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  • Remembering the Heroes: A Tribute to India’s Martyrs on Martyrs Day

    Remembering the Heroes: A Tribute to India’s Martyrs on Martyrs Day

    By Prof. Indrajit S Saluja

    India celebrates Martyrs Day on March 23

    Martyrs Day in India stands as a solemn reminder of the sacrifice and valor exhibited by countless individuals who fought for the country’s freedom from British colonial rule. It is a day of reflection, commemoration, and reverence for those who laid down their lives in pursuit of liberty. As we observe this day, our thoughts naturally gravitate towards the courageous souls who inscribed the annals of India’s independence struggle with their blood. Among these luminaries, one name shines brightly – Bhagat Singh. However, it is imperative to recognize that he, along with his comrades Rajguru and Sukhdev, represents a legion of martyrs who epitomized the spirit of selfless sacrifice. Delving into their lives, beliefs, and writings unveils the essence of their profound commitment to the cause of freedom.

    March 23 holds a poignant significance in the history of India’s freedom struggle as it marks the day when Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were executed in Lahore Central Jail in 1931. While these three iconic figures are emblematic of the sacrifices made for India’s freedom, they stand as symbols representing the multitude of unsung heroes who valiantly fought and perished in the struggle against colonial oppression. Their martyrdom underscores the indomitable spirit of resistance and the unwavering commitment to the cause of independence.

    Bhagat Singh, often hailed as the epitome of revolutionary zeal, was more than just a martyr; he was a thinker, a visionary, and a fervent advocate of social justice. Born on September 28, 1907, in Banga, Punjab, Bhagat Singh was imbued with patriotic fervor from an early age. His revolutionary ideals were shaped by the prevailing socio-political milieu of colonial India, characterized by exploitation, inequality, and repression.

    Central to Bhagat Singh’s philosophy was his unwavering belief in the power of the masses to effectuate change. He viewed armed struggle not merely as a means to overthrow British rule but as a catalyst for social transformation. Bhagat Singh’s commitment to the socialist ideology and his advocacy for the rights of the marginalized sections of society distinguished him as a visionary far ahead of his time.

    The courage and audacity displayed by Bhagat Singh in his actions, most notably the Lahore Conspiracy Case and the Assembly Bomb Case, earned him widespread admiration and reverence. His daring exploits, coupled with his eloquent writings, catapulted him into the pantheon of India’s freedom fighters. Despite facing imminent death, Bhagat Singh remained resolute in his convictions, refusing to compromise his principles or seek clemency from the British authorities.

    From an early age, Bhagat Singh was drawn to the ideals of socialism and Marxism, which provided him with a framework to understand and analyze the socio-economic injustices prevalent in colonial India. Influenced by the works of Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, Vladimir Lenin, and other socialist thinkers, Bhagat Singh developed a nuanced understanding of class struggle, exploitation, and imperialism.

    Bhagat Singh’s political activism was grounded in the belief that the struggle against British colonial rule was intrinsically linked to the broader struggle for social and economic emancipation. He saw imperialism as not just a political domination but also an economic exploitation, with the British colonial rulers enriching themselves at the expense of the Indian masses.

    Moreover, Bhagat Singh was deeply critical of capitalism, which he viewed as inherently exploitative and oppressive. He believed that the capitalist system perpetuated inequalities and injustices, concentrating wealth and power in the hands of a few while impoverishing the masses. For Bhagat Singh, the fight against colonialism was inseparable from the fight against capitalism, as both systems worked hand in glove to perpetuate exploitation and subjugation.

    Bhagat Singh’s readings and writings reflect his intellectual depth and political acumen. Despite his young age, he was an avid reader and a prolific writer, penning numerous articles, essays, and pamphlets on a wide range of topics, including politics, history, philosophy, and socialism.

    One of Bhagat Singh’s most famous writings is his essay titled “Why I am an Atheist,” in which he eloquently articulates his rejection of religious dogma and his embrace of rationalism and scientific thinking. In this essay, Bhagat Singh critiques organized religion for its role in perpetuating superstition, ignorance, and social divisions. He argues that blind faith in religious doctrines stifles critical thinking and inhibits social progress, advocating instead for a rational and scientific approach to understanding the world.

    Bhagat Singh’s prison diary, written during his incarceration, provides profound insights into his thoughts, feelings, and experiences as a revolutionary activist facing imminent death. In these poignant writings, Bhagat Singh reflects on the nature of martyrdom, the significance of sacrifice, and the enduring legacy of the freedom struggle. Despite the hardships he endured, Bhagat Singh remained steadfast in his convictions, refusing to compromise his principles or seek clemency from the British authorities.

    Bhagat Singh’s political beliefs and writings continue to inspire generations of activists, thinkers, and revolutionaries, both in India and around the world. His uncompromising commitment to socialism, his critique of colonialism and capitalism, and his unwavering advocacy for social justice and equality resonate with contemporary struggles for liberation and emancipation.

    While Bhagat Singh’s name often dominates discussions surrounding India’s independence movement, it is essential to acknowledge the contributions of his comrades, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar. Alongside Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev formed the core of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), a revolutionary organization dedicated to the overthrow of British imperialism.

    Rajguru, born in Khed, Maharashtra, and Sukhdev, hailing from Ludhiana, Punjab, shared Bhagat Singh’s unwavering commitment to the cause of freedom. Their involvement in various acts of resistance, including the assassination of British police officer J.P. Saunders, exemplifies their dedication to the liberation struggle.

    Despite their pivotal roles in the independence movement, Rajguru and Sukhdev often remain overshadowed by the towering figure of Bhagat Singh. However, their sacrifice and valor are integral to the collective memory of India’s struggle for independence. It is incumbent upon us to commemorate their legacy and honor their contributions to the nation’s history.

    As we commemorate Martyrs Day and pay homage to the valiant souls who sacrificed their lives for India’s freedom, let us not confine our reverence to mere rituals and ceremonies. Instead, let us imbibe the spirit of courage, sacrifice, and resilience exemplified by Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, and countless other martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of liberty.

    The martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev serves as a potent reminder of the ideals that animated the freedom struggle. Their unyielding commitment to the principles of liberty, equality, and justice inspired generations of Indians to rise against colonial oppression. Moreover, their advocacy for socialism and their vision of a more equitable society resonate even in contemporary times.

    The legacy of India’s martyrs, particularly that of Bhagat Singh, transcends the boundaries of time and space, continuing to inspire and galvanize generations in the pursuit of freedom, justice, and equality. Their sacrifices serve as a poignant reminder of the price paid for independence and the unyielding spirit of resistance against oppression. The legacy of the martyrs for India’s struggle for freedom is multifaceted, encompassing ideological, cultural, and socio-political dimensions.

    At the heart of this legacy lies the indomitable spirit of courage and sacrifice exhibited by Bhagat Singh and his comrades. Their willingness to lay down their lives for the cause of freedom epitomizes the highest form of patriotism and selflessness. Their actions ignited a spark of rebellion that reverberated across the length and breadth of the country, mobilizing masses in the fight against British colonial rule.

    The martyrs’ steadfast commitment to the ideals of socialism and social justice left an indelible mark on India’s political landscape. Bhagat Singh, in particular, advocated for the empowerment of the oppressed classes and the eradication of social inequalities. His vision of a society based on egalitarian principles continues to resonate with activists and thinkers striving for a more just and equitable world.

    Moreover, the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh and his comrades catalyzed the evolution of the Indian nationalist movement, ushering in a new era of militant resistance. Their daring acts of defiance, including the bombing of the Central Legislative Assembly and the assassination of British police officer J.P. Saunders, challenged the conventional strategies of nonviolent protest advocated by leaders like Mahatma Gandhi.

