Category: Community

Pratham, one of the largest educational nonprofits in India that provides quality education to underprivileged children, hosted its annual New York Tri-State Gala on September 15, at the Cipriani Wall Street.

The event, which was attended by approximately 600 influential leaders from the business and Indian-American communities, raised over $3.8 million for Pratham’s innovative, award-winning educational programs targeted at the underprivileged in India.

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.

Guests were entertained by writer, comedian and Daily Show correspondent Hasan Minhaj, who delivered a rousing 20-minute set. Born to an immigrant family, Minaj talked about his upbringing and stressed the importance of “giving kids an opportunity.”

Mangala Mehar, a Pratham vocational program graduate, shared the impact the organization has made on her life. Today, the 22-year-old is a senior housekeeper at a Maldives resort, earning enough to pay her father’s medical bills and send her younger brother to college.

“I had always dreamed of becoming a successful and independent woman. The Pratham course gave me something far greater than the skills to get a job at a fancy hotel. Pratham gave me the motivation and self-confidence to keep moving ahead,” said Mehar before receiving a standing ovation.

The evening honored Ajay Piramal, Chairman of The Piramal Group and the Pratham Education Foundation, who is stepping down from the latter position after a decade of service. In that time, the organization experienced tremendous growth, tripling in size to its current $36 million.

“This has been a very satisfying journey for me where I have learned a lot. I am most grateful to Pratham for this,” said Piramal. “We can look ahead with a lot of optimism,” he added as he reflected on how, in 22 years, Pratham has gone from a single program in a Mumbai slum to one of the most influential forces in India’s education sector.

In her speech, Pratham CEO Dr. Rukmini Banerji described the next frontier for Pratham: exploring an edtech approach to accelerating children’s learning of foundational literacy and numeracy. She praised the significant support Pratham has received from Google and a family-based trust to experiment with digital learning and determine the optimum solution for educating India’s 100 million children who are functionally illiterate.

Chapter President and PNC executive Gagan Singh attributed the evening’s success to the gala committee, staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly over many months, and to donors who have remained loyal to the organization year after year. “In the end,” he concluded, “what is also really important to recognize is that we have an amazing organization in Pratham led by truly passionate and inspiring leaders, which makes it easy for all of us to tell the story.”

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.

This year, Event Guru Inc. will be team up with Sankara Eye Foundation (SEF), an organization committed to eradicating curable blindness in India, for Diwali at Times Square, according to a press release issued here. SEF (https://www.giftofvision.org/) aims to reach out to the underprivileged communities in India and provides them with quality eye care free of cost by building operationally self-sufficient super specialty eye care hospitals across the country.

“Diwali is the harbinger of hope and all things good, which is why charitable works are encouraged during this time of the year. To fulfill the most important tenets of Diwali, we are pledging to support Sankara Eye Foundation and I urge everyone to donate and spread the light of sight,” said Neeta Bhasin, the founder of Event Guru Inc.

The objective for Diwali at Times Square this year is to stand up with Sankara Eye Foundation’s work by raising awareness and formulating fundraising opportunities on visual impairment, which affects about 55 million people.

SEF has, to this date performed over 1.6 million, free eye surgeries for the needy and is urging everyone to donate and gift the light of sight this year during Diwali at Times Square, which is on October 7.

“Sankara Eye Foundation, is very happy to partner with Event Guru Inc., for ‘Diwali at Times Square.’ This partnership will help SEF bring light into the lives of many more visually handicapped people. On the occasion of this grand ‘Festival of Lights’ let us light many many lamps and spread love – Jyot se jyot jalate chalo, Prem ki Ganga bahate chalo,” said Murali Krishnamurthy, the founder and CEO of Sankara Eye Foundation.

A $25,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons involved in the murder of Indian American software engineer Sasikala Narra and her six-year-old son, Anish, who were found dead in their Maple Shade, New Jersey, apartment on March 23.

Narra, 38, and Anish were found slain in the bedroom of their home by Narra’s husband, Hanumantha Rao. Both mother and son had been stabbed multiple times, Joel Bewley, spokesman for the Burlington County, New Jersey Prosecutor’s Office, told India-West.

“We’re hoping that this reward would be an incentive for someone to come forward with information,” said Bewley, noting that the investigation was “very active and ongoing.” Police have been going door to door in the community where Narra and her husband Hanumantha Rao lived with their son, passing out flyers offering the reward printed in Hindi, Telugu, Spanish, and English.

Bewley thanked the Indian Cultural Center in Evesham, New Jersey, for helping to translate the flyers into Hindi and Telugu.

Rao found the bodies of his wife and son on the evening of the murder, and called 911. He told dispatchers he did not know what had happened, as he had just returned home after “happy hour” after work with some of his co-workers from Cognizant.

Questioned by detectives, Rao said he could not remember whether he had used his key to get into the apartment, a key question in the case which would determine whether there was breaking and entering into the apartment.

In the 911 call released by Maple Shade police, an unidentified woman’s voice can be heard in the background. When the 911 dispatcher asked Rao if he could perform CPR on his wife and child, the woman screamed: “No you can’t. Their throats are slit.”

She can also be heard on the recording telling Rao: “Don’t go back in there.”

Rao was believed to have been having an affair with Deepa Ajit, who also works at Cognizant’s office in India. Narra had allegedly confronted her husband about Ajit: Rao allegedly told his wife there was no harm in an extramarital affair.

Bewley told India-West he could not state whether Rao and Ajit were under investigation. He also could not state whether there was any new information on how Rao entered the apartment that night or whether Ajit was in the U.S. at the time, saying the release of such information would compromise the integrity of the investigation.

Both Rao and Ajit were questioned by police after Sasikala and Anish’s bodies were found. The Telugu Association of North America raised funds to have their bodies returned to Vijayawada for the final rites.

Rao did not attend the funeral of his wife and son, though his passport had not been confiscated (see earlier India-West story here).

By Ajay Ghosh

The Ramesh Kumar Foundation has planned a silent auction, which is going live starting September 2nd, 2017and the winners will be announced on September 23, 2017, announced the Board of Directors of Dr. Ramesh Kumar Foundation.

Dr. Ramesh Kumar Foundation has also planned a first ever “Giving On The Green: A Charity Golf Outing,” to raise funds for the many noble causes the Foundation is planning to undertake in the coming months/years. Several of physicians and community leaders are expected to participate at the Golf event on September 23^rd at the Saginaw Country Club, Saginaw, MI.

All proceeds from this event will go towards eliminating the barriers of financial burden on individuals and families in need of medical treatment and also advocating for programs of medical research and education.

The silent auction items include Diamond Jewelry, Rolex watch, art collection, five-star hotel get away packages, football, basketball jerseys and many others, which have been donated/discounted to the Foundation by friends and well-wishers of Ramesh.

The Dr. Ramesh Kumar Foundation was created in honor of the urology resident at Henry Ford Hospital to continue his generosity, according to a Detroit News report. Soon after the death of Dr. Ramesh Kumar, friends and family of Michigan-based Indian American physician Dr. Ramesh Kumar, had set up a foundation in his name to help make medical treatment more affordable for people in financial need. Dr. Kumar was known for his largesse, once paying for the surgery of a woman he didn’t know, friends said, according to the report.

The Indian American doctor was the son of Narendra Kumar, former president of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, and Meenakshi ‘Minni’ Kumar. He also left behind his sister, Sarada Das. Dr. Ramesh Kumar was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Detroit late evening on May 4. Kumar, 32, who worked in the Urology Department of the Henry Ford Hospital, was found dead on the passenger seat of a car in a rest area, some 90 miles from Detroit, Michigan.

