LONG BEACH, NY (TIP): Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano announced, September 3, that the 2015 Long Beach International Film Festival (LBIFF) will be celebrating its 4th Anniversary with a new line up of exciting films from around the world. The LBIFF will take place from Thursday, September 24th through Sunday, September 27th in Long Island’s City by the Sea, Long Beach, and branch off to the Village of Rockville Centre – adding three new screening venues along with filmmaker lounges and after party celebrations.
County Executive stated, “The Long Beach International Film Festival continues to offer residents an opportunity to enjoy arts and entertainment, while also providing those in the movie and television production industry with insight to the wonderful filming locations Nassau County has to offer. Whether it’s our beaches, mansions, suburban areas and, of course, Gold Coast Studios and Grumman Studios, Nassau County is becoming Hollywood East.”
This year’s LBIFF – following the “Taste on the Beach” and “Shorts on the Beach” film series which took place August 7th and attracted more than 4,000 attendees – includes screenings at the Long Beach Movie Theater, the Madison Theatre at Molloy College and at a 200-seat movie theatre built inside of the Long Beach Hotel. Residents are welcome to attend single showings or the entire four-day festival which features over 80 films, including a feature-length narrative, documentary as well as short and animated movies. The films are competing for series of Audience Awards, Jury and Festival Honors. The winner of Best Feature Film will receive one complementary studio day at Grumman Studios in Bethpage, along with the services of a colorist from Technicolor to assist in any future projects.
The Long Beach International Film Festival is co-sponsored by Nassau County, the City of Long Beach, Madison Theater, Molloy College, Long Beach Cinema 4, Garden City Hotel, Long Beach Hotel, Allegria Hotel, Porsche of South Shore, Infinti of Lynbrook, News 12, WPIX, Jet Blue, Stella Artois, Red Door Spa, Carlyle Off the Green, Bola Market, Verizon Fios, Bowen Media, Nassau Community College Foundation, NYIT, Kravitz Jewelers, Beach Comfort and others.
For a full list of festival films and screening locations or additional information please
visit,http://www.longbeachfilm.com/
About the Long Beach International Film Festival:
The Long Beach International Film Festival celebrates the art of storytelling through cinema. Presenting shorts, fiction and documentary formats, the festival is committed to exhibiting films that convey a fresh voice and differing perspectives. With past celebrity attendance including such big names as actors Burt Young, Scott Franklin, Daniel Baldwin, and Richard Pryor Jr.; Musicians Joan Jett and Dee Snider; comedian Joey Kola, and UFC fighter Chris Weidman!The goal of these programs is to captivate, engage and enlighten audiences, provide invaluable exposure for filmmakers and present inspired entertainment.
www.longbeachfilm.com
NEW YORK: A 37-year-old Indian-origin man, who was once one of “America’s Most Wanted” for a 1999 murder of a man, has pleaded not guilty to the crime.
Balkumar Singh was arrested in Trinidad in March after 16 years on the run in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Abzal Khan outside a suburban New York wedding.
He pleaded not guilty to murder, assault, weapons and other charges and was ordered held without bail during his court appearance here earlier this month.
He was not represented by an attorney; a judge said a court-appointed attorney would represent him at his next court appearance, a report in CBS News said.
Singh, however, apologised during his arraignment on August 17 in a Long Island courthouse.
“I’m sorry for the pain I caused the family,” Singh said before his arraignment in Nassau county court.
Singh was featured on “America’s Most Wanted” in 2009.
The report said Singh got into an argument while attending a June 1999 wedding in Hicksville.
They say Singh fired numerous times outside the wedding hall, killing Khan and injuring another man.
Court documents indicate the assault charges involve the wounding of a second man.
A New York Times article at the time of the shooting said police believed the gunman had asked a girl to dance and argued with her date.
Later, the gunman was waiting outside, and as the wedding guests left the party, he opened fire.
Khan, of Queens, died of chest wounds while the second man was shot in the leg.
Acting district attorney Madeline Singas said Singh used numerous aliases while on the run and might have spent time in Canada and Guyana.
She said he was arrested in Trinidad in March after authorities were tipped off to his whereabouts; he apparently was homeless and living on the streets.
Khan’s parents and a brother attended the brief court proceeding.
“I’m very sad,” said Khan’s mother, Sharifan Khan.
HICKSVILLE, NY (TIP): Media reports on possible connivance of Nassau County officials in promoting the business interests of one Harendra Singh of Singh Hospitality Group on a quid pro quo basis are pretty disturbing. The malaise is not new, though. Corruption has been around always and corrupt politicians and businessmen are normally bedfellows, is not an uncommon knowledge. However, every time such a case comes up it makes the honest citizens sit up and wonder what’s wrong with the people and the system
The recent Media reports of the involvement of some well placed Indian Americans in financial manipulations and misuse of position have the community worried about their image.
Singletons Food Shack – Tobay Beach
Investigations so far in to the financial career of Harendra Singh of Singh’s Hospitality Group have established that Singh used dubious ways to strengthen his business and that some County officials conducted unethically in promoting the business interests of Singh. They even risked the public money to promote the man for certain favors and services in return.
The Newsday reported : “A prominent Long Island restaurateur arranged and paid for several vacation trips for Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and a top Oyster Bay Town official, a Newsday investigation has found.
Harendra Singh — a politically connected Bethpage-based businessman — coordinated travel itineraries and payment for trips for Mangano, members of the Mangano family and Oyster Bay Deputy Town Attorney Frederick Mei, according to emails, invoices and other documents obtained by Newsday.”
In a July 21, 2015 report, Newsday disclosed that the Town of Oyster Bay ignored the delinquencies in payment of Harendra Singh who is Oyster Bay’s concessionaire at the town golf course and Tobay Beach and several other facilities.
“Asked at the town board meeting by Freier (Robert Freier, an executive recruiter from Woodbury and Democratic candidate for town board) whether Singh’s missed payments were more than 60 days past due — the point at which the town could declare the agreements in default and terminate them for cause — Venditto said, “I don’t know the status of it.”
Venditto declined to answer questions before or after the meeting.
The concession agreements say that if Singh’s companies miss a payment, the town will send a notice giving them 60 days to cure the default.”
And, on top of it, the Town of Oyster Bay helped the defaulting Harendra Singh get $16M in private loans exposing taxpayers to liabilities, reports Newsday. The August 22, 2015 Newsday report says, ” Town of Oyster Bay officials helped a private businessman secure loans by arranging with lenders to have the town pay in case of defaults — potentially exposing taxpayers to millions of dollars in liabilities, a Newsday investigation has found.
“Bethpage restaurateur Harendra Singh, who has several lucrative concessionaire contracts with the Town of Oyster Bay, struggled to obtain three separate loans for capital improvements at town facilities totaling about $16 million beginning in 2010.
“Records show he secured a $1.5 million line of credit in 2010, thanks to a guarantee from the town that it would pay the lender in the event that Singh defaulted within a time period just shy of five years. Singh secured two more loans with a face value totaling $14 million in 2011 and 2012, and emails obtained by Newsday show that Deputy Town Attorney Frederick Mei negotiated directly with lenders to structure those loans with a guarantee similar to the one for the line of credit.”
And then there have been a couple of middlemen making hay while the Sun shines. Media reports have mentioned one Kamlesh Mehta, Nassau County Economic Director. Obviously, many have used their position to help others gain for getting in return favors for themselves. One hopes the investigators will cast their net wide and catch the many sharks that have been operating in the ocean of corrupt practices.
And this corruption has many faces. The many faces of corruption include, at lower levels, favors with regard to fresh leases, extension of leases, change in zoning etc. Even jobs in the County and the towns are a source of generation of wealth and influence.
At yet another and lower level of the corrupt practices is the selling of proclamations and citations. People are lured to donate for a campaign or to an organization or an individual in return for a citation, a proclamation or a recognition. All of which makes the County a cesspool of corruption. And what if some are happy to take dips in!
