The Indian Panorama

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  • AAPI’s Women’s Leadership Forum Deliberates on Ways To “Advancing Women’s Health Through Awareness and Action”

    AAPI’s Women’s Leadership Forum Deliberates on Ways To “Advancing Women’s Health Through Awareness and Action”

    HOUSTON  (TIP): “Advancing Women’s Health Through Awareness and Action” was the theme at the much-anticipated Women’s Leadership Forum that featured extraordinarily successful Women Leaders representing a diversity of professions, involving public, private and government organizations, during the recently concluded Global Healthcare Summit organized by the American Association of Physici9ans of Indian origin (AAPI) in Visakhapatnam, India from January 6th to 8th, 2023.

    Dr. Smt. Tamilisai Soundararajan, Honorable Governor of Telangana & Honorable Lt. Governor of Puducherry delivered the keynote address at the Women’s Forum virtually. She urged everyone to “Pay attention to little things and how changes can be brought in. Ensure that the much-needed healthcare services reach everyone. There are many plans and programs initiated by the state government, but people need to be made aware of them and be helped to utilize the programs,” she said. She lauded “the great work by AAPI members for promoting health globally, particularly in India and the United States.”

    Shri. MVV Satyavathi, Member of Parliament, representing Anakapalli in Andhra Pradesh was the Guest of Honor at the Women’s Forum. In her address, she congratulated AAPI, whose members having been born and educated in India, settled down in the US with success, have come back to India to serve the people of India, and  work together for the betterment of humanity.

    While congratulating the members of AAPI’s Women’s Forum and lauding them for some of the major initiatives of the Women’s Forum, Dr. Ravi Kolli, President of AAPI said, “In collaboration with national AAPI, the Forum has successfully organized events like HPV vaccination drive, fundraiser for suicide prevention awareness, scholarship for medical students, and many others.” In the next 2 years, the Forum aims to conduct CPR and AED training and install more AEDs in areas such as the railway stations, bus stations, malls, schools,  and colleges. We plan to organize certified training workshops on Neonatal resuscitation, basic life support and emergency medicine for emergency responders and healthcare professionals.

    Dr. Udaya Shivangi, Chair of AAPI’s Women’s Committee, in her opening remarks provided an overview of the Forum and the many initiatives by the Forum both in India and the United States.  “It is my privilege and great honor to serve as the Chair of AAPI‘s Women Leadership Forum. We are fortunate to have with us.  leaders and decision makers who have made a significant impact on the society and share a common vision of a healthier and stronger India,” she said.

    “Each year, the Women’s Forum has played a significant role in organizing events, fundraisers and service projects that represent the core values of AAPI and our collective mission of giving back to our motherland. These events serve as a platform to expand our resources,  share technological advancements and establish new partnerships, Dr. Shivangi added.

    Panelists at the Women’s Forum included: Dr. Suneela Garg, Dir. Professor & Head of Community Medicine at Maulana Azad Medical College; Dr. Anuradha Medoju, Senior Regional Director at Telangana & Andhra Pradesh Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India; Dr. S. Radha Rani, Former Professor and Superintendent, Hospital of Mental Health; and Ms. Meghna Chalasani, Team Lead, Advisory Committees, Program Lead, Science Office Strategies for New Drugs at Center for Drug Education and Research, US Food & Drug Administration.

    Dr. Anuradha Medoju, Senior Regional Director at Telangana & Andhra Pradesh Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India spoke about how she is able to work as a mother and government servant. “Working with balance is challenging. We should have boundaries for everything while needing to balance our personal life, our family life and our passion,” she said.

    Dr. Suneela Garg, Dir. Professor & Head of Community Medicine at Maulana Azad Medical College pointed out that women are 55% of the total population of India. “We have made progress in so many areas of health indicators and infant mortality. I urge AAPI to come forward to work with local organizations and help spread wellness initiatives among the people.”

    Dr. S. Radha Rani, Former Professor and Superintendent, Hospital of Mental Health spoke about why mental health is important and how to improve one’s overall health. “Woman is an important member of the family and the society. Her mental health is vital, as it affects everyone in the family and therefore caring for her mental health is important. Major life events impact women, who in turn affect all other members of the family.”

    The Women’s Forum is chaired by Dr. Udaya Shivangi and Dr. T. Radha, while Dr. Uma Jonnalagadda is the Advisor and Dr. B. Devi Madhavi is serving as the Co-Chair. Dr. Jonnalagadda, while proposing the vote of thanks, said, “I thank you for being with us today and advocating for women’s rights.” For more details, please visit: www.aapiusa.org

    (Press release issued by Ajay Ghosh)

     

  • US NGO based in Pakistan associated with terror organizations, alleges Congressman

    US NGO based in Pakistan associated with terror organizations, alleges Congressman

    Congressman Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, seeks a suspension of the funding to the NGO pending a full and thorough review of these allegations

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): A US NGO based in Pakistan and receiving humanitarian aid from the US Agency for International Development is associated with designated terrorist organizations, an American lawmaker has alleged. In a letter to USAID Administrator Samantha Power on January 24, Congressman Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sought a suspension of the funding to the NGO pending a full and thorough review of these allegations.

    “This award must immediately be suspended pending a full and thorough review of these accusations,” McCaul said. The Congressman, in the letter, expressed concern that USAID received information from his office more than eight months ago regarding credible allegations that one of its grantees is associated with designated terrorist organizations.

    In October 2021, USAID awarded USD 110,000 to Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) through the Ocean Freight Reimbursement Program. This award was made despite longstanding, detailed allegations that HHRD is connected to designated terrorist organizations, terror financiers and extremist groups, he said.

    In November 2019, three Members of Congress requested that the State Department review these alleged ties to terrorism in a public letter, he wrote.

    “Please immediately personally review this grant to HHRD. I strongly urge you to pause this grant while you complete a thorough review of the allegations, to include coordination with the intelligence community, federal law enforcement, the State Department Counterterrorism Bureau, and the Department of Homeland Security,” McCaul said.

    The HHRD, a top 4-star rated USA NGO, is also registered in Pakistan with the Ministry of Interior. It is present in all four provinces – Balochistan, Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – of Pakistan, in addition to Pakistan occupied Kashmir. According to the allegations and media reports, some sponsors of HHRD events in Pakistan include Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), the charitable wing of Lashkar-e-Taiba, the terrorist outfit responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The US in 2016 had designated FIF as a terrorist organization.

    (Source: PTI)

  • Doval meets Blinken, exchanges views on wide range of global and regional issues

    Doval meets Blinken, exchanges views on wide range of global and regional issues

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during which they exchanged views on a wide range of global and regional issues and discussed deepening the bilateral strategic partnership. Blinken, who has just arrived from a trip to the Middle East, including Israel and Egypt, met Doval on Wednesday, February 1. The United States is expanding cooperation with India to address global challenges, Blinken said in a tweet after the meeting.

    “I had a good meeting with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval today to discuss deepening our strategic partnership, Blinken tweeted.

    Both sides exchanged views on a wide range of global and regional issues of mutual interest and how to further strengthen the #India- US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, the Indian Embassy here said in a tweet.

    Doval is leading a high-powered delegation to the US.

    He also met his American counterpart Jake Sullivan on Tuesday.

    During their meeting, India and the United States elevated their strategic partnership with the launch of the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology or iCET.

    The discussions held during the visit of Doval form the basis for intensifying India-US cooperation in cutting-edge sectors and are truly reflective of the maturity of a comprehensive and global strategic partnership, the Indian embassy said in a statement on Tuesday.

    Doval and Sullivan co-chaired the inaugural iCET meeting at the White House on Tuesday, translating into action the announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden during their meeting in Tokyo in May 2022.

    iCET aims to position the two countries as trusted technology partners by building technology value chains and supporting the co-development and co-production of items. It also aims to address regulatory restrictions, export controls and mobility barriers through a standing mechanism, the embassy said.

    During the meeting, the US side also assured support to ease export barriers to India in a few critical areas, including through efforts towards legislative changes. Emphasis was placed on strengthening linkages between the startup ecosystems and building innovation bridges in key sectors between the two countries, through expos, hackathons and pitching sessions, according to the statement.

  • Four Indian American lawmakers appointed members of key US House panels

    Four Indian American lawmakers appointed members of key US House panels

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Four prominent Indian American lawmakers — Pramila Jayapal, Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Ro Khanna — have been appointed members of three key House panels, reflecting the growing influence of the community in US politics.