Police are investigating the case to ascertain the cause of his death. The family members of Kumar say they do not suspect anyone and have ruled out the possibility of it being an incident of hate crime. “We do not know (the reason for his murder). They (The police) are yet to find out,” his father

Kumar was born in Cleveland and raised in Saginaw. He graduated from Cranbrook Kingswood School in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and Boston University before receiving his medical degree from Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Kochi, India.

A YouCaring crowdfunding page has been set up to raise funds for the foundation. “Our family has been overwhelmed by the love and support and kind words we have received over the last several days,” Kumar’s sister Sarada Das, who serves as the foundation president and a board member, wrote in a post on the crowdfunding page.

“Ramesh is not gone,” Mason Kashat, one of Kumar’s friends and vice president and board member of the foundation, said in the Detroit News report. “His legacy is not dead. This is not how it ends. We’re going to continue the giving and helping of others, just like he did.” More information about the foundation can be found at www.drrameshkumarfoundation.org.

The Ramesh Kumar Foundation, a tax-exempt organization with 501(c) (3) status, Tax ID number # 82-1463499, is dedicated to eliminating the barriers of the financial burden on individuals and families in need of medical treatment and also advocating for programs of medical research and education.

One can bid for one or more items and can re-bid as many times as you would like. Bids will be updated every few days. One must be logged in order to bid.  You can register on the website and then go to the auction page to bid. Once you login, you can bid for more than one item and can also re-bid. PLEASE VISIT: https://drrameshkumarfoundation.org/auction/

By Asian Media USA ©

Chicago IL: August 27^th, 2017, there was a musical evening featuring globally acclaimed artist and vocalist Humera Channa, organized to benefit Sonia Shah Organization. Key friends and supporters of Sonia Shah Organization (SSO) gathered at Deerfield Illinois for a memorable evening to support the mission. Iram Shah gave the progress on school in Pakistan and Sonia Shah scholarship program here in U.S. The board members Dr. Saira Alvi, Zahir Lavji and friends provided their perspective followed by a speech of Pakistan Councel General Faisal Trimizi.

Late Sonia Shah who at the tender age of 17 started the organization to educate and empower underprivileged girls in rural Pakistan and USA. Although Sonia died suddenly in a car accident in 2012, her dream lives on through dedication of her mom, Iram Shah, extended family, and a dedicated team of volunteers and friends who continue to run the Chicago-based nonprofit organization.

“Sonia was a gift who kept giving and tonight I want to share what we have achieved with your generosity and support,”. We have come a long way. Giving progress report of the school”, Imran said. We have now capacity children in the SSO School. Our filtration plant continues to provide clean drinking water to the village. “While other Schools in area repeatedly are being bombed and destroyed across Pakistan by Islamic militants, SSO school in Kangra village has thrived in the remote due to dedicated volunteer work”. All the money raised helps SSO to continue its life-changing work on behalf of “young girls in Pakistan who otherwise would never have gone to school, young adult women who had given up on higher education, and mature women learning skills to be economically independent,” Iram said.

Additionally, all three major projects started in 2015 are accomplished or well under way to be completed to include: Installed on the roof of Sonia Shah Memorial School, Solar panels, which provides uninterrupted electricity and security at night.” A vocational center for women, “where we are teaching women skills that can give them economic independence,” opened in June and “to our surprise 40 women registered the first day in 1st. year. Today we have a wait list of 100 women.” Since 2015, SSO’s distributes two scholarships to the recipient female students, who start college in Chicago area each fall. “This scholarship is going to help them have a new life,” Iram said.

This scholarship has made what I thought were impossible dreams a reality. “It is just a whole new experience for me. It gives me hope that I can ensure financial status for my family”, said one of the recipients.

But the journey is not done; we have many mountains to climb together. “Many [students] come to school without a proper breakfast and appear chronically malnourished. Some of these kids don’t even have shoes. We want to provide school nutritious meals, uniforms and medical check-ups and expand the Sonia Shah Scholarship program. It is a journey of hope and promise. “Please join us.”

At the conclusions of the successful fund raiser, cultural program started by one and only Versatile Diva – Humera Channa, icon of Pakistan is blessed with a soulful voice, elegant personality and immaculate vocal delivery with precision. With nearly three decades long music career, Humera Channa is one of the most refined female vocalists Pakistan has produced to date. In addition to being a great musician, Channa is a polished and down-to-earth personality. If one analysis the languages in which she has sung in, one is astonished to realize that she has sung in almost every language spoken in Pakistan. However some of the languages in which her songs became significantly popular include Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi, Pashto, Saraiki, Marwari, Thai and Bengali. This is a rare feat for any Pakistani vocalist. According to an estimate, to date, she has lent voice to over 5000 songs.

She has made her country proud in India, UAE, Bangladesh (SAARC Leaders Conference), Canada, UK, rest of Europe and many other countries around the globe as a true ambassador of peace and serenity.

Humera Channa gave an amazing entertainment with her team of musicians and kept the guests engaged and entertained till late at night. Humera Channa is a unique artist who has won most awards after madam Noor Jehan from Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, to 4 times winner of Nigaar Award. Now Sonia Shah Organization preparing for their annual gala on September 16th at Logan Square Auditorium.

By Asian Media USA ©

Chicago IL: The Consulate General of India organized 4^th edition of “Kala-Utsav” the Annual Cultural Festival on August 26, 2017, at Yellow Box, Naperville with 19 different Indian Cultural Organizations to promote the rich heritage of Indian Art and Culture in the US Mid-west. The event provided a platform for over 200 renowned as well as new Indian artists, from across the US Midwest to showcase their talents through various performances.

Hon’ble Cogressman from 8^th District of Illinois Raja Krishmoorthi was Chief  Guest and Mr. Juan Ochoa, Special Advisor to Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emmanuel and Board of Director of MPEA [Metropolitan Exposition Authority] was the Special Guest on the occasion. The festival was inaugurated by Consul General of India, Ms. Neeta Bhushan, by lighting of the lamp as per the traditional Indian customs. The Chief Guest, Special Guest, prominent community leaders and volunteers participated in the lighting of the lamp. This was followed by the Indian and the US National Anthems.

Nearly 700 people comprising of the Indian-American Diaspora hailing from different parts of US Midwest, including many US nationals and different ethnic groups attended the event.

In her inaugural address, Consul General Ms. Neeta Bhushan underlined the ancient, rich and diverse culture of India. She added that the objective of the annual ‘Kala-Utsav’ festival, which was launched by the consulate in August 2014, is not only to encourage and showcase the extraordinary talents in the Indian-American community but also to reiterate and celebrate India’s unity in diversity.

During his address, Hon’ble Congressmnan Raja Krishmoorthi also appreciated the efforts of Consulate in providing a platform for showcasing India’s various folks and classical dance forms as well rich musical tradition through the local talents.

The function started with a stunning performance of “ChendaMelam” by the Chicago Kalashetra which is the best –known and most popular kshetram vadyam (temple percussion) genre followed by a sequence of captivating dance performances representing the classical, folk and modern dance forms of India from different dance schools.

The classical dance segment included Kathak performances presented by Anila Sinha Foundation,  Bharatnatyam performance presented by Natya Dance School, Kuchupudi by Nrityamala Dance Academy, Odissi dance presented by Utkalaa Dance Group, Adardhnareshwar by Rina Rockers, Jugalbani and Bharatnatyam by Yakshagana from Indiana.

The folk dance segment was quite large. There were 6 folk dance representing six States of India. The Bengali Folk Dance presented by Jhankaar Dance, Shingari Dance School presented Kerala Folk Dance, Rhythms & Grace Dance Studio presented Rajasthani folk dance, the Assam Association of Greater Chicago presented Assam’s Folk dance and high energy Punjabi folk dance “Gidda” by Bollywood Dance Academy. The performance of “Garba”, Gujrati   folk dance, by MAFS Seniors Dance Group enthralled the audience.