    The legacy of the martyrs also underscores the significance of youth in driving social change and political transformation. Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were all in their twenties when they made the ultimate sacrifice for the country. Their idealism, passion, and fearlessness continue to inspire young Indians to actively engage in the struggle for a better future. Furthermore, the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh and his comrades served as a catalyst for the radicalization of the Indian nationalist movement, pushing it towards more assertive and confrontational tactics. Their actions forced the British colonial authorities to confront the growing tide of dissent and paved the way for the eventual attainment of independence.

    Their legacy serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for future generations, reminding us of the enduring power of ideals and the transformative potential of collective action. On this solemn occasion, let us reaffirm our commitment to upholding the values of freedom, democracy, and social justice for which these martyrs laid down their lives. As we reflect on their sacrifices, let us pledge to honor their memory by striving for a more just, equitable, and inclusive society. For in remembering the martyrs, we renew our resolve to build a nation worthy of their sacrifice.

  • ‘Arunachal part of India’: US amid China’s territorial claims

    ‘Arunachal part of India’: US amid China’s territorial claims

    New Delhi (TIP)- China and the US engaged in verbal skirmishing over India’s sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh with Beijing stating that it opposes American observations on the issue. China’s reaction came hours the US State Department said the US “recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory” and “we (the US) strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the LAC”. Speaking at his press conference on Wednesday, State Department Principal Deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said, “The United States recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control.”
    In response, the Chinese Foreign Office said it “strongly deplores and firmly opposes” the US recognition of Arunachal Pradesh as part of Indian territory, and told Washington that it had nothing to do with the India-China border dispute. It also accused the US of “instigating and using other countries’ disputes” for selfish geopolitical interests. “The question of the China-India border issue is between China and India and it has nothing to do with the US. It is well known that the US has been instigating and using other countries’ disputes by all means to serve its selfish geo-political interests,” said the Chinese Foreign Office spokesperson at a media briefing in Beijing on Thursday, March 21.
    Earlier, the Chinese government had deployed its Foreign and Defence Ministries to criticise Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating projects in Arunachal Pradesh that will further strengthen India’s border management. Source: TNS

  • Systematic effort to cripple Cong financially: Sonia Gandhi’s all-out attack on PM

    Systematic effort to cripple Cong financially: Sonia Gandhi’s all-out attack on PM

    New Delhi (TIP)- The Congress on Thursday, March 21, fielded its top three leaders, party president Mallikarjun Kharge and former presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, to launch a frontal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his administration, accusing the government of virtually freezing the main opposition party’s bank accounts weeks before the general elections.
    In the first joint press conference addressed by the three, the leaders alleged there was no level playing field before the polls because the Congress was unable to operate its accounts. They also disclosed that in addition to the ongoing tax dispute with the Income Tax (I-T) department over the assessment year (AY) 2018-19, the party received a fresh notice on March 14 over alleged discrepancies in AY 1994-95, when the late Sitaram Kesri was the party treasurer. “A systematic effort is underway by the PM to cripple Congress financially,” said Sonia Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi echoed her. “This is a criminal action on the Congress by the PM and the home minister. This type of activity doesn’t happen without them in today’s India,” he said. The Congress leadership said that they were unable to book flights for its leaders or advertisement spaces due to the shortage of funds.
    Kharge contrasted the Congress’s inability to operate its account to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) “amassing huge resources through electoral bonds and other means”. “This can’t be called a free and fair election…. In the 75 years of India’s democratic system, no other party has amassed so much money (as the BJP). For the first time, the government is making money from various ways. …if you want an impartial election, our party’s account should be freed. BJP has never paid any income tax. We are waiting for the final decision of the law,” he said.
    In her statement, Sonia Gandhi said the issues taken up were “extremely serious”.
    “This issue affects not just the Congress, but impacts our democracy most fundamentally. A systematic effort is underway by the PM to cripple the INC financially. Funds from the public are frozen and money from our accounts is being taken away forcibly. However, even under these most challenging circumstances, we are doing our very best to maintain the effectiveness of our poll campaigning,” she added.
    Registered political parties are exempted from paying tax on specified income such as voluntary contributions, house property, income from other sources and capital gains, under section 13A of the Income Tax Act. But this exemption is subject to a set of stipulations, including maintenance of books of account, records of each contribution of more than ?20,000 and audit reports by a chartered accountant Additionally, political parties must not receive donation of more than Rs 2,000 otherwise than by way of cheque, demand draft or through bank account. Parties must also furnish their verified return of income for the previous year
    The Congress’s claim of full exemption was rejected on two grounds. One, the party did not submit its return of income within the time limit and two, the Congress received cash donations to the tune of ?14.49 lakh in excess of ?2,000. The Congress has rejected the allegation, saying it submitted returns within the stipulated time and the money received was from party legislators and office-bearers, and therefore could not be construed as “donations” under the IT Act.

  • SBI complies with SC order, gives EC data on electoral bonds

    SBI complies with SC order, gives EC data on electoral bonds

    New Delhi (TIP)- The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday, March 21, released State Bank of India (SBI) data listing the unique serial number linked with each electoral bond (EB) and other details about beneficiaries and donors, allowing the matching purchasers of bonds with the political parties that received the funds. The latest tranche of data – the third such trove to be released over the past two weeks on the orders of the Supreme Court – appeared to be the final key to the political funding puzzle locked away behind a veil of anonymity that was finally dispelled by the Supreme Court when it held the scheme unconstitutional last month.
    “In compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions, SBI has provided data pertaining to electoral bonds to ECI today i.e. March 21, 2024. The ECI has uploaded it on its website as received from SBI on an ‘as is where is basis’,” the poll body said in a statement.
    The two sets of data – 552 pages of details of redemption by political parties and 386 pages of details of donors – cover electoral bonds purchased and redeemed from April 12, 2019 until January 11, 2024. In the end, SBI took three days to disclose the data that it had asked the Supreme Court three months time for.
    The data revealed that Tamil Nadu-based Future Gaming and Hotel Services, the top donor that accounted for Rs 1,365 crore worth bonds, donated across party lines. Out of this, 39.7% (Rs 542 crore) went to the All India Trinamool Congress, 36.8% (Rs 503 crore) to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), 11.3% (Rs 154 crore) to the YSR Congress, 7.3% (Rs 100 crore) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and 3.7% (Rs 50 crore) to the Congress. The second highest donor – Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) – donated 60.5% of its Rs 966 crore to the BJP and 20.2% (Rs 195 crore) to the Telangana-based Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
    The third highest donor, Thane-based Qwik Supply Chain donated 91.5% of its Rs 410 crore to the BJP followed by 6% (Rs 25 crore) to the Shiv Sena. It donated Rs 10 crore (2.4%) to Nationalist Congress Party. According to Zaubacorp, a website that scrapes data from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, and LinkedIn profiles, two of the directors of the firm are employees of the Reliance group and are directors of multiple Reliance Group companies.
    Mining behemoth Vedanta Limited donated Rs 230.15 crore, or 57.5% of its total bonds worth Rs 400.35 crore, to the BJP, followed by Rs 125 crore (31.2%) to the Congress.
    The Kolkata-based RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group’s Haldia Energy donated 74.5% of its Rs 377 crore to the TMC followed by Rs 81 crore (21.5%) to the BJP.
    For the BJP, which received Rs 5,594.2 crore, MEIL was the largest donor at Rs 584 crore, followed by Qwik Supply Chain at Rs 375 crore and Vedanta at Rs 230.15 crore. Others contributed Rs 4,032.15 crore. In all, the BJP netted Rs 6,061 crore of the Rs 8,252 crore between April 12, 2019 and January 11, 2024.
    The TMC received its biggest chunk of funds from Future Gaming at Rs 542 crore, followed by Haldia Energy at Rs 281 crore and Dhariwal Infrastructure at ?90 crore. Others contributed Rs 588.12 crore. In all, the TMC netted Rs 1,610 crore of the Rs 1,708 crore between April 12, 2019 and January 11, 2024.
    For the Congress, the biggest donor was Vedanta at Rs 125 crore, followed by Western UP Power Transmission Company Limited at ?110 crore and MJK Enterprise at ?91.6 crore. In all, the Congress netted Rs 1,422 crore of the Rs 1,952 crore between April 12, 2019 and January 11, 2024.
    The data disclosure has gained additional importance given that it was revealed just weeks ahead of general elections, where political funding is expected to be among the issues raised during the campaign.
    The data solves the mystery of who anonymously donated Rs 10 crore to the Samajwadi Party by post. Keventer Food Park Infra, a part of the Kolkata-based FMCG group Keventer, donated 10 Rs 1 crore bonds to the SP. These bonds were bought on May 7, 2019 and redeemed by the party on May 10, 2019.
    But another mystery — of who handed over a sealed envelope with 10 Rs 1 crore bonds to the Janata Dal (United) in its office on April 3, 2019 — still persists because the bonds were credited into JD(U)’s account on April 10, two days before the cut-off of April 12 .
    Under the 2018 EB scheme — which was quashed by a Constitution bench of the Supreme Court on February 15 because it completely anonymised contributions made to political parties — each electoral bond is imprinted with a unique number that can assist in tracking the issuance and redemption of bonds, and in tracing the bond back to the purchaser.
    On March 18, the bench led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud ordered SBI to disclose the unique serial number associated with each EB and all other information the bank possesses while supplying the ECI with data for public release.
    On the day, the bench, also comprising justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, noted that the February 15 judgment required SBI to disclose all information in its possession, which will include alphanumeric numbers and serial numbers, besides the date of purchase or redemption, the recipient’s or buyer’s name, and the denomination of EBs.
    It called for a categorical affidavit of the SBI chairman by 5pm on March 21 that the bank has disclosed all the information in its custody and that no details have been withheld. The court further directed that as soon as ECI receives the information from SBI, it will post it on its website “forthwith”.
    Complying with this direction, the SBI chairman Dinesh Kumar Khara filed his affidavit on Thursday afternoon, stating that “SBI has now disclosed all details and that no details (other than complete bank account numbers and KYC Details) have been withheld from disclosure.”

