With a backdrop of a life-size statue of Swami Vivekananda, to the traditional clarion sound of the conch, the second World Hindu Conference attended by 2,500 Hindus from 60 countries had a resounding start on Friday, September 7th at the Westin Lombard York Town Center in Chicago.
With luminaries from spiritual, educational, business, and political walks of life among the invited speakers, the message of Hindus coming together for the common good, with a sense of unity, reverberated the grand hall even as Swami Vivekananda’s historic speech to the World Parliament of Religions did 125 years ago at the nearby Art Institute of Chicago.
Convening September 7-9 at The Westin Hotel in the Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard, IL, the 2018 WHC is celebrating the 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s Parliament of Religions speech in Chicago in 1893. Upon completion of WHC deliberations, the Honorable M. Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of the Republic of India, will participate in a special ceremony to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Swamiji’s Chicago speech. “The 2018 World Hindu Congress will be a landmark event,” said WHC Coordinator.
Dr. Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh from India, addressed the congress on the theme drawn from the Mahabharat, “Think collectively, Act Valiantly.”
Bhagwat highlighted the need for such an action now and how Hindus should work together.
“Our universal values now called Hindu values lead to the welfare of the individual, the society, the nature and the environment. It is the duty of Hindus to remind the world, the universal values from time to time. This duty of dharma to human beings should be performed till the world exists and thus, Hindu dharma will also exist till the world exists. Hindus know the basic values, but have forgotten to practice them.” Stressing the need for unity, Bhagwat said if a lion is alone, wild dogs can invade and destroy the lion. We must not forget that. We want to make the world better. We have no aspiration of dominance. Our influence is not a result of conquest or colonization.”
In this context, he alluded to the war and politics in the Hindu epic Mahabharat, and said politics cannot be conducted like a meditation session, and it should be politics. “To work together, we have to accept the consensus. We are in a position to work together,” Bhagwat said.
The congress recognized four organizations for their outstanding contributions to spreading Hindu philosophy. The Bochasanwasi Aksharpurshottam Swaminrayan Sanstha (BAPS) was honored for its extreme visual idealism around the world as it built architecturally beautiful mandirs. Chinmaya Mission for explaining the essence of the Gita, Geeta Press, Gorakhpur for making sacred Hindu literature easily accessible, and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness for spreading the message of Gita were also honored.
SP Kothari, chair of WHC, said he and many speakers attending the conference received calls and petitions from organizations and individuals to withdraw from the Congress on the ground WHC or some of its organizers are “socially and religiously divisive.” “I categorically reject this supposition,” Kothari said. Kothari said he welcomed diversity and evolution of thought and believed that two areas will benefit from reform. Women have not fared well and this is a universal problem. There is a large chasm and women’s talents haven’t been harnessed. Focus on education is the other area requiring reform.
The three goals of WHC are “enlighten, reform and advance.” WHC brings enlightenment throughout the world about the Hindu community through spirituality, harmony and inclusiveness, he said. Hindus must reform and be in the forefront in eliminating social and economic inequality, foster cooperation among those with ideas and resources, and view commerce as a means to furthering Hindu dharma for a better tomorrow.
Vice-president of Republic of Suriname Ashwin Adhin in his address said “We, as Hindus, never forsake our mission. Hindus have always been the missionaries of renunciation and service.”
Words like peace, harmony and spirituality do not appeal to ordinary people easily and they have to be framed in right perspective terms so that they get established in people’s mind, Adhin said.
“Much change is needed and we need action,” Adhin said and recalled Swami Vivekananda’s stirring call, “Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached.”
Stating that it was a big achievement for a poor Kashmiri Hindu boy to be speaking at the event, award winning actor Anupam Kher saluted “our country India…a place that has been home to all cultures, religions and faiths. Hinduism is a way of life, he added, and one becomes a Hindu by living like one. Tolerance was the centerpiece of Vivekananda’s message. “My roots are steeped in Hinduism. I draw inspiration from Swami Vivekananda to shine a light on all of us gathered here and beyond. As a Hindu, it pains me deeply to see how ignorance and half knowledge are trying to destroy one of the oldest, world’s most peaceful religion,” the Bollywood actor told the audience.
Vice Chair Raju Reddy described the congress as an extraordinary opportunity to shape the dialogue about Hindus going forward and change the perceptions of Hindus as very positive change makers wherever they may be in the world.
Conference host Dr. Shamkant Sheth spoke of the two years of hard work that went into bringing together the WHC and of the opportunity to connect, inspire and learn to strengthen the global Hindu community in these productive 3 days of discussion.
Addressing the “confluence of Hindu leadership who have come to connect, share ideas, inspire one another and impact the common good” WHC coordinator Dr. Abhaya Asthana stated that “we have gathered to reaffirm the same message of diversity, cooperation and universal acceptance” uttered by Swami Vivekananda 125 years ago.
WHC, he stated is not an event, it is a community movement. It seeks to encourage Hindus around the world to ascend to the highest levels of excellence. This Congress, he stated, was important so we “may graduate from individual success to collective success.”
The Coalition for the Defense of the Constitution and Democracy (CDCD) unequivocally condemns the brazen attempt by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA, World Hindu Council of America), Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS, Hindu Volunteer Corps) and others to provide a platform in the USA for individuals and organizations engaged in fomenting and carrying out acts of genocidal violence against minorities, intellectuals, and human rights and civil liberties activists in India. The above organizations have organized the so-called ‘World Hindu Congress’ in Chicago from September 7-9, 2018, where they have invited speakers who have taken public positions, made statements, and / or engaged in actions that are fascistic, misogynist, Islamophobic, anti-Dalit, pro-casteist, and homophobic.
The main organizers of this conference are, not surprisingly, organizational affiliates of the Hindu supremacist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (the RSS, or National Volunteer Corps) – the parent organization of the increasingly repressive Hindu Nationalist ruling party in India – the Bharatiya Janata Party (Indian People’s Party) in India and close affiliate of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in India – an organization with innumerable smaller affiliates that is routinely linked to the rising numbers of lynchings of Muslims and Dalits in India, and more recently with plotting terror, with a UK Guardian Op-ed calling India ‘Republic of Fear’, and noted writer Pankaj Mishra speaking about the BJP’s ‘hybrid methods of repression’.
The theme driving this event is a so-called “Hindu resurgence,” – a term that hides behind a benign multicultural mask for celebrating Hindu culture but which conveniently seeks to mask the violent politics of the RSS and its affiliates. For, the ‘culture’ being celebrated at the WHC is shaped by the fascistic and supremacist vision of the RSS, an organization modeled along fascist Italian organizations such as the Ballila and Avanguardisti and centered on the total abrogation of all democratic rights and norms of governance. Over the last 4 years of the Hindu nationalist Narendra Modi government, there has been a sharp spike in violence against minorities, with many atrocities directly committed by members of the RSS family of organizations including the ruling BJP, with full impunity. The victims of the violence of this ‘Hindu resurgence’ – known by its more popular name in India and abroad as ‘Hindutva’ – are Muslims, Dalits, Hindus from oppressed caste groups, Christians, secularists, rationalists , human rights and civil liberty activists, and any opponents or critics of the current political regime.
It therefore is shocking that the two top leaders of the RSS – Mohan Bhagwat and Dattatreya Hosabale are to lead plenary sessions at the WHC, while a host of other major players in the broader family of RSS organizations are participants in various roles. Some examples of speakers listed under the “Education Conference” include Sankrant Sanu who routinely calls the media ‘presstitutes’ and debunks Islamophobia, and Rajeev Malhotra, a U.S. based entrepreneur and supporter of the RSS who publicly tweeted a few weeks ago that donors for flood-ravaged Kerala state in India should only aid Hindus and not Muslims and Christians.
Among those included as speakers in the “Media Conference” section are the editors of the mouthpieces of the RSS (“Organiser”) and the BJP (“Panchjanya”). Others such as Suresh Chavhanke, who heads the right-wing Sudarshan TV station has a life-long association with the RSS, and has previously been arrested for ‘promoting enmity,’ and is also accused of rape.
In addition, prominent figures from the film industry who have publicly embraced the politics of the RSS and BJP such as Vivek Agnihotri and Anupam Kher, who not too long ago were actively inciting mob and state violence against students in Jadavpur University and Jawaharlal Nehru University, publicly labelling government critics and human rights activists as ‘anti-nationalists’ and ‘Maoists’, and Shefali Vaidya a prominent Modi supporter who is associated with the notorious rightwing blog “The Frustrated Indian.” The organizers of the WHC have left little doubt that they view the event as a platform for their Hindu supremacist movement.
Another prominent inspiration for Hindutva and the World Hindu Congress, Ajay Singh Bisht (“Yogi Adityanath”), was initially invited to speak at the WHC, but for unknown reasons is no longer listed as a speaker. He is the chief executive of India’s most populous state and has overseen a reign of mob violence by his own party members attacking Muslim and Dalit communities. He has cases pending against him for incitement and violence, and has been the subject of a recent Supreme Court query directed to courts in UP asking why he hasn’t been prosecuted for his crimes. Indeed, the Indian Supreme Court itself, given the rise in mob violence including lynchings and the impunity seemingly granted by the Indian government, warned that India is becoming a ‘mobocracy.’
By masking their anti-democratic political agenda of Hindutva behind the garb of celebrating ‘Hindu culture,’ the organizers of the WHC seek to avoid critical scrutiny from the U.S. public. Freely deploying symbols from the Hindu tradition, they seek to convince Americans that their event is about Hinduism. However, many self-identified Hindus would disagree. They would argue that Hindutva is NOT Hinduism. The ruthless persecution of religious minorities, the bold defense of some of the most horrid practices of discrimination and violence against Dalits, and the revanchist anti-woman dispensation of the Hindutva movement, should all give cause for concern among a US public accustomed to viewing such events through the lens of multicultural citizenship.
The WHC is a Hindutva event – built entirely on Hindu supremacist notions and fascistic organizations – whose purpose is to shore up chances for the BJP in the impending 2019 general elections. It is incumbent upon all of us to educate ourselves about the violent ideology of Hindutva, and in particular on members of the press to expose the World Hindu Congress for what it is – a brazen attempt to provide a global platform for Hindutva leaders to aid in the persecution and further oppression of religious minorities, Dalits, public intellectuals, and human rights and civil liberty activists in India.
Vinod Prakash has distinct memories of delivering flyers during the freedom movement in India. He was only 9 years old but vividly recalls that the flyers were printed in a concealed room by his brother. In the same breath, he reveals how his sister-in-law (Bhabhi) along with his mother, 3 unmarried sisters and brother offered Satyagraha (peaceful protest) against the British government.
This is the kind of personal history the Founder of India Development and Relief Fund (IDRF) Vinod Prakash, now 85, comes from. It would have a tremendous influence in shaping his character, sense of idealism and the life changing decisions he took from quitting a prestigious job at the World Bank, rushing relief measures to a quake hit area or refusing to pay a bribe to a government official.
The youngest of nine siblings, Vinod was born in Meerut, a city northeast of New Delhi. He belonged to a lower middle class business family that ran a publishing house and owned the Prakash Educational Store selling books and stationery.
Vinod’s wife and partner in every social service endeavor, Sarla was born in Bihar Sharif, and is the 7th among 8 siblings. A topper right through, Sarla did her Bachelors from Kanya Gurukul Mahavidyalaya in Dehradun and then joined the DAV College in Kanpur for a Masters in Political Science. While in college, she agreed to meet Vinod at her brother’s request. The two met over a cup of tea at the Kanpur railway station. She liked his “simplicity,” while he appreciated her zest for knowledge.
A brilliant student, Vinod completed his Bachelors in Science and Masters in Mathematics at a local college in Meerut after which he headed to the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in Kolkata. He joined the Government of India’s Perspective Development Planning program which attracted several global experts from countries such as Australia, UK and the US. Vinod worked with all of them and they would good humoredly refer to him as “a walking Encyclopedia.”
Seeing his potential, they offered Vinod a Fellowship in their countries but he opted for the Ford Foundation Fellowship at MIT. In 1960, he and Sarla left for Boston where Sarla joined Boston University for a Masters in Mass Communication and Vinod pursued his Fellowship at MIT.
The couple returned to Delhi for a brief period where Vinod served as Joint Director of Monopolies and Enquiry Commission – an unusually high position for one so young. However they had to return to the US for treatment for their son who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Vinod secured a Graduate Scholarship at MIT and the family moved back to the US.
He then joined the World Bank and was also heading the India Relief Fund (IRF) for a decade. When the Fund’s purpose was served, Vinod approached the World Bank Executive for India – M. Narasimham and explained that he would like to use IRF to provide relief assistance. Given Vinod’s integrity, capability and sincerity, a special provision was made and from 1977-1987 Vinod took charge of the Fund. The organization swung into action with relief measures when the Morvi Dam collapsed in 1979 and the Bhopal Gas tragedy struck in 1984.
In 1988, almost 20 years later, Vinod retired from the World Bank only to begin working fulltime for IDRF – his nonprofit.
In 1993, when Latur in Maharashtra was crumbling under a 6.2 Richter scale earthquake, IDRF moved swiftly, raised $303,000 with the help of Houstonian Vijay Pallod, and volunteers landed in Latur to provide relief measures.
Sarla, likewise, shared her husband’s idealism. A school for deaf children in Kolkata moved her so much that she asked every friend to contribute $100 dollars. She also invited friends for a $25 sit down luncheon, served different Indian cuisines and raised $1000 dollars for many years. Vinod had jokingly told her he would match whatever she raised. She held him to his word and in her way demonstrated how even a homemaker can support a cause.
IDRF’s emphasis has always been “Putting power, not charity in the hands of the underprivileged.” Vinod’s experience as a developmental economist had taught him that people must be provided with skills to make them self-reliant versus giving handouts. Over time, the organization expanded its focus to 6 key areas: women empowerment, education, health, eco-friendly development, improving governance in urban and rural areas and relief and rehabilitation.
A tax exempt 501 (c) 3 public charity, IDRF’s transparency, accountability and financial health won it a coveted Platinum rating from America’s largest non-profit data resource GuideStar and a four out of four star rating from Charity Navigator for five consecutive years.
IDRF’s efficient use of resources helped the organization rush relief and rehabilitation measures to every major Indian disaster since 1991. When the earthquake struck in Gujarat in January 2001, Vinod describes the donations as “falling from the sky.” In the 1999 tragic Kargil war, the organization presented a check of Rs.51 lakhs to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. They raised $100,000 to aid victims of flooding in Uttarakhand and equipped temporary shelters with beds, mattresses, cooking utensils and solar lanterns.
Over the years, IDRF, in cooperation with local NGOs and partners, built 2500 toilets, focused on education of impoverished tribal girls from the north east, created access to medical services for 50,000 people in the remote villages of Assam and IDRF’s medical van played a key role in improving the lives of the tribal people and in diverting youth from Naxalism to social work.
IDRF also helped construct 127 check dams/ponds and 147 wells putting an end to the daily long trek for water. IDRF helped start the Savitri Soni Vidya Mandir Inter College in Meerut, UP with two teachers and two classrooms under a thatched roof. Today, the school has changed the educational landscape of the region and draws children from 30 adjoining villages.
Since 1988, IDRF has sent over $34 million to India, Nepal and Sri Lanka – and helped thousands of donors give back to their homeland.
This generosity and empathy is imbibed in the family. Vinod and Sarla’s elder son, Sanjay and to-be-daughter-in-law Renu donated all their wedding gifts to Seva Bharati, a residential school for tribal boys in the outskirts of Delhi. Vinod’s younger son Gautam followed suit when he got married. By the time Sarla’s 60th birthday and Vinod’s 75th birthday came around, their friends knew what to expect! All gifts went to NGO’s in India through IDRF.
In 2010, personal tragedy struck when an undiagnosed infection and a doctor’s negligence cost Vinod his vision. Today, he wistfully says he misses seeing the smiles on the faces of his grandchildren and visiting NGOs in India but reflects that the tragedy invigorated his purpose of a life of service.
Vinod and Sarla live in Maryland and their efforts continue to empower Indians in the remotest and poorest regions of India. Visit www.idrf.org for more information or call 301-704-0032
As many as 15 people, including seven Indians, and five India-based call centers have been indicted in a multimillion-dollar scam that defrauded over 2,000 U.S. citizens, resulting in over $5.5 million in losses, the Department of Justice said on Friday.
The scam involved call center operators who impersonated officials from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or individuals offering payday loans while calling potential victims, using information obtained from data brokers and other sources, U.S. Attorney Byung J. Pak said.
Later, they threatened the victims with arrest, imprisonment, or fines for failing to pay taxes or penalties to the government, the Justice Department said in a statement.
Seven individuals were arrested on Thursday in the U.S. Seven co-conspirators and five call-centers based in Ahmedabad were also charged for their alleged involvement.
Network of centers.
The indictment alleged that the accused were involved in a sophisticated scheme organised between 2012 and 2016 by co-conspirators in India, including a network of call centres in Ahmedabad. “IRS and payday loan phone schemes seek to profit by exploiting U.S. citizens, including the most vulnerable members of our community,” Mr. Pak said.
The operators would threaten potential victims with arrest, imprisonment, or fines if they did not pay taxes or penalties to the government, the indictment said. If the victims agreed to pay, the call centres would turn to a network of U.S.-based co-conspirators to liquidate and launder the extorted funds. The indicted call centres are Excellent Solutions BPO, ADN Infotech Pvt. Ltd, Infoace BPO Solutions Pvt. Ltd, Adore Infosource, Inc and Zurik BPO Services Pvt. Ltd.
Celebrations have erupted in India after the supreme court unanimously ruled to decriminalise homosexual sex in a landmark judgment for gay rights. A five-judge bench at the country’s highest court ruled that a 160-year-old law banning sex “against the order of nature” amounted to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and was unconstitutional.
The judgment, after 24 years of legal challenges, triggered elation among LBGT Indians and their allies across the country and plans for all-night parties in nightclubs in major cities.
In Mumbai, people marched carrying a giant rainbow banner; in Bangalore they draped themselves in the LBGT flag and let off scores of balloons. In Delhi’s luxury Lalit hotel, run by one of the activists who fought Thursday’s case, and home to one of the city’s furtively gay-friendly nightclubs, staff danced in the lobby.
“Criminalising carnal intercourse under section 377 Indian penal code is irrational, indefensible and manifestly arbitrary,” said the chief justice, Dipak Misra, in his decision, announced last weekout
Misra’s was one of four written judgments agreeing to scrap the ban. The rulings quoted Lord Alfred Douglas (“The love that dare not speak its name”), Leonard Cohen (“From the ashes of the gay/ democracy is coming”), William Shakespeare (“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”) and the German philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (“I am what I am, so take me as I am”).
Misra said: “Social exclusion, identity seclusion and isolation from the social mainstream are still the stark realities faced by individuals today, and it is only when each and every individual is liberated from the shackles of such bondage … that we can call ourselves a truly free society.”
Another judge on the bench, Indu Malhotra, said: “History owes an apology to members of the community for the delay in ensuring their rights.”
The judges accepted estimates that up to 8% of India’s population – 104 million people – might be LGBT, one of the largest Tsuch populations in the world. The announcement of the decision drew loud cheers from a crowd gathered on a lawn outside the supreme court.
“Today is a historic day,” said Anand Grover, one of the lawyers who led the case. “The future is for everybody to be included, to realise their fundamental rights of equality, privacy, dignity et cetera. That is what the court has stated and given directions that this be made available and known to everybody.”
The decision appears to mark the end of a fraught path to legalising homosexuality in modern India. Cases filed in 1994 and 2001 bounced back and forth for years between courts reluctant to rule on the issue. The Delhi high court ruled against the ban in 2009 but was that overturned four years later by the supreme court.
Critics of the law say that although prosecutions under section 377 are rare, it was frequently used to blackmail gay and lesbian Indians and contributed to their marginalisation, while also inhibiting efforts to fight diseases such as HIV/Aids. One LGBT group, the Humsafar Trust, said its crisis response team in Mumbai had attended to 18 cases in the past two years of gay men who were being blackmailed by the police or by people threatening to report them to authorities.
It said it had received at least 52 reports of LGBT people experiencing harassment or discrimination in the workplace who were unable to report it because of the ban on homosexuality.
Lawyers working to overturn the supreme court’s 2013 decision had a breakthrough last year. “What changed everything was last year’s privacy judgment,” said Gautam Bhatia, a Delhi-based lawyer and legal scholar. “In August 2017 the supreme court held there was a fundamental right to privacy, and as part of that, five judges said the 2013 decision was wrong. “It was unprecedented. The judges commented on a completely unconnected case to say it was wrong. But once they said it, with the imprimatur of a full bench behind it, section 377 was gone, implicitly if not formally.”
Swami Agnivesh, a Hindu cleric who supported the abolition of section 377, said the Vedas, the scriptures that undergird many Hindu beliefs, contained nothing that barred same-sex relationships.
“According to the Vedas, all human beings constitute one family, irrespective of what country they belong to or their skin colour,” he said outside the supreme court. “If two adults decide to have according to their sexual orientation, to have a relationship in private, why should anyone have an objection?”
Asia Society has announced the 2018 Class Members of its Asia 21 Young Leaders Program, an unparalleled network of accomplished young professionals from across the Asia Pacific region, representing the new generation of leaders in government, business, arts, media, and the nonprofit sector.
The new class adds to a dynamic pool of more than 900 influential professionals under the age of 40 (at the time of selection) from 40 nations who are engaged in thought leadership, dialogue, friendship, and meaningful collaborations for positive impact on both local and global
Rashna Imam, Managing Partner of Akhtar Imam & Associates is from Bangladesh, says, “Leadership is fueled by a passionate vision. I have chosen the arena of law to realize mine. But visionary dreams cannot be realized without courage and integrity.”
Rashna Imam is an advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. Growing up in Bangladesh, she experienced first-hand the myriad issues that plague developing nations. While pursuing a successful career in law, she learned how the right legal frameworks can have a tremendous impact in ameliorating those issues. She now devotes most of her time and energy to public interest work.
Prior to her shift in focus, she gained significant expertise in company and commercial Law as a corporate associate at Baker and McKenzie’s London office, where she had the opportunity to represent global giants like Arcelor Mittal and Schneider Electric. In Bangladesh, she advised clients like Visa Worldwide, Phillip Van Heusen, British American Tobacco, Phillip Morris International, and Ernst & Young. Imam has been ranked as a leading lawyer in Chambers and Partners, Asia-Pacific 2018. She obtained a First Class LLB (honors) degree from the University of Buckingham in the U.K. and the prestigious bachelor of civil law degree from the University of Oxford
Ravi Kumar, Founder of Code for Nepal says, “Traditionally, we consider leaders as those who lead from the top …. I have realized that to enable every team member to contribute fully, a leader has to empower and support them in their analysis and decision making.”
Ravi Kumar is the founder of Code for Nepal, a non-profit working to increase digital literacy and the use of open data in Nepal. Via the nonprofit, he is opening up Nepal’s data to make it more accessible and understandable and has launched scholarship programs to help youth and women in Nepal become digitally savvy. Currently, he is leading a digital strategy team at the World Bank’s Governance Global Practice that supports 700 staff in 90 countries. He is also helping to build capacity for evidence-based policymaking in Nepal through a World Bank project. In 2009, he co-founded Grassroot Movement in Nepal, a non-profit that has rebuilt 30 schools. He serves on Buena Vista University’s President’s Advisory Council.
Kumar has been named in Forbes 30 Under 30’s list of social entrepreneurs in Asia. He holds a master’s from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree from Buena Vista University.
Pradip Pariyar, Executive Chairperson of Samata Foundation is from Nepal. He says, “Leadership for me is to serve marginalized people around the world, create a positive impact in their lives, and create opportunities for them to build their leadership to change the society.”
Pradip Pariyar is the executive chairperson at SAMATA Foundation, which conducts policy research and advocates for the rights of the Dalits, the most marginalized community in Nepal, in order to end caste-based discrimination. As the elected president of the Association of Youth Organizations Nepal (AYON), he worked closely with government of Nepal to initiate a youth-responsive budget.
He was a member of the government task force that developed Youth Vision 2025, a 10-year governmental national youth development policy plan. He has trained thousands of youths in leadership, peacebuilding, and conflict-sensitive journalism across Asia and Africa. He founded the Nepal Youth Forum to focus on policy advocacy, awareness, and youth empowerment. In 2011, Pariyar was selected as a youth fellow by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
Pariyar serves as the chairperson of the Nepal Policy Center, a youth-led think tank. In 2015, he received the Youth Leadership Award from the Nepali Government’s Ministry of Youth and Sports for his decade-long contribution to youth leadership development across Nepal. He studied at Tribhuvan University.
Roshan Paul, Co-Founder and CEO of Amani Institute, India, says, “Leadership is not the charismatic visionary leading the pack, but the guide who helps the stragglers keep up. In that sense, everyone can be a leader … stepping up, and showing up even when you don’t want to, is the key to leadership.”
Roshan Paul is co-founder and CEO of Amani Institute, a new model of higher education that helps people build impactful careers. In just five years, Amani has become a $1 million financially sustainable nonprofit with offices in Kenya, Brazil, and India. Prior to Amani, he worked with Ashoka for 10 years.
He is a member of the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Behavioral Science. He has lectured at over 40 universities globally, including Harvard, Georgetown, and Johns Hopkins. He gave the commencement speech at the University of San Diego in 2015 and a TEDx talk at TEDxAmsterdamEd and TEDx Bangalore Salon. His writing has been published in Forbes, Stanford Social Innovation Review, MIT’s innovations journal, and more. He has also written two books: Such a Lot of World, a novel, and Your Work Begins at No, a collection of essays on social impact education.
Paul holds a master’s in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, a bachelor’s from Davidson College, and a certificate in creative leadership as a founding participant of THNK: The Amsterdam School for Creative Leadership.
Roopam Sharma, FRSA at Research Scientist and Innovator Eyeluminati is from India. He says,
“Leadership to me is applying practical, innovative, and sustainable approaches to benefit society in general, with an emphasis on those who belong to the bottom billion of the socio-economic pyramid … and helping people live a better life.”
Roopam Sharma, FRSA is an Indian scientist and innovator, creating social impact through disruptive technological inventions to solve perennial problems. He is best known for his work on Manovue, the world’s first intelligent personal assistance system for the visually impaired. Manovue combines vision intelligence and the internet of things in the form of an inexpensive wearable device, delivering a technology that replaces Braille and empowering more than 94 percent of visually impaired people.
Sharma is the youngest person ever to be recognized as one of the top innovators under 35 by MIT Technology Review (2016) and was awarded the Gifted Citizen Prize in 2016, an international prize that honors the best social entrepreneur with an ability to benefit 10 million people over the next six years. He recently received the National Youth Award, the highest youth honor in the country given by the president of India for his contribution to the field of national development and social service through research and innovation. He earned a bachelor’s of technology in computer science
Anam Zakaria, an Independent Oral Historian, Researcher, Author & Cultural Facilitator in
Pakistan, says, “I want people around me to be able to freely share their ideas and empower them to execute those ideas without fear of failing. Because this is how they will learn. This is how I learned and is what brought me where I am.”
Anam Zakaria is an independent oral historian, researcher, author, and cultural facilitator. She previously led The Citizens Archive of Pakistan’s (CAP) Oral History program, conducting hundreds of oral histories with Partition survivors and religious minorities. She frequently writes on issues of conflict and peace in South Asia for various news outlets and peacebuilding platforms.
Her first book, The Footprints of Partition: Narratives of Four Generations of Pakistanis and Indians (2015) won the KLF-German Peace Prize 2017. Her second book, Between the Great Divide: A Journey into Pakistan-administered Kashmir (2018), employs oral histories to explore the human impact of Kashmir conflict. She also served as director of Exchange for Change at CAP, connecting thousands of schoolchildren in India, Pakistan, and the U.S. through letters, postcards, and a physical exchange. She continues this line of work as an independent cultural facilitator and is currently connecting children in India and Pakistan through virtual exchanges with the goal of inclusive dialogue, tolerance, and peacebuilding.
Zakaria has a degree in international development from McGill University and a certification in psychotherapy and counseling with a special interest in trauma and healing in conflict zones.
Namgay Zam is an Independent Multimedia Journalist and Activist from Bhutan, says, “Leadership is empathetic service guided by the belief that all humans are inherently good and deserve a fair chance at a decent and fulfilled life.”
Namgay Zam is an independent multimedia journalist, a media and communications trainer, and an activist. She was the producer and host of Bhutan’s first and only mental health show: Mind Over Matter Bhutan. She has been a journalist for the last 10 years, beginning her career with the country’s first national youth radio station, then moving to the national broadcaster as a producer, news editor, and anchor in English. She is also the only Bhutanese journalist to have covered the World Cup. As an activist, Zam works for social justice, gender equity, and mental well-being.
She often works pro bono with several NGOs that align with her activist learnings. Zam also works closely with the Bhutan Network for Empowering Women to push for more women leadership, and with Bhutanese youth to help them find and build drug-free creative spaces in Bhutan. One such project is called “Gokab,” which is now the country’s biggest street-dance competition.
Zam was a Humphrey Fellow at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. She has a bachelor’s degree from the Lady Shriram College for Women, Delhi University.
The Sikh Coalition is proud to announce the new Junior Sikh Coalition (JSC) class for the 2018-2019 year. As the tri-state youth leadership program enters its’ seventh year, we welcome 20 new youth leaders who will join three remaining members from the class of 2017.
Last month, the Sikh Coalition kicked-off the JSC program with a series of social justice trainings and workshops hosted by Sikh Coalition staff and guest presenters. The week-long boot camp was designed to strengthen leadership skills, introduce Sikh civil rights issues, and develop project focus areas for the upcoming year. Following the intensive leadership training, JSC members attended Camp Chardi Kala to conduct anti-bullying workshops, build sangat (community) with other Sikh youth and develop their personal connection to Sikhi.
“Like their predecessors, this new class of youth leaders is bright, inspiring and driven to make a lasting change in their communities,” said Community Development Manager Harleen Kaur. “Given this program’s legacy and impact, we are proud to continue this youth empowerment initiative with so many promising and devoted new members.”
This upcoming year, JSC is interested in doing more to destigmatize mental health issues, combat sexism, address Sikh representation in mainstream media, and empower other Sikh youth to embrace their unique identities. These new project areas will happen as the youth leaders continue their anti-bullying work by hosting workshops with Sikh youth in the tri-state area.
“I am very excited to be part of this year’s Junior Sikh Coalition class,” said Manisha Kaur, a JSC member from Queens, NY. “Through this program, I have found my sangat and I look forward to honing my leadership skills, finding my voice, and continuing to build community for myself and others.”
Since its inception in 2012, the JSC program has trained nearly 60 youth community leaders who have educated over 1,300 students on bullying prevention and Sikh awareness. Click here to learn more about the impact of the Junior Sikh Coalition program. If you would like to help financially support the Junior Sikh Coalition’s weekly meetings and trainings, please click here to donate. If you would like to get in touch about potential opportunities with the Junior Sikh Coalition, please email jsc@sikhcoalition.org.
Chicago IL: Another historic Taste of Pakistan in Bolingbrook took place on Saturday, August 25, 2018. Thousands flock to this city each year to witness one of the most well organized and well attended Pakistan Day celebrations in the USA. This year was not different as the host organization the Association of Pakistani Americans of Bolingbrook (APA) yet gained another feather in their cap.
The event was hosted at the Bolingbrook performing arts center at 375 W. Briarcliff Rd. behind Village Hall. This year the celebrities invited to perform was no other that the renowned entertainer from Pakistan Ali Haider and upcoming famous young singer Malaika Faisal from Coke Studio. Thousands of attendees packed the complex filled with food, entertainment and music. The event was sponsored by Dr. Nadim Longi and Dr. Moazzam Saeed of Advanced Pediatric Care.
Bolingbrook has a diverse population and has consistently ranked among the best places to live in America by Money Magazine. Among the honored guests Mayor of Bolingbrook Roger. C. Claar and Vice Consul General of Pakistan Rabia Shafiq attended on behalf of Hon. Faisal N. Tirmizi who could not attend due to prior commitments, Ms. Shafiq had nothing but praise for the event and the city which has recently became a sister city to Sialkot Pakistan. Also, in attendance were representatives from Will County, Village Trustees, Library Trustees, School Board members, Judge Ben Braun, Alysia Benford candidate for State Rep, State Senator Pat McGuire, Dr. Nick Stella candidate for congress, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner had sent a video and proclamation, Will County Board members, Bolingbrook Park District, State Rep Dave Olsen and others.
The official flag hoisting was conducted as the APA celebrated 27 years of raising the Pakistani flag at Village hall. The ceremony was conducted by Mayor Claar and Vice Consul Shafiq and the founder of the APA Mr. Talat Rashid was honored with the proclamation, a video message from the Governor and received much praise from the guests for the vision and accomplishments of the APA. The APA also recognized Mr. Abdul Razzaq from the Pakistan Consulate Chicago for his dedicated service to the community along with recently retired Bolingbrook Public Works member Bob Kalis for his 29 years of service. The Master of Ceremonies was no other than Mir Ali, who continues to grow in his role of leading the future of the community and has done explicit work for the community. Both Mr. Rashid and Mr. Ali were appointed to the Police and Fire and Plan Commission boards, respectively. This year Mr. Rizwan Asghar was also appointed to the Civic Affairs Cultural Affairs Commission.
The Taste of Pakistan’s success has always been due to the hard work of its members and the unparalleled level of its sponsors. Grand Sponsors were no other than Advanced Pediatric Care. Other sponsors included JF Labs President Mr. Ali Akhtar, RNA Corp. CEO Mr. Munir Chaudhry, AMITA Bolingbrook Hospital, Absolute Healthcare CEO Mr. Asad Malik, Wintrust Bank Mr. Shakeel Khan, BMO Harris Bank Mr. Obaid Haleem, IFANCA and many others
The event was entertaining at many fronts. Entertainment for kids included face painting, jumpy houses, air plane rides and arts and crafts activities. All types of food were being served at the food booths consisting of Bismillah Restaurant, Makki Grill, Lazaal Foods, Desi Diner and Porto’s Peri chicken.
The clothing and jewelry bazaar were filled with deals and business owners had their booths set up to get the maximum exposure. The APA has done a fine job in maintaining the quality and providing businesses a great platform to get exposure through their digital screen advertising and this year the entire event was broadcasted live achieving over 200k viewership.
The entertainment began about 8pm as DJ Kazi entertained the crowd all day with his music. The APA rewarded Bolingbrook Police officer Robert Liazuk for his 25 years of above and beyond service to the community. The APA offered many great raffle prizes including the grand prize of a round trip ticket by MI travel.
The highlights of the evening consisted of a video message from the newly elected Governor of Sindh, Mr. Imran Ismail praising Mayor Roger Claar for his support and dedication to the Pakistani American community of Bolingbrook for over 30 years. The APA thanked the Governor for his kind words and recognized Mr. Ali Akhtar for his unparalleled support. The most memorable part of the evening was when the APA announced to donate proceeds and profits from its raffle and parking towards the Basha Dam construction project, which is badly needed to support Pakistan’s rural population that in today’s world still lack water and electricity.
The APA also donated to many local nonprofits including the Lions Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, H2O and Clow airport. Later, the APA was also was successful in rallying individuals to donate towards the Basha Dam project, those individuals included Dr. Moazzam Saeed, Dr. Nadim Longi, Dr, Faiz, Dr. Waseem, Dr. Yaseen, Dr. Tahmina Bajwa and Dr. Ghani. The thousands of attendees were on their feet in excitement and praised the APA and the donors for their continued commitment to make Pakistan a better place to live.
The entertainment began with a bang as Malaika Faisal opened the show and won the hearts of thousands of attendees. The crowd was anxious to see Ali Haider next, as when he took the stage he had the entire crowd on their feet. He was simply magical with his voice and entertained the crowd as expected.
Before the event ended all the APA volunteers were brought on stage and recognized. The volunteers included Hamid Bhatti, Rizwan Asghar, Zulfi Ahmed, Aziz Vayani, Kamran Rashid.
The event was a huge success at every level. The APA has done it again and has proven to America that they truly bring out the best in the Pakistani American community and are leaders in educating America on all the positive contributions Pakistani Americans continue to make towards its success. The 2019 Taste of Pakistan will take place in August 2018 and further information will be available on www.apabolingbrook.com
Two Indian nationals, Bharat Vatwani and Sonam Wangchuk, on Friday, August 31st, were given the Ramon Magsaysay award, popularly known as Asia’s Nobel Prize.
At a ceremony in Manila, Cambodian activist Youk Chhang, Filipino Howard Dee, Vietnam’s Vo Thi Hoang Yen and East Timore’s Maria de Lourdes Martins Cruz were also honored for their work.
“All are unafraid to take on large causes. All have refused to give up despite meagre resources, daunting adversity and strong opposition,” Carmencita Abella, president of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation said, Efe reported.
Vatwani has dedicated his life for rescuing mentally ill people from the streets of India – who number around 400,000 according to estimates – and providing them with shelter and treatment through his Shraddha Rehabilitaion Foundation.
Since 1988, Vatwani has helped around 7,000 mental patients, reuniting many of them with their families.
Wangchuk has been recognised for “his uniquely systematic, collaborative and community-driven reform of learning systems in remote northern India, thus improving the life opportunities of Ladakhi youth, and his constructive engagement of all sectors in local society to harness science and culture creatively for economic progress, thus setting an example for minority peoples in the world”.
Chhang survived the large-scale violence and oppression of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia and returned to his country after living in exile to head the Documentation Center, which has gathered evidence about the regime’s crimes against humanity.
The institution has collected and digitized around a million documents since 1995 from around 23,000 forced-labour camps, where around two million people were killed, and recorded the testimonies of around 10,000 victims and aggressors.
Dee, the former Philippine ambassador to the Vatican and Malta, as well as a former negotiator with the communist rebels, was honoured for working for peace through sustainable development and poverty reduction in areas affected by armed conflict.
Dee founded the Assisi Development Foundation in 1975 along with Jesuit priest Francisco Araneta and the organization has carried out more than 4,100 projects benefiting around 10.5 million Filipinos.
Martins Cruz established the Secular Institute of Brothers and Sisters in Christ, which takes care of the poorest sections of the society in East Timor with projects in health, education and agriculture, while Vietnam’s Vo Thi Hoang Yen has dedicated herself to improving the quality of life of people with disabilities.
After last year’s phenomenal success of magnificent fund-raising gala – ‘Future of India’ – “Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation (EVF)”, this year, is launching the most ambitious plan to host three Galas, at three strategic locations in USA. In sold-out Yr.2017 Gala at majestic art-deco ‘Cipriani-Wall Street” banquet hall, ‘Ekal’ raised $2 Million for its Literacy, Healthcare and Integral-Development projects for rural India. It was Ekal’s first ever attempt at gathering generous individuals for its nation-building cause. According to EVF-USA President, Suresh Iyer, this unprecedented show of support from philanthropists brought the year-end tally of donations to $8 Million.
Every year, Ekal’s hosts over 50 fund-raising events in major metropolitan centers across USA, by bringing famous ‘Bollywood Artistes’ for concerts. Earlier this year, Ekal had invited two groups of talented performers for this purpose. One group was headed by Kathak dancers Aditi Bhagwat & Kunal Tavri and another group was headed by Kaushik & Pranita Deshpande. They each were the star-attractions in 23 and 30 concert-events, respectively. The response to these concerts was so overwhelming that the events were sold-out at most of the places in advance. Over the years, Ekal’s progress has been consistently exponential. Now with three forthcoming Ekal galas planned for high net-worth supporters, Ramesh Shah, the Chairman of EVF-USA has no doubt that Ekal in 2018, is going to hit $10 Million magical mark for the first time.
As of now, Ekal has 72,000 schools under its wings, grooming 1.92 Million children annually – more than half of which are girls. Hon. PM Modi, in his clarion call to eradicate illiteracy from every small corner of the nation, wants Ekal to establish 100,000 schools by year Yr. 2022 – 75th anniversary of India’s independence. The primary objective of glittering galas is not only to raised funds for this task of national concern, but also, to encourage every sphere, every strata of Indian diaspora to invest itself in India’s future. Three eagerly-awaited galas, are all taking place in October – Houston, TX on October 6; Bethesda MD on October 12 and in New York City NY on October 13. For details of venue, tickets and sponsorship kindly tap into <http://www.nycgala.ekal.org/> OR <www.ekal.org>. The distinguished speaker at all three galas will be Media Moghul Dr Subhash Chandra (Chairman, Essel Gr of Companies that includes ZEE-TV). In addition, at NYC gala iconic former CEO of Pepsi and Apple, John Sculley, is going to grace the evening as a Chief guest speaker. This NYC gathering will also be entertained by ‘Indian Idol’ competition winner – ‘Sreeramchandra’. In Houston, along with Dr Subhash Chandra, another highlight of the evening is going to be renowned motivational speaker, Shiv Khera.
As the largest grass-root educational movement undertaken by Indians and NRIs, Ekal is socially conscientious, wherever it operates. Last year during ‘Hurricane Harvey’, Ekal volunteers not only worked along side ‘Sewa International’ in rescue and rehabilitation efforts in Houston region but also raised money for the victims. As the catastrophic destruction is currently unfolding in Kerala due to torrential rain and floods, ‘Ekal-India’ is actively involved there too with “Sewa Bharati”. Bajrang Bagra, CEO of ‘Ekal-India’ says,” the whole Ekal movement is all about giving dignity and self-esteem to rural-tribal folks of India”.
The Open Society Foundations has announced the appointment of Kavita N. Ramdas as director of the Women’s Rights Program, effective September 25.
Ramdas is a globally recognized advocate for gender equity and justice, speaking often on the role civil society and philanthropy play in raising the visibility and voice of women and girls. Ramdas begins her new role with a deep, global knowledge of women’s rights philanthropy, having served as president and CEO of one of the world’s leading foundations for gender equality, Global Fund for Women, from 1996 to 2010. Kavita currently serves as the strategy advisor at MADRE, a global women’s rights organization that works to support women on the frontlines of war and disaster. She founded and leads KNR Sisters, a consulting venture for social justice movements and philanthropy.
“The work of our Women’s Rights Program is more important than ever, especially in the face of an unprecedented wave of antiwomen, antichoice attacks by nationalist and populist governments,” said Patrick Gaspard, president of the Open Society Foundations. “We are thrilled to have a visionary leader like Kavita N. Ramdas join our team during this catalytic moment, when women are advancing alternatives toward more open societies. I am confident she will bring an inexhaustible energy and conviction to a program that has already had success expanding health, economic inclusion, and building transformative movements around the world.”
Ramdas previously served as a strategic advisor to Ford Foundation President Darren Walker; directed Ford’s India office; oversaw Ford’s Sri Lanka and Nepal offices; and had a tenure at the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, working on antipoverty programs. Ramdas also brings to Open Society Foundations an extensive expertise in working with boards, including at the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and Women’s Link Worldwide.
“I am excited to join with the new leadership at the Open Society Foundations and the board and staff of the Women’s Rights Program to take this work to the next level,” said Ramdas. “Open and democratic societies are simply unachievable when half the population is structurally excluded from full and equal participation in most nations across the world. I see the current global crisis of increased intolerance, illiberalism, and authoritarianism as deeply linked to patriarchy and misogyny; and I believe that fighting for a more democratic future will inherently require us to fight for a more feminist future.”
Ramdas obtained a master’s degree in public affairs, with a focus on international development, from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. She also has a BA in politics and international relations from Mount Holyoke College. While at Stanford University, she started the Program on Social Entrepreneurship at the Center for Democracy, Development and Rule of Law in the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Affairs.
With her appointment as director, former Haitian prime minister and Women’s Rights Program board member Michèle Pierre-Louis takes over as board chair. Pierre-Louis also worked with the Open Society Foundations to establish the Fondation Connaissance et Liberte, which she directed for 13 years.
The Women’s Rights Program advances open and free societies by investing in women’s movements and organizations to ensure that girls, women, and gender nonconforming people have power, voice, and influence in all societies. The program works across the Open Society Foundations to support women’s leadership in fueling and sustaining a wide range of social movements—from labor rights, environmental justice, and land rights to peace-building, sexual and reproductive rights, and public health.
Kul Gautam’s memoir is everything which one hopes for from a good biography. There are difficulties all along the way, obstacles and challenges overcome and a vision pursued with extraordinary persistence in spite of everything.
There are successes and triumphs, many of real significance. And there are lessons to be learned, albeit presented with self-deprecating gentleness and modesty.
Kul Gautam’s story has all of this and much more, set in a journey from a poor village in one of the world’s poorest countries to operating at the highest level, negotiating with government leaders at World Summits of the United Nations.
Collaborating with Kul in my role as Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, from 1982-1995, was not only rewarding professionally, it cemented a friendship that has endured to the present.
Kul’s early life and teenage years are eye-opening for those of us born in middle-class comfort in the richer parts of the world. Kul had to break free from the constraints of his Nepali village in order to train as a priest – which itself involved travelling miles away to India, the first five days on foot.
There, seemingly established in Sanskrit and religious studies, his intellectual potential for more serious education was spotted and he left for secondary school back in Nepal. With good fortune, the teachers at his progressive public school helped him build an impressive academic record and he was offered a full scholarship at Dartmouth College in the United States.
But when all now seemed straightforward, bureaucracy intervened and he had to spend nearly two further teenage years trying to persuade the authorities in Nepal to give him a passport and let him accept the scholarship. These efforts alone are a study in how to overcome the rules of well entrenched bureaucracy, requiring skill as well as extraordinary persistence.
After graduation, Kul has had an extraordinary and fulfilling international career – in Latin America, Africa and Asia – working in UNICEF for children at various levels of leadership. Starting near the bottom, he ended up as an Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Initially, Kul found himself in Cambodia, conflict ridden and with a government about to collapse, which it soon did, with Kul evacuated in a diplomatic plane full of embassy staff. But while in Cambodia, Kul’s youthful idealism and openness to new thinking never lost him, though perhaps one must add for better or worse.