    Congresswoman Jayapal has been named Ranking Member of the powerful House Judiciary Committee’s panel on Immigration, making her the first immigrant to serve in a leadership role for the subcommittee.

    Jayapal, 57, representing the 7th Congressional District of Washington State succeeds Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren to serve on the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, a media release said.

    “As the first South Asian woman elected to the US House of Representatives and one of only two dozen naturalized citizens in Congress, I am honored and humbled to serve as the Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement,” said Jayapal.

    “I came to this country when I was 16, alone, and with nothing in my pockets. After 17 years on an alphabet soup of visas to become a US citizen, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to live the American Dream, a dream that is out of reach for too many immigrants today,” she said.

    “It is extremely meaningful to me that I will now be in this position to better move the needle and re-center our broken immigration system around dignity, humanity, and justice. As I step into this role, I would also like to thank Representative Lofgren for her years of dedicated leadership on the Subcommittee, and look forward to continuing to work with her,” Jayapal said.

    Bera, 57, has been appointed as a member of a powerful US House committee handling intelligence-related matters.

    The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is charged with providing oversight of the country’s intelligence activities, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), National Security Agency (NSA), as well as military intelligence programs.

    “I am honored to be appointed by Leader (Hakeem) Jeffries to serve on the House Intelligence Committee, which plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and national security of the United States,” Bera said.

    A six-time Congressman, Bera represents the sixth Congressional District of California.

    “At a time of increased threats, both at home and abroad, I take seriously this new role and the responsibility entrusted to me to protect and defend American families,” he said.

    “With my decade of experience working on critical national security issues, I look forward to working with Committee members from both sides of the aisle to ensure our intelligence agencies are operating effectively to keep our nation safe,” Bera said.

    Bera also serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.

    During the 117th Congress, Bera served as Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation, where he spearheaded Congressional efforts to strengthen ties with Indo-Pacific allies and partners to advance the US economic and security interests.

    Krishnamoorthi has been made Ranking Member of a newly created House committee on China that will investigate various aspects of Chinese behavior, its threat being posed to the US and the world.

    US House of Representatives Minority Leader Jeffries on Wednesday announced the appointment of Krishnamoorthi as Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Another Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna has also been made a member of this new committee, formed in the 118th Congress by Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy for the specific purpose of investigating and developing policy to address the United States’ economic, technological and security competition with the Chinese Communist Party.

    Krishnamoorthi, 49, is the four-term Congressman representing the eight Congressional districts of Illinois, while Khanna, 46, is the four-term lawmaker representing the 17th Congressional district of California.

    “I am grateful to Leader Jeffries for appointing me to serve as Ranking Member on the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party,” said Krishnamoorthi.

    “The Chinese Communist Party poses serious economic and security threats to the United States and to democracy and prosperity across the globe, illustrated by its threats against Taiwan’s democracy, its weaponization of TikTok, and its theft of hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of American intellectual property,” he said.

    “I look forward to working with my colleagues in both parties on this committee to counteract the CCP’s escalating aggression and ensure that our nation is prepared to overcome the economic and security challenges that the CCP presents to our country,” Krishnamoorthi said.

    He said it was important to protect the interests of the American people.

    “That said, at a time when anti-Asian hate and violence are on the rise, it’s essential that this committee focuses its vital work on protecting all Americans from the threat posed by the CCP, while avoiding dangerous rhetoric that fuels the types of xenophobia that have endangered members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community,” Krishnamoorthi said.

    Krishnamoorthi is also a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He is also the lead Democrat on Averting the National Threat of Internet Surveillance, Oppressive Censorship and Influence, and Algorithmic Learning by the Chinese Communist Party Act (ANTI-SOCIAL CCP Act), which protects Americans by blocking and prohibiting all transactions from any social media company in, or under the influence of, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and several other foreign adversaries.

    In the 117th Congress, he led bipartisan legislation that was signed into law, called the Gathering and Reporting Assessments Yielding Zero Overlooked Nefarious Efforts (GRAY ZONE) Act, which requires the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to produce a National Intelligence Estimate on different aspects of grey zone activities — actions that fall between ordinary statecraft and open warfare — that the PRC employs.

    Krishnamoorthi was also the lead Democrats on the bipartisan Transparency for Malign Chinese Investments in Global Port Infrastructure Act, which requires the DNI to study and report to Congress information related to Chinese global investments in port infrastructure.

  • Indian diaspora in US holds protest in California against BBC documentary on PM Modi

    Indian diaspora in US holds protest in California against BBC documentary on PM Modi

    FREMONT (TIP): The Indian diaspora in Fremont, CA,  on Saturday. January 28  held a protest against the BBC documentary series “India: The Modi Question”.

    About 50 members, under the banner of “Indian Diaspora”, chanted slogans and marched through the streets of Fremont in San Francisco area of United States stating that they “reject BBC’s sinister and biased documentary.” While marching in Fremont, people were shouting slogans like “Biased BBC” and “racist BBC.”

    While protesting at Fremont, people carried banners which said, “BBC IS A BOGUS Broadcasting Corporation” and “Indian Diaspora rejects BBC’s Sinister and Biased Documentary against Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” “BBC Documentary spreading fake propaganda,” “BBC is a fake news peddler.”

    UK’s national broadcaster BBC aired a two-part series attacking PM Narendra Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister during the Gujarat riots of 2002. Prominent Indian-origin UK citizens condemned the series. Prominent UK Citizen Lord Rami Ranger said the “BBC caused a great deal of hurt to over a billion Indians.”

    On January 19, India denounced the controversial BBC documentary series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and described it as a “propaganda piece” that is designed to push a discredited narrative.

    Addressing a weekly media briefing External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi said this documentary show, based on some internal UK report, shows the colonial mindset. The documentary sparked outrage and was removed from select platforms.

    “We think this is a propaganda piece designed to push a particular discredited narrative. The bias and the lack of objectivity and frankly continuing colonial mindset are blatantly visible,” Bagchi said in response to the question on the PM documentary series. The MEA spokesperson said the documentary is a reflection of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and individuals that are peddling this narrative again. He even raised questions on “the purpose of the exercise and the agenda behind it.” “The documentary is a reflection of the agency and individuals that are peddling this narrative again. It makes us wonder about the purpose of the exercise and the agenda behind it; frankly, we do wish to dignify these efforts,” he added.

  • Remembering Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary

    Martyrs’ Day is observed on January 30 to commemorate the death of Mahatma Gandhi, who was assassinated on the same day in 1948

    Born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, he is widely regarded as ‘Bapu’, or ‘Father of the nation’ in India. Gandhi, regarded as one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century, bravely led his country to freedom — but was killed by the bullets of violent extremists. Indians commemorate the day by remembering his ultimate sacrifice to the nation and preaching his values of non-violence, unity, and morality.

    Martyrs’ Day is observed on the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who successfully led his country to freedom from the British Empire. Born in the small town of Gujarat, Gandhi studied to become a barrister and lived a pretty austere life, until he made his first trip to South Africa, and everything changed.

    Life in South Africa exposed him to the deep class divisions of society and the evils of inequality. Gandhi’s life experiences shaped his worldviews. The discrimination he suffered in South Africa inspired him to fight for equality, the pain of losing his first child at the age of 16 made him a furious opponent of child marriage, and so on.

    During India’s struggle for freedom, Gandhi advocated for peaceful demonstrations and inspired everyone to lead by example. He negotiated many peace treaties with the Britishers, before giving them the final ultimatum of departure. As the Indian constitution came into ratification, Gandhi took on the impossible task of building a country out of many provinces and territories.

    Gandhi was vehemently opposed to the idea of partition of India. Even after the declaration of independence, he held regular demonstrations to establish his resistance. Gandhi’s objection to the partition was met harshly with Hindu nationalists, who accused him of appeasing the Muslims. On the eve of January 30, Nathuram Vinayak Godse, a notorious Hindu nationalist, shot Gandhi three times at point-blank.

    Gandhi’s lifelong quest for non-violence ended with a bullet in his chest. On Martyrs’ Day, Indians from all around the world come together to celebrate the legacy of a great hero and acknowledge the futile destruction caused by violent extremism.

    Monhandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in the small town of Porbandar, on the west coast of India, on October 2 1869. He belonged by birth to the Vaishya, or trading caste. His father died when he was 15 years old, and apart from that time, his mother became the greatest influence in his life. Her spiritual teacher was a Jain devotee. Among the Jains in India the central doctrine is the “sanctity of all life,” or Ahimsa, which is often translated as “non-violence.” This teaching remained paramount with Gandhi.