The story of Singh points to a serious malaise in the system. It is a simple story of quid pro quo. You scratch my back; I scratch yours. Officials promote the business interests of Harendra and Harendra donates big chunks of money and organizes their vacations and visits, besides extending all hospitality at his hospitality joints. It would be interesting to investigate how much money he donated, and arranged to have donated and to whom, besides hosting events and fundraisers for his politician friends at his many hospitality joints. Also, the investigators need to widen the investigations to go beyond Harendra Singh and get at the Mafia involved in a systematic abuse of the system, always keeping in mind Harendra Singh is not alone in to the game.
One hopes the ongoing federal and local investigations will widen the dragnet and look in to all aspects of the mafia operations, because big or small, they are a threat to the system and a danger to the country.
What is the story of Harendra Singh?
Here is a September 14, 2013 The Indian Panorama story on Harendra Singh.
Harendra Singh, or “H” as he is now popularly known, migrated to the United States from India in 1979. The oldest son of Dr. Rajesh Singh, an accomplished and renowned Cardio-Vascular & Thoracic Surgeon, H had a very humble career beginning in the United States, working as a Clerk in Chemical Bank on Wall Street. During his tenure at Chemical Bank, his inherent drive to succeed and further his career, led him to obtaining 2 Associate Degrees in Heating & Refrigeration Engineering and Business Administration, from the State University of New York. In 1982, H left Chemical Bank for better prospects with Sun Property Inc., where he worked in the capacity of Property Manager, for the next three years. Simultaneously, H also continued his education at NY Tech., which ultimately culminated in him obtaining a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Business Administration, in 1991.
In 1988, with a bagful of ideas and a dream, while still at college, H ventured into the restaurant business opening a location at 150 Hicksville Road, Bethpage, with a franchised A&W Restaurant. In 1990, after two years of humble but successful operations, H’s desire for growth propelled him into closing the restaurant and reopening with his own brand name – NO BANANAS, a 100 seat restaurant with a large catering facility adjacent. This venture was significantly successful, so much so that his revenue increased up to ten times through 1998. By then his creative mind was at work again – conceptualizing what is today the flagship of Singh Hospitality Group – HR SINGLETONS, Classic American Grille – a restaurant, banquet and conferencing facility, with a capacity of almost 600 seats. HR Singletons has earned a reputation for providing classy food and service at casual prices. While conceptualizing and executing the construction of HR Singletons in Bethpage, H was beginning to build his relationship with the Town of Oyster Bay in May of 1998. The food and beverage concessionaire at the Town of Oyster Bay’s Golf Course facility-The Woodlands – defaulted on its obligations, and the Town advertised a short term contract to provide services, in which Mr. Singh was awarded the contract as the successful bidder.
The Woodlands is a historic and beautiful catering hall with a picturesque view of the Town Of Oyster Bay Golf Course. On April 19, 2005, the Town extended the agreement at the Woodlands though December 31, 2029. In order to preserve and improve the Woodlands, Mr. Singh continued to make capital improvements, and proposed additional improvements. As a result, the Town again extended their agreement, through December 31, 2049. The design of the rooms has been executed in such a manner that 5 separate rooms may be used simultaneously or together as one room for larger conventions, weddings, corporate gatherings or other functions. In addition, a wonderfully designed patio overlooks the lush greens of the Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course. Stemming off from the history of the Woodlands, Mr. Singh involvement with the Town of Oyster Bay beach is similar. Previous concessionaires at Tobay provided limited food and beverage services, consisting of meager snack bar facilities. The Town realized the potential for improvements at the Town of Oyster Bay beach, and issued an RFP for concession services in 2005, including a capital improvement requirement. Similar to the work proposed at the Woodlands, Mr. Singh proposed to make capital improvements to the facility which was accepted by the Town, and Mr. Singh entered into an agreement to provide services through April 30, 2025.
Since Mr. Singh has taken over the facility, he has completely renovated the five concession buildings, and established the facility’s first sit-down restaurant, Singleton’s Seafood Shack, which quickly became a destination restaurant. This location continues to find success, and remains a popular summer dining location for the residents of Long Island. The renovations and operations of the Singleton’s Seafood Shack became a success for both the Town of Oyster Bay and Mr. Singh; and as a result – in 2008 – Mr. Singh proposed to make additional capital improvements to Town of Oyster Bay beach. As in the past, the Town of Oyster Bay accepted the proposal, and extended the agreement through April 30, 2045. In 2010, Singleton’s Salsa Shack was built at the Town of Oyster Bay beach, a wildly successful destination restaurant. Both its unique and festive menu, along with its location, has made it a success as well. The two restaurants combined served over 40,000 meals in the summer of 2010, and continue to exceed expectations year after year. Traditionally, the facilities at the Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course served mainly golfers, and the facilities at TOBAY served mainly beach goers.
As a result of the many capital improvements implemented by Mr. Singh, these facilities are enjoyed by a much larger number of Town residents, and non-residents as well. There is no better advertisement for the Town than to have someone come to the Golf Course or Tobay for the first time, and be captivated by the first class amenities and service available to them. The long term agreements granted to Mr. Singh by the Town of Oyster Bay are evidence of the Town’s faith in Mr. Singh and his vision for the future. Together, they have formed a strong partnership that will greatly benefit the Town for many generations to come. Apart from his work with the Town of Oyster Bay, Mr. Singh has continued to expand his hospitality company, the Singh Hospitality Group- from one successful restaurant operation to eleven unique banquet and restaurant operations. Every location within the Singh Hospitality Group has received a variety of accredited awards and reviews-and all continue to prosper.
Singh Hospitality Group consists of the following properties:
HR Singletons – Classic American Grille – Bethpage NY 11714
The Woodlands @ Tobay Golf Course – Woodbury NY 11797
Singleton’s Seafood Shack – Bay Side Tobay Beach – Massapequa NY 11758
Singleton’s Crab Shack – Ocean Side Tobay Beach – Massapequa NY 11758
Singleton’s Salsa Shack- Bay Side Tobay Beach – Massapequa NY 11758
The Woodlands @ the Greens – Melville NY 11747
The Altessa @ the Greens – Melville NY 11747
Poco Loco – Roslyn NY 11576
The Water’s Edge – Fine Dining & Banquets – Long Island City NY 11101
Christiano’s Italian Restaurant – Syosset NY 11791
Fuego Picante – East Meadow NY 11554
He has also has found success outside of the Hospitality business. On September 28, 2006, H was honored for his Entrepreneurial Spirit and Dedication to Long Island with the SMALL BUSINESS AWARD 2006 by the Long Island Business Development Council in Montauk, NY. In May 2009, New York State Governor Patterson appointed Mr. Singh an Honorable Board of Trustees for Nassau County Community College. Also, during 2012, Mr. Singh has been honored by Suburban Studies Institute- Hofstra University and The Safe Center (formerly Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence) for his charitable works. In addition Mr. Singh is active with his father’s nonprofit organization: The Raj & Rajeshwari Foundation, an organization seeking to uplift the lives of the poor and destitute in rural India through medical support and services.
NEW YORK (TIP): The Consulate General of India organized a celebration of India’s Independence Day at which the message of the President of India was read out and a cake was cut to celebrate India’s 69th birthday.
The famous music director and singer Shankar Mahadevan regaled the audience with his soulful singing at the Indian Consulate
Speaking on the occasion, the Consul General Dnyaneshwar M Mulay spoke of the great love Indian Americans had for India and how admirably they were contributing to the strengthening of relations between the two greatest democracies of the world. He also spoke at length of the various programs he had introduced at the Consulate and said he was happy to see the number of Indian Americans attending the programs at the Consulate going up because of his open door policy which allowed everybody to invite himself to a program at the Consulate.
A view of the audience at the Indian Consulate
The Independence Day was also celebrated at the Permanent Mission of India where Ambassador Asoke Mukerji hosted a reception attended by the Mission Staff and guests.