  • ‘Will lead to chaos’: SC refuses to stay appointment of new ECs

    Noting that it would lead to “chaos and uncertainty” in the midst of the Lok Sabha elections, the Supreme Court on Thursday refused to stay the appointment of Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu under the recently enacted law that excluded the CJI from the Prime Minister-led selection panel.
    “Now they (two new ECs) have been appointed… elections are round the corner… It’s a question of balance of convenience. We have to see what the effect is if we do (stay) it and what are the consequences which will follow…. There are no allegations against the persons (ECs) appointed,” a Bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta said.
    “We dismiss the applications for stay… We will give reasons later,” said the Bench, which also refused to grant an interim stay on the operation of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Terms of Office) Act, 2023, saying the Election Commission was not under the “thumb of executive”.
    “At this stage, we cannot stay the legislation or put it under suspension by way of interim order. It would lead to uncertainty and chaos in case of stay,” it said, dismissing the pleas for stay filed by Congress leader Jaya Thakur and Association for Democratic Reforms.
    The Bench, however, said it would examine the main petitions challenging the validity of the 2023 Act. Asking the Centre to respond to the petitions in six weeks, the Bench posted the matter for further hearing on August 5.
    On Thursday, March 21, the Bench posed certain questions on the procedure adopted in appointing the new ECs, saying there could have been an opportunity given for the names to be examined.
    “This could have easily been avoided by giving two-three days. You should have gone more slowly,” it said.

  • RAW operative shunted out over Pannun plot

    An intelligence operative has been removed from his position and several others were reshuffled following an investigation into US claims of an alleged plot to kill Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, people familiar with the matter have said.
    The investigation concluded “rogue operatives not authorised by the government had been involved in the plot”, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed senior officials. The developments in the probe by a high-level committee set up by India last year to examine inputs provided by the US were first reported by Bloomberg.
    The operative removed from his position in the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is a mid-level official seconded to the agency from a paramilitary force, the people cited above said on condition of anonymity. Several other operatives were part of a reshuffle carried out in recent weeks by the agency amid the probe by the committee, they said.
    The Indian side has revealed nothing officially about the work done by the high-level committee, or its composition or findings since an indictment filed by US prosecutors in a Manhattan court last November alleged that Indian national Nikhil Gupta, acting on the instructions of an unnamed Indian official, was involved in a plot to kill Pannun on American soil.
    It is understood the operative removed from his position is the Indian government official referred to only as “CC-1” in the US indictment against Gupta. The indictment described CC-1 as a “senior field officer” responsible for “security management” and “intelligence” who directed the plot from India.
    Bloomberg reported that “one person directly involved in the alleged attempted assassination is no longer working” for RAW. This person is “still employed by the government and India hasn’t started any criminal action against him”, the report said. India has also informed US authorities about the findings of the high-level committee, the report added.
    The “murder for hire” plot, as US officials have referred to the incident, has emerged as an irritant in an otherwise robust India-US relationship that now encompasses collaboration on critical emerging technologies, joint development of military hardware and close cooperation on defence and security issues.
    The US has pressed India to prosecute those involved in the plot, and this was a message conveyed to Indian officials by Donald Lu, the assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs, when he visited New Delhi in January.
    Participating in a US House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing in Washington on Wednesday, Lu described the plot as a “serious issue between the US and India”. He added: “We take this in the administration incredibly seriously and have raised it at the highest levels with India. We are, at the moment, working with India to encourage India to hold accountable those responsible for this terrible crime.” Source: HT

  • 32 Indian fishermen detained by Sri Lanka Navy for alleged poaching

    32 Indian fishermen detained by Sri Lanka Navy for alleged poaching

    Colombo (TIP): At least 32 Indian fishermen were detained by the Sri Lankan Navy on March 20 off the coast of Talaimannar and near the islet of Delft in the northern province for allegedly fishing in the island nation’s waters, an official statement said. The Navy held two Indian trawlers along with 7 fishermen off Talaimannar, it said, adding that naval personnel also seized three more Indian trawlers and held 25 Indian fishermen off the Delft Island. The two Indian trawlers along with 7 fishermen were brought to the Talaimannar Pier while three Indian trawlers and 25 Indian fishermen were brought to Kankasanthurai harbour.
    They will be handed over to the Fisheries Inspectors of Mannar and Mailadi for onward legal proceedings, the statement said.
    The Navy has so far held 23 Indian trawlers and 178 Indian fishermen in island waters thus far in 2024, and handed them over to authorities for legal action, it added.
    The fishermen issue is a contentious one in the ties between India and Sri Lanka, with Lankan Navy personnel even firing at Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and seizing their boats in several alleged incidents of illegally entering Sri Lankan territorial waters.
    The Palk Strait, a narrow strip of water separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, is a rich fishing ground for fishermen from both countries.
    Fishermen from both countries are arrested frequently for inadvertently trespassing into each other’s waters.
    In 2023, the island nation’s Navy arrested 240 Indian fishermen along with 35 trawlers for allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan waters. (PTI)

  • Two Pakistani soldiers, 8 Baloch terrorists killed in attack on Gwadar Port Authority complex

    Two Pakistani soldiers, 8 Baloch terrorists killed in attack on Gwadar Port Authority complex

