The Indian Panorama

Tag: Florida

  • US unemployment applications reach over 26m as many States struggle to deal with the Pandemic

    US unemployment applications reach over 26m as many States struggle to deal with the Pandemic

    NEW YORK (TIP):  From a record  number of employments to a  record-breaking number of unemployment, the US is facing a grim situation with joblessness. The total number of Americans filing for  unemployment shot up to  over 26 million, with the addition of  l 4.4 million Americans who filed for unemployment last week since the coronavirus pandemic shut down swaths of the US and brought its economy to a standstill.

    The latest Department of Labor figures show the pace of layoffs appears to have slowed slightly but a backlog of claims mean millions more are likely to file in the coming weeks. States across the country are encountering problems with the sheer number of people applying for unemployment benefits.

    In New York, laid off workers still struggle to file for unemployment and wait to receive benefits. Between the weeks ending March 14th and April 11th, 1.2 million New Yorkers have filed unemployment claims—a number far greater than the 300,000 who submitted unemployment claims during the 2008 financial crisis.

    New York’s Department of Labor has struggled under the burden of incoming unemployment claims since Governor Andrew Cuomo’s executive order shutting down non-essential businesses took effect. The DOL has added 2,700 workers to process unemployment applications, expanded the hours jobless individuals can file claims, and sent $2.2 billion to 1.1 million unemployed New Yorkers.

    As calls overwhelmed phone lines and cascading web traffic caused the DOL website to repeatedly crash, Cuomo announced that the state had retained assistance from Google, Deloitte, and Verizon to speed up claims processing with a “Tech Surge.”

    Yet despite those fixes, many New Yorkers said they remain unable to complete an unemployment application.

    In Florida,  the widespread collapse of its already flawed benefits system, just 14.2% of the more than 668,000 claims filed since 15 March have been paid. In Ohio, claimants now have to file on a specific day of the week, depending on the first letter of their last name, to ease congestion. Washington residents are complaining that the state’s website crashes or takes hours to respond. Elsewhere, too, people have complained that they cannot access the website  to file their unemployment claims.

    Delays in processing applications have boosted the weekly totals in recent weeks but economists believe the unprecedented wave of claims is near its peak.

    However, there seems to be no respite for Americans facing, probably, the most challenging economic conditions in recent history of the nation.

    (With inputs from agencies and Labor department)  

  • 11 Indian Citizens infected with Coronavirus die in US, Sixteen more test Positive

    NEW YORK  (TIP):  At least 11 Indians have died of COVID-19 in the United States with another 16 testing positive for the infection that has claimed more than 16,000 lives and afflicted more than  460,000 people in the US.

    All Indian citizens who have died due to the deadly infection in the US are male. Ten of them are from New York and New Jersey area while four of them are said to be taxi drivers in New York City.

    New York City has emerged as the epicenter for COVID-19 in the US, accounting for more than 6,000 deaths and over 1,38,000 cases of infections. New Jersey accounts for 1,500 deaths and nearly 48,000 infections.

    One Indian reportedly died in Florida from the virus. Authorities are also ascertaining the nationality of some other Indian origin people in the states of California and Texas.

    All 16 Indians, including four females, who have tested positive for coronavirus are in self-quarantine. Coming from diverse backgrounds, eight of them are from New York, three from New Jersey and rest from other states like Texas and California. Those infected are from Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh.

    Indian Embassy and consulates across the US are working closely with local authorities and Indian-American organizations to provide necessary assistance to the Indians affected with coronavirus.

    Because of the strict travel restrictions and regulations to prevent the spread of the deadly virus, local city officials have been performing the last rites of the deceased and in many cases are not allowing even their immediate family members to attend their cremations, officials said.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Hurricane Michael batters Florida Panhandle: At least Six Dead; 1.3 Million without Power

    Hurricane Michael batters Florida Panhandle: At least Six Dead; 1.3 Million without Power

    PANAMA CITY(TIP): At least six people were killed by the most powerful storm to hit the Florida Panhandle in recorded history. Officials warned Thursday, October 11, that the number was likely to rise as search crews struggled to gain access to ravaged areas and sift through the piles of debris.

