NEW YORK (TIP) : An intersection of roads in New York City has been co-named after Dr BR Ambedkar in honor of the legendary Indian social activist and the architect of Indian Constitution. The intersection of 61st Street and Broadway in New York has been co-named as “Dr BR Ambedkar Way,” according to local media reports. The co-naming ceremony of the intersection on June 26 was hosted by Councilwoman Julie Won, and the Shri Guru Ravidas Temple of New York, which is located at the intersection of 61st Street and Broadway. Congresswoman Grace Meng, state Senator Michael Gianaris and Assemblyman Steven Raga were also present at the naming ceremony.
During the event, Won said Ambedkar was an international symbol against caste discrimination.
“As the district that’s home to Shri Guru Ravidass Temple of New York and thousands of Dalit community members, I’m honored that we as a community commemorated the life and contributions of Dr Ambedkar with this street co-naming,” Won said during the event as reported by the media.
The official Twitter handle of Indian consulate general in New York wrote, “Grateful for the honor bestowed on the architect of Indian Constitution,” while sharing the images from the ceremony.
Dr BR Ambedkar fondly known as Babasaheb was an economist, law expert and social reformer whose life work was dedicated to social equality and eradicating the caste system in India.
He was appointed as the chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, and he also led the Dalit and minority rights movement in India after Independence. Born in Madhya Pradesh, Ambedkar had also lived in the United States to study at Columbia University in New York City where he earned a PhD in economics.
Ambedkar’s life journey reflects his quest for the upliftment of the Dalit community. He published the book ‘Annihilation of Caste’ in 1936 to raise his voice against the caste system and discrimination.
Tag: Indian-Origin
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An intersection of roads in New York City co-named after Dr BR Ambedkar
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101-year-old Sikh World War II veteran honored by UK PM Rishi Sunak with Points of Light award
LONDON (TIP): British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has honored Rajindar Singh Dhatt, one of the last surviving Sikh soldiers who fought in the Second World War with a Points of Light honor at a UK-India Week reception at 10 Downing Street. Dhatt, 101, was recognized on Wednesday for his service and his work running the “Undivided Indian Ex-Servicemen’s Association” to help bring together British Indian war veterans. Dhatt, based in Hounslow in southwest London since 1963, was born in pre-Partition India in 1921 and fought with the Allied forces during the British colonial period. “It is an immense honor to receive this recognition from the Prime Minister, to whom I would like to extend my deepest appreciation for acknowledging the importance and impact of the ‘Undivided Indian Ex-Servicemen’s Association’,” said Dhatt. “The journey of establishing this organization was driven by a deep sense of duty as an ex-serviceman and the vision of fostering unity, support, and camaraderie. This award serves as a testament to the tireless efforts of countless individuals who have contributed to the success and growth of the association over the years,” he said.
“Their unwavering commitment and selfless service has played a pivotal role in bringing about positive change in the lives of our ex-servicemen and their families,” he added. Dhatt joined the British Indian Army during the Second World War and excelled up the ranks, being promoted to Havildar Major (Sergeant Major) in 1943. He was later drafted to the Far East campaign to fight in Kohima in northeast India to support the Allied Forces and help break through the Japanese defenses, Downing Street said. After the war, Dhatt returned to India before settling in London with his family.
His association recently created an online community for veterans, sharing articles about personal stories and opportunities to connect. Dhatt also continues to speak at memorial events and work with war veteran charities, including the Royal British Legion and the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, telling stories through teaching packs and online resources.
Dhatt said the award is a “momentous occasion” that inspires him to continue making meaningful contributions to society, even as he nears his 102nd birthday. According to Downing Street, the Points of Light recognize outstanding people whose service is making a difference in their communities and whose stories can inspire others towards innovative solutions to social challenges in their own communities and beyond. Dhatt’s honor coincided with a Downing Street reception celebrating India Global Forum’s UK-India Week celebration of the bilateral relationship, where Prime Minister Sunak spoke of Dhatt as an “incredible man” and thanked him for his service as a member of the Indian diaspora “living bridge”.
(Source: PTI) -
Indian-origin, World Bank president, Ajay Banga named in ‘Great Immigrants’ 2023 list
NEW YORK (TIP): Ajay Banga, the President of the World Bank, has been named by a prestigious philanthropic organization to its annual “Great Immigrants” list of honorees who have enriched and strengthened America and its democracy through their contributions and actions.Banga, who became World Bank chief in June 2023, is the first-ever Indian American to lead the institution. He is the only honoree from India in this year’s list of ‘Great Immigrants’ by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
With over 30 years of experience in key positions, 63-year-old Banga is expected to usher in transformative policies at the World Bank to combat poverty and address climate change, opening opportunities for people around the globe, a statement issued by Carnegie on Wednesday said. During a fireside chat, Carnegie said Banga offered some reflections on how diversity helped him succeed as a leader: “At the end of the day, if you surround yourself with people who look like you, who walk like you and talk like you, and grew up in the same places you did and worked with you in your prior jobs, then you will have a sense of comfort of hiring people around you who have that familiarity. But you will also have the same blind spots. You will miss the same trends. You will miss the same opportunities.”
