The Indian Panorama

Tag: Indian

  • Cong fields Sheila Dikshit’s son in New Delhi seat held by Kejriwal

    In a high-stakes political battle, Congress has fielded Sandeep Dikshit, son of the late Sheila Dikshit, as its candidate for the New Delhi Assembly constituency in the upcoming Delhi elections.

    This move is set to reignite a historic rivalry in a constituency that witnessed Sheila Dikshit, the three-time Chief Minister of Delhi, losing to Arvind Kejriwal in 2013 and 2015. For Sandeep, this election is more than just a political contest; it is a chance to reclaim his family’s legacy and settle old scores.

    Sandeep Dikshit, a former MP known for his vocal criticism of Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is expected to wage a fierce campaign. The New Delhi seat, held by Kejriwal since 2013, is set to be the epicentre of the battle, promising high-voltage drama and intense competition. Adding another layer of intrigue to this contest is the possibility of a BJP heavyweight joining the fray.

    Speculation is rife that former West Delhi MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, son of former Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma, could be fielded from the seat.

  • MoD, HAL ink Rs 13.5K-cr deal for 12 Sukhoi-30 jets

    The Ministry of Defence on December 12  signed a Rs 13,500-crore deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to buy 12 additional Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets.

    The Indian Air Force (IAF) has some 260 Russian-origin Sukhoi-30MKI jets in its fleet. Over the years, the HAL has produced a large part of the fleet of the jets. The MoD said the aircraft would have an indigenous content of 62.6 per cent, enhanced due to indigenisation of many components to be manufactured by the local defence industry. Several parts of the plane would be sourced from Russia.

    The 12 aircraft would be manufactured at the HAL’s Nashik division. “The supply of the aircraft will enhance operational capability of the IAF and strengthen defence preparedness of the country,” the MoD said. The IAF is facing a threat of dwindling number of fighter jet squadrons. In October, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh had said, “Our aim is not to let aircraft strength remain below 30 (squadrons).”

    Each squadron has 16-18 jets. The Cabinet Committee of Security lays down the need for 42 fighter jet squadrons to tackle a two-front threat from China and Pakistan. At present, the IAF has 31 squadrons. The IAF had also placed an order with the HAL to manufacture 83 Tejas Mark-1A jets. Though the deliveries were to start in March, not a single plane has been delivered so far.

     

  • 86 Indians attacked or killed abroad in 2023; most assaults in US, UK and Canada: Centre

    New Delhi (TIP)- Minister of state for external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on Thursday, December 12,  informed Parliament that eighty-six Indian nationals were attacked or killed in various countries in 2023.

    In his written response to a query, the minister shared country-wise data, with figures showing 29 cases in 2021, 57 in 2022, and 86 in 2023.

    Of the 86 Indian nationals attacked or murdered in 2023, 12 were in the United States, and 10 each were in Canada, the United Kindom and Saudi Arabia, according to the shared data.

    “The safety and security of Indians abroad is one of the foremost priorities for the government of India. Our missions and posts remain vigilant and closely monitor any untoward incident. Such incidents are immediately taken up with the concerned authorities of the host country to ensure that the cases are properly investigated and the perpetrators are punished,” said Kirti Vardhan Singh.

    These issues are also raised during meetings with the government officials of the countries concerned, “including at the highest levels as appropriate,” the minister said.

    In a separate query, he was asked about the number of Indian citizens who voluntarily surrendered their citizenships over the last five years, along with state-wise and year-wise data, and the reasons for surrender.

    “As per the information available with the Ministry, the number of Indians who gave up their Indian citizenship was 1,44,017 (in 2019); 85,256 (in 2020); 1,63,370 (in 2021); 2,25,620 (in 2022); and 2,16,219 (in 2023). For reference purpose, data was 1,22,819 (in 2011); 1,20,923 (in 2012); 1,31,405 (in 2013); 1,29,328 (in 2014); 1,31,489 (in 2015); 1,41,603 (in 2016); 1,33,049 (in 2017); 1,34,561 (in 2018),” he said in his response.

    State-wise distribution of people who renounced Indian citizenship for foreign citizenships is not available, he added. In his response, he also shared the names of several countries whose citizenships were acquired by Indians. These include 135 countries, such as Algeria, Australia, Austria, Greece, Iran, Iraq, China, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, the US, the UK, and Ukraine, as per the list of countries shared in his response.

