Dinesh D’Souza gets presidential pardon

June 6, 2018 Staff ReporterCommunity, Politics, Travel 0

President Donald Trump issued a full pardon to controversial Mumbai-born conservative pundit, author, and filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza, who pleaded guilty to campaign finance fraud in 2014 after being prosecuted by then-U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. “Will be giving a Full Pardon for Dinesh D’Souza today. He was treated very unfairly by our government,” Trump tweeted on May 31.

Trump, who signed the paperwork formally pardoning D’Souza before announcing it on Twitter, had never met or spoken with D’Souza before this week. He told reporters aboard Air Force One Thursday that he called him for the first time Wednesday night to inform him that he would be pardoning him. The two spoke for nearly three minutes, according to the President. “He almost had a heart attack,” Trump said.

Trump stated that he pardoned D’Souza — considered by many to be American’s greatest conservative troll — because “I’ve always felt he was very unfairly treated. And a lot of people did, a lot of people did. What should have been a quick minor fine, like everybody else with the election stuff…what they did to him was horrible,” he said. He said he had spoken to D’Souza “for three minutes last night…he almost had a heart attack.”

D’Souza thanked Trump, tweeting: “Obama & his stooges tried to extinguish my American dream & destroy my faith in America. Thank you @realDonaldTrump for fully restoring both.”

D’Souza pleaded guilty after his indictment for using straw donors to contribute to the campaign of Wendy Long, a friend who was challenging Kirsten Gillibrand in the U.S. Senate race in New York.

He was incarcerated for eight months in a halfway house in San Diego and given a $30,000 fine, then released on five years probation. He alleged he was unfairly targeted because of his right wing conservatism and his criticism of President Obama.

A press statement from the White House said: “Mr. D’Souza was, in the President’s opinion, a victim of selective prosecution for violations on campaign finance laws. Mr. D’Souza accepted responsibility for his actions, and also completed community service by teaching English to citizens and immigrants seeking citizenship.”

There was speculation that Trump’s pardon was a slap at Bharara, who the president fired after asking him to stay on as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Since then, Bharara has been one of Trump’s most stinging critics.

Bharara, in fact, tweeted that while it was Trump’s right to pardon D’Souza, “The facts are these: D’Souza intentionally broke the law, voluntarily pled guilty, apologized for his conduct & the judge found no unfairness. The career prosecutors and agents did their job. Period.”

The Washington Post reported how D’Souza, after the pardon was announced, characterized prosecutors in his case as a “team of goons” during an interview with syndicated talk show host Laura Ingraham. Earlier in May, in an opinion piece published by Fox News, D’Souza alleged that the FBI file on his case had him “red-flagged as a political conservative who made a movie critical of President Obama.”

“I knew that causing a campaign contribution to be made in the name of another was wrong and something the law forbids,” D’Souza had said at his plea hearing. “I deeply regret my conduct.”

D’Souza is a contentious figure who once accused then-President Barack Obama of adopting “the cause of anti-colonialism” from his Kenyan father in a 2010 Forbes magazine cover storywhen Obama was in office. In the piece, he referred to Obama’s father as a “philandering, inebriated African socialist, who raged against the world for denying him the realization of his anticolonial ambitions.” He also once argued that Adolf Hitler was not “anti-gay.”

“Dinesh D’Souza is an individual who, you know, has made restitution and accepted responsibility for his actions, but these are infractions and crimes that are rarely prosecuted, and many believe that he was the subject of some selective prosecution from the previous administration,” White House deputy press secretary Raj Shah said on Fox News Thursday.

“Nonetheless, he’s accepted responsibility and the President believes it’s appropriate that he receive a pardon after community service, paying a fine, and doing other things that the judge has required,” Shah said. D’Souza once called on comedienne Rosie O’Donnell to be prosecuted for violating campaign finance laws in a fashion similar to his case.

D’Souza, who first immigrated to the U.S. on a Rotary International scholarship at 17, attended Dartmouth College in New Hampshire to major in English and was the founding editor of the Dartmouth Review.

He later earned his conservative policy chops at the Heritage Foundation as editor of its flagship publication Policy Review and then as a domestic policy adviser, at 26, in the Ronald Reagan White House even before he was a U.S. citizen. He later enjoyed stints at the neo-conservative think tank, the American Enterprise Institute as a fellow and at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.

Venkat Ranjan wins National Geographic Bee Indian Americans Sweep Top Three Prizes

May 28, 2018 Staff ReporterCommunity, Education, Youth 0

Indian American wiz-kids dominated this year’s National Geographic Spelling Bee held in Washington, D.C., on May 23^rd taking home the top three honors. An eighth-grader from California, Venkat Ranjan beat nine other finalists to take home the title at the 30th annual National Geographic Bee on May 23 by correctly answering “Paraguay.” The question was: Which South American country has a population size most similar to Lebanon?

That response edged him past Anoushka Buddhikot of New Jersey, who incorrectly answered Guyana. Vishal Sareddy, 14, of Suwanee, Georgia, an eighth-grader at Riverwatch Middle School.

As the national champ, Ranjan will receive a $50,000 college scholarship, a lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society and an all-expenses-paid Lindblad expedition to the Galápagos Islands aboard the National Geographic Endeavour ll. Buddhikot an eighth-grader at Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School in New Jersey, the second place winner, will receive $25,000 college scholarship. Vishal Sareddy, the third place winner will take home a $10,000 college scholarship.

This year, apart from the top three winners, five Indian-Americans were among the Top 10 finalists. Other championship finalists included Indian and South Asian Americans Nihar Janga, 13, of Houston; Gayatri Kaimal, 13, of Arizona; Atreya Mallanna, 11, of Massachusetts; Saket Pochiraju, 13, of Ohio; and Ashwin Sivakumar, 13, of Oregon. Sean Cheng, 14, of New Hampshire, and 14-year-old Jonathan Song of North Carolina.

Ranjan, who has been competing in the bee since 2015, also enjoys playing piano, the National Geographic reported. Buddhikot also enjoys reading and playing the violin and hopes to one day write a novel about a National Geographic-style explorer.

In recent past, Indian American kids have been taking home the top honors at this prestigious national contest. Last year, Pranay Varada of Irving, Texas, won the title, after finishing at sixth place the previous year.

Nearly 2.6 million students in the fourth through eighth grades competed in more than 10,000 schools across the country on their knowledge of geography and world affairs in this year’s 30th bee hosted by journalist and humorist Mo Rocca. The contestants were competing for a total of $85,000 in college scholarships. Students had to answer such questions as whether a map of the U.S. shows homelessness or the literacy rate, the range of the black bear or a pon-derosa pine, and ferry boardings versus minimum wage.

In a test of their analytical and communication skills, contestants were asked to choose one of three rivers as the best choice to focus a plastic cleanup effort to reduce the amount of waste going into the ocean. All three finalists chose China’s Yangtze River, explaining that the area’s high population and plastic consumption and limited collection and recycling infrastructure, made it the prime target.

During the competition, students had to answer such questions as whether a map of the U.S. shows homelessness or the literacy rate, the range of the black bear or a ponderosa pine, and ferry boardings versus minimum wage, National Geographic explained in a news release. Contestants were asked to name the U.S. state capital on the Pearl River, Sweden’s largest island, and the currency of Denmark, it added.

After stiff competition, 54 finalists rose to the top, representing winners of each state and overseas territories of the United States. The 54 competitors were reduced to 10 by May 23. Each of them will receive $500. Buddikot was among four girls out of the 54 finalists, with news reports and experts saying that schools and parents should do more to deal with the gender imbalance.

“All of you have demonstrated an impressive commitment to geography and maps, and today we’re rewarding that commitment,” National Geographic Society chair Jean Case told the audience at the event. At National Geographic, “we consider ourselves map geeks,” Case added. “But we understand geography is about so much more than just memorizing places on a map.”

Since the bee started, some 120 million students have participated with more than 90 scholarships doled out totaling $1.5 million to date. “The bee goes right to the heart of what we are all about here at National Geographic,” said Case. “We are about furthering understanding of the world and the people in it. We live in an ever-connected world.”

Archbishop Anil Couto calls upon nation to pray for peace in the country

May 28, 2018 Ajay GhoshCommunity, Politics 0

Echoing sentiments expressed India’s Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu who had said last week that India is fighting the problems of poverty, illiteracy, atrocities on women and weaker sections, and religious fundamentalism, despite massive growth, Archbishop Anil Couto, archbishop of Delhi Catholic Archdiocese, while drawing attention to the divisiveness prevalent in the nation, has appealed and urged the people of the largest democracy on earth to pray for peace in the country pray that they elect leaders who are committed to secularism and work to unite the peoples of all faiths, rather than dividing them on the basis of caste, creed, economic status, gender, and age.

Shri Naidu, in his address in the northeastern Indian state of Mizoram had said, “India has made rapid strides in various fields since attaining Independence. Yet the country is grappling with problems like poverty, illiteracy, atrocities on women and weaker sections, religious fundamentalism and terrorism.”

In a pastoral letter read out on May 13 in all the national capital’s parishes, Archbishop Couto called on Catholics in his archdiocese to start a campaign of prayer for peace and fasting every Friday ahead of the general elections in India, which is due in April 2019, as India faces a “turbulent political future” that threatens the country’s democracy.

Archbishop Anil Couto’s call has sparked a political controversy, with some fundamentalist groups accused him of undermining Indian interests and working with the Vatican to tarnish the government’s image. These divisive groups reacted angrily and said the archbishop’s statement was politically motivated.

Leaders of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said the prayer campaign was designed to turn Catholic voters against his party, which is seen as working to make India a nation of Hindu dominance. BJP spokesman Sambit Patra told some Christian leaders in a television debate that by “raking up these issues [of discrimination against Christians] you are crucifying the truth about India.”

Rakesh Sinha, an ideologue from influential Hindu group Rashtryia Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), said: “This is a direct attack by the church on Indian secularism and democracy, and this is a direct intervention by the Vatican as these bishops are appointed by the pope. Their accountability is not to India but to the pope.” He told the TV debate that the prayer appeal was “only a part of activities of Vatican design to project the Modi government in a poor light.”

He said the archbishop and other Christian leaders need to be told that ever since the Modi government came to power, there has not been a single incident of rioting or anti-Christian or even anti-Muslim violence in the country.

Published data shows Shaina’s claims are incorrect. According to Christian groups, attacks against Christians rose after Modi came to power and have spiralled in recent years.
There were 736 attacks recorded against Christians in 2017 against 348 in 2016, according to data from Persecution Relief, an ecumenical forum that records Christian persecution in India and helps victims. Amid reports of increasing attacks against Christians, Modi himself in February 2015 told a Christian conference in New Delhi that his government would act against such crimes.

Delhi Archdiocesan spokesman Father Savarimuthu Sankar said the “prayers are part of Christian life and it has nothing to do with politics.” The archbishop “of course mentioned the background” for which he sought the prayers. “Media reports are enough to understand how violently people were attacked” in the name of religion-related issues, he said. Father Sankar said the angry reactions linking the prayer campaign with the Vatican and money “means that either they are afraid of our prayers or they are promoted by their own guilt.”

India’s largest lay Catholic organization, The All India Catholic Union, has expressed solidarity with Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi, who is being accused of trying to tarnish the image of India after he launched campaign to pray for peace in the country.

The All India Catholic Union, the largest and oldest movement of lay Christians in the country, in a statement issued on May 24, expressed solidarity with Archbishop Couto and commended “his courage, integrity and spiritual strength in calling attention to this rising tide of targeted violence against Dalits and religious minorities.”

“The All India Catholic Union expresses serious concern at attempts by the Union government, the ruling party and its ideological affiliates as well as a section of the media, to divide the Christian churches, pitting bishop against bishop, and targeting individual religious leaders who dare speak of the multiple threats posed to India’s democracy and its secular and plural character,” the Catholic Union stated in a press statement.

Meanwhile, less than a year ahead of elections in three northern Indian states, Christian leaders have pledged to vote for political parties assuring protection of their communities from discrimination and abuse. An Ecumenical Christian group, Sarva Isai Mahasangh (All Christian Forum) has resolved not to support parties in upcoming federal and state elections that work against religious minorities.

Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh states, ruled by the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), face elections in November and December while the term of BJP Prime Minister Narendra Modi expires next May.

“We are passing through a very critical period in the history of our country where people are divided on caste and religious lines,” said Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh. A very dangerous trend exists in the country that undermines the secular tenets of our constitution. Come what may, we will continue with our mission of serving the poor and the needy.”

The archbishop was among some 700 Christian representatives from nine northern Indian states who attended a May 19 meeting in Bhopal to discuss an “alarming increase” in intolerance toward religious minorities. Christian leaders say extreme Hindu groups have stepped up violence against Christians in their push to make India a Hindu-only nation with support from the BJP, which controls most state governments in northern India.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle declared husband and wife

May 21, 2018 Staff ReporterCommunity, Profiles, Youth 0

Prince Harry and his actress bride Meghan Markle married on Saturday in a dazzling ceremony that blended ancient English ritual with African American culture, infusing the 1,000-year-old British monarchy with a blast of modernity.

In a medieval chapel at Windsor Castle that 39 English kings and queens have called home since 1066, Harry and Meghan exchanged vows watched up close by royals and celebrities, and from afar by a global TV audience of many millions.

Wearing a veil, diamond tiara and a sleek dress with a long train, the American actress was accompanied up the aisle of St George’s Chapel by Harry’s father, Prince Charles, before she and Harry exchanged vows and were proclaimed husband and wife.

The couple kissed on the steps of the 15th Century chapel, before delighting the sea of well-wishers, some of whom had camped for days to witness the spectacular show of British pomp and pageantry, by touring Windsor in a horse-drawn carriage.

Prince Harry’s vows at the wedding are as follows: “I Harry, take you, Meghan, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part; according to God’s holy law. In the presence of God, I make this vow.”

Among the guests were Oprah Winfrey, George and Amal Clooney, David and Victoria Beckham, Serena Williams and Sir Elton John. India’s very own representative, Priyanka Chopra was at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. She made her first public appearance after arriving in London, donning a plaid suit from Alberta Ferretti. “I do think Meghan being a part of the royal family is a big step in the direction of so many things; of women, of feminism, of diversity, of race, of the monarchy versus everyone else. It’s a beautiful step in the right direction,” Priyanka Chopra had said earlier.

Harry, 33, and Meghan, 36, became the sixteenth Royal Couple to celebrate their Marriage at Windsor Castle since 1863. The newly-wed royal couple had a tour of the city center of Windsor in a traditional horse-driven Ascot Landau carriage.

More than 100,000 fans cramped the narrow roads of Windsor, about 20 miles (30 km) west of London. Security was tight and visitors had to pass through police search points set up around the castle, home to 39 English monarchs since 1066.

Harry said he had never heard of his future wife or watched her TV series, and she said she knew nothing of the prince. But after just two dates, he whisked her off to Botswana for a holiday, camping under the stars. “The fact that I fell in love with Meghan so incredibly quickly was confirmation to me that all the stars were aligned, everything was just perfect,” Harry said when their engagement was announced last November.

Harry’s gilded upbringing is in stark contrast with Markle’s. She was born and raised in Los Angeles and her parents divorced when she was six. After a number of minor roles in films and on TV, she won the role as Rachel Zane in “Suits”. She ran a successful lifestyle blog, thetig.com, and has worked as a humanitarian campaigner. In 2011, she married film producer Trevor Engelson but they divorced in 2013.

“We can break the barriers down, it can be done,” said 40-year-old black Briton Yvonne Emanuel, one of the 100,000-strong crowd that thronged Windsor’s streets. The ceremony was typical of royal weddings in many ways. The service was conducted by the Dean of Windsor while Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, declared the couple man and wife, beneath the banners of the knights of the Order of the Garter, the world’s oldest chivalric group dating back to 1348.

The British remain broadly supportive of the monarchy albeit with a sense of mild irony about the pomp and pageantry that accompanies it, though many have deep respect for Elizabeth, after her 66 years of service. Harry, along with brother William and his wife Kate, are at the forefront of an effort to modernize the monarchy by talking openly about their innermost feelings.

The union of Harry, a former royal wild child and sixth-in-line to the British throne, and 36-year-old Meghan, a divorcee whose mother is African-American and father is white, was like no other the royal family has seen before.

The newlyweds will also be officially known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after Queen Elizabeth bestowed those titles on them.

LIU Confers Honorary Doctorate Degree on ASR’s President & CEO Rao Anumolu

May 21, 2018 Staff ReporterCommunity, Profiles 0

Long Island University (LIU), one of the largest private universities in the United States, conferred an Honorary Doctorate Degree on Rao Anumolu, ASR’s Founder, President & CEO, during LIU’s 2018 Commencement ceremonies on May 11, 2018.

Rao Anumolu is the President & CEO of Long Island (New York) based ASR International Corporation. He obtained a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering and also an MBA degree from Illinois Institute of Technology. He has attended several Advanced Management Courses at Defense Systems Management College, Harvard University and Wharton School of Business Management. He is also an OPM graduate of Harvard Business School (HBS).

Anumolu is the only Asian Indian to have been cited by the US Congress for the contributions made by him and ASR International Corporation towards homeland security in USA. Mr. Anumolu is the recipient of the 2010 Ellis Island Medal of Honor. This Medal recognized recipients for outstanding contributions to their communities, their nation and the world. It is the highest civilian award in the US for immigrants – for their contributions in the development of this country. Mr. Anumolu has held senior management positions directing commercial and government programs that included major aerospace design and development projects.

Anumolu founded ASR International Corporation in 1986 in Long Island, NY. ASR is a world renowned high technology company providing Engineering, Information Technology, Training, Project Management, Logistics, and Supply Chain Quality Management Support Services to global Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. ASR is ISO 9001:2015 certified and assessed at SEI CMMI Level 3.

ASR is a world renowned high technology company providing Engineering, Information Technology, Training, Project Management, Logistics, and Supply Chain Quality Management Support Services to global Fortune 500 companies and government agencies.

Founded in 1986, ASR is an ISO 9001:2015 certfied company providing world-wide Management and Technical Support Services to Government agencies and many Fortune 500 customers in the Aviation, Engineering, Manufacturing, Marine, Petrochemical, and Renewable Energy sectors. Visit asrintl.com for more information.

LIU is one of the nation’s largest private universities. Since its founding in 1926, LIU has provided high quality academic programs taught by world-class faculty. LIU offers 500 accredited programs to more than 20,000 students and has a network of over 200,000 alumni that includes leaders in industries across the globe. Visit liu.edu for more information.

Dr. Ramesh Kumar Foundation pledges One Crore Rupees Towards Trauma Rescue Initiative in Kerala

May 15, 2018 Ajay GhoshCommunity, Health 0

Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Minister of the state of Kerala, officially launched the much awaited The Trauma Rescue Initiative (TRI), a life-saving ambulance service network in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, May 11th, 2018. The new initiative was launched in association with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Kerala Branch, the Kerala Police, and the Dr. Ramesh Kumar Foundation, based in the United States.

“We have pledged Rs. One Crore for RAMU service and almost half of the money has already been paid to IMA. Our aim is to help the needy, the nature, and help keep the legacy and the fond memories of our beloved son, Dr. Ramesh Kumar (RAMU),” said Dr. Narendra Kumar, past President of AKMG/AAPI and a Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Recipient. “In case the patient is unable to pay for the services, IMA with the help of Dr. Ramesh Kumar Foundation will provide the financial assistance. I am happy that this project has come into effect all over the Stat from today.”

The Chief Minister launched the prestigious Accident Rescue initiative at the CM’s Conference Room in the presence of the State Director General of Police Loknath Behera; Inspector General Manoj Abraham; Kerala State MLA and famous Cine Actor Mukesh; Personal Secretary to the CM, Jayaraj; IMA Kerala State Branch President Dr. E K Ummer; Secretary Dr. N. Sulphi; Dr. Marthandapillai; Dr. Sreejith N. Kumar; Dr. John Panicker; Sister of Dr Narendra R Kumar, Dr. Syamala Kumari; Dr. Sunoj and Dr. Danish Salim, who helped develop the software.

The Chief Minister released the helpline number 9188 100100 linked to the state-wide network of ambulances. About 1000 ambulances have been registered with the scheme across the state during the first phase of the online network. These ambulances will be visible on the police web portal.

Under the initiative, ambulance services as well as trauma medical centers, both private and government in the city, will be networked. The project will be first implemented in the capital city on a trial basis. Ten trauma care hospitals have been included in the project and ambulance drivers have been given training.

TRI is using the software, web portal and app developed by PRS hospital emergency department head Dr. Danish Salim. The entire network is known as Ambulances Networking System with emergency Response (ANSWER). The number 9188100100 is operating out of Cantonment police station in Thiruvananthapuram. To ensure 24/7 response on this number, IMA has appointed three persons exclusively for handling distress calls. Ambulance drivers have been given training by the IMA and police department for using the online service.

Once the call goes to 9188 100 100, the staff at police control room will locate the nearest available ambulance from among those linked to the network. Once the ambulance is located, the police will pass on the message, contact number and address to the driver. Soon the ambulance will reach the place and take the patient to the nearest hospital.

The police control rooms have a special portal which gives the real-time location of ambulances close to the accident spot. Similarly, there will be separate mobile applications for ambulance drivers and hospitals to manage the distress calls. The applications can identify various types of available ambulances such as the ICU equipped ones in a particular area. During the next phase, a mobile app will created on the lines of Uber app whereby the users would be able to seek service directly. The project is quite significant considering the fact that on an average 11 persons die and 120 sustain grievous to minor injuries in road accidents in the state daily.

According to the IMA, in the first phase, around 1,000 ambulances plying in the state will be included in the network. IMA also is working towards developing a mobile app for availing the service of the ambulance network in which a person can easily send an alert to the nearest ambulance service available via the app. “Those who dial 9188 100 100 will first be connected to Thiruvananthapuram City Police Control Room. Upon locating the distress call it will be redirected to the nearest ambulance driver available,” said Sulphi.

In the case of the proposed mobile app, the IMA secretary said once an ambulance driver receives an alert, the app will show the place and the direction to reach there. It will also show a list of hospitals near the accident or emergency spot.

Friends and family of Michigan-based Indian American physician Dr. Ramesh Kumar, set up the 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. Kumar was known for his largesse, once paying for the surgery of a woman he didn’t know, friends said.

The Ramesh Kumar Foundation 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.

The Indian American doctor was the son of Dr. Narendra Kumar, former president of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, and Meenakshi ‘Minni’ Kumar. More information about the foundation can be found at www.drrameshkumarfoundation.org.

26th annual The Indus Entrepreneurs conference (TiE Inflect) focusses on Artificial Intelligence

May 15, 2018 Staff ReporterBusiness, Science & Technology 0

The 26th annual The Indus Entrepreneurs conference, TiE Inflect 2018, held from May 4 and May 5, and attended thousands of business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors at the Santa Clara Convention Center focused on artificial intelligence and featured 15 tracks all centered on the human impact of artificial intelligence.

TiE Silicon Valley board member Manish Gupta explained the change of name at the onset of the event, and the conference discussed on Artificial Intelligence: Executives from companies like Oracle, eBay, Capital One, Google, Cisco and more spoke about Artificial Intelligence and its impact on our daily lives; Internet of Things: VPs and managers from Trimble, Intel, Microsoft, Nvidia and more spoke about Internet of Things and connect IoT with cars, daily living, and food. Yes, food!; TiE Women: One of the best tracks of TiE Inflect as it featured women executives from marketing and tech companies; and, TiE Youth: The TiE Youth track featured many young entrepreneurs with successful startups. The track will be hosted by Miss San Jose and there is a shift as we will see more female speakers in this track. Budding student entrepreneurs from Mission San Jose High School in Fremont, Calif., spoke in this track.

The two-day-long event, co-convened by Ravinder Paul Singh and Sandeep Vij and hosted by TiE Silicon Valley with a cohort of more than 350 volunteers, featured 275 speakers including several grand keynotes provided to the more than 5,000 event-goers, including many from the Indian American community. “The need for what TiE can do has changed, and the need to change the name is working towards the new entrepreneur to help inflect,” Gupta said.

Some of the prominent speakers included, Splunk chief executive Doug Merritt, former Infosys CEO Vishal Sikka and SymphonyAI Group and Wadhwani Foundation founder Romesh Wadhwani. In citing his young life of moving 11 times by the time he was 13 years old, Merritt said he learned change is constant and led him to wonder how he could control the change. “The ability to imagine, conceive … is the core foundation why I got into tech,” Merritt added.

