RICHMOND HILL, NY (TIP): Sikh Day Parade, to mark the creation of the Khalsa (the Sikhs), is organized annually by the Sikh Cultural Society of Richmond Hill New York in cooperation with the Sikh Gurdwaras and the Sikh institutions in the Tri-State area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
The Sikh Day Parade this year is scheduled for Saturday, April 29, according to the information given by Davinder Singh Boparai, President of the Sikh Cultural Society to The Indian Panorama.
Mr. Boparai told The Indian Panorama that all permits have been obtained and arrangements made. He has appealed to the Sikh Sangat to make the Parade a memorable one with their participation.
TRENTON, NJ (TIP): Over 500 children from 22 community dance academies spread across Four states enthralled a 1000-plus crowd with their mesmerizing performances as they performed to showcase their talent, discipline, technique, and costumes in FIAs oldest cultural competition, its 39th annual edition on Saturday, Feb 18th at Patriots War Memorial Theatre, Trenton, NJ. Ages 6 through 60+ years took to the state-of-the-art stage, which had dazzling professional-grade production, including led spot lighting, sound, and 50 feet LED backdrop. Performing participants displayed a variety of cultures and traditions, including languages, in the performances consisting of a fusion of classical, folk, and contemporary dance compilations.
The participating groups showcased 22 captivating variety performances. Four categories comprised minors, juniors, seniors, and adults competed within their age groups. The event was anchored by Miss India PA – Charmy Shah, Veteran RJ, and popular anchor and host Mamta Narula.
This year’s judging panel comprised renowned Bollywood Choreographer Rohan Virdi, celebrated Kuchipudi Exponent and Guru Swathi Atluri, and the locally popular choreographer Mitali Das.
Consul General of India- New York Shri Randhir Jaiswal was the Chief Guest of the program. Also in attendance were Jaipur Foot Chairman Prem Bhandari, Former Congressman of New Jersey Michael Pappas, Padma Awardee and FIA Advisor Dr. H R Shah, and veteran community leader Peter Kothari among other distinguished guests.
Mr. Randhir Jaiswal expressed his joy to witness and be a part of the event and praised the performances and performers for their sheer hard work to perform and compete with precision, coordination, and high energy. He wished that the event would continue to grow with each passing year for the coming decades and provide a platform over 19000 children have utilized in the past 39 years.
Hon. Michael Pappas expressed his happiness to be a part of the event and was impressed to witness FIA organizing a youth-oriented event on such a large scale and at a venue known to hold historical events.
Mr. Prem Bhandari expressed his happiness and joy in witnessing the participation of diverse communities and thanked FIA for providing the kids with such an incredible platform.
FIA President Mr. Kenny Desai praised all the judges, sponsors, and members of the FIA executive team and the DPC team for their arduous efforts in putting together this difficult event.
FIA Chairman Mr. Ankur Vaidya thanked the sponsors, the FIA Executive team, and the DPC led by FIA Vice President Saurin Parikh, Nishi Dhami, and Priti Patel. He summarized the joy of seeing over 500 children compete in sportsmanship, for which he expressed gratitude to the parents, the choreographers, and all the participants.
FIA Vice President & Dance Pe Chance Chair Mr. Saurin Parikh congratulated all sponsors, media partners, and the Indian Consul General in New York for their continued support.
Also in attendance were Past President & Board of Trustee Mr. Srujal Parikh, FIA Vice President Mr. Dr. Avinash Gupta, FIA Gen. Secretary Nishi Dhami, FIA FIA Treasurer Priti Patel FIA Jt. Treasurer Mr. Mahesh Dubal, FIA Jt Sec Mr. Haresh Shan FIA Past President, Mr. Alok Kumar, and other notable community members. Mementos, trophies, and prizes totaling $20,000.00 were distributed during the event.
Dance pe Chance, for nearly four decades, has seen the participation of over 19000 thousand children. The competition aims to inspire creativity and foster teamwork and competitiveness among upcoming generations.
Meals, certificates, complimentary rehearsal, and a complimentary ticket were for all participants, their managers, and choreographers courtesy of FIA and its sponsors. FIA’s vision through such grass root initiatives is to connect the next generation of Americans of Indian origin with our culture and the native motherland.
FIA expressed gratitude to its sponsors River Comics, Parikh Worldwide Media, TV Asia, Bansal Foundation, Arista Care, Mehta Foundation, and Media Partners ITV Gold, TV Asia, South Asian Times, Radio Zindagi, and Indian Panorama, and The Indian Eye.
NEW YORK CITY (TIP): The Consulate General of India, New York, in partnership with Shanti Fund is celebrating BLACK HISTORY MONTH on Saturday, February 25, 2023 from 4:30 to 06:00 pm in the Indian Consulate.
The event will feature two eminent speakers from the field of academia and medicine. They are Dr. Timothy E. Sams and Dr. Bernadine Waller. There will be Music & Songs by John Colonna (Pianist), Joel Proctor (Drummer), Kenji Tokunaga (Jazz), Soh Young Lee (Singer), & Dr. Donna M. Jones (Reader). Dr. Timothy E. Sams
President · State University of New York College at Old Westbury
Dr. Timothy E. Sams began his tenure as the sixth full president in the history of SUNY Old Westbury on January 11, 2021. Throughout a career spanning three decades, Dr. Sams has demonstrated leadership in improving student success, particularly for students from disadvantaged and marginalized communities. He brings to the College an emphasis on institutional excellence, inclusive innovation, and strategic change management. Prior to Old Westbury, he served as vice president of student affairs for Prairie View A&M University in Texas. As the senior vice president for student development at Morehouse College, he held a portfolio that included Student Services, Enrollment Management, Campus Safety and Athletics, among other units. As vice president for student life at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he led such services as Residential Life, Health & Mental Health Services, and more. He is also credited as inaugurating the Student Life Office at New York University-Abu Dhabi and, for 13 years, led the Black Cultural Center at Swarthmore College. Dr. Sams is from Syracuse, New York. He earned a bachelor’s degree in History and Sociology from Union College in Schenectady, New York, a Masters in Africana Studies from the University at Albany, and a Ph.D. in African American Studies from Temple University.
Bernadine Waller, PhD, LMHC
Dr. Bernadine Waller is an award-winning National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) T32 Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry, Division of Translational Epidemiology and Mental Health Equity with a dual appointment at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute. She is an implementation scientist who partners with faith-based organizations to tailor and implement evidence-based interventions for African American women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Dr. Waller’s ground-breaking research is transforming the domestic violence service provision system. She developed the first US theories that identify help-seeking among African American women: The Theory of Help-Seeking Behavior, Constructed Agency, and Sarah Waller’s Help-Seeking Model. A scholar-clinician, Dr. Waller has taught in academia for more than 14 years. A testament to her investment in the next generation of scholar activists was winning the 2020 GADE Award for Teaching in Social Work. She is as a member of the Women’s Council, a sub-committee of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) which accredits all schools of social work, and a member of the Research Capacity and Development Committee for the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR). She additionally serves on the Board of Trustees for the Long Island Children’s Museum. Dr. Waller is a NYS-licensed mental health counselor who earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work and a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Adelphi University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, with a concentration in Legal Studies from Temple University.
NEW YORK (TIP): India will host an event on Gandhian thought and philosophy at the UN headquarters in New York to discuss how the fundamental values of pluralism, democracy and rule of law can be strengthened to build peaceful and inclusive societies.
Thursday’s event comes as the UN Security Council is scheduled to hold a discussion on Ukraine on Friday, February 24.
To be organized jointly by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations and the University for Peace at the Economic and Social Council Chamber, the event is expected to be attended by diplomats from across the world.
Announcing the event in a tweet, India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations said, “Join us tomorrow at UN for a thought-provoking initiative on the centrality of Mission Life & sustainable development to Gandhian thought as part of the India Roundtable series.”
It also shared a quote by Gandhi: “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” According to the UN’s website, the meeting will discuss examples of how sustainable lifestyles can be promoted to combat the adverse effects of climate and environmental degradation and how the fundamental values of pluralism, democracy and rule of law can be strengthened to build peaceful and inclusive societies. The objective of this meeting is to shine a light on Mahatma Gandhi’s doctrine of ‘Trusteeship’ and its relevance in today’s world with a focus on the concept of ‘Human Flourishing’ to promote sustainable lifestyles and enduring peace.
The announcement comes as the UN General Assembly held an Emergency Special Session on Ukraine.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the one-year mark of the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine stands as a grim milestone for the people of Ukraine and for the international community. “The invasion is a violation of the United Nations Charter and international law and is having dramatic humanitarian and human rights consequences,” he said.
“The position of the United Nations is unequivocal: We are committed to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders,” Guterres said.
