation culminated in the Vedanta philosophy, which decoded the apogee of happiness. Present day humans are disconnected with their roots and live in ignorance about this state of Bliss.The Labyrinth
Today, the world over alma maters and mushrooming educational institutions are priming students with a lot of data. No doubt valuable to earn wealth and mark the material progress of nations. But limit the young in their rational approach and application of the knowledge provided. Very few truly implement the knowledge gained. The rest just follow a beaten pattern to work. Consequently, the young become victims of contemporaneity pressure. Affliction is arising out of work culture and impending personal perils caused by lack in clarity of balancing their work and professional life.The Unrestrained Mind, the Ignorance of Intellect
The youth are unaware of Vedantic education. People hence find themselves tormented by the pernicious traits of an ungoverned mind. The lack of higher values absent in present day education has made humans weak. They find challenges in life difficult to handle, mostly, amongst well-educated and the rich. Depression and stress related ailments have risen to alarming proportions. Divorce has reached record breaking numbers world-wide. The human mind turns malignant when left unattended to make decisions by itself in absence of intellect. As a result, greed has led to decadence in society. Humans have turned greedy to amass ill gained wealth and devour millions, billions, without paying any heed to others living juxtaposed in denial. Ultimately, the greedy only find themselves isolated and lonely.The Problem Lies Elsewhere
Knowledge gained from universities has no doubt raised the standard of human living, made people wealthy and indulgent. But are they happy? By their own admission people have lost their morals, peace and cheer. Standard of life has deteriorated to a substantial level.The lack of Vedantic knowledge also makes it difficult for individuals to unravel one’s true aptitude. As a result, few flourish in their natural field of work. Others experience work as a burden, instead of finding it a source of pleasure and joy. Vedanta brings in clarity to discover one’s aptitude and subsequently identify a suitable field of work. One then finds success by employing the right technique of action guided by the intellect. When work becomes a pleasure, so does the working environment.
Live to Give
Giving should be preceded by thinking. Take a look at the charity structure in the world. Ideally, it should be the confluence of feeling and thinking to give society punctiliously. A true philanthropist will initiate research if wealth gives charity and has resolved a whirlwind of present predicaments. Corporation’s today have started charity enclaves, urged by the government to be socially responsible. But has this changed the mind-set of people? Seldom has the donor looked into the effect and effort of organizations and hence the persisting quandaries in the world still remain recurring. Genuine philanthropists share their wealth. But most charitable entities are unable to reach the bottom of the problem. Applying balm to a wound is calming. But that will not help in getting to the source of the disease. True charity is supposed to lift a person spiritually. Make one independent to progress along with others. Not make them dependent and selfish, lethargic and diseased. Remember, “Candent living brings forth Prudent giving”.The Time is Ticking
Few care about Vedantic intellectual education. An education is beyond the precincts of secular education provided by schools and universities. The educated should mull over the recent graph of wars, poverty, crimes, rapes, stress, divorces… These unfortunate escalations of events have gripped all families in the world. Even children are not spared, as crime perpetrated on children is on the rise.Pressure on children has led them not to cooperate with parents and educators. Eager to leave homes, the moment they reach the periphery of youth. Therefore, the necessity of bringing in a value system alongside secular education in society should be implemented imminently. The good and spiritual side of human’s has to be tapped. The negative will then slowly diminish. Vedanta impacts an individual to harness one’s mind. By imbibing its knowledge, you gain intellectual clarity. This then creates collectively awakened human beings to be more affable and reaching out. There is a saying: “You cannot reach God unless you serve & love the expressions of God”.
For the Youth
The future of every country is the power of youth. Parents must pause for a moment and look behind at the legacy they leave, Asian families in recent times a tradition of debts. Westerners, a tradition of separation is in relationships, angst in their behavioral habits and pills to pop anxiety. This directly affects every child.The youth get influenced by anyone higher in stature. They want to emulate everything their icons do. It is hereby the responsibility of all leaders to leave trails of culture and wisdom that follows sound intellectual reason. Social media has become the death knell of values, a harbinger of sorrow. A disorder which is the eating up concentration of youth and even adults. Use it to evolve, benefit others, but don’t get abused by it, harm others and devolve!
An effort has to be made to save the youth. Leaders need to plan a paradigm shift in education. An awakened person would leave behind a cleaner world and not unresolved filth for the young to remove. Albert Einstein made an apt, wise statement: ‘We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them’.
Oh folks! Isn’t it time to wake up? Awaken the intellect with the knowledge of Vedanta.
It is hence time to go back only to move forward in Time.