The kids from Bolly Dance Fit and Fun creative kids also participated and performed in the festival.

There were four presentations under the Contemporary/Fusion dance category in which over twenty five artists participated. The presentation ‘Rain , Drought & Flood’ by Soorya Dance School captured the hearts of the audience.  “Bollywood Dance ” was presented by Bollywood Rhythm and Rhythm of Kerala by Team Ghunguru. Mythilli Dance Academy attempted to keep the flame of vibrancy in the heart by presenting “ Parai Drum Dance”.  Lakshmi Parmeswaran and Ms. Tanvi Bhatt ably anchored the event as emcee and kept the audience engaged. Mr OP Meena, Consul [HOC], proposed a vote of thanks.

By Rajender Dichpally

A delegation of The Indian National Overseas Congress along with prominent community leaders met the new Indian Consul General of New York His Excellency Sandeep Chakravorty in his office at the Indian Consulate in Manhattan on August 22nd. The delegation was led by President Mr. Shudh Parkash Singh. The delegation  discussed issues relating to the Indian American Community like issues with emergency visa, delays in services etc. Many other issues were bought to the notice of the Consul General.

Rajender Dichpally General Secretary of INOC informed media that the Consul General told delegation he wants to make the consulate more inviting and more open for the Indian Community. Mr. Chakaravorty plans to bring all Indian organizations under one mobile umbrella  app of the consulate where everyone can post their events and share the information.

Shudh Parkash Singh raised the issue of issuing passport and visas to Indians including the Sikhs & Punjabis taking political asylum.  Consul General replied it is a policy decision of government of India and not under his control.

Shudh informed CG that he has taken up the issue of NRI’s property rights with the Chief Minister of Punjab and asked for protection of NRI property in cases where they were being duped by relatives in India.

Rajendar Dichpally spoke on how the Organization has taken active part in supporting candidates who are friendly with the Indian community and also wished and hoped that the Community will have more its own candidates running for office in the near future. Dr.Rajender Jinna spoke of the conventions that were organized by Telugu associations to highlight the cultural, social and business seminars. Mr.Ravi Chopra and Phuman Singh spoke on the need to have a 24 hours help line that can guide the community during emergencies. The Consul General said that this facility is already being implemented under his tenure. Any one can write to the consulate on at the email –helpline@indiacgny.org and they will get a reply within 24 hours.

Kalathil Varghese Vice President  pointed out issues relating to OCI cards and new Adhaar card rule.

Quddus Mohammed from Hyderabad Cultural Association asked for an event in the Indian Consulate to show case the Hyderabadi Culture which the Indian Consul General agreed immediately.

We found the new CG have new creative ideas. He’s very open minded and considerate man, stated Shudh Singh after the meeting. Our community here can expect a lot of good coming out of our consulate in coming days, Shudh further added. The meeting ended with the delegation fully satisfied with Consul General and his deputy for accepting all their proposals.

The Alliance for Justice and Accountability (AJA), an umbrella coalition of progressive organizations across the United States and various coalition partners held protests in four cities across the US on July 16th, to draw attention to the growing mob rule against minorities in India and the policies of the government that are emboldening such forces.

These protests are similar to the “Not In My Name” protests that have been held across various cities in India. What: “Not In My Name” protest against mob lynchings, hate speech and the anti-minority policies of the government of India

The rally in Washington DC, hosted by Indian American Muslim Council at the Dupont Circle, Washington DC was held on July 16, 2017. The same day, the event in San Diego, CA hosted by Indian American Muslim Council iIn front of USS Midway Museum was held. The rally in San Jose, CA hosted by Multi-faith Voices for Peace & Justice, Alliance for Justice and Accountability, and other faith and community based organizations was held. The rally in New York, hosted by South Asia Solidarity  Initiative at the New York University, was followed by a gathering at Washington Square Park in the Big Apple.

While Neha Arora, of Madison, Mississippi, who was selected as the “Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi” in 2016, did not win the “Distinguished Young Women of America 2017” pageant, she did walk away with two honors at the 60th annual event that combines the chance to win college scholarships and life skill lessons for high-school girls.

Arora was among eight finalists who were granted a scholarship of $2,500 at the event, held in Mobile, Ala., June 29-July 1, which saw Skye Borg, of District of Columbia, emerge as the winner. During the program, the contestants competed in talent, fitness and self-expression rounds. For her creative answer, Arora also won the self-expression round and a $1,000 scholarship. Arora’s question was, “What is the most vital issue facing young women today?”

“I spoke about the importance of women getting involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics for my answer,” Arora was quoted as saying by jacksonfreepress.com. “I talked about how my mom completed medical school in Russia and came to America alone to work in the medical field, which is something that sets a great example for women looking to enter STEM fields. I think today’s society doesn’t encourage women enough to enter those fields, and I think women should have more opportunities available to them and seek them out.”

Arora’s mother, Namita Arora, is a psychiatrist at Warren Yazoo Behavioral Health in Yazoo City, and her father, Sumesh Arora, is the state energy officer for the Mississippi Development Authority, according to the website. Her parents were both born in India and immigrated to the United States.

Arora told jacksonfreepress.com that her mother’s example inspired her to become a physician herself and motivated her to attend Emory University this fall. From there, she plans on continuing her education at medical school to study pediatrics.

“I was lucky to be able to go to a high school that gave me opportunities to engage in research and pursue a career in STEM fields,” she said. “However, a lot of women don’t get that kind of opportunity, and that kind of interest isn’t as likely to develop. I think women shouldn’t be intimidated to go into these kinds of often male-dominated fields, and I think being around the many capable and talented women involved in the Distinguished Young Women program is a great way for women to discover opportunities and pursue the career they want.”

Vegetarian Vision, an organization that was founded in 1992, and is planning the International Vegetarian Convention scheduled to be held Sept. 9 and 10, held a kick-off event July 14, at the Indian Consulate in New York City, to brief media and other stakeholders on the ongoing plans. The Convention will be held at Penn Plaza opposite Penn Station, in the heart of Manhattan.

A lamp-lighting ceremony was held at the kick-off. The chairman and founder of Vegetarian Vision, H. K. Shah gave the history of the organization and its vision of the future. Among the numerous media that attended the kickoff were mainstream publications like Village Voice, Manhattan Digest, Broadway World, Times Square Chronicles, Nation’s Restaurant News, Veg News, and Bella Magazine.

Chandra Mehta, the president of Vegetarian Vision, spoke of the benefits of plant-based diets on human health and the effects on the global environment and global warming. She appealed to the community to attend the convention to make it a success.

“We are expecting several speakers, holding yoga and meditation sessions, a children’s program and entertainment,” H.K. Shah told Desi Talk. Twenty five vegan doctors are expected to attend, he said. “This is an international event and attracts everyone from Koreans and Chinese to Jewish people and Italians,” Shah said.

Nitin Vyas, the event coordinator for the Convention, said more than 70 vendors are expected to set up stalls at the Convention. The International Vegetarian Convention takes on added importance for organizers as it is the 25th anniversary of The Vegetarian Vision which was established in New York City, has its office in Hoboken, N.J.

The Vegetarian Vision was formed to spread the word about the benefits of the vegetarian diet and serve as a resource network and a think-tank for vegetarians worldwide. “Through a dedicated committee of volunteer members the organization serves all existing and aspiring vegetarians and vegetarian associations. It is a non-partisan, apolitical group that serves anyone regardless of race, color or national origin,” according to its Facebook site.