    Utility companies said more than 1.3 million customers remained without power from Florida to Virginia on Thursday evening as Michael — still a tropical storm more than a day after landfall — remained dangerous, with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph.

    Michael made landfall in Mexico Beach, Florida, on Wednesday just shy of Category 5 hurricane strength, with winds gusting at 155 mph. While the storm weakened through the night as it passed over Georgia, it still proved deadly.

    “Unfortunately, in these types of things as we go through and sift through damage, ultimately those who didn’t heed warnings, particularly around the Mexico Beach area — we typically see deaths climb, unfortunately,” Brock Long, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said on CBS on Thursday.

    Florida Gov. Rick Scott said Thursday morning: “This hurricane was an absolute monster. And the damage left in its wake is still yet to be fully understood.”

     

  • Florida passes Bill to restrict guns, minimum age to buy firearms raised to 21

    Florida passes Bill to restrict guns, minimum age to buy firearms raised to 21

    MIAMI (TIP): The US state of Florida, scene of America’s latest school shooting, has passed Bill that raises the minimum age to buy firearms to 21 while funding a program that allows some teachers and school employees to be armed.

    The “Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act,” which takes its name from February 14 massacre in which 17 persons, including 14 students were killed, passed the legislature’s lower house a day after clearing the senate.

    It will now be sent to Governor Rick Scott to sign. The Republican has not indicated whether he would veto the law, but he has previously expressed opposition to US President Donald Trump’s call to arm teachers.

    America’s long moribund gun control debate was revived by survivors of the Parkland shooting, who a day after their school was attacked launched the “Never Again” movement demanding legislative action.

    The Bill raises the minimum age to purchase all firearms from 18 to 21, a move opposed by the powerful National Rifle Association lobby group, bans modification devices that make a semi-automatic weapon fully automatic, and increases mental health funding.

    It also includes a voluntary “guardian program” named after Coach Aaron Feis who was slain in the Parkland attack, which is intended to “aid in the prevention or abatement of active assailant incidents on school premises” by allowing some school employees to be armed.

    The program is mainly aimed at staff such as coaches and school personnel, with teachers eligible if they have military or law enforcement experience. Bringing more guns into school has been a controversial idea, but lawmakers defended the Bill.

    Meanwhile, Democrat legislators said the guardian program was a “poison pill” in a law otherwise taking necessary steps towards gun control. African-American representatives also expressed fears that arming black school employees could leave them vulnerable to being mistaken for attackers by police arriving on the scene of a mass shooting.

    However, the Bill does not ban the sale of the AR-15 assault rifle-the weapon used by Nikolas Cruz-one of activists’ key demands.

    The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act

    Imposes a three-day waiting period for the purchase of all firearms, not just handguns, or until a background check is completed, whichever is longer

    Raises the minimum legal age to purchase a rifle or shotgun to 21 from 18. Federal law already prohibits anyone under 21 from buying a handgun

    Outlaws bump stocks, which enable a semi-automatic weapon to be fired as an automatic weapon. Such devices were used in a mass shooting in Las Vegas last year

    Allows local sheriff’s departments to establish a “guardian program” in which school personnel can be permitted to voluntarily carry a gun on the job

    Allows police to temporarily seize firearms from someone who has been taken into custody for an involuntary mental examination under Florida’s so-called Baker Act statute

    Prohibits anyone from owning or possessing a firearm who has been judged mentally incompetent or has been committed to a mental institution, until a court rules otherwise

  • Nassau County Human Rights Commission holds Vigil for Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Florida Parkland shooting victims

    Nassau County Human Rights Commission holds Vigil for Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Florida Parkland shooting victims

    MINEOLA, NY (TIP): Human Rights Commission of Nassau County organized, February 20th, a vigil for the victims of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Parkland, Florida.

    Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder assured residents of police vigilance to ward off any attack on a school

    County Executive Laura Curran, Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, Legislator John Ferretti, Legislator Rose Walker, Legislator Ellen Birnbaum, Legislator Kevan Abrahams, Legislator Rich Nicolello, Legislator Vincent Muscarella, NCHR Commissioners, Executive Director Rodney Mcrae attended, besides Community Political, Religious leaders, and the media.

    About a dozen school kids held placards which said schools should be safer for children.

    Speakers described the shooting as one of the worst shootings in recent years which took away 17 young lives. In one voice they said there was need to have stricter gun control laws if such tragedies were to be averted in future. Speakers suggested background checks, mental health checks, and keeping dangerous guns off the reach of everyone.

    NCHRC Chairman Bobby Kalotee said the outdated gun control laws need to be looked in to make schools and neighborhoods safe.

    Prayers were offered prior to address by speakers. Dr. Bobby Kalotee, Chairman of NCHRC conducted the meeting.

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  • Indian American Teacher Turns Super Woman To Save Many During Florida Shooting

    Indian American Teacher Turns Super Woman To Save Many During Florida Shooting

    When an alarm went on for the second time on Wednesday afternoon, Shanthi Viswanathan shut the doors to her algebra classroom, made the students crouch on the floor and covered the windows, keeping them out of the reach and sight of the gunman, the Sun-Sentinel reported.

    Florida (TIp): An Indian American math teacher, Shanthi Viswanathan is being appreciated for saving the lives of her students like a super woman during the shooting rampage at a Florida high school on February 14th that left 17 dead.

    When an alarm went on for the second time on Wednesday afternoon, Shanthi Viswanathan shut the doors to her algebra classroom, made the students crouch on the floor and covered the windows, keeping them out of the reach and sight of the gunman, the Sun-Sentinel reported.

    “She was quick on her feet. She used her knowledge. She saved a lot of kids,” Dawn Jarboe, the mother of one of Ms. Viswanathan’s students, told the newspaper.

    When an elite police contingent known as a SWAT team came and knocked on the door asking her to open it, “Viswanathan took no chance that it wasn’t a trick by the gunman to get in” the newspaper said.

    “She said, ‘knock it down or open it with a key. I’m not opening the door,’” Dawn Jarboe quoted her as telling the police.

    “Some SWAT guy took out the window and cleared our room,” Dawn Jarboe’s son, Brian, texted his mother, the newspaper said.

    A former student of the school, Nikolas Cruz, is in custody and being charged for the hideous crime.

     

  • Indian American Danny Gaekwad appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to University of Central Florida Board of Trustees

    Indian American Danny Gaekwad appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to University of Central Florida Board of Trustees

    Florida (TIP):  Indian American Danny Gaekwad has been appointed by Governor Rick Scott  to the University of Central Florida Board of Trustees. Gaekwad has been appointed for a five-year term starting February 2, 2018, through January 6, 2023. Scott announced Gaekwad’s new position with 11 other appointments on February 2.

    The twelve appointments to state boards announced by the Governor include 7 reappointments.

    Ocala, Florida,-based Digvijay “Danny” Gaekwad is a first-generation Indian American businessman. A serial entrepreneur with more than three decades of experience in setting up successful businesses, Gaekwad is the founder and CEO of NDS USA Information Technology, an IT firm, and Danny G Management that runs a chain of restaurants and hotels across Florida. He has founded businesses in diverse fields such as convenience stores, real estate, hospitality and information technology.

    Born in Baroda, Gujarat, Gaekwad has served on several boards including Enterprise Florida, Inc., Visit Florida, Florida Chamber of Commerce, Marion County Visitor and Convention Bureau, Marion County Tourism Development Council, Marion County Planning and Zoning Commissioner, Space Florida, Independence National Bank, and Taylor, Bean & Whitaker.

    A graduate in political science from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India, Gaekwad has several accolades to his credit. Among these are Asian American Hotel Owners Association Chairman’s Award, ‘One Million Jobs’ certificate, Lion of the Year Award, Leaders Leader Award and Glorious India Chairman’s Award.

    Gaekwad lives in Ocala with his wife Manisha Gaekwad, and two sons Karan Gaekwad and Kunal Gaekwad.