In advising the entrepreneurs in the crowd, the Splunk CEO said there is a need to adopt a growth mindset. “You’re either growing or you’re dying,” he said. “Data is the foundation of the future of economy, and it’s still in its infancy.”

Sikka, the former head of Infosys, focused on how AI, while it has grown leaps and bounds over the years, is still very far from being at a point where robots are superior to humans. Sikka said there needs to be more balanced research, better policy-making and regulatory work, better education, easier to use tools, and lots more applications. “We are either people that wait for people to tell us what to do, or we are people who use their imagination and see what isn’t there,” Sikka said. “(Our imagination) is the destiny that can keep us going in the long run.”

Like Merritt, other speakers gave advice on how entrepreneurs should be ever watchful over market changes. Delivering the grand keynote on the second day of the conference, Jay Chaudhry, founder and chairman of Zscaler, told the audience not to solely rely on feedback from their customers but to read the market and make decisions.

Wadhwani took the time to talk some sense into individuals who feel that AI and robots will take away jobs from humans. “At the end of previous revolutions (highlighting the industrial revolution and others) the economy was better and society was much better,” he said. “The claims of doom and gloom … I’m not a believer. It’s just the normal evolution of time.”

“My strong believe is that the next 10 years will be the golden age in AI,” Wadhwani said, stressing the importance to be bold and shoot for scalable companies rather than settling for creating a small company with intentions to be bought out. “I believe AI can be much more beneficial to helping underprivileged people across the world – more so than helping businesses.”

Three women – Madhura Konkar Belani, Shanthi Iyer and Julia Castro Abrams – in the “Road to Innovation Success: Journey, Advice and Collaboration Stories” session, discussed their careers to success. They offered insights to the more than 100 women in the crowd into their path to success and recommendations on how to move up the chain in any given company.

“Make sure not to just have a mentor, but have an advocate,” Iyer said to the crowd, citing a story about an advocate who pushed her to stick with her current position. “I think that changes the game. If everyone did it for one or two people, imagine the impact we can have.”

Building on the 25-year legacy of TiEcon, TiE Inflect 2018 was designed to focus on the business and human impact of AI, said Jay Visvanathan, executive director of TiE Silicon Valley, in his introductory remarks. A broad range of business-related topics was discussed at the event that drew about 5,000 people, including over 250 speakers.

Silicon Valley entrepreneur Suhas Patil, who co-founded TiE 25 years ago and is currently emeritus board member of TiE Global, observed that over the years TiE has given “startup guys” to make connections and keep pace with changing technologies. It also lets them know that “you don’t need a rich uncle to help you build a company.”

They came all spruced up, looking cool and “lit,”as they would say, to the TiE Youth Track on the second day of The Indus Entrepreneurs convention here, to show that despite their youth, they had a head start in the world of entrepreneurial leadership.

Nearly a dozen teenagers with titles adults traditionally have to earn through years of hard work — chief executive officer and president among them — strutted their business acumen and entrepreneurial achievements with aplomb. Many came dressed like pros. Nearly all of them had a philanthropic streak.

“We had decided to focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning at the conference this year, which is increasingly gaining currency in both tech-talks and laymen conversations these days and has become critical component of almost all industries. The importance that we attached to AI and machine learning or blockchain is evident from the title of the theme of this year’s conference: ‘Imagination AI,’ “said Ram Reddy, founder, chairman and CEO of Global Industry Analysts, Inc and president of TiE Silicon Valley.

“There needs to be more education on artificial intelligence as there are fewer than 250,000 people at present who could use machine learning tools,” he said. Earlier this year, Sikka exuded optimism about the future of AI saying, he is “personally extremely excited about doing something in AI, something that fundamentally improves the world.” That optimism reflected in his keynote at the conference.

The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) was founded in 1992 in Silicon Valley, seeking to create a bridge between budding entrepreneurs needing guidance for their ventures, and those who could offer that. While TiE continues to essentially pursue that mission of giving back to the community, 26 years later that goal has to some extent been adjusted keeping in consideration the needs of the present-day, young generation entrepreneurs. “So, our whole model has shifted to becoming mostly relevant to what is really happening out there, tailormade to the needs of people in our times,” Reddy said.

AAHOA launches new human trafficking awareness program

May 15, 2018 Staff ReporterBusiness, Politics, Tourism 0

The Asian American Hotel Owners Association, AAHOA, kicked off its two-day Spring National Advocacy Conference as over 250 hoteliers from across the country visited Washington, DC on May 8^th to meet with their legislators on Capitol Hill. They highlighted how the hospitality industry is a key economic driver in the United States, a press release said.

The Asian American Hotel Owners Association, whose members are mostly Indian-Americans, and which represents an estimated 50 percent of the U.S. hospitality industry, also launched a new digital training for members and their employees May 2, that focuses on raising awareness of human trafficking in the hospitality industry.

“America’s hoteliers create jobs, welcome guests into our communities, and provide a valuable service to travelers across the nation. AAHOA members are eager to share their knowledge of the hospitality industry with our congressional leaders. Whether its highlighting how they are reinvesting the tax savings generated by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as they create new jobs, increase wages, and expand their properties, or discussing the important steps our industry is taking to combat human trafficking, AAHOA members are letting our lawmakers know about the issues that matter most to them,” said AAHOA Chairman Hitesh (HP) Patel.

The AAHOA Vice Chairwoman Jagruti Panwala testified before the House Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access. Panwala focused on the impact of the travel and tourism industry on the American economy and highlighted the contributions of hotels and discussed the challenges the industry faces.

“It is a privilege to appear before the Congress and share the story of our industry and the important role that travel and tourism play in driving the American economy. This week, hundreds of AAHOA members are meeting with their elected officials and sharing their stories of small business success and helping our lawmakers understand how the policies they create are affecting their constituencies, Panwala said, according to an AAHOA press release.

“The economic indicators in America’s travel and tourism industry point to strong economic performance and a promising future. Unemployment is low, and business and consumer confidences are high. Hoteliers are increasing wages and workers are in demand,” said Panwala.

Earlier, in the May 2 AAHOA announcement of a joint partnership with Polaris, an organization that fights against ‘modern slavery’ the Indian-American hoteliers announced that the AAHOA Human Trafficking Awareness Training (HTAT) is available exclusively to AAHOA’s nearly 18,000 members and the over 600,000 employees at member properties at no cost, the news release said.

“Hoteliers have a moral imperative to prevent human trafficking at their properties,” AAHOA Chairman Hitesh (HP) Patel is quoted saying in the press release. “Unfortunately, the privacy and anonymity that are inherent in the hotel industry, as well as the frequent turnover of clientele, make hotels an attractive venue for criminals looking to exploit trafficking victims,” Hitesh Patel noted.

“With a membership that owns about one in every two hotels across the United States, AAHOA is capitalizing on that reach to promote education and awareness of human trafficking,” said AAHOA President and CEO Chip Rogers. “This important training not only focuses on sex trafficking, but also on labor trafficking, which can be difficult to spot,” Rogers added.

Being a conscientious employer means understanding how labor brokers and recruiters exploit workers and requesting supply chain transparency to ensure that no one is being forced to work against his or her will, Rogers said. “Hoteliers are uniquely positioned to disrupt the criminal networks and individuals that exploit society’s most vulnerable through human trafficking, and they can save lives in the process,” Rogers emphasized.

“This new training developed with Polaris will go a long way to help hoteliers and their employees identify the signs of sex and labor trafficking, assist victims, and work with law enforcement to keep this criminal activity out of our communities,” Hitesh Patel said speaking at a Houston, Texas roundtable discussion on the issue, hosted by House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-TX. The roundtable also included representatives from the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign, and Polaris.

“This training is a vital tool in the fight against sex trafficking and forced labor,” said Joe Racalto, director of Government Relations at Polaris said, adding, “Education is one of the keys to ending modern slavery and restoring freedom and dignity to survivors. By making it freely available to so many hoteliers and hotel workers, we can quickly raise awareness of the issue.”

AAHOA is the largest hotel owners association in the world, its website says. The more than 17,700 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 is a proud defender of free enterprise and the foremost current-day example of realizing the American dream,” the website notes.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to address AAPI delegates during AAPI Convention In Ohaio

May 8, 2018 Staff ReporterCommunity 0

Over 2,000 AAPI delegates and their families who will attend the 2018 AAPI Annual Convention& Scientific Assembly in Columbus, Ohio will have an authentic experience of yoga and meditation with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on July 5th, 2018. “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 agreed to grace us with his presence and enlighten us all with his wisdom. His talks motivate and encourage, offer comfort and reassurance, and provide insights for daily living,” Dr. Gautam Samadder, President of AAPI said.

During the five day event to held from July 4th to 8th, 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 event 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. AAPI Pageant, organized and supported by National AAPI – a non-profit organization, is being held for the first time in Columbus, Ohio during 36th National AAPI Convention from July 4-8, 2018. “AAPI Pageant 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.

Dr. Naresh Parikh, President-Elect of AAPI, who was present at the 33rd edition of AAPI’s convention in Florida in 2015, recalled, 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 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.

“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 told the delegates at the Orlando convention. 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. “You live on average ten years less than the patients you treat,” as a consequence of the stressful life you lead, he told them.

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.

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

$1.84 million raised for children’s education in India at AIF’s NYC gala

May 8, 2018 Staff ReporterCommunity, Education 0

More than 500 guests, including business executives, investors, entrepreneurs and community leaders, who had attended American India Foundation’s annual gala, helped raise $1.84 million to support AIF’s poverty-disrupting work on the ground in India on April 30, at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City.

The fund raised will be used to support the organization’s Learning and Migration Program (LAMP), In India each year, 70 million people migrate from their villages to find work, bringing their children with them to hazardous work sites like saltpans, brick kilns and sugar plantations, where they are vulnerable to child labor and trafficking. These children are pulled out of school for as much as eight months at a time. They fall severely behind, and often dropout – if they are lucky enough to go to school at all.

One of highlights of the evening was a presentation by one of the beneficiaries of the Learning and Migration Program (LAMP). Sunita Koli, who grew up in Gujarat as the daughter of two parents who worked in the saltpans, shared how the program had an impact on her life. As a child, Sunita worked long days on the hot saltpans of Gujarat for up to eight months a year. Because she migrated to the saltpans with her parents, she wasn’t able to go to school and learn.

One day, Sunita learned of an opportunity to stay in her community – and in school – through AIF’s Learning and Migration Program. She found studying difficult at first, but within a few years, had completely transformed.

Sunita became the first girl in her community to graduate 10th grade, and a few years later, to graduate college. Today, she is studying for the Public Service Exam so she can help other girls like herself succeed.

AIF believes that education can break the cycle of poverty and migration that traps individuals and families in menial and exploitative work. Its Learning and Migration Program does just that, by empowering children affected by migration with a quality education.

Sunita Koli said, “I look at this country and all the facilities here and I don’t know if you can understand what it means for someone from my community to go to college. How difficult it is. How many barriers we have to overcome to make this happen. I am proud that I was able to achieve this.”

“Other girls in my community saw me and they realized that there was life outside this village. They wanted to do something and be something in life. My younger sister followed my footsteps and there are other girls from my community who are now going to college,” she said.

Sunita’s story illustrates the impact of the Learning and Migration Program. Now she is a role model and mentor for other girls in her village, said AIF. AIF CEO Nishant Pandey shared the opportunity LAMP has provided to young girls in rural India.

The evening also featured remarks from other prominent leaders who lauded AIF on its continued success in fighting poverty for the most marginalized people in India. These leaders included Raj Gupta, former Chairman & CEO, Rohm & Haas Company, Ajay Banga, President & Chief Executive Officer, MasterCard, and Lata Krishnan, Chief Financial Officer, Shah Capital Partners.

Actress Reshma Shetty engaged the audience throughout the evening as the Master of Ceremonies. The event honored Andrew Liveris, Chairman & CEO of The Dow Chemical Company and Director & Former Executive Chairman of DowDuPont, and Shikha Sharma, Managing Director & CEO of Axis Bank.

AIF Vice Chair, Harit Talwar, Head of Digital Finance at Goldman, Sachs & Co., thanked supporters for their generosity and encouraged those in attendance to continue contributing to the American India Foundation. Talwar said, “With your support, AIF continues to serve as the innovative source of opportunity for those who need it most”.

Prominent speakers included Raj Gupta, retired Chairman and CEO of Rohm & Haas Company; Ajay Banga, President and Chief Executive Officer of MasterCard; and Lata Krishnan, Chief Financial Officer at Shah Capital Partners.

The event honored Andrew Liveris, Chairman and CEO of The Dow Chemical Company and Director & Former Executive Chairman of DowDuPont, and Shikha Sharma, Managing Director and CEO of Axis Bank.

Nikki Haley most popular member of Trump national security team

May 2, 2018 Staff ReporterPolitics 0

American voters of different partisan stripes don’t agree on much nowadays, but they can agree on this: most of them approve of US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, CNN reported last week.

President Donald Trump’s choice of an Indian-American as ambassador to the United Nations may have been his best decision yet as it relates to his national security team. According to the latest Quinnipiac University poll, results of which were announced April 25, Haley scores way above the other members of Trump’s cabinet, for her work as the international envoy at the world body.

A broad 63% of American voters approve of her job performance vs. only 17% who say they disapprove in a new Quinnipiac University poll. Twenty percent had no opinion. Her approval spans party lines: 75% of Republicans, 63% of independents and even 55% of Democrats say they approve of how she’s handling her job.

Her support among Democrats is virtually identical to the share of Democrats who approve of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (56%) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (55%) in the same poll.

From April 20 – 24, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,193 voters nationwide, with a margin of error of +/- 3.4 percentage points, including the design effect. Live interviewers called landlines and cell phones to determine opinions, the press release said.

In other results of the poll, American voters approve 52 – 42 percent of the way President Donald Trump is handling the nation’s policy toward North Korea, and support 61 – 30 percent the military action against Syria after the alleged use of chemical weapons.
As for the work of Congress, American voters disapproved of both parties’ accomplishments — 69 disapproval to 22 percent of the job Republicans in Congress are doing and 66 – 26 percent of the job Democrats in were doing.

Infosys to create 3,000 jobs in Indianapolis

May 2, 2018 Staff ReporterBusiness, Community, Finance/Economy, Science & Technology 0

While the Trump and his administration has been anti-immigrants, falsely accusing them of taking away the jobs in the United States, in yet another example of how immaigrants build and create jobs here in the US, the India-based Infosys, a consulting, technology and next-generation services firm, has announced the launching of a technology and innovation hub in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 26, declaring that it plans to establish a U.S. education center in the city as well as expand its hiring by 1,000 more jobs.

According to reports, Infosys has reached a deal to build a technology hub at the former Indianapolis International Airport terminal site, according to sources familiar with the plan. The development will include more than 120 acres and is expected to result in 3,000 new jobs — 1,000 more than previously announced. The Indianapolis Airport Authority, the city and the Indiana Economic Development Corp. reached terms on an agreement with the India-based technology company last week.

The center intends to train American workers and arm them with skills for the digital future. Additionally, the firm said in a news release it has expanded its hiring plans for the state from 2,000 to 3,000 new jobs by the end of 2023.

Infosys will provide an initial investment of $35 million to create the first 125,000 sq. ft. of development to transform the 70.5-acre site at the old Indianapolis airport terminal into its U.S. Education Center. Infosys will break ground on this initial phase before the end of 2018 and anticipates its completion by the end of 2020, it said.

The initial phase will comprise of a training center and will accommodate a 250-person residential facility. The center will also serve as a hub for development of next-generation digital technologies, according to the news release.

“We are excited to partner with Indiana to grow our U.S. presence by building our U.S. Education Center here, which is dedicated to continuous learning and incubating the skills of the future,” said Infosys president Ravi Kumar in a statement.

“At Infosys, we have always invested in advanced technology and skills and bring deep experience from running the largest corporate training facility in the world. Our new Indianapolis facility will prepare our American employees-and those of our clients-to master the kinds of advanced skills that are now required to succeed in our digital future,” Kumar said.

The state and Indianapolis are offering up to $101.8 million in incentives for the project, according to an IndyStar report. Infosys ultimately plans to build the $245 million, 141-acre campus in phases over several years, the report said.

Specifically, the state will offer Infosys up to $56.5 million in conditional tax credits and up to $1.5 million in training grants based on the company’s job-creation plans. The state also will offer up to $6 million in conditional tax credits for the company’s capital investment plans, the report noted.

Indianapolis is contributing $17.8 million in infrastructure improvements and real estate. The state is contributing an additional $20 million for infrastructure improvements, the publication said. The project far exceeds Infosys’ previous plans, both in real estate ambition and hiring, IndyStar added.

The company’s grander plan attracted the attention of Vice President Mike Pence, who changed his schedule to appear at the whirlwind announcement that came together so quickly it caught some state and city officials off guard. Mayor Joe Hogsett also attended the announcement, which culminates a year of negotiations with Infosys, the report said.

Infosys’ initial plan already stood as the second-largest jobs announcement in Indiana, after Honda’s decision more than a decade ago to build a $578 million plant in Greensburg and hire 2,064 workers, it added.

Infosys’ vision for the finished site includes regeneration of the area to feature walkways, green spaces and recreational facilities, the news release added.

Using best practices from Infosys’ Global Education Center in Mysore, India, and partnerships with academia and education providers, the initial training programs at the U.S. Education Center will combine classroom-based and immersive, real-world learning focused on key competencies such as user experience, cloud, big data and core technology and computer science skills, it said.

“Today’s announcement with Infosys is a big win-not just for Indiana but for the nation as a whole, which is why I’m glad Vice President Pence was able to join us,” Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb said in a statement.

“Infosys’ state-of-the-art training facility will teach thousands of folks across America right here on Indiana soil. And, it will help prepare more current and future Hoosiers for success in our rapidly evolving, global economy,” he added.

This announcement is part of Infosys’ commitment to hire 10,000 American workers over the next two years and invest in training to ensure that the U.S. workforce has the essential skills required for the digital economy, the company said.

Dr. Babu Stephen, Ajay Ghosh among 7 honored with Excellence Award by NAMAM

May 2, 2018 Staff ReporterBusiness, Community, Education, Health, Science & Technology, Youth 0

A community activist & leader, a successful businessman, an industrialist, a scientist, a renowned musician, two young prodigies, an organ donor, and a journalist were honored at a colorful bi-annual NAMAM Excellence Award 2018 ceremony held at the Royal Albert Palace, Edison, New Jersey on April 28th, 2018.

What stood out at the long-awaited historic event was that among the 7 honorees, two are leaders of the Indo-American Press Club (IAPC). Dr. Babu Stephan, current Chairman, and Ajay Ghosh, founding President of IAPC, were the recipients of the NAMAM awards for their contributions and successes in the business and media world, respectively. IAPC, founded 6 years ao, has been serving as a platform to raise the voice of Indian Americans journalists in North America.

Dr. Stephen is the CEO of DC Healthcare Inc, and the president of SM Reality LLC in Washington, and has been politically well-connected in both Washington DC and Kerala. He has dabbled in media and having arrived in America almost 4 decades ago, and has been among the first generation of Indian community builders here. In his acceptance speech for the award for excellence in business, he recounted the Indian American community’s landmark achievements in all walks of life here – and we have only started!

Ajay Ghosh was chosen for his contributions in media. He has founded the Universal News Network (UNN), a news portal as chief editor, and has been associated with news publications including India Tribute, Indian Express (North American edition), NRI Today and Asian Era magazines. And since 2010, he has been the media consultant of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI). In addition, he has taught Social Work Seminar and guided students at the Graduate School of Social Work at Fordham University in New York City since 2006 and works as a Primary Clinician at Yale New Haven Hospital, serving patients with behavioral health issues. Mr. Ghosh dedicated his award to the journalists of Indian origin, who work tirelessly to inform, educate and create awareness on issues that affect the peoples of the world.

Other awardees included, a world renowned community leader and activist, Dr. Thomas Abraham; T. S. Nandakumar, a renowned and versatile Carnatic music percussionist; Ramadas Pillai, President/CTO of Nuphoton Technologies, Inc; Rekha Nair, who has been an advocate for organ donation; Tiara Thankam Abraham, a 12-year-old soprano prodigy and a child genius; and, Child Genius Tanishq Mathew Abraham, a 14-year-old senior completing his biomedical engineering degree at Univ. Of California, Davis. He will be the youngest engineer to graduate in June 2018.

Dr. Thomas Abraham highlighted the need for bringing together the Indian Diaspora under the banner of GOPIO and how it has become a powerful force in raising our voices against discrimination and injustice. In her acceptance speech, Rekha Nair, who stunned the world by donating one of her kidneys at a young age to save the life of a woman she barely knew at the time last year, made an impassioned appeal for organ donation and blood donation.

Of the two siblings, Tanishq, 14-year-old senior (4th year) completing his biomedical engineering degree, could not come down from California, so his younger sister Tiara, 12, accepted the award on his behalf too. She also gave a performance and showed why she is considered a prodigy soprano.

NAMAM, or the North American Malayalees and Associated Members, founded by Madhavan B. Nair, has been honoring its best and brightest at biennial events. Madhavan Nair, in his welcome address, described it as, “an unforgettable evening as we honor extraordinarily accomplished individuals, who have made valuable contributions to the Indian-American community with the NAMAM Excellence Awards.”

The evening program was studded with dance and live music performances, both Indian classical and contemporary/Bollywood. Among the 350 attendees at the event were many prominent members of the community and guests from India.

Founded in 2010, NAMAM has been reaching out to the community with cultural programs, social gatherings and humanitarian aid efforts. Madhavan Nair summed up the essence of the awards nite and the goals of NAMAM: “It is our priority to pass a deep awareness about our rich heritage, unique customs and eclectic culture of Kerala to the younger generation in the USA, so that they can appreciate and take pride in their genealogy.”

Indian Americans: A Model Ethnic Group In The US

April 26, 2018 Ajay GhoshBusiness, Community, Entertainment, Finance/Economy, India, Politics, Science & Technology 0

“In the Western imagination, India conjures up everything from saris and spices to turbans and, temples—and the pulsating energy of Bollywood movies,” the prestigious Smithsonian Institute stated recently. “But in America, India’s contributions stretch far beyond these stereotypes. From the builders of some of America’s earliest railroads and farms to Civil Rights pioneers to digital technology entrepreneurs, Indian Americans have long been an inextricable part of American life. Today, one out of every 100 Americans, from Silicon Valley to Small town, USA, traces his or her roots to India. Breakthroughs in business, the arts, medicine, science, and technology, and the flavorful food, flamboyant fashion and yoga of India have become a central part of our national culture.”

In 1997, when I had landed in Milwaukee, WI to pursue my journalism degree, it was rare to find Indian Americans in the city. Today, everywhere I go, at work, shopping malls, sports arena, theaters, churches, schools where my 3 daughters attend, and in my neighborhood where I live, there is a growing number of Indian Americans. There has been an influx of Indian Americans across the nation, especially in the past couple of decades.

According to The Economist, “Three-quarters of the Indian-born population in America today arrived in the last 25 years.” The present Indian population can be explained from the nearly 147,000 immigrants that India provides to the country on a yearly basis, reported Huffington Post.

In the early 20th century just a few hundred people emigrated from India to America each year and there were only about 5,000 people of Indian heritage living in the United States. Today Indian-born Americans number over 3.8 million and they are probably the most successful minority group in the country. Compared with all other big foreign-born groups, they are younger, richer and more likely to be married and supremely well educated.

The modern immigration wave from Asia is nearly a half century old and has pushed the total population of Asian Americans—foreign born and U.S born, adults and children—to a record 18.2 million in 2011, or 5.8% of the total U.S. population, up from less than 1% in 1965.

Pew Research study has found, “Asian Americans are the highest-income, best-educated and fastest-growing racial group in the United States. They are more satisfied than the general public with their lives, finances and the direction of the country, and they place more value than other Americans do on marriage, parenthood, hard work and career success.”

Indians have always been rising in America. As James Crabtree of Financial Times suggests, “More than any other group of outsiders, it was the Indians who figured out that, to make it in startup land, it helps to have a social network of your own.”

The less than four million Indian Americans appear to be gaining prominence and have come to be recognized as a force to reckon with in this land of opportunities that they have come to call as their adopted homeland. They are the most educated population in the United States, with more than 80 percent holding college or advanced degrees, as per a report by Pew Research Center. They have the highest income levels, earning $65,000 per year with a median household income of $88,000, far higher than the U.S. household average of 49,000, according to the survey.