Banga started his career in India, spending 13 years at Nestle India and two at PepsiCo. In 1996, he joined Citigroup, eventually leading the Asia-Pacific region as CEO.
Later moving to the US, Banga served as president and CEO of Mastercard for 12 years before being named executive chairman. Under his leadership, Mastercard launched the Center for Inclusive Growth, which advances equitable and sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion around the world, the statement said.
Prior to his appointment to the World Bank, Banga was the vice-chairman at General Atlantic. He is also a co-founder of the Cyber Readiness Institute and served as vice-chair of the Economic Club of New York.
Among numerous honors, he was awarded the Foreign Policy Association Medal, the Padma Shri Award by the President of India, and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
Every Fourth of July, which is celebrated as America’s Independence Day, the Carnegie Corporation of New York honors a group of “remarkable” Americans — all naturalized citizens — “who have enriched and strengthened our nation and our democracy through their contributions and actions”.
This year, the corporation honors 35 individuals from 33 countries and a wide range of backgrounds. Among the honorees are individuals who have fostered opportunities for others through their work as educators, mentors, philanthropists, job creators, public servants, storytellers, and advocates.
“The Great Immigrants initiative is a tribute to the legacy of Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish immigrant who, like these honorees, found success in America, contributed enormously to his adopted country, and inspired others to do the same,” said Dame Louise Richardson, president of Carnegie Corporation of New York. Carnegie Corporation of New York is a leading philanthropic foundation established by Scottish immigrant Andrew Carnegie and is now led by Irish immigrant Dame Louise Richardson. It celebrates the crucial role of naturalized citizens in making America a land of opportunity for all. -
Indian festival Diwali to be school holiday in New York City
NEW YORK (TIP): Diwali, the festival of lights, will now be enshrined as a school holiday in New York City, authorities announced here and described it as a “victory” for the city’s residents, including the Indian community.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he was proud that the State Assembly and the State Senate have passed the bill making Diwali a New York City Public School holiday.
“And we feel confident that the governor is going to sign this bill into law,” he said at a special announcement from City Hall on Monday.
“This is a victory, not only from the men and women of the Indian community and all communities that celebrate Diwali, but it’s a victory for New York,” Adams said.
Diwali will be a public-school holiday in New York City beginning this year.
New York Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar, the first Indian American woman ever elected to a New York State office, said for over two decades, the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean community has fought for this moment.
“Today, the mayor and I are proud to stand before the whole world and say that from now on and forever, Diwali will be a school holiday in New York City.” Rajkumar said the Diwali holiday is to be enshrined in law. -
Indian American Attorney Neel Katyal scores a key victory for voting rights
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Neal Katyal, a leading Indian American attorney, is being celebrated for scoring a key victory for voting rights advocates with the Supreme Court rejecting the so-called Independent State Legislature theory.
By a 6-3 judgment, the apex court on Monday rejected the controversial legal theory that state legislatures have almost unlimited power to decide the rules for federal elections and draw partisan congressional maps without interference from state courts.
US-born son of immigrant parents from India, Katyal, 53, a former acting US solicitor general won the day for the watchdog group Common Cause, by pressing the justices to reject the election theory before the 2024 election.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the opinion for the 6-3 majority in this case known as Moore v. Harper, which stems from a dispute in North Carolina. The North Carolina legislators were appealing a ruling by their state supreme court finding that the new congressional map they adopted after the 2020 census was a blatant partisan gerrymander that violated the state constitution.
Even President Barack Obama, a legal scholar himself, hailed the Supreme Court decision. “Today, the Supreme Court rejected the fringe independent state legislature theory that threatened to upend our democracy and dismantle our system of checks and balances,” he tweeted. “This ruling rejects the far-right theory that threatened to undermine our democracy and makes clear that courts can continue defending voters’ rights—in North Carolina and in every state,” Obama wrote.
As accolades rolled in, Katyal himself tweeted, “The truth is this was the victory of an incredible group of lawyers who worked at my side day and night for months. Everything you heard was them.”
He also commended an article in law.com “about what really happened yesterday in Moore v Harper. All our supposed allies, including the Biden Administration’s Justice Dept, tried to get rid of the case, telling the Court, they couldn’t decide it. We stood alone.”
“We were right. If the Court accepted those views, the nation would have never had this decision,” Katyal wrote.
“While most respondents urged the court to deem the appeal moot, Common Cause’s attorney Neal Katyal pressed the justices to reject the election theory before next year’s election. The strategy paid off,” according to the author Jimmy Hoover.
“The dispute over that theory must be resolved in time to prepare maps, ballots, and election rules well in advance of the 2024 elections,” Katyal wrote for Common Cause. “It is therefore exceptionally important that the Court address the Question Presented as quickly as possible.”