    In South Africa

    When 19, he came to London, qualified as a barrister (being “called” at the Inner Temple), and, returning to Bombay in 1892, set up a practice.

    In 1896 he went to the Transvaal to help a client in a legal suit. That visit changed the whole course of his life. Seeing the social and political disabilities of his fellow-countrymen in South Africa, he decided to stay and help them and soon he had become their political leader and adviser. Meanwhile a religious conflict was taking place in within him. He read Tolstoy and corresponded with him: the result was an experiment in the simple communal life conducted by a small band of enthusiasts whom he had gathered together. He became an ascetic of the most rigorous type, setting great store by fasting and every form of self-denial. To the end of his life he remained a devout Hindu, but declared if ever “untouchability” were made part of Hinduism he would cease to be a Hindu. Perhaps the greatest religious effort of his life was to break down “untouchability.”

    He went on steadily preparing his followers in South Africa for the struggle which was to end the indignities under which they suffered. Three times he went to prison. Little by little, the Indians gained the respect of the Europeans in South Africa by the faith with which they obeyed their leader in his campaigns of passive resistance. The summer of 1914 brought victory for the cause, and in July of that year the Gandhi-Smuts Settlement was signed.

    When the war of 1914-18 broke out he came to Britain to organise an Indian ambulance corps (he had done ambulance work in both the Zulu campaign and the Boer War), but was taken so seriously ill the doctors sent him back to India. He founded a religious retreat on Tolstoyan lines near Ahmedabad, the Viceroy conferred on him the Kalsar-Hind Gold Medal for distinguished humanitarian work in South Africa, and, by general consent, he began to be called by the name Mahatma, which means literally “Great Soul.”

    Non-Co-operation

    A series of events quickly following each other at the end of the war brought him back into political leadership. The first was the passing of the Rowlatt Act, the second the tragedy of the Punjab and Amritsar, the third was what was regarded in India as the betrayal of the Indian Moslems by the Treaty of Sevres. He launched a non-co-operation movement in September,1920, but the non-violence which he demanded from his followers was broken. Congress revolted against his authority and the government selected the moment for eliminating him from the political scene. He was arrested, brought to trial for promoting disaffection, and sentenced to six years imprisonment.

    On his return to politics he found himself a stranger in the existing atmosphere of disillusioned realism. He yielded the leadership to C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru, and retired to hand-spinning and the editing of his weekly paper. He showed no desire to resume his old position as dictator, and for that reason his moral supremacy was recognised even by his political rivals. So when at the time of the Simon Commission the old Congress leaders found that the young men were heading for revolution they decided that the only remedy was to call him back.The last phase

    The last phase

    His internment ended in April, 1945. He was then 76 and though his hold over the country was unshaken, he allowed the leadership in policies to pass increasingly into the hands of Mr. Patel and Nehru. After the election of the Labour Government, Great Britain made absolutely clear that it would lay down its power in India, and the principal question was whether it should transfer power to a unitary India or to two separate Governments of Hindu and Moslem India. Mr. Gandhi was known to believe that the division of India would be a calamity. At one time in the negotiations between Congress and the British he seemed to acquiesce in division, as the price of freedom, but later he reverted to unqualified opposition. Opinion in the Congress Working Committee was, however, for division as the only solution, and Mr. Gandhi therefore stood aside and left the decision to the younger men, believing that they were taking a disastrous course, but believing too that the leadership must now be in their hands.

    His last few months he spent in continuous and not unsuccessful attempts to restore peace in one area after another as communal hostility flared up into massacre and calamity after the withdrawal of the British power. With a number of disciples he made a progress through the disturbed parts of Bengal, awing the excited masses into peace by the prestige of his name and his asceticism. His reply to a renewal of violence in Calcutta in September was a complete fast from everything but water. After three days peace was restored and his fast was broken. Again early this month he met communal disturbances in Delhi with another fast – of five days – which had great moral effect and led to solemn assurances of consideration for the Moslem minority. Less than a fortnight later he was to meet his death while engaged in religious observances.

    Thus at the end of his career he appeared more than ever before in his life a being strayed out of the Middle Ages. And these last few months of his life, a kind of coda, may have touched the Indian imagination more creatively than any previous actions and have larger consequences.

  • Strongly oppose unilateral bids to advance territorial claims at LAC: US

    The United States (US) has said it opposes any “unilateral attempts” and incursions across the Line of Actual Control (LAC), days after Chinese President Xi Jinping met People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers stationed at the India-China border to “inspect combat readiness”. In response to a question by HT at a regular State Department press briefing on Friday on Xi’s comments to PLA troops, the Department’s principal deputy press spokesperson Vedant Patel said that the US is closely monitoring the situation.

    “We strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions, military or civilian, across the border or the established Line of Actual Control,” said Patel.

    The US encourages India and China to utilise “existing bilateral channels to discuss disputed boundaries”, Patel added.

    Ahead of the first high level dialogue of the initiative on critical and emerging technology between the national security adviser Ajit Doval and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan in Washington DC next week, the State Department also highlighted the importance of the tech cooperation with India. Technology-sharing has been a contentious issue in the past in the relationship.       Source: HT

  • India is the fastest growing economy: Ambassador Jaiswal

    India is the fastest growing economy: Ambassador Jaiswal

    The Indian Panorama Editor Indrajit Saluja interviewed Ambassador Randhir Kumar Jaiswal, Consul General of India at New York. This is the fifth and concluding  part of the interview.

    Consul General of India at New York Mr. Randhir Kumar Jaiswal, a few days after joining the present position on 19th July 2020  in an interview with The Indian Panorama, had spelt out  in brief  his  priorities which included nourishing and  strengthening the already strong bonds between India and the US, and exploring  new areas of cooperation and relationship in diverse fields of  economy, trade, technology, and   culture etc. Ambassador Jaiswal added  that serving the Indian Diaspora remained the primary focused concern of  the Consulate. The strengthening of multi-stake holders relationship will be another priority, he said.

    The Indian Panorama interviewed him a couple of times, and each time, Mr. Jaiswal was forthcoming on all issues raised ,and questions asked.

    Three days to the end of the year 2022, Mr. Jaiswal agreed to sit with the editor of The Indian Panorama to share for the readers of the publication his thoughts. It was a long interview in which Ambassador Jaiswal touched upon all the aforementioned areas.

    In the first of the interview published two weeks ago, Ambassador Jaiswal focused on the vibrant Indian American community and its contribution. In the second part of the interview, we brought  to readers Ambassador’s perspective on Indian students as a powerhouse of knowledge, catalysts of  national integration, and promoters  of Indian arts, culture and values.

    In the third part of the interview, Ambassador Jaiswal spoke  about promoting economic relations between the two nations as one of the important functions of the Consulate, besides reiterating what he had said in the first part of the interview that the Consulate is “committed to public service”.

    In the  fourth part of the interview, Ambassador Jaiswal outlined the big events planned in the year 2023.

    In this fifth and concluding part of the interview, Ambassador Jaiswal speaks of the growth of India at a fast pace which will enable the nation to become the third largest economy in the world.

    Here are some excerpts from the interview.

    “I’m sure with the kind of support we have from our friends here, partners here, we  will continue on  that path and soon will become the third largest economy in the world overtaking Germany  and Japan. So that will be a huge change, huge impact. It will have a huge impact globally. And finally,  to all your readers: stay healthy, stay together. stay united. Let’s think as one,  for therein lies our welfare, our wellbeing. The  motto of India’s G 20  presidency is  ”One World, One Family, One Future”.  Let’s live  it together.”- Ambassador Jaiswal

    TIP: Do you think you would be doing something special on the coming August 15th?

    Ambassador:15th August will be special one way or the otherbecause it will be  culmination of the 75th year of Independence.

    TIP: What else is on the calendar?

    Ambassador:  We have Holi coming up in early March. It’s a popular festival of colors. Don’t miss out on 21st June International Yoga Day. Each time we do a huge celebration at Times Square. And we also use that occasion to promote a more sustainable and  healthy way of living. We promote a lot of Indian products. We have a  one district one product project, and a  lot of superfoods,  a lot of wellness products are available  on the side of the yoga sessions that we hold. We will try to do International Yoga Day in style this time.  Apart from Times Square, we’ll also look for some other innovative ways of celebrating International Yoga Day. We want to reach out and do International Yoga Day in universities so that we can bring the youth closer to yoga. Yoga is something which is helpful to everybody.  We are It helps you to look inside. All your senses are directed outwards. Yoga helps to you to look inwards, and that is a harmony that brings greater happiness and bliss in life.