Although disparities persist with nearly nine percent of Indian Americans live in poverty, they have made a mark in almost every field in the United States through their hard work, dedication and brilliance. Notching successes in fields as diverse as poetry and politics, the fast growing strong Indian American community packed more power and influence far beyond their numbers in the year gone by.

“While the Indian-American community has been the wealthiest, most-educated minority in the U.S. for some time now, they’re only more recently experiencing wide-scale recognition in public life,” Forbes magazine stated.

Indian Americans are just one percent of the American population, but 3 percent of its engineers, 7 percent of its IT force, and 8 percent of its physicians and surgeons. Some 10-20 percent of all tech start-ups have Indian founders. Indeed, a joint Duke University-UC Berkeley study revealed that between 1995-2005, Indian immigrants founded more engineering and technology companies than immigrants from countries like UK, China, Taiwan and Japan combined. They have risen to the top ranks in major companies like Satya Nadella in Microsoft, Sundar Pichai in Google and Indra Nooyi in Pepsico.

Indians for decades have been playing an important role in global technology landscape. Indians, especially in Silicon Valley, are growing in prominence, influence, and sheer population. The fact that Satya Nadella, Sundar Pichai, and Nikesh Arora lead some of the most prominent tech world giants is an example of their importance to the larger world and the significant contributions they continue to make.

Rajeev Suri is leading Nokia. Hyderabad-born Shantanu Narayen is the leader of Adobe, while Sanjay Jha ids the CEO of Global Foundries. George Kurian became the CEO and president of storage and data management company NetApp in June 2015. Francisco D’Souza is the CEO, Cognizant, and Dinesh Paliwal is the president and CEO of Harman International, and Ashok Vemuri is the CEO, Conduent Inc, the Xerox’s sibling business services. These are only a few of the success stories of Indians in the US, leading the tech industry in the US.

The surge in Indians moving to America was intimately linked to the rise of the technology industry. In the 1980s India loosened its rules on private colleges, leading to a large expansion in the pool of engineering and science graduates. Fear of the “Y2K” bug in the late 1990s served as a catalyst for them to engage with the global economy, with armies of Indian engineers working remotely from the subcontinent, or travelling to America on workers’ visas.

Today a quarter or more of the Indian-born workforce is employed in the tech industry. In the Silicon Valley neighborhoods such as Fremont and Cupertino, people of Indian origin make up a fifth of the population. Some 10-20% of all tech start-ups have Indian founders; Indians have ascended to the heights of the biggest firms, too.

If Indians are a powerful force in the tech sector, they have also begun to show their power in the political arena. There have been several Indian Americans who have been elected and appointed to important positions at national, state and local level offices.

A record five Indian-Americans serve in the US Congress, scripting history for the minority ethnic community that comprises just one per cent of America’s population. Congressmen Ami Bera, Raja

Photo by: Dennis Van Tine/STAR MAX/IPx
4/14/16
Dr. Vivek Murthy (U.S. Surgeon General) at The National Action Network Conference.
(NYC)

Krishnamoorthy, Ro Khanna and Pramila Jayapal have been elected to the US Congress while Kamla Harris represents California in the US Senate.

Kamala Harris, a rising star, the first Indian American and first black senator from California, the Huffington Post has suggested Harris could be “the next best hope for shattering that glass ceiling=,” by becoming the first female President of the greatest democracy in the world. Pundits have compared her rise to that of former President Obama.

Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, a fast-rising Democratic star, has featured in the Politico magazine’s “Power List for the year 2018” for having assumed the mantle of a House “leader of the resistance.”

US Ambassador to the United Nations, Haley is arguably the most visible Indian American in the Trump administration. Elected governor of South Carolina in 2010, Haley was the first Indian American woman ever to become a U.S. governor, and was both the first female governor and the first governor from an ethnic minority South Carolina had ever seen.

Over the past several months, there have been a number of articles in the national press, speculating whether former South Carolina Governor and the current US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley might consider a presidential run in 2020. Some say her efforts and clear leadership as governor and ambassador to the United Nations have put her in a strong position to possibly become this nation’s first female president.

In the most recent elections, Indian Americans made huge victories across the nation. Last November, Indian American politician Ravinder Bhalla made news by being the first Sikh mayor of the New Jersey city of Hoboken, as well as one of the first public officials in the US to wear a turban. The occupational profile presented by the Asian Indian community today is one of increasing diversity. Although a large number of Asian Indians are professionals, others own small businesses or are employed as semi- or nonskilled workers.

Forbes wrote recently about the new additions to the Trump administration: “two Indian Americans, Raj Shah and Manisha Singh, the latest instance of a relatively new, larger trend: the growing participation — and success — of Indian Americans in public service.”

Trump appointed Raj Shah principal deputy press secretary — who also continues to hold his post as deputy assistant to the president. US assistant secretary of state for economic and business affairs, Manisha Singh, 45, is a noted lawyer from Florida.

As the chairman of the United States Federal Communications Commission, accomplished attorney Ajit Pai works on a wide variety of regulatory and transactional matters involving the cable, internet, TV, radio and satellite industries.

A respected legal scholar, Neomi Rao is the administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the White House. Seema Verma is the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Vishal Amin is Trump’s intellectual property enforcement coordinator. Neil Chatterjee is chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

While several Indian Americans are now key players in pushing the Trump White House’s conservative agenda, the Indian-American community in general has long leaned left. Politically, they are more Democratic leaning than any other group as a whole in the nation. A whopping 84 per cent Indian-Americans voted for President Barack Obama in the general election in 2012. Compared with other US Asian groups, Indian Americans are the most likely to identify with the Democratic Party; 65 percent are Democrats or lean to the Democrats, 18 percent are Republicans.

In the Obama era, they were recognized by the Democratic Party with important jobs in Washington, DC as never been before. “It is very exciting to serve in an Administration that has so many great Indian-Americans serving,” said Raj Shah, former Administrator of USIAD, the highest ranking Indian-American in the Obama Administration.

In 2012, a record 30 Indian Americans fought to win electoral battle with Republican Nikki Haley and Democrat Kamala Harris handily winning back their jobs as South Carolina governor and California’s attorney general respectively. Amiresh ‘Ami’ Bera, the lone Indian American in the US House of Representatives, repeated history by winning a tight California House race.

Dr. Vivek Verma won an uphill battle against the powerful Gun Lobby and won the majority support at the US Senate. President Barack Obama appointed Richard Rahul Verma as the first envoy from the NRI community to India. Nisha Desai Biswal was heading the State Department’s South Asia bureau. Puneet Talwar took over as assistant secretary for political-military affairs to serve as a bridge between the State and Defense departments, while Arun Madhavan Kumar became assistant secretary of commerce and director general of the US and Foreign Commercial Service.

Subra Suresh was inducted into the Institute of Medicine (IOM), making him the only university president to be elected to all three national academies, while Sujit Choudhry, a noted expert in comparative constitutional law, became the first Indian American dean of the University of California-Berkeley, School of Law, a top US law school. Sriram Hathwar and Ansun Sujoe won the Scripps National Spelling Bee contest after 52 years and for just the fourth time in the contest’s history. Indira Nooyi, another person of Indian origin has been leading as the CEO of Pepsi, one of the largest corporations.

Former US attorney Preet Bharara made history by going after small and big law breakers in the nation. Among many judges of Indian origin, Sri Srinivasan stole the headlines with his unanimous support from the US Senate to the US Federal Court in DC.

In the glamor world of the nation, Indian Americans are not far behind. Aziz Ansari, the Master of None star won the Golden Globe this year for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy. Several others have found leading roles in the highly competitive Hollywood movies and on TV.

Priyanka Chopra has been voted the “Sexiest Asian Woman” in the world in an annual UK poll released in London last week. From splashes of red and black to purple velvet, with models that defied tradition both in size and age, Indian-American fashion designers showed their metal at the New York Fashion Week that was held in New York City in February this year. They included Bibhu Mohapatra, Prabal Gurung, Misha Kaura, Naeem Khan, Sachin & Babi, and the MacDuggal brand.

Like all immigrant groups, Indians have found niches in America’s vast economy. Half of all motels are owned by Indians, mainly Gujaratis. Punjabis dominate the franchises for 7-Eleven stores and Subway sandwiches.

Ten richest of all Indian Americans have made it to the Forbes List 2018, The World’s Billionaires on March 6th. The richest Indian American on the list is Rakesh Gangwal, the co-founder of the airline Indigo and is worth $3.3 billion, after he made an extra $1.2 billion in the past year. Romesh T. Wadhwani, an IT entrepreneur and philanthropist, closely follows him, with a net worth of $3.1 billion, who ended up topping the list last year. Forbes list this year has a record of 2,208 members including two new Indian Americans, Niraj Shah who is worth $1.6 billion and Jayshree Ullal who is worth $1.3 billion. Shah is the CEO and co-founder of Wayfair while Ullal is the CEO of Arista Networks.

Again, quoting Pew Research, Indian Americans are the highest-income and best-educated people in the United States and the third largest among Asian Americans who have surpassed Latinos as the fastest-growing racial group, according to a new survey. Seven-in-ten (70 percent) Indian Americans ages 25 and older, have obtained at least a bachelor’s degree; this is higher than the Asian-American share (49 percent) and much higher than the national share (28 percent), the survey found.

Indian Americans generally are well-off. Median annual household income for Indian Americans in 2010 was $88,000, much higher than for all Asian Americans ($66,000) and all U.S. households ($49,800). In 2010, 28% of Indian American worked in science and engineering fields; according to the 2013 American Community Survey, more than two-thirds (69.3%) of Indian Americans 16 and older were in management, business, science and arts occupations.

They are the largest segment of any group that entered the country under the H1-B visa program, which allow highly skilled foreign workers in designated “specialty occupations” to work in the U.S. In 2011, for example, 72,438 Indians received H1-B visas, 56% of all such visas granted that year.

Indian Americans have quietly permeated many segments of the American economy and society while still retaining their Indian culture. Most Asian Indian families strive to preserve traditional Indian values and transmit these to their children. Offsprings are encouraged to marry within the community and maintain their Indian heritage.

Indian Americans stand out from most other US Asian groups in the personal importance they place on parenting; 78 percent of Indian Americans say being a good parent is one of the most important things to them personally. Indian Americans are among the most likely to say that the strength of family ties is better in their country of origin (69 percent) than in the US (8 percent).

Nearly nine-in-ten (87 percent) adult Indian Americans in the United States are foreign born, compared with about 74 percent of adult Asian Americans and 16 percent of the adult US population overall. More than half of Indian-American adults are US citizens (56 percent), lower than the share among overall adult Asian population (70 percent) as well as the national share (91 percent).

More than three-quarters of Indian Americans (76 percent) speak English proficiently, compared with 63 percent of all Asian Americans and 90 percent of the US population overall. The median age of adult Indian Americans is 37, lower than for adult Asian Americans (41) and the national median (45).

Although over four fifths of Indians belong to Hindu religion in India, only about half (51%) of Indian Americans are Hindu, while nearly all Asian-American Hindus (93%) trace their heritage to India. 18% of Indian Americans identified themselves as Christians; 10% said they were Muslim.

More than seven-in-ten (71 percent) adult Indian Americans are married, a share significantly higher than for all Asian Americans (59 percent) and for the nation (51 percent). The share of unmarried mothers was much lower among Indian Americans (2.3 percent) than among all Asian Americans (15 percent) and the population overall (37 percent).

The first Asian Indians or Indian Americans, as they are also known, arrived in America as early as the middle of the nineteenth century. By the end of the nineteenth century, about 2,000 Indians, most of them Sikhs (a religious minority from India’s Punjab region), settled on the west coast of the United States, having come in search of economic opportunity. Other Asian Indians came as merchants and traders; many worked in lumber mills and logging camps in the western states of Oregon, Washington, and California, where they rented bunkhouses, acquired knowledge of English, and assumed Western dress.

Between 1910 and 1920, as agricultural work in California began to become more abundant and better paying, many Indian immigrants turned to the fields and orchards for employment. For many of the immigrants who had come from villages in rural India, farming was both familiar and preferable. Some Indians eventually settled permanently in the California valleys where they worked. Because there was virtually no immigration by Indian women during this time, it was not unheard of for Indian males to marry Mexican women and raise families.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, about 100 Indian students also studied in universities across America. A small group of Indian immigrants also came to America as political refugees from British rule. The immigration of Indians to America was tightly controlled by the American government during this time, and Indians applying for visas to travel to the United States were often rejected by U.S. diplomats in major Indian cities like Bombay and Calcutta. The Asiatic Exclusion League (AEL) was organized in 1907 to encourage the expulsion of Asian workers, including Indians.

In July 1946, Congress passed a bill allowing naturalization for Indians and, in 1957, the first Asian Indian Congressman, Dalip Saund, was elected to Congress. Like many early Indian immigrants, Saund came to the United States from Punjab and had worked in the fields and farms of California. He had also earned a doctorate at the University of California, Berkeley. While more educated and professional Indians began to enter America, immigration restrictions and tight quotas ensured that only small numbers of Indians entered the country prior to 1965. Overall, approximately 6,000 Asian Indians immigrated to the United States between 1947 and 1965.

From 1965 onward, a wave of Indian immigration began, spurred by a change in U.S. immigration law that lifted prior quotas and restrictions and allowed significant numbers of Asians to immigrate. Between 1965 and 1974, Indian immigration to the United States increased at a rate greater than that from almost any other country.

This wave of immigrants was very different from the earliest Indian immigrants—Indians that emigrated after 1965 were overwhelmingly urban, professional, and highly educated and quickly engaged in gainful employment in many U.S. cities. Many had prior exposure to Western society and education and their transition to the United States was therefore relatively smooth. More than 100,000 such professionals and their families entered the U.S. in the decade after 1965.

Almost 40 percent of all Indian immigrants who entered the United States in the decades after 1965 arrived on student or exchange visitor visas, in some cases with their spouses and dependents. Most of the students pursued graduate degrees in a variety of disciplines. They were often able to find promising jobs and prosper economically, and many became permanent residents and then citizens.

The 1990 U.S. census reported 570,000 Asian Indians in America. In general, the Asian Indian community has preferred to settle in the larger American cities rather than smaller towns, especially in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago. This appears to be a reflection of both the availability of jobs in larger cities, and the personal preference of being a part of an urban, ethnically diverse environment, one which is evocative of the Indian cities that many of the post-1965 immigrants came from.

Indian Americans are more evenly spread out than other Asian Americans. About 24 percent of adult Indian Americans live in the West, compared with 47 percent of Asian Americans and 23 percent of the US population overall. More than three-in-ten (31 percent) Indian Americans live in the Northeast, 29 percent live in the South, and the rest (17 percent) live in the Midwest.

Despite their successes, they have been also subjected to discrimination and racist attacks. According to a recent report called “Communities on Fire” by the Washington, DC-based group South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), hate crimes against Indian Americans and other South Asian Americans surged 45% from November 8, 2016, to November 7, 2017. The group recorded 302 incidents during that period, 213 of them being direct physical or verbal assaults

The Indian American community continues to play an important role in shaping the relationship between India, the largest democracy and the US, the greatest democracy in the world. “The model minority stereotype stems from the “non-threatening nature” of the Indian immigrant — a label bestowed by the white counterpart. The Indian American community is seen as “successful” – a prototype to be followed by fellow minorities,” Huffington Post wrote.

“Indian-Americans are tremendously important and we hope they would be increasingly visible not only in the government, but also in all parts of American life,” said Maya Kassandra Soetoro-Ng, maternal half-sister of Obama, adding that the President was very proud of the community. “It is certainly a reflection of how important India is and how important Indian-Americans are to the fabric of the nation. I would just like to celebrate all of the contribution artistic, political and so much more of the community. It is time we come to recognize fully the contribution of the Indian-American community here,” said Maya.

Mukesh Ambani, Indira Jaising, Balkrishna Doshi named Fortune’s Greatest Leaders 2018

April 25, 2018 Staff ReporterBusiness, Finance/Economy 0

Reliance Industries (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Architect Balkrishna Doshi, and human rights lawyer Indira Jaising have been featured in Fortune magazine’s 50 Greatest Leaders of 2018.

Fortune’s list “of the thinkers, speakers, and doers who are stepping up to meet today’s challenges” also includes Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Ranking Ambani at 24th place, Fortune said that he had “in less than two years, brought mobile data to the masses and completely upended the country’s telecom market”. “Since Ambani, chief of the $47 billion conglomerate Reliance Industries, launched Jio — the first mobile network in the world to be entirely IP-based — in September 2016, the company has signed up a staggering 168 million subscribers.

“The secret? Offering dirt-cheap data and free calls (and plowing billions of dollars into the infrastructure that transmits them). The effect, dubbed ‘Jio-fication’, has driven India’s higher-price carriers to drop costs (if not run them out of business), and it fueled a 1,100 per cent rise in India’s monthly data consumption,” it said.

Lawyers Collective Founder Indira Jaising has been ranked 20. “When the poorest in India need a voice, they find one in Jaising, a lawyer who has dedicated her life to battling injustice,” Fortune said. “She has fought on behalf of victims of the 1984 Bhopal gas disaster, helped Syrian Christian women in India win property rights equal to their male counterparts’, and helped draft India’s first domestic violence law. “Her work has recently led her to Myanmar, where she was appointed by the UN to lead an investigation into the persecution of Rohingya Muslims,” it added.

Ranking Doshi at 43, Fortune said he is the winner of architecture’s highest honour this year – the Pritzker Prize – and has spent the bulk of his 70-year career championing accessible housing, earning the nickname of “the architect for the poor”.

“His designs include the Aranya low-cost housing project in Indore, a labyrinth of homes and courtyards that provide around 80,000 residents with a balance of open spaces and communal living, and the mixed-income Life Insurance Corporation Housing in Ahmedabad, where several generations of a family can occupy levels of the same building.

“Underlying all his work is the ideal that all economic classes deserve good housing,” it said. The first rank in this year’s list goes to “The Students” of Marjory Stoneman Douglas and other schools in the US that suffered from gun violence.

This year’s list includes Bill and Melinda Gates, tennis star Serena Williams, General Motors CEO Mary Barra, Tencent CEO Huateng ‘Pony’ Ma, Chinese environmentalist Ma Jun, Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian and Hollywood actor-producer Reese Witherspoon.

Hiral Tipirneni leading in Arizona’s 8th District Congressional special election

April 25, 2018 Staff ReporterPolitics 0

Arizona’s 8th congressional district hasn’t had a U.S. representative since December – but that will change after an April special election. Republican Debbie Lesko, a former state lawmaker, is facing off with Democrat Dr. Hiral Tipirneni, a cancer research advocate, to represent the district. The seat was left empty after Rep. Trent Franks, a Republican, resigned in disgrace on Dec. 8, 2017, following reports of sexual misconduct. Franks reportedly discussed surrogacy issues with female aides. The special election, will be held on April 24^th.

A recent poll of district voters by Emerson College shows Tipirneni leading Lesko by a 46-45 margin, according to a NYmag.com report. Previous polls of the race had Lesko leading by double digits, it said.

A former emergency room physician, Dr. Hiral Tipirneni has dedicated her career to cancer research after the death of her mother and nephew. And it’s the skills she developed as a doctor – working together with a group of diverse people with different perspectives to help patients – that she wants to take to Washington.

Tipirneni knows that she is running as a Democrat in a conservative district, but she doesn’t dwell on that. For her, it’s not about a political party so much as it is about representing the district.

“One of the big reasons I decided to run is I’m so frustrated by the lack of forward progress, divisiveness and standing solely on a partisan [ground],” Tipirneni told Fox News.

“I’m looking to bring people together to the table to have a conversation,” she continued. “A lot of folks feel alienated. I would fight on their behalf and not fight about ideology.”

Her campaign website pushes for more bipartisan solutions to hot-button issues. For example, on the Second Amendment, Tipirneni says she supports the rights of “law-abiding Americans to obtain firearms through legal channels to protect their homes, themselves and their families, and for hunting and sport.” But she also supports “commonsense gun reform,” such as eliminating certain background check loopholes.

The top of the Second Amendment section on Tipirneni’s site declares: “When progressives and conservatives work together, we can accomplish great things.”

While Tipirneni has volunteered on other campaigns, this is her first foray into politics. She said she isn’t “looking to build [her] political resume” but just wants to help those in her district.

“The reason I’m doing this is because I am a constituent as well in this district, and I’ve spent many years frustrated, feeling that I don’t have a voice in D.C.,” she said.

AAPI takes its legislative agenda to Capitol Hill Dozens of US Lawmakers Address AAPI Delegates

April 24, 2018 Ajay GhoshCommunity 0

Washington, DC: April 21, 2018. The powerful voice of the leaders and members of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States, was heard on Capitol Hill early Thursday, April 12^th at the annual Legislative Day. Addressed by dozens of lawmakers from both the parties, the event was forum for AAPI to have its voices heard on the corridors of power and giving them a voice in shaping the healthcare policies and programs of the nation.

In his welcome address, Dr. Gautam Samadder, President of AAPI, expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to AAPI delegates and the Congressmen “for taking the time out to come and support AAPI’s agenda at the national level, in our efforts to make our voices heard in the corridors of power. AAPI’s legislative day on Capitol Hill, addressed by dozens of US lawmakers from both the major parties, a recognition of AAPI’s growing influence and having its united voice heard in the corridors of power.”

AAPI Agenda for its 2018 Legislative day included, expressing support for the H.R. 3592 “The South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act of 2017,” providing for research and grants to improve the cardiovascular health care of South Asian Americans; Lowering the Cost of Prescription Drugs; Immigration Reform, enhancing H-1 and J-1 visas, Green Card that are used by many South Asian American physicians, playing an important role in providing critical health care across the country; Increased Residency Slots, help reducing the chronic physician shortage, urging legislation adding 15,000 more residency slots, which will help to train up to 45,000 more doctors in the next two decades; Medicare and Medicaid Reimbursements that have not kept up with the cost of care and the growing populations utilizing them; and, Tort Reform, to reduce the practice of defensive medicine, thus, bringing down the overall cost of health care, and limit the number of meritless lawsuits; and, discussing the disadvantages of Repeal of the Individual Mandate, especially, leading to patients drop their health care coverage and how will this impact premiums.

“I know you are hitting the Hill on a number of issues not the least of which is health care and your concerns about the direction of our country”, Democratic Congressman Joe Crowley of New York told a packed room of Indian-origin physicians in the Rayburn Building. “What really drives all of you is that you want to be able to carry out your profession in a noble way. At the same time, you want that respect which you deserve. More importantly, you want to save people’s lives, make the human condition better. That is incredibly admirable, something that is given short shrift”, he said.

Rep. Crowley assured, “I continue to work to increase the number of slots here in the United States” and spoke of the GME (Graduate Medical Education) Expansion Legislation which he introduced with Republican Congressman Ryan Costello of Pennsylvania, in 2017. The bill calls for an additional 3,000 residency positions for five consecutive years. “It is important that we increase the slots because we are going to need more doctors, more technicians, more physician assistants, not less”, Crowley said.

As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ed Royce stated he “has worked very diligently to improving US-India relations”. The California Republican called for liberalizing changes in policy that create economic opportunity for everyone. Republican Congressman Steve Chabot who represents Cincinnati, Ohio, said, “The relationship between India and the US is, I believe, one of our most important. We are natural allies. We have so much more in common than differences”, he said.

Congressman Joe Wilson said, “I was not born in India, but I was born with an appreciation of the people of India. The lawmaker lauded the contributions of Indian-Americans, in particular Dino Teppara who has served as his chief-of-staff. Teppara, now a public affairs officer in the US Navy Reserve, has been working closely with AAPI leaders for the very successful Legislative Day on Capitol Hill.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, the first Hindu lawmaker to serve on Capitol Hill and current Democratic co-chair of the House India Caucus, pointed to how the relationship between “our two countries has progressed. It has only continued to grow stronger and stronger.” She acknowledged that “the H-1B visa issue is one of the biggest challenges facing the community” and lamented that a lot of people don’t understand the consequences of the backlog and continued effort to limit H-1B visas. “In Hawaii, we have a drastic shortage of physicians and it’s always difficult to get and retain doctors who can provide that care”, Gabbard told the AAPI delegates. “Your presence and your advocacy is very helpful as we try to construct substantive policy that best serves the American people”, she said.

