The Indian Panorama

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  • USCIRF Commissioners, UN Special Rapporteur, experts call on US government to speak out against Modi’s minority persecution

    USCIRF Commissioners, UN Special Rapporteur, experts call on US government to speak out against Modi’s minority persecution

    WASHINGTION, D.C. (TIP): Commissioners on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) raised concerns about the “sophisticated, systematic persecution” of religious minorities by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a hearing on India on Wednesday, September20, 2023.

    For the past four years, USCIRF has recommended India to be designated a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for its severe violations of human rights and religious freedoms. This recommendation has yet to be implemented by the US Department of State. In commending the testimonies of the experts and activists called to speak at the hearing, USCIRF Commissioner David Curry said, “I’ve become convinced that India has the most sophisticated, systematic persecution of religious minorities by any democratic government. And I don’t say that lightly.”

    “Religious freedom conditions in India have notably declined in recent years,” said USCIRF Chair Rabbi Abraham Cooper. “Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Dalits, Adivasis are experiencing increased levels of attacks and acts of intimidation… These trends and their implications for US foreign policy should not be ignored.”

    “Policymakers cannot ignore the foreign policy and trade implications of deteriorating religious conditions in India,” said Vice Chair Frederick A. Davie, adding that USCIRF’s reporting takes note of several Indian states’ legal restrictions “on religious conversion, religious dress, educational curriculum, interfaith marriage, and cow slaughter,” which “negatively impacts Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits, and Indigenous and scheduled tribal people.” Other speakers also called on the US government to condemn India’s declining religious freedoms and human rights violations.

    “It is for the government of the United States to be very frank here and indicate that there are serious areas of concern [in India]… in order to ensure peace,” said Dr. Fernand de Varennes, United Nations Special Rapporteur on minority issues. “Because if we don’t have that, we are heading towards a massive dangerous situation in India, [which] will have repercussions on the United States.”

    Sarah Yager, Washington Director of Human Rights Watch, criticized the Biden administration’s open display of support for Modi as a means to counteract China. “Prime Minister Modi was warmly welcomed in Washington as we remember very recently by the White House and Congress,” she said. “With this unmitigated demonstration of support by US officials, we question what reason [Modi] has to change course… China’s rise cannot be an excuse for US officials to overlook, ignore or play down the human rights abuses of its friends.”

    Sunita Viswanath, co-founder of Hindus for Human Rights, read a statement on behalf of the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), Dalit Solidarity Forum, Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations, Hindus for Human Rights, India Civil Watch International, and the New York State Council of Churches, all of which co-authored the statement. “We are disappointed that Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and Dalits, who face the brunt of religious freedom and human rights violations under Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have not been invited to speak on this panel,” Viswanath said.

    “The rejection by the Biden and Trump Administrations of USCIRF’s recommendation to designate India as a CPC for three years in a row is a troubling precedent,” she added. “If the Biden Administration continues its uncritical embrace of the Modi government despite mounting violations of religious freedom and human rights in India, America will carry the burden of being on the wrong side of history.”

    Irfan Nooruddin, Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani Professor of Indian Politics in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, spoke on rising mob violence in India. “Vigilante groups – in a manner reminiscent of the darkest periods of American history – harass, beat, and murder Muslim men rumored to be smuggling beef, dating a Hindu girl, or insulting a deity. No evidence is required,” he said. Adding that these attacks are enabled by the Modi regime’s silence, Nooruddin said, “This offers an opening for the US government to call upon its alleged partner to speak more clearly and act more decisively to defend religious minorities.” Indian American Muslim Council is the largest advocacy organization of Indian Muslims in the United States with chapters across the nation. For more information, please visit our website at: www.iamc.com

  • External Affairs Minister Jaishankar kick-starts nine-day visit to U.S.

    External Affairs Minister Jaishankar kick-starts nine-day visit to U.S.

    NEW YORK (TIP): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in New York, early on Friday, September 22 morning, kick-starting his nine-day visit to the U.S., to address the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and for bilateral and plurilateral meetings in New York and Washington DC. The Minister’s visit comes at the end of a tumultuous week in international relations, with the Indian and Canadian governments engaged in a diplomatic brawl over the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia in June this year, a report in The Hindu says. Early on Friday, Mr. Jaishankar met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and the new Japanese Foreign Minister Yōko Kamikawa, for the Quad ministerial meeting.

    “Discussed defending the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific and delivering on Quad commitments,” Mr. Jaishankar wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

    “Always value our collective contribution to doing global good,” he said.

    The Minister is due to address the General Assembly on Tuesday, September 26, — later than has been in recent years. A number of heads of state and government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are not attending this year’s UN ‘High Level Week’. Mr. Jaishankar is scheduled to attend a special event, ‘India-UN for Global South: Delivering for Development’, on Saturday. He will also have discussions with UN Secretary General António Guterres and UNGA President Dennis Francis. In Washington, Mr. Jaishankar will have bilateral talks with Mr. Blinken, as well as interactions with think tanks and business leaders.
    (Source: The Hindu)

  • Murphy, other top N.J. Democrats call on Sen. Menendez to resign

    Murphy, other top N.J. Democrats call on Sen. Menendez to resign

    TRENTON, NJ (TIP): Gov. Phil Murphy and other top New Jersey Democrats late Friday called on Democratic U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, the state’s senior senator, to resign hours after prosecutors announced he was indicted on bribery and influence peddling charges, according to NJ.com.

    “The allegations in the indictment against Senator Menendez and four other defendants are deeply disturbing,” Murphy said in a statement. “These are serious charges that implicate national security and the integrity of our criminal justice system.

    “Under our legal system, Senator Menendez and the other defendants have not been found guilty and will have the ability to present evidence disputing these charges, and we must respect the process. However, the alleged facts are so serious that they compromise the ability of Senator Menendez to effectively represent the people of our state. Therefore, I am calling for his immediate resignation.”

    In an emotional and defiant statement earlier in the day, Menendez made it clear he has no intention of stepping down and asked his supporters to give him time to debunk the “smear campaign” against him.

    “Those behind this campaign simply cannot accept that a first-generation Latino American from humble beginnings could rise to be a U.S. Senator and serve with honor and distinction,” Menendez said.

    Murphy’s statements were followed by similar missives from the Democratic State Committee Chairman LeRoy J. Jones, Jr., state Senate President Nick Scutari, D-Union, and state Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex. U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, D-3rd Dist., called for Menendez to quit earlier in the day.

    Jones said Menendez deserved “the same presumption of innocence that the U.S. Constitution guarantees to all Americans.” “But in the interest of ensuring that New Jerseyans continue to be granted the federal representation that they deserve, and to make sure that our party is able to keep its focus on the critical upcoming state legislative elections in November, I believe that the best course of action is for Senator Menendez to resign so that he can focus his full attention on his legal defense,” Jones’ statement said. Declaring it to be “a sad day for our state,” Scutari said: “Due to the severity of the charges brought against him today, I believe Senator Menendez must resign from office to pursue his defense and allow our state and our nation to move forward.”

    Couglin said the charges against Menendez “go against everything we should believe as public servants. We are given the public’s trust, and once that trust is broken, we cannot continue.”

    Public support for Menendez had already begun to slide even before the indictment was announced.

    A Monmouth University poll a month ago revealed six out of 10 residents believe the federal investigation “has at least some impact on his ability to serve.” Even among Democrats, his approval numbers slipped eight points to 58% while his disapproval number increased 7 points to 23%, according to the poll.

    These are among the considerations flabbergasted and frustrated party leaders were privately discussing Friday afternoon. Should they offer support for the three-term Senator or position someone else to run when Menendez’s term is up in January 2025? When he was indicted on corruption charges in 2015, Murphy and other party leaders quickly came to his defense. That case wound up in a mistrial in 2017 because the jury was deadlocked. Prosecutors declined to try him again, and Menendez won re-election in 2018.

    This time, party leaders are weighing their options in a far more partisan landscape in America, and they are wary of enduring another trial and the negative publicity that follows, sources told NJ Advance Media.

    The new charges seem more egregious, said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth Polling Institute, noting there are color photos in the indictment of gold bars and piles of cash that had been stuffed in Menendez’s pockets. He added that public sentiment is not on his side.

    “Throughout that trial and into early 2018, he still had an even or slightly positive approval rating. What we found when we polled last month was it dropped significantly. While approval rating for Booker and Murphy also dropped, they hadn’t dropped among Democrats. Menendez has,” Murray said.

    “The indictment itself has such clear images that I don’t see anyway going to reverse the downward trend,” he added. Murphy has the sole authority to name his successor to finish out Menendez’s term if the senator leaves office early. His term ends on Jan. 3, 2025.

    Kim also issued a statement saying, “no one is above the law” and Menendez should resign.

