The Indian Panorama

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  • ‘Example of responsible govt’: BJP hails PM Modi’s decision to repeal farm laws

    Shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the scrapping of three farm laws, reaction started pouring in. While the Opposition parties, led by the Congress, termed this as victory for farmers and defeat for “arrogant” government, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders called the decision a step towards the welfare of the farmers.

    The three laws were passed by Parliament in September last year and triggered protests by farmers, who sat on the borders of Delhi demanding the repeal of the laws. They called the three laws as pro-corporate.

    “All the farmers should welcome this move and end their stir. They should go to their homes and start regular life,” Haryana minister and BJP leader Anil Vij said on Twitter.

    The party’s national general secretary Dushyant Gautam said the decision is dedicated to the people of the country.

    “I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Now the farmers should resume their regular work for the betterment of the country. It is a decision that is dedicated to the people of the country,” Gautam said in a vide message.

    Prakash Javadekar, former Union minister, said it’s an example of responsible government. “On the auspicious occasion of Prakash Parv, the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi ji has withdrawn all the three agricultural laws. This is an example of a responsible government which is constantly working and continues to work in the welfare and national interest of the farmers,” he tweeted.

    The Centre, which has held 11 rounds of formal dialogue with the farmers, had maintained that the new laws are pro-farmer, while protesters claim they would be left at the mercy of corporations because of the legislations.

  • Centre takes back 3 farm laws; ‘It’s a beginning’: Tikait says farmers won’t return until passed by Parliament

    Centre takes back 3 farm laws; ‘It’s a beginning’: Tikait says farmers won’t return until passed by Parliament

    New Delhi (TIP): The Indian government on Friday, November 19, took back its three contentious farm laws. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation announced this. Farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have been protesting at the Delhi borders against these laws for more than a year.

    The PM talked about farmers’ issues and what his government had done to address them. He said the government had brought the three farm laws to improve the lot of farmers. He said it had been the demand of farmers for long and they brought these laws after delibrations in Parliament and these were welcomed in many quarters.

    Modi said they brought these laws with utmost sincerity but could not make a section of the farmers see their benefits. Terming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement to withdraw the three contentious farm bills as a beginning, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait reiterated that the protesting farmers will return to their homes only after the decision is duly passed by the Parliament.

    Speaking to HT over the phone Tikait said that multiple issues are pending, including the legalisation of Minimum Support Price, which have not been addressed by the PM. He reiterated that “Khoonta tabhi ukharenge jab kaam pakka ho Javega (will return only when the deed is done)“. He made no bones in admitting that farmers don’t trust such announcements until it is duly passed by the Parliament.

    “Sanyukt Kisan Morcha meeting will be convened today to discuss and review the development and further course of action will be decided accordingly, said Tikait who showed reluctance to welcome the announcement and said,“ we can say its a beginning.”

    He said that over 600 farmers had given their sacrifice to strengthen and carry forward the movement and we need to honour their sacrifice while taking any decision.

    What they say

    Haven’t been able to convince farmers. Only a section of them was opposing the laws, but we kept trying to educate, inform them.

    We tried our best to explain to farmers. We were even ready to modify the laws, suspend them too. The matter reached the Supreme Court as well.

    We haven’t been able to explain to our farmers. This is not a time to blame anyone. I want to tell you that we have taken the farm laws back. We are repealing the farm laws.

    — Narendra Modi

    Great news! Thankful to PM @narendramodi ji for acceding to the demands of every punjabi & repealing the 3 black laws on the pious occasion of #GuruNanakJayanti. I am sure the central govt will continue to work in tandem for the development of Kisani! #NoFarmers_NoFood

    @AmitShah. — Capt Amarinder Singh

    Repealing of black laws a step in the right direction …. Satyagrah of Kisan morcha gets historic success…. You’re sacrifice has paid dividends…. Revival of farming in Punjab through a road map should be the top priority for the Pb govt ….accolades. — Navjot Sidhu

    Huge Victory of Farmers’ Movement! ?? Modi Govt has withdrawn the 3 black #FarmLaws fearing loss in the upcoming elections. PM Modi should apologise to the families of all those farmers who’ve lost their lives in the struggle for justice! — AAP

    Arrogance has succumbed to the satyagrah of the nation’s providers. Congratulating protesting farmers on “victory against injustice”, the former Congress president wrote in Hindi on Twitter, “Jai Hind. Jai Hind ka kisan!” — Rahul Gandhi

    The “martyrdom” of “over 700 farmers” who died during the protests will always be remembered. “The coming generations will remember how the farmers of my country risked their lives to protect farmers and farming. — Arvind Kejriwal

  • India, China agree on early resolution of LAC issues

    India, China agree on early resolution of LAC issues

    New Delhi (TIP): The Supreme Court today ruled that “skin to skin” contact is not necessary for a crime to be considered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Calling it a “narrow interpretation of the law”, the court set aside a Bombay High Court judgement that had acquitted a man saying, “groping a minor’s breast without ‘skin to skin contact’ can’t be termed as sexual assault under POCSO”.

    Pointing out that the objective of POCSO is to protect children from sexual abuse, the court said that physical contact made with sexual intent comes under POCSO, and “skin to skin” contact is not the criteria.

    Attorney General KK Venugopal had opposed the Bombay HC verdict arguing that the court’s interpretation would mean that “someone can wear a surgical glove and exploit a child and get away scot-free”. He had added that it will be treated as precedent and the result will be “devastating”.

    Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra had argued for the accused and said, “sexual intent requires physical contact but, in this case, the clothing was touched not the skin.” The POCSO Act defines sexual assault as when someone “with sexual intent touches the vagina, penis, anus or breast of the child or makes the child touch the vagina, penis, anus or breast of such person or any other person, or does any other act with sexual intent which involves physical contact without penetration is said to commit sexual assault”.

    The SC had questioned the interpretation of touch during the hearings. “What does touch mean, simply a touch? Even if you’re wearing a piece of clothing, they’re not trying to touch clothing. We must see touch in the meaning that Parliament intended,” the Court noted.

    “We have held that when the legislature has expressed clear intention, the courts cannot create ambiguity in the provision. It is right that courts cannot be overzealous in creating ambiguity,” the bench, comprising of Justices UU Lalit, SR Bhat, and Bela M Trivedi said. The Attorney General, National Commission of Women, State of Maharashtra, and Youth Bar Association of India had challenged the Bombay HC order stating that such observations would have a wide impact on the entire society and public at large.

    “The most important ingredient for constituting the offence of sexual assault is sexual intent and not skin-to-skin contact with the child. The construction of a rule should give effect to the rule rather than destroy it. Any narrow interpretation of the provision which would defeat its object cannot be accepted. The intention of the legislature cannot be given effect unless the wider interpretation is given,” the bench said.

    Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra appeared for the convict in the case as an amicus curiae, while his sister, senior advocate Geeta Luthra, appeared for the National Commission of Women. The Supreme Court said this time a brother and sister have also opposed each other. Source: NDTV

  • 2 cops attack judge, point gun at him inside court

    Two policemen allegedly attacked a judge inside a courtroom in Bihar’s Madhubani district on Thursday, Nov 18, prompting the Patna High Court to take suo motu cognisance of the matter and ask the state’s Director General of Police to file a status report.