Katyal told reporters as cited by law.com he thought it was “preposterous” that the North Carolina Supreme Court could effectively strip the US Supreme Court of jurisdiction over a pending case by ruling in underlying litigation. That, he said, “would open a terrible door for the Supreme Court in the future.”
“I was quite surprised to see the other plaintiffs that were supposedly on our side agree that the North Carolina Supreme Court could do that,” Katyal added.
Katyal said that, in addition to feeling the mootness question was not particularly close, he was confident after oral arguments that the Supreme Court would, if it reached the merits, reject the lawmakers’ election theory.
The questioning showed a majority of the court was “solidly behind throwing out the independent state legislature doctrine,” he said.
Reviewing the court’s decision Tuesday, Katyal seemed to take a victory lap, Law.com said. “This is as definitive a Supreme Court ruling as you can get,” he said. “I wasn’t surprised at all. I’ve always felt that this decision should have been 6-3 or even more.”
Vice President Kamala Harris, who leads the administration’s voting rights efforts, also championed the Supreme Court opinion while continuing to call on Congress to pass bills that support the push.
“Voting is the bedrock of our democracy. Today’s decision preserves state courts’ critical role in safeguarding elections and protecting the voice and the will of the American people,” she stated.
“We know that more work must be done to protect the fundamental right to vote and to draw fair maps that reflect the diversity of our communities and our nation.
“The President and I will keep fighting to secure access to the ballot box, but we cannot do this alone. We continue to call on Congress to do their part to protect voters and our democracy and pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act,” Harris added. -
Indian-origin man stabbed to death outside an apartment block in UK
LONDON (TIP): A 38-year-old Indian-origin man was stabbed to death outside an apartment block in south London and a 25-year-old man has been charged with his murder, as the Scotland Yard said its Specialist Crime Command is leading the investigation.
Aravind Sasikumar died after being found with stab injuries outside a residential property in Southampton Way in Southwark on Friday, June 16. The Metropolitan Police launched a murder investigation and charged Salman Salim (25) with murder on Saturday, when he appeared before Croydon Magistrates’ Court to be remanded in custody.
Salim is scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey court in London on Tuesday.
“The police were called at 1:27 hrs. (local time) on Friday after a man was found with stab injuries outside a residential address in Southampton Way,” the Met Police said, adding the family of Sasikumar, reportedly originally from Kerala, have been informed. -
Indian American legislator in Michigan introduced a bill to expand the definition of hate crime and include vandalization of a place of worship
MICHIGAN (TIP): An Indian American legislator in the US state of Michigan has introduced a bill to expand the definition of hate crime and include vandalization of a place of worship in it. Michigan State Representative Ranjeev Puri, whose parents migrated to the US from Amritsar in the 1970s, has also introduced a bill to establish the holidays of Diwali, Baisakhi, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha and Lunar New Year as official state-recognized holidays in Michigan. Into his second term as the State Representative, Puri is now the Michigan House Majority Whip, an influential position and has been advancing social issues. “I have introduced a bill to make Diwali, Baisakhi and Eid-ul-Fitr holidays in Michigan. I have another bill that would expand the definition of hate crimes. So, the original hate crime bill in Michigan was written in 1988 and has not been updated since. It’s been 35 years and so we are updating the definitions to be more inclusive,” Puri told the media in an interview. “If a religious institution such as a temple, mosque or a gurdwara is vandalized or desecrated, it is now going to be much easier to prosecute those people. There are a whole host of issues that we are tackling,” he said. Puri’s parents immigrated to the US in 1970. His father was instrumental in establishing the first Sikh gurdwara in Wisconsin.
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Indian American Shilen Patel becomes Cal Water’s Chief Business Development Officer
Parminder Aujla
SACRAMENTO (TIP): California Water Service (Cal Water), a subsidiary of California Water Service Group, has promoted Shilen M. Patel to Chief Business Development Officer, effective June 1, 2023.
“Shilen has played a key role in executing our business development strategy. This promotion is well-deserved recognition for his contribution to our growth, and I look forward to welcoming him to the officer team,” said Martin A. Kropelnicki, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer in a June 1 announcement.
Prior to joining Cal Water in July 2019, Patel served as Director, Strategy & Development at Veolia North America.
A seasoned professional with more than 18 years of progressive business development and corporate strategy experience, he holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Political Science from UC Santa Barbara and is expected to complete a Master of Business Administration from Santa Clara University at the end of 2023.
California Water Service Group is the largest regulated water utility in the western United States. It provides high-quality, reliable water and/or wastewater services to more than 2 million people in California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Washington, and Texas through its regulated subsidiaries, California Water Service, Hawaii Water Service, New Mexico Water Service, and Washington Water Service, and its utility holding company, Texas Water Service. What sets the Group apart is its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for its customers, communities, employees, and stockholders. Working as one team, the Group’s 1,100+ employees lead the way in protecting the planet, caring for people, and operating with the utmost integrity, according to a press release.
