The Indian Panorama

Tag: Rahul Gupta

  • Biden admin officials applaud Ambassador Taranjit Sandhu for his leadership in India-US relationship

    Biden admin officials applaud Ambassador Taranjit Sandhu for his leadership in India-US relationship

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Applauding Taranjit Singh Sandhu for his leadership in strengthening the India-US relationship, senior Biden administration officials have said that the outgoing Indian ambassador has made the groundwork for a “thousand flowers to bloom” in the garden of bilateral ties.

    A farewell reception hosted, on Monday, January 22, at the India House in honor of Sandhu, who will retire from the foreign service after more than three decades of a glorious career, later this month. The reception was attended by officials from the Biden administration and the think-tank community.

    “Ambassador, you have served India well and have made the groundwork for thousands and more than a thousand flowers to bloom,” said Rahul Gupta, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy in the White House.

    “Thank you for your leadership and accomplishment, and for setting the groundwork,” he said.

    “I don’t think there is another ambassador in this city (like Sandhu) who has been as active and creative, as much up in our direct messages, signal and WhatsApp with new ideas to strengthen this relationship,” said the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland.

    “If you look at where we were, which was already a strong place before you started and where we are now, I think a huge amount of credit goes to Ambassador Sandhu,” she said.

    “I think everybody in this room will agree. Not only that, but he’s just a delight to work with because he is always up. He is always looking to make the situation better. We’re going to miss you,” Nuland said.

    Frank Kendall, US Secretary of the Air force, said Sandhu has played a key role in this relationship.

    “Our friendship has grown over the years, as our relationship with our two countries has grown. We met when you were the deputy chief of mission here about 10 years ago. I was working with Ash Carter at the Pentagon at the time. I took over the leadership from him with the defense technology and trade initiative. We worked together to build that,” he said. “You talked about the garden. I think the garden has matured. It’s been well-attended. I think in addition to the pretty flowers, there are some fruits and vegetables that I think are very nourishing in that garden and are going to do as well going into the future,” Kendall said.

    In his remarks, Sandhu said that the India-US relationship has now matured. “That’s the most satisfying part. It’s like a garden, a well-attended garden. There are always some challenges in the way, but at the end of the day, the flowers are blooming and increasing,” he said.

    “Some of you who were here in 2016 will remember that when my prime minister addressed the US Congress, he used the words, we have overcome the hesitations of history… This relationship has grown, matured, and blossomed. So, it was apt when my prime minister came last year,” he said.

    “And he said, I’m quoting him. ‘The scope of our cooperation is endless. The potential of our synergies is limitless, and the chemistry of our relations is effortless.’ I think if I look around the room, I can see so many people who have made it happen,” Sandhu said.

  • Nepal police arrest 10 Indians for illegally acquiring citizenship cards

    Nepal police arrest 10 Indians for illegally acquiring citizenship cards

    Kathmandu (TIP): Ten Indian nationals, including three women, have been arrested here for allegedly acquiring Nepali citizenship cards illegally by producing fake documents, police said.
    A Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office team apprehended the Indian nationals, all hailing from Bihar, from various parts of Kathmandu on may 8, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ravindra Regmi said.
    Of those arrested, seven were males, while three were females. The Kathmandu Valley Police Office revealed their identities at a press conference at its office on Sunday. The Indian nationals were found to have obtained the Nepali citizenship certificates on different dates from the district administration offices of Rupandehi, Bara and Parsa districts by producing fake documents, Regmi said. Police said those arrested have lived in Nepal for a long time, some since as far back as 2006, The Kathmandu Post newspaper reported.
    The arrests took place after a three-month-long investigation, and those apprehended were engaged in the business of making sweets and ran sweet shops in Nepal, MyRepublica newspaper quoted the police as saying.
    Nepali citizenship certificates, voter identity cards, Indian passports and Aadhar cards were also seized from those arrested, police said. The Indian nationals have been identified as Bharat Prasad Gupta, 55; Rahul Gupta, 30; Gyanmati Devi Gupta, 50; Gopal Gupta, 39; Ram Sundar Gupta, 44; Ram Prabesh Gupta, 43; Bharat Gupta, 46; Snehalata Gupta, 42; Mindevi Gupta, 49, and Rajesh Kumar Gupta, 52, all of them are from Bihar and currently reside in different parts of the Kathmandu Valley. (PTI)