Csaba Korosi, President of the General Assembly, said Wednesday marked the grim first anniversary of the war in Ukraine, highlighting the despair, displacement, destruction and death that Europe has not seen in decades.
“No one can be complacent,” Korosi said. He also assured all those suffering from the war’s consequences that they have not been forgotten. “This war will come to an end, and the time of reconstruction, reconciliation and transformation will come,” Korosi said. “We know it will not be easy. We know the scars are deep. Culture, family bonds, sports, arts and the acknowledgement of the shared destiny of humanity will certainly help nations currently facing each other in the trenches.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba introduced a draft resolution calling for just and lasting peace in his country. Calling this “a decisive moment to show support, unity and solidarity,” he recalled, standing in the assembly urging its member nations to prevent war days before Russia’s February 24, 2022 invasion.
Ukraine exercised its legitimate right to self-defense, enshrined in the Charter as its people chose to fight for their lives. “Against all odds, we were able to stop the much stronger aggressor and kick him out of half of the newly occupied territory,” he said, adding, “No one should be fooled by Russia’s empty calls for negotiations.” In his remarks, Vassily A Nebenzia of Russia alleged that Ukraine is nothing more than a pawn. “While Moscow is ready for a diplomatic solution, its opponents have not recovered from the futile illusion that they could defeat a nuclear power,” he said.
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that President Vladimir Putin had chosen war in an assault on the United Nations that struck at the heart of its Charter. “On the one-year anniversary of this conflict, we will see where the nations of the world stand on peace in Ukraine,” she said.
Nonprofits to Cooperate on Thursday, March 2 to Create a Brighter Future for India’s Marginalized Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): CRY, Child Rights and You America (CRY America) is excited to announce the launch of India Giving Day (IGD) under the leadership of the India Philanthropy Alliance (IPA).
IPA, a coalition of 16 of the leading India-focused non-profits in the USA, is organizing the first-ever India Giving Day on Thursday, March 2, 2023, with early giving starting on February 14. This campaign will highlight the contributions made by Americans, notably the Indian American diaspora, to critical causes in India.
CRY America is a 501c3 non-profit driven by its vision of a just world in which all children have equal opportunities to develop to their full potential. With the support of 25,000 donors and 2,000 volunteers, CRY America has impacted the lives of 786,000 children living across 5,000 villages and slums. Supported Projects ensure access to education and healthcare for underprivileged children, as well as protection from child labor, early marriage and trafficking. “We are thrilled to be part of the path breaking India Philanthropy Alliance and the newly initiated India Giving Day,” said CRY America CEO Shefali Sunderlal. “This collaboration is a great opportunity to significantly increase fundraising in the USA directed towards a variety of critical human rights and children’s rights issues in India.” The profiles of the 22 participating non-profits can be found here, including CRY America’s web page here. All organizations will undertake a series of activities to promote India Giving Day such as youth outreach, donor and volunteer outreach, social media promotions and organizing of local events.
IPA has carefully designed and executed this initiative, including the development of a secure website. India Giving Day provides a credible one-stop platform to donate, fundraise, and secure sponsorships for the causes you care about. The steering committee leaders for IGD are Manisha Bharti, Pratham USA, Sejal Desai, Akanksha Education Fund and the national co-chairs include philanthropy luminaries such as Desh Deshpande, Lata Krishnan, MR Rangaswami, and Sunil Wadhwani. Rural India Supporting Trust, MasterCard and Bank of America are sponsors of this campaign.
For more information about IPA or IGD or to support CRY America’s IGD fundraising efforts, please visit https://www.indiagivingday.org/organizations/cryamerica or contact Adam MacGregor at adam.macgregor@cryamerica.org / 617-910-7796.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Though External Affairs Ministry is pushing at the UN the need to recognize Hinduphobia a crime, facts on the ground in the US indicate that it is the Sikh community which is facing the increasing brunt of hate crimes. From around 60 incidents of hate crimes against Sikhs reported to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2018, the number increased to 89 in 2020 and jumped to whopping 214 incidents in 2021.
From being the third most commonly targeted religious group after Jews and Muslims in the US in 2018, Sikhs became the second most targeted group four years later. Jews remain the biggest victims of hate crimes in the US.
According to the FBI, 91 hate crimes were reported against other religions, including 12 against Hindus and 10 against Buddhists.
SEATTLE (TIP): Seattle has become the first US city to add caste discrimination to its non-discrimination policy, two years after Indian-American counselor Kshama Sawant on Tuesday , February 21 successfully quarterbacked a resolution through the Seattle city council to outlaw caste discrimination.
The resolution moved by Sawant was approved by the Seattle City Council by six to one vote. Two council members were absent during the voting. “This bill is not technically complicated, it’s a very simple question: Should discrimination based on caste be allowed to continue in Seattle?” noted Sawant.
In a 6-1 vote on Tuesday, February 21st, Seattle City Council voted to add caste as a protected category in Seattle. The City Council made history by making the city the first in the US to ban caste discrimination. Councilmember Kshama Sawant introduced the ordinance earlier this year to add caste to the city’s anti-discrimination laws. As a Hindu American organization whose members and leadership come from diverse caste backgrounds, Hindus for Human Rights congratulates Councilmember Sawant and the coalition of organizations that fought to achieve this win.
As progressive Hindus, it is our duty to dismantle caste and fight caste discrimination. To this end, Hindus for Human Rights Board Members, Staff, and Community Members provided public comment and endorsement of the caste protection ordinance:
Sravya Tadepalli: I am a proud Hindu and board member of Hindus for Human Rights, a nonprofit that works to combat Hindu nationalism and caste from a Hindu faith perspective. As a Hindu, our most important belief is that God is present in every human being, and we must work to protect that equality. This law would ensure that every individual is treated equally under the law, regardless of their caste. I urge you, as a Hindu, to vote YES on the bill to ban caste discrimination. – Councilmember Sawant referenced Sravya’s quote in her testimony on Tuesday!
Raju Rajagopal: I am Raju Rajagopal and I represent Hindus for Human Rights, which strongly supports this ordinance. We disagree with claims that this ordinance will “mainstream hate against the South Asian community” and that existing laws are adequate. Let’s remember history: We heard many similar claims during the 60’s debate that the Civil Rights legislation would unfairly target all White people. The issue of caste discrimination is no more complex than race and gender discrimination for those who have the resolve to fight it. We join caste-oppressed communities in urging the Council to unanimously pass this historic resolution without any delay.
Ria Chakrabarty: On behalf of Hindus for Human Rights, I urge the City Council to unanimously vote yes on Councilmember Sawant’s caste discrimination ordinance without delay. This ordinance will not discriminate against Hindu Americans and this narrative by far right, upper-caste organizations like the VHPA intentionally and violently erases the many Hindus who experience casteism. Instead, the OCR will be able to help residents pursue justice when they experience caste-based discrimination. HfHR urges you to listen to our Dalit and Adivasi siblings and vote yes on this resolution without delay.
Sathvik Nair: Respected Seattle city council members, I urge you to vote YES on the ordinance to ban caste discrimination. I am a caste privileged Hindu male with Hindus for Human Rights. Since I’ve seen caste discrimination in a tech workplace and even among my US-born peers, I am worried that we are using the excuse of the complexity of caste to prevent concrete actions that will explicitly implement protections against caste discrimination. Casteism is no more complex than racial or gender-based discrimination. City Councilmembers should be very familiar with the issue after having heard many heart- wrenching stories and testimonies directly from caste-oppressed people. The argument of complexity is often employed by opponents of social justice to try and cloud real issues, create doubt, and resist progressive measures that aim to address oppressive systems. If you truly believe in Seattle’s vision as a progressive city, you will vote YES on the measure.
LONDON (TIP): Professor Meghana Pandit, a leading Indian-origin medic was appointed the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, one of the UK’s largest teaching hospitals.
Pandit becomes the trust’s first female chief, and she is also the first person of Indian heritage to be appointed CEO of any National Health Service (NHS) trust in the Shelford Group, which represents some of the biggest teaching hospitals in the country.
Pandit, who was serving as the interim CEO at Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) since July 2022, was permanently appointed to the post following a “rigorous and competitive process,” which concluded after what OUH described as an extensive national and international recruitment search.
“It is a privilege to be asked to lead OUH on a permanent basis and I look forward to continue working with colleagues at OUH, our partners in the health and social care system in Oxfordshire and across the BOB Integrated Care System, our partner universities, and Oxford Hospitals Charity, to ensure the highest quality of research and innovation enabled care for our patients and populations,” said Pandit.
“I am proud to have the opportunity to continue leading with compassion and respect for others, with a desire for excellence,” she said.
Pandit got trained in Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Oxford Deanery and was a visiting lecturer in Urogynecology at the University of Michigan in the US.
She has served as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) within the NHS trusts and led the development of a clinical strategy with the responsibility of overseeing hundreds of doctors.