It was there, newly wed, that Kul remarked to his wife Binata, that “he would not mind being kidnapped by the Khmer Rouge”, as this would give him the chance to learn more about them and their thinking. Scarce wonder that Binata, living outside Nepal for the first time, was occasionally scared by her eccentric husband.
Kul also shows how the most successful interventions for children – and development – are often achieved by seizing new opportunities, breaking new ground, rather than by cautious step by step progression along previously negotiated tracks.
Those who know little of the practical operations of the UN will find Kul’s descriptions of UNICEF in action to be fascinating and revealing – in Indonesia, Laos, Haiti and afterwards overseeing UNICEF’s work in Latin America as a whole. Those with knowledge of UNICEF and other international agencies will be pleased to recognize the names of many colleagues they have known.
Others will enjoy Kul’s insightful, often amusing stories of his encounters with celebrities and leaders of all stripes and foibles. Important lessons emerge from all these accounts, especially those showing how quiet diplomacy and empathy with the situation and culture of the nationals with whom UNICEF worked could often ease initial suspicions and find solutions even with difficult bureaucrats.
Kul also shows how the most successful interventions for children – and development – are often achieved by seizing new opportunities, breaking new ground, rather than by cautious step by step progression along previously negotiated tracks.
Nor are they usually the result of individuals acting alone, but almost always as part of a group or team working together, often acting within an individual country but backed up by regional and international action and support.
The pioneering features emerge most dramatically when Kul is based in UNICEF headquarters New York, where – like me – he worked hand in hand with Jim Grant, UNICEF’s visionary Executive Director and legendary leader.
Many readers will be aware of the MDGs and the SDGs, the Millennium Development Goals and their current sequel, the Sustainable Development Goals, agreed at summit meetings in the United Nations in 2000 and 2015.
Kul documents from first-hand involvement the little-known origins of these global goals, in the late 1980s when UNICEF organized the 1990 World Summit for Children, the first truly global summit ever convened on any topic, as Kul makes clear. Kul’s responsibilities included drafting the document setting out these goals for the 1990s and helping to gain their acceptance, itself a story with many twists and turns.
The summit set the priorities for much action for children worldwide and especially for UNICEF over the 1990s which, in turn, laid the foundations for the broader goals of the new millennium. Kul was then made responsible for drafting the key documents for assessing progress made towards these children’s goals and for drafting and negotiating new goals linked to the MDGs.
On all this, Kul provides detailed descriptions of the skilful efforts needed to bridge gaps and produce an agreed document. He lays bare a process often hidden from the public at large, even members of NGOs and others participating on the edges of such negotiations.
Careful readers will not only understand better the often-tortuous interactions involved, but how Kul was able to preserve most if not quite all of Jim Grant’s original vision for children in the final set of commitments. Gaining global consensus around such an ambitious and far-ranging agenda for change was an unprecedented achievement.
The most influential parts of Kul’s long and distinguished career have been of international service, working in UNICEF, but later in other organizations of the United Nations and in non-government organizations like RESULTS and OXFAM. Kul’s clear and vivid prose illuminates in fascinating detail what happened following his departure from UNICEF, often bringing out further lessons.
This remarkable story of Kul Gautam’s journey from village to the heights of the international action for children and humanity is one of extraordinary success, achieved through talent, intelligence, hard work, persistence, comradeship and much help along the way.
In the early years, support from family, friends and teachers made all the difference; in the later years, working in UNICEF with strong colleagues, great support and outstanding leadership brought out the best in him. It is a story of endless fascination and inspiration.
Kul’s story continues to inspire on every page, with vision pursued, challenges faced and opportunities grasped, all with insight and skill to make positive improvements in the lives of children. It is a story told with quiet modesty and self-deprecation, traits that are all too rare in leaders and that I have always appreciated in Kul.
If so much vision and energy can emerge in one person from one village in Nepal, it leaves one wondering what might be possible if the vison, talent and energy hidden in many other corners of the world could be released.
From 1982-2000, Sir Richard Jolly was Assistant Secretary-General of the UN, serving first as Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF and later as Coordinator of UNDP’s Human Development Report. He was also co-director of the UN Intellectual History Project.
The Society of Indo-American Engineers and Architects (SIAEA) held its Annual Hudson River Networking Cruise aboard the World Yacht Duchess Cruise Liner on July 14th, 2018. The Honorable Devi Prasad Misra, Consul for Trade, Commerce and Education, Indian Consulate, New York, was honored by SIAEA President Shailesh Naik.
The World Yacht crew warmly welcomed the attendees as they boarded the luxurious ship. Guests had the chance to network with one another while appetizers were served and drinks were provided from an open bar. Jagdish Mistry, Cruise Chairman, kicked off the event by welcoming all attendees, thanking the sponsors for their donations and introducing SIAEA President Shailesh Naik who outlined the organization’s future goals, past accomplishments and upcoming events.
President Naik then introduced the featured guest, the Honorable Devi Prasad Misra, who spoke about the importance of engagement in professional organizations. Plaques were presented to longtime supporters, sponsors, dignitaries and to the guest of honor by President Naik, Immediate Past President Vikrant Sampat, and Executive Committee Members. President Elect Ketan Shah closed the presentations and speeches with a vote of thanks to all. An amazing spread of Indian food was served by one of the best Indian Restaurants, Moghul Caterers. As the delicious food and deserts were quickly disappearing, many of the guests took to the dance floor. Others conversed as they enjoyed the beautiful views of the New York City Skyline as the Cruise made its way along the Hudson River.
SIAEA provides a platform for professional development and collaboration for its members who comprise of professional engineers and architects of Indian Origin, collectively representing the public as well as private sectors in consulting and construction related services. Information on SIAEA’s professional seminars and networking events is posted online at www.SIAEANY.org and members are kept updated via emails.
The India Association of Long Island (IALI) celebrated India’s 72nd Independence Day on Aug. 15, at Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building in Mineola, Long Island, New York.
Among those who attended were Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Deputy Director of Minority Affairs Farrah Mozawalla along with Satnam S. Parhar, Dr. Bhavani Srinivasan, Jaya Bahadkar, Sunita Manjrekar, Tina Kundalia and Priyansh Raval. IALI also invited members of 25 other Indian American organizations.
The celebration was attended by more than 300 guests and five individuals were honored including Veer Mukhi, Haseena Mooppan, Prof. Indrajit Saluja, Matthew P. George and IALI Past President Dr. Jagan Pahuja.
The program began with dinner followed by the flag hoisting ceremony, the singing of the American National Anthem and the Indian National Anthem, a lamp lighting ceremony and speeches by County Executive Laura Curran and IALI President Gunjan Rastogi.
It all concluded with a cultural show where Jyoti Gupta and Amita Karwal sang “Ae Mere Vatan Ke Logon.”
Naperville: August 24, 2018: The Islamic Center of Naperville and Community United Methodist Church will jointly host a Free Health Fair on September 8th, 2018 (Saturday) from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at 2844 W OGDEN AVE, Naperville, IL 60540.
The objective of this initiative is to serve humanity, bridge the gap with bonds of love, care, and compassion, and offer a safer and healthier community. Individuals 16 years of age or older are welcome at the Free Health Fair regardless of faith, religion, or race.
Physicians, dentists, and nursing students at the Free Health Fair will be screening for blood pressure, blood sugar, oral cancer, and other ailments. They will also provide counseling on health-related issues, including weight management and nutrition. Additional arrangements have also been made for vision tests, mini massages, flu shots, etc.
“Despite being in a country that has so much to offer, there are people within our community and surrounding neighborhoods who are in dire need of adequate and appropriate health care. They are deprived of this basic necessity due to multiple reasons, unable to have access to affordable care being the most common,” stated Dr. Atif Fakhruddin of ICN Free Clinic.
In addition, free health classes by eminent physicians, dentists, dietitians, and physical therapists will be held on topics such as Advances in Orthopedic Education, Healthy Eating, Living with High Blood Pressure, General Fitness, Preventing Heart Disease, Balance & Fall Prevention, Dental Hygiene, Managing Diabetes with Healthy Diet, and Life Affected by Diabetes.
“We recognize the same health needs and are happy to work with ICN on the Free Health Fair,” said Pat Shanower, speaking for Community United Methodist Church. “There will be something for everyone that day, whether it is a flu shot, a screening, or learning how best to prevent serious diseases. We want everyone to feel welcome.”
Bollywood actor Anupam Kher treated Houstonians to the entire array of his onscreen avatars – serious, comic, patriotic, profound, candid, strong and yet vulnerable in his address at the 28th Janmashtami celebrations held at George Brown Convention Center on 25 April Considered one of the finest actors in Bollywood with a soon-to-be-seen debut in Hollywood, the actor who was the Chief Guest of the evening, lived up to every bit of his reputation and spoke for a full hour only broken by applause and appreciative laughter.
The well attended event which brings all the communities of Houston under one roof to celebrate Lord Krishna’s birth, honors outstanding achievements by members of the community and has a lively session of dandiya to round up the evening is organized by the Hindus of Greater Houston.
Kher, who arrived on the dot, took seconds to connect with the gathering. With self- deprecating humor, he explained why he came to the event in a formal suit and tie. The kurta he had ordered was three sizes too big! After taking off his jacket and tie and looking visibly more comfortable, he launched into a one hour “conversation” with the gathering using his brilliant storytelling skills, snippets of poetry, anecdotes and rich wit to deliver his serious message – that “failure is an event, not a person.”
This invaluable lesson was driven home when his parents and grandfather celebrated his academic failures instead of putting him down. Raised in a family that was poor in monetary terms but rich in affection and encouragement, he stated that life’s experiences are the best teachers and his many “encounters with failure” took away the fear of failure.
He advised the parents in the gathering to teach their children to be strong, to have the “hunger” to succeed, and challenge them without overprotecting them from the realities of life. He added that India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the same “hunger” to take the country forward which is why he has always espoused the Prime Minister’s cause.
While dispensing some inspirational advice for the youth he said “Mera gyan meri zindagi ke anubhavo se juda hai. (My wisdom comes from life’s experiences). Judging from the audience’s reaction to his speech, the message of learning from our failures and “living life” clearly touched a chord.
When the applause died down, prominent industrialist Jugal Malani draped a shawl around Anupam Kher while Sushma Pallod tied a rakhi to him to mark Raksha Bandhan. In a gesture that was touching, Anupam Kher reciprocated by giving her the traditional offering of money a brother gives his sister.
Sanjay Jajoo served as a lively Emcee while HGH President Partha Krishnaswamy appealed for funds for Kerala flood relief. Sewa International has collected $250,000 from generous Houstonians for relief work.
Two Houstonians were recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award – CEO of Star Pipes Ramesh Bhutada and Beth Kulkarni. Well-known philanthropist, Ramesh Bhutada who has served the community unstintingly with his time, effort and resources stated that he was humbled to receive the award and reiterated Anupam Kher’s words on encouraging and “recognizing our children for trying.” In her acceptance speech, Beth, who has served many area organizations in leadership and advisory roles, hoped that the award would inspire other Hindus to serve the community in any way they can. The Akhil Chopra Unsung Heroes Award was presented to Richa Dixit, Manish Khatri and Nisha Bhatia.
Other highlights of the celebrations included the children’s costume contest where little children dressed as little Krishnas and Radhas, a cultural dance segment, food, apparel and organization booths. A 25 feet in diameter vibrant Rangoli by Sangita Bhutada with the theme of “makhan chor” welcomed visitors to the center.
First time attendee and IMAGH Secretary Saeed Pathan said that the Janmashtami celebrations and the atmosphere brought back wonderful childhood memories of the festival in India.
Members of the Young Hindus of Greater Houston (YHGH) also contributed substantially to the smooth execution of the event. YHGH President Raj Salhotra stated “The 2018 Janmashtami celebration showcased Houston’s wonderful tradition of diversity. It was wonderful to witness the outpouring of support from Houston’s youth. We are excited to work with youth from across the city to build an organization that represents Hindus from all backgrounds.”
AAHOA, the largest hotel owners association in the world, and Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) announced an expanded partnership in an effort to educate and enlist more hoteliers, state lodging associations, and hospitality industry partners in the fight against human trafficking. The expanded partnership includes a co-branded anti-trafficking online training for AAHOA members and certification for those who complete the training. The trainings will be available in English and Spanish for group or individual training, and there is free training for managers. AAHOA’s and BEST’s partnership is also expanded to include promotion of the training through AAHOA’s vast network of state lodging associations and industry partners. AAHOA and BEST announced the expanded partnership at AAHOA’s annual Northwest Region Charity Golf Tournament.
AAHOA Chairman Hitesh (HP) Patel said, “With over 18,000 members who own one out of every two hotels in the United States and employ over 600,000 people, AAHOA is proud to build on our partnership with BEST to train more of our industry in how to identify and combat human trafficking. It can be difficult to identify trafficking, whether it is commercial sex trafficking or labor trafficking, because each situation is different. With the proper training, hoteliers and their employees can save lives, protect their guests, their reputations, and their businesses.”
Human trafficking is a crime that impacts some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, including American children as well as documented and undocumented immigrants who are coerced into prostitution or forced into work situations that they cannot leave. Hotel staff are often the eyes and ears of the community. They are well-placed to recognize the crime and help vulnerable people to escape exploitation, keeping our communities safe from this type of crime.
“Hoteliers are one of the first lines of defense against human trafficking,” said AAHOA President and CEO Chip Rogers. “Employees who know how to identify the signs of trafficking and are trained to respond appropriately can help keep criminal enterprises out of their communities and, more importantly, help trafficking victims. That’s why AAHOA’s partnership with BEST is so important – together, we can empower hoteliers and their employees to be the difference in stopping trafficking situations.”
“This is a significant development for BEST and AAHOA,” said Executive Director of BEST Mar Brettmann, PhD. “With an increased awareness of human trafficking and its effects on victims and communities, more businesses are stepping up to help combat this exploitation. Hoteliers are playing a vital role in preventing this crime. By promoting anti-trafficking training throughout the industry, we can ensure that traffickers and people who buy exploited people cannot use hotels to commit their heinous crimes.”
BEST is a Seattle-based nonprofit that helps employers understand how they can stop human trafficking by consulting on best practices, providing employee trainings, and developing model policies for businesses. AAHOA and BEST have partnered together to educate the hotel industry since 2014. In 2016, AAHOA sponsored BEST to create industry-specific training that is available online at http://training.bestalliance.org.
AAHOA is the largest hotel owners association in the world. The nearly 18,000 AAHOA members own almost one in every two hotels in the United States. With billions of dollars in property assets and hundreds of thousands of employees, AAHOA members are core economic contributors in virtually every community. AAHOA is a proud defender of free enterprise and the foremost current-day example of realizing the American dream.
With the Kerala floods making news across the globe, US space agency NASA has released “before and after” photographs depicting the extent to which the natural calamity has affected the landscape of the southern state.
While the “before” image was taken by the Landsat 8 satellite’s operational land imager on February 6, the “after” one was clicked by the multispectral instrument on the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-2 satellite last Wednesday. The changes in the scenario, as expected, is stark.
The second image shows several rivers through the region spilled over their banks, and water from the Karuvannur river running through 40 villages to wash away a 2.2-km stretch of land connecting two national highways. It also gives a glimpse of the Periyar river, which breached its banks — displacing thousands in the process.
The images have been rendered in false-color, making flood water appear dark blue. Vegetation is depicted in bright green.
The space agency had earlier released satellite measurements of Kerala rainfall to demonstrate the crucial role played by the Western Ghats in triggering the climatic developments over south Karnataka and Kerala. “Although the extreme Himalayan topography is much more well-known, the Western Ghats is a contributing factor to the heavy rains along the southwest coast of India,” a statement from the Goddard Space Flight Centre read.
NASA researchers have also maintained that opening the dams in a systematic manner would have contained the deluge that caused largescale loss to life and property in Kerala.
While the death toll in the second spell of monsoon since August 8 has crossed 300, as many as 4,62,456 displaced people continue to languish in 1,435 camps across the state. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan recently estimated the financial loss incurred by Kerala in the whereabouts of Rs 20,000 crore.
“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” This profound statement was made by the late Nobel Peace Prize winner Mother Teresa, who was born on this day, August 26, 1910. An icon of love, tolerance, generosity and tremendous integrity and spirituality.
Where ideas used to take years – and sometimes centuries – to spread around the globe, they now do so in seconds, thanks to the new communication technologies. While this is a force for good in countless ways, it has also facilitated and strengthened the rise of movements that are based on hatred rooted not in nation or state identity, but in extremist ideologies based on rancorous opposition to a particular faith or race, sexual orientation or to liberal democracy in general.
Across the world, politics of division and rhetoric of intolerance are targeting gender, racial, ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities, and migrants and refugees. From anti-Semitism to attacks on hijab-wearing women, racism to sexual assault, we are witnessing what words of fear and loathing can do, and the damaging consequences.
If we need proof that it often takes surprisingly what seems like simple gestures to reduce the levels of polarising animus in society, we only need to look at how the ‘handshake’ between President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Honourable Raila Odinga has brought political reconciliation to levels that nobody would have predicted.
From just under a year ago, when political partisanship gridlocked this country and seemed destined to polarize Kenyans, we are now witnessing an important and urgent discourse on vital issues such as the fight against corruption.
These are hopeful signs; this is a demonstration of true leadership. One must not, however, underestimate the challenge of combating hatred. If hatred is an epidemic, then we need to treat it as such and plan to contain and reverse it.
So, what is the antidote to the rise of chauvinism, xenophobia, racism, bigotry and misogyny?
The human spirit is strong, and never stronger than when joining forces for justice. Around the world hatred has been met with purposeful love, and with actions engineered to counter the hatred. From the Women’s March in the United States to demonstrations against discrimination in many European countries, people have joined hands to fight hatred and discrimination.
First, incendiary speeches driving bigotry against any group based on religion, race, gender or sexuality must be reined in.
Second, citizens standing up against hate must continue to use and expand all available avenues to engage with others across the world who share their concerns and bolster their ability to affect change.
Third, meaningful change often comes from the bottom up, thus citizens must be educated on how they can change their leadership by voting with their conscience –in national, state, municipal and civic body elections.
Fourth, it is the duty of elected officials to reflect the will of the electorate. They must therefore support their citizens with actions and not merely words in the pursuit of social justice.
Fifth, the voices of moral and thought leaders from around the world who espouse tolerance must be amplified. The lessons of acceptance and mutual respect and equality must be heard, especially by the young, because if we teach them that it is unacceptable to hate and that it is their responsibility to speak up or stop hatred from spreading, we have the odds in favour of justice prevailing in the future.
To Kenya’s advantage, the growth of social media as an established influential platform used ubiquitously by the youth could be a persuasive avenue for mobilising them against all forms of intolerance.
There is a chance to change the world here – to counter hatred with love, anger with joy, and bigotry with acceptance – but it requires the deliberate coming together of concerned people around the world. It requires the understanding that, despite our different realities, we have common hopes for ourselves and for our children, as well as common destinies.
The UN Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres has said, “Diversity enriches us. But if we want diversity to be a success, we need to invest in social cohesion.”
Despite the forces of pessimism that have at times painted a picture of gloom, I am convinced that Kenya can harness the reality of a shared humanity, that they can overcome the fraying forces and bridge the chasms that nurture intolerance. And serve as a beacon of hope for the world. That would be a real tribute to the memory of Mother Teresa.
(New York, NY: August 19, 2018) “As the rapidly approaching start date for all GME programs, we at AAPI want to urge the US administration to expedite review of pending H-1B/J-1 Visa applications by non-U.S. International Medical Graduates (IMGs), who have been accepted to postgraduate training programs in order to avoid unnecessary delays,” said Dr. Naresh Parikh, President of AAPI, during a Media Greet & Meet event.
He, joined by the senior leadership of AAPI, presented a Citation to the Consul General of India in New York, Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty. The Citation acknowledged that there is a projected increase in the total number of office visits to primary care physicians from a base of 462 million in 2008 to 565 million in 2025, due to aging of the US population as well as the average number of visits to primary care physicians projected to increase, resulting in higher demands and reduced supply of physicians, pointing that the US will be short by more than 90,000 physicians by 2020 and 130,000 physicians by 2025.
In his key note address, Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty said, “You have excelled in your fields of medicine, and thus make significant contributions through hard work, commitment and dedication to your profession and the people you are committed to serve.” While conveying his greetings and best wishes to AAPI leaders for the success of the convention and Global Healthcare Summit, Consul General of India in New York Sandeep Chakravorty described the fast-growing health sector, particularly the pharmaceutic industry in India. Ambassador Chakravorty lauded the efforts of AAPI, particularly for the free clinics across India, and urged AAPI to work with the government of India to coordinate the efforts for maximum impact. The Ambassador earlier appealed for help the victims of the flood victims in Kerala.
In his Presidential address, Dr. Parikh, who was elected unopposed in every election leading to his current leadership of national SAAPI, stated that American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), the largest ethnic Medical Association in the nation, representing the interests of over 100,000 physicians, Fellows and Residents in the United States, while working closely with the Lawmakers individually, regionally and nationally through our AAPI Legislative Day on Capitol Hill, have consistently supported a comprehensive immigration reform.
Dr. Parikh pointed out that in order to meet the growth in demand and shortage of physicians, the US has looked up to the highly trained and qualified physicians from other countries to meet our growing demand for physicians to meet our nation’s healthcare needs. In this context, AAPI has joined other Medical Association in the country in urging the US to expedite and reduce/eliminate the hurdles for speedy process of the applicants seeking H-1B visa. The J-1 visa to qualified physicians, enabling these foreign-trained physicians to serve our nation’s healthcare needs.
Dr. Parikh lauded the efforts of Dr. Anjana Sammadder, Treasurer of AAPI, in leading the initiative in bringing to the forefront the issue of expedited Visa process for physicians from abroad, who want to serve in this country. In her remarks, Dr. Anjana assured that she will work towards ensuring financial stability to AAPI, and to work with the team to make AAPI
strong, successful and stable.”
Dr. Parikh said,his top priorities in the upcoming year will be to enhance membership, enabling AAPI members to recognize the many benefits of being members of AAPI, this attracting new members and sustaining those who are already members of AAPI. Bringing in financial stability to the organization is a major thrust for the new team, he said. Strengthening the many projects and programs in India and the United States, while taking on new initiatives and coordinating individual efforts to maximize results are some of the other plan s, he told the audience.
Dr. Suresh Reddy, President-Elect of AAPI, in his passionate address, praised the leadership of Dr. Naresh Parikh. “I am so fortunate to be able to work under Dr. Parikh,” he said. He highlighted the importance of enabling the 2nd generation Indian Americans and help them realize their dreams. “AAPI is very strong,” he said and he along with the new team under Dr. Parikh will work together to enhance the image and bring stability to this noble organization.
Dr. Gautam Samadder, the immediate past President of AAPI, urged the new leadership of AAPI to stand united and help make “our voices heard” in the corridors of power. In his brief remarks, Dr. In his felicitation remarks, Dr. Ajay Lodha, the immediate past president of AAPI, praised the leadership of Dr. Parikh. “Under the leadership of D. Naresh Parikh and his team, AAPI has been brought to new heights,” he said.
Dr. Kusum Punjabi lauded the efforts of AAPI leadership, encouraging young generation of Indian Americans and helping them realize their dreams. She along with Dr. Raj Bhayani was the Emcees at the event. In his brief remarks, Dr. Bhayani, highlighted the fact that Indian-Americans constitute less than one percent of the country’s population, but they account for nine percent of the American doctors and physicians. “The overrepresentation of Indians in these fields (engineering, IT and medicine) is striking – in practical terms, one out of seven doctors is likely to be of Indian Heritage. They provide medical care to over 40 million of US population.”
Dr. Raj Bhayani welcomed the AAPI delegates and the media persons to the press conference, while Dr. Suresh Reddy proposed vote of thanks. Dr. Shashi Shah, past BOT chairman introduced the Dr. Naresh Parikh to the audience. Shree Saini, Miss India USA was a special guest at the event.
Earlier, during the day, AAPI members attended an outstanding Leadership Conference, addressed by renowned speakers with a working lunch and was followed by a Conference from 10 am to 5.30 pm. The Leadership conference agenda focused on: Self Management, Team Building Skills; And Addressing Challenges in AAPI.
Towards making the goals and vision for the upcoming year for AAPI, Dr. Parikh has an excellent and dedicated executive committee, consisting of Dr. Suresh Reddy, President-Elect; Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda, Vice President; Dr. Anupama Gotimukula, Secretary; Dr. Anjana Samadder, Treasurer; and Dr. Ajit Kothari, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Dr. Parikh thanked Dr. Ajay Lodha, Dr. Raj Bhayani and Dr. Kusum Punjabi, among many others for their leadership and the initiatives in organizing the conference today.
On August 19th, AAPI joined the India Day Parade with a multi-color float spreading the message of health and wellness at the largest India Day Parade in New York City, organized by the Federation of Indian Americans. “AAPI takes special pride in saluting our beloved tricolor. Let us recall with pride the great sacrifice of our freedom fighters, whose undying love for India secured us our freedom,” Dr. Parikh said, as the float carrying AAPI leaders overflew with delegates from across the nation.
“As we celebrate the 72nd anniversary of India’s Independence. AAPI, the premier organization that represents over 65,000 physicians and 25,000 Residents of Indian Origin in the United states, want to convey our greetings to all peoples of Indian origin on this day of national celebration,” Dr. Naresh Parikh, AAPI, President, declared. For more information, please visit: www.aapiusa.org
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whose politics of moderation in a hardline party propelled the BJP to power for the first time in the 1990s, died on Thursday after long illness.
The 93-year-old leader, who had faded from public life for more than a decade following health complications and was admitted to AIIMS with urinary tract infection on June 11, breathed his last at 5.05 p.m., the hospital said in a statement.
“It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. “Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated over the last 36 hours and he was put on life support system. Despite the best of efforts, we have lost him today,” the statement said.
Vajpayee, a diabetic, was undergoing treatment at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). He was said to be stable for the last nine weeks but his health suffered a setback on last week and finally he succumbed. That things were getting worse could be gleaned from the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi made two visits to AIIMS in the last two days.
Rich tributes poured from across the political spectrum for Vajpayee who had the reputation of having no enemies in politics. Modi described the passing away of Vajpayee as “the end of an era” and every Indian and the BJP worker would continue to be guided by his vision.
President Ram Nath Kovind said Vajpayee was a “true Indian statesman”. “His leadership, foresight, maturity and eloquence put him in a league of his own.” Congress President Rahul Gandhi said Vajpayee was loved and respected by millions. “Today, India lost a great son.”
Earlier, as news of deterioration of his health spread, national leaders, including Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, BJP brass — party President Amit Shah, veterans L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, cabinet ministers, chief ministers and opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee visited the hospital during the day.
The body was taken to Vajpayee’s house on Krishna Menon Marg in Lutyen’s Delhi for the public to pay last respects to the departed leader. The former Prime Minister, whose birthday on December 25 is celebrated as Good Governance Day, was honored with the Bharat Ratna in 2014 at his home.
Vajpayee, whose more than six-year term was marked by peace initiative with Pakistan and the 1998 Pokhran nuclear test that invited US sanctions, was a bachelor and leaves behind a foster family.
Though his long-time associate L.K. Advani, credited for the rise of the BJP from the last 1980s on the Ayodhya temple issue with his hardline politics, it was Vajpayee’s moderate stance that took the party close to power. He was the Prime Minister for 13 days in mid-1996 at the head of the first short-lived BJP government. He was forced to resign ahead of the confidence vote as he failed to muster the numbers.
However, Vajpayee again became the Prime Minister in March 1998 with improved numbers and new allies like the TDP, the AIADMK, the National Conference and the Samta Party. But his government fell 13 months later on the floor of the Lok Sabha losing by one vote in the confidence motion after AIADMK headed by the late J.Jayalalithaa withdrew support to the BJP.
The BJP government headed by Vajpayee returned to power in 1999 and completed almost its full term till 2004 when the party lost in the polls called earlier than scheduled.
Vajpayee was known for his lavish praise of Indira Gandhi as Durga on India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war of Bangladesh independence.
Vajpayee had a long association with the RSS and the Bhartiya Jana Sangh which merged to form the Janata Party in the post Emergency period when he was jailed along with numerous opposition leaders. And in 1980, he, Advani, Joshi and other leaders founded the BJP of which he was the first President.
He had a flair for foreign policy issues and the then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao chose him to lead an Indian delegation to the UN Human Rights conference to counter Pakistan’s campaign for Kashmir.
Kerala is grappling with the worst monsoon in a century caused by incessant rains for the last three weeks. As huge swathes of the state became submerged, flood gates of 33 out of 39 dams across the state have been opened, resulting in wide spread flooding, causing nearly 200 deaths, hundreds of thousands of people stranded and are waiting for rescue. Tens of thousands of people starving without food or drinkable water. Loss of property, homes and businesses are in Billions. Having lost everything they ever owned, tens of thousands of families see their present and the future as being bleak.
According to the Chief Minister’s office, at present, the death toll stands at 186. 10 out of 14 districts have been severely affected with over 20,000 houses damaged and 10,000 kms of roads destroyed. 15 bridges have collapsed and 211 landslides have occurred. Over 1,01,000 people have been moved to over 300 relief camps. The loss due to flooding is worth a whopping Rs 8,316 crores. The Kerala government had asked for an immediate relief worth Rs 1,920 crores.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an urgent relief of Rs 500 crore for relief and rescue operations in Kerala. On Saturday, he held a high-level meeting to review the flood situation, following which he also conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas. At least 324 people have died due to rain and floods in this monsoon season.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday said more than 2.23 lakh people are currently in more than 1,500 relief camps set up in different locations. However, thousands are still stranded and supply of essential commodities has been hit hard. Kerala is facing its worst floods in almost 100 years. The central government has instructed army, navy, air force, ITBP, BSF, SSB, Coast Guard and NDRF to send additional teams to Kerala and assist the state government. The Kochi airport has been shut down till August 26 as flood water continues to increase in Kerala.
As the state battles one of its worst natural calamities, which has already claimed the lives of over 300 people, WhatsApp groups have a major role to play in relief and rescue efforts. There are fake and unverified messages doing the rounds which are promptly being referred by journalists and rescue personnel to the authorities.
But what has been affirmative are the large number of groups on WhatsApp, coordinating relief and rescue operations, whose work rules over the impact of fake news. Many of these groups are led by responsible and socially-aware citizens who act as admins, segregated into districts and further classified on the basis of what objective it has been created to serve. So there are separate groups for food supplies in Ernakulam, specific groups for supplies like blankets, mats and sanitary napkins, specific groups for medicines, some for transportation of relief and others strictly for relief efforts.
Indian Embassy celebrates India’s Independence Day
India’s 72nd Independence Day was celebrated at the Embassy Residence in Washington D.C. with a flag-hoisting ceremony followed by the singing of the Indian National Anthem.
Thereafter, Ambassador Navtej Sarna read out President Ram Nath Khovind’s address to the nation and handed out prizes to the children who participated in singing of patriotic songs and speech competition on the topic “India of My Dreams.”
Sarna then addressed the guests and read out the Indian president’s address to the nation. He also handed out prizes to the Indian American children who participated in the singing of patriotic songs and a speech competition on the topic, “India of My Dreams,” organized by the Embassy as part of the India@70 celebrations.
Following the prizes, a brief cultural program involving a rendition of patriotic songs by school children was also organized to mark the occasion.
The Consulate General of India in New York celebrated the 72nd Independence Day of India with a flag hoisting ceremony at the Consulate on Aug. 15. Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty did the honor of hoisting the flag.
The ceremony was attended by more than 200 people, including prominent members of the Indian-American community and local dignitaries including Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), Assemb David Weprin (D-Hollis), Assemb. Raj Mukherji (D-Jersey City), New Jersey State Sen. Vin Gopal and Bollywood actor Anupam Kher.
A short cultural program was held by Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, which included singing of patriotic songs and poetry recitation. The ceremony was followed by the playing of the Indian National Anthem after which Consul General Chakravorty read out the President Ram Nath Khovind’s Address to the Nation which was delivered on the eve of Independence Day in India.
At the initiative of local Indian community organizations, prominent locations throughout the state were illuminated with the colors of the Indian flag — the Empire State Building in Manhattan and Niagara Falls and the Peace Bridge in upstate New York.
This year, on the occasion of India’s Independence Day, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) sponsored a seven-member group consisting of acclaimed Kathak dancers — Sandip Mallick a dance group with Anuj Mishra and group —during the flag-hoisting ceremony.
A short cultural program was held by Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan and included the singing of patriotic songs and poetry recitations.
Indians everywhere commemorate the country’s independence from British rule, a long, non-violent struggle headed by Mahatma Gandhi, on August 15th. In Stamford, CT, Mayor David Martin hosted the 72nd Indian Independence celebration at the Stamford Government Center. The Connecticut Chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT) organized the event on Sunday, August 12th. Indian Consul Jaideep Chola, who is also the Head of Chancery, was the chief guest who delivered the Independence Day message emphasizing the importance of India’s independence and its adoption of democracy.
“While your adopted land is the oldest and most powerful democracy in the world, India too has the distinction of having the largest democracy with diversities like religion, caste, creed, region and language and this day is celebrated by every Indian in all parts of India,” Said Chola.
Chola said that India in a short span achieved distinction of competing with the most powerful economies in the world and recently, India has overtaken France as the sixth largest economy in the world.
“We have seen a fascinating transformation that has taken place in India – U.S. relations in the last several decades with deepening of our relationship based on our shared values of democracy, universal human rights, tolerance and pluralism, equal opportunities for all citizens and rule of law, and our bilateral relations have now developed into a Global Strategic Partnership” Chola continued. The U.S. has been our foremost partner, not only in trade and investment, but also in technology, knowledge and development.
The program began with the singing of a patriotic song, followed by a welcome address given by GOPIO-CT President Anita Bhat who gave an account of what GOPIO-CT is doing for the community and the local society. Program Coordinator Shelly Nichani introduced and thanked Mayor Martin for hosting the event. Mayor Martin spoke on the diversity of the City of Stamford and said it enriched the whole city.
Congressman Jim Himes compared the American Independence to India’s Independence, the difference being India got its independence by non-violent methods.
Cultural programs depicting the rich culture of India were performed by children of Indian origin representing the vibrant culture of India.
More than 700 Indian Americans gathered at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Plaza in Irving, Texas to celebrate India’s 72nd Independence Day on Aug. 15, where Dr. Prasad Thotakura, MGMNT Chairman hoisted the Indian flag in the midst of thundering applause of cheering crowds.
Among those who attended were Vice-Consul Ashok Kumar from the Consulate General of India in Houston, Irving City Mayor Rick Stopfer, Sunnyvale City Mayor Saji George, Coppell City Councilmember Biju Mathew and former Director of Irving City Parks and Recreation Ray Cerda.
“We pay rich tribute to all freedom fighters and national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Chandra Sekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Lala Lajpat Rai, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and many more who surrendered and sacrificed everything in attaining independence from British rule,” Thotakura said at the gathering.
“We all need to realize that hatred, bigotry, outrage, racism will create an enormous gap among the mankind. Only patience, alliance, tolerance and coherence will bring all people together,” he added.
Rao Kalvala, MGMNT Secretary, said that over the last 70 years, a lot of progress has been made in India and Indians all over the world must unite to progress it further.
Mayor Stopfer expressed that he is very proud and delighted to have many Indian Americans live in Irving City and appreciated all their great contributions for the betterment of the city.
“Irving City always welcomes many immigrants and city officials are always there to help and build a strong relationship with the Indian American community,” Stopfer said.
Sunnyvale City Mayor George said that 242 years back United States declared its Independence and when you compare that to India, you realize how young its democracy is yet it is the world’s largest democracy.
“India got its independence through nonviolence and civilian disobedience, and we are all proud to celebrate India’s Independence Day in the land of the U.S.,” he said.
Kamal Kaushal, MGMNT Co-chair, stated that it was very joyful to see a huge crowd near Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial to celebrate India’s Independence Day.
THE entire political class is to blame for the “polarization and radicalization” of India that has spawned mob violence, the Moderator of the Good Shepherd Church of India, the Rt Rev. Joseph D’Souza, said this week.
After dozens of lynchings in recent months, people of all religions needed to join in countering the “mobocracy” he said.
TheTelegraph reports that, in the past six months, 31 people have been killed across ten states, in most cases after being accused of kidnapping children in viral posts on Whatsapp and Facebook. Among them was Mohammad Azam Usmanseb, 32, an IT technician beaten to death by a mob of 200 last month.
Last month, the Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra, condemned “horrendous acts of mobocracy” and urged the government to take action to combat lynchings and stop the spread of internet rumours that fuelled the violence.
“The people involved in mob violence believe that they have their own people in power, and the police don’t act when they should act,” Bishop d’Souza said on Tuesday.
Dalits, Muslims, churches, and Hindu leaders had all been targeted, he said.
“You cannot say directly that Modi and his government is involved in this, because no sane government can back this. But, you can trace it to the radicalisation of groups along very radical interpretations of Hinduism, which most Hindus do not subscribe to. So there are many moderate Hindus now fighting this. . .
“The political class as a whole, in my opinion, not just the BJP, is to be blamed for the polarisation and radicalisation of Indian society along caste and religious lines. In an attempt to get votes during an election they appeal to the narrow identities of people and their insecurities.”
The All India Christian Council — of which he is President — was leading efforts to find “fraternal partners between religious communities across the world to address these issues”. This would entail work to “challenge the lies that are being spread”, from claims that Christians were involved in forced conversions to the “demonisation” of Muslims, accused of being “terrorists and anti-national”, to reports that Dalits seeking rights were “Maoists”.
Social media was a “huge problem”, he confirmed. India had 600 million mobile-phone users, and “probably the largest Whatsapp community in the world. . . It’s a very effective tool now if you want to galvanise your friends and colleagues.” It had been used, he reported, to recruit the perpetrators of the rape and murder of an eight-year-old Kashmiri girl.
As President of the Dignity Freedom Network (formerly the Dalit Freedom Network), Bishop d’Souza said that the situation of Dalits was “both hopeful and also very challenging”. He highlighted the affirmative-action benefits granted to Dalits, and the success of the Network’s 104 centres and schools, currently educating 27,000 children. Seventy per cent of the 2300 graduates had entered higher education, and one young woman had secured a doctorate in pharmacology.
But Dalit and tribal women remained the primary victims of the country’s sex trade, and gender-selective abortions and female foeticide had resulted in the loss of almost 20 million girls.
“The mindset of Indians towards women is going to take some time to change across the caste system,” he said. “A woman is a burden while a male child is a blessing. . . We are combating that . . . across faith lines.”
The caste system “poisons all of society”, and as Dalits began to assert themselves, violence had been unleashed, he said. He cited the case of Rohith Chakravarti Vemula, a PhD student at the University of Hyderabad who committed suicide in 2016. He was a member of the Ambedkar Students’ Association, which fights for the rights of Dalit students.
“The societal mindset of caste has permeated all of the religions including Christianity, it is shameful to say, in the South where there is so much of caste in the Church,” he said.
Born into a middle-class Christian family, he had been “blind” to their cause, growing up. But after marrying a Christian woman from a tribal background, and witnessing the caste protests of the 1990s, he had “had to wake up”.
“Now, of course, it completely dominates me,” he said. “I don’t think you can really do the full gospel if you ignore the issue of justice and righteousness and reconciliation.”
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has issued the following statement after a series of meetings with members of the USCCB’s Executive Committee and other bishops. The following statement includes three goals and three principles, along with initial steps of a plan that will involve laity, experts, and the Vatican. A more developed plan will be presented to the full body of bishops at their general assembly meeting in Baltimore in November.
Cardinal DiNardo’s full statement follows:
“Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Two weeks ago, I shared with you my sadness, anger, and shame over the recent revelations concerning Archbishop Theodore McCarrick. Those sentiments continue and are deepened in light of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury report. We are faced with a spiritual crisis that requires not only spiritual conversion, but practical changes to avoid repeating the sins and failures of the past that are so evident in the recent report. Earlier this week, the USCCB Executive Committee met again and established an outline of these necessary changes.
The Executive Committee has established three goals: (1) an investigation into the questions surrounding Archbishop McCarrick; (2) an opening of new and confidential channels for reporting complaints against bishops; and (3) advocacy for more effective resolution of future complaints. These goals will be pursued according to three criteria: proper independence, sufficient authority, and substantial leadership by laity.
We have already begun to develop a concrete plan for accomplishing these goals, relying upon consultation with experts, laity, and clergy, as well as the Vatican. We will present this plan to the full body of bishops in our November meeting. In addition, I will travel to Rome to present these goals and criteria to the Holy See, and to urge further concrete steps based on them.
The overarching goal in all of this is stronger protections against predators in the Church and anyone who would conceal them, protections that will hold bishops to the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
Allow me to briefly elaborate on the goals and criteria that we have identified.
The first goal is a full investigation of questions surrounding Archbishop McCarrick. These answers are necessary to prevent a recurrence, and so help to protect minors, seminarians, and others who are vulnerable in the future. We will therefore invite the Vatican to conduct an Apostolic Visitation to address these questions, in concert with a group of predominantly lay people identified for their expertise by members of the National Review Board and empowered to act.
The second goal is to make reporting of abuse and misconduct by bishops easier. Our 2002 “Statement of Episcopal Commitment” does not make clear what avenue victims themselves should follow in reporting abuse or other sexual misconduct by bishops. We need to update this document. We also need to develop and widely promote reliable third-party reporting mechanisms. Such tools already exist in many dioceses and in the public sector and we are already examining specific options.
The third goal is to advocate for better procedures to resolve complaints against bishops. For example, the canonical procedures that follow a complaint will be studied with an eye toward concrete proposals to make them more prompt, fair, and transparent and to specify what constraints may be imposed on bishops at each stage of that process.
We will pursue these goals according to three criteria.
The first criterion is genuine independence. Any mechanism for addressing any complaint against a bishop must be free from bias or undue influence by a bishop. Our structures must preclude bishops from deterring complaints against them, from hampering their investigation, or from skewing their resolution.
The second criterion relates to authority in the Church. Because only the Pope has authority to discipline or remove bishops, we will assure that our measures will both respect that authority and protect the vulnerable from the abuse of ecclesial power.
Our third criterion is substantial involvement of the laity. Lay people bring expertise in areas of investigation, law enforcement, psychology, and other relevant disciplines, and their presence reinforces our commitment to the first criterion of independence.
Finally, I apologize and humbly ask your forgiveness for what my brother bishops and I have done and failed to do. Whatever the details may turn out to be regarding Archbishop McCarrick or the many abuses in Pennsylvania (or anywhere else), we already know that one root cause is the failure of episcopal leadership. The result was that scores of beloved children of God were abandoned to face an abuse of power alone. This is a moral catastrophe. It is also part of this catastrophe that so many faithful priests who are pursuing holiness and serving with integrity are tainted by this failure.
We firmly resolve, with the help of God’s grace, never to repeat it. I have no illusions about the degree to which trust in the bishops has been damaged by these past sins and failures. It will take work to rebuild that trust. What I have outlined here is only the beginning; other steps will follow. I will keep you informed of our progress toward these goals.
Let me ask you to hold us to all of these resolutions. Let me also ask you to pray for us, that we will take this time to reflect, repent, and recommit ourselves to holiness of life and to conform our lives even more to Christ, the Good Shepherd.”
Indians everywhere commemorate the country’s independence from British rule, a long, non-violent struggle headed by Mahatma Gandhi, on August 15th. In Stamford, CT, Mayor David Martin hosted the 72nd Indian Independence celebration at the Stamford Government Center. The Connecticut Chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT) organized the event on Sunday, August 12th. Indian Consul Jaideep Chola, who is also the Head of Chancery, was the chief guest who delivered the Independence Day message emphasizing the importance of India’s independence and its adoption of democracy.
“While your adopted land is the oldest and most powerful democracy in the world, India too has the distinction of having the largest democracy with diversities like religion, caste, creed, region and language and this day is celebrated by every Indian in all parts of India,” Said Chola.
Chola said that India in a short span achieved distinction of competing with the most powerful economies in the world and recently, India has overtaken France as the sixth largest economy in the world.
“We have seen a fascinating transformation that has taken place in India – U.S. relations in the last several decades with deepening of our relationship based on our shared values of democracy, universal human rights, tolerance and pluralism, equal opportunities for all citizens and rule of law, and our bilateral relations have now developed into a Global Strategic Partnership” Chola continued. The U.S. has been our foremost partner, not only in trade and investment, but also in technology, knowledge and development.
The program began with the singing of a patriotic song, followed by a welcome address given by GOPIO-CT President Anita Bhat who gave an account of what GOPIO-CT is doing for the community and the local society. Program Coordinator Shelly Nichani introduced and thanked Mayor Martin for hosting the event. Mayor Martin spoke on the diversity of the City of Stamford and said it enriched the whole city.
Congressman Jim Himes compared the American Independence to India’s Independence, the difference being India got its independence by non-violent methods.
Cultural programs depicting the rich culture of India were performed by children of Indian origin representing the vibrant culture of India.
An estimated 42,000 people attended the 14th annual India Day Parade hosted by the Indian Business Association (IBA) on Aug. 12 in Edison, New Jersey.
Veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher was the grand marshal for the parade. Kher was joined by TV Journalist Richa Anirudh as well as Bollywood actors Niharica Raizada and Prachi Tehlan, along with elected officials and candidates from across New Jersey including Congressman Frank Pallone, Middlesex County Freeholders, Senators Vin Gopal, Patrick Diegnan and Sam Thompson, and many more.