    Karachi (TIP): At least two soldiers of the Pakistani Army were killed and eight Baloch terrorists were “sent to hell” when security personnel foiled an attempt by heavily armed Baloch insurgents to storm the Gwadar Port Authority complex in the restive Balochistan province, the military has said.
    The port complex hosts several government and paramilitary offices and the strategically located Gwadar Port remains one of the focal points of the billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Project.
    A press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said a group of terrorists attempted to enter the Port Authority Colony but were successfully thwarted by security forces personnel on March 20.
    “Own troops employed for security responded immediately and effectively engaged the terrorists, and in ensuing fire exchange, all eight terrorists were sent to hell,” the statement said late on Wednesday.
    Two sepoys were killed in the exchange of fire, the statement said.
    A large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives was also recovered from the possession of the militants from the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
    Balochistan, bordering Iran and Afghanistan, is home to a long-running violent insurgency. Baloch insurgent groups have previously carried out several attacks targeting the USD 60 billion CPEC projects.
    The BLA is opposed to China’s investments in Balochistan and accuses Beijing and Islamabad of exploitation of the resource-rich province, a charge rejected by the authorities.
    Thousands of Chinese personnel are working in Pakistan on several projects being carried out under the aegis of the CPEC. BLA’s Majeed Brigade, which was formed in 2011, is a particularly lethal guerilla cell of the BLA.
    It was named after a guard of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who was killed while attempting to assassinate the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) founder. It has been alleged that the group also maintains sanctuaries in areas along the Pak-Iran border.
    The brigade, which is the suicide squad of the BLA, mostly targets security forces and Chinese interests in Pakistan. It also claimed responsibility for the April 2022 suicide attack outside the Karachi University’s Confucius Institute. (PTI)

  • After losing seven soldiers, Pak airstrikes kill 8 in Afghanistan

    Kabul (TIP): The so-called Durand Line turned hot on March 19 as the Taliban retaliated with heavy weapons against Pakistani airstrikes on its territory. Cross-border clashes were also reported at Parachinar in Afghanistan on the border while the Taliban defence ministry said it had targeted Pakistani troops at the border in response to the airstrikes. “The Islamic Emirate, which has a long history of freedom struggle against superpowers, does not allow anyone to invade its territory. The people of Pakistan and the new government should stop some of their Generals from continuing wrong policies,” said Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid.
    Pakistan’s fighter jets had carried out a predawn strike in two bordering Afghan provinces with terrorists belonging to the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group being the prime targets, said the Pakistan foreign office. It blamed the group along with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for several terrorist attacks inside Pakistan, resulting in “deaths of hundreds of civilians and law enforcement officials”.
    Afghanistan’s Taliban, on the other hand, claimed the airstrikes on its territory killed five women and three children in Khost and Paktika districts. It also said the main target of the strikes, Abdullah Shah, was in fact living in Pakistan though he did have a house in Afghanistan because his tribe was spread on both sides of the Durand Line.
    The immediate trigger for the Pakistani airstrikes was an attack on a Pakistan army post in Mir Ali in North Waziristan that killed seven, including two officers. The Pakistan army also conducted ground operations in its territory, killing eight militants, including a “high value target”. Taliban denied the Pakistani claim that the attacks were launched from Afghan soil. “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan does not allow anyone to compromise security by using Afghan territory. Pakistan shouldn’t blame Afghanistan for the lack of control, incompetence and problems in its own territory,” said Mujahid.
    “Such incidents can have very bad consequences, which will not be in Pakistan’s control,” he warned while alleging that “houses of common people were targeted” in the airstrikes. “We have made our utmost effort and continue to do so. But one thing we must accept is that Afghanistan shares a very long border area with Pakistan, and there are places with rugged terrain, including mountains and forests, and places that might be out of our control,” he said (TNS)

  • Indian Navy assists hijacked Bangladeshi-flagged cargo vessel

    Dhaka (TIP): An Indian naval warship and a long-range maritime patrol aircraft extended assistance to a Bangladeshi-flagged cargo vessel after it was hijacked in the Indian Ocean, in the latest in a series of such support missions by the Indian Navy in the region.
    The Navy said on March 22 that the safety of the crew held hostage by armed pirates was ascertained and the Indian Navy warship continued to maintain its presence in the close vicinity of the vessel till its arrival in the territorial waters of Somalia.
    After receiving information about the hijacking of the ship, the Navy on March 12 deployed Long-Range Maritime Patrol aircraft (LRMP) P-8I.
    The Navy said that on receipt of intimation, the LRMP was immediately deployed, and on locating the merchant vessel in the evening of March 12, it attempted to establish communication to ascertain the status of the ship’s crew members. “However, no response was received from the ship,” it said. (PTI)

  • China says it ‘firmly opposes’ US recognition of Arunachal Pradesh as part of Indian territory

    Beijing (TIP): China on March 21 said it firmly opposes the US recognition of Arunachal Pradesh as part of Indian territory and affirmed that Washington has nothing to do with the India-China border dispute.
    It also accused the US of “instigating and using other countries’ disputes” for selfish geopolitical interests.
    China’s strong reaction came hours after US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel’s remarks that the United States “recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory.”
    Patel also said, “We (the US) strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control.”
    “China strongly deplores and firmly opposes this,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a media briefing while replying to a question posed by the official Chinese media.
    The delimitation of the China-India boundary has not been completed, Lin said adding, “‘Zangnan’ (the official Chinese name for Arunachal Pradesh) has always been China’s territory. This is an undeniable basic fact.”
    “The question of the China-India border issue is between China and India and it has nothing to do with the US,” he said. “It is well known that the US has been instigating and using other countries’ disputes by all means to serve its selfish geo-political interests,” the spokesperson said.
    The comments by the US official came days after the Chinese military reiterated its claim over Arunachal Pradesh following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state.
    Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang on March 15 said that the southern part of Xizang (the Chinese name for Tibet) is an inherent part of China’s territory, and Beijing “never acknowledges and firmly opposes” the “so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India.”
    China, which claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet, routinely objects to Indian leaders’ visits to the state to highlight its claims.
    On March 9, Prime Minister Modi dedicated to the nation the Sela Tunnel built at an altitude of over 13,000 feet in western Arunachal Pradesh that will provide all-weather connectivity to the strategically located Tawang district and is expected to ensure better movement of troops along the frontier region. (PTI)

  • Russia fires 31 missiles at Kyiv in first attack in weeks; 13 hurt

    Russia fires 31 missiles at Kyiv in first attack in weeks; 13 hurt

    Kyiv (TIP): Russia fired 31 ballistic and cruise missiles at Kyiv before dawn on March 21 in the first attack on the Ukrainian capital in 44 days, officials said. Air defences shot down all incoming missiles, though 13 persons, including a child, were injured by falling wreckage, they said. Residents of Kyiv were woken up by loud explosions around 5 am as the missiles arrived at roughly the same time from different directions, said Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Administration. Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched two ballistic missiles and 29 cruise missiles against the capital.
    An 11-year-old girl and a 38-year-old man were hospitalised, the city administration said. Eight other people sustained light injuries, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Ukraine’s Emergency Service said around 80 persons were evacuated from their homes. Falling wreckage from the intercepted missiles set fire to at least one apartment building, burned parked cars and left craters in streets and a small park. Some streets were littered with debris, including glass from shattered windows.
    The attack came after repeated Ukraine aerial attacks in recent days on Russia’s Belgorod region near the border with Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin had threatened on Wednesday to “respond in kind” to the attacks.
    At an event in the Kremlin, Putin said Russia “can respond in the same way regarding civilian infrastructure and all other objects of this kind that the enemy attacks. We have our own views on this matter and our own plans.” — AP