Elsewhere, in New Jersey, Indo-American Cultural Foundation of Central New Jersey (IACFNJ), a non-profit organization in central Jersey organized India’s 69th Independence Day celebration on Sunday, August 16, 2015 at Shree Swaminarayan Temple. Nearly 200 people attended this outdoor fun-filled patriotic event which was free and open to public.
Kids perform a dance at the Independence Day celebrations organized by Indo-American Cultural Foundation of Central New Jersey, August 16.Cricketer Virender Sewhag , Bollywood actor Parineeti Chpra and Grand Marshal Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal greet the crowds at India Day Parade in New York City, August 16
Whereas one of the largest India Day Parades was organized in New York on August 16, a day after India celebrated the 68th anniversary of Independence, the Indian American community in the tri-states area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, celebrated the historic event with zeal and fervor, in which the common people participated.
We had earlier last week reported the IDPUSA parade in Hicksville. Then there were parades organized in Edison and in Atlantic City. Each of these parades indicated the Indian Americans’ love of the country of their origin. At each of these parades, local politicians and American community was seen participating, a good sign of the Indian American community integrating with the mainstream.
HICKSVILLE, NY (TIP): On a benign Sunday, August 9, the 4th IDPUSA Independence Day Parade set off from the usual starting point in Patel Plaza and headed off to the usual destination on North Broadway, opposite Asa Mai Mandir.
The elaborate arrangements made by the organizers failed to enthuse and attract people. There were fewer people walking with the parade, on the way, and at the finishing point.
There were fewer booths this year. And the ones who had taken booths felt disappointed to find small numbers visiting their booths. Some said in so many words that the $500 they had paid for the booth had gone waste.
However, it was a show, undoubtedly, with dignitaries coming in. At hand were several elected officials and dignitaries which included Congresswoman Grace Meng, County Executive Edward P Mangano, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judy Bodsworth, several councilmen. legislators and judges . One would have expected them to be there, given the forthcoming elections. In fact, the floats carried the large posters of some who are up for election. They included Kate Murray, Venditto Sr. & Jr.and Santino .
At the head of the parade were Parade Chairpersons Indu Jaiswal and Beena Kothari, Grand Marshall Actress Neetu Chandra, Chief Guest of Honor Nina Davuluri, Miss America 2014, Madalsa Sharma, and Karishma Tanna, elected officials, community leaders and honorees. A unique addition this year was that the sponsors came in their cars decorated in tricolors. Besides, there were around 4 floats and some marching groups.
At the conclusion of the parade, a cultural program was presented.
On Monday, August 10, a Gala Diner Reception was held at North Ritz Country Club in Syosset to honor and thank sponsors and honorees. Senior Councilman Anthony Santino, Town of Hempstead Clerk Nasreen Ahmed, Grand Marshall Neetu Chandra, Madalsa Sharma and Karishma Tanna were among those present.
Citations and awards were presented to Honorees which included Mrs. Sharda Kotahwala President Royal India USA Inc., Naveen C Shah, President and CEO, Navika Group of Companies, Mrs. Kirti Shukla, Microbiologist, Dr. Raj Bhayani, ENT Surgeon, Dr Vaijnath Chakote, President Elect of AAPIQLI, Parvin Kapadia, Founder of Bal Sansakar Shala, Dr Vijay Chhabra, Internist, and Peter Bheddah, businessman and philanthropist.
An entertainment program presented by Arya Dance Academy followed.
Time to honor the sponsors. Kate Murray displays a Citation. On the Mike is Bobby Kalottee. Also seen is Ed Mangano, to the right of Bobby.Organizers, guests and sponsors
HICKSVILLE, NY (TIP): The doyen of the Sikh community, Sardar Ishar Singh Bindra left for his heavenly abode on Wednesday, 12th August , 2015. Sardar Bindra has been associated with many social, religious and charitable institutions. He would be greatly missed.
According to information received, his cremation will take place on Saturday August 15th, 2015, from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm at Moloney Family Funeral Home, 132 Ronkonkoma Avenue, Lake Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 (Off Exit 60 on Long Island Expressway).
Kirtan and Antim Ardas will take place on Monday, August 17th, 2015, from 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm, followed by Guru Ka Langar, at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur (Glen Cove Gurdwara), 100 Lattingtown Road, Glen Cove, NY 11542.
For further information: Teji Bindra- 516-232.5932. Email: tjbindra@jeetish.com
HICKSVILLE, NY (TIP): India Day Parade in Hicksville is scheduled for Sunday, August 9 and Nina Davuluri, the first Miss America (crowned in 2014) of Indian origin, will be the Grand Marshal. This announcement was made by the organizers at a special event on July 8.
Organized by IDPUSA with the support of numerous community organizations, the parade with floats and marching groups and bands will as usual kick off from Patel Brothers plaza and move along South Broadway. Cultural program and food and shopping stalls will be located at the corner of South Broadway and E. Barclay Street.
Gala dinner with the Grand Marshal is scheduled for August 10.
Meanwhile, the chairperson of the organizing committee, Bhavani Srinivasan met with an accident on July 8 and is understood to have suffered a fracture. Surely, a setback to the organizers.
HICKSVILLE, NY (TIP): Friends for Good Health and Bobby Kumar honored a couple of politicians with Champion awards. The recipients of Champions for people in the government included Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray , John Venditto Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor, Anthony Santino Senior Councilman, Town of Hempstead and candidate for Town of Hempstead Supervisor, and Judi Bosworth, North Hempstead Town Supervisor. Bollywood star Neetu Singh was also honored with an award.
The event was attended by many community leaders, businessmen, professionals as well as the media.
HICKSVILLE, NEW YORK (TIP): India Association of Long Island (IALI) celebrated the Indian festival of colors- Holi on Sunday March 8, 2015. The event, which had an overwhelming turnout of more than 200 guests, was celebrated in style, with lots of fun and Holi spirit. As guests arrived, they were welcomed with Gulal Teeka and served Thandai which is traditional drink of Holi. They were also served delicious snacks and sumptuous lunch by Antun’s.
President of the association Satnam Singh Parhar in his welcome note requested all members to donate generously to IALI to help pay for renovation and maintenance of IALI Home (India Center) which was purchased recently.
Women members of IALI making Holi colorful with their dance performanceDonors’ generosity recognizedMovers and shakers of IALI
His speech was followed by lighting of the lamp by the IALI Past Presidents and IALI officers. Padma Shri Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori was the guest of honor and was recognized for his accomplishments in the field of medicine. He was presented a plaque by Satnam Parhar and honored with a citation by Mrs.Nasrin Ahmad, Town Clerk of Town of Hempstead. Satnam Parhar acknowledged and presented Certificate of Appreciation to Bronze donors who donated up to $2000 for the purchase of IALI Home (India Center).
An entertainment program followed, with lovely performances by students of Ms. Shilpa Jhurani, presentation by Ms. Teen USA, dances by Arya Academy, Holi song by Parth Merai and an energetic folk dance performance by Ms. Preya Patel.
Holi atmosphere was captured by elegant and enchanting dance performance by Ms. Gunjan Rastogi & Ms. Garima Bhatia to the melodious singing of Holi songs by Ms. Jyoti Gupta. The performers were showered with rose petals and confetti manifesting the colors of Holi. IALI Secretary, Ms. Rekha Valliappan proposed a vote of thanks.
HICKSVILLE, NY (TIP): Shiv Chopra, 16, was inducted into the National Honor Society on February 25 at a graceful ceremony at the auditorium of Hicksville High School. He, among other students, was made a member of the nation’s premier organization set up in 1921 to recognize outstanding high school students. Shiv fulfilled the membership criteria by demonstrating excellence in areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Character.
Currently a Grade XI student, Shiv has a cumulative grade point average of 100, and is President of his school’s Robotics Society, which will take part in two regional competitions next month. He aspires to a career in alternative energy, a sector whose growth, he says, is key to the continued well-being of humanity and Planet Earth.
Shiv is the son of proud parents -journalist father Parveen Chopra and marketing executive mother Renu Chopra.