The parade, which made its way along Oak Tree Road, beginning in Edison and ending in Iselin, included 18 floats, a marching band, and a number of walking groups.
Elected officials and candidates from across New Jersey including Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J), State Senators Vin Gopal, Patrick Diegnan, and Sam Thompson participated as well as elected officials from Hudson, Passaic, Essex, Bergen, Middlesex and Monmouth counties and Middlesex County freeholders. A cultural program followed the parade at the review stand in Iselin.
“This whole event was spectacular,” Kher said. “It is great to see India’s culture, history, and tradition is alive and well across the ocean.”
Edison Mayor Thomas Lankey, Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac, Edison Council President Ajay Patil, Edison Councilman Michael Lombardi spoke at the event, as did the president of the IBA Dhiren Amin and the group’s chairman Chandrakant Patel.
Edison Mayor Thomas Lankey was effusive in his praise of the parade and IBA. “The IBA’s great. The organization gets businesses involved, but they do more than that, they also get the community involved” he said.
Edison Council President Ajay Patil said, “Every year the parade gets larger and draws more people to Edison. We are lucky to have the IBA organize such a wonderful event.”
“The IBA does so much good for this town. All the IBA members that I know and have met are wonderful,” Edison Councilman Michael Lombardi added. “This group organizes the best events. Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” said Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac.
“We were graced with beautiful weather, a wonderful Grand Marshall, and the support of over 100 community based organizations. I also want to thank all of our sponsors, especially ShopRite, the title sponsor of the event,” said Dhiren Amin, President of IBA. Over 300 volunteers worked tirelessly to put the event together.
Hundreds of marchers, many dressed in the orange, green and white colors of India’s tricolor flag, will stream down Hillside Avenue in Queens on Saturday, Aug. 11, in the third annual India Day Parade organized by The Floral Park – Bellerose Indian Merchants Association.
Several floats, scores of local performing groups and even a trio of Bollywood stars are expected to join the parade stepping off at 2 p.m. just across the city line in Floral Park, Queens. The parade, held annually on the weekend before India Independence Day’s official commemoration on Aug. 15, ends at Padavan-Preller Complex Field in Bellerose, Queens.
The parade “is bringing everyone together on one day to celebrate India’s Independence,” says Hemant Shah of Floral Park, executive vice president of parade sponsor the Floral Park-Bellerose Indian Merchants Association, which represents 100 Hillside Avenue businesses.
Though rain was in the forecast, it did not dampen the spirit of the participants from the more than 25 organizations including the NYPD horse mounted police, NYPD Desi Ground units, Fire Truck with Fire Marshalls Color Guard, Veterans Color Guard, the American marching band and much more.
The parade started at the corner of 263rd Street and Hillside Avenue, proceeding towards 236th Street and ended in Padavan – Preller field.
The event featured a Pledge of Allegiance by Supreme Court Judge, the singing of the American and Indian National Anthems as well as speeches by Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul along with other elected officials and dignitaries.
Speeches were also given by the executive committee of the Floral Park – Bellerose Indian Merchants Association including Chairman Subhash Kapadia, President Kirpall Singh, Executive Vice President Hemant Shah and Vice President Koshy.
“It is a celebration of freedom and a moment of pride,” says Bina Sabapathy of Plainview, a member of the India Association of Long Island. “We are celebrating the day in 1947 when we won our freedom after 200 years of British rule,” Sabapathy explained.
Dating looks different now than it did in the age before Tinder and flirting via Instagram, Facebook and Twitter DMs. But the signs of a healthy relationship are still the same. It’s still about respect, admiration, communication… and learning when to put down your mobile phone. With this in mind, here are a few of the most important ways you can tell that you’re in a healthy relationship.
You and your partner are comfortable in silence
One of the surest signs that you’re in a healthy place with your partner? Comfortable silence. Being able to read a book (or, yes, scroll through Instagram) while your partner plays video games — and not feel pressured to make conversation — is invaluable.
You don’t stress about your partner’s use of social media
According to Glamour, “Three things happy couples don’t do: They don’t carry on flirtatious Facebook conversations, they think twice before adding a friend who could cause friction in their relationship (such as an ex), and they don’t ‘like’ photos of attractive strangers or that friend who uses Instagram as her personal bikini portfolio.”
Social media is just a fact of life these days, and odds are, your partner will have an ex or two in their Facebook friend list. They may even like their photos from time to time. But the way they interact with people online shouldn’t make you insecure about your relationship. If it does, it could be a sign of a deeper problem.
You take each other’s careers seriously
Balancing job ambitions as a couple can be difficult. Both partners in a relationship should be supportive of each other’s career goals, even if it is occasionally inconvenient. It’s a red flag if your loved one is unsupportive whenever you work late or go on a work trip or outing.
You know each other’s mobile phone passwords — but don’t feel the need to snoop
Cell phones and computers create the unique opportunity to find out a ton of information about your partner — their search habits, who they chat with all day, whether they still text their clingy ex who can’t seem to get the picture — simply by logging on. If you could access your partner’s devices when they’re not around but don’t, it shows that you trust them.
You respect each other’s family and friends
That isn’t to say that if your partner doesn’t fit into your existing friend group seamlessly that you need to ditch them. But they should treat the other people in your life kindly and respect your desire to spend time with your family and friends (sometimes without them tagging along).
You don’t worry about what they’re up to when you’re not around
This goes along with the whole ‘trust’ thing we mentioned earlier. If you trust your partner, you probably feel confident that they aren’t upto something fishy, without your knowledge, when you’re out of town, or doing something else considered inappropriate within the confines of your relationship.
Even your fights aren’t so bad
Believe it or not, there is a right way to argue. As a relationship expert told Huffington Post, “A good relationship is one where the two of you fight fair. In other words, you don’t curse, scream, talk down to each other or dismiss each other.” We’re a big fan of the ‘never go to bed angry’ (if you can help it) relationship philosophy.
You respect each other
Most of the items on this list boil down to one thing — respect. If you and your partner respect one another, your fights will be fair, you won’t worry that they sending sleazy DMs to others on Instagram, you will make every decision — from what to eat for dinner to whether or not to relocate — as a team. We know it might be a little too much. But it’s the truth.
The Declaration of Independence guaranteed Americans the right to pursue happiness, and we haven’t stopped looking for it since. But despite the college courses, research labs and countless self-help books dedicated to that search, only 33% of Americans actually said they were happy in a 2017 survey. A new research may help explain why: We’re trying too hard.
The research, published in the journal Emotion, found that overemphasizing happiness can make people more likely to obsess over failure and negative emotions when they inevitably do happen, bringing them more stress in the long run.
“Happiness is a good thing, but setting it up as something to be achieved tends to fail,” explains co-author Brock Bastian, a social psychologist at the University of Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences in Australia, in an email to TIME. “Our work shows that it changes how people respond to their negative emotions and experiences, leading them to feel worse about these and to ruminate on them more.”
“When people place a great deal of pressure on themselves to feel happy, or think that others around them do, they are more likely to see their negative emotions and experiences as signals of failure,” Bastian says. “This will only drive more unhappiness.”
Bastian says the study isn’t a condemnation of trying to be happy; rather, it underscores the importance of knowing and accepting that feeling unhappy sometimes is just as normal and healthy.
“The danger of feeling that we should avoid our negative experiences is that we respond to them badly when they do arise,” Bastian says. “We have evolved to experience a complex array of emotional states, and about half of these are unpleasant. This is not to say they are less valuable, or that having them detracts from our quality of life.”
In fact, recent research has suggested that experiencing negative emotions can ultimately boost happiness, and another new study finds that stressful or unpleasant situations may help people process bad news. Bastian also adds that failure can be invaluable for learning and growth.
“Failure is critical to innovation, learning and progress,” he says. “Every successful organization knows that failure is part of the road to success, so we need to know how to respond well to failure.” Doing so will likely take a culture change. A society that embraces messy emotions and experiences, Bastian says, is one that is poised for better mental health.
Dr. Naresh Parikh, a cardiologist, entreprenor, leader, and community activist, assumed charge as President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) during the historic 36th annual convention at the Greater Columbus Convention Hall her on Saturday, July 7th night as the convention came to a conclusion with the gala attended by over 1,700 delegates from across the nation.
Along with Dr. Parikh, his executive committee consisting of Dr. Suresh Reddy, President-Elect; Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda, Vice President; Dr. Anupama Gotimukula, Secretary; Dr. Anjana Samadder, Treasurer; and Dr. Ajeeth Kothari, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, were administered the oath of office as the AAPI delegates cheered loudly wishing them the best in the upcoming year.
As the President of AAPI, “I will dedicate my time, energy and skills to maintain the integrity of AAPI and promote membership database and scrub data. We will work together encouraging and motivating more and more Physicians and Dentists to join AAPI and work towards increase in AAPI membership representing all sections, including, women, young and old, while providing enhanced membership benefits including liability insurance carrier, billing, collection company, cardiac remote monitoring, and credit card transactions through reputed banking services. Our Mission and Motto for the upcoming year is “As your president I plan to invoke this year as the year of progress and balance,” the soft spoken Dr. Parikh declared in bis inaugural address.
Dr. Parikh was gracious in acknowledging the contributions of Dr. Gautam Samadder, his predecessor. “I have enjoyed serving AAPI for all these years and it was a true pleasure this past year working in close association with Dr. Samadder. I have learned much from him and offer that as a Compliment for his achievements for AAPI,’ he said.
Dr. Gautam Samadder, through a visual presentation summarized the many achievements of his year long presidency, including GHS in Kolkatta, Health Clinic inauguration in West Bengal, African safari, contributions to Veterans Obesity and Lukemia Society, India day parade and Leadership seminar, among the many others. He thanked his executive committee members, convention committee and all who have generously devoted their time, talent and resources for the success of the many programs he had initiated under his leadership.
“It’s been a humbling experience to work with an esteemed galaxy of AAPI leaders, leading this great organization, for the past year. With the active support of my executive committee and BOT members, I truly believe, I have been able to fulfill many of the priorities I had forth at the beginning of my presidency during the convention in New Jersey last year,” Dr. Samadder said.
Placing his confidence in the AAPI members who have elected him to lead this 37 years old organization, Dr. Parikh said, “AAPI has made great progress from a fledging association of the 1980s to what you see today, a robust, powerful medical organization in our country.
An organization is only as strong as its members make it and our AAPI membership is an incredible group of dedicated passionate individuals. I would like to congratulate the members of AAPI for their strength and the support they have given in its wings of flight.”
Graduated from Nagpur Medical College in 1972 and a cardiologist by profession, Dr. Naresh Parikh is serving as the CEO of Georgia Clinic, a multi-specialty organization, founded in 1998, serving patients from dozen locations. A practicing Cardiologist in Atlanta, Georgia for 30 years, Dr. Parikh was instrumental in starting IPA in 2016 with 53 participating providers and has been active in DRS ACO. Dr. Parikh is also involved with Cigna Health Spring as a counsel to improve Hedis score and improve MRA scoring for Georgia Physicians.
“It’s been an honor and privilege for me to be associated with AAPI because I recognize the tremendous potential and the lead role that is being played by AAPI in promoting friendship between India and the United States. As members of AAPI, we have not forgotten our roots and are engaged in several activities such as conducting Indo-US Healthcare Summit that has shown us a new trail in healthcare sector in India and will continue to pave way for new frontiers in public private partnership.” As the president of AAPI, which has been playing a major role in supporting noble causes around the world, Dr. Parikh’s goal “is to be actively engaged in the SEWAK project in India.”
Dr. Parikh called upon the entire AAPI family to work towards staying united and for the betterment of the organization they all love dearly. “Let this year be a year of unity, progress and balance. Let us set aside all our differences and we all pledge to unite and work together as one team for betterment of AAPI and keep AAPI in balance,” he said.
As the President of AAPI, Dr. Parikh will “carry forward my duties of AAPI Office and keeping transparency, accountability and branding of AAPI. Under the current dynamic and dedicated team of executives, we strive to achieve higher standards for AAPI and to achieve our chosen agenda. I am committed to working with the AAPI Team to establish AAPI’s image in the US and globally.”
Physicians of Indian Origin in the United States are reputed to be leading health care providers, holding crucial positions in various hospitals and health care facilities around the nation and the world. Known to be a leading ethnic medical organization that represents nearly 100,000 physicians and fellows of Indian Origin in the US and being their voice and providing a forum to its members to collectively work together to meet their diverse needs, AAPI members are proud to contribute to the wellbeing of their motherland India, and their adopted land, the United States. The convention is a forum to network, share knowledge and thoughts, and thus, enrich one another, and rededicate for the health and wellbeing of all the peoples of the world.
Dr. Naresh Parikh invited all delegates to come and participate at the 37th annual convention to be held in Atlanta, GA from July 3rd to to 7th 2019. And the Global Healthcare Summit is planned for December 28th to 30th, 2018 in Mumbai. We look forward to seeing you all in Atlanta, GA for the convention and for the GHS in Mumbai, India!” For more information on AAPI and the 36th convention, please visit: www.aapiconvention.org
In eastern Indian state, Meghalaya, a remote village, Mawlynnong, has made headlines around the world. In this village, tidying up is a ritual that everyone – from tiny toddlers to toothless grannies – takes very seriously. This small, 600-odd person town in the Meghalaya region is renowned as the cleanest village in India.
Mawlynnong was first declared the cleanest village in Asia in 2003 and the cleanest in India in 2005 by Discover India magazine. More recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged Mawlynnong as the cleanest village in Meghalaya and a model for the rest of the county in a 2015.
This claim to fame stuck, and the village has become a regional legend and source of pride. Walk in, and all the typical rubbish is mysteriously, miraculously absent. So how do you get a community to become a model of cleanliness and sanitation in a country where this has long been a problem? The answer, it seems, is to start them young.
There’s normal daily cleaning for children and adults, then extra on Saturdays when the village leader assigns out “social work” to be completed for the good of the town. Eleven-year-old Deity Bakordor starts her day around 6:30 am. Her chore, shared with all the village kids, is the beautification of the town. Teasel brooms in hand, the children storm the streets, sweeping up dead leaves and garbage before school. The children are also responsible for emptying the rubbish bins – which are surprisingly pretty, hand-woven, cone-shaped baskets scattered throughout town – and separating organic waste from burnable trash. Leaves and other biodegradable waste are buried (and eventually used as fertilizer); everything else is driven far from the village and burned. There are also dedicated town gardeners who maintain riots of public plants and flowers that line the footpaths, making a walk here incredibly pleasant.
The villagers are of the Khasi people, a traditionally matrilineal society. Perhaps, with women in dominant roles in society, keeping the home and environment orderly also takes on a greater role, Adhikari and I speculated. “We are Christians from more than 100 years back, and cleaning is learned from our elders,” said housewife Sara Kharrymba. “We pass on these skills, from me to my children, from them to their children.” In other words, this isn’t habit, it’s a long-time tradition. Kharrymba’s own day begins by cleaning their entire compound, she said.
Indian Americans enjoy the highest levels of income among various Asian ethnic groups in the U.S., but wide economic disparities exist within the community, noted the Pew Research Center in a report released last month.
The report, titled “Income Inequality in the U.S. Is Rising Most Rapidly Among Asians,” surveyed income levels of several Asian American ethnicities and found that Asians at the top 10 percent of incomes earned 10.7 times more than those at the bottom 10 percent.
The Pew report is one of a few such papers that disaggregate data for various Asian American communities. “Today, income inequality in the U.S. is greatest among Asians. From 1970 to 2016, the gap in the standard of living between Asians near the top and the bottom of the income ladder nearly doubled, and the distribution of income among Asians transformed from being one of the most equal to being the most unequal among America’s major racial and ethnic groups,” noted the authors of the study, Rakesh Kocchar, associate director of research at Pew Research Center; and Anthony Cilluffo, research assistant at the Pew Center.
Within the Indian American community, median household incomes vary widely, noted the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development, in its response to the report’s findings. For example, the organization noted, the median household income in San Jose, Calif., is $157,036 – where incomes are driven by the tech community – compared to $51,060 in Yuba City, Calif., where agriculture is the driver of the local economy. Education levels are also lower in Yuba City, said the organization, noting that Indian American residents of Yuba City come largely from a previous wave of migration, whereas Indian Americans in San Jose represent a new wave of migrants chosen largely for their technical skills.
Almost four million people of Indian origin live in the U.S., with a median household income of $100,000, noted the survey. About 7.5 percent of the community lives at or below the federal poverty level, defined as $30,750 for a family of four in 2017.
Sri Lankan Americans, with population numbers of about 60,000, have median household incomes at $74,000 with about nine percent of the community living in poverty.
More than half a million Pakistani Americans currently reside in the U.S., with a median household income of $66,000; 15.5 percent live in poverty, according to the report. Around 188,000 Bangladeshi Americans have a median household income of $49,800; almost one-quarter live at or below the federal poverty level. Similarly, Nepali Americans, who have a median household income of $43,900, also have almost a quarter of their community living in poverty.
Burmese Americans have the highest level of poverty among Asian Americans, with one out of three living at or below the federal poverty line. The median household income is $36,000, according to the Pew report. About 72 percent of Indian Americans hold bachelor’s degrees or higher, compared with just nine percent of people from Bhutan.
Seema Agnani, executive director of the nonprofit National CAPACD, said in a press statement: “The Pew Research Center’s report draws attention to the stark economic inequality in the AAPI population. The success of some of us has contributed to the marginalization of many of us.”
“We must challenge the dominant assumptions of our success, and we need to build solidarity within the AAPI community. We need to encourage the idea that successful AAPIs have a social responsibility to learn about, support, and lift up lower-income AAPIs who are unduly set back by the success of their community members,” said Agnani.
“Wealth that is dangerously inequitable is not sustainable and, thus, we all have a shared interest and benefit in lifting AAPIs living in poverty out of the margins,” she said.
Infidelity is everywhere. Studies have shown that around 23% of married men and 12% of married women have at some point had sex with someone other than their spouse. But while something like extramarital sex is easy to define, the general concept of cheating is far more nuanced.
A 2015 study, which was published in the Journal of Sexual and Marital Therapy and based on interviews with seven U.K. couples counselors, found that just about anything, from sexting to lying to intercourse, could be considered cheating — or not — depending on a person’s perspective. In the end, the authors concluded that the study “demonstrates the existence of multiple, conflicting definitions of infidelity.”
Further complicating the issue is the latest relationship buzzword: micro-cheating. And there’s a good chance many of us have encountered micro-cheating in our own love lives, By Jamie Ducharme in TIME writes.
Micro-cheating refers to “a set of behaviors that flirts with the line between faithfulness and unfaithfulness,” says Maryland-based couples therapist Lindsey Hoskins. But much like full-blown infidelity, Hoskins says it’s near-impossible to concretely define micro-cheating because “the line is in different places for different people in different relationships.”
Virtually anything, from Tinder swiping for fun to flirting with a cute stranger, could be considered micro-cheating, depending on someone’s values and relationship priorities. But Hoskins says some of the most common transgressions she sees include frequent text or social media communication with a possible flame, regularly talking with an ex-partner and growing too friendly with a co-worker.
At their core, micro-cheating behaviors might not be cause for concern; it’s only when they start to cross a line — either emotionally or physically — that trouble arises. After all, humans are programmed to be on the lookout for potential mates, says Jayson Dibble, an associate professor of communication at Hope College. “It’s hard for me to condemn noticing attractive others,” he says. “That’s just human nature.”
Many times, Dibble says, flirting with someone outside your relationship is harmless, and is more about getting a quick ego boost or dopamine hit than it is about truly being interested in that person. “Research confirms time and time again that even when people are having sex, they’ll fantasize about someone other than their partner,” Dibble adds. “That can be healthy, too, because it keeps you moving. It keeps you virile, it keeps the flames going so you can bring that to your partner.”
Dibble’s research even suggests that people in relationships who keep and communicate with “back-burners” — that is, potential future romantic or sexual partners — might not be compromising their relationships by doing so. He co-authored a 2014 study, published in Computers in Human Behavior, that found no measurable decrease in relationship investment or commitment among romantically involved people who also communicated with back-burners.
But micro-cheating can be a slippery slope, Dibble says. What may start as a harmless text conversation or office friendship can morph into something more, intentionally or not. If outside interactions are starting to take time or mental and emotional energy away from your actual relationship, that’s a sign they might be more serious.
The caveat to Dibble’s study — and to all micro-cheating behaviors — is that your partner might not look so kindly on your actions. Keeping a back-burner (at the office, online or anywhere else) may not decrease your own commitment, but it can certainly make your partner uncomfortable.
Hoskins says that distinction is important. “You can feel differently about it, but it’s a problem for your relationship if it’s a problem for your partner,” she says. “By virtue of having agreed to be in that relationship, you’ve agreed to be sensitive and aware and pay attention to things that bother the other person.”
Proactive communication is key, Hoskins says. Couples should ideally discuss relationship boundaries before they become an issue, which can help prevent fights and resentment from bubbling up later. And that likely means having regular conversations about what’s okay and what’s not, Hoskins says.
“It’s a really good and healthy conversation to have early on in a relationship, but it’s almost impossible to have the conversation once and say, ‘Great, we covered all the bases and we never need to worry about talking about that ever again,’” Hoskins says. “Ideas change. New things come up. It’s an evolution.”
The way you talk about these issues matters, too. If you feel that your partner is doing something wrong, you’ll likely have a more productive conversation by not aggressively confronting them, Hoskins says. “Defensiveness is caused by feeling attacked, so the person who is worried needs to come into the conversation really being conscientious to not attack,” she suggests. If you’re the one accused of micro-cheating, be honest about your behavior, make an effort to listen objectively to your partner’s concerns and consider how you can be more thoughtful in the future.
Finally, Hoskins recommends analyzing why the micro-cheating happened in the first place, and working together to fix whatever may be lacking in your partnership. “Say, ‘Okay, what exactly is it that was appealing about that? What was the feeling you were getting from the behavior or interaction?’” she suggests. “‘If that’s an unmet need in our relationship, can we focus on that? Can we focus on adding that kind of dynamic into our relationship?’”
For a second time in its over 70 years of history, Pakistan transitioned to a peaceful politically inspired democratic transition on Wednesday, July 22nd. Imran Khan, the cricket star and A-list celebrity whose political party won this past week’s elections, could use his fame and charisma to reset Pakistan’s troubled relations with the West.
The dust has hardly settled from the election, which was marred by allegations of rigging and copious evidence that Pakistan’s military interfered to help Khan win. Khan’s party trounced the others, but as of Sunday remained short of a majority in Parliament. To become prime minister, he needs to win over independent candidates and smaller parties to build a coalition. Most analysts believe he will succeed, although it is not a sure thing.
It is widely expected that if Khan, 65, becomes prime minister, there will be an initial fascination with him as he tours the world. Most likely, he’ll visit foreign capitals and business titans, seeking help to solve Pakistan’s dire debt crisis and bring in investors. He also seems to have China in mind.
Khan’s political rivals in the months before the election, helping him win. But the Establishment chiefs may now be kicking themselves for doing a job too well. They seem to like Khan, for the time being, partly because his forcefulness with the United States and tolerance of Islamist extremists reflect how many of Pakistan’s top officers feel.
Pakistan’s military has directly ruled for much of its history and meddled during the rest. What the military bosses really wanted this time, analysts say, was a weak civilian government, with the veneer of a democracy. They were so heavy-handed in their tactics they ended up getting neither.
In many ways, Pakistan is a pivotal nation. It is the world’s sixth-most populous country, with 200 million people. It is also nuclear-armed and strategically located next to India, China, Iran and Afghanistan. For decades it has been cast in turmoil by suicide bombers, extremist groups and a nefarious spy agency that helped create the Taliban and actively supported Al Qaeda while ostensibly serving as an ally to the United States.
For a nation often in the news for all the wrong reasons — suicide bombings, support for terrorism, horrific massacres — Pakistan has reached a turning point that could possibly alter its dysfunctional trajectory. Khan also may move Pakistan much closer to the expanding sphere of China, a neighbor he has praised conspicuously as a role model.
Or Khan could simply follow the same path as many Pakistani leaders before him, supporting harsh Islamic laws and showing sympathy for militant groups, policies that have kept Pakistan isolated for years.
Khan brings something new: more star power and mystique than any recent Pakistani leader and perhaps a better chance to change the country’s narrative, even though the election was widely considered tainted. “Relatively few Pakistani leaders have won over the West,” said Michael Kugelman, deputy director for the South Asia Program at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington. “But Khan is familiar with operating in the international world. He already has strong name recognition. He doesn’t need to be introduced.”
Former cricketer Khan was once known as a party-loving playboy who eventually married Jemima Goldsmith, a British heiress with Jewish heritage. Now Khan was a pious Muslim and conservative politician who rejected Western values. Khan’s transformation was still never fully accepted as authentic by Pakistan’s political elite, who routinely indulged in gossip about his playboy ways and religious hypocrisy—for instance, the woman on the divan.
Oxford-educated and once married to a wealthy British woman, Khan is clearly comfortable in the highest circles of Western power brokers. He was close friends with Princess Diana. He now expresses sympathy for the Taliban and for Pakistan’s harsh blasphemy laws, which include the death penalty, positions that play well domestically.
“He’s dangerously accommodating of extremists, and anyone who knows him knows this,” said C. Christine Fair, a political scientist at Georgetown University.
“Khan might be more inclined to butt heads,” said Marvin Weinbaum, a scholar at the Middle East Institute and former State Department intelligence analyst. “The difference with Imran is going to be because he’s a populist, he feels he can go further than Nawaz.”
Khan’s erratic personality is a further complication. He is known for running a team of one, making impulsive decisions, contradicting himself and then using his enormous reserves of self-confidence and charisma to dig himself out.
Khan remains most focused on getting the numbers he needs in Pakistan’s Parliament to form a coalition government with him as prime minister. So far, some smaller parties have indicated they will join, but he still has a way to go. The third-place party, the Pakistan Peoples Party, has been coy about whether it will join Khan’s side or oppose him. If it did join, that would easily push Khan’s coalition into the majority.
Most Pakistanis, even those who did not vote for Khan, believe he will be the next prime minister. Expectations are soaring that he will be able to change his country’s image. “Everybody thinks of Pakistan as a terrorist world,” said a 16-year-old girl named Mahnoor, who was sitting in the food court of a fancy new mall this week, eating McDonald’s French fries. “It’s not.”
Naveed Majeed, a rice exporter, said foreigners would listen to Mr. Khan because he brings something of an aura. “And I want him to tell the world we’re not all terrorists,” Mr. Majeed said. It’s clearly a sensitive subject; many Pakistanis ache for a new story for their country.
A wealthy sports icon turned politician who constantly reminds the country’s elite they don’t know the real Pakistan, Imran Khan’s rise to power is a replay of America’s 2016 reckoning with Donald Trump and the anti-establishment wave he rode to the White House.
Renowned actor Kamal Haasan, who has recently jumped into politics, will be the Grand Marshal for the 38th India Day Parade, sponsored by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA-NY/NJ/CT).
The parade will be held on Sunday, August 19, at 12 noon, in New York City, starting at the corner of 38th Street and Madison Avenue, to commemorate the 72nd Independence Day of India.
Haasan’s daughter, actress Shruti Haasan, will be the Guest of Honor along with West Indian cricketer Sir Vivian Richards, singers Shibani Kashyap and Mikey Singh.
Bollywood singer Kailash Kher will be the Chief Guest and Chintu Patel, chairman of Amneal Pharmaceuticals, will be the Community Grand Marshal.
The theme of this year’s parade is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, which literally translates to “the world is one family.”
At a curtain raiser event which was held at the Consulate General of India in New York on June 28, president of FIA-NY/NJ/CT, Srujal Parikh had said, “with keeping our theme in mind, we thank UNISEF USA, who will be joining us in this year’s parade to support the Indian American diaspora, community and the world’s children. The FIA team is working very hard to make this the best year ever.”
Kher, Kashyap and Singh will also perform at the cultural program which will be held between 24thand 26th Streets on Madison Avenue. Over 150,000 people are expected to attend this year’s parade, Parikh said. The parade will feature 35 floats and 30 marching contingents as well as dance performances such as Bihu and Lavani showcasing India’s regional diversity, he said.
The all-day celebration also includes food stalls, cultural events and floats by various Indian organizations based in the U.S. In the previous years, actors Arjun Rampal, Abhishek Bachchan, “Baahubali’ actors Rana Daggubati and Tamannaah Bhatia, Sunny Deol and Raveena Tandon have attended the parade.
“India is at a crucial crossroads and unless NRIs come forward in preserving truth, trust, inclusion, and non-violence, India’s democracy could be in jeopardy,” Said Mr. Sam Pitroda, Chairman of the Overseas Congress Department of All India Congress Committee.
Pitroda was inaugurating the National Conference of the Indian Overseas Congress that was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in New York. “A climate of fear is gripping the nation and lies are constantly propagated for political ends” Pitroda added citing the case against National Herald newspaper. “Congress believes in the bottom-up development, not top-down approach followed by the current government that benefits a few”. Pointing to the upcoming parliamentary elections in 2019, he urged the delegates who have gathered there to collaborate and work together in unity so that Congress party can restore the democratic values that have been the hallmark of the nation for the last 7 decades.
Dr. Surinder Malhotra, who has served as the President of INOC, USA for a number of years and a member of the governing Board of IOC appealed to the gathering for an end to groupism and division and to move forward. Mr. George Abraham, the Vice-Chair of the IOC detailed various threats to democracy in India and asked the meeting to be pro-active in dealing with critical issues. “Constitution is out there to protect us; however, if we don’t protect the constitution, it will not protect us either” Abraham added.
Mohinder Singh, Gilzian, President of the INOC, USA lauded the Congress party for its enormous contribution to India that made it a prosperous economy and detailed some of his plans to grow the Overseas Congress in the USA. He promised to increase the membership of the organization and bring in more young people to the fold primarily by reaching out to the large pool of Indian students at the Universities. He has also promised to conduct charitable programs on behalf of the organization and to send volunteers to the upcoming elections in India. In addition, he expressed optimism that a ‘Congress Bhavan’ can be built as headquarters for IOC in the not so distant future.
Himanshu Vyas, newly appointed Secretary to the Overseas Congress Department of AICC spoke about building strong Overseas Congress Chapters around the globe and asked the participants to communicate with him for any extra help from his Delhi office.
Madhu Yaskhi, former Member of Parliament and AICC Secretary Spoke about the challenges to Indian democracy and pointed out, in particular, the corruption at the highest levels citing the Rafael Jet purchasing case. He urged NRIs to get involved and bring about a change that is essential for the survival of India’s democracy.
Shudh Prakash Singh, President of INOC (I) introduced several members of INOC (I) to the audience. Mr. Harbachan Singh, Secretary-General of the INOC, USA and Rajender Dichpally, General Secretary of INOC (I), Mr. Kamalpreet Singh Dhaliwal, President of IOC, United Kingdom and Dr. Dayan Naik also addressed the conference. Manoj Shinde presented an integrated IT plan for the organization and asked members to provide him with the content.
Tavishi Alagh, the Media Coordinator for Overseas Congress Department of AICC, screened several videos at the conference showing the history the Congress Party and fortitude of the past leaders of the freedom struggle along with Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s vision for a more inclusive India.
In the ensuing discussions, delegates from all Chapters spoke about the vision and missions of the organization and stressed the issue of unity as a pre-requisite to moving forward in achieving set goals. T. J. Gill, Malini Shah, John Joseph, Gurmit Singh Gill, Charan Singh, Phuman Singh, Ravi Chopra, Thomas T. Oommen, Satish Sharma, R. Jayachandran, Zinda Singh, Kulbir Singh Prempur Sarpanch, Sarvjit Singh, Prasad Kambapathy, Devendra Vora, Girish Vaidya, Ajay Singh Lakhan, Santok Singh, Paul Sihota, Rana Gill, Jaya Sundaram, Ram Gadula, Harkesh Thakur, Oommen Koshy, Chandu Patel, Santhosh Nair, Rajesh Allahdad, Thomas Mathew, Krishan Arora, Leela Maret, Sawaran Singh, Vishak Cherian, Paul Paramby, Ramesh Chandra, Nikhil G. Reddy, Saji Karimpannuur, Rajan Padavathil, Mr. Sravanth Poreddy, Krishna Chaithanya and Anil Patel, Dr. Mohammed Jameel, Dr. Enu Karuvathu, Joy Thomas, Saji Abraham, Madhu Erugu, Raj Boda, Rajeev Mohanan also participated in the discussions. Delegates from various States including New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Connecticut, Illinois, California, Indiana, Texas, Minnesota, Washington, Florida, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Michigan and Ontario (Canada) were present at the meeting.
A copy of the constitution was presented to the meeting by Mr. Harbachan Singh who is the main architect behind that effort. The document was referred to Sanjay Dubey Esq to resolve various legal questions concerning that within the next two weeks. The meeting also appointed committee Chairpersons for Finance, Membership, Youth group, Women’s group, IT group, Social Media etc. and a detailed list will be published soon.
A Mumbai-based doctor, who set up a rehabilitation foundation to rescue mentally-ill persons living on the streets, along with a widely known Ladakhi engineer and education reformist, are among the six personalities named for this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Award.
Bharat Vatwani, who has been recognised for “his tremendous courage and healing compassion in embracing India’s mentally-afflicted destitute”, started an informal operation of bringing mentally-ill street persons to their private clinic for treatment.
Vatwani established Shraddha Rehabilitation Foundation in 1988, aimed at rescuing mentally-ill persons living on the streets; providing free shelter, food, and psychiatric treatment; and reuniting them with their families.
“Their rescue work has been aided by the police, social workers, and referrals. Shraddha’s free custodial care and treatment ranges from personal hygiene, medical check-ups, psychiatric treatment, to appropriate medication — all done in the open, healing environment of the Karjat facility,” the board of trustees noted in a statement.
Sonam Wangchuk, who inspired actor Aamir Khan’s character in “Three Idiots”, has been recognised for “his uniquely systematic, collaborative and community-driven reform of learning systems in remote northern India, thus improving the life opportunities of
Ladakhi youth, and his constructive engagement of all sectors in local society to harness science and culture creatively for economic progress, thus setting an example for minority peoples in the world”.
Wangchuk was a 19-year-old engineering student at the National Institute of Technology in Srinagar when he went into tutoring to finance his schooling and help woefully unprepared students pass the national college matriculation exams.
In 1988, after earning his engineering degree, Wangchuk founded Students’ Education and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) and started coaching Ladakhi students, 95 per cent of whom used to fail the government exams. In 1994, with Wangchuk in the lead, “Operation New Hope” (ONH) was launched to expand and consolidate the partnership-driven educational reform programme.
“Taking a life of its own, to date ONH has trained 700 teachers, 1,000 VEC leaders, and dramatically increased the success rate of students in matriculation exams from just 5 per cent in 1996 to 75 per cent by 2015,” the board of trustees said in a statement.
The other recipients of the annual honour include Cambodia’s Youk Chhang, who has been honoured for “preserving historical memory for healing and justice”; Maria de Lourdes Martins Cruz from East Timor for “building a caring society brick by brick”; Howard Dee of Philippines for “Championing the human face of peace, justice and economic growth”; and Vietnam’s Vo Thi Hoang Yen for “Claiming opportunities for the differently abled”.
The Ramon Magsaysay Award, recognised as Asia’s premier prize, is now in its 60th year of “honouring greatness of spirit and transformative leadership in selfless service to the peoples of Asia”.
Since its inception, over 330 individuals and organisations have joined the distinguished community of Ramon Magsaysay awardees.
The prestigious award is given to persons — regardless of race, nationality, creed or gender — who address issues of human development in Asia with courage and creativity, and in doing so have made contributions which have transformed their societies for the better.
The White House July 24 announced that J. Nicholas Ranjan has been nominated to be the U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Nicholas Ranjan is an equity partner in the Pittsburgh office of K&L Gates LLP. On July 13, 2018, Republican President Donald Trump nominated Ranjan to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
The nomination, made in response to Kim R. Gibson retiring, was officially sent to the Senate, a White House news release said. His practice focuses on a variety of complex litigation and arbitration including class action defense and energy litigation, appeals, compliance counseling and internal investigations.
The Indian American attorney practices anjan’s practice focuses on a variety of complex litigation and arbitration (including class action defense and energy litigation), appeals, compliance counseling, and internal investigations. His practice is across a number of different industries, such as the energy, commercial real estate, financial services, higher education, innovation, internet marketing, insurance, consumer, pharmaceutical, and transportation industries.
He has been selected by Chambers USA as one of the top commercial litigators in Pennsylvania multiple times, with clients commending his “creative approach and responsiveness.” He has been selected as a fellow with The Litigation Counsel of America, which is an invitation-only trial lawyer honorary, representing less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. He serves as a 2017 fellow with the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. He also serves as a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Litigation Center (state litigation advisory committee), advising the Chamber of Commerce on appellate amicus involvement throughout the country.
Mr. Ranjan is the pro bono coordinator for the firm’s Pittsburgh office. During his time in this position, the Allegheny County Bar Association awarded the firm the pro bono law firm of the year award. He also is the chairman of the Pittsburgh office’s diversity committee and is a member of the K&L Gates global diversity committee. He is active in leading diversity initiatives within the firm and in the community. For these efforts, he was a recipient of the Leadership Excellence Award, awarded by the Pittsburgh Leadership Conference.
Ranjan’s complex litigation experience is varied, across a number of different industries and before a number of state and federal courts. One area of his focus is on class action defense, where he has had experience litigating a variety of consumer, health-care, statutory, government-enforcement “tag along,” oil and gas, product liability, and employment-related class actions. He has handled class certification proceedings and has negotiated complex classwide settlements.
He has counseled clients on cybersecurity and telecommunications class action liabilities and risks, including those associated with cyber data breaches and those associated with text messaging and junk faxes under the TCPA. He has represented private equity clients in conducting due diligence associated with class action liabilities. He has also advised clients and published articles on the use of arbitration/class waiver agreements as a means to reduce class-action liability.
In addition to his class-action experience, Ranjan has served as lead counsel in complex commercial disputes, ranging from commercial real estate (including retail lease, construction, and injunction matters), financial services (including FCRA, FDCPA, and investment management), false advertising, intellectual property, catastrophic injury, trade secret, pharmaceutical, corporate raiding, transportation/3PL, insurance coverage, ERISA, internet-marketing, and Title IX-related litigation.
Ranjan is also qualified to act as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association, and is qualified to serve individually and on panels concerning commercial disputes, oil and gas disputes, and consumer disputes, among other matters. Additionally, Ranjan has an active domestic arbitration practice. Within the last five years, Mr. Ranjan has been lead counsel for claimants and respondents in over fifteen AAA, common law, and free form arbitrations. In many of these cases, Mr. Ranjan initially compelled the matter from court to arbitration. Six of these cases were taken to a full award.
Ranjan also has an active pro bono practice, representing prisoners, criminal defendants, and religious entities in free speech, religious liberties, civil rights, criminal, and habeas cases, both at the trial level and on appeal. Several of these cases have garnered local and national media attention.
Within the energy sector, Mr. Ranjan’s experience includes representing natural-gas operators, pipeline companies, non-operating interest owners, and drilling and completions companies in royalty calculation and class action matters, lease disputes, joint-venture disputes, surface-use disputes, seismic-testing disputes, pooling/unitization disputes, wastewater disputes, tax disputes, injunction proceedings, nuisance matters, insurance coverage matters, and other land-use litigation.
Ranjan has also represented energy and industrial clients in multiple crisis management events, having advised clients on on-site response and investigatory efforts, insurance and cost recovery, and litigation management.
Ranjan has represented clients in appeals before five different federal appellate courts, and has briefed, argued, or consulted on numerous appeals in federal and state appellate courts, including in the Pennsylvania, Ohio, California, and West Virginia supreme courts. He has been commended by the Third Circuit on several occasions in written opinions for his appellate advocacy, and in one case, the Third Circuit appointed him to serve individually as an amicus curiae to assist the court. He also previously served by appointment to the Second Circuit’s pro bono panel.
Ranjan is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Litigation Center (state litigation advisory committee), advising the Chamber of Commerce on appellate amicus involvement throughout the country, and has served as counsel of record for the Chamber in the California and Ohio Supreme Courts, as well.
Ranjan has also given presentations with a number of other appellate practitioners and judges, providing advice on effective appellate advocacy and oral argument strategy. And, since 2010, he has been one of the authors of the Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s Third Circuit treatise. Ranjan also frequently provides advice to K&L Gates’ trial teams across the country in formulating post-trial motion and appellate strategy.
The Indian-American community is punching way below its weight in philanthropy, despite having the highest per capita income of any ethnic group in the U.S., a comprehensive survey has found. The Indiaspora Community Engagement Survey, conducted by Dalberg Advisors, was released in conjunction with Indiaspora’s all-day philanthropic summit held at Georgetown University on July 17.
One of its major findings was that while its volunteerism is double that of the national average, when it comes to giving, the community’s “giving gap” was in the range of $2 billion to $3 billion, hardly 1.5 percent compared to the national average of 4 percent. The survey noted that while Indian-Americans are keen philanthropic volunteers, they lag in financial donations.
A survey of Indian-Americans who contribute both time and money to charitable activities has set leaders in the community thinking about how to target the potential of this high-achieving group, which also nevertheless has its own needy population.
Though 90 percent of the respondents in the “Indian American Community Engagement Survey” commissioned by the advocacy non-profit, Indiaspora, surveyed those who were already donors, skewing the results somewhat, the survey’s main finding could help target strategies for making a bigger impact nationally and locally.
The survey revealed that Indian-Americans volunteer significant time toward philanthropic causes but that a large money “giving gap” exists between the potential and the actual – that they were meeting $1 billion of their $3 billion potential for annual giving.
Indiaspora’s summit, “For Givers, Doers, and Thinkers,” explored whether Indian-Americans are good or poor givers, particularly even in alignment with the causes the community is most passionate about. Discussions were also permeated by the motivations and self-reported giving behavior.
In his welcoming remarks, Indiaspora founder and chairman M.R. Rangaswami, called the group a “philanthropic catalyst. The Silicon Valley entrepreneur and angel investor said: “We are in the early stages of strategically planning what we should do to move the needle — which is to say, increase the amount of Indian-American philanthropic giving in America and to India, and make it more effective.”
“At over $3 billion dollars annually, the giving potential of Indian-Americans is enormous,” said Dalberg Advisors’ regional director for the Americas, Joe Dougherty. He noted that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation distributes $4 billion to $5 billion across the entire globe every year. “Imagine the kind of impact the diaspora could create if they met their giving potential. We hope that the results of this study help galvanize philanthropic efforts among this important — and influential — community.”
The India-born, U.S.-raised Totapally — the point person behind the survey — noted that after a stint on Wall Street she “decided I was done with corporate greed and moved to Mumbai to work with Dalberg and dedicate my life” to philanthropy. Her PowerPoint presentation demonstrated that the Indian-American community contributes about $1 billion annually, much below its conservative giving potential of $3 billion to $4 billion annually.
Drs. Pallavi and Kiran Patel of Florida, began giving to higher education institution, capping it with setting up the Dr. Kiran C. Patel Center for Global Solutions at the University of South Florida as far back as 2005. The couple’s foundation has committed hundreds of millions since then, among them to set up a School of Medicine and School of Health Sciences at USD.
Deepak Raj, founder and managing director of Raj Associates in New Jersey, is chairman of the non-profit Pratham USA. He established a chair in Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, recently funded the creation of Impact Project and Impact Fund to support Indian-American political aspirants. He believes Indian-American philanthropy has grown exponentially in the last 5 to 10 years, even in his own engagements. “So as time goes on, it will reflect the giving of the rest of America. I see very positive trends and am very optimistic about the direction of giving,” he told News India Times, adding that he has seen the next generation which has had the benefit of a good education and “terrific” opportunities, rising to give more.
Karthick Ramakrishnan, associate professor at University of California, Riverside, and founder of AAPIdata, says random sample surveys done by his organization showed the rates of giving were lower for Asian Americans compared to the national average, which can be explained by their more recent immigration. Donations to religious organizations were higher than to other causes, he found.
The Indiaspora survey, despite its limitations, said Ramakrishnan who was an advisor for it, is a very important step in trying to get Indians to pay attention to philanthropy, which is not just about money but also about expertise. Shikha Bhatnagar, executive director of the California-based non-profit South Asian Network, told News India Times she has seen the “incredible” amount of money that organizations are able to raise too send back to India, and was “astonished” with the gap between money for India and that for U.S. organizations. She launched the U.S. office of Akshay Patra Foundation, and was executive director of Teach for India in Pune, and has two decades of programming, advocacy, and policy experience on global and domestic issues. Bhatnagar contends many Indian- Americans believe they came with little and built their lives so why can’t others do the same, unaware of problems within the community.
As M.R. Rangaswami, founder of Indiaspora, said at the July 17 conference on philanthropy among Indian- Americans, “… We are in the early stages of strategically planning what we should do to move the needle – which is to say, increase the amount of Indian American philanthropic giving in America and to India, and make it more effective.”
The India Chapter of Women in Aviation (WIA) International, in association with the Airport Authority of India (AAI), celebrated Girls in Aviation Day at Agartala Airport in Tripura on July 26. With the vision to encourage girls to take up aviation subjects and explore career opportunities in related industries, the initiative is aimed at showcasing opportunities in the aviation and aerospace sectors. This initiative also aligns with the Government of India’s Skills India initiative.
As part of the program, Women in Aviation International (India Chapter) invited 50 students from various schools for a tour of Agartala Airport. Visiting students were given an opportunity to explore, learn, and discover the various aspects of aviation and aerospace such as air traffic controller, airline dispatch, pilot, aviation maintenance technician, aeronautical engineer, or aviation management. In addition, the girl students were given a tour of the ATC Tower, Airside, Terminal Building, and AOCC, and all their queries and questions were answered by the officials working in the respective departments.
