The Indian Panorama

Tag: Nassau County

  • Cop Shot While Interrupting a Robbery

    Cop Shot While Interrupting a Robbery

    NEW YORK (TIP) An off-duty NYPD cop was wounded in the chest Wednesday night in a Bronx shooting that left one gun-wielding suspect dead, police said. The officer, identified as Ivan Marcano, interrupted a robbery that began at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 24 at 85 W. Burnside Ave. in University Heights, police said.

    Marcano is expected to survive. Mayor Michael Bloomberg met with the officer and his family after the shooting. “Officer Marcano joined the Police Department back in 2007 and he is assigned to Transit District 12,” Bloomberg said.

    “This is another case of guns in the wrong hands ending in violence”, the Mayor commented. Marcano was shot in the chest near his shoulder, a source said. It was unclear if he was wearing a bulletproof vest. The officer sprang into action when he saw two men firing at each other, another police source said. The cop was struck and one of the suspects was shot dead, the source said. It wasn’t clear if the suspect was shot by the officer or by the second thug, a man believed to be 18 to 20 years old. Police described him as black, tall, and wearing an orange or red hoodie, blue jeans and a black baseball cap with a logo. No further details were available. Police secured a white Mustang with Tennessee license plates not far from the shooting scene. The incident comes a day after a Nassau County cop was fatally shot, allegedly by an ex-con who police say was captured after he gunned down an innocent man he carjacked. Police said they recovered the suspect’s weapon at the scene where Police Officer Ivan Marcano was shot while responding to a robbery.

  • Sharanjit Singh Thind appointed a Commissioner of Human Rights Commission

    Sharanjit Singh Thind appointed a Commissioner of Human Rights Commission

    MINEOLA, NY (TIP): Nassau County Legislature approved on Sep 24, an appointment by County Executive Ed Mangano of Sharanjit Singh Thind as Commissioner of Nassau County Commission on Human Rights.

    Commenting on the appointment, Zahid Syed, Chairman of the commission said, “Nassau county is home to many communities and with this appointment, County executive has delivered again on his promise of representation to all communities in his administration”. “As a fellow South Asian, I feel pride of the appointment and congratulate Sharanjit on his new appointment.

    “After the God almighty, I am thankful to County Executive Ed Mangano & Chairman Zahid Syed for their trust in me and assure to perform this challenging task with the best of my abilities” remarked Sharanjit after his appointment.

    Sharanjit, who owns a Media company and real estate business on Long Island is a long time resident of Nassau County, Long Island. He has been actively involved in Social &community affairs as well as matters of importance to the community. After the tragic shootout at Wisconsin Sikh Temple, Sharanjit helped community leaders & activists organize an interfaith prayer with Nassau Human Rights commission.

    Nassau County is located immediately east of New York City in the U.S. state of New York, within the New York Metropolitan Area & is home to a population of 1,339,532. Forbes magazine’s American Community Survey named Nassau County as one of the richest counties in America. The survey also named Nassau County the number one richest county per capita in the State of New York.

    (Press Release)

  • Nargis Dutt Memorial Cancer Foundation: a Lighthouse of Hope for Cancer Patients

    Nargis Dutt Memorial Cancer Foundation: a Lighthouse of Hope for Cancer Patients

    It was a pleasant afternoon on September 18 that I was in the company of Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation Board of Governors and Executive Members at Akbar Restaurant in Garden City, Long Island. Sher S Madra, Chairman of Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation was present with his colleagues to give an exclusive interview to The Indian Panorama.

    Present on the occasion were members of Board of Governors and executive committee members that included Inder Bindra, Founder and a Past President, Peter Bheddah, a Past President and a member of Board of Governors, Shammi Singh, another member of Board of Governors and a Past President; she is chair, Entertainment and Fashion Show, Hussain Baqueri, General Secretary, Gurdip Singh Narula, Treasurer and Zinda Singh, member, Board of Directors.

    In reply to my question as to how the idea of forming NDMF came up, the septuagenarian Inder Bindra, one of the original 14 founding members and the only one to be going strong, a Past President and currently a member of Board of Governors recounted how the great organization with a noble vision came into being.