NEW YORK (TIP): Mrs. Raji Kuncham takes over as the 30th President of Telugu Literary Cultural Association (TLCA), one of the oldest Indian American organizations in the country. On January 31st, at the Telugu Sankranti Festival event held at the Hindu Temple Auditorium in Flushing, NY. Dr. Nageswara Rao Mandava, Election Officer 2015, announced the new team and administered the Oath of Office to President Raji Kuncham.
Secretary Srinivas Guduru, in his introduction described Mrs. Raji Kuncham as an “amazing person, great role model and a dynamic leader.” Her contributions to TLCA for the last decade have been invaluable and noteworthy in various roles, from volunteer to EC member to Vice President. Mrs. Raji Kuncham’s contributions go way beyond TLCA, serving many other organizations. Her work in support of soup kitchens, shelters for the homeless, eye camps in India and promoting wellness programs are very dear to her.
Mrs. Raji Kuncham has had many firsts in her life. In her educational career, she earned many top distinctions, being a State Topper and a Gold Medalist at the District and State levels. She served as an Assistant Professor at Tirupathi Agricultural College, SV University. Subsequently, she served as an Agricultural Officer and holds the rare distinction of being the first woman to serve as an Agricultural Officer in the country in the history of Indian Bank. After moving to the United States, she earned her second Masters’ Degree in Computer Science. Currently, Raji Garu serves as a Senior Database Administrator with a major Fortune 500 company. She’s the proud mom of Bharat and Siddharth. Bharat is a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and Siddharth will be graduating this May from the School of Engineering & Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania. She and her husband, School Superintendent Dr. Kishore Kuncham, reside in Bellmore.
In her remarks, President Raji Kuncham expressed her gratitude for the membership’s confidence in her leadership. She added, “TLCA has made enormous strides in the last 44 years. I know you join me in appreciation of the vision and superb leadership of our beloved founders and past presidents, and the hard work of executive committee members and volunteers. We will steadfastly continue on the path of deepening and expanding the core mission of our association, in preserving and promoting the language, culture, and service for Telugu speaking people and strengthening our ties with other organizations and the community at large.”
Mrs. Raji Kuncham unveiled the TLCA vision for 2015 with a focus centered on women, children, and wellness. She emphasized her team will work vigorously toward successfully executing new and current initiatives.
The new TLCA 2015 team includes, President: Mrs. Raji Kuncham, Vice President: Mr. Satya Challapalli, Secretary: Mr. Srinivas Guduru, Treasurer: Dr. Dharmarao Thapi, Joint-Secretary: Mr. Ashok Chintakuntla, Joint-Treasurer: Mr. Babu Kudaravalli, EC Members: Mr. Jaya Prakash Enjapuri, Dr. Jyothi Jasti, Mr. Harisankar Rasaputra, Mr. Prasad Koyi, Mrs. Sirisha Tuniguntla, and Mrs. Rama Vanama.
The TLCA is a 44 year old premier Indian American Association in North America established in 1971 and perhaps the oldest in the region with over 1000 families’ strong with a membership of highly accomplished Indian American professionals. The primary goal of the Association is to promote Indian culture and celebrate the rich Telugu cultural and literary activities in the Tristate area. Every year TLCA conducts prominent cultural, literary, and community service events such as medical camps, food drives, and educational seminars that are extremely valuable to the community at large. Please visit the TLCA website tlca.org for more information.
TLCA celebrated Sankranti with great pomp at the Hindu Temple in Flushing. The event was well attended and the audience enjoyed outstanding performances by TLCA youth groups, artists from India, and sumptuous food. Outgoing President Rao Voleti presented his report, thanked the audience and the sponsors for their support. The event included recognizing and honoring Dr. Nori Dattatreyudu for receiving the prestigious award “Padma Shri” from the Government of India for his outstanding services in the medical field. The Hicksville Rotary Club recognized Dr. Mandava Nageswara Rao for his contributions to gift-of-vision project supporting Sankara Eye Foundation, India.
NEW YORK (TIP): 19th January – Day of Holocaust of Kashmiri Pandit Exiles- was organized by Kashmiri Overseas Association (KOA) Zone 1 Members at Asamai Temple, Hicksville, Long Island, New York on 18 January, 2015. A prayer meeting, audiovisual program and discussion was held to commemorate 25 years of exile of the KP community. It was today in the year 1990 that a campaign of ethnic cleansing and genocide against our community was unleashed by the fundamentalist Islamists and Jihadists at the behest of Pakistan. The barbaric annihilation of the peace loving KP community was prompted by the repeated massacres, mayhems, kidnappings, rapes, arsons, forcible occupation of properties, looting, destruction of temples and places of worship.
It is a tragedy that lacs of Kashmiri Pandits became refugees in their own country of origin and birth, contrary to similar practices existing elsewhere in the world. How can we forget those horrendous nights. Wounds are still fresh. We were hounded out of our homes. Our kith and kin slaughtered in the name of religion and an entire community was driven into exile. Dr. Anil Mattoo, Director of KOA Zone 1 and many members addressed the gathering and expressed solidarity with other brethren of the displaced community and hoped that they will be rehabilitated with constitutional guarantees in the land of their forefathers.
We look up to Narendra Modi with great hope and optimism that our pending rights are restored to us so that our entire community would return to live there on a permanent basis without elements of fear and discrimination. We also exhort the conscience of the progressive, secular elements of the majority community in the valley to help us attain our dream of returning to our homeland and rekindle the spirit of kashmiriyat.
LONG ISLAND, NY (TIP): India Association of Long Island (IALI) has now a Home and the long cherished dream of the Indian Community and past presidents for almost four decades became a reality on Monday Morning Dec 22, 2014, when IALI closed on the property ideally located on Old Country Road in Hicksville Long Island, the hub of growing Indian Community in Long Island at 92 East, Old Country Road. The Indian Community in the tri State area can now be proud to finally own the India Center, it has been dreaming about for a long time and become a part of this historic event.
INDIA ASSOCIATION OF LONG ISLAND (IALI) is one of the largest and oldest (37 years old) organizations in the whole Tri State Area. It is a community based non-profit 501 (c) (3) entity, with a mission to promote, share and celebrate the culture of India. It has about 2,000 members.
The whole Executive Council members and past presidents of IALI were invited at the IALI home / India Center Monday Evening Dec 22, the day it closed on the IALI Home for a brief prayer and to celebrate this dream cum true historic event. President Mr. Satnam Parhar and IALI Home / India Center Chair, Mr. Gobind Munjal hosted this event and welcomed over 35 jubilant and enthusiastic IALI executive council members, past presidents and some other members of the community. All members prayed for the prosperity and progress of IALI and the community at large, followed by Tea, Snacks and Sweets.
After prayers, President Mr. Parhar said in his speech, that together we have been able to achieve this dream and now we have to nurture this IALI Home / India Center and make it bigger and better for our younger generation and leave a legacy for the generations to come. Mr. Parhar and Mr. Munjal both thanked the officers and each and every member of the executive council member and past presidents for their support and guidance, without which this dream could not have become a reality.
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK (TIP): At the Annual General Body Meeting of India Association of Long Island (IALI) on December 14, 2014, the association President Satnam Parhar laid down his vision of buying a small property for IALI Home / India Community Center to fulfill the cherished dream of most of the members and the past presidents. He emphasized that when we came to this country, we all started with a small house and upgraded from there to bigger and better luxury homes. Therefore starting small, which fits our budget in terms of price and its maintenance, is the way to go. Gobind Munjal, past president of IALI and Chairperson of IALI Home / India Community Center, who also joined Parhar, in his commitment to realize the dream for IALI during this year, gave a detailed power point presentation about the property, along with Prasad Kambhampathy (finance chair), and answered all the frequently asked questions about the property, which IALI is buying for its office and to have a permanent address, keep records, do small programs for the Indian Community; like Senior Forum, Sangeet Forum. Youth Forum, Yoga classes, Hindi classes for the children, English and computer classes for the seniors and adults.
This commercial property (92 East, Old Country Road) is ideally located on the main Old Country Road just east of Broadway (route 107) in Hicksville, which is the hub of the growing Indian Community in Long Island and is accessible by Rail Road and public transportation.