Integral to the Group’s strategy is investing responsibly in water and wastewater infrastructure, sustainability initiatives, and community well-being. The company has been named one of “America’s Most Responsible Companies” by Newsweek and a Great Place to Work. -
Indian-origin woman banned from teaching in UK for 2 years for committing fraud
LONDON (TIP): An Indian-origin woman has been banned from teaching by the UK’s Department of Education for a minimum of two years for concealing charges of fraud against her from a school where she joined in 2018. Dipti Patel moved to Bolton from London when she became the head of physical education at Manchester Academy in Moss Side in 2018, the media reported. Patel said one of the reasons for the move was an armed burglary at her home, and the family made an insurance claim for tens of thousands of pounds after the incident.
But an investigation found that it was a contrived burglary, and that the insurance claim was fraudulent.
Patel was charged with an offence under the Fraud Act, but it was only when she was convicted that she told the school about the case.
She also lied on an application for leave, saying it was to take a child to an appointment when it was to attend St Albans Crown Court, the report said.
She was then referred to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) by the Manchester Academy.
“Teachers must have proper and professional regard for the ethos, policies and practices of the school in which they teach and maintain high standards in their own attendance and punctuality,” an independent panel that looked into Patel’s conduct, said in its report.
“The panel finds that the conduct of Mrs. Patel fell significantly short of the standards.” On May 12, the panel recommended a ban from the profession for a minimum of two years, which was accepted by the Department for Education.
According to the prohibition order, Patel cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England. -
Indian-origin professor Joyeeta Gupta awarded ‘Dutch Nobel Prize’ for her research on just and sustainable world
AMSTERDOM (TIP): Indian-origin professor Joyeeta Gupta is among the two scientists who have been named for the prestigious Spinoza Prize, also known as the Dutch Nobel Prize, it was announced on Wednesday, June 7.
Gupta, the faculty professor of Sustainability and professor of Environment and Development in the Global South at the University of Amsterdam, received the prize for her outstanding, pioneering, and inspiring scientific work in which she focuses on a just and sustainable world, the Dutch Research Council said.
Gupta will be officially presented with the highest distinction in Dutch science on October 4 alongside Toby Kiers, another scientist chosen for the award, the council said in a statement.
Toby Kiers is a professor of Mutualistic Interactions at the University of Amsterdam.
Gupta will receive 1.5 million euros to spend on scientific research and activities related to knowledge utilization, the statement said. Sometimes called the ‘Dutch Nobel Prize’, the Spinoza prize is the highest award in Dutch academia and is awarded each year to researchers working in the Netherlands who “according to international standards belong to the absolutely best researchers worldwide”.
“The scientists who have received this award in the past represent the absolute best of Dutch academia, so I’m honored to be considered alongside them,” Gupta said.
Gupta, who is also co-chair of the Earth Commission founded by Future Earth and supported by the Global Challenges Foundation, said she would work towards implementing her ideas on sharing ‘ecospace’ (environmental utilization space) globally that aims to protect environmental conditions in an equitable manner worldwide and would be a fitting way to bring global environmental and developmental issues together.
Gupta’s research focused on how to solve issues arising from climate change through good governance, the statement said. “At the core of her research is an attempt to unravel the connections between the climate crisis, global water challenges, possible solutions and justice. To this end, her work brings together various scientific disciplines, from international law and economics to political science, development studies and environmental studies,” the statement said. -
Indian-origin father-son duo arrested for assaulting, exploiting and extorting teenage girls in Canada
CALGARY (TIP): An Indian-origin man and his son have been arrested and charged in Canada for allegedly assaulting, exploiting and extorting multiple teenage girls over several months.
Gurpartap Singh Walia, 56, and his son Sumrit Walia, 24, were arrested after an investigation was conducted to find a missing 13-year-old girl in April, a Calgary police statement said.
The girl who was located later revealed that she was in a relationship with Sumrit who allegedly provided her with alcohol, drugs, and vapes in exchange for sex, it said.
The father-son duo worked at and owned Haddon Convenience Store in Calgary.
They also own Premier Liquor Wine and Spirits, located next door to the convenience store, where the assaults occurred, the statement said.
As the investigation progressed, the officers determined that the father and son were providing vapes, marijuana, cigarettes and alcohol to multiple other teenage girls, who were sexually assaulted at the businesses.
It is believed the incidents occurred between December 2022 and May 2023. The girls could not legally consent.
Police arrested both suspects on June 1. A search warrant at a residence resulted in the seizure of 975 grams of cocaine with a street value of USD 97,500, and seven handguns.
Search warrants were also executed at the two businesses, which resulted in the seizure of a computer with child pornography, drugs and drug paraphernalia, contraband tobacco, vape cartridges and collapsible batons.
