Israel calls preposterous vote against Jerusalem at UN General Assembly
UNITED NATIONS (TIP) India joined 127 other countries, on December 20 to vote in the UN General Assembly in favor of a resolution opposing the recent decision of US President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Nine countries voted against the resolution, while 35 countries abstained.
India’s decision to vote against American recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital comes a day after Trump warned countries against opposing the US position. India did not speak on the floor of the Assembly in New York, but after Trump recognized the holy city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, it had said that its Palestine position was independent and consistent.
The countries that joined the US in voting against the resolution were Honduras, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau and Togo. Among major nations who abstained voting were Australia, Bhutan, Canada, Columbia, Hungry, Mexico, Panama, the Philippines, Poland and Uganda.
Israel rejected as “preposterous” the vote by 127 countries, including India, at the UNGA that opposed Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital.
NEW DELHI (TIP): The United Nations owes $54.60 million to India for its peacekeeping operations, the government said on December18.
In a written response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State in the Defense Ministry Subhash Bhamre said the reimbursements due on on-going missions is $41.93 million and $12.67 million in case of closed missions.
India is an active participant in several UN peace- keeping missions.
WASHINGTON (TIP): Indian American congressmen came down heavily on the tax reforms of the Trump administration calling the tax bill passed by the US Congress as “tax scam.”
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said that the tax bill would add nearly $1.5 trillion to the national debt while destabilizing the healthcare system of the nation.
“House Republican egos just wrote a check the middle class shouldn’t have to cash. The tax bill Republicans just jammed through would add nearly $1.5 trillion to the national debt while raising taxes on working families, and destabilizing our health care system by leaving 13 million more Americans without insurance – including 2 million who currently have employer-provided coverage,” Krishnamoorthi said in a statement.
“This legislation is a ticking tax bomb: millions of middle-class families could see their taxes increase over the next decade as state and local tax deductions and other middle-class provisions get dramatically scaled back. Health insurance premiums will jump by 10 percent per year, and massive additional debt will be piled on the backs of our children and future generations,” he added.
The tax bill that is considered to be the biggest reform of the US tax code in 30 years was approved by the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Though the Democratic party unanimously voted against the act, the $1.5 trillion tax bill was passed by the Senate and House of Representatives which is considered as President Donald Trump’s first major legislative victory.
“The Republicans can’t fool the American people with their trickle-down scam. 76 percent believe that the tax bill will help large corporations while only 28 percent believe that the tax cuts will be used to create jobs. This unpopular #GOPTaxScam must be rejected,” tweeted Rep. Ro Khanna.
“It’s hard to believe, but Republicans have made the final version of their tax bill even more generous for the wealthiest Americans by lowering the highest individual rate to 37 percent. How is this supposed to grow the economy? The #GOPTaxScam is a bad deal for the middle class,” he wrote in another tweet.
Lowering the corporate tax rate to 21 percent from 35 percent is one of the major reforms brought by the Republicans. Along with this, the bill allows tax cuts for businesses, lower rates for many individuals and a narrower estate tax.
“The GOP tax scam bill is an all-out war on any idea of opportunity in this country. It’s a massive tax break for the ultra-wealthy on the backs of middle-class families. It’s outrageous that Republicans in the House voted to pass this love letter to their largest donors and corporations,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal.
“This tax “plan” is little more than a gift to corporations and the top one percent and an attack on our values,” alleged Senator Kamala Harris.
“Instead of a real middle-class tax cut, the overwhelming majority of the benefits of this bill — an astounding 83 percent — go to the top one percent over the next decade,” she said.
Paper Mill Playhouse housed in Millburn, NJ is the recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, under the direction of Mark S. Hoebee, (Producing Artistic Director) and Todd Schmidt (Managing Director). The Playhouse is one of the country’s leading regional theatres.
Paper Mill shares the wonder of creation in its 2017-2018 season with an astonishing 4 premieres: The Honeymooners; The Outsider; The Sting, A New Musical; Half Time, a New Musical; and, the major revival of a cherished holiday classic, Annie.
Along the way, some of today’s best classical singers, dancers, directors, choreographers, actors, playwrights and designers share their talents to transport you with captivating, human and funny American stories.
It’s all part of what has placed Paper Mill center stage in bringing the new American musical theater to life, and it’s why anyone looking for what’s truly next and noteworthy subscribes.
Paper Mill Playhouse is located at 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ 07041
There is no better way to celebrate the “love of family, the promise that hope brings, and the joy” of this festive season than by sharing one of the world’s best-loved musicals Annie with the audience, confesses Mark S. Hoebee, Artistic Director of Paper Mill Playhouse and Director of Annie. It returns to Paper Mill Playhouse in time for the holidays.
Inspired by the irrepressible comic strip heroine, Annie’s brilliant book writer, the late Thomas Meehan, threaded through this musical the powerful message that family can be found in the most unlikely of places – in a Lower East Side orphanage among one’s childhood companions, or in a mansion on Fifth Avenue with one of the world’s richest men.
The cast of Annie. Photos /Courtesy Even Zimmerman for MurphyMade.
The musical tells of little orphan Annie who charms everyone’s hearts when she is taken away with her lovable mutt named Sandy from an orphanage from the clutches of the cruel Miss Hannigan to stay at billionaire Oliver Warbucks’ mansion for the holidays, in the wondrous world of 1930s New York City. Along the way, she befriends President Roosevelt. When Annie wins the hearts of Warbucks and his staff, they set out on an epic mission to find Annie’s parents.
The cast of Annie. Photos /Courtesy Even Zimmerman for MurphyMade.
Annie premiered over 40 years ago; it was in 1977 when that beloved little redhead orphan took Broadway by storm. The musical captured the hearts of all generations around the globe, winning 7 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Score. The score features some of the unforgettable songs, as “It’s The Hard-Knock Life, “Easy Street,” “A New Deal for Christmas” and the eternal theme of optimism “Tomorrow.” The anthemic tune, “Tomorrow” Annie sings near the beginning of the story declares that even during the dark times of the Great Depression, when half the country was broke or out of work and it seemed as though politicians were unconcerned with the plight of the common man, there was still hope. And so, a little girl raised her eyes and her voice to tell the world that no matter how bad things may seem today, there’s one thing certain: the sun’ll come out tomorrow.
The Broadway original inspired 2 sequels, about 3 movie versions, countless national and international tours, major revivals, and previous Paper Mill productions in 1983 and 2002.
Book: (the late) Thomas Meehan; Music: Charles Strouse; Lyrics: Martin Charmin
Based on: “Little Orphan Annie”
Music Supervision and Direction: Jeffrey Saver
Choreographed by Joann M. Hunter
Directed by Mark S. Hoebee
Starring: Tony Award winner Beth Leavel as Miss Hannigan; Tony Award Nominee Christopher Sieber as Oliver Warbucks
Ensemble Actors: Peyton Ella, Cooper Grodin, Erin Mackey, Kevin Pariseau, Cassidy Pry, Kim Sava
Annie, the Musical, began its run on November 22 at Paper Mill Playhouse and will continue playing until December 31, 2017.
Peyton Ella (Annie) with Macy (Sandy). Photos /Courtesy Even Zimmerman for MurphyMade.
The Honeymooners (The Musical)
The Honeymooners opened the Paper Mill Playhouse’s 2017-2018 season. Book writers Dusty Kay and Bill Nuss, composer Stephen Weiner, and lyricist Peter Mills “breathe fresh life into the beloved characters of Ralph and Alice Kramden, and Ed and Trixie Norton, true icons from the Golden Age of television – not simply rehashing old teleplays on the stage, but inventing an ingenious storyline in the best American musical comedy tradition. Tony Award-winning director John Rando ramps up the fun with his clever staging, showcasing a stellar cast of cosmic pros as well as the talents of lauded Broadway designers, a consummate music team, and Emmy Award-winning choreographer Joshua Bergasse’s splashy production numbers,” explain Mark S. Hoebee, Artistic Director and Todd Schmidt, Managing Director of the Playhouse.
The Honeymooners was a television sitcom that began in 1951 as a recurring sketch on Jackie Gleason’s live Cavalcade of Stars on the DuMont Network. The following year it moved to CBS and the new Jackie Gleason Show. In 1955, The Honeymooners became its own weekly half-hour sitcom.
The memorable madcap cast included Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Audrey Meadows and Joyce Randolph.
The show followed an everyman bus driver named Ralph Kramden and his sarcastic wife Alice (Audrey Meadows) who often comes to his rescue. Ralph also has his best friend Ed Norton, portrayed by Art Carney and his wife Trixie, played by Joyce Randolph. It was one of the first comedies on television to portray a normal married couple that is struggling to get by. Most of the action takes place in the kitchen of their Brooklyn apartment.
In the Paper Mill Playhouse’s stage musical story, America’s favorite dreamers have a brand new scheme. The Honeymooners is a World premiere musical comedy inspired by the classic television series. Ralph Kramden and his buddy Ed Norton are back and still shooting for the moon. After shocking their wives by winning a high profile jingle contest, they are catapulted out of Brooklyn and into the cutthroat world of Madison Avenue advertising, where they discover that their quest for the American Dream might cost them their friendship. Filled with big laughs and an infectious score, The Honeymooners bang zooms its way into your heart.
The principal cast featured Tony Award winner Michael McGrath as Ralph Kramden, Michael Mastro as Ed Norton, Leslie Kritzer as Alice Kramden, and Tony Award nominee Laura Bell Bundy as Trixie Norton, with Lewis Cleale as Bryce Bennett, Lewis J. Stadlen as Old Man Faciamatta, and David Wohl as Allen Upshaw; backed by an impressive ensemble of dancer-actors.