From just 40 members at the time it was founded, Vegetarian Vision now has grown to more than 1,000 members, many patrons, and hundreds of life-members. It is particularly active in the tri-state area. It’s first major event was held in 1996, the International Vegetarian Food Festival, which took place at the Coliseum in New York City, attended by close to 17,000 people. In 1998, a similar Food Festival was held at New York Armory with repeat performance. Similar events were organized utilizing speakers, exhibits and Vegetarian Cruises. Shah said he expects around 25,000 people will make their way to this year’s event.

The religious leaders endorsed the agenda of working together to fight child sexual abuse, trafficking and sexual exploitation. Spiritual leaders from across different faiths and beliefs have joined Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation to forge the motto of ‘Surakshit Bachpan, Surakshit Bharat’ (Safe Childhood, Safe India).

The leaders joined a roundtable hosted by the organisation led by Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi to fight violence against children and pledged support to work towards freedom of children.

These faith leaders included Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Secretary General Mohammad Salim Engineer, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Secretary Syed Aziz, Arya Yuva Kendra head Anil Arya, Church of North India General Secretary Alwan Masih, National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of India’s Director Nilakshi Rajkhowa, Nizamuddin Dargah head Ajmal Nizami, anf Sant Nirankari Mission General Secretary C.L. Gulati.

Also present at the conference were Anglican Church of India’s Archbishop Samuel P. Prakash, Brahma Kumaris’ Bhramkumar Sushant, Vishwa Jagrati Mission Director Ram Mahesh Mishra and Sadhvi Jaya Bharti, Swami Vishwanand, and among others.

The religious prelates endorsed the agenda of working to eradicate child sexual abuse, trafficking, sexual exploitation and other forms of violence against children to create a safe and fear free India for children today and tomorrow.

“Violence against children is a very important issue in this country. We will support you, the cause and the campaigns wherever you will go,” said Engineer said during the discussion.

“Be assured of our support to the campaign, the Church supports you as the cause is a very noble one”, said Archbishop Prakash.

Satyarthi said faith communities are the largest and most organised civil institutions in the society as they claim the allegiance of billions of believers and bridge the divide of race, class and nationality and their influence can contribute effectively to ending violence against children.

“This roundtable seeks to bring all faiths’ leaders together under the same roof who will commit to supporting the cause of ending violence against children and mobilising their followers to join and pledge for this cause.

“Children are always the worst victims of all forms of violence. Sexual abuse is among the gravest and is growing at an alarming rate,” he said. Satyarthi further added that this is a crime, an evil and the “reflection of societal sickness hidden beneath the widespread silence of social taboo. It is the moral obligation of all faith leaders to help break this silence. Protecting God’s children, I believe, is the most powerful act of worship,” he said.

“Ambassadors of Hope” is a feature-length film documenting India’s child laborers. Children in several parts of India are subject to torturous work conditions in mines, factories or farms  to support their families. Despite the country’s “Right to Education Act,” the promise of free compulsory education remains an unrealized dream because India’s child laborers are the backbone of the economic engine that runs the heavily populated South Asian country.

Now, there may be hope. A new generation of empowered students, nestled in  Silicon Valley, home to high-tech innovation and development, want to turn that unrealized dream into a reality. “I refuse to accept that children should be forced into slave labor. I refuse to accept that we cannot do anything about it. Every child matters,” Kailash Satyarthi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for his efforts to end child labor, declared.

Now, Indian American students like Gurbaaz Singh and Anjali Bajaj, who were only 14 when they, through their innovative acts, brought about big changes in those children’s lives. Bajaj traveled to India to start teaching disadvantaged children to read and write English, so they would have a better chance of freeing themselves from a life of poverty.

Singh, who started a sports academy in India, so some of the country’s poorest children, many of whom work to support their families, could do something that most American children take for granted, play. Some of the students even provided training to the teachers.

Singh and Bajaj are just two of the inspirational teenagers featured in filmmaker Vera Anderson’s “Ambassadors of Hope,” a feature-length film documenting India’s massive child labor work force.

The documentary by the San Francisco Bay Area, Calif.-based filmmaker follows a group of Indian American children, who, through the Home of Hope charity, are trying to make a difference in the lives of these underage workers who are being robbed of their childhood and their right to an education.

“It’s about how young people look at problems, how they are transformed by problems and how they can contribute to solve a problem,” Anderson, whose credits include “The View” on ABC and “Today in New York” on WNBC, told India-West. “And I think that’s what we want to inspire our audience to see that what a different world it would be if we all showed some responsibility for our neighbor, and that neighbor could be thousands of miles away, especially children.”

Children in the U.S., too, Anderson said, suffer from problems, like drug addiction, alcoholism, which are prevalent in poor areas. “But in India,” she said, “poverty is greater so obstacles are greater, but these kids surviving on the streets are smart.”

Explaining Gurbaz’s commitment to social causes, Anderson stated that after a young girl was killed in a car accident, he fought to get stop lights in that community. Gurbaaz, now 17, has been a part of Home of Hope for five years now. He told India-West that during every trip to India, he’d wonder how he could help these children, and when he got an opportunity, he grabbed it.

“I feel pretty happy with the progress I have made but I feel there is still a lot to be done,” said Gurbaz, who is now actively recruiting volunteers for his mission. “I want to make as much difference as possible,” he said.

Friends and family of Michigan-based Indian American physician Dr. Ramesh Kumar, who was found dead last month in an apparent suicide, have set up a foundation in his name to help make medical treatment more affordable for people in financial need.

The Dr. Ramesh Kumar Foundation was created in honor of the urology resident at Henry Ford Hospital to continue his generosity, according to a Detroit News report. Kumar was known for his largesse, once paying for the surgery of a woman he didn’t know, friends said, according to the report.

The Indian American doctor was the son of Narendra Kumar, former president of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, and Meenakshi ‘Minni’ Kumar. He also leaves behind his sister, Sarada Das. Dr. Ramesh Kumar was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Detroit late evening on May 4. Kumar, 32, who worked in the Urology Department of the Henry Ford Hospital, was found dead on the passenger seat of a car in a rest area, some 90 miles from Detroit, Michigan.

Police are investigating the case to ascertain the cause of his death. The family members of Kumar say they do not suspect anyone and have ruled out the possibility of it being an incident of hate crime. “We do not know (the reason for his murder). They (The police) are yet to find out,” his father

Kumar was born in Cleveland and raised in Saginaw. He graduated from Cranbrook Kingswood School in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and Boston University before receiving his medical degree from Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Kochi, India.

A YouCaring crowdfunding page has been set up to raise funds for the foundation. At the time of press, the crowdfunding effort had reached $34,517 of its $100,000 goal. “Our family has been overwhelmed by the love and support and kind words we have received over the last several days,” Kumar’s sister Sarada Das, who serves as the foundation president and a board member, wrote in a post on the crowdfunding page.

“Ramesh is not gone,” Mason Kashat, one of Kumar’s friends and vice president and board member of the foundation, said in the Detroit News report. “His legacy is not dead. This is not how it ends. We’re going to continue the giving and helping of others, just like he did.” More information about the foundation can be found at www.drrameshkumarfoundation.org.

By Asian Media USA ©

Chicago IL: Hina Trivedi serves Chicago Indo-US Lions Club (President), GOPIO Chicago (Former President), Federations of Indian Associations (Former President) and many more organization.

Renowned Chicago based social activist  Miss Hina Trivedi received Melwin Jones Fellow award from Lions Club International foundation president for Dedicated Humanitarian services. Melvin jones Fellow award is very prestigious award at International level. She is also being appointed as a host committee member for 100 years

completion of Lions club international foundation celebration convection which is going to be held at Chicago from 29th June to 4th July.