    The two policemen entered the courtroom during the hearing of a case involving them, allegedly pointed a gun at Additional District and Sessions Judge of Jhanjharpur Avinash Kumar, and attacked him. The judge is safe but is reportedly shaken by the sudden development.

    SHO Gopal Krishna and Sub-Inspector Abhimanyu Kumar also attacked lawyers and court employees who tried to protect the judge, injuring them. Terming the incident as “unprecedented and shocking”, a Division Bench of the HC directed the DGP to file a status report in a sealed cover on November 29.

    The DGP was also directed to be present in the court on that day. “Prima facie, it appears that this episode puts the independence of judiciary in jeopardy. We, thus, deem it fit to issue notice to the respondents the Chief Secretary,… the DGP, the Principal Secretary, Home Department, … and the SP (Madhubani),” the court said.

  • Ensure cryptocurrency doesn’t end up in wrong hands, says PM Modi

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi has flagged the downside of critical technologies and said India with its strong democratic credentials, with an accent on individual rights, was the best partner for other democracies.

    The PM was delivering the keynote address at the Sydney Dialogue where Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had listed 63 critical technologies that would enable the Quad and AUKUS groupings to match China’s advances in technologies that could enable global economic and security dominance.

    “Take cryptocurrency or bitcoin for example. It is important that all democratic nations work together on this and ensure it does not end up in wrong hands, which can spoil our youth,” he said. India has unmatched experience in using digital technology in a democratic framework with strong guarantees for individual rights and the use of technology linked to values and vision, PM Modi said, using an idiom employed by US President Joe Biden and Morrison in their attempt to counter Chinese foray in critical technologies.

  • Shri Guru Nanak: The First Master of the Sikhs

    Shri Guru Nanak: The First Master of the Sikhs

    Guru Nanak Gurpurab, also known as Guru Nanak Jayanti and Guru Nanak ji’s Parkash Utsav, is a prominent festival for people who follow Sikhism. It is celebrated to commemorate the birth of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It is the most important festival for the Sikh community and is celebrated with a lot of devotion and reverence.

    The festival is celebrated on the day of Kartik Poornima, which is the fifteenth lunar day in the month of Kartik as per the Hindu calendar, and usually falls in the months of October and November as per the Gregorian calendar.

    This year will mark the 552nd birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji and will be observed on Friday, 19th November 2021. Guru Nanak is the founder of Sikhism and is the first Guru of Sikhs.

    He was a great Indian spiritual leader who believed in harmony and meditation in the name of the divine soul. His teachings and his way of devotion to the almighty were different from others and people of all religions respect him and his teachings.

    He was the one who spread the message of humanity and mankind at a time when everyone was focusing on spreading their religion. He talked about women and their rights and equality. He was a great scholar but still used local languages to spread his message among the people while he journeyed in all four directions.

    His teachings did not die with him but passed to further generations through his successor and his teachings are now included in Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji which is a holy book of Sikhs that contains all the teachings of Sikh Gurus and other spiritual leaders as well.

    Early Life

    He was born in the year 1469 in “Rai Bhoe Ki Talwandi” on 15th April. This place was part of India by then but now it is known as Nankana Sahib, which is located in the territories of today’s Pakistan.

     Guru Nanak Dev Ji birth place is near Lahore. Every year the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji is celebrated on full moon day in the month of Katak i.e. October – November. It falls on different dates every year and is celebrated by all the Sikhs around the world.

    The name of his father was Mehta Kalu who worked as a village accountant and belonged to the Khatri caste and the name of his mother was Tripta who was very simple and a religious woman. He had an elder sister namely Nanki who loved his younger brother a lot. He was an extraordinary child from his childhood and his teachers and elders used to be astounded with his level of knowledge, understanding, and rational thinking on all the matters especially the spiritual ones. In his growing age only, he used to put questions on the prevailing rituals of the society and even refused to participate in such rituals and religious activities and he also put questions on casteism and the practice of idolatry. Even he refused to put the sacred thread on the ” Upanayana ritual”. Besides this, he was very intelligent and by the age of 16 only he learned many languages such as Sanskrit, Persian, Hindi, etc.

    Two Important Incidents

    When his father realized that Guru Nanak was not interested in farming or related activities so he thought of giving him some money for the business transaction so that he could do something profitable. Thus, he gave twenty rupees to him and sent Mardana with him to do some profitable transactions. As per the records, Guru Nanak saw some hungry and needy people on the way and spent the entire amount on his food and said what could be more profitable and called a true bargain than helping the needy. This incident is known as ” Sacha Sauda” or “True Bargain”.

    Another incident was of Sultanpur Lodhi. His beloved sister got married to Jai Ram. She moved to Sultanpur. Guru Nanak also went with her sister and brother-in-law for some days and started working there under his brother-in-law. In 1487, He was married to Mata Sulakhni and had two sons namely, Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das. In Sultanpur, he used to visit a nearby river to bathe and meditate. One day he went there and did not return for three days. When he returned, he was looking like a man possessed and when he spoke, he said “There is no Hindu or Muslim”. These words were considered as the beginning of his teachings.

    Spiritual Journeys (Udasiyan)

    He took majorly four spiritual journeys in the sub-continent to spread the message of God. First of all, he visited his parents and told them the importance of these journeys and then he started travelling. In the first journey, he covered most of the parts of Pakistan and India and this journey took almost 7 years i.e. from 1500 AD. to 1507 AD. He covered most parts of present-day Sri Lanka in his second journey and it also took 7 years. He covered mountain regions in his third journey such as the Himalayas, Kashmir, Nepal, Sikkim, Tibet, and Tashkent. It took place from 1514 AD to 1519 AD and took almost 5 years to complete. He visited Mecca and other places in the Middle East on his fourth journey and it took 3 years. In his final journey, he spread the message in Punjab for two years. It is believed that he spent almost 24 years of his life on these journeys and travelled on foot to almost 28,000 km. Many languages were known to him but he usually used the local languages to spread his message with the people which became more effective during these journeys.

    Teachings

    He taught people that to reach God, we do not require any rituals and priests. He believed that every human being can have that level of spiritual perfection that can lead him to God. To attain God, he asked people to repeat the name of God. He taught people to live a life of spirituality by helping and serving others. He asked them to remain away from any kind of fraud or exploitation and living an honest life. Basically, through his teachings he founded three pillars of the new religion i.e. Sikhism that are mentioned below:

    Naam Japna

    This means repeating the name of the God and practising the name of the God through meditation in different modes such as singing, chanting, and reciting along with studying God’s Name and his virtues. For Sikhs, There is only one eternal creator and God ie. Waheguru and we should practice his name.

    Kirat Karni

    This simply means to earn honestly. He expected people to live a normal life of householders and earn honestly for living through their own physical or mental efforts and always accept both pleasure and sufferings as gifts and blessings of God.