    In response to a separate query, he shared the number of Indian fishermen arrested and assets seized by both Pakistan and Sri Lankan authorities in the last five years.

    In 2023, the number of Indian fishermen detained by Sri Lankan authorities was 240, while the figure for 2024 was 535.

    In 2023, the number of Indian fishing boats detained by Sri Lankan authorities was 35, while the figure for 2024 was 71, according to the data shared.

    Last year, the number of Indian fishermen detained by Pakistan authorities was nine, while the figure for this year stood at 19 (till July 1, 2024), according to the data.

  • 4 Delhi schools receive bomb threat emails, 2nd time this week

    4 Delhi schools receive bomb threat emails, 2nd time this week

    Chandigarh (TIP)- Bomb threats were emailed to four schools in Delhi early on Friday December 13, leading to a multi-agency search of the premises. This follows a similar incident on December 9, when at least 44 schools received bomb threat emails, which police later deemed hoaxes.

    Former Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal expressed concern over the second instance of bomb threats to schools within a week, questioning the potential impact on children and their studies.

    A Delhi Fire Services official said that call regarding the threat emails were received from  Bhatnagar International School, Paschim Vihar (4.21 am), Cambridge School, Shri Niwas Puri (6.23 am), DPS Amar Colony, East of Kailash (6:35 am), South Delhi Public School, Defence Colony (7.57 am), Delhi Police Public School, Safdarjung (8.02 am), Venkateshwar Global School, Rohini (8.30 am).

    The fire department, police, bomb detection teams, and dog squads reached the schools to conduct thorough searches. Authorities also alerted parents, advising them to keep children at home or collect them if they had already arrived at school. The emails were sent at 12.54 am, mentioning “parent-teachers’ meeting” and “sports day” activities, followed by a warning that the schools would face bomb blasts on Friday and Saturday, PTI reported quoting sources.

    Cambridge School principal Madhavi Goswami found the email during her routine check and immediately informed the police. She assured parents that the situation was under control and announced online classes for the day.

    AAP leader Kejriwal, who had criticised Delhi Police and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the earlier threats, raised the issue again on social media. He stressed the seriousness of repeated threats, saying  in Hindi, “If this continues, how badly will it affect the children? What will happen to their studies?”

    Delhi Police confirmed that checks and investigations were underway to ensure the safety of students and staff. A guard at South Delhi Public School shared that parents were asked to return with their children after the school administration decided to send all students home.

    On Monday, December 9, at least 44 schools across Delhi received an email warning about explosives being placed at their premises, causing panic and confusion.

    The schools quickly evacuated thousands of worried students during their classes, while security forces conducted extensive checks at multiple campuses.

    Delhi Police confirmed that the emails were declared a hoax by Monday afternoon after no incendiary devices were found during the search operations. Nevertheless, security was heightened across the capital, with cordons set up and emergency response vans stationed outside major schools.

    Bomb threats at Guwahati rail station, Gauhati University

    Bomb threats were received at the Guwahati railway station and seven locations on the Gauhati University campus on Thursday, December 12, police said.

    Guwahati Police Commissioner Diganta Barah said the Meghalaya Police Control Room in Shillong received a call stating that a bomb might be planted at the Guwahati railway station. “Accordingly, we started the investigation with Meghalaya Police and also carried out precautionary measures at the station. We have so far not found any such object,” he told PTI.

  • Cabinet nod to one nation, one poll Bills; next stop Parliament

    Cabinet nod to one nation, one poll Bills; next stop Parliament

    New Delhi (TIP)- The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, on Thursday, December 12,  approved two Bills to enable simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.

    The draft legislations, which Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal piloted in the Cabinet today and Home Minister Amit Shah elaborated, will be introduced in Parliament during the ongoing session. Plans are afoot to send these Bills to a joint committee of both Houses for comprehensive stakeholder consultations.