She recently also got Exemplary Community Service Award for outstanding and dedicated service to the general welfare of the Asian American community in the state of Illinois  from Asian American Coalition Of Chicago at 16th Annual Asian American Festival hosted by The Asian American Community. Lion Hina Trivedi received many Honors and Awards in past.

Lion Hina Trivedi serves the Asian community with their needs by being a translator as she is multilingual in 7 different languages. She help community people for Green Card interviews, Voter registration, Medicare, Medicaid, and gives many legal and social services. She always believe in helping Senior citizens by guiding them towards medical, federal, social security benefits

Ms Trivedi tried to spread awareness in 2nd and 3rd Generation Indians living in USA towards their native country India through social-economic and other prospective programs so they can build strong future relationships between both the countries. She also raised issues nonresident Indians facie during their visit to India. She also attended Pravasi Haryana Divas 2017 held at Guru Gram on the personal invitation of Chief Minister Mr. Manoharlal Khattar. She was also invited to Vibrant Gujarat 2017 and also attended the republic day parade on 26th January at New Delhi as a Special Guest during her Delhi visit.

She went to Sushma Swaraj’s residence to meet her and greeted her for speedy and healthy recovery. She visited various cities and villages of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi and Haryana to spread awareness about Swatchh Bharat Abhiyaan and helped poor children with food and clothes. She was accompanied by her team and many volunteers from across India

Nexus SOCIAL ADULT DAY CARE  Center, a company dedicated to providing non-medical services to Medicaid recipients who qualify for managed long term care program, was inaugurated in Floral Park, NY on June 8^th this year.  NEXUS is dedicated to serving a diverse community of  Southeast Asian  and Caribbean communities have kick-started our campaign and the results have been astounding.

This Grand Opening Event was attended by more than 120 seniors, HOME CARE AGENCIES, and community leaders from the metropolitan area.

A special guest attendee was Senior Advisor of Nassau County Comptroller Hon. Dilip Chauhan. In his speech Chauhan stated that it was a need for the community to have Social Adult Day Center in this area, “I am delighted to have a senior center for our elders where they can have health education, checkups, exercise programs and other activities.  Mr. Chauhan also presented  Citation on behalf of Nassau County Comptroller Hon. George Maragos on the occasion of Grand Opening.

Owner of Nexus Senor Center  Gurdeep  Singh stated that he is very excited about the opportunity to provide the  senior community with such services and he is grateful for everyone support. Also he thanked Nassau County Comptroller Hon. George Maragos as well as Senior Advisor Dilip Chauhan for their support. There were traditional Bhangra Dance, Bollywood dance and many more entertaining program with delicious food.

Aicon Gallery is presenting Cuckoonebulopolis: (Flora and) Fauna, the first major New York solo exhibition by Baroda-based artist Surendran Nair. The exhibition is a collection of paintings and drawings inspired by The Birds, a play by the Greek playwright Aristophanes. In the play, a man convinces birds to establish their new city in the clouds, later named Cloud Cuckoo Land, which translates to Cuckoonebulopis. At the heart of Nair’s work is the notion of this nebulous utopia – he reflects on the strange, ironic, and sometimes improbable possibilities that humans dream of when designing a utopia.

The cycle of works, Cuckoonebulopolis, has grown immensely since early 2000, when Nair first took on the project. He draws and paints his imagined actors from The Birds, dressed in elaborate costumes and masks, taking on the identity of various birds (flamingos, owls, sparrows and pelicans, to name a few). His loose, long, and whimsical titles hint at his initially lighthearted and humorous approach; however, as he realized the nuances between the “cuckoo” birds and their utopia, Nair clarified their relationship to the clouds with his unique iconography, drawing from traditional performing arts, history and mythology, and the real and imaginary.

The works, however, are not in any way meant as arguments against or in favor of any particular manifestation of utopian desires. Nair’s interest in utopia stops at the very basic threshold, where and when it makes one compelled to imagine something other than what is already in existence. It is not the proposal for an alternative future that interests him, but the critical engagement with the present. This idea is then employed as a backdrop, a theatrical device, to sharpen the contours of Nair’s images whilst they are at play, to accentuate the tenor of whatever they may address.

“Nair regards painting as no less interactive a medium than the installation or the digital interface: a coded yet inviting communication around which artist and viewer choreograph a productive dialogue. The act of painting is, for Nair, an offering of metaphors to his viewers: metaphors from which they can gauge the curve of the artist’s imagination while also staging their own imaginative departures. Accordingly, the emphasis shifts between the artistic imagination and the viewerly one, from one painting to another. The artist indicates that some of his works are programmed in a relatively open-ended fashion; they function as scripts, around which viewers can improvise their own performances: some of Nair’s paintings dedicated to the figure of the actor, such as I Beg Your Pardon: The Scorpion Act II – an actor meditating on a character of an imaginary play (Cuckoonebulopolis, 2002), function in this manner.”

Surendran Nair studied Painting at the College of Fine Arts in Kerala and completed a post diploma in Printmaking at the University of Baroda in India. He has had several solo shows of his work apart from participating in prominent group exhibitions. Recent solo exhibitions include Spatial Arrangements of Colors, Lines, Forms and Desires, Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai, India (2015), Surendran Nair: Drawings, Print and Watercolours (1970s-1990s), Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), New Delhi, India (2015), Neti Neti, Frey Norris Gallery, San Francisco, CA, U.S. (2010), and The Bad Behaviour of Singularities, presented by Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai at Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, India (2006).

Prominent group exhibitions include Whorled Explorations curated by Jitish Kallat, Kochi-Muziris Biennale, Kochi, India (2015), Looking Glass: The Existence of Difference, Twenty Indian Contemporary Artists presented by Religare Arts Initiative, New Delhi in collaboration with American Centre; British Council; Goethe-Institut/ Max Mueller Bhavan, New Delhi, India (2010), Anxious, Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke, Mumbai, India (2008), Horn Please: Narratives in Indian Contemporary Art, Kunnst Museum, Bern, Switzerland, Edge of Desire: Recent Art In India, Asia Society Museum, New York (2005), Capital and Karma – Recent Positions in Indian Art, Kunsthalle Wien, Vienna, Austria (2002), and The 1st Fukuoka Asian Art Triennale, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Japan (1999).

The exhibition will run from June 29 – August 5, 2017, with the press preview on Thursday, June 29th, 2017, 6:00 – 8:00pm at the Gallery on 35 Great Jones St., New York NY 10012.

The American Muslim Council hosted their 6th Annual Grand Interfaith Ramadan Dinner or Iftar at the Royal Albert Palace in Edison, NJ on Thursday, June 15th, 2017 with theme, “Standing United for Humanity.” Various Faith Clergy Members spoke on the topic of “Standing United For Humanity'”, the theme of the Interfaith Ramadan Iftar event.

American Muslims from across New Jersey and around the world have been observing the holy month of Ramadan where they fast from dawn to sunset in an effort to reconnect spiritually and to be grateful for their many blessings. It is a time to better one’s character, to ask for forgiveness, to be more compassionate through acts of kindness and charity. The breaking of the fast at sunset is called the Iftar. The Annual Interfaith Ramadan Iftar to be held on June 15th, 2017 will bring over 700 people together from diverse faith communities across New Jersey to celebrate the blessed month of Ramadan with New Jersey Muslim leaders.

“American Muslims are part of the fabric of American society,” said American Muslim Council Founder & Chairman, Sam Khan.   “The purpose of this Iftar is for our community to break bread with our various faith communities during the month of Ramadan so we can come together to honor those who share our values of community service and work for the good of humanity.”