Sumrit was thus charged with one count of sexual interference with a minor, one count of sexual exploitation, one count of sexual assault, one count of possession of child pornography, and one count of accessing child pornography. He is also charged with one count of creating child pornography, seven counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, one count of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, one count of extortion, three counts of uttering threats, one count of selling contraband tobacco to youth and one count of breach of a court order.
Meanwhile, his father Gurpartap Singh is charged with four counts of sexual assault, four counts of sexual interference with a minor and one count of selling contraband tobacco. -
California bill will allow Sikhs to ride motorcycles without a helmet
Parminder Aujla
SACRAMENTO (TIP): Sikhs and other people whose faith requires them to wear a turban or patka could soon be allowed to ride motorcycles in California without a helmet as mandated by state law, according to media reports. The State Senate last Wednesday, May 31 voted to grant a religious exemption for the headwear. The measure, Senate Bill 847 from Republican Sen. Brian Dahle cleared the chamber by a 21-8 margin. Eight Democrats voted “no,” while 13 others sided with Republicans.
“Freedom of religion is a core foundation of this country. We, as Americans, have the right to freely express our religion and I believe that right should equally extend to everyone,” Dahle stated after the bill passed as cited by the Sacramento Bee.
Dahle added that existing state law doesn’t intentionally discriminate against Sikhs and other peoples of faith, but that “the reality is that those who practice those religions are limited in how they can express their customs.”
His office cites the 2021 American Community Survey which found an estimated 211,000 Sikhs living in California — nearly half of all Sikhs in the country. “Although other countries and our own military make accommodations for Sikhs’ deep beliefs, out of the US states that require helmets, none has exemptions for Sikhs or any other group based on religious practice,” according to Dahle’s office.
SB 847 now moves to the Assembly.
Eighteen states, including California, have adopted universal helmet laws since a federal safety penalty was repealed in 1995, according to the media
The California Highway Patrol enforces the universal helmet law, and violations are punished with a fine of up to $250 and/or a year on probation.
“The turban I tie is about 7 meters. It’s not just a head covering,” a member of the Sikh community was quoted as saying during a Senate committee hearing. “We are not able to ride our bikes and practice our religion.”
The Automobile Club of Southern California opposes the legislation, citing concerns that it would weaken the state’s universal motorcycle helmet law, according to the report.
“The Auto Club supports helmet laws because they save lives and reduce serious injuries in traffic crashes involving motorcycles,” a spokesperson stated in an email to a newspaper.
“Everyone has a right to self-expression, including while riding a motorcycle or any other form of transportation, but keeping riders safe should always remain a priority.”
More than 5,500 motorcyclists died in 2020, and more than 180,000 were injured in motorcycle crashes, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Helmets were found to reduce the risk of head injuries from crashes by 69%. The County Health Executives Association of California also opposes Dahle’s legislation, Senate Bill 847, the report said.
“CHEAC understands that wearing turbans and patkas are deeply important religious expressions, and we encourage innovation and equity in the design of helmets to accommodate head coverings instead of weakening existing helmet laws and risking the safety of these riders,” Michelle Gibbons, the association’s executive director, wrote in an email. According to an analysis of the bill, Sikhs or other groups are not exempt from helmet laws in other states due to religious practices. Several provinces in Canada, including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario exempt Sikhs from helmet laws. Exemptions have also been granted in the United Kingdom and India, the report noted. -
Two Indian Americans nominated Superior Court judges in California
Parminder Aujla
SACRAMENTO (TIP): California Governor Gavin Newsom has nominated two Indian Americans as Superior Court judges. While Sweena Pannu will serve as a Judge in the Stanislaus County Superior Court, Marsha Bipin Amin will serve as a Judge in the San Diego County Superior Court.
Their nominations were announced by the Governor’s office in Sacramento on May 19 with a slate of three Court of Appeal Justices and 27 Superior Court Judges.
Stanislaus County Superior Court
Pannu of Stanislaus County has served as a Deputy County Counsel in the Stanislaus County Counsel’s Office since 2020. She served as a Deputy Public Defender at the Stanislaus County Public Defender’s Office from 2006 to 2020. Pannu, a Democrat, was an Attorney at M.L.SARIN from 1996 to 2004. Pannu earned a Master of Laws degree from the University of Aberdeen School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Thomas D. Zeff.
San Diego County Superior Court
Marsha Bipin Amin of San Diego County, also a Democrat, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Diego County Superior Court. Amin has served as a Managing Attorney at the Fourth District Court of Appeal since 2018 and was a Senior Appellate Court Attorney there from 2011 to 2018.
She was an Associate at Procopio from 2006 to 2010 and served as a Law Clerk at the US District Court, Southern District of California from 2005 to 2006. Amin earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego School of Law and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Laura Halgren. -
Indian American entrepreneur Anu Sehgal honored for boosting cross-cultural exchange
NEW YORK CITY (TIP): A leading India-born entrepreneur and author has been honored by New York City Mayor Eric Adams for her pioneering efforts to foster cross-cultural exchange and contribution to the city’s vibrant South Asian community.