    In 1981 Nargis Dutt who was suffering from Pancreatic cancer was treated at Sloane Kettering Institute in New York. In spite of best efforts of doctors and the loving care of her husband, Sunil Dutt, cancer ultimately snuffed life out of the legendary cine artist.

    Inder Bindra recalled that in April/May, 1981 Sunil Dutt had come to New York to settle the bill for Nargis Dutt’s treatment at Memorial Sloan- Kettering Cancer Center. They were together in the Bahamas when the idea of forming Nargis Dutt Memorial Cancer Foundation came to their mind. It was later that he , along with 13 other persons with philanthropic disposition (some of whom have since withdrawn or have migrated to the other world ) held a meeting with Sunil Dutt and discussed the issue of forming the organization.

    Sunil Dutt, Bindra said, felt mightily pleased and said he was obliged for the offer to form Nargis Dutt Memorial Cancer Foundation. Thus, the embryonic idea took a shape in 1981. And soon, the first formal meeting took place in the month of May, 1981 itself. The NDMF was registered as 501-C 3 Not-for Profit corporation. Ranjit Ghura and Russel Rosen in Wall Street who was the attorney helped in the formation of the corporation. Inder Bindra recalled the first meeting of the 14 founding members at the residence of Dr. Amarjit Singh. Each of them contributed $500.00. That was the beginning, 31 years ago.

    Sher Madra added that from that humble beginning, in 31 years NDMF has come a long way. During this period the NDMF has completed 56 projects valued at more than 5 million dollars. NDMF today has chapters all over the world. In North America itself, the Foundation has chapters in New York, Chicago, Portland, Seattle, Austin , and Vancouver.
    During the course of the interview, each person present contributed to giving a view of the organization; much of it however came from Inder Bindra.

    To a question on the broad objective of the NDMF, Inder Bindra said it was to “improve and upgrade medical care and treatment of cancer related patients; and to provide financial support for the training of doctors from India specializing in the field of cancer”.

    To another question about the criteria for giving financial assistance to an institution working to fight the scourge of cancer, Inder Bindra said that there are clear guidelines in this respect. He said the Foundation gives financial assistance to only charitable hospitals in India. Also, no cash is given; only equipment is provided. There is another condition attached to the assistance that it should be used for treating the poor and the needy. All equipment sent to a charitable organization has to be installed in the hospital for the care of the cancer patients.
    Bindra added that in India the nodal chapter is in Mumbai which is managed by Priya Dutt. Earlier, it was managed by Sunil Dutt until his death. The India center overseas the entire project. In fact, the procedure followed is India office sends recommendation and NDMF creates resources to fund the project.

    Speaking about the projects undertaken by the NDMF, Peter Bheddah said the Foundation had completed 56 projects worth more than $ 5 million. He said that last year the Foundation provided Radiation Field Analyzer valued at $150,000 for cancer treatment to Indore Cancer Foundation Charitable Trust, Madhya Pradesh. The grant has been made possible, in part, to the efforts of Ms. Priya Dutt.

    Peter Bheddah quickly listed some of the more notable projects undertaken by NDMF in the last 31 years. In 2010, NDMF donated $20,000 to American Red Cross for Haiti Relief . In 2006, Guru Nanak Mission Medical and Educational Trust Hospital in Dhahan Kaleran, Punjab was gifted a Mammography unit, valued at $80,000.In 2005, NDMF donated 425,000 towards Indian Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for Tsunami Relief in South India. In 2001, NDMF provided earthquake relief consisting of medical supplies and providing primary health care facility in earth quake ravaged Gujarat. Similarly, Sohana Eye Hospital in Punjab was provided eye equipment valued at $45,000.

    Peter added that NDMF has already completed the Pune Project that was reported as being under consideration which takes the total number of projects done to 57. Further details of the projects undertaken by NDMF can be obtained from www.nargisduttny.org.

    Sher Madra clarified that besides the projects that NDMF does regularly, the Foundation also attaches great importance to the training of doctors from India in cancer treatment in the US. He said NDMF is affiliated with Indian American Cancer Society who have their offices all over the United States. This Society selects doctors from India for training in the treatment of cancer. NDMF sponsors the doctors thus selected.