    “These allegations are serious and alarming. It doesn’t matter what your job title is or your politics — no one in America is above the law. The people of New Jersey absolutely need to know the truth of what happened, and I hope the judicial system works thoroughly and quickly to bring this truth to light,” Kim’s statement said.

    “In the meantime, I don’t have confidence that the Senator has the ability to properly focus on our state and its people while addressing such a significant legal matter. He should step down.”

    Hours after the indictment was unsealed, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Menendez would step down as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee “until the matter has been resolved.”

    Former state Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen, said prior to Murphy’s statement the party could not afford to wait for the outcome of the case.

    “We have a corrupt former president and I think we can’t have a double standard,” she said, referring to former President Donald Trump, a Republican who is running for the White House again despite facing several indictments.
    (Source: NJ.com)

  • No signals from Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram, Pragyan: ISRO

    No signals from Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram, Pragyan: ISRO

    BENGALURU (TIP): The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which was hoping to awaken the Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander and Pragyan rover on September 2, says it has not received any signals from either of the two, despite continuing efforts to establish communications.

    “Efforts have been made to establish communication with the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover to ascertain their wake-up condition. As of now, no signals have been received from them. Efforts to establish contact will continue,” ISRO posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday. On September 2, the rover was put into sleep mode; two days later, on September 4, the lander was also put to sleep, following the end of one lunar day. “Vikram will fall asleep next to Pragyan once the solar power is depleted and the battery is drained. Hoping for their awakening, around September 22, 2023,” ISRO had said on September 4.

    Before putting them into sleep mode, the lander’s payloads were switched off. However, both the Vikram’s and Pragyan’s receivers were kept on by ISRO, with the hope of re-establishing communication with the two.

    Nilesh M. Desai, director of the Space Applications Centre, said that efforts were on to establish contact with the lander and the rover, adding that it could happen anytime.
    Once the sun sets on the moon after the completion of one lunar day, the temperature on the lunar surface could plunge below -200°C. “The temperature there goes down to minus 200 degrees. In such an environment, there is no guarantee that the battery, electronics will survive, but we did some tests and we get the feeling that they will survive even in such harsh conditions,” ISRO chairman S. Somanath had said earlier.

    Since the Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully landed on the moon on August 23, the Vikram and the Pragyan have carried out many in-situ measurements, including to confirm the presence of sulphur in lunar surface in that region, and to detect the presence of minor elements.

    The Vikram lander also achieved a significant milestone as it successfully undertook a hop experiment. On command, the lander fired the engines, elevated itself by about 40 cm and landed safely at a distance of 30 cm to 40 cm away. This successful hop experiment and kickstart could have significant bearing on future missions which will be launched with an objective to bring back samples from the moon, as well as future human missions to the moon. If ISRO manages to receive signals and wake the Vikram and the Pragyan, it would be a bonus for the space agency as it hopes to carry out some more experiments on the moon. The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft was launched on July 14 and touched down on the lunar surface on August 23, making India the fourth country to successfully land on the moon and the first nation to touch down on the polar region of the moon.
    (Source: The Hindu)

  • US wants G20 to help reshape multilateral development banks like IMF and World Bank

    US wants G20 to help reshape multilateral development banks like IMF and World Bank

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The US wants the G20 countries to help reshape and scale up multilateral development banks like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, a top White House official has said.

    White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communication John Kirby said on Wednesday, September 6,  the US will make it clear during President Joe Biden’s visit to India that it remains committed to the G20 as a critical forum for all the major economies of the world to come together for global problem-solving.

    “One of our main goals heading into the G20 is to help reshape and scale up multilateral development banks like the IMF, like the World Bank,” Kirby told foreign reporters at a news conference here on Wednesday.

    “We know that these institutions are some of the most effective tools for mobilizing transparent and high-quality investment in developing countries. And that’s why the United States has championed the major effort that is currently underway to evolve these institutions so that they’re up for the challenges of tomorrow,” he said.

    Kirby said Biden asked the US Congress last month for additional funds that would have the impact of helping increase World Bank financing by more than USD 25 billion, and the US is working with its partners to see if they can pursue similar contributions.

    During his India visit, Kirby said, Biden will also be calling on G20 members to provide meaningful debt relief so that low and middle-income countries can regain their footing after years of stress on their economies and their people.

    “We’ll also be making progress on other key priorities, from climate to health, and as I said at the very top, digital technology. In addition, we’ll spotlight the progress that we’ve been making on the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment that the President calls PGII,” he said.

    Kirby noted that there will be continued focus on how the G20 deals with Russia’s illegal and ongoing war in Ukraine.

    “The reality is that Russia’s war has already had devastating social, and economic consequences, and the poorest countries on the planet are bearing the brunt of that,” he said.

    During the summit, Biden will call for a just and durable peace – one founded in respect for international law, the principles of the UN Charter, and the precepts of territorial integrity and national sovereignty, he said. “We will also continue to emphasize that the United States will support Ukraine for as long as it takes to redeem these principles,” he said.

    “Last but not least – and this is certainly important – you’ll see that the United States will make it clear that we remain committed to the G20 as a critical forum for all the major economies of the world to come together for global problem-solving.

    “The G20 itself, as a valuable and vital, as I said, venue, will be on the agenda. And in a sign of that commitment, the United States is looking forward to hosting the G20 ourselves in 2026,” said the White House official.

    The G20 member countries represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.

     

    The grouping comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union (EU).

    (Source: PTI)

  • FBI busts gang involved in armed robbery of Indian jewelry stores in US

    FBI busts gang involved in armed robbery of Indian jewelry stores in US

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The FBI has busted a violent crime ring and arrested over a dozen of its members for engaging in a series of armed robberies of Indian jewelry stores and showrooms in several US States.

    Between January 2022 and January 2023, the members of this gang, based out of Washington DC, targeted several Indian and South Asian jewelry stores across the East Coast, including New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida and Pennsylvania.

    A total of 16 members of the gang have been arrested so far, with eight of them being apprehended this week.

    “This indictment alleges a conspiracy to engage in a violent armed robbery spree involving commercial establishments throughout the Eastern Seaboard,” said US Attorney Matthew M. Graves.

    One defendant is also charged with conspiracy to commit carjacking as part of the spree, and others are charged with laundering the proceeds from the robberies, he said “With an increasing number of robbery schemes that cross state lines, collaborative operations like this one are critical to holding accountable those who threaten the safety of our communities,” he said.

    “It is devastating that firearm-related violence such as the crimes committed throughout this investigation has become so prevalent within our communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai.

    The defendants targeted small businesses along the East Coast, stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry from hardworking families, said Assistant FBI Director in Charge David Sundberg.

    (Source: PTI)

  • Nikki Haley only Republican presidential aspirant who can defeat President Joe Biden: CNN poll

    Nikki Haley only Republican presidential aspirant who can defeat President Joe Biden: CNN poll

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Indian American Nikki Haley is the only Republican presidential aspirant who can defeat President Joe Biden in the November 2024 polls, a CNN poll has revealed.

    More than half a dozen Republican leaders, including two Indian Americans – Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy — are seeking to be the party’s presidential nominee. The race is currently being led by former president Donald Trump who is far ahead of others.

    Releasing the results of its latest presidential polls, CNN said, “Hypothetical matchups… suggest there would be no clear leader should Biden face one of the other major GOP contenders, with one notable exception: Biden runs behind former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.” In an early gauge of a hypothetical Biden-Trump rematch, CNN’s poll finds that registered voters are currently split between Trump (47 per cent) and Biden (46 per cent), with the demographic contours that defined the 2020 race still prominent.

    Biden is about even with Ron DeSantis (47 per cent each), Mike Pence (46 per cent Pence, 44 per cent Biden), Tim Scott (46 per cent Scott, 44 per cent Biden), Vivek Ramaswamy (46 per cent Biden, 45 per cent Ramaswamy), and Chris Christie (44 per cent Christie, 42 per cent Biden).

    “Haley stands as the only GOP candidate to hold a lead over Biden, with 49 per cent to Biden’s 43 per cent in a hypothetical match between the two,” CNN reported.

    That difference is driven at least in part by a broader support for Haley than for other Republicans among White voters with college degrees. She holds 51 per cent of that group, compared to 48 per cent or less for other Republicans tested in the poll, the news channel said. The Haley campaign welcomed the polls saying, “This poll confirms what many Democrats and Republicans are saying: Democrats are terrified of running against Nikki Haley.”

    “When you ask President Joe Biden who they’re really worried about, you’ll hear one name. ‘If they nominate Nikki Haley, we’re in trouble,” said a senior Democratic strategist close to the Biden campaign. The Hill said those results are good news for Haley, a former United Nations ambassador under President Trump who is looking to build on a strong performance in the first GOP presidential debate late last month to challenge her former boss for the Republican nomination.