Anu Sehgal, founder and president of The Culture Tree, was honored with a citation by Adams at the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Reception 2023 here on Tuesday.
Sehgal was one of six honorees and the only South Asian awarded during the special commemoration attended by prominent members of the diaspora and AAPI communities.
The citation applauded Sehgal for her “efforts to foster cross-cultural exchange while uniting our vibrant South Asian community. Together, we look forward to the many ways she and all AAPI New Yorkers will continue to make a positive difference as we take bold steps to ‘Get Stuff Done’ and forge a brighter, safer and prosperous future for our global city”.
In the citation, Adams said he is pleased to recognize the accomplishments of Sehgal, “a proud Indian American who has strengthened New York for nearly two decades”.
Sehgal said she is honored to be recognized by Adams and his office for the work she has been doing for cultural enrichment and in representing New York’s South Asian community.
Anu said about herself: “I grew up in India and moved to the US more than 20 years ago. After the move, I was starved for authentic Indian experiences and community and devoured anything that came my way: film festivals, exhibits, book readings etc. Once I became a mother, the lack of quality and authentic Indian programs and classes became even more evident. I am an active parent and believe an awareness of one’s heritage, culture and language are key for children to become self-aware and confident individuals. I also recognize the immense benefits of being bilingual.
“As a cultural educator, I am looking forward to providing children with authentic, immersive and inspiring experiences. Through classes and events, we can offer cross-cultural exposure that can help shape knowledgeable, open-minded and respectful individuals.
“The Culture Tree continues to expand. Although initially language was our primary focus, we have now expanded to cultural events and cooking classes and building a sense of community. We are also partnering with organizations and museums to bring South Asian culture and languages to the forefront.” -
Indian American teen Saathvik Kannan wins $50,000 Young Scientist award
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): A 17-year-old Indian-origin student in Missouri has won the prestigious Regeneron Young Scientist Awards of $50,000 for his research relating to the mpox virus.
Saathvik Kannan of David H Hickman High School in Columbia was awarded for using biocomputational methods to understand the causes of heightened infectivity in the disease mpox after it re-emerged in 2022.
Saathvik’s approach, named Bioplex, uses a combination of machine learning and three-dimensional comparative protein modelling to decode structures like those that enable the mpox virus to replicate.
This allowed him to identify the mutations in the virus that likely made it more infectious as well as other mutations that could make it resistant to antibiotics. He credited his mentor, Kamlendra Singh, an assistant professor of veterinary pathobiology at the University of Missouri.
“I was overjoyed and incredibly excited!” Saathvik wrote in an email to the Columbia Daily Tribute about the prize.
“I felt that it reflected our work with Dr Singh’s mentorship and guidance over the last few years culminating in my project from this year.” Saathvik believes scientists will also be able to apply Bioplex to future outbreaks of other viruses.
More than 1,600 young scientists and engineers representing 49 states and 64 countries across the world competed at the 2023 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. Saathvik also took first place in the fair’s computational biology and bioinformatics division, receiving another $5,000.
According to Regeneron, a leading biotechnology company, the winners were selected for their commitment to innovation in tackling challenging scientific questions, using authentic research practices and creating solutions to the problems of tomorrow.
Rishab Jain, another Indian American student from Portland, won the same award last year for developing an AI-based model to enable rapid and cost-effective production of drugs, such as recombinant Covid-19 vaccines, using synthetic DNA engineering. -
Indian American Dev Shah wins 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee by correctly spelling ‘psammophile’
OXON HILL, Md. (TIP): Dev Shah, an eighth-grader from Largo, Florida, spelled “psammophile” correctly to win the 95th national Bee and the $50,000 prize on Thursday, June 1. Charlotte Walsh, the hometown kid from just across the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia, could not nail “daviely” in the preceding round. Walsh’s prize was $25,000 for the second-place finish, while the third-place finishers ― Shradha Rachamreddy and Surya Kapu ― each won $12,500. With time running out on Scripps’ intended broadcast window, the judges could have called for a “spell-off,” a 90-second window for competitors to spell as many words as they can. Instead, they allowed Shan and Walsh to duke it out in one final orthographic volley. “It’s surreal,” Shah said onstage after confetti fell on his head and he lifted the trophy high above. “I don’t know if it’s settled in. My legs are still shaking.”
Minutes later, still onstage, Shah felt the same way. “I made a lot of sacrifices these last three months and I’m glad I made them,” Shah said. “I’m glad to now get back what I sacrificed.” Shah cut back on his extracurricular activities to dedicate more time to the dictionary. Some days he would not even go to school since exams were over. He’d be better off studying, Shah figured.
“I knew I had to study,” Shah said. “It paid off.”