  • Florida School Shooting: 17 gunned down, 14 wounded

    Florida School Shooting: 17 gunned down, 14 wounded

    White Supremacy Group Claims Nikolas Cruz as Member

    Indrajit S Saluja

    PARKLAND, FLA (TIP): It was a horrific sight at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School here on February 14, the day of love, with 17 young students shot dead and another fourteen wounded, five with life-threatening injuries, according to hospital officials, in the worst shooting in a school in 2018. The shooting suspect-Nikolas Cruz- is said to be an expelled student of the school. Cruz used a semiautomatic AR-15 rifle which, according to officials, he had bought legally to snuff out precious lives of students from the school he had been to. A pall of gloom descended on Parkland which once was described as the most peaceful place with a small community.

    The authorities said the AR-15 rifle that Cruz used in the attack was purchased legally, at Sunrise Tactical Supply in Florida, according to a federal law enforcement official. “No laws were violated in the procurement of this weapon,” said Peter J. Forcelli, the special agent in charge for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Miami. In Florida, an AR-15 is easier to buy than a handgun.

    The 19-year-old former student Nikolas Cruz, set off a fire alarm to draw students out of classrooms shortly before the day ended. The suspect was taken into custody without incident about a mile away from the school. He was charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder Thursday, February 15. He appeared before a judge in Broward County via video conference, clad in an orange jumpsuit and shackled around his hands, feet and waist.

    After Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in 2012 in which 20 first graders and six adults were killed, more than 400 people have been shot in over 200 school shootings. Since then, there have been at least 239 school shootings nationwide. In those incidents, 438 people were shot, 138 of whom were killed.

    The data used here is from the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit that began tracking school shootings in 2014, about a year after Sandy Hook.

    A white nationalist group claims the suspected gunman as a member.

    According to The Associated Press, Jordan Jereb, the leader of Republic of Florida, said that his group wants Florida to become its own white ethno-state. He said his group holds “spontaneous random demonstrations” and tries not to participate in the modern world.

     Jereb also said Cruz had “trouble with a girl” and he believed the timing of the attack, carried out on Valentine’s Day, wasn’t a coincidence.

    The latest tragedy has made many demand stricter gun control laws. They are convinced that President Trump’s argument that a good man with gun can tackle a bad man with gun is not a solution to the problem. It remains to be seen how the movement to have some kind of gun control gets the support of lawmakers, many of whom depend heavily on National Rifle association (NRA) money.

    Here are some Republican politicians sorrowing the shootings, who took money from NRA.

    Marco Rubio: ‘Today is that terrible day you pray never comes’ – $3,303,355 reportedly accepted from NRA

    Cory Gardner: ‘I am heartbroken for the students… in this tragedy’ – $3,879,064

    Rob Portman: ‘Heartbreaking news out of Florida. Jane and I send our prayers’ – $3,061,941

    Bill Cassidy: ‘Praying for the students, teachers and first responders’ – $2,861,047

    Thom Tillis: ‘Tragic news out of Florida. Please keep the victims… in your thoughts and prayers’ – $4,418,012

    Ken Buck: ‘Praying today for the students and all those impacted’ – $800,544

    With lawmakers in the pocket of NRA, how do we expect a legislation which hurts NRA?

    Over to Americans and the lawmakers.

  • Indian American student injured during Florida High School shooting in US

    Indian American student injured during Florida High School shooting in US

    Florida (TIP) : 17 An Indian-American student has sustained injuries ,17 persons, including students , were killed at a Florida high school in the United States by a gun-toting former student, report says.

    Meanwhile, the perpetrator has been identified as Nicolas Cruz. He has been arrested and taken into custody. The incident took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

    US President Donald Trump has expressed condolences. It has been learnt that he spoke with the Florida Governor and was in touch with other top officials. Trump was tracking the tragic incident. First lady Melania Trump has also expressed grief over the incident. The mass shooting is reportedly 18th school shooting of the year and said to be one of the deadliest ones. The incident has once again raised the debate on the much-talked about gun control legislation in the US.