  • UK PM Rishi Sunak’s flagship bill to fly migrants to Rwanda hits deadlock

    UK PM Rishi Sunak’s flagship bill to fly migrants to Rwanda hits deadlock

    London (TIP): British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s flagship legislation aimed at flying illegal migrants to Rwanda has hit another set of parliamentary hurdles after the House of Lords delivered multiple defeats on the draft bill, sending it back to the Commons. The Safety of Rwanda Bill will return for members of Parliament to vote on in mid-April after the Easter recess as the Upper House peers rejected the changes of the House of Commons in seven votes, with majorities ranging between 30 and 55, on March 20 night.
    They expressed support for amendments to water down the hardline legislation that seeks to deem the East African country safe in law to block legal challenges to migrants being flown out to Rwanda while their asylum claims are assessed.
    While the Opposition Labour Party has branded the scheme a costly “gimmick”, the Conservative government has said it is a key tool to tackle soaring illegal migration via dangerous small boats crossing the English Channel.
    “It is crystal clear, as we are seeing from the Labour Party’s opposition in this House, that while we are committed to stopping the boats, the Labour Party would keep them coming,” said Sunak in the Commons, when questioned about his Rwanda scheme on Wednesday.
    “Since I became Prime Minister, the number of small boat crossings is down by over a third. That is because we have doubled National Crime Agency funding and we have increased illegal immigration enforcement raids by 70 per cent. We have closed 7,500 bank accounts, deported 24,000 illegal migrants and processed over 112,000 cases — more than at any point in the last two decades,” he claimed.
    Labour Leader Keir Starmer accused the government of wasting taxpayer’s money on the scheme, which has a reported bill of around GBP 600 million.
    “The tragedy is we know the Prime Minister does not even believe in the Rwanda gimmick… His great hope is to placate those in his party with a couple of empty planes, praying they will not notice when the flights stop going, the boats are still coming and the costs keep mounting,” said Starmer.
    The Rwanda bill, meanwhile, remains in a deadlock phase between the two Houses of Parliament until an agreement can be reached on the final wording. The government is expected to hold consecutive days of votes in both Houses once Parliament is back in session post-Easter next month until a consensus can be found.
    This means the likelihood of the first flights of migrants taking off for Rwanda is not before June at the earliest after the bill clears its parliamentary journey and receives the King’s royal assent to become law.
    The legislation is crucial to Sunak’s stated priorities ahead of a general election, with his “stop the boats” pledge hinging on this flagship policy to fly asylum seekers out to Rwanda and show he is cracking down on illegal migration to the UK shores. (PTI)

  • South Korean chemical tanker capsizes off Japan; 8 killed, 2 missing

    South Korean chemical tanker capsizes off Japan; 8 killed, 2 missing

    Tokyo (TIP): A South Korean chemical tanker capsized off an island in southwestern Japan on March 20, authorities said, killing eight people on board. One crew member survived, and the fate of two others was unknown. Officials said the tanker was carrying 980 tons of acrylic acid, a corrosive organic compound that is used in adhesives, paints and polishes. No leak has been detected, and officials are studying what environmental protection measures may be needed in case there is a leak.
    The Japan Coast Guard said it received a distress call from the chemical tanker Keoyoung Sun, saying that it was tilting while seeking refuge from the weather near Japan’s Mutsure Island, about 1,000 km (620 miles) from Tokyo in southwestern Japan.
    The ship was completely capsized by the time rescuers arrived at the scene. Footage on Japan’s NHK television showed the ship lying upside down, a rough sea washing over its red underside. The ship was carrying 11 crew, of whom nine have been found, authorities said. The one crew member confirmed alive is from Indonesia, and the coast guard was still searching for two more.
    South Korean officials held a meeting Wednesday to discuss the capsizing. During the meeting, Vice Foreign Minister Kang Insun asked officials to mobilise all available resources to support rescue works and assist the relatives of South Korean crew members, according to the Foreign Ministry.
    The ship was en route from the Japanese port of Himeji to Ulsan in South Korea, the coast guard said. Its captain was South Korean, and its crew included another South Korean national, a Chinese national and eight Indonesians, according to the coast guard.
    Acrylic acid is also used in plastics, resin and coatings, and can irritate the skin, eyes and mucous membranes, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
    No other details, including how the ship capsized, were immediately known. (AP)

  • North Korea claims progress in developing a hypersonic missile designed to strike distant US targets

    Seoul (TIP): North Korea successfully tested a solid-fuel engine for its new-type intermediate-range hypersonic missile, state media reported on March 20, claiming a progress in efforts to develop a more powerful, agile missile designed to strike faraway US targets in the region.
    A hypersonic missile is among an array of high-tech weapons systems that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un publicly vowed to introduce in 2021 to cope with what he called deepening US hostility.
    Outside experts say Kim wants a modernised weapons arsenal to wrest US concessions like sanctions relief when diplomacy resumes.
    On Tuesday, Kim guided the ground jet test of the multi-stage solid-fuel engine for the hypersonic missile at the North’s northwestern rocket launch facility, the official Korean Central News Agency reported.
    It cited Kim as saying the strategic value of the new missile with an intermediate-range is as important as intercontinental ballistic missiles targeting the US mainland and that “enemies know better about it”.
    It said that a timetable for completing the development of the new weapons system was “set through the great success in the important test”.
    Intermediate-range missiles possessed or pursued by North Korea are the weapons systems primarily aimed at attacking the US Pacific territory of Guam, home to US military bases.
    Those missile can also reach Alaska, and with a range adjustment they can be used to strike closer targets like US military installations in Japan’s Okinawa island, experts say.
    In recent years, North Korea has been pushing to develop more weapons with built-in solid propellants, which make launches harder to detect than liquid-propellant missiles that must be fuelled before liftoffs and cannot last long.
    The North’s pursuit of hypersonic weapons is also meant to defeat US and South Korean missile defence systems, but it’s unclear the North’s hypersonic vehicles proved their desired speed and maneuverability during tests in recent years, analysts say.
    In January, North Korea said it flight-tested a new solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile tipped with a hypersonic, maneuverable warhead, in a likely reference to the missile mentioned in Wednesday’s KCNA dispatch.
    In November, North Korea said it had tested engine tests for an intermedia-range missile but didn’t say whether it’s designed to carry a hypersonic warhead.
    While the North’s missile test in January was likely related to the development of its first-stage rocket, this week’s engine test appeared focused on the development of its second-stage rocket in part of the North’s efforts to increase the weapon’s flying speed, said Chang Young-keun, a missile expert at South Korea’s Research Institute for National Strategy.
    Chang said the latest engine test suggests North Korea could soon test-launch the new hypersonic missile.
    After short-range tests with hypersonic weapons, North Korea would want to increase their ranges with maneuverable hypersonic warheads, Lee Choon Geun, an honorary research fellow at South Korea’s Science and Technology Policy Institute, said. He said the capacities of the new missile can be assessed when it’s test-flighted.
    On Monday, South Korea, the US and Japan said they detected the multiple ballistic missile test-launches by North Korea in what was the country’s first missile firings in about a month. (AP)

  • Israel working on national food security plan for first time

    Tel Aviv (Israel) (TIP): For the first time in its history, Israel is working to ensure food security in the country. As such, Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture said that it is “changing its face and focusing its mission” in a new way and, in cooperation with other ministries, is developing a proposal for a national plan to that end.
    To emphasise the importance of this, the ministry intends to change its name to “Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security”. The ministry said that in the coming days it will submit a decision-making proposal for the government’s approval to formulate a national plan for food security that will include the formulation of goals for the supply of food to the entire population until the year 2050, with intermediate goals for the years 2030 and 2040.
    For the purpose of formulating the plan, an inter-ministerial work team will be established, headed by the director general of the Ministry of Agriculture, with the participation of representatives of the relevant government ministries, including the National Security Headquarters, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Economy and Industry, the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Housing and Construction, the Ministry of Welfare and many other ministries. (ANI)

