Naveen Shah CPA President & CEO Navika Capital Group
Americans have been waiting to celebrate 4th of July which they could not in 2020 under the shadow of COVID-19. Mercifully, the pandemic, though still around, is not threatening enough to prevent Americans from getting back their traditional 4th of July parades, fireworks and parties.
I am glad to know that The Indian Panorama is bringing out a special edition in commemoration of the historic event. It was on July 4 in 1776 that the founding fathers of this great nation signed a declaration of Independence from the British rule. I am told the edition will carry a 10-page story of making of America. I congratulate the publisher/ editor Prof. Indrajit Saluja and his dedicated team for the publication’s laudable effort to educate Indian Americans on American history.
4th of July brings to mind the trials and tribulations of our forefathers, first in wresting Independence, and then with problems of diverse nature- domestic and foreign, and notwithstanding any obstacles, making America the strongest nation in the world. I bow my head to our forefathers and wish and pray that each succeeding generation keeps their sacrifices in mind and continues to build on their achievements.
Rep. Tom Suozzi, New York 3rd DistrictHappy Independence Day! “E Pluribus Unum”; Out of Many, One.
Our country is a “great experiment”. It is a chance to show that people of different backgrounds, creeds, ethnicities, endowed with certain unalienable Rights, can come together as one nation, united in freedom and democracy. Let’s celebrate our Independence and honor those who have sacrificed so much for us to maintain it.
I am pleased to know that The Indian Panorama is bringing out a special edition to mark 4th of July. I must congratulate the Indian American publisher Prof. Indrajit S Saluja for his being thoughtful that the historic event of his country of adoption is as important and worthy of celebration as a similar event in the country of his origin. We need more Indian Americans to understand the importance of getting involved in every aspect of the life in the country that we have chosen to make our home.
COVID-19 took a heavy toll not only on human lives but also on the lifestyle of people all across the world. Here in the US, over a period of more than a year we were forced to give up much of the fun that we are used to. But now, with pandemic receding, Americans are slowly trying to recover the good old times spirit. It is a matter of satisfaction that the traditional 4th of July parades and fireworks are returning, and Americans are ready to celebrate with enthusiasm the historic day of Independence.
I extend to readers of The Indian Panorama my greetings on the occasion of the 246th Independence Day of America.
Morgantown, VAThe collective effort of Americans to overcome the monstrous COVID-19 has yielded results, and this 4th of July, Americans do not feel as unsafe as in 2020 to get out and get together to celebrate the Independence Day of the United States of America.
I am from the medical fraternity, and I think I should feel proud that my fraternity deserves all praise for leading the fight against the pandemic and making it possible for Americans to feel safe to celebrate 4th of July this year.
In the US, nearly 600 front-line health care workers appear to have died of COVID-19, according to Lost on the Frontline, a project launched by The Guardian and KHN that aims to count, verify and memorialize every health care worker who dies during the pandemic.
The tally includes doctors, nurses and paramedics, as well as crucial health care support staff such as hospital janitors, administrators and nursing home workers, who have put their own lives at risk during the pandemic to help care for others.
I salute my fraternity.
I congratulate The Indian Panorama for bringing out a special edition on the occasion of the American Independence Day.
I take this opportunity to greet my fellow Americans on the historic day of 4th of July.
~ Platform unveiled at a mega event with Priyanka Chopra Jonas as a special guest ~
~ ZEE5 subscribers can stream the largest selection of Originals and Movies across Indian languages, including upcoming Blockbuster film RRR, and Library Titles from Zee Network channels along with Pakistani and Bangladeshi shows ~
~ Existing library of 130,000 hours of content; Announced 50+ Theatrical releases and 40+ Originals this year ~
MUMBAI /NEW YORK (TIP): ZEE5, the world’s largest streaming service for South Asian content, launched on June 22 in the U.S., opening up a world of multicultural entertainment for the South Asian diaspora and mainstream audiences across the United States.
“The launch of ZEE5 in the U.S. is a very significant moment for us,” said Amit Goenka, President, Digital Businesses & Platforms, ZEE Entertainment. “We’ve had a long association of over two decades with this market, bringing our viewers here the best of Indian entertainment through our channels. With ZEE5, we now look to offer both these audiences and the younger demographic access to a much wider choice of premium content with our Originals, digital premieres and more, on any screen of their choice and with a completely personalized viewing experience.”
ZEE5’s launch announcement was made by Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 Global, at a mega event attended by media and consumers from the U.S. and across the globe. She was joined by a special guest for the event, Actor, Producer, Activist and Entrepreneur Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Actor, Producer, Activist and Entrepreneur.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas also joined Archana in unveiling ZEE5’s upcoming content slate and its new global brand campaign “Welcome to South Asia: Stories from our world.” The campaign spotlights stories from South Asia, where even ordinary stories are extraordinary, therefore leading to the narrative “if this is our reality, imagine our stories.”
The multiple announcements were interspersed with conversations between Archana Anand and Priyanka Chopra Jonas with the latter commenting on how streaming services have changed the landscape of content viewing, and on the hunger among South Asian communities to watch their own hyperlocal content and see themselves being represented to international audiences, and how streaming services were key in providing such a platform to help people feel represented.
Congratulating ZEE5, Priyanka Chopra Jonas said, “Wishing all the best to my friends at ZEE5 on their new launch. I have really enjoyed celebrating and spotlighting all the incredible talent from South Asia today. I look forward to watching these storytellers entertain new audiences around the world and will be cheering them on from the side lines.”
Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 Global, added, “Bringing ZEE5 into the U.S. is so much more than just providing the South Asian diaspora here with a mega entertainment platform through which they can access a vast library of stories. It is a powerful bridge between them, their culture, and their languages. It is also a real-time connect between them and their families as they get to watch the same content across the ocean. And it is a platform through which their stories get showcased on an international stage. With this and the rich library of shows we have; I am confident that we will become the preferred destination for South Asian content and woo both TV and Streaming loyalists across all age groups across both South Asian and mainstream audiences in the shortest possible time.”
As part of the launch, the streamer announced an incredible line-up of Originals and other blockbusters, across languages to release on the platform in the coming months:
The upcoming magnum opus RRR from “Baahubali” filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli, starring N.T. Rama Rao Jr., Ram Charan, and Bollywood superstars Ajay Devgn and Alia Bhatt, in all South Indian languages.
Sunil Grover starrer Sunflower and Akshaye Khanna’s OTT debut State of Siege: Temple Attack.
New seasons of ZEE5 Originals Abhay 3, Rangbaaz 3, The Test Case S2, and Code-M S2.
Returning seasons of recently acquired TVF Originals Pitchers, Tripling, Humorously Yours, Aam Aadmi Family, and Engineering Girls available exclusively on ZEE5.
Pankaj Tripathi’s Kaagaz and Arjun Rampal’s Nailpolish.
Amitabh Bachchan starrer, the much-awaited film Jhund made by Nagraj Manjule.
Tamil Releases Handcuff, Blood Money, and Vinodhiya Chiththam.
Telugu releases Losers 2, Lol Salaam, Oka Chinna Family, and Net along with Shoot-out at Alair starring Prakash Raj.
Bangla releases: Ladies & Gentlemen, a 10-episode Bangla web-series directed by globally renowned director Mostafa Sarwar Farooki.
Pakistani releases: Asim Abbasi directed original series Churails, Mehreen Jabbar’s directorial venture Ek Jhoothi Love Story and Dhoop ki Deewar starring Sajal Aly and Ahad Raza Mir.
An Existing Treasure Trove of Stories
ZEE5 provides viewers with an unparalleled library of 130,000 hours of stories from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, spread across:
1600+ best-loved TV shows from Zee channels like Zee TV, Zee Telugu, Zee Tamil, Zee Bangla, and others
3500+ movies including some of the biggest Bollywood blockbusters
200+ Originals with some of the biggest Bollywood stars
600+ Music, health, and lifestyle videos to be added soon and more.
This content is available in Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Oriya, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, Punjabi, as well as Malay, Thai, Bahasa, Arabic, Urdu, and Bangla (Bangladeshi) with key titles dubbed and/or subtitled in English.
For Hindi speaking audiences, ZEE5 offers a range of content across formats including best loved dramas Kundali Bhagya, Kumkum Bhagya, and Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai!.
The library also includes blockbuster films like Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai, Uri: The Surgical Strike, Kedarnath, Simmba, and Dream Girl amongst others.
For its Telugu speaking audiences, ZEE5 brings the newly released Sita on the Road and other blockbuster movies like Naa Peru Surya Na Illu India, Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava, and Srimanthudu and shows like Krishna Tulasi, Mithai Kottu Chittemma, and more.