A few members expressed their opinions, both positive and negative, but it was mostly positive, except for a couple of people. The General Membership present at the IALI Annual General Body Meeting endorsed the decision of the Executive Council of buying the IALI Home with an overwhelming majority. The contract to buy this property has been signed and the closing is set to take place early next week. At the end of the presentation, Parhar and Munjal appealed to all members present for their generous donations towards the IALI Home.
Parhar stated that 2014 turned out to be a good year, despite the tragic and untimely death of his son Dr. Romeo. He thanked each and every member of the executive council for their co-operation, help and support, and hard work in making all the functions and programs quite successful during the year.
The Treasurer, Ms. Gunjan Rastogi presented accounts for the year. She said around $25,000 were added during the year by the current administration towards IALI Funds which stood at approximately$350,000, as of Nov 2014. She appealed and asked the members present to be generous in giving donations for IALI Home.
Election results were announced by the Election Committee Chair and past president of IALI, Dr. Bhavani Srinivasan. Following is the list of elected executive council members.
President – Satnam Parhar; Vice President – Bina Sabapathy; Secretary -Rekha Valliappan; Treasurer – Gunjan Rastogi.
Over 200 members attended this meeting. Mrs. Anila Midha, past president of IALI was the Master of Ceremony (MC) .
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks from the Secretary Ms. Rekha Valliappan.
INDIA ASSOCIATION OF LONG ISLAND (IALI) is one of the largest and oldest (37 years old) organization in the whole Tri State Area. It is a community based non-profit 501 (c) (3) entity, with a mission to promote, share and celebrate the culture of India. It has about 2,000 members.
LONG ISLAND, NY (TIP): Gift of Life India honored four persons for their philanthropy and services to community at a fundraiser at the Crest Hollow Country Club on Sunday, November 9. The fundraiser met with the goal of raising $1,20,000 to save the lives of 500 children in India. Raised funds were enough for 450 surgeries, with support from Rotary International & international partners. Gift of Life, India was introduced in a video presentation at the glittering event attended by over 200 guests.
Humanitarian Award for outstanding services honorees with General JJ Singh and Ravi
Bhooplapur. (L to R): Honorary Chair Gift of Life India, Ravi Bhooplapur, Honoree A.C. Peter, Gen
JJ Singh, Honoree Kamlesh Raheja, Honoree Rajendra Rai.
Gift of Life, India was founded in 2001 by lifetime Rotarian Ravishankar Bhooplapur who took up the challenge to provide critical heart surgeries for children in India. He was assisted in the noble task by Past RI Director Sushil Gupta (Trustee of Rotary Foundation), Dr. Rajan Deshpande and other devoted Rotarians. Bhooplapur still serves as its Honorary Chairman. As per Bhooplapur, the sole purpose of the Gift of Life, India is to secure life saving heart surgery for children in desperate need regardless of race, creed, color or country of origin. It is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt corporation with no administrative costs.
Pt. Pravin Ghodkhindi, the flute maestro from Karantaka, mesmerized the gathering with his
superb performance
Says Bhooplapur: “So far Gift of Life has saved over 5000 children in India and the Rotary Foundation played key role in giving matching grants and Rotarians from India also played a major role matching our contributions.” Speaking on the occasion , Ravi said, ‘I would like to express my gratitude to all of my fellow Rotarians, Donors, and most importantly the volunteers for their continued dedication and service to the Gift of life, India . You are responsible for saving the lives of the children”. Ravi had a special word of gratitude for Dr. Eileen Gentlecore, PDG Anthony Massineo and PDG Sammy Hsiao. At the Sunday fundraiser, some of the longtime supporters and donors of Gift of Life, India project were honored.
Dr Ravindra Kota and Dr Mrs Anjani Kota were given the Angel Award. New York based Dr. Kota is in General and Laparoscopic Surgery Private Practice and Dr. Anjani Kota is privately practicing as an internist in East Setauket A.C. Peter, Kamlesh Raheja and H. Rajendra Rai were conferred Humanitarian Award each for their outstanding service. Peter has been with Gift of Life from the beginning and has arranged over 1,000 open heart surgeries at Delhi specialist hospitals free of cost to beneficiaries. Coimbatore based Kamlesh Raheja is a cotton merchant and responsible for more than 700 surgeries for Gift of Life India.
Rai works in power and water sectors and has been with Gift of Life, India from inception and his Rotary District in Bangalore is responsible for 1,100 surgeries. The Guest of Honor at the gala was General J.J. Singh, former Indian army chief and Arunachal governor who was conferred Paul Harris Medal of Honor on the occasion. The gala was co-chaired by Ravishankar Bhooplapur, and Rotary District 7255 Governor Elect Kamlesh Mehta. Other cochairs were President of Hicksville Rotary Salil Zaveri (event MC), Sangeeta Sethi (President, Jericho Sunrise), and Clarisse Panellino (President, Lake Success).
All awards were handed out by Gen J.J. Singh. He too was honored at the gala as he played a major role, while he was serving as Governor in Arunachal Pradesh, to get tribal kids under Gift of Life Program to save the children. A highlight of the evening’s proceedings was a flute recital by Pt. Pravin Ghodkhindi. The maestro from Karantaka has performed with eminent musicians like Ustad Zakir Hussain, Dr. Balamuralikrishna and Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. Rotary Club of Gold Coast Lake Success along with Jericho Sunrise and Hicksville South co- sponsored the event. The event was managed by Bollywood Arts under Sunita Sadhnani. Lamborghini & Bentley were corporate sponsors.
Remember to vote for Tony Avella on Tuesday, September 9
Senator Tony Avella has dedicated his life to fighting for middle-class families and progressive Democratic values. Senator Avella’s distinguished public service career began over 30 years ago as an aide to New York City Council Member Peter Vallone, Sr. Senator Avella later served as an aide to Mayors Koch and Dinkins and as Chief of Staff to the late State Senator Leonard Stavisky and to State Senator Toby Stavisky. Prior to seeking public office, Senator Avella served in numerous capacities as a civic activist and was a member of Queens Community Board #7. In 1997, Senator Avella was awarded New York State’s Community Service Award for his numerous volunteer and civic endeavors on behalf of all New Yorkers.
In 2001, Senator Avella won election to the New York City Council in the 19th District – Northeast Queens and was re-elected with an overwhelming majority in both the 2003 and 2005 elections. As a member of the City Council, Senator Avella served as Chair of the Zoning and Franchises Committee and was a member of five Council committees: Higher Education, Housing and Buildings, Fire and Criminal Justice Services, Land Use, and Veterans.
Senator Avella was also the founder and Chair of the first Italian-American Caucus of the City Council. During his tenure on the Council, Senator Avella authored several important pieces of legislation. Signed into law in 2005, his “Demolition by Neglect” bill enabled the Landmarks Preservation Commission to prevent the willful destruction of our City’s treasured landmarks by unscrupulous property owners. Senator Avella’s legislation was strongly supported by 46 preservation and civic groups including the Landmarks Conservancy, the Historic Districts Council and the National Historic Trust.
As a trusted public servant, Senator Avella has made fighting over-development and protecting our quality of life his top priorities. In the City Council, Senator Avella led the fight citywide against overdevelopment, the proliferation of McMansions, and other major abuses of the City’s building and zoning codes. In an effort to preserve the unique residential character and quality of life in neighborhoods throughout the City, Senator Avella helped create new zoning districts such as R2A, which prevents the construction of McMansions, rezoned major portions of his district as well as numerous other neighborhoods in the City, and enacted citywide amendments to the “Community Facilities” section.
Senator Avella’s hard work resulted in the first real changes in the City’s zoning code in over 40 years. In addition to his efforts to stop out-ofcharacter construction, Senator Avella was at the forefront of the battle to reform the City’s Department of Buildings and the Board of Standards and Appeals. Senator Avella was also the acknowledged leader in the City Council for landmark preservation, animal welfare, good government, and Veterans’ issues and benefits. As a member of the City Council, Senator Avella refused the “lulu”; an additional taxpayer funded salary increase in return for loyalty to council leadership instead of taxpayers.