Pramila Jayapal, the first ever Indian-American woman elected to the US House of Representatives, who had introduced ‘The South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act of 2017′ with her Republican colleague Joe Wilson of South Carolina to improve the cardiovascular health care of South Asian Americans, said, “It is a bill that can actually move, that helps educate our community because frankly, we can be a little flip about heart health.” Stressing that the community has incredibly high incidents of heart disease, she believed that being able to use a few resources from the federal government to emphasize and target the South Asian community is very important. “I am going to continue to lift up health care for everyone”, she pledged. To AAPI leaders, she said, “Thank you for your incredible leadership, for your advocacy, for your friendship, for your support. It means so much to me. When I come here it feels like I am coming home”.

“I have seen Dr. Shivangi, Ramesh Kapur, Dr. Shah, Dr. Bharat Barai, knocking the halls of Congress before it was popular”, Congressman Ro Khanna said at the event. “Now, it is very trendy to be Indian-American. You get invited everywhere. Everyone wants to meet with you. That was not the case earlier. These folks have dedicated their lives to being a voice for our community. They have dedicated their skill at it”, he stated, adding he is “so proud of all the doctors” as they “are the ambassadors of the community” even in rural areas.

“Some of my favorite people in America are here in this room”, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said, looking around a venue packed with his supporters. “There is only one reason that I was elected to the United States Congress and that reason is you”, he stressed. “You are a success in the greatest country the world has ever known: the United States. And you are the pride of one of the greatest civilizations the world has ever known: India”, he said. Krishnamoorthi made a strong pitch for Indian-Americans to become even more engaged – to vote, volunteer on campaigns, run for political office. Referring to an adage he often repeats, ‘If you don’t have a seat on the table, you’re on the menu’, Krishnamoorthi added, “We will not be on the menu if we do the needful” by being engaged in public policy.

Democratic Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., of New Jersey, co-founder of the House India Caucus, denounced the anti-immigrant fervor emanating from the White House. He referred to a bill he introduced with two other House Democrats which would prevent the ACA from being sabotaged by President Trump and Republicans in Congress. He explained that the legislation eliminates the cap on subsidies, increases the amount that is available to help people pay their premiums, and seeks to stabilize the market by having a reinsurance component to get more insurers and create more competition to lower prices. He was hopeful the bill will pass if Democrats win the House and Senate in the 2018 midterm elections. “We need to have a pathway to citizenship for H-1B and J-1 visa holders, and for the Dreamers”, he added.

Extolling AAPI members for their “incredible work ethic and strong family values”, Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro, who had supporting pro-immigration bill H.R. 392 (Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2017), said, “It is immigrants who have made America the great country that we are”. He was critical of the fact that in his home district in California, “we have 0.95 physicians for every 1,000 people, not even one physician for every 1,000 people”, he said. “The statewide average is 2.25 physicians. So, we are trying desperately, besides our Residency programs, to get a medical school in the San Joaquin Valley as part of the University of California system”. He highlighted the fact that between Bakersfield and Modesto in CA, there are over 900 Indian-American physicians, serving his district.

“We are blessed to have a great Indian-American community with physicians so well represented”, Republican Congresswoman Barbara Comstock of Virginia said. Referring to shortages in the whole medical field — doctors, physician assistants, nursing homes – the lawmaker told AAPI members, “As we are an aging population, we are facing all kinds of shortages and I know you are on the front lines of that. If we could work together, I would be delighted to”, she said. Regarding soaring pharmaceutical costs, Comstock mentioned she is part of a bipartisan group in the House called the Problem Solvers Caucus which, among other issues, is focused on bringing down drug prices.

Congressman Peter Roskam of Illinois, former Republican co-chair of the House India Caucus, spoke of the “enormous Indian diaspora in Chicago. Nearly every physician I meet is married to another Indian physician”, he quipped. “What is so interesting is how deeply connected and what a big leadership role these communities are playing in the Chicago area”, he said. The lawmaker, who chairs the subcommittee on health on the Ways and Means Committee, encouraged AAPI members to provide feedback from a medical point-of-view about the obstacles they face in caring for their patients.

Among other attendees at the AAPI event were: Republican Congressman Phil Roe of Tennessee, one of few physicians serving on Capitol Hill; Republican Congressman Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania; Republican Congressman Andy Barr of Kentucky; Maryland Delegate Aruna Miller (Democrat), currently running for Congress in the state’s sixth Congressional District; Jason Marino, Senior Assistant Director of Congressional Affairs at the American Medical Association; Dr. Naseem Shekhani, president-elect, Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA); and Nuala Moore, Associate Director of Government Relations at the American Thoracic Society.

“AAPI represents, the growing influence of doctors of Indian heritage is evident, as increasingly physicians of Indian origin hold critical positions in the healthcare, academic, research and administrative positions across the nation. With hard work, dedication, compassion, and skills, we have thus carved an enviable niche in the American medical community. AAPI’s role has come to be recognized as vital among members and among lawmakers,” Dr. Vinod Shah, AAPI’s Legislative Committee Chairman, said.

Legislative Co-Chair Dr. Sampat Shivangi, said, “There are many issues affecting our community and the physicians across the nation. Now is the time to ensure our voices are heard on these vital issues. Additionally, those with good contacts with their own congressman, should reach out to his/her office and enlist their support on these issues dear to us.”

The day began on Capitol Hill, and concluded with a packed gathering that evening at a reception and buffet dinner hosted by the Indian Embassy featuring remarks by the Deputy Chief of Mission Ambassador Santosh Jha and AAPI leaders. Dr. Sudhir Sekhsaria , Co-Chair of AAPI’s Legislative Committee was instrumental in organizing the evening Gala at the Indian Embassy.

Dr. Naresh Parikh, President-Elect of AAPI, said, “AAPI is a non-political umbrella organization which has nearly 90 local chapters, specialty societies and alumni organizations. Almost 10%-12% of medical students entering US schools are of Indian origin. AAPI represents the interests of over 60,000 physicians and 25,000 medical students and residents of Indian heritage in the United States. I am extremely happy that we have come together today to express our voices and as we all stand together to convey and communicate our concerns on this very special day to the lawmakers who have come to hear us and address our concerns.” For more details on AAPI and its numerous inittiaves, please visit:www.appiusa.org

GOPIO-NY organizes Symposium on Health & Wellness

April 17, 2018 Staff ReporterHealth 0

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) has a Health Council which has been actively pursuing better health and wellness of the Indian Diaspora community. Studies have shown that the South Asian origin people are more prone to heart deceases and diabetes.

The vision of GOPIO’s Wellness Spectrum is to provide experts advise for the benefit of the community on integrated modern medicine and the complimentary health care modalities for better health and wellness.

With these objectives, GOPIO-New York organized a Health and Wellness Symposium on Saturday, April 7, 2018, was a smashing success. Over 100 people participated the event which was co-sponsored by other community groups, Alliance of Global Sindhi Associations. The Indian American Kerala Center, India Association of Long Island (IALI) and Gujarati Samaj of New York. The event was held at the Indian American Kerala Center in Elmont, New York. The Indian Consulate also helped the event as a Supporter.

The symposium was put together by physician Dr. Yousuf Syed and Rita Batheja, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Inaugural Community Leader of Asian Indians In Nutrition and Dietetics Member Interest Group, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The symposium was moderated by GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham who said, “GOPIO has several news initiates including its own Chamber of Commerce and GOPIO Councils for Women, Youth, Academic, Science and Technology, Seniors and Cultural, however, promoting health and wellness is a very important initiative taken by GOPIO since 2010.”

After a formal welcome by Kerala Center President Thambi Thalappillil, GOPIO-New York, President Beena Kothari who put together the sponsors and all other arrangements thanked all participating organizations, sponsors and speakers. The symposium was formally inaugurated by Mr. K. Devadasan Nair, Consul for Community Affairs from the Indian Consulate in New York.

The opening speaker Rita K. Batheja, a registered dietitian and nutritionist spoke on the topic, “Intro. to Functional Medicine & Personalized Life Style.” According to Batheja, informed consumer makes educational decision and thereby take your health in your own hand. Batheja further said to drink filtered water instead of sugary drinks, eat clean food and avoid dirty dozen by visiting www.foodnews.org and also use the app think dirty’. Have a restful sleep and eat nutrient dense food. Learn to manage stress with music and dance or activity of one’s choice.. “Use food as a Medicine and Functional Medicine is Pomegranate over prescription. It heals the body vs treats the symptoms by looking at the entire system,” Batheja continued.

Dr. Yousuf U. Syed, M.D., a Pathologist spoke on the topic, “How to Prevent Common Diseases.” Dr. Syed said that proper medical care, nutritional excellence, planed vegan raw veg diet, regular exercise and Yoga practice are beneficial in preventing and in some cases can reverse the epidemic of high blood pressure, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes and kidney ailments.

Dr. Vasudha Gupta, Ayurvedic Practitioner and master pulse reader who founded American Ayurveda spoke on topic, “The Scope of Ayurveda in Today’s Health Care.” Dr. Gupta explained the advantages of Ayurveda and the modern health care and that how both modalities are complementary and can go hand in hand working towards the goal of optimum human well-being.

“Ayurveda is an ancient Indian Health care system that considers the human being as an Mindy, Body and Spirit Entity and works with the aim of balancing all three whereas modern medicine views human body as a Biological and Chemical machine. Both modality can work better if they go hand in hand,” said Dr. Gupta.

“Ayurveda can become better by using the latest discoveries in investigating techniques and the modern medicine can become better by including the bio-energetics of human body and food along with making the pharmaceutical medicines more holistic and environment friendly,” Dr. Gupta continued.

Yoga teacher Chandni Rodriguez, trained under her mother Gurjani Anjali who is the founder of Yoga Anand Ashram ((Amityville, NY), spoke on “The Benefit of Yoga for Sound Health.” According to Rodriguez, the ancient practice of Yoga supports our physical health by strengthening our Pranic energy.

“The Prana that flows through our bodies is our vitality and hen this is blocked there is suffering Duhkam in the body and mind, said Rodriguez. The yogic practices of asana (postures) and pranayama (breath control) regulate and balance this energy. The meditative practices calm and reset the equilibrium in the body and mind. In this way health is maintained. Rodriguez and her associate Shyam Metgar of Westchester Yoga Arts gave yoga demonstrations.

Concluding the symposium, Gunjan Rastogi, President of India Association of Long Island, said “the 3 golden nuggets from Health and wellness symposium are: Health is wealth, Vegetarian diet for healthy living and Yoga and meditation are the secrets to physical and mental wellness” GOPIO-New York President Kothari thanked everyone and said the chapter woud continue such educational program in the future.

AAPI takes its legislative agenda to Capitol Hill Dozens of US Lawmakers Address AAPI Delegates

April 17, 2018 Staff ReporterCommunity, Health 0

The powerful voice of the leaders and members of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States, was heard on Capitol Hill early Thursday, April 12^th at the annual Legislative Day. Addressed by dozens of lawmakers from both the parties, the event was forum for AAPI to have its voices heard on the corridors of power and giving them a voice in shaping the healthcare policies and programs of the nation.

Dr. Naresh parikh, President-Elect of AAPI, said, “AAPI is a non-political umbrella organization which has nearly 90 local chapters, specialty societies and alumni organizations. Almost 10%-12% of medical students entering US schools are of Indian origin. AAPI represents the interests of over 60,000 physicians and 25,000 medical students and residents of Indian heritage in the United States. I am extremely happy that we have come together today to express our voices and as we all stand together to convey and communicate our concerns on this very special day to the lawmakers who have come to hear us and address our concerns.” The day began on Capitol Hill, and culminated at the Indian Embassy with a dinner and was addressed by the Indian Ambassador to the US and other senior officials. For more details on AAPI and its numerous inittiaves, please visit: www.appiusa.org

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi meets PM Modi in India, commits to work to strengthen Indo-US ties

April 8, 2018 Staff ReporterPolitics 0

President Donald Trump has continued with the India policy of his predecessor Barack Obama and the support for the Indo-US relationship transcends political parties here, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, an influential Indian-American lawmaker has said.

“I think that his India policy so far has been somewhat of a continuation of what President Barack Obama did and, before President Obama, what President Bush had done,” Democratic Congressman, a vocal critic of the foreign policy of Trump, said.

At a time when several issues beset the U.S.-India relationship, including the H-1B visa and trade matters, Rep. Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois, says he will work with U.S. lawmakers to ensure the bilateral relationship is strengthened.

He issued a statement to that effect following on his April 6th meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi where he said he discussed the special relationship between the United States and India.

The formal talks were conducted as part of a high-level delegation of American Congressional leaders meeting with their Indian counterparts to discuss trade, strategic partnerships, and security coordination, which his office told News India Times, was hosted by India’s External Affairs Ministry. The other lawmakers in the bipartisan U.S. delegation included another Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera, D-California, as well as Reps. Dave Schweikert, R- Arizona, Tom Suozzi, D-NY, Terri Sewell, D -AL, Dina Titus, D – NV, Drew Ferguson, R – GA, and Pete Olson, R-TX.

“I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in Congress to ensure that the United States and India are able to continue their partnership on peace and security in an uncertain world,” Krishnamoorthi is quoted saying in a press release. Calling it an honor to meet Modi to discuss the further strengthening of the “special relationship,” Krishnamoorthi described India as the “linchpin of security” in the Indo-Pacific region, which the Trump administration has made one of its foreign policy priorities.

“This week’s talks have been instrumental in ensuring that the United States and India continue to build on our security partnerships and promote peace and stability in the region and across the world,” Krishnamoorthi said about the discussions held with counterparts and officials. “The meeting with the Prime Minister only underscored that at the heart of our friendship with India are the values that we share: a commitment to freedom, democracy, and the rule of law,” the Congressman said.

“US-India relationship is a special partnership, so we have to do everything we can to enhance this partnership and to make sure that the great progress that we’ve already seen continues and that it remains mutually beneficial to both countries. I personally believe that it will continue to do so,” he told PTI.

Krishnamoorthi said he had a wide ranging talk with the prime minister.

“It was a formal meeting where we talked everything from, ‘How do we strengthen our relationship between the US and India’ to the fact that the relationship really transcends political parties at this point, really, on both sides, but especially here in the US,” he said on his return from his maiden India trip as a US lawmaker.

New Delhi-born Krishnamoorthi, 44, this year was sworn in as a member of the US House of Representatives.

“I think that both Republic and Democratic administrations have now successfully continued to build the relationship across a range of sectors,” he said.

“Everything from our security partnership to expanding commercial ties, to bolstering our cultural exchanges and so forth. That’s a very positive development, and I told him that I was committed to doing everything I could to continue that work in the US Congress,” he said.

“I also mentioned to him (prime minister Modi) that the relationship is broadening, deepening, and growing across a number of areas and, just as India is keen to attract US investment, we in the United States are very keen to attract Indian investment, especially in places like my own fine congressional district in the Chicago area,” Krishnamoorthi said.

Trade Tariffs between the 2 largest economies lead to ongoing trade war, market disruptions

April 8, 2018 Staff ReporterFinance/Economy 0

The ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China has led both countries to announce billions of dollars’ worth of tariffs on each other’s products. China is the largest single exporter to the U.S. – more than $500 billion worth of Chinese goods entered the U.S. last year – and American tariffs on Chinese products were on the high side even before the latest round of tit-for-tat increases.

Last week, President Trump ordered his chief trade negotiator to consider imposing tariffs on an additional $ 100 billion in Chinese exports to the US, after his punitive measures on the first $ 50 billion elicited a retaliatory smackdown from Beijing on US exports to China. The Chinese response, accompanied by a ‘we are ready for a showdown’ challenge, sent the US market, lawmakers, and the country’s farmers (who export massive amounts of farm produce to China) into a panic, but he US President was unfazed.

Targeted for tariffs by the US are some 1300 items ranging from Chinese steel and aluminum to huge amounts of consumer goods that Americans buy on the cheap at superstores such as WalMart. China in turn had threatened to impose punitive duties on everything from American automobiles and jet planes to grains, soy, nuts, and wines, all of which will pinch the American farmers and industry.

Trump meanwhile continued to focus on China. “We are not in a trade war with China, that war was lost many years ago by the foolish, or incompetent, people who represented the US. Now we have a Trade Deficit of $500 Billion a year, with Intellectual Property Theft of another $300 Billion. We cannot let this continue!” he tweeted last week as the rhetoric overheated.

Beijing retaliation against the US farm sector had the desired effect, with lawmakers representing parts of the country that voted heavily for Trump, panicking as their constituents worried about the future with a constricted Chinese market. Tweeting that the president is “threatening to light American agriculture on fire,” Nebraska’s senator Ben Sasse fumed, “Hopefully the President is just blowing off steam again but, if he’s even half-serious, this is nuts.”

US President Donald Trump has instructed officials to consider a further $100bn of tariffs against China, in an escalation of a tense trade stand-off. These would be in addition to the $50bn worth of US tariffs already proposed on hundreds of Chinese imports.

China’s Ministry of Commerce responded, saying China would “not hesitate to pay any price” to defend its interests. Tit-for-tat trade moves have unsettled global markets in recent weeks. The latest US proposal came after China threatened tariffs on 106 key US products.

In response to Mr Trump’s latest announcement, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said: “China and the US as two world powers should treat each other on a basis of equality and with respect. “By waving a big stick of trade sanctions against China, the US has picked a wrong target.” Ministry of Commerce Spokesman Gao Feng said: “We do not want to fight, but we are not afraid to fight a trade war.”

Earlier this year, the US announced it would impose import taxes of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminium. The tariffs were to be wide-ranging and would include China. China responded last month with retaliatory tariffs worth $3bn of its own against the US on a range of goods, including pork and wine. Beijing said the move was intended to safeguard its interests and balance losses caused by the new tariffs.

In a statement, Trump branded that retaliation by Beijing as “unfair”. “Rather than remedy its misconduct, China has chosen to harm our farmers and manufacturers,” he said. “In light of China’s unfair retaliation, I have instructed the USTR (United States Trade Representative) to consider whether $100bn of additional tariffs would be appropriate… and, if so, to identify the products upon which to impose such tariffs.”

However, analysts say, the tariffs being considered by the US on China are by no means the highest import duties the U.S. charges. According to then, the imports from several developing South Asian nations whose exports to the U.S. are heavily weighted toward clothing and other products that the U.S. generally taxes highly.

Bangladesh, for example, exported about $5.7 billion worth of goods to the U.S. last year, 95% of which were apparel, footwear, headgear and related items, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of data from the U.S. International Trade Commission. Nearly all Bangladeshi imports were subject to U.S. duty, and the tariffs on them were equivalent to 15.2% of the total value of that country’s shipments to the U.S. – the highest such average rate among the 232 countries, territories and other jurisdictions in the ITC database.

Other countries with similar profiles are Cambodia (duties equal to 14.1% of the total value of imports from there), Sri Lanka (11.9%), Pakistan (8.9%) and Vietnam (7.2%). By contrast, the duties on Chinese imports totaled $13.5 billion last year, or 2.7% of their total value. For all imports worldwide, the U.S. imposed tariffs equal to about 1.4% of total value.

The average tariff rates the U.S. imposes on its other major trading partners are much lower than those on China. Mexico and Canada, the second- and third-highest sources of U.S. imports, had average duties last year of just 0.12% and 0.08% of the value of their imports, respectively. (The three countries are linked in the North American Free Trade Agreement.) The average rates for Japan and Germany were both less than 2%; South Korea, with which the U.S. also has a free trade agreement, had duties equal to just 0.25% on its $70.5 billion in total exports to the U.S.

Average tariff rates on U.S. imports from a given country, as defined above, depend on two things: the share of total imports that are subject to duty, and the average rate the U.S. places on that share.

In general, U.S. tariffs are lower today (relative to the total value of imports) than they were two decades ago, mainly because more imported goods are fully exempted from duties. In 1996, for example, three-quarters (75.5%) of Chinese imports were subject to duty, at an average rate of 7.2%. Last year, only about two-fifths (41.3%) of imports from China were dutiable, with the rest entering the country duty-free; the average rate on the dutiable portion of Chinese imports was 6.5%.

With the new tariff war, the United States is opening a two-front economic and geo-political war with China and Russia. After decades of relative peace with the two Asian giants, Washington, citing separate underhand economic and political subversion of America by Beijing and Moscow, has embarked on a warpath against the two nations, even as they confront the United States in hotspots across the world. The US face-off with China and Russia comes at a time Beijing and Moscow say they are in the best phase of their own bilateral relationship.

Chief Editor of TheUNN.Com & The Asian Era to receive NAMAM Excellence Award 2018

April 8, 2018 Staff ReporterCommunity 0

(Edison, New Jersey: April 7^th, 2018) Ajay Ghosh, the Chief Editor of www.theunn.com (The Universal News Network) has been chosen to receive NAMAM Excellence Award 2018 for his contributions to the media world. Born and educated in India, Ajay Ghosh,

Other winners of the award include, a community activist & leader, a successful businessman, an industrialist, a scientist, a renowned musician, two young genius children, and an organ donor, who have made it to The NAMAM Excellence Award 2018 winners list. The most awaited “Namam Excellence Award 2018” will be held at Royal Albert Palace, Edison, New Jersey on April 28th, 2018 at 5 pm, Madhavan Nair, Founder and Secretary General of North American Malayalees and Associated Members (NAMAM, announced here. “An unforgettable evening as we honor extraordinarily accomplished individuals, who have made valuable contributions to the Indian-American community with the NAMAM Excellence Awards,” Nair added.

Ajay Ghosh, the Chief Editor of Universal News Network and The Asian Era, came to the United States to pursue higher studies in Journalism in 1997 at Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI. In India, Ajay had earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Delhi University, and had worked as a freelance writer on social issues for numerous publications on in Delhi, including the Times of India, The Hindu and the Pioneer, and had served as the Editor of The Voice Delhi.

After graduating from Marquette University, his life as a professional journalist began in the summer of 1999 in New York City. Starting as a reporter for India Post, he worked as the New York Bureau Chief of Indian Reporter and World News from 2000 to 2005. From 2002 to 2008, Ajay worked as the Executive Editor of NRI Today, a monthly magazine, published from New York. He was instrumental in launching The Asian Era, a colorful magazine published from New York and worked as the Chief Editor from 1999 to 2015, and has rejoined The publication recently and is serving as the Editor in Chief. He had worked for about two years as the New York Bureau Chief of India Tribune, a weekly newspaper, published from Chicago.

Since early 2014, he served as the Bureau Chief of The Indian Express, North American Editions. In 2014, he along with Dr. Joseph Chalil launched The Universal News Network, an online publication (www.theunn.com) and continues to serve as the Chief Editor of the web-portal. In 2010, Ajay was appointed as the Media Consultant of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI, the largest ethnic association representing over 100,000 physicians of Indian origin in the United States. In 2012, he was awarded the Best Journalist by AAPI at its annual convention in San Antonio, Texas.

With the objective of bringing together the journalists of Indian origin scattered across the United States, Ajay along with his friends/colleagues in the media, was instrumental in forming Indo-American Press Club, and had served as the founder President of Indo-American Press Club in the year 2012-13.

Enthurai, a non-profit organization in the US, serving the people in the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, India. He had raised funds after the Tsunami struck the region in 2005 and most recently, he had raised over half a million Rupees to benefit the families who had lost their primary family members in the Cyclone Ockhi in Southern parts of India.

In addition, Ajay taught Social Work Seminar and guided students at the Graduate School of Social Work at Fordham University in New York City since 2006. He has worked as the Administrator of the Mental Health Clinic at Saint Dominic’s Home, Bronx, New York from 1999 to 2014. He worked as the Treatment Coordinator at Saint Vincent’s Hospital’s Westport Campus, which serves patients with mental health issues, and had a brief stint as a Senior Social Worker at Children’s Village that serves children and families for over 150 years. At present, he works as a Primary Clinician at Yale New Haven Hospital, srving patients with behavioral health issues.

Ajay Ghosh is married to Mini, his closest friend and wife for nearly two decades and the couple are blessed with three beautiful daughters, Archana, Navya, and Ahana. The Ajay Family lives in Trumbull, Connecticut.

The world renowned community leader and activist, Dr. Thomas Abraham; Dr. Babu Stephan, the CEO of DC Healthcare Inc and the president of SM Reality LLC; T. S. Nandakumar, a well known and versatile Carnatic music percussionist; Ramadas Pillai, President/CTO of Nuphoton Technologies, Inc; Rekha Nair, who has been an advocate for organ donation; Tiara Thankam Abraham, a 12-year-old soprano prodigy and a child genius; and, Ajay Ghosh, an accomplished journalist, are the winners of the NAMAM Excellence Award 2018.