    Yoga at Times Square, June 21, 2022. Indian Consulate senior staff leads. Front row, from L to R: Consul (Pol & PIC) Vipul Dev, Mrs. Dev, Mrs. and Ambassador Jaiswal, Deputy Consul General Varun Jeph, Head of Chancery Suman Singh, Mrs. Jeph. (TIP Photo)Suman Singh, Mrs. Jeph.

    TIP: I was in Guatemala. It was a pleasant surprise to find Yoga being taught and practiced. India’s ambassador Manoj Mohapatra had me witness one of the Yoga sessions. Later on, I am told a Yoga camp with 5000 was held successfully. This speaks for acceptance and popularity of Yoga in many parts of the world.

    Ambassador:So, you know, today yoga has a true global embrace. Everybody understands the benefits of Yoga. It’s an attraction for people and it has helped them. And, for that reason, we have, regular classes on yoga, because we want  to connect with the yoga community here. Look  at the number of Yoga Studios. You  go to any gym in New York,  or any part of the United States , or any  part of the world, there  will be a session on yoga on a daily basis.

    TIP: I wish you all the best,  sir, I wish India all the best  in the coming years and we have seen how the graph of India has been rising across the world in terms of politics, in terms of diplomacy, in terms of economy, in terms of invention, in almost every field, and hopefully we will have better news in 2023 from you again, and with that only one last thing as we always do. We would like you to give a message to readers of the Indian Panorama.

    Ambassador: Before  I give the message I would like to highlight four data points. One, India is the fastest growing major economy in the world. We should be signing off the year at  6 to 7% .  . Vaccination of  2.2 billion.  14 million bank accounts.  60 million get cleantap water connections, and  so on so forth. Second data point.  40% of digital payments globally is happening in India. That itself will tell you the kind of vibrancy that is there. Third  data point. We have seen a huge expansion as far as connectivity is concerned both on the physical and digital  sides- Roads, expressways. But just to give you an example, in 2014 or thereabout we had 70 airports. Today we have doubled that capacity. We  are looking at around 440  airports in India’s  huge expansion. Fourth data point. Recently, India has become the fifth largest economy in the world, overtaking UK . I’m sure with the kind of support we have from our friends here, partners here, we  will continue on  that path and soon will become the third largest economy in the world overtaking Germany  and Japan. So that will be a huge change, huge impact. It will have a huge impact globally.

    And finally,  to all your readers: stay healthy, stay together. stay united. Let’s think as one,  for therein lies our welfare, our wellbeing. The  motto of India’s G20 presidency is  ”One World, One Family, One Future”.  Let’s live  it together.

    CONCLUDED…

  • The South Asian Times celebrated felicitation of Anil Bansal as Person of the Year 2022 at the Indian Consulate

    The South Asian Times celebrated felicitation of Anil Bansal as Person of the Year 2022 at the Indian Consulate

    NEW YORK (TIP): Anil Bansal, Past President of FIA, a successful serial entrepreneur, ambassador and promoter of Indian arts and culture, and a great humanitarian, was felicitated as The South Asian Times Person of the Year (POY) 2022 at the Consulate of India here on January 21. The event was oversubscribed with the presence of who is who of the Indian diaspora of the New York metro area.

    At the graceful event, immediate past Person of the Year Mohan Wanchoo presented a shawl and Consul General Randhir Jaiswal presented the crystal plaque honoring Anil Bansal POY-2022 on behalf of  Forsythe Media Group. Joining in the presentation were Kamlesh C Mehta (Chairman, Forsythe Media), Ankur Vaidya (Chairman, FIA), Dr Nirmal Mattoo (Chairman, IAAC), Chintu Patel (CEO, Amneal Pharmaceuticals), and Haridas Kotahwala (Chairman, Navika group). Mrs. Nimmi Mehta presented a floral bouquet to Mrs. Kumud Bansal.

    As a surprise but memorable moment of the evening came when on request of FIA, Consul General Jaiswal presented to Bansal the Pravasi Bharatiya Medal conferred on FIA, which was honored by the Indian government for its commendable service in India and the US during Covid during Bansal’s presidency. Noticeably, Anil Bansal was president of FIA during the peak of COVID-19, and he was instrumental in sending over $50 Million worth of aid from FIA to India during the pandemic.

    Speaker after speaker praised the publication and Bansal’s accomplishments and services to the community and society. Kamlesh Mehta highlighted Bansal’s humility and selflessness, mentioning that it was hard to convince him to accept POY honor. Ankur Vaidya spoke on behalf of FIA (Federation of Indian Associations – NY-NY-CT-NE) and Rakesh Kaul and Dr Mattoo for IAAC (Indo-American Arts Council). POY Bansal  has supported both organizations for decades.

    Bansal’s extended family, friends and colleagues were present in full strength at the event. His son, Avin Bansal, CFO and investor, and daughter Neha Hannan, a lawyer, expressed their love and admiration for him. Nephew Dr Sharad Sahu, an internist, shared some family anecdotes involving Anil Bansal.

    Anil Bansal in his acceptance speech expressed gratitude for the honor and went on to share his life experiences. He concluded by sharing the life lesson of ‘giving back’: “I and Kumud felt that we have enough financial resources for the rest of our lives for what we want to do and how we want to live.”

    The newspaper featuring Anil Bansal as POY 2022 was also launched at the event by the Consul General. Copies of the issue were distributed to the attendees and coffee mugs gifted by alotusinthemug.com web magazine.

    Consul General Randhir Jaiswal presented PBD medal to Anil Bansal. The Indian government conferred PBD Samman award on FIA for 2020 when Bansal was its president.

    The South Asian Times could not formally felicitate Mohan Wanchoo, POY 2021 because of Covid, so he was honored with a shawl  by Kamlesh Mehta and crystal plaque by Haridas Kotahwala. Other past POYs who were honored and who spoke at the event included  Chintu Patel (2017), Haridas Kotahwala  (Navika – TSAT Organization of the Year 2018), and Ankur Vaidya (FIA was Organization of the Year 2015 during his presidency). Pam Kwatra, a renowned community leader, Shailesh ‘Sam’ Jain, Chairman of Cheapoair, and prominent community leaders Karamjit Singh Dhaliwal, Jasbir Jay Singh, Alok Kumar Dr. Avinash Gupta, Rajeev Kaul, Sunil Shah, Saurin Parikh, and Sujata Seth were among the attendees.

    The event was emceed by the famous Bollywood & Hollywood actor Prashantt Guptha.

    A sumptuous vegetarian dinner created by Michelin Star decorated chef Hemant Mathur was served.

    The proceedings of the event were supported by Eric Kumar, Totee Wadhwa, Nicky Jagda and Parveen Chopra. Chopra’s wellness and spirituality website, alotusinthemud.com was launched after the felicitation.

    Acknowledging felicitations from dignitaries, friends and family, Anil Bansal shared lessons from his own life with the audience.
    Kumud and Anil Bansal posing with son Avin and daughter Neha’s families.
  • India Celebrates 74th Republic Day in Guatemala

    India Celebrates 74th Republic Day in Guatemala

    GUATEMALA CITY (TIP): Embassy of India, Guatemala celebrated the  74th Republic Day with great fervor. Ambassador Manoj Kumar Mohapatra unfurled the tricolor on 26th January 2023.

    As a part of AzadiKaAmritMahotsav celebrations, Ambassador Manoj Kumar Mohapatra unfurled the tricolor in Xela, the second-largest city in Guatemala in the presence of Mr. Juan Fernando López, Mayor of Xela on 24th January 2023. Ambassador Mohapatra unfurled the tricolor in the eastern Guatemalan city, Chiquimula in the presence of Hon’ble Governor, Mr. Ferlandy Caceres, Mayor, Mr. Rolando Guerra, & other regional mayors on 25th January 2023. Indian Embassy in Guatemala celebrated ‘India Day’ in Synergy International School in Guatemala City, with unfurling of the Indian flag, a lecture on Indian history and Yoga Session with more than 200 students on 25th January 2023.