    Vand Chakna

    This simply means to share and consume together. In this, he asked people to share some part of his wealth with the community. Practising Vand Chakna is an important pillar of Sikhism where every Sikh contributes as per whatever possible in his hands with the community. Sharing and Giving are important virtues of Sikhism founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

    His Contribution to Humanity

    He was a very respectful and beloved leader at that time among the people of all faiths. Even today as well, people of other faiths respect and believe in his teachings.

    During the period of Guru Nanak, the caste system was at its peak and he spoke against it. He reached people against all these discriminations such as caste, creed, race, status, etc. He taught people to see mankind above all and everything. He asked people to conquer their minds because if they can conquer their minds, they can conquer the world. Mankind is above all the ego and evil practices.

    All human beings are equal and have equal light of God. It was the time by then when no respect and status used to give to women. He also spread messages related to women. He said without a woman, there is nothing and no one. Every person takes birth from a woman, is conceived in a woman, marries a woman, and several relations start and end with a woman. He said a woman should be respected in all the ways because she is above all and should not be ill-treated.

    He spread this message everywhere and spoke about women’s rights and equality. Besides this, when everyone used to talk about his religion and wanted to spread that only, Guru Nanak was the one who was focusing on humanity and mankind. According to the Guru Nanak Dev history, there are so many stories and incidents related to his contribution to society.

    Death (Joti Jot)

    In his last days, he was living in Kartarpur, the city which was established by Guru Nanak himself in the year 1522 AD.

    He became a very beloved and respectful spiritual leader by that time for his contribution to humanity and his teachings to society. Arguments were happening at that time on the funeral rites of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Who would own the body of Guru Nanak because be it Sikhs, Hindus, or Muslims, everyone wanted to perform the funeral rituals according to them.

    Then, Guru Nanak himself introduced the concept of “Joti Jot” and also explained it. He mentioned that only his mortal body would die but the light within the body was not perishable and would continue to enlighten. He said this light would pass to his new successor who was Guru Angad Dev Ji.

    Guru Nanak Dev Ji took his last breath in Kartarpur on September 22, 1539 AD. Before that, he asked Sikhs and Hindus to place some flowers on his right side and Muslims to place flowers on his left side and asked them whichever flowers would remain fresh throughout the whole night, would have the permission for funeral rites.

    When everyone came another morning to check Guru’s body and flowers, they were all very astonished to find no traces of Guru Nanak’s body but all the flowers were fresh as it is.

    Therefore, everyone performed funeral rites according to them through those flowers. In this way, he was buried by the Muslims and cremated by the Sikhs and Hindus. A grave and a monument of remembrance, both were made. Now, a Gurdwara is there at the death place of Guru Nanak on the banks of the Ravi river in Pakistan. This site is considered a sacred place for all, especially Sikhs.

  • Motivational Quotes By Guru Nanak

    Motivational Quotes By Guru Nanak

    If there is one God, then there is only His way to attain Him, not another. One must follow that way and reject the other. Worship not him who is born only to die, but Him who is eternal and is contained in the whole universe.

    Burn worldly love, rub the ashes and make ink of it, make the heart the pen, the intellect the writer, write that which has no end or limit. There is but One God. His name is Truth; He is the Creator. He fears none; he is without hate. He never dies; He is beyond the cycle of births and death. He is self-illuminated. He is realized by the kindness of the True Guru. He was True in the beginning; He was True when the ages commenced and has ever been True. He is also True now. Dwell in peace in the home of your own being, and the Messenger of Death will not be able to touch you.

    I bow at His Feet constantly, and pray to Him, the Guru, the True Guru, has shown me the Way.

    Alone let him constantly meditate in solitude on that which is salutary for his soul, for he who meditates in solitude attains supreme bliss. Even kings and emperors, with mountains of property and oceans of wealth – these are not even equal to an ant, who does not forget God. Asceticism doesn’t lie in mere words; He is an ascetic who treats everyone alike. Asceticism doesn’t lie in visiting burial places; it lies not in wandering about nor in bathing at places of pilgrimage. Asceticism is to remain pure amidst impurities.

    There are worlds and more worlds below them, and there are a hundred thousand skies over them. No one has been able to find the limits and boundaries of God. If there be any account of God, then alone the mortal can write the same; but God’s account does not finish, and the mortal himself dies while still writing.

    Nanak, the whole world is in distress. He, who believes in the Name, becomes victorious.

    Me, the bard out of work, the Lord has applied to His service. In the very beginning, He gave me the order to sing His praises night and day. The Master summoned the minstrel to His True Court. He clothed me with the robe of His true honour and eulogy. Since then, the True Name had become my ambrosial food. Whatever be the qualities of the man with whom a woman is united according to the law, such qualities even she assumes, like a river, united with the ocean. Thou has a thousand eyes and yet not one eye; Thou host a thousand forms and yet not one form.

  • NIAASC holds its 32nd Conference and 23rd Annual meeting in New York

    NIAASC holds its 32nd Conference and 23rd Annual meeting in New York

    Center NIAASC Chairman Rajeshwar Prasad, to his Right NIAASC President Gunjan Rastogi and to his left WVV President Suman Munjal and WVV members.
    Dr. Swaminathan Giridharan Md FACP FACE, speaker.

    QUEENS, NY (TIP): The National Indo-American Association for Senior Citizens(NIAASC) celebrated its 32nd Conference and 23rd Annual meeting on Sunday, November 7th, 2021which was primarily an in-person meeting but was also streamed via zoom for thosewho were unable to attend the physical meeting. The conference was informative and entertaining with vegan breakfast and lunch served.

    Theevent was held at theIndia Home in Jamaica, New York; courtesyof Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi,who is the founder of India Home nonprofit organization and a current board member of NIAASC. Dr. Bhavani Srinivasan, Vice president– NIAASC was the coordinator of the conference and coordinated the event effectively and flawlessly.

    The conference started with opening remarks and greetings byNIAASC Chairman and founderMr. Rajeshwar Prasad, and in his speech reflected on the growth of the organization since its inception in 1998. He stated “NIAASC helps Senior Citizens and Senior Associations through information, referral and advocacy services “. Following the Chairman’s speech, Mrs. Gunjan Rastogi, the current president of NIAASC welcomed­­the attendees and echoed the chairman’s message andreaffirmed and reminded everyone that NIAASC is a unique nonprofit organization that provides resourcesfor all the seniors while collaborating with other nonprofit organizationsandthis was well received and acknowledged. The main speaker was Dr. Vikas Malik,a board-certifiedmedical professional in both Child-Adolescent Psychiatry and Adult Psychiatry and his PowerPoint presentation on Mental Health in light of COVID-19 captivated the audience of roughly 70 physical attendees and 30 virtual attendees, who appreciated the information and knowledge that was succinctly explained.Hispresentation was followedby Dr. Swaminathan Giridharan, a Geriatric specialist, who spoke about COVID-19 Vaccination. The conference also focused on physical health and a presentation by   Mrs. Suman Munjal, president of World Vegan Vision, who discussed the health benefits pertaining to a vegan diet. Theoccasion marked NIAASC honoring Mr. Mukund Mehta,President of Indo-American Senior citizen center, a nonprofit organization andthe President of India Home. In introducing Mr. Mukund Mehta, Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi informedthe audience about his active involvement as a director with theFederation of Indian American Seniors Associations of North America(FISANA). Mr. Rajeshwar Prasad was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. He was recognized for his 23 years of admirable and outstanding community outlook and service, creating and nurturing NIAASC and dedicated to all seniors across the USA.