She is an Honorary Professor at Warwick University and an Associate Fellow at Green Templeton College, University of Oxford.
According to OUH, all members of the interview panel unanimously agreed that she was the preferred candidate for appointment and this recommendation was approved at a meeting of the Council of Governors earlier this week.
The interview panel included the Trust’s Chair, Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery, two other non-executive directors and lead governor, and also the chair of the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) and the Regional Director for NHS England’s Southeast region.
“I am delighted that Meghana has now been appointed to the CEO role on a permanent basis and I am looking forward to working with her personally in what promises to be an exciting new era under her leadership,” said Montgomery. “She gave an outstanding interview which demonstrated her preparation, passion, and desire to take on the role of Chief Executive Officer on a permanent basis,” Montgomery said.
Meghana has a strong focus on staff engagement and building the patient voice into the strategic development of the Trust and her approach is strongly aligned with our trust values and with our vision of delivering compassionate excellence to our patients,” he said.
The CEO of the NHS trust is personally responsible, along with the NHS Chief Executive, as the parliamentary accountable officer for ensuring that the organization works effectively in accordance with national policy and public service values and maintains proper financial stewardship.
The CEO is also personally accountable for clinical governance and partnerships.
NEW YORK (TIP): Karthik Subramaniam, an Indian-origin software engineer in the US and a hobbyist photographer, has won the prestigious National Geographic’s ‘Pictures of The Year’ award with his photograph titled ‘Dance of the Eagles’.
Selected from nearly 5,000 entries, Subramaniam’s picture won the grand prize on Friday, earning him a feature in the magazine’s May issue alongside Nat Geo’s leading photographers. The award-winning photograph captured a bald eagle intimidating its peers to claim a prime log while salmon hunting in the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve in Alaska.
“Every year in November, hundreds of bald eagles gather at Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve near Haines, Alaska, to feast on salmon. I visited there last November to photograph them,” Subramaniam was quoted as saying in the statement. Camped in the preserve, waiting for the perfect click, Subramaniam’s motto was, “Wherever there’s salmon there’s going to be chaos.”
The California-based software engineer started experimenting with wildlife photography only after being grounded by the pandemic in 2020, before which he used to capture landscapes and his travels.
The prize-winning picture was captured on the final day of his week-long photography trip to Alaska, in Eagle Preserve, where he watched bald eagles catch salmon from the water.
“They (the eagles) also seemed to have some favorite spots to hang out, and usually, commotion ensues when an eagle wants an already occupied spot. This photo was taken during one such commotion,” Subramaniam was quoted as saying in the statement.
“Hours of observing their patterns and behavior helped me capture moments like these,” he added.
According to the statement, he titled the photograph ‘Dance of the Eagles’ as a homage to a fictional dragon war in George RR Martin’s novel ‘A Dance with Dragons’. In recognition of his work, Subramaniam also received a six-month digital subscription to the magazine. Tied to the annual ‘Pictures of the Year’ list featuring National Geographic’s top images of the year — 118 out of more than 2 million total — the photo contest invited aspiring photographers from across the country to submit the favorite image they captured in 2022, broken into four categories: Nature, People, Places and Animals, the statement said.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Vivek Ramaswamy, the multi-millionaire biotech entrepreneur and self-described intellectual godfather of the anti-woke movement, announced on Tuesday, February 21 that he is running for president.
“We are in the middle of a national identity crisis,” he declared in an online video launching his campaign, offering that the current political climate constituted a form of “psychological slavery.”
Speaking straight to the camera, with an American flag draped in the background and a flag pin on his lapel, Ramaswamy framed his campaign as a broad counteroffensive to what he called the “woke left” — describing it as a threat to open speech, the free exchanging of ideas and American exceptionalism itself.
Ramaswamy is the third high-profile candidate to declare for the presidency in 2024. Though he filed forms with the FEC declaring he would be running on the Republican side of the aisle, his announcement video made no mention of the party itself — an indication that he hopes to frame his candidacy as outside the conventional political framework.
He has already done barnstorming in early nominating states, including Iowa, where he was well received even as some of the state’s political bigwigs professed to not having familiarity with the planks on which he was running.
Ramaswamy made his fortune in biotech investing, but he is best known for his appearances on Fox News and for the New York Times bestselling book he has written.
While his chances of securing the nomination are certainly long, Ramaswamy’s entry into the contest was greeted with a traditional flare from opposition Democrats. Shortly after he appeared on Fox News to elaborate on his decision to run, the Democratic National Committee sent out a statement. “As Vivek Ramaswamy uses Tucker Carlson’s show to announce his campaign for president, one thing is clear: The race for the MAGA base is getting messier and more crowded by the day,” it read. “Over the next few months, Republicans are guaranteed to take exceedingly extreme positions on everything from banning abortion to cutting Social Security and Medicare and we look forward to continuing to ensure every American knows just how extreme the MAGA agenda is.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Indian-American businessman and former Deloitte Global CEO is being considered to be the next chairman of SAP SE, a Germany-based European multinational software company.
The Supervisory Board of SAP has nominated Renjen to stand for election as a new member of the Supervisory Board and proposes him as the designated successor to Chairman Hasso Plattner.
With his nomination, Plattner, 79, and the Supervisory Board have initiated the succession process.
With an impeccable track record, Renjen is highly qualified to join the Supervisory Board of SAP and would be an excellent candidate to eventually take the chair at a time when SAP is undergoing the most fundamental strategic transformation in its 50-year history, the company said in a statement.
“I am very pleased to be considered for a role at SAP – an iconic company with a key role in the global economy. At a time when the company is successfully transforming into an enterprise application leader in the cloud and delivering on Hasso Plattner’s original vision of helping the world run better and improving people’s lives, I could not be more excited at the opportunity to help shape the future of a company that has unmatched relevance for global business,” Renjen said.
Renjen, 61, served as Deloitte Global CEO from 2015 until his retirement on December 31.
As Global CEO, he developed and executed a strategy that resulted in Deloitte revenues growing from USD 35 billion to more than USD 59 billion in just seven years. If approved by the board, Renjen would be the first non-German and also the first Indian to chair a DAX40 company.
The DAX 40 is a German stock market index comprising the 40 biggest companies – by market capitalization and liquidity – trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE).
The next step is Renjen’s candidacy for the Supervisory Board, which the shareholders will decide upon at the Annual General Meeting on May 11, 2023. Upon election to the SAP Supervisory Board, the handover process by Plattner to Renjen would begin. Plattner’s term expires in May 2024, the company said. “We are excited to propose Punit Renjen as a new member of the SAP Supervisory Board for a four-year term at the AGM in May 2023. This initiates a structured transition at the helm of the Supervisory Board, ensuring the continuity necessary for our company’s ongoing growth,” said Plattner. “With extensive experience as a highly successful CEO of one of the world’s largest consulting firms, Punit brings valuable insights and expertise to the board. His deep understanding of our customers’ needs, and the broader industry make him an ideal candidate for Chairman of the Supervisory Board from 2024 onwards,” he said. Renjen is a member of the Leadership Council of the World Economic Forum (WEF), and the International Business Council.
HICKSVILLE, NY (TIP): The 17-year-old English language weekly The Indian Panorama publisher and editor Prof. Indrajit Singh Saluja turns 80 today. The family decided to celebrate the day with Thanksgiving prayers at Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar in Hicksville.
Prof. Saluja expressed his gratitude to his family, friends, patrons, and advertisers and readers of The Indian Panorama for their immense love and cooperation, and pledged to remain “ever truthful” in his journalistic obligations.
Israeli and Gospel Musicians Celebrate Fellowship in a Groundbreaking “Symphony of Brotherhood” musical experience.
Miri Ben-Ari. (Photo : Courtesy NJPAC)
The New Jersey-Israel Commission brings to us a groundbreaking and unforgettable musical experience celebrating the shared fellowship of Black, Jewish and Christian communities on Sunday, February 26 at 6pm at Wells Cathedral Church, 672 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. in Newark, NJ in honor of Black History Month.
The concert, titled ‘Symphony of Brotherhood,’ is a production by Israeli American Grammy Award winning artist Miri Ben-Ari, in collaboration with world-renowned gospel performer Derrick Starks. This special event will fuse cultures, musical genres, and soulful sounds.
“Symphony of Brotherhood,” the name of Ben-Ari’s latest hit (featuring Flo Rida), also includes special performances by the reputable Melonie Daniels, Lena Starks, kr3ts dance company, and Dr. Pauline Plummer, Founder of Covenant Daughters International, in an evening of love and harmony.
Government officials and community leaders from across the state will attend the event, including New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way, New Jersey-Israel Commission leadership, Church of God in Christ (COGIC) Bishop of Israel and the first African American bishop ever to reside in Israel Glenn Plummer, and Bishop Kevin Knight.