Senator Avella fought against and subsequently refused the 25% City Council pay raise, which he considered unethical. Senator Avella was honored by numerous fraternal organizations, civic associations, sports and school/educational groups. Senator Avella has received such honors as the “Friend In High Places Award” from the Historic District Council, the Community Mayor’s Humanitarian Award, the coveted Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award from the New York Landmarks Conservancy, and the Benefactors’ Award from the Alley Pond Environmental Center.
In 2009, Senator Avella received the “New York City Human Rights Award” for obtaining the highest score of elected officials in New York City on the Human Rights Project’s report cards. A city-wide human rights coalition with over 100 groups from all over the City, the Human Rights Project is the lead organization of the New York City Human Rights Initiative.
First elected to the State Senate in 2010, Senator Avella, as a freshman senator, was appointed ranking member of the Cities and Environmental Conservation Committees, and has served on the Education, Aging, Banking, and Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committees. His reputation as a staunch reformer has helped to bring real change to Albany.
As a state Senator, he is proud of bringing ethics reform to New York’s Capitol, and has again refused any “lulus” for his committee positions. A strong advocate for reform and transparency in government, Senator Avella is fighting to transform the State Senate so that it works for the people once again. Senator Avella spent his first few years in Albany fighting for the people that elected him. He is proud to have voted for four on-time budgets without raising taxes. As ranking member of the Environmental Conservation Committee, he lead the fight in advocating for a ban on hydrofracking, an extremely dangerous drilling practice that poses a risk to local water supplies.
He introduced and passed in the Senate legislation that would equalize co-op and condo property tax assessments with one-two and three family homes and help lower costs at the gas pump. Re-elected by an overwhelming majority in 2012, Senator Avella has continued his dedicated service to the people of the 11th Senatorial District. He has continued to fight for progressive legislation by working to increase the minimum wage, pass the SAFE Act – the toughest gun control laws in the nation, and implement Universal Pre-K. He has prioritized women’s rights by fighting for and co-sponsoring the Women’s Equality Act.
He is an avid advocate for animal rights, having introduced multiple bills in support of the protection of animals, as well as sounded the alarm against animal rights violations. During this past legislative session, Senator Avella passed seventeen bills, four of which have been passed in the Assembly and two of which have been signed into law. He currently serves as the Chair of the Social Services Committee, Vice-Chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee, and is a member of the Transportation, Education, Codes, Housing, NYC Education, Insurance, Judiciary and Banks Committees. Senator Avella is a graduate of Hunter College of the City University of New York.
He is a lifelong Queens resident and currently resides in Whitestone with his wife Judith. Avella has been endorsed by a number of Unions which include Local 246 , SEIU Automotive/Mechanical, Motor Vehicle Operations Union Local 983, 1199 SEIU, United Healthcare East, Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 1 Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), Plumbers Union Local 1, International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC), Uniformed Firefighters Association of New York (UFA-NYC), Uniformed EMTs, Paramedics & Fire Inspectors – Local 2507, FDNY, Fire Alarm Dispatchers Benevolent Association, FDNY, New York State Troopers, Council of Administrators and Supervisors, Nassau County Sheriff’s Correction Officer Benevolent Association, Correction Officers Benevolent Association (COBA), NYC Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (PBA), Public Employees Federation (PEF), New York State Supreme Court Officers, New York State PBA, New York State Nurses Association, New York State Police Investigators Association. Mayor Bill de Blasio and Congressmember Steve Israel are among the elected officials who have endorsed Tony.
The organizations which have endorsed him are League of Humane Voters; League of Conservation Voters, Empire State Pride Agenda, Citizens Union and Sierra Club.
New Jersey State Assembly Deputy Speaker Upendra Chivukula honored the music couple of India – Bollywood singer Kavita Krishnamurti and her husband and violin maestro Dr L Subramaniam with special Assembly proclamations for their service to global music.
NJ Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula presents the proclamation to Dr Subramaniam while Bobby Sirdana looks on
Presenting the Assembly proclamations to the couple at a function organized by America Tamil Sangam and Shri Vari Foundation in picturesque Swan Club in Long Island, Chivukula said at a very young age, Dr Subramaniam was honored with the title “Violin Chakravarthy” (emperor of the violin). No other musician can boast of such diverse repertoire and collaborations, or even such mind-boggling techniques. Chivukula said Kavita’s singing career reads like a fairy tale.
Her exquisite and mellifluous voice, wide range and, versatility to sing different styles and types of songs has put her in a unique place amongst singers and she has been quoted as a melody queen by leading critics and connoisseurs alike.
Bina Sapabathy of Nassau County Dept of Social Services and Vice President of Indian Association of Long Island presented two proclamations issued by Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano to Dr Subramaniam and Kavita Krishamurthy
MINEOLA, NY (TIP):
Long Island newspaper Newsday in its August 20 edition has reported that Nassau County is facing a $71.6 million deficit by year’s end after a three-year employee wage freeze was lifted and sales tax revenues cratered, the county legislature’s budget office reported yesterday. The projected deficit does not include the estimated cost of $70 million in commercial tax refunds, which the county traditionally has paid by borrowing, according to a midyear report by the legislature’s bipartisan Office of Budget Review.
“County finances are at a crossroad,” said Budget Review director Maurice Chalmers in the 9-page report. Although County Executive Edward Mangano has taken steps to increase revenues and cut expenses, Chalmers wrote “the county has lost its financial flexibility to absorb uncertainties.” Budget Review’s projected $71.6 million deficit comes after County Comptroller George Maragos predicted a $77 million year-end gap while the county’s control board, the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, warned that $133 million is “at risk” in this year’s budget.
NIFA in May approved new contracts for four of the county’s five unions — and is poised to approve a fifth deal for correction officers — that ended the wage freeze in return for concessions expected to save millions of future dollars. Although Mangano moved to cover immediate costs by raising fees and installing speed cameras in school zones, the Office of Budget Review predicts salary expenses will exceed the budget by $39.3 million this year. Meanwhile, county sales tax collections fell 9 percent for the first six months of 2014, leading Budget Review to predict a $70 million shortfall by year’s end.
Chalmers, who could not be reached Wednesday, urged county officials in his report to “implement long-term solutions that lead to a structurally balanced budget.” Tim Sullivan, Mangano’s deputy county executive for finance, said yesterday, “The administration is preparing a budget for 2015 that will include corrective actions to address the sales tax shortage.” Mangano must submit his proposed 2015 budget by Sept. 15. NIFA chairman Jon Kaiman, who was at the county executive building August 19, said via email: “Wage increases are being covered as per our agreement with the county.
I have every expectation that those costs will, in fact, be met. Sales tax shortfalls must also be addressed. I’ve met with the county executive on this in regard to putting forward a plan to address this situation.” But Legis. Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury), who was the legislature’s presiding officer when NIFA was formed by the state in 2000 to be Nassau’s fiscal watchdog, said she wants NIFA members to “remember what NIFA was actually created for. NIFA has to do its job also. We don’t need a wish list and a ‘maybe’ list. We need positive, provable solutions.”
HICKSVILLE, NY (TIP):
It was a fine August day. No rains. Not very hot, though a little humid. It seemed to be an almost perfect setting for an outing for a parade. The 3rd India Day Parade USA, in Hicksville, was taken out Saturday, August 9, 2014. The route from Patel Plaza on South Broadway to the destination in front of Asa Mai Hindu temple saw the presence of hordes of people who chose to stay at one point to look at the passing parade rather than walk with it. At the head of the parade that started from Patel Plaza around 1 P.M. were the Grand Marshal Miss Poonam Dhillon, the famous Bollywood star. Another notable dignitary at the parade was Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano.