    (Source: PTI)

  • Judge rejects Mark Meadow’s bid to move Georgia election interference case to federal court

    Judge rejects Mark Meadow’s bid to move Georgia election interference case to federal court

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): A federal judge on Friday, September 8,  rejected former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows’ bid to move his Georgia criminal case to federal court, a significant setback for Meadows and a troubling sign for former President Donald Trump, CNN has reported. US District Judge Steve Jones found that the allegations against Meadows contained in the Fulton County district attorney’s indictment on election subversion charges were largely “related to political activities” and not to Meadows’ role as White House chief of staff.

    “The evidence before the Court overwhelmingly suggests that Meadows was not acting in his scope of executive branch duties during most of the Overt Acts alleged,” wrote Jones, a Barack Obama appointee.

    The Friday ruling has significant implications for the former president and his 18 co-defendants in the Fulton County district attorney’s sprawling racketeering case, though the judge said the ruling did not apply to the other defendants. Meadows was the first of five defendants who already filed motions to move the case to federal court – and Trump is expected to do so, too.

    Meadows unsuccessfully argued that his case, now playing out in Georgia state court, should be moved because the allegations in the indictment were connected to his official duties as White House chief of staff. His lawyers wanted the case in federal court so they could try to get it dismissed altogether, invoking federal immunity extended to certain individuals who are prosecuted or sued for conduct tied to their US government roles.

    The judge’s decision could set the tone for the other defendants also trying to move their cases. It’s an ominous sign for the defendants who are hoping to invoke the same federal immunity protections.

    The judge explicitly stated in his ruling that he is not offering any opinion about Fulton County’s underlying criminal case against Meadows, who has pleaded not guilty.

    Jones wrote in the decision that Meadows had not met even the “‘quite low’ threshold for removal” to federal court, because his activities for the Trump campaign were outside the scope of his federal role as White House chief of staff.

    “The Court finds that the color of the Office of the White House Chief of Staff did not include working with or working for the Trump campaign, except for simply coordinating the President’s schedule, traveling with the President to his campaign events, and redirecting communications to the campaign,” Jones wrote. “Thus, consistent with his testimony and the federal statutes and regulations, engaging in political activities is exceeds the outer limits of the Office of the White House Chief of Staff.”

    The Hatch Act, which prohibits federal officials from engaging in political activity as part of their official duties, was “helpful in defining the outer limits of the scope the White House Chief of Staff’s authority,” the judge said.

    “These prohibitions on executive branch employees (including the White House Chief of Staff) reinforce the Court’s conclusion that Meadows has not shown how his actions relate to the scope of his federal executive branch office. Federal officer removal is thereby inapposite,” the judge wrote in the decision.

     

    Meadows on Friday swiftly appealed the ruling to the US 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

     

  • Indian American Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar distributes school supplies in South Queens

    Indian American Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar distributes school supplies in South Queens

    NEW YORK (TIP) : Indian American Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar hosted two major “Back to School” distributions at her office where she gave away over 1,000 backpacks and thousands of school supplies to the children of South Queens, New York.

    Rajkumar, who represents District 38 in the New York State Assembly, secured private donors from outside her district to fund the distribution, bringing an abundance of high-quality backpacks and full sets of school supplies for the children of South Queens on September 5, according to a press release.

    At the events. hundreds of children and their families came to the Assemblywoman’s office to receive backpacks, each containing a full set of school supplies including rulers, notebooks, glue sticks, folders, scissors, pens, crayons, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, and pouch bags.

    Rajkumar has made education a priority throughout her tenure, the release stated. A regular fixture at school graduations across her district where she serves as commencement speaker, she also appears on the first day of school to greet each child as they walk in.

    She hosts a summer reading challenge every summer encouraging kids to read. She regularly visits classrooms in the district as a guest speaker and serves as the keynote speaker for the Queens Young Debaters tournament.

    Focusing on making the education system work for all diverse communities, Rajkumar this year led and won the historic fight to make Diwali a School Holiday in New York City’s public schools, the release noted. A diverse coalition of community groups in the district volunteered on the day of the school supply distribution to make the event a success.

    These included the Ozone Park Residents Block Association, the Cityline Ozone Park Civilian Patrol, the Richmond Hill/South Ozone Park Lions Club, Queens Community Board 9, the Woodhaven BID, Glendale Kiwanis, the Bangladeshi American Society, United American Hindu Leadership Council, the New York Nepalese Help Post, the Ridgewood 123 Kiwanis, Kiwanis Club of Ozone Park-Woodhaven and the US Nepal Climbers Association.

    “Education is the reason I am here,” Rajkumar said. “As the daughter of immigrants from India who came to this country with little, it was education that threw open the doors of opportunity for me.”

    “Now, I am committed to ensuring all the children in my district have those same opportunities I had,” she said. “That is why I put everything in to making sure the children of District 38 are excited and prepared for the new school year.”

    “Our area has never had this kind of incredible representation. I did not even know who my Assembly member was until Assemblywoman Rajkumar,” said Juana Chavez, a local resident. “She looks out for all of us, and our children’s education, by delivering the supplies and help we need. Thanks to her, my son will be ready for school.”

    “The Assemblywoman is always in the community helping us. She has so much energy that I wonder how she does it all. She helps us with so many things,” said Claudette Gosta, another mother.

    “She did a free medical clinic, food distributions, rain barrels, mammograms, and a rock concert. Now she is helping us with backpacks and other supplies so that my children have everything for the school year.”

     

  • US-India Chamber of Commerce, Dallas/Fort Worth organized a Wellness & Workplace Conference

    US-India Chamber of Commerce, Dallas/Fort Worth organized a Wellness & Workplace Conference

    DALLAS (TIP): On Thursday, August 24, we heard from an all-star lineup of DFW’s healthcare industry leaders at our second annual Wellness and Workplace Conference. State Senator Nathan Johnson reported on healthcare legislation that passed in the last legislative session. Keynote speaker Dr. Fred Cerise, President and Chief Executive Officer of Parkland Health, shared about the latest efforts to improve health outcomes and bridge the gap in access to healthcare in DFW.

    Our Incorporating Technology in Healthcare panelists Vince Doyle, Chief Information Officer, Medical City Healthcare, Andrew Olowu, Chief Technology Officer, Axxess, Dr. Hiren Patel, Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare Texas & Oklahoma Markets, and Badruddin Pitter, Founder and CEO, Callcare24, discussed how technology is changing the practice of medicine and gave tips on how to protect patient privacy.

    Our Mental Health in Adults and Children panelists Sue Schell, VP and Clinical Director of Behavioral Health, Children’s Health, Dr. Hicham Ibrahim, Associate V.P. and Chief Medical Officer of Ambulatory Service, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and Dr. John Bennett, Psychiatrist, Metrocare, shared information about resources that are available to improve mental health and also discussed the new psychiatric hospital coming to Dallas in 2025.

  • California Assembly passes anti-caste discrimination bill

    California Assembly passes anti-caste discrimination bill

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP) An anti-caste discrimination bill has been passed by the California State Assembly that seeks to combat caste discrimination and strengthen protections for marginalized communities across the state. The bill was passed by the Assembly on Monday, August 28. It now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom for his signature to make it into law, making California the first US state to add caste as a protected category in its anti-discrimination laws.

    The bill passed by the California Assembly seeks to combat caste discrimination and strengthen protections for marginalized communities across the state. It was first introduced by State Senator Aisha Wahab and was supported by several caste equity civil rights activists and organizations from across the country.

    Thank you to all the Assembly members who voted in support of SB 403 today. We are protecting people from a long-standing form of discrimination with SB 403, Wahab said in a tweet.

    A coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) described it as a black day in California history.

    The legislation will revise California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act, Education, and Housing codes by adding caste as a protected category under ancestry. Since its introduction earlier this year, the bill has flown through the different steps in the legislature, achieving a largely bipartisan consensus across multiple labor and civil rights entities.

    The Assembly Vote is a win for the ages. After conducting over 700 advocacy meetings across the entire state of California the people have spoken resoundingly for caste equity protections.

    As a Californian who has endured caste my whole life I know the struggles and adversity caste-oppressed Californians have unjustly faced firsthand, said Thenmozhi Soundararajan, executive director of Equality Labs.

    Caste-oppressed people have organized for over twenty years so we could have lives free from violent attacks and discrimination; now, the California Assembly has voted decisively to bring us closer to victory, she said.

    As the bill progresses we ask Governor Newsome to sign this bill once it crosses his desk so that California can lead the nation and the world to ensure that our institutions are free from discrimination and ensure opportunity for all, Soundararajan said. In a statement, CoHNA said the passing of a bill that is NOT facially neutral and written to specifically target Hindu Americans is the latest in a long line of unjust bills, like the Asian Exclusion Act, which were popular at the time of their passing and were used to target minorities of color.