What was the winning word at 2023 Spelling Bee?
Shah’s spelling bee-clinching word was “psammophile.”According to Merriam-Webster, a psammophile is “an organism that prefers or thrives in sandy soils or areas.”
Other words that Shah correctly spelled during the competition include: bathypitotmeter, tolsester, rommack, aegagrus, schistorrhachis, poliorcetics, Perioeci, exhortation, cocomat and ardoise. The moment he heard the word, Shah knew he had the Bee in his pocket. Rachamreddy and Kapu could not make it through the fifth round of the evening and finished tied for third. It was a heartbreaking outcome for Kapu, who finished tied for fifth last year. He was the lone repeat finalist from the previous year and received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Due to time constraints of a two-hour broadcast window and the eight-way tie for the title in 2019, Scripps two years ago invented the spell-off, which debuted in last year’s championship, won by Harini Logan.
That didn’t stop Bee organizers from bringing out the buzzers in anticipation. With a new prop in her way, Walsh correctly spelled “collembolous” to secure her spot among the final two. A half hour after Shah won, she returned to the stage to offer a congratulatory hug. “I don’t feel like I was competing against anyone,” Shah said. “In between rounds, and even during rounds, we would congratulate each other. That’s what separates the Spelling Bee from other competitions. Everyone’s in there together.”
(Source: USA Today) -
Punjab-origin gangster Amarpreet Samra shot in Canada
VANCOUVER, CANADA (TIP): In a suspected case of gang war, Punjab-origin gangster Amarpreet Samra was shot dead at south Vancouver in Canada when he was coming out of a wedding reception on Sunday, May 28 morning. The 28-year-old Samra was also called ‘Chucky’.
‘Chucky’ Samra was shot dead outside Fraserview Banquet Hall near Fraser St & Southeast Marine Dr. It was a targeted shooting related to the ongoing gang conflict. Samra was on the dance floor at Fraserview Banquet Hall with other wedding guests less than 30 minutes before he was shot on Fraser Street just before 1:30 am.
A few guests told media persons that some unidentified men had walked into the hall and told the DJ to stop the music. Around 60 guests were present at the venue.
Samra was on the ‘wanted list’ of the Canadian police. He reached the marriage party with his gangster brother Ravinder. They were working in alliance with the UN Gang. Samra was among the 11 alleged criminals named by the authorities in August 2022 who were a threat to the public.
In an official statement from the Vancouver police, they are investigating the killing of a 28-year-old man.
“Multiple 911 callers reported that one man had been shot outside a south Vancouver banquet hall near Fraser Street and Southeast Marine Drive at 1:30 am. Patrol officers performed CPR on the victim until paramedics arrived, but he died,” the statement reads.
Investigators believe this was a targeted shooting related to the ongoing gang conflict. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to call the Vancouver Police Homicide Unit at 604-717-2500, it further reads. -
Indian American multi sports coach Jatin Patel gets Cricket Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award
WASHINGTON D.C. (TIP): Indian American multi sports coach Jatin Patel is set to become the eighth individual since 1981 to receive Cricket Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award, according to a media report.
Patel will join a list that includes West Indies legendary all-rounder Sir Garfield “Gary” Sobers and Michael Holding, Lloyd Dixon, Roy Sweeney, Denzel Powell, Tony Becca, and Mahammad Ahmad Qureshi, popularly known as Maq Qureshi, who have received the Hall of Fame’s Lifetime Achievement Awards.
This will be the third prestigious award for Jatin Patel who also received the US President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifelong commitment to building a strong nation through volunteer service, according to Cricket World.
He has already qualified for Indiana, Governor’s Long-Term Public Service Recognition for his 35 years of professional career.
Previously, Jatin Patel received the Indiana Governor’s Public Service Achievement Award in 2010 and won the American Cricket Federation Inaugural Volunteer Award in 2013.
A multi discipline (cricket, soccer, and baseball) coach, Jatin Patel is also a USA Cricket Hall of Famer. He was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2020 and became a board member in 2021.
His commendable nomination is based on his commitment and sincerity to public service and his multi sports interest as his weekend only hobby, Cricket World said.
Patel, who pioneered the American Cricket Education Council (ACEC) in 2022, is also a professional sports performance analyst accredited by the International Society of Performance Analysts of Sport (ISPAS).
A renowned name in the Indian community for his various roles in cricket establishments in the USA, he holds Advance Sports Performance and Analysis Diplomas (FIFA & Olympic Soccer).
Patel also pioneered scholastic cricket and trained coaches while helping more than sixty youth cricket academy and community programs, in addition to colleges /universities & schools in the USA.
A delighted Patel said, “2023 is a momentous year for me as I received the Federal award, followed by CHOF international recognition. These are memorable achievements for the rest of my life. These are one of the greatest honors I have ever received as my accolades. In cricket terms, I scored a Hat-Trick.”