Speaking on the occasion, Mrs. Radha Bhatia, President of Women in Aviation International (India Chapter), shared: “This is the third year that the WAI India Chapter is celebrating ‘Girls in Aviation Day,’ and we are delighted to host the same at Agartala. This day is celebrated for the young girls to encourage them to choose aviation as a viable career opportunity. World over, India has the maximum number of female pilots, but there are many other avenues that are still unknown. With this celebration, our aim is to see girls from the state of Tripura explore exciting careers available to them as engineers, air traffic controllers, and dozens of other jobs within the aviation [field].”
“We will continue our endeavor to introduce young girls to role models and educate them in a fun and supportive atmosphere. We are very fortunate to be able to partner with Airport Authority of India for this initiative. Their efforts in leading youth into STEM careers is truly commendable,” added Mrs. Bhatia.
Post the airport tour, the students were given a small presentation about the industry and its intricacies. Also, a representative from the Women in Aviation India Chapter – Ambalika Saikia, Head of MAAS (Meet and Greet Service) BWFS India – organized an impromptu quiz competition addingt to the delight of the students who also won small tokens as prizes. Students also received an opportunity to interact with Shri Tathagata Roy, Governor of Tripura, who was the chief guest for the event, as well as Mr. S. D. Barman, Airport Director at Agartala Airport.
Women in Aviation International India Chapter is a non-profit organization dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of women in all aviation career fields and interests. The India Chapter provides networking, mentoring, and scholarship opportunities for women who are striving for challenging and fulfilling careers in the aviation and aerospace industries.
It had become an article of investor faith on Wall Street and in Silicon Valley: Quarter after quarter, year after year, the world’s biggest technology companies would keep raking in new users and ever-higher revenue. And with that, their share prices would continue to march upward, sloughing off any stumbles.
This week, that myth was shattered. And investors responded Thursday by hammering the stock of Facebook, one of the world’s most valuable companies. Shares of the social media giant fell 19 percent, wiping out roughly $120 billion of shareholder wealth, among the largest one-day destruction of market value that a company has ever suffered.
Investors dumped Facebook shares after the company reported disappointing second-quarter earnings, in which the company warned of a sharp slowdown in sales growth in coming quarters along with rising spending on security and privacy enhancements.
The sudden drop also amounted to a test of the giant, technology-focused stocks that have carried the market for much of the year. Before Facebook’s tumble, more than half the returns in the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index this year had been provided by just a handful of technology-related stocks, said Savita Subramanian, an equity strategist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
In recent years, investors — from individual traders to the world’s largest hedge funds — have snapped up shares in these companies, which include Facebook, Amazon, Apple and Google’s parent company, Alphabet. These tech giants were viewed as having nearly unassailable revenue streams that could deliver profit growth regardless of economic conditions.
As a result, their share prices soared. This year alone Apple is up some 15 percent; Alphabet has gained more than 20 percent; Amazon has surged more than 50 percent; and Netflix is up nearly 90 percent.
Facebook’s stumble suggests that some of these stocks — as well as the broader market — could be particularly vulnerable if their financial results don’t live up to investor expectations.
Until Thursday, Facebook was enjoying enormous gains. The stock was up more than 23 percent for the year, before it reported earnings after Wednesday’s close. By Thursday afternoon, all of its gains for the year had vanished.
It was the details of Facebook’s report that seemed to spook investors. The company’s quarterly revenue fell slightly short of meeting the expectations of Wall Street analysts. And executives warned that the company would invest heavily in privacy and security, and that revenue growth would most likely slow in coming quarters.
Still, Facebook’s sharp drop seems to have had a limited effect on the broader market, which has shown signs of gaining traction in recent weeks as companies largely reported strong second-quarter earnings.
It’s quite possible that Facebook’s shares could recover and continue to climb. In March, the company’s handling of user data in the Cambridge Analytica scandal contributed to a backlash against the size and reach of the biggest tech businesses and raised concerns that regulators may soon crack down on these firms. Shares of Facebook fell 17 percent in the days after news broke. By May, the company had erased those losses.
Still, the sheer size of Facebook’s fall on Thursday became a focus for investors. The decline in Facebook’s market value was roughly equivalent to the entire value of some of the country’s best-known companies, including McDonald’s, Nike and the industrial conglomerate 3M.
There are few examples of single-day losses so large. In September 2000, as the tech stock boom turned to bust, the chip maker Intel warned that its sales could slow, sending its stock price down by more than 20 percent. The rout knocked $91 billion off its market value in a day. Adjusted for inflation, that loss would be more than $130 billion in 2018 dollars, greater than the value Facebook lost on Thursday.
But given the vast market value of today’s tech giants, and the fact that 20 percent declines in share prices are not unheard-of, the size of the losses shouldn’t be surprising.
Apple is now worth more than $950 billion. Amazon, Alphabet and Microsoft are not far behind, with market values of more than $800 billion. Even after the drop Thursday, Facebook is the fifth-largest publicly traded company, by market value, at more than $500 billion.
India stood a poor 100th among 119 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) that was released in October last year.
Decrying persisting malnutrition in the country at “unacceptable levels”, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday last week called for making agriculture nutrition-sensitive to address the problem.
There is no improvement despite the efforts taken by successive governments at Centre and in various states, which is “quite distressing”, he said while addressing the National Consultation on Leveraging Agriculture for Nutrition organised by MS Swaminathan Research Foundation.
“A considerable section of the population in our country suffers from malnutrition consisting of under-nutrition, hidden hunger caused by micronutrient deficiencies and obesity…We must make agriculture nutrition-sensitive and it is critical that we explicitly make this vital connection between agriculture and nutrition,” he said, as per a release.
His remarks came against the backdrop of three sisters that were found to have starved to death in east Delhi and doctors held severe malnutrition as the main cause for their deaths.
India stood a poor 100th among 119 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) that was released in October last year.
Naidu further said the central government has adopted The National Nutrition Strategy, which recognises the imperative need to have a relook at the agriculture policy.
He said Indian agriculture must diversify food production by moving away from mono-cropping of major cereals to a system that integrates a variety of food items including small millets, pulses, fruits, and vegetables.
“Millets like jowar, bajra, ragi and little millets like kutki, kodo, sawa, kangni and cheena are known to be nutrient-rich. Since cultivation of millets requires less water, efforts must be to promote their cultivation as part of crop rotation,” he said.
Naidu said that government, civil society, scientists and researchers must share knowledge and expertise with farmers to make agriculture sustainable and nutrition-rich.
Pope Francis on July 29, 2018, repeated his plea for an end to human trafficking, noting that Monday, July 30, is World Day Against the Trafficking of Persons, promoted by the United Nations.
His comments came after praying the noonday Angelus with a crowd of some 25,000 pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square. He had strong words on the subject:
“This plague reduces many men, women, and children to slavery for the purpose of labor and sexual exploitation, the sale of organs, of vagrancy and forced delinquency, also here, in Rome. Migration routes are also often used by traffickers and exploiters, to recruit new victims of trafficking. It’s the responsibility of all to denounce the injustices and to oppose firmly this shameful crime.”
Youth are in “a privileged place to encounter the survivors of human trafficking,” the Pope said Feb. 12. “Go to your parishes, to an association close to home, meet them, listen to them.”
Change starts with encounter, he said, so “don’t be afraid to encounter them. Open your hearts, let them enter, be ready to change.”
He urged youth who have been victims to speak out to others in order to help protect them and make them aware of the risks.
“Everyone who has been a victim of trafficking is an inexhaustible source of support for new victims and it’s important [to listen to them],” the Pope said, adding that “youth who have encountered organized crime can play a key role in describing the dangers.”
He also encouraged young people to overcome fear and learn the warning signs of trafficking.
Pope Francis spoke off-the-cuff Monday at a question-and-answer session falling a few days after the World Day of Reflection Against Human Trafficking.
During the encounter, Francis received questions from five youth – four women and one man – both migrants and non-migrants, who asked about how young people in the Church can fight the conditions in which trafficking thrives and how they can help other young people from falling into the illusions presented by traffickers.
Pope Francis stressed the importance of encounter. He thanked all the parishes, schools and institutions that listened to his 2015 appeal for every parish, shrine, religious community and monastery in Europe to welcome a family of refugees.
“I ask you present here today to work in favor of opening to the other, above all when they are wounded in their own dignity,” he said.
Social networks and media can also play a key role in helping to create these spaces, the Pope said, explaining that “the internet can offer great possibilities for encounter and solidarity among everyone, and this is a good thing, it’s a gift from God.”
However, these networks can also be misused, he said, noting that “for every instrument that is offered to us, the choice that man decides to make is fundamental.”
Underlying the scourge of human trafficking, the Pope said, is not only a significant amount of ignorance, but also “little will to understand the extent of the problem.”
This, he said, is because it touches our consciences: “A country that does or allows trafficking doesn’t like that this comes to light, because it would embarrass them a lot, so they cover it.”
Hypocrisy from those who condemn human trafficking while at the same time taking advantage of trafficked laborers or sex slaves presents a major obstacle to the abolition of trafficking, he said.
Speaking out against this can be an easier task for youth, the Pope said, because “they are less structured in their thought, less obscured by prejudices, more free to reason with their own mind. Youth don’t have anything to lose.”
He called trafficking a “crime against humanity” and a form of slavery which is “unfortunately increasingly widespread, which involves every country, even the most developed, and touches the most vulnerable people in society: women and young girls, children, the disabled, the most poor, whoever comes from situations of familial or social disintegration.”
Last week in a radio broadcast, hosts at NJ 101.5 repeatedly referred to New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal as “turban man,” and added, “If that offends you, then don’t wear the turban and maybe I’ll remember your name.” In response to these ignorant comments about Mr. Grewal and the Sikh community, the Sikh Coalition immediately urged for a public apology from the hosts and station, provided media resources on Sikhi for the entire radio station and offered cultural and religious sensitivity training for all staff members. As the station takes our guidance and recommendations, we will provide updates.
The Sikh Coalition’s media and communications rapid response work helped bring local and national attention to the media-amplified offensive language in a climate in which our communities are subject to discrimination, harassment and violence, including news coverage in the Associated Press, ABC News, NPR station WHYY, and PIX11. In addition, NJ.com published Executive Director Satjeet Kaur’s op-ed on turning this incident into an educational opportunity. The station moved to suspend the two hosts and issued a public apology to Mr. Grewal and the Sikh community.
“We applaud the station’s swift action in suspending the two radio hosts while conducting an investigation – not because the action was punitive, but because it sets a precedent for what is not acceptable in our society,” said Executive Director Satjeet Kaur in the op-ed. “This is especially important at a time when racism and xenophobia are becoming increasingly normalized.”
Earlier this year, Mr. Grewal made headlines as the first Sikh attorney general in the United States. His appointment joined a number of Sikhs achieving recent groundbreaking political successes across the United States, including in the states of New Jersey, Washington and California.
“We will continue to do whatever we can to ensure that the radio station is held responsible and that we turn this ugly incident into an opportunity for awareness and education,” said Senior Manager of Policy and Advocacy Sim J. Singh.
The Sikh Coalition continues our tireless work to combat bigotry in all its forms through legal, policy, education, media and community empowerment work.
Sam Brownback, United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, on July 24, 2018, called for action by governments, individuals, and activist organizations to work together to protect religious freedom around the world.
His remarks came in Washington in opening remarks to the first Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, sponsored by the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The event is July 24-26 and focuses on concrete outcomes that reaffirm international commitments to promote religious freedom and produce real, positive change. Participants include a broad range of stakeholders, including foreign ministers, international organization representatives, religious leaders, and civil society representatives, to discuss challenges, identify concrete ways to combat religious persecution and discrimination, and ensure greater respect for religious freedom for all.
“We need to use all the might, machinery, and moral authority we have to stop those nations and actors that trample on free souls,” Brownback said. “The lack of religious freedom anywhere is a threat to peace, prosperity, and stability everyone.”
The ambassador recalled a comment from the previous day during an event at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, when someone commented on how unimaginable evil is. But he said our job is to stop it.
“People around the world are being brutalized or killed for practicing their faith,” Brownback said. “This cannot be allowed to continue.”
In a July 4, 2018, speech in Rome, US Ambassador to the Vatican Calista Gingrich also stressed the importance of religious freedom, urging the Vatican and the United States to work together on this important issue.
“Today, millions of people around the world suffer under oppression and tyranny – deprived of freedom, security, and prosperity,” Gingrich said. “Faced with these great challenges, the United States and the Holy See share a deep and enduring commitment to advancing freedom and justice around the world.”
Brownback pointed out that the conference included people from every faith community: “everyone who cares about religious freedom and will join us in the cause. Religious freedom is a right given by God, a beautiful part of our human dignity.”
A number of political and human rights leaders are speaking at the event. Also on the agenda are several people who have survived religious persecution or who representing persons currently imprisoned.
“The right to believe or not believe is the most fundamental of freedoms,” said US Vice President Mike Pence on July 26, 2018. “When religious liberty is denied or destroyed, we know that other freedoms — freedom of speech, of press, assembly, and even democratic institutions themselves — are imperiled.”
His remarks came in Washington on the final day of the first Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, sponsored by the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The event ran July 24-26 and focused on concrete outcomes that reaffirm international commitments to promote religious freedom and produce real, positive change. Participants included a broad range of stakeholders, including foreign ministers, international organization representatives, religious leaders, and civil society representatives, to discuss challenges, identify concrete ways to combat religious persecution and discrimination, and ensure greater respect for religious freedom for all.
Pence singled out several examples of religious persecution currently happening around the world. In particular, he cited the situation in Nicaragua, which has been an ongoing concern of Pope Francis and the Vatican.
“The list of religious freedom violators is long; their crimes and oppressions span the width of our world,” Pence said. “Here in our own hemisphere, in Nicaragua, the government of Daniel Ortega is virtually waging war on the Catholic Church. For months, Nicaragua’s bishops have sought to broker a national dialogue following pro-democracy protests that swept through the country earlier this year.
But government-backed mobs armed with machetes, and even heavy weapons, have attacked parishes and church properties, and bishops and priests have been physically assaulted by the police.”
The vice president continued with an affirmation of the commitment to religious freedom and working with other nations to further its cause. “Since the earliest days of our nation, America has stood for religious freedom,” Pence said. “Our earliest settlers left their homes to set sail for a New World, where they could practice their faith without fear of persecution. Our forebears carved protections for religion into the founding charters and their early laws.
“And after this great nation secured our independence, the American Founders enshrined religious freedom as the first freedom in the Constitution of the United States. And America has always, and will always, lead the world by our example.”
Kapil Chalil Madathil, an Indian American-led research team at Clemson University in South Carolina, is studying the dangers of viral videos on social that are leading to several deaths including suicides.
Industrial engineering assistant professor Kapil Chalil Madathil and his team of researchers will be analyzing these publicly available videos, from Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Twitter and YouTube, and will interview those between the ages of 13 and 25 who have participated in these self-harming challenges. According to a press release, the funding for the project will be provided by the National Science Foundation.
Some of these challenges have encouraged participants to do random and weird tasks such as eat laundry detergent, set them on fire and stay awake for 48 hours.
This is the latest attempt to diminish the impact of these viral videos as while they may seem fun to teens, they have become a nightmare for parents as several deaths have occurred around the world.
“This will be the first empirical study to descriptively and critically analyze the content and potential harm posed by social media challenges, as well as identifying the characteristics that may contribute to their viral spread,” Madathil was quoted saying in the press release.
Madathil said the team decided to begin the project after they noticed several instances of self-harm caused from participating in such challenges, thus the project could lead to more research and ultimately to new ways of preventing suicides overall.
Social media sites have also begun to offer help to those who have taken up these self-harming challenges on social media sites. Twitter, Reddit and YouTube even bring up the phone number for The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
In the first phase of the study, the group from Clemson will collaborate with researchers at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham School of Medicine in Kerala, India as they interview the victims and the second phase of the study will analyze 250 posts from the five social media sites, according to a press release.
Ika Ravi and Guthikonda Srinivas, who hail from Andhra Pradesh, donated Rs. 13.5 to the temple ‘Hundi’ and various trusts run by the Tirupati temple authorities. Ravi, Founder CEO of Rx Advance, a pharmaceutical company based in Boston, donated Rs. 10 crore to ‘Hundi’, while Srinivas, CEO of JCG Technologies, a software development and consulting firm based in Florida, donated Rs. 3.50 crore to the trusts.
They met the officials of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which manages the richest Hindu temple in the world, handed over the cheques in the presence of Andhra Pradesh’s Industry Minister Amarnath Reddy. The Minister lauded the gesture of the NRIs.
Thousands of devotees, who visit the hill shrine every day, make their offerings in ‘Hundi’ while some devotees make their donations online. TTD runs several trusts engaged in social, religious, literary and educational activities. According to TTD officials, the temple’s earnings during 2018-19 are expected to be Rs. 2,894 crore, of which the offerings in temple ‘Hundi’ are likely to be Rs.1,156 crore.
Tirupati Balaji temple or Sri Venkateshwara Swami temple is one of the most famous landmarks of the world on the hills of Tirumala in the Chittoor district of Andha Pradesh, India. This is the richest temple on the earth with overwhelming contributions and donations from the public and the most famous pilgrim destination on the earth attracting the greatest number of people on any given day. It is said that Lord Vishnu manifested himself in this temple in order to guide the people of Kali age towards emancipation. Therefore this temple is also called as Bhuloka Vaikuntam (the abode of Vishnu on the earth) and Lord Balaji is called as Kaliyuga Pratyaksha Daivam (the manifested lord of the Kali age).
The highly sacred and antique nature of the Tirupati Balaji temple is evident through a large number of mentions in several puranas including the Varaha Purana and the Bavishyottara Purana. All the major dynasties that ruled over the Southern peninsula had taken immense interest in paying homage to Lord Balaji as well as make huge contributions and endowments to the temple.
Some such notable dynasties include the Pallavas of Kancheepuram (9th Century), Cholas of Tanjore (10th Century), Pandyas of Madurai (14th Century) and the rulers of the Vijayanagar (14th and 15th Centuries).
Hindu mythology mentions the story of Balaji. Once sage Brighu wanted to find out who is the supreme one among the Hindu triad. Not being satisfied with the hospitality given by Brahma and Shiva, the sage went to Vaikunta and kicked Lord Vishnu on the chest to grab his attention.
Since Vishnu’s consort Lakshmi was residing in the chest of the Lord, she felt insulted and left Vaikunta to the earth. Lord Vishnu came to the earth in search of Lakshmi who had taken birth in the family of a king in the name Padmavati and married her on the Tirupati hills and got enshrined there forever to save the people of the Kali age.
A famous verse from the puranas speak of the greatness of tirupati Balaji temple: —–Venkatadri Samasthanam Brahmande Nasti Kinchana—– Venkatesha Samo Devo Na Bhuto Na Bhavishyati
The construction of Tirupati Balaji temple began in 300 AD with subsequent additions made from time to time. In the history of the temple, much of its wealth and size was gained during the reign of the Vijayanagara rulers who poured gold and diamonds into the treasury of the temple. When the emperor Krishnadevaraya visited the temple in 1517, he ordered for the gilding of the inner roof of the temple.
The rulers of the Kingdom of Mysore and the Gadwal Samsthan visited the temple regularly and contributed so much valuables. During the mid part of the eighteenth century, Maratha general Raghoji I Bhonsle established a permanent body to administer the temple worship. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) was instituted through the TTD Act in 1932.
Pratham USA announced today that artist and philanthropist lla Paliwal has been appointed to its board of directors effective immediately. A classically trained vocalist and composer, Paliwal has contributed to the popularization of Indian music across the globe. She has performed at several renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, the Dubai World Trade Centre, and the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai. In addition, she works with local organizations to promote Indian classical music in the US.
“Ila is highly respected in her field, and we are delighted to welcome her to our board of directors,” said Pratham USA Chairman Deepak Raj. “Her dedication to the humanities and philanthropy both in the US and abroad will further strengthen our board. We look forward to working with Ila as we continue to build Pratham.”
Paliwal has lived in six countries on four continents, during which time she has served on international school boards and chaired numerous cultural committees. She supports many philanthropic organizations through her family’s charitable foundation. Alongside her husband, Dinesh Paliwal, president and CEO of Harman International Industries (a subsidiary of Samsung), she has been involved with Pratham for several years.
“I have always admired Pratham for its innovative programs and dynamic leadership team, and I’m honored to be joining their board,” said Paliwal. “I have tremendous respect for what Pratham has accomplished and am excited to contribute to its efforts to provide quality education to the underserved.”
Raised in a literary family where music, art, literature and education were deeply revered, she earned a BA in English, economics, music and fine arts from Dayalbagh University, Agra and an MA in fine arts from Agra University. She also received an MA (sangeet praveen) with a distinction in Hindustani classical vocal music from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad and a BA in Mandarin from the Language and Culture Institute, Beijing.
Established in the slums of Mumbai in 1995, Pratham is now one of India’s largest non-governmental education organizations, having affected the lives of more than 50 million underprivileged children in the past two decades. To achieve its mission of “every child in school and learning well,” Pratham develops practical solutions to address gaps in the education system and works in collaboration with India’s governments, communities, educators, and industry to increase learning outcomes and influence education policy.
Pratham USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a consistent four-star rating from Charity Navigator that seeks to raise awareness and mobilize financial resources for its work in India. For more information, visit prathamusa.org.
Legendary classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj unveiled his first authorized biography during a book release ceremony at the TV Asia auditorium in Edison, NJ on July 17.
Titled, “Rasraj Pandit Jasraj,” the biography is written by Sunita Budhiraja and published by New Delhi-based Vani Prakashan.
The event was jointly hosted by the Consulate General of India in New York, TV Asia and the Pandit Jasraj Institute and broadcast live on TV Asia across the US as part of its “Focus Live” nightly show. The event was also the first public gathering in the US announcing the launch of the biography, before the official India release later this year.
The biography’s release was followed by a 90-minute interaction on TV Asia’s “Focus Live” with Pandit Jasraj; Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty; Durga Jasraj, Pandit Jasraj’s daughter; author Sunita Budhiraja; publisher Arun Maheshwari and TV Asia host and senior producer Vikas Nangia, followed by a question-answer session with the audience.
During the panel discussion, Budhiraja said that while Pandit Jasraj’s ragas were soulful, the book focused on several untold struggles that went behind those renditions. “The book is essentially the story behind his music, the challenges and many other yet unknown inspiring aspects of Panditji’s life,” she added.
When asked about the importance of lyrics, Pandit Jasraj said he believed in immersing himself into the words before singing.
“Words are absolutely important in my songs because I want to live them, understand them, go into their depths and then sing the song. The process for me is to completely understand the words and then immerse myself in those words, that world,” he said. He also recalled during the conversation how thankful he was to former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee for calling him “Rasraj,” which has been borrowed in the tittle for the biography.
One of India’s best known classical vocalists, Pandit Jasraj, 88, was born in Hisar, Haryana, in a family of classical musicians of the Mewat gharana. His father, Pandit Motiram, a noted classical singer, passed away when Pandit Jasraj was just 4. From a young age, Pandit Jasraj began accompanying his elder brother and first guru vocalist Pandit Maniram as a tabla artiste. At 15, stung by a musician’s snide remark about his lack of understanding of classical music because he was a minor artist, Pandit Jasraj decided to take up singing. He gave his first public concert at 22. He was honored by the Indian government with both the Padma Bhushan (1990) and Padma Vibhushan (2000).
Blessed with a soulful and sonorous voice, which traverses masterfully, Pandit Jasraj’s vocalizing is characterized by a harmonious blend of the classic and opulent elements, giving his music a unique and sublime emotional quality.
The live TV event was interspersed with audio-visuals of Pandit Jasraj’s concerts as well as a brief story of his life, frequently applauded by the audience.
Consul General Chakravorty said during the panel discussion that despite Pandit Jasraj’s legendary status as a musician, his “tolerance and respect” for all types of music was unique and a testament to his character.
Durga Jasraj spoke about what it meant to be growing up in a family, where his father was continuously traveling on concerts. “He has a high expectation from himself even at this age. All of us in the family, including our father, have sacrificed for music, but we have also learned so much from Panditji about mental and physical tenacity.”
Earlier, while introducing Pandit Jasraj, TV Asia chairman and CEO H R Shah offered an analogy, saying the legendary classical vocalist was a “rare gem” with a large fan-following despite the challenging nature of his music that yet transcended all age groups.
More than 200 guests, including several prominent members of the Indian American community, attended the book release. Among those present, included Tripti Mukherjee, senior disciple of Pandit Jasraj as well as founder and director of Pandit Jasraj Institute; Dr Naveen Mehta, chairman of Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan USA; president of FIA of NY-NJ-CT Srujal Parikh, who along with FIA board of trustee Ram Gadhvi, presented Pandit Jasraj with a plaque of appreciation; Sunil Nayak, AINA president and Peter Kothari, IACS president.
A liberal woman of color with zero name recognition and little funding takes down a powerful, long serving congressman from her own political party.
When Tahirah Amatul-Wadud heard about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s stunning upset over U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley in New York’s Democratic primary last month, the first-time candidate saw parallels with her own longshot campaign for Congress in western Massachusetts.
The 44-year-old Muslim, African-American civil rights lawyer, who is taking on a 30-year congressman and ranking Democrat on the influential House Ways and Means Committee, said she wasn’t alone, as encouragement, volunteers and donations started pouring in.
“We could barely stay on top of the residual love,” said Amatul-Wadud, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal’s lone challenger in the state’s Sept. 4 Democratic primary. “It sent a message to all of our volunteers, voters and supporters that winning is very possible.”
From Congress to state legislatures and school boards, Muslim Americans spurred to action by the anti-Muslim policies and rhetoric of President Donald Trump and his supporters are running for elected offices in numbers not seen since before the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, say Muslim groups and political observers.
Many, like Amatul-Wadud, hope to ride the surge of progressive activism within the Democratic Party that delivered Ocasio-Cortez’s unlikely win and could help propel the Democrats back to power in November.
Still, the path to victory can be tougher for a Muslim American. Some promising campaigns already have fizzled out while many more face strong anti-Muslim backlash.
In Michigan, Democrat candidate for governor Abdul El-Sayed continues to face unfounded claims from a GOP rival that he has ties to the controversial Muslim Brotherhood, even though Republican and Democratic politicians alike have denounced the accusations as “conspiracy theories.”
In Rochester, Minnesota, mayoral candidate Regina Mustafa has notified authorities of at least two instances where anti-Muslim threats were posted on her social media accounts.
And in Arizona, U.S. Senate candidate Deedra Abboud received a torrent of Islamophobic attacks on Facebook last July that prompted outgoing U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake, the Republican lawmaker Abboud is hoping to replace, to come to her defense on Twitter.
“I’m a strong believer that we have to face this rhetoric,” said Abboud, who has also had right-wing militant groups the Fraternal Order of Alt-Knights and the Proud Boys stage armed protests her campaign events. “We can’t ignore it or pretend like it’s a fringe element anymore. We have to let the ugly face show so that we can decide if that is us.”
There were as many as 90 Muslim-Americans running for national or statewide offices this election cycle, a number that Muslim groups say was unprecedented, at least in the post-9/11 era.
But recent primaries have whittled the field down to around 50, a number that still far exceeds the dozen or so that ran in 2016, said Shaun Kennedy, co-founder of Jetpac, a Massachusetts nonprofit that helps train Muslim-American candidates.
Among the candidates to fall short were California physician Asif Mahmood, who placed third in last month’s primary for state insurance commissioner, despite raising more than $1 million. And in Texas, wealthy businessman Tahir Javed finished a distant second in his Democratic primary for Congress, despite an endorsement from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.
Nine candidates for Congress are still in the running, according to Jetpac’s tally. At least 18 others are campaigning for state legislature and 10 more seek major statewide and local offices, such as governor, mayor and city council. Even more are running for more modest offices like local planning board and school committee.
The next critical stretch of primaries is in August.
In Michigan, at least seven Muslim Americans are on the Aug. 7 ballot, including El-Sayed, who could become the nation’s first Muslim governor.
In Minnesota, the decision by Keith Ellison, the nation’s first Muslim congressman, to run for state attorney general has set off a political frenzy for his congressional seat that includes two Muslim candidates, both Democrats: Ilhan Omar, the country’s first Somali-American state lawmaker, and Jamal Abdulahi, a Somali-American activist.
But historic wins in those and other races are far from assured, cautions Geoffrey Skelley, an associate editor at Sabato’s Crystal Ball, a nonpartisan political analysis website run by the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics.
Omar’s chances of emerging from a field of five Democratic candidates in Minnesota’s Aug. 14 primary was bolstered by a recent endorsement from the state Democratic Party, but El-Sayed is an underdog in his gubernatorial race, he said.
Other Muslim-American candidates might fare better in Michigan, which has one of the nation’s largest Arab-American populations, Skelley added.
There, former state Rep. Rashida Tlaib has raised more money than her Democratic rivals in the race to succeed Democratic Rep. John Conyers, who resigned last year amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Former Obama administration official Fayrouz Saad is also running as a Democrat in the wide open race to succeed Republican Rep. David Trott, who isn’t seeking re-election.
Either could become the first Muslim woman elected to Congress, which has only ever had two Muslim members: outgoing Ellison and Rep. Andre Carson, an Indiana Democrat seeking re-election.
Saad, who served most recently as director of Detroit’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, recognizes the importance of representing her community in an era of rising Islamophobia.
The 35-year-old broke from the conservative Republican politics of her Lebanese immigrant parents following the 9/11 attacks because she felt Arabs and Muslims were unfairly targeted.
“I felt the way to push back against that was to be at the table,” said Saad, adding that her parents’ political leanings have also since moved to the left. “We have to step up and be voices for our communities and not wait for others to speak on behalf of us.”
But not all Muslim candidates feel that way. In San Diego, California, 37-year-old Republican congressional candidate Omar Qudrat declined to comment on how Islamophobia has impacted his campaign, including instances when his faith have been called into question by members of his own political party.
Instead, the political newcomer, who is one of at least three Muslim Republicans running nationwide this year, provided a statement touting his main campaign issues as faces Democratic U.S. Rep. Scott Peters in November: addressing San Diego’s high number of homeless military veterans, improving public education and expanding economic opportunities for city residents.
“Running for public office is about advancing the interests of your constituents and the American people,” Qudrat’s statement reads. “Nothing else.”
US authorities has announced the sentencing this week of 21 members of a “Telefraud Scam” run out of India-based call centers that defrauded Americans and legal immigrants of millions of dollars, threatening them with arrest, deportation, imprisonment and fines for “alleged” unpaid dues owed to the government.
All the 21 sentenced are either Indians or naturalized Americans of Indian descent, and several of them have agreed to be deported back to India after the completion of their jail terms, up to 20 years for some. And all them were linked to call centres based in Ahmedabad. Five of them were sentenced on Friday by the same federal court in Texas that had sentenced the rest earlier in the week. Including three sentenced earlier, the total is up 24, making it perhaps the single largest arrest and sentencing of Indians and people of Indian descent in a single case.
Announcing the sentencing, the US department of justice said 32 India-based conspirators were also named in the indictment, but have not yet been arraigned — presumably because they remain in India. Five India-based call centres have also been named, with similar charges.
Indian authorities have been cooperating in this case. Many people were reportedly arrested and call centres found to be involved were shut down. An alleged leading member of the conspiracy is Sagar “Shaggy” Thakkar, who was arrested by Mumbai police in April 2017. He is alleged to have been in touch with Hardik Patel, a co-owner of one of the call centres involved and a key player who has been sentenced to more than 15 years.
They are said to have duped thousands of Americans of millions of dollars between 2012 and 2016, when they were put out of business, indicted, charged and arrested.
A senior police officer, who investigated the call centre scam busted by Thane police, said, “Our investigations did not lead us to Hardik Patel. He is not an accused in the case. We do not have any idea of his links with Sagar Thakkar.”
One of the world’s leaders in call-centre business, India has also emerged over the years as home to fraudsters and scammers using the same business model to target Americans. One US law enforcement agency found Indians behind tech support — when a virus alert freezes the screen, the number to call to unlock it has been traced in many occasions to India.
“The stiff sentences imposed this week represent the culmination of the first-ever large scale, multi-jurisdiction prosecution targeting the India call centre scam industry,” said attorney general Jeff Sessions, announcing the sentencing. “This case represents one of the most significant victories to date in our continuing efforts to combat elder fraud and the victimization of the most vulnerable members of the US public.”
The elderly and recent immigrants were the preferred targets of these fraudsters. Callers from the India-based call centres would call them up impersonating as officers of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS — the American version of the Indian income tax department) or the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS — the dreaded acronym for the US agency that oversees the entry, stay and exit of foreigners).
The victims were picked from data brokers and other sources, and were sometimes old women and men or recently naturalized immigrants. The callers, trained to perfection on an American accent, “threatened (them) with arrest, imprisonment, fines or deportation if they did not pay alleged monies owed to the government”.
Most victims paid up, agreeing to one of the payments methods offered by the scammers — to buy a prepaid stored value card or by wiring money. Those arrested and charged in the US were mostly “runners”, operatives who collected the extorted money and transferred it to Indian accomplices through a different and complex set of procedures.
Here is how the US justice department broke it down. “Once a victim provided payment, the call centres turned to a network of runners based in the United States to liquidate and launder the extorted funds as quickly as possible by purchasing reloadable cards or retrieving wire transfers.
“In a typical scenario, call centres directed runners to purchase these stored value reloadable cards and transmit the unique card number to India-based co-conspirators who registered the cards using the misappropriated personal identifying information (PII) of U.S. citizens.
“The India-based co-conspirators then loaded these cards with scam funds obtained from victims. The runners used the stored value cards to purchase money orders that they deposited into the bank account of another person.”
Miteshkumar Patel (42): The Illinois resident was sentenced to serve 240 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on the charge of money-laundering conspiracy. According to the factual basis of his plea agreement, Miteshkumar served as the manager of a Chicago-based crew of “runners” that liquidated and laundered fraud proceeds generated by callers at India-based call centers. Patel was held accountable for laundering between $9.5 and $25 million for the scheme.
Hardik Patel (31): Also from Illinois, he was sentenced to 188 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on the charge of wire-fraud conspiracy. Hardik consented to removal to India upon completion of his prison term. According to the factual basis of his plea agreement, he was the co-owner and manager of an India-based call centre involved in the conspiracy. Hardik was held accountable for laundering between $3.5 and $9.5 million dollars for the scheme.
Sunny Joshi (47): The Texas resident was sentenced to 151 months in prison on the charge of money laundering conspiracy and 120 months in prison on the charge of naturalisation fraud (to run concurrently) followed by three years of supervised release. According to the factual basis of his plea agreement, Joshi was a member of a Houston-based crew of runners that he co-managed with his brother, co-defendant Mike Joshi alias Rajesh Bhatt. Joshi was held accountable for laundering between $3.5 and $9.5 million. Additionally, in connection with his sentence on the immigration charge, Judge Hittner entered an order revoking Joshi’s US citizenship and requiring him to surrender his certificate of naturalisation.
“Let’s go over my plan, shall we?”, said Mindy Kaling into my ear. I was halfway into her second audiobook, “Why Not Me?”, and Ms. Kaling was describing her expectations for the show she was developing.
“My natural assumption was that NBC would put my new show on the air as part of a revitalized ‘Must See TV’ and make 200 classic episodes — no lazy clip shows — finishing with a 90-minute finale that everyone agreed was a sweet and satisfying send-off,” she said. “I would emerge from the show’s legacy as a modern version of Larry David and Mary Tyler Moore, retiring to a tasteful mega-compound on Martha’s Vineyard, where I would write plays and drink wine with Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen at least several times a week.”
The only thing her elaborate daydream didn’t prepare her for? “The slightest setback.”
Ms. Kaling’s books, “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns),” released in 2011, and “Why Not Me?” from 2015, aren’t self-help, but her anecdotes and advice helped ease much of my anxiety as a young professional woman of color.
“Confidence is just entitlement,” said Mindy Kaling in her memoir, “Why Not Me?”CreditKendrick Brinson for The New York Times
“Is Everyone Hanging Out” came out while Ms. Kaling was still playing Kelly Kapoor on “The Office” and includes reflections on her childhood and her early 20s, when she was still living in New York, trying to break into television. “Why Not Me?” is more emotionally candid; Ms. Kaling laments that, in her 30s, she often goes to weddings, which she hates (“when you are a bridesmaid, you are required to be a literal maid for the duration of the wedding”), just to see her friends. In another chapter, she explains her “weird as hell” relationship with B.J. Novak; “B.J. and I are soup snakes,” she said, an “Office” reference to a gaffe by Michael Scott, who misreads “soul mates” in his handwritten note to his love interest, Holly.
I’m also a consummate daydreamer. Just last week, I had one good idea, a snippet of dialogue that I might build a short story around, and my mind spiraled: I flash-forwarded a very realistic two years; my yet-unwritten debut novel had been published to critical and commercial success. The book was optioned for television, and I’d moved to Santa Monica, to an oceanfront apartment with a balcony, where I did all my writing. How I could afford this luxury did not come up.
Real-life trajectories are rarely as neat as the ones you map in your head. NBC, which aired “The Office” and had long been Ms. Kaling’s dream network, passed on her project. “It’s weird when you feel your dream slipping away from you,” said Ms. Kaling, adding the quip, “Especially when you have no other dreams.” Listen to a Sample of Mindy Kaling’s “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)”
When I started applying for jobs, I landed an interview at my dream magazine. For the first time, I was confident in my edit test, because I knew the publication, which caters to a diverse demographic, would see value in my ideas. After meeting with the editors, I was convinced I’d get the job; even more, I thought it was the only job in media I might have a chance of getting. But they didn’t hire me. I had a fixed view of my career, so the deviation felt like a setback.
I ended up at Glamour; Ms. Kaling’s show, on Fox, and later in “Why Not Me?”, after experiencing the whiplash of seeing “The Mindy Project” canceled and immediately picked up by Hulu, Ms. Kaling emphasized the importance of adaptability. She said that’s all show business was: “transitioning panics,” from losing a job to having more work than you can handle; from being afraid your dreams won’t come true to realizing they’ve changed.
In “Why Not Me?”, Ms. Kaling also addressed ambition and her conflicting feelings about wanting to leave “The Office.” “I had a dream job; was I ungrateful to wonder what more there might be for me? Or complacent if I didn’t?”, she asked. “And who was I to try to seek anything better?”
Ms. Kaling joked that she was finally experiencing “white people problems,” because of the privileged position she was in, but her feelings echo the struggle of many women of color in all-white spaces: to convince themselves they’re worthy of their dreams when their environment and society says otherwise. I struggle with this, too, and a recent study found that for people of color, the effects of impostor syndrome — feeling like a fraud in your field despite high achievement — are compounded with discrimination or a lack of representation in the workplace. These factors combined cause higher levels of anxiety and “discrimination-related depression.”
Ms. Kaling advises on dealing with impostor syndrome in the last chapter of “Why Not Me?” She recalls a Q. and A. in Manhattan a year earlier, when a young Indian girl asked her where she gets her confidence from and Ms. Kaling gave a lackluster reply. She reconsiders here, for the sake of “that girl who went out of her way to be vulnerable in front of so many people.”
“Confidence is just entitlement,” she said, adding that, though the word has gotten a bad rap, “Entitlement is simply the belief that you deserve something.” Ms. Kaling’s advice is to earn your confidence by studying your craft and working hard; “I’m usually hyper-prepared for whatever I set my mind to do,” she said, “which makes me feel deserving of attention and professional success.”
But what about the mental barriers to the work itself? I often find myself stuck in a failure loop, my mind sprinting laps around a story, a problem or an idea, to the point of exhaustion. I convince myself a story isn’t good enough before I even start it and am often preoccupied with questions of acceptance, representation and inadequacy. Is the only way to expel that feeling really just to work through it, as Ms. Kaling suggests?
Though in the introduction of “Is Everyone Hanging Out,” Ms. Kaling said she is only “marginally qualified to give advice,” I disagree. It was fun listening to her precipitate the events of her life in her essays. In “Is Everyone Hanging Out” she mentions the Ocean’s franchise when listing movies she’d like to reboot; she co-stars in the women-led version of “Ocean’s 8,” in theaters now. In “Why Not Me?”, she said that she hopes her next book will be about starting a family, as well as her “awesome movie career.” She now has a daughter, Katherine.
Her books teach, in a nutshell, that “it’s cool to want more,” and have helped me stop questioning whether the life I envision for myself is too improbable or far away. Her life is proof that I just might get there. Concepción de León is the digital staff writer for the Books desk at The Times. aSelf-Helped is a monthly column devoted to the books that have changed the way we live.
“While India has been proactive against TB in recent years, there is still a long way to go”
While India has been proactive against TB in recent years, there is still a long way to go. India bears the world’s largest burden of tuberculosis (TB), accounting for one-fourth of all new infections. Given that it kills nearly 300,000 people in India every year, the prevention and control of TB is a challenge at multiple levels, requiring the united efforts of a diverse range of stakeholders.
On the concluding day of the 10th Global Healthcare Summit in New Delhi, India, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work towards eradicating Tuberclosis (TB) by the year 2030 in India. Now, under the new leadership of AAPI, the largest ethnic organization of any medical group in the US has initiated collaborative efforts to help eradicate TB from the face of India.
Towards this lofty goal, AAPI has announced the launch of a new partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Sevak Project, and CETI to make India Free of Tuberclosis and to end tuberculosis (TB) from across the Indian sub-continent. Anwar Feroz, AAPI’s Strategic Advisor, was instrumental and the architect of fostering the MOU between AAPI and USAID.
“Continuing with AAPI’s mission, which is to provide a forum to facilitate and enable Indian American physicians to excel in patient care, teaching and research, and to pursue their aspirations in professional and community affairs, and giving back to their motherland, India, this historic signing of the agreement, is yet another way of showing our continued commitment to helping make India’s over a billion people, healthier,” declared Dr. Naresh Parikh, President-Elect of AAPI. The MoU outlines the multifaceted nature of the TB epidemic, its impact on communities, learnings from global successes and the way forward towards tackling the disease successfully.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, signed in New Delhi and announced in Mumbai, AAPI and USAID along with other NGOs will work together to utilize the 100,000-strong network of physicians of Indian-origin living in the United States to support health programs in India, engage AAPI’s network of private charitable clinics for TB awareness, detection and treatment, and explore opportunities for collaborations between U.S. and Indian medical schools to exchange cutting-edge health care solutions. The end TB date for the program is 2025 as per government of India.
XersesSidhwa, Director of Health at USAID/India, said: “We have been supporting the TB program of the Government of India for two decades now. Along with extending technical expertise, USAID has invested $140 million to strengthen the capacity of national, state, and district-level TB programs across India. With our collaboration with AAPI, we aim to strengthen the early detection and treatment of TB, with a focus on drug-resistant strains; continue our assistance to the government to plan and implement evidence-based interventions to reach a TB-Free India, and improve patient-centered TB services.”
Dr. Manoj Jain, an infectious disease physician, a lead for AAPI for TB Elimination, has been in the forefront, as the founder of CETI, in collaborations with AAPI to eliminate TB from India based in Indore, and Faculty at Emory University Rollins School of Public health, and live and practice in Memphis, TN.
A writer, and a national leader in healthcare quality improvement, Dr. Jain has been part of this new initiative of AAPI, since its launch. Dr. Jain writes regularly for the Washington Post, and the Commercial Appeal (Memphis newspaper). His writings also appear in the New York Times and the Times of India. He received his engineering, doctorate, and public health degrees from Boston University. He has served as a consultant to the World Bank on HIV, and has been interviewed by CNN and National Public Radio. Dr. Jain has conducted research on HIV epidemiology, quality improvement, and spirituality & medicine. Presently, Dr. Jain is adjunct assistant professor at Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University and the medical director at Tennessee’s Quality Improvement Organizations. He is a faculty for the Institute for Healthcare Improvement www.ihi.org, and is on the leadership team for the Healthy Memphis Common Table Community Partners Council and for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Grant. He has founded and chaired the Annual Nonviolence Conference in Memphis.
In helping AAPI leadership in preparations for AAPI Global Health Summit in Mumbai in December 2018, Dr. Jain is involved in working with local leaders develop a Local Roadmap on how to make 10 localities TB Free: Indore, Bhopal, Rajkot, Sevek villages in Gujarat, Mumbai-Malad, Ahmedabad, Mysore, Nagpur, Varanasi, and Lucknow, by conducting Field work with local NGOs in these localities to do TB screening in the slum areas. Dr. Jain says, “AAPI and CETI are working together can collaborating with other national and international organizations. Sharing best practices and pushing the TB Free effort. We have done a successful training sessions for 10 NGOs from these communites in Indore from June 8-12. We are staring to build local teams to develop the Roadmap for TB Elimination. And, we hope to start field work in these localities within 4-6 weeks.”
Dr. Jain says, “I have been going back to India each year for the past 45 years I have been in America. For the past 10 years we have taken on the challenge to make India TB Free, devoting my times and resources, working in villages or the slums of underserved community. We can see a measurable improvement in the lives of others, when we empower those in need and those who are helping them there on the ground.”
Dr. Thakor G. Patel, currently serving as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at the Uniformed Services of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, who along with his successful Sevak Project in Indian villages, has been another inspiring force with the aim to free India of TB. “This is a huge issue in India because of clustering of people, poor nutrition and exposure to the infected people,” Dr. Patel says. “The objective of the TB Free India initiative is to make people aware of the disease and its mode of transmission, identify new case and notify the TB program managers and make sure patients take their medicines on regular basis. Another aspect is those patients with lingering cough give their sputum for TB check and get a chest X-ray. In the long run the plan is to eliminate TB from India,’ he says. The people who are affected with the disease are poor and do not understand the spread and the need for complete treatment. By helping them we will keep them working and provide for their family on a long term basis.