    As recommended by the former President Ram Nath Kovind-led panel whose report was accepted by the Cabinet on September 18, the government will move amendments to enable simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies in the first phase. The synchronisation of municipal and panchayat elections with the Lok Sabha and state polls will be left for the second and a later stage. The Kovind panel had said, “As the first step, simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies should be held and in the second step, elections to the municipalities and panchayats should be held within 100 days of the parliamentary and state polls.” To achieve this, the government will introduce a Bill for amending Article 83 (which deals with duration of Houses of Parliament) and Article 172 (which deals with the duration of state legislatures) of the Constitution. This amendment will not need ratification by states. Asked how the synchronisation would be achieved, an official source quoted the Kovind report which said for simultaneous elections to happen, the President would need to notify the date of the first sitting of the Lok Sabha after a General Election as the “appointed date”.

    “The tenure of all state Assemblies constituted by elections held after the appointed date and before the expiry of the full term of the Lok Sabha will be only for the period ending up to the subsequent General Election. Once that is done, all elections to the Lok Sabha and states will be held together,” the source said.

    The amendment Bill is also likely to insert a new Article 82 A to the Constitution to provide that the President may notify the date of the first sitting of the House of the People after a General Election as the appointed date.

    The second Bill will be ordinary and will amend provisions to laws dealing with UTs and the legislative Assemblies of J&K, Delhi and Puducherry to align the terms of these Assemblies with the Lok Sabha and other legislative Assemblies.

    Asked what was envisaged in case of a hung House or a no-confidence motion, the source said, “In such a case, fresh elections may be held to constitute a new House. Where fresh elections are held for the House of the People, its tenure will only be for the unexpired term, which is left until the full term of the Lok Sabha expires. Where fresh elections are held for the state Assemblies, such new Assembly unless sooner dissolved, will continue up to the end of the full term of the House of the People.”             Source: TNS

  • Chaos in LS after BJP calls Rahul ‘traitor’

    Chaos in LS after BJP calls Rahul ‘traitor’

    New Delhi (TIP)- Parliamentary proceedings were disrupted on Thursday, December 5, after BJP leaders accused Congress’ Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, of being a “traitor of the highest order” with alleged ties to international forces aimed at destabilising India’s democracy. The BJP also linked Gandhi to US billionaire George Soros and the investigative media group Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), prompting strong protests from the Congress. The Lok Sabha saw uproar after BJP MP Nishikant Dubey raised the issue during the zero hour, leading to chaos and a two-hour adjournment. Opposition members accused Dubey of using “derogatory” language against Rahul, further escalating tensions. The Congress-led opposition stormed the well of the House during the Railways Amendment Bill discussion, forcing a full-day adjournment.
    The SP and Trinamool Congress remained seated during the protests and BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who was in the Chair, adjourned the Lok Sabha for the day. Similar disruptions were witnessed in the Rajya Sabha, where BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi alleged “external attacks on national interest”, sparking protests.
    The BJP’s claims stem from a report by French publication ‘Mediapart’, which alleged that OCCRP is funded by the US government, Soros’ Open Society Foundation and European entities. The BJP accused OCCRP of publishing reports critical of India, which the Congress allegedly used to target the government and domestic business interests. BJP MP Sambit Patra said, “I don’t hesitate to call the Leader of the Opposition a traitor.” He claimed that Rahul follows directives from OCCRP. “Such agencies work for the interests of their funders, and Rahul, by aligning with them, is betraying the entire country,” Patra alleged.Congress MP Manickam Tagore wrote to LS Speaker Om Birla, expressing concern over Patra allegedly using “slanderous language” against Rahul and sought stringent action against the ruling party leader.
    Source: TNS