“Jatin deserves such honor for all work he has done with the extreme dedication for the sport Cricket,” Dr. Shivnarine Chanderpaul, legend cricket hall of famer, former West Indies captain, and champion CPL 2022 coach was quoted as saying.
“Receiving another accolade of such high recognition is beyond comparison. I send my heartfelt gratitude for the nomination,” said Patel who is also the chairperson for Who Is Who in Cricket (CricWho).
“To be more precise, I can honestly say all credit goes to my parents, family, and friends who supported me over the years, I thank them all. It is not just my award, but this belongs to all of us as a team.”
“No doubt, We also count our forebears and mentors who provided the inspiration and motivation to serve others,” added Patel.
“It is an honor and a pleasure working with Jatin Patel. He has continued to make all of us proud at the Hall & Museum,” said Michael Chambers, Executive Director & founder of USA Cricket Hall of Fame. -
Four Indo-Canadian Punjabis win Alberta provincial poll
ALBERTA, CANADA (TIP): Four Punjabis have been elected to the provincial legislature of Alberta on Monday. A total of 15 Punjabis contested in Calgary and Edmonton.
Sitting cabinet minister from United Conservative Party (UCP) Rajan Sawhney won from Calgary Northwest. Sawhney defeated Michael Lisboa-Smith of the New Democratic Party (NDP).
Incumbent NDP MLA Jasvir Deol again won from Edmonton Meadows. He defeated Amritpal Singh Matharu of the UCP. Parmeet Singh Boporai of the NDP defeated sitting MLA Devinder Toor of the UCP from Calgary Falconridge. In Calgary Northeast, NDP’s Gurinder Brar defeated Inder Grewal of the UCP.
Amanpreet Singh Gill lost from Calgary-Bhullar-Mccall, Raman Athwal from Edmonton Mill Woods, R Singh Bath from Edmonton Ellerslie, Gurinder Singh Gill from Calgary-Cross, Harry Singh from Drayton Valley-Devon, Aman Sandhu from Calgary-Cross, Jeewan Mangat from Innisfail-Sylvan Lake and Braham Luddu from Lethbridge-West.
As per the 2021 Census, more than half of Canada’s Sikhs can be found in one of four cities—Brampton (1,63,260), Surrey (1,54,415), Calgary (49,465) and Edmonton (41,385). -
Chaman Lal becomes first British-Indian Lord Mayor of Birmingham
LONDON (TIP): Birmingham has got its first British-Indian Lord Mayor in Councilor Chaman Lal after the local councilors of the West Midlands city of England chose him to represent it as its first citizen.
Lal, who is from the Ravidassia community of British Sikhs, was born in the village of Pakhowal in Hoshiarpur before he moved to the UK, where he has served as a local councilor for many years.
The Labor Party politician was first elected in 1994 and in the most recent local elections was re-elected Councilor for the Soho and Jewelry Quarter Ward.
“It is a very proud moment for me and our family, as a son of an army officer born in India, but made in Birmingham,” Lal said in his acceptance speech at a mayoral ceremony last week.
“I am an adopted Brummie, and I never thought that one day I would become the Lord Mayor of my adopted city. I would like to thank my fellow councilors for electing me as their first citizen and of our great city which happens to be the highest civic role entrusted to a serving councilor,” he said.
According to the Birmingham City Council, Chaman Lal’s father, Sardar Harnam Singh Banga, was a British Indian army officer who served in the Italian campaign during World War II. Lal’s father came to England in 1954 and settled in Birmingham, taking employment in various industries including several years with British Steel.
Chaman Lal came to England with his mother, Sardarni Jai Kaur, to join his father in 1964 and has lived in Birmingham ever since. He attended Wattville Secondary Modern School and continued with his studies in evening classes at Sandwell and Matthew Boulton Colleges.
“He believes in lifelong learning and continued his academic studies in economics and law on part-time degree courses at the local Polytechnic. He qualified as an engineer in electronics and became an apprentice with an electronics company. He progressed to becoming their youngest chief engineer in the service department and was later promoted to the post of manager of the service department,” Birmingham City Council said.
Lal went on to set up his own electronics business as well as other businesses. He married Vidya Wati in 1971 and the couple have three daughters and two sons.
His interest in politics dates back to 1989 when he joined the Labor Party and took part in many social justice campaigns to challenge inequality and discrimination.
He has served on most of the local council’s committees in the past 29 years, including as a cabinet advisor for major transport projects and recently as the Chair of the Sustainability and Transport Overview and Scrutiny Committee. “He has served many years on the West Midlands Transport Authority and has a keen interest in improving public transport. As Chair of the Transport Scrutiny Committee, he led several Task and Finish Groups including making the recommendations for the best e-ticketing solution for the WMPTA which led to the introduction of the contactless travel (Swift Card) in the West Midlands area,” the local council noted.
His other policy reviews resulted in more late night and early morning bus services to meet the needs of the night economy as well as early morning workers, it said.