For Tamil speaking audiences, ZEE5’s vast library includes much loved shows like Sembaruthi, Rockstar, Pudhu Arthangal, and Thirumathi Hitler among many other popular titles.
The Bengali community across the U.S. can now stream their favourite shows like Mithai, Kori Khela, and Rani Rashmoni, among others. ZEE5’s hit Original Bangladeshi productions, Contract, Jodi Kintu Tobuo, and Mainkar Chipay are also a must-watch.
Viewers can also watch a bouquet of Pakistani shows like Gauhar-E-Nayab, Teri Berukhi, and Mere Humdum Mere Dost, among others.
Seamless Access anywhere at a hugely affordable price:
Users can download the ZEE5 app from Google Play Store / iOS App Store, on Roku devices, Samsung Smart TVs, Apple TVs, Android TVs, and Amazon Fire Stick. ZEE5 is also available on www.ZEE5.com.
ZEE5 will be available at a highly affordable price of $6.99 for a monthly pack, and an annual pack heavily discounted from $84 to a very attractive $49.99 as an introductory offer. The platform also announced a special discount for the student community with the monthly pack priced at $4.99 instead of $6.99.
Canada: Calling out Canada as another focus market, ZEE5 also announced that it was available for Canadian audiences and that it would also be launching its campaign in Canada, thereby kicking off its marketing in the country. ZEE5 sees much potential in the country, given that it has a tremendous amount of content across languages like Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu, perfect for key diaspora audiences within the Canadian landscape.
Archana also called out a key strategic partnership that the streaming platform had locked in with NAAIS (North American Association of Indian Students), that will help ZEE5 build strong connects with a much younger audience.
As a registered non-profit, NAAIS today aims to connect, educate, and mobilize over 850,000 students and young professionals of Indian origin in the U.S. Over the next few months, ZEE5 will be exclusively partnering with NAAIS and work closely with Sudhanshu Kaushik, executive director of NAAIS across multiple initiatives, including student outreach programs across universities and colleges in the U.S. and numerous philanthropic endeavours, including COVID-19 relief efforts.
ZEE5 will also be partnering with MassMutual in the U.S. to reach the latter’s extensive South Asian customer database and jointly serve the South Asian community. ZEE5 and MassMutual share common goals to cater to the South Asian community with the tools and resources they both have to offer.
About ZEE5 Global
ZEE5 is the digital entertainment destination launched by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), a global Media and Entertainment powerhouse. The platform launched across 190+ countries in October 2018 and has content across 18 languages: Hindi, English, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Oriya, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, Punjabi, including six international languages Malay, Thai, Bahasa, Urdu, Bangla and Arabic. ZEE5 is home to 130,000+ hours of On Demand Content. The platform brings together the best of Originals, Movies and TV Shows, Music, Cineplays and Health and Lifestyle content all in one single destination. ZEE5 offers key features like 15 navigational languages, content download option, seamless video playback and Voice Search.
Users can download the ZEE5 app from Google Play Store / iOS App Store, on Roku devices, Samsung Smart TVs, Apple TVs, Android TVs, and Amazon Fire Stick. ZEE5 is also available on www.ZEE5.com.
ZEE5 Global Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZEE5Global
ZEE5 Global LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zee5global/
ZEE5 US Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZEE5/?brand_redir=753452881530458
33,000 families receive 3-K for All offers as program expands across all 32 community school districts
NEW YORK CITY (TIP): Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter, on June 30, announced 33,131 families are receiving offers to free, full-day, high-quality 3-K for All across all 32 community school districts following an historic expansion of the program – up from 17,455 in 2020 and 9,518 in 2019. “By expanding 3-K to every district across our city, we’re bringing a record number of families access to a free, high-quality, early education for their child. As we build a recovery for us all, 3-K and Pre-K will continue to lead the way in supporting New York City’s children and working families,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
“Access to free, high-quality early education has transformed the lives of so many families across New York City, and today a record 33,000 children are receiving offers to a 3-K for All program,” said Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter. “Our expansion to every district this fall will provide even more students with a strong start in school and life, and we’re conducting outreach over the summer to encourage additional families to sign up!”
Across the city, 92 percent of families who applied to 3-K for All received an offer and a record 76 percent of families received an offer to one of their top three program choices. A total of 33,208 families across all 32 community school districts applied to 3-K for All, demonstrating high demand as the City works towards universal access by September 2023.
As announced this spring, 3-K for All will be available in every community school district in the 2021-22 school year, and families can continue to enroll. Offers were made to as many families as possible in the twenty new districts. There is a 3-K seat for every three-year-old in districts 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 19, 23, 27, 31, and 32.
3-K for All is the nation’s most ambitious effort to provide universal, free, full-day, high-quality early childhood education for every three-year-old child and builds on the success of Pre-K for All. High-quality 3-K helps to make sure children are prepared for kindergarten and have a strong start in school and life.
Like Pre-K for All, 3-K for All relies on the partnership of community-based organizations, including Head Start programs, childcare agencies, and family childcare providers. The timing of the fall 2021-22 expansion aligns with the culmination of the City’s historic commitment to achieve pay parity for certified early childhood education teachers by October 2021, a goal which is on track to be met. Achieving a pathway to pay parity between early childhood educators in community-based organizations and those working in district schools completes the promise made by the Mayor and City Council to the provider community during summer 2019, as part of agreements with District Council 37, the Day Care Council of New York, and the Head Start Sponsoring Board Council, as well as a commitment to non-represented teachers. Certified teachers saw phased-in wage increases beginning in October 2019. Non-certified teachers and support staff have also seen increases in compensation.
KEASBEY, NJ (TIP): The Federation of Indian Associations of the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut (FIA-NY NJ CT) has once again proved its commitment to serve its motherland India in times of need. The federation recently shipped nine containers of Oximeters, Rescuation bags, medical cargo, and two shipments of 350 ventilators and its supplies via Air India donated by the City of New York, to India as the country prepares for a likely third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The cargo, which comprises •300 – Hamilton T1 Ventilators•3000 -Ventilator circuits•3000 – Ventilator Filters•3000 – Ventilator Flow Sensors•3000 – Ventilator Expiratory Valves60 – Ventilator Battery Calibrator with cords•50 – Philips Trilogy 100 Portable Ventilators•310,176 – Pulse Oximeters•1000Sunmed Rescuation Bags was compiled at the warehouse, packaged, labeled and shipped with the help of a partnered transporter and freight forwarders all of which was coordinated and executed by FIA and sponsored by FIA donors. The cargo is headed to Delhi and Mumbai. FIA had arranged for a see-off at the warehouse in Keasbey, NJ to allow for the sponsors and donors to personally see the packaging and loading of the cargo into the containers from the warehouse.
Besides the executive and board members of FIA, in attendance was Deputy Consul General of New York Shatrughna Sinha who took inventory of the shipment. He praised the efforts of FIA in taking charge of the cargo and handling the logistics for its timely shipment and thanked the City of New York, Maersk Air India and all the sponsors for their contributions.
Parveen Bansal, general secretary and executive committee member of FIA Tristate who was appointed to lead the logistical efforts, said, “It is a privilege to be part of such an unprecedented relief effort and to serve our motherland”.
Prabir Roy, the senior-most FIA board member in attendance, said, “The successful engagement of FIA in seeing this medical cargo through has turned the page in its history and made a statement with its work in service of the motherland.”
FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya applauded the efforts of the City of New York, Hon. Mayor Bill De Blasio and his team, Jennifer Geiling from the Mayor’s office, Consul General-New York Randhir Jaiswal, DCG Shatrughna Sinha and the India team including Diwakar Mittal from NITI Aayog, Prime Minister’s Office, Red Cross India, besides sponsors including FIA President Anil Bansal, Kenny Desai, Board Member Prabir Roy, Executive Committee member Mahesh Dubal, Board Member Anand Patel. He also expressed his gratitude towards executive members Haresh Shah, Saurin Parikh and Alok Kumar.
Why the assistance
India battled a disastrous second wave of Covid-19 in the months of April and May. While the situation has eased for now, health experts have already warned of a possible third wave of the pandemic in the country in coming weeks. Several lives were lost during the second wave because of shortage of medical equipment. FIA hopes to help the Indian government with its efforts to ensure adequate availability of essential medical equipment ahead of the third wave.
LONG ISLAND, NY (TIP): Indian American Forum under the leadership of Founding Member Dr. Bobby K. Kalotee and Chairwoman Indu Jaiswal brought the community together to celebrate “Back to Life – Indian American Night”, both In-person and Zoom.
Chaired by Beena Kothari & Co-chaired by Flora Parekh, the event honored distinguished community leaders who made a significant stride through these unprecedented times.