  • Sukhbir attacker a ‘lone wolf’: Police probe

    Sukhbir attacker a ‘lone wolf’: Police probe

    Chandigarh (TIP)- Narain Singh Chaura, who attempted to assassinate former deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal at the Golden Temple, acted alone and was “self-motivated,” preliminary police investigation revealed, even as Badal returned on Thursday to take up sewadar duty as part of his atonement. While investigators haven’t completely ruled out a larger conspiracy, initial probe suggests Chaura, an ex-militant with over 30 terror-related cases against him, planned the assassination only after Akal Takht pronounced its verdict on Badal regarding the Bargari sacrilege case.
    “Because Chaura has remained a hardcore terrorist in the past, breaking him during interrogation isn’t easy. So far, he maintains he was self-motivated, claiming that Badal’s admission of ‘sins’ before Akal Takht was the trigger. He felt the sentence pronounced was too lenient,” said a senior police official familiar with the investigation, citing disclosures by Chaura.
    To be sure, statements made during interrogation do not count as evidence unless a suspect repeats them when taking the stand during trial.
    Fresh questions also arose on Thursday after Shiromani Akali Dal leaders released CCTV footage showing Chaura’s multiple interactions with superintendent of police (SP) Harpal Singh, who was supervising security arrangements outside the shrine, a day before the attack.
    At a press conference, former minister Bikram Singh Majithia presented video evidence showing SP Singh, who shares Chaura’s home constituency of Dera Baba Nanak, being “on friendly terms” with the accused despite knowing his militant background.
    “Even more suspicious is that SP Harpal was seen entering the Information Office at Sri Darbar Sahib exactly three minutes before the attack on Badal, despite being in a state of high alert,” Majithia said.
    The 9mm pistol used in the assassination attempt bears no identifying marks, and investigators are trying to determine whether Chaura had been carrying it while inside the shrine or retrieved it from elsewhere just before the attack.
    “Chaura has been involved in bringing arms and ammunition from across the border to be used in pro-Khalistan activities. Chaura was still in touch with sleeper cells of Khalistani activists,” said the official quoted in the first instance, asking not to be named.
    Chaura’s social media activity had shown clear animosity toward SAD. In a Facebook post about a month ago, he wrote: “The Sikh community has politically rejected the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) due to its grave misdeeds, and now the party is using the Akal Takht Sahib as a means to revive its reputation. This party is an enemy of the Panth.”
    Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, who is personally supervising the investigation, remained cautious about drawing conclusions. “We have taken him on three-day police remand and have involved all our state agencies in the probe. We are investigating the case from all angles to uncover the truth,” he said.
    The cyber cell of Amritsar Police is analysing Chaura’s social media accounts, where he had previously justified violence against those accused in sacrilege cases, indicating a possible premeditation to the attack.
    Chaura sent to 3-day police remand
    A court in Amritsar on Thursday sent former Khalistani terrorist Narayan Singh Chaura, who opened fire at Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal outside Golden Temple on Wednesday, to three-day police remand, officials said.
    Chaura (68), whose bid on the Akali leader’s life was foiled by alert Punjab Police personnel present on the spot in plainclothes, was produced in the court amid tight security on Thursday.
    The Punjab Police demanded seven-day remand for Chaura, but the court granted three days, a defence counsel told reporters in Amritsar.

  • DNA of events in Ayodhya, Sambhal, Bangla same: Yogi

    DNA of events in Ayodhya, Sambhal, Bangla same: Yogi

    Ayodhya (TIP)- Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath on December 5, accused the Opposition of trying to divide the society, saying the actions of Babur’s commander in Ayodhya and Sambhal around 500 years ago and ongoing events in Bangladesh shared the same nature and intent.
    “Look at the kind of acts our enemies are committing in neighbouring countries. Around 500 years ago, a general of Babur committed certain deeds in Ayodhya, similar acts were observed in Sambhal, and now what is happening in Bangladesh — the nature and DNA of all three events are the same,” he added.
    The CM, who was in the temple town for the inauguration of the 43rd Ramayan Mela, cautioned people against dismissing these issues as distant or irrelevant.
    “Had we given importance to unity and not let the strategy of nation’s enemies succeed in creating social animosity, this country would have never become a slave. Our pilgrimages would not have been desecrated. A handful of invaders would not have dared to invade us and would be crushed by India’s brave soldiers,” he added.
    The Opposition shot back at the Uttar Pradesh CM, saying he was indulging in “divisive politics” and peddling “false narratives”.
    When asked to comment on Adityanath’s remarks, Congress MP Tariq Anwar said his language did not behove that of a chief minister. “It is surprising and saddening that being a big leader of the BJP and the Chief Minister of a large state like Uttar Pradesh, he uses such language that is aimed at dividing people,” Anwar said.
    ‘First get your DNA checked’:
    Akhilesh Yadav attacks Yogi
    Reacting to Yogi Adityanath’s remark that the DNA of what happened in Ayodhya under Babur’s rule, Sambhal and Bangladesh is the same, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said the Uttar Pradesh chief minister must get his DNA tested before making such remarks.
    “I don’t know how much science the chief minister knows and how much biology he has studied… But I want to request that he not talk about DNA,” he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. The former UP CM said he would also get his DNA checked.
    “Through you (media), and I am saying this with full responsibility, that he should not talk about DNA…and if he talks about DNA then we all want to get our DNA checked. The chief minister should also get his DNA checked… I want to get my DNA checked and the chief minister should also,” he added. Akhilesh Yadav said being a saint, Yogi Adityanath must refrain from using such language.
    “This talk of DNA does not suit him (Adityanath). Being a saint, a yogi in saffron robes, this language should not be used and this talk about DNA should not be done,” he said.