    NIAASC’s goal of collaboration with other organizations was evident as the conference was well attended by members of the National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA). Members included current executive board members and past presidents who made the effort to connect via zoom. NFIA attendees belonged to different states/different time zones and remained present throughout the duration of the program.Also in attendance were members from several other organizations such as World Vegan Vision (WVV) and India Association of Long Island (IALI). Many IALI members attended In-person and on Zoom,including nine past presidents. Other NIAASC Board members that joined via zoom were: Satpal and Satya Malhotra (New York), Baldev Seekri (Florida), Chandrakant Shah(Florida), Santosh Kumar (Chicago), Asha Samant (New Jersey) and Jyotsna Kalavar(Indiana).

    Lunch was followed by Diwalicultural programthat was presented by Ms. Jyoti Gupta and her team consisted of severalsingers, Dr. Jag Kalra, Kul Bhooshan Sharma, Gautam Chopra and Raj Dhingra. The group entertained and regaled the audience with lively Bollywood songs. Music program was followed by Diwali Felicitation by Nilima Madan. In her closing remarks, Gunjan Rastogi thankedthe sponsors that supported the entire event financially and also thanked the India Home volunteers who had helped set up the venue while precluding any hiccups.

    The vote of thanks was given by Mr. Harbachan Singh, NIAASC Secretary who appreciated the presence of large number of audiences, sponsors, and well-wishers. 

    Upon adjournment of the conference, the 23rd general body meeting was conducted by NIAASC president, Gunjan Rastogi, who requested Mr. Rajeshwar Prasad to present the report of nominating committee, since the chairman of the nominating committee Chandrakant Shah, was not able to the report due to some technical issue.Rajeshwar Prasad informed the members that as per NIAASC constitution andbylaws; 1/3rd members retire every year, but based on eligibility criteria, members are eligible to be re-elected for another term of three years that resulted in all the retiring members Gunjan Rastogi, Bhavani Srinivasan, E.M. Stephen, Santosh Kumar, and Rajeshwar Prasad to be elected for three additional years and was approved by the General Body.

    For additional information about NIAASC, please emailthe president at gunjan.p.rastogi@gmail.com.

    (Press Release issued by Gunjan Rastogi)

  • Sardar Patel University Alumni’s (SPU) 19th Annual Convention held

    Sardar Patel University Alumni’s (SPU) 19th Annual Convention held

    FORDS, NJ (TIP) More than 500 alumni and guests attended Sardar Patel University Alumni’s (SPU) 19th Annual Convention on October 30, 2021, at Royal Albert’s Palace in New Jersey; Networking, dignitary speeches, SPU updates, music and garba along with delicious food were enjoyed by the attendees. With a motto of “We Strive for Excellence and Excellence Matters” and goals of serving rural population by providing them with access to higher education and continue to explore new frontiers in the areas of Science and Technology and constantly set and reach new levels of achievement in research in areas within Humanities and Social Science, Sardar Patel University is known for nurturing talents, skills and scientific temper and creation of knowledge in modern India.  More than 500 alumni and guests gathered on October 30, 2021, at Royal Albert’s Palace in New Jersey for Sardar Patel University’s 19th Annual Convention.

    The tributes were given to SPU’s founding fathers Bhailalbhai Patel, Bhikhabhai Patel & H.M. Patel at the beginning of this wonderful evening of smiles, hugs and networking.   The Iron Man of India, a staunch Freedom Fighter and Unifier of India Shree Sardar Vallabhbahi Patel was also remembered on his 146th Birth Anniversary on October 31st and a salute was given to him for all his sacrifices for India.  The Chief Guest and Chairman of Charutar Vidyamandal and President of CVM University Mr. Bhikubhai Patel and Mrs. Sarojben B. Patel and Guest of Honor Professor Subodh B. Desai presented a garland to Sardar Patel’s photo at the beginning of the program.  Mr. Bhikubhai Patel provided detailed updates of current status of SPU’s progress which is identical to dream of modern India.  Professor of Microbiology Dr. Subodh Desai shared his experience of SPU and appreciated the work is being done by SPU Alumni Association.  SPU’s Vice Chancellor Dr. Sirish Kulkarni joined the event online and shared the latest updates from SPU and also congratulated SPU team on organizing 19th annual convention.  Mr. Alay Patel, SPU Alumni Association President provided updates on goals met for the scholarships to needy SPU Students and other fruitful projects for SPU in India and also shared the update as SPU Alumni Association USA is now recognized and approved by both SPU and CVM University, V. V. Nagar.  Mr. Jatin Desai, Executive Vice President urged attendees to provide their generous support to SPU Alumni Association to continue with humanitarian and educational projects in India.  Second generation alumni Ms. Nehal Patel shared her unique experience as a woman who graduated from SPU as an electrical engineer and provided how India is progressing.  Dr. Balvant Arora, dynamic speaker and an award-winning plastic surgeon from Virginia delivered wisdom filled knowledge with his creative humor which truly entertained and educated the attendees.  The Chief Guest, Guest of Honor and Guest Speakers were presented with a plaque from SPU. FIA Chairman Late Shree Ramesh Patel and everyone who lost the lives during pandemic were remembered by Mr. Prakash Patel, SPU Committee Alumni Member. Dr. Thakor Patel, Chairman of Sevak Project from Virginia provided updates on humanitarian and health care projects in rural India.  Several SPU Alumni and supporters were recognized to include Sarlaben Patel who was the first female who graduated from engineering college in Vidyanagar, Dr. Rajendra Patel, Cardiologist and Mr. Albert Jasani of Royal Albert’s Palace.   Mr. Rajni Patel, a long-time supporter of SPU Alumni Association was also being recognized for his continued support to humanitarian projects.  Mr. Piyush Patel, Treasurer ended the convention with a vote of thanks to all who supported as well as media and supporting organizations.

    Dr.  Tushar Patel served as the Master of Ceremony for the convention and extended his sincere appreciation to media supporters TV Asia, Indus TV, ITV Gold & Parikh Worldwide Media, Akila News, Gujarat Darpan, TV 9, Hi India, Sentinel SB/NB, Gujarat Samachar, Divya Bhaskar and supporting organizations MHO Hotels, IACFNJ, Royal Albert’s Palace, Bhatt Foundation and ELFA for their support to the SPU Alumni Convention.