  • NINE INDIAN ORIGIN PERSONS RECEIVED PRESITIGIOUS GOPIO AWARD

    NINE INDIAN ORIGIN PERSONS RECEIVED PRESITIGIOUS GOPIO AWARD

    GOPIO Virginia released a Souvenir on the occasion. President Jay Bhandari is second from the left.
    A captivating dance performance
    David Bulova presenting a Proclamation to Jay Bhandari

    VIRGINIA (TIP): April 30 was our lucky day. GOPIO Virginia celebrated its 14th Anniversary and Award ceremony. Virginia Senators David Marsden and Chap Petersen and 43rd Speaker Eileen Filer Corn presented Prestigious award of Excellence to Nine members of Indian American who have significant achievements in the field of Education, Medicine, Science & Technology, Philanthropy, Arts & culture, Choreography and Community Service. The event was houseful and guest of Honors include Senators and Delegates from Virginia, Dev. Marsden, Chap Petersen, Eileen Filler- Corn, David Bulova, Holly Siebold and Fairfax County Chairman of Supervisors Jeff McKay. Several dignitaries from Diverse Asian, Hispanic, and American community leaders were also present. The program was sold out and Houseful.
    The following people of Indian Origin were given these awards by Virginia Senators David Marsden and Chap Petersen and speaker Eileen filer Corn –

    • Dr. Michael Rao President Virginia Commonwealth University in Education
    • Dr. Siva Subramaniam Emeritus Professor George Town University
    • Rahul Gupta Director of National Drug Policy Control (White House) in Public Service
    • Sant Gupta in Science & Technology
    • 5 Mayur Shah in Philanthropy
    • Vatsala Mehra (Arts & Culture) Gazal singer
    • Navin k KC (Arts & Culture) in Choreography
    • Rajeev Bhambri in Journalism
    • Mayur Modi in Community Service

      A view of the gathering

    The program began with Ganesh Vandana and US and Indian Anthem, President of GOPIO Virginia President Jay Bhandari in his remark, Welcome all Invited guest, and audience. And highlighted GOPIO Vision, Mission and activities. He mentioned that many people of Indian Origin are holding high positions in US and extremely accomplished and demonstrated innovations and leadership in almost every field. They have significantly contributed for building strong relationship between India and the USA towards economic, social, educational, and cultural progress of both these great nations. He congratulates All Awardees for receiving this year’s Prestigious GOPIO awards of Excellence in their field of expertise.
    After the award presentation a Cultural program comprising of Classical & Bollywood Dances and live music performance by singer and composers. The program ended with a 100 vegetarian 5 course dinner. The program was emceed by Dr. Ram Gupta and Mital Jain. Vote of thanks was given by Rohini Khera

  • Indian American Rahul Gupta nominated as America’s drug czar

    Indian American Rahul Gupta nominated as America’s drug czar

    I.S. Saluja

    WASHINGTON (TIP): President Joe Biden nominated Indian American Rahul Gupta, the top health official at maternal-and-child advocacy group March of Dimes, as the nation’s top drug policy official, the White House announced, July 13. Gupta, a primary-care doctor who led Biden’s transition efforts for the drug policy office, would be the first Indian American and as the physician to serve as drug czar if confirmed by the Senate, the reports said.

    “President Biden’s nomination of Dr. Rahul Gupta to be the first physician ever to lead the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy is another historic step in the Administration’s efforts to turn the tide of our nation’s addiction and overdose epidemic,” a White House statement said.

    “Dr. Gupta brings firsthand experience as a medical doctor and public health official using evidence-based strategies to address the overdose epidemic in West Virginia,” the statement added. “We hope he will be confirmed by the Senate soon.” The three-decade-old drug policy office — which was created with the support of Biden, who coined the term “drug czar” in 1982 — coordinates national policy around fighting substance-use disorders, including the response to an opioid crisis that has worsened during the pandemic, the report noted.