The production team includes set design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Jess Goldstein, lighting design by Jason Lyons, sound design by Kai Harada, hair, wig & makeup design by Leah J. Loukas, with orchestrations by Doug Besterman and dance arrangements by Sam Davis. The production stage manager is Timothy R. Semon. Casting is by Telsey + Company, Patrick Goodwin, CSA.
The Honeymooners, completed its run at the Playhouse, but the buzz is that the production may soon be heading to a New York’s Broadway theater.
(The author is a freelance writer. She writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health and Wellness, and Spirituality)
Metaphysics of Plato is Vedas Retold in the West and is followed with Conviction. In India Vedic Metaphysics is followed by Faith as Brahmjnan.
Let noble thoughts come to us from all sides. (Rig Veda)
The metaphysics of Socrates and Plato influenced so much the Western social and spiritual thought and brought enlightenment to the West that today WEST describes “Plato as philosophy and philosophy as Plato.” We the followers of Vedic Sanatan Dharma in India seem to have forgotten that that source of his writings and philosophy was Vedic metaphysics. Before Plato, Pythagoras went from Samos (Greece) to land of Ganga to learn Geometry. He would not have gone such a long and strange journey had the reputation of Brahmin’s (Vedic) science not been long established in Europe. (Francois. M. Voltaire).
Plato left Athens for about one decade and visited Prasava (Persia), Ariana (Iran) and North-West part of the then India-land of Aryans. He seems to have discussed a number of metaphysical concepts with the then Vedic Rsis and Munnies. On his return to Athens, he propagated those thoughts in his Academy, without perhaps making any reference to Vedic rsis and munnies. However, the influence of Vedic metaphysics is clearly visible in Plato’s writings/books.
Like the Vedic concept of moderation and Iddm nan mam (enlightened liberalism) Plato mentions in his Laws (174-f) and also in Utopia that in an Ideal state the range of economic disparities should be within 1:16. If the range of disparity increases marginally, the state is less ideal. However, if it increases considerably, the state is either a Democracy or an Oligarchy. The rulers in both tend to be tyrannical, corrupt, and hypocritical.
In his metaphysics, Plato says that the soul of virtuous people becomes lighter and goes toward heaven by moving upward after death and that of the non-virtuous, being heavier, it stays near the earth and is the cause of rebirth. On rebirth, people may be born in one of the nine kinds of families professing different faiths, religions, as well as in the different regions of the earth. Plato thus becomes one of the few ancient Western philosophers who gave a perfect philosophical theory on secularism and universal brotherhood which in the East Vedic rsis and munnies had already conveyed through Vedas.
In an ideal state, which he described as Republic, divine guidance is the maximum and in Tyranny it reaches its minimum and world dissolution (Vedic Pralaya) comes when that divine guidance is totally withdrawn. Like Vedic metaphysics Plato confirms that life in this vast turbulent ocean of matter- the material world is an illusion of comfort (Vedic Maya) and described the gross world as a phenomenal world. Plato held largely similar views like Vedic Rta (Laws of Nature) in his theory of Forms and Ideas. A few other glimpses of Vedic metaphysics can also be seen in Plato’s writings relating to divinity in the noble vocations, social classes, education system extending up to 48 years, value system and need based living, absolute nature of right and wrong and many other concepts.
Like Vedas he mentioned worst thing about corruption is that it distorts the concept of knowledge. He must have learnt about the ideal philosopher king Janaka of Bhagavad-Gita assisted by Rishi Yajnvalkya and Rsika Gargi and developed the theory of “philosopher kings” for his Republic. His concept of economics and global trade has great resemblance to Vedic economics and global trade.
While Plato propagated the Vedic concept of scientific temper, his disciple Aristotle spread the message of Physical Sciences of matter with unsuspected vitality due to entelchy, without referring to Vedas. Later many of these thoughts are found in the metaphysics of Saint Aquinas, Augustine, Immanuel Kant and many others including some scientists like Newton, Einstein etc.
Is it not surprising that seekers of Vedic knowledge can get PhD Degree in Vedas in USA- the bastion of secularism and a few other Western countries but not in secular India? Even the former Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan Supreme Court Mr. Mohd Ramde Khalilee when he met me about two years ago confirmed that he was a seeker of Vedic knowledge as it originated largely in the then North-West India now in Pakistan. Lately an e-mail has been sent to a large number of people by an American Christian “Mike” who has done PhD in Vedic metaphysics. The e-mail says if the world is to be saved from self-destruction follow Vedic eternal spiritual science – Sanatan Dharma. Somewhat similar thoughts earlier the great German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer had expressed about Upanishads about two hundred years ago.
Considering the great importance of Vedic metaphysics for the welfare of mankind and Sanatan Dharma (Vedic eternal religion), after studying the metaphysical (Upanishadic) part of four Vedas, I have written the book “Glimpses of Vedic Metaphysics” as a commoner and for the common people who are seekers of Vedic knowledge. It is not a book on Vedic literature, history or language but contains Vedic guidelines, teachings and thoughts on material, spiritual and divine aspects of human life. The seekers of Vedic knowledge can read and even take print at no cost on website http://www.sabhlokcity.com/metaphysics . Also, the book can be accessed through google.com, yahoo.com, lulu.com. Kindly render divine noble service and forward this Website to other seekers of Vedic knowledge and strengthen Vedic eternal religion. Suggestions for any improvement in the book conforming strictly to Vedas are most welcome. Within my limitation of knowledge, I do try to update the book periodically.
It is high time we establish a University in India where through Vedic studies students could get post graduate and PhD degrees and they strengthen Vedic Sanatan Dharma (eternal religion) in India and abroad.
The BJP is projected to win between 99 and 117 seats and the Congress between 64 and 82.
NEW DELHI (TIP): Exit polls on December 14 predicted a victory for the ruling BJP in Gujarat, giving it a clear majority in the keenly-contested Assembly polls in the State, a PTI report said on December 14.
Soon after voting ended in the second and final phase of the election, an exit poll gave the BJP 115 of the total 182 seats and the Congress 65. Another exit poll gave the ruling dispensation 108 seats and 74 to the opposition Congress.
The Times Now-VMR exit poll predicted 115 seats for the BJP, 64 for the Congress, and the remaining for other parties. The Republic-C Voter exit poll gave the BJP 108 seats and the Congress 74.
A poll on NDTV said the BJP would get 112 seats and the Congress 70.
The ABP-CSDS survey by ABP News predicted a BJP victory in 117 seats as against the Congress’ 64.
A survey by India Today’s Aaj Tak news channel also predicted that the BJP, which has been ruling Gujarat for almost 20 years, would retain power in the State. It said the BJP would emerge as the winner in 99-113 Assembly segments in the State, while the Congress could win 68-82 seats.
A party has to win 92 seats or more to form a government in the State. In the 2012 Assembly polls in Gujarat, the BJP had won 115 seats, the Congress 61 and others six.
Even though BJP gets majority to form a government in Gujarat, Congress seems to be on way to recovery in Gujarat.
UN Women’s Lakshmi Puri the only woman recipient of the Honor
UNITED NATIONS (TIP): Diwali Foundation USA’s Inaugural “Power of One “Awards were presented here on December 11, 2017. Belarus, Georgia and India joined with Diwali Foundation USA, to bestow “Power of One” Awards – essentially the “Oscars of Diplomacy” – upon six exceptional diplomats: Amb. Maged Abdelaziz, Amb. Ion Botnaru, Amb. Lakshmi Puri, Amb. Matthew Rycroft, Amb. Nawaf Salam, and Amb. Yuriy Sergeyev.
The event was co-sponsored by Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Botswana, Cyprus, France, Honduras, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malta, Morocco, Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Permanent Observer State of Palestine, and International Atomic Energy Agency-NY.
All the awardees, with organizers and ambassadors
Amb. Rybakov who was Master of Ceremonies invited Georgia’s Amb. Kaha Imnadze, India’s Amb. Syed Akbaruddin, Diwali Foundation’s chair Ranju Batra, National Advisory Council South Asian Affairs Chair Ravi Batra along with Amb. Frantisek Ruzicka, Chef de Cabinet to President of the 72nd General Assembly, H.E. Miroslav Lajcak, to light the Diya.
Traditional lamp lighting. Seen from L to R: Amb. Rybakov, Amb. Akbaruddin (3rd from left), Ranju Batra (4th from left), Ravi Batra (extreme right).
He expressed gratitude to all nations who agreed to Co-Sponsor the Award Ceremony, and named each of them. He said,
“Having Diwali event held already second year in a row is hopefully becoming a regular tradition here in the United Nations. Being a symbol of charity, kindness and peace, Diwali is in lockstep with the goals and ideals of the United Nations.
After a very successful launch of the Diwali stamp in 2016, this is now transformed into the “the power of one” awards acknowledging the role a person can play in the International community.
We all hope that the “power of one” award will illuminate the way forward towards a more peaceful, safe and secure world in the United Nations and beyond.”
Others who spoke on the occasion included CDC to PGA, Amb. Frantisek Ruzicka, Georgia’s Amb. Imnadze, India’s Amb. Syed Akbaruddin, Algeria’s Amb. Boukadoum, and Kazakhstan’s Amb. Umarov.
Amb. Akbaruddin: “The power of one” award gives us the opportunity to honor those who have successfully brought about change.
Ambassador Akbaruddin said, “The message of Diwali has been repeatedly stated to be the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness. It is also the reaffirmation of the foundational principles of the United Nations, which stand for universal good.
“Today’s event, the “power of one” is to celebrate the outstanding contributions of those who are champions of the United Nations Charter and promoters of universal good. Each of them embodies in diverse ways what we all aspire for here in the UN. I am indeed humbled and grateful to be in the presence of all these outstanding champions, and would like to congratulate them for all their work they have put in over the years – which has made us all join in paying tribute to them.