    Reports so far:

    • Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel has said, “Nicolas Cruz was the killer. He is in custody. We already began to dissect his websites and social media that he was on … some of the things that come to mind are very, very disturbing,”
    • 19-year-old Cruz is a former student of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Cruz got expelled from the school for disciplinary reasons, the Broward County Sheriff said. The suspect had countless magazines, he added.
    • Police said that apparently the former student was carrying one AR-15 rifle. However, they were trying ascertain whether he had other arms or not.
    • According to reports, of the 17 dead, 12 were inside the building, two were shot dead just outside the building, one was on a street outside the school, and two people lost their lives at a hospital. Israel, however, could not confirm the number of victim students.
    • It has been learnt that the school has quite a number of Indian American students. It is believed that at least one student from the community was injured in the incident, according to reports. The ninth grade student had sustained minor injures as he was hit by splinters. He was being treated at a hospital.
    • “This is a sad day for the country and the community. We all Indian Americans are praying for the victims,” Shekar Reddy, whose friend’s son was among those injured in the mass shooting, told PTI.
    • President Donald Trump in a tweet expressed condolences, “My prayers and condolences to the families of the victims of the terrible Florida shooting. No child, teacher or anyone else should ever feel unsafe in an American school.” He also said that he has spoken to Governor Rick Scott. “We are working closely with law enforcement on the terrible Florida school shooting,” Trump said.
    • First lady Melania Trump said, “My heart is heavy over the school shooting in Florida. Keeping all affected in my thoughts & prayers.”

    Developing Story……..

     

  • Indian American Doctor Pariksith Singh recognized as the Frist Humanitarian Award Winner for the Year by Oak Hill Hospital

    Indian American Doctor Pariksith Singh recognized as the Frist Humanitarian Award Winner for the Year by Oak Hill Hospital

    BROOKSVILLE, FL (TIP): Oak Hill Hospital recently recognized Pariksith Singh, MD, as this year’s Frist Humanitarian Physician Award winner.

    The Frist Humanitarian Award was founded in 1971 and honors outstanding individuals for their humanitarian and volunteer activities. It is one of HCA’s Awards of Distinction and is one of the highest honors that HCA bestows on employees, physicians and volunteers. Named in honor of Dr. Thomas F. Frist Sr., a founder of HCA and renowned humanitarian, this award recognizes individuals whose daily dedication and care giving, epitomize the highest standards of quality and personal commitment.

    Dr. Singh was presented with the Special Doctor Service Award by iLa Ganeshan, a member of Parliament in India

    In recognizing Dr. Singh, his nomination included the following:

    1. Provides excellent healthcare to the community
    2. He puts his patients first
    3. His actions speak louder than words
    4. He shows respect for everyone

    Dr. Singh received his medical training in India and completed his residency at Mount Sinai Elmhurst in 1996. He has held his Board Certification in Internal Medicine since that time. Upon completion of his residency, he moved to Florida and began his medical career. In 2001, he co-founded Access Health Care, LLC, where he continues as CEO, Medical Director, owner and physician.

    Dr. Singh began the Auroveda Operating Foundation which includes the Community Outreach Center, Auro Community Garden, and the Kids’ Garden at Pine Grove Elementary School. Other organizations he supports include People Helping People, Disabled American Veterans, the Crescent Community Clinic, Wounded Warrior Project, and neighborhood schools

    In addition, he has established the Auroveda Integral Foundation in Jaipur, India. Through the foundation, he has organized an Ayervedic and Homeopathic dispensary. The center provides cost-free treatment. Further, the foundation has submitted a proposal to establish a healthcare wellness and AYUSH Center in Jaipur that would have satellite locations in rural areas. AYUSH is an acronym that is used to describe the non-allopathic medical system in India. AYUSH refers to Ayurveda, yoga, unani, siddha and homeopathic.

    Recently Dr. Singh was presented with the Special Doctor Service Award by iLa Ganeshan, a member of Parliament in India. The award was in recognition of Dr. Singh’s contributions to healthcare.