(Press release by Prayagraj Hule) -
Tamil Nadu Foundation Golden Jubilee Celebrations
CHICAGO, IL (TIP): Tamil Nadu Foundation (TNF), established in 1974 in Baltimore, stands as the oldest and largest U.S.-based humanitarian organization dedicated solely to Tamil Nadu. Over the last 50 years, TNF has evolved as a social organization impacting the lives of less privileged children and families through Education, Women Empowerment, Rural Development and Health & Hygiene.
Over the past five decades, TNF Life Members, TNF Chapters, and TNF Convention donors have collectively supported over 700 projects, positively impacting more than 500,000 underprivileged individuals across Tamil Nadu. This includes providing aid to over 200,000 students in government schools through TNF’s flagship ABC education initiative, assisting over 60,000 victims of the 2015 floods, aiding more than 20,000 victims of Cyclone Gaja in 2018, and donating over 1 million USD during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic.
To commemorate TNF’s Golden Jubilee, a significant milestone, we are delighted to announce our celebratory event scheduled from May 24 to 26 in Rosemont, IL (Chicago), marking fifty years of our Foundation’s impactful journey. TNF lifetime members and the Tamil diaspora are eager to celebrate their accomplishments, reflecting on our journey from a small group of visionaries to impacting over 250,000 children and families across 650 villages in Tamil Nadu. The event promises a rich blend of music, dance, and informative sessions, providing an opportunity to engage with our Youth Force, the future bearers of our mission, and to minimize administrative costs through event profits, ensuring that 100% of donor dollars directly benefit the beneficiaries in Tamil Nadu.
Event Highlights:
• Grand Music Concert: Featuring the legendary “Isai Gnyani Illayaraja.”
• Therukoothu: By Sangagiri Rajkumar with 260 participants (Attempting to make Guinness record).
• “EGAI” Tamil Symphony: A spectacular musical event by Dr. Kanniks Kannikeswaran featuring over a hundred artists.
• Fusion Dance Performance: Showcasing 150 local talents.
• Tamil Isai – Featuring traditional Tamil musical instruments.
• The Renowned YouTube – Village Cooking Channel Team.
• Emerge 2024: An all-day Entrepreneurs Event sponsored by TNF and ATEA.
• Youth Conference: Organized by young adults.
• College Alumni Gathering: Expecting participation from over 25 colleges.
• Districts Parade: Representing 38 districts from Tamil Nadu.
• Other high-quality programs from TNF Chapters and local organizations.Guests from various parts of North America and at least 50 other countries will converge to witness this mega event. Visit www.tnfusa.org for more details.
(Photographs and Press release by Asian Media USA) -
Indian-American jeweler indicted in multi-million dollar international trade fraud
NEWARK, NJ (TIP): An Indian jeweler has been indicted for illegally evading customs duties for millions of dollars of jewelry imports into the US and operating unlicensed money transmitting businesses, a US attorney has said. Monishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah (39) — based out of both Mumbai and New Jersey –was arrested over the weekend and appeared on February 26 before US Magistrate Judge André M Espinosa in the Newark federal court. Shah alias “Monish Doshi Shah” was released on a bond of USD 100,000, with home detention and location monitoring. He has been charged on a complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of operating, aiding and abetting the operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business.
From January 2015 through September 2023, Shah engaged in a scheme to evade duties for shipments of jewelry from Turkey and India to the US, according to documents. He would ship or instruct his conspirators to ship goods from Turkey or India, which would have been subject to an approximately 5.5 per cent duty if shipped directly to the US, to one of Shah’s companies in South Korea, these stated.
Federal prosecutors alleged that Shah’s conspirators in South Korea would change the labels on the jewelry to state that they were from South Korea instead of Turkey or India, and then ship them to Shah or his customers in the US, thereby unlawfully evading the duty.
He would also make and instruct his customers to make fake invoices and packing lists to make it look like Shah’s South Korean companies were actually ordering jewelry from Turkey or India.
During the scheme, Shah shipped millions of dollars of jewelry from South Korea to the US, prosecutors alleged.
From July 2020 through November 2021, Shah operated numerous purported jewelry companies in New York City’s Diamond District, including MKore LLC (MKore), MKore USA Inc. (MKore USA) and Vruman Corp (Vruman), it said. He used these entities to conduct millions of dollars in illegal financial transactions for customers, including converting cash to checks or wire transfers, the documents said.
Shah would also collect cash from customers and use conspirators’ jewelry companies, also located in the Diamond District, to convert the cash into wires or checks.
The documents said that at times, Shah and his conspirators moved more than a million dollars of cash in a single day. In exchange for their services, Shah and his conspirators charged a fee.
Prosecutors said that none of Shah’s or his conspirators’ companies were registered as money transmitting businesses with New York, New Jersey, or the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
(Source: PTI) -
Indian American Minita Sanghvi secures Democratic nomination for New York’s 44th senate district
NEW YORK (TIP): Indian American Minita Sanghvi has secured the Democratic nomination for New York’s 44th State Senate district, propelled by critical endorsements from the Saratoga County Democratic Committee and Schenectady County Democratic Committee.