    This bill will be no different and is indeed worse since it ignored the mounting body of evidence about the overreach of CRD in the Cisco lawsuit, the flawed data from a hate group that underpinned the whole effort, the championing of this bill by foreign actors and the rising numbers of Dalit and Bahujan voices speaking against it, it said.

    Amar Shergill, California Democratic Chair of the Progressive Caucus said there is broad consensus in California among Democrats and Republicans that discrimination, in any form, is unacceptable.

    Pooja Ren, Hindus for Caste Equity said as a dalit Hindu, she wants to make sure that they can make workplaces safe for all workers, as well as all schools for their children. Future dalit generations in the diaspora must be protected. Pathways must be paved for our children to feel safe from casteist bullying and discrimination from casteist parents. We must have justice when caste discrimination occurs.

    We are a community that has suffered for centuries, and protection will give us the human rights as residents of California to live a life free from caste discrimination, she said. Tarina Mand, South Asian Bar Association Civil Rights Taskforce said California has taken a bold step to dismantle caste discrimination in a call for equity and a recognition that deep-seated biases can be passed through a community for generations and across continents.

    As our communities process some incredibly disheartening judicial decisions in recent months about the value of our diverse national spirit, the passage of SB-403 today stands out as a watershed moment, he said.

    Dalit activist Deelip Mhaske said amidst the shifting tides of the world, California’s adoption of the Caste Law stands as a groundbreaking testament, echoing far beyond its borders.

    The resounding influence of the Indian diaspora reverberates through the corridors of power, with four Indians eyeing the presidential throne in 2024, and multinational giants swayed by the decisions of Indian diaspora leaders, said Mhaske, president of the Foundation For Human Horizon.
    (Source: PTI)

  • US Congress asked to update ‘woefully outdated’ immigration system

    US Congress asked to update ‘woefully outdated’ immigration system

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The Biden administration has asked the Congress to update the woefully outdated immigration system, the White House said Monday, August 28. “As we have said many times before, this is an outdated immigration system. We’ve asked the Congress to update our woefully outdated immigration system. We’ve been very clear on that, including, including the temporary visa programs that haven’t been updated in more than two decades,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference. Under the current regulations, workers on certain temporary visas usually have 60 days to secure new employment, pursue a different visa classification or make preparations to depart the United States.

    “So, the Congress needs to do their job and pass legislation, updating our immigration laws to reflect the needs of where we are, where we are currently in this 21st century economy,” she said.

    On the first day of his administration, President Joe Biden put forth an immigration reform legislation because he took this very seriously, the White House Press Secretary said.

    He wanted to make sure that was the first piece of legislation that he put forward on Day One because “this is such a broken system”, Jean-Pierre said in response to a question.

  • The message of Interfaith Actions comes loud and clear from the Parliament of World Religions

    The message of Interfaith Actions comes loud and clear from the Parliament of World Religions

    Islam, Sikh, Hindu, Jain and Christian faith leaders at the All-Faith Seminary International booth of Parliament of World Religions Expo.

    CHICAGO, IL (TIP): The message resonates with clarity and conviction: We must join hands, unite, and safeguard the religious rights of all faiths. The Parliament of World Religions (PoWR) has traversed a remarkable journey since 1893. The 1893 Parliament of the World’s Religions brought together 400 men and women, representing 41 diverse religious traditions. It was during this momentous gathering that Catholicism and Judaism gained recognition as significant American religions, and the luminous traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism were unveiled to the Western world.

    In the contemporary landscape, where the specters of religious fanaticism and state-sanctioned alienation loom large, the initial tableau of the plenary challenges our reality. The camaraderie among individuals from Mexico, China, and India on the dais extends a warm invitation to stakeholders of faith, beckoning them towards a realm of peace, harmony, and genuine discourse on pressing matters. Chicago’s atmosphere was electric, and Mayor Brandon Johnson astutely proclaimed, “In this moment, seeking refuge solely within scriptures and holy texts falls short; it is essential to exhibit the most magnificent creation and power of humanity – the act of love.”

    PoWR 2023 resounded as a summons to conscience. The central theme was the defense of freedom and Human Rights. A sojourn through the exhibition hall became a journey into one’s moral compass. Here, spiritual traditions, religious collectives, faith-based seminaries, modern mantras for bonding, ancient sutras for equilibrium, poignant reflections on religious animosity, organizations dedicated to social progress, and revitalizing yoga meditations converged. One stall orchestrated interfaith harmonies through melodious songs, while another presented sobering data on minorities targeted by right-wing regimes. Tokens of memory took the form of pens, badges, shirts, chocolates, pins, and meticulously annotated leaflets and brochures. The Boston School of Theology extended courses to fathom the nuances of various religions, while the Divine Life Society resonated with masses, nurturing understanding through the prism of yoga. The panorama was a tapestry woven with the threads of diversity.

    The PoWR embodies an idea. Over 250 breakout sessions grappled with diverse subjects. The inner dialogues, cast as a broad mandate, often witnessed some gems eclipsed in the shadows. The spectrum of topics, spanning the gamut from deconstructing religious patriarchy to serendipitous revelations in the realm of anti-nuclear activism, enticed discerning minds. Yet, amidst the symphony of simultaneous sessions, flowing with the current was akin to chasing ephemeral wisps. The plenary sessions, a harmonious ensemble of thought, struck deep chords. The Women’s Assembly held profound significance, addressing the very core of female participation within faith-infused societies. Amidst this resplendence, the assembly advocating climate action, the council amplifying indigenous voices, and the solemn rite of climate repentance shone a luminous light on faith’s role.

    Packed Hall for the Closing Plenary or Parliament of World Religions in MCCormick Place of Chicago.

    Within the tapestry of aspirations, it was religious fanaticism that garnered the earnest ears of all. Rev. Jen Butler, the visionary founder of Faith in Public Life, lamented, “Religion, once the sanctuary of moral teachings, now stands manipulated, its moral fabric corroded by heinous acts of violence. Autocratic forces wield religion as an instrument for amassing power and maintaining control, from the prism of Russian Orthodox nationalism to the fervor of Catholic nationalism in Hungary and Poland, from India’s Hindutva to Israel’s nascent ruling coalition’s Jewish nationalism, and further to the evangelical and Pentecostal strains of religious nationalism in the U.S. and Brazil.” The expo center echoed this sentiment with a clamor of urgency.

    The Langar, an enchanting ritual embedded in past PoWR gatherings, enchanted thousands. Orchestrated by the Birmingham-based Nishkam Seva Jatha, this Sikh tradition was brought to life under the guidance of Bhai Sahab Mohinder Singh, who joyously proclaimed adherence to Sikh guru teachings through service to the world, transcending all biases. Faith leaders, adorned with white scarves, formed orderly queues, savoring Indian delicacies with hearts full of contentment. Within the tent, a grand theater of interfaith harmony and service unfolded. Nishkam Seva Jatha’s legacy of offering free langar since the 2004 PoWR was radiant.

    Expo area of Parliament of World Religions. More than 100 stalls from various Faith traditions.

    A poignant tribute unfolded for the 30,000 children lost to gun violence. Scraps of orange fabric coalesced into labyrinthine patterns or transformed into raw tools by the skilled hands of Shane Claiborne’s blacksmith forge. His declaration reverberated, “When we mold that metal, it resounds with the proclamation that the world can be reshaped.”

    The Parliament of World Religions 2023 encapsulates the elements required for reimagining our perceptions of faith. It beckoned forth distinguished faith leaders, entwining them in conversations that bear rich fruit. Concealed within closed chambers, the International Religious Freedom Roundtable murmured profound secrets, reminiscent of the hallowed halls of Washington. The Indian delegation of interfaith leaders radiated with fervor. The quest for a better world necessitates the exchange of ideas. PoWR has evolved into a pertinent platform for intricate discussions, where faith assumes a fresh and actionable agenda.

    (Photographs and Press release by Bhavya Srivastava)

  • IDPUSA 12th India Day Parade in Hicksville witnessed enthusiastic participation of  the community

    IDPUSA 12th India Day Parade in Hicksville witnessed enthusiastic participation of  the community

    Mallika Sherawat and Khuda Baksh were the main attractions

    Grand Marshal Naveen Shah speaking. L to R: Harry Singh Bolla, Mallika Sherawat, Kanak Golia, Ravi Chopra, Naveen Shah, Deepak Bansal.
    Harry Singh Bolla addressing the gathering. L to R: Vimal Goyal, Mallika Sherawat, Kanak Golia, Ravi Chopra, Harry Singh Bolla, Deepak Bansal, and IDPUSA Founder Bobby Kalotee,
    L to R: Beena Kothari, Consul Community Affairs Achanthodiyal Kesavan Vijayakrishnan (3rd from the left), and Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker.