  • Vapes to be banned in New Zealand in bid to prevent minors from taking up habit

    Wellington (TIP): New Zealand said on March 20 it will ban disposable e-cigarettes, or vapes, and raise financial penalties for those who sell such products to minors. The move comes less than a month after the government repealed a unique law enacted by the previous left-leaning government to phase out tobacco smoking by imposing a lifetime ban on young people buying cigarettes.
    New Zealand’s Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said on Wednesday that e-cigarettes remain “a key smoking cessation device” and the new regulations will help prevent minors from taking up the habit.
    “While vaping has contributed to a significant fall in our smoking rates, the rapid rise in youth vaping has been a real concern for parents, teachers and health professionals,” Costello said.
    Under the new laws, retailers that sell vapes to children under 18 years of age will face fines of up 100,000 New Zealand dollars (USD 60,000), while individuals will be fined 1,000 New Zealand dollars (USD 600). (AP)

  • March 22 New York & Dallas E – Edition

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”E-Edition” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” google_fonts=”font_family:Istok%20Web%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theindianpanorama.news%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F03%2FTIP-March-22-E-Edition.pdf”][vc_single_image image=”161467″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://www.theindianpanorama.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/TIP-March-22-E-Edition.pdf”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Lead Stories This Week” google_fonts=”font_family:Istok%20Web%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theindianpanorama.news%2F”][vc_wp_posts number=”5″ show_date=”1″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”82828″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://www.theindianpanorama.news/advertising-media-kit-portal-indian-panorama/ “][vc_single_image image=”82829″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://www.theindianpanorama.news/advertising-media-kit-portal-indian-panorama/ “][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Atlanta Council Honors Indian American Leader Dr Nazeera Dawood for Women’s History Month

    Atlanta Council Honors Indian American Leader Dr Nazeera Dawood for Women’s History Month

    ATLANTA, GA (TIP): The Atlanta City Council has bestowed a prestigious honor upon Dr Nazeera Dawood, the esteemed founder and CEO of Vendorship, Inc., recognizing her exceptional contributions and service to the Greater Atlanta community. This recognition comes as a significant highlight during Women’s History Month, celebrating the achievements and resilience of women across the globe. A special ceremony, held on March 7th, saw the Atlanta City Council officially declare March 7th as Dr. Nazeera Dawood Day, followed by a reception at Atlanta City Hall to commemorate Dr Dawood’s remarkable accomplishments.

    Andrea L. Boone, Member of the Atlanta City Council, expressed, “Dr Nazeera Dawood encapsulates the spirit of Women’s History Month with her unwavering commitment to public health and economic empowerment. Her path from earning a medical degree to establishing Vendorship showcases her vision and resilience. Dr Nazeera’s leadership not only uplifts women and minority-owned businesses but also cultivates a spirit of community and collaboration across Atlanta.”

    Viren Mayani, recognized as a global thought leader, extended his greetings during the ceremony. Darryl Ricardo Matthews Sr., Director of Business Development at Vendorship, introduced the honoree, followed by the Proclamation Presentation by Councilmember Andrea L Boone. Additional speakers at the event included Monidipa Das, Madhu Pareek, Veni Nanjundiah, and Richard Johnson. Burleigh Singleton delivered the closing remarks.

    Expressing her gratitude, Dr Nazeera remarked, “As we strive to make diversity and inclusion less of an ideal and more of a common practice, companies like Vendorship can serve as an example of how to bring equitable access and opportunities to all businesses.”

    Dr Nazeera hails from Dindigul, Tamil Nadu. Her professional journey is marked by two decades of unwavering dedication and service across various sectors, encompassing impactful roles in both public and private domains, including significant contributions to non-profit organizations. Originating from a successful medical career in India, she expanded her expertise by earning a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

    During her tenure as a research project manager at Emory University, Dr Nazeera Dawood was honored as a ‘We are Emory, 100 Community Builders.’ Additionally, she served as an adjunct professor at Morehouse School of Medicine and assumed the role of President for the South Asian Public Health Association (SAPHA). A graduate of Leadership Johns Creek and the Johns Creek Community Police Academy, she has continually demonstrated her commitment to community engagement and leadership.

    Recognized for her outstanding public service, Dr Nazeera Dawood has received accolades from the American Tamil Medical Association and has actively contributed to the community as a monthly columnist for the Forsyth County News. Fluent in multiple languages including Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Telugu, she has leveraged her linguistic skills to foster inclusivity and engagement within diverse communities.

    Dr Nazeera Dawood’s advocacy for diversity and inclusion was further highlighted when the Georgia House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 591 designating January 19, 2022, as Dr Nazeera Dawood Reaffirmation of Diversity in Patriotism Day. This commendation, sponsored by State Rep. Angelika Kausche and cosponsored by State Reps. Todd Jones and Josh McLaurin, underscored her commitment to promoting unity and inclusiveness.

    Previously, Dr Nazeera Dawood was honored with a proclamation from Fulton County, recognizing October 1 as Dr. Nazeera Dawood Appreciation Day, further emphasizing her profound impact on the local community.

    Drawing upon her extensive experience in public service, including roles such as Director of the Fulton County Health Department Division of Health Promotion and Chief of Staff of the Chairman’s Office of Board of Commissioners, Dr Nazeera Dawood gained invaluable insights into the intricacies of government procurement processes. This wealth of experience laid the foundation for the establishment of Vendorship, a pioneering endeavor aimed at revolutionizing government contracting and fostering equitable opportunities for businesses.

    Established in 2018 and headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, USA, Vendorship Inc is at the forefront of transforming government contracting. By providing inclusive access to revenue-generating contracts, the company aids businesses in securing a share of the $3 trillion available in local, state, and federal contracts. Vendorship simplifies the proposal process, guiding clients through complexities and matching them with optimal bid requests for consistently successful submissions. Additionally, through coaching and interaction, Vendorship empowers clients to present new technologies to government agencies seeking innovative solutions.

    Expanding its reach, Vendorship India was founded in January 2024 with its office location in Bengaluru, and is currently in the phase of growth within the Indian market.

    For more information, please visit Vendorship’s website at vendorship.net, contact them via email at info@vendorship.net or connect with them on social media platforms including Facebook, LinkedIn or by phone at (404) 982-4070.

    (India PR Distribution)

  • Indian American businessman Narender Reddy announces run for State House District 50

    Indian American businessman Narender Reddy announces run for State House District 50

    ATLANTA, GA (TIP) : Johns Creek businessman Narender Reddy has qualified to run for the Georgia House of Representatives in District 50, which covers most of Johns Creek and a portion of Alpharetta.  Since no other Republican qualified for this seat, Reddy will not be having any Primary opponent. The seat is currently occupied by Democrat Michelle Au. “It is important that we hold our elected officials accountable, which is why I have chosen to challenge Representative Au,” Reddy remarked. “Her record shows that she does not reflect the views of the voters of this district, and I intend to give voters an alternative who better understands the pressing issues facing our district, our state, and our country.”
    Citing out-of-control inflation as a major concern to voters, Reddy promised to endorse fiscally responsible measures that would give relief to taxpayers.
    “Prices have skyrocketed on basic necessities and our working families are struggling,” Reddy said. “We need to help people to keep more of their money to combat this crisis. That means cutting our state income tax, tamping down rising property taxes, and reducing wasteful government spending.”
    Reddy also noted rising illegal immigration as an issue that voters have demanded answers on.
    “As an immigrant myself, I applaud people for legally immigrating to this country in search of better opportunity,” Reddy said. “However, the current situation with people entering illegally at the southern border is unsustainable. It’s highly unsafe to allow thousands of unvetted, untracked migrants to enter our country. My pledge is to work in the State House to find ways to insulate Georgia from the federal government’s inaction and to continually call for more to be done to alleviate this problem.”
    On that note, Reddy emphasized the need for robust public safety in District 50.
    “We need to do what is necessary to ensure that this area remains a safe place for our families,” Reddy said. “As your State Representative, I will be a reliable friend to law enforcement and will fight for them to have the resources and support they need to keep our communities safe.”
    A Georgia resident for nearly four decades, Narender Reddy has been an invested member of the Johns Creek community. He was appointed to board of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority by Governor Sonny Perdue and reappointed to two additional terms by Governor Nathan Deal and Governor Brian Kemp and has been serving on the Board for the past 20 years.
    Also, he was the co-founder of the Quantum National Bank, the first Indian American owned bank.  Reddy is the founder and president of Sterling Realty Services, a commercial real estate firm. He holds a master’s degree in business from the University of Evansville in Indiana. Narender is the proud father of two adult children.