FREE EVENT
WHEN: Sunday, February 26th at 6PM
WHERE: Wells Cathedral Church, 672 Dr. MLK Jr Blvd., Newark, NJ
REGISTRATION
The event is FREE, but advanced registration is requested at eventbrite.com/e/symphony-of-brotherhood-tickets-533791042377.
“Music has the unique capacity to unite our communities and remind us of the power and strength of friendship,” said Ben-Ari, also a member of the New Jersey-Israel Commission. “The goal of our event is to celebrate Black History Month together, a collaboration between local Christian, Black, Jewish and Israeli-American communities coming together in unity.”
“New Jersey is celebrated as a melting pot of so many various cultures, and the New Jersey-Israel Commission has, once again, created an initiative to unite our communities,” said Secretary of State Tahesha Way. “I am thrilled to be celebrating Black History Month by attending this one-of-a-kind ‘Symphony of Brotherhood’ concert and we are looking forward to seeing how this unique performance will unite our communities and deepen friendships for the people of New Jersey.”
Miri Ben-Ari
Miri Ben-Ari is a Grammy Award-winning violinist, producer, humanitarian, “Goodwill Ambassador of Music” to the United Nations, TED speaker, and member of the New Jersey-Israel Commission. She is a classically trained violinist, who once studied under the late classical master Isaac Stern, Ben-Ari has helped to sell millions of records by collaborating with Grammy award-winning artists such and graciously will share her knowledge and experience, inspiring the young musicians.
“We need tolerance now more than ever” says Miri Ben-Ari (miribenari.com), who has consistently broken barriers with her music and philanthropic endeavors. Miri Ben-Ari is the co-founder and CEO of Gedenk gedenkmovement.org
“Symphony of Brotherhood,” is a non-profit organization that runs creative programs for young people to promote tolerance. It is her love for music that fuels her passion to provide quality and educational experiences teaching tolerance through music to young musicians. The young musicians will perform to Miri Ben-Ari’s piece “Symphony of Brotherhood,” to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s timeless speech “I Have A Dream.” For more information about Miri Ben-Ari, miribenari.com
Watch the video – youtube.com/watch?v=X8SJ9V9DVMo&feature=youtu.be
The New Jersey-Israel Commission
The New Jersey-Israel Commission was established in 1989 to implement the goals of the New Jersey-Israel Sister State Agreement and is under the administration of the New Jersey Department of State. The Commission promotes the development of trade, culture and educational exchanges; encourages the development of capital investment and joint business ventures; and fosters a spirit of cooperation between the citizens of the State of Israel and the State of New Jersey.
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FAITH MEETS CITY & CELEBRITY AT THE SHEEN CENTER, NY
Reverend A.R. Bernard and Rabbi Joseph Potasnik. (Photo Credit : Sheen Center)
By Mabel Pais
Join the Sheen Center with Special Guests…..
New York City Mayor, Eric Adams & Actor-Singer-Author, Vanessa Williams
Reverend A.R. Bernard and Rabbi Joseph Potasnik – co-hosts of the popular WABC Radio Sunday morning talk show, “The Rev & the Rabbi” – bring their signature brand of wit and wisdom to the Sheen Center’s stage in front of a live audience on February 23 at 6 pm at the Sheen Center, New York. The evening will feature an intimate conversation with New York City Mayor, Eric Adams, as he shares how his faith journey has informed his life of public service, as a member of the NYPD, as an elected official, and as the mayor of the largest, most religiously-diverse city in the United States. Learn how Mayor Adam’s faith sustained him during these difficult past two years; how it inspires in him hope and healing for our divided city; and the relevant role faith-based partnerships play in his administration. You don’t want to miss it. The evening will also feature a conversation with multi-hyphenate performer Vanessa Williams, who will discuss how her faith has informed and guided her career on stage and screen, as an award-winning singer and actress.
PROGRAM
WHAT: The Rev and the Rabbi
WHEN: February 23, 2023 @ 6 PM (Doors open 30 minutes before showtime)
WHERE: The Sheen Center, 18 Bleecker Street, New York City 10012
After hearing Ya Girl, a high school student with more than one million followers on Instagram, struggle to make sense of today’s tumultuous world, Melba Pattillo steps out of history to share the story of her battle to integrate Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Ya Girl learns to see herself in Melba – and in all the young warriors who came before her who raised their hands and made a difference.
Inspired by Dr. Melba Pattillo Beale’s memoir, ‘Little Rock Nine,’ ‘Warriors Don’t Cry,’ is a catalyst for deeper discourse, social media, and community engagement.
PROGRAM
WHEN: February 25, 2023 @ 11 am & 2 pm
WHERE: The Sheen Center, 18 Bleecker Street, New York City (Doors open about 30 minutes before performance)
Recommended Ages: Grades 6 to 12
Watch the trailer – youtu.be/ekIcSX0LnfU
TICKETS
Purchase tickets for the 11 am show
@ ci.ovationtix.com/34409/production/1148072?performanceId=11215011 and
Join the New Jersey Symphony while it performs the music of one of cinema’s greatest masterminds!
John Williams, (right) Damon Gupton. (Photo Credit : NJ Symphony)
Celebrate the music of iconic composer John Williams as your New Jersey Symphony (NJS) brings to life some of his most legendary film scores. Relive the magic themes of Harry Potter, Jaws, Star Wars, Jurassic Park and more!
Hearing Williams’ music performed live is a true symphonic treat. Invite your family and friends for an awesome concert experience. Learn more at njsymphony.org/events/detail/the-best-of-john-williams.
PROGRAM
The Best of John Williams
Friday, February 24 at 8 pm, Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank
Saturday, February 25 at 8 pm, New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark
Sunday, February 26 at 3 pm, State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick
Damon Gupton conductor
New Jersey Symphony
John Williams Superman March
Shark Theme from Jaws
Theme from Jurassic Park
“Viktor’s Tale” from The Terminal
“Devil’s Dance” from The Witches of Eastwick
Excerpts from Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Cowboys Overture
“Harry’s Wondrous World” from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Selections from Star Wars
“Across the Stars” from Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
“Anakin’s Theme” from Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
“Imperial March” from Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
“March” from 1941
“With Malice Toward None” from Lincoln
“Adventures on Earth” from E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial
Young Friends Happy Hour
Saturday, February 25, at 6:30 pm at NJPAC
Join your fellow Young Friends for a fun happy hour event before the performance at NICO Kitchen + Bar, including free appetizers and a meet-and-greet with New Jersey Symphony musicians.
Register at fs10.formsite.com/NJSO/cvxec7gapz/index
Please note: Registration for the reception is free for Young Professionals aged 21-40 with the purchase of a Best of John Williams concert ticket. Learn more at njsymphony.org/concerts-and-events/deals-discounts/young-friends.
Concert Prelude
Saturday, February 25, at 7 pm at NJPAC
Enjoy a performance by the New Jersey Symphony Youth Orchestra’s String Ensemble, led by New Jersey Symphony violinist Naomi Youngstein.
Teen Connect
Sunday, February 26, at 2 pm at the State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
This special experience offers teen musicians a meet-and-greet with New Jersey Symphony musicians, plus discounted concert tickets.
Purchase tickets at njsymphony.org/teenconnect.
TICKETS
For tickets to the concert, visit www.njsymphony.org or call 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476).
John Williams
Learn about John Williams at johnwilliams.org
Damon Gupton
Learn about Damon Gupton at damongupton.com
Note: John Williams does not appear in this performance. This concert features selections from John Williams’ scores; no film projection.
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XIAN ZHANG CONDUCTS IN HER FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSIC
Xian Zhang with NJ Symphony. (Photo Credit : NJ Symphony)
By Mabel Pais
Music Director Xian Zhang leads the New Jersey Symphony (NJS) in her favorite piece of music, Mahler’s Symphony No. 3, on March 3 and 5 with mezzo-soprano Kelley O’Connor, Montclair State University Prima Voce, and Starry Arts Group Children’s Chorus at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark, New Jersey.
PROGRAM
Mahler’s Symphony No. 3
Friday, March 3, 8 pm @ NJPAC, Newark
Sunday, March 5, 3 pm @ NJPAC, Newark
Xian Zhang conductor
Kelley O’Connor mezzo soprano
Montclair State University Prima Voce | Heather J Buchanan, director
Starry Arts Group Children’s Chorus | Rebecca Shen, director
New Jersey Symphony
Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 3
GUSTAV MAHLER
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) was an Austro-Bohemian composer and conductor of the late-Romantic era. His compositions often draw on his Jewish heritage, and he is known for symphonic works of great scale and power. He is routinely described by modern scholars as one of the most important and innovative composers of the Romantic period. Mahler’s Third Symphony is his longest and most expansive symphony, with a total performance duration of around 100 minutes. It is also noted for its use of both a solo mezzo-soprano and a chorus of women and children, which was fairly unusual for symphonies of this period. Symphony No. 3 is often considered to be one of the peaks of Mahler’s output and is among his most highly regarded works.