“As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” The “the power of one” award gives us the opportunity to honor those who have successfully brought about change. Buddha said, “Be a light unto yourself; nobody can give this light to you.”
The inaugural “power of one” awardees are all living examples of that important message.”
Diwali Foundation USA Chair Ranju Batra: “I was determined to succeed in my goal to get the USPS to issue a Diwali Stamp”.
Diwali Foundation USA Chair Ranju Batra thanked Amb. Valentin Rybakov “for a warm introduction”, and Ambassadors Ruzicka, Akbaruddin, Imnadze, Boukadoum, Umarov and Yelchenko for their “national and personal support and kindness”
She said, “As you know, I was determined to succeed in my goal to get the USPS to issue a Diwali Stamp, despite knowing many others had tried and given up. I spent nearly 7 years chasing it peacefully, and using only inclusive and respectful means. Along the way, I got a lot of help from a lot of people. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney accepted my invitation and provided national political leadership. I was happy that there were stamps for Hanukkah, Christmas, Eid, and Kwanza; but I also wanted one for Diwali. In October 2016, we won and got our Forever Diwali Stamp. I personally sold over 170,000 stamps to make the Diwali Stamp the USPS’ #1 Bestseller for Day One in its over 200-year existence. Among many who were of great support were Shiv Dass, now a Director of Diwali Foundation USA, Neeta Jain, Surinder Kathuria, Neeta Bhasin, Air India’s Vandana Sharma, Amb. Dnyaneshwar Mulay, and each of you who signed our petitions – which included many in the UN family – such as Palestine’s Ambassador’s daughter Reem Mansour. Aside from my Grassroot efforts, I also secured support from India’s Prime Minister Modi and America’s President Obama.
“Days after the Official Dedication, we attended a dinner hosted by Georgia’s Ambassador Imnadze, and I told my story. Next day, Belarus’ Ambassador Dapkiunas called Ravi to tell him that he had booked this historic Chamber to celebrate the Diwali Stamp and honor my journey at the UN.
“At that celebration last year, Minister Rybakov spoke of my determined efforts as “The Power of One,” and now-Minister Dapkiunas spoke of the Diwali Stamp’s journey being consistent with the highest ideals of the UN Charter, and that Diwali was Global. That event, like a seed, with added prompting, grew this year into the Diwali Foundation USA. In turn, that resulted in today’s inauguration of the “Power of One” Awards being bestowed upon globally exceptional people – who have toiled selflessly “to help form a more perfect,” peaceful and secure world for all of us.
“Today, we are privileged to celebrate and recognize the unique contributions of our Honorees:
Amb. Maged Abdelaziz, Amb. Ion Botnaru, Amb. Lakshmi Puri, Amb Matthew Rycroft, Amb. Nawaf Salam, and Amb. Yuriy Sergeyev.
“This slate of Honorees has set the bar quite high for all future honorees. Whatever the UN Charter dreams of, the Diwali Foundation’s “Power of One” Honorees have helped to make it a reality!
“Finally, I thank Belarus, Georgia and India for being Co-Organizers. I also thank every Co-Sponsor of today’s event, as well as the ambassadors, who by their presence, are supporting these Awards. The Co-Sponsors are: Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Botswana, Cyprus, France, Honduras, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malta, Morocco, Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Permanent Observer State of Palestine, and International Atomic Energy Agency-NY.
“At the core of our purpose, is the concept of harmonious inclusion. Respect of all peoples and all cultures, serves as the only proven path to a peaceful and just society. Diwali Stamp proves it. May God bless each nation, so every person is blessed too. That will make Diwali, Global.”
National Advisory Council South Asian Affairs Chair Ravi Batra said, “When all nations agree to cosponsor these awards, we may have arrived at a near-perfect world”.
National Advisory Council South Asian Affairs Chair Ravi Batra said, “All of you have just heard Ranju talk about how “Today” – was born. Last year, it was Andrei Dapkiunas the Bold – who saw Diwali as the embodiment of the highest ideals of the United Nations, and took it Global. It was Minister Valentin Rybakov who characterized Ranju’s peaceful 7yr Journey, respectful of all religions, use inclusive-based perseverance to get the Diwali Stamp: as the “Power of One.” That Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin of India, home of Diwali, allowed another nation to take the Lead speaks of his quiet confidence in humanity & diplomacy. That Ambassador Kaha Imnadze of Georgia – who played host to the birth of last year’s event, and now is a co-organizer is the very definition of both History made, and History corrected.
“I must acknowledge the Co-Sponsors, and the Speakers from their midst. The Sponsorship is a principled statement by these nations that Humanity & Religious mooring ought not be banned, but rather, cherished – if Good, Light, Knowledge & Hope – are to be given to our kids and grandkids so they can have a “more perfect” world. So, I thank each nation, each PR, and all Ambassadors present as well as Ambassador Sabri Boukadoum, Ambassador Kairat Umarov, now-Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov, and Ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko for their support and embrace. As a die-hard American, who claims intellectual ancestry to Thomas Jefferson, I especially thank Amb. Nikki Haley for America’s Co-Sponsorship.
Turning to our Honorees, I note the irony: that “It takes a village to raise a child,” but with the “Power of One” you can save the world: Be it Brahma, Jehovah, Jesus, or Allah. But, that of course, is the Divine Power of One, even as we celebrate great mortals today.
These Diwali Foundation USA’s “Power of One Awards” are essentially the “Oscars of Diplomacy” for helping “Good” beat Evil and Suffering. They are like Clint Eastwood – our Honorees – as “Harry Callahan” in “Dirty Harry” or as “Luther Whitney” in “Absolute Power” – or better yet, like the “Magnificent Seven” – with Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen and James Coburn.
Ultimately, the “Power of One” Awards – to paraphrase our exceptional Constitution – is “to help form a more perfect” world. Even Thomas Becket and the Barons in 1215 at Runnymede who got the Magna Carta could not imagine what occurred in Philadelphia in 1789; and we are most grateful to England because we stand on these wonderful shoulders. And thank you for the Common Law, as one of our Honorees will be gracing the International Court of Justice.
When all nations agree to cosponsor these awards, we may have arrived at a near-perfect world.
Ambassador Lakshmi Puri in her award acceptance speech said she was honored to receive the Power of One Award from the Diwali Foundation USA and would like to thank and congratulate the founder, inspiration and personification of this concept. Ranju Batra and her equal half Ravi Batra.
“As an Indian and a UN diplomat my vision has always been that of Vasudhaiva kutumbakam – the whole world is an interdependent family and our destinies are connected each to each and across all borders and spaces.
To me the significance of Diwali and the United Nations projects for humanity which I have been proud to serve for 43 years in different capacities are closely linked. I have envisioned my mission as one meant – to dispel the darkness of poverty, deprivation and despair everywhere
– To end the evil of violence and injustice especially against women and girls
– to light the lamp of prosperity and equity, sustainable development, peace and security, human rights and humanitarian action and resilience building for all,
– To secure an International Compact for the triumph of the global public Good of gender equality, women’s empowerment and human rights
And yes, I do believe in the power of one, in each of us being a lamp to illuminate and transform the world through the power of ideas and knowledge, advocacy and movement building, setting of global standards and values to realize the ideals of the United Nations and the Perfect World we all dream of, want and deserve.
The power of one is about passion, commitment and indomitable courage and keeping faith with the causes we serve no matter the difficulties and setbacks. It’s about not giving up ever.
And though I leave the United Nations shortly to go back to India to be with my soulmate I am not done with the UN. Just as you can take an Indian out of India but can’t take India out of her, you can take me out of the UN but cannot take the UN out of me!
So, I will power on believing in the infinite possibility of all of us to achieve our infinite potential for good! Igniting that power of one, that godliness in each and every one of us is what the UN is about! “
The Nutcracker is the perennial favorite of generations of children and “children at heart,” Igor Levin
“[NJPAC] has a great stage. It really is a beautiful theater. Shows always come out looking nice in that space,” Igor Levin
The State Ballet Theater of Russia’s crystalline clarity is hard to match. The dancing is vivacious, secure and diamond sharp,” San Diego Union Tribune.
[The State Ballet Theater of Russia’s] The Nutcracker is sure to make some magical memories this holiday season!
The Nutcracker, the 3rd and last ballet of Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky, was completed a year before his death in 1893.
The ballet ingeniously combines the straightforward open-hearted joy of a child with the deep philosophical reflection of the composer on life and death, beauty of the jest in the name of love and happiness. The libretto or book for The Nutcracker comes from Marius Petipa based on the literary material of the fairy tale by the German romanticist Hoffman.
A Scene from The Nutcracker. Photo / courtesy Hollywood Stars International Management, Inc.
Tchaikovsky created a symphonic poem about a young innocent girl, Masha, standing at the threshold of the great world out there, dreaming about happiness and defeating evil. The music paints a vivid picture of the children’s world, their joyful games, Masha’s magical dreams, which are sometimes quite uneasy and sometimes full of happiness.
The treasured holiday adventure follows Masha’s journey through a fantasy world of fairies, princes, toy soldiers, and an army of mice. A thrill to the same authentic Russian choreography that is performed in Moscow by the famous Bolshoi Ballet and set to Tchaikovsky’s beloved music, including “Waltz of the Flowers”, “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”, and “Waltz of the Snowflakes,” the entire family will love this magical experience filled with spectacular sets and beautiful costumes.
The incomparable State Ballet Theater of Russia presents the beloved classic, The Nutcracker, featuring traditional choreography and sparkling imagery. Internationally renowned, The State Ballet Theater of Russia brings The Nutcracker to life through graceful costumes, enchanting sets and astonishingly beautiful dances set to Tchaikovsky’s musical score.
A Scene from The Nutcracker. Photo / courtesy Hollywood Stars International Management, Inc.