    HICKSVILLE,  NY (TIP): The 12th IDP USA India Day Parade on August 27,  with a record number of floats and booths, clearly indicated the efforts of the organizers and the participation of the community.

    As before, the Grand Marshals and sponsors extended greetings on the occasion before the parade started. Those who addressed the gathering included Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph S. Saladino, Grand Marshals Naveen Shah, Harry Singh Bolla, Harshad Shiv Bhai Patel, and the celebrity Grand Marshal Mallika Sherawat. The Consulate General of India was represented by Consul Community Affairs Mr. Achanthodiyal Kesavan Vijayakrishnan.

    Co-Presidents Deepak Bansal and Vimal Goyal also spoke on the occasion. IDP Founder Bobby Kalotee welcomed and thanked the dignitaries and celebrities  for their presence. The parade started from Patel Brothers  and ended at LIRR Parking lot on West  John Street in Hicksville where around 35 booths and an  entertainment stage were set up.  Well known singer Khuda Baksh regaled the visitors with his melodious singing.

    The gathered crowd at Patel Brothers listening to the speakers

    Some booths

  • ‘LOVE IN EXILE’ TEAM GIVES US A SNEAK PEAK INTO THEIR RECORD

    left to right – Shahzad Ismaily, Vijay Iyer, Arooj Aftab (Credit : worldmusicinstitute.org.)

    By Mabel Pais

    (‘Love in Exile’ is a project) “manifestation in musical telepathy” – NPR.

    Do you want to get a sneak peak into ‘Love in Exile?’

    The ‘Love in Exile’ team, in anticipation of their record of the same name, would like you to get a sneak peak into their record. The World Music Institute presents ‘Love in Exile’ (on a very limited basis) on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at The Town Hall (12 West 43rd Street, New York City) at 8 pm. Doors open at 7:30 pm.

    ‘Love In Exile’ creates lush, haunting collaborative soundscapes of meditation and yearning. Vocalist Arooj Aftab described the project as “about self-exile, and the search for freedom and identity, and finding it through love and music.”

    ‘Love In Exile’ is the creation of three world-class musicians, steeped in jazz and South Asian musical traditions, who come together to forge a singular voice and musical vision. It is the latest album from Arooj Aftab, and is a collaborative effort put forth with fellow world-class musicians Vijay Iyer, and Shahzad Ismaily.

    The significance of the name ‘Love in Exile’ points towards the similarities between the feelings of longing and diaspora and the mysterious way in which a group can improvise songs that are free of traditional structure, tempo, or genre.

    AROOJ AFTAB is a GRAMMY award-winning semi-classical Hindustani singer and songwriter, minimalist composer, and producer working in various musical styles and idioms, including jazz, minimalism, and Urdu poetry. She was recently awarded the Grammy for Best Global Music Performance and is the first ever Pakistani artist to receive a Grammy Award.

    VIJAY IYER, pianist, is one of the leading music-makers of his generation. His honors include a MacArthur Fellowship, a Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, a United States Artist Fellowship, a Grammy nomination, and the Alpert Award in the Arts.

    SHAHZAD ISMAILY is a multi-instrumentalist and composer. He has recorded and performed with an incredibly diverse assemblage of musicians, including Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed, Tom Waits, and Jolie Holland to name a few.

    Producer and multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily’s sensitivity and technical acumen has made him a legend, recording and touring with musicians like Beth Orton, Yoko Ono, Feist, and many others. Love In Exile’s self-titled debut album was one of the most critically-acclaimed releases of 2003 so far, creating lush, haunting collaborative soundscapes of meditation and yearning. NPR described the project as a “manifestation in musical telepathy”. Onstage, this trio draws on the improvisatory spirit of jazz and the Urdu poetic tradition to explore one-of-a-kind performances defined by a sense of timeless beauty and sudden surprise.

    KALIA VANDEVER, opening act, is an American trombonist and composer living in Brooklyn, NY. Her approach to the trombone is distinctive and defined by her sonorous tone and lyrical improvisational voice. She leans into the challenges of the instrument and allows patience and melody to guide her process.

    TICKETS

    For tickets to the performance, visit worldmusicinstitute.org/love-in-exile-with-arooj-aftab-vijay-iyer-and-shahzad-ismaily

    —————————————–

    CELEBRATE SARAH VAUGHAN’S BIRTH CENTENARY AT WOMEN@NJPAC GALA

    Carmen Villar. (Credit : women@njpac)

    By Mabel Pais

    At this year’s Spotlight Opening Gala, Women@NJPAC have planned an extraordinary show!

    The music and the impact of one of Newark’s greatest jazz icons, Sarah Vaughan, (fondly called the ‘Divine One’ or “Sassy”) on what would have been her 100th birthday will be celebrated on September 30. Join Women@NJPAC for this unforgettable evening of music and the party of the year, the Spotlight Gala!

    Mindy Cohen (Credit : women@njpac)

    Celebrating the 100th birthday of Sarah Vaughan

    Sarah Vaughan’s praises will be sung (literally) by performers whose careers were launched by NJPAC’s lasting tribute to Vaughan: The Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. GRAMMY® Award nominee Jazzmeia Horn and French-Dominican chanteuse Cyrille Aimée — the first two winners of the Competition — will perform. They’ll be joined by two vocalists beloved by NJPAC audiences, the honey-voiced Gregory Porter and New Jersey-born The Voice and American Idol finalist Wé Ani. NJPAC’s Jazz Advisor, Christian McBride, will serve as the evening’s musical director, fronting an All-Star Band.

    Schedule of Events

    5:30PM Cocktails

    6:45PM Gourmet Dinner

    8:00PM Gala Performance & Founders Award Ceremony

    9:30PM Dessert, Dancing & After-Party

    Founders Award 2023 Honoree

    Carmen Villar

    Vice President of social business innovation for Merck & Co., Inc.

    For Commitment to NJPAC, Newark and the Arts

    Patricia Capawana (Credit : women@njpac)

    On this special evening, Women@NJPAC will present NJPAC’s Founders Award to Merck, in recognition of the critical role the company has played in building and sustaining the Arts Center over the past 30 years. NJPAC has been blessed by the volunteer service of two great leaders — former co-chair Dr. P. Roy Vagelos and current co-chair Carmen S. Villar. Merck was the first major corporation to support the construction of NJPAC in Newark; its philanthropy was the catalyst for other corporate funding that ensured this Arts Center would become a reality.

    Gala 2023 Co-Chairs

    Mindy A. Cohen

    NJPAC Board member and Vice President, Women@NJPAC

    Patricia L. Capawana

    Trustee, Women@NJPAC

    Attire l Festive Black Tie Attire

    For more information, contact Women@NJPAC or call Sarah Rosen, Managing Director at 973.297.5806.

    TICKETS

    Help the organization raise funds to continue the Arts Center’s work in arts education, community engagement and arts and well-being. A new option for receiving your Spotlight Gala Tickets to use for your entrance, the performance, and your dinner seating! You can now get your tickets in advance via text on Wednesday, September 27 or you can opt to receive your tickets in advance via USPS, on Wednesday, September 20. You will be contacted in advance for this information.

    (Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Education, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, Spirituality, and Business)

  • Embassy of India in Guatemala Organizes a string of programs to celebrate the 77th Independence Day of India

    Embassy of India in Guatemala Organizes a string of programs to celebrate the 77th Independence Day of India

    GUATEMALA CITY (TIP): The Embassy of India in Guatemala celebrated the 77th Independence Day on August 15, 2023, with a fervent spirit of patriotism and unity with the participation of more than 200 Indian community and friends of India. The event commenced with Ambassador Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra unfurling the tricolor Indian flag, a symbol of the nation’s freedom and resilience. The ceremony commenced with the soul-stirring rendition of the National Anthem, echoing through the embassy premises.

    In a poignant homage to the occasion, Ambassador Dr. Mohapatra readout the speech delivered by the Hon’ble President of India on the eve of Independence Day. The highlights of the speech emphasized India’s continued commitment to progress, unity, and inclusiveness. The President’s address underlined the nation’s achievements while acknowledging the importance of fostering harmony and development for all citizens.

    The Ambassador extended heartfelt gratitude to the Indian community for their unwavering support. He expressed his sincere appreciation for their active involvement in various Embassy events and initiatives. Additionally, he conveyed the exciting news of the commencement of Bollywood and Indian classical dance classes at the Embassy. This endeavor aims to celebrate the rich cultural traditions of India and provide a platform for community members to come together and immerse themselves in the joy of dance. The Ambassador’s message underscored the importance of community collaboration and highlighted the Embassy’s commitment to nurturing cultural bonds and fostering a sense of unity among the Indian community.