In the presence of Nassau County Executive Hon. Laura Curran, several distinguished community leaders, students and achievers were honored by Special Citations – namely Mukesh Modi, Beena Kothari, Dr. Jag Kalra, Deepa Goyal, Priya Suri, Ankur Sahani, Anika Tolat and Hardev Singh. Nassau County executive Hon. Laura Curra shared valuable county resources and information as we move along post difficult times.
Beautifully Emceed by Royal International Miss Rhea Manjrekar & Royal International Miss Teen Simran Kohli, Graceful young Bollywood dancers, choreographed by Shilpa Mithaiwala & individual performers Varinder Khaas, Singers Gaurav & Kulbhooshan, added colors to the programs rocking the floor with DJ Parminder. Mouth-watering dinner boxes by Sheetal from Rajbhog were served.
Several community leaders and IAF Board Members graced the event – to name a few Mohinder Taneja, Jasbir (Jay) Singh, Vijay Goswami, Anu Gulati, Bina Sabapathy, Sunil Modi, Pinky Jaggi, Dr. Urmilesh Arya, Indu Gajwani, Suhag Mehta, and many more. The event was generously covered by several print and TV media. Additional information can be found at www.indianamericanforum.org.
The Awardees.IALI President Shashi Malik addresses the gathering
GARDEN CITY, NY (TIP): North America based one of the oldest and biggest nonprofit organizations, the India Association of Long Island (IALI), organized the annual 43rd gala event and proudly dedicated this year’s gala ceremony to honor the teachers of the American society.
The esteemed attendees along with Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, Deputy Consulate General of India in New York Shatrughna Sinha, New York State Senator Brian Benjamin, New York State Congresswoman Janifer Rajkumar, Acting Police Commissioner of Suffolk County Stuart K. Cameron, Friends for Good Health Founder Chairman Dr. Bobby K. Kalotee, Chairman & Co-Founder of The South Asian Times Kamlesh C. Mehta, Nassau County Human Rights Commissioner Zahid Syed, IDP USA president Deepak Bansal, others attended the event.
IALI secretary Kuljeet Ahluwalia started the event and a known Indo-American businessman and vice president of IALI Jasbir Jay Singh played the role of Master of ceremonies MC. In her opening remarks, IALI President welcomed all the attendees and presented the remarkable year-long activities of the organization under her leadership.
Addressing the media IALI President Shashi Malik mentioned that IALI dedicated this year’s Gala to honor the builders of our society, The Teachers. I am happy our selection committee selected the remarkable teachers, who have been honored today.
In today’s gala event eleven teachers were honored in which six of them are teaching the students of the Indo-American community in special classes run by IALI. Knitting and crochet class teacher Chander Kanta, Indian Classical music and harmonium teacher Perry Walia, Punjabi Class teacher JapNeet, Meditation teacher Rajeev Dixit, Hindi Class teacher Sadhvi Ji, and Kids Computer class teacher Shveta were the honorees.
The five other honorees were the First African-American Female Superintendent of the East Ramapo Central School District in Spring Valley, New York, Dr. Deborah L. Wortham. Before IALI honor, Dr. Wortham was also awarded as a public figure in the top 100 Most Influential Educators in New York State 2020. Social Studies teacher with 19 years of service Ilora Majumder-Afzal was second who was honored today evening. Ms. Ilora currently serves as a high school educator in New York City. The third honoree of the evening was Jenine Joslin for her 14 years of service as a teacher. Ms. Joslin’s dedicated services as a babysitter, camp counselor, camp director, and now in the classroom helped a lot of the students to grow.
The fourth awardee was New York City educator Shakila Mumtaz-Roman. She was born and raised in Queens NY into a family of mixed heritage: Guatemalan and Pakistani. She has serviced students in grades K-12 as a general educator, a Spanish teacher, an ENL teacher, as Language Department Chair; She led local, national, and international trips with students to open their minds and build their experiences.
The fifth honoree of the evening was Music teacher Vincent Guerra. Mr. Guerra is currently teaching the students of Locust Valley Central School District Middle and High School. He has been appointed as a band director with the School District. During his 25 years with the Locust Valley Central School District, Mr. Guerra has helped to facilitate the many band programs within the music department. Addressing the gathering, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran praised the services and dedication of IALI towards the American Society. Ms. Laura also applauds the IALI’s decision to honor the society builders. Deputy Consulate General of India in New York Shatrughna Sinha also applauded the help of IALI and other Indo- American organizations for their financial and logistic help towards the Indian people during the pandemic. Mr. Sinha also thanked the IALI for the 43 years of promotion and prosperity of Indian culture and heritage by different humanitarian services in the United States of America.
On the occasion, Indo-American Community leader Mohinder Singh Taneja was also honored for his community work, dedication, and tireless services towards Indo-American society.
IALI thanks all the volunteers, supporters, and sponsors; especially grand sponsors of the event, John Paladini and Tahir Ahmed of King of Queens Auto Services Corp. and Dr. Jay Sarkar, for their generous donation support to make this gala event successful.
“It’s a well-known fact that Pakistan is the nerve center of terrorism. Jamat-ud-Dawah, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen carry out their terrorist operations against India from Pakistan’s territory. Moreover, many terrorist organizations like the Taliban, Haqqani network, al Qaeda and Islamic State carry out attacks in Afghanistan and have safe sanctuaries inside Pakistani territory. Pakistan has been claiming that these organizations are based in Afghanistan, have sufficient funds of their own and that Pakistan is not financing or helping them. However, the US is aware that the ISI, the Pakistan army’s intelligence wing, is financing and helping the leaders of these organizations.”
Abraham Lincoln had once said, “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.”
This is a simple lesson that Pakistan refuses to learn while relentlessly trying to hoodwink the international community. Therefore, one is heartened by the fact that following its recent meeting on June 20-25, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) sent across a stern message that it had not been fooled by Pakistan’s jiggery-pokery.
The FATF is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1989 at the initiative of the G7 to develop policies to combat money laundering and, in 2001, its mandate was expanded to include terror financing. The FATF maintains two different lists which are informally called the ‘blacklist’ and the ‘grey list’. The blacklist comprises “countries or jurisdictions with such serious strategic deficiencies against which the FATF calls on its members and non-members to apply counter-measures”. The grey list includes those countries for which “FATF calls on its members to apply enhanced due diligence measures proportionate to the risks arising from the deficiencies associated with the country”.
Pakistan was added to the grey list in October 2012 but managed to come out of it in February 2015. It was added to the grey list for the second time in June 2018. Leading the change FATF works with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank which take into account its findings and recommendations. For example, the IMF puts conditions for bail-out packages based on the fulfilment of FATF-related compliances. Thus, the naming and shaming by the FATF has costs, which Pakistan has found out. Pakistan’s economy is already in shambles, and the FATF grey-listing adds to its woes. Therefore, Pakistan is desperately trying to wriggle its way out of the ‘grey list’. When Pakistan was put on the ‘grey list’ in 2018, a 27-point ‘Combating the Financing of Terrorism’ (CFT) action plan was given to it that aimed at putting meaningful curbs on terror financing. Since then, Pakistan has been attempting to convince the FATF that it is complying with the action plan in order to exit the grey list. At its plenary meeting between October 21-23, 2020, the FATF had voted to continue keeping Pakistan on the ‘grey list’ for its failure to substantially deliver on six of the 27 action points. Then, at its next meeting on 22-25 February 2021, the FATF noted that Pakistan had largely addressed 24 out of the 27 action points. Now, at the recent meeting between June 20-25, the FATF has stated that “Pakistan has completed 26 of the 27 action items listed in its 2018 action plan.” No doubt, Pakistan thinks that its efforts are yielding some success. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said there was “no room” to keep the country on the FATF’s ‘grey list’ since it has implemented 26 out of the 27 points of the action handed out by the global body against money laundering and terror financing. However, the FATF has not let Pakistan off the hook because it wants the country “to address as soon as possible the remaining CFT item by demonstrating that terror financing investigations and prosecutions target senior leaders and commanders of UN-designated terrorist groups.”
There are eight UN-designated terror groups that were named by FATF in the past – the Afghan Taliban, Haqqani Network, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD), Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation, al Qaeda and Islamic State. Pakistan has failed to convince the FATF that it is serious about taking action against these terror groups. Moreover, the FATF has given Pakistan a new six-point action plan that primarily focuses on combating money laundering. Thus, Pakistan will continue to find itself between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, the FATF is unrelenting in its insistence that Pakistan should come clean, completely break its ties with all terrorist organizations and put meaningful curbs on them. On the other hand, the Imran Khan government is unable to break these ties because Pakistan’s deep state is hand in glove with terrorism and uses it as an instrument of state policy.