The company is dedicated to maintaining a solid tradition of superior Russian classical dance. With a company over 55 superb dancers, they have drawn critical acclaim in performances throughout Europe, as well as the United States.
In this production, the captivating story involves the family-feud of the Montagues and Capulets brought to life thanks to the talent of the acclaimed Bolshoi Theatre Ballet Choreographer Mikhail Lavrovsky who is also the show’s producer.
The State Ballet Theatre of Russia was founded by Maya Plisetskaya, a legendary dancer and former principal dancer of The Bolshoi Theatre Ballet.
For 17 years, Levin, President and CEO of Hollywood Stars International Management, Inc., has been coordinating and organizing Russian ballet tours in the States to great success.
Levin spends almost half the year preparing all aspects necessary to bring to the United States a full production ballet company.
A Scene from The Nutcracker. Photo / courtesy Hollywood Stars International Management, Inc.
“When the company finishes a tour in February, I start on a new one right away – around mid-February,” he said, adding that the lengthy process includes choosing amongst a number of ballet companies, organizing the costumes and sets, bringing all necessary items over to the states, scheduling, booking travel and hotel arrangements, as well as obtaining visas for all the dancers and workers associated with the ballet company.
One of the frequent venues Levin likes to set up as part of the tours he organizes is NJPAC – mostly due to the welcoming nature of all who work there.
“They are great,” Levin said. “They are willing to work with those from another country and are very accommodating and very friendly. I always enjoy working with them.”
Not only are the people a main factor as to why Levin chooses NJPAC as a stop to the ballet tours, but the venue is also a selling point.
“[NJPAC] has a great stage,” he said. “It really is a beautiful theater. Shows always come out looking nice in that space.”
“There is family history, but this production is much more modern,” Levin said alluding to the choreography. “It is modern, but it is rooted in the basics of traditional ballet.”
The State Ballet Theater of Russia’s The Nutcracker is sure to make some magical memories this holiday season!
The Nutcracker will be performed at NJPAC on Saturday, December 16 at 3 p.m.
For additional information on The Nutcracker and NJPAC, please visit www.njpac.org.
(Mabel Pais is a freelance writer. She writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health and Wellness, and Spirituality)
LONDON (TIP): British foreign secretary Boris Johnson singled out the Muslim Brotherhood and its associates for criticism on dec 7 in a speech calling for a renewed western diplomatic push in the Middle East to tackle Islamic extremism.
Speaking to diplomats and experts at the Foreign Office in London, Johnson called for better engagement with Muslim populations worldwide and argued that blaming Western intervention for the rise of Islamist extremism played into the jihadi narrative.
He said the West needed to collectively re-insert itself in the process towards peace in Syria and called for the United States to bring fresh impetus to the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Johnson said the Muslim Brotherhood, a global Islamist organization which started in Egypt in 1928 – was one of the most politically savvy operators in the Muslim world, but he also criticised its conduct in the Middle East and Britain.
“It is plainly wrong that Islamists should exploit freedoms here in the UK – freedoms of speech and association – that their associates would repress overseas and it is all too clear that some affiliates of the Muslim Brotherhood are willing to turn a blind eye to terrorism,” he said.
The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt was designated as a terrorist organization in that country in 2013.
A 2015 British government review into the organisation concluded that membership of or links to it should be considered a possible indicator of extremism but stopped short of recommending that it should be banned.
Johnson admitted there had been policy missteps in Iraq and Syria interventions, but said that did not justify a diplomatic retreat from the region.
“British foreign policy is not the problem, it is part of the solution,” he said, calling for a renewed role in Syria, more work to halt conflict in Yemen and progress in bringing factions together in Libya.
His remarks come a day after the United States recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, drawing international criticism.
British Prime Minister Theresa May has said that decision was wrong, and Johnson repeated the government criticism that the US move was premature.
“We… think that the future of Jerusalem must be settled as part of the negotiated agreement between Israel and the Palestinians and as part of the two state solution,” he said.
“This decision, having been announced by President Trump, the world would like to see some serious announcements by the US about how they see the Middle East peace process and how to bring the two sides together.”
RAJKOT (TIP): With curtains down on electioneering for the first phase of the Gujarat Assembly polls, a close contest seems likely between the BJP and Congress, which probably mounted the most spirited campaign against the ruling party in over two decades.
The pre-poll estimation of the Congresss grassroots level managers is that that the party stands a good chance of winning more seats this time compared to its 2012 tally of 61 in the 182-member Assembly. The saffron party, ruling the state for over 19 years now, had romped home bagging 115 seats.
The BJP, however, is dismissive of the Congresss optimism, insisting it would come out with flying colours on the strength of the performance of its successive governments.
In the absence of any leader with pan- Gujarat appeal, both contenders to power heavily relied on the charisma of their national leaders in an attempt to swing votes in their favour.
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi powered the high-pitch BJP campaign, assisted by party chief Amit Shah, considered a master strategist after a string of electoral victories the party registered under him, the Congresss fight was led by a manifestly transformed Rahul Gandhi, who looked more sure- footed and less tentative.
Rahul Gandhi spearheaded the Congresss campaign at a time when the party has been out of power in the key western state for 22 years now, and days before he steps into the shoes of his mother Sonia Gandhi, who helmed the grand old party for 19 years.
A BJP victory will consolidate Modis position even further and would be seen as an endorsement of his governments reform measures, including the GST and note ban, while a win for the Congress will kindle hopes of its revival after debilitating electoral reverses state after state.
A defeat for BJP in Modi and Shahs home state, observers feel, may catalyse formation of a broad-based anti-NDA secular front ahead of the 2019 general elections.
In the first phase on December 9, a total of 89 assembly seats spread over Saurashtra and South Gujarat regions will go to the polls.
There are 977 candidates in the fray. The BJP started off its campaign blitzkrieg with Modi has its pivot and the catchline–Hu Chu Vikas, Hu Chu Gujarat (I am Vikas (development), I am Gujarat). The Congress targeted the ruling party over the very same issue of development, claiming in Gujarat “vikas gando thayo che (development has gone crazy).”
The Congresss optimism, apart from the possiblity of anti-incumbency factor working in its favour, also stems from it having secured the support of three young caste leaders– Patidar quota stir spearhead Hardik Patel, OBC leader Alpesh Thakor and Dalit activist Jignesh Mewani–ahead of the elections.
While Patel has extended his Patidar Anamat Andolan Samitis support to the Congress, Thakor has already joined the party, and Mewani, who is contesting the Vadgam seat, is being backed by the Congress. All these leaders shot into prominence while leading agitations for their caste groups in the post-Modi Gujarat.
Many feel the BJP held sway over Gujarat, particularly after Modi took over the reins of power in the communally sensitive state, owing to the consolidation of Hindu votes in its favour.
The emergence of caste leaders on Gujarats political firmament may somewhat dent the the Hindu support base of the saffron party.
On the rise of caste politics in the state, where the BJP has been highlighting its model of development, Gaurang Jani, a sociologist, said it was because the issues faced by these groups had not been properly addressed. Source: PTI
Hailey calls it courageous and historic: The world views it differently
Hamas calls for Palestinian uprising in reply to Trump’s Jerusalem plan
NEW YORK (TIP): While US envoy to the United Nations Nikki Haley has hailed President Trump’s decision on Jerusalem as a “courageous” and “historic” step by recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Hamas has urged Palestinians to abandon peace efforts and launch a new uprising against Israel in response to US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as its capital.
Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital December 6, reversing decades of US and international policy on the holy city, in a major announcement which many Arab leaders warned could trigger an upheaval in the already volatile Middle East.
Indian-American Haley said that for 22 years, there had been an overwhelming bipartisan consensus in favor of moving the US embassy in Israel to its rightful place in the Israeli capital city of Jerusalem.
“On Thursday, the President took a courageous and historic step that was long overdue. Across the globe, America has its embassy in the capital city of the host country. Israel will now be no different. It is the just and right thing to do,” she said, December 6.
“This is following members of Congress. This is doing what the American people said. But we are also taking Jerusalem out of the discussion because the two sides have to come together on how they’re going to see Jerusalem, what they’re going to see as their capital,” she said.
Haley said several top American lawmakers have described Trump’s decision as “provocative” and “counterproductive”.
In a joint statement Congressmen David Price, Peter Welch, John Yarmuth, Barbara Lee and Earl Blumenauer said Trump’s announcement demonstrates “his complete disregard” for long-standing American and international diplomatic practice.
“It unilaterally undermines prospects for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and recklessly endangers US, Israeli, and regional security. For more than 50 years, Republican and Democratic Administrations have recognized that the US should stand as a good faith arbiter for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians,” they said.
The lawmakers said that recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel outside the framework of a final status agreement between the parties does more to sabotage than to advance peace.
Congressman Alcee Hastings warned that the ramifications of the decision could be profound.
“I fear that the President made his decision based on political expediency rather than sound foreign policy,” he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who hailed Trump’s announcement as a “historic landmark”, said on December 6, many countries would follow the US move and contacts were underway. He did not name the countries he was referring to. “President Trump has immortalized himself in the chronicles of our capital. His name will now be held aloft, alongside other names connected to the glorious history of Jerusalem and of our people,” he said in a speech at Israel’s Foreign Ministry.
“We should call for and we should work on launching an intifada (Palestinian uprising) in the face of the Zionist enemy,” Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said in a speech in Gaza. Haniyeh, elected the group’s overall leader in May, urged Palestinians, Muslims and Arabs to hold rallies against the US decision on Friday, calling it a “day of rage”.
Naser Al-Qidwa, an aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and senior official in his Fatah party, urged Palestinians to stage protests but said they should be peaceful.