Kelley O’Connor
Grammy Award-winner Kelley O’Connor is an acclaimed American mezzo-soprano. She is known for her powerful and expressive voice, as well as her compelling stage presence. She has performed a multitude of roles in opera, including the Duchess of the King’s Company in Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda and Adalgisa in Bellini’s Norma. Additionally, she has been praised for her performances of music from the 20th and 21st century. Kelley O’Connor continues to delight audiences with her captivating singing and enthralling stage presence. Learn more at kellyoconnor.com
Montclair State University (MSU) Prima Voce
Heather Buchanan. (Photo Credit : NJ Symphony)
Montclair State University Prima Voce, led by director Heather J Buchanan, is an award-winning, student-run a cappella group that has been making music since 2006. The group sings a wide range of genres from classic rock to barbershop and gospel. They are known for their exciting performances, high energy, and engaging crowd interactions. Prima Voce performs around the Montclair area, often at campus events and charity shows, and have also traveled to other parts of the country for competitions and showcases. Learn more at monclair.edu.
The Starry Arts Group
The Starry Arts Group of Eastern Cultural Exchange Association (ECEA) has provided an opportunity for children in New Jersey to show their artistic talent. The Starry Arts Group has performed at Huaxia Chinese School’s Christmas Gala, Chinese Culture Night and Mid-Autumn Festival every year. A special children’s choir from Starry Arts Group has performed as part of the New Jersey Symphony’s Chinese and Lunar New Year Celebrations since 2019. For more information, visit njsymphony.org/events/detail/mahlers-symphony-no-3
TICKETS
For Tickets, visit njsymphony.org or call 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476).
The New Jersey Symphony (NJS)
The Emmy and Grammy Award-winning New Jersey Symphony, celebrating its Centennial Season in 2022–23, is redefining what it means to be a nationally leading, relevant orchestra in the 21st century.
The centennial season opened in October with concerts featuring Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto with soloist Yefim Bronfman; Jessie Montgomery’s Banner; Nimbus Dance performing original choreography to Copland’s Appalachian Spring Suite; Strauss’ Burleske for Piano and Orchestra with soloist Michelle Cann; Brahms’ Fourth Symphony; and Dorothy Chang’s Northern Star. The centennial season will conclude in June 2023 with Zhang leading the orchestra and violinist Joshua Bell in Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring and a commissioned world premiere by Daniel Bernard Roumain.
For more information about the New Jersey Symphony, visit njsymphony.org or email information@njsymphony.org.
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health & Wellness, Cuisine and Spirituality)
The welcome note was given by Arvind Vora who was instrumental in getting the Gandhi statue installed in the foyer of the HL Dennison building, the seat of Suffolk County.The author led a short meditation at multifaith prayers offered at Mahatma Gandhi’s Punya Tithi.
Parveen Chopra
LONG ISLAND, NY (TIP): Is there God? What about the afterlife? There is no conclusive answer or consensus on such questions. So, it is best to change the subject. As we do in ALotusInTheMud.com that I founded recently. In this web magazine, we try to curate content that people can use in their lives to be happier, healthier, productive and peaceful. So too when I was invited by Shanti Fund to do a presentation on my wellness + spirituality webzine at their Gandhi Punya Tithi prayers event on January 30, I skipped the speech and did something else altogether.
The venue of the event co-hosted by Long Island Multi Faith Forum (LIMFF) was the foyer of H L Dennison building, seat of the Suffolk County, where a life size statue of Mahatma Gandhi welcomes you. The 150 strong gathering was multi-religious. Multifaith prayers followed one after the other, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, even Zoroastrian, Brahma Kumaris, and Bahai’s as well as by an eclectic group called Gathering of Light. Towards the end of the program when I was given the mike, I gave people the shortest meditation instruction possible: Close your eyes. Choose a short monosyllabic mantra, or name of your favorite deity or any name of God in your religion. Start repeating that word or mantra softly, mentally only. Continue till the mantra goes away and thoughts arise. When you become aware that you’ve lost your mantra, return to it gently. Don’t fight with thoughts or try to drive them away. It was a brief meditation session, 5-6 minutes only. But suddenly there was pin drop silence, suffused with spirituality. It was nice, some people told me at the vegetarian dinner that followed.
A highlight of the program was Chui Chai Dance, from the Thai dramatic and dance repertoire.
In his welcome note at the event, Arvind Vora, Chairman of LIMFF, mentioned that besides the Punya Tithi another annual event held in memory of Gandhi Ji at this location is the Mahatma’s birthday on October 2. Bakul Matalia of Shanti Fund conducted the program which began with the Mahatma’s favorite bhajan, ‘Vaishnav Jan to Tene Kahiye’ (Real devotees of God are those who feel the pain of others, who help those who are in misery but never let ego or conceit enter their mind), by Volunteers of Gayatri Pariwar. Organizers aimed for youth participation to get them exposed to the diversity of different faiths. Indeed, three presentations were made by youths – a Bahai group, Gayatri Gyan Kendra Youth and Look N Learn Jain Gyan Dhama.
What I enjoyed the most was singing, and drum beat during the Jewish presentation by Cantor Lisa Ann Wharton and Akiva the Believer. They had the audience sing along and clap rhythmically. A highlight of the program was Chui Chai Dance, from the Thai dramatic and dance repertoire. It followed the Buddhist Presentation of Metta Sutta by two Thai monks. While rooted in your own cultural or religious tradition and yet be able to admire, interact with and learn about others’ traditions is what interfaith is – much needed in the multicultural polity and world we are living in.
(small logo of Alotusinthemud.com. Parveen Chopra is the founder of ALotusInTheMud.com, a wellness and spirituality web magazine launched recently. He can be contacted at editor@alotusinthemud.com, Ph 5167100508.)
HICKSVILLE , NY (TIP): A picture exhibition on the martyrdom of the Four Sahibzadas ( Sons of the Tenth Master of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh) was on display at Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar in Hicksville from February 3 to 12, 2023. The Consulate General of India in New York provided the pictures and the Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar organized the exhibition. A large number of women, women and children, as is evident from the pictures here, visited the exhibition in the spacious langar hall of the Gurdwara.
Speaking about the Exhibition to The Indian Panorama, Mr. Harcharan Singh Gulati, Gurdwara General Secretary said that the exhibition was extremely educative for children in particular and thanked the Consulate General for lending the pictures . Mr. Gulati thanked Prof. Indrajit Singh Saluja for his initiative in having the exhibition organized. Mr. Gulati thanked the Sikh Sangat who very enthusiastically came to see the exhibition.
Asked if the Gurdwara management planned to organize more such exhibitions, Mr. Gulati said the management was always thinking of ways to educate the younger generation, in particular about the Sikh history and the Sikh faith, and that is why the management organizes Punjabi language, Gurbani, Gurmat and music classes. He added that the management welcomes suggestions from the Sikh sangat for any value addition to Gurdwara services and programs.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The influential American Association of Physicians of Indian origin (AAPI) on Monday announced it will hold its 41st annual convention in Philadelphia in July this summer.
“It is with great pleasure that we announce that the 41st Annual Convention and Scientific Sessions organized by the American Association of Physicians of Indian origin (AAPI) will be held from July 6th to 9th, 2003 in the historical city of Philadelphia, PA,” Dr. Ravi Kolli, president of AAPI announced on Monday, February 13.
AAPI represents over 120,000 Indian American physicians, 130 local Chapters, who make up 10 per cent of total physicians in the US and nearly 50 per cent of International Medical Graduates, rooted in every corner of the nation, who serve every seventh patient in the US, DR Kolli said.
“We are proud of our achievements and our contributions to the healthcare industry and the millions of people we serve,” he said. Dr. Sanjay Gupta is the convenor of AAPI Convention 2023.
US declaration has 12 points, including that military uses of AI are consistent with international law
THE HAGUE (TIP): The United States launched an initiative on Thursday promoting international cooperation on the responsible use of artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons by militaries, seeking to impose order on an emerging technology that has the potential to change the way war is waged, an AP report says.
“As a rapidly changing technology, we have an obligation to create strong norms of responsible behavior concerning military uses of AI and in a way that keeps in mind that applications of AI by militaries will undoubtedly change in the coming years,” Bonnie Jenkins, the State Department’s under secretary for arms control and international security, said.
She said the US political declaration, which contains non-legally binding guidelines outlining best practices for responsible military use of AI, “can be a focal point for international cooperation.”
Jenkins launched the declaration at the end of a two-day conference in The Hague that took on additional urgency as advances in drone technology amid the Russia’s war in Ukraine have accelerated a trend that could soon bring the world’s first fully autonomous fighting robots to the battlefield.