    Of the proud achievements, Bindra said, is the one relating to first bone marrow transplant in India in 1984. He said it was sponsored by NDMF. He added that the beneficiary- a girl- is still alive. Also, he recalled that Praful Desai from Tata Cancer Institute, Mumbai was the first doctor from India who was sponsored by NDMF for training in cancer treatment in the US. Dr. Desai was trained here for 6 months.

    Inder Bindra listed another great job that NDMF has been doing since its inception. It is to recognize talent, achievement, accomplishment and contribution of people.

    He mentioned some of the more notable honorees from the past. They included Dr. Jatin P Shah, world renowned Oncologist at Memorial Sloan- Kettering Cancer Center, Dr. Manjit Bains, Dr. Nori, Dr. P. Narsimhan, and Dr. Jeremy Boal, Bindra said that each year 5-7 eminent personalities are selected for honors.

    The 2012 honorees include Kamlesh Mehta (Lifetime Achievement), Haridas Kotahwala (Lifetime Achievement), Gurdev Singh (D.P.) (Business Entrepreneur), Dr. Parag H. Mehta (Excellence in Healthcare), Dr. Tanveer Mir (Excellence in Palliative Medical Care), Ravi Chopra (business Entrepreneur), Sudhir Vaisnav (Community Service) and Gurdip S. Narula ( Services to NDMF)

    Those honored in 2011 included Mrs. Anupam Goenka, Mr.Arvind Walia, Dr. I.G. Bhat, Dr. Digpal Dharkar, Mrs. Vandana Govil, Mr. Mohinder Singh Taneja, and Dr. Dev Ratnam.

    Shammi Singh, a prominent Member of Governing Body and Chairman, Entertainment promised a very entertaining evening with the Fashion Show being presented by Ginni Jaggi in conjunction with Parvesh & Jai , leading designers from New Delhi who will showcase their latest range of fashion wear. which has a 25 models who will showcase

    Giving information about the Chief Guest, General Secretary Hussain Bacqueri said that Mrs. Priya Dutt, Hon. Member of Parliament, and daughter to Nargis and Sunil Dutt will be gracing the occasion as the Chief Guest. Keynote speakers include Hon. Mrs. Priya Dutt, Hon. Ambassador Prabhu Dayal, Consul General of India in New York and Nassau County Executive Hon. Edward P. Mangano

    NDMF Treasurer Gurdip S. Narula said that they expected 500 guests at the gala. He made a special note of the fact that NDMF incurs no operative costs. All money is paid by the members themselves.

    Asked about the composition of Board of Governors, Sher S Madra explained that it consists of six active Past Presidents. The Board of Governors at present, consists of Inder Bindra, Founder and the oldest Past President, Peter Bheddah, a man of all seasons, N.D. Mansukhani, ever ready to help, Dr. Jagdish K. Gupta, one size fits all, Shammi Singh, the entertainment maestro, and Dr. Inderpal Singh Chhabra, the smart organizer.

    Inder Bindra made a closing statement that NDMF has members from all walks of life and from all faiths even though the Foundation primarily is concerned with providing relief against cancer and thus, is of a medical nature, and the cancer care is provided in India.

    The 31st Annual Fund Raising Gala is being held on September 30th, 2012 at Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, 101 James Dolittle Boulevard, Uniondale, NY 11553.

  • Dawoodi Bohra Community Celebrates Eid

    Dawoodi Bohra Community Celebrates Eid

    NEW YORK (TIP): The Dawoodi Bohra community in New York hosted a special Eid celebration event on Friday, September 7, at their community center in Springfield Boulevard in Queens. Dawoodi Bohra community resides in many countries around the world under the spiritual guidance of his Holines Dr Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin. The local Amil Saheb Yusufbhai Saheb Mohammedi has been appointed by His Holiness for New York/Connecticut jamaat under whose guidance the Eid program was organized for the community to acquaint them with the political and community leaders.

    The event was attended by a host of dignitaries from New York City and Queens including New York City Comptroller John Liu, City Councilmen Leroy Comrie, Peter Koo and Robert Jackson, New York State Assembly Member Grace Meng and Nassau county Legislator Richard Nicolello. The event also included professionals from the South Asian American community such as Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Chairman of Parikh Worldwide, Prof. Indrajit S Saluja, Chief Editor of The Indian Panorama and Zahid Syed, Chair of the Nassau County Human Rights Commission.