“Documentary storytellers help us make sense of the tumultuous times we’re living in with artistry, humor and inspiring characters”-Director of Programming Basil Tsiokos
By Mabel Pais
NEW YORK (TIP):“2017’s DOC NYC line-up gives audiences fresh insight into high profile figures and shines a light on lesser-known individuals who leave a big impression,” said Director of Programming Basil Tsiokos who led the program selection in collaboration with Artistic Director Thom Powers and Executive Director Raphaela Neihausen. “Documentary storytellers help us make sense of the tumultuous times we’re living in with artistry, humor and inspiring characters,” he added.
DOC NYC, America’s largest documentary festival, announced the full lineup for its eighth edition run in mid-November at the IFC Center in Greenwich Village, Chelsea’s SVA Theatre and Cinepolis Chelsea. The 2017 festival included 111 feature-length documentaries among over 250 films and events overall. Included were 23 world premieres and 23 U.S. premieres, with more than 350 doc makers and special guests in person to present their films or participate on panels.
Special Events included
Opening Night Film, the NYC premiere of Greg Barker’s The Final Year, accompanied by members of the Obama administration, which opened the festival. Greg Barker gives an unprecedented look at the shaping of US foreign policy by following key members of outgoing US President Barack Obama’s administration.
Closing Night Film, the NYC premiere of Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars, directed by Lili Fini Zanuck, with the acclaimed musician in attendance; an intimate, revealing musical odyssey on the life and career of guitar virtuoso Eric Clapton, told by those who have known him best.
Centerpiece Film, the world premiere of Far From the Tree, director Rachel Dretzin’s adaptation of Andrew Solomon’s bestselling book; an adaptation of Andrew Solomon’s bestselling book examining how parents face their children’s extreme differences, challenging ideas of “normalcy;” and, the NYC premiere of Wormwood, an ambitious new project from Errol Morris exploring the 1953 death of a CIA agent.
The South Asian Showcase
Centerstage, an 8-title section focused on performing and performers, presented the world premiere of THE PROBLEM WITH APU (World Premiere) by director Michael Melamedoff.
The Problem With Apu Photos / Courtesy movie production team
Hari Kondabolu, south Asian-American stand-up comedian, has had a nemesis for nearly his entire life, someone who has plagued him since he was a child, subjecting him to ridicule and racist comments: Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, better known as the Indian owner of the Kwik-E-Mart on The Simpsons.
For Hari, Apu represents an outdated and offensive South Asian stereotype, made worse by being voiced by a white man, Hank Azaria. Hari sets out on a comedic quest to confront Azaria and make sense of the long-lasting cultural impact of his troublesome character. (USA, 49 min.)
ARMED WITH FAITH (North American Premiere) by award winning director-producer Geeta Gandbhir and director-producer-cinematographer Asad Faruqi and executive producer Perri Peltz is a suspenseful portrait of the men of the Pakistani Bomb Disposal Unit, who risk their own lives every day to combat homegrown and international terrorism.
Armed With Faith Photos / Courtesy movie production team
ARMED WITH FAITH follows three men of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bomb Disposal Unit (KPK BDU) to the front lines of the war in Northwest Pakistan. The lawless tribal area bordering Pakistan’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province — considered the gateway for terrorists from neighboring Afghanistan, is the backdrop of the film. The battle for control of this porous border area remains critical to the stability of Pakistan and global security. Should Pakistan, a nuclear power, fall into the hands of terrorists, the entire world is at risk. The men of the KPK BDU unit defuse terrorist-planted bombs in the region, often using just their bare hands. ARMED WITH FAITH gets up close and personal with two bomb technicians and their commander as they defend their homeland from terrorists spurred by the war in Afghanistan and drone strikes in the region. Ironically, the KPK BDU battle men who look like them, speak their language, share their religion, and even come from their villages. Through the stories of these men, viewers will have unprecedented access to the legacy of devastation caused by the American-led war that has afflicted this region for nearly 15 years and claimed over 50,000 civilian lives. (USA, 74 min., in Pashto and English).
ASK THE SEXPERT by Vaishali Sinha (NYC Premiere)
Ask The Sexpert Photos / Courtesy movie production team
A lighthearted look at India’s Dan Savage, Dr. Mahinder Watsa, a 93-year-old retired gynecologist. It is a feature length documentary about Dr. Mahinder Watsa, a highly popular 93-year-old sex advice columnist for the daily newspaper Mumbai Mirror in Mumbai. Despite sex being a taboo topic in India, the column’s brand of non-moralistic advice and humor has emboldened many to write in with their questions. The columnist gains popularity even while a ban on comprehensive sex education in schools is adopted by approximately a third of India’s states.
Is he a hero of progress or an enemy of traditional values? (USA, 81 min., in Hindi and English)
LOVESICK (World Premiere) by directors Ann S. Kim and Priya Giri Desai
Lovesick Photos / Courtesy movie production team
In India, where marriage is a must but AIDS carries a stigma, Dr. Suniti Solomon serves as matchmaker for her HIV-positive patients.
In India, where marriage is a must but AIDS carries a stigma, what are HIV-positive people to do? Dr. Suniti Solomon, who discovered India’s first case of HIV, has an answer for her HIV-positive patients: matchmaking. Directors Ann S. Kim and Priya Giri Desai follow the trailblazing doctor at home and in her office as she methodically looks for the perfect matches for patients Manu and Karthik. With compassion, humor and hope, Lovesick is an intimate story about the universal desire for love. (USA, 74 min., in Tamil, Hindi and English)
Insha’Allah Democracy Photos / Courtesy movie production team
INSHA’ALLAH DEMOCRACY (North American Premiere) directed by Mohammed Ali Naqvi who is about to vote in Pakistan for the first time. When Mo was 19, General Pervez Musharraf staged a coup d’etat that saw him in power until his exile in 2007. With the country growing increasingly unstable and sectarian, Mo faces a difficult choice: should he back a religious hardliner who may persecute minorities like himself or support the secular liberal platform of returning ex-dictator Musharraf who is running for President? Gaining remarkable access to the charismatic Musharraf, Mo questions if democracy is truly possible in Pakistan. (Pakistan/USA, 82 min., in Urdu and English).
(Mabel Pais is a freelance writer. She writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health and Wellness, and Spirituality)
It was on October 31, 1984 that the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi was killed by her security guards. What motivated them to commit the crime has been a subject of discussion ever since. In this piece written in the wake of Indira Gandhi’s assassination, senior journalist Prabhjot Singh tried to peep in to the life of assassin Beant Singh to find an answer to the question. – Editor
Beant Singh was a husband, a father and a police officer with clean records. He and his wife, Bimal Khalsa, a staff nurse at Lady Harding Hospital, had been earning enough to look after their three children and themselves. Besides, Beant Singh had been living at 6, Ashoka Police Lines, a government house.
Born on My 4, 1950, at Maloya village in the house of Sucha Singh, a weaver and a Ramdasia Sikh, Beant Singh had his education at Government schools in Maloya, Teera, Hamirpur and Khalsa School, Kharar, before joining the Sector 23 Government Higher Secondary School in Chandigarh in 1967. In 1968 he passed the Higher Secondary examination of Panjab University in second division.
COURSE IN RUSSIAN
In 1969-70, he did a diploma in Russian from Panjab University, securing 186 marks out of a maximum of 300. In April 1971, he absented himself from the B.A. (final year) examinations of Panjab University as a student of the Sector 11 Government College for Boys. In September the same year, he cleared the examinations, missing the second division by just two marks.
After graduation, Beant went to Delhi, and in 1972 got into Delhi police as a Sub-Inspector against the reserve quota.
Though his uncle, Mr Bahadur Singh, had got all the children baptized in early 60s, Beant Singh turned a “patit amritdhari” on entering the college in 1968.
MALOYA’S HISTORY
Malyoa a big village on the outskirts of Chandigarh was primarily village of Rajputs. In 1905, a Sikh preacher came to the village. The Harijans of the village, who were until that time called “ad dharmis” embraced Sikhism. It enraged Jhalam Singh, a Rajput, who attacked the Sikh preacher with a burning wooden log. The preacher left the village, but Sikhism stayed. It was during this period that the grandfather of Beant Singh embraced Sikhism. Since then, a majority of the Harijans of the village has been going to a gurdwara, which was built just in front of Beant Singh’s house.
During his childhood, Beant used to play with Sukhwant Kaur, one of the three daughters of Mr Randhir Singh, also a Harijan Sikh and a distant nephew of Such Singh.
Sukhwant Kaur is now married to Harinder Singh, an Indian diplomat in Norway who resigned from the Indian Foreign Service in June 1984. In protest against the Army action in Golden Temple. Harinder Singh’s elder brother, Butshikan Singh, is also in the I.F.S. and now posted in Bahrain.
WELCOME
During his maiden trip abroad with Indira Gandhi. Beant had met Harinder Singh in Oslo in October last year. Initially Sukhwant was reluctant to recognize him. It was a lukewarm reception from Harinder Singh’s family, Beant had told his brothers and father on return.
In fact, Beant’s father and four brothers were annoyed with him when he had gone to attend the marriage of the youngest daughter of Randhir Singh to Sarabjit Singh, an IPS officer allocated to the Karnataka cadre but now posted in Delhi. The marriage took place in 1980. The parents of Beant Singh did have good relations with the family of Randhir Singh, who, in 1955, was appointed to the Punjab Civil Service. Mr Randhir Singh has settled at Ludhiana after retirement. He had left Maloya in early 60s.
LOVE MARRIAGE
Beant’s eldest brother, Shamsher Singh, was also in Punjab Civil Service (Judicial Branch) before he resigned and started his own practice at Kharar, Kurali, Ropar and Chandigarh. He is Marxist and Beant was under his influence.