The US declaration has 12 points, including that military uses of AI are consistent with international law, and that states “maintain human control and involvement for all actions critical to informing and executing sovereign decisions concerning nuclear weapons employment.” Zachary Kallenborn, a George Mason University weapons innovation analyst who attended the Hague conference, said the US move to take its approach to the international stage “recognizes that there are these concerns about autonomous weapons. That is significant in and of itself.”
Kallenborn said it was also important that Washington included a call for human control over nuclear weapons “because when it comes to autonomous weapons risk, I think that is easily the highest risk you possibly have.”
Underscoring the sense of international urgency around AI and autonomous weapons, 60 nations, including the US and China, issued a call for action at the Hague conference urging broad cooperation in the development and responsible military use of artificial intelligence.
“We are in time to mitigate risks and to prevent AI from spiraling out of control, and we are in time to prevent AI from taking us to a place we simply don’t want to be,” Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra said.
The call to action issued in the Netherlands underscored “the importance of ensuring appropriate safeguards and human oversight of the use of AI systems, bearing in mind human limitations due to constraints in time and capacities.” The participating nations also invited countries “to develop national frameworks, strategies and principles on responsible AI in the military domain.”
Military analysts and artificial intelligence researchers say the longer the nearly year-long war in Ukraine lasts, the more likely it becomes that drones will be used to identify, select and attack targets without help from humans.
Ukraine’s digital transformation minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, told The Associated Press in a recent interview that fully autonomous killer drones are “a logical and inevitable next step” in weapons development. He said Ukraine has been doing “a lot of R&D in this direction”.
Ukraine already has semi-autonomous attack drones and counter-drone weapons endowed with AI. Russia also claims to possess AI weaponry, though the claims are unproven. But there are no confirmed instances of a nation putting into combat robots that have killed entirely on their own.
Russia was not invited to attend the conference in The Hague. China’s ambassador to the Netherlands Tan Jian did attend and said Beijing has sent two papers to the United Nations on regulating military AI applications, saying the issue “concerns the common security and the well-being of mankind, which requires the united response of all countries,” he said.
CONCORD, NC (TIP): As part of celebrating Feb 2023 as Black History Month, HSS (Hindu Swamyamsevak Sangh) Concord (North Carolina) chapter organized an event on Sunday, February 5th with
Speaking at the well-attended event that included men, women and several young kids, Willie Fleming (Founder & President, IMC-International Minority Coalition) said that the Indian community celebrating Black History Month and recognizing the struggles of the African American community is a great step forward. He said that ‘Unity is Strength’ and this synergy should continue in future and both communities should work on issues of common interest to build a strong and united society.
Shante’ Burke-Hayer (District Court Judge, District 26) the youngest District Court judge in the Mecklenburg County said that Black History Month in the legal realm would take her back to Thurgood Marshall (First African American Supreme Court Justice) and to Ketanji Brown Jackson (African American Supreme Court Justice) as she stands on their shoulders and fight for the rights of all; especially the under-privileged communities in the legal world. Judge Shante thanked the organizers for extending the Black History Month event invite and appealed for unity to solve issues the community is facing.
Speaking on the occasion Tony Forman (Senior Member, IMC) who works with the Race and Relations committee in Mecklenburg County said that his roots are from Dominican Republic and Latino community and faced similar conditions like the African American community. He said that Black History month should not be a one-month event, but it should be practiced year long as it represents the hope that we can surmount any big challenge if we all come together.
David Hughes (Senior Member, IMC) and a Deacon from Greater Providence Baptish Church mentioned that many churches celebrate Black History Month to recognize the struggles the community went through. During the times of slavery even church services were done secretly in the woods after sundown shows the conditions that prevailed during those times and how the community faced and overcame the challenges, representing hope for future generations.
Resha Fortson (Political Coordinator SEIU-Service Employees International Union) said that SEIU is one of the largest employee unions in the country with a few million members. SEIU helps organize workers to give them a voice in the community. She said, it is important for employees of color to be organized at work to make sure their voice is heard and ensure all the doors are open for them as many of them come from under-privileged communities. Resha thanked the Indian community for inviting African American community leaders and celebrating Black History Month.
Anitha Rajan (President, Framework for Future) said that her organization is a non-profit that provides a platform for youth to enhance their leadership skills. Coming together of Indian, African American, and Latino leaders to celebrate Black History Month is great progress. By working together, we can address the issues our communities face and make the world a better place.
To conclude Aravind Modini (HSS Volunteer, Outreach team) thanked all the participating community leaders and said that it was an honor to have to have them on one platform. The Hindu/Indian community believes in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (World is One Big Family) and so many leaders from different communities coming together to celebrate Black History Month truly reflects that spirit and this synergy should continue in future to positively impact the community.
The program ended with organizers from HSS thanking the community leaders for joining them to celebrate Black History Month and pledged to work together in future.
UNIONDALE, NY (TIP): Navika Group of Companies has acquired two stylish hotels with magnificent views of the New York City skyline from across the Hudson River. The premier commercial real estate company has added EnVue, Autograph Collection by Marriott and Residence Inn by Marriott, Port Imperial, Weehawken, NJ, to its stable that already boasts iconic hotels like Sheraton Mahwah, Marriott Long Island and Andaz Wall Street, rebranded as Hyatt Centric Wall Street.
EnVue, Autograph Collection
Rated Best of the Best Hotels in NYC, it has a great location, right on the Hudson River across the street from the NY Waterway ferries to NY terminal. Guests can revel in spectacular views of the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline. In fact, as the name signifies, EnVue, Autograph Collection is New York City on exhibit.
Weehawken, NJ was once host to prominent ancestors, infamous neighbors, and the forefathers’ famous duel of 1804. Now, EnVue hotel rises from the revitalized Hudson River waterfront offering a clean slate for new generations to create their own history. You can gather with friends and family for intimate dinners or large, timeless events at Skyline, their 25,000 sq ft adaptable outdoor terrace encircled by NYC’s horizon. You can also host a meeting for about 800 attendees inside the WorldVue Ballroom, their most expansive venue. And showcase your vision with their state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, available in every meeting room. At night sleep well in their well-appointed suites and guest rooms with a host of amenities.
Residence Inn Weehawken Port Imperial
The boutique hotel in Weehawken, NJ is located on the Hudson River with sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline. For those wishing to explore the city that never sleeps, the hotel is just an effortless ferry ride away from Central Park and Midtown Manhattan.
Spacious and innovative suites come with fully equipped kitchens. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, you can enjoy local Jersey hotspots or utilize the hotel’s grocery-shopping services and enjoy a night in. Also avail complimentary breakfast buffet and work out at the onsite fitness center.
Headquartered in Uniondale, N.Y., Navika Group possesses a big portfolio of income-producing properties nationwide in the hospitality, leisure and corporate markets, including hotels, office buildings, apartment complexes, shopping centers and golf courses. Its portfolio includes Limited and Full Service Hotels, which are flagged under global brands such as Marriott, Hilton, Intercontinental, Wyndham, and Best Western.
ALBANY, NY (TIP): On Tuesday, February 14, a broad alliance of elected representatives, community organizations, advocates, and MTA riders rallied at the Capitol in support of including funding for the “Fix the MTA” package in the state budget. Advocates, straphangers and elected representatives alike are calling on the one-house budgets to include funding to not only resolve the MTA’s fiscal crisis, but ensure improved service, without imposing fare hikes on working-class New Yorkers already stretched thin by the skyrocketing cost of living.
The “Formula Three” spending bill within the “Fix the MTA” package would fully fund the MTA and reject a fare hike to $3, fund greater frequency for 6-minute service, and make buses free. The package also includes programmatic measures: to increase the agency’s accountability through better reporting; establish prudent and accurate budget measures; and boost efficiency.
Governor Hochul’s executive budget does not provide the funding necessary to avoid a fare hike to $3, and provides no funding for the service that MTA riders deserve.
Over 50 advocates and MTA riders joined Assembly Member Zohran K. Mamdani, NYS Senate Deputy Leader Gianaris, Senator Jessica Ramos, Senator Andrew Gounardes, Senator John Liu, Senator Jabari Brisport, Senator Natalia Fernandez, Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman, Assembly Member Juan Ardila, Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, Assembly Member Amanda Septimo, Assembly Member Robert Carroll, Assembly Member Tony Simone, Assembly Member Michaelle Solages, Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz, Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forrest, Assembly Member Chantel Jackson, Assembly Member Marcela Mitaynes, Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, Assembly Member Sarahana Shrestha, Betsy Plum, Executive Director, Riders Alliance, Alfred Lynch Jr., a member of Riders Alliance and Lisa Daglian, Executive Director, Permanent Citizens Advisory to the MTA.