    The wonderfully choreographed dance performances from Meena Nag Group of Nritya Creations Academy of Dance, live singing from Rakesh Raj and Garba were the highlights of the event on entertainment side which was applauded by the attendees.  The SPU is one of the topmost and well reputed institutions in India.  With this wonderful alumni association and yearly gathering and networking opportunities with each other, many fruitful projects have been successfully completed in last two decades.  With a generous support from former alumni and local supporters, SPU Alumni association will be able to provide resources and expertise to the University and celebrate past, acknowledge and appreciate present and envision future for their alma mater – SPU.

    (Written & Submitted by Dr. Tushar Patel, Princeton, NJ; Photo Courtesy Jayesh Patel of Jayesh Production, New Jersey)

  • Malala Yousafzai ties the knot with senior officer of Pakistan Cricket Board

    London/Karachi (TIP):  Nobel Laureate and Pakistani activist for girls’ education Malala Yousafzai has tied the knot with a top-ranked officer of the Pakistan Cricket Board in a small ceremony in the UK. Yousafzai gained international recognition for her activism against the Taliban’s efforts to stop girls from attending school in Pakistan. Announcing her marriage on Twitter, the 24-year-old posted a few pictures of the ceremony along with her husband Asser Malik and family members. Decked up in a tea pink suit and simple jewellery, Yousafzai is seen carrying out the wedding formalities in her home in Birmingham with Malik, where he has gone on vacation.

    Malik is the general manager of Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) High Performance Centre.

    Last year, she graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. PTI

    Bangladesh’s former chief justice SK Sinha sentenced to 11 years in graft case

    Dhaka (TIP): A Bangladeshi court on November 9  sentenced in absentia former top judge Surendra Kumar Sinha, the country’s first chief justice from the minority Hindu community, to 11 years in jail on two counts of graft in a case over money laundering and breach of trust.

    Dhaka Special Judge 4 Shaikh Nazmul Alam sentenced the former chief justice, who currently lives in the United States, to seven years in prison for money laundering and another four years for criminal breach of trust. The prison terms will run concurrently.

    “(Justice) SK Sinha is the principal beneficiary of the laundered money,” the court said in its verdict.

    Sinha, 70, was sentenced to 11 years in prison in a case involving the laundering of Tk 4 crore (USD 4,70,000) taken in credit from the Farmers Bank, now known as the Padma Bank.

    The judgment came four years after Sinha resigned while on a visit abroad as the government alleged he was involved in corrupt practices.

    Sinha served as the 21st Chief Justice of Bangladesh from January, 2015 to November, 2017.

    Sinha, Bangladesh’s first chief justice from the minority Hindu community, has alleged that he was forced to resign because he opposed Bangladesh’s incumbent “undemocratic” and “authoritarian” regime.

    Among the 10 others tried in the case, Tangail residents, Md Shahjahan and Niranjan Chandra Saha, were acquitted as the charges against them were not proven. The rest have been given different terms of jail and slapped with fines.

    AKM Shamim, former managing director of Farmers Bank, has been jailed for four years and fined Tk 50,000.

    Ranjit Chandra Saha, a personal aide to Justice Sinha, and his wife Shantri Roy got three years each and fined Tk 10,000. Five other former officials of Farmers Bank were sentenced to three years in jail each and fined Tk 25,000.

    Other than Sinha, three others were tried in absentia as they were on the run.

    According to the case statement, the other accused managed to obtain a loan of Tk 4 crore (USD 4,70,000) using forged documents and transferred the amount to Sinha’s personal account through pay-order.

    The former chief justice later transferred the money to another account in cash, cheques and pay-orders, an act which the prosecution said was a punishable offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) pressed charges against Sinha and the 10 others, saying it found evidence of fraud involving the transactions.

    In his autobiography “A Broken Dream: Rule of Law, Human Rights and Democracy”, Sinha said he was forced to resign in 2017 following intimidation and threats, drawing a sharp reaction from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who had accused some anti-government newspapers of backing him. In a media interview after the book launch in Washington DC, Sinha had urged India to support the rule of law and democracy in Bangladesh.

    The ACC last month filed another case against Sinha accusing him of abuse of office in getting a land plot in posh Uttara area from the Dhaka city development authority (RAJUK) where he constructed a nine-storey building.

    The graft body also alleged that the money spent for procuring the plot and constructing the building was “not earned through legal means”. A Dhaka court last year indicted Sinha to be tried in absentia on graft charges five months after an order was issued for his arrest. PTI

  • Myanmar court sentences arrested politicians to 75-90 years

    Myanmar court sentences arrested politicians to 75-90 years

    Bangkok (TIP): A court in Myanmar has sentenced two members of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s political party to 90 years and 75 years in prison after finding them guilty of corruption, their lawyer said.

    The sentences appeared to be the most severe so far for any of the dozens of members of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy who were arrested after the military seized power on February 1.

    Former Kayin state planning minister Than Naing was on Tuesday convicted by the state court of six corruption charges and given a 90-year prison term, including labour, lawyer Zaw Min Hlaing said.

    The second defendant, Nan Khin Htwe Myint, 67, the former chief minister of Kayin state and a top member of Suu Kyi’s political party, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on each of five charges, Zaw Min Hlaing said.

    Suu Kyi is also being tried on corruption and other criminal charges that her supporters say were concocted to discredit her and legitimise the military’s seizure of power. Virtually any conviction would prevent her from running in elections that the military-installed government has promised to hold by 2023.

    Nan Khin Htwe Myin, a member of the party’s Central Executive Committee, is a veteran pro-democracy activist who was first arrested in 1974 during a student protest under a previous military government. She was arrested at least two more times before she won the election to the state parliament in 2012 and 2015, after which she was appointed state minister. She is known for being a close colleague of Suu Kyi.

    She was detained by soldiers on February 2 and placed under house arrest, where she made a live-streamed broadcast calling for civil disobedience against the army takeover. She was then arrested on February 8.

    In four other cases, she and co-defendant Than Naing were accused of malfeasance and mishandling funds.

    Both had already been convicted of inciting unrest after the army takeover and received two-year prison terms. Nang Khin Htwe Myint is in good health at a prison in Hpa-an, the capital of Kayin state, but has lost some weight, her lawyer said. “The chief minister sent the message to the people to always to be united, to try together to bring forth a democratic federal union and to participate together in overcoming the evils of the military,” the lawyer said. AP

  • Pak Supreme Court grills Imran Khan in school massacre case

    Pak Supreme Court grills Imran Khan in school massacre case

    Islamabad (TIP): Imran Khan on November 10 faced a barrage of questions at a hearing of the 2014 terror attack on an Army-run school during which the Supreme Court (SC) Bench asked the Pakistan Prime Minister why he was negotiating with the culprits of the massacre of nearly 150 persons, mostly students.

    The apex court gave a month-long deadline to the government to determine the responsibility for security failure in the horrific attack in which 147 persons, 132 of them children, were killed when Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants stormed Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar.

    The three-judge Bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed, had summoned Khan. The court asked the Prime Minister about the action taken after a special commission in its probe presented to the court last year reported that security failure was responsible

    for the attack. “The satisfaction of the parents (who lost their kids in the attack) is necessary,” said Justice Ahsan addressing the premier.