  • Varanasi college bans ‘outsiders’ after Hanuman Chalisa-namaz row

    Amid escalating tensions at the Uday Pratap College here over a mosque located on its premises, police on Thursday restricted outsiders’ entry to the campus, allowing only students with valid identity cards. The move follows unrest after students recited Hanuman Chalisa when namaz was being offered near the mosque. Seven men were briefly detained after the row on Tuesday, December 3, , according to the local police.
    Student leader Vivekanand Singh on Thursday, December 5, said, “Police personnel are stationed at the college gate, checking identity cards to ensure that no outsiders enter the campus. A group of students is also monitoring the gate.”
    He added that no one came to offer namaz on Thursday and that additional precautions will be taken on Friday during the “Jumma” prayers.
    In a related development, students of the college have formed a “student court” and sent an 11-point letter to the Uttar Pradesh Waqf Board, demanding a response within 15 days regarding the status of the mosque and its ownership.
    India, China hold 1st diplomatic dialogue since disengagement
    India and China on Thursday held the first meeting of a key mechanism for handling border affairs since the disengagement at Demchok and Depsang, and agreed to maintain peace and tranquillity on the disputed frontier in line with bilateral agreements and protocols.
    The meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs in New Delhi “reflected on the lessons learnt from the events of 2020 in order to prevent their recurrence”, the external affairs ministry said in a readout.
    Both sides “agreed on the need for effective border management and maintenance of peace and tranquillity in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements, protocols and understandings reached between the two governments”, the readout said.
    This was the 32nd meeting of the WMCC since its creation in 2012, but the first held since the two countries reached an understanding on October 21 that paved the way for disengagement of front line forces at Demchok and Depsang and resumption of patrolling at these two “friction points” on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
    The military standoff on the LAC since April-May 2020, and a brutal clash at Galwan Valley in June the same year that killed 20 Indian soldiers and an unspecified number of Chinese troops, had taken bilateral ties to their lowest point since the 1962 border war. Source: HT

  • Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna bows out of Senate race

    Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna bows out of Senate race

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Indian American House of Representative member Ro Khanna, who was considering a bid for the US Senate has announced he will not be running for the upper chamber next year.
    Khanna, who represents Silicon Valley in the Congress is instead endorsing fellow Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee and will co-chair her campaign in the competitive race to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
    Khanna, who was considering his own bid for the US Senate seat that Feinstein will vacate at the end of her term, told media he decided the House was “the best place” for him at the moment.
    “I have concluded that despite a lot of enthusiasm from Bernie [Sanders] folks, the best place, the most exciting place, action place, fit place for me to serve as a progressive is in the House of Representatives, and I’m honored to be co-chairing Barbara Lee’s campaign for the Senate and endorsing her today,” he said to media.
    “We need a strong anti-war senator, and she will play that role,” he said. Lee is facing off against fellow Reps. Katie Porter and Adam Schiff, who have each already picked up key endorsements, from Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, respectively.
    As a leader in the House Progressive Caucus, Khanna’s endorsement could help Lee shore up progressive support in what’s expected to be a competitive — and expensive — race, according to a report.
    “I have respect for them,” Khanna said of Porter and Schiff, “but Barbara Lee is a unique voice. She was the lone vote against the endless war in Afghanistan. She stood up so strongly against the war in Iraq. She worked with me and stopping — trying to stop the war in Yemen and the war powers resolution.”
    Khanna also noted that there are currently no African American women in the Senate, and Lee would fill that void. “Frankly, Jake, representation matters,” Khanna told the media. “The other two are formidable candidates, but I think Barbara Lee is going to be very, very strong.”
    Feinstein, 89, the longest-serving woman in Senate history, announced her plans to forgo a 2024 bid last month.
    California’s primary system allows the top two vote-getters to advance to the general election regardless of party, a system that’s likely to pit two Democrats against each other in November 2024 in a solidly blue state.