“This is the budget where we move beyond the bare minimum when it comes to the MTA. Dozens of my colleagues and I see this year as the one where we freeze the fare, fund frequency, and make buses free. Whether we speak to them on subway platforms or at bus stops, our constituents are clear that now is the time to break the Albany cycle of disinvestment and disinterest, and instead take critical steps towards creating a transit system that is affordable, reliable, and universally accessible,” said Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani.
“The MTA is on an express track towards fiscal calamity and it is imperative we intervene to save and improve the nation’s most important transit system,” said Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris. “Freezing fares, improving service and providing free bus service would be game-changers that would set the tone for the rest of the country and put the MTA on solid footing for a better future.”
“Ridership on the 7 train, which runs the length of my district, remained relatively steady throughout the pandemic because of the essential workers who kept commuting and kept our city running. We should recognize their contributions with reliable service, not fare hikes. New Yorkers are already feeling the squeeze of rising prices. We can either muster the political will to fix the MTA, or we can take half measures at the expense of working families who rely on our public transit infrastructure,” said State Senator Jessica Ramos.
“Fixing the MTA is not just about repairing tracks and trains, it’s about restoring faith in the backbone of our city’s infrastructure and the millions of New Yorkers who rely on it every day. Access to reliable and affordable public transportation is not a luxury, it’s a necessity – and providing free bus service from suburban communities to the city is a crucial step towards ensuring equitable opportunities and a thriving local economy for all,” said Assembly Member Michaelle Solages.
“I’m proud to stand in support of the #FixtheMTA bill package. I am speaking up alongside other legislators, advocacy groups, and working people who rely on the MTA to demand real investments in our public services. Now, more than ever, we must revitalize our public transportation to build a future of sustainability and equality. In NY, the rich have abandoned our public transportation, but that doesn’t mean the burden of fare increases should rest on working-class communities like mine. We must increase the availability and affordability of the MTA and make our public services truly public,” said Assembly Member Marcela Mitaynes.
“Governor Hochul owes millions of New York bus and subway riders a targeted investment in six minutes or better service all day, every day,” said Riders Alliance Executive Director Betsy Plum. “More frequent public transit service will attract more riders, improve safety, enhance equity and is essential to both mitigating and adapting to climate change. In a state with a multibillion dollar surplus and money available to support industries from horse racing to Hollywood filmmaking, there’s no question that New York can afford the public transit service we need and deserve. With transit virtually defining our competitive edge, more frequent service is a policy change we can’t afford not to make.”
“Transit is the backbone of our region—an essential service—and it deserves to be funded as such,” said Lisa Daglian, Executive Director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC). “An investment in better transit is an investment in a stronger city, state, and region. Riders need our state legislators and Governor to pass key aspects of the Fix the MTA package—including funding the MTA, increasing and improving MTA transparency, and give a greater voice to rider representatives on the MTA Board—which together will help build the transit system riders deserve. We can’t afford to face exorbitant fare hikes or service cuts—the millions of riders who depend on transit every day need our state leaders to fix the MTA. We thank Assemblymember Mamdani and the Assembly and Senate co-sponsors for proposing legislation that would transform our transit system and the lives of riders.”
“New York currently has a surplus of over 8 billion dollars. There’s no reason why we can’t adequately fund the MTA and meet the Chair’s $350 million ask to stave off another fare hike. I’m proud to have recently introduced a new bill as part of the “Fix the MTA” legislative package that would also help support the MTA’s overall fiscal health. The bill would allow certain tax revenue to go directly to the MTA without legislative appropriation. If enacted, the MTA would have more immediate access to much-needed funds, improve its credit, and prevent potential budget cuts in the future. I urge my colleagues to pass this bill this session and work together to help improve public transit without passing the buck to struggling New Yorkers,” said Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas.
Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said: “Mass transit is the lifeblood of New York, and our state budget should reflect the significant impact that it has on the wellbeing of all New Yorkers. The economic success of Bronxites and all working class New Yorkers is reliant on access to efficient, safe, and affordable buses and subways. Furthermore, beyond mere investments in mass transit, we must ensure that our transit authorities are spending this money with the best interest of riders in mind. Adding rider representation to the MTA Board would ensure that this valuable perspective is included in key decisions, and I’m proud to support the Fix the MTA package to enact systemic reform as well as paradigm-shifting investments in mass transit service for New Yorkers.”
“Transit is an irreplaceable public good that provides us access to our homes, our jobs, and the city around us. For the millions of working class New Yorkers who rely on our public transit, proposed fare hikes and long wait times are unacceptable,” said State Senator Julia Salazar. “I join my colleagues in urging the Governor to align the State’s investments with the needs of New Yorkers–and pass an executive budget that includes funding for the entire Fix the MTA package.”
State Senator John Liu said, “Hiking fares to cover for lagging ridership without addressing critical flaws like excessive wait times is counterintuitive for a mass transit system that is supposed to be accessible to all New Yorkers. This legislative package looks to make a fiscally sound, accountable and efficient system that will fully fund the MTA, create reliability, and make buses free for all, as has already been achieved in major metropolitan areas like Washington D.C. Many thanks to Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani and our colleagues from both houses who recognize the urgency and necessity of this effort to improve transit and increase ridership.”
State Senator Kristen Gonzalez said, “New Yorkers shouldn’t settle for a transit system with unaffordable fares and unreliable service. This package would take a transformative approach to America’s largest transit system, treating the MTA like the public good that it is. Rejecting a fare hike, phasing in free buses, and implementing 6-minute service throughout the day would tangibly improve the lives of working-class New Yorkers. If the Governor is serious about her commitment to the MTA, she will make the investments necessary to guarantee reliable, affordable service for all New Yorkers.”
“The MTA’s impending fiscal cliff presents us with a fundamental choice. We could balance their budget on the backs of working class New Yorkers who rely on the buses and subways, while doing little to improve service and reliability. Or we could seize the moment to make transformative investments and create a system that’s beloved by every New Yorker, with dependable 6-minute service, frozen fares on the subway and free rides on the bus. It’s up to us in this year’s state budget,” said Assembly Member Emily Gallagher.
Learn more about the legislation and the campaign at fixthemta.org
ABOUT “FIX THE MTA”: The campaign, supported by Riders Alliance, the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, Transportation Alternatives, the Democratic Socialists of America, New York City Chapter, New York Communities for Change, and the Invest in Our New York coalition advocates for the “Fix the MTA” package of bills introduced in the NY State Legislature this session. The package makes the MTA safer, more reliable, and affordable by rejecting a fare hike; increasing service; and making buses free. The package includes programmatic measures: to increase accountability through better reporting; establish prudent and accurate budget measures; and boost efficiency. Read more at fixthemta.org.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Several eminent Indian-Americans believe that Republican leader Nikki Haley, who launched her White House bid, has great credentials and leadership skills to be the next president of the US.
Haley, 51, formally launched her 2024 presidential bid on Wednesday, casting herself as a younger and fresher alternative to the 20th century politicians like her one-time boss and former president Donald Trump.
“Nikki Haley comes with great credentials, as governor of South Carolina and with foreign policy experience as US Ambassador to the United Nations,” M R Rangaswami, founder of Indiaspora told PTI.
Haley, a former two-term governor of South Carolina, is the third Indian American to have launched a presidential bid. The other two are Bobby Jindal in 2016 and Kamala Harris in 2020. Harris is now the Vice President of the country. “It is gratifying to see the rise of Indian Americans in the Republican Party, mirroring their prominence on the Democratic side,” Rangaswami told PTI.
“She (Haley) represents the majority of the middle. She is not extreme either. The way she ran South Carolina was amazing,” said Raj Vasudeva, from South Columbia who has known her for more than 30 years now.
Vasudeva and his wife both were present at the formal launch of the presidential campaign. We believe in her. She has got a great heart and a great head. We believe she can bring both sides together,” he said.
“I think she would do great things for the country,” Vasudeva told PTI.
Dr Anil Yallapragada, who grew up in South Carolina and has lived in South Carolina for the past three decades along with his parents, said Haley is an extraordinary and special person.
“I believe South Carolina has a lot to do with her success in terms of the environment,” he said. Describing Haley as “a highly talented and gifted leader” Dr Yallapragada said that her leadership would take the country to a new level and unite its people.
“The (Indian American) community is proud of her. She represents the best and brightest of us,” he said.
“She is a great human being,” he said.
“We want the best person for the job to run the country. There are very few people who are prepared to be the president of the country. She is one of them,” Dr Yallapragada told PTI.
He was among the small group of Indians to attend the launch of his presidential campaign of Haley.
Dr Yallapragada resides in his hometown of Charleston and is a practicing Neurohospitalist and Board Certified Vascular Neurologist. He currently serves on the American Heart Association National Advocacy and Policy Board and the World Stroke Association Global Policy Board.