Endorsing Sanghvi, Saratoga County Democratic Committee Chairwoman Martha Devaney praised her as a committed advocate and proven problem solver. Devaney highlighted Sanghvi’s multifaceted background, including her roles as a dedicated parent, respected educator, and effective public servant, as evidence of her capacity to deliver results transcending partisan lines. Devaney expressed confidence that Sanghvi embodies the leadership qualities deserving of New York’s 44th State Senate district.
Frank Salamone, Chair of the Schenectady County Democratic Committee, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Sanghvi’s successful track record as Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Finance. Salamone lauded her fiscal responsibility and highlighted key city improvements under her leadership, including the establishment of a third fire station, a 24/7 homeless shelter, and essential infrastructure enhancements. Salamone voiced certainty that Sanghvi’s commitment to infrastructure development and economic stimulation would benefit the region if elected as state senator.
The 44th State Senate district, encompassing Saratoga County, Niskayuna, and the City of Schenectady, currently under Republican incumbent Jim Tedisco, has witnessed a shifting political landscape. While traditionally Republican, a surge in registered Democrats, outnumbering Republicans by nearly 6,000, signals changing demographics. President Biden’s decisive victory over Donald Trump in the 2020 election within the district further underscores this trend.
“I’m running for State Senate because we deserve better,” said Sanghvi upon announcing her candidacy in January. Emphasizing her status as a parent, business educator, and dedicated public servant, Sanghvi vowed to prioritize community needs over partisan politics. She underscored her track record of collaborative leadership and tangible accomplishments, underscoring her commitment to fiscal responsibility and responsive governance.
Born in India, Sanghvi immigrated to the United States in 2001, holding degrees in accounting and an MBA. She taught business at Skidmore College for nearly a decade before winning the election as Saratoga Springs Finance Commissioner in 2021. Sanghvi emphasized her achievements in delivering fiscally responsible results, prioritizing public safety, and enhancing residents’ quality of life.
Sanghvi’s potential election would mark historic milestones, making her the first openly gay woman and woman of color to represent New York’s 44th State Senate District, as well as the first openly gay woman in the New York Senate. She affirmed her commitment to safeguarding the rights of all residents, advocating for women’s healthcare access, LGBTQ rights, and equal opportunities.
Her opponent and incumbent Tedisco has held political office in Albany for four decades. -
27-year-old Indian American dies in fire in Manhattan residential building in US
NEW YORK (TIP): A 27-year-old Indian national, who worked as a journalist here, tragically lost his life in a “devastating” fire caused by a lithium-ion battery in an apartment building in Manhattan.
Fazil Khan was killed in the fire that broke out in a six-story residential building at 2 St. Nicholas Place in Harlem, Manhattan, which left about 17 other people injured.
The New York City Fire Department said its marshals had determined that the “devastating” fire was caused by a lithium-ion battery.
Khan was a journalist with the New York-based media company The Hechinger Report, which is focused on innovation and inequality in education.
The Consulate General of India in New York expressed condolences on Khan’s death and said it is extending all possible assistance to repatriate his mortal remains to his family in India.
“Saddened to learn about the death of 27-year-old Indian national Fazil Khan in an unfortunate fire incident in Harlem, NY,” the Consulate said in a post on media.
The Consulate said it is in touch with Khan’s family and friends.
“We continue to extend all possible assistance in repatriation of his mortal remains to India,” the Consulate said.
Khan was a data reporter at The Hechinger Report and according to his profile on media, he was an alumnus of Columbia Journalism School. The Hechinger Report said in a post on X that it learned on Saturday that Khan died in a fire in the New York City building where he lived.
“We are devastated by the loss of such a great colleague and wonderful person, and our hearts go out to his family. He will be dearly missed,” it said.
Firefighters said the fire originated in the building’s 3rd floor. At 2.14 pm on Friday, the FDNY responded to the 2-alarm fire at 2 St. Nicholas Place in Harlem. Firefighters arrived within minutes to find people on the fire escape. People were also seen hanging out the windows on the fifth floor, the fire department said. Victims were trapped on the fifth floor of the building.
The fire department had said there were a total of 18 patients, out of which four were in critical condition.
Joseph Pfeifer, the Fire Department’s first deputy commissioner, had said on Friday that one person was in critical condition at the scene but died at the hospital. At the time, the victim’s identity had not been released.
The fire department said that fires caused by lithium-ion batteries have increased dramatically in New York City with deadly consequences. These rechargeable batteries are found in electric bikes and scooters, cars, laptops, tablets, phones and common household devices. Lithium-ion battery fires have caused deaths, serious injuries and devastating damage to property around the city, the department said on its website.