Dr. Babu Stephan

Dr. Babu Stephan, a winner of the NAMAM 2018 award, is the CEO of DC Healthcare Inc and the president of SM Reality LLC. He was the president of Indian cultural coordination committee ( ICCC) for two years. He was a contributing Member of the Unites States Congressional Advisory Board and had served a two year term as the Regional VP of the Federation of Indians in America (FIA). He was also the President of Association of Indians in America (AIA) and is the present chairman of Indo-American Press Club (IAPC).

A founding member of Kairali television, a leading channel with an impressive viewership around the world, Dr. Stephan is the publisher of two newspapers, ‘Express India’ and ‘India this Week’, in the metropolitan DC area for the local Indian communities are part of his media engagement. He was the founding producer of ’Darshan Television’ in Washington DC. He is a balanced player in US political system and has successfully hosted multiple fundraisers to candidates across three decades in Washington, DC and was part of the Washington DC Mayor’s business delegation to China. A resident of Washington DC, Dr. Stephan lives with his family, wife Gracy Stephan, daughter, Sindu Stephan, son-in-law, Jimmy George and three delightfully sweet and talented grandkids, Shriya, Pavit, and Tejas.

Dr. Thomas Abraham

The world renowned community leader and activist, Dr. Thomas Abraham has been the founder president of many Indian community institutions in the USA including the Federation of Indian American Associations (FIA) which does the largest Indian Day Parade outside India in New York, the National Federation of Indian American Associations and the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO). He also served as the Co-Chair to institute Jagdish Bhagwati Chair for Indian Political Economy at Columbia University and helped to initiate groups such as the Indian American Kerala Center, South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS) and National Indian American Association for Senior Citizens. An alumni of Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT) and Columbia University.

By profession, Dr. Abraham is a nanotechnologist and serves as president of Stamford based Innovative Research and Products, Inc., Stamford, CT, a technology and market research firm. For his dedicated community service, Dr. Abraham has been recognized with Bharatvanshi Gaurav Award by former Vice President of India Bhairon Singh Sekhawat, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award by President of India, Life Time Achievement and Service Award from India Abroad and Outstanding Alumnus Award from MNIT. Currently, Dr. Abraham serves as the Chairman of GOPIO International and as Board Member of SACSS, The Kerala Center and American Society of Engineers of Indian Origin (ASEI).

Dr. Ramadas Pillai

Dr. Ramadas Pillai, another awardee this year, is the President/CTO of Nuphoton Technologies, Inc., in California and VinVish Technologies in Technopark. Nuphoton Technologies as well as VinVish are hardware companies, making Optical Fiber Amplifiers and Transmitters for Communications and sensing for terrestrial, undersea and space applications. He is s a laser scientist and entrepreneur for the past 20 years.

Pillai is the past president of KHNA (2007-2009). Nuphoton Technologies, Inc., and is a pioneer in fiber lasers and fiber amplifiers with applications covering industrial, defense, aerospace, biomedical, telecommunications and research areas. The company is in operation since 1996 using proprietary, leading edge technologies for the design and manufacture of high performance fiber lasers, EDFA’s and broadband ASE sources. The company’s customer base is spread over a large cross section that includes universities & national laboratories to Fortune 500 companies. Hailing from Muhamma, in Alappuzha, Ramadas did his MTech from IIT Delhi and Ph.D. from University of Southern California

Rekha Nair

NAMAM Excellence award for 2018, based on outstanding contributions to the society and humanitarian services is being given to Rekha Nair, who has been an advocate for organ donation. In July 2017, she donated one of her kidneys to a young woman who she barely knew at the time. This selfless act saved a life. She works as a Senior Data Analyst at CVR Housing, White Plains, NY. She is also very eloquent and talented as a singer, dancer, choreographer and Program Manager in MAZHAVIL FM.

Born in the melting pot of the world, New York, Rekha’s parents immigrated to the US from Kerala decades ago. She gives credit to her parents for raising and helping her to be what she is today. She considers it a blessing to be part of the great US nation, and she is grateful that this country has abundantly received people from so many different countries and making them an opportunity to survive, to thrive, to live, and to be happy!

In early January 2017, when she came to know that Deepti, living in New Jersy, was on peritoneal dialysis and was in need of a kidney transplant, and was she needed a donor, not knowing much about transplant, she casually texted her telling her she was willing to test and see if she could donate her kidney to her. Rekha followed this up later on , and completed the application to be a donor to this woman, whom she had met barely once at a party in New Jersey. Luckily ofr her, after tests, it was found that she was perfect match to donate her own kidney.

“That is when actual reality had kicked in me,” Rekha says. “I really had to make a decision. I told my husband about this. He gave me the freedom to decide whatever I wanted. Before I went for all this testing, all I told Deepti was that “If my kidney matches, I will give you. Don’t worry!” And, it was a very difficult decision. But Rekha kept her word. On July 11th 2017, “one of my kidneys was transplanted into Deepti at St. Barnabas Hospital in New Jersey.” Rekha is proud that with her sacrifice, another life has been saved. “I believe we can all do the same thing, if you have the heart for it,” Rekha says, who has now become a champion of organ donation.

T. S. Nandakumar

T.S. Nandakumar, a well known and versatile Carnatic music percussionist, is another awardee this year. He is primarily adept in playing the Mridangam. The son of Shri Balakrishna Panicker and Shrimati Saraswati, he comes from the family of the well known nadaswaram duo, the Ambalapuzha Brothers. A child prodigy, Nandakumar had only talent with which he conquered the world of music with his beats on the mridangam. He learnt mridangam under the guidance of Shri Kaithavana Madhavdas in the gurukula samprada tradition and acquired proficiency as Laya Vidwan.

Nandakumar developed a strong interest in music when he was four years old. He gained a reputation as an accompanist to some well-known names in Carnatic music such as Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, M. D. Ramanathan, S. Ramanathan, R. K. Srikantan, V. Dakshinamoorthy, Bhimsen Joshi, M. Balamuralikrishna, T. N. Krishnan, L. Subramaniam, N. Ramani, K. J. Yesudas, N. Rajam, T. K. Govinda Rao, Nedunuri Krishnamurthy, T. V. Gopalakrishnan and several others. He has taken up his life mission to perpetuate Indian ancient art form and has dedicated himself in teaching the same to hundreds of students worldwide.He was quoted as “Guru of all musical things”, “King of percussion in suburbs” and “The Master Of Rhythm” by The Times of India.

Nandakumar has been awarded with numerous prestigious awards. He received the LifeTime Achievement Award from Shanti Foundation, Chennai; he was honored by the Cleveland Tyagaraja group with the ‘Best Teacher Award’; and the Bharat Ratna M. S. Subbulakshmi Best Teacher Award from the Shanmukhananda Fine Arts and Sangeetha Sabha, Mumbai .He was also felicitated and honored by Shri R. K. Laxman the cartoonist. Pittsburgh University in America conducts special classes in percussive arts for which they have enlisted Nandakumar. A renowned music teacher, around the world, he is well known for conducting 24 hours nonstop Akanda Seva Bhajan with his students in Mumbai for the tsunami-affected victims of India.

Tanishq Mathew Abraham

Child Genius Tanishq Mathew Abraham is a 14-year-old senior (4th year) completing his biomedical engineering degree at Univ. Of California, Davis. He will be the youngest engineer to graduate in June 2018. Tanishq made international headlines when he graduated from high-school at 10-years-old and later at 11-years-old when he graduated with triple Associate Degrees from American River College. He again made headlines after he was accepted with to two universities, UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz with the prestigious Regents Scholarship to continue his undergrad degree.

Tanishq first started his on-campus college classes at 7-years-old. Due to his passion for astronomy, along with the support of his astronomy professor, he co-founded the Astronomy & Physics club at American River College at 8-years-old. He became the founding Vice President of the club and held that position for 2 years when he would help starting new projects, research, recruiting new members and creating and maintaining social media sites. Meanwhile at home, he would spend countless hours, volunteering for a citizen scientist project helping astronomers look through hundreds of NASA images for exoplanets (planets that are outside our solar system), solar storms and supernova. While going through hundreds of images, he discovered, an exoplanet, two solar storms and a supernova at 8-years-old. He presented his findings, verified by other citizen scientists, at a talk for his college astronomy club.

Tiara Thankam Abraham

Tiara Thankam Abraham is a 12-year-old soprano prodigy and a child genius. She is a homeschooled student who studies high school and college level material. At 11-years-old, she wrote the SATs for the first time and scored 95th percentile among the 7th graders. Due to her good score at 11, she became part of the Duke University’s Talent Identification Program (TIP) which allows students like Tiara to advance their love for learning. With a determination to score well, she prepared for the SAT in a month while helping her mom who was caring for Tiara’s granddad at the hospital. After getting back late from the hospital, the 11-year-old would sit up as late as 1:00 am to keep up with her SAT preparation, much to the disapproval of her mom.

Tiara started her first on-campus college classes at 7-years-old. She has taken campus college courses in foreign languages (French, German, Italian, and Spanish), voice and music theory classes and finished about 30 college semester units. She became a member of the high IQ society, MENSA, at 4-years-old.

Due to her inborn talent and passion for singing and math, she is planning to pursue a music (in vocal performance) and math major as her college degree. Tiara has won 1st place at several vocal competitions. She had the honor of performing twice as a soloist at the famous Carnegie Hall, NYC when she was 9 and 10 years old respectively. She also released her debut album “Winter Nightingale” when she was 10. Her album with 9 songs covers different genres in 6 Romance languages

NAMAM is an Indian cultural organization that was formed in the United States in 2010. Under the strong and inspiring leadership of Madhavan B. Nair, the founder of NAMAM, a team of enthusiastic people with unswerving dedication has transformed the organization into a platform for families to come together and experience a wonderful sense of belonging and oneness.

NAMAM functions as a juncture of like-minded individuals across the community to engage in social and cultural activities. NAMAM has been reaching out to the community with varied cultural programs, social gatherings and humanitarian aid efforts. “It is our priority to pass a deep awareness about our rich heritage, unique customs and eclectic culture of Kerala to the younger generation in the USA, so that they can appreciate and take pride in their genealogy. We welcome you to join our organization and participate in our community outreach activities,” Madhavan Nair says.

Akhil Kondepudi wins National Brain Bee Championship

April 3, 2018 Staff ReporterCommunity, Education, Youth 0

Akhil Kondepudi from St. Louis, Missouri, has won the Eleventh USA National Brain Bee Championship which was held at the University of Maryland in Baltimore from March 15 to 18.

Winners from 54 Chapter competitions in 37 states gathered to test their knowledge of the human brain.

The national competition tests high school students on a range of topics covering all aspects of neuroscience, including intelligence, emotions, memory, sleep, neurodegenerative diseases, schizophrenia, addictions and the senses.

The competition involved a neuroanatomy laboratory practical exam with real human brains, patient diagnosis with patient actors, neurohistology, brain MRI imaging identification and orals, and was sponsored by the Department of Neural and Pain Sciences of the University of Maryland’s School of Dentistry.

Kondepudi will represent the United States at the World Brain Bee Championship hosted by the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies in July. Besides a monetary prize Kondepudi was also given an 8-week internship in a neuroscience laboratory, a donation was given to the Disabled American Veterans as well.

Six other Indian Americans were among the top 10 winners: Hemanth Asirvatham of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Sehej Bindra of Piscataway, New Jersey; Sneha Shinde of Rootstown, Ohio; Aayush Setty of Atlanta, Georgia; Lasya Kambhampati of Kansas City, Kansas; Veda Chanda of Hershey, Pennsylvania.

The USA Brain Bee is an Official Regional Brain Bee of the International Brain Bee which is lead by a Board of Directors from the Society for Neuroscience, the American Psychological Association, the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives, The International Brain Research Organization, and the Federation of European Neurosciences Societies.

Currently there are about 200 Brain Bee Chapters in about 50 countries in 6 continents. Each Chapter conducts a competition involving many high schools, those winners represent their cities at their respective National Championships and each National Champion is then invited to compete in the World Championship held every year in a different city.

kondepudi, for taking the top prize, was awarded with $1,500 and an eight-week internship in a neuroscience lab, and will represent the U.S. at the World Brain Bee Championship in Berlin in July. Indian American Hemanth Asirvatham of Minneapolis, Minn., took second; and Sehej Bindra of Piscataway, N.J., took third and were awarded $1,000 and $500, respectively.

The Impact of Migration and Diet on Food Allergy Development

April 3, 2018 Staff ReporterCommunity, Education, Health 0

Food allergy is a potentially life-threatening immunologic reaction to food protein upon consumption of food. It affects 8% of children in the United States, while almost 40% of children with food allergy experience a severe reaction.1 Common symptoms include hives, vomiting, dizziness, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Past studies demonstrate that food allergy prevalence is on the rise,2 yet factors contributing to food allergy development are still not well understood.

Major hypotheses for food allergy development include, but are not limited to, birth via caesarian section, the hygiene hypothesis, and infant eczema. Previous literature suggests that environmental changes upon migration to a new country may contribute to peanut allergy development among immigrant populations. When observing a group of Australian infants, peanut prevalence among infants with both parents born in East Asia was 7.7%, 6.7% for infants with one parent born in East Asia, and 2.3% for infants with both parents born in Australia.3

There is a burgeoning prevalence of food allergic disorders in individuals of Asian origin residing in the USA. Review of the scarce literature published on this topic4 reveals the possibility that Asians have higher odds of food allergy compared with Caucasian children, but significantly lower odds of formal diagnosis.

In addition to environment, distinctive cultural practices and dietary cuisine may contribute to food allergies. South Asian diets are often different from Western diets. A study on food allergy among Indian adults in Karnataka, South India suggested that cow’s milk and apple were among common food allergens.5 Other sources also suggest that eggplant, melon, and legumes like chickpea are commonly reported food allergens for Indian adults. A pilot study exploring food allergies among individuals in Kansas City, Missouri of Asian Indian descent revealed that Indian Americans have ‘different’ food allergens (such as chickpea flour, capsicum, eggplant and Indian lentils) in addition to the classic “Top 8” allergens reported in the USA (milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanut, tree nuts, fish, shellfish).6

To study the potential impact of environment and diet on food allergy development, a team of researchers from Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, and Stanford University School of Medicine are conducting a survey exploring food allergies in adults and children of Asian Indian descent in the United States. Information from this voluntary and anonymous survey will be used to advance knowledge regarding allergies among individuals of Asian Indian origin. For more information and to access the survey, please visit:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SouthAsianFoodAllergySurvey

Or visit: http://www.ruchigupta.com/current-study-recruitment/

Ruchi S. Gupta, MD, MPH, is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, and is the Director, Science and Outcomes of Allergy & Asthma Research, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine (SOAAR); Mary Ann & J Milburn Smith Senior Scientist in Smith Child Health Research Outreach and Advocacy Center

Stanley Manne Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

Clinical Attending, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

Dr. Ruchi Gupta MD, MPH has more than 15 years of experience as a board-certified pediatrician and health researcher. She is nationally recognized for her groundbreaking research in the area of food allergy and asthma epidemiology; especially for her research on childhood food allergy prevalence.

Dr. Gupta has also significantly contributed to academic research surrounding economic costs, pediatric management of food allergy and asthma, ED visits and hospitalizations, quality of life, and community interventions in schools. In addition to being the author of The Food Allergy Experience, Dr. Gupta has written and co-authored over 70 original peer-reviewed research articles and has had her work featured in major TV networks and print media. She continues to make meaningful improvements in population health outcomes and the lives of children and their families.

References:

Gupta RS, Springston EE, Warrier MR, et al. The Prevalence, Severity, and Distribution of Childhood Food Allergy in the United States. Pediatrics. 2011.

Prescott SL, Pawankar R, Allen KJ, et al. A global survey of changing patterns of food allergy burden in children. World Allergy Organization Journal. 2013;6(1):21.
Koplin JJ, Peters RL, Ponsonby AL, et al. Increased risk of peanut allergy in infants of Asian-born parents compared to those of Australian-born parents. Allergy. 2014;69(12):1639-1647.

Arakali SR, Green TD, Dinakar C. Prevalence of food allergies in South Asia. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2017;118(1):16-20.
Mahesh PA, Wong GW, Ogorodova L, et al. Prevalence of food sensitization and probable food allergy among adults in India: the EuroPrevall INCO study. Allergy. 2016;71(7):1010-1019.

Motiani R, Dinakar C. A survey to explore the types of food causing food allergic reactions among adults and children of Asian Indian Origin. Journal of Investigative Medicine. Feb 2013; 61(2): abstract 320.

World heading to a Cold War era: UN Chief

April 3, 2018 Staff ReporterPolitics 0

“I am really very concerned. I think we are coming to a situation that is similar, to a large extent, to what we lived during the Cold War but with two very important differences,” UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in response to questions by reporters on the US announcement to expel Russian UN diplomats and could a new Cold War be developing.

UN chief expressed his concerns of the world heading to a time reminiscent of the Cold war era in the wake of the tensions between US and Russia and called for putting precautions in place to guarantee effective communication and prevent escalation.

His comments came after the Trump administration this week ordered the expulsion of 60 Russians from the US over the alleged poisoning of ex-double agent Sergei Skripal in the UK on March 4.

Of the 60 expelled, 12 are intelligence operatives from the Russian Mission to the UN who have been accused of abusing their privilege of residence in the United States. Guterres said in the Cold War, there were clearly two superpowers with a complete control of the situation of two areas in the world.

“Now, we have many other actors that are relatively independent and with an important role in many of the conflicts that we are witnessing, with risks of escalation that are well known,” he said.

He pointed out that during the Cold War, there were mechanisms of communication and control in place to avoid the escalation of incidents and to make sure that things would not get out of control when tensions would rise.

But with those mechanisms now dismantlement, it is time “for precautions of this sort, guaranteeing effective communication, guaranteeing capacity to prevent escalation. I do believe that mechanisms of this sort are necessary again.” On how optimistic is he over the summit between South Korea and North Korea, the Secretary General said he is “very encouraged” by the announcement of the inter-Korean summit.

He said he is “very happy” that it was possible in the visit to North Korea by Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman for the UN to make very clearly the case that a resumption of dialogues between the North and the South of the Peninsula was needed to reach the peaceful denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

The UN chief had met in PyeongChang both the North Korean delegation and as well as South Korean President Moon Jae In and had encouraged them as much as possible to move in these two directions.

“I was extremely encouraged by the recent visit of the leader of the North Korea to China, and I think China is, of course, a very important contributor to a solution in this region,” he said referring to the surprise visit by Kim Jong-un to Beijing this week.

“I believe that, in this world where, unfortunately, so many problems seem not to have a solution, I think there is here an opportunity for a peaceful solution to something that, a few months ago, was haunting us as the biggest danger we were facing,” he said, a reference to the escalation of tensions over North Korea’s nuclear programme.

Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai in first visit to Pak, urges for women’s empowerment

April 1, 2018 Ajay GhoshCommunity, Education, Youth 0

Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai made her first visit to Pakistan on March 29th, 2018, since she was shot by Taliban militants in 2012 near her home in the northern Swat Valley. The 20-year-old became the first teenager to win the Nobel Peace Prize four years ago and is currently studying at the University of Oxford.

Soon after her arrival in her native country, Yousafzai met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in the capital Islamabad. Local television showed the education activist leaving Islamabad airport in the early hours of the morning amid heavy security for what is expected to be a four-day visit.

Yousafzai gave an emotional, heartfelt speech on her return to her country of birth, where she is still under threat of violence. “I’m not very old but I’ve seen a lot,” she said following a meeting with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. “I couldn’t control what happened, if it was my choice I wouldn’t have left my country at all. I had no choice, I had to leave for my life.”

In a speech in which she often had to pause for tears, the activist hailed the fact “more than 6 million dollars” has been invested on education in Pakistan in recent years, adding she hoped “we all join hands for the betterment of Pakistan for our future, to empower our women so they can earn and stand on their own two feet.”

Abbasi said he was “so happy that our child who has earned so much fame internationally has come home. You represent us in the world and especially of the youth and girls and the work you’ve done for education of girls,” he said. “It is our dream and prayers that you are successful, our prayers with you. Welcome home Malala!”

“I have always dreamed of coming back to Pakistan — we need to empower women,” Yousafzai said in a speech in Islamabad with tears in her eyes. “If I wanted I would have never left my country, for further treatment I had to go out.”

At just 11, Malala began writing an anonymous diary for BBC Urdu about her life under Taliban rule. She later became a vocal advocate of female education amid militant suppression in Pakistan. While traveling to school by bus in October 2012, she was shot in the head in retaliation for her campaign for girls to be given equal education rights in the conservative country, defying threats from militants in her hometown of Mingora.

The bullet struck just above her left eye, grazing her brain, and Yousafzai was flown to the U.K. for emergency treatment. Malala’s shooting caused international outrage and came amid a bloody struggle between the Pakistani state and Islamist militants. The Pakistani Taliban said at the time that they shot her because she was “pro-West” and “promoting Western culture in Pashtun areas”.

Lauded internationally, Yousafzai gained global recognition after pledging to continue her struggle against illiteracy, poverty and terrorism. However, her return has received a mixed reaction in her home country. Many in the South Asian nation see her as part of a Western conspiracy against Pakistan.

Her return brings home the change that has occurred in Pakistan. The military in Pakistan has neutered some insurgent groups who target the country domestically and tourists are now returning to areas including picturesque Swat, which is known locally as the Switzerland of Pakistan.

Security in the country has greatly improved in recent years, with the number of attacks carried out by militants drastically reduced. Nevertheless it’s unclear if she will visit her home region in the Swat Valley, where her foundation recently opened a school for girls.

News of her arrival has been received enthusiastically here. But some Pakistanis have long been critics of Malala, favoring conspiracy theories claiming she is “a Western agent” or was actually shot by the CIA. For many others Pakistanis, though, Malala is a source of great pride, and now she’s finally come home.

Malala’s visit “gives the message that extremism can be challenged and defeated if one stands up against it,” said Farzana Bari, a human rights activist and former head of the Gender Studies department at Islamabad’s Quaid-i-Azam University. “This will help promote peace and girls’ education in Pakistan as we still have large areas where girls and women are discriminated against,” she said.

Is Nikki Haley considering a Presidential run

March 26, 2018 Staff ReporterPolitics 0

Over the past several months, there have been a number of articles in the national press, including The New York Times and Newsweek, speculating whether former South Carolina Governor and the current US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley might consider a presidential run in 2020. Some say her efforts and clear leadership as governor and ambassador to the United Nations have put her in a strong position to possibly become this nation’s first female president.

“Nikki Haley may end up as our first female president,” Fox News’ strategic analyst Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Peters recently commended current U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

Haley is definitely solidifying her foreign-policy resume and is earning a reputation as a tough ambassador. Newsweek even pointed out that Haley has had a higher profile than even Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, especially earlier in the administration.

Also, the recently-released book penned by Michael Wolff, “Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House,” which was released on January 5th, claims that Nikki Haley is considering a presidential run. The Indian American aspiring leader and ambassador had no response publicly to the book.

Haley, in her time since taking over her new post, to which she was appointed by Trump, has emerged as a close confident of Trump and has been strongly pushing for Trump’s foreign policy agenda at the United Nations, attracting frequent praise from Trump himself.

However, the book portrays Haley in somewhat of a negative light saying that she has presidential ambitions and does not have a good view of Trump. “By October, however, many on the president’s staff took particular notice of one of the few remaining Trump opportunists: Nikki Haley, the U.N. ambassador,” the book said.

“I work with the president and speak with him multiple times a week; this is a man, he didn’t become the president by accident,” Haley was quoted to have said. “We need to be realistic at the fact that every person, regardless of race, religion, or party, who loves the country, should support this president. It’s that important.”

Entering American politics in 2004, Ambassador Haley assumed office as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 87th district and was elected chair of freshman caucus and majority whip in the South Carolina General Assembly. She was successfully re-elected in 2006 and 2008.

Being a Republican, Ambassador Haley holds on to the fiscally conservative viewpoint on taxation, which advocates for lower taxes and deregulation of the economy. Being a daughter of Sikh immigrants, she believes immigration laws should be enforced thereby ensuring that immigrants follow legal procedures, which led her to support legislative reforms to address issues of illegal immigration. As a pro-life advocate, she voted for the Penalties for Harming an Unborn Child/Fetus law in 2006 and supported the Pre-Abortion Ultrasound law in 2007.