    “You are in power. The government is also yours. What did you do? You brought the guilty to the negotiating table,” Chief Justice Ahmed told Khan. In his response, Khan said at the time of the attack, his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party was ruling in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and it could only provide material compensation, which it did by giving monetary support to the victims’ families. The response angered the court and the Chief Justice remarked that the premier was rubbing salt on the wounds of the victims. — PTI

  • Oil tanker explodes in Sierra Leone, killing at least 92

    Oil tanker explodes in Sierra Leone, killing at least 92

    Freetown (Sierra Leone) (TIP): An oil tanker exploded near Sierra Leone’s capital, killing at least 92 people and severely injuring dozens of others after large crowds gathered to collect leaking fuel, officials and witnesses said November 6. The explosion took place late Friday after a bus struck the tanker in Wellington, a suburb just to the east of Freetown.

    The mortuary at Connaught Hospital reported 92 bodies had been brought in by Saturday morning. About 30 severely burned victims were not expected to survive, according to staffer Foday Musa.

    Video obtained by The Associated Press showed a giant fireball burning in the night sky following the explosion, as some survivors with severe burns cried out in pain. Charred remains of the victims lay strewn at the scene awaiting transport to mortuaries.

    President Julius Maada Bio, who was in Scotland attending the United Nations climate talks Saturday, deplored the “horrendous loss of life.”

    “My profound sympathies with families who have lost loved ones and those who have been maimed as a result,” he tweeted.

    Vice-President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh visited two hospitals overnight and said Sierra Leone’s National Disaster Management Agency and others would “work tirelessly” in the wake of the emergency.

     “We are all deeply saddened by this national tragedy, and it is indeed a difficult time for our country,” he said on his Facebook page. AP

  • Iraq PM survives assassination bid

    Baghdad (TIP): Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi survived an assassination attempt with armed drones that targeted his residence early on November 9 and officials said he was unharmed. The attack was a major escalation amid tensions sparked by the refusal of Iran-backed militias to accept last month’s parliamentary election results. Two Iraqi officials said seven of al-Kadhimi’s security guards were injured in the attack with two armed drones that occurred in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone area. “I am fine and among my people. Thank God,” the Prime Minister tweeted shortly after the attack. He called for calm and restraint, “for the sake of Iraq”. He later appeared on television. “Cowardly rocket and drone attacks don’t build homelands and don’t build a future,” he said. In a statement, the government said an explosives-laden drone tried to hit al-Kadhimi’s home. Residents of Baghdad heard the sound of an explosion followed by heavy gunfire from the direction of Green Zone, which houses foreign embassies and government offices. The statement released by state-run media said security forces were “taking necessary measures in connection with this failed attempt”. There was no immediate claim for the attack. It comes amid a stand-off between security forces and pro-Iran Shiite militias whose supporters have been camped outside Green Zone for nearly a month after they rejected the results of Iraq’s parliamentary elections in which they lost around two-thirds of their seats. — AP

  • South Africa’s last apartheid president FW de Klerk dies

    Johannesburg (TIP): FW de Klerk, who shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Nelson Mandela and as South Africa’s last apartheid president oversaw the end of the country’s white minority rule, has died at the age of 85. De Klerk died after a battle against cancer at his home in the Fresnaye area of Cape Town, a spokesman for the F.W. de Klerk Foundation confirmed on November 11. It was de Klerk who in a speech to South Africa’s Parliament on February 2, 1990 announced that Mandela would be released from prison after 27 years. The announcement electrifying a country that for decades had been scorned and sanctioned by much of the world for its brutal system of racial discrimination known as apartheid. —AP

  • UK woman almost threw away 2 million pound diamond from her jewellery box, thinking it to be junk

    UK woman almost threw away 2 million pound diamond from her jewellery box, thinking it to be junk

    Northumberland (TIP): Sometimes, God blesses you abundantly. So was it in the case of an elderly woman from the UK, who was in for a shock after she found that a diamond she was about to throw away thinking it was fake was worth millions. As per a BBC report, the woman, in her 70s, found the diamond while she was cleaning her home in Northumberland. She thought it was a costume jewellery stone and was about to chuck it way. However, she then took it to an auctioneer to see how much it might be worth, only to find that it was a 34-carat diamond and that it was worth £2m. According to BBC, the woman had bought the stone along with several other items at a car boot sale many years ago. When she finally realised the diamond’s real worth, she was left in disbelief and could not believe that she had almost thrown it in the bin.

    Mark Lane, of Featonby’s Auctioneers in North Shield, North Tyneside said that the stone had been in kept in a box along with the woman’s wedding bands and other low-value pieces of costume jewellery.

    “The lady came in with a bag of jewellery as she just thought she would bring it in as she was passing because she had another appointment in the town. She told us she’d been having a clear out and that it nearly went in the bin before her neighbour suggested bringing her items to us to get valued,” he told The BBC.

    On its Instagram account, the Featonby’s Auctioneers and Valuers confirmed a picture of the gem, which is greater than a pound coin, and detailed the story of the way it got here to them. “The stone made its way through our doors back in June without any intention,” it mentioned. The public sale home initially thought the stone to be cubic zirconia, an artificial diamond lookalike, and saved it within the director’s workplace. After somebody advised that it must be examined, the public sale home used a tester. It got here out as a real diamond. The auctioneers then despatched it to consultants in London and Belgium, who confirmed that it is 34-carat. The carat measurement pertains to the load of the stone. Heavier stones have a better carat and better worth. (TNS)

  • China’s Communist Party’s key conclave passes ‘landmark resolution’ cementing Xi’s power

    China’s Communist Party’s key conclave passes ‘landmark resolution’ cementing Xi’s power

    Beijing (TIP): A high-profile conclave of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) has adopted a “landmark resolution” of the party’s major achievements in the last 100 years besides paving the way for a record third term for President Xi Jinping next year. The “landmark resolution” — the only third of its kind in the party’s 100-year history — was reviewed and adopted at the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, held in Beijing from November 8 to 11, an official communique released at the end of the meeting on November 11 said.

    The party is due to hold a press conference on Friday to announce further details.

    Xi made an important speech at the session. The meeting also heard and discussed a work report Xi delivered on behalf of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, it said.

    He also explained the draft of the resolution whose details have not yet been revealed.

    The session also reviewed and passed a resolution on convening the 20th National Congress of the CPC in the second half of 2022 in Beijing, which was expected to formally endorse Xi’s unprecedented third term.

    Xi, 68, who holds China’s all three power centres — General-Secretary of the CPC, Chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC) which is the overall high command of the military, and the Presidency, is set to complete his second five-year tenure next year.

    Politically, the meeting is regarded as significant for Xi who — in the last nine years of his tenure — has emerged as the most powerful leader after party founder Mao Zedong.

    He is widely expected to continue for a third term unlike his predecessor, Hu Jintao, who retired after two terms, and perhaps may remain in power for life in view of a key constitutional amendment in 2018 which removed the two-term limit for the president.