Gurdarshan Singh, who is younger to Shamsher Singh and older than Beant Singh, is a junior engineer in Delhi Telephones. He is married to Mohinder Kaur, a daughter of S. Darshan Singh, a former head granthi of Gurdwara Bangla Sahib. It was an inter-caste marriage as Darshan Singh was a Jat Sikh.
Before shifting to Ashoka Police Lines, Beant Singh lived at Vishnu Nagar. On his way to Ragbhir Singh bus stand. He used to pass by the house of Bimla Devi, the eldest of the three daughters of a carpenter, Gurbachan Singh. Beant fell for Bimla, who after her matriculation examination was doing a course in nursing at Lady Harding Hospital. It was sub-inspector Hardev Singh, a college of Beant, who proposed marriage between Bimla and Beant in 1976. The marriage was performed according to Sikh traditions in 1976 and Beant changed the name of the Bimla Devi to Bimal Khalsa.
Beant and Bimal named their eldest child a daughter. Amrit Khalsa, Bimal was allergic to the drinking habit of her husband. Beant, on the other hand, a carefree man, used to invite his friends home for drinks.
TRANSFORMATION
There was a sudden transformation in the thinking of Beant Singh after the Army action. He started accompanying his uncle, Kehar Singh, an assistant in the office of the Director-General, Supplies and Disposal, to Gurdwara Moti Bagh. In July, a noted ragi from Punjab performed “virag katha” at the gurdwara. Beant Singh was moved and reportedly started crying. It was at this stage that Kehar Singh told him not to cry but to take “revenge”.
RELIABLE PARTNER
The idea appealed to Beant Singh. He reportedly discussed it with his friend, sub-inspector Amarjit Singh Sagi, a clean-shaven Harijan. They conspired to “liquidate” Mrs. Gandhi before August 15.
Beant later told Kehar Singh that Amarjit had let him down. He, however, reiterated his determination to “kill Mrs. Gandhi”, saying he had found a reliable partner in constable Satwant Singh. Satwant then started frequenting his house.
With the passage of time, Beant was turning more religious. On October 10, Beant told Bimal that he would soon become a “martyr”. Bimal could not understand what he was talking about.
A BROTHER’S VIEW
On October 14, Beant left his house in a kurta pyjama and a flowing beard. He went to Kehar Singh’s house, from where he went to Gurdwara Moti Bagh and then to Sector 6 Gurdwara in R.K. Puram for taking “amrit”. He was punished for not maintaining himself as an “amritdhari Sikh” after baptism in childhood. He was asked to sweep the floor of the gurdwara and recite Sukhmani Sahib. Beant Singh promised that he would get his wife, Bimal, baptized within a week. On October 17, Beant took Bimal to Gurdwara Sis Ganj and got her baptized there.
On October 20, Beant, Bimal and their three children reached the house of Kehar Singh in Sector 12, R.K. Puram, early in the morning. Beant Singh had four railways tickets for Delhi-Amritsar sector with him. Kehar Singh and his wife, Jagir Kaur distant aunt of Beant Singh from Maloya village, agreed to accompany Beant’s family to Amritsar by the superfast train a few hours later.
In Amritsar, Beant Singh took a vow at Akal Takht on October 21 to “assassinate Mrs. Gandhi”. An “ardas” was performed and Beant was given five flowers of marigold. Though Beant wanted to meet Satwant Singh at the Golden Temple, the latter failed to turn up. A final meeting was held at the house of Beant Singh and was attended also by Kehar Singh and Satwant Singh.
Whether Beant Singh came in contact with Harinder Singh, again through Sarabjit Singh, is yet to be established. Who other than Kehar Singh provoked him to take the decision to assassinate Mrs. Gandhi has also be found out.
Shamsher Singh, however, maintains that his brother killed Mrs. Gandhi not for money but for religious reasons. Beant, he says, was left with no spirit of nationalism after his return to the fold of amritdhari Sikhs.
“NOT THAT TYPE”
When the police questioned Sucha Singh and his four sons (Shamsher Singh, Gurdarshan Singh, Kirpal Singh and Bhagat Singh), they asked them about the “foreign money” Beant might have received.
Sucha Singh, at 76, works from 6 am to 8 pm on his handloom to earn Rs 15 to Rs 30 to make ends meet. His wife, Kartar Kaur, had been staying with him until September, when Beant came to the village for the last time and persuaded her to go to Delhi to look after his children as he and his wife, Bimal, had to attend to their duties from morning to evening.
Beant had come to the village in June again to attend the marriage of his youngest brother, Bhagat Singh. That time Bimal and his children had accompanied him.
Everyone in the village was surprised to learn about the role Beant played in the assassination of Mrs. Gandhi.
“He was not that type Barring Shamsher Singh, our family had been a Congress (I) supporter. It was because of the reservation policy pursued by the Congress (I) government that Beant got into Delhi police as a “Sub-Inspector” says Kirpal Singh.
NO DIWALI GIFT
“Beant would have been in Punjab Civil Service in 1974 if he had been given the benefit of reservation. I even spoke to Mr Bansal, the then Chairman of the Punjab Public Service Commission, but he expressed his inability to help him as no one from Chandigarh could be considered under the reserved quota”, adds Shamsher Singh.
Beant had refused to draw the Rs 100 as Divali gift given to each member of the Prime Minister’s Security staff.
The plot of “assassinate Mrs. Gandhi” was an open secret among several members of security staff. The Crime Branch of the Delhi Police questioned Sub-Inspectors Balbir Singh, Amarjit Singh, Ajaib Singh and Gurdev Singh and Constable Jagtar Singh, besides others.
POSITIVE RESPONSE
Beant had sounded sub-inspector Balbir Singh, a Ramgarhia, about his intention to kill Mrs. Gandhi and sought his help. Balbir had given a positive response but Beant reportedly did not pursue the matter further.
Meanwhile, Balbir had come in contact with another group of conspirators who wanted Mrs. Gandhi to be “liquidated”. Balbir had reportedly demanded Rs 6 lakh and a dynamite to accomplish the target. One of the conspirators, an industrialist, offered Rs 20,000 in cash. Besides promising another Rs 50,000. The conspiracy, however, fell through.
PUNISHMENT
It is strange that intelligence agencies were unaware of who was conspiring against the Prime Minister. The turning of Beant and Satwant Singh into amritdhari Sikhs and the refusal of Beant to take his Divali gift should have aroused suspicion.
According to reliable sources the posting at Prime Minister’s house for security is considered a “punishment” for the policemen. No one willingly goes there.
Most of the policemen deployed at 1, Safdarjung Road, had been in police stations before the change in the top brass of the Delhi police in 1981.
The police also questioned Bimal’s father, Gurbachan Singh and her brother, Narinder Singh. All relations of Beant, Satwant and Bimal have been released.
DHAKA (TIP): The Vatican defended Pope Francis’ silence in Myanmar, saying he wanted to “build bridges” with the predominantly Buddhist nation, which only recently established diplomatic relations with the Vatican.
Pope Francis demanded on Thursday, November 30, that the international community take “decisive measures” to resolve the causes of the mass exodus of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar, breaking his recent silence over what the United Nations has declared to be a textbook case of “ethnic cleansing.”
Arriving in Bangladesh from Myanmar, Pope Francis said it also was “imperative” for world governments to immediately provide assistance to help the Bangladeshi government cope with Asia’s worst refugee crisis in decades.
In a speech before Bangladesh President President Abdul Hamid, government officials and ambassadors from around the world, Pope Francis praised Bangladesh’s sacrifice and generosity in welcoming in so many refugees “before the eyes of the whole world.” He didn’t identify the Rohingya by name, ethnicity or faith, referring only to “refugees from Rakhine state.”
“None of us can fail to be aware of the gravity of the situation, the immense toll of human suffering involved, and the precarious living conditions of so many of our brothers and sisters, a majority of whom are women and children, crowded in the refugee camps,” he said.
“It is imperative that the international community take decisive measures to address this grave crisis, not only by working to resolve the political issues that have led to the mass displacement of people, but also by offering immediate material assistance to Bangladesh in its effort to respond effectively to urgent human needs.”
Pope Francis, a tireless and fearless advocate for refugees, outcasts and society’s most marginal, had drawn criticism from human rights organizations and Rohingya themselves for having failed to speak out publicly about the Rohingya’s plight while he was in Myanmar.
Pope Francis had remained silent out of diplomatic deference to his hosts, who consider the Rohingya as having illegally migrated from Bangladesh and don’t recognize them as one of Myanmar’s ethnic groups. More than 620,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar and poured into Bangladesh refugee camps over the last few months amid a scorched earth campaign by Myanmar’s military.
The Vatican defended Pope Francis’ silence in Myanmar, saying he wanted to “build bridges” with the predominantly Buddhist nation, which only recently established diplomatic relations with the Holy See. Spokesman Greg Burke said Pope Francis took seriously the advice given to him by the local Catholic Church, which urged him to toe a cautious line and not even refer to the “Rohingya” by name.
Rohingya have faced persecution and discrimination in Myanmar for decades and are denied citizenship, even though many families have lived there for generations. The situation grew worse in August when the army began what it called clearance operations in Rakhine state following attacks on security positions by a group of Rohingya militants.
Rohingya who are living in camps in Bangladesh have described indiscriminate attacks by Myanmar security forces and Buddhist mobs, including killings, rapes and the torching of entire villages.
“Our people welcomed them with open arms, sharing food, shelter and other basic needs,” he said. “Now, it is our shared responsibility to ensure for them a safe, sustainable and dignified return to their own home and integration with the social, economic and political life of Myanmar.”
The Rohingya crisis loomed large over Pope Francis’ arrival in Dhaka, where huge banners with pictures of the Pope and Mr. Hamid dotted billboards around town.