Ambassador Haley was elected governor of South Carolina in 2010; her election made her the second Indian-American, the first woman and youngest person in U.S. history to serve as governor in the United States. Haley said, “it was a shock to the people of South Carolina. One, I was the first minority [elected in South Carolina]. Two, I was the youngest governor in the country. And three, oh my God she’s a girl.”

In June 2015 her empathetic response to the removal of the Confederate flag from the South Carolina states grounds after the Charleston Massacre, garnered her praise during her governorship. “What I realized now more than ever is people were driving by and felt hurt and pain. No one should feel pain,” said Haley.

Though her governorship of South Carolina is surely commendable, she has flourished in her new role as U.S. Ambassador to the UN, despite criticisms of her lack of experience in foreign relations and diplomacy. In November 2016, president-elect Donald Trump recommended the former governor as a “proven dealmaker,” adding that “we look forward to making plenty of deals and she will be a great leader representing us on the world stage.”

Even though Ambassador Haley supports President Trump today, she still holds true to her own beliefs. For example, by encouraging women everywhere to come forward with their traumatic, sexual harassment experiences. “I know he was elected, but women should always feel comfortable coming forward and we should all be willing to listen to them.”

A popular twice-elected governor of South Carolina, she’s an experienced GOP politician in an administration packed with outsiders. As the daughter of Indian immigrants, she stands out in an administration run chiefly by white men. Telegenic and poised, she has a knack for the limelight that stands in sharp contrast to the administration’s tendencies toward the rumpled (former press secretary Sean Spicer) or reclusive (Tillerson).

But in her first seven months at the helm of the US mission to the UN, Haley’s differences have gone far beyond optics. Trump campaigned on a foreign policy platform of “America first” — the idea that the US should avoid getting involved in unnecessary conflicts overseas and focus narrowly on national security interests over promotion of democracy and human rights abroad.

But Haley has pursued the opposite course. From her stern criticism of Moscow to her championing of human rights to her calls for Syrian regime change, she’s routinely diverged from, or outright contradicted, Trump’s stance on the biggest foreign policy issues of the day.

As Politico first reported, the Democratic National Committee is already digging into the pasts of Haley, Vice President Mike Pence, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse – Republicans at the center of Washington speculation as presidential contenders if Trump isn’t on the ballot for some reason in 2020.

Haley told CNN’s Jamie Gangel, she “can’t imagine running for the White House.” During our interview, she deflected questions about her future in or out of the Trump administration and said she’s concentrating on “making the American

High Schoolers lead nationwide protests against gun violence in schools

March 20, 2018 Staff ReporterCommunity 0

Tens of thousands of high school students across the nation led a protest, streaming out of schools across the country to protest against gun violence in the wake of last month’s mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida that had killed 17 people.

“I’m just mad there’s no action by our government representatives,” Daniel Rogov, a junior in Brooklyn, New York, said. “It’s all thoughts and prayers; it’s all talk,” he told the media. “After a gun violence tragedy there’s a speech talking about how we need change but there never is change.”

From Maine to California, the 17-minute walkout — one minute for each of the 17 people killed at Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School one month ago — began around 10 a.m. in each time zone.

Some participants read the names of each victim; others stood in silence around sets of empty chairs. At Granada Hills Charter High School in Los Angeles, students lay down on a football fieldto spell out the walkout’s rallying cry: “Enough.”

The protests, which began at 10 a.m. across every time zone, was officially scheduled to last 17 minutes — one minute for each of the victims gunned down in the Feb. 14 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. But many students ralled for much longer.

Earlier less than a week after the shooting in Florida, dozens of students had gathered in front of the White House to demand changes to gun laws. The demonstration was organized by Teens For Gun Reform, an organization created by students in the Washington, D.C., area in the wake of the shooting

Protesters participated in what they said would be a three-minute lie-in, which began around 12:30 p.m. on Presidents Day. They lay down in front of the White House “in representation of the victims of school shootings,” according to a post on the group’s Facebook page.

Across the country, Indian-American lawmakers and those running for election, as well as those heading important organizations, expressed solidarity with the students. The nationwide political expression by students, including Indian-Americans, is not going to be a one-day affair, leaders have indicated.

Former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Preet Bharara, tweeted, “All 3 of my kids chose for themselves to participate in #NationalStudentWalkout today. Very proud of them. This was a part of their education, not a break from it.” Bharara was among several Indian-American leaders in the country to come out in support of the students.

California Congressman Ami Bera, a Democrat, tweeted, on March 14 night, “We need commonsense measures to prevent gun violence because kids deserve to be safe at school. I’m inspired by students across the country and hopeful their actions will spark the overdue change we need. #NationalWalkoutDay #NeverAgain.”

Senator Kamala Harris, D-California, noted youth was no bar to protesting. “Martin Luther King was only 26 when he helped lead the Montgomery Bus Boycott. John Lewis was 21 when he went down to Mississippi as one of the original Freedom Riders. Diane Nash was 22 when she started leading sit-ins in Nashville,” Harris tweeted.

“Enough is enough as the 14,000 kids who have died, shows,” said Puneet Ahluwalia, Republican political and business strategist from Virginia. He was referring to one of the student protests which put a number on gun violence deaths. Ahluwalia, who is the parent of a high-school going daughter and one who is in first year in university, told News India Times, “We need to come out with common-sense reforms to curtail these threats, We cannot afford to lose another life. So just as we have regulations for other industries, we need them for the guns.”

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington, gave a shout out to local students “Ballard High School student organizers are gathering to make their voices heard – we must step up and listen.#NationalWalkoutDay #EndGunViolence.”

Hiral Tipirneni, candidate for Congress from Arizona tweeted, “The young folks have it right – gun violence is a public health issue & must be treated as such. …” and called for ‘commonsense” solutions.

Former Justice Department Civil Rights Division Chief Vanita Gupta, currently president of the largest civil rights organization in the country, called on Congress to “go back to the drawing board and pass the gun safety legislation that people in America actually want.”

Initially organized by the Women’s March youth branch, the National Student Walkout demanded three key actions from Congress:

— Ban assault weapons;

— Require universal background checks before gun sales;

— Pass a gun violence restraining order law that would allow courts to disarm people who display warning signs of violent behavior.

Participants at the protests waved signs and chanted enough as they marched through the streets and rallied in front of government buildings, including the White House. They called on lawmakers to do something before another school falls victim to gun violence.

“This is not a matter of left versus right. This is a matter of public safety,” said the students. “We’re all working together, which is something we haven’t seen from the adults in a very long time.”

Hillary Clinton warns of threats to democracy in India and around world

March 20, 2018 Staff ReporterPolitics 0

Democracies across the world, including the US and India, are at a crossroads and there was a need to stand up against the chaos to protect democracy, Hillary Rodham Clinton has said. Speaking at the concluding session of the India Today Conclave 2018, the former US Secretary of State said never before did the world need India’s energy like now to speak against sexism, racism and stand up at this crossroad moment. “Don’t give way to anger, resentment and disappointment. Stay engaged, speak out,” Clinton said. Both the US and India were facing serious undercurrents threatening to strike at the roots of democracy, warning that US President Donald Trump “will damage it”.

Talking at length about the state of affairs in the U.S. since the 2016 presidential elections, which she lost to real-estate tycoon Trump, Clinton said she did not have a problem with power differences, but worried that there were fewer debates on pertinent issues, which could move the country towards one-party dominance.

“That is the situation in Washington at present.” She said it was “the first-ever reality TV election” in U.S. history. “Reality TV because a person who is the most outrageous and prone to say incorrect things gets away with it, drawing big rankings. Many people were, unfortunately, attracted to such diatribes.”

Clinton counted the reaction against immigrants as one of the reasons for Trump’s win. She said the U.S. was home to hard-working, law-abiding immigrants from around the world, including Latin America, India and China, and that Trump’s campaign of ‘Make America Great Again’ was backward. “I won from the places which has two-thirds share in the gross domestic product.”

She also said a smear campaign and threats from Trump to put her in jail damaged her chances. “That stopped my momentum and decreased my votes.” The Associated Press adds that Clinton told her audience at the India Today Conclave 2018 that the U.S. did not “deserve” Donald Trump’s presidency and these are “perilous times.”

Clinton said the Republican president has “quite an affinity for dictators” and said Trump “really likes their authoritarian posturing and behavior.” But she said she thinks it’s “more than that” with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia.

Clinton was critical of Trump’s reality campaign tactics and questioned whether she should have provided more entertainment to voters who responded to Trump’s brash style. She also believes former FBI director James Comey’s Oct. 28, 2016, letter to Congress about her private email server cost her support from white women voters.

A Diplomat Couple from India Committed to Excellence both in Foreign and Family Affairs

March 20, 2018 Ajay GhoshCommunity 0

Neeta Bhushan, Consul General of India in Chicago hosted an impressive reception on the occasion of the visit of her husband, Sri Anurag Bhushan, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India to Chicago at her residence on March 11th, 2018 (Sunday) at 6: 00 PM. The reception was graced by leading community and business leaders from different walks of life.

All the guests were bowled over by the strong academic credentials of Sri Anurag Bhushan, which,inter alia, include a graduate degree in engineering and a Post Graduate Degree in Management from such highly accredited and prestigious educational institutions as Indian Institute of Technology and Indian Institute of Management, respectively.

During the course of the informal deliberations that followed, Sri Anurag Bhushan paid rich tributes to the contribution of Indian Diaspora to enriching the socio-economic and educational fabric of the countries he served during his long career spanning about two-and-a-half decades. His rich diplomatic experience across the globe proved to be not only an icing on the cake but also made the interactions a great platform of learning for the guests.

The love between the Bhushans, despite long spells of separations on account of their respective postings to different countries, transported all the guests in a state of shock and awe. . Their fine balancing of work and family touched everyone. The Bhushans ensured that they never get so busy making a living that they forget to make a life.

“Both of them achieved excellence in foreign affairs and at the same time did full justice to the genuine demands of their family”, opined all the guests unanimously and added that their achievements on professional and family fronts should become a source of inspiration for working couples, especially their counterparts, who encounter multiple challenges in meeting the demands of their profession and family.

The presence of highly eminent persons at the reception, representing a number of organizations run by Indian-Americans, belonging to different regions, religions, and languages, showcased the success of Ms. Bhushan in bringing all of them under one roof, a rare achievement which was appreciated by such high profile US leaders as Governors, Mayors, Congressmen, Senators, University Presidents, etc. in the recent past.

The memorable evening came to a close with a sumptuous dinner, comprising tasty cuisine representing different regions of India, which was relished by one and all. Some of the guests who graced the reception included Mrs. & Mr. Hardik Bhatt, Mr. Amit Jhingran, Mrs. & Dr. Muzaffar Mirza, Dr, Azher Quader, Mrs. & Dr. Shoeb Sitafalwalla, Mr. Vinoz Chanamolu, Dr. Imtiaz, Mrs. & Mr Masood Quadri, Mr. Roberto Ramirez, Mrs. & Mr Iqbal Baig, Dr. Ali Niazee, Mrs. & Mr. Vinaykant Bhatt, Mrs. & Mr. Syed Jafry, Mrs. Rita Singh, Mr.Sanjjeev Singh, Mrs. Nyla Naseeruddin, Mr. Abrar Quader, Mrs. & Mr. Amrish Manajan, Mrs. Ayeisha Osman and Mr. Ashfaq Syed. Ms. Bhushan thanked all the guests profusely for gracing the reception.

Air India’s all-women-crew pilots get a rousing welcome at Indian Consulate, New York

March 11, 2018 Staff ReporterWomen 0

Air India says it has become the first airline to fly around the world with an all-female crew, just ahead of International Women’s Day.

“Air India scripted history by flying an all-women crew flight around the world,” the airline said in a statement on Facebook, after Flight AI 174 touched back down in New Delhi on Friday.

The Boeing 777 flew from New Delhi to San Francisco last Monday, traveling over the Pacific Ocean. The crew completed a mandatory rest period before flying over the Atlantic back to New Delhi, completing the round-the-world trip.

“Literally with high flying women. All 4 Air India flights into US today, JFK, Newark, Chicago & SFo were commandered by women pilots. We were delighted to honour 8 women pilots at the Consulate on #Internationalwomensday .Big thanks to Vandana Sharma of @airindiain & FIA,” tweeted Consul General of India, New York, Sandeep Chakravorty.

In addition to the four flights to the US, the airline flew all-women-crew flights to destinations including Milan, Frankfurt, and Singapore.

“The national carrier has planned several flights on its domestic and international sectors operated only by its women employees to salute woman power,” the airliner had said last week in a press release. It had announced that the all-women-crew flights that the company intends to operate to celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day will have women pilots in addition to women cabin crew, check-in staff, doctor, commercial staff, ground operators to technicians, engineers, flight dispatchers and even safety and quality auditors.

Air India reiterated that by flying all-women-crew in its flights it wants to stress on its constant efforts to encourage women by giving them an equal opportunity in the workplace.

The schedule for the crews was also planned by a woman – Amrita Sharan, Executive Director Integration and Industrial Relations and in charge of Crew Management, announced the carrier.

Smiling members of Air India’s crew, wearing saris and jackets, posed for selfies in San Francisco International Airport last Monday before setting off on the final leg of the trip.

Every member of staff — from the flight’s captains to the cabin crew, check-in and ground handling staff — were women. Even the engineers, who certified the aircraft, and air traffic controllers, who cleared its departure and arrival, were women, the company said.

An Air India spokesman told the media that the airline has applied for a Guinness World Record to mark the occasion, part of a series of all-women flights scheduled to mark International Women’s Day on March 8.

Dr. Jagdish Gupta-led new Executive Committee 2018 of AAPI-QLI inaugurated

March 5, 2018 Ajay GhoshCommunity 0

During a solemn ceremony that was attended by over 250 physicians and community leaders, Dr. Jagdish Gupta and his new executive committee members assumed charge of AAPIQLI (American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin of Queens and Long Island) at the popular Akbar Restaurant in Garden City, Long Island, NY on February 9th.

Dr. Ajay K. Lodha , past President of AAPI-QLI and national AAPI, was elected unanimously as the Chair, BOT of AAPIQLI in a subsequent meeting on Feb. 16th,2018. Dr. Lodha assumed charge as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the inaugural event.

Dr. Lodha called upon the AAPI members to “stand united, in order to be able to fight for our rights,” while pointing to the fact that Indian American Physicians service every 7th patient in the nation and contribute immensely to the healthcare industry in the nation.

As the participants at the event cheered, the outgoing President of AAPI-QLI, Dr. Rakesh Dua, whose term ended after serving as the association through a memorable and eventful year, passed on the gavel to Dr. Jagdish K Gupta, a practicing Gastroenterologist, serving the community for over 40 years.

Along with Dr. Gupta, other members of the Executive Committee 2018, were administred the oath of office included, Dr. Himanshu Pandya, President Elect; Dr. Raj Bhayani, Vice President; Dr. Abhay Malhotra, Secretary; and Dr.Vinod Jayam, Treasurer. Ten prominent physicians were inducted as Members at Large of the Governing Body. The Organization is ably guided by 15 members, constituting Board of Trustees and Five Advisory Board Members from the community.

In his inaugural address as the incoming President, Dr. Jagdish Gupta, President-Elect of AAPI QLI, announced the exciting new programs for the members in the year 2018 under his new leadership. “We want to continue to be the most vibrant, transformative and politically active Chapter among all AAPI chapters in the nation,” he said.

AAPIQLI, one of the largest chapter of National AAPI, has been serving 800 members physicians since 1995, providing continuing medical education, and discussing the state of the art topics in healthcare, wealth management and practice management. Dr Vajinath Chakote, Chairman of the Nominating & Election Committee, declared the results of 23rd AAPI-QLI Executive Committee for 2018.

The Mission of AAPI Queens and Long Island has been to represent the interests of all physicians of Indian Origin in the area including providing Continuous Medical Education (CME) and engaging in charitable activities for the benefit of our community at large. Since its inception there was a strong alliance with and support from National AAPI.

AAPI QLI grew rapidly in membership and was well accepted by all other local and national professional organizations. From the very beginning the leadership put heavy emphasis on transparency and the democratic process, which is the main ingredient for its enormous success. AAPI of Queens and Long Island currently represents 660 active physicians and donates more than $60,000 annually for charitable purposes. It is also one of the largest chapters of National AAPI.

During the colorful event, AAPI-QLI pledged to donate funds to several community Organizations, including Governor Cuomo Puerto Rico Relief and Rebuilding Fund to alleviate devastation caused by Hurricane Maria, International Nutrition Network (INN) which serves free meals and operates 10 Soup Kitchens in 14 location across Long Island, ROTACARE which provides free medical, dental, pharmacy and other behavioral health services to low income people, Sankara Nethralaya & Eye Foundation, providing world class free tertiary eye care and helping eradicate blindness in India and many other cultural and religious community Organization.

Sridevi fondly remembered

March 5, 2018 Staff ReporterEntertainment, Social Media 0

When news of Bollywood actress Sridevi’s death in Dubai spread like wildfire late Saturday evening, it understandably met with shock and disbelief. Sridevi was a phenomenon – described as the first female “superstar” — she is being remembered not just by fans in India, but around the world. Sridevi, 54, died on Saturday in a Dubai hotel bathroom. The autopsy report called it an “accidental drowning” in the bathtub.

She was only 55 and looked hale and hearty. Sridevi was in the UAE for a family wedding and was seen cheerfully greeting people in videos circulating on social media. What followed though was pure grief from all over the world and a collective feeling of “gone too soon”. India’s ambassador to the UAE, Navdeep Singh Suri, was the first to confirm and condole the death:

“Absolutely shocked to get the report about untimely demise of #Sridevi. Conveyed my condolences to the family. Our consulate in Dubai is working with local authorities to provide all possible assistance”, he wrote in the tweet.

Sridevi, who had started as a child actor and rose to become a Bollywood sweetheart, left the scene for 15 years only to stage a resounding comeback at the age of 50, unusual in any film industry. News channels from BBC to CNN featured the star, and Twitter lit up with tributes and tears on her untimely death in Dubai at the age of 54.

Sridevi had already been a phenomenon in Tamil and Telugu films before she came to Bollywood, says Professor Gyan Prakash, who teaches history at Princeton and has included Bollywood in some of his courses. “In Bollywood, she could navigate both comedy and intensely emotional roles with ease – intensity in “Chandni” and comedy in “Mr. India.” There are not many in Bollywood who could cover this kind of range,” said Prakash, whose book on Mumbai was made into the film “Bombay Velvet.”

Indo-British filmmaker Gurinder Chadha, who met Sridevi very recently at a get-together hosted by fashion designer Manish Malhotra, told BBC the Sridevi was, “completely and utterly, a force of nature on her own.” adding, “She is, and I don’t use the world lightly, an Icon.”

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, who directed Sridevi in films like Great Robbery, Govindhaa Govindhaa and Hairaan, says that the late actress has been a “very unhappy woman” and her life was a “classic case of how each person’s actual life is completely different from how the world perceives it”.

In a personal note on her, Varma says that she was the most desirable woman and the biggest super star of the country but that’s just a part of the story. He wrote: “For many, Sridevi’s life was perfect. Beautiful face, great talent, seemingly stable family with two beautiful daughters. From outside everything looked so enviable and desirable… But was Sridevi a very happy person and did she lead a very happy life?”

People hailing from South India and living in the United States, have been listening to the continuous replay of the memorable song, Kanne Kalaimane” from her 1980s film with screen idol Kamal Haasan – “Moondram Tirai” (loosely translated to mean 3rd day of the new moon). “She was so innocent in that movie, nobody can forget that,” Purushottaman recalls, reminiscing further about the song that was composed by poet Kannadasan, who gave then child-actor Sridevi her first role as God Muruga in “Thunalvan.”

Sridevi’s remarkable comeback in “English Vinglish” at the age of 50, “was very significant for the Indian diaspora,” says Rochona Majumdar, associate professor in the Departments of Cinema and Media Studies, South Asian Languages and Civilizations at the University of Chicago. “It spoke to a generation of middle and upper middle-class women who had an English handicap,” said Majumdar, who is a “huge” fan of Sridevi and feels a sense of personal loss. Majumdar also pointed to “English Vinglish” portraying the Indian-American community in the U.S.

“It is a great shock to our community. We grew up with her and she was a heartthrob for many of us,” said Ranganathan “Ranga” Purushottaman, president of the New York Tamil Sangam, adding, “We loved her from the beginning.”

Familiarity with Sridevi spreads across generations, according to Purushottaman. ” Even our children know her, with her latest movie “English-Vinglish” which had a great effect on us NRIs,” he said, referring to non-resident Indians.

“The Indian diaspora got to see how they are absorbing and melting into the American environment. And it was a very cosmopolitan environment that director Gauri Shinde showed, in which she (Sridevi) was very good,” Majumdar added.

Sridevi was the Grand Marshal of the Federation of Indian Association’s India Day Parade of 1996 in New York City. “On behalf of the Chairman, Board Of Trustees & the Executive Committee, our condolences to the Kapoor family. This is a dark day for the Indian film industry. We will pray to almighty god to give her departed soul peace and all strength to her family to go through this tough times,” the FIA said in a statement on Sridevi’s demise.

Woman Empowerment……the need of the hour

March 5, 2018 Staff ReporterEditorial, Women 0

I had the honor of representing India at the prestigious World Summit for Entrepreneurs held in Washington DC. In fact, I spoke on woman empowerment and received a standing ovation. I recalled my journey from one herbal salon to a global chain of franchise salons, and how I started a network by encouraging ordinary women to start salons in their own homes in a small way, to enable them to achieve financial independence. Education, of course, is the most important aspect of women empowerment. Mahatma Gandhi had said, “If you educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate an entire family.”

Yes, in a developing country like hours, education of women is the need of the hour, especially in rural areas. In fact, education helps to highlight a woman’s strength and how much she can do to better the life of her children. I believe that it would help to improve the quality of life of women in the rural areas, paying particular attention to education and health care of women and children. In fact, I feel that special attention should be given to extracurricular activities for girls and women in rural areas. An exercise and diet regime would help both mental and physical health.

Great emphasis should be given to every mother to empower her financially and mentally, so that she can educate her girl child of her rights and also inculcate the values of good health, nutritious diet and education. I believe that woman empowerment means financial independence and selfreliance for women. If women are encouraged to go out to work, the family can benefit from the earnings of two members. The quality of life of their children would definitely improve. I also believe that the development of skills and vocational training are very important for financial independence. I have been committed to vocational training of the speech, hearing and visually impaired, through my free beauty training courses for them.

Today, I feel proud that women have achieved so much. But we still have a long way to go. Woman empowerment is not just about one day in the year. It should be an on-going process, so that each of us can focus on the areas that need change and do our bit. The woman has to realize her own potential and strength as an equal member of society. In fact, the educated and selfreliant mothers can also bring about change in the mindset of society and teach their sons to honour and respect women.

Empowerment is also about women realizing that they should embrace change. Creating awareness is so important, drawing public attention to instances of injustices towards women. Educated women and professionals can work together to focus on issues – like literacy, learning of skills and opportunities for entrepreneurship, through kitchen and cottage industries. They can also participate in programmes on social issues and health care.

The “Pulse Polio” program, for instance, is a successful example. Changes cannot come from outside and by force. It has to come from within the society. The change can be complete when society recognizes that the woman has a separate identity, her own dreams and ambitions and every right to fulfill them. To women, I also want to say “Believe in yourself and your own abilities. Keep learning. Do you dream of being successful? Don’t stop! It is important to dream. Then have the faith and courage to take the first step towards realizing the magic of your dreams.” Indeed, let each woman redefine her place in the world, giving it her own color and fragrance. It would make this world a better place.

The theme for International Women’s Day in 2018 is “Press for Progress.” So this year, let us consider the roles played by women, all over the world, in economic development and social causes. Today is the day to appreciate women for their achievements, so that it inspires all women towards further progress. I feel that each and every one of us can take steps forward in different areas, like education, vocational training, skill development, gender bias, as well as women’s safety and security. We need to come together to help women move forward and realize their limitless potential and strength as an equal member of the family and society. So, this International Women’s Day let us all contribute at an individual level or collectively to Press for Progress!