And, he has charted out a plan. “Collaboration with AAPI will help reach the government agencies in India and other NGO’s to help increase the outreach. At first, we will take all the Sevak villages and have the Sevaks implement the program. Once it is in place and we have a road map on how to expand the program it will be implemented in other states through NGO’s and government. We will be looking at ASHA workers for expanding the reach.
“We run the Sevak Project in the State of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and the country of Guyana. The plan is to use the NGO’s and government sources. Once the government gets involved with the success, they can take over. TB elimination is a government program and we will be assisting in closing the loop by supplementing the government programs.”
Following his training in Nephrology and Internal Medicine in 1979, Dr. Patel joined the United States Navy where he served for 23 years. His assignments included Diving Medical Officer, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Head and Program Director of Nephrology and then Director, Medical Service and Medical Director at the Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Virginia. He also was the leader of a surgical support team during the invasion of Grenada in 1983 and Director, Medical Services of a fleet hospital in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. He served as Specialty Advisor to the Navy Surgeon General for Nephrology from 1988 to 1993 and for Surface Medicine from 1993 to 1998. He was responsible for starting the Surface Warfare Medical Institute in San Diego for training medical personnel going to the Fleet and redesigned the medical spaces on USS Nimitz as well as organized the first ever medical war games.
Dr. Raj Bhayani, President-Elect of AAPI-QLI, reported that nearly 2,000 villagers and underprivileged citizens from the outskirts of Varanasi, India came together as AAPI and AAPI Charitable Foundation organized World Health Day on April 7th. The day-long event was organized in association with Mahila Swarojgar Samiti with a view to educate women and children on the need for healthy living and how to prevent people from being impacted by health issues.
“This is a very much impoverished area of Varanasi where any help will be substantial,” said Dr. Bhayani. “We will be launching TB FREE VARANASI campaign soon in this region initially, and will take the campaign across the nation, later on.” About 100 volunteers have been trained and are ready to go to popularize the campaign and educate the rural people in this region on healthy living and on ways to prevent and treat Tuberclosis. Dr. Bhayani has urged AAPI leadership to “add this location for starting AAPI charitable clinic as we have a great reliable local partner and devoted and dedicated local team as well as tremendous need of clinic in this area.”
Dr. Naresh Parikh, President-Elect of AAPI, says: “Elimination of Tuberculosis has been a matter of national concern for many years now. Through our partnership with USAID and other NGOs in India, we aim to bring American technical expertise to help strengthen India’s fight against TB. Also, we intend to bring in leading subject matter experts, introduce global best practices and cutting-edge business solutions that will complement and grow existing USAID programs in India.” For more information, please visit: aapiusa.org
India has nearly 700,000 villages. Three out of four Indians and about 77 percent of the poor live in villages. Forty percent in India live below the property line with less than a Dollar a day. The adult literacy rate is 61 percent. The infant mortality rate is 56 per 1,000 live births. The majority of the population has no access to safe drinking water and sanitation. The needs in these rural areas are unlimited and the scope to work are endless.
“An individual can make a tremendous difference in the lives of many in India by adopting a village,” says Jagan Ailinani, M.D., FACR, who was instrumental in founding this noble program and set an example by adopting his own birth village in the state of Telangana in India. “A majority of the NRI’s hail from villages and would like to do their part to bring progress to villages in our state and country.”
AAPI has been part of the Adopt-A-Village Project, which enables Physicians of Indian Origin to adopt the village they hail from, and make a significant contribution towards its development. “Under the new AAPI leadership team, which assumed office during the 36th annual convention, we want to strengthen the ADOPT-A-VILLAGE Project. Through our efforts and coordinating with Dr. Ailinani’s initiative, we will be able to help bring healthcare and basic needs and progress in the lives of millions of people in our home country, India,” said, Dr. Naresh Parikh, President of AAPI.
Dr. Jagan Ailinani, a pioneer and partner with AAPI in ADOPT A VILLAGE Project
Dr. Ailinani, a former President of AAPI, established the Project by adopting his native village of Motha (population 4,000) in Jagtial District, in Telangana state. In Motha, he funded and established safe drinking water, trash disposal and built funeral shelter with showers and toilets at the cremation site, maintaining proper hygiene and landscaping. He helped expand and upgrade the village school from 7th to 10th Grade with digital classrooms, library and hired an English teacher. He was instrumental in setting up scholarships to needy deserving students. Dr. Ailinani ensured proper nutrition by enhancing mid-day meal with extra eggs and safe drinking water to all the students in school, while teaching personal hygiene and built and maintaining hygienic toilets.Another priority for Dr. Ailinani was to provide periodic free medical, dental and vision checkups and offering free eye glasses if needed to all school children
His financial support helped construct a 2 kilometer long road from Mothe villlage to Jagtial in 1995 under the Janma Bhoomi Project. His another initiative is to construct a community center with matching funds from the Telangana state government.
He donated land for the construction of a primary health center in the village and established partnership with regional medical college PIMS to provide obstetrician and pediatricians 3 days a week to improve prenatal and childcare.
Through ADOPT A VILLAGE program, protection gear for farmers against pesticide spray being provided
Dr. Ailinani helped establish a Preventive Health Clinic in Jagtial in 2005 with a mission to improve health and wellness of the rural population of Jagtial and surrounding villages. This clinic conducted health camps in several villages with emphasis on awareness, education and prevention focusing on safe drinking water sanitation, proper prenatal care, child health and education, diabetes, hypertension, prevention, early detection of cervical cancer, educating them about evils of smoking (lung cancer)and chewing tobacco (oral cancer), and free diabetic blood pressure and cholesterol screening. and provide free basic medications.
Free ENT surgeries are performed at local government hospital by ENT specialists from Hyderabad. Dr. Ailinani helped organize Rehabilitation camps, providing with artificial limbs. To those who needed. The healthcare camps also served as a platform for the educating the farmers about the health hazards of toxic chemical exposure to pesticides spray and which easily prevented by wearing personal protective gear which include masks, eye goggles and sturdy reusable gloves, and hundreds of kits were distributed to the farmers at the camp .
Dr. Ailinani provided the first ever free ambulance in Jagtial in 2001. Another contribution of this philanthropist was establishing a Girls Orphanage Center in Jagtial and donated money for the construction of a permanent home.
Dr. Ailinani has not limited his services to his native village alone. His urge to serve humanity took him to initiate services in several other states and across India. Dr. Ailinani is a founding board member of Prathima Institute of Medical Services-PIMS with a mission to provide specialty services/Tertiary care to rural population of northern Telangana. He was instrumental in establishing a BLS-basic life support training center as well as a center of excellence for Sickle Cell center, which is only among the four centers in India and He was instrumental in obtaining affiliation with the Southern Illinois School of Medicine, USA organizing student and faculty exchange programs on a regular basis.
Dr. Ailinani conducted several CME programs including radiology through AAPI and Medical Council of India in AP, Karnataka, Kerala, Pune, and Delhi, and Assam. He raised and donated $55,000 for Tsunami relief through AAPI Charitable Foundation.
He was instrumental in raising $250,000 from the US Alumni for the establishment of a state of the art Digital Library at his alma mater, Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad.
He, along with AAPI-Charitable Foundation raised $55,000 for the relief of to help the victims of the Tsunami in India.. . He has been promoting adopt-a-village programs across all the states in India, which include safe drinking water, sanitation, maternal/child care and childhood education, farmers welfare,, vocational training for youth and women.
Mother and child care under the Project
“NRIs can adopt the village they hail from originally and make a significant contribution towards its development,” the veteran AAPI leader says. “There is a real will and desire on the part of governments, both at the state and the center to work with NRIs and NGOs to bring development to rural India. There are more NGOs today in India that are professionally run, transparent and accountable, which reach all parts of India and deliver a variety of services, than in the pasThere is a real will and desire on the part of governments, both at the state and at the federal levels to work with NRIs and NGOs to bring development to rural India. There are more NGOs today in India that deliver a variety of services, than in the past. There are more millionaires in India and the United States today and the number of people taking on philanthropic activities in India is only growing. While they are enthusiastic about initiating new programs, they are also concerned about their long-term sustainability.
Many of these projects and programs need regular finding, and management of resources. Adopting a village costs money and an ongoing commitment for investment. The cost for adopting a village depends on various factors, including the population of the villages, the services that are required and what one is willing to commit to foir the welfare and progress of the village one is committing to adopt.
In a Memorandum being submitted to Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, Dr. Ailinani, while explaining the premise of Adopt-a-Village, said, “By adopting one village at a time and working with the government and NGOs, NRIs can make a difference. After identifying worthwhile, need-based projects, an NRI will contribute 30 percent of the monies required. The other 70 percent of funding will come from the Government of India. Planning, execution and maintenance of the project will be done by a reputable, transparent and professionally managed NGO or an autonomous body consisting of respected individuals. Each project will involve a tripartite partnership between the NRI, state government and an autonomous body.”
According to the tripartite model he suggests, 30 percent of funding for the project comes from the NRI and the other 70 percent comes from the government, while planning, execution and maintenance is taken on by a reputable NGO – will only contribute to the development of rural India. Dr. Ailinani suggests that the plan is to set up a semi-autonomous body, which is completely transparent and is accountable to those who invest and to those who benefit from these services.
There is no instant solution for rural India’s myriad problems. But by adopting one village at a time and working with the government and NGOs, NRIs can make a difference. Over time, an improved village could lead to an improved region, state and country.
Physicians of Indian origin are well known around the world for their compassion, passion for patient care, medical skills, research, and leadership. They have excelled in their fields of medicine, and thus have earned a name for themselves through hard work, commitment and dedication to their profession and the people they are committed to serve. Not satisfied with their own professional growth and the service they provide to their patients around the world, they are in the forefront, sharing their knowledge and expertise with others, especially those physicians and leaders in the medical field from India.
“I want to urge AAPI members to consider joining this movement and adopt a village. May be your own village of origin. AAPI will work with you in coordinating the efforts and through the support system we have in several states, will help you achieve this goal of ‘giving back to our motherland,” urges Dr. Naresh Parikh, President of AAPI. For more details, please do visit: www. aapiusa.org
As a 7-year-old living in a small town near the border of Washington state and Canada, there was no dance studio to join. So she taught herself from DVDs.
At 12, her family moved to a town big enough to offer three dance studios. She persuaded her mom to enroll her at all three. And that’s when the trouble started.
Shree Saini
First came the discovery of a heart problem, followed by surgery to fix it. Then came the teasing. The bullying. The shunning.
It was enough to break anyone’s spirit. Except Shree loved dancing too much. If anything, the physical challenges and social pressures fueled her – all the way to the Joffrey Ballet and beyond, including winning the title of Miss India USA.
For this, the biggest performance of her life, Shree choreographed it around her life. It began with a heartbeat and shifted to a song featuring the hook: “You shoot me down, but I won’t fall. I am titanium.” It culminated with her receiving the crown and sash.
Since earning the title in December, Shree has used her platform to spread her story of perseverance, tolerance and heart health. The stakes go up this December when she competes for Miss India World.
I’ll be rooting for her. Once you learn the rest of her tale, I’m sure you will be, too.
***
In the early 2000s, Sanjay and Ekta Saini were living in Punjab, India, with two kids and several thriving businesses. Then Sanjay’s father died, and he decided to do something different. Very different.
He moved the family to the United States. After starting on the East Coast, he wound up owning a gas station in Colville, Washington, a town of about 4,500 in the northeastern part of the state.
Dancing was a solo pursuit for Shree. Through school, she joined team sports: softball, basketball and cross country.
Running seemed like a great outlet for her boundless energy. Yet she finished last in every race. Her parents bought a treadmill and she ran five miles nearly every day. She still finished last.
***
Shree Saini and her parents, Sanjay and Ekta.
The summer before Shree entered seventh grade, the Sainis bought a truck stop in Moses Lake, Washington, and moved there. With more than 20,000 people, it was a metropolis compared to Colville.
Shree’s new hometown boasted a ballet academy and two other dance studios. Now she could take classes in jazz, ballet, hip-hop, clogging and more.
All the studios required a physical exam. That’s how she learned her heart was beating only 20 times per minute. A normal heart rate for someone ages 6 to 15 is 70 to 100 beats per minute.
“You need to have surgery – now!” said the doctor, astounded that the girl was so active with such a slow heart rate.
Shree went home with a heart monitor. It showed that she sometimes went five seconds between heartbeats, long enough to cause many people to pass out.
Now Shree understood why she couldn’t keep up in cross country. Her grandmother in India, however, couldn’t believe that this girl “so full of light and joy” could have a heart problem. Nobody on either side of the family had heart problems.
At her grandma’s insistence, Shree went to India for tests from the country’s top cardiologists. They agreed with the folks in Moses Lake: Shree needed a pacemaker.
***
Shree smiles as she recovers following her pacemaker implantation.
On the day in June 2009 that her new peers performed a recital, Shree underwent a procedure to implant the device.
She came away with a scar on her chest and her left arm in a cast. She wasn’t allowed to raise the arm for several weeks for fear of jarring the device and the leads threaded into her heart.
Because of this fragility, doctors encouraged Shree to give up dancing.
Not a chance. Her parents didn’t bother trying to persuade her otherwise.
“They knew I would find a way to dance again, with my pacemaker,” she said.
***
Seventh grade is an emotional roller coaster for everyone. Shree went into it as the new girl with the scar and the cast and the different name and a heritage foreign to classmates in the town named after a Native American leader from the 1800s.
“You’re Indian?” kids said. “What tribe?”
“No, not that kind of Indian,” she said. “The country in Asia.”
Finally dancing with a heart that pumped at a normal rate, her talent blossomed. She advanced three levels in a single year.
So now the outsider was threatening the established pecking order.
Girls rolled their eyes at her. Sometimes they’d talk about Shree loud enough for her to hear them.
“Sometimes they’d do it right in front of me!” she said.
The social poison infected some instructors, she said. Fearing backlash from other parents, they refused to give her private lessons.
So Shree taught herself.
She watched videos of ballet moves like fouette (French for “whipped turn”) and middle leap, slowing the replays to break down each nuance. Working alone, she challenged herself with inner dialogue such as: “Can’t do more than three turns in a row? Now see if you can do six.”
***
Shree Saini speaking with Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar of India.
The better Shree became, the more vicious the bullying.
For years, she left the studio crying. While the tears soaked the feelings of energy and freedom that dancing gave her, they couldn’t douse the flame.
“When life gives you those tests, you can either grow up or fall down into a pattern of bitterness and anger,” she said. “I knew what I stood for. I had my moral values.”
Those values were forged by her parents and bolstered by stories she read of people such as Nelson Mandela.
“While he was jailed, he wanted to go to his son’s funeral, but the jailer didn’t allow him to go. When he was free, he invited that exact same jailer to his presidential inauguration,” Shree said. “So he taught me the value of forgiveness, of kindness, of choosing love over hate.”
It worked.
Her former tormentors are now her fans. Via social media, she’s received their congratulations – and apologies.
***
After high school, Shree took a gap year. That’s when she worked with the Joffrey Ballet.
She also volunteered with a project fighting human trafficking in Nepal, studied acting at Yale, and took classes at Harvard and Stanford. She’s now a full-time student at the University of Washington.
Along the way, she began entering pageants, climbing the ladder from Miss India Washington to the national title, beating 51 other contestants.
In the first six months of her reign, she participated in more than 50 events across 10 states and four countries. Her Facebook feed is filled with pictures of her alongside Miss World, Miss USA, televangelist Joel Osteen, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, Bill Gates’ mom and more. Now she’s sharing her story on behalf of my organization, the American Heart Association.
It’s a hectic pace for anyone, much less someone who’s overcome a congenital heart defect. Shree sees a cardiologist regularly and knows she may need new batteries in her pacemaker in the next year or two.
“I don’t want to think of my pacemaker as a disability – ever,” she said. “It gives me the ability to do everything I love doing. It makes me even more grateful that I’m able to dance.”
The French national soccer team was crowned world champions after defeating an underdog Croatian team 4-2 in the World Cup final in Moscow on Sunday, July 15th, capturing its second World Cup title and its first since it hosted the 1998 tournament 20 years ago. For the second time, France is champion of the world, and for the first time, this team has its own place in history.
In a match that featured anything you could have ever imagined, a self goal, a goalkeeper gaffe, pitch invaders and a teenager wunderkind finding the back of the net, France rolled to a convincing 4-1 lead and managed to hold on to earn its second star.
Les Bleus manager Didier Deschamps was the captain in 1998 when his team shocked Brazil in Paris, and he became the third to ever win the World Cup as a player and coach. Deschamps is just the third person to win the World Cup as a player and as a coach. Kylian Mbappé is only the second teenager to score in the final, after Pelé. They have etched their names among the greats.
The most watched sports game ended in the victory that France deserved. Not, necessarily, for what it did here in Moscow. As both Dejan Lovren and Luka Modric observed, Croatia could rightly regard itself as the better team. No, France’s victory was warranted for what it had done over the last month. Or, more precisely, for what it had not done.
As the New York Times reported, Deschamps’s team has been exceptional in Russia in more ways than one. Everyone else here seemed determined to make this World Cup as nerve-shredding and logic-defying as possible. Germany fell first to Mexico and then to South Korea. Argentina and Portugal, and Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, limped on a little longer, and then melted away, too. Spain and Brazil slipped to Russia and to Belgium. This was a World Cup that first defied expectation and then prediction, a glorious mayhem, a month that captivated the planet with its volatility and its caprice.
Croatia, regarded by most as underdogs, had the ball, had the initiative. Twice in the first half, France took the lead, but it was not entirely clear how: It had not created a single chance. Instead, it benefited from a self goal — Griezmann’s free kick skimming Mario Mandzukic’s head — and, after Ivan Perisic’s equalizer, a penalty, awarded by Néstor Pitana, the Argentine referee, for a hand ball by Perisic after several consultations both with the video referee and a video screen.
Croatia did all it could to be the exception. It scrapped and it clawed to stay in contention; it played with the intensity of a team that knew this chance would not come again.
No team has contributed more to this World Cup than Modric — deservedly awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player — and his teammates; after three games that extended to extra time, they arrived in the final having played 90 minutes, an entire match’s worth, more than the French, so arduous has been their path. Croatia’s Luka Modric was named the tournament’s best player.
There was more to come, as it turned out. In those six minutes, Pogba and Mbappé scored; in those six minutes, France hit a rhythm Croatia could not bear; in those six minutes, France took the game, and the crown, beyond its opponents. Those six minutes spoke volumes for the measure of French superiority over the past six weeks: a team so potent that it does not need to play well for sustained periods, so rich in talent that it only has to shine briefly to shine impossibly brightly, so good that it can do in flashes, in seconds, what others might need an hour and half to do. It is a team of blinding light.
France is the world champion because it can shine brighter than anyone else, even if it only needs to do so for a moment. Because it came to win games and would worry later about hearts. Because it never lost control: of itself, of its opponents, of its destiny. They celebrated at the final whistle, of course, their 4-2 victory over Croatia confirmed: Hugo Lloris led his teammates in an Icelandic thunderclap.
Emmanuel Macron, the French president, was cutting loose — leaping to his feet, punching the air. Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, presented France’s players with the trophy that they had craved for so long, that their country and their heroes last held 20 years ago, that all of the emotion, constrained from the moment they arrived in Russia, came rushing out in waves.
Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America (http://www.fetna.org) an umbrella organization of more than 50 Tamil associations across North America held between June 29th – July 1st at the Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco, TX, focused onHeritage, Youth & Women.
“The focus of the convention was multifold, and it also included an exclusive one-day entrepreneur conference and two days of Tamil heritage programs,” said Sriram Krishnan, one of the organizers. An estimated 5,000 people from all over the U.S. and some from abroad gathered in Frisco, Texas to reconnect to their roots, their culture and their tradition during the 31st National Tamil Convention.
The convention, among other things, celebrated the culmination of global efforts to raise US$ 6 MM to setup a Tamil Chair at Harvard University. Tamil language is one of the oldest classical languages of the world and the only Indian language to be recognized as an official and/or minority language in countries like Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Canada, Mauritius and South Africa. The founders and directors of Harvard Tamil Chair as well as several key volunteers were recognized. The 2018 convention also witnessed the resurrection of youth competitions and introduction of several new competitions.
The convention also celebrated the 120th birthday of Thilliayadi Valliammai, the first woman from the Indian diaspora who worked with Mahatma Gandhi and gave her life for liberty and freedom in South Africa. It also celebrated Than Thai Selva, a Sri Lankan Tamil lawyer and politician who is considered a father figure among Sri Lankan Tamils.
The entrepreneur and business conference comprised of a Tamil Entrepreneurship Forum (TEF) that was attended by about 1,200 people. As many as 30 world-class business leaders, CIOs, social entrepreneurs and community leaders spoke at the daylong event. It was keynoted by C.K. Kumaravel, the founder of Naturals, one of India’s top hair and beauty salons. Kumaravel shared with the audience how his venture into uncharted territory led to success. Other speakers included Senthamarai Prabhakar, president of the Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America; Lakshmanan Chidambaram, president of Tech Mahindra’s Americas Strategic Verticals; Muru Murugappan CIO of BNSF, a Berkshire Hathaway Company; Ganesh Radhakrishnan CEO of Wharfedale Technologies; Prashanth Ram, founder and CTO of Gold Coast IT Solutions, and Latha Pandiarajan, cofounder of MaFoi Consultants.
Arul Murugan of 11-11 Ventures awarded $5,000 in prize money to the winners of TEF Junior, a VC pitch contest for students 16 and younger. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthy (D-Ill.) delivered the closing address of the business conference, urging greater involvement in civic matters.
Lena Kannappan, COO and head of Cloud IAM business for 8KMiles, announced the launching of the Dallas Chapter of American Tamil Entrepreneurs Association (ATEA). A serial entrepreneur with 24 years of software industry experience, Kannappan was instrumental in starting the TEF talk in such gatherings a few years ago to promote entrepreneurship spirit among Tamil entrepreneurs and to inspire the young generation.
One of the highlights of the convention was the recreation of the Thanjavur Brihadeeshwara Temple, constructed some 1,000 years ago by one of the greatest emperors of India, Raja Cholan. The location is a UNESCO heritage site. Several hundred volunteers worked for nearly nine months to recreate the temple that was the center of attraction at the convention.
The festivities included motivational speeches and discourses including one from the chancellor of Vellore Institute of Technology, G. Viswanathan. A global Tamil hour program included participation by Tamil scholars. It also had performances by Narthagi Natarajan, award-winning play troupe Manal Magudi and Tamil Isai by Sanjay Subrahmanyan.
The convention was conducted under the auspices of Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America (FeTNA) and organized by Metroplex Tamil Sangam, Dallas which celebrated its 50th year. The cultural programs at the convention included Mangala Isai, the traditional
Nadaswara performance, followed by Tamil Thai Vazhthu, American National Anthem and a mega Broadway style dance recital by nearly 150 children, trained under renowned Bharatanatyam exponent Narthagi Natarajan. There were also performances involving traditional Tamil art forms – Pambai, Parai, Silambam, Karagam, Gummi – and a discussion on Tamil heritage. There was also a light music performance by singer Karthik, drummer Sivamani and Shaktisree Gopalan.
Nearly 40 parallel sessions were held on a wide range of topics,including Thurumular Pranayama, art workshops, a science fair, continuing medical education and medical symposium, and Tamil Isai, a movement that promotes pure form of ancient Tamil music.
The Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan urged Non Resident Keralites to invest in ‘Intellectual Capital’ at the 18th biennial convention of the Federation of Kerala Associations in North America (FOKANA) held from July 5-8 at the Valley Forge Convention Center in Pennsylvania.
More than money, Kerala is in need of the community’s expertise and intellectual collaboration to foster its development, the Marxist chief minister told the 2,000 people at the convention, stating that it was nonresident Keralites who changed Kerala after land regulation. “It is the contribution of the NRKs that gives the state its stature,” Vijayan was quoted as saying in a press release. The last state chief minister to attend the convention was E.K. Nayanar, also a Marxist, who went to the gathering in Dallas 22 years ago.
This year’s convention was also attended by Opposition Leader in the state assembly Ramesh Chennithala who belongs to the Congress party. Also attending was K.K. Sailaja, minister for health, Katakampalli Surendran, minister for tourism and state lawmakers Raju Abraham, Monce Joseph, Chittayam Gopakumar and V.P. Sajeendran.
Vijayan noted that although Keralites adapt to local cultures around the globe when they resettle, they keep their identity, language and culture intact. He said people celebrate their culture and language more when they live in other countries.
“Our language and our land of the forefathers give the identity to us. If you go away from the language and culture we inherited from our fathers, we lose our address. Organizations like FOKANA should work to impart the culture and language to the new generation,” the chief minister said.
He said Kerala has changed much where the government and the opposition work together for projects important for the state. He said many projects, which were considered impossible earlier, are being completed. “New projects are coming up. We believe in development that is inclusive of all. It should benefit all,” he said. Chennithala said work opportunities are drying up and the governments cannot ignore them.
Vijayan said in a market-oriented society everything becomes a commodity and people will value things if they are useful to them. In such a society people will discard anything that is not found useful — including old or invalid parents who may be viewed as a burden. “We should tell the children to be successful without forgetting values. The children who grow up without values are the ones who shot their classmates,” he said.
The chief minister also called for uniting with the rival Federation of Malayalee Associations of Americas (FOMAA), the mother organization,and asked FOKANA leaders to take the initiative on this. He said that 10 percent of the estimated four million Indians living in the U.S., are from the Malayalee community. He called for dual citizenship and for voting rights for all NRIs.
The chief minister earlier visited the Institute of Human Virology in Baltimore to discuss about possible collaboration for the Institute of Advanced Virology Center being built in Kerala. Dr. Robert Charles Gallo, institute director credited for his work in helping discover the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, in 1984, promised intellectual collaboration.
During the convention, Prabha Thomas (Philadelphia) was crowned the Ms. Malayalee Manka FOKANA 2018. Asha Agustine (Philadelphia) was the First Runner up winner. Reethu Sreekanth was the Second Runner up. Fifteen married women competed in 2018 Malayalee Manka FOKANA 2018. That group was narrowed to 8 finalists who competed last weekend in Kerala Set Mundu Round, Talent Round, Saree Round at the 18th FOKANA National Convention 2018 held at the Valley Forge Convention Center in Pennsylvania on Friday July 6, 2018. Contestants had to be married.
The MANKA competition showcased contestant’s intelligence, talent, personality, confidence, beauty and leadership skills under the leadership of Mini Aby, Bala Kearke, Sosamma Andrews and Anitha George (MC). The performers included Aji Panicker dance group, Isabela Ajit, Biju Abraham. The judges were Malini Nair, Nimmy Das, and Khala Shai. The committee members included Anitha Panicker (Sound System), Celine Oalickal, Marykutty Michael, Mary Philip, Usha Narayan, Jessy Joshy, Usha George and Aleymma Mathew.
Just over seven decades after the declaration of India’s independence in 1947 and the emergence of a modern art movement in India, Asia Society presents a landmark exhibition of more than 80 works by members of the Progressive Artists’ Group, which formed in Bombay, now known as Mumbai, in the aftermath of independence. The Progressive Revolution: Modern Art for a New India examines the founding ideology of the Progressives and explores the ways in which artists from different social, cultural, and religious backgrounds found common cause at a time of massive political and social upheaval.
Though the group disbanded in 1956, the ideas and discussions of its members continued to animate and give visual expression to India’s modern identity, with many of the Group’s artists creating their most iconic works after this period. Works in the exhibition—primarily oil paintings from the 1940s to 1990s—underscore how these artists gave visual form to the idea of India as secular, diverse, international, and united. Like their counterparts in the West, India’s modern masters mined multiple sources of inspiration including the subcontinent and Asia, as well as the wider world. They forged their own distinctive styles that were international in outlook while resonating with Indian sensibilities.
The exhibition is organized by guest curator Dr. Zehra Jumabhoy, Associate Lecturer, The Courtauld Institute of Art, London and Boon Hui Tan, Vice President for Global Arts and Cultural Programs and Director of Asia Society Museum in New York. A fully illustrated catalogue featuring essays by leading scholars of Indian art and modern history accompanies the exhibition.
“The works in this exhibition reflect the diversity of Asian modernities, which are not a mirror of the Euro-American experience,” says Boon Hui Tan. “Art was also a way for the Progressive Artists’ Group to validate and celebrate a new secular republic that emerged from a rich, multi-religious tradition in ways that remain relevant today. Asia Society is pleased to present the largest and most comprehensive exhibition of the Progressives undertaken in the United States in recent decades.”
“The Progressives’ Artist Group have come to be seen as the ‘quintessential Indian Moderns,’” notes Zehra Jumabhoy. “They came from all walks of life: rich, poor, Dalits, Muslims, Brahmins, Roman Catholics. They genuinely embodied Indian Prime Minister Nehru’s dream of unity in diversity and his version of an ‘Indian secularism’ that was multi-religious and inclusive. Given the political climate in both India and the U.S. today, I think this principle of tolerance – part and parcel of the Group’s DNA – is vital to rekindle.”
The exhibition comprises important and visually arresting works from the Group’s core founders—K. H. Ara, S. K. Bakre, H. A. Gade, M. F. Husain, S. H. Raza, and F. N. Souza—as well as later members and those closely affiliated with the movement: V. S. Gaitonde, Krishen Khanna, Ram Kumar, Tyeb Mehta, Akbar Padamsee, and Mohan Samant. A selection of masterpieces of South Asian and East Asian art, including works from the Asia Society Museum Collection—Rajput miniatures, a sandstone figure, two Chola bronzes, and a Japanese landscape hanging scroll—is also included to show how the Progressives were inspired by South Asian and East Asian iconography and traditional forms in the creation of a new visual language for a new Indian nation.
The exhibition is organized into three major sections plotting the artistic development of the Group’s celebrated artists. The first section, “Progressives in Their Time,” considers the Group’s origins and early formation, and the context in which the artists were working. A section titled “National/International” examines the Progressives’ use of multiple sources of inspiration, including India’s high art and folk traditions, and ways that they borrowed from a range of styles to create a distinct mode of expression. The third section of the exhibition, “Masters of the Game,” comprises some of the artists’ most iconic works created after the Group dissolved in the 1950s and its most prominent members had traveled to foreign lands.
The exhibition includes rarely seen historic works from the first and earliest shows of the Progressives. Other highlights include two paintings from M. F. Husain and F. N. Souza that were exhibited in the first exhibition of the Progressives in 1949, and a painting by S. H. Raza that was included in the seminal exhibition Trends in Contemporary Painting from India. The exhibition traveled to institutions and galleries throughout the United States between March 1959 and March 1960 as one of the largest presentations of modern Indian painting in this country. Also included is a large-scale crucifixion painting by F. N. Souza that has not been shown in more than six decades.
In conjunction with the exhibition, Asia Society presents a special season of public programs exploring India’s dynamic past, present, and future through performance, film, literature, design, and cuisine. For more information, visit AsiaSociety.org/NY.
Major support is provided by Amita and Purnendu Chatterjee, Blanca and Sunil Hirani, Sangita Jindal, Sheryl and Chip Kaye, and Sana H. Sabbagh. Generous support is provided by The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, Rajiv and Payal Chaudhri, Kent and Marguerite Charugundla, The Darashaw Foundation, Sonny and Michelle Kalsi, Indra and Raj Nooyi, and The Rajadhyaksha Family.
Additional support is from Jon Friedland and Shaiza Rizavi; Peter Louis, Chandru Ramchandani, and Lal Dalamal; The Mortimer and Theresa Sackler Foundation; and Kelly and Sundaram Tagore.
Founded in 1956, Asia Society is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, educational institution based in New York with state-of-the-art cultural centers and gallery spaces in Hong Kong and Houston, and offices in Los Angeles, Manila, Mumbai, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, Tokyo, Washington, D.C., and Zurich.
Asia Society Museum is located at 725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street), New York City. The Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. and Friday 11 A.M. to 9 P.M. (mid-September through June). Closed on Mondays and major holidays. General admission is $12, seniors $10, students $7; and free for members and persons under 16. Find out more at AsiaSociety.org/NY and @AsiaSocietyNY.
Weeks after being pardoned by President Donald Trump, Dinesh D’Souza is unveiling the trailer for his latest movie. Quality Flix opens the conservative’s latest documentary film, Death of a Nation, in 1,000 theaters on Aug. 3.
The film likens Abraham Lincoln to Donald Trump — saying that the situations they found themselves in as U.S. presidents are very similar, according to the filmmaker.
“Lincoln was elected to unite a country and stop slavery. Democrats smeared him; went to war against him; assassinated him. Now, their target is Trump,” D’Souza intones at the top of the trailer before announcing the movie is produced by Gerald Molen, the Oscar-winning producer of Schindler’s List and Jurassic Park.
D’Souza’s first three films, 2016: Obama’s America; America: Imagine a World Without Her; and Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party, were huge hits as far as documentaries go.
They were also very controversial, and D’Souza’s newest effort promises to be doubly so, considering its favorable treatment of Trump comes on the heels of a presidential pardon for the filmmaker, who was on probation for using straw donors to give more to a friend’s campaign for U.S. senator than the law allows.
Snippets seen in the two-minute trailer above include actor Pavel Kriz as Adolf Hitler in scenes filmed at Zeppelin Field where Nazi rallies took place eight decades ago, plus reenactments of the Civil War and of slaves being unmercifully beaten.
“Lincoln saved America the first time. It’s now up to us to save it a second time,” he says at the trailer’s end.
“The primary theme of the movie is racism and fascism,” D’Souza tells The Hollywood Reporter. “Look at the timeliness of this with the immigration debate, where Trump is being called a ‘Nazi,’ ‘fascist’ and ‘racist.’ This tells me that people don’t have a clue, not only about the history of fascism and racism, but where it exists today.”
D’Souza was convicted in 2014 on campaign finance fraud charges and sentenced to five years’ probation. Former Indian American U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara led the investigation into D’Souza, who was charged with using straw donors to illegally funnel $20,000 to the 2012 U.S. Senate campaign for New York Republican Wendy Long. President Trump pardoned the high-profile Indian American May 31. (Read earlier India-West story here.)
According to the film’s official description, “Death of a Nation” cuts through “progressive big lies to expose hidden history and explosive truths through stunning historical recreations and a searching examination of fascism and white supremacy.”
The trailer shows an actor portraying Adolf Hitler, reenactments of Nazi rallies, and Civil War, showing black slaves being mistreated by white men. “A nation dies when its people are not free,” D’Souza adds.
Over 10,000 children and youth between the ages of 8 to 22 were split into three groups and participated in three-day programs from July 1 to 10 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The 10-day event, unprecedented in the history of Hindus in North America was built around Moksha as life’s greatest pursuit that generates unwavering happiness to be experienced here and now.
According to BAPS, the 10-day event was “unprecedented” in the history of Hindus in North America. And it was built around the theme of “Moksha Now” (ultimate liberation) as life’s greatest pursuit. This broad theme led to a social conversation around “Moksha Now”, a theme that carried throughout the convention.
It was more than two years ago that volunteers of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, around the country began canvassing Hindu youth to learn about their likes, dislikes, desires, challenges and ambitions. Those surveys were distilled into the template for the 10-day BAPS North American Youth Convention 2018.
Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, or BAPS for short, is a ubiquitous presence in the lives of many Hindu families and their children in the United States since it began its ministry in this country in 1971 under the leadership of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who is now succeeded by Mahant Swami Maharaj, the sixth spiritual head of the global organization.
The delegates learned that the means to achieve Moksha could also allow them to enjoy the world, especially when every task and activity undertaken focuses on keeping God and the Guru in mind. The comprehensive concept of Moksha was taught by explaining the efforts and context of Dharma (roles and responsibilities), Artha (worldly pursuits), and Kaam (desires).
Speeches and presentations by senior swamis from India, Sadguru Pujya Ishwarcharandas Swami and Pujya Anandswarupdas Swami, as well as many others from across North America, simplified how to make Moksha-centered decisions in everyday living. They explained that living life with the goal to attain moksha leads to an elevated experience of daily interactions and an unfailingly optimistic perspective of life and the world around us.
Delegates experienced a grand multi-faceted stage program where the life and challenges of several characters were portrayed creatively and practically as they navigated everyday scenarios that brought out dilemmas of desires versus values. Instead of looking for instant gratification, the young adults were asked to contemplate various perspectives that could lead to a higher way of life.
“We had taken two years to delve into this concept of Moksha, and had to present in two days, what we had learnt ,” said Akhil Patel, 33, event-lead who has been involved in previous youth conventions of 2004, 2007, and 2013, and was part of the logistics planning for this one, involved with the content and guidance for the grade school and college level youth.
Speeches and presentations by senior swamis from India, as well as many others from across North America, dwelt on how to make Moksha-centered decisions in everyday living. “Attendees took home a message of how to be less concerned about what others think of them, and more concerned about what they think of themselves,” organizers contended.
Today, BAPS has a network of more than 3,850 centers around the world, and according to its website, has a million or more followers. This Hindu organization was established in 1907 in India, and today has a global reach. The North American chapter of BAPS describes itself as a “socio-spiritual Hindu organization” rooted in the Vedas, and “founded on the pillars of practical spirituality.”
Hinduism, or Sanatana Dharma (Eternal Way), is the world’s oldest living religion. It is a richly diverse family of philosophies, traditions, and practices that have been followed primarily throughout Asia for thousands of years. Today, Hinduism is a global religion with adherents living on every continent, and comprising majorities in three countries: India, Nepal, and Mauritius.
The 17th World Sanskrit Conference, the premier international forum for Sanskrit scholars, recognized Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s Akshar-Purushottam Darshan as the first new independent school of Vedanta since the 16th century. The recently authored ground-breaking Sanskrit works on the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan, the Swaminarayan Bhashyam and the Swaminarayan Siddhanta-Sudha by Sadhu Bhadreshdas of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, were also launched in the conference’s inaugural session on 9 July 2018 in Vancouver, Canada.
More than 600 eminent Sanskrit scholars and educators had gathered from over 40 countries for this historic event. The triennial World Sanskrit Conference, which for the last half-century has been bringing the finest minds in the world of Sanskrit together to advance understanding of Sanskrit language and literature, was held for the first time in Canada, at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. World Sanskrit Conference organizing committee member and senior Sanskrit scholar from the University of British Columbia, Professor Ashok Aklujkar said, “Bhadreshdas Swami is one of the most amazing personalities of the religious traditions of India that I have ever met. His scholarly genius is jaw-dropping, and his commentaries on the Prasthantrayi are a truly great achievement. I think all of us at the World Sanskrit Conference are fortunate to have a bhashyakar in our midst. Just as Śrī Kāśī Vidvat Parisad acknowledged Swaminarayan Bhagwan’s Akshar-Purushottam Darshan as a distinct darshan in the Vedanta tradition, we are honored to do the same from the platform of the World Sanskrit Conference.”
Mahamahopadhyaya Bhadreshdas Swami, an eminent Sanskrit scholar and ordained swami of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, completed the Swaminarayan Bhashyam, a five-volume comprehensive Sanskrit commentary on Hinduism’s three Vedic canonical texts (Prasthanatrayi) – the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and Brahma Sutras – in 2007. These three texts form the foundation for the philosophical beliefs of Hindu Vedanta (commentarial) traditions. In 2017, Bhadreshdas Swami also completed the Swaminarayana-Siddhanta-Sudha, a classical Sanskrit dialectic treatise that offers an exposition, justification, and defense of the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan’s theological and philosophical principles.
The significance of Bhadreshdas Swami’s achievement was highlighted by Professor Deven Patel of the University of Pennsylvania. He said, “The World Sanskrit Conference is proud to honor this new and truly historic achievement in the world of Sanskrit philosophical culture. It is the first Sanskrit commentary on the Upanishads, the Brahma Sutras, and the Bhagavad Gita in nearly 200 years and the first commentary on the complete set by a single acharya in over 1200 years. This five-volume commentary, known as the Swaminarayan Bhashyam, interprets the Prasthantrayi through the lens of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s Akshar-Purushottam Darshan. We are fortunate to have present before us today, in Bhadreshdas Swami, the acharya who, in the tradition of Shankara, Ramanuja, Madhva, Nimbarka, Vallabha, and others, has composed these commentaries.”
World-renowned Sanskrit scholar from the University of Pennsylvania, Professor George Cardona aptly detailed the importance of Bhadreshdas Swami’s work in establishing Akshar Purushottam Darshan saying, “This is a very important classical Sanskrit commentary that very clearly and effectively explains that Akshar is distinct from Purushottam.”
In the conference’s inaugural address, Bhadreshdas Swami explained the principles of the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan, the classical name of this distinct school of Vedanta. This darshan was revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan in the 19th century and propounded by His Holiness Shastriji Maharaj, the third spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the founder of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. Bhadreshdas Swami further explained: “The essence of Akshar-Purushottam Darshan is to offer devotion to Purushottam, the supreme being, with loving servitude having qualitatively realized oneself as Akshar, who takes the form of the exemplary living guru.”
This was followed by the blessings of Ishwarcharandas Swami, the International Convener of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, who appreciated the great work of the World Sanskrit Conference and encouraged Sanskrit research and learning.
The World Sanskrit Conference’s inaugural session concluded with all the assembled scholars collectively recognizing Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s Akshar-Purushottam Darshan as a distinct school of philosophy in the Vedanta tradition.
On the morning of Tuesday, July 10, a special darshanic scholarly session was held on the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan in which professors and learned Swamis presented papers. Bhadreshdas Swami spoke on “Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s Akshar Purushottam Darshan: Ontology, Soteriology, and Identity”; Paramtattvadas Swami presented a paper on “Deconstructing ‘brahmajignasa’ in the Brahmasutra-Swaminarayan-Bhashya: A Study of Grammar, Hermeneutics, and Theology”; Aksharananddas Swami presented a paper on “The Akshar-Purushottam Darshan and the Gita Verse: ‘Brahmabhutah Prasannatma…’”; Prof. Deven Patel of the University of Pennsylvania presented a paper on “The Role of the Guru Within the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan”, and Aksharvatsaldas Swami presented a paper on “The Tradition of the Shikhara Within Mandir Architecture – A Study Based on Ancient Treatises and the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan.”
In the evening, Akshar-Purushottam Darshan Vidvat Goshti, a scholarly forum in Sanskrit and English was held on the significance of the Swaminarayan Siddhant Sudha, composed by Bhadreshdas Swami. Several of the world’s foremost experts on Sanskrit, including Prof. George Cardona (University of Pennsylvania), Prof. Sadananda Das (University of Leipzig), C. Rajendran (University of Calicut), Staneshwar Timalsina (San Diego State University), Shrikant Bahulkar (Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute), and Bhadreshdas Swami discussed the impact of the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan.
Spiritual leader Jashan Pahlajrai Vaswani, popularly known as Dada JP Vaswani died at his abode in Sadhu Vaswani Mission in Pune on Thursday morning, just 21 days before his 100th birthday on August 2.
The Mission in a tweet, said, “0901hrs IST July 12 2018, on sacred Guruvaar day, our Beloved Revered Dada J.P. Vaswani passes on, from the seen to the unseen. Ever-loving, ever-giving, may he continue to bless us from the beyond.”
“Dadaji breathed his last at 9.01 a.m. today. He was 99. His body has been kept for final darshan at his ashram, Sadhu Vaswani Mission,” the spokesperson said.
Dada Vaswani was admitted to a city-based private hospital a few days ago and was discharged on Wednesday night. Known for his ardent promotion of vegetarianism and animal rights, his mortal remains will be kept at the Mission till 2pm on Friday for followers to pay their last respect.
The Mission was planning a grand celebration on Vaswani’s 100th birthday in August that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expected to attend. “I am saddened beyond words on the passing away of Dada JP Vaswani. He lived for society and served the poor and needy with compassion. Blessed with immense wisdom, he was passionate about educating the girl child, cleanliness and furthering peace as well as brotherhood,” Modi said in a tweet.
Born on August 2, 1918, to a Sindhi couple Pahlajrai and Krishnadevi Vaswani of Hyderabad (Sindh) in undivided India, Dada Vaswani – as he was revered by the community – was one among seven children – three sisters and four brothers.
He headed the Sadhu Vaswani Mission – founded by his uncle and spiritual Guru, the late Sadhu T.L. Vaswani in Hyderabad in 1929, which has now branched out all over the world. Following his demise in 1966, Sadhu J.P. Vaswani was anointed his successor and he carried forward the legacy of his Guru’s Mission globally.
A proponent of world peace, vegetarianism, girls’ education, compassion for the poor, among others, Sadhu Vaswani addressed the British House of Commons, Global Forum of Spiritual Leaders in Oxford, World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, Millenium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders at the UN, and Parliament of World Religions in South Africa,.
He initiated a global peace initiative – The Moment of Calm, when people observe two-minutes of silence to forgive all, on August 2, with eminent personalities like the Dalai Lama joining it. Among various national and international honours conferred on Sadhu Vaswani were the U Thant Peace Award in 1998, jointly with Pope John Paul II.
Years of low fertility, emigration, political strife, economic contraction and natural disasters have contributed to population losses in some global cities, according to data released by the United Nations. Most of the cities with falling populations are located in Asia and eastern Europe, such as Japan, Poland, Romania, Russia and Ukraine, where overall population sizes have been either stagnating or in decline.
As of 2018, Tokyo is still the world’s largest city with 37 million inhabitants, but it’s growth has plateaued and is projected to begin declining around 2020, while Delhi continues the ascend to become the most populous city in the world in 2028.
In the Land of the Rising Sun population declines are widespread. Between 2030 and 2035, 63 urban areas, out of a total of 1,800 in the world, with a population of 300,000 inhabitants or more in 2018, are expected to shrink. Of which, 33, or more than half of them are in Japan. By the end of the century there could be 50 million fewer Japanese than there were at its peak.