It’s a well-known fact that Pakistan is the nerve center of terrorism. Jamat-ud-Dawah, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen carry out their terrorist operations against India from Pakistan’s territory. Moreover, many terrorist organizations like the Taliban, Haqqani network, al Qaeda and Islamic State carry out attacks in Afghanistan and have safe sanctuaries inside Pakistani territory. Pakistan has been claiming that these organizations are based in Afghanistan, have sufficient funds of their own and that Pakistan is not financing or helping them. However, the US is aware that the ISI, the Pakistan army’s intelligence wing, is financing and helping the leaders of these organizations.
It may be recalled that Pakistan had hired a top US lobbyist firm to push its case with the Trump administration and to also get bailed out of the grey list. In pursuit of its gameplan to hoodwink the FATF, Pakistan had also hurriedly pushed through three legislations — the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2020, the Anti-Money Laundering (Second Amendment) Bill and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Waqf Properties Bill — by calling a special session of the Parliament in September. However, it was apparent that these were merely in the nature of window-dressing, for there was no let-up in the terrorist attacks being abetted from Pakistani soil against India or Afghanistan. Clearly, the FATF is not so gullible to be taken in by Pakistan’s stratagems. India bears the brunt of Pakistan’s use of terrorism and sees the FATF as an important body that can put pressure on it to dismantle the infrastructure that supports cross-border attacks. India has also furnished evidence to show how Pakistan continues to be a safe haven for UN-designated terrorists such as Dawood Ibrahim, Masood Azhar, Hafiz Saeed and Zakir ur Rahman Lakhvi. The FATF’s decision to keep Pakistan on the grey list has been a vindication of India’s stand.
“What the Opposition needs to demonstrate at this stage is political cohesion. It needs to demonstrate a unity of purpose, a shared agenda (not just a hastily drawn up minimum programme) that inspires hope, an alternative approach to governance, a capacity to work together by subordinating their differences.”
Opposition unity is among the most fantoosh but faltu preoccupations. At this juncture of Indian politics, it is at once a critical ask and a futile pursuit. This was the flavor of the month gone by and understandably so. The BJP’s defeat in West Bengal has opened the oppositional spaces and encouraged routine confabulations. It does not take much to see that any project to take on the BJP at the national level must gather in some way the 63 per cent voters who did not vote for the BJP or its allies in 2019. Hence, the temptation to return to some of the most over-rated moves of Opposition unity. All the tested and tired political faces coming together to oppose Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one of the laziest and disastrous political recipes of our time.
It is pointless to discuss Opposition unity unless we are clear about three things: Who counts as Opposition? What kind of unity are we talking about? And, is Opposition unity all that we need to take on Modi’s BJP?
The idea of a hold-all Opposition, coming together of anyone and everyone who happens to be opposed to Modi, or to the BJP or to its current ideology, is both impossible and counter-productive. It is humanly impossible to achieve a harmonious merger of egos, ambitions and designs of all those who fall under the broad rubric of the Opposition. Even if this miracle were to happen, the cost of stitching together such an alliance would clearly outweigh its possible gains. It would have to be a sub-optimal coalition in terms of its efficacy in defeating the BJP. Besides, it might help Modi play the lone warrior who is taking on an entire ‘gang’. This could also help the BJP’s booth workers go for successful counter-mobilization of the Hindus.
To abandon the idea of a hold-all Opposition unity is to give up on the current quest for a coalition of the willing. The Opposition here must be a selectively crafted coalition of the deserving. Those who enter such a coalition would have to show what they bring to the table. Those who bring heft in terms of votes would be the most obvious candidates. It is impossible to think of any meaningful Opposition unity without the Congress and many of the key regional players who have taken on, and many times defeated, the BJP. The only filter here would be the willingness to subordinate individual or party ambitions to the collective project.
The definition of Opposition must not be limited to political parties, that too electorally successful ones. We must not forget that the real opposition to the BJP hegemony has come from non-party peoples’ movements. Popular mobilization is as important as electoral success.
The idea of ‘unity’ must be expanded beyond a one-time electoral alliance to a more enduring political union. The most common understanding of Opposition unity is that of the non-BJP parties forming a pre-election alliance for seat-sharing and vote-pooling.
But we tend to forget that such a unity is not relevant for most states of the country. There are states such as Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, where the BJP is still not an electoral force that calls for a unity of the non-BJP forces. Then there are states such as West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Odisha, where the dominant non-BJP party does not need an alliance partner. Then there are BJP-Congress contest states such as MP, HP, Uttarakhand, Gujarat and, arguably Rajasthan, where the problem is not the lack of Opposition unity but the lack of an Opposition itself. The Congress is unable to take on the BJP and does not have anyone else to align with.
So, the formula of a pre-electoral alliance holds force in only a few states: Karnataka, Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand and UP. With more than 200 Lok Sabha seats, these states carry a lot of weight, but they cannot set the template for Opposition unity in the rest of the country where the need is coordination rather than alliance.
At this stage, we need political unity more than electoral unity of the Opposition. We could do without the premature and necessarily fractious negotiations of a nationwide electoral alliance. What the Opposition needs to demonstrate at this stage is political cohesion. The voters, especially those who may have recently got wary of the BJP, do not doubt that anti-Modi leaders will come together to unseat him. They doubt if these leaders would do so in a meaningful way. They doubt if the Opposition parties can deliver a better and stable government. They doubt if these leaders can hang together even for some time.
So, the Opposition needs to demonstrate a unity of purpose, a shared agenda (not just a hastily drawn up minimum programme) that inspires hope, an alternative approach to governance, a capacity to work together by subordinating their differences.
Above all, we must realize that while Opposition unity of some sorts is necessary, it is certainly not sufficient. At this stage, the country is not ready to anyhow throw the BJP out. There is disenchantment with this government and PM Modi, but it has not reached a point where the people would vote for a lamp post to throw the incumbent out. They are anxiously looking for an alternative that is at least as attractive as Modi was in 2014.
As it stands today, the Opposition does not fit the description. It lacks credibility. It does not have a message of hope, a vision for the nation. It does not have messengers who inspire confidence, leaders who can be entrusted with the country’s future. This deficit cannot be made up by Opposition unity. Any Opposition unity that glosses over this lacuna is bound to magnify its own deficit and likely to fail in attracting new voters.
The country needs not just a vipaksha, but a pratipaksha. Vipaksha is limited to offering opposition and criticism; pratipaksha offers constructive criticism and feasible alternatives. Vipaksha is aimed at power-capture, pratipaksha is guided by a national purpose. Vipaksha is episodic, mostly active for elections; pratipaksha is omnipresent. Vipaksha has to be united; pratipaksha is unified to begin with.
The Opposition needs a glue to hold itself together and a glow to connect it to the people. That cannot happen through a mechanical stitching together of an alliance of the existing Opposition parties. The oppositional space needs a magnet to pull all the forces that seek to reclaim the republic. That magnet cannot be any one party or a leader. It has to be a coming together of citizens who enjoy credibility, movements that have demonstrated resilience and ideas that hold out hope.
Once this is achieved, the coming together of the existing Opposition parties and leaders can and will follow.
The dangers and after-effects of climate change are manifesting themselves with increasing frequency, more intensity and longer duration all over the world. As per a US study, the number of heat waves striking America in 2010 had climbed to six per year, from two per year around 50 years ago. The latest to feel the heat are northwest US and western Canada which are reeling under a heat wave. It is believed to have been caused by the heat dome that was formed due to the cocktail of high atmospheric pressure, climate change and drought. These factors are conducive for trapping the heat and keeping the air warm, like a lid on a cooking pot does.
People in cities like Seattle, Portland, Vancouver and Surrey that normally enjoy pleasantly mild summer temperatures (ranging from 11 to 22°C) — with most homes not even requiring a fan — are scrambling for ACs as the mercury has soared to breach the sizzling 46-degree mark. The 49.6°C recorded in Lytton, British Columbia, was five degrees hotter than Canada’s earlier highest temperature of 84 years ago. The region has registered a sudden spike in deaths and it is being related to the roasting conditions and hyperthermia. The blazing heat has imperiled crops and some roads and other structures are cracking and crumbling as they are not resilient enough to withstand such excessive heat.
The global warming-induced extreme weather events are a matter of concern and call for urgent remedial measures as they upend life and infrastructure with little warning. India is no stranger to the devastation wreaked by climate change. It has been suffering floods more frequently in the recent times due to the melting glaciers and receding coastlines. Unusually hot and longer summers are becoming the norm. The efforts to halt the warming of our planet — it has become dangerously warmer by more than 1°C since 1900 — are, unfortunately, not enough to lower the rate of carbon emissions. Concrete steps are needed to leave a livable planet endowed with enough essential resources for the generations to come.