    He was also made “core leader” of the party in 2016, a status enjoyed only by Mao. —PTI

  • Nora kills with her moves in new song Kusu Kusu

    Nora kills with her moves in new song Kusu Kusu

    Nora Fatehi’s new dance number, Kusu Kusu, released on November 10. The groovy track is from John Abraham’s upcoming film Satyameva Jayate 2. The actress is seen impressing the audience with her phenomenal expressions, beauty and elegant dance moves in Kusu Kusu. After releasing tracks like Meri Zindagi Hai Tu from Satyameva Jayate 2, the makers have now dropped a new song, Kusu Kusu, featuring Nora Fatehi. The actress is seen flaunting her killer moves and as usual, her belly dance is on point. Crooned by Zahrah S Khan and Dev Negi, the song is composed and written by Tanishk Bagchi. After the success of Satyameva Jayate in 2018, the makers have cast Divya Khosla Kumar opposite John Abraham in the sequel. Satyameva Jayate 2’s story revolves around fighting against injustice and misuse of power. Sharing the film’s poster and release date, John wrote, “Iss baar hoga dugna action and entertainment #SatyamevaJayate2, trailer out on 25th Oct. See you in cinemas on 25th November (sic)!”

  • India on way to becoming fastest growing economy in world: Finance ministry report

    India on way to becoming fastest growing economy in world: Finance ministry report

    Armed with necessary macro and micro growth drivers, India is on its way to becoming the fastest growing major economy in the world, a finance ministry report said. Rapid vaccination and teeming festivities will push India’s ongoing recovery resulting in narrowing of demand-supply mismatches and greater employment opportunities, as per the monthly Economic Review prepared by the ministry. “Aatmanirbhar Bharat Mission encapsulating major structural reforms continues to play a critical role in shaping India’s economic recovery, both through the signalling of business opportunities and expansion of spending channels.

    “Armed with necessary macro and micro growth drivers, the stage is set for India’s investment cycle to kickstart and catalyse its recovery towards becoming the fastest growing economy in the world,” the review said.

    The Economic Survey 2020-21, released in January this year, had projected GDP growth of 11 per cent during the current financial year ending March 2022.

    The Survey had said growth will be supported by supply-side push from reforms and easing of regulations, push for infrastructural investments, boost to manufacturing sector through Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, recovery of pent-up demand, rise in discretionary consumption subsequent to rollout of vaccines and pick-up in credit given adequate liquidity and low interest rates.

    India’s economic recovery gathered steam in the festive season, recording a decade high Diwali sales of Rs 1.3 lakh crore, as per Confederation of All India Traders. Improving Covid-19 situation amid high business and consumer spirits delivered sustained economic recovery in October 2021 as well. The global economic recovery however continues to be impacted by prolonged supply constraints and input cost inflation, it said.

    Yet IMF in its October 2021 update foresees improved global growth prospects at 5.8 per cent in 2021 and 4.9 per cent in 2022 triggering a coterminous global trade growth, by volume, at 9.7 per cent and 6.7 per cent, respectively.

  • Tesla selloff puts at risk its $1 trillion club membership

    Tesla selloff puts at risk its $1 trillion club membership

    Tesla Inc shares fell for the fourth straight session on Wednesday, putting at risk the electric-car maker’s position in the $1 trillion club after top boss Elon Musk polled Twitter users about selling 10% of his stake. Shares fell as low as 3.5% to $987.31 in volatile early trading, briefly pushing its market value below the $1 trillion mark. The company has lost nearly $200 billion since Monday following Musk’s poll, more than General Motors and Ford Motor combined market capitalisation. The world’s most valuable carmaker entered the elite trillion-dollar club last month after landing its biggest-ever order from rental car company Hertz for 100,000 Tesla vehicles.

    The selloff was spurred by Musk’s poll over the weekend asking his Twitter followers if he should sell 10% of his stake in Tesla. Nearly 58% of them backed a sale. Investors are keeping a close watch on Tesla filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for any clues on the share-sale plans. The SEC rules give companies four working days to report major events. Analysts at research firm Vanda Research warned there could be a bigger pullback based on call options activity in the stock.

    Four former and current Tesla board members, including Musk’s brother Kimbal Musk, filed to sell nearly $1 billion worth of shares late last month, according to filings and market data.

    “A CEO asking his followers if he should sell a large number of shares is never going to reflect well in the share price. Doing so a day after his brother has sold a large number just compounds investor fears,” said Craig Erlam, market analyst at Oanda. “That said, we need to take Musk with a pinch of salt and investors may quickly view this as a dip buying opportunity,” he added. Despite the selloff, the stock is still up nearly 45% for the year after hitting a series of record highs in an eye-watering rally that catapulted the company into the trillion-dollar club.

  • US bank snaps ties with Adani’s Australia project

    US bank snaps ties with Adani’s Australia project

    New Delhi (TIP): Bank of New York Mellon Corp has pulled out of providing financial services to Adani Group and its Carmichael coal mine in Australia, saying the venture is incompatible with its environmental, social and governance rules. The US investment bank is the latest global financial institution to distance itself from the project after a campaign by local indigenous people. In a statement, BNY Mellon said it had reviewed its relationship with the Adani Group and “has decided to resign from all legacy transactions with Adani in Australia and will not pursue additional transactions with Adani in Australia”.

    “BNY Mellon has determined this business is not aligned without ESG (environmental, social and governance) principles,” it said. An e-mail sent to Adani Group for comments remained unanswered.

    Adani Group, which rebranded its Australian mining business as Bravus Mining & Resources, is targeting the first shipment from Carmichael by year-end. It opted to self-fund the project after failing to secure external financing.

  • Asian markets fluctuate as inflation remains in focus

    Asian markets fluctuate as inflation remains in focus

    HONG KONG (TIP): Asian markets were mixed Thursday as rising inflation fears were tempered by a report that teetering Chinese property giant Evergrande had once again avoided a default after meeting bond-payment deadlines. US investors ran for cover and the dollar soared after a forecast-beating read on the consumer price index, which hit a 31-year high last month, putting fresh pressure on the Federal Reserve to act to prevent inflation running out of control. The surge — which came a day after a report showing producer prices accelerating — was fanned by a spike in the cost of various items, particularly gasoline, autos and food prices, and ramped up expectations the central bank will be forced to tighten monetary policy quicker than hoped. While Fed officials insist the jump will be temporary as the global economy slowly returns to a semblance of normality next year, observers warned the pain could continue for some time.

  • N.J. man sentenced to 41 months for assaulting officer, stiffest punishment yet in Jan. 6 cases

    N.J. man sentenced to 41 months for assaulting officer, stiffest punishment yet in Jan. 6 cases

    WASHINGTON (TIP): A New Jersey gym owner who punched a D.C. police officer outside the Capitol on Jan. 6 was sentenced Wednesday, November 10 to 41 months in prison by a federal judge who called his actions “an affront to society and to the law” and said he was smart to plead guilty rather than take his chances with a jury that would see numerous videos of his actions.

    Scott Kevin Fairlamb, 44, was captured on various videos screaming profanely in support of the pro-Trump insurrection, climbing on the inauguration scaffolding outside the Capitol, and then pushing an officer into a group of people and punching the officer’s face shield, as well as briefly entering and exiting the Capitol, according to court filings and footage played in court. Fairlamb trained as a mixed martial arts fighter and was bar bouncer in New Jersey with two prior assault convictions.