Grand Marshall Poonam Dhillon walks in the parade. Accompanying her are Chairman of IDPUSA Peter Bheddah (in cap), his wife Dorothy, IDPUSA Coordinator Indu Jaiswal and others
Then there were legislators, judges, officials, among others. The parade which started from Patel Plaza terminated in the open grounds in front of Asa Mai Hindu temple where a stage was erected for the conference and cultural presentations.
Poonam Dhillon praised Indian Americans for their love of India and exhorted them to do their best for their country of adoption as well as their country of origin.
In front of the stage were booths, giving an impression of an Indian fair, with food items, jewelry and clothing, among other wares. Bolla Oils had set up a huge tent where visitors were treated to free snacks and drinks, known amongst the Punjabis as langar. Harry Singh Bolla, the owner of the largest chain of gas stations on Long Island, himself was there with his wife, Kamljit Kaur who was one of the honorees this year, their children and a large number of the staff of Bolla Oils and sister companies.
Ed Mangano, the beloved Nassau County Executive appreciated the contribution Indian American community was making and greeted them on the forthcoming Independence day of India.
On a specially erected spacious stage, singers and dancers performed to the great delight of the audiences who took the day long cultural program as a rare gift in their otherwise daily struggle filled lives. Certainly, a relief to most people who hardly ever find time for such exotic cultural extravaganza. The performances rightly drew the applause of an appreciative audience. DJ Kutcha, as usual, was at his best.
Not only did he play the right tunes, he played the master of ceremonies with aplomb. This young Sikh will go far should he continue to be so amiable and alert. The Indian Panorama will bring to its readers detailed report on the awards presentation in the next issue. We will also feature a people’s report card on the parade. So, please watch out for the next edition on August 22nd.
A view of the Bolla Oils booth which had the distinction of being the largest booth. Harry Singh Bolla with his staff. Also seen is Parade coordinator Indu Jaiswal
The Entertainers and DJ Kucha. They entertained and won applause
Michael Elardo, a former NYPD officer who struck and killed a Levittown Girl in June, will serve up to four years in prison
LONG ISLAND, NY (TIP): A former New York City police officer from Syosset will serve up to four years in jail following a hit-and-run that killed a 13-year-old Levittown girl with Down syndrome on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown in June, according to Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice. Michael Elardo, 48, pleaded guilty to the top charge against him, leaving the scene of a fatal incident without reporting, a D felony. He will serve a minimum of one and 1/3 years in prison, and a maximum of four years.
Bryanna Soplin was struck by Elardo’s minivan just after midnight on June 15, as she crossed the turnpike near the Gardiners Avenue intersection. Elardo surrendered to Nassau County police approximately 42 hours later, on June 16. In court on Monday, August 4, Elardo admitted knowing that he struck a person and left the scene, said Rice. The investigation into the underlying causes of the collision, according to Rice, remains open. Rice said she also called on the state Legislature to increase penalties for fatal hit-and-runs.
Currently, the charge of leaving the scene of a fatal incident without reporting carries a maximum sentence of two and 1/3 to seven years in prison. Rice said she wants the penalty to increase to five to 15 years in prison. “A driver who flees the scene of a collision should not benefit from that flight,” Rice said. “The penalty for leaving the scene should be increased to discourage drivers from fleeing. Right now a driver may face lower charges because he has prevented a full investigation.
That should never happen. The state Legislature should increase the penalties, remove this benefit and pass this common-sense measure in their next session.” Assistant District Attorneys Michael Bushwack and Gene Kang of the D.A.’s Vehicular Crimes Bureau are prosecuting the case. Elardo is represented by Michael DerGarabedian.
Celebration of India, Heritage and Culture
POONAM DHILLON IS THE GRAND MARSHALL
I.S. Saluja The countdown to celebrate the 67th Anniversary of India’s Independence Day at the 3rd IDPUSA India Day Parade in Hicksville, Long Island on Saturday, August 9th, 2014 has begun. The celebrated Bollywood siren Poonam Dhillon will be the Grand Marshall while the Guest of Honor will be Nassau County Chief Executive Mr. Edward Mangano.
The Parade will start from Patel Brothers store in Hicksville at noon sharp. Moving on Broadway, it will reach the parking area opposite Asa Mai HinduTemple where a shopping arcade, where visitors can buy various wares and enjoy the taste of delectable food, has been planned. Also, part of the celebrations is an entertaining and colorful cultural show. Several tastefully decorated floats and musical bands will be attractions of the colorful Parade.
The leading lady of Sony’s Ek Nayi Pehchan and a popular Bollywood actor Poonam Dhillon will be the Grand Marshall at the IDPUSA in Hicksville on August 9th
The Chief Executive of Nassau County, Edward P. Mngano will be the Guest of Honor
Bobby Kalotee, Founder, IPDUSA
The parade to celebrate the 67th anniversary of India’s Independence is a celebration by Indian Americans of India, her heritage and rich culture.Without the enthusiastic participation of people there can be no parade, whatever the arrangements”, said Bobby Kalotee, founder of India Day Parade USA in Hicksville, in an interview with The Indian Panorama Chief Editor, Prof. Indrajit S Saluja.
Bobby exhorted Indian Americans to join the parade on August 9. He said, “I humbly request all my brothers and sisters to join us at the Parade to celebrate India’s freedom and India’s rich culture.” Seated with the organizing Committee members in his All American Independence Party office in Hicksville, he spoke at length of the enormous contribution of organizing committee members, sponsors, volunteers and media in putting together, once again, a memorable and enjoyable experience of celebrating India, India’s heritage and rich culture. Bobby had a word of praise for the Parade organizing committee.
He said, “The committee led by Peter Bheddah and Indu Jaiswal has worked hard and independently, without any outside interference, to put together the Parade. The committee has made an excellent selection of the Grand Marshall in Poonam Dhillon, a celebrated film actor from India”. He thanked committee chairs for the great work they have done. Bobby said the Parade also worked as a bridge between the Indian Americans and the mainstream and thanked the Nassau County and various town administrations for their y cooperation to the organizing committee to ensure the Parade is a grand success.
Bobby Kalotee hardly needs an introduction. He is a man of vision and action. Three years ago, with likeminded friends, which included Indu Jaiswal, President of IAF, he thought of the brilliant idea of celebrating India’s Independence in Hicksville which has come to have a large population of persons of Indian origin. Once he hit upon the idea he brought together various sections in the Indian American community to celebrate the glorious day in Independent India’s history. That was 2012. Since then we have had 2 parades. The one on August 9, 2014 is the 3rd one, and each has been growing in size, strength and quality.
Peter Bheddah, Chair, IDPUSA
It is a great privilege and honor to be at the helm of affairs of the 3rd India Day Parade to celebrate the 67th Independence Day of India in Hicksville, Long Island on August 9, 2014″, said Peter Bheddah, Chairman of the 3rd India Day Parade in Hicksville, New York, in an interview with the Chief Editor of The Indian Panorama, July 29, 2014. Peter spoke at length of the “stupendous task” involved in organizing the scheduled Parade on August 9. Turning to his colleagues, with gratitude oozing on his face, he said, “It could not have been possible to make such tremendous progress in arrangements of the Parade without the support and cooperation of my committee members.
I thank each one of them, and in particular, founder member Bobby Kalotee and IDPUSA Coordinator Indu Jaiswal, for their unstinted and ungrudging support and cooperation in organizing the Parade that is so expressive of the Indianness of the Indian Americans”. The organizing committee members greeted his statement with a loud applause. On the occasion, Peter Bheddah heaped praise on the sponsors who have been extremely generous in their support for the parade. He said but for their solid backing, the event could not have been possible. He thanked them and hoped for their continued support for the event.
Peter Bheddah is an old horse, tried and tested in many a battle. He has commendable credentials as a community leader and a philanthropist. He has donated huge sums in charity and has held responsible positions in various organizations. He has been President of Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation and India Association of Long Island. Honored and awarded for his yeoman’s services, Peter is recipient of the coveted and prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor, besides a large number of recognitions from administration and community.