The event was attended by numerous elected officials. Confirmed representatives including Senator Linda Greenstein, Senator Samuel Thompson, Senator Raymond Lesniak, Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak, Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin, Mayor John McCormac, Mayor Thomas Lankey, Mayor Brad Cohen, Freeholder Assad Akhter, Freeholder Brian Levine and others.

There were representatives from the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation who will be speaking at the event. The keynote speaker was Dr. Wahy-ud Deen Shareef, the Imam of Masjid Waarith ud Deen of Irvington, NJ., and Essma Bengabsia, President of the Muslim Network.

The American Muslim Council presented awards to some individuals and organizations including  Dr. Ali Chaudry, Senator Raymond Lesniak, Make the Road NJ, NJ Muslim Lawyer Association, Muslim League of Voters, and the New Jersey Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations.

The American Muslim Council recognized the American Muslim Action Network, the NJ Muslim Voter Project, Masjid-E-Ali and Action Together NJ, for their service to the community. There was a prayer and a moment of silence observed for all victims of hate at the event.

The MCs were Azra Baig, a South Brunswick Board of Education Member and Community Activist, and Ahmed Al-Shebab, Board member of CAIR National and CAIR-NJ. The American Muslim Council is a New Jersey-based organization that promotes Muslim civic participation in the United States of America. The Mission of American Muslim Council is to organize the American Muslim Community in mainstream public affairs, civic engagement, party politics and community outreach.

This year, the nation is commemorating the fifth anniversary of the tragic August 5, 2012 shooting in the Oak Creek, Wisconsin Gurdwara (Sikh house of worship). The Sikh Coalition has encouraged all to join the many cities organizing National Day of Seva (selfless community service) events across the country.

“As we honor the six Sikh community members who lost their lives and continue to pray for those who were critically injured, we recognize that preventing and combatting hate must remain our top priority,” a statement issued here said.

On August 5, 2017 the Coalition will hold its annual National Day of Seva to commemorate the lives lost and pay tribute to the Oak Creek community that is forever impacted. These National Day of Seva events are an opportunity to show the Oak Creek community and the American public that your sangat stands in solidarity with communities impacted by hate. It’s also a chance to build interfaith bridges with other community partners, educate neighbors about Sikhism through media work, and pay tribute to the innocent lives needlessly taken on August 5, 2012.

“This year, we’re expecting enormous turnout across the country in our shared effort to make sure that no American forgets what happened in Oak Creek,” said Executive Director, Sapreet Kaur.  “Hate in America is on the rise and impacts so many communities, but we have an opportunity to stand up and lead out in pushing back on this problem.”

Umar Shah recognized by European Commission for story on church helping disabled in restive Kashmir. Freelance Indian journalist and regular ucanews.com contributor Umar Manzoor Shah has won a European Commission 2017 Lorenzo Natali Media Prize.

Shah, who won the prize in the Asia Pacific amateur category, was recognized for his story “Church in Kashmir offers hope to people with disabilities,” a story reported for ucanews.com from conflict-torn Jammu and Kashmir state on church efforts to help people with disabilities.

The Kashmir native said his experiences whilst growing up during the conflicts in India’s only Muslim majority state resulted in an early interest in journalism, and that he has been collaborating with radio and local TV stations since he was 15 years old. Shah, who was born in 1986 in Srinagar, the state capital, graduated in Journalism and Mass Communication in 2009 at the University of Kashmir and has since been pursuing a career as a freelance journalist.

Writing for several press outlets such as ucanews.com, Inter Press Service and the Doha Centre for Media Freedom, his stories cover mostly social issues in war-conflicted areas, giving a voice to affected populations.

His stories focus on giving a voice to those from deprived parts of society, such as mental illness among the people living in conflict zones like Kashmir, stories related to poor women and disabled children, and farmers struggling for survival. Shah collected his prize at the awards ceremony in Brussels on June 7.

Consulate General of India, in Association with 100 Community Organizations, will Host 3rd Edition of International Yoga Day in Chicago

Consulate General of India in Chicago, in collaboration with the City of Naperville, is all set to host 3rd edition of International Yoga Day on 24th June, 2017 (Saturday) at Naperville Yard, 1603 Legacy Circle, Naperville, IL 60563.

City of Naperville issued a Proclamation and declared June 24th 2017 as International Yoga Day in the City of Naperville. Mr. Steve Chirico, Naperville Mayor will be Chief Guest at the International Yoga Day, which will be attended by dignitaries, elected officials, and community leaders from different walks of life.

Neeta Bhushan, Consul General of India in Chicago said that the program will commence at 10:00 am and end at 1200 noon, followed by a community festival and an array of cultural activities till 05:00 pm. Apart from the demonstration of common asanas (postures) under Common Yoga Protocol, breathing techniques, Meditation Workshop, etc., the Program will include a number of activities relating to yoga.

The event is free for all. However, as the space is limited, those interested in attending the event and knowing more about it are cordially requested to visit Facebook.com/IndiaInChicago. Participants are requested to bring their own yoga mats.

Ms. Bhushan said that about 2,500 guest, 100 community organizations, yoga and spiritual centers, business establishments, etc. will grace the occasion. She called upon Indian-Americans and all the nationalities to attend the event in large numbers in order to make it a resounding success.

For any given medical problem, it seems, there’s a research team trying to use stem cells to find a solution. In clinical trials to treat everything from diabetes to macular degeneration to ALS, researchers are injecting the cells in efforts to cure patients.

But in one study expected to launch later this year, scientists hope to use stem cells in a new, highly controversial way — to reverse death.

The idea of the trial, run by Philadelphia-based Bioquark, is to inject stem cells into the spinal cords of people who have been declared clinically brain-dead. The subjects will also receive an injected protein blend, electrical nerve stimulation, and laser therapy directed at the brain.

The Philadelphia-based company along with an Indian orthopedic surgeon has said it will start a new type of stem cell therapy that claims it can bring people back from the dead. Bioquark, led by chief executive Ira Pastor, said it will begin conducting trials of the therapy later in the year in an undisclosed country in Latin America, according to a New York Post report.

Pastor and Indian orthopedic surgeon Himanshu Bansal had initially hoped to run tests in India in 2016 but the Indian Council of Medical Research pulled the plug on their plans and asked them to take the trials elsewhere, the Post reported.

Most countries officially declare someone dead when there is irreversible loss of brain function. The Bioquark therapy boasts it can reboot the brain. The company said it will begin testing on humans, with no plans to experiment on animals. Scientists plan to examine individuals aged between 15 and 65 who have been declared brain dead from a traumatic brain injury, the report noted, citing a published study.

The three-stage process starts with harvesting stem cells from the patient’s own blood before injecting them back into their body. Next, the patient is given a dose of peptides injected into their spinal cord. The final step is a 15-day course of laser and median nerve stimulation while monitoring the patient with MRI scans. Bansal practices in New Delhi.

By Asian Media USA ©

Chicago IL: Telugu Association of Greater Chicago (TAGC) celebrated its annual Summer Picnic on June 4th, 2016 at Buss woods Forest Preserve in Elk Grove Village. More than 950 adults and kids attended the event. TAGC conducted many fun-filled games for men, women and kids (with different age groups) where everyone participated in the games enthusiastically. Games included Musical chairs, Throw ball, Tug-of-war, and etc. The winners were awarded with prizes.

The attendees were served with a variety of delicious foods by means of on-site cooking of foods such as dosas, bajjis, grilled BBQ chicken, corn and many more dishes that were enjoyed by everyone. TAGC Board and volunteers also cooked some special food items on site. On-site cooking, mainly by TAGC BODs, was one of the main attractions during the event. Lunch server to all the guests was by a local Indian Restaurant, Indian Café, and all the guests appreciated volunteers who prepared delicious Bagara rice, chicken curry, and potato curry on-site. Watermelon and buttermilk were served after the lunch.