  • Indian American owner of luxury yacht threatens to kill dock worker over parking

    Indian American owner of luxury yacht threatens to kill dock worker over parking

    SAN JOSE (TIP): California-based Indian American entrepreneur Ajay Thakore threatened to kill a young dock worker who would not let him park his multimillion-dollar luxury yacht at San Diego Marina, according to media reports. He also dropped his pants and made several threatening gestures to the employee during the altercation in the late afternoon of Sunday, March 10, SanDiegoVille reported.
    Thakore, who goes by his social media name, Ace Rogers, attempted to dock his $4.5 million ‘Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63’ yacht at the private Marriott Marquis Marina to pick up someone, when 21-year-old Joseph Holt who works at Seaforth Boat Rentals, told him he couldn’t park there.
    A video is circulating showing what appears to be the owner of San Diego’s famous Lamborghini yacht threatening a dock worker in downtown San Diego, according to the newspaper.
    The boat owner is also in the process of civil litigation with a second San Diego restaurant. He recently made news after former UFC champion Chuck Liddell fell off his yacht in San Diego Bay.
    “I’ll kill you! I will kill you! You know I’ll kill you! I will kill you! I will kill you!”, the man on the Lamborghini boat is heard shouting, as the dock worker responds inaudibly. “Yea I doubt it! Ace Rogers, call me! Time and place!”
    The interaction quickly became heated, resulting in the boat owner berating the employee, then verbally threatening him, as well as reportedly throwing money in the water as he allegedly insulted the employee’s social status. In a second video, it appears the man on the boat pulls his pants down and makes lewd gestures toward the people on the dock.
    Thakore’s bright blue boat is the only Lamborghini yacht sited on the United States’ West Coast and only the second seen in the United States.
    Thakore made news in late 2021 after he was publicly accused of harassing a La Jolla pizza eatery, according to SanDiegoVille.
    In response to American Pizza Manufacturing founder Andrew Melone ‘s public accusations, a lawsuit was filed on Nov. 10 in US District Court for the Southern District of California by Gopher Media LLC (formerly known as Local Clicks and doing business as Doctor Multimedia) and Ajay Thakore.
    In the complaint, the plaintiffs assert they were organizing a First Amendment-protected boycott against American Pizza Manufacturing following racist treatment by the restaurant’s owner.
    “Thakore has also urged a boycott of AMP because of its discriminatory and racist treatment of and attitude toward those of Arab, Indian (from India), and/or Asian descent,” according to the complaint. “Thakore has also urged a boycott of AMP because of its discriminatory and racist treatment of and attitude toward members of the LGBQTIA community.”
    The lawsuit against American Pizza Manufacturing and Andrew Melone asks for “an award of actual and compensatory damages in an amount of $10 million and/or an amount to be proven at trial.”
    In response to the lawsuit, American Pizza Manufacturing filed a complaint in early 2022 accusing Thakore of “relentless and ongoing campaign of harassment” against the restaurant while “libeling [APM and] … unfairly interfering with APM’s business.”
    According to the San Diego County Superior Court Register of Actions, there are several other lawsuits pending between Thakore and other persons and entities.Among the civil lawsuits, there is a complaint filed by Thakore against the parent company that owns Nautilus Tavern in San Diego’s Bird Rock community of La Jolla, once again alleging the restaurant discriminated against Thakore.
    In the Cross-Complaint filed by Nautilus Tavern ownership against Thakore, claims include stalking, intentional infliction of emotional distress, intentional interference with prospective economic relations, and negligent interference with prospective economic relations. The cross-complaint goes as far as to accuse Thakore of urinating on the floor of the La Jolla bar.
    The lawsuit between Ajay Thakore and Nautilus Tavern ownership MLT Encinitas LLC is still ongoing. A civil case management conference is scheduled for June 28, 2024, according to SanDiegoVille.
    In addition to Doctor Multimedia and Local Clicks Digital Marketing, Thakore allegedly has ownership interests in Aspen’s Doghouse within The Shops at La Jolla Village, Three Legs Coffee Roasters in La Jolla, and The Flower Pot Bakery & Cafe in La Jolla.
    The Lamborghini yacht, named “Aspen & Delilah” after Ajay “Ace Rogers” Thakore’s daughter and three-legged dog, is currently docked in the downtown San Diego Bay area. A crew made up of 20-30 people purportedly help maintain the one-of-a-kind 63′ boat.

  • Joe Biden’s campaign freezes donation from Indian-American businessman

    Joe Biden’s campaign freezes donation from Indian-American businessman

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The re-election campaign of US President Joe Biden and a Democratic Party committee have freezed donations from an Indian-American businessman amid allegations that he falsely claimed to be associated with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). A Biden campaign official stated that a $50,000 donation to the Biden Victory Fund made by Gaurav Srivastava, who claimed to be associated with the CIA, last April was put in escrow due to concerns about its source and legality, according to Politico.
    Similarly, a spokesperson from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which received nearly $290,000 last year from Srivastava, stated that the committee has set aside the funds for the “foreseeable future” as a precautionary measure. The decision to freeze the funds follows media reports questioning Srivastava’s business practices and philanthropy.

    President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign said it has raised $10 million in the 24 hours following a fiery State of the Union address, where he accused Donald Trump of threatening democracy and torpedoing a bill to tackle US immigration woes. While Srivastava, based in Los Angeles, has been active in various charitable causes, a profile by Project Brazen raised doubts about his integrity, including claims of false CIA ties.

    The Atlantic Council, a think tank dealing with international affairs, cut ties with Srivastava after struggling to verify his background, reported Politico.

    Srivastava, with his wife Sharon, donated over $1 million to the think tank for its Global Food Security Forum in Bali in November 2022. The businessman manages a charitable organization named after himself and his wife, the ‘Gaurav and Sharon Srivastava Family Foundation’.

    The foundation, started in 2015, serves communities worldwide that lack the fundamental resources available in the United States. Reports have also questioned Srivastava’s identity and employment details.

    Despite claiming to work for Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Operations, and Management (AECOM) in campaign filings, the global infrastructure firm has denied employing him in the US. Srivastava later listed himself as the chairman of Unity Resource Group, a security operations company, reported Politico.

    Connections between Srivastava and President Biden extend beyond donations.

    Unity Resources Group briefly employed a lobbying firm led by former Biden aide Ankit Desai, and Srivastava reportedly met Biden personally last year.

    Gaurav Srivastava, listing AECOM as his employer, donated $6,600 to Representative Mikie Sherrill’s campaign. He also gave $3,300 to Senator Maria Cantwell, this time listing Unity Resources Group as his employer. Democratic politicians, including Senator Mark Warner and Robert Menendez, received donations of $6,600 each from Srivastava, prompting them to redirect the funds to charities amid the controversy.