Indian American community stunned by Florida shooting

February 24, 2018 Ajay GhoshCommunity, Politics 0

One cannot imagine what was going through the mind of the sad teen who stood holding up the lighted candle mourning her best friend, with her mother Shweta Kapa by her side. It was only 24 hours since Nikolas Kraus, 19, now charged with premeditated murder, went on a rampage armed with a weapons grade assault rifle at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killed the teen’s friend, leaving 15 students and 2 teachers dead. Meanwhile, an Indian-American teacher is being hailed as a hero for protecting her students in the face of terror.

Among the victims was, an Indian-American child, who suffered minor injuries in the shooting according to a Press Trust of India report. The ninth grade student sustained minor injuries after he was hit by splinters, and is being treated at a hospital, according to a PTI report.

There were no other known casualties from the community. But Indian-Americans are traumatized with their children undergoing the ordeal at school and their friends and neighbors suffering deaths. But they can take heart from the bravery of Shanthi Viswanathan, the algebra teacher who acted so quickly to save the children. According to reports in Miami Herald, the Sun Sentinel, and Orlando Sentinel, “Mrs. V” rushed her students to a corner of the classroom, “moments before” Cruz began shooting

“Mrs. V” knew something wasn’t right when the second fire alarm of the day sounded shortly before classes were to end at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, Parkland, FL.

Rather than let her Algebra II students out, Shanthi Viswanathan made them get on the floor in the corner of the room. But first she put paper over the window in the class door so no one could see in.

Her actions probably saved her students, said Dawn Jarboe, whose son Brian was in the class. “She was quick on her feet. She used her knowledge. She saved a lot of kids,” Dawn Jarboe said.

Even when the SWAT team arrived and the police were saying to open up, Viswanathan took no chance that it wasn’t a trick by the gunman to get in. “She said, ‘Knock it down or open it with a key. I’m not opening the door,’” Jarboe said.

And that’s what they did. “Some SWAT guy took out the window and cleared our room,” Brian texted his mom.

“This is a sad day for the country and the community. We all Indian Americans are praying for the victims,” Shekar Reddy, whose friend’s son was among those injured in the mass shooting, told PTI. The school reportedly has quite a few students from the Indian American community. The FBI is assisting local officials in the investigation.

The shooter, who was equipped with a gas mask and smoke grenades, set off a fire alarm to draw students out of classrooms shortly before the day ended at one of the state’s largest schools, officials said.

Students who knew the shooter, identified as Nikolas Cruz, described a volatile teenager whose strange behavior had caused others to end friendships with him, particularly after the fight that led to his expulsion.

“It’s catastrophic. There really are no words,” Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel told reporters. The attacker used the fire alarm “so the kids would come pouring out of the classrooms into the hall,” Sen. Bill Nelson told CNN. “And there the carnage began,” said Nelson, who said he was briefed by the FBI.

A law enforcement official said the former student posted highly disturbing material on social media before the shooting rampage. Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said Feb. 14 investigators are dissecting the suspect’s social media posts and found material that is “very, very disturbing.” He didn’t elaborate.

Considered an affluent community with a state of the art school like Stoneman Douglas, the city has attracted more Indian families looking for a good education for their children. In the entire Broward County, where Parkland is located, the Asian Indian population is 22,600 according tostatisticalatlas.com. Parkland, population 31,507, was considered the safest city in Florida in 2017 with just 7 violent crimes, a CNN report quoting the National Council for Home Safety and Security, said.

The Association of Indians in America, South Florida chapter President Kavita Deshpande, told the media that people are “very badly” affected. In a formal statement AIA said, “The Indian American community, both in Parkland as well as in greater South Florida, grieves along with the parents who have lost their children in yesterday’s horrific shooting. We stand together, now and always.”

The Hindu American Foundation spent the better part of Feb. 14, tracking its members in the Parkland-Coral Springs area to check on them, Suhag Shukla, co-founder and executive director of the organization, told this correspondent.

Minakshi De, an artist from Vero Beach, said she had many friends in the area where Cruz wreaked havoc. “There’s a huge Indian community there and we hold the biggest Durga Puja celebration there. They are scared.”

“One of our member’s business partner’s son went into surgery but has come out okay,” Shukla said with relief. “This sort of violence is not random. And it is avoidable,” she added. “There’s absolutely no reason why ordinary citizens carry assault weapons.”

Shukla has a son in his sophomore year in New Jersey and worries for him as well. Asked if she knew whether active shooter drills were carried out at his school, she said she had not heard of any.

The tragedy this month in Florida leads all to ponder on a bigger problem — frequent shootings at schools — almost one gun incident every month — remain a nightmare for children and parents even if most have few fatalities or only injuries. Some recent horrific incidents stand out: Columbine High School, Colorado, where 15 were killed in 1999; Red Lake Senior High School, Minnesota in 2005 with 10 fatalities; and Sandy Hook Elementary School, Connecticut, in 2012 with 28 dead.

The US, the most advanced nation has the most number of deaths due to gun violence. For Indian-Americans, who come from a country without a gun culture, the contrast between India and the United States in firearms ownership and gun deaths is often shocking. GunPolicy.org that is hosted by the Sydney School of Public Health, the University of Sydney, gathered data that showed that there were 3,655 total gun deaths in 2014 in India which has a population of 1.3 billion, or three gun deaths per million people showing a decline from a total of 12,147 or 12.3 per million in 1999.

In contrast, there were 33,599 gun deaths in the U.S. in 2014, nine times more than in India. The United States tops the world in the number of guns owned by civilians, with 310 million. That amounts to 101.05 guns for every hundred people in the U.S., giving it the top rank in the rate of gun ownership, while India which ranked next after U.S. in number of guns owned by civilians at 40 million, had just 3.36 guns for every hundred people, because its population is about times bigger than the U.S.

Against this backdrop, the Indian-American community is looking at the gun control issue, which has again risen as a topic of national discussion because of the Parkland shooting. These incidents have changed life in schools and the lives of millions of people across the great nation, the United States.

AAPI’s 36th annual Convention & Scientific Assembly to be held at Columbus Convention Center, OH July 4-8, 2018

February 24, 2018 Ajay GhoshCommunity, Politics 0

Columbus, OH – February 18, 2018: “The 36th Annual Convention & Scientific Assembly of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) will be held at the at Columbus Convention Center, OH July 4-8, 2018,” Dr. Gautam Samadder, President of AAPI, announced here. “The 2018 AAPI Convention offers an rare platform to interact with leading physicians, health professionals, academicians, and scientists of Indian origin,” he added .

Ambassador Nikki Haley, the top American diplomat and US Ambassador to the United Nations, and Ambassador Navtej Singh Sarna, an Indian author-columnist, diplomat and current Indian Ambassador to the US, have agreed to attend the AAPI convention and address the delegates, Dr. Samadder announced. He had met with the top-diplomats of Indian origin recently at the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC and had won their formal acceptance to be part of the convention.

AAPI‘s mission 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. For 36 years, the AAPI Convention has provided a venue for medical education programs and symposia with world renowned physicians on the cutting edge of medicine.

The annual convention this year is being organized by the Ohio Chapter and is led by Convention Chair, Dr. John A. Johnson, a physician, business executive, private equity/venture capital investor, and philanthropist. A pool of dedicated AAPI leaders are working hard to make the Convention a unique event for all the participants.

“We have been working hard to put together an attractive program for our annual get together, educational activity and family enjoyment. I and the Co-Chairs are fortunate to have a dedicated team of convention committee members from the Tri-State region helping us. We are expecting a record turnout and hence I would encourage early registration to avoid later disappointment,” Dr. Johnson said.

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 8-12 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.

“AAPI members represent a variety of important medical specialties. Sponsors will be able to take advantage of the many sponsorship packages at the 34th annual convention, creating high-powered exposure to the highly coveted demographic of AAPI‘s membership,” Dr. Naresh Parikh, President-Elect, said. A pool of dedicated AAPI leaders are working hard to make the Convention a unique event for all the participants, he added.

“The preliminary program is in place, the major attractions include 12 hours of cutting-edge CME with renowned speakers, CEO Forum, Innovation Forum, Entrepreneur Forum, Women’s Forum, Men’s Forum, and Product Theaters to highlight the newest advances in patient care and medical technology. Alumni meetings for networking, also an AAPI-India Strategic Engagement Forum to showcase the AAPI initiatives in India like Trauma Brain Injury Guidelines, MoU on TB Eradication in India and recognition of AAPI Award winners will make this Convention unique,” Dr. Ashok Jain,Chair, Board of Trustees, said.

“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. Yashwant Reddy, Treasurer of AAPI Convention 2018, 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.

Physicians of Indian origin are well known around the world for their compassion, passion for patient care, medical skills, research, and leadership. 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.

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.

AAPI is an umbrella organization which has nearly 90 local chapters, specialty societies and alumni organizations. Almost 10%-12% of medical students entering US schools are of Indian origin. AAPI represents the interests of over 60,000 physicians and 25,000medical students and residents of Indian heritage in the United States. AAPI, the largest ethnic medical organization in the nation, and serves as an umbrella organization.

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.

“Physicians and healthcare professionals from across the country and internationally 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. We look forward to seeing you in Columbus, OHIO!” said Dr. Gautam Samadder. For more details, and sponsorship opportunities, please visit: www.aapiconvention.org and www.aapiusa.org

Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel donate additional $25M to Nova Southeastern University

February 17, 2018 Ajay GhoshCommunity, Education 0

Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel, philanthropists of Indian origin, based in Florida, have donated an additional $25 million to Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Nova Southeastern University. The donation comes months after the Patels committed to donate $200 million to NSU for the institution to build a new medical school. The commitment is the largest donation to an institution by an Indian American.

Kiran Patel said Nova Southeastern University has been receptive to his vision of a medical curriculum with a truly international focus. “Somebody has to believe in that, and that’s what I find very heartwarming and encouraging, that we both share a common vision,” Patel said in an interview this week. The Patels’ gift will go toward scholarships for needy students at NSU’s College of Allopathic Medicine, where students earn MDs.

A ceremony for the groundbreaking of the new medical center will be held in March. This latest gift from the Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel Family Foundation, announced Jan. 27, also brought Nova Southeastern within reach of its $250 million fundraising campaign.

Pallavi Patel said the reason she and her husband did this was to have medical students 10, 20 and 30 years from now feel like they belong somewhere, according to a WLRN.org report.

“We always wanted to help a lot of people who want to be medical professionals, and who are struggling or looking for a place where they have a happy and healthy environment to flourish their dream,” she said in the report.

Their previous commitment — a $150 million real estate investment and a $50 million gift — went toward NSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine and is funding the creation of a Tampa Bay Regional Campus in Clearwater, where the osteopathic program will expand. Now both M.D. and D.O. programs will be named for Kiran Patel. “I just felt that it will be appropriate for my partnership with Nova where all medical graduates come out of one college called the Patel college,” he said.

Patel, a former cardiologist who runs the Tampa-based managed health care company Freedom Health, made most of his fortune 15 years ago when he sold another HMO, WellCare Health Plans, for a reported $200 million. He and his wife turned to philanthropy, donating many millions to the University of South Florida, local hospitals and the arts.

Physician by profession, and a successful entrepreneur, Dr. Kiran Patel, said, he is also planning a medical college each in both India and Zambia. He wants to expose American students to the world and bring international students to the U.S. for their education, according to the report.

Between the colleges at NSU and those international plans, he said he envisions producing thousands of doctors who will send ripple effects of their care out into the world, the publication said. “The opportunity I have been given, be it at USF, be it at Nova or other places I’m creating … I just consider myself extremely fortunate and blessed to be able to do something for others,” he said in the report.

Dr. Chandrakant M. Modi flies around bringing medical care to remotest parts of the world

February 17, 2018 Staff ReporterCommunity, Health 0

Chicago IL: When Chandrakant M. Modi was growing up in India, his father suggested a career in medicine because it would enable him to earn a decent living while also helping the needy.

Modi is glad he listened to his father’s advice. Dr. Modi settled in the Chicago area after medical school in India and residency in the Chicago area in Pathology and Internal Medicine. He pursued a successful career in the U.S. that has included pathology and emergency medicine.

Despite his professional success, what has given him the greatest sense of fulfillment is that in the last 20 years Dr. Modi has helped people in distant lands. He has been on numerous missions with Flying Doctors of America, a division of Medical Mercy Missions, Inc.

Under the banner of Flying Doctors, volunteer medical professionals fly to remote villages in countries including Haiti, Madagascar, Amazon, Panama, Jordan and the borders between India and Tibet.

There is no cost to the patient for the expert medical attention these doctors offer, and for the physicians, the heartfelt appreciation of the patients is beyond material value.

“The trips to provide medical care have been very rewarding,” said Dr. Modi, now an energetic septuagenarian living in Skokie, Ill. “The people in underserved areas need care, and they appreciate our presence. Our missions bring hope and healing to the poorest of poor people.”

Gratitude can often be symbolized in a priceless token of appreciation. “I was deep in the Amazon Jungle Basin area on one occasion,” Dr Modi recalled. At the end of our stay the tribal chief came up to me, and gave me a comb he said he had made out of an animal’s bone.”

“I didn’t need it but it was given from the heart. I still have it, and consider it one of my most valuable possessions.”

Flying Doctors is a Not For Profit Organization Founded by Allan Gathercoal DD, organizing mercy missions almost every other month to remote areas where residents do not have regular access to medical care. The trips are designed to bring hope and healing to those with limited or no access to medical care” Doctors, nurses, dentists and on-ground support personnel pay their own fares. The medication they dispense is also purchased from private health-care companies based in US.

The sites they visit can be in a remote jungle in the Amazon basin off the cost of Ecuador, or in part of the world, like the war torn Syrian border mission near Jordan. The Doctor has volunteered in other 3rd world countries to include Madagascar, Mexico, Panama, Fiji and India. As per doctor Modi every mission has its unique challenges mainly due to terrain, remoteness and lack of accessibility of the area.

In a 2001 mission in the Himalayan region of border between Tibet and India, in a far off tiny village, called Pso-Murari, situated at about 16,000 feet altitude, or just about 1000 feet below the first base camp of Mt. Everest. They were faced with thin air, cold temperatures, altitude sickness and overwhelming response for medical care. At the end of the mission the team met with recently ‘re-incarnated highest ranking Buddhist Monk’, barely 8 yrs. old boy. At the conclusion of the meeting with his holiness, Dr. Modi asked him what he wants from America. He replied “Toy cars for me to play!”

Other unique mission was in 2011 in Haiti, soon after the enormous destructive earthquake. Mission was hastily organized by Allan Garthaercoal, President/founder of Flying Doctors. One of the surviving church buildings was converted in to 40 beds makeshift acute care hospital located near the suburb of capital city, called Cabaret. Many survivors extracted from the rubble were initially treated on the field, and transferred to ‘Hospital’. Patients were cared for on clinical judgment only, as routine facility like x-rays, lab, anesthesia, intravenous fluids, or operating room were all destroyed in earthquake. Our work was further complicated by lack of electricity, running water, painkiller, drugs, gas or supplemental oxygen. It was like practicing civil war era 19th century type medicine. Most of the patients had trauma related crush injury including fractures, deep wounds, amputation of limb etc. We worked round the clock with very little rest or sleep. Despite all the adversities, it was very gratifying unassuming experience that I will cherish forever, said Dr. Modi.

Future missions by Flying Doctors are planned to countries including Panama, Guyana, Peru, a women’s prison in Bolivia etc. The missions often come with an element of risk and stress. “We were in Jordan, near the Syrian border, and many refugees needed medical care,” said the soft-spoken Dr. Modi. “The lines were long to see doctors, and there was a lot of stress because the refugees were frustrated and there were few facilities.”

Recognitions and appreciations came his way. In 2009 Dr. Modi was awarded with the President’s Circle Award given by Flying Doctors of America, in recognition of his contributions to humanity.

Now semi-retired Dr Modi intends to go on many more such trip, in part to fulfill his father’s dream for his son.

During a long career of ongoing learning, Dr. Modi had prepared himself for almost any problem. The possibility of danger to his life or limb has never deterred him. “I am a Hindu by faith and believe in destiny. When your time comes, it comes. I have never been fearful on these trips,” he said. Dr. Modi is also avid traveler and has explored all the seven continents including Antarctica and over 100 countries.

Indian-Americans march in support of Trump’s new immigration policy

February 17, 2018 Staff ReporterCommunity, Travel 0

Several hundred Indian-Americans participated in a march outside of the White House on Saturday, February 3, in support of U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to implement a “merit-based” immigration system in the country along with demanding the discontinuation of India’s country quota for Green Card approvals, according to a PTI report.

According to the PTI report, Indian-Americans marched with signs saying “Trump Loves Hindus,” “Trump Loves India,” “Trump bringing Ram Rajya” and “Indians Love Trump,” under the banner of the Republican Hindu Coalition (RHC), an organization led by Chicago-based businessman Shalabh Kumar who happens to be close to Trump.

These marchers were predominantly by professionals and workers who had come from all over the U.S. including California, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, Illinois and New York. Krishna Bansal, the National Policy and Political Director of RHC, told PTI that “Trump’s proposal to end family unification immigration would open up more space for Indian skilled workers.”

According to the PTI report, nearly half of the one million Green Cards which are issued every year go to close relatives of American citizens regardless of their skills and the Trump administration wants to restrict this practice.

“Thirty per cent of the country’s skilled immigrants come from India, but they have to wait several decades before being eligible for Green Cards. These are people who are already here, contributing to the economy, paying their taxes and raising their families,” he told PTI.

Bansal added that the group also supported several other proposals including; building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, ending the diversity lottery program for Green Card allotment and the ending of ‘chain migration.’

According to PTI, Indian applicants are often at disadvantage when it comes to acquiring a Green Card as the current country approval rate for India in 7 percent allowing 9,800 people to receive them every year while more than 50,000 people join that queue each year.

The Trump administration has not indicated its views on this issue, but marchers in front of the White House told PTI that the president’s declared preference for “merit-based” immigration would tilt the balance in their favor, according to the PTI report.

Krishna Mullakuri, whose Green Card application has been pending for five years, agreed with the view and told PTI that the emphasis on merit as the primary criteria for allowing new entrants into the country would work to India’s advantage.

According to PTI, Saturday’s march was not only kept to endorse Trump’s immigration proposal but also to highlight the issues concerning the legal residents who are already in the country. “While the current discussion is primarily focusing on those who illegally entered the country, we are working with the lawmakers to get some attention on this group that reached this country legally but face uncertainty now,” Bansal told PTI.

Another immigration issue which was brought up on Saturday was about the protection of ‘dreamers,’ or undocumented residents who were brought into this country illegally as children. According to PTI, protection is provided for them under an Obama era executive action which will end in March if new legislative action is not taken as the Trump administration has offered a path to citizenship for 1.8 million undocumented residents if Democrats agree to tougher restrictions on legal immigration and enforcement.

The Indian American marchers on Saturday supported this policy saying “Dreamers Pay for the Wall” and “Make American Strong Again” as Bansal told PTI that since the President’s proposals were generous, those being offered a path to citizenship would be happy to pay any fees that would help fund the building of the wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.

But it was the future of their children which many marchers were concerned about as upon turning 21, their children would lose their dependency status and will have to be deported back to India.

“These are legal dreamers. Colleges are reluctant to admit them as their visa status has to be changed midway through the course. And once they are graduates, they go back to the end of the queue, again starting with an H-1B application,” Ramesh Ramanath told PTI. “While they address the issue of dreamers, this question also should get priority,” he added.

In a novel move, the organization and its supporters tied the fate of H-4 kids to those of Dreamers – 800,000 undocumented youth who receive relief from deportation through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. RHC supports a program that would give DACA kids a purple card – as opposed to a green card – with no pathway to citizenship and a mandate to pay $2,500 per year to build President Donald Trump’s much-vaunted border wall.

An estimated 7,300 Indian American youth currently receive relief from deportation and work permits from the DACA program. Overall, Asian Americans constitute 20 percent of DACA recipients. Trump rescinded the program Sept. 5, 2017, giving Congress a March 5 deadline to come up with a permanent fix.

People attending the RHC rally shouted slogans saying DACA should be renamed DAICA – Deferred Action for Illegal Childhood Arrivals. The group has coined the term DALCA for H-4 children who are aging out of the system: Deferred Action for Legal Childhood Arrivals.

H-4 children, the dependent minors of H-1B visa holders, face the daunting prospect of being forced to return to the home country once they turn 21 and are no longer considered dependent (see earlier India-West story here: http://bit.ly/2ru9w5A). Long delays of up to 70 years and backlogs in allocating employment-based green cards have left 200,000 H-4 children facing an uncertain future.

But the Social Security Administration noted in 2013 that the nation’s 11 million undocumented immigrants add about $13 billion to the nation’s coffers each year via payroll taxes. Responding to the RHC proviso that DACA kids should pay for a border wall, Shekar Narasimhan, chairman and founder of the AAPI Victory Fund, told India-West: “This is divide and conquer. It’s very short-sighted and absolutely wrong.”

“The issue of aging H-4 children is a valid one and should be addressed, but you cannot pit one group of kids against another,” he said. “There is scope to address both issues at the same time. We should be working together for comprehensive immigration reform,” said Narasimhan, advocating for a system that is both merit-based, but pays heed to family reunification.

The RHC has taken Trump’s position on immigration, calling for an end to family reunification and a solely merit-based system. Taking a page from the president’s playbook, the RHC said in a press release that more than 1,000 people had attended the rally. Narasimhan estimated the crowd at about 200. “In DC, a gathering of 200 people is basically a group of pedestrians,” he joked. At the rally, The RHC also proposed to do away with the seven percent per-country annual cap on employment-based green card allocation, which has created a logjam for Indians.

Indian Americans in Trump Administration

February 1, 2018 Ajay GhoshPolitics, U.S. 0

In the US, people of Indian origin are among the strongest supporters of the country’s Democratic Party, a recent study showed. In the past decade, the number of Asian-American voters nearly doubled to 3.9 million in 2012 from 2 million, making them among the fastest growing groups of voters in the U.S., according to the survey.

The researchers asked Indian-Americans how they would vote in the 2016 Presidential elections. Close to 60% of Indian-Americans polled said they viewed the Republican Party unfavorably. Only 17% said viewed Republican party hopeful Donald Trump’s party favorably. The remaining 24% said they didn’t have an opinion.

An impressive 84% of the 2.85 million-strong Indian-American community voted for Barack Obama in 2008, second perhaps only to African-Americans as a minority group. According to a Pew Research Center survey, of all the Asian American groups surveyed, Indian-Americans were the most Democratic-leaning, again at 65%. Only 18% favored Republicans.

However, since President Trump assumed office as the President of the United States, Indian Americans have been on his administration in record numbers. For the first time ever, an Indian American, Nikki Haley, was elevated to the Cabinet level position. The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, is thought to be the first Indian-American woman appointed to a cabinet-level position. Other than Haley, there are currently only three other people of color in the Trump administration’s 24 cabinet or cabinet-level positions.

Trump, keeping his promise at the campaign, gave India a “leadership role” in Washington’s global strategy across a broad geographic swath. “I am thrilled to salute you, Prime Minister Modi, and the Indian people for all you are accomplishing together,” Trump told the Indian premier last June. “We welcome India’s emergence as a leading global power and stronger strategic and defence partner,” said his national strategy unveiled last month.

Indian-Americans appear to be disproportionately represented in Trump’s nominations compared to other minority groups, said Karthick Ramakrishnan, a political science professor at the University of California, Riverside, who researches Asian Americans’ civic participation.

But Ramakrishnan suggests that the appointments don’t seem to be a conscious attempt on the White House’s part to diversify its ranks. Rather, the choices appear to be about filling vacancies with experienced and highly connected individuals who are ideologically aligned with the Trump administration ― some of whom just happen to be of Indian descent.

“As far as we can tell, the Trump administration is not taking race or ethnicity into account much, if at all, in terms of appointments, unlike the Obama administration, which was trying to have as diverse set of appointments as possible,” Ramakrishnan said. “I think it’s almost incidental that these people happen to be Indian-American. The fact that they’re Indian-American [doesn’t appear] to make any difference over and beyond what their prior background or political orientation is.”

Trump appointed Ajit Pai as the Chairman of the Federal Communication Commission, a position with a vast portfolio overseeing of the Internet, mobile phones, airwaves, broadcast and communications. Raj Shah serves as his deputy adviser and principal deputy press secretary. Uttam Dhillon, another deputy adviser, is also his deputy counsel.