TAGC conducted a charity Walkathon and awarded the winners with prizes in categories ranging from family, seniors, men, women, and teens. TAGC donated the funds raised from the Walkathon and ice cream sales to Akshaya Vidya foundation who runs schools in slum areas in Telugu States.

TAGC also conducted food competitions and the judges evaluated the food taste and quality to decide the winners which were awarded with prizes. Telangana Chakinalu won first prize and Ravva laddu won the second place prize.

The picnic brought a great familial touch to the outing and park. It was a great summertime picnic event where everyone enjoyed like it was an extended family and friend’s get-together. Everyone pitched in for various activities from food preparations to organizing games.

TAGC President, Ramachandra R Ade, thanked the picnic event core committee members and volunteers for their hard work and dedication in making this event very successful. He appreciated the picnic coordinators Ramu Billakanti, Ranga Lenkala, Food committee chair Uma Avadutha and co-chair Vijay Beeram, Community service member Vani Yetrintala, Sports committee chair Samptagiri Sangem, Youth chair Sai Gongati, all Bods and other committee members and volunteers.

The Architectural League of New York awarded its President’s Medal to His Highness the Aga Khan on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, on May 18, at the Metropolitan Club.

The President’s Medal is The Architectural League’s highest honor and is bestowed, at the discretion of the League’s President and Board of Directors, on individuals to recognize an extraordinary body of work in architecture, urbanism, art, or design, according to a press release.

Aga Khan was honored, in the words of the Medal’s citation “for the extraordinary work of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture and the recognition, scholarship, and investment it has catalyzed and supported, which has raised the quality of urban and rural environments around the world.” It continues: “His Highness has demonstrated the capacity for architecture to be encompassing and inclusive, through his probing search to conceive anew the nature of cultural identity and continuity, his openness to innovation and experimentation, and his unwavering commitment to pluralism as a foundational principle of human community. By acknowledging not only the complexity and imperfection of the world we have created, but also its potential, His Highness the Aga Khan has set a magnificent example of stewardship and hope.”

The Medal was presented to Aga Khan at a dinner at the Metropolitan Club by League President Billie Tsien. Humanities scholar Homi K. Bhabha, city planner Amanda M. Burden, and architect Diébédo Francis Kéré celebrated the recipient with remarks.

Homi K. Bhabha remarked that: “Pluralistic inquiry is the living link between the good society and public space; and architecture is the arc of this ancient and intimate connection.” He continued: “The aspiration of the Aga Khan Award, as I understand it, is to build structures and systems that enable dialogue, collaboration, and affiliation amongst communities—national, regional and diasporic—who live side by side.”

In her presentation of the Medal, Billie Tsien said: “The Aga Khan Award has been a bridge connecting the world to the beauty and power of work done to serve Muslim populations.” She continued: “This award helps to elevate the quality of architecture, planning and landscape design by shedding light on exemplary work. And most importantly it affirms the power of architecture to create and to sustain a humane and beautiful world for all people. All people, all cultures, all faiths look to beauty as a profound source of both solace and joy.”

In accepting the medal, Aga Khan remarked, “in thinking about the way societies live in the developing world, in the industrialized world, I came to a very simple conclusion: what is the art form that has the most important impact on every society, in every part of the world? And the answer is quite simply, architecture. It’s a very important evening in my life because it’s a recognition of an art form that which I believe needs global recognition, needs global attention, needs the best brains that we can mobilize, to improve the human habitat for decades and decades ahead. Thank you for this wonderful award,” he concluded.

The dinner’s 330 guests included family of Aga Khan: Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Prince Hussain Aga Khan, and Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan.Recent recipients of The Architectural League’s President’s Medal include Michael R. Bloomberg, Henry N. Cobb, Richard Serra, Renzo Piano, Amanda Burden, Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Hugh Hardy, Richard Meier, Ada Louise Huxtable, Robert A.M. Stern, Kenneth Frampton, Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, and Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown.

Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary Imam (Spiritual Leader) of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, became Imam in 1957 at the age of 20. The Aga Khan provides spiritual guidance to a community of 15 million living in some 25 countries, mainly in South and Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well as in North America.

A California judge has issued an arrest warrant for the founder of Bikram yoga, who’s been ordered to hand over proceeds from his global fitness business to satisfy a $6.8 million judgment won by a former legal adviser.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Edward Moreton issued the warrant Wednesday for Bikram Choudhury and set bail at $8 million. No lawyers appeared for Choudhury, who claimed last year he was nearly bankrupt.

The award was won by Minakshi “Micki” Jafa-Bodden, who claimed Choudhury fired her when she refused to help him cover up a rape allegation. Her attorney, Carla Minnard, says they’ve tracked luxury vehicles and other property that Choudhury moved out of state and have court orders in Nevada and Florida preventing him from moving property out of warehouses there.

The guru, who had no attorney representing him in court May 24, first traveled to India, after leaving the U.S., and then Thailand and Japan before heading to Mexico, where he was served court papers in May, Minnard said. “He is currently in Acapulco conducting teacher training classes,” she said. “Our intent is to have him arrested before he leaves Mexico.”

Minnard has said they have tracked luxury vehicles and other property that Choudhury moved out of state, and have court orders in Nevada and Florida preventing him from moving property from warehouses, according to the report. The warrant reportedly allows authorities to arrest Choudhury if he returns to the U.S. or, possibly, in Mexico.

Choudhury, 69, has built an empire around Bikram yoga, a rigorous, 90-minute routine performed in a room that can reach more than 100 degrees. The ‘hot yoga’ technique is taught at more than 650 studios worldwide and has drawn devoted followers, according to the AP report. He has claimed that he is nearly bankrupt and that his business is no longer thriving.

Choudhury was one of the pioneers of yoga in the U.S., setting up shop in Beverly Hills in the 1970s. His client list included top celebrities like Madonna, Andy Murray, Gwyneth Paltrow and Goldie Hawn. His yoga studios are franchised worldwide.

Attorney Somnath ‘Raj’ Chatterjee; public defender Neetu Badhan-Smith, both from India, have been appointed by California Governor Jerry Brown on May 22 as Superior Court judges in the state. Also appointed was Bangladeshi American attorney Rubiya Nur.

Chatterjee, 47, will serve in Alameda County Superior Court. The Oakland, Calif., resident has been a partner at Antolin Agarwal and Chatterjee since earlier in 2017. He was a partner at Morrison and Foerster LLP from 2006 to 2017, and served as an associate from 1997 to 2005.

Chatterjee also served as a deputy public defender at the Contra Costa County Public Defender’s Office from 1999 to 2000 and was an associate at Sonnenschein, Nath and Rosenthal from 1995 to 1996.
He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Badhan-Smith has served as a deputy public defender at the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office since 2004. The 40-year-old Los Angeles resident was formerly an attorney at the Southern California Housing Rights Center. Badhan-Smith earned a Juris Doctor degree from Southwestern Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.

The Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus lauded the appointments of Chatterjee and Nur, as well as the appointment of Benjamin Reyes to the Superior Court of Contra Costa County. “Governor Brown has selected three outstanding legal minds who will uphold the highest ideals of our judicial system,” said Assembly member Rob Bonta, chair of the API Legislative Caucus. “It’s critical that our judiciary reflects our communities. As the fastest growing population in California, Asian Pacific Islanders have not been represented in appropriate numbers on the bench. This is a step in the right direction,” he said.