  • Free File provides quick, easy way to file an extension

    Free File provides quick, easy way to file an extension

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): As the end of tax season draws near, the Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers there’s an easy way to get a tax filing extension through the Free File program. A tax filing extension guarantees the taxpayer six additional months to file – with an extended deadline of Oct. 15, 2024. The IRS Free File program is one of the easiest ways to get an extension.

    Although an extension grants extra time to file, it does not extend the obligation to pay taxes due on April 15, 2024. To avoid penalties and late fees, taxpayers who owe should pay either their full tax bill or at least what they can afford to pay by the April 15 deadline. Taxpayers in Maine and Massachusetts have until April 17 to file and pay taxes due this year. This is because these states observe the Patriots’ Day holiday on April 15 this year and April 16 is the Emancipation Day holiday in the District of Columbia.

    Free File makes filing an extension easier
    An easy way to file an extension is through IRS Free File on IRS.gov. All individual filers can use the program software to request an extension on Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, regardless of income. Taxpayers must estimate their tax liability and file by the deadline to receive the extension.

    Free File also is one of the options available to help taxpayers file their taxes. Now in its 22nd filing season, taxpayers across the nation can access free software products provided by IRS Free File trusted partners by visiting IRS.gov. Through this public-private partnership, tax preparation and filing software providers make their online products available to eligible taxpayers. Eight private-sector Free File partners provide online guided tax software products this year to any taxpayer with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $79,000 or less in 2023. Free access to online products is only available by starting from IRS Free File.

    Make a payment, get an extension
    Other quick and efficient ways to get an extension are through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), paying with a credit, debit card or digital wallet, and IRS Direct Pay. The IRS will automatically grant an extension when a taxpayer makes an electronic payment and indicates it’s for an extension. In that case, there is no need for that taxpayer to file Form 4868.

    Extensions are automatic for some taxpayers
    Some taxpayers will automatically get extra time to file their tax return, even if they do not request an extension:

    Members of the military on duty outside the United States and Puerto Rico receive an automatic two-month extension to file. This year they have until June 17 to file. However, tax payments are still due April 15 or interest will be charged. Details are available in Publication 3, Armed Forces’ Tax Guide.
    Those serving in combat zones have up to 180 days after they leave the combat zone to file returns and pay any taxes due.
    U.S. citizens and resident aliens who live and work outside of the United States and Puerto Rico get an automatic two-month extension to file their tax returns. This year they have until June 17 to file. However, tax payments are still due April 15 or interest will be charged.
    When the U.S. president declares a disaster in an area, the IRS can postpone certain taxpayer deadlines for residents and businesses in the affected area. Taxpayers in certain disaster areas are not required to submit an extension electronically or on paper. Information on the most recent tax relief for disaster situations is available on the IRS website.
    Keep in mind
    Taxpayers should be aware that payments are still due by the original April 15 deadline, unless in Maine or Massachusetts, regardless of whether they request an extension of time to file a tax return. Taxpayers should file an extension even if they cannot pay the full amount owed. By filing either a return on time or requesting an extension by the April 15 filing deadline, taxpayers can avoid the late-filing penalty.

    Taxpayers reduce the overall amount of tax subject to interest and penalty charges by paying as much as they can by the due date. The interest rate for an individual’s unpaid taxes is currently 8%, compounded daily. The late-filing penalty is generally 5% per month and the late-payment penalty is normally 0.5% per month, both of which max out at 25%.

    The IRS will work with taxpayers who cannot pay the full amount of tax they owe. Other options to pay, such as getting a loan or paying by credit card, may help resolve a tax debt. Most people can set up a payment plan on IRS.gov to pay off their balance over time.

  • Indian Consulate, New York says: Working with authorities to find missing Hyderabad student

    Indian Consulate, New York says: Working with authorities to find missing Hyderabad student

    NEW YORK CITY (TIP): The Consulate General of India in New York is working with local law enforcement authorities to find a 25-year-old Indian student in Cleveland who has been missing since the beginning of this month. Mohammad Abdul Arfath, hailing from Nacharam, Hyderabad, arrived in the US in May last year to pursue a Masters in IT from Cleveland University.

    His father Mohammed Saleem said that Arfath last spoke to him on March 7. Since then, he has not been in touch with his family and his mobile phone is switched off.

    The Indian Consulate said in a post on X that it is in touch with Arfath’s family and authorities in the US. “We are working with local law enforcement agencies to find him at the earliest.” Arfath’s roommates in the US informed his father that they have lodged a missing persons complaint with Cleveland Police.

    On March 19, Arfath’s family received a call from an unidentified person who claimed that Arfath had been kidnapped allegedly by a gang selling drugs and demanded USD 1,200 to release him.

    The caller also threatened to sell Arfath’s kidneys if the ransom wasn’t paid, his father said.

    “Yesterday, I got a call from an unknown number, and the caller informed me that my son has been kidnapped and demanded money. The caller did not mention the mode of payment but just asked to pay the amount. When I asked the caller to allow us to talk to my son but he refused,” Saleem told PTI in Hyderabad.

    Arfath’s parents have requested the central government to take necessary measures to bring back their son safely. Saleem has also written to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in this regard.

    The incident is the latest in a string of troubling cases pertaining to the safety and security of Indian students in the US. Since the beginning of this year, several cases of deaths of Indian and Indian-origin students have caused alarm and concern among the community.

    Earlier this week, the Consulate had posted on X about the death of Abhijeeth Paruchuru, a 20-year-old Indian student, in Boston. Paruchuru’s parents, based in Connecticut, had been in direct touch with detectives and initial investigations into his death had ruled out any foul play.

    Indian-American Sameer Kamath, 23, a student at Purdue University was found dead in a nature preserve in Indiana in February. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to authorities.

    In January, 18-year-old Akul Dhawan, a student of the University of Illinois was found unresponsive outside a campus building. Investigations revealed that he died due to hypothermia. Authorities said acute alcohol intoxication and prolonged exposure to extremely cold temperatures contributed to his death. In another incident in January, 25-year-old Indian student Vivek Saini was hammered to death by a homeless drug addict in Georgia.

  • Gurpatwant Pannun ‘murder’ plot: US federal prosecutors say Nikhil Gupta had agreed to ‘pay an assassin US$1,00,000’

    Gurpatwant Pannun ‘murder’ plot: US federal prosecutors say Nikhil Gupta had agreed to ‘pay an assassin US$1,00,000’

    Working with India to hold those behind assassination plot accountable, says US

    NEW YORK (TIP): The United States is working with the Indian government to hold accountable those behind a plot to kill Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil, according to the Biden administration.

    An Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, was charged by federal prosecutors in November last year in connection with his involvement in a foiled plot to assassinate Pannun, who holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada.

    US federal prosecutors have charged that Gupta was working with an Indian government employee and had agreed to pay an assassin US$ 1,00,000 to kill Pannun, who lives in New York City.

    India has already constituted a probe committee to investigate the allegations. During a Congressional hearing on Wednesday, March 20, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu told members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, “This is a serious issue. A serious issue between the United States and India. The Department of Justice has alleged that an Indian citizen at the behest of someone working in the Indian government has attempted to kill an American citizen on American soil. We take this in the administration incredibly seriously and have raised it at the highest levels with India.”

    “We are at the moment working with India to encourage India to hold accountable, those responsible for this terrible crime. What we can see is that India itself has announced that they have created a committee of inquiry to look into this matter and we ask them to work quickly and transparently to make sure justice is done,” Lu said.

    Lu was responding to a question from Congressman Dean Phillips from Minnesota, who asked if sanctions similar to those placed on more than 500 individuals relating to the killing of Lexie Navalny in Russia are being considered for those believed to be behind the plot to kill Pannun.