246 years since 1776. I celebrate the journey of the greatest nation on the Earth. Proud of the vision and the farsightedness of the founding fathers who created institutions which have given strength to each individual and the nation. 4th of July is a day to celebrate the gifts. It is the day of independence from the British rule. It is a day of the birth of the United States of America. I rejoice. I am happy to be celebrating the 246th birthday of the nation of the free and the brave.
America has achieved much to be proud of in the long haul of 246 years. Today, it is the only superpower of the world. Its military might is unchallengeable. The strongest nation of the world, it is in a position to dictate the world. A world leader in almost every sphere, it creates awe among nations and peoples. A protector of human rights, America has often taken up the cause of the oppressed , and waged relentless wars. A generous nation, America has rushed relief and aid to those in suffering and in need. Yes, there is no nation like America.
However, it is not that America is perfect. They say there is always room for improvement. I will add there always is need for improvement. No doubt, our founding fathers created the best institutions to take care of the people and the nation, yet there always is scope to add strength to them.
Take, for example, the idea of equality. Can one say there is no inequality? Discrimination. Can one say American society is free from the malaise of discrimination? Racial discrimination is the worst that America is suffering from. The North and the South are still lingering. America needs to “improve upon” the laws.
The right to bear arms is a welcome right. But when guns become a danger to lives of innocent people, Americans must consider “improving upon” the laws.
On this 4th of July, I appeal to all -Democrats and Republicans; Left and Right, to take a good look at the issues which are creating divisions and unhappiness of the American people, and in a spirit of brotherhood, tackle them for the sake of the American nation. We know from history how nations have been destroyed by fratricidal conflicts. We don’t want them. We don’t want it to happen to America. All we want is a strong America and happy Americans. On this 4th of July, let us recall the pledge our founding fathers took: “We Mutually Pledge To Each Other Our Lives, Our Fortunes, And Our Sacred Honor”,and live by it, as an expression of our gratitude to them, and as our commitment to America- “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
NEW YORK (TIP): The top three Democratic mayoral contenders are demanding a manual recount of the June 22 primary election if the final vote count has narrow enough margins — a process that would be a first for the city in modern history.
“It is without precedent in a New York City mayoral race or any citywide office,” said election lawyer Stanley Schlein, who represents former Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia in her lawsuit against the Board of Elections.
Garcia, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and lawyer Maya Wiley have all filed similar petitions in court to protect their rights to challenge the election results.
A final vote count is expected on July 12. Adams currently leads Garcia by 14,755 votes with Wiley just 347 votes behind the former Sanitation Commissioner.
The BOE has yet to tabulate some 125,000 absentee ballots and run all the votes through the city’s new ranked-choice system.
Under state law a manual recount is triggered if the difference between candidate figures is under .5 percent of the total votes cast or about 4,500 votes with 935,000 ballots cast in the primary.
In the event of a hand re-canvass, BOE officials would pour over individual ballots where voters made irregular markings like circling a candidate’s name instead of filling in the bubble. A judge would oversee the laborious process. Experts believe it would take “weeks and weeks” to do a manual recount. While there hasn’t been a manual recount in a local mayoral race in recent times, there was a hand re-canvass in a 1917 Republican primary.
There was also hand recount in the 2019 Queens district attorney race that took about three weeks for 100,00 votes.
DEHRADUN (TIP): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat resigned late Friday, July 2 night even as the BJP Legislature Party meeting is expected to be held in Dehradun on Saturday, July 3 to choose his successor.
BJP sources said that Cabinet Minister and senior BJP leader Narendra Singh Tomar will attend the meeting as the Central observer. The meeting is scheduled to be held at 3 pm on July 3 under the chairmanship of state president Madan Kaushik, said state’s media in-charge Manveer Singh Chauhan. Rawat said due to the Constitution limitations he has decided to submit his resignation.
The names of Pushkar Dhami, Ritu Khanduri, Dhan Singh Rawat and Satpal Maharaj are doing the rounds to replace Tirath Singh.
Earlier, Rawat, who was in Delhi where he had met BJP chief J.P. Nadda twice in three days, left for Dehra Dun. Rawat, who had met Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah late on Wednesday night, is currently the MP from the Garhwal Lok Sabha seat, and as per the rules, needs to be sworn in as an elected MLA within six months of taking over as the Chief Minister.
Earlier in the day, Rawat met the BJP chief again to discuss the political situation and the need of his election to the state Assembly before September 10 to remain in office.
Before leaving for Uttarakhand capital, Rawat said that holding of by polls will be decided by the Election Commission and he will follow whatever the Central leadership of the party decides.
BJP national General Secretary and Uttarakhand in-charge, Dushyant Gautam told IANS that there was no discussion of Uttarakhand by-polls held at the party level.
A party leader explained that after the meeting with the Central leadership, the indications are that it will be difficult for the Chief Minister to continue in the office.
Sources said that Nadda had explained to Rawat that Section 151 of Representation of the People Act, 1951 has created hindrance in his election to the Assembly.
“In an hour-long meeting on Wednesday, June 28, night at Home Minister Amit Shah’s residence, all the possibilities were discussed and Rawat was explained about exception provided under Section 151 of Act for not holding by-elections — if the remainder of the term in relation to the vacancy is less than a year or if the Election Commission, in consultation with the Centre, certifies that it is difficult to hold the by-election within the said period,” a party insider said.
NEW YORK (TIP): As the World Health Organization (WHO) draws up plans for the next phase of its probe of how the coronavirus pandemic started, an increasing number of scientists say the U.N. agency isn’t up to the task and shouldn’t be the one to investigate.
Numerous experts, some with strong ties to WHO, say that political tensions between the U.S. and China make it impossible for an investigation by the agency to find credible answers.
They say what’s needed is a broad, independent analysis closer to what happened in the aftermath of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
The first part of a joint WHO-China study of how COVID-19 started concluded in March that the virus probably jumped to humans from animals and that a lab leak was “extremely unlikely.” The next phase might try to examine the first human cases in more detail or pinpoint the animals responsible – possibly bats, perhaps by way of some intermediate creature.
But the idea that the pandemic somehow started in a laboratory – and perhaps involved an engineered virus – has gained traction recently, with President Joe Biden ordering a review of the U.S. intelligence within 90 days to assess the possibility.
Earlier this month, WHO’s emergencies chief, Dr. Michael Ryan, said that the agency was working out the final details of the next phase of its probe and that because WHO works “by persuasion,” it lacks the power to compel China to cooperate.
Some said that is precisely why a WHO-led examination is doomed to fail. “We will never find the origins relying on the World Health Organization,” said Lawrence Gostin, director of the WHO Collaborating Center on Public Health Law and Human Rights at Georgetown University.
“For a year and a half, they have been stonewalled by China, and it’s very clear they won’t get to the bottom of it.” Mr. Gostin said the U.S. and other countries can either try to piece together what intelligence they have, revise international health laws to give WHO the powers it needs, or create some new entity to investigate.
The first phase of WHO’s mission required getting China’s approval not only for the experts who travelled there but for their entire agenda and the report they ultimately produced.
Richard Ebright, a molecular biologist at Rutgers University, called it a “farce” and said that determining whether the virus jumped from animals or escaped from a lab is more than a scientific question and has political dimensions beyond WHO’s expertise.
The closest genetic relative to COVID-19 was previously discovered in a 2012 outbreak, after six miners fell sick with pneumonia after being exposed to infected bats in China’s Mojiang mine. In the past year, however, Chinese authorities sealed off the mine and confiscated samples from scientists while ordering locals not to talk to visiting journalists.
Although China initially pushed hard to look for the coronavirus’s origins, it pulled back abruptly in early 2020 as the virus overtook the globe.
An Associated Press investigation last December found Beijing imposed restrictions on the publication of COVID-19 research, including mandatory review by central government officials.
Jamie Metzl, who sits on a WHO advisory group, has suggested along with colleagues the possibility of an alternative investigation set up by the Group of Seven industrialized nations.
Jeffrey Sachs, a professor at Columbia University, said the U.S. must be willing to subject its own scientists to a rigorous examination and recognize that they might be just as culpable as China.
“The U.S. was deeply involved in research at the laboratories in Wuhan,” Mr. Sachs said, referring to the U.S. funding of controversial experiments and the search for animal viruses capable of triggering outbreaks.
“The idea that China was behaving badly is already the wrong premise for this investigation to start,” he said. “If lab work was somehow responsible (for the pandemic), the likelihood that it was both the U.S. and China working together on a scientific initiative is very high.”