  • India’s Minister Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi discusses with Guatemala and El Salvador leaders avenues for mutual cooperation

    India’s Minister Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi discusses with Guatemala and El Salvador leaders avenues for mutual cooperation

    GUATEMALA CITY (TIP) : India’s Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi visited Guatemala from 15-17 January and El Salvador from 17-19 January 2023.

    During her visit to Guatemala, MOS met with the Acting President of Guatemala, H.E. Mr Guillermo Castillo Reyes; Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, H.E. Mr. Mario Bucaro; Minister of Culture of Guatemala, H.E. Mr. Felipe Aguilar; Minister of Health, H.E Dr. Francisco José Coma Martín; and Minister of Energy and Mines, H.E. Mr. Alberto Pimentel Mata.

    Hon´ble Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi greeting Hon´ble President of El Salvador, H.E Mr. Nayib Bukele.

    During the meeting with the Acting President, MOS discussed cooperation in the fields of Science and Technology, Women Empowerment and Capacity Building in the interiors of Guatemala. In the meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs, both sides reviewed the entire bilateral relations and decided to hold the next Foreign Office Consultations on a mutually convenient date in New Delhi. MOS handed over a symbolic key to the Foreign Minister for the donation of ten pickup trucks by the Government of India to the Government of Guatemala. To mark the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relationship, both Ministers inaugurated the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the premises of the Foreign Ministry.

    Hon´ble Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi greeting Hon´ble Minister of Energy and Mines of Guatemala, Mr. Alberto Pimentel and Vice ministers of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Ava Atzúm Arévalo and Ms. Shirley Aguilar.

    MOS and Culture Minister Mr. Aguilar discussed growing cultural relations and the visit to India by a Guatemalan cultural troupe- Paabank. Culture Minister thanked the Government of India for the donation of the pick-up trucks to the Ministry of Culture. MOS and Energy and Mines Minister discussed possible areas of cooperation especially related to solar energy, International Solar Alliance and technical cooperation in the areas of mining. During the meeting with Minister of Health, both sides discussed growing bilateral cooperation in healthcare especially related to holistic healthcare and Ayurveda and donation of essential medicines by India.

    On 15 January 2023, MOS inaugurated the warehouse of Indian companies in Technopark, Escuintla which will help in reducing the delivery times resulting in increase in Indian exports to Central America, in the presence of Vice Minister of Economy. MOS inaugurated the Indian Film Festival and participated in a Yoga Festival in Antigua. On 16 January, MOS participated in a Business dinner hosted by the Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial and Financial Associations (CACIF) in the presence of top Guatemalan business leaders. MOS delivered talks on ‘50 Years of India-Guatemala Relations’ at the University del Valle (UVG) in Guatemala City, on 16 January. MOS virtually inaugurated the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in the eastern Guatemalan City of Livingstone where around 80 families of Indian origin people reside, who traveled to Guatemala from Belize in the middle of nineteenth century. On 17 January, MOS visited the world heritage site of Tikal, Peten at the invitation of the Government of Guatemala and participated in a tree plantation drive. MoS also interacted with the members of the Indian Community in Guatemala during her visit.

    Hon´ble Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi greeted by Hon´ble Foreign Minister of El Salvador, Ms. Alejandra Hill and Vice Foreign Minister, Ms. Adriana Mira.

    During the visit to El Salvador, MOS called on H.E. Dr. Nayib Bukele, President of El Salvador; and met with H.E. Ms. Alexandra Hill Tinoco, Minister of Foreign Affairs; H.E. Ms. Mariemm Pleitez, Minister for Culture; and H.E. Mr. J. Miguel Kattan, Secretary of Commerce and Investment.

    During the meeting with President, MOS discussed ways to further enhance bilateral relations especially India’s development cooperation with El Salvador, growing bilateral economic relations and cooperation at the multilateral level including at the UN. MOS also invited El Salvador to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). During the meeting with Minister Hill, both the Ministers reviewed the entire bilateral relations and decided that the next Foreign Office Consultations would be held soon on a mutually convenient date in New Delhi. Minister Hill lauded India’s supply of COVID vaccine and essential medicines to the countries during the challenging times of the pandemic. Secretary Kattan and MOS discussed enhancing trade relations between two countries and opportunities for Indian companies for investment in El Salvador. In the meeting with Minister Pleitez, MOS discussed growing cultural relations. As India celebrates its 75 years of Independence, both the Ministers inaugurated Indian Film Festival in the University to mark Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

    Hon´ble Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi delivering a lecture on “75 Years of India´s Growth Story” at José Matías Delgado University in San Salvador.

    MOS delivered a talk on ‘75 years of India’s Growth Story’ at the Dr Jose Matias Delgado University in San Salvador. MOS participated in a Yoga Event and a tree plantation drive at the iconic Cuscatlán Park in the capital city. MOS also interacted with the members of the Indian Community and business leaders in El Salvador during her visit.

    The visit of the MOS to Guatemala and El Salvador shows the importance India attaches to the bilateral relations with both the countries. The visit is expected to provide further momentum to bilateral partnership and enhance mutual goodwill among the people.

  • 74th Republic Day of India celebrated at the Indian Consulate in New York

    74th Republic Day of India celebrated at the Indian Consulate in New York

    Ambassador Randhir Kumar Jaiswal welcomes the guests to the reception in celebration of the Republic Day of India.
    The distinguished gathering which included prominent members of the diaspora, elected officials, members of the diplomatic corps, friends from media and people from different walks of life.

    NEW YORK (TIP): The 74th Republic Day of India was celebrated at the  Consulate General of India, New York with a flag hoisting ceremony on Thursday, January 26th 2023.

    Consul General Randhir Jaiswal unfurled the national flag after which the national anthem was sung. Consul General then read out the address of the President of India. A short cultural program of patriotic songs was presented by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, USA. A large number of members of Indian diaspora and friends of India participated in the celebration. The event was webcast live through the Consulate’s social media platforms.

    The dignitaries who extended greetings on the occasion. Congresswoman Susan Wild, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick , NY State Senator Kevin Thomas, and NY Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar

    In the evening, the Consul General hosted a reception which was attended by prominent members of the diaspora, elected officials, members of the diplomatic corps, friends from the media and people from different walks of life. The leading lights of Indian diaspora graced the occasion, including Prof. S. R. Srinivasa Varadhan, the recipient of Padma Vibhushan this year – the second highest civilian award. State Senator Kevin Thomas, Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the UN Ambassador R. Ravindra, Consuls General of Japan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Nepal, Singapore, Thailand, Peru, Malaysia and Germany, besides diplomats from several other Consulates participated in the reception. More than 150 guests graced the occasion.

    Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Jaiswal said: “Speaking to the nation on the eve of Republic, the Honorable President of India said and I quote: “With hope and confidence, we began an experiment unique in the history of humankind. Such a vast and diverse multitude of people coming together as one nation remains unprecedented. We did so with the belief that we are after all, one, that we are all Indians. We have succeeded as a democratic republic, because so many creeds and so many languages have not divided us; they have united us, that is the essence of India.” The ambassador added: “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India continues to march on with speed and scale and more importantly, with humility and confidence. Our story today is both inspiring and assuring provided by transformative reforms, next generation infrastructure and empowering digital public goods. We are the fastest growing major economy. We recently became the fifth largest economy in the world and remain on course  to achieve our  targeted spot in the not so distant a future.”

    Grammy Award winning singer Falguni Shah enthralled with patriotic songs.

    The evening function began with singing of Indian and US national anthem by Master Ishaan Tangirala, a young talented singer of Indian origin from New Jersey. Consul General welcomed the guests and thanked everyone for their participation. He underlined the growing partnership between India and the US, the oldest and the largest democracies in the world and the key role of diaspora in strengthening these ties. Congratulatory video messages from Congresswoman Susan Wild and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick were played, followed by reading out of a citation from Congressman Michael Lawler. State Senator Kevin Thomas and Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar delivered remarks conveying their greetings on the 74th Republic Day of India. This was followed by a video on the Consulate’s activities. Later, Grammy Award winning singer Falguni Shah gave  an enthralling performance of patriotic songs. Guests were then invited for an Indian dinner where they were treated to a wide variety of  regional cuisines. A special attraction on the menu was cuisines of millets from different parts of India, in celebration of International Year of Millets – 2023.

    The event had a distinct flavor of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav – the celebration of 75 years of India’s independence. Enthusiastic participation from the diaspora ensured Jan Bhagidari – or people’s participation in the celebration of 74th Republic Day.