    Embracing the Panch Pran Pledge, a visionary commitment to India’s future! Five resolutions for 2047 Developing India, eradicating servility, cherishing heritage, nurturing unity, and fulfilling duty.

    A notable highlight of the celebration was the symbolic administration of the “Panch Pran Pledge” by Ambassador Dr. Mohapatra. The “Panch Pran Pledge” urges individuals to channel their efforts into five pivotal resolutions aimed at shaping India’s trajectory over the next 25 years. These resolutions encompass making India a developed nation, eradicating remnants of subjugation, fostering pride in its cultural heritage, fortifying unity, and dutifully fulfilling civic responsibilities. This pledge signifies an ambitious commitment to steer India’s future through resolute dedication. It comprises five core promises, intended to be accomplished by 2047, mirroring the nation’s aspirations for comprehensive advancement. The first pledge ardently underscores the necessity of India’s transformation into a developed nation by 2047, signifying comprehensive growth across all sectors. The second pledge underscores the imperative of discarding all traces of subservience, spotlighting the essence of self-reliance and sovereignty, particularly by eliminating remnants of colonial thinking. The third pledge embraces an embrace of India’s cultural legacy, spotlighting the importance of safeguarding and cherishing its cultural roots. The fourth pledge champions unity’s strength, transcending diversities through harmonious coexistence, while also paying homage to those who safeguarded the nation. Lastly, the fifth pledge emphasizes diligent fulfilment of civic responsibilities, underscoring collective action as pivotal for societal advancement. The “Panch Pran Pledge” encapsulates India’s collective determination to propel the nation towards a future characterized by prosperity, self-esteem, unity, and conscientious citizenship.

    Enthralling cultural performances by the vibrant Indian community members showcased the heart and soul of India’s rich heritage! From soulful songs to mesmerizing dances, their talent ignited patriotism.

    The cultural mosaic of India came alive in the cultural program presented by the Indian community members. Enthusiastic participants showcased their talents through patriotic songs, evocative poems, and spirited dances, embodying the spirit of the nation. The atmosphere reverberated with a sense of pride and belonging, fostering a deep connection among attendees.

    Embassy of India organized Partition Horror Remembrance Day exhibition shedding light on a poignant chapter, reminding us of the importance of unity and understanding.

    In line with the spirit of remembrance, an exhibition titled “Partition Horror Remembrance Day” was organized. This exhibition aimed to raise awareness about the tragic events of India’s partition and pay homage to the sacrifices made during that tumultuous period. It served as a powerful reminder of the importance of unity, harmony, and the pursuit of a peaceful coexistence. The impact of the “Partition Horror Remembrance Day” exhibition was profound, as it allowed attendees to reflect on the lessons learned from history. The exhibition underscored the significance of preserving peace and understanding among diverse communities and the dire consequences of division. It served as a call for unity and tolerance, transcending borders and generations.

    Celebrating creativity and dedication! Honoring the winners of the Yoga My Pride Photography Contest 2023, whose captivating captures truly embodied the essence of yoga’s beauty and spirit.

    The Embassy organized a prize distribution ceremony to honor the winners of the Yoga My Pride Photography Contest 2023. This contest invited individuals to capture the essence of yoga through their camera lenses, celebrating the beauty, serenity, and strength that yoga brings to our lives. The event aimed to promote artistic expression while highlighting the transformative power of yoga. The submitted photographs beautifully depicted moments of yoga practice, meditation, and harmony with nature. The contest not only encouraged creativity but also raised awareness about yoga’s numerous benefits for physical and mental well-being. A committee from the Embassy evaluated the diverse range of entries and selected the deserving winners, who were presented with trophies in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the contest.

    The Embassy actively rallied the Indian community through its diverse social media channels, urging their participation in the noteworthy “Har Ghar Tiranga” campaign initiated by the Government of India. This initiative holds paramount importance as it endeavors to foster a collective sense of national pride and unity. The campaign’s essence lies in urging each Indian household to unfurl the national flag, the Tiranga, a symbol that represents the unity and diversity of our nation. The Embassy extended its support to the Indian community by facilitating the provision of the tricolor flag, enabling households to be part of this movement.

    The Flag Hoisting Celebrations at the Embassy of India, Guatemala, were a heartfelt tribute to the nation’s journey of freedom, resilience, and progress. The event not only rekindled the flames of patriotism but also reinforced the bonds between the Indian community and the host country, Guatemala, fostering an atmosphere of shared values and mutual respect.

    (With inputs from the Embassy of India in Guatemala)

  • US Congressional delegation’s visit to India solidified bilateral ties: Indian Americans

    US Congressional delegation’s visit to India solidified bilateral ties: Indian Americans

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The ongoing visit to India of a US Congressional delegation led by Indian American lawmaker Ro Khanna has further solidified deep ties and underscores a unique vision that can serve as a blueprint to advance the bilateral relationship, according to Indian Americans.

    The four-term Congressman representing Silicon Valley in the House of Representatives, Khanna on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and attended the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort on Tuesday where the prime minister hoisted the national flag.

    During his trips to New Delhi and Mumbai, he has met leaders of the civic society, Bollywood superstars, including Amitabh Bachchan, and the opposition leaders. “I am happy that elected members of the US Congress are present here today on the occasion of our celebration,” Modi said in his Independence Day address.

    “I was honored to visit Raj Ghat on India’s Independence Day to pay my respects to Mahatma Gandhi, one of the world’s greatest leaders. I also had the chance to lead our delegation at the Red Fort,” Khanna posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Glad to receive a Congressional delegation from the US, including co-chairs of India Caucus in the House of Representatives, Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep Michael Waltz,” Modi wrote on X after his meeting with the Congressional delegation.

    Modi said that strong bipartisan support from the US Congress was instrumental in further elevating India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. “Ro’s trip to India is historic. For the grandson of an Indian freedom fighter who fought alongside Gandhi and was even jailed with him — to return to his parents’ birthplace and lead a CODEL in his role as a Member of Congress is as beautiful as it is poignant,” said Ronak D Desai, a leading India practitioner at global law firm Paul Hastings LLP.

    “It is a remarkable story that is only possible in America. This fact is one that I suspect Ro thinks about often, and motivated his desire to become a public servant,” said Desai, also an expert at the Mittal South Asia Institute at Harvard University. Community leader Yogi Chug said on Wednesday the visit of the US delegation further solidified the deep bilateral relationship.

    “From Mumbai, Hyderabad, and New Delhi – whether it was with meeting Amitabh Bachan, Anupam Kher, corporate leaders, or their visit to Akshardham this further solidified the deep relationship,” he said.

    He said the visit was important as the people-to-people and cultural interactions will be needed for the growing US-India Partnership in the years ahead.

    With Prime Minister Modi’s successful State Visit and the upcoming visit of President Joe Biden to India, the Congressional delegation led by US Congress India Caucus Chairs Ro Khanna (CA) and Michal Waltz (FL) could not have come at a better time, he said.

    “Many have described the US-India partnership as one of the most consequential partnerships of the 21st century. Equally exciting was that the Congressional delegation was invited and able to attend Modi’s August 15 address at Red Fort. This is significant that a delegation was accorded such honor and visibility,” Chug said.

    “A good interaction with the US Congressional delegation today. Glad they could join as we celebrated Independence Day. Discussed the transformation underway in India, especially its outcomes of better governance,” External Affairs Minister Jaishankar posted on social media platform X.

    “Shared our aspirations and expectations for Amrit Kaal. Also exchanged views on our advancing bilateral partnership. Shared perspectives on the global situation and our collaboration on multilateral, regional and global issues,” he said. From news reports, it appears the delegation accomplished much during its visit, which also included ministerial-level meetings with the Defense and External Affairs ministries and tours of Western Naval Command further amplifying the critical need for elevating the US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. “This is an indication of the importance of the increased congressional engagements one will see in the years ahead. The India Caucus in the US Congress has the potential to play a critical role in this US objective and priority,” Chug said.

    “Ro Khanna has been a tireless champion of US-India relations for at least 20 years, well before he was elected to Congress. It is unsurprising that he has focused some of his efforts in the House over the past several years to lead the way in strengthening and advancing the bilateral relationship even further,” Desai said on Wednesday.

    According to Desai, Ro’s delegation, in many ways, has been unlike any others that have visited India in the past.

    “While it included some traditional aspects, including meeting with the Prime Minister and EAM, it seems Ro really endeavored to capture the full cultural richness and complexity of India through his meetings with Bollywood legends like Amitabh Bachchan and Anupam Kher, academics, and other civil society leaders.