    The event was kicked off with a presentation on the Dawoodi Bohra community and their spiritual leader, His Holiness, Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin T.U.S., who is widely recognized as an ambassador of peace and goodwill. The Dawoodi Bohras are a one-million strong sect across the world with the current center of leadership being based in Mumbai, India, where a majority of the community resides. Over the last five decades, several thousand Dawoodi Bohras immigrated to the U.S., for whom the community center, or jamaat, serves as a great source of social, religious, and community support helping to secure their faith, customs, traditions, and culture.

    “This event was not only an opportunity for us to celebrate the culmination of the month-long period of Ramadan but to also reach out to our local community and promote mutual understanding in accordance with the teachings of our spiritual leader,” said Yusuf Hatim Bhaisaheb Mohemmadi, the President of Anjuman-e-Badri, New York, the non-profit organization administering and managing the affairs of the Dawoodi Bohra Community in New York and Connecticut.

    The Eid celebration presented a unique opportunity for the Dawoodi Bohra community members to learn more about their local elected officials, and in turn, acquaint them with their own community here in New York and around the world. Dr. Sudhir Parikh, who was felicitated at the event along with other guests, spoke about the importance of working together as Indians and part of the larger South Asian immigrant community that has always played a huge role in the economic progress of the United States.

    “Community outreach, especially in the current climate, is extremely important,” said Ahmed Shakir, Honorable Secretary of the Public Relations Committee of Anjuman-e-Badri, New York. “And this event was a huge success in helping us create a more inclusive environment that extends beyond our own community and crosses religious and cultural barriers,” he added.

    About Anjuman-E-Badri

    Anjuman-e-Badri is a non-profit organization administering and managing the affairs of the Dawoodi Bohra Community in New York and Connecticut. The Anjuman-E-Badri community center is located at 131-24 Springfield Boulevard, Springfield Gardens, NY 11413. For more information, visit http://www.nyjamaat.org.

    (Based on a Press Release)

  • Mangano, Venditto, Bobby Kumar Honored at India Day Parade Gala

    Mangano, Venditto, Bobby Kumar Honored at India Day Parade Gala

    LONG ISLAND, NY (TIP): Woodlands at the Greens was a beehive of activity on September 9th with 300 prominent personalities, dignitaries, community and business leaders, IDP USA Team comprising of the IDP USA event Conveners – Mr. Harendra Singh, Mr. Kamlesh Mehta, Ms. Indu Jaiswal, Mr. Gobind Munjal and Mr. Mohinder Singh Taneja, Committees, Chairs and Co-Chairs and Volunteers who had organized the First India Day Parade on Long Island in Hicksville to celebrate India’s 66th Independence Day in keeping with the worldwide Indian Diaspora gathered together at a posh venue to rejoice in style. Hosts mingled with guests in the classy settings of the Clubhouse at Melville on Long Island to celebrate the Gala Dinner.

    Honorees, on this special occasion, for their outstanding contributions to Long Island’s ethnic diversity were Nassau County Executive Hon. Ed Mangano, Town of Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto and Mr. Bobby Kumar Kalotee who received the “Jewel of India in USA” Special Award on the occasion.

    Among the many distinguished dignitaries present who were recognized and thanked for sharing this momentous occasion with IDP USA were the many honorable judges from the supreme, district, family and many other appellate and division courts and candidates for judgeship who were present, among them being – Hon. Justices Francis Ricigliano, Hon. Sheri Roman, Hon. Andrea Phoenix, Hon. O’Connor, Hon. Robert Spergel, Hon. David Sullivan, Hon. Hope Zimmerman, Hon. William O’Brien, Hon. Leslie Stein, Hon. Stephen Bucaria, Hon. Anthony Paradiso, Hon. Sandy Pardes, Hon. Douglas Lerose, Hon. Andrew Engel, Hon. Rich Porcelli, Howard Taylor and others.

    Hon. John Venditto expressed his happiness at being part of the gala event. Mr. Bobby Kumar in thanking everyone present from the bottom of his heart said he was speechless and could not thank enough, recognizing the scores of individuals who supported him in his endeavors while at the same time paying tribute to his humble beginnings from a small village in India and the long road traveled leading to where he is now, an American dream come true, delivering his speech in his typical mirthful style. A short video carefully put together showcased Mr. Bobby Kumar’s life. Mr. Kamlesh Mehta, Director of Business and Economic Development, Nassau County accepted the Award on behalf of Hon. Ed Mangano.