Looking at approximately one generation’s time from 2000 to 2030, the population of three industrial cities in China’s Yichun, in the northeast province of Heilongjiang, Youngstown in Ohio, United States and Hamhung, in the Hamgyong province of North Korean are expected to fall in size significantly.
Among the most populous cities in 2000, some will make a dramatic change by 2030. New York-Newark metropolitan area, will be pushed out of top 10. Paris, France, the only Western European entry in 2000, will place number 35 in 2030, with a forecast of 11.7 million people. Seoul, South Korea, with an estimated annualized growth rate of less than 0.1%, second lowest to Osaka, Japans negligible rate of growth will be pushed to No. 42 in 2030, a 24 place drop in rank.
India’s iconic Taj Mahal has been threatened in recent weeks by insect poo – environmentalists say that bugs from the polluted Yamuna river nearby are invading the monument, leaving greenish-black patches of waste on its pristine white marble walls. Over the years, the 17th Century monument has been threatened by pollution, unabashed construction, a crematorium and even bombs.
India’s Supreme Court has criticised the government for what it calls a “failure” to protect the Taj Mahal. The court said both the federal and state government had shown “lethargy” in taking steps to tackle the monument’s deteriorating condition.
The court’s comments came in response to a petition citing concerns about the impact of pollution on the 17th Century monument. The Taj Mahal is one of the world’s leading tourist attractions. It draws as many as 70,000 people every day.
In May this year, the court had already instructed the government to seek foreign help to fix the “worrying change in color” of the marble structure. The court had said then, that the famous tomb, built from white marble and other materials, had turned yellow and was now turning brown and green.
An invasion of the insect called Chironomus Calligraphus (Geoldichironomus) is turning the Taj Mahal green, says environmental activist DK Joshi. Joshi has filed a petition in the National Green Tribunal – a special tribunal set up by the government to deal with environmental disputes – saying that the “explosive breeding” of the pests in the polluted Yamuna river is marring the beauty of the monument.
“Fifty-two drains are pouring waste directly into the river and just behind the monument, Yamuna has become so stagnant that fish that earlier kept insect populations in check are dying. This allows pests to proliferate in the river,” Mr Joshi told the BBC by phone from the northern city of Agra where the Taj is located.
The stains the bugs leave on the marble are washable and workers from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have been trying to scrub the walls clean, but Mr Joshi says frequent scrubbing can take the sheen off the marble. He says the problem has a simple solution – just clean up the Yamuna.
Built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth, Taj Mahal is often described as one of the wonders of the world. It is also India’s biggest tourist attraction, visited by heads of states, celebrities and millions of Indian and foreign tourists every year. But pollution from the industries in Agra and a nearby oil refinery have seen the white marble yellowing over the years.
To restore the monument’s beauty, the ASI has been applying “mud packs” on its walls to draw out the pollutants.
Pollution, construction and insect dung are said to be among the causes. The government told the court that a special committee had been set up to suggest measures to prevent pollution in and around the monument.
It has already shut down thousands of factories near the monument, but activists say the white marble is still losing lustre. Sewage in the Yamuna River, which runs alongside the monument, also attracts insects which excrete waste on to its walls, staining them.
A digital billboard placed on a main highway in Chicago flashes a message about the World Hindu Congress (WHC) every 40 seconds and has been seen, at last count, by 1.5 million drivers.
The windy city will play host to the WHC and welcome icons, thought influencers, prominent leaders and members of the Hindu community from September 7th – 9th, 2018. They will gather to connect, discuss, energize and push awareness about critical issues facing Hindus worldwide and figure ways on how the community can be globally significant and impactful. The event is being hosted at Hotel Westin in Lombard, Illinois.
Registration coordinator Amitabh Mittal stated that registration has been closed two months prior to the event due to the tremendous response. A few spots for co-sponsors are all that’s left and some spots have been reserved, on a case by case basis, for delegates from countries outside or North America.
Over 2000 Hindus from across the globe and 250 thought leaders are expected to fly in to attend the gathering. They include heads of countries with a sizable Hindu population, top tier corporate heads from both India and the US, dynamic Hindu leaders and media personalities. RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat is one of the key speakers. Tibetan leader HH Dalai Lama, Art of Living Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Chinmaya Mission Head, Swami Swaroopananda, Swami Brahmavihari Das Head of International Relations from BAPS, Swami Purnatmananda from Bharat Sevashram Sangh and Pranav Pandya from Gayatri Parivar will also be present at the event that has been dubbed as “the biggest Hindu gathering of leaders to date.”
The conference is being organized by the World Hindu Foundation headed by IIT, Kharagpur graduate Swami Vigyananand. It will commemorate 125 years of Swami Vivekananda’s historic Chicago address on September 11, 1893. This is the second such conference, the first was held in New Delhi in 2014.
The theme of WHC 2018 is “Sumantrite Suvikrante” — think collectively, achieve valiantly. With over 3.23 million Hindus in the US and a little over one billion worldwide, making Hindus count globally is a key issue.
Senior leaders of the organization elaborated on the significance of the conference. According to WHC founder Swami Vigyananand, wealth creation, quality education, a robust Hindu presence in mass media, Hindu leadership, unique strengths of Hindu women and Hindu organizations must be encouraged to “graduate to collective success.” This, he said, is the only way to increase our sphere of influence and have a positive societal impact.
Convener Dr. Abhaya Asthana highlighted the importance of “boosting the profile of Hindus” on the world stage. Hindus, he emphasized, need to come together collectively and establish their presence, and only then can they wield their clout to make a positive difference.
The goal of WHC, Chair S.P. Kothari said, is to “make the world understand the Hindu way and view of life not just at the spiritual and social level but also at the economic and educational level” while WHC Vice Chair Raju Reddy reflected that “Hindus are viewed as great doctors, engineers and entrepreneurs, as positive role models but they need to become change makers. This requires them to be organized.”
Leaders of the organization are confident that this will be “historic and a not to be missed gathering of Hindus from all over the world.”
Maheshwari Mahasabha of North America (MMNA) held its 9th Biennial Convention, the International Maheshwari Rajasthani Convention (IMRC), at the Marriott in Santa Clara, California, from June 30 to Maheshwari Mahasabha of North America (MMNA) held its ninth biennial convention, International Maheshwari Rajasthani Convention (IMRC), at Santa Clara Marriott from June 30th through July 3rd 2018. The convention is a forum to celebrate and preserve Rajasthani culture as well as to foster relationships within the relatively small Maheshwari community living in North America.
Over 750 attendees from North America and around the globe congregated in the heart of Silicon Valley. This grand event was engineered by our innovative team of 100+ volunteers who worked relentlessly over 15 months planning all the details. The host committee was led by Vijayshri Choudhary – Convener, Anand Daga and Vrushali Tapadiya – Co-conveners, Devu Heda – Chapter President, Swapnil Laddha – Chapter Vice President, and Vandana Daga – Sakhi Chair with support from Sureshji Deopura, Chapter Mentor and MMNA Board of Trustee.
Ambassador Venkatesan Ashok (Consul General of India – San Francisco) and Mayor Lisa Gillmor (Santa Clara), graced the opening ceremony by lighting diyas (lamps). Distinguished guests speakers included Padma Bhushan Shri Ved Nanda, Shri Ramesh Partani from Akhil Bharatvarshiya Maheshwari Mahasabha, along with eminent business leaders from MMNA community including Shri. Suresh Deopura, Shri Pratik Gattani, and Shri Vasant Rathi as well as Smt Snehal Mantri from India. Shri Vimal Sodhani was felicitated with the Lifetime Achievement award for his contributions to MMNA.
“Each and every one of us have been blessed with a uniqueness (a gift), representing a different aspect of the Brahman. Our purpose in life is to utilize that uniqueness in the service of others. This is the shortest path to the Divine.” said Vimal Sodhani.
During the three day event, attendees were able to engage in a variety of social and cultural activities, enjoy delicious ethnic cuisine, and participate in intellectually stimulating workshops and networking events. Participants gained from breakout sessions focused on health, wellness, technology, investment, life planning, and social causes catering to different ages and interests.
The youth group, RAYS, orchestrated cultural discussions as well as personal and professional networking sessions. They mentored and facilitated discussions for junior RAYS (13-20 years of age) to make them better appreciate the Rajasthani culture and help them navigate through high school and college life.
Other MMNA’s key initiatives such as Sakhi, Business & Entrepreneurship Track (BET), Philanthropy, Matrimonial, Education and Rajasthani Abroad Senior Samaj, also played a role in formulating educational workshops. MMNA members showed their generosity by donating $65K for educational assistance and youth development programs during a brief fundraiser.
Prince Bhojwani, RAYS Co-President said, “The mission for RAYS is to form connections among Marwari youth living in North America through shared culture and heritage. We connect almost 400 Maheshwari youth across the country by hosting annual events. By raising funds, RAYS will be able to do double down on this mission by creating a world class mentorship program, assist communities connected to our members, and sponsor the wide array of non-profit projects started by our youth.”
“Six dynamic industry leaders of Maheshwari background spoke on wide ranging topics, from the challenges and joy of the start-up journey, to highlighting business opportunities made possible by emerging cutting-edge technologies.” – Raj G. Asava, BET Chair.
IMRC 2018 cultural team’s vision instilled an added sense of pride with Rajasthan and India. The host chapter team’s tribute to India and its diversity on the opening night triggered patriotic sentiments with the audience. The cultural highlight for the next day included scintillating Rajasthani folk dance, Kalbeliya, performed by Aakansha Maheshwari’s group. For the finale gala night, Ravi Jakhotia, otherwise known around the world as DJ RAVIDRUMS, along with stellar music band Dhwani, turned the ballroom into a concert hall.
Vikas Bhutada, President of MMNA summed up the event as, “I believe that I can speak for almost everyone here when I say that IMRC2018 was one of the most memorable experiences of my lifetime. A big Thank you to the West Coast North Chapter – the conveners, volunteers, participants, guest speakers, and the list goes on. Thank you for making this weekend unforgettable for our community and for the generations to come.”
MMNA is a 34-year old non-profit organization with 4000+ members across 10 chapters in USA and Canada. MMNA’s mission is to create a spirit of cohesiveness and camaraderie among all sharing the bond of a common ancestry. MMNA promotes togetherness and social welfare through its ten chapters across North America.
Chicago IL: The Jain Society of Metropolitan Chicago (JSMC), Bartlett Illinois, celebrated a milestone – the 25th Anniversary of its temple, with great enthusiasm, color and pride, from June 22 to July 1, 2018 at Bartlett, IL. About 4000 people from US and outside witnessed this historical celebration over the 10 days. This is the first Jain temple in North America with “Shikhar” or dome to complete 25 years. A number of dignitaries, speakers, and faith leaders from US and India graced the occasion.
The event was graced by political dignitaries including Illinois State Governor Bruce Rauner, Consul General of India Ms. Neeta Bhusan, US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and Peter Roskam, State representatives Christine Winger and Laura Murphy, State senator Tom Cullerton and Bartlett Village trustees.
Over the 10 days of celebration, numerous scholars and dignitaries from India, including Muni Shri Jinchandraji, Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muniji, Swami Shrutpragyaji, Charukeerti Bhattarakji, Gurudev Shri Rakesh Bhai Zaveri, Shri Dipakbhai Bardoliwala, Shri Sanjeevji Godha, Smt. Pramodaji Chitrabhanu, Smt. Tarlaben Doshi and Samanijis delivered thought provoking spiritual discourses to an eager audience. Keynote speeches on important topics were delivered by Padmashri Kumarpal Desai, Dr. Dipak Jain, Rahul Kapoor and Sajan Shah. Vidhikar Shri Hiteshbhai, Shri Narendra Nandu, Shri Lalitbhai Dhami, Megh Nandu and Veer Sainik Jinaybhai performed unique poojans and rituals for the first time in the US. Singers Ashish Mehta and Vicky Parekh enthralled the audiences with beautiful musical scores. JSMC’s home musical production Nem Rajul and Karmic Forces received an overwhelming response as much as the professional productions Sheth Motisha and Veer na Varasdaar played by Rangat Productions of Mumbai.
Many activities for the youth including sports day, field day as well as youth-focused seminars and shibirs kept the youth engaged. Amazing work was done in creating replicas of sacred places of worship Ashtapad and Giriraj Shatrunjay.
One of the highlights of the celebration was a 1.5-mile parade & procession starting at Bartlett’s Eastview Middle School and ending at the Jain temple. The Sanghpati’s of the 25th Anniversary Celebrations (Jayendra and Leena Shah, Kishor and Rashmi Shah, Prabodh and Lata Vaidya, Sanjay and Hemali Shah and Dr. Shailesh and Mayuri Zaveri) and other sponsor families walked with 12 superbly decorated floats, Bhaghwan Palkhi and Rath, live religious music and dance, motorcycles and horse carriage. Despite nearly 100 degree temperature, the parade had participation from more than 1000 members. The parade ended with a ceremonial flower shower from a helicopter. JSMC also created history by inaugurating the first memorial (Jeevant Smarak) of Gurudev Chitrabhanuji who is credited to have strengthened Jainism and united Jains in the US in the last 40 years. Gurudev’s bust was sponsored by Ravindra & Pallavi Kobawala and Satish & Kinna Shah.
Since 1970s, Jain population in Chicago has exploded from less than thirty families to over 1900 families. With the mission of preserving and sharing the Jain way of life, the community built a beautiful Temple & Community Center in 1993 in Bartlett, IL on a 14 acre lot. Today this monumental temple and center standing on a 17.5 acre land with expanded facilities of 84,000 sq. ft.
President of JSMC executive committee Mr. Vipul Shah was ecstatic and mentioned that, “In this milestone year for all Jains around Chicago and indeed all of US, we have delivered a great experience to all our dignitaries, guests and members blending religion, education, culture and entertainment. All our programs have been received with tremendous enthusiasm”. Chairman and Board of Trustees of JSMC, Mr. Atul Shah added, “Our unity, dedicated volunteers, generous donors and all other supporters have helped us to set a very high bar”. Every day during the celebration, JSMC provided 3 sumptuous meals to all attendees and visitors. Many guests from Chicago and outside were thrilled with the overall execution and planning by the dedicated team of volunteers, Executive Committee members and Board of Trustees.
PR & Media co-leads Mr. Hemant Shah (past Chairman) and Dr. Mukesh Doshi (past Chairman) also explained, “We are building on a very successful legacy of 48 years of JSMC.” Chicago is very fortunate to have remarkable history of the first Jain who landed 125 years ago – when Shri Virchand Raghavji Gandhi pioneered Jainism in western world and represented Jains in first parliament of World religious conference held in Chicago in 1893. Since 1970, this society is standing on contributions of generous donors, dedicated volunteers and passionate leadership of visionaries. We are humbled to be part of this society that is regarded as symbol of unity and harmony among all Jains.
Founded in 1970, JSMC caters to the religious, educational, cultural and community needs of Jains in and around Chicago. After building North America’s first Jain temple with Shikhar in 1993, the organization undertook a major expansion in 2008-09. With more than 1900 families as life members, JSMC has maintained its unity of Shwetamber, Digambar, Sthanakvasi and Shrimad sects over the years and has continued to inspire the Jain values of non-violence, multi-pluralism and non-possessiveness.
These members engage in various religious, cultural, educational, and social and community activities on close to 160+ days in a typical year. Over 500 students register in the Pathshaala that meets every 1st and 3rd Sunday. The Center has also become a preferred location to host other events – given its state of the art community hall and dining facility. A 7-person elected Board and a 13-person elected Executive Committee manage JSMC with support from many /committees.
Jainism is a religion and a way of life for Jains around the world. The primary purpose of JSMC is to increase the awareness of the principles of Jainism, achieve the unity of all Jains, provide a platform wherefrom to project the voice of Jain religion, promote the feeling of amity and unity among Jains and to promote inter-faith understanding. Jainism, which originated in India, at least five thousand years ago, has largest number of followers (about 4 million) in India. It has nonetheless, influenced the world peace through its message of non-violence and forgiveness. Jainism, indirectly influenced Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, as he followed the example and non-violent methods of Mahatma Gandhi in his struggle for equality and civil rights for all minorities in USA.
Jains have been on a path of Non-Violence, Non-Absolutism (Anekantvad), and Non-possesion (Aparigrah) for thousands of years. For thousands of years, Jains have believed in meditation, yoga, animal compassion, vegetarianism, environmentalism, equal rights for women, respect for other cultures and forgiveness. Jains believe that universe is eternal and that Jain religion, which explains the rules of the universe, is therefore eternal, with no beginning and no end. Last perfected soul known (Tirthankar) to us is Lord Mahavir, who was born in 599BC, near Patna in Bihar, India.
Indian American entrepreneur Amit Bhandari and his wife Arpita of Houston, Texas, have donated $50,000 to Ekal’s Digital Literacy Program, the largest single amount from an individual the charity has ever received.
The $50,000 will be used to create a bus with 10 laptops for the Ekal-on-Wheels Mobile Computer Labs program, according to a press release. The Mobile Computer Labs initiative is working to enhance digital literacy and has helped over 50,000 children become computer literate.
The solar powered bus has pre-installed self-learning software developed by IIT Mumbai and accommodates two students per computer as one trainer, assisted by the local Ekal teacher will provide two and a half hours of training in one village.
The bus, which will serve the Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh near Indore, was inaugurated by Amit and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.
The Bhandaris are known to give out generous donations to a number of support groups, including the Jain Society of Houston, land for the Gujarati Samaj center in Houston, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Fund for Hurricane Harvey relief work, paying off the loans of a temple in Phoenix and raising $3 million for Magic Bus.
Bhadari is a native of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and though his parents were professors, the family was financially challenged but it did not stop them from supporting a handicapped school along with a helping hand, anywhere it was needed.
Bhadari gained interest in business when he was in middle school and was accepted in the Rotary Student Exchange Program and attended High School in Hicksville, Ohio.
He then attended Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he studied chemical engineering after which he started working at ExxonMobil.
In 2006, Bhandari started his own company BioUrja, a company that trades in ethanol, petroleum products, crude oil, grains, metal tubing for the oil production sector as well as renewable energy, and is ranked as one of the most successful companies in Texas.
The Bhandaris have one daughter, Aanya and one son, Ansh, both of whom have taken part in various Magic Bus programs.
The Ekal movement was started in 1989 to transform India, one village at a time and today it has a school in 70,000 villages, which offer free schooling, vocational training, digital competence and agricultural education. The Ekal movement has impacted four million children and 10 million families to date.
Columbus, Ohio: July 8th, 2018: Dr. Naresh Parikh, a cardiologist, entreprenor, leader, and community activist, assumed charge as President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) during the historic 36th annual convention at the Greater Columbus Convention Hall her on Saturday, July 7th night as the convention came to a conclusion with the gala attended by over 1,700 delegates from across the nation.
Along with Dr. Parikh, his executive committee consisting of Dr. Suresh Reddy, President-Elect; Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda, Vice President; Dr. Anupama Gotimukula, Secretary; Dr. Anjana Samadder, Treasurer; and Dr. Ajeeth Kothari, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, were administered the oath of office as the AAPI delegates cheered loudly wishing them the best in the upcoming year.
Dr. Naresh Parikh, President of AAPI delivering inaugural address
As the President of AAPI, “I will dedicate my time, energy and skills to maintain the integrity of AAPI and promote membership database and scrub data. We will work together encouraging and motivating more and more Physicians and Dentists to join AAPI and work towards increase in AAPI membership representing all sections, including, women, young and old, while providing enhanced membership benefits including liability insurance carrier, billing, collection company, cardiac remote monitoring, and credit card transactions through reputed banking services. Our Mission and Motto for the upcoming year is “As your president I plan to invoke this year as the year of progress and balance,” the soft spoken Dr. Parikh declared in bis inaugural address.
Dr. Parikh was gracious in acknowledging the contributions of Dr. Gautam Samadder, his predecessor. “I have enjoyed serving AAPI for all these years and it was a true pleasure this past year working in close association with Dr. Samadder. I have learned much from him and offer that as a Compliment for his achievements for AAPI,’ he said.
Dr. Gautam Samadder, through a visual presentation summarized the many achievements of his year long presidency, including GHS in Kolkatta, Health Clinic inauguration in West Bengal, African safari, contributions to Veterans Obesity and Lukemia Society, India day parade and Leadership seminar, among the many others. He thanked his executive committee members, convention committee and all who have generously devoted their time, talent and resources for the success of the many programs he had initiated under his leadership.
“It’s been a humbling experience to work with an esteemed galaxy of AAPI leaders, leading this great organization, for the past year. With the active support of my executive committee and BOT members, I truly believe, I have been able to fulfill many of the priorities I had forth at the beginning of my presidency during the convention in New Jersey last year,” Dr. Samadder said.
Placing his confidence in the AAPI members who have elected him to lead this 37 years old organization, Dr. Parikh said, “AAPI has made great progress from a fledging association of the 1980s to what you see today, a robust, powerful medical organization in our country.
An organization is only as strong as its members make it and our AAPI membership is an incredible group of dedicated passionate individuals. I would like to congratulate the members of AAPI for their strength and the support they have given in its wings of flight.”
Change of Guard at AAPI: Dr. Naresh Parikh with Dr. Gautam Samadder
Graduated from Nagpur Medical College in 1972 and a cardiologist by profession, Dr. Naresh Parikh is serving as the CEO of Georgia Clinic, a multi-specialty organization, founded in 1998, serving patients from dozen locations. A practicing Cardiologist in Atlanta, Georgia for 30 years, Dr. Parikh was instrumental in starting IPA in 2016 with 53 participating providers and has been active in DRS ACO. Dr. Parikh is also involved with Cigna Health Spring as a counsel to improve Hedis score and improve MRA scoring for Georgia Physicians.
“I had started working as an ordinary member in 1986 with Georgia Association of physicians of Indian Origin and was elected President of GAPI, and then rose to be the Regional Director of AAPI SE and had served as a member of the BOT of AAPI. And today, I am honored and humbled by AAPI members, entrusting the largest ethnic medical organization, representing the over 100,000 physicians of Indian origin, with the responsibility of leading it to newer heights,” Dr. Parikh recalled.
Dr. Parikh been very active and leading several local and national level programs for AAPI in the past several years. He has been a Patron Member of the AAPI Charitable Foundation since 2006. His organizing skills were highly appreciated when he served as the Chair and Convener for AAPI annual convention in 2006. Dr. Parikh was the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of Shankar Mahadevan and Sunidhi Chauhan concerts and was instrumental in successfully raising money for AAPI.
Not satisfied with growing professionally and contributing and leading AAPI, Dr. Parikh has been generous with his time, talents and resources towards charitable causes for long. Dr. Parikh has been devoting time energy towards several noble causes across the US and in Indihar. Parikh started Atlanta’s first Charitable Medical Clinic in 1996 and was the Medical Director for over 10 years. He has led and organized several healthcare fairs and contributed in fund raising events for AAPI in their mega shows by Shankar Mahadevan, Shreya Ghoshal and Hema Malini.
“It’s been an honor and privilege for me to be associated with AAPI because I recognize the tremendous potential and the lead role that is being played by AAPI in promoting friendship between India and the United States. As members of AAPI, we have not forgotten our roots and are engaged in several activities such as conducting Indo-US Healthcare Summit that has shown us a new trail in healthcare sector in India and will continue to pave way for new frontiers in public private partnership.” As the president of AAPI, which has been playing a major role in supporting noble causes around the world, Dr. Parikh’s goal “is to be actively engaged in the SEWAK project in India.”
In 2014, as the Treasurer of AAPI, Dr. Parikh had the honor of meeting with Hon. Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi to launch the Swasth India Portal. In the same year, he had sponsored the screening of the popular movie in Atlanta – “The Ship to Theseus” and helped to raise awareness about the need for organ donation. In 2015 Dr. Parikh sponsored the community reception of Vikas Swarap – writer of Slum Dog Millionaire, a winner of 8 Academy awards. Since 2017 onwards, he is serving as the President of Georgia Gujarati Doctors and Dental Association.
Dr. Parikh has been in the forefront in helping AAPI sign MOUs with Rajkot, Gujarat, India Thalassemia Major Koticha Foundation; and with Rajkot, Gujarat, India Kidney Research Foundation; and with AAPNA, BMANA – Formation of “SAPNA”.
The new executive committee led by Dr. Naresh Parikh, President; Dr. Suresh Reddy, President-Elect; Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda, Vice President; Dr. Anupama Gotimukula, Secretary; Dr. Anjana Samadder, Treasurer; and Dr. Ajeeth Kothari, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, also assumed office
Thalassemia Major is a devastating disease, prevalent in Southern part of Gujarat. India. An NGO, Koticha Foundation is doing an excellent service for the Community. AAPI has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) whereby, we have made an appeal to the Ministry of Health to make mandatory blood screening before marriage or high school/college admissions.
AAPI recently opened a charitable clinic in Panvel, Mumbai, MS known as Tara Clinic and is being sponsored by Naresh and Asha Parikh Foundation in collaboration with AAPI Charitable Foundation. This clinic is serving residents from the Panvel tribal community which is about 2 hours away from South Mumbai.
During a historical event on Jan 27th, 2018 in Miami, FL, Dr. Naresh Parikh, along with the immediate past President Dr. Gautam Sammader and AAPI Strategy Advisor Anwar Feroz Siddiqi, was installed as a Founding Member.
Dr. Parikh initiated a strategic and symbolic “Singing of MOU with Physician of Pakistani and Bangladesh origin with AAPI in Feb 2018 In Miami, Florida. This brings about a non-binding alliance of three south Asian physicians groups that will help support strategic and agreed upon programs that impact health and wellbeing of South Asians, such as addressing the higher incidence of heart diseases in South Asians.
Dr. Parikh said, he will form a national panel and advisory committee to help and guide the international medical graduates from South Asia. He wants to have an alliance of 10 percent of the nation’s doctors, the group can be more engaged in mainstream policy through the American Medical Association. Efforts will also include civic engagement in health fairs and providing telemedicine services to South Asian nations.
Dr. Parikh wants to address three key priorities for the year July 2018 to June 2019: Opioid epidemic and awareness, to be coordinated by Dr. Kavita Gupta and Dr. Sanjay Gupta; Lymphoma and Leukemia Research, under the leadership of Dr. Vinod Shah; and, the Silent Epidemic, TB in India, with a major focus at The Global Health Summit to be held from Dec 28th to 30th in Mumbai. Dr. Ravi Jahagirdar, Dr. Manoj Jain of CDC and Chief Strategy Adviser of AAPI Anwar Feroz Siddiqi have been instrumental in coordinating this new initiative with the USAID and with various agencies in India. He plans to continue the “work initiated by past president Dr. Ravi Jahagirdar on Traumatic Brain Injury as we all know India is leading capital of roadside auto accidents resulting in deaths.”
He wants to continue to support past president Dr. Narendra Kumar’s project of Dr Ramesh Kumar Foundation for trauma rescue initiative in Kerala. Also, Dr. Parikh pledged to “work on Atherosclerosis prevention and education within Indian population, which is also very dear to me. Georgia Clinic will be doing research on patients in Atlanta Metro.”
Dr. Parikh was instrumental in launching of a new partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to end tuberculosis (TB) in India. Under the Memorandum of Understanding, signed earlier this year in New Delhi and announced in Mumbai, AAPI and USAID will work together to utilize the 100,000-strong network of physicians of Indian-origin living in the United States to support health programs in India, engage AAPI’s network of private charitable clinics for TB awareness, detection and treatment, and explore opportunities for collaborations between U.S. and Indian medical schools to exchange cutting-edge health care solutions.
The new executive team with BOT members
Speaking about the USAID-AAPI collaboration, Dr. Naresh Parikh, President of AAPI, said: “Elimination of Tuberculosis has been a matter of national concern for many years now. Through our partnership with USAID, we aim to bring American technical expertise to help strengthen India’s fight against TB. Also, we intend to bring in leading subject matter experts, introduce global best practices and cutting-edge business solutions that will complement and grow existing USAID programs in India.”
In his efforts to make AAPI’s voice heard in the corridors of power, Dr. Parikh wants to continue “our ongoing and year around efforts to have a meaningful and convincing conversation with USA Lawmakers to increase Residency Slots for Physician of Indian origin that can help fill up slots and partner with USA in easing shortage of Physicians, particularly in underserved areas. This effort is being coordinated by Dr. Ajeet Singhvi who is very passionate about leading this initiative.
Dr. Parikh called upon the entire AAPI family to work towards staying united and for the betterment of the organization they all love dearly. “Let this year be a year of unity, progress and balance. Let us set aside all our differences and we all pledge to unite and work together as one team for betterment of AAPI and keep AAPI in balance,” he said.
As the President of AAPI, Dr. Parikh will “carry forward my duties of AAPI Office and keeping transparency, accountability and branding of AAPI. Under the current dynamic and dedicated team of executives, we strive to achieve higher standards for AAPI and to achieve our chosen agenda. I am committed to working with the AAPI Team to establish AAPI’s image in the US and globally.”
During the luncheon, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthy, who spoke passionately about the fast-growing Indian American community, said, “The Indian-American community is often hailed as one of the most successful ethnic groups in the United States. According to census data, its members have obtained income and education levels far above the national average. But this socio-economic achievement has not translated into commensurate political clout, as shown, for example, by the community’s lack of success in federal elections.” He urged them to get actively involved in the political process of the nation. “We have the choice to be at the table or on the table. Given our heritage, we the Indian Americans belong at the table. Get actively involved in the affairs of the local community and that’s the path to larger role in the nation.”
Ambassador Sandeep Chakravarthy, Consul General of India in New York in his keynote address, praised the contributions of Indian American Physicians for their commitment, dedication and, especially for contributing to the advancement of Indo-US relationship. Describing it to be the “elephant in the Room, he spoke about how Artificial Intelligence is coming to play a key role in the healthcare sector. Dr. Parha Nandi, in his inspiring and motivational speech stressed the need for continuing to live one’s values in everyday decisions one makes despite challenges and fear of failures.
Speakers on the podium during AAPI gala
Dr. Ashok Jain, the outgoing Chair of BOT, delivered his address, enumerating the accomplishments of AAPI and wishing the new Team under Dr. Parikh all the best wishes. “As the Chairman of BOT of AAPI, it has been an eventful and exciting year for me and for all in AAPI. We have had many new beginnings and shutting down of some programs. We faced many challenges, specially cleaning up of voters list and membership list and conducting a smooth and peaceful election in 2018. During the past year, we have initiated many new projects and programs both here in the US and in India. Welcome to Dr. Kothari as the new BOT chairman. We all know, he is a man of principle and knows the bylaws by heart. He is our new BOT CHAIR, and a great asset to AAPI. I wish Dr. Kothari and the new team under his leadership, and the new Executive committee under Dr. Naresh Parikh good luck and best wishes in the coming year,’ he said.
AAPI honored its own accomplished members for their excellence in respective areas. Dr. Atul Mehta was honored as the Most Distinguished Physician; Dr. Amit Chakraborty for his Distinguished Service; Dr. Jay Bhatt as the Most Distinguished Young Physician from YPS; and Dr. Rahul Damania as the Most Distinguished MSRF member. Research and Poster Contest winners were recognized and given cash awards. Dr. Kanuj Patel and Dr. Amu Susheela were declared the winners.
The India-focused CEO Forum discussed about concrete ways AAPI delegates can contribute to the growth of the nation. Children were engaged in several activities challenging their minds. A beautifully choreographed fashion show was a treat to the hearts and souls of all as beautiful women and handsome men cat walked wearing elegantly designed Indian attire.
Physicians of Indian Origin in the United States are reputed to be leading health care providers, holding crucial positions in various h
A Section of the audience at the gala
ospitals and health care facilities around the nation and the world. Known to be a leading ethnic medical organization that represents nearly 100,000 physicians and fellows of Indian Origin in the US and being their voice and providing a forum to its members to collectively work together to meet their diverse needs, AAPI members are proud to contribute to the wellbeing of their motherland India, and their adopted land, the United States. The convention is a forum to network, share knowledge and thoughts, and thus, enrich one another, and rededicate for the health and wellbeing of all the peoples of the world.
Dr. Naresh Parikh invited all delegates to come and participate at the 37th annual convention to be held in Atlanta, GA from July 3rd to to 7th 2019. And the Global Healthcare Summit is planned for December 28th to 30th, 2018 in Mumbai. We look forward to seeing you all in Atlanta, GA for the convention and for the GHS in Mumbai, India!” For more information on AAPI and the 36th convention, please visit: www.aapiconvention.org
Columbus, OH: July 5th, 2018: With ribbon cutting and lighting of the traditional lamp below a beautifully decorated arch, Andrew J. Ginther, Mayor of Columbus and Acharya Lokesh Muni ji officially inaugurated the 36th annual convention of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) at the Convention Center in Columbus, OH on July 5th, 2018.
In his warm welcome address, Dr. Gautam Samadder, President of AAPI, reminded the more than 1,500 AAPI delegates from across the nation of the historic nature of the convention. “The Future is now– Its time to step up to a new era of innovation through a new age of digital healthcare that transcends biological and chemical medicine into the future. As physicians we must be equipped to tackle the next generation’s unique set of challenges and opportunities in healthcare,” Dr. Samadder said.
In his opening remarks, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther praised the many contributions of AAPI members in the United States and particularly in the state of OHIO. “You have excelled in your fields of medicine, and thus make significant contributions through hard work, commitment and dedication to your profession and the people you are committed to serve,” he said. While conveying his greetings and best wishes to AAPI leaders for the success of the convention, the mayor described the fast growing health sector, particularly the pharmaceutic industry in India. Mayor Andrew highlighted the fast growing and diverse city that Columbus has become and urged Indian American physicians to invest in and make Colubus city their home.
Acharya Lokesh Muni ji, in his inspiring address to the audience, highlighted importance of having a platform such as this to share knowledge. He underscored the importance of ancient Indian wisdom that is the basis for modern Medicine. While praising the contribution of the physicians to the world, he reminded them that they are participating in the work of God and what they do today will shape the future of the world.
Member of Indian Parliament, Vallabhbhai Katharia said, Physicians of Indian origin are well known around the world for their compassion, passion for patient care, medical skills, research, and leadership. “Indian-Americans constitute about one percent of the country’s population, but you account for nine percent of the American doctors and physicians, serving one out of seven patients being treated across the nation.” He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his inspiring leadership, steering the largest democracy in the world to new heights. He urged AAPI to endow an AAPI Chair in India to share the knowledge and experience of AAPI members with their counterparts in India. Dr. Veena Gandhi of the Health Foundation of Rural India shared with the audience the immense job the Foundation does in 70,000 villages across India, benefitting millions of people.
At the Business Meeting and the Fund Raising led by AAPI Charitable Foundation, Dr. Chander Kapasi helped raise money for the Foundation, while highlighting the many charitable initiatives of AAPI both in India and in the United States. Also, AAPI recognized Raja Rajadhyaksha and Dr. Sanju Bhghya for their contributions to the society and for AAPI. Earlier, Neeraj Anthani, the youngest elected official in the Ohio state Assembly felicitated AAPI and he presented a Citation to AAPI.
A spectacular fashion show by Rohit Verma kept the audience spell-bound for an hour, while the Mystic India show took the audience to a heavenly journey, showcasing the brilliant Indian dance forms performed elegantly by talented artists.
The day was packed with back to back seminars and CMEs and conferences, including Beauty Pageant, Children and Youth activities, Medical School Alumni meetings, and inspiring speeches and a busy market place where vendors lured AAPI members with their specialty products.
This CME program is being jointly sponsored the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin and has been designed to meet the educational needs of Primary Care physicians – Internists, Family Practitioners, Pediatricians, and Specialists – Cardiology, Oncology, Endocrinology, Surgery and other specialties involved in the care of patients with Atrial Fibrillation, HIV disease, Diabetes, Dyslipidemia, Depression, Prostate and Hematologic malignancies and Back pain.
CMEs provided comprehensive and current reviews and guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of various disease states to reduce morbidity and mortality and achieve cost effective quality care outcomes, enabling the attendees to gain an understanding of the causation, diagnosis and the best clinical practices for the management of the diverse group of diseases discussed during this program. AAPI members get 10 hours of CME credit hours for attending in these sessions led by world’s leading thought leaders, physicians and healthcare industry leaders.
Dr. John Johnson, Chair of the Convention Committee, praised the Local Chapter members for their hard work and dedication in meticulously planning and organizing this mega event.
Dr. John Johnson, Chair of the Convention Committee, praised the Local Chapter members for their hard work and dedication in meticulously planning and organizing this mega event. For more information on AAPI and the 36th convention, please visit: www.aapiconvention.org
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a globally revered spiritual and humanitarian leader, led the over 1,700 AAPI delegates and their families to an authentic experience of yoga and meditation at the 36th annual convention of AAPI, though a meditation session here today at the Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH on July 6th, 2018.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who has spearheaded an unprecedented worldwide movement for a stress-free, violence-free society, in his keynote address at the AAPI Executive Committee Luncheon, addressed the AAPI delegates to work towards preventing health problems by learning and living a stress-free life, before they could lead others to a stress-free healthy life.
Delegates of AAPI that represents nearly 100,000 Physicians, Fellows, and Residents in the United States, were led to meditate after an inspiring address on Yoga and Health by global thought and spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The unique event served as a platform for the AAPI members to discuss the importance of meditation in resolving the nation’s pressing health concerns and how Ayurveda, Yoga, and Meditation, the ancient traditions of India offer solutions to the most pressing health problems of the world.
Sri Sri travels the world sharing wisdom and insights on a number of timely and important topics. He has written books that teach and inspire. His talks motivate and encourage, offer comfort and reassurance, and provide insights for daily living. He encouraged physicians to learn how to use pulses to assess people’s illness, which he said, could precede the many tests we do to determine one’s health.
“The secret of meditation is in letting go,” Sri Sri told the gathering, which included AAPI members and their families. “Stress arises when we have too much to do, and not enough energy or time to do it. We can neither change time nor the number of things we need to do. So, the only option is to increase energy levels. And this can be accomplished through yoga, breathing techniques and meditation,” Sri Sri elaborated.
His message to educators was: A happy mind lets you stay calm; make better decisions and improve the overall quality of life, he told the Doctors, acknowledging that they lead a stressful life. He appealed that AAPI and its members work towards making Ayurveda more acceptable and universal; offering research to prove the benefits of yoga and meditation scientifically to make the world known and use these ancient techniques.
Research has demonstrated the benefits of yoga and meditation as an effective method in reducing stress, managing depression and improving sense of well-being. In just three decades, the programs and initiatives by Sri Sri have touched the lives of over 370 million people in 152 countries, including many areas of conflict and disaster where he has offered stress- and trauma-relief programs, which have been successful in reducing the negative effects of PTSD and curbing violence.
Leading up the 20 minutes long meditation, Sri Sri told the Doctors: “Meditation is that space where thoughts have subsided and the mind is in complete rest. Meditation is the journey from movement to stillness, from sound to silence. Yoga is like a vast ocean. Yoga offers many things to different people at many different levels–whatever they aspire for: union with the cosmic consciousness, or physical health, mental clarity, emotional stability, spiritual ecstasy — all this is part of yoga.” With the chanting of “Om” that filled the Auditorium, the entire assembly in silence, he told them to go with the flow of the mind.
“Surrender is not an act, it is a state of your being. Whether you acknowledge it or not, it is there. The wise wake up and see, the unwise take a longer time. Know that you have no choice, you are in a state of surrender deep within you,” he said.
On the importance and the need to practice Yoga, which leads to one’s holistic health, he said. “Yoga is more than just stretches, poses and an elastic body. It provides inner comfort and enables you to access your intuitive ability, which is a necessary ingredient in any field – be it business, arts, science or sports,” said Sri Sri. “The ancient secrets of Yoga hold the key to open a new dimension in your life beyond body and mind that will unlock your potential and tap into a field of infinite possibilities to live a deeper, more joyous life. Yoga brings good health, sharpness of intellect, creativity, emotional stability and a broad vision.”
Dr. Gautam Samadder, President of AAPI, in his welcome address, stressed the importance of ancient Indian traditions and how they sow the way to a healthier life in modern world. He thanked the many sponsors of AAPI who made the convention a success. “We are so fortunate to have Sri Sri, who travels the world sharing wisdom and insights on a number of timely and important topics, and is a world –renowned author of books that teach and inspire, has graciously come and be with us enlighten us all with his wisdom. His talks motivate and encourage, offer comfort and reassurance, and provide insights for daily living,” he said.
Dr. Samadder felicitated his executive Committee members with a plaque for their leadership and support for the past year under his leadership.
Dr. Vanila M. Singh, M.D., MACM, the Chief Medical Officer for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in her address, shared with the audience the initiatives of Trump administration on healthcare policy and effective delivery of services. she provided a detailed description of her department and the vital services she and the Department provides to the nation.
The Chief Medical Officer serves as the primary medical advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Health on the development and implementation of HHS-wide public health policy recommendations, including 11 core public health offices, the Office of the Surgeon General, 12 advisory committees, and 10 regional offices. Dr. Singh’s portfolio includes issues related to pain medicine, including opioid use and misuse; medical ethics; and public health.
During the five day event held from July 4th to 8th, attendees have the opportunity to engage with an impressive lineup of notable speakers and cutting edge medical and scientific information blended within a rich cultural backdrop of authentic Indian cuisine, fashion, yoga and entertainment from top Indian performers.
Dr. Naresh Parikh, President-Elect of AAPI, had praises for the memorable session with the world renowmed spiritual leader, and how the delegates of AAPI were led to meditate after an inspiring address on Yoga and health by global thought and spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. “The unique event has served as a platform for the AAPI members to discuss the importance of meditation in resolving the nation’s pressing health concerns and how Ayurveda, Yoga, and Meditations, the ancient traditions of India offer solutions to the most pressing health problems of the world,” Dr. Parikh said.
Dr. Ashok Jain, Chair of BOT of AAPI, highlighted the importance of ancient Indian traditions and how they sow the way to a healthier life in modern world. He thanked the many sponsors of AAPI who make conventions a success. “The presence of Sri Sri in our midst will not only enlighten us, but will enforce in each of us the important contributions of ancient India to the world, especially in the world of medicine,” Dr. Jain added.
A major highlight of the convention today was the historic 1st ever Summit on Opioid Crisis in the US, focusing on the prevalence, the causes and the ways to manage and address the concerns of the nation. The Women’s Forum led by Bollywood star, Hema Malini and featuring half a dozen Women Leaders inspired one and all for their leadership and how they overcame obstacles and transformed them into opportunities.
The convention offers an exciting venue to interact with leading physicians, health professionals, academicians, and scientists of Indian origin. Physicians and healthcare professionals from across the country will convene and participate in the scholarly exchange of medical advances, to develop health policy agendas, and to encourage legislative priorities in the coming year.
The convention includes CME and DME accredited courses as well as variety of panel discussions, presentations and a research competition. There are forums for AAPI Young Physicians Group (AAPI YPS) and for AAPI MSRF for medical students, residents and fellows. A nearly sold out Exhibitor Hall includes medical and pharmaceutical products, devices and equipment and medical and dental, practice-related services.
One in seven patient encounters in the United States is with a physician of Indian origin. The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) is the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States, representing over 100,000 physicians of Indian Origin in the United States. Over 2,000 physicians, health professionals, academicians and scientists of Indian origin from across the globe will gather at the popular Convention Center, Columbus, OH from July 4-8, 2018. For more details, please visit: www.aapiusa.org
(Columbus, OH; July 4th, 2018): The 36th annual edition of the AAPI Annual Convention& Scientific Assembly began here at Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH on July 4th, 2018 with the much anticipated AAPI’s Got Talent contest. Music, dance, magic, drama, poetry and more. The hidden and often unappreciated side of the physicians were showcased during a competition that was a treat to all the nearly 1,500 participants who enjoyed every moment of the event.
“AAPI’s Got Talent, organized by the AAPI physicians, is a chance for all registered guests of the convention to participate and compete in a talent show,” said Dr. Gautam Samadder, President of AAPI. “Physicians are not just about books and work. Our stress, our emotions that we learn to conceal, our tendency to imbibe life’s lessons and take it all as it comes is often channeled into artistic outlets where we let it all flow. In this hour-long competition brought out our artistic and creative side of our members,” Dr. Samadder added.
“AAPI’s Got Talent, organized by the AAPI physicians, is a chance for all registered guests of the convention to participate and compete in a talent show,” declared Dr. Naresh Parikh, President-Elect of AAPI, along with Dr. Samadder and the whole host of AAPIL leadership and organizing committee members, danced on stage to favorite Bollywood tunes before an enthusiastic audience. “It provided a chance for all registered guests of the convention to participate and compete in a talent show. Our talent event tagline is true to its word – passion truly meets professionalism in this event!” Dr. Parikh added.
Shree Saini, Miss India USA, made a special appearance at the event. Describing her experiences as the prestigious title winner as an opportunity for a year and beyond for “committed services to humanity.” The contest was elegantly emceed by Dr. Amit Chakrabarthy and Dr. Seema Arora. The evening culminated with a breathtaking musical extravaganza by world renowned artists, Palak and Palash.
On the 2nd day of the convention, an AAPI Pageant, organized and supported by AAPI is “more than just a title. It’s a movement for empowering women from all walks of life to achieve their dreams. This pageant promotes self-confidence, leadership, poise and public speaking skills as well as the strong presence of beautiful women in our community!” said Dr. John Johnson, Chair of the Convention Organizing Committee.
The 2018 AAPI Annual Convention & Scientific Assembly offers an exciting venue to interact with leading physicians, health professionals, academicians, and scientists of Indian origin. Physicians and healthcare professionals from across the country will convene and participate in the scholarly exchange of medical advances, to develop health policy agendas, and to encourage legislative priorities in the coming year. The AAPI convention will also offer 12 hours of CME credits. Scientific presentations, exhibits, and product theater presentations will highlight the newest advances in patient care, medical technology, and practice management issues across multiple medical specialties.