  • Dance Diplomacy on Battery Dance TV

    Dance Diplomacy on Battery Dance TV

                                             Dance Diplomacy

    Jonathan with Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty, Consul General of India NY, dancer Pallavi Krishnan of Kerala, India and Samiul Islam Poluck, elocutionist of Dhaka, Bangladesh

    On Battery Dance TV,  Sunday, April 19, 2020 at 9am and 12noon EST

    NEW YORK (TIP): Battery Dance launched Battery Dance TV on March 27, 2020 at https://batterydance.org/dancetv/ to provide free live dance classes and programming for the general public by Battery Dance and affiliated artists through a regularly scheduled program.  Faced with the cancellation of its New York City public school dance classes and the postponement of its State Department Nigeria tour, and with its popular dance studios closed, the company staff members went into high gear (from living rooms and kitchens), creating online content. In its first three weeks, Battery Dance TV has been seen by more than 30,000 viewers in 95 countries.

    A regular Sunday interview program hosted by Battery Dance’s Founder Jonathan Hollander brings together artists from the U.S., India, Mexico, Costa Rica and Kenya, as well as diplomats who have programmed the arts as a way of bringing people together and encouraging peaceful understanding and cultural exchange. 

    On Sunday, April 19, the conversation returns once again to South Asia. Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty, Indian Consul General in New York and two performers, dancer Pallavi Krishnan and elocutionist Samiul Islam Poluck, discuss the oeuvre of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore.  “Tagore was a Renaissance man and finding solace in his words and music at a time of disruption and isolation is a theme that is woven through the conversation” according to Hollander. 

    Two videos choreographed to Tagore songs will be shown at the conclusion of the discussion:

    Rabindra Sangeet (Tagore song)

    Sung by Iman Chakraborty

    Danced and Choreographed by Pallavi Krishnan

     

    The Dreamer

    Song by Rabindranath Tagore based on the lines of Robert Burns

    Sung and performed by Shwapnil Shojib

    Dramaturgy by Samiul Islam Poluck

    Battery Dancers Robin Cantrell, Mira Cook, Bethany Mitchell, Unnath Hassan Rathnaraju, Sean Scantlebury

    Produced by Rtv Bangladesh and the U.S. Embassy Dhaka

     In addition to the Artists Talks each Sunday, classes in international dance styles and a short improvisational solo continue the focus on different countries around the world.  Bharatanatyam from India, Mestizo Fusion from Mexico and African Fusion from South Africa have been featured in previous weeks with solo performances by dancers from Cuba and Kenya.

    Among the 100+ offerings that Battery Dance has posted include:

    • morning warmup/stretching/conditioning exercises to start your day off right
    • mid-day classes in contemporary dance with afro, ballet and jazz fusion elements
    • evening classes in varied ballroom styles
    • a daily 4pm short video by dancers performing in their living rooms

    Morning Classes & Instructors

    Flow – Vivake Khamsingsavath

    Stretch & Strength – Mira Cook

    Conditioning – Sean Scantlebury

      Afternoon Contemporary Classes & Instructors

    Jazz Fusion – Jill Linkowski

    Ballet Fusion – Bethany Mitchell

    Storytelling & Repertoire – Hussein Smko

    Afro Fusion – Sean Scantlebury

     Evening Ballroom Classes & Instructor

    Cha Cha, Salsa, Waltz, Fox Trot, Tango, Rumba, Swing – Razvan Stoian

    Battery Dance also plans to expand its distance learning and programming by including online classes in lighting and production design, and classes in arts administration and cultural diplomacy. In the future, the Company plans to add short performances by youth around the world who will create short dances based on a specific weekly theme suggested by the Company.

     ABOUT BATTERY DANCE

    As one of America’s leading cultural ambassadors, Battery Dance connects the world through dance. The Company pursues artistic excellence and social relevance by creating vibrant new works, performing on the world’s stages, presenting dance in public spaces, serving the field of dance and teaching people of all ages with special attention to the disadvantaged and areas of conflict. Battery Dance is committed to enhancing the cultural vibrancy of its home community in New York City, extending programming throughout the U.S., and building bridges worldwide through international cultural exchange with programs in 70 countries to date. www.batterydance.org

  • 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.