    The welcoming trio. From L to R: Shahana Bagban, Aastha Srivastava, Sandhya Parajuli.
    Celebrating “The Year of the Millets” . The hosts had delicious millets dishes served.           
  • UK PM Rishi Sunak defends PM Modi over BBC documentary on 2002 Gujarat riots

    UK PM Rishi Sunak defends PM Modi over BBC documentary on 2002 Gujarat riots

    London (TIP): Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has come out in defence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after a controversial BBC documentary claimed that the British government was aware about the Indian leader having an alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots.

    Sunak said he does not agree with the characterisation of Prime Minister Modi by Pakistani-origin Imran Hussain, an Opposition Labour Party MP, when he asked if the British Premier agreed with claims in the BBC programme that some UK Foreign Office diplomats believed that “Modi was directly responsible”.

    During Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) in the House of Commons on January 18, Hussain raised the claims made in the first part of ‘India: The Modi Question’ that UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) knew the “extent of Narendra Modi’s involvement”, then Gujarat Chief Minister, in the communal clashes that claimed hundreds of lives.

    “The UK government’s position on that is clear and long standing, and it has not changed,” Sunak responded.

    “Of course, we do not tolerate persecution anywhere, but I am not sure that I agree at all with the characterisation that the hon. gentleman has put forward,” the British Prime Minister said.

    The Indian government has, meanwhile, condemned the BBC Panorama programme, which has not been screened in India, as a “propaganda piece” with a questionable agenda behind it.

    “We think that this is a propaganda piece, designed to push a particular discredited narrative. The bias, lack of objectivity and continuing colonial mindset is blatantly visible,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters during a press briefing in New Delhi on Thursday when asked about the controversial series.

    The first part of the two-part ‘India: The Modi Question’ programme, which aired on BBC Two on Tuesday, was categorised by the UK taxpayer-funded broadcaster as “a look at the tensions between Indian PM Narendra Modi and India’s Muslim minority, investigating claims about his role in 2002 riots that left over a thousand dead”.

    The second part of the series, scheduled to be aired next Tuesday, is pegged as a “look at the troubled relationship between Indian PM Narendra Modi’s government and India’s Muslim minority following his re-election in 2019”.

    “We strongly condemn the BBC’s malicious documentary, ‘India: The Modi Question’, said Insight UK, among several diaspora groups who have taken to social media to condemn the documentary.

    “Riddled with antisemitism, anti-Hindu and anti-India biases, they have lost many viewers and yet continue spreading their hate without consequence or accountability,” it added. (PTI)

  • Qantas flight lands safely at Sydney airport after issuing distress signal

    Qantas flight lands safely at Sydney airport after issuing distress signal

    Sydney (TIP): A Qantas Airways flight from New Zealand landed safely at Sydney airport on January 18 after the airline said it had issued a distress signal due to an issue with one of its engines.

    The Boeing 737-800 jet from Auckland had an in-flight engine shutdown and issued a “mayday” call while flying over water an hour from its destination of Sydney, a Qantas spokesperson said in a statement. The mayday signal, which indicates grave and imminent danger, was downgraded to “Possible Assistance Needed” before landing, the spokesperson added.

    All 145 passengers disembarked normally when the plane landed in Sydney around 3.30pm local time (0430 GMT). “While in-flight engine shutdowns are rare, and would naturally be concerning for passengers, our pilots are trained to manage them safely and aircraft are designed to fly for an extended period on one engine,” the airline said. Passengers told local media they heard a loud bang mid-flight but had not realised there was a problem until the pilot made an announcement on landing. “I turned on my phone and my wife had called me 18 times, ‘Have you landed, have you landed?’” an unnamed passenger told reporters at the airport.

    Qantas said it would share more information once engineers had finished inspecting the aircraft. (Reuters)

  • Meteorites found in Antarctica, could hold answers to Earth’s formation

    Meteorites found in Antarctica, could hold answers to Earth’s formation

    Zurich (IP): In a rare discovery that could hold answers to the Earth’s formation, scientists have found meteorites from the depths of Antarctica Blue Ice, an area with strong winds where the glaciers get ablated, with one of them weighing 7.6 kg.

    An international team of scientists went on a reconnaissance mission to Antarctica with the objective of finding new areas of meteorite accumulation around the Belgian Princess Elisabeth Antarctica (PEA) Station, according to a statement.

    The exploration was from December 11, 2022 to January 11.

    “Meteorites are rocks fallen from space as a shooting star. Previously, three successful Belgian-Japanese missions to the Nansen Blue Ice Field near the Belgian station in Antartica collected more than 600 meteorites. Using satellite images and GPS coordinates, the team set out to discover the potential of several areas of interest by searching them for meteorites,” said professor Maria Schoenbaechler, department of earth sciences at ETH-Zurich in Switzerland, told PTI.

    The blue ice zone of Nils Larsen, about 60 km from the station, has been recognised as an accumulation zone worthy of revisiting, the statement said.

    “But above all, the team returns with a very nice surprise in its luggage: a 7.6 kg meteorite! Such big meteorites are very rare in Antarctica,” it said.

    “At the moment it looks like an ordinary chondrite. This type of meteorite comes from the asteroid belt and ended its travel in the Antarctic blue ice, waiting several tens of thousands of years in the ice before discovery. “It belongs to the oldest material that can be found on Earth and is similar to the building block of the Earth,” said Schoenbaechler.

    So, what does this mean for the Earth science research? “This means we can study planet Earth’s formation with this type of meteorite,” said Schoenbaechler. The meteorites were found on the blue ice or in the moraines. The scientists documented them without touching them and packed them directly into plastic bags or aluminium foil to avoid contamination, she said in an email.

    Differentiating between meteors and meteorites, Schoenbaechler said, “The rocks, which we found, are called meteorites. The shooting star is the trail which it generates while falling onto the Earth and is called a meteor.”

    When asked how the meteorites were identified as such, she said, “The meteorites were first identified by looking at them — our big meteorite has a very typical dark fusion crust, which is formed during the fall of the rock onto earth.

    “This generates a shooting star (meteor), in which the upmost surface of the rock is heated by aerodynamical friction and melted. We also used a handheld tool to test the magnetic properties of the rock.” (PTI)

  • China’s 1st population dip in 6 decades

    Beijing (TIP): China’s demographic crisis deepened in 2022 as its population declined for the first time since 1961 due to a plunging birth rate, the country’s statistics office said on January 17, amid a forecast that India is poised to overtake the Communist giant as the world’s most populous country. According to a recent report by the World Population Prospects 2022 by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, India is projected to surpass China as the world’s most populous country in 2023. According to the report, India is projected to have a population of 1.668 billion in 2050, more than China’s 1.317 billion by the middle of this century.

    “China and India are countries with a big population and the two countries should take advantage of their population dividend to develop each other’s respective national development and make greater contributions to the international community,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said.

    According to the NBS, China registered about 9.56 million new-borns last year, down from 10.62 million in 2021. China’s birth rate stood at 6.77 births per 1,000 people in 2022, down from 7.52 in 2021, it said.

    The death rate nationwide stood at 7.37 per 1,000 people last year, putting the natural growth rate at negative 0.6 per 1,000 people. The last time China reported a population decline was in 1961.

    China’s concern is not simply a declining population, which was accentuated by the decades-old ‘one child policy’, scrapped in 2016, but also a rapidly ageing population. As per the revised policy, Chinese people can now have up to three children. China conducts a nationwide population census every decade, with the latest being done in 2020. China’s total population size peaked in 2022. (PTI)

  • UK PM Rishi Sunak apologises for removing car seat belt

    London (TIP): British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has apologised for a “brief error of judgment” in removing his seat belt to film a social media video while driving to a destination in north-west England.

    Sunak’s Downing Street spokesperson on January 19 said he had only briefly removed his seat belt and admits he made a mistake.

    In the UK, passengers caught failing to wear a seatbelt while in a car, unless covered by a valid medical exemption, can be given an on-the-spot fine of 100 pounds, increasing to 500 pounds if the case goes to court. (PTI)

  • Ex-Prez Medvedev warns of N-war if Russia loses

    Moscow (TIP): Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, an ally of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, warned NATO on January 19 that the defeat of Russia in Ukraine could trigger a nuclear war.

    Striking a similar tone at what he described as an anxious time for the country, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church said trying to destroy Russia would mean the end of the world.

    Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Medvedev has repeatedly raised the threat of a nuclear apocalypse, but his admission now of the possibility of Russia’s defeat indicates the level of Moscow’s concern over increased Western weapons deliveries to Ukraine.

    “The defeat of a nuclear power in a conventional war may trigger a nuclear war,” Medvedev, who serves as deputy chairman of Putin’s powerful security council, said in a post on Telegram.

    Medvedev said NATO and other defence leaders, due to meet at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Friday to talk about strategy and support for the West’s attempt to defeat Russia in Ukraine, should think about the risks of their policy.

    Meanwhile, European Union chairman Charles Michel met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv on Thursday to discuss EU support for Ukraine as it fights a Russian invasion, as well as reforms needed for Ukraine to join the EU after the conflict ends.

    Britain plans to send 600 Brimstone missiles to Ukraine to support the country in its fight against Russia, defence secretary Ben Wallace said on Thursday.

    Putin casts Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine as an existential battle with an aggressive and arrogant West, and has said that Russia would use all available means to protect itself and its people from the prevailing western threat. — Reuters

  • White House insists debt ceiling be dealt with without conditions

    White House insists debt ceiling be dealt with without conditions

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The White House on Tuesday, January 17,  insisted that the looming debt ceiling crisis be dealt with without conditions and there is no room for negotiations on this.

    “This should not be political brinkmanship. We should be dealing with the debt ceiling without conditions. It is important. We’re not going to work our way around this; we’re not going to negotiate on this. This is the basic duty of Congress,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference.

    In the last administration, the Democrats and Republicans were able to deal with the debt limit three times. “Let’s not forget that,” she said. Last week, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in a letter to Congress raised the red flag on an imminent debt crisis. Given the sharp differences between the ruling Democrats and the opposition Republicans, who enjoy a majority in the House of Representatives, not handling the issue on time might result in the United States defaulting on its debt commitment, which has never happened in the past.

    Republicans have so far insisted on not raising the debt limit which currently is USD 31.381 trillion as approved by Congress last month. This debt limit is the total amount of money that the US government is authorized to borrow to meet its existing legal obligations and is scheduled to reach its statutory limit on January 19. The United States is the only industrialized nation to have such an arbitrary institution as a debt ceiling, but the players who keep ending up in the same standoff aren’t exactly looking to kill it, Time magazine said Tuesday.

    The New York Times warned that a default would most likely rattle markets and carry big risks, no matter how the Federal Reserve and Treasury try to curb the fallout. In her letter to the Congressional leadership, Yellen asserted that it is “critical that Congress act in a timely manner to increase or suspend the debt limit”. Failure to meet the government’s obligations would cause irreparable harm to the US economy, the livelihoods of all Americans, and global financial stability, she warned.

    Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who is a Democrat, has called for an increase in the debt limit. “If we don’t raise the debt ceiling, we’ll go into default, and only one default is enough to nuke the economy,” he said.

    Opposing an increase in the debt limit, Republican Congressman Ralph Norman, said that USD31.4 trillion, is a massive amount of debt. “The government owes this money because politicians in Washington simply will not stop spending. This has been the case for decades, and Republicans are just as much to blame as Democrats,” he said.

    “We’ll have to see how negotiations play out, but the bottom line is this: Republicans need to see some degree of incremental spending cuts in these debt ceiling negotiations. An agreement without some reasonable cuts is unacceptable,” Norman said.

    “Our national debt is approaching a level not just harmful to economic growth and irresponsible to future generations, but dangerous to our national security today. We are entering treacherous waters and must couple any debt ceiling increases with real reforms,” said Congresswoman Victoria Spartz.

    “Huge amounts of politically directed spending and crony capitalism have created a significant oligopoly problem in nearly every market sector – not much different from oligarchs ruling in post-socialist countries,” she said.

    Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries in a joint statement said that the Congress must act on legislation to prevent a disastrous default, meet America’s your obligations and protect its full faith and credit.

    “A default forced by extreme MAGA Republicans could plunge the country into a deep recession and lead to even higher costs for America’s working families on everything from mortgages and car loans to credit card interest rates,” they said.

    “America pays its debts. Period. There should be no political brinkmanship with the debt limit. It’s reckless for Speaker McCarthy and MAGA Republicans to try and use the full faith and credit of the United States as a political bargaining chip. A default would be catastrophic for America’s working families and lead to higher costs,” Schumer said in another statement.

    (Source: PTI)

  • The U.S. Is About to Start Producing Its Own Chips

    The U.S. Is About to Start Producing Its Own Chips

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): This is what an arms race of the 21st century looks like.It’s not about trying to outrun geopolitical rivals like the Soviet Union.It’s about technology… and specifically, semiconductors. Or “chips.” Right now, things aren’t looking good for the United States in terms of semiconductor capacity.Industry giants like Ford and General Motors are feeling the pain. Due to chip supply shortages, they shipped cars without much-needed accessories, like touchscreens or heated seats.

    You see, the U.S. relies on manufacturing facilities located in other places — mainly Taiwan — for its chip supply.It’s not ideal to have a key tech supplier located just 110 miles away from the country’s main geopolitical challenger, China.Especially when said the challenger had no problem flying dozens of warplanes over chip production facilities in Taiwan as part of a military drill.

    The U.S. and China aren’t at war- for now. But the risk of an escalating conflict has pushed the United States to start “onshoring” some of the key industries that it relies on Taiwan for, such as semiconductors.

    The good news is this decision will kickstart a multi-billion-dollar investment trend… So, in a moment, I’ll explain who the biggest winners will be… and how you can learn about the companies benefitting in 2023.

    Chips are critical in a modern economy. Almost any appliance you use has multiple chips in it. On average, a modern car has about 1,500 chips alone. But the COVID pandemic kickstarted a chip shortage due to rising demand and disrupted supply chains failing to keep up with a spike in consumer spending.

    As a result, the U.S. government passed the CHIPS Act in late 2022. It’s a sprawling piece of legislation focused on boosting domestic chip production – with over $280 billion of spending over the next 10 years.

    Most of the funds, $200 billion, will be spent on scientific research in advanced semiconductors.

    Another $53 billion will be dedicated to semiconductor production. What’s more, the bill provides chip plants tax credits of almost $24 billion, to spur U.S. chip manufacturing. The CHIPS Act is so massive that it will create incredible wealth for the companies participating in the chip “onshoring” trend. McKinsey, a consultancy, estimates that chips will become a $1 trillion industry by the end of the 2020s.

    For instance, when the U.S. government announced the CHIPS Act in 2020 (two years before it passed), semiconductor companies launched dozens of projects that would benefit from it.

    As of mid-December 2022, over 40 new projects in the chip ecosystem were announced. Those included new chip fabrication facilities, expansions of existing ones, and the production of equipment and materials used in chip assembly.

    Meanwhile, private companies have dedicated over $200 billion to chip manufacturing projects. As a result, 40,000 new jobs will be created in the country. Best of all, an SIA-Oxford Economics study estimates that each semiconductor-related job supports almost six jobs in the wider U.S. economy…

    How This Legislation Relates to the Broader Economy… and Your Money

    Much like the Infrastructure Act I wrote about last week, this kind of investment in “digital infrastructure” benefits not only the chip industry, but the broader economy as well.

    The biggest winners from the CHIPS Act in the long term include some of the already-established players in the chip space.

    Such as Intel. It is building a new semiconductor plant in Ohio and expanding its facilities in Arizona and New Mexico. These investments will have a 25% rebate from the government.

    So, the more Intel spends on plant construction and research and development, the more money it will receive from the government. Again, the companies that can fund tens of billions of dollars to build these facilities (a modern one costs about $10 billion) are the largest ones in the business.

    Micron and Texas Instruments, two large-scale semiconductor companies, will likely share the bulk of the government subsidies with Intel. But these facilities will take years to build…

    Construction at Micron’s facility will begin in 2024, and production will ramp up by the end of this decade.

    Although, there is a way to play the semiconductor trend in 2023. Casey Research colleague and financial expert Nomi Prins is going to share how you can benefit from government policy like the CHIPS Act in a special event tomorrow, January 12 at 8 p.m. ET.

    She will reveal how the government has already picked the biggest winners and losers for 2023 … and she will show you a little-known strategy that Wall Street pros use every day to profit off their insider knowledge of Washington.