WASHINGTON (TIP): The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) has issued a moratorium on federal executions while it reviews policies and procedures, the Department said in a statement. U.S. President Joe Biden had said on his campaign website that he would legislate the end of capital punishment at the federal level and incentivize states to follow suit.
“The Department of Justice must ensure that everyone in the federal criminal justice system is not only afforded the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States but is also treated fairly and humanely. That obligation has special force in capital cases.” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement released on Thursday, July 1.
Apart from the moral case against the death penalty, the data show that in its application, it is biased against racial minorities especially African Americans.
Under Donald Trump, the federal government carried out 13 executions. This is the highest number of executions under any presidency since the 19th Century, Reuters reported.
The review ordered by Mr Garland will include an assessment of the “risk of pain and suffering” caused by pentobarbital – a lethal injection drug. The Trump administration’s DoJ, under Attorney General Bill Barr, had adopted a single drug, instead of a three drug protocol. The review will also look into a November 2020 expansion of federal execution methods beyond lethal injection and policy changes from last December and January to expedite executions.
The traditional Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks returns
I.S. Saluja
NEW YORK (TIP): America will celebrate its 246th birthday on 4th of July. It was on this day in 1776 that the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence,
Also read “Making of America” on pages 24-33.
With the Pandemic fears receding, there is a perceptible evidence of enthusiasm among Americans to go all out to celebrate 4th of July. In many places, parades are back asare fireworks. BBQs and parties are being feverishly planned around the birthday of United States of America.
This 4th of July marks the return of the traditional Macy’s grand spectacle of fireworks, with some 65,000 shells and aerial effects packed onto five barges and towed out onto the East River between 23rd and 42nd Streets.
The show starts on Sunday at about 9:25 p.m. and lasts for 25 minutes. Macy’s promises it will be their biggest fireworks display ever, which means it will also definitely be the largest July 4th celebration anywhere in the country.
Coney Island is also back at the blasting-explosives game with the triumphant return of the Steeplechase Spectacular Fourth of July Fireworks Show, which can be seen from anywhere along the boardwalk between West 10th to West 23rd Streets, which is basically from the Cyclone to the Childs Building. The Steeplechase Spectacular doesn’t launch until 10 p.m.—right after the Macy’s one ends— but like all big boardwalk parties out here at Coney, it promises to be a raucous affair.
Jones Beach on Long Island is also ready for the traditional 4th of July fireworks.
So, get set and ready to celebrate the Independence Day! Happy 4th of July.
By Thomas Suozzi, U.S. Representative for New York’s 3rd district.
Why does America feel so fractured with so much division? The rancor and misinformation proffered by some of my colleagues in the House of Representatives, the blood-boiling commentary on cable “news,” and the negative tone on social media, which is often amplified by our foreign adversaries, has made us “a house divided against itself.” Can we continue to “stand”?
There has been much debate about censuring some of my colleagues, removing them from their committee assignments, or strongly calling them out for their sometimes mean-spirited, inaccurate, and inflammatory comments.
We see this happening on both sides of the aisle: members who throw flames and then reap all of the attention. But to what end? It hinders the advancement of important legislation and blocks opportunities to solve problems. It’s seems to be just to get attention, for clickbait. What’s going on? Why are the most extreme members of Congress rewarded with the most small-dollar donations, the most Twitter likes and the most cable news attention, while members who practice civility or search for compromise are an afterthought?
I would argue that because almost 90 percent of House seats are “safe.” Since district lines were drawn to heavily favor of one party over the other, over 90 percent of incumbents are reelected. The only way to beat a Congressmember in one of these “safe seats” is to primary them, but few people vote in primaries—less than 10 percent—and those who vote tend to be more extreme on the political spectrum. What this means is that the most right wing Republicans and the most left wing Democrats are the ones effectively calling the shots: Members often feel constrained to bend toward the direction of their “primary” voters and become less inclined to stand in the middle or compromise. Many believe that the more hyperbolic their positions and excessive their behavior, the more likely they are to win primaries, raise online contributions, and appear on news talk shows.
And yet, in so doing, those members are representing the few, rather than the many. Most voters would rather see their representatives seek common ground to solve the many problems we face. All of this polarization has resulted in Americans becoming disenchanted and disengaged from their government, and social media has only heightened their discontent.
But it’s coming at us from all sides. We have all seen the nasty posts that sometimes even outperform cat videos. Depending on the show and the target audience, cable news will hire talent and invite guests that will reinforce their narrative that “the other side is destroying our country.” Scariest of all, the Russians and Chinese are using these divides and platforms to further promote our civil unrest.
Meanwhile, our cell phones and laptops have become a treasure trove of misinformation, fake news, and phony websites. Some say it’s become a dystopian wilderness where bots and trolls roam free. Our screens are stained by “disinformation,” the phrase aptly translated from the Russian word, dezinformatsiya, where it originated.
And computer algorithms are deliberately programmed to feed us more and more of the same content we seem interested in. We are inundated with our own carbon-copy thinking. We build ourselves echo chambers to reinforce our views. Conspiracy buffs become conspiracy nuts. Those prone to hate become more hateful. “Violence begets violence.”
For many years, political scientists were worried that the “uninformed” voter might sway close elections. We now face a more dangerous risk: “misinformed” elected officials and others peddling a false narrative.
And it’s never-ending. We have been overcome by the phenomenon of the new 24-month campaign cycle. The Republican effort to take back Congress began even before last year’s election was called. Earlier this year, many opposition candidates announced their candidacy for late next year. Elected representatives find themselves automatically shifted into perpetual campaign mode, which is good for election season but lethal to the legislative session. It’s no wonder we can’t compromise to get things done.
Almost three years ago, an American hero, John McCain, gave his farewell speech to the Senate. He spoke clearly of the necessity of compromise, and the need for humility and cooperation among his colleagues. No matter how much they disagreed, they had an “obligation to work collaboratively,” Senator McCain said.
“Stop listening to the bombastic loudmouths on the radio and television and the internet,” Senator McCain said. “To hell with them. They don’t want anything done for the public good. Our incapacity is their livelihood.”
Congress must turn away those who peddle fear and loathing, who seek out the worst in us, rather than the best. They mean us harm. They feed on our failures, grow stronger from our dissension. Worse they replicate, like a virus, ten-fold our own malice, mistrust, and malevolence.
We must continue to condemn hate speech at all costs, in every corner of Congress, on both sides of the aisle, and throughout society, so we can take back the House from those who would divide it.
America is the greatest nation on the Earth. Indeed, India is a part of the American Heritage from the very beginning. Upon declaration of our Independence on July 4, 1776, one of the first three heads of State who recognized the sovereignty of the United States was Tipu Sultan from India.
Morocco was the first country to recognize the Independence of the United States of America and signed the Moroccan-American Treaty of Friendship, the first of its kind. Friesland, one of the seven United Provinces of the Dutch Republic were the next to recognize, and Tipu Sultan, the King of Mysore State (India), was the third.
Today, we celebrate our Independence and democracy. Indians and Americans have a shared heritage. America is the oldest democracy in the world, and India is the largest democracy.
Both George Washington and Tipu Sultan fought our common enemy Lord Cornwallis – Washington chased him out of America, and Tipu Sultan defeated him in one of three wars but lost to him in the 4th war of Mysore. Cornwallis bribed Tipu’s confidant Mir Sadiq to get information about Tipu’s whereabouts and hit him from the back. Had Mir Sadiq not betrayed Tipu Sultan, India would have achieved her freedom in 1799, right behind America in 1776.
Tipu Sultan, ruler of the kingdom of Mysore in India, was one of the first three heads of State who recognized the sovereignty of the United States
Tipu Sultan also sent a congratulatory message to George Washington, which I believe is in the National Library of France. I am seeking a copy of the same as a record.
Both George Washington and Tipu Sultan died in the same year, 1799, Washington on December 14, 1799, and Sultan on May 4, 1799.
Dr. Chik Range Gowda, an authority on Tipu Sultan in Bangalore, whom I met several times, believes that Tipu Sultan funded George Washington’s Army. So, we have to find that document, and I welcome the reader to do the research.
Dr. Gowda also presented me with a brass bust of Tipu Sultan made on the Bicentenary of Tipu’s death in 1999, and it is one of my cherished possessions. I had let go of many of my collections to choose to live a minimalist life, but I have kept Tipu’s bust. So, I may have to present this to the Smithsonian to preserve it. But unfortunately, my kids will have no value for it.
The Mysorean Rocket was Tipu Sultan’s invention. He also invented the Torpedo, known as Bangalore Torpedo, which is considered the precursor for American rockets that went to the Moon.