Security was tight and was of a particular concern after a Christian priest went missing in northern Bangladesh on Tuesday, and his family reported they received calls demanding money. Police said they were looking for the man but would not confirm if it was a kidnapping.
The country’s leading English-language newspaper, The Daily Star, said in an editorial it felt “slightly let down” the Pope didn’t mention the Rohingya crisis specifically while in Myanmar.
“We remain hopeful that given Pope Francis’ legacy of standing up for the oppressed, he will speak out against the ongoing persecution of the Rohingya during this very important visit,” the paper added.
NEW DELHI (TIP): The black money stacked in beds and pillows has come back to the banking system, thanks to demonetization, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu said on November 30.
The government had scrapped about 86% of the high value currency notes in form of ₹500 and ₹1,000 in November 2016, leading to cash crunch for several months.
Almost 99% of the demonetized currency was returned into the banking system, as per Reserve Bank data.
“Now banks again have money in India because all the money that was there — some that was there in beds and also pillows, bathrooms — has come back to banks. There is a debate going on, I don’t want to get into that political debate because I am not in politics now,” said the Vice-President.
He further said he has retired from politics, but not retired from public life
Mr. Naidu was speaking at a conference on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) organized by WASME in New Delhi.
“The money has come back. Some people are raising questions as to what is the purpose of the so-called demonetization. As an ordinary citizen of the country I understand that was the purpose. The money has come back to banks with address. How much is official, how much is unofficial… that will be decided by the Reserve Bank,” he said.
The Vice-President stressed that banks need to take care of the MSME sector, which is giving maximum employment.
Mr. Naidu emphasized that SME development needs to be centered around sustainability. He added that alleviation of poverty while simultaneously creating employment and wealth by following the principle of inclusive growth was the only way towards a peaceful world.
In the context of sustainable development goals (SDGs), the development of SME sector must be primary development agenda of national governments “so as to address the critical issues around economic growth, job creation, social stability, and environmental protection”.
WASHINGTON (TIP): News reports circulating on November 30 say Trump is contemplating replacing Secretary of State Tillerson with CIA Director Mike Pompeo.
New York Times quoted unnamed senior administration officials as saying Mr. Trump had soured on Mr. Tillerson and was ready for a change at the State Department, probably around the end of the year.
The two men have aired striking differences in public. Mr. Trump surprised many observers when he tweeted that Mr. Tillerson was “wasting his time” pursuing contacts with North Korea, and Mr. Tillerson was quoted as having said — though he denied it — that the President was a “moron.”
The former ExxonMobil executive has also defended the Iran nuclear deal, which Mr. Trump last month disavowed.
Under the plan, which the paper said was developed by White House chief of staff John Kelly, Mr. Pompeo would be replaced at the CIA by Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas and an important Trump ally on national security issues.
That could leave Republicans with another seat to defend in the 2018 elections.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was unaware of any plans to oust him when he spoke to Senator Bob Corker on Thursday, Mr. Corker said.
“He’s conducting business, as is the norm, and is unaware of anything changing, Corker, the chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told reporters.
WASHINGTON (TIP): It was a historic moment when on Thursday, November 30, Raj Shah, who holds a key position in the White House, gaggled with reporters on board presidential Air Force One, becoming the first Indian-American to enjoy the privilege.
Shah did so in the capacity of Principal Deputy Press Secretary, a position to which he was promoted by US President Donald Trump in September as he restructured his press office by making Hope Hicks Director of Communications.
Shah was accompanying Trump as he flew to Missouri to deliver a major speech on middle-class tax relief and business tax relief.
Mid-way to St Louis, Shah, the highest ranking Indian- American ever in the White House press office, gaggled with the travelling press corp.
“We’re looking forward to the President’s remarks later today. It will be in St. Charles, talking about the need for middle-class tax relief and business tax relief,” Shah said in his opening remarks.
“The focus of today’s remarks is going to be on small businesses. He’s going to feature two specific small businesses. One is a local small business incubator, and the other is a jewelry business — they’re a retail business that also wholesales to about two and a half dozen different retailers throughout the country,” he said.
“So, we’re very excited about these remarks, and we’re excited about the developments on pushing tax reform and tax cuts. And the President is going to make a push for ‘Yea’ votes,” Shah said.
He took questions ranging from the president’s controversial tweets, to North Korea, and tax cuts. The gaggle lasted for about 12 minutes.
US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, had listed Shah among the top Indian-American performers working under the Trump administration.
Shah was born in 1984 to Indian parents of Gujarati origin. Shah’s parents moved to Chicago in 1970s and then moved to Connecticut where he was born and raised.
His father was a mechanical engineer, but later moved in the business and owned retail stores. His mother was a dentist.
What is being courageous? What is being brave? What is being heroic? Please do not rush to a dictionary to find the definition. I have one simple explanation. It is being Dr. Satish Anand.
As Dr. Anand who has turned 75 and the family decided to celebrate the landmark occasion on December 2, I thought about this unsung hero who has immensely proved beyond any shadow of doubt that grit and determination; and faith in God can overcome all obstacles and bring one fulfillment of one’s cherished desires.
Here is a man, I said to myself, who has proved himself to be a successful professional and an extremely fine human being, aware of his responsibilities and priorities despite odds of all hues in his life. A man born with an inhibiting affliction called Polio for which no treatment existed then.The family, Dr.Anand narrated to me, moved to India in 1948. His father, Manohar Lal Anand, and the rest of the family got separated during partition and were lucky to reunite after some time.
Dr. Anand was three years old when he suffered from Polio in the left lower extremity. That was in 1945. In 1948 when the family started their journey to India, his mother had him in his arms. The family was traveling in a truck which got stuck in the River Ravi. A Pakistani soldier suggested to my mother that she could throw me away in stead of carrying me with so much difficulty. Also, he said it will reduce weight in the truck which could then come unstuck. And, on top of it, he said she had 3 more children; so, she should have no hesitation in getting rid of a disabled boy of 5 years. Dr. Anand quoted his mother as saying, “I will die with him if my “OM” wishes. But you will know one day he will become a big person”. She could easily have got rid of her disabled son, but she was not an ordinary woman. She was courageous, brave and heroic- qualities which Dr. Anand inherited from her.
Another great gift to him from his mother is the unflinching faith in “OM”. “She instilled in me power of Faith”, said Dr. Anand in one of his conversations with me recently. She told Satish, “Have Faith in your OM and do your karma (work/ duty). Everything will follow”. It is this valuable lesson of life which has helped Dr. Anand all the way in his life.
Thereafter, he read a few books by great minds, including Swami Vivekananda. He recalls how profoundly he was influenced by Swami Vivekananda’s words: “To do your duty with honesty, sincerity and faith in Almighty is the biggest worship of God”. He has always kept the golden words in his mind. He told me that since then he printed them on the front page of each of his books to always remind himself of the inspiring thought.
Dr. Anand’s first passport picture taken in 1967
Another incident that Dr. Anand recalled to me was when he was being sent to England for studies in 1968. He said theirs was a middle-class family and he was the youngest of the four brothers. “My mother coordinated with my father to pull resources for my travel to UK. In one Havan at home, one of my mother’s friends said to my mother why she was sending me to England since I have a physical problem of Polio. My mother replied: “Problem is with you. See he became a doctor after all the hard work despite polio. And, he is not going alone. My OM is going with him”. Dr. Anand added: “This taught me the power of Faith and Karma and this power never ever failed me at any point in my life. I owe it all to my mother. Hope, there are mothers, like my Mom who held my hand firmly and inspired me to go forward in life with Faith in OM”.
“The values I cherish today as an Arya Samajist have come to me from my mother”, says Dr. Anand.
Gitanjli Anand and Dr. Satish Anand after marriage in 1976
Dr. Anand spoke about another woman in his life who was the second most powerful influence on him. This woman is his wife, Gitanjli with whom he got married in 1976. “Ever since she came in my life, Gitanjli has been a rock-solid support and partner at every step in my life”. Well versed in teaching, Gitanjli was a professor of Home science in India. She proved to be an admirable mother to their two daughters -Aikta and Vaishali. Aikta is a Psychologist and School Counselor and the younger Vaishali is a pharmacist. Both are happily married and have families.
Gitanjli became the first woman President of India Association of Long Island (IALI) in 1995. She is a great volunteer. Be it an association or the Arya Samaj, she is absolutely dedicated to whatever work she is doing. She has been associated with quite a few organizations. Presently, she is Vice President of Association of Indians in America (AIA).
Dr. Satish Anand himself has been socially and professionally involved. He has been a member of AAPI – QLI since 1995. He was its President and now sits on Board of Trustees. He was President of Federation of AAPI NY/ NJ/ CT. He is a member of Rajasthan Medical Alumni Association. Earlier, he was president of Gajra Raja Medical College Association.
Dr. Anand’s contribution has been hailed by various organizations and institutions. In 2013, Rotary International honored him with Humanitarian Award.
Dr. Anand was born in Rawalpindi (now Pakistan) ion October 21, 1942 to Manohar Lal Anand and Krishna Kumari. He studied for school at Mhow, near Indore in Madhya Pradesh, India. He got his Medical education at Medical College, Gwalior to become a physician in 1965. In 1968, he went to UK to do his residency program and finally got his MRCP in 1973. He came to the US in 1975 and worked as full-time internist. He took retirement in 2009.
Oldest daughter Aikta Anand-Sethi with husband Mukesh Sethi and two daughters Aksha and Mukta Sethi.A 2016 family picture. Gitanjli Anand, Vaishali Deshmukh, Aikta Anand-Sethi, Dr. Satish Kumar Anand
Married to Gitanjli, the couple has two daughters, Aikta and Vaishali and are blessed with five grandchildren- Manav, Meera, Milan Deshmukh, Mukta and Aksha Sethi.