    Gupta has publicly warned that the pandemic probably exacerbated addiction-related public health problems, citing the shift from in-person care.

    “When those services are either shut down or turned into virtual services, more people can be denied those services and that only leads to more suffering,” Gupta told Sinclair Broadcast Group in a news report broadcast this week.

    Gupta, an ally of Sen. Joe Manchin III has been favored for months to take the role of drug czar, but he faced resistance from some anti-addiction advocates, who argued he did too little to ensure safe-needle exchange during a 2017 HIV outbreak in West Virginia, the report said.

    Gupta would replace Regina LaBelle, who has served as the office’s acting director since January.

    West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice said Tuesday that Dr. Rahul Gupta’s nomination can only help the state.

    “During his time in West Virginia, Dr. Gupta led the way in our battle against the opioid crisis – something that has and continues to touch the lives of nearly every one of our residents in some way. Under his leadership, our state had turned a corner in that fight,” said Gov. Justice. “There’s still much more work to do, especially with the additional challenges brought on in the past year by the COVID-19 pandemic, but I believe that there is no one better-suited to this important job than someone who represented a state and a people where this crisis really hits close to home. I have full confidence that Dr. Gupta will continue his distinguished record of public service on behalf of all Americans, while also putting a positive spotlight on the high quality of professionals we have working in West Virginia every day. I wish Dr. Gupta nothing but success in this critical role.”U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) on July 13, released the following statement about the nomination:

    “Dr. Rahul Gupta’s nomination to serve as the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy means someone with firsthand knowledge of the opioid crisis, especially in West Virginia, will be coordinating the national fight against the drug epidemic that continues to ravage our nation. West Virginia has continued to lead the country in drug overdose rates for over 20 years. Dr. Gupta will bring over a decade of extensive experience combatting the drug epidemic to ONDCP – the office charged with addressing the drug epidemic that has killed over 90,000 Americans just last year. He will also be the first physician in charge of ONDCP, bringing needed medical knowledge to this public health crisis.”

    On twitter Tuesday, July 13, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) said, “Dr. Gupta understands the crippling impact the addiction crisis has had on West Virginia. Looking forward to working together to increase drug prevention efforts, support treatment and recovery, and reduce the supply of deadly drugs in our communities.”

    The nomination of Rahul Gupta has been widely welcomed by the Indian American community.

    Dr. VK Raju, an eminent ophthalmologist from Morgantown, West Virginia, who has known Dr. Gupta for years, said in a statement issued from Morgantown: “I am the President and founder of Eye Foundation of America (world without childhood blindness), and have known Dr. Rahul Gupta for many years. As our foundation has a public health approach, Dr Rahul Gupta, with his enormous public health and managerial skills, contributed to our foundation internationally. During the opioid crisis in West Virginia, while many were talking about the problem, he focused on the solutions. He believes in” working together works” and worked with policy makers and leaders of different political parties successfully. Above all, he is a man of integrity which contributed to his success.  President Biden’s wisdom is evident in selecting Dr. Gupta to lead the office of the national drug control policy.”

    Congratulating Dr. Rahul Gupta, New Jersey based H. S. Panaser, Global Marketing and Business Development Consultant, Speaker and EDP Trainer said,”Dr. Gupta has been widely recognized in his efforts to abate the substance use crisis while having a deep understanding of institutional racism and racial inequities across the nation. Someone who has been repeatedly recognized for advancing equity and civil rights, Dr. Gupta developed implicit bias training for healthcare workers as one of his first achievements at March of Dimes. He has not only developed West Virginia’s definition for neonatal abstinence syndrome, but under his tenure, opioid prescribing fell to record lows, treatment systems were expanded and harm reduction services initiated. In fact, recently, both houses in the West Virginia legislature passed unanimous resolutions to request President Biden to nominate him as the next ONDCP Director.

    “We are at an inflection point in our nation when it comes to war on drugs. Over the next four years, we may have a unique opportunity to impact our national drug policy through the Office of National Drug Control Policy that will set the course for the next several decades.”