Kartar Singh, also from South Carolina, who has known the family of Nikki Haley for more than three decades, said that the former governor and the former US ambassador to the United Nations have all the credentials to be the president of the country.
“She’s a hard worker. She is very intelligent. She is very sincere in what she says. She is not like other politicians. I feel she had a very good chance in primaries,” said Singh, who now leads a retired life in South Carolina.
“She is very conservative. She is very reasonable. She’s outspoken. She is not afraid of anything. If something is right she will stick her head,” Singh said, referring to Haley’s decision to remove the confederate flag during her term as governor following a mass shooting in a church in Charleston.
“She can make brave decisions. She did a very good job as a governor, revived a lot of industries and opened up new ones in South Carolina,” Singh said. Dr Rajwant Singh, chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education and senior advisor of the National Sikh Campaign said that it is a proud moment for people of color in America that a first-generation American of Sikh background is aspiring for the top post in America.
“You may disagree with her policies and her political views but it is still a remarkable journey. Her father is a proud Sikh and wears a turban and had attended her swearing-in ceremony when she was elected governor of South Carolina,” Singh said.
“It is important for Americans to see that she belongs to a rich heritage and turban-wearing Sikhs are part of her immediate family. This widens the horizon for many people including Sikhs to aspire for higher office in the United States,” he said.
According to him, Haley’s running will also help sensitize Americans about Sikh identity and turban.
“Still a majority of Americans have a misconception about Sikhs and Sikh identity. So there is a good chance that her political campaign will help educate about the Sikhs in America as an additional benefit,” he said.
(Source: PTI)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The mega commercial plane deal between Air India and Boeing is an opportunity to deepen an already profoundly intertwined relationship between India and the United States, the US said Wednesday, February 15. “It’s an opportunity to deepen what is already a profoundly intertwined relationship based on shared interests, based on shared values, based on our deep economic ties. And with the announcements between Boeing and Air India yesterday, those ties are all the deeper,” State Department Spokesperson Ned Price told reporters at his daily news conference.
The “landmark” Air India-Boeing deal, according to US President Joe Biden, will create up to 1 million jobs across 44 states in the US.
“It is something that we’ve heralded. It is an opportunity not only for the American economy and for workers here in this country, but it’s an opportunity for the Indian people as well,” Price said in response to a question, a day after the historic airplane deal between the two countries.
“The United States is engaged around the world – not just in India but around the world – in what we refer to as commercial diplomacy, seeking to find concrete, tangible, practical ways to deepen our economic ties with countries around the world in a way that benefits the American people back here at home,” he said.
“I think the agreement that was announced yesterday between Boeing and Air India is a vivid example of that – the number of jobs it creates here, the number of opportunities it creates in India, and the possibility it provides to deepen that partnership even further,” Price said.
On Tuesday, Air India announced its agreement to purchase 190 Boeing 737 MAXs, 20 Boeing 787s, and 10 Boeing 777Xs – a total of 220 firm orders valued at a list price of USD34 billion which will support more than one million American jobs across 44 states, many of which will not require a four-year college degree.
“I’m very happy to learn of this new piece of the robust US-India economic partnership. Strengthening the ties that bind our nations, the world’s oldest democracy and its largest, will support American jobs while bringing greater security and prosperity to both our citizens and the wider world,” Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said in a separate statement.
Lael Brainard will now serve as Director of National Economic Council and Jared Bernstein is being nominated as Chair of Council of Economic Advisers
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): US President Joe Biden has reconstituted his national economic team at the White House but has retained Indian-American adviser Bharat Ramamurti who has been with him since day one of his presidency. Lael Brainard will now serve as Director of the National Economic Council and Jared Bernstein is being nominated as Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, the White House said Tuesday.
Ramamurti would continue to serve as Deputy Director of the National Economic Council and as an Adviser for Strategic Economic Communications, the White House said, reflecting that the president has kept him as part of his core team. Biden also named Heather Boushey, who currently serves as a Member of the Council of Economic Advisers, to also serve as Chief Economist to the Invest in America Cabinet.
He named Joelle Gamble, who currently serves as Chief Economist at the Department of Labor to be Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, according to a White House statement.
“Along with Bharat, Heather, Joelle and other key members of my White House economic team, Lael and Jared will help bring a seriousness of purpose to the task of building a strong, inclusive, and more resilient economy for the future,” Biden said in a statement.
“Over the past two years, my economic strategy has delivered historical results for the American people. This team will be committed to implementing that strategy while managing the transition of our historic economic recovery to steady and stable growth. They will work tirelessly to ensure every American enjoys a fair return for their work and an equal chance to get ahead, and that our businesses can thrive and outcompete the rest of the world. Let’s finish the job,” Biden said.
In December 2020, then as the president-elect, Biden appointed Ramamurti as Deputy Director for the National Economic Council for Financial Reform and Consumer Protection.
Previously he was the Managing Director of the Corporate Power programme at the Roosevelt Institute. In April, he was appointed to serve on the Congressional Oversight Commission for the CARES Act by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Ramamurti was the top economic adviser to Senator Elizabeth Warren during her 2020 presidential campaign and senior counsel for banking and economic policy in her Senate office. Born in Massachusetts, Ramamurti graduated from Harvard College and Yale Law School.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Indian American Democratic lawmaker Ro Khanna and his Republican House colleague Mike Waltz have been chosen as co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans in the 118th Congress. India Caucus is the largest country-specific bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in the House of Representatives that is committed to strengthening the relationship between the two largest democratic countries of the world. Khanna, 46, is the second Indian American to be elected as co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans since it was established in 1993. Congressman Ami Bera served as its co-chair during the 115th Congress (2015-2016).
At that time, he was the only Indian American serving in the Congress. Now the number has increased to five: DR Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Pramila Jayapal, and Shri Thanedar.
“I am honored to chair the India caucus and will look forward to involving the national Indian American diaspora in helping strengthen the US India relationship,” Khanna told media. The Indian American represents the 17th Congressional District of California. Last November he was elected for the fourth consecutive term. The media reported Congressman Andy Barr and Marc Veasey will serve as vice co-chairs. Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32), who formerly served as chair, will serve as chair emeritus, a media release said.
In the new Congress, the members will continue working to strengthen partnerships between policy makers and the Indian American diaspora communities and reduce India’s reliance on Russian defense systems.
“A strong relationship with India is critical for our economy and national security. It is an honor to serve alongside my colleague Rep. Waltz as co-chair of the India Caucus,” Khanna said.
“Serving in this role is especially meaningful to me as one of the first Indian Americans to lead the caucus as well as the only representative of an Asian American majority district in the continental United States,” he said.
Congressman Waltz said that India is the world’s largest democracy and an important strategic partner for the United States. “That’s why I’m honored to serve as the Co-Chair of the House India Caucus this Congress to ensure we continue this partnership, strengthen political, economic, and security ties between our two countries, and protect democracies in Asia and worldwide,” he said.
Congressman Barr said strengthening bilateral relations via trade and security as well as cooperation through the Quad, presents many opportunities to advance the two countries’ common interests.
In an interview to media, Khanna said the Indian American diaspora can play an important role in helping strengthen the US-India partnership. “I think this is a historic moment for our community. I think we’re really emerging and coming into our own as a strong voice,” said the Congressman.
Khanna told media that he is going to try to make the Caucus not just about India-US, but also the Indian American community and highlighting the contributions of that community.
“I think being Indian America and being part of the community, knowing so many of the community leaders, knowing the passions and interests of young people, I’ll be able to do that,” he said.
“Khanna says taking on this greater role in the India Caucus feels like the culmination of generations of work in the public sphere. His grandfather Amarnath Vidyalankar spent his life fighting for India’s independence from British rule, even spending a few years in jail for the cause. Vidyalankar became a member of India’s first Parliament after independence in 1947,” media reported. Congressman Sherman, who now takes the role of Chair Emeritus, said that he has long advocated for a strong US-India relationship and has worked to highlight the enormous contributions Indian Americans have made in this country. “There is no one more fitting that I could pass the torch of chairing this important Caucus to than Congressman Ro Khanna, along with Congressman Mike Waltz as Co-Chair – both stalwart advocates for the US-India relationship,” he said. “Moreover, I’m encouraged by our Vice Co-Chairs, Congressman Andy Barr and Marc Veasey, who will bring to the Caucus a stellar record of impassioned advocacy for the US-India partnership. I will continue on as Chair Emeritus and look forward to the work ahead of building upon this vital partnership and securing future prosperity between the United States, the world’s oldest continuous democracy, and India, the world’s largest democracy,” Sherman said.
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While rooted in your own cultural or religious tradition and yet be able to admire, interact with and learn about others’ traditions is what interfaith is – much needed in the multicultural polity and world we are living in.