    (Source: Andrey Dashkov / Casey Research)

  • US announces another USD 2.5 billion military aid package for Ukraine

    US announces another USD 2.5 billion military aid package for Ukraine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The United States has announced another military assistance package of USD 2.5 billion for Ukraine to fight against Russian aggression, taking the total US military assistance to USD 27.5 billion.

    “This assistance package will provide Ukraine with hundreds of additional armored vehicles, including Stryker armored personnel carriers, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, and High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled vehicles,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Thursday, January 19.

    The package also includes critical additional air defense support for Ukraine, including more Avenger air defense systems, and surface-to-air missiles, as well as additional munitions for NASAMS that the United States has previously provided, he said.

    It also contains night vision devices, small arms and ammunition, and other items to support Ukraine as it bravely defends its people, sovereignty and territorial integrity, Blinken said in a statement.

    “This package, which totals USD 2.5 billion, will bring the total US military assistance for Ukraine to an unprecedented approximately USD 27.5 billion since the beginning of the administration,” he said.

    “The United States also continues to rally the world to support Ukraine. We have seen incredible solidarity from our allies and partners, including at today’s Ukraine Defense Contact Group, and we applaud the more than 50 countries who have come together to make significant contributions to support Ukraine,” he added.

    In a separate statement, the Pentagon said the Kremlin’s most recent air attacks against Ukraine’s critical infrastructure again demonstrate the devastating impact of Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine. This package provides additional NASAMS munitions and Avenger air defense systems to help Ukraine counter a range of short and medium-range threats and bolster its layered air defense, it said. “The 59 Bradley IFVs included in this package, together with the 50 Bradleys previously committed on January 6, and the 90 Stryker APCs will provide Ukraine with two brigades of armored capability,” the Pentagon said.

    (Source: PTI)

  • Tanishq enters American market; first store inaugurated by Senator Robert Menendez

    Tanishq enters American market; first store inaugurated by Senator Robert Menendez

    ISELIN, NJ (TIP): Tanishq, India’s leading jewelry retail brand from the house of Tata, has entered the American market and its first store, in New Jersey’s Little India, was inaugurated by Senator Robert Menendez this week. ”Oak Tree road is the jewelry capital of New Jersey,” Menendez, Chairman of the powerful Foreign Relations Committee, told a gathering of jewelers, local businessmen and Indian Americans. While Oak Tree Road has more than a dozen jewelry stores, mostly owned by Indian Americans, Menendez said the arrival of Tanishq at this popular Indian shopping destination is significant and different from others.

    ”Some people might look at it as another jewelry store …, a new business, but this is different … because of the creativity of the designer … to create very unique pieces,” the Senator said. A Senator inaugurating a jewelry store is very rare in American politics.

    The 3750+ square foot, two-story showroom on New Jersey’s Oak Tree Road, offers over 6,500 unique designs in 18 and 22 KT gold and diamond jewelry, as well as solitaires and colored stones, a media release said.

    Tanishq said the brand aims to meet the evolving needs of Indian Americans, who comprise 4.35 per cent of the state’s total population and are 387,000 strong. According to the US Census Bureau, jewelry store sales were estimated at USD 33.2 billion in 2020, which was a 25 per cent increase over the previous decade.

    Tanishq has been in the US market through e-commerce for over a year and has received positive community feedback.

    The store inauguration among others was attended by Randhir Jaiswal, Consul General of India in New York, along with John E McCormac, Mayor Woodbridge, Sam Joshi, Mayor Edison, Wesley Mathews, Choose New Jersey Inc, Vin Gopal, New Jersey State Senator and Congressman Frank Pallone.

    Congressman Pallone described jewelry as a ”pride of India”. This brings home the wonder and culture of India, he told the gathering.

    The launch is a part of Tanishq’s retail business expansion strategy. It launched its first international brick-and-mortar store in Dubai in November 2020. It now has eight international stores, seven in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the first in the United States of America. ”Tanishq already has a significant online presence in the US market. The high demand and interest shown by the Indian American community encouraged us to have an on-ground presence for them.

    ”This showroom will have our latest collections and masterpieces designed to suit all jewelry needs of the Indian Americans,” said Kuruvilla Markose, CEO – International Business Division, Titan Company Ltd.

    Tanishq said it intends to collectively open 20-30 stores in North America and the Middle East over the next 2-3 years. In India, Tanishq has a presence of 400 plus stores across 240 cities and intends to add another 100 stores in the next year.

    ”We are on a mission to establish Tanishq as a global brand, and our retail showroom expansion in the United States is a significant step in that direction.

    ”Tanishq has been balancing the elegance of tradition with the brilliance of modernity for decades and we want to bring it to New Jersey,” said C K Venkataraman, managing director at Titan Company Ltd, the parent company of Tanishq.

    (Source: PTI)

  • Microsoft attempts to cut costs; to lay off 10,000 workers

    Microsoft attempts to cut costs; to lay off 10,000 workers

    The job cuts, which amount to less than 5 percent of the company’s work force, are its largest in roughly eight years

    REDMOND, WA (TIP): Microsoft plans to lay off 10,000 workers, the company said Wednesday, as it looks to trim costs amid economic uncertainty and to refocus on strategic priorities, such as artificial intelligence, a Jan 18 New York Times report says.

    The company employed about 221,000 workers as of the end of June, and the cuts amount to less than 5 percent of its global work force. “These are the kinds the staffrd choices we have made throughout our 47-year history to remain a consequential company in this industry that is unforgiving to anyone who doesn’t adapt to platform shifts,” Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s chief executive, said in a message to staff. The layoffs, which will begin on Wednesday, are the company’s largest in roughly eight years. Mr. Nadella cut about 25,000 jobs over the course of 2014 and 2015 as Microsoft abandoned its ill-fated acquisition of the mobile phone maker Nokia.

    Like other tech companies, Microsoft expanded rapidly during the pandemic. It has hired more than 75,000 people since 2019, seizing on the surge in online services and the expansion of cloud computing.

    Microsoft’s annual revenue grew 58 percent over three years but rising interest rates and the prospect of a recession have tempered the company’s outlook. In the quarter that ended in October, it reported its slowest growth in five years and warned that more tepid results could follow. The changes, including severance and other restructuring expenses, will cost $1.2 billion, Mr. Nadella said. Microsoft is scheduled to report its quarterly earnings on Tuesday.

    The company has been pursuing several expensive bets, including potentially putting another $10 billion into its investment in OpenAI, which makes the explosively popular ChatGPT artificial intelligence system, and a $69 billion acquisition of the video game maker Activision that is facing challenges globally by antitrust regulators.

    Other tech giants have also been reducing costs after several years of breakneck expansion. Amazon is expected to begin a huge round of layoffs on Wednesday as part of its plans to reduce its corporate work force by about 18,000 jobs.

    The business software company Salesforce said this month that it planned to lay off 10 percent of its work force, or about 8,000 employees; and Meta, the parent company of Facebook, announced at the end of last year that it was cutting more than 11,000 jobs.

    (Source: NY Times)

  • Makkars host a Lohri celebration

    Glimpses of Lohri celebration hosted by Makkars at their home on January 15

    SPRINGFIELD, NJ (TIP): A well-known community activist Dave Makkar and his family hosted a Lohri celebration at their home on January 15. Makkars have been organizing Lohri celebrations for the last 21 years. Dave’s daughter Prachi, and son Surya had their friends from different ethnicities joining them at the celebration.

    It was a typical Punjabi Lohri celebration, with Lohri prayers, boliyan,  Jago , bhangra , and the universally popular Dhol. And the food was delectable and reminiscent of back home delicacies which the Makkars could make possible on the occasion-  Makki ki roti and Sarson ka saag ,  Dal, sabzi, and a variety of sweets.

  • Roger Chugh dies of heart attack: Cremation on January 20

    Roger Chugh dies of heart attack: Cremation on January 20

    NEW YORK (TIP): Prominent community leader Roger (Rajesh) Chugh died of a massive heart attack on January 17, 2023. The Indian community in New Jersey and New York is deeply saddened on his sudden death.

    Roger leaves behind a rich legacy of four decades of community service. The cremation is scheduled for Friday, January 20. The funeral procession will start at 12.30 P.M.  from Lloyd Maxcy & Sons Beauchamp Chapel , 16 Shea Place, New Rochelle, NY 10805 for Ferncliff Cemetery, 280 Secor Rd, Hartsdale, NY 10530  where cremation will take place at 1 P.M.