    The sentence of 41 months is the stiffest yet handed down to a Capitol rioter. Of the 126 people who have pleaded guilty so far, only 16 have admitted to felonies, and Fairlamb is the third felon to be sentenced. The other two felons, who were not accused of violence against the police, received sentences of eight and 14 months.

    In the days after the assault on Congress, Fairlamb posted and then deleted videos of himself at the Capitol, and issued statements such as “It’s go time,” “Q said this word for word,” and “I’d go again,” according to court records. Prosecutors on Wednesday played videos of Fairlamb assaulting the D.C. police officer and shouting at him, “Are you an American? Act like … one. You guys have no idea what the … you’re doing!”

    But Fairlamb has since become apologetic, with his attorney saying in his sentencing memorandum that “he did, in fact, feel as if he had been duped by social media prior to Jan. 6.” He agreed to meet with the House Select Committee investigating the attack, which his lawyer said the D.C. jail denied, and he suffered a heart attack while in custody.

    The federal sentencing guidelines called for a sentencing range of 41 to 51 months. Prosecutors asked Judge Royce Lamberth to impose 44 months. Fairlamb’s lawyer, Harley Breite, asked for a sentence of 11 months, the time he has already served since his January arrest. Fairlamb pleaded guilty in August to assaulting an officer and obstructing an official proceeding of Congress.

    “I take full responsibility for what I did,” Fairlamb told the judge. “That is not Scott Fairlamb. That’s not who I am. That’s not who I was raised to be. I truly regret my actions that day. I have nothing but remorse.”

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie Goemaat, after laying out Fairlamb’s activities and playing some videos for the judge, told Lamberth that Fairlamb targeted police officers and contributed to “the chaos and the fear” of that afternoon. “It is just critical,” Goemaat said, “that the court’s sentence convey to future rioters that there will be very very serious consequences for those who intend to obstruct the rule of law and obstruct democracy, particularly through assaults on law enforcement.”

    She said she wasn’t going to jail for Jan. 6, citing ‘blonde hair white skin.’ A judge sentenced her to 60 days behind bars. Fairlamb was not accused of conspiring with anyone or causing any damage to the Capitol, though he was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution for damages to the building. He also was captured on video speaking with Capitol Police officers, offering them water and walking them away from an entrance to the building, which prosecutors said the officers corroborated.

    Fairlamb drove alone from his home in Sussex, N.J., on the morning of Jan. 6 and did not bring any weapons. Prosecutors noted he picked up a police baton from the ground, and was photographed carrying it, but did not appear to use it on anyone. When he first arrived at the Capitol, he was photographed holding a sign that read “Area Closed” while gesturing with his middle finger toward the camera, according to court records.

    Next, he was seen on the inauguration scaffolding and posted video from that vantage point to Instagram, prosecutors said in their sentencing memo. “We ain’t … leaving either! We ain’t … leaving!” Fairlamb is heard screaming, in a video which Goemaat played in court Wednesday.

    Fairlamb is next seen at a skirmish line with police, crossing it as barricades were pushed over, and picking up the police baton, court records show. He then posted a video on Facebook, holding the baton, and yelling, “What Patriots do? We … disarm them and then we storm the … Capitol!” Fairlamb also posted selfies of himself holding the baton and placing an unexploded pepper ball in his teeth. Surveillance video shows Fairlamb entering the Capitol moments after the Senate wing door was opened, then leaving through the same door minutes later. Soon after, he is seen offering Capitol Police water and helping them to leave the area.

    But within 20 minutes, prosecutors said, he is seen shoving and then punching a D.C. officer, identified as “Z.B.” Goemaat said the officer submitted a victim impact statement that said he had never felt the dread and fear he felt when he was dispatched to the Capitol. “It was the scariest day of his career,” Goemaat said the officer wrote. The officer was not injured.

    Lamberth noted that Fairlamb was the first defendant to be sentenced for assaulting an officer, and that he had watched the videos of Fairlamb on Jan. 6.

    “Had you gone to trial,” the judge said, “I don’t think there’s any jury that could have acquitted you or would have acquitted you. You certainly made the right decision, you and your attorney, to plead guilty.”

    Lamberth said, “It’s such a serious offense under the circumstances, an affront to society and to the law, to have the Capitol overrun and to have this riot stop the whole functioning government, that I just find that it’s such a serious crime that I cannot give a below-guideline sentence.” The judge said the minimum sentence under the guidelines, 41 months, was appropriate. Lamberth rejected the government’s request to impose a fine on Fairlamb, who said he had lost his gym as a result of his arrest.

  • Association of Indians in America-NY holds Diya lighting ceremony at Times Square

    Association of Indians in America-NY holds Diya lighting ceremony at Times Square

    NEW YORK CITY (TIP):    Times Square in New York City appears to be a favorite spot with Indian Americans for showcasing culture and tradition of India. Close on the heels of the Diwali At Times Square, the Association of Indians in America-NY held a “Deepavali 2021” Diya-lighting ceremony November 4 evening at Times Square, in front of Nasdaq stock exchange. The diya-lighting ceremony was led by Ambassador Randhir Kumar Jaiswal, India’s Consul General in New York.  New York State Senator John Liu, a longtime friend of the Indian American community also joined, as also a few community leaders. Harish Thakkar, president of AIA- NY, said “This Diwali is going to be very different from all the others we have ever experienced.”

    He was referring to the traditional celebration of Diwali  at the South Street Seaport, a landmark event of AIA-NY, enjoyed by thousands of spectators every year.

    This time, AIA NY, Diwali messages were displayed on the   Nasdaq Billboard for a couple of hours.

    “Diwali is the celebration of light and so, coming at a time of darkness, when there seem to be many sad stories of bereavement, sickness and financial hardship all caused by a virus, we need to ensure that our inner light stays ignited,” State Senator Liu said.

    “Instead of thinking of ‘Corona, it’s a time to share compassion, love and care with everyone around us,” Liu added.

    He also said he had attended many AIA Diwali festival events at South Street Seaport.

    Consul General Jaiswal extended his warmest wishes to everyone and said that Diwali “truly brightens our evenings as we unite to celebrate the festival of lights that marks the triumph of good over evil, and   light over darkness. Diwali’s central message of openness, peace and mutual respect is one we can all learn from.”

    Ambassador Jaiswal praised AIA as a grassroots national organization well known for its social, cultural and educational activities, organizing the largest Deepavali festival in NYC for the past 32 years.

  • Minister of State for External Affairs Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh interacted with the Indian American Community

    Minister of State for External Affairs Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh interacted with the Indian American Community

    NEW YORK CITY (TIP): Minister of State for External Affairs Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh interacted with members of Indian community at the Consulate General of India in New York November 8.  He spoke about India’s transformative reforms, its successful vaccination drive and urged the diaspora to join the Azadi ka Amrit Mahostav. He took a few questions, too.