The eldest child of Anands, Aikta, who says proudly she is Dad’s daughter, has this to say about her father: “Dad is the rock of our family, he is my heart my soul without whom I am nothing. He is indeed the biggest blessing in my life. God made humans, but I don’t consider my father human. He is from a different universe a totally different breed of humans. People say they have lived to feel god or even see god, but I have felt and seen god in my father. If I could accomplish 20% of what my father has I would feel as if I did something good in my life”.
Picture with grandkids from October 2017. From left: Dr. Satish Kumar Anand, Mukta Sethi, Aksha Sethi, Gitanjli Anand, Manav Deshmukh, Meera Deshmukh, Milan DeshmukhGrandparents Gitanjli Anand and Dr. Satish Kumar Anand with Youngest daughter Vaishali Deshmukh with husband Amit Deshmukh and three kids Manav Deshmukh, Meera Deshmukh, and Milan Deshmukh
Do not forget to join the family at the celebration of Dr. Satish Anand’s 75 years of grit and determination; faith and karma; and hope and love.
Dr. Sampath Shivangi, Dr. A.D Amar, Attorney Anand Ahuja and Charles Kannankeril honored
Prakash M Swamy
WHITE PLAINS, NY (TIP): Indian-American Republicans are now being recognized as the powerful Delta Force in the GOP with their dedication and hard work in electing Donald Trump as President of the United States, said Edward Cox, Chairman of the New York State Republican Party.
Addressing the annual get together of Indian-American Republican Committee in White Plains, NY on Thursday, he praised the commitment of the Desi Republicans who smashed the image that Indian-Americans are always supporters of Democratic Party.
The 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta commonly referred to as Delta Force, Combat Applications Group (CAG), The Unit, Army Compartmented Element (ACE), or within JSOC as Task Force Green is an elite special mission unit of the United States Army.
He said GOP offer freedom, opportunity, lower taxes, fiscal responsibility and local control that were the hallmark of the success of Indians in the US. Indian-Americans are seeking public office like never before all in the past one year of Republican national leadership, he said.
No President in the past had signed legislation and executive orders in the last one year like Donald Trump fighting all odds against regulations. Stock markets are shooting in the sky and citizens are feeling safe under this presidency.
Shalab “Shally” Kumar, Chairman of Republican Hindu Coalition, said Trump would usher in Ram Rajya in the US. Many of the so-called Indian-American leaders worked tirelessly against the Hindu rally held in NJ last year to endorse Trump as President by arranging Garbha and other events on the same day to dissipate the crowd. It’s a myth that Indian-Americans are always Democrats and tides are changing, he said.
Kumar who coined the slogan “Ab ki bar Trump Sarkar” that caught the social media like a wildfire, said that all the Modi followers among the 4.2 Million Hindus in the US voted for Trump as they saw a similarity in both the leaders.
Ven Parameswaran, senior most Indian-American Republican in the US and Senior Vice Chairman of Indian-American Republican Committee, said the Indian Americans have been building political clout, slowly but steadily since the days of Dalip Singh Saund was elected as Congressman from California in 1956.
Republican Bobby Jindal was first elected to the Congress and later elected as Governor of Louisiana and Republican Nikki Haley was elected Governor of South Carolina and now she is our Ambassador to the UN the most important diplomatic post. Ambassador to the UN was the stepping stone for George H W Bush, before he was elected President. Indian Americans are attracted to Republican Party because their ideas of family values, religion, hard work, entrepreneurship, fewer taxes, less government are common to them, he said.
Within the next two weeks, The Committee is starting chapters in Connecticut, New Jersey, and Queens. Before the midterm elections, chapters will be in all states with a sizeable Indian American population, he added.
Doug Colety, Chairman of Westchester County Republican Committee, Terrence Murphy, New York State Senator, Lawrence Garvey, Chairman of Rockland County Republican Committee, Thomas Koshy, national chairman of Indian-American Republican Committee, Paul Karukkupalli, co-vice chairman and Dr. Priscilla Parameswaran, founder of the committee spoke on the contribution of Indian-Americans to the growth of Republican Party.
Edward Cox and other Republican leaders honored Dr. Sampath Shivangi, Chairman of Mississippi Board of Mental Health with the award of “Person of the Year”; Dr. A.D Amar, Professor of Seton Hall University, NJ with “Professor of the Year” award; Anand Ahuja, attorney with “Attorney of the Year” award and Charles Kannankeril R &D engineer with “Special Recognition” award.
HOUSTON (TIP): On Friday, Nov. 17, the Indo-American community in Houston, led by second-generation Indo-American youth Rahul and Varun Agarwal, celebrated Thanksgiving with people with disabilities and thanked them for their openness and warmth at the Volunteers of America center in northwest Houston.
“Seeing the leadership of youth like Rahul and Varun, I am assured of America’s bright future. Nothing can be better than it” said Kevin Roberts, Texas State Representative from Houston and now a U.S. Congressional candidate in 2018.
“Indo American community of Greater Houston is very progressive and they know how to give back to the community. Giving is an essence of being an Indian. Young generation is setting examples for generations to come on how to be innovative, how to be compassionate and how to be so giving to the community,” said India’s Consul General in Houston, Dr. Anupam Ray.
Rahul and Varun Agarwal (in yellow “Do Your Bit” shirts) serve a Thanksgiving meal to the disabled at the Volunteers of America center along with representatives of Indo-American and other charitable organizations.
Many people with disabilities got very emotional, hugged and thanked members of Indo-American community for such a nice gesture. Lunch was sponsored by “Do Your Bit” foundation founded by Rahul and Varun Agarwal and hosted by Volunteers of America. Everyone enjoyed generous servings of traditional turkey, stuffing, green beans and pumpkin pie. There was also Indian staples of chole and bhature.
Representatives from several Indo American organizations like Meenakshi Temple, Sewa International, India House, Indian Muslim League, BAPS, Gurudwara served lunch and thanked everyone. Prominent Indo American community leaders, Family-to-Family network, and Indian Consular staff.
Lunch guests thanked their Indian hosts, and everyone joined in prayer for Thanksgiving blessings.
Bhandari secured 183 of the 193 votes in the General Assembly and all 15 votes in the Security Council
Prakash M Swamy
UNITED NATIONS (TIP): The General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations, on November 20, elected the fifth judge to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concluding the 2017 elections to the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
Justice Dalveer Bhandari, of India, received the absolute majority of votes in elections – conducted independently, but concurrently – at the Security Council and the General Assembly. He remained the sole candidate for the position after the United Kingdom withdrew the nomination of Christopher Greenwood.
Bhandari joins Ronny Abraham of France, Antônio Augusto Cançado Trindade (Brazil), Nawaf Salam (Lebanon), and Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf (Somalia) as the five judges who will serve along with ten other judges at the ICJ. Their nine-year terms begin 6 February 2018.
The Court is composed of 15 judges, who are elected by an absolute majority in both the General Assembly and Security Council. Five seats come up for election every three years. There is no bar on consecutive terms.
Established in 1945, and based in The Hague in the Netherlands, the ICJ – informally known as the ‘World Court’ – settles legal disputes between States and gives advisory opinions on legal questions that have been referred to it by other authorized UN organs. The election of the first members of the World Court took place on 6 February 1946, at the first session of the UN General Assembly and Security Council.
Bhandari was re-elected with more than two-thirds of the UN members backing him, forcing Britain to withdraw its candidate amidst high drama in the hard-fought race to the world court.
In one of its “biggest diplomatic victories” in the UN, Bhandari got 183 of the 193 votes in the General Assembly and secured all 15 votes in the Security Council to fill the final vacancy on The Hague-based International Court of Justice after separate but simultaneous elections were held at The UN headquarters.
The Ministry of External Affairs and Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in New York mounted stellar efforts since June when New Delhi confirmed Dalveer Bhandari’s name for the International Court of Justice.
India’s Ambassador to the United Nations Syed Akbaruddin sought the support of nearly 175 nations, including the permanent members of the Security Council. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj telephoned her counterparts from nearly 60 countries to get Bhandari re-elected.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought the support during his meetings with world leaders. “India never indulged in negative campaign. It was run on the strength of our candidate and strength of India strong constitutional system,” a diplomat said.
British Permanent Representative to the UN Matthew Rycroft also mounted hectic efforts. Rycroft said in his letter to the members the current deadlock is unlikely to be broken by further rounds of voting and the UK therefore has decided to withdraw Greenwood’s nomination.
“In taking this step, we have borne in mind the close relationship that the United Kingdom and India have always enjoyed and we will continue to enjoy…,” Rycroft said. According to sources, three hours before the voting, General Assembly president Miroslav Lajcak and Italian ambassador Sebastiano Cardi in his capacity as Security Council president for the month of November convened a consultative meeting with Rycroft and Akbaruddin.
India refused to budge against any kind of pressure and insisted to complete the democratic process. It was a mystery what transpired in the next two hours that forced Britain to withdraw from the race.
In Washington, US President Donald Trump convened a meeting with secretary of state Rex Tillerson and the US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley. With Bhandari’s election, Britain will not have a judge on the world court’s 15-member panel for the first time. Also for the first time in 70 years, a permanent member of the Security Council lost to a non-permanent member for a seat in the ICJ.
Bhandari’s victory is also a big boost for India in Kulbhushan Jadhav’s case. The ICJ is likely to deliver its verdict in the case in December. Pakistan has already appointed an ad-hoc judge to the ICJ for the case. Bhandari’s victory means, now India will also have its own judge in the court. The ICJ has a bench of 15 judges, five of whom are elected every three years for a nine-year term. To be elected, the candidate needed majority in both the chambers.
Signup to our Newsletter!
Don’t miss out on all the happenings around the world