    Mr. Mohinder Singh Taneja opened the event with a warm welcome to all. Introductions to the Honorees were given by Mr. Kamlesh Mehta and Mr. Animesh Goenka. Ms. Indu Jaiswal recognized and thanked her team in Indian American Forum consisting of Dr. Bhupi Patel, Dr. Azad Anand, Dr. Parveen Chopra and Dr. Arya and invited all on stage to jointly present together with all the Event Conveners a Special Gold Medal Award to Mr. Bobby Kumar in recognition of all his many outstanding achievements. In continuing with the honors and also recognised at the podium for their outstanding support were IDP USA’s lead sponsors – Mr. Harry Singh of Bolla Oil, Patel Brothers and Bollyarts, with Mr. Sanjay and Mr. Hiren Patel and Ms. Sunitha Sadhnani graciously accepting the recognition on behalf of their businesses. Among other sponsors recognized was Kingfisher Airlines.

    The entertainment segment in 2 parts while the program was underway was provided by Bolly Arts with dances performed in contemporary Bollywood style having DJ Kutcha at the mike. He was thanked together with Mala Bakshi, Ajay Batra and Kanika Marwaha for all work done in moving forward the various stages of the IDP USA events and the Gala Dinner, while Mr. Lal Motwani distributed up-to-date professionally prepared copies of the IDP USA Journal to all invitees present.

    Mr. Gobind Munjal heartily thanked all honorees, community leaders, fellow conveners including members of the press and media who contributed to the overall success of IDP USA. Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to all Committee Chairs and Co-Chairs and a roll call of recognition was read aloud. Among those mentioned were Mr. Rajan Nabe, Mr. Nagendra Gupta, Mr. Salil Zaveri, Mr. Raj and Mrs. Suchita Chadha, Mrs. Tina Shah, Mr. Vijay Goswamy, Mr. Ken Epstein, Mr. Ashok Sapra, Mr Rajesh Kumar, Mr. Zinda Singh, Ms. Bharti Desai, Mr. Rajendra, Nipun, Anuj and many others.
    (Press Release issued by Rekha Valliappan)

  • Hicksville VFW Support for 333rd MP Brigade

    Hicksville VFW Support for 333rd MP Brigade

    HICKSVILLE< NY(TIP): The Hicksville Veterans of Foreign Wars, William M. Gouse Jr. Post 3211 had a busy August in support of the 333rd Military Police Brigade.

    The 333rd MP BDE (formerly the 800th MP BDE) was deploying to Afghanistan on Aug. 24 for a nine-month tour; their mission will be instructing the Afghan police on techniques of policing.

    The Hicksville VFW originally “adopted” the 800th MP BDE in 2004, while they were in Iraq, through the National VFW Military Assistance Program. The relationship between these two great organizations has continued and prospered over the years. The 800th was re-designated the 333rd MP BDE in June 2012.

    Beginning on Aug. 4, the 333rd MP BDE held their Yellow Ribbon event at the Long Island Sheraton in Hauppauge, a two-day event to brief and prepare the members of the 333rd and their families for their deployment. The Hicksville VFW was invited and set up a table to explain the benefits of being a VFW member. VFW Commander William Walden addressed the unit and promised that the VFW would support and help both the members and their families during their deployment.

    On Aug. 13, the Hicksville VFW hosted about 50 members of the 333rd MPs and their families to an informal pre-deployment get together at the VFW Post. The VFW members cooked and served hamburgers and hot dogs along with an assortment of hot dishes and salads.

    Next week, on Aug. 23, Hicksville Commander William Walden and a number of Post 3211 VFW members attended the 333rd MP BDE’s Change of Command and Deployment Ceremony. Food and drinks were served to about 400 people attending the ceremony. The Family Readiness Group Coordinators handed out gifts to all the children of the members deploying. It was a solemn and moving event. On Friday morning, Aug. 24, the unit left for Fort Bliss, Texas for further training before leaving for Afghanistan.