Indian American Gurdev Singh Kang, former president of the Sikh Cultural Society; and Pakistani American Faiza Patel, co-director of the Brennan Center’s Liberty and National Security Program, were among those appointed by New York Mayor Bill de Blasio on May 25 as commissioners to the City Commission on Human Rights. LGBTQ activist Carrie Davis was also appointed to the commission.

“It is a great honor to serve as a Commissioner. It is very important that the voices of minorities be heard during this crucial time,” said Kang, in a press statement released by the mayor’s office. Human rights commissioners are appointed by the mayor and identify issues of bias, discrimination, and harassment impacting their communities.

Kang is the former president of the largest Sikh temple in New York City, The Sikh Cultural Society. He served as president from 2012 to 2016, and has been affiliated with the Sikh Cultural Society for over 25 years.

As president, Kang started the Nagar Kirtan program and sports initiatives for youth. He is also a member of the Mayor’s Clergy Advisory Council and a clergy member of 1 Police Plaza. Kang emigrated from Punjab, India, in 1981 and started a deli/grocery business, then moved on to business endeavors ranging from real estate to retail. He has been a member of Community Board 2 in Staten Island since 2006.

“I hope to help prevent discrimination against New Yorkers based on their race and religious beliefs. Every New Yorker has the right to practice his or her own religion without having to face any fear or threat of a violent attack,” said Kang.

Patel serves as co-director of the Brennan Center’s Liberty and National Security Program, which seeks to ensure that our counterterrorism laws and policies respect human rights norms and fundamental freedoms. She focuses on issues relating to surveillance, including police monitoring of Muslim communities, interception of electronic communications by security agencies, and Islamophobia, and has published seven reports investigating possible racial profiling of Muslims by U.S. intelligence agencies.

De Blasio lauded the achievements of his new appointees. “Spanning LGBTQ rights, national security issues, and leadership in Sikh communities, today’s appointees represent the very best of New York City,” he said in a press statement. “This progressive and extraordinarily qualified group share strong dedication to safeguarding the rights, safety, and dignity of all people in New York City. I am confident this agency will continue to be a robust enforcer of our fundamental civil rights and improve community relations among New Yorkers throughout the five boroughs,” said the mayor

Manishkumar M. Patel is back in Outagamie County after he skipped out on a $750,000 cash bond nearly a decade ago. While that was a sizable bond, it pales in comparison to the whopping $50 million figure set by Outagamie County Court Commissioner Brian Figy.

Patel, 43, formerly of the town of Kaukauna, is accused of spiking his girlfriend’s drink with an abortion-inducing drug. She didn’t ingest the drink but miscarried weeks later. He’s facing charges of attempted homicide, second-degree recklessly endangering safety, placing foreign objects in edibles, possession with intent to deliver prescription drugs, stalking, burglary, possession of burglary tools, and two counts of violating a harassment restraining order.

Manishkumar Patel, 43, is being held on seven felony charges, including first-degree intentional homicide of an unborn child, stalking, burglary, and jumping bail. The Indian American businessman faces 100 years in prison, if convicted on the charges.

Wisconsin has high consequences for harming a fetus. Since 1998, the state has ruled that “the killing of an ‘unborn child’ at any stage of pre-natal development is first-degree intentional homicide,” according to the state’s penal code.

According to court records and media reports, Patel, who is married, began an affair with physician Darshana Patel in 2001. In 2004, the couple had a son. In 2006, Darshana again became pregnant, but miscarried. The following year, she became pregnant again.

Darshana Patel told police she became suspicious when she watched Manishkumar stir a smoothie at an ice cream store and then offered it to her. She noticed a powdery substance on the rim of the cup, and sent it off to a lab for testing.

The substance turned out to be RU-486 – mifepristone – an abortion drug that is only administered by doctors. Darshana faked a stomach ache and did not ingest any of the drug-laced smoothie offered by her boyfriend, but miscarried nonetheless a few weeks later.

The paramour lodged a criminal complaint against her boyfriend in November 2007. Police searching Manishkumar Patel’s home found an envelope containing RU-486 pills. The suspect later told police he had obtained the drugs in India. He admitted to giving Darshana one pill.

Patel told investigators he didn’t need or want any more babies. At the time of his arrest, he owned 14 gas stations, a hotel, and other businesses in Wisconsin, but estimated his net worth at just $400,000.

After his arrest in 2007, friends and family members gathered $750,000 to get the suspect released. Manishkumar Patel fled the country shortly after, and was believed to be hiding in India until last October, when he flew to Toronto, Canada.

Customs and Border Patrol arrested the fugitive on Jan. 19, in Bangor, New York. The CBP said in a statement that they initially let Patel’s car go through when it looked as though there was only a driver in the car. A few hours later, the CBP encountered the same vehicle which now had a passenger – Patel – and became suspicious of an alien smuggling attempt. The name of Patel’s wife is unknown, and it is unclear whether the couple still remains married. Patel’s son by Darshana is now 13.

Socialite Meera Gandhi, founder and CEO of The Giving Back Foundation, hosted a fundraiser at a daylong retreat at her private estate in Hyde Park, New York, July 18. Besides charitable giving, the event included instilling self-care and spiritual enlightenment through meditation and mindfulness among the guests.

The attendees were inspired and enlightened on how to practice mindfulness, happiness, movement, and meditation – all while giving back to charity. Unlike the traditional black-tie and evening-gown gala, Gandhi attempted something new that nurtures the soul and helps individuals to be more proactive within their community while helping others and connecting with them.

New Yorkers from the city and upstate took a break from their daily routine to take in some light yoga, meditation, vibrational music, body movement, chakra healing, and a light vegetarian lunch. The guests included Dr. Sudhir Parikh, a physician and publisher of Desi Talk who is a Padma Shri award winner.

Inga Benson from Integral Yoga, Rishikesh, India and New York City, led a pranayama meditation and a warm-up yoga session while Miriam Belov, founder of Wellness Agenda of Manhattan, spoke about the importance of self-love and chakra healing in daily lives.

British film director, writer, and producer Martha Fiennes flew in from London to be present while Brooklyn-based choreographer Jules Bakshi led a body-love movement session that instilled the values of appreciating and nurturing one’s own body. Los Angeles-based musician and feminist activist Kiran Gandhi of the Madame Gandhi electronic-music project showcased the power of meditation and mindfulness through music with her shaman drumming.

“It’s very important to take time out for ourselves in order to be able to function better in the world. We need to disconnect and recharge so that we can give back to the world in a present and meaningful way,” Gandhi said. The idea behind it is to exchange stories that empowers people, builds communities and hope.

An Indian American doctor in Michigan, Ramesh Kumar, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Detroit late evening on May 4. Kumar, 32, who worked in the Urology Department of the Henry Ford Hospital, was found dead on the passenger seat of a car in a rest area, some 90 miles from Detroit.

Police are investigating the case to ascertain the cause of his death. The family members of Kumar say they do not suspect anyone and have ruled out the possibility of it being an incident of hate crime.

“We do not know (the reason for his murder). They (The police) are yet to find out,” his father Narendra Kumar, a former president of the influential American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, told the media.

“We do not suspect anything. We do not think it was a hate crime,” said a shocked Kumar. Ramesh was a medical graduate from the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Kochi. When he did not show up for his work, a hospital doctor called his father to enquire about him “This was quite unusual,” the father said.

He said he made several phone calls and sent text messages to his son, but there was no response. The father went to his son’s apartment and called the police when he did not find him there. After hours of search, police found the dead body of Ramesh in the passenger seat of a car at a rest area.

By late night on May 4, the body was identified as that of Ramesh. The police have refrained from making any comments about the incident. Ramesh was a medical graduate from the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Kochi.