Indu Jaiswal, one of the best known community leaders on Long Island, President of Indian American Forum, and IDPUSA coordinator, appreciated coming together of Indian Americans of various hues under one umbrella of IDPUSA to celebrate the 67th anniversary of India’s independence. “Together we will make a difference. Together we will walk”, she said. She welcomed the participation in the parade of various businesses, corporate houses, hospitals, banks, restaurants and international airlines. “We have grown bigger and better, with each celebration”, said Indu.
Rajan Nabe
Rajan Nabe, Chair Finance / Budget, an honoree and a grand sponsor said he has been associated with IDPUSA since its inception. He said he was happy to see it grow in the last three years.
NEW YORK (TIP): The MTA and LIRR unions signed a sixand-a-half year agreement with 17 percent wage hikes on Thursday, July 17, after Gov. Andrew Cuomo brokered a deal in his Midtown offices, averting a devastating strike that would have stranded hundreds of thousands of people, officials said. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced there is a tentative deal between the MTA and the Long Island Rail Road unions, averting a strike that could have come this weekend. With MTA Chairman Thomas Prendergast and the unions’ chief negotiator Anthony Simon seated by his side, Cuomo said Thursday, July 17, that a “compromise by both parties” had been reached.
“It is my pleasure to announce today that we have settled a four-year dispute dealing with the Long Island Rail Road labor unions,” Cuomo said. The LIRR’s unions representing 5,400 workers were threatening to strike starting at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, July 20, if a deal wasn’t reached and a strike seemed likely earlier this week when negotiations broke down. The two sides returned to the table Thursday at Cuomo’s Manhattan office, who said he began participating in talks directly after the two sides met Wednesday but failed to come to an agreement.
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said in a statement: “The New Yorkers who ride the LIRR are vital to our regional economy, and have been another economic setback for the region if the LIRR had come to a grinding halt. I commend the MTA, the LIRR unions and Governor Cuomo for steering negotiations to an agreement.”
The governor had previously said he wouldn’t intervene in the contract dispute. The unions have been working without a contract since 2010. Throughout negotiations, the main sticking point had been whether LIRR employees would have to contribute to pensions and health insurance. Under the terms of the deal reached Thursday, LIRR employees will receive 17 percent raises over six and a half years and contribute to their health insurance costs. New employees will also have different wage progressions and pension plan contributions. The contract will have no impact on MTA fares and will be accommodated within revisions to the MTA financial plan, Cuomo said.
Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano said: “I commend Governor Cuomo for averting a Long Island Rail Road strike, protecting our commuters and safeguarding our economy. The MTA’s longterm financial stability is critical and so is the vital transportation route they provide to Long Island commuters.”
“The agreement reached today provides a fair and reasonable contract,” Prendergast said Thursday. “In a way that protects the commuter as well as the long-term fiscal stability of the MTA.” “We cared about the financial stability of the railroad as well as the members and their financial stability,” Simon said. President Barack Obama had appointed two emergency boards to help resolve the dispute, but the MTA rejected both non-binding recommendations and the unions voted to authorize a strike set to begin on July 20.
NY State Senate candidate and a former New York City Comptroller and former City Council Transportation Committee Chair John Liu said: “The tentative agreement between the MTA and the LIRR unions is welcome news for commuters, workers and the economy of the metropolitan region. Over 10,000 commuters in our district and hundreds of thousands of other riders rely on the LIRR service every day and we are all grateful that this crisis has been averted. Governor Cuomo deserves a great deal of credit for bringing both sides together and helping to reach a fair agreement.”
If a deal wasn’t reached by the strike deadline, the MTA had a contingency plan in place for the LIRR’s 300,000 daily commuters. Options for commuters included shuttle buses, ferries and car pools, but officials were also urging people to telecommute if possible. State comptroller Thomas DiNapoli had estimated that a strike would cause economic losses of $50 million a day. Cuomo said the tentative agreement is still subject to approval by the eight LIRR unions’ executive boards, ratification by their membership and approval by the MTA Board.
Commuters heaved a sigh of relief to hear the news that the MTA and the Unions had reached an agreement and that the threatened strike would not happen. Had the strike taken place it would have upset daily commute of 300, 000 and resulted in a loss of $50M a day for the region. Meanwhile, a number of officials and politicians have applauded the Governor for his effort to bring about the agreement.
HICKSVILLE, NY: To celebrate the 67th Anniversary of India’s Independence, IDPUSA is organizing the India Day Parade in Hicksville, Long Island on Saturday, August 9th, 2014. Poonam Dhillon will be the GRAND MARSHAL of the Parade. She is the most watched actress in India because of her leading role in SONY serial EK NAYI PEHCHAAN. The Guest of Honor will be Nassau County Chief Executive Mr. Edward Mangano. The Parade will start from Patel Brothers store in Hicksville at noon sharp. Going North on Broadway, it will reach the parking area opposite Asa Mai HinduTemple. A shopping arcade, where visitors can buy various wares and enjoy the taste of delectable food, has also been planned. Also, part of the celebrations is an entertaining and colorful cultural show.
The Chief Executive of Nassau County, Edward P. Mngano will be the Guest of Honor.
Several tastefully decorated floats and musical bands are attractions of the colorful Parade. To sponsor or to book a stall or advertise in the Parade Brochure, please contact Peter Bheddah, Chairman, IDP, at Bheddah@aol.com or at cell no 516 765 6622. For further information, please contact: Indu Jaiswal 516 835 1474 Flora Parekh 631 875 4612 Ajay Batra 646 436 5626 Eric Kumar 516 983 0153 Dr. Parveen Chopra 917 518 5904 Rajan Nabe 917 288 2027 Sunita Sadhnani 516 343 9400 Vijay Goswamy 516 808 8215. Visit our website: www. Idpusany.org (Based on a press release)
EAST MEADOW, NY (TIP): It was a perfect start of the Summer season. Zahid Syed, a South Asian community leader and chairman, Human Rights Commission of Nassau County, organized the annual BBQ right on the first day of Summer. On a pleasant evening of June 21, Syeds treated their guests to delectable dishes.
It was a mix of politicians, officials and community that turned up in strength. On hand were Senator Jack Martins, Assemblyman Phil Ramos, Assemblyman Thomas McKevitt and Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves. Speaking on the occasion, Assemblyman David McDonough praised Anusha for being a perfect MC and Zahid for bringing together community and officials at the BBQ. Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves also spoke, as also Zahid who thanked everybody for coming.
Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves appreciated Zahid for bringing the community and officials together
Anusha proved once again she is the best when it comes to ceremonies
Zahid thanked and exhorted the community to take interest in mainstream politics.
LONG ISLAND, NY (TIP): Indian American Forum Inc. presented Indian American Night on Sunday June1, 2014 at Harry Chapin lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. The delightful program included Yoga, kite flying, cultural presentation and awards presentation. Gobind Munjal was the event cochairperson for kite flying competitions while Jaya Bahadkar was Cultural chairperson. Students from local dance schools participated in the cultural presentation. Vocal performances were organized by Sunita Sadhnani of Glamorous event Planners the Melody Group from Tri state area consisting of 10-12 singers who entertained the audience with their melodious singing.
This program was a part of 2014 summer concert series sponsored by Nassau county Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums. Nassau County Executive Edward P Mangano, Nassau County Parks Commissioner Brian Nugent, Legislator Kevin Abrahms, Town of Hempstead Clerk Nasrin Ahmed, Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby and several other elected officials and community leaders graced the occasion. Edward P Mangano welcomed everyone and commended the Indian American Community for their outstanding achievements.
The members of Indian American community who were presented with Nassau County Awards included Dr. Surekha Patel, ARCH Foundation, Ajay Batra, IVS TV, Mrs. Bhupinder Kaur Thind, Noted Social worker in Punjab, Sonia Bawa, community worker and Occupational Therapist, Sunita Sadhnani, Glamorous Event Planners and Kirit Panchamia, Herricks Group. Indu Jaiswal chairperson of IAF thanked the gathering, the sponsors and the volunteers who together made the event a success.
Signup to our Newsletter!
Don’t miss out on all the happenings around the world