Thomas Jefferson wrote the immortal Declaration of our Independence on July 4, 1776. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar also made an immortal declaration about India’s Preamble on January 22, 1947. “It was, indeed, a way of life, which recognizes liberty, equality, and fraternity as the principles of life, and which cannot be divorced from each other: Liberty cannot be divorced from equality; equality cannot be divorced from liberty. Nor can liberty and equality be divorced from fraternity. Without equality, liberty would produce the supremacy of the few over the many. Equality without liberty would kill individual initiative. Without fraternity, liberty and equality could not become a natural course of things.”
Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution says that all citizens have the right to freedom of speech and expression. Freedom of Speech and expression means the right to express one’s own convictions and opinions freely by words of mouth, writing, printing, pictures, or any other mode.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” The first amendment of the Constitution of the United States
Both India and America have identical Human Rights – the right to equality, right to freedom, rights against exploitation, right to freedom of religion, and constitutional remedies.
Indeed, the objectives stated by the Preamble are to secure justice, liberty, equality for all citizens and promote fraternity to maintain unity and integrity of the nation.
The above declarations resonate with Muslims as well. Prophet Muhamad (pbuh) made a similar announcement on March 6, 632 AD, Eleven hundred forty-four (1144) years before Jefferson’s declaration. “All mankind is from Adam and Eve; an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also, a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action.”
When Mahatma Gandhi was seeking Independence from the British, Churchill had said nasty things about Indians. He did not believe Indians can handle democracy, and they have proven him wrong repeatedly. Indians are inherently democratic in their views.
Until 2014, India was a stable democracy and was on track to become a great nation as a non-aligned leader. However, India is going through a turbulent time now, and we pray for her recovery. Prime Minister Modi has failed the Indians on the economy, social cohesion, human rights, and democracy, and he will be voted out in the 2024 elections. Indians believe in freedom, and fascism is anathema to them. Indian democracy is resilient.
India and the United States will continue to have a strong relationship to bring peace and security to the world.
As Indian Americans, and Muslim Americans, we uphold, protect, defend, and celebrate the values enshrined in the U.S. constitution. We believe in the creed of “One Nation under God, with liberty and justice for all.” God bless America, India, and the humanity.
(Dr. Mike Ghouse is the founder and president of the Center for Pluralism. He is a speaker, thinker, author, peacemaker, community consultant, pluralist, activist, newsmaker, and interfaith wedding officiant. Mike is deeply committed to Free speech, Human Rights, and Pluralism in Religion, Politics, Societies, and the workplace. He has dedicated his life to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions to the media and policymakers. He can be reached at mikeghouse@gmail.com
PAN NALIN’S “LAST FILM SHOW” winsSECOND PLACE: BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE
And the TFF 2021 Audience Award Winners Are…
The 20th annual Tribeca Festival’s Audience Awards winners are for Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature and the first-ever Best Online Premiere. The first-place winners of Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature each receive a cash prize of $10,000.
Audiences/viewers were able to vote in person and online for their favorite films from the Festival, which just wrapped its 20th edition featuring 250 in-person events inside and out, and close to 100,000 attendees in all five New York City boroughs and via the Tribeca at Home online viewing portal, as part of the virtual arm of Tribeca’s 20th-anniversary festival.
AUDIENCE AWARDS
The Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature went to “Catch the Fair One,” directed and written by Josef Kubota Wladyka, produced by Mollye Asher, Kimberly Parker, Josef Kubota Wladyka (United States) and executive produced by Darren Aronofsky. In this absorbing revenge thriller, a Native American boxer embarks on the fight of her life when she goes in search of her missing sister.
The Award for Best Documentary Feature went to “Blind Ambition,” directed by Robert Coe and Warwick Ross, written by Warwick Ross, Robert Coe, Paul Murphy, Madeleine Ross and produced by Warwick Ross and Robert Coe (Australia) – World Premiere. The inspiring story of four Zimbabwean men who form their country’s first Wine Tasting Olympics team and the mission that drives them to compete. In English, Shona with English subtitles.
“Ferguson Rises.” (Photo : TFF2021)
The Award for Best Online Premiere went to “Ferguson Rises,” directed by Mobolaji Olambiwonnu, written by Mobolaji Olambiwonnu, Bradinn French, Jeff Strik-er, Kai Bowe, Daisy Moand produced by Mobolaji Olambiwonnu, Daisy Mo, Tanayi Seabrook, TJ Ode-bunmi, Lisa Smithline, David Oyelowo, Jessica Oyelowo, Nick Moon and Tamika Lamison (United States). Before George Floyd, before Breonna Taylor, before America knew about Black Lives Matter, there was Michael Brown, Jr. Six years after the fatal shooting of an unarmed Brown by a white police officer, and the subsequent days of protest, filmmaker Mobolaji Olamb-iwonnu brings a new portrait of the community of Ferguson, including Dorian Johnson, and a narrative from within the city of hope, love and renewal.
Second Place for Best Narrative Feature went to “Last Film Show,” written and directed by Pan Nalin. Produced by Dheer Momaya. (India) – World Premiere. It tells the story of a 9-year-old boy Samay in a remote village in India who begins a lifelong love affair with cinema when he bribes his way into a rundown movie palace and spends a summer watching movies from the projection booth. With Bhavin Rabari, Vikas Bata, Richa Meena, Bhavesh Shrimali, Dipen Raval, Rahul Koli. In Gujarati with English subtitles. Opening Night Film Spotlight Section.
Second Place for Best Documentary Feature went to “A-ha the Movie,” directed and written by Thomas Robsahm, co-directed by Aslaug Holm. Produced by Yngve Sæther. (Norway, Germany) – World Premiere. Featuring new interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, Thomas Robsahm’s portrait of the band behind “Take On Me” follows their creative adventures and challenges after reaching global superstardom—all set to their catchiest synth hooks. With Morten Harket, Magne Furuholmen, Pål Waaktaar-Savoy. In English, Norwegian with English subtitles.
Second Place for Best Online Premieres went to “Venus as a Boy,” directed and written by Ty Hodges.
THE TRIBECA FESTIVAL
The Tribeca Festival is curated by Festival Director and VP of Programming Cara Cusumano along with a team of associate programmers.
The Festival was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2001 to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan following the attacks on the World Trade Center. Tribeca celebrated its 20th year June 9 – 20, 2021. To learn more, visit tribecafilm.com/festival
THE 2021 TRIBECA FESTIVAL PARTNERS
The 2021 Tribeca Festival is presented by AT&T and with the support of several corporate partners.
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ASIA
TFF2020
DIR: RUTHY PRIBAR l 2020 l Israel l Hebrew & Russian/w Eng Subs l
Feature New York Premiere l 1h 25m
TRIBECA FESTIVAL 2020 WINNER: BEST ACTRESS
NORA EPHRON AWARD
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
“A hypnotizing performance by Shira Haas.” – Eric Kohn, IndieWire
“Even when in the darkest part of your life, you can see beauty.”- Moment Magazine
Shira Haas made an indelible impression (she was nominated for an Emmy and won an Independent Spirit Award) as the lead in the recent TV series “Unorthodox.” In “Asia” she stars as a Russian emigre (Vika) to Israel, navigating her teenage years with her single mother Asia (Alena Yiv), burdened by an illness that makes all of her decisions infinitely more poignant.
Young single mother Asia (Alena Yiv) hides nothing about her work-hard, play-hard lifestyle, and expects the same openness and honesty from her teenage daughter Vika (Shira Haas). But when Vika’s health declines, her need for independence and romantic exploration become paramount, and Asia realizes she must change her ways to allow her daughter to live her own life.
Release: Playing At Home and in Theaters nationwide.
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THE PRICE OF FREEDOM
DIR: JUDD EHRLICH l 1h 30m
OFFICIAL SELECTION: TRIBECA FESTIVAL 2021
TFF2021
“The Price of Freedom” is an unflinching look at the gun violence epidemic in America and the role the National Rifle Association, with its outsized political and cultural influence, has played over time. The NRA believes the deaths of innocent Americans are a necessary price to pay for the freedom to own firearms without restrictions. By manipulating the narrative around guns and backing politicians who commit to upholding their agenda, the NRA has cost us far more than we realize. Featuring passionate pleas from President William J. Clinton, Representative Lucy McBath (D-GA) and Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT); NRA Board Member and former NRA President David Keene, and activists on all sides of the issue, The Price of Freedom presents a compelling case for those brave enough to take a stand against the NRA in defense of our communities and collective future.