    “It underscores a unique vision of US-India relations that can serve as a blueprint for both counties moving forward,” he said. The Congressional delegation once again reaffirms one of the central, most important features of the US-India relationship — the nearly ironclad bipartisan consensus surrounding it, Desai said.

    It is one of the primary reasons the partnership continues to grow in leaps and bounds regardless of who is in power in Washington, he said. “Ro’s ability to work across the aisle is well reflected in the various bills he sponsored and have become laws. He’s predictably deploying those bipartisan credentials now in service of the bilateral relationship,” he said.
    (Source: PTI)

  • San Francisco launches driverless bus service following robotaxi expansion

    San Francisco launches driverless bus service following robotaxi expansion

    SAN FRANCISCO (TIP): San Francisco has launched an autonomous shuttle service – less than a week after California regulators approved the expansion of robotaxis despite traffic and safety concerns, AP has reported.
    The free shuttle will run daily in a fixed route called the Loop around Treasure Island, the site of a former U.S. Navy base in the middle of San Francisco Bay. The Loop makes seven stops, connecting residential neighborhoods with stores and community centers. About 2,000 people live on the island.

    The all-electric vehicle, which doesn’t have a driver’s seat or steering wheel, is staffed with an attendant who can drive the bus with a handheld controller if necessary. The county is offering the shuttle service as part of a grant-funded pilot programme to assess how autonomous vehicles can supplement the public transit system.
    “Having the attendant on board makes everyone feel comfortable,” said Tilly Chang, executive director of the San Francisco County Transportation Authority. “This is just a demonstration for now to see, what does it look like and how does it work to have a driverless shuttle in a low-volume, low-speed environment?”

    San Francisco is one of a growing number of cities worldwide that are testing the safety and potential of self-driving vehicles to transform public transportation. The shuttles are operated by Beep, an Orlando, Florida-based company that has run similar pilot programs in more than a dozen U.S. communities, including service at the Miami Zoo, Mayo Clinic and Yellowstone National Park.

    “These shuttles are built for first-mile, last-mile, short connectivity routes. They’re not intended to take the place of a bus system,” said Beep project manager Shelley Caran. “The autonomous vehicle will have a better reaction time than a human and it will offer a more reliable service because they won’t be distracted.”

    During a test ride Wednesday, the shuttle drove slowly and cautiously in autonomous mode. An attendant manually steered the vehicle around a utility truck that blocked part of the road.

    “I didn’t feel unsafe,” said Dominic Lucchesi, an Oakland resident who was among the first to ride the autonomous shuttle. “I thought that it made some abrupt stops, but otherwise I felt like I was riding any other bus for the most part.”

    The boxy shuttle, which can seat up to 10 passengers, will operate 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day and circle the Loop every 20 minutes. The city has two shuttles — one can charge while the other ferries passengers.

    The autonomous shuttle pilot project was launched after the California Public Utilities Commission voted to allow two rival robotaxi companies, Cruise and Waymo, to offer around-the-clock passenger service in San Francisco.

    The approval came despite widespread complaints that the driverless taxis make unexpected stops, cause traffic backups and block emergency vehicles. On Wednesday, the city asked the commission to pause the robotaxi expansion. Cruise, a subsidiary of General Motors, reported on social media that one of its robotaxis crashed into a city fire truck Thursday night, sending one passenger to the hospital.

    Experts don’t anticipate the same problems with driverless buses because they’re expected to be staffed with drivers or attendants for the foreseeable future.

    “Trained operators are going to be required even as we increase automation,” said Nikolas Martelaro, autonomous-vehicle researcher at Carnegie Mellon University. “So, the question there may not be how worried should someone be about losing their job versus what should they be thinking about the potential training that’s required.”

    Autonomous driving technology could make buses safer, but requiring drivers or attendants on-board could undermine one of their perceived advantages: reduced labor costs.

    “We still have to find a market for them,” said Art Guzzetti, vice president at the American Public Transportation Association. “We’re doing it to make the trip better, more efficient, not to take the worker’s job.”

  • Trump and Allies Expected to Surrender to Georgia Police by Aug. 25 in 2020 Election Indictment

    Trump and Allies Expected to Surrender to Georgia Police by Aug. 25 in 2020 Election Indictment

    NEW YORK (TIP): Donald Trump said on social media he would release a 100-page report on Monday, August 21, that would exonerate him, after a Georgia grand jury indicted him and 18 co-conspirators for attempting to overturn the state’s 2020 presidential election results. The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday, August 15, that Trump and the 18 co-defendants are expected to surrender to police and will be booked at the Rice Street Jail. Trump was given a deadline of August 25 to turn himself in. “The jail is open 24/7,” the sheriff added in the statement.

  • 3 Candidates Have Not Yet Signed GOP Loyalty Pledge One Week Ahead of First Primary Debate

    3 Candidates Have Not Yet Signed GOP Loyalty Pledge One Week Ahead of First Primary Debate

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP) The first Republican presidential primary debate will be held next Wednesday, August 23. One criterion to appear on the debate stage is a pledge to support whoever emerges as the Republican nominee. Those who otherwise qualify but have not signed the pledge are Donald Trump, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former Vice President Mike Pence, though he has said he will sign.

  • IRS encourages truckers to e-file by August 31 tax payment deadline

    IRS encourages truckers to e-file by August 31 tax payment deadline

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The Internal Revenue Service today encouraged all those who have registered, or are required to register, large trucks and buses with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more to e-file Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return, by the Aug. 31, 2023, payment deadline for vehicles first used in July 2023. The heavy highway vehicle use tax is an annual federal excise tax on heavy highway motor vehicles operating on public highways.

    The filing deadline is not tied to the vehicle registration date. Taxpayers must file Form 2290 by the last day of the month following the month in which the taxpayer first used the vehicle on a public highway during the taxable period, regardless of the vehicle’s registration renewal date.

    Taxpayers that have 25 or more taxed vehicles registered in their name must e-file Form 2290 and pay the tax. However, on vehicles they expect to use for 5,000 miles or less (7,500 for farm vehicles), they’re required to file a return, but pay no tax. If the vehicle exceeds the mileage use limit during the tax period, the tax becomes due.

    Vehicles first used on a public highway during the month of July 2023 must file Form 2290 and pay the appropriate tax between July 1, 2023, and August 31, 2023. For additional taxable vehicles placed on the road during any month other than July, the tax should be prorated for the months during which it was in service. IRS.gov has a table to help determine the filing deadline.

    File and pay the easy way

    Get the facts

    Visit the Trucking Tax Center on IRS.gov/trucker.
    Review the Frequently Asked Questions for Truckers who e-file (also available in Spanish).
    Use “Do I Need to Pay the Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax?” online tool if unsure about filing.
    Gather the required information

    Vehicle Identification Number(s).
    Employer Identification Number (EIN) – not a Social Security number. It can take about four weeks to establish a new EIN. See How to Apply for an EIN.
    Taxable gross weight of each vehicle.
    Filing options

    All Form 2290 filers are encouraged to e-file, a list of IRS-approved e-file providers is on IRS.gov.
    E-file is required when reporting 25 or more vehicles on Form 2290.
    A watermarked Schedule 1 is sent within minutes after acceptance of an e-filed return.
    If filing by mail, ensure that the correct mailing address is used.
    Mail filers will receive their stamped Schedule 1 within 6 weeks after the IRS receives the form.
    Payment options

    Credit or debit card or digital wallet is an option.
    E-filing makes paying with electronic funds withdrawal an easy part of the process.
    Electronic Federal Tax Payment System requires advanced enrollment.
    Mailed in check or money order payments using Form 2290-V, Payment Voucher, mailed to: Internal Revenue Service, P.O. Box 932500, Louisville, KY 40293-2500.
    More information:

    IRS YouTube Video: Truckers: Mark Your Calendars To File Form 2290.
    “Understanding Form 2290 – Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax”.
    Frequently Asked Questions for Indian Tribal Governments Regarding Highway Use Tax.
    IRS Form 2290 call center, available weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern time. From within the U.S., 866-699-4096 (toll-free), from Canada or Mexico, 859-320-3581 (not toll-free).

  • Hawaii wildfire victims qualify for tax relief; Oct. 16 deadline, other dates postponed to Feb. 15: IRS

    Hawaii wildfire victims qualify for tax relief; Oct. 16 deadline, other dates postponed to Feb. 15: IRS

    WASHINGTON D.C. (TIP): The Internal Revenue Service today announced expansive tax relief for Hawaii wildfire victims in Maui and Hawaii counties. These taxpayers now have until Feb. 15, 2024, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. The IRS is offering relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This means that individuals and households that reside or have a business in these counties qualify for tax relief. The current list of eligible localities is always available on the disaster relief page on IRS.gov.

    Filing and Payment Relief

    The tax relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred from Aug. 8, 2023, through Feb. 15, 2024 (postponement period). As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until Feb. 15, 2024, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period.