The convention will be addressed by senior world leaders, including US Senators, Nobel Lauretes, Governors, Congressmen, and celebrities from the Hollywood and Bollywood world.
World Leader and Humanitarian Sri Sri Ravishankar will be one of the keynote speakers at AAPI Convention. He will participate in Q & A session for Physician wellness program as well.
“Many of the physicians who will attend this convention have excelled in different specialties and subspecialties and occupy high positions as faculty members of medical schools, heads of departments, and executives of hospital staff. The AAPI Convention offers an opportunity to meet directly with these physicians who are leaders in their fields and play an integral part in the decision-making process regarding new products and services,” Dr. Ashok Jain, Chair of AAPI’s BOT, said.
In addition to the exhibition hall featuring large exhibit booth spaces in which the healthcare industry will have the opportunity to engage, inform and educate the physicians directly through one on one, hands on product demonstrations and discussions, there will be focused group and specialty Product Theater, Interactive Medical Device Trade Show, and special exhibition area for new innovations by young physicians.
“AAPI members represent a variety of important medical specialties. Sponsors will be able to take advantage of the many sponsorship packages at the 36th annual convention, creating high-powered exposure to the highly coveted demographic of AAPI‘s membership,” Dr. Suresh Reddy, Vice President of AAPI, said.
Representing the interests of the over 100,000 physicians of Indian origin, leaders of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), the largest ethnic organization of physicians, for 36 years, AAPI Convention has provided a venue for medical education programs and symposia with world renowned physicians on the cutting edge of medicine.
“Physicians and healthcare professionals from across the country and internationally have convened and are participating in the scholarly exchange of medical advances, to develop health policy agendas, and to encourage legislative priorities in the coming year. We are happy to have you all in Columbus, Ohio!” said Dr. Gautam Samadder.
One in seven patient encounters in the United States is with a physician of Indian origin. The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) is the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States, representing over 100,000 physicians of Indian Origin in the United States. Over 2,000 physicians, health professionals, academicians and scientists of Indian origin. Over 15,00 physicians and their families of Indian origin from across the United States have come together at the popular Convention Center, Columbus, OH from July 4-8, 2018. For more details, please visit: www.aapiconvention.org and www.aapiusa.org
The South Asian Council for Social Services, a community-based nonprofit assisting the South Asian community, has received a $700,000 grant from the OneCity Health Innovation Fund to implement its project, Culturally Responsive Collaborative of Queens (CRCQ).
OneCity Health selected eight community partners to receive funding from its $5 million Innovation Fund to implement programs that will reduce avoidable hospitalizations, improve community health outcomes, and address food security, health literacy and other factors that impact people’s health.
In collaboration with Voces Latinas, Polonians Organized to Minister to Our Community, The Young Women’s Christian Association of Queens Inc., the grant funding will serve the diverse needs of hard-to-reach populations to increase health literacy outcomes and connection to critical healthcare services, according to a SACSS news release.
This collaborative effort aims to bridge the health disparities by promoting health literacy and increase access to healthcare by connecting individuals to health insurance or culturally competent primary care provider, it added.
“We are thrilled with this award that will ensure the health and well-being of our communities. We believe that this encouragement from OneCity Health will serve as a strong step towards the realization of the DSRIP mission,” Sudha Acharya, Indian American executive director of SACSS, said in a statement.
In collaboration with Queens nonprofits Voces Latinas, Polonians Organized to Minister to Our Community (POMOC) and The Young Women’s Christian Association of Queens, Inc. (YWCA), the grant funding will serve hard-to-reach populations.
The $5M Innovation Fund was open to all OneCity Health partners, which includes more than 160 community-based organizations, hospitals, physician practices, pharmacies, behavioral health practitioners and others. OneCity Health encouraged partners to collaborate and submit joint applications, and ultimately received 41 applications from 55 partners.
SACSS was founded in 2000 with a mission to empower and integrate underserved South Asians and other immigrants into the economic and civic life of New York. We assist individuals and families in the areas of healthcare access,senior services, civic engagement, and other benefits. We provide basic and advanced English and computer classes. SACSS runs the first South Asian food pantry in New York. All of our programs are free and are provided by culturally competent staff members who speak 11 South Asian languages (Hindi, Bengali, Urdu, Punjabi, Gujarati, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, Nepali, Tamil, and Telugu) Creole, Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish and English.
More than 100 people attended the Hindu American Foundation (HAF)’s third annual policy conference this past Monday, June 18 in our nation’s capital. Taking place in the Rayburn House Office Building in the U.S. House of Representatives, the event focused on key policy concerns for Hindu Americans, including U.S.-India relations, immigration policy, and gun safety reform.
Keynoting the event was Nisha Desai Biswal, President of the US-India Business Council. Biswal, who was honored in 2015 by HAF for her previous work in the State Department, spoke to the growing realization in America of the immense opportunity that India represents.
“Businesses are seeing India as a primary focus for investment,” Biswal went on to say. That indeed there would be points of friction between the US and India on trade, “but I would not see them as a point of alarm, but as a point of opportunity,” she concluded.
Biswal’s keynote was followed by a lively and frank panel discussion on the need for immigration policy reforms to the way in which green cards are allotted and the challenges facing spouses of immigrants working in the United States under the H-1B high skilled worker visa program. The panel was moderated by HAF Managing Director Samir Kalra, Esq. and featured immigration advocate Padma Katapalli of GC Reforms, immigration lawyer Akanksha Kalra, Esq., and HAF National Leadership Council member Swami Venkataraman, who spoke about his own experience navigating the US immigration system.
Issues highlighted by the panelists included: the increasingly long time it takes to obtain a green card due to arbitrary per-country caps on the number of green cards given annually; the precarious nature of employment for H-1B visa holders, and their spouses, waiting for green cards; and how the current trends in US immigration policy are driving away tourists, students, and potentially high skilled workers and the business that hire them.
Akanksha Kalra described these latter changes as already building an “invisible wall” against future immigration.
The afternoon began with an emotional and poignant conversation between HAF Executive Director, Suhag Shukla, Esq. and Ms. Shanthi Viswanathan, a teacher from Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school in Parkland, Florida whose quick thinking and bravery is credited with saving the lives of her 27 students during the shooting there this past February.
After detailing the horrifying sequence of events of the tragic day when a teen gunman killed 17 people and wounded 17 more at the school, Ms. Viswanathan made a passionate plea for more effective regulations of firearms, as well as giving her frank opinions on what needs to be done to make our schools safer places.
“I understand the Second Amendment, hunting rifles, shotguns, but an assault rifle? What is the need for that?” she asked the audience rhetorically.
Viswanathan said she’s asked this question of ardent gun rights supporters. The answer she’s told is that they need these weapons for ‘freedom’’. But, “how does holding an assault rifle give you a sense of freedom?” she wondered. “I wouldn’t know how to explain ahimsa (non-violence) to them,” Viswanathan noted. “You don’t have to have that gun. Life is still good without it.”
The day concluded with a brief clip of the film “From India With Love”, directed by Mandar Apte. The film documents the journey to India, by a group of former gang members, racial justice activists, and other survivors of violence, who follow in the footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King’s trip to India nearly 60 years ago to explore the homeland of Mahatma Gandhi. The group becomes transformed by the spiritual and cultural journey, by their time together, and by the discussions and meditation experienced on the trip.
After the film, Apte, the 2018 winner of HAF’s Advancement of Dharmic Arts and Humanities Award, spoke of his work promoting the Hindu concept of ahimsa (non-violence) as a way to mediate conflict to major police departments across the country, foremost of these being the Los Angeles Police Department.
The U.S. chapter of “Life Global” held an event to familiarize the Indian American community with the various social projects conducted by the organization, at the Royal Albert Palace on June 27th. Dr. Sudhir Parikh, founder and chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media, was joined in this new initiative by Meetal Koticha Shah and Rushikesh Pandya, Project ‘Life’ representatives who came from India.
Chief Guest at the launch event was Consul General of India in New York, Sandeep Chakravorthy, who spoke about the commendable features of Life Global service in Gujarat, India. Ambassador of India shri Dr Sandeep Chakravorthy spoke about the necessity of medical and surgical camps not only in Gujarat but other states of India and gives involvement in supporting various projects. Consul General did emphasized on education by providing monetarily support in rural villages, clean water services and medical help by inviting supporters as investors in future and not a view of donations.
Others who who were present at the launch included former New Jersey Assemblyman, who is now Commissioner on the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Upendra Chivukula, Senator Freddie Thompson (D-NJ), peace activist Acharya Lokesh Muni; Chairman of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA NY-NJ-CT) Ramesh Patel and President of FIA NY-NJ-CT Srujal Parikh along with 200 other guests.
“One way to nurture our love for India among the next generation is to do some kind of philanthropic work. This commitment to philanthropy to help the underprivileged in India is not only deeply satisfying on a personal level but more importantly it is the uniqueness of India that makes it even more satisfying,” said Dr. Parikh as he encouraged everyone to pitch in. Dr. Parikh and his wife Dr. Sudha Parikh have been involved with Project ‘Life’ for many years now and it is because of their help that the organization has reached such a stupendous level.
“I would like to thank Dr. Sudhir Parikh and Dr. Sudha Parikh for organizing this event, keeping us together on this platform and it is because of them, we have come together today as they have spent some quality time at Project ‘Life,’” said Shah, the daughter of founder, Chandrakant Koticha.
“As I look back in time, the fact that a mission that was just a dream, has come to such a global level, is really hard to believe. Project ‘Life,’ a temple of humanitarian services, was born in the Saurashtra and Katyavad region of Gujarat and is now spreading its wings globally. We have been influenced by St. Mother Theresa and short but heart-touching phrase ‘live simply so others can simply live.’ She was the first distinguished guest to visit our blood-bank on Feb. 25, 1982, just 81 days after its inception,” Shah continued.
“The journey of Project ‘Life’ is full of miracles, unbelievable miracles and the association of exceptional people like you. My grandmother became a widow at the age of 23 and though she was married at the age of 14, she understood the value of education and it is because of her vision and rigorous hard work, I am standing here in front of you. My uncle and my dad lead a strong foundation of Project ‘Life’ in 1978 with an aspiration to support, sustain and enrich the lives of the underprivileged,” Shah added.
Shah also mentioned that the blood-bank is the mother of all interventions and as of today they have issued 592,567 units of blood components, saving more than 300,000 lives. Meetal Koticha Shah and Padma Shri Dr. Sudhir Parikh present a token of appreciation to the Share and Care organization. (Photo: Peter Ferriera)
From a state-of-the- NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers) & AABB (American Association of Blood Banks, USA) blood bank, the Koticha brothers expanded Project ‘Life’ beyond blood donation.
In 1990, Project ‘Life’ introduced their second intervention, the Life Greenfield Centre, which has distributed and re-planted more than 257,813 plants out of which 63 are indigenous, 23,000 have grown to be six to 15 feet and 17,000 plants are being nurtured for a three to four year period.
Project ‘Life’ was started on December 6, 1981 by brothers Shashikant Koticha and Chandrakant Koticha, as a blood-bank in Rajkot, Gujarat, India with the vision to support, sustain and enrich the lives of the poor and underprivileged in India through environmental protection, thalassemia prevention, education, health initiatives and women’s empowerment projects, as a way of giving back to the society.
Three years later, the organization started a Life Thalassaemia Prevention Centre where they screened 656,518 people for Thalassemia, which is a blood disorder that involves less than normal amounts of an oxygen-carrying protein and can be life-threatening. Today, they have screened over 1,442,152 people, preventing 117 births with Thalassaemia.
After the prevention of Thalassaemia, Project ‘Life’ decided to take up the initiative of education and though it was started in the year 2000, the Life Education Centre did not make an impact until the year after when Gujarat was struck with a 7.6 magnitude earthquake, which destroyed many buildings, including schools.
Today, Project ‘Life’ has constructed 78 Primary Schools in the rural areas of the state of Gujarat and it benefits 24,000 students each year as it has awarded 12,644 scholarships while 11,539 girls have received grants.
In 2003, Project ‘Life’ established a Life Health & Wellness Centre from which more than 579,403 people have benefited through Yoga ‘Shibirs’ and the Universal Healing Program, including 6,585 prisoners from 23 jails throughout Gujarat who benefited from Preksha Dhyan Shibir, a meditation camp.
The success of the project in Gujarat has been identified as one of the six Non-Resident Gujarati Centers and to facilitate connectivity of the Non Resident Gujaraties and Nonresident Indians with their love for homeland and to serve to uplift humanitarian activities Dr Sudhir Parikh provided structural podium for Indian Americans who want to help underprivileged people in India and did opening of new chapter of Life Global in New Jersey.
More than 10,000 children have been killed, maimed, raped, sexually assaulted while others were forced to serve the army or were caught in attacks at schools and hospitals. A total of more than 21,000 violations of children’s right were reported in 2017 a sharp increase from the previous year, according to the annual “Children and Armed Conflict” report.
The UN blames a US-backed Arab coalition fighting in Yemen for at least half of the more than 1,300 child deaths or injuries recorded in that poor nation.
They were victims of aerial and ground attacks by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on Houthi rebels opposed to Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
Among the casualties tallied in the report were child soldiers as young as 11 fighting in Yemen’s civil war and in other countries, the UN said.
“The point is, these kids should not be treated like children of a lesser God; they deserve the same rights as every kid to live their lives at least meaningfully and to be given a chance at recovery,” said Virginia Gamba, the UN special representative for children and armed conflict.
She said the report left UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres feeling “outraged”. The 21,000 violations of children’s rights included 10,000 who were slain or maimed, especially in Iraq, Myanmar, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen, the report said.
The total was a dramatic increase from 15,500 such cases counted in 2016. “The secretary-general is outraged at this number, a significant increase compared to previous years,” said his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric.
Among the report’s findings, almost half the 881 verified child casualties in Nigeria resulted from suicide attacks, including the use of children as human bombs. Over 1,900 children were detained because of their or their parents’ alleged association with the Boko Haram militant organization.
At least 1,036 children were held in Iraqi detention facilities on national security-related charges, mostly for their alleged association with the Islamic State group. Around 1,221 children were recruited and used as soldiers in South Sudan.
The al-Shabab extremist group in Somalia allegedly abducted more than 1,600 children, some recruited and armed and others who became victims of sexual violence. Children in Myanmar, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen were prevented from receiving life-saving support and were trapped in besieged areas amid deteriorating living conditions.
Gamba said government forces in various nations were responsible for about 9,000 violations.
“The report details the unspeakable violence children have been faced with, and shows how in too many conflict situations, parties to conflict have an utter disregard for any measures that could contribute to shielding the most vulnerable from the impact of war,” Gamba said.
When your own house or your school can be attacked without qualms, when traditional safe havens become targets, how can boys and girls escape the brutality of war? It’s despicable.
Thousands of Texans across the state came together to celebrate the 4th International Day of Yoga in partnership with the Consulate General of India in Houston and local organizations. They moved in harmony, stretching and breathing mindfully in guided yoga sessions across parks, schools, temples and community centers.
According to a 2016 Yoga Journal report, 36.7 million people practice yoga in the US, up from 20.4 million in 2012. The yoga market is now worth $16 bn (£12 bn) in the U.S.
Houston
In Houston, over 500 yoga practitioners showed up in their yoga gear at Midtown Park on June 21st. Non-Indians clearly outnumbered desis in the record turnout, proving that yoga has entered mainstream America.
New additions to the program included a demonstration of some of the most difficult yoga poses by Melissa Riedel, Reggie Ahmad, Austin Dunn and Nicklous Dutcher.
Yoga coordinator for Houston, Sharad Amin thanked the weather gods for a beautiful day and stated that the program “demonstrated universal oneness which can be achieved by Yoga, India’s gift to world.”
President and founder of Patanjali Yogpeeth USA and renowned yoga teacher, Shekhar Agrawal described yoga as a great step to “awaken the sleeping giant within us,” and invited the city’s top yoga teachers to take the gathering through some yoga asanas, relaxation techniques and meditation practices.
A concluding prayer was invoked to “channel our energies in the right direction” after which participants broke out in a lively exchange of powdered colors or Holi as it is known in India.
The Hindu Temple of the Woodlands hosted a yoga session on the morning of June 23. The young volunteers of their Vision to Reality project and Community Outreach Program by the Education Youth Service (EYS), organized the event in Town Green Park. Consul General of India, Dr. Anupam Ray and retired Vascular Surgeon, renowned Yoga Therapist & Ayurveda practitioner Dr. Dilip Sarkar were the Chief Guests. The session opened with a Sanskrit prayer wishing for peace and protection. International yoga educator Cat McCarthy took the stage and led the group through several movements. India House also hosted a yoga event which saw an attendance of 100 people.
Dallas
The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial of North Texas organized IDY at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Plaza in Irving, Texas on June 17th. Over 350 yoga enthusiasts in all age groups followed yoga instructor Vijay in the exercises, meditation and pranayama sessions for an hour. Breakfast was served for the participants and they were also given a Certificate of Appreciation. Vice Consul of India in Houston Ashok Kumar spoke about the significance of IDY and encouraged people to participate in the celebrations.
Austin
Austinites rolled out their yoga mats in front of the stately State Capitol building on June 16th in solidarity with the world on this day of peace and harmony. The event was presented by the Art of Living and co-sponsored by the Consulate General of India in Houston. The Austin community was unified once again for the fourth time in a row with a record turnout of close to a 1000 people which included City Council members, State representatives as well as members from the Veterans Yoga Project. The Mayor of Austin showed his support with a Proclamation and message for the event. The event also saw the participation of several yoga studios and like-minded organizations.
The 60 minute session of yoga, meditation and pranayama was followed by a striking demonstration of AcroYoga. The session concluded with Art of Living kirtan music and a classical Indian fusion dance.
San Antonio
San Antonio took the prize for the sheer number of yoga events in the city. This year, organizers heeded Consul General of Houston Dr. Anupam Ray’s suggestion and took yoga to the military and veteran community. Wounded Warriors who had lost their limbs in war and had been rehabilitated through yoga demonstrated several exercises at the San Antonio military base.
Maggie Grueskin, one of the main organizers in a message to the organizers in Houston wrote: “I feel amazed at the impact each of our cities are having on our communities, and feel gratitude for imparting the wisdom and community-building aspects of yoga with such a devoted group of people.”
In addition, about 47 multiple yoga events were held throughout the city on June 9th including a large yoga class of about 200 people at the iconic San Antonio Riverwalk, a presentation at the City Council District, an elementary school where 115 children participated, Libraries, Senior Centers and the County Court where the Bexar County court employees practiced yoga in front of the County Court.
Speaking to a cross section of people gathered at these events about what drew them to yoga, responses ranged from a search for spiritual awakening to yoga as an “avenue to heighten and grow” in the spiritual journey. One young lady spoke of “leaving everything at the yoga studio door” for an hour of peace and calm and then leaving the studio inspired to do good.
Some came to raise the vibrational frequency of the planet, connect with themselves and their bodies on a deeper level or get a perfect workout for the body, mind and soul.
Common responses to how it helped in daily life included being happier, fewer mood swings, increased concentration and energy, heightened productivity and a dramatic lowering of stress levels.
Yoga teacher Regie Ahmad, whose gravity defying yoga poses astounded the crowds, described yoga as his primary physical and spiritual practice. Five years ago when he told people he practices yoga, they looked surprised but now, he says, “it’s such a normal and mainstream thing to get into.”
Pranav Desai, an Indian American IT Professional, showcased his new phone app for people with disabilities, at the United Nations this month. The app will help create mass awareness and inspire government officials, engineers, civic planners and business community in efforts to ensure a life of dignity and equality for people with disabilities. According to a PTI report, Desai himself is a polio-survivor and is the founder of the Voice of Specially-Abled People.
Pranav Desai, a polio-survivor and founder of the Voice of Specially-Abled People(VOSAP), last week addressed a session during the 11th Conference of State Parties (COSP) to the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities here.
The VOSAP is a global advocacy organisation with its over 4,000 volunteers workingfor empowerment of persons with disabilities by inspiring everyone in society to take inclusive actions and pursue individual social responsibility towards the specially-abled.
During the session, the VOSAP explained its unique approach for creating inclusivesociety for persons with disabilities and how member countries can adopt this developing country model to benefit from this approach.
Desai has been spearheading campaigns to ensure an inclusive and accessiblesociety for persons living with disabilities, specially in India.
In 2016, Desai, a Silicon Valley-based IT professional, had welcomed the passage of the landmark Disabilities Bill by the Indian Parliament.
Having campaigned for the cause, he had said the bill will have a far-reaching impact and lay the foundation for transforming the country’s disability sector and bringing it on par with the developed world.
Desai is an adviser to the Department of Persons with Disabilities in India’s Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and was also appointed adviser to the ‘Accessible India’ campaign aimed at making transport, public spaces and information and communication technology accessible to differently-abled people.
During the UN session on June 14, Desai showcased to an audience, comprising UNdiplomats and civil society members, the VOSAP mobile app and its features such as the ‘Take Volunteer Pledge’ that can accelerate mass movements and encouragepeople’s involvement by creating local communities, globally.
Through it, volunteers can map out the accessibility level of key buildings in communities and call foraction in upgrading the accessibility facilities by spreading awareness among government officials, engineers, civic planners and the business community.
Desai said VOSAP focuses on inspiring everyone in the society for their individual social responsibility towards the specially-abled and this sensitisation, mass awareness and collective actions by leaders and volunteers has yielded huge social impact over the last four years.
“Its key message is that ‘everyone is temporarily-abled’ so people should not ignore the needs and rights of the ‘Divyang jan’ and instead create accessible and inclusivesociety,” he said, adding that when everyone embraces their individual social responsibility, the disability rights movement can achieve its goals much faster.
Addressing the inaugural day of the conference, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres had said that cementing and protecting the rights of around 1.5 billionpeople around the world in accordance withthe Convention on the Rights of Personswith Disabilities is a “moral imperative”.
He described the Convention as one of the most widely-ratified international human rights treaties, which reaffirms that people with disabilities are entitled to the same treatment as everybody else.
Dr. Andy Khawaja, an Indian American has been appointed to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). US Senate Democratic Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) appointed the founder and CEO of Allied Wallet, a leading online payment service provider headquartered in Los Angeles to the independent US Body. He founded Allied Wallet in 2005 and the company now has a presence in Germany, India, Macau, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.
“USCIRF welcomes the appointment of Dr. Andy Khawaja to the Commission. With threats to freedom of religion or belief around the globe growing rapidly, we look forward to adding his voice and efforts to the vital work of the Commission,” said USCIRF Chair Tenzin Dorjee.
In addition to his work as an entrepreneur, Dr. Khawaja has shared his knowledge of various issues, including the Middle East, cybersecurity, and banking, with government officials at the national, state, and local levels. He has met with officials from current and previous presidential administrations as well as Members of Congress.
Dr. Khawaja also has delivered keynote and commencement speeches at Sheikh Zayed University, Abu Dhabi University, Lebanese American University, the Lithuanian Youth Summit, and the Baltic States University. He has been featured in numerous publications including Forbes, Time Magazine, Bloomberg, The Guardian, and Wired Magazine.
In 2016, he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in Humanitarian Studies by the Lebanese American University. Dr. Khawaja is fluent in five languages, including Arabic, French, and German.
Comprised of nine commissioners, USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan federal body that is principally responsible for reviewing the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom internationally and making policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress. The President and leadership of both political parties in the Senate and House of Representatives appoint USCIRF Commissioners.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission, the first of its kind in the world. USCIRF reviews the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations abroad and makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the Congressional leadership of both political parties.
According to government data released on Friday, Indians have deposited 44 per cent higher advance personal income tax in the first quarter of 2018-19 (April-June) than they did in the same period last year. In the corporate tax front too, companies have paid 17 per cent higher advance tax this quarter than last year.
What has cheered the government is the over 40 per cent growth for the second year in a row on the personal tax front, while there are signs that the corporate sector is performing better with the growth rate more than doubling from 8 per cent in June 2017, despite the weak show put up by banks.
Increase in collection of personal income tax indicates more people are in the tax net than earlier. Finance minister Arun Jaitley seconded this view in a blog post published on Friday. “Increase in the amount of collections in category of personal income tax is also due to more people coming within the tax net,” he wrote. On the other hand, increase in corporate tax payment means India Inc is seeing increase in sales and expects profits to improve in the days to come.
What started as innocent online phenomenon has ended up being the lifeline for everyone on the Internet. Social media is, of course, fun and a great way to stay connected to people. However, the pressure to be popular or viral has made people do illogical things just to grab attention. The risks of oversharing on social media are simply way more than what meets the eye.
Users often unknowingly share information about their exact location – exposing another layer of personal information – because they are confident of their online safety. Hackers have proven otherwise, stealing $172 billion from 978 million consumers in 20 countries in the past year, according to the global 2017 Norton Cyber Security Insights Report.
June 30 is marked as ‘Social Media Day’ and while you would want to celebrate this on your Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat or Instagram accounts, here are five dangerous habits you must quit to avoid being victims of stalking, cyber-bullying, identity theft or simply getting trolled, as per Norton.
Sharing everything with everybody is not a clever thing to do. All social media sites give the option to limit post viewing to specific audiences. Take the time to explore these settings, try different options to suit the best privacy setting. For instance, both Facebook and Twitter let you create custom lists of people who are allowed to view specific posts. As you get better at using the privacy settings, bear in mind that not all privacy settings “translate” between websites. For instance, some Facebook users have reported that photographs they set to “private” on Facebook were still indexed publicly in Google Image Search—and could be found by searching for their names. If you don’t want it found publicly, simply don’t post it.
Years ago, social media users competed with one another to have the largest number of connections. Today, however, smart users know that the more people you are connected to, the harder it is to control what happens to the information you post. Make sure you know the people you add on social media, in real life if possible. Don’t hesitate to use the “block” feature when the situation seems to call for it.
“Social engineering” involves attackers using whatever information they can glean from your public profiles – date of birth, education, interests – to try to get into your accounts on all sorts of services. Just imagine how easily someone can find out the name of your first pet or school from your social media profile, then think about how many services use them as security questions. Keep as much of your profile private as you can and think twice before posting every aspect of your life online.
If you are using a public computer, make it a ritual to log out—and log out of private devices from time to time as well. Logging out helps ensure that other people won’t snoop your social media profile and use it to attack your friends, change your personal information to embarrassing or slanderous comments, or worse, change your password and lock you out of your own account entirely.
It’s a pain, but it is also absolutely essential that you don’t use the same password for Twitter as you do for, say, Facebook, Instagram and other social media websites. Using a single password makes it easy for hackers, as gaining access to one means gaining access to all – and imagine how painful it will be when you find you’re locked out of your entire online life. When you use one password for multiple services, you’re only as safe as the least secure service you use.
When it comes to relationships, most of us are winging it. We’re exhilarated by the early stages of love, but as we move onto the general grind of everyday life, personal baggage starts to creep in and we can find ourselves floundering in the face of hurt feelings, emotional withdrawal, escalating conflict, insufficient coping techniques and just plain boredom. There’s no denying it: making and keeping happy and healthy relationships is hard.
But a growing field of research into relationships is increasingly providing science-based guidance into the habits of the healthiest, happiest couples — and how to make any struggling relationship better. As we’ve learned, the science of love and relationships boils down to fundamental lessons that are simultaneously simple, obvious and difficult to master: empathy, positivity and a strong emotional connection drive the happiest and healthiest relationships.
“The most important thing we’ve learned, the thing that totally stands out in all of the developmental psychology, social psychology and our lab’s work in the last 35 years is that the secret to loving relationships and to keeping them strong and vibrant over the years, to falling in love again and again, is emotional responsiveness,” says Sue Johnson, a clinical psychologist in Ottawa and the author of several books, including Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love.
That responsiveness, in a nutshell, is all about sending a cue and having the other person respond to it. “The $99 million question in love is, ‘Are you there for me?’” says Johnson. “It’s not just, ‘Are you my friend and will you help me with the chores?’ It’s about emotional synchronicity and being tuned in.”
“Every couple has differences,” continues Johnson. “What makes couples unhappy is when they have an emotional disconnection and they can’t get a feeling of secure base or safe haven with this person.” She notes that criticism and rejection — often met with defensiveness and withdrawal — are exceedingly distressing, and something that our brain interprets as a danger cue.
To foster emotional responsiveness between partners, Johnson pioneered Emotionally Focused Therapy, in which couples learn to bond through having conversations that express needs and avoid criticism. “Couples have to learn how to talk about feelings in ways that brings the other person closer,” says Johnson.
According to Carrie Cole, director of research for the Gottman Institute, an organization dedicated to the research of marriage, emotional disengagement can easily happen in any relationship when couples are not doing things that create positivity. “When that happens, people feel like they’re just moving further and further apart until they don’t even know each other anymore,” says Cole. That focus on positivity is why the Gottman Institute has embraced the motto “small things often.” The Gottman Lab has been studying relationship satisfaction since the 1970s, and that research drives the Institute’s psychologists to encourage couples to engage in small, routine points of contact that demonstrate appreciation.
One easy place to start is to find ways to compliment your partner every day, says Cole — whether it’s expressing your appreciation for something they’ve done or telling them, specifically, what you love about them. This exercise can accomplish two beneficial things: First, it validates your partner and helps them feel good about themselves. And second, it helps to remind you why you chose that person in the first place.
When it comes to the brain and love, biological anthropologist and Kinsey Institute senior fellow Helen Fisher has found — after putting people into a brain scanner — that there are three essential neuro-chemical components found in people who report high relationship satisfaction: practicing empathy, controlling one’s feelings and stress and maintaining positive views about your partner.
In happy relationships, partners try to empathize with each other and understand each other’s perspectives instead of constantly trying to be right. Controlling your stress and emotions boils down to a simple concept: “Keep your mouth shut and don’t act out,” says Fisher. If you can’t help yourself from getting mad, take a break by heading out to the gym, reading a book, playing with the dog or calling a friend — anything to get off a destructive path. Keeping positive views of your partner, which Fisher calls “positive illusions,” are all about reducing the amount of time you spend dwelling on negative aspects of your relationship. “No partner is perfect, and the brain is well built to remember the nasty things that were said,” says Fisher. “But if you can overlook those things and just focus on what’s important, it’s good for the body, good for the mind and good for the relationship.”
Ultimately, the quality of a person’s relationships dictates the quality of their life. “Good relationships aren’t just happier and nicer,” says Johnson. “When we know how to heal [relationships] and keep them strong, they make us resilient. All these clichés about how love makes us stronger aren’t just clichés; it’s physiology. Connection with people who love and value us is our only safety net in life.”
Yoga is among India’s most popular cultural exports. People across the globe have adopted the ancient practice for its physical, mental and spiritual benefits. But along the way, yoga has morphed and been adapted to suit the modern gym-going public, leading some yogis to voice concern that it has become little more than a series of stretching exercises, divorced from its roots as a meditative discipline.
June 21st, declared as the International yoga Day by the United Nations has drawn crowds in celebrations around the globe. The International Yoga Day, since its inception in 2015, has grown to be on the most popular cultural mass movements in the world. This year was no different as, from Dehradun in India – where Prime Minister Narendra Modi began proceedings with some asanas, to Kota in Rajasthan which created a new world record for turnout, to Times Square in New York City, where thousands of people swamped the area in bright green mats, the phenomenon was truly dazzling and spectacular to watch.
Some 50,000 people gathered with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 21 in the Himalayan foothills in Dehradun to salute the power of yoga. More than 35 volunteers from different foreign countries participated in the event and performed 21 yoga postures along with nearly 50,000 people who stretched their bodies in the sprawling lawn of Dehradun’s Forest Research Institute lawn surrounded by Shivalik peaks from three sides.
Yoga “is enriching millions of lives all over the world,” Modi said in a speech. He also urged Indians to take pride in their heritage. “The gems of India’s unique heritage, such as yoga, will be respected by the world at large only when we ourselves respect our culture and traditions,” he said. Modi said that yoga has the power to unite individuals, society, the country and the world at large, and has emerged as a major unifying force globally.
Modi said that the world has embraced yoga and this can be seen in the manner in which the International Day of Yoga is marked every year. “In fact, Yoga Day has become one of the biggest mass movements in the quest for good health and well-being,” he said, adding that yoga is beautiful because it is “ancient yet modern.” He noted that International Yoga Day celebrated across the world. “From Dehradun to Dublin, Jakarta to Johannesburg and Shanghai to Chicago people are celebrating yoga day all across the world. Yoga is giving new energy to global friendship, he said.
Modi also marked the day with a video conference address to the International Yoga Day Celebrations at the United Nations in New York. In December 2014, following a request from Modi, the U.N. General Assembly declared June 21 the International Day of Yoga. The proposal had a record number of cosponsors – 177 countries supported it – and was adopted faster than any other proposal in the history of the world body.
Modi was the one who initiated the International Yoga Day, imploring for it to be initiated, at his iconic speech at the United nations General Assembly in 2014. It has become his signature movement, in his first term in office.
Talking of yoga, at the UN, in 2014, Modi had invoked India’s traditions, saying, “It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day.” The Prime Minister said that yoga is beautiful because it is “ancient yet modern. It is constant yet evolving. It has the best of our past and present and a ray of hope for our future. In yoga, we have the perfect solution to the problems we face, either as individuals or in our society,” he said.
A highlight of this year’s celebrations was Kota in Rajasthan establishing a world record on Thursday when around two lakh people performed yoga at one place on the occasion of the International Yoga Day. The event took place in the presence of yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia at the RAC ground.
Baba Ramdev tweeted that more than two lakh people performed yoga on the International Yoga Day. “Yog is the best way for the students to de-stress themselves. Thousands of students have joined #YogainKota, the education capital of Rajasthan,” he tweeted. Till date, Mysore shares the record where around 55,506 people performed yoga simultaneously at one place on International Yoga Day.
India’s President Ram Nath Kovind participated in the fourth International Yoga Day celebrations in Paramaribo along with his Suriname counterpart Desire Delano Bouterse, Vice President Michael Ashwin Adhin and other dignitaries. Kovind is on a visit to Suriname, which has a large number of Indian expatriates too.
Addressing the gathering, Kovind said yoga is an ancient Indian tradition, but it does not belong to India alone. “It is part of humanity’s intangible heritage. Millions across the world, in every continent and among all communities, have embraced yoga and interpreted yoga in their own way. The practice of yoga has had a beneficial impact on their bodies as well as their minds. Particularly in today’s world of stresses and lifestyle diseases, yoga can help all of us,” he said. Yoga is the ultimate expression of Indian soft power and it has “won us love and affection” among yoga practitioners in all corners of the planet, including in Suriname, he said.
India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj led celebrations to mark International Yoga Day at the European Parliament (EU) in Brussels on Thursday, highlighting the importance of yoga for the modern world. “India believes in the concept that the world is one family. We are also celebrating our shared humanity and acknowledging our shared destiny,” she told the large gathering of EU parliamentarians, EU officials and yoga lovers and enthusiasts at the European Parliament.
She said that yoga represents one of the most powerful means for uniting the world and stated that “it is extremely heart-warming to see that India’s gift to the world has been so heartily adopted by the Europe. Today more than ever the world needs yoga,” she said, referring to the stressful lives people are leading today and added that “yoga restores harmony within. As I speak today, countries around the world are celebrating the International Day of Yoga, thereby, endorsing this holistic approach towards health and wellness,” she added. Shri Shri Ravishankar led a session on yoga at the event.
Here in the US, yoga celebrations began early in the week. In Washington, DC, it was celebrated on June 16 at the iconic US Capitol West Lawn. More than 2,500 people from all walks of life participated in these celebrations with fervor and enthusiasm. India’s Ambassador to the US, Navtej Sarna led the International Day of Yoga in Washington D.C. Welcoming the participants, Sarna noted that yoga is widely embraced by the American people as a survey conducted in 2016 showed that there were 36.7 million Yoga practitioners in the U.S.
The participants also included officials and representatives from the State Department, Smithsonian Institutions, World Bank, academic institutions, think tanks, representatives of various embassies, local representatives of Indian news media and other key local organizations.
Many leaders from the United States issued proclamations and felicitation messages to support and commemorate the 4th International Day of Yoga and spread awareness about yoga. These included Governor of Virginia Ralph Northam, Senator Timothy M. Kaine and Congressmen Don Beyer, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Gerald E. Connolly.
A guided yoga session based on ‘Common Yoga Protocol’ created by Government of India was conducted with the help of yoga demonstrators. The yoga session concluded with Sanskrit shlokas and shantipath.
The Indian Embassy had organized curtain raiser events, in collaboration with yoga organizations and yoga studios, at the India International School, John Hopkins University, Heartfulness Institute in Richmond, Virginia, Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Lanham MD, Chinmaya Mission and Durga Temple in Virginia, North Potomac Community Center. The embassy also acknowledges the cooperation given by ‘Friends of Yoga’ – a group of organizations which support and promote yoga in this region.
The International Day of Yoga was celebrated with enthusiasm and fervor at the historic Governor’s Island on June 16, in New York City. The event organized by the Consulate General of India, New York saw enthusiastic participation from people of all ages.
The historic setting of the event in New York City in many ways exemplified the eternal values of yoga. Governors Island wass a 72-acre island in New York Harbor, approximately 800 yards from the southern tip of Manhattan Island and separated from Brooklyn by Buttermilk Channel , approximately 400 yards. Perhaps signifying the global influence of yoga, the famous skyline of downtown Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty formed the backdrop of the event.
US Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney was the chief guest for the event, in which the Consul General of India in New York Sandeep Chakravorty also participated. While complimenting the organizers, she spoke of the benefits that yoga has on contemporary lifestyles.
“Yoga, which is derived from Sanskrit, means to join or unite and symbolizes the union of body and mind” said Maloney. “It is a unique way to approach an individual’s health and well-being. Practicing yoga has been shown to decrease stress, fatigue, and alleviate chronic pains, as well as improving physical fitness. I know first-hand the benefits of practicing yoga. It is an essential part of my life, I practice it as often as I can, and it helps me to find balance and peace.”
The event featured performances from Hindu Temple, Indian Cultural Association, Mallakhambh Federation, Sam Katz (David Lynch Foundation), Art of Living Foundation, Isha Foundation, World Yoga Community and the Battery Dance Co.
The performances included demonstration of yoga mudra, salutations, common yoga protocol, yogasanas on the pole, transcendental meditation, desktop yoga, yogic music and musical performances from the Salon Di Virtuosi and a dance performance by the Battery Dance Company.
The Consulate General of India in Chicago, in collaboration with the City of Chicago and Delhi Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International rolled out the fourth edition of International Yoga Day, June 16, at Millennium Park in downtown Chicago.
A lamp-lighting ceremony and singing of the National Anthems of India and United States launched the high profile event whose objective was to create a broad-based awareness about the benefits of yoga for all sections of society.
It was one of the mega events in Chicago in which about 100 community organizations and over 1000 Indian Americans and people belonging to other nationalities participated, along with their family and friends, a press release from the Indian Consulate in Chicago said.
Sister Tina from Brahma Kumaris of Chicago demonstrated the breathing technique, and a dance item by the students of Soorya Dance School followed. There was a demonstration of ‘Common Yoga Protocol’ and the event concluded with the recitation of Shanti Mantras.
India’s Consul General in Chicago, Neeta Bhushan, speaking on the occasion, dwelt on the benefits of yoga. She also thanked the office of the Mayor of Chicago for partnering with the Consulate and for enabling the Millennium Park to be used for the event.
Some of the well-known people who participated in the event included Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois; Andrea Zopp, president & CEO, World Business Chicago and former Deputy Mayor of Chicago; Smitha Shah, chair, Delhi Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, Mickey Straub, Mayor of Burr Ridge, Hardik Bhatt, former chief information officer in the Illinois Governor’s office; Ram Villivalam, candidate for Illinois Senate from District 8; and Alderman Joe Moore.
President Donald Trump, under mounting political pressure from angry members of his own party, signed an executive order Wednesday reversing his administration’s policy of separating children from their parents at the border and allowing families to instead be detained together. “It’s about keeping families together while ensuring we have a powerful border,” Trump said.
It was a dramatic turnaround for Trump, who has been insisting, wrongly, that his administration had no choice but to separate families apprehended at the border because of federal law and a court decision. The news in recent days has been dominated by searing images of children held in cages at border facilities, as well as audio recordings of young children crying for their parents — images that have sparked fury, question of morality and concern from Republicans about a negative impact on their races in November’s midterm elections.
Until June 20, the president, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and other officials had repeatedly argued the only way to end the practice was for Congress to pass new legislation, while Democrats said he could do it with his signature alone. That’s what he did. “We’re going to have strong, very strong borders, but we’re going to keep the families together,” said Trump, who said he didn’t like the “sight” or “feeling” of children separated from their parents.
He said his order would not end the “zero-tolerance” policy that criminally prosecutes all adults caught crossing the border illegally. The order aims to keep families together while they are in custody, expedite their cases, and ask the Department of Defense to help house families.
Justice Department lawyers had been working to find a legal workaround for a previous class-action settlement that set policies for the treatment and release of unaccompanied children who are caught at the border. Still, Trump’s order is likely to create a new set of problems involving length of detention of families, and may spark a fresh court fight.
The Hindu American Foundation, in response to Trump’s earlier actions, called them “unconscionable.” In a statement issued June 19, HAF said: “As immigrants or children of immigrants, as parents, as Hindus, we can find no legal, moral, or ethical justification for such actions.”
HAF’s Indian American executive director Suhag Shukla added: “Hindus place great importance on the family. Whether attempting to enter the United States to seek asylum, fleeing violence in their home country, or seeking better economic opportunities, separating children from their parents is abhorrent. Treating young, vulnerable children in such a degraded way is beyond not only Hindu values, but American values.”
A former Holy See envoy to Washington was sentenced here Saturday to a five-year prison term for viewing and sharing child pornography, the first time on record that the Vatican has convicted one of its own onetime diplomats for such crimes.
The punishment for Monsignor Carlo Capella, which included a fine of 5,000 euros, was just shy of the five year, nine-month term that prosecutors requested. The code of this city-state calls for imprisonment of up to five years for possessing and distributing child pornography but says penalties can increase if a “considerable quantity” of material is involved.
“The mistakes that I have made are clear,” Capella said in a statement just before his sentencing, where he said his interest in child pornography came during a period of emotional “weakness.”
The two-day trial brought quick closure to a case in which Capella was recalled from Washington last year after the Vatican rebuffed a U.S. attempt to drop diplomatic immunity. Capella, who also faced charges in Canada, will serve his sentence in a cell within the Vatican police barracks. He could also be removed from the priesthood in an upcoming canonical trial.
Capella’s criminal trial came as the Roman Catholic Church finds itself under pressure to more forcefully address the issues of clerical abuse and enact stricter punishments for those convicted of sex crimes. The church is dealing with high-profile abuse cases around the world, and Pope Francis faces a major decision about how to handle a crisis in Chile, whose bishops have offered to resign en masse over the coverup of sex abuse crimes in their nation.
Capella’s case had little precedent. Five years ago, a Polish archbishop, Józef Wesolowski, was recalled from a diplomatic posting and later ordered to stand trial on child sex abuse-related charges. He died before the trial began. Saturday, with several pool reporters in the courtroom, a tribunal president read the verdict and said Capella was “guilty of the charge levied against him.”
“It’s certainly a strong punishment,” said Michael Sean Winters, a columnist for the National Catholic Reporter. “I think there was a mistake — [Capella] should have been tried in the U.S. or Canada. Still, they’re going after these guys. That is how it should be.”
Francesco Zanardi, an Italian survivor of clergy sex abuse and president of the Abuse Network, said that people who share and view child pornography energize the market, which in turn “actually produces plenty more victims.”
At the opening of his trial Friday, Capella said that during his time at the Holy See’s embassy in Washington — a posting that began in 2016 — he had become a compulsive viewer and sharer of child pornography, although he came to see his behavior as “repugnant.” He said he had started to view child pornography after falling into a crisis that he associated with the move to the District, where he said he had little fulfilling work to do. A police investigator said during the trial that he had found several dozen files — photographs, drawings and videos — on Capella’s electronic devices, including footage of a small child in an explicit sexual act.
“I am sorry that my weakness has affected and caused pain to the diocese, the church, and the Holy See,” Capella said Saturday. He said he was “repentant” but hoped “this situation can be considered just an accident along the path of my life as a priest.”
The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin – Central New Jersey Chapter (GOPIO-CJ) honored Indian American achievers and community leaders at its 10th Anniversary Gala & Awards Banquet on Sunday, June 3rd at Ember Banquet, Monmouth Junction, NJ. Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. was honored as Friend of India. Ten Indian Americans were being honored for their achievements in their profession and service to the community.
Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty, the Consul General of India in New York was the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries include New Jersey State Assemblyman Raj Mukherji and Andrew Zwicker, West Windsor Mayor Hemant Marathe and South Brunswick Mayor Charles Carley and Council Woman Archana Grover. Close to 400 people attended the gala dinner and award ceremony which included entertainment choreographed and presented by Rina Shah, founder of AUM Dance Creations.
Ambassador Chakravorty, in his speech, praised GOPIO for its work, noting that the Government of India looks to this organization when it is engaged in policymaking for the diaspora. He appealed to Indian- Americans to encourage youth to apply for the Know- India program which sends second generation diaspora youth to India.
The program started welcome remarks by Dr. Rajeev Mehta, who founded the chapter in 2008 who is also the Secretary of GOPIO International followed by lighting of the lamp by immediate past president of the chapter Mr. Dinesh Patel, who also serves as Chairman of GOPIO International’s Chapter Review Committee and Automation.