“The Neutral Ground,” which debuted at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival, documents the fight over monuments in New Orleans and America’s troubled romance with the Lost Cause. In 2015, director CJ Hunt begins filming the New Orleans City Council’s vote to remove four Confederate monuments. But when that removal is halted by death threats, Hunt sets out to understand why a losing army from 1865 still holds so much power in America. To learn more, visit neutralgroundfilm.com
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, and Health & Wellness.)
WASHINGTON (TIP): US President Joe Biden has nominated Indian American circuit court chief judge Shalina D Kumar as a federal judge for the Eastern District of Michigan, the White House announced on Wednesday, June 30.
Nominated by Biden to the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Chief Judge Shalina D Kumar has served on the Oakland County Sixth Circuit Court since 2007. She was appointed Chief Judge of the Circuit Court by the Michigan Supreme Court in January of 2018, a media release said.
Shalina D Kumar would be the first federal judge of South Asian descent in Michigan, the White House said.
In addition to her chief judge duties, Judge Shalina D Kumar retains a full caseload covering both civil and criminal matters, the White House said.
Throughout her years on the bench, Shalina D Kumar has served as a presiding judge of the Adult Treatment Court, the Chairperson of the Oakland County Criminal Assignment Committee, the bench liaison to the Oakland County Bar Association Circuit Court Committee, a member of the Michigan State Bar Professionalism Committee, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Michigan Judges’ Association.
Prior to taking the bench, Shalina D Kumar was a civil litigator in private practice from 1997 to 2007, including as an associate with Weiner & Cox PLC from 2004 to 2007 and Sommers, Schwartz, Silver & Schwartz PC from 2000 to 2004.
She graduated from the University of Michigan in 1993 and the University of Detroit-Mercy School of Law in 1996.
She was appointed judge for the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County, Michigan by former Governor Jennifer Granholm on August 20, 2007, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Gene Schnelz. Shalina D Kumar was then elected to the court in 2008 and re-elected in 2014.
WASHINGTON (TIP): The Biden Administration has appointed Indian American diplomat Atul Keshap as Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim, in New Delhi to “reinforce the close US partnership with the Government and people of India.” A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Keshap will be departing for India following the retirement of US Ambassador Daniel Smith, the State Department said announcing his appointment Tuesday, June 29.
“Keshap’s appointment will reinforce the close US partnership with the Government and people of India, demonstrated by our collaboration to overcome global challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic,” the spokesperson’s office said in a media release.
He “will bring a wealth of experience to the role, having served previously at US Embassy New Delhi and as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia,” it added.
Keshap most recently served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs and as the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives.
Across his 27-year career as an American diplomat, Keshap has served at postings in India, Morocco, and Guinea, according to his official biography.
He has served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, as US Senior Official for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, and as an Office Director in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs and in the Bureau of International Organization Affairs.
Keshap has negotiated or advanced bilateral and multilateral initiatives at senior levels with counterparts from the European Union, United Nations, ASEAN, APEC, and governments across the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, Africa, and North and South America.
Previously Keshap served at the Department of Defense as the National Defense University’s Vice Chancellor for the College of International Security Affairs.
Earlier in his career, he served as Director for North Africa and Middle East regional affairs on the National Security Council staff in the Executive Office of the President of the United States.
In 2018, Keshap received one of the State Department’s highest honors, the Distinguished Honor Award, in recognition of his leadership in advancing US interests in the Indian Ocean region.
He is also the recipient of a 2019 Presidential Meritorious Rank Award, as well as numerous individual State Department Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards, and six senior executive performance pay awards.
WASHINGTON (TIP): Nine of the 11 finalists for this year’s US Spelling Bee contest are Indian Americans, reflecting the dominance young kids from the small ethnic community have had on this prestigious and high-pressure endurance test for more than a decade now. The 11 spellers, of which nine are Indian-Americans, will compete for the champion title during the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals on July 8, a statement said on Monday, June 28. During the in-person finals, the Bee will have the option of activating a spell-off if needed. The spell-off would be activated in the closing minutes of the competition if a champion has not yet been declared in a traditional, one-person, one-word round, it said. “We are honored to introduce our 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee Finalists. Round after round, this group of spellers proved their mettle, and we look forward to seeing them show off their knowledge and hard work as they square off against the dictionary on the national stage,” said Dr J Michael Durnil, executive director of the Bee.
“Congratulations to all of this year’s 209 national qualifiers – they’ve persevered over a year that has been challenging in many ways, and our team is proud to have witnessed their journey,” he said.
The National Bee is a high-profile, high-pressure endurance test as much as a nerd spelling match and spellers spend months preparing for it. The final rounds of this year’s contest will be hosted in person at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida, and will be broadcast live in prime time on ESPN2.
The 11 finalists are Roy Seligman, 12, from Nassau, The Bahamas; Bhavana Madini, 13, from New York; Sreethan Gajula, 14, from Charlotte, North Carolina; Ashrita Gandhari, 14, from Leesburg, Virginia; Avani Joshi, 13, from Illinois; Zaila Avant-garde, 14, from New Orleans; Vivinsha Veduru, 10, from Texas; Dhroov Bharatia, 12, from Dallas; Vihaan Sibal, 12, from Texas; Akshainie Kamma, 13, from Texas and Chaitra Thummala, 12, from San Francisco.
Over the past 20 years, Indian Americans have been dominating the Spelling Bee contest even though they comprise only about 1 per cent of the US population.
The Bee was cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. But there were eight co-champions in 2019, seven of whom were Indian Americans, bringing the total number of Indian-American champions since 1999 to 26.
HOUSTON (TIP): An Indian American couple and their one-year-old child are among more than 150 people who are still missing after the collapse of part of a 12-story residential building in the US state of Florida on Thursday, June 24, according to media reports on Monday, June 28.
Search and rescue teams have been feverishly scouring the site since shortly after 55 of the building’s 136 units fell. Nine people have been confirmed killed, officials have said. Vishal Patel, 42, his wife Bhavna Patel, 38, and their one-year-old daughter Aishani Patel are believed to be among the missing, their niece Sarina Patel told media, adding that Bhavna Patel is four months pregnant. Sarina Patel said she last spoke to her family on Father’s Day.
“I had actually called them to tell them I had just booked a flight to come visit because they’ve been asking me to come to see their home and to meet their daughter. I haven’t met her due to the pandemic,” she said on Friday.
They were home at the time the collapse took place, she said. “We have tried calling them countless times and there’s just been no answers, text messages, nothing. They haven’t contacted anybody,” she said.
Bhavna is a British and US citizen, the British media reported.
Umma Kannayan, a family friend of the Patels, told the BBC that they were a “very loving” family who were closely involved in their religious community.
“Aishani was like the little baby of the temple,” she said. “It feels like you’ve lost a part of yourself.”
She said she was waiting with the Patel family’s relatives for news, but that “not much information has been shared” about the victims.
“I think all of us, the family included, and the folks that are very closely associated with them [at temple] would want to know the list of survivors currently present,” she said. “Perhaps from there some hope either might be given or might be shattered, but some names out there would be very helpful for all.” Meanwhile, the painstaking search for survivors is continuing as families waiting for news are increasingly fearing the worst. Some prayed for a miracle. Others have already begun to speak about their loved ones in the past tense.
As of Sunday, at least nine have been confirmed dead and more than 150 people are still unaccounted for, authorities said. (The number of the dead has gone up to 16 on June 30)
On 24 June, a building at the Champion Towers South Condo, around seven miles away from Miami beach, partially collapsed leaving at least five dead and 156 missing. Emergency officials are asking people to contact them if they have relatives unaccounted for.
A state of emergency has been declared by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
The number of people unaccounted for is 159, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told reporters Friday — up from the figure of 99 that officials gave Thursday afternoon, according to media reports.
Those 159 people “have been identified as possibly being on the site. So those are people that maybe live there, but we don’t know whether they were there at the time,” the mayor said at a news conference on Friday afternoon in Surfside.
Numerous search and rescue personnel have been scouring the rubble, including from the surface, with search dogs, sonar and cameras.
Structural engineers also have been shoring up other places — such as areas near a parking garage underneath the rubble — to allow crews to tunnel underneath with light machinery.
The building’s residents reflected South Florida’s international and cultural mix, with affluent families from Argentina, Paraguay and Colombia and a tight-knit Jewish community.
President Joe Biden on Friday approved an emergency declaration for the state, making federal aid available to Florida.
The cause of the partial collapse of the building is not known.
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Harry Singh Bolla
The collective effort of Americans to overcome the monstrous COVID-19 has yielded results, and this 4th of July, Americans do not feel as unsafe as in 2020 to get out and get together to celebrate the Independence Day of the United States of America.