    This means, for example, that the Feb. 15, 2024, deadline will now apply to:

    Individuals who had a valid extension to file their 2022 return due to run out on Oct. 16, 2023. The IRS noted, however, that because tax payments related to these 2022 returns were due on April 18, 2023, those payments are not eligible for this relief.

    Quarterly estimated income tax payments normally due on Sept. 15, 2023, and Jan. 16, 2024.

    Quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on Oct. 31, 2023, and Jan. 31, 2024.

    Calendar-year partnerships and S corporations whose 2022 extensions run out on Sept. 15, 2023.

    Calendar-year corporations whose 2022 extensions run out on Oct. 16, 2023.

    Calendar-year tax-exempt organizations whose extensions run out on Nov. 15, 2023.

    In addition, penalties for the failure to make payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after August 8, 2023, and before September 7, 2023, will be abated as long as the deposits are made by Sept. 7, 2023.

    The IRS disaster relief page has details on other returns, payments and tax-related actions qualifying for relief during the postponement period.

    The IRS automatically provides filing and penalty relief to any taxpayer with an IRS address of record located in the disaster area. These taxpayers do not need to contact the agency to get this relief.

    It is possible an affected taxpayer may not have an IRS address of record located in the disaster area, for example, because they moved to the disaster area after filing their return. In these kinds of unique circumstances, the affected taxpayer could receive a late filing or late payment penalty notice from the IRS for the postponement period. The taxpayer should call the number on the notice to have the penalty abated.

    In addition, the IRS will work with any taxpayer who lives outside the disaster area but whose records necessary to meet a deadline occurring during the postponement period are located in the affected area. Taxpayers qualifying for relief who live outside the disaster area need to contact the IRS at 866-562-5227. This also includes workers assisting the relief activities who are affiliated with a recognized government or philanthropic organization.

    Additional Tax Relief

    Individuals and businesses in a federally declared disaster area who suffered uninsured or unreimbursed disaster-related losses can choose to claim them on either the return for the year the loss occurred (in this instance, the 2023 return normally filed next year), or the return for the prior year (2022). Taxpayers have extra time – up to six months after the due date of the taxpayer’s federal income tax return for the disaster year (without regard to any extension of time to file) – to make the election. Be sure to write the FEMA declaration number – DR-4724-HI − on any return claiming a loss. See Publication 547 for details.

    Qualified disaster relief payments are generally excluded from gross income. In general, this means that affected taxpayers can exclude from their gross income amounts received from a government agency for reasonable and necessary personal, family, living or funeral expenses, as well as for the repair or rehabilitation of their home, or for the repair or replacement of its contents. See Publication 525 for details.

    Additional relief may be available to affected taxpayers who participate in a retirement plan or individual retirement arrangement (IRA). For example, a taxpayer may be eligible to take a special disaster distribution that would not be subject to the additional 10% early distribution tax and allows the taxpayer to spread the income over three years. Taxpayers may also be eligible to make a hardship withdrawal. Each plan or IRA has specific rules and guidance for their participants to follow.  The IRS may provide additional disaster relief in the future.

    The tax relief is part of a coordinated federal response to the damage caused by these wildfires and is based on local damage assessments by FEMA. For information on disaster recovery, visit disasterassistance.gov.

  • Indian-origin college student Rejani Raveendran joins US Senate race in Wisconsin

    Indian-origin college student Rejani Raveendran joins US Senate race in Wisconsin

    WISCONSIN (TIP): Rejani Raveendran, a 40-year-old India-born college student has launched a long-shot bid for US Senate from Wisconsin, becoming the first Republican to challenge Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin.
    Raveendran, chair of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College Republicans, officially launched her run against 61-year-old Baldwin in Portage County on Tuesday with just under a year to go until the primary, media reported.
    “I have met lots of politicians, lobbyists, and policymakers. Many of them were there for 20, 30 and 40 years. We elect them, send them and they become so comfortable in DC and forget all about us, why we (have) sent them there,” she said announcing her candidacy.
    A single mother with three children, Raveendran has not been involved in politics until recently. She joined the Stevens Point College Republicans this year, and only decided to run for Senate after her trip to Washington earlier this summer. She plans to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a certificate in international relations next year.
    “I see what’s going on in our country,” Raveendran, who immigrated to the US in 2011 from India, where she was a nurse and midwife, told the Journal Sentinel in an interview last week.
    “I realized how much DC is (dominated) by these polished politicians. I realized there is a need for a change in our political system. We need some new faces with new ideas,” she said.
    “I am not a politician, and I do not want to be a politician,” said Raveendran, “I’m a regular person who knows the situations in regular people’s lives.”
    Raveendran said her campaign will focus on securing the border and cracking down on illicit drugs like fentanyl, stopping illegal immigration and advocating for “medical freedom,” suggesting she is opposed to vaccine mandates.
    In a flyer detailing her candidacy, Raveendran said that she decided to run because she felt the political system needed “new people with new ideas” and to “bring the perspective of regular people and regular moms to Washington.”
    If elected she will push for eliminating illegal immigration, “fight against the woke agenda and preserve the innocence of our children,” end the war in Ukraine and push for congressional term limits, the flyer said.
    Raveendran, who lived in California before moving to Wisconsin in 2017 became a US citizen in 2015. she has said that she supported former President Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020 and is supporting him again in 2024.
    Republican US Representative Tom Tiffany last week announced he will not run against Baldwin, and Mike Gallagher, Republicans’ top choice candidate, has also declined to run.
    Other Republicans considering getting in the race include Madison businessman and 2012 Senate candidate Eric Hovde, Franklin businessman Scott Mayer and former Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke.

  • Indian American lawyer Varoon Modak named as ballot access counsel by Biden-Harris campaign

    Indian American lawyer Varoon Modak named as ballot access counsel by Biden-Harris campaign

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): US President Joe Biden has named prominent Indian American lawyer Varoon Modak as the senior counsel for ballot access for the Biden-Harris 2024 re-election campaign.
    Varoon, a California native, currently works as a counsel at Elias Law Group where he advises federal and non-federal candidates, party committees, and PACs on ballot access and campaign finance issues.
    The announcement is integral to Team Biden-Harris’ efforts to engage and energize the president’s key supporters around the country ahead of next year’s race for the White House.
    Varoon, along with Alana Mounce, the ballot access director, will oversee the campaign efforts to cement President Biden’s place on the ballot in all 57 states and territories and lead the campaign’s delegate selection process, a statement from the Erie County Democratic Party said.
    Alana has also served in battleground states for both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaigns.
    The campaign’s ballot access team will expand on the infrastructure built by the 2020 campaign and the DNC, including the existing massive volunteer and supporter network to ensure the president’s place on the ballot.

  • Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna wins Democracy Award for best Workplace Environment

    Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna wins Democracy Award for best Workplace Environment

    WASHINGTON,D.C. (TIP) : Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna has been honored with a Democracy Award by the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) for outstanding achievement for the category of “Life in Congress”-Workplace Environment.
    The “Life in Congress” Workplace Environment category highlights offices that have established both formal policies and informal cultures that enhance the work-life fit and professional development of their staffs, according to a press release from his office.
    This is the second Democracy Award for Khanna who represents the 17th District of California, which covers communities in Silicon Valley. His office won the 2019 Democracy Award in the “Constituent Service” category.
    “It’s an honor to receive this award for best workplace environment in Congress. I want to congratulate my incredible staff for working alongside me to create a positive and inclusive work environment,” said Khanna.
    “As a strong supporter of workers’ rights, it’s important to me to live my values and ensure that all employees in my office have fair wages and benefits and are treated with dignity and respect.”
    “I’m very proud of our team’s work over the years to make our office a top workplace on Capitol Hill. Each office is like a mini startup, “said Geo Saba, chief of staff in Rep. Khanna’s office. “There’s no centralized HR. This have given us the ability to be creative and reinvent what it means to work on the Hill.”
    “This award is the result of the work and efforts of everyone single member on the team who contributed to reimagining our office policies and creating a healthy work environment,” Saba added.
    “I’ve never worked in a more fun, kind, and people-centered workplace. We celebrate each other’s wins and help one another work through challenges. I’m grateful to work, learn and laugh alongside such wonderful colleagues,” said Sam Elghanayan, legislative aide in Khanna’s office.
    Among other noteworthy items, CMF included the following reasons for selecting Khanna for an award:
    “The office of Rep. Khanna appears to be an open and collaborative workplace, with Rep. Khanna cultivating an individual relationship with every staff member, encouraging staff to offer their recommendations and to ask him questions directly. Staff are continually invited to offer their ideas for everything from the Member’s policy positions to how to best connect our district’s needs to the DC office’s work.”