During the event, Dr. Tushar Patel took over as president of GOPIO-CJ which was formed 10 years ago, from outgoing president Suresh Reddy. Dr. Patel told the media that his agenda was to increase the membership and take the organization to the next level to help the local community on issues such as health, discrimination, domestic violence, seniors issues, etc.
Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., D-NJ, representing District 6, was inducted as a ‘Friend of India’ in absentia. He has served as co-chair of Indian Caucus in the U.S. Congress; The Shri Krishna Nidhi (SKN) Foundation was recognized for its longstanding community service with a mission to improve total well-being; Ashok Luhadia, founder of US Pharma Labs, and Siby Vadakekkara of MarLabs, were recognized as an outstanding entrepreneur; Rina Shah, the director and founder of AUM Dance Creations, was honored for her contributions to the performing arts.
Two awards were also presented for achievement in media to Dr. Parikh, philanthropist, and chairman and publisher of Parikh Worldwide Media Inc., the largest Indian-American publishing group in the United States, which recently also acquired the television channel ITV Gold. Dr. Parikh has worked to improve U.S.-India relations, and encouraged second generation Indian- Americans to engage with the political process; and H.R. Shah, the chairman and CEO of TV Asia, who supports various social works, cultural, educational and related activities.
A special award was presented to Sparsh Shah (aka Purhythm), a 15-year-old multi-talented singing prodigy who was born with an incurable disease called Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a condition that makes his bones extremely fragile and brittle.
Amit Jani, the president and co-founder of the NJ Leadership Program was recognized for his contribution to the Indian American community’s political involvement. He serves in Governor Phil Murphy’s Administration. Pinakin Pathak, was recognized for his contributions to Public Service. He is an entrepreneur and community activist, a member of the Hindu-Jewish coalition, BAPS, and March of Dimes.
North American Telugu Association (NATA) President Rajeswar Gangasani Reddy was recognized for community service. In his acceptance speech at the event, Dr. Parikh reminded the audience of the need to do more for the community and for India. He also urged GOPIO to use his newly acquired TV channel to broadcast community events and for the public good.
TV Asia’s H.R, Shah told the audience that the community organizations should use TV Asia to convey its message to the Indian Diaspora community. The event was a “huge success.” Only 200 people were expected but some 370, attended, Dr. Mehta noted. “These awardees are role models and recognition of their achievements will motivate our new generations to contribute to our community and society at large,” Dr. Mehta said at the event.
“With a fast-growing Indian American population, we had a large number of nominations and we picked the best in the various categories.” GOPIO-CJ past-president Dinesh Mittal who is the Chair of GOPIO International’s Chapter Validation Committee said.
Dr. Thomas Abraham, founder of the umbrella GOPIO back in 1989, also spoke at the meeting. “I bring greetings from GOPIO-International. Which has a global network of several hundred Life Members and about 100 chapters in 35 countries,” he said, and noted the achievements of Indian-Americans on the national stage and in local elections, and in New Jersey in particular this past year, which saw an Attorney General, a Senator, Assemblyman, and Mayor as well as several other offices won by members of the community.
The June 3 gala included a cocktail reception, the awards ceremony, entertainment, dinner and dancing. GOPIO-CJ Founder President Dr. Rajeev Mehta who now serves as the Secretary-General of GOPIO International, said, “These awardees are role models and recognition of their achievements will motivate our new generations to contribute to our community and society at large.”
Every day, more than 115 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse. In 2015, more than 33,000 Americans died as a result of an opioid overdose. More than 64,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2016, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The misuse of and addiction to opioids—including prescription pain relievers, is a serious national crisis that affects public health as well as social and economic welfare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the total “economic burden” of prescription opioid misuse alone in the United States is $78.5 billion a year, including the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement.
According to The New York Times, of the estimated 2.1 million Americans currently in the grip of opioid addiction, many are women of childbearing age. The young-adult population has been hardest hit, proportionately, with nearly 400,000 adults ages 18 to 25 suffering from addiction to prescription painkillers (the vast majority) or heroin.
“It is in this context, for the very first time ever, a summit on the Opioid Crisis in the United States has been planned as part of the upcoming AAPI’s 36th Annual National Convention & Scientific Assembly, to be held from July 4-8, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio,” said Dr. Gautam Samadder, President of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin. This initiative of AAPI is being put together by Convention team and headed by Dr. Nikesh Batra.
“The summit scheduled to be held on Friday July 6, 2018 9:00am – 12:00pm during the Convention is aimed at educating and creating awareness among the delegates at the convention on the growing opioid crisis, and how the physicians can play a vital role in preventing and containing the fast growing epidemic in the US,” Dr. Samadder added.
Vanila M. Singh, Chief Medical Officer at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will be the keynote speaker. Singh serves as the primary medical advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Health on the development and implementation of HHS-wide public health policy recommendations.
“The essence of AAPI is educational,” Dr. Naresh Parikh, President-Elect of AAPI, said. “That translates into numerous Continuing Medical Education and non-CME seminars by experts in their fields. The Summit on Opioid Crisis will provide a platform for AAPI members to discuss and deliberate on effective ways to combat this national crisis, that is claiming hundreds of thousands of lives, affecting millions of families across the nation.”
The convention includes CME and DME accredited courses as well as variety of panel discussions, presentations and a research competition. There are forums for AAPI Young Physicians Group (AAPI YPS) and for AAPI MSRF for medical students, residents and fellows. A nearly sold out Exhibitor Hall includes medical and pharmaceutical products, devices and equipment and medical and dental, practice-related services.”
The opioid crisis has become a public health crisis with devastating consequences including increases in opioid misuse and related overdoses, as well as the rising incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome due to opioid use and misuse during pregnancy. The increase in injection drug use has also contributed to the spread of infectious diseases including HIV and hepatitis C. As seen throughout the history of medicine, science can be an important part of the solution in resolving such a public health crisis.
Dr. Ashok Jain, Chair, AAPI BOT said, “For the first time ever, AAPI is planning a special session on Health Care Law, which will be introduced by Dr. Hemant Patel, where round table discussion will be held between prominent lawyers, federal agencies, medical board and health care practitioner. The topics will include educating physicians about health care laws and how to take adequate precautions. This will be beneficial to AAPI members dealing with legal challenges they face in their practice.”
Also, for the first time, AAPI offers Living Well: The Happiness Program for Health Care Professionals. A unique advanced Physician wellness program that is designed from the ground up by medical professionals, for medical professionals. It’s meant to provide people working in the healthcare field with an opportunity to learn simple practices and utilize them to enhance their physical, mental, spiritual, and social wellbeing.
Giving them a platform to celebrate their accomplishments, the annual convention to be attended by nearly 2,000 physicians of Indian origin, it will also provide a forum to renew their professional commitment through continuing medical educations activities. During the five-day event, attendees will engage with an impressive lineup of notable speakers and cutting edge medical and scientific information blended within a rich cultural backdrop of authentic Indian cuisine, fashion, yoga and entertainment from top Indian performers.
The convention also includes AAPI’s Got Talent, organized by the AAPI physicians, is a chance for all registered guests of the convention to participate and compete in a talent show. It provides a chance for all registered guests of the convention to participate and compete in a talent show. “Physicians are not just about books and work. Our stress, our emotions that we learn to conceal, our tendency to imbibe life’s lessons and take it all as it comes is often channeled into artistic outlets where we let it all flow,” said Dr. Samadder. “Our talent event tagline is true to its word – passion truly meets professionalism in this event!” he added.
AAPI Pageant, organized and supported by AAPI is more than just a title. It’s a movement for empowering women from all walks of life to achieve their dreams. This pageant promotes self-confidence, leadership, poise and public speaking skills as well as the strong presence of beautiful women in our community!” said Dr. John Johnson, Chair of the Convention Organizing Committee.
The 2018 AAPI Annual Convention & Scientific Assembly offers an exciting venue to interact with leading physicians, health professionals, academicians, and scientists of Indian origin. Physicians and healthcare professionals from across the country will convene and participate in the scholarly exchange of medical advances, to develop health policy agendas, and to encourage legislative priorities in the coming year. The AAPI convention will also offer 12 hours of CME credits. Scientific presentations, exhibits, and product theater presentations will highlight the newest advances in patient care, medical technology, and practice management issues across multiple medical specialties.
One in seven patient encounters in the United States is with a physician of Indian origin. The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) is the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States, representing over 100,000 physicians of Indian Origin in the United States. Over 2,000 physicians, health professionals, academicians and scientists of Indian origin from across the globe will gather at the popular Convention Center, Columbus, OH from July 4-8, 2018. For more details, please visit: www.aapiusa.org
An art exhibition bringing together Hindu artists – who had to flee Indian-administered Kashmir – with their Muslim counterparts has struck an emotional chord with locals, reports Sameer Yasir. Avtar Krishan Raina, a Kashmiri Hindu or Pandit, has returned to the home he fled for the first time since he left in 1990 in order to participate in a unique exhibition that has brought artists and sculptors from his community together with Muslim artists.
Raina is one of an estimated 200,000 people in his community who were forced to leave the state in the early 1990s under threat from Muslim militants who had initiated a violent insurgency against Indian rule in the region.
One day, he says, he came home to find that separatist militants had stuck a poster outside his home. It demanded that he poison his dog, which barked whenever they were around. He realised they could all be killed during that “terrifying month” when a majority of the Hindus left.
“I took nothing with me and fled,” said Mr Raina, who now works as a painter in the central state of Madhya Pradesh. “I could never come back and had no interest in doing so either.” But when he arrived at the exhibition, he was greeted by an old friend – Mohammad Ashraf.
The former top bureaucrat had brought along a painting. He said it was the only thing he had saved from his home when Kashmir was ravaged by floods in 2014. “Remember, it was you who painted it in 1985,” Ashraf told Raina. “I fled the house with nothing but this painting.” Raina held the painting in his hands as tears rolled down his cheeks.
It is exactly this kind of reconciliation that the organisers of this exhibition have been hoping for. “Art is dialogue and conversation about difficult subjects,” said Mujtaba Rizvi, a Kashmiri Muslim art promoter, who decided to host this exhibition along with contemporary artist Veer Munshi. “A lot of barriers and misconception were removed. The art can become a medium of social intervention.”
Housed in the ruins of a century-old building that was once a famed silk factory in the state capital Srinagar, the seven-day exhibition runs until Sunday. “Only art has the power to build bridges between communities,” said Ratan Parimoo, a Kashmiri Hindu and art historian.
The temporary gallery is filled with art that reflects the depth of conflict suffered by the region. In one piece, a naked man bound by barbed wire sports a defiant smile – a sacred thread strung across his torso is the only indication that he is a Kashmiri Hindu.
“This is the story of the common man in Kashmir – whether they are Muslim or Hindu,” said artist Chushool Mahaldar, whose painting is a self-portrait titled Struggling Smile.
One installation by Mr Munshi features spinning objects. “It portrays how difficult it is to come out of conflict once you are in it,” said Mr Munshi, also a displaced Hindu. In the centre of the exhibition space lies an installation which, according to the artists, shows how Kashmir has been turned upside down in recent times. “It is important to look at the other side of the boat, which is always under water,” said Mr Munshi.
At the entrance to the exhibition is a 30ft (9.1-metre) long painting by Mamoon Ahmad, a Kashmiri Muslim artist. The ink drawing depicts a forest in which you see bones and trees – a reference to life amid death. The piece was inspired by the Urdu word ruveda, which means to “walk gently”. This, he added, tells the story of conflict in Kashmir – “by walking on its side, we are walking to bridge the gap between Hindus and Muslims”.
Despite the current political uncertainty – the fall of the coalition state government between India’s ruling Hindu nationalist BJP and the regional PDP – hundreds of curious residents thronged the venue “It is heart wrenching, but a difference experience,” said Saiba Khan, an art student at a local college. Khan said she had never seen a Kashmiri Pandit in her life, let alone an artist from the community. “It is as if their work, paintings and installations make this show complete.”
Is yoga just about being twisted into different positions like a pretzel or sitting cross-legged on a mat with closed eyes?
One might think of it as a class where you learn to twist your body but multiple gurus from Paramahansa Yogananda to Baba Ramdev, the yoga tycoon of the contemporary age, who have had a contribution in publicising Yoga in India and the world have popularised it as an ancient philosophy, much more than a mere physical activity and something which needs to be understood in order to fully benefit from it.
In December 2014, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted an India-led resolution recognising that “yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being” and declared June 21 as International Day of Yoga.
Since the time when Yoga gained prominence, the market has been inundated with books on
Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga and Bikram Yoga which are certainly among the most popular types.
A recently launched read written by Madan Kataria endorses something called Laughter Yoga, which is slowly making its way to the ashrams, gyms and fitness centres.
Kataria in his book, “Laughter Yoga”, published by Penguin, speaks of various ways of practicing Yoga with an abundance of laughter. The book costs Rs 250 and has 230
pages.
“…I credit laughter yoga with giving me the ability to walk through this dark valley to the light and happiness on the other side,” he writes.
He says that laughter triggers the release of a cocktail of chemicals and hormones that are extremely beneficial and crucial to good health.
Theories and researches confirm that humour plays for people in situations such as dealing with misfortune, making sense of rule violations, and bonding with others, we propose that underlying each of these theories are the physiological benefits of laughter.
“We draw on findings from empirical studies on laughter to demonstrate that these physiological benefits occur regardless of the theory that is used to explain the humour function.
Findings from these studies have important implications for nurse practitioners working in hospice settings, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and hospitals,” says research done at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) at Bethesda, Maryland.
Another new book in the market, “Yoga Shakti” by Shailaja Menon, is a like a catalogue of various yoga exercises presented on glossy pages alongside pictures demonstrating them. Published by Niyogi, the book costs Rs 495 and consists of 179 pages.
Menon, in the book, critiques the notion that yoga is a class where you learn to twist your body into different asanas.
Using personal experiences, she explains the origins of the philosophy and recommends daily exercises to help introduce beginners to it.
When we experience major trauma, the instinctive reaction is to shrink, Menon in her book writes, to the contrary the invitation of life and yoga is to keep expanding to keep evolving.
A part of a comprehensive, international effort to incite action around the world to defeat religious persecution and repression….
U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Callista L. Gingrich, stressed this when speaking about the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See-hosted symposium on religious freedom on Monday, June 25, 2018, on “Defending International Religious Freedom: Partnership and Action” at the Pontifical University of Santa Croce. It included opening remarks by the Ambassador and closing remarks by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
Presented in partnership with Aid to the Church in Need and the Community of Sant’Egidio, the symposium will promote the universal right of religious freedom and raise awareness of religious persecution, particularly in the Middle East.
Symposium speakers included Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches, Cardinal-designate Joseph Coutts, Archbishop of Karachi, Pakistan, Monsignor Khaled Akasheh, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Professor Marco Impagliazzo, President of the Community of Sant’Egidio, and Mark Von Riedemann, Director of Public Affairs at Aid to the Church in Need. Yazidi Community Activist Salwa Khalaf Rasho and the Iraqi Ambassador to the Holy See, Omar Al-Barazanji, spoke, and Victoria Alvarado, Senior Advisor for International Religious Freedom at the U.S. Department of State, and former Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See, served as moderator.
America’s 1st Freedom
Ambassador Gingrich stressed: “The right to worship freely is America’s first freedom, codified in the First Amendment to our Constitution. Safeguarding religious freedom is fundamental to the founding principles of the United States. It’s part of who we are as a people and a nation.”
“America’s Founders understood religious freedom not as the state’s creation, but as an inalienable right from God. Our commitment to this ideal remains steadfast.”
“As this year’s report shows – repression, violence, and discrimination are daily realities for millions of believers in every region of the world. In many cases, their human rights are limited or restricted entirely. Indeed, no religious community is immune from persecution.”
The Ambassador highlighted: In Venezuela, President Maduro attacks leaders of the Catholic Church for exposing that people are starving and lack medical care.
Terrorist groups in parts of Africa kill scores of Christians and Muslims, and abduct
schoolgirls.
Christian pastors and Baha’i are jailed in Iran for exercising their right to worship freely. Anti-Semitism is on the rise globally.
Russian authorities target and persecute peaceful religious groups at home and abroad.
Minority groups like Ahmadi Muslims are persecuted in Pakistan.
In China, Uighur Muslims are sent to re-education camps.
Tibetan Buddhists are forbidden to organize — and their leaders are imprisoned.
Rohingya Muslims face ethnic cleansing and displacement in Burma.
Saudi Arabia prohibits non-Muslims from practicing their religion in public, and imprisons individuals for apostasy and blasphemy.
And Christians, Shia Muslims, and Yezidis in the Middle East continue to suffer from ISIS atrocities.
“What is most astonishing is that these examples represent just a small portion of religious persecution and repression around the world. As these facts illustrate, it’s a dangerous time to be a person of faith. We are at a critical moment. We can and must do more.”
Unmask Masquerades
Cardinal Parolin adamantly reminded: ‘No violence in the name of religion is acceptable.’
Moreover, the Vatican Secretary of State recalled the Holy Father’s words when he visited Egypt and addressed al-Azhar University, Sunni Islam’s highest institute of learning, on April 28, 2017: “Violence is the negation of every authentic religious expression,” he said. “As religious leaders, we are called, therefore, to unmask the violence that masquerades as purported sanctity and is based more on the ‘absolutizing’ of selfishness than on authentic openness to the absolute.”
Cardinal Leonardo Sandri recalled the Holy Father’s Sept. 26, 2015, address at Philadelphia’s Independence Mall: “In a world where various forms of modern tyranny seek to suppress religious freedom, or, as I said earlier, to try to reduce it to a subculture without right to a voice in the public square, or to use religion as a pretext for hatred and brutality, it is imperative that the followers of the various religious traditions join their voices in calling for peace, tolerance and respect for the dignity and the rights of others.”
The Prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches highlighted how important it is to preserve Lebanon as well as the need to help Iraq.
Misuse
Cardinal-designate Joseph Coutts, Archbishop of Karachi, Pakistan, expressed how there used to be religious freedom in his country, but over time the right has ‘gradually eroded.’ He stressed, however, that not only the Christians suffer this, but also Muslims are targeted and persecuted.
The Blasphemy Law, he noted, is very easily misused. Even if there is no proof, one can easily be misused, to accuse someone of having ‘broken the law.’ When that person cannot defend himself from that accusation, then they face death.
He stressed that the way this law is formulated is very problematic, as it includes no consideration of ‘intent.’
No Compulsion
The Iraqi Ambassador to the Holy See gave a strong discourse. “One of the Human rights laws established by the United Nation, Article 1,2 and 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) consists of:
‘Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.’
“Also the Islamic religion has given this liberty for fourteen centuries in its texts and verses, one is very specific and says: ‘There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion.’”
Must Change
Monsignor Khaled Akasheh, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, stressed that religion should only be used to help other religions, not for any other reasons. He also noted that for progress to be made, they need to focus on helping people, rather than converting them, and that what is most important is not just ‘talking,’ but ‘constructing.’ The attitudes of people, as well as governments, he highlighted, must change.
Professor Marco Impagliazzo, President of the Community of Sant’Egidio, stressed that aside from the early centuries of the Church, those starting from the 20th Century are those where Christians are being persecuted the most. He also stressed how Sant’Egidio has been helping these suffering, but how more has to be done.
Mark Von Riedemann, Director of Public Affairs at Aid to the Church in Need, called for action. He stressed the need ‘to get facts straight,’ warning how much misinformation is circulating. In order to remedy these problems and make those who have had to flee, return, he said it is essential to find ways to help people integrate, get jobs, and set up basic infrastructure, such as water and electricity.
Horror Continues
Yazidi Community Activist Salwa Khalaf Rasho, whose Yezidi community has been subject to 74 genocidal campaigns throughout history, said the Islamic State killed thousands of Yezidi men ‘in the most horrific ways.’
“As a result,” she said, “about 60 mass graves have been found in my town of Sinjar. More than 6000 women and girls were kidnapped, including me and many of my relatives. We have been subjected to all types of sexual and physical abuse and violence. We were sold in slave markets.”
Having been kidnapped by ISIS and held captive for eight months, Salwa observed: ‘During this period I was subjected to unthinkable practices. I finally had the chance to escape from their grip, but other women and girls did not. More than 3,000 of them are still missing, enduring a fate of daily rape and torture which has constituted their lives for the past four years.”
Must Protect
Rev. Luis Navarro, rector of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, reminded: “After right to life, according to St. Pope John Paul II, religious freedom is the next important right. It must be protected.” He expressed his hope this conference helps to protect this fundamental right.
The symposium featured panel discussions on protecting religious minorities in the Middle East, and promoting religious freedom through interreligious dialogue. Participants included Holy See-accredited diplomats, faith leaders, civil society representatives, academics, and others.
“Defending International Religious Freedom: Partnership and Action” was a precursor to the first-ever “Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom,” which will be convened by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington, D.C., July 25-26.
The first ever Indian-American Impact Project Summit, held on June 7th at the National Education Association Auditorium in Washington, D.C., described as the largest gathering in recent years of Indian-Americans brought together dozens of Congressional and state Assembly aspirants, incumbents, community leaders, political activists and donors, numbering over 200.
Sponsored by the Indian American Impact Project, the day-long meeting was attended by nearly 200 Indian Americans.
Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), the first-ever Senator of Indian origin, delivered the keynote address. Harris’ remarks were followed by the other tag team: Pramila Jayapal of Washington state and Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, also both Democrats. Together the group forms an entity Krishnamoorthi affectionately calls the “Samosa Caucus.”
“Like many of you in this room, especially those who are pursuing elected office or may think of pursuing elected office, at the time in 2002, when I decided to run against him, I was told like many of you may have been told or will be told, ‘Hmm, nobody like you has done this before.’ “ she said. “ ‘Maybe, it’s not a good time, maybe they are not ready for you, it will be a lot of hard work.’ I didn’t listen. And, part of why I am here today, is to say, don’t you listen. This moment of time is a moment in time to that moment of time when my parents were active in the civil rights movement,” she said. The moment, she said, requires the community to be part of the fight for American ideals. Even in the face of powerful voices that are sowing hate and division among us, I know it to be true and believe we have so much more in common than what divides us,” she said.
“The summit was first-ever event of its kind,” said Gautam Raghavan, executive director of the newly minted Impact Project. “We are thrilled to host the first-ever gathering of Indian American elected officials, candidates, philanthropists, community leaders, and political strategists. I am particularly excited that we have over 30 Indian American candidates and elected officials attending the Summit. Many of them are eager to connect with one another, to share stories from the campaign trail and lessons learned along the way.”
He said the rationale behind it was to brainstorm on strategies to get candidates elected and give others mulling entry into the fray the necessary training and resources for viable campaigns “This historic summit is proof that the Indian- American community has truly arrived on the political scene,” said Raj Goyle, cofounder of Impact and a former member of the Kansas House of Representatives. “Together, we can shape a future in which talented and patriotic Indian-Americans are fully represented at every level of government, from City Hall to the White House.”
Deepak Raj, a cofounder of the project, called the energy, enthusiasm and talent of those gathered “truly inspiring. Impact is proud to stand with them — and we look forward to expanding their ranks at every level of elected office.” He said the stated goal was to have at least 15 to 20 Indian- Americans in Congress “and our community should be represented in many, many places —city council, state houses, Supreme Court, state governors mansions, and who knows, thinking big, one day in the White House.”
David Cohen, senior executive vice president and chief diversity officer of Comcast Corporation, one of the summit’s sponsors, noted that while “Americans’ ambivalence to politics remains very much with us, yet good things happen when good people get involved in the political process. That’s what’s happening here,” noting it was a reason for the Comcast sponsorship. He said the Indian-American lawmakers on Capitol Hill and “political leaders like Nikki Haley — the daughter of Sikh immigrants from Punjab, and a popular governor of South Carolina and now our ambassador to the United Nations,” provided even more encouragement, as do the 60 Indian-American candidates for office at various federal, state and local levels. The Indian-American community is spreading its political wings. And the time is right.”
“I do realize that I am an ideological minority here, but I am proud to be here and thank you for the invitation,” said Harry Arora, GOP candidate for the House seat in Connecticut’s 4th District. Arora and fellow Republican Aakash Patel, candidate for Hillsborough County Commission in Florida, shared places on a panel “Running and Serving as an ‘R.’ “ An invitation had also been extended to another Republican, two-term Ohio State Rep Niraj Antani, who did not attend.
At a panel discussion on public service and the path less traveled, featured Hoboken, New Jersey’s Mayor Ravi Bhalla; former diplomat Sri Preston Kulkarni, the Democratic nominee for the 22nd District of Texas; Maryland lawmaker Aruna Miller, the front-runner in the Democratic primary in Maryland’s 6th District; and continuing health care advocate Ram Villivalam, Democratic nominee for the Illinois State Senate from the 8th District.
Bhalla, an attorney, recalled his own candidacy after volunteering for both the mayoral campaign of Cory Booker, who is now a senator, and the presidential campaign of Barack Obama. He was asked “how many Sikhs are there in Hoboken?” and he had replied, “My brother and I.” He said he was told: “You are not Irish, you are not Italian…where are you going to draw your vote?”
Villivalam said he too had naysayers who discouraged him when he challenged a 20-year incumbent in the Democratic primary. He got comments, he said, such as “you are a dark man knocking on doors of older white ladies at 8 p.m.” In four months, he said, he was able to win their vote.
Another panel featured women in politics, with participants including congressional aspirant, Dr. Hiral Tipirneni, Democratic nominee for Arizona’s 8th District; Dr. Megan Srinivas, candidate for Iowa’s state assembly; Padma Kuppa, candidate for the Michigan state House, and Dita Bhargarva, candidate for State Treasurer in Connecticut. Kuppa urged more young Indian-American women to consider a candidacy. “The important thing to remember is that we are great candidates — and also that we are women.”
Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey delivered the closing keynotes. His address was preceded by the tag-team of Indian-American members of the House of Representatives, Ami Bera and Ro Khanna, both Democrats from California. In the sporting arena of politics, Indian-Americans can – and should – punch above their weight class, said Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) In his address, he noted the community’s capacity to excel in academia, technology, business and the arts. “In every area,” he said, “Indian-Americans have been out-punching [their] weight class – look at the Fortune 500 companies — except for one [class] that has been in elected officials.” He said the absence of Indian-American involvement there on a grand scale has left “the one big hole in American society.” It is a time, he said, “when the very idea of America is under assault” most notably, by bigotry.
Little less than two years ago, founding members Hanmanth Reddy of ATA and Pailla Malla Reddy of TATA said they wanted to emphasize the importance of working together and forging friendship. They noted too that holding the convention jointly would also save money for both organizations, which could be used for social causes within the Telugu society.
Justifiably so, just over a week ago, the North American Telugu Community has indeed witnessed the unimaginable. The two organizations, American Telugu Association (ATA) and Telangana American Telugu Association (TATA) have walked on the path of realizing the Unified Telugu Convention in Dallas, TX at Irving Convention Center from May 31 – June 2nd.
The founders of ATA and TATA Hanmanth Reddy (ATA) and Dr. Pailla Malla Reddy and Dr. VijayPal Reddy along with their Presidents, their teams of Board Members and Executive Committees have showed unshaken resolve to make the unified Telugu Convention a reality.
The two large national Telugu organizations came together to hold for the first time a joint community convention in Dallas May 31-June 2, reflecting what the organizers said was the growing unity and bonhomie among community members. The gathering drew a who’s who of the Telugu community including Raj Kumar Reddy, who led social services projects in India, particularly in the rural areas of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Chandra Mohan Reddy, Andhra Pradesh’s minster for agriculture, attended the convention as the chief guest. The guest of honor at the banquet was dancer Shriya Saran. Telangana politician Padmavathi Reddy, guest of honor at the convention, called upon the Telugu NRIs to provide input for improved governance in India.
The convention started with a grand Banquet and all the who and who of Telugu Community have attended the grand curtain raiser event of the 3 day convention. Over 2000 people attended the banquet dinner and set the tone for the following 2 days.
Dr Raj Kumar Reddy, who has been the arm of Social Service projects in India was felicitated for his services in health care in the rural areas of the two Telugu States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Shreya Saran, who has been the guest of honor for the Banquet has gracefully entertained the audience with a dance number, heeding to a roaring request from the audience.
The second day opened with a grand Poorna Kumbham procession with a dance by local youth, followed by inaugural song recital, launching two days of activity that included a literary group, Sahitya Academy, as well as a women’s forum, business forum, panel discussions, political forum and celebration of the legacy of late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh.
A lifetime achievement award was given to Yarlagadda Laxmi Prasad, Telugu writer and member of the Central Hindi Committee. Yarlagadda called upon the community to serve their adopted motherland.
Finally, Srinivasa Kalyanam, a religious rite, was conducted with priests from Jiyar Educational Trust, on the closing day. About 1,000 devotees attended the early-morning wedding ceremony of Lord Venkatesha. That evening, actress Trisha performed for fans.
Day 3 was started with Lord Srinivasa Kalyanam. The Lord’s Kalyanam was conducted with priests from Jiyar Educational Trust. About 1000 devotees attended the early morning wedding ceremony of Lord Venkatesha.
On the evening of Day 3, Actress Trisha was the star attraction and has interacted with her fans and performed on stage responding to requests from the audience to dance to one of her songs. In a sign of the positive effects of the success of the joint convention by ATA and TATA, Dr. Prem Sagar Reddy, a long time friend of Mr Hanmanth Reddy and Dr Pailla Malla Reddy, has hinted that there may be a Joint Convention between ATA,NATA and TATA. The announcement was received with cheers from the 5000 audience sitting in the packed auditorium.
The public acceptance and support of the joint convention was evident, when the Convention center management had to turn down entry for over 2000 people, as the auditorium with capacity of 5,000 was packed to its capacity.
Asked about the secret of their success in conducting the event in just 6 weeks, the Joint Executive Committee, comprising of Karunakar AsiReddy, Dr. Haranth Policherla, Ajay Reddy, Vikram Janagam, Raghuveer Bandaru, Arvind Muppidi, Bharath Madadi, Satish Reddy, Jyothi Reddy, Kiran Reddy Pasham, Mahesh Adibhatla, Mohan Patlolla, Dheeraj Akula and Srinivas Anugu responsible for the execution of the event, said, more than 36 committees and 400 volunteers have worked around the clock to make the event successful. They said, that, the teams worked seamlessly, helping each other above and beyond their defined roles.
The Joint Advisory Council, led by Mr. Hanmanth Reddy, Mr. Pailla Malla Reddy, Dr. Vijayapal Reddy, Dr. Haranath Policherla, Dr. Sandhya Gavva and Mr. Srinivas Pinnapu Reddy have conveyed their gratitude for the donors for their generosity and the local and non local Telugu Community for their support for the historic effort of a joint convention.
The American Telugu Convention team has expressed their sincere appreciation for the media insitutions for their support in spreading the message and rallying the support of the Telugu Community across the world for the bold exercise.
The success of the American Telugu Convention has given a new hope for many more joint conventions and the Telugu Community will gladly welcome it
The Association of Indians in America, NY Chapter (AIA-NY), considered among the oldest Indian-American organizations in the country, during its annual fundraiser called, “Spread Hope,” raised over $50,000 towards projects in India. Held on June 9th at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City, the event was organized by the philanthropic arm of AIA, which is committed to help meet the needs of the underserved in India.
The team behind Project India shared its evolution over the past 10 years with the 260 guests or so guests at the sold-out event: Project India was created in response to the rampant spread of HIV/AIDS in India. AIA has since partnered with Gujarat AIDS Awareness and Prevention, an NGO based in Ahmedabad and supported by a group of physicians from the Brooklyn Hospital. Their focus is rural areas, including tribal villages.
Programs evolved to eventually include comprehensive healthcare for women and children. More than 2,000 families are now served across 80 rural and tribal villages along the border of Gujarat and Rajasthan that have minimal access to medical care. Programs are monitored, evaluated and refined to align with the need and outcomes.
Gobind Munjal, president of the NY chapter, said key programs of Project India were highlighted in a visual presentation: annual medical camps, training for teachers, women’s health checkups, care for orphans living with HIV/AIDS and prevention of HIV from mother-to-child.
Event was sold out and was a huge success, organizers said in a press release. It was attended by more than 250 movers and shakers from the Tri-state area, including prominent individuals such as Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori, Kalpana and Amit Doshi, Dr. Sudha and Sudhir Parikh, Asmita and Arun Bhatia. India’s Consul General in New York Sandeep Chakravorty was the Chief Guest.
At the event, the Project India team shared the experiences of the last 10 years when it was launched as a response to the rampant spread of HIV/AIDS in India. Those attending were reminded that much work needed to be done and that every dollar raised goes directly to the help of the needy.
“In the past decade, AIA’s partnerships with a renowned NGO called Gujarat AIDS Awareness and Prevention (GAP), located in Ahmedabad, and supported by a group of Physicians of the Brooklyn Hospital, have made immense strides in making a measurable difference in the lives of thousands in rural and tribal villages,” organizers said. Programs have evolved as the Team gained more experience and the attention today is on comprehensive healthcare for women and children.
According to AIA’s Project India, more than 2,000 families across 80 rural and tribal villages along the border of Gujarat and Rajasthan, have been beneficiaries of its program. These areas have minimal access to medical care. Programs are monitored, evaluated and refined to align with the need and outcomes, the audience at the event was informed.
The programs resonated deeply with the night’s keynote speaker, Ambassador Sandeep Chakravarty, who engaged the crowd with his personal story and admiration for the Association of Indians in America and its efforts with Project India.
The evening also included a musical theater with its North American Premiere, called Three Women, written and directed by Isheeta Ganguly. The play was based on Rabindranath Tagore, showcasing the dilemma of women in the past and the present. All actors Avantika Akerkar, Mahima Saigal, Zayn Marie Khan; narrator Samrat Chakrabarti and musician Abhishek Chauhan got a standing ovation. The artists traveled from India, sponsored by Cheapoair and Turkish
Gobind Munjal, president of the NY chapter, said key programs of Project India were highlighted in a visual presentation: annual medical camps, training for teachers, women’s health checkups, care for orphans living with HIV/AIDS and prevention of HIV from mother-to-child.
Project India team member Asmita Bhatia said that the results are encouraging due to the dedication of trained workers, trust of the villagers and local panchayats and school authorities. The guests were reminded that much work is still needed and that every dollar raised goes directly to the help of the needy.
“The net amount from the fundraiser after paying all the expenses would be only about $40,000,” Munjal told India Abroad. He said the programs resonated deeply with the evening’s keynote speaker, Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty who engaged the audience with his personal story and admired the AIA’s efforts for Project India. Chakravorty, consul general of India in New York, was chief guest.
The Association of Indians in America (AIA) is the oldest not-for-profit organization of Indian-Americans, founded on Aug. 20, 1967. It has chapters and membership spread across the United States. Airways. The AIA’s New York Chapter President, Gobind Munjal, invited all to the 31st Deepavali Festival scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 7 at South Street Seaport. For more information on Project India, visit projectindiaaia.org
Every day, more than 115 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse. In 2015, more than 33,000 Americans died as a result of an opioid overdose. More than 64,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2016, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The misuse of and addiction to opioids—including prescription pain relievers, is a serious national crisis that affects public health as well as social and economic welfare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the total “economic burden” of prescription opioid misuse alone in the United States is $78.5 billion a year, including the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement.
According to The New York Times, of the estimated 2.1 million Americans currently in the grip of opioid addiction, many are women of childbearing age. The young-adult population has been hardest hit, proportionately, with nearly 400,000 adults ages 18 to 25 suffering from addiction to prescription painkillers (the vast majority) or heroin.
“It is in this context, for the very first time ever, a summit on the Opioid Crisis in the United States has been planned as part of the upcoming AAPI’s 36th Annual National Convention & Scientific Assembly, to be held from July 4-8, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio,” said Dr. Gautam Samadder, President of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin. This initiative of AAPI is being put together by Convention team and headed by Dr. Nikesh Batra.
“The summit scheduled to be held on Friday July 6, 2018 9:00am – 12:00pm during the Convention is aimed at educating and creating awareness among the delegates at the convention on the growing opioid crisis, and how the physicians can play a vital role in preventing and containing the fast growing epidemic in the US,” Dr. Samadder added.
Vanila M. Singh, Chief Medical Officer at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will be the keynote speaker. Singh serves as the primary medical advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Health on the development and implementation of HHS-wide public health policy recommendations.
“The essence of AAPI is educational,” Dr. Naresh Parikh, President-Elect of AAPI, said. “That translates into numerous Continuing Medical Education and non-CME seminars by experts in their fields. The Summit on Opioid Crisis will provide a platform for AAPI members to discuss and deliberate on effective ways to combat this national crisis, that is claiming hundreds of thousands of lives, affecting millions of families across the nation.”
The convention includes CME and DME accredited courses as well as variety of panel discussions, presentations and a research competition. There are forums for AAPI Young Physicians Group (AAPI YPS) and for AAPI MSRF for medical students, residents and fellows. A nearly sold out Exhibitor Hall includes medical and pharmaceutical products, devices and equipment and medical and dental, practice-related services.”
The opioid crisis has become a public health crisis with devastating consequences including increases in opioid misuse and related overdoses, as well as the rising incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome due to opioid use and misuse during pregnancy. The increase in injection drug use has also contributed to the spread of infectious diseases including HIV and hepatitis C. As seen throughout the history of medicine, science can be an important part of the solution in resolving such a public health crisis.
Dr. Ashok Jain, Chair, AAPI BOT said, “For the first time ever, AAPI is planning a special session on Health Care Law, which will be introduced by Dr. Hemant Patel, where round table discussion will be held between prominent lawyers, federal agencies, medical board and health care practitioner. The topics will include educating physicians about health care laws and how to take adequate precautions. This will be beneficial to AAPI members dealing with legal challenges they face in their practice.”
Also, for the first time, AAPI offers Living Well: The Happiness Program for Health Care Professionals. A unique advanced Physician wellness program that is designed from the ground up by medical professionals, for medical professionals. It’s meant to provide people working in the healthcare field with an opportunity to learn simple practices and utilize them to enhance their physical, mental, spiritual, and social wellbeing.
Giving them a platform to celebrate their accomplishments, the annual convention to be attended by nearly 2,000 physicians of Indian origin, it will also provide a forum to renew their professional commitment through continuing medical educations activities. During the five-day event, attendees will engage with an impressive lineup of notable speakers and cutting edge medical and scientific information blended within a rich cultural backdrop of authentic Indian cuisine, fashion, yoga and entertainment from top Indian performers.
The convention also includes AAPI’s Got Talent, organized by the AAPI physicians, is a chance for all registered guests of the convention to participate and compete in a talent show. It provides a chance for all registered guests of the convention to participate and compete in a talent show. “Physicians are not just about books and work. Our stress, our emotions that we learn to conceal, our tendency to imbibe life’s lessons and take it all as it comes is often channeled into artistic outlets where we let it all flow,” said Dr. Samadder. “Our talent event tagline is true to its word – passion truly meets professionalism in this event!” he added.
AAPI Pageant, organized and supported by AAPI is more than just a title. It’s a movement for empowering women from all walks of life to achieve their dreams. This pageant promotes self-confidence, leadership, poise and public speaking skills as well as the strong presence of beautiful women in our community!” said Dr. John Johnson, Chair of the Convention Organizing Committee.
The 2018 AAPI Annual Convention & Scientific Assembly offers an exciting venue to interact with leading physicians, health professionals, academicians, and scientists of Indian origin. Physicians and healthcare professionals from across the country will convene and participate in the scholarly exchange of medical advances, to develop health policy agendas, and to encourage legislative priorities in the coming year. The AAPI convention will also offer 12 hours of CME credits. Scientific presentations, exhibits, and product theater presentations will highlight the newest advances in patient care, medical technology, and practice management issues across multiple medical specialties.
One in seven patient encounters in the United States is with a physician of Indian origin. The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) is the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States, representing over 100,000 physicians of Indian Origin in the United States. Over 2,000 physicians, health professionals, academicians and scientists of Indian origin from across the globe will gather at the popular Convention Center, Columbus, OH from July 4-8, 2018. For more details, please visit: www.aapiusa.org
At least five Telugu actresses were allegedly lured into prostitution in the U.S., by an undocumented Indian American couple, according to an indictment unsealed in the U.S. District Court of Northern Illinois last week.
Recently unsealed federal charges accuse a Chicago couple of Indian descent of running a high-end prostitution ring to lure actresses from Tollywood — a nickname for the lively Telugu-language film scene in southern India — to the U.S. and advertise them for sex at Indian conferences and cultural events across the country.
While here on temporary visas, at least five actresses were sometimes forced to stay in a dingy, two-story apartment building in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood waiting for their next “date,” the charges alleged. They also met clients in hotels at conferences in Dallas, New Jersey and Washington.
The prostitution scheme was allegedly masterminded by Kishan Modugumudi, 34, an Indian businessman who rose to become a player in the Tollywood movie industry and co-produced several hit films.
Here are the incriminating details that came to the fore which helped blow the lid on the scam.
The accused, Kishan Modugumudi and Chandrakala Modugumudi, both natives of Hyderabad but illegally living in the US, took Tollywood actresses and models to USA in the name of various conferences and ‘star nights’ but conducted a prostitution racket instead
Tollywood actresses, models and anchors were taken on B1 and B2 visitor visas to USA. The accused collected $1,000 to $3,000 for ‘one-time’ sex with the actresses. At least 76 airline tickets were purchased from November 8, 2016 to November 29, 2017. Most bookings were made at Comfort Suites in Schiller Park, Illinois in the name of Kishan and Vebha
Kishan Modugumudi – also known as Sreeraj Chennuppati – and his wife, Chandrakala Purnima Modugumudi, were arrested on April 30, and charged with several counts of “importation of aliens for prostitution.” The couple is currently in detention with the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Illinois. Their next court appearance is scheduled for July 9.
Federal agents retrieved text messages from Kishan Modugumudi’s cell phones that contained conversations between him and customers. One of the victims reached US to attend Telugu Association of Southern California (TASC) star night event in California on Nov 8, 2017. But she reached two days after the event and travelled to Chicago, raising suspicions of the Homeland Security Investigations. On probe, the victim said she came to attend another conference of North America Telugu Society (NATS) held in Schaumburg, Illinois, on November 25, 2017.
According to the 42-page indictment, Kishan Modugumudi, who promoted himself as a Tollywood agent, and his wife bought airline tickets for the five victims – at various times – on the premise that they would be performing at Telugu and other Indian American conferences. The Modugumudis allegedly housed the young women at their Chicago home and area hotels, and held their passports, rendering the victims virtual captives.
The women were then ordered to perform sex on men who arranged the transactions by text message with the Modugumudis, according to the indictment. Several chats were displayed as evidence in the indictment, which portrayed customers haggling over prices and choice of woman.
Customers paid anywhere from $800 to $3,000 to have sex with the would-be actresses, the indictment alleged, adding that Modugumudi would text customers photos of the women, and customers would specify whom they wanted. In one such exchange documented in the indictment, a customer asked the pimp for the woman he had sex with “last time” for $800 but Modugumudi said he could only send the woman for $2,500.
“I’m not rich. I can’t effort (sic) thousands of dollars,” replied the john, but Modugumudi haggled him down to $2,000, according to the indictment document.
After the encounter, the actress would allegedly text Chandrakala, also known as Vibha or Vebha, to let her know the type of encounter. In one such text documented in the indictment, a woman reported that she had given her customer “a blow job on le.” “But he was very happy,” she texted, and Vibha sent her a “thumbs up” emoticon, according to the document.
The actresses were not named, but simply referred to as Victims A, B, C, D, and E. In the first case, Victim A arrived in Chicago on a tourist visa Nov. 20, and said she was being honored by the Telugu Association of Southern California on Nov. 18, according to the indictment. Her visa indicated she was an actress.
But immigration agents became suspicious when she landed in Chicago, rather than Southern California, two days after the purported event. Victim A then allegedly she was coming for a different conference hosted by the North American Telugu Society on Nov. 25, 2017. Both NATS and TASC told federal agents no such conferences were planned on those dates.
Another young Indian actress arrived at O’Hare International Airport last Christmas Eve on a flight from Abu Dhabi. Carrying a temporary visa, she told customs agents she had come to the U.S. to attend an Indian association event at the behest of her manager and would be staying only a couple weeks.
Around that time, a news story on the Web site indiaglitz alleged that the Modugumudis – who are well-known in Southern India – were running a prostitution racket in the U.S. Victim A was questioned by federal authorities again on Dec. 25, 2017, when she said she was headed to Irving, Texas, to perform at a New Year’s Eve celebration. According to the indictment, she admitted that during her previous time in the U.S., Kishan Modugumudi, who is also known as Raju, had arranged for her to be engaged in prostitution. Victim A told agents that she did not actually engage in prostitution but “met with customers for 30 minutes and had a conversation.”
But text messages indicated she told Vibha which customers were “good tippers.” Vibha reminded her that she should bathe between encounters, according to the indictment document. In one text message, Victim A told Vibha that she “did it.” She later told federal agents that Kishan had threatened her, saying he would harm her and her family if she did not continue, or if she told anyone. She allegedly was not allowed to leave the couple’s home.
Victims B, C, D, and E all related similar stories of being lured by false promises of performing at a show. Vibha kept track of each encounter and allegedly paid out $1,000 for each purported show. According to the indictment, one customer later explained to federal agents that Vibha was known in the Telugu community as “one of the women to go to or contact regarding having sex with actresses.”
“Our universal values now called Hindu values lead to the welfare of the individual, the society, the nature and the environment. It is the duty of Hindus to remind the world, the universal values from time to time. This duty of dharma to human beings should be performed till the world exists and thus, Hindu dharma will also exist till the world exists. Hindus know the basic values, but have forgotten to practice them.” Stressing the need for unity, Bhagwat said if a lion is alone, wild dogs can invade and destroy the lion. We must not forget that. We want to make the world better. We have no aspiration of dominance. Our influence is not a result of conquest or colonization.”