Seema Verma serves as the administrator of the health insurance programs for seniors and the poor. Trump also tapped Vishal J. Amin, a senior counsel on the House Judiciary Committee, as the White House’s new intellectual property enforcement coordinator, and Neil Chatterjee, an energy adviser for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, as a member of the federal energy regulatory commission. Krishna R. Urs, a career member of the Foreign Service, was nominated to be the ambassador to Peru.

These prominent Indian-Americans are now helping the Trump White House push its conservative agenda on everything from repealing the Affordable Care Act to overhauling government regulations and scrapping net neutrality rules.

While Ajit Pai has been in the news for his controversial move to do away with net neutrality, as the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Verma hasemerged as a key player in Republicans’ controversial quest to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. She is a health policy expert from Indiana who crafted an alternative to Medicaid in her state that won the approval of conservatives.

“I think Indian-Americans and certainly the Indian immigrant press certainly takes notice when people get appointed, and there’s a little bit of ethnic pride knowing there are Indian-Americans in powerful positions, regardless of the administration,” Ramakrishnan said. “But I don’t think Trump is making inroads with the Indian-American community based on the appointments he has made. Policies like the immigration ban, anti-immigrant rhetoric, the Affordable Care Act, are issues that Indian Americans care about. [Trump’s positions] are opposed to the way the vast majority of Indian-Americans stand.”

Several groups working on raising political profile of Indian-Americans

February 1, 2018 Staff ReporterPolitics, U.S. 0

Immigrants from India first arrived in the United States in small numbers during the early 19^th century, primarily as low-skilled farm laborers. In recent decades the population has grown substantially, with 2.4 million Indian immigrants resident in the United States as of 2015. This makes the foreign born from India the second-largest immigrant group after Mexicans, accounting for almost 6 percent of the 43.3 million foreign-born population.

In 1960, just 12,000 Indian immigrants lived in the United States, representing less than 0.5 percent of the 9.7 million overall immigrant population. Migration from India swelled between 1965 and 1990 as a series of legislative changes removed national-origin quotas, introduced temporary skilled worker programs, and created employment-based permanent visas. In 2016, Indians were the top recipients of high-skilled H-1B temporary visas and were the second-largest group of international students in the United States.

Today, the majority of Indian immigrants are young and highly educated, and have strong English skills. Many work in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. From 1980 to 2010, the population grew more than eleven-fold, roughly doubling every decade (see Figure 1). In 2013, India and China supplanted Mexico as the top sources of newly arriving immigrants in the United States.

Along with the success stories in the academic, business and high-skilled jobs along with one of the highest income groups, Indian Americans have come to celebrate, the unprecedented successes in the recent elections, specifically the November 2017 polls, a group of Indian American philanthropists, community leaders, and political operatives have come together to formally launch initiatives to keep things headed in the right direction.

The group has launched the Indian American Impact Project and the Indian American Impact Fund — collectively known as “Impact” — to build a nationwide pipeline of Indian American leaders in politics, policy and government

Impact, co-founded by Raj Goyle, chief executive officer of Bodhala and former member of the Kansas state House, and Deepak Raj, chairman of Pratham USA and founder of the Raj Center on Indian Economic Policies at Columbia University, the new initiatives will help talented and patriotic Indian Americans run for office, win and lead, it said.

“Despite rapid growth and professional success, for too long Indian Americans have been underrepresented in elected office from state capitols to the U.S. Congress,” said Goyle in a statement. “As a result, our needs, concerns, and priorities often go unheard in the halls of power. At a time when our community and our values are under attack by xenophobic rhetoric and regressive policies, it is more critical than ever that Indian Americans build and wield political power to fight back.”

The Impact Project and Impact Fund was formally launched Jan. 17. It is based in Washington, D.C. and is co-founded by former Kansas Democratic State lawmaker Raj Goyle, currently the CEO of Bodhala, a company that helps the legal community optimize operations, and Deepak Raj, chairman of the well-known non-profit Pratham USA and founder of the Raj Center on Indian Economic Policies at Columbia University.

Both initiatives are led by Gautam Raghavan, who previously served as vice president of policy for the Gill Foundation, as an Advisor in the Obama White House, and in various roles for the 2008 Obama campaign and Democratic National Committee.

“Despite rapid growth and professional success, for too long Indian Americans have been underrepresented in elected office from state capitols to the U.S. Congress,” Goyle is quoted saying in the press release. “As a result, our needs, concerns, and priorities often go unheard in the halls of power. At a time when our community and our values are under attack by xenophobic rhetoric and regressive policies, it is more critical than ever that Indian Americans build and wield political power to fight back,” he added.

As of January 2018, five Indian Americans currently serve in the United States Congress: Senator Kamala Harris, D-California; and Representatives Ami Bera, D-California, Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington, Ro Khanna, D-California, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois.

Impact said it is also tracking an additional 60 Indian-Americans currently serving in state and local office as state legislators, mayors, city council members, judges, and other elected positions.

The Impact Project Board of Directors includes Priya Dayananda, managing director of Federal Government Affairs for KPMG LLP, Vinai Thummalapally, former U.S. Ambassador to Belize and former executive director of SelectUSA, and Mini Timmaraju, executive director of External Affairs at Comcast and former National Women’s Vote Director for Hillary for America.

The Impact Fund Board of Directors includes Ravi Akhoury, former chairman and CEO of MacKay Shields LLC, and Raghu Devaguptapu, partner at Left Hook Strategies and former political director for the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) and Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC). Vikas Raj, managing director of Accion Venture Lab, will serve as a non-voting observer on both boards.

“This is our time,” said Raj. “Across the country, a record number of Indian Americans are running for office. We can’t leave it to chance that they will win on their own. We owe them our support — and we have a plan to help them run, win, and lead.”

Indiaspora, another grp with similar objectives, is one of the most influential Indian American organizations in recent years. It has announced the appointment of Mumbai-born Sanjeev Joshipura, 42, as executive director. Joshipura previously served as director of the group founded and chaired by Silicon Valley entrepreneur and community activist M.R. Rangaswami.

Indiaspora is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan nonprofit organization which says it serves as “a platform to facilitate U.S.-India bilateral relations and trilateral ties with select countries, increasing Indian-American community engagement, and redefining philanthropy among Indian Americans.” It provides a network of Indian-Americans and Indian leaders.

“It is my privilege to work for this organization, whose mission and values I truly believe in, and whose members I enjoy interacting with daily,” said Joshipura. “Indiaspora has achieved a lot since its inception in 2012, and I look forward eagerly to working with and leading the team to even greater heights moving forward.”

“I can guarantee that you will not see MR on a golf course anytime soon,” Joshipura said. “He is far too passionate about the causes he is involved with to hang up his boots just yet.” He said his priorities in 2018 are in two areas. “First, fostering closer trilateral relationships among prominent Indian-Americans, Indians and leaders from third countries which have a large Indian diaspora, and/or have tremendous potential for collaboration in specific fields of activity. And, second, being a catalyst for effective philanthropy,” he said.

In 2017, the organization held a second gala to celebrate five Indian Americans who were elected to the House and Senate: Reps. Ami Bera and Ro Khanna, D-California; Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington; Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois; and Sen. Kamala Harris, D-California. The organization has raised more than $500,000 to bring two additional staffers on board, in addition to Joishipura, and Mansi Patel, who serves as marketing manager.

The organization is also launching a broad philanthropy study to determine how Indian Americans give back to India. Indiaspora is working with several NGOs to “better tell the India story, with the aim of getting more donor dollars to India,” said Rangaswami.

“There are not enough resources for anybody who happens to be Indian-American to win. There needs to be obviously criteria and we have that. And, in having people like Raghu [Devaguptapu], Mini [Timmaraju], Priya [Dayananda], Gautam [Raghavan] and obviously myself, we have a considerable amount of people of political talent and expertise associated with the organization.”

He called running for office “a brave and difficult thing to do. So we applaud anyone who is willing to step up and give it a shot. However, we also want to help prospective candidates think strategically about when, how, where, and why they are running for office so they are best positioned to win.”

MASCONN contributes to Cyclone OCKHI Relief Fund

February 1, 2018 Ajay GhoshCommunity 0

(Trumbull, CT: January 31st, 2018): Joining in the many efforts to support the victims and their families of Cyclone OCKHI in the southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, MAsCONN, the premier organization representing the Malayalees in the state of Connecticut organized a fund raiser and offered financial assistance to the families of those whose lives have been devastated after the Cyclone Ockhi in November last year.

Several members of the MASCONN Board of Directors were part of the team that donated $1,000 towards the OCKHI relief Fun on January 27^th to Ajay Ghosh, representing Enthurai, which was organizing a campaign across North America towards the education of the children whose parents lost their lives due to Cyclone Ockhi.

Wilson Pottackal, President of MASCON thanked the MASCONN-Kids Club, whose members had initiated a fund -raiser with raffles to collect money for the Cyclone OCKHI Relief Fund to support the victims and their families in the southern district, Kanyakumary in Tamil Nadu, India.

Ockhi, a severe cyclone that passed through the Arabian peninsula in Kanyakumari district and southern Kerala in India on November 29th and 30th, 2017, had shattered several traditional fishing villages and causing loss of lives and properties in the coastal region with high devastating intensity.

According to officials and rescue workers/teams who are engaged in emergency relief work in these marginalized and poor villages, an estimated number of more than 6,030 fishermen were directly affected by the cyclone. Among them, 70 fishermen in Kerala and 108 men in Kanyakumari district, who had gone to deep sea fishing in traditional and mechanized small boats, have not returned home even after over two months, deeming them to have lost their lives to the furious cyclone.

The devastation of destruction caused to fishing vessels and gear along with the historically high loss of life and property, has left thousands of fishermen and their families in these villages, whose only livelihood has been fishing for centuries, into starvation. And, many of these families, having lost their only bread-winner, have been left to face starvation, in addition to having to grieve for their beloved ones to mother sea.

Enthurai, an IRS recognized non-profit group, consisting of members in the US, but hailing from some of these coastal villages, are appealing to help them help these families, who have lost their dear ones, and most often, the only bread winner of the family, to cyclone Ockhi.

Your generous contributions will go a long way in bringing food to the table of these families who are on the verge of starvation after losing their dear ones in the cyclone in the ocean. Your contributions will be 100% used to help and support the families of the victims in the coastal fishing villages in southern India.

“MASCONN an offshoot of the natural growth of the Indian-American especially Malayalee Community in the southern Connecticut region,” said, in his welcome address. Declaring that the 10th year of the formation of the Association has many good surprises for the members, Wilson stated, “In a very short period of 10 years, we have grown by leaps and bounds and we strive to meet the growing needs of our community.” He pointed to the many new initiatives the organization has spearheaded successfully in the past decade.

MASCONN is a non-political, non-religious forum to strengthen Malayalee culture and tradition and to give special emphasis to the development of the new generation of expatriate Malayalees. For the younger generation, MASCONN passes on the cultural heritage, tradition, the rarely cherished legacy and values while they are integrating into the American culture. For more information on MASCONN, please do visit. www.masconn.org

In an honor for India, Modi delivers inaugural address at WEF, Davos

January 23, 2018 Staff ReporterCommunity 0

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi mounted a defense of globalization at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday, January 23rd, 2018 urging joint action on climate change and economic cooperation, in a speech some delegates took as a swipe at U.S. President Donald Trump’s America First agenda.

The world is facing many new and serious challenges from the rise of anti-globalization to technological changes and the environment, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Davos while addressing the nearly 3,000 leaders attending the World Economic Forum.

Giving the opening plenary speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday, Modi laid out his vision for India and the world in a speech that touched upon technology, climate change, terrorism and trade agreements.

Modi said that there was a “worrying trend” against globalization and towards isolationism, trends that U.S. President Donald Trump has been accused of promoting in his first year of office.

“Forces of protectionism are raising their heads against globalization, their intention is not only to avoid globalization themselves but they also want to reverse its natural flow,” he said.

“The result of all this is that we get to witness new types of tariff and non-tariff barriers. Bilateral and multilateral trade agreements and negotiations have come to a kind of standstill. Most nations have seen a decrease in cross-border financial investment further, growth in the global supply chain has also stopped.

“The solution to this worrying situation against globalization is not isolation. Its solution is in understanding and accepting change and in formulating agile and flexible policies in line with the changing times.”

In a speech that promoted Indian values and philosophy, Modi said that changes in society, and particularly technological change, presented the world with both opportunities and risks.

Modi is leading a big government and business delegation to the summit in the Swiss ski resort of Davos, aiming to showcase India as a fast-growing economic power and a potential driver of global growth.

His opening address was a moment of personal triumph for the nationalist leader once shunned by the West for failing to prevent communal rioting in his home state. The occasion also recognized India’s growth as an economic and geopolitical power.

Anindya Bakrie, chief executive of media company PT Bakrie Global Ventura, part of Indonesia’s Bakrie conglomerate, said Modi’s remarks were a welcome contrast to U.S. isolationism.

“For developing countries, when we hear the U.S. talking about isolationism it’s a bit concerning. So to have more and more leaders talk about the benefits of globalization is really good,” Bakrie said.

Arun Kumar, chairman and CEO of accounting firm KPMG in India, said: “He laid out where India stands in terms of his preference for a multi-polar and multicultural world.”

Under his America First agenda, Trump has threatened to withdraw from the North American free-trade agreement, disavowed the global climate change accord and criticized global institutions including the United Nations and NATO.

“Technology-driven transformation is deeply influencing the way we live, the way we work, behave and talk to each other and influencing international politics and economics,” Modi told an audience in Davos.

“This technology-driven world has influenced every aspect of our lives … Technology has the ability to bend, break and link and a very good example of these three aspects is the use of social media,” he said.

Modi said that data is a huge asset but that “the flow of global data is creating the biggest opportunities and the greatest challenges.”

The Forum’s theme in 2018 is “Creating a shared future in a fractured world” and the organizers hope that the 3,000 or so participants will come to shared solutions and actions to try to resolve the world’s most pressing problems and challenges, such as inequality, climate change and innovations in technology and labor markets.

Participants at Davos range from political and business leaders to public and private policymakers and the odd celebrity.

Responding to WEF’s theme this year, Modi said “in the world is full of fault-lines and rifts we need to build a shared future with the changes taking place and the new forces arising, the balance between economic capabilities and political power is changing at great speed.”

Modi was initially the headline guest at this week’s meeting although he has been somewhat upstaged by the news that President Donald Trump would also attend the event and is due to speak on Friday.

Yet the prime minister’s appearance comes at a time when global attention is given to India. The country’s economy is one of the world’s strongest although last October the World Bank lowered its forecasts for India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth, predicting an expansion of 7 percent rather than a previously predicted 7.2 percent expansion.

The World Bank said the revision was due to disruptions caused by demonetization (aimed at rooting out black money) and the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) although it said the economy would recover, predicting it would grow at 7.4 percent by 2019-20.

Modi said that the last time an Indian prime minister had been to Davos was in 1997 when India’s GDP was little more than $400 billion, and now, it was almost six times that much. Modi said that India would have a $5 billion economy by 2025.

Still, the country of 1.34 billion people has deep social problems including income and gender inequality and high levels of pollution.

Modi to showcase fast growing Indian economy at World Economic Forum

January 23, 2018 Ajay GhoshCommunity 0

Indians Are Worse Off Under Modi; Gallup Poll

“At Davos, I look forward to sharing my vision for India’s future engagement with the international community,” Modi Tweets ahead of visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Davos, Switzerland to address global business and political leaders, as India passes France and the U.K. to become the world’s fifth-largest economy, underscoring the South Asian nation’s drive for recognition as a great power. Some economists calculate that India’s gross domestic product jumped into the top five last quarter as it continued to outgrow every country in Europe—and for that matter most of the rest of the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his two-day visit to Switzerland for the annual World Economic Forum meet in Davos on Monday, January 22^nd, 2018.

Over 3,000 world leaders from business, politics, art, academia and civil society will attend the 48th World Economic Forum annual meeting over the next five days in the small ski resort town on snow-covered Alps mountains.

This week Modi joins other world leaders in setting the vision and the agenda for the global economy. That’s a great honor for India and Modi. But before setting the agenda for the world economy, he must set the agenda at home.

PM Modi is expected to highlight the spirit and aspirations of a young, innovative and new India. PM Modi’s visit to Davos for the World Economic Forum or WEF will be the first visit by an Indian prime minister since the earlier one by Deve Gowda in 1997. Typically, India sends its finance minister accompanied by top bureaucrats with power point presentations to outline country’s economic policy vision. This year Narendra Modi, unsurprisingly, wanted to deviate from the trend. The PM is leading India’s largest-ever delegation (129) and the fourth largest among all countries to Davos.

Narendra Modi’s address to leaders from across the world, when India is putting up a grand show and ‘welcome reception’ which will see, among other things, several cultural performances and a ballet performance. India is showcasing its diversity from culture and art to lifestyle and food. Attendees are in for a treat of the flavors of India with the country’s exquisite Indian cuisine. There are also q live Yoga session which demonstrates India’s ancient Yoga heritage.

Prime Minister Modi delivers the keynote speech at the plenary session of the World Economic Forum in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to pitch India as a growth engine for the global economy. He will also have a bilateral meeting with Alain Berset, President of the Swiss Confederation. The theme for this year’s World Economic Forum is “Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World.”

Signalling India’s engagement with the rest of the world in a multi-dimensional way, the snow-resort is decked up to attract investors to India.Even as the Indian delegation is arriving,the Indian Premier has every reason to smile in the glow of the International Monetary Fund’s projection that India could emerge as the fastest-growing country in the world in 2018 at 7.4 per cent, leaving China behind at 6.6 per cent.

In its global growth prospects survey, released on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to a global audience here, the IMF said that India could grow at 7.8% in 2019. For the Indian delegation, the numbers came as an endorsement of the assessment that India is on track to shake off the disruptive effects of the note ban in 2016 and the glitches in implementation of the GST last year.

The numbers are expected to bolster the case of the government, which is seeking to engage further with global investors to showcase the country’s investment potential and ease of doing business. They also follow the recent improvement in India’s rankings, up to 100 on the pecking order, by the World Bank.

India Ranks Below China, Pakistan On WEF Inclusive Development Index

India was today ranked at the 62nd place among emerging economies on an Inclusive Development Index, much below China’s 26th position and Pakistan’s 47th. Norway remains the world’s most inclusive advanced economy, while Lithuania again tops the list of emerging economies, the World Economic Forum (WEF) said while releasing the yearly index here before the start of its annual meeting, to be attended by several world leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump.

On 1st anniversary, polls show Trump as ‘ least popular’ president in modern history

January 23, 2018 Ajay GhoshCommunity 0

US President Donald Trump ended his first year in office more unpopular than any President in modern history, various polls have said. Among many other polls, NBC and the Wall Street Journal released data last week show that Trump’s approval rating was 39 percent in their poll, lower than the figure at the end of Barack Obama’s first year (50 percent), George W. Bush’s (82 percent, thanks to 9/11) and Bill Clinton’s (60 percent). This was the lowest figure the poll has found for a modern President completing one year in office, according to NBC News.

Figures from Gallup’s historic polling show something similar. The most recent figure for Trump has his approval at 39 percent, same as the NBC-Journal poll. That’s eight points lower than Ronald Reagan or Clinton, who were each at 47 percent around the time of their first anniversaries as president.

Trump’s approval ratings have maintained a steady low across different polls during his first year in office. This, despite the booming economy — which, Gallup noted last week, may be because Americans still give Obama more credit for how the economy is doing.

Though Trump’s overall grade was low, his marks improved on a few specific topics. According to a Politico/Morning Consult poll, 42 percent of voters gave him an “A” or “B” on both jobs and the economy. Trump split the vote on fighting terrorism, with 39 percent saying he deserved an “A” or “B” and another 39 percent giving him a “D” or “F.” The rest, 14 percent, graded him a “C.”

Trump’s fewest positive marks came on his campaign promise to “drain the swamp.” Just 22 percent gave him an “A” or “B” there, while 42 percent gave him a “D” or “F.” His lowest grades were or climate change (49 percent “Ds” or “Fs”).

Fifty-seven per cent of respondents to the NBC/WSJ poll said they disapprove of Trump, including 51 per cent who said they “strongly disapprove.” According to the poll, 46 per cent of men approve of Trump while just 33 per cent of women responded the same.

A new Economist/YouGov poll that was also released last week showed every adult member of the Trump clan with “underwater favorability” ratings. However, there was one exception: First Lady Melania Trump.

Trump remains a deeply politically polarizing figure. He continues to enjoy support from Republicans—72 percent gave him an “A” or “B.” Just 10 percent of Republicans gave Trump a “D” or “F”, while 79 percent of Democrats did. Only 8 percent of Democrats gave Trump high marks. Trump didn’t fare much better with Independent voters: about 27 percent said he deserved an “A” or “B” and 45 percent gave Trump a “D” or “F.”

Trump’s unpopularity has been one of the factors cited for predictions that the Republicans could face a bloodbath in congressional elections this November. Another factor that plays a role in those predictions are the numbers from the so-called generic ballot question: Who will you vote for in your local House race, the Democrat or Republican?

But there’s an important caveat for any Democrats popping champagne bottles at Trump’s unpopularity. Over the past month or so, his numbers — and the GOP’s — have improved. In mid-December, the Democratic advantage on that question hit a remarkable 13 points in the RealClearPolitics average. But since then, the gap has narrowed. In its most recent iteration, the average shows only a 9.1-point gap.

He is the only US President since Harry Truman to have a negative net approval rating after 12 months in the White House – some 24 points below Barack Obama at the same time in his presidency.

The year since Donald Trump’s inauguration has been packed with controversy and intrigue – during which there have been persistent allegations over Russian connections. He has fired the head of the FBI, launched tirades against the media, failed to push through healthcare reform and has escalated his rhetoric surrounding North Korea. All of this led to a slump in approval ratings, with Trump achieving a majority disapproval rating in a record of just eight days since his inauguration. And, it stayed the same for the rest of his first year in office.

MASCONN ushers in New Year showcasing budding talents

January 16, 2018 Ajay GhoshCommunity 0

(Trumbull, CT: January 15th, 2018): The Indian American community in the state of Connecticut ushered in the New Year, 2018, with a grand cultural program, showcasing the budding young talents of Indian American kids from across the state, at the annual New Year and Christmas celebrations, organized by the Malayalee Association of Southern Connecticut (MASCONN) on Saturday, January 13th, at Madison Middle School, Trumbull, CT.

It may have been a cold night outside but inside of the venue was buzzing with frenzy, warmth and fellowship for the families who had come from across the state to participate at the annual event. The more than three-hours long cultural extravaganza, mostly by children and youth was in many ways “reliving the culture and traditions” and a is way of “cherishing the past with a view to pass it on to the future generation.” Bollywood, classical, folk dances with music from the yesteryears to the present, along with Christmas carols, culminating with a grand buffet dinner were the highlights of the celebrations.

The celebration of Christmas and New Year with traditional and modern Indian cultural events provided the hundreds of participants with a perfect opportunity to encourage the new generation of children of Indian origin to witness, learn and appreciate these rich traditions, even while it offered the first generation of Indian American children and youth to stay connected and cherish the rich cultural heritage they hold so dear to them while serving as a way of showcasing these traditions to the larger American community.

“MASCONN an offshoot of the natural growth of the Indian-American especially Malayalee Community in the southern Connecticut region,” said Wilson Pottackal, President of MASCON, in his welcome address. Declaring that the 10th year of the formation of the Association has many good surprises for the members, Wilson stated, “In a very short period of 10 years, we have grown by leaps and bounds and we strive to meet the growing needs of our community.” He pointed to the many new initiatives the organization has spearheaded successfully in the past decade. Later on, he introduced the new teams of Executive Council and Board of Directors of MASCONN for the next two years to the audience.

Wilson referred to the MASCONN-Kids Club which has recently been launched, and urged the youth and children to become members of it. He thanked the Kids Club members who had initiated a fund -raiser with raffles to collect money for the Cyclone OCKHI Relief Fund to support the victims and their families in the southern district, Kanyakumary in Tamil Nadu, India.

Sudhi Balan, an organizer of the event, said, “We thank every performer, their parents, and their choreographers for your effort and commitment. Thank you for your cooperation with everything. We really appreciate everyone for being on time, being on the ball and ready to show your best. You did an excellent job by making your performance within the allotted time. Because of you, we were able to get through the programs as planned. You keep raising the bar in what you do and we want to make this even better – the best show in Southern CT.”

Indian Americans continue to come in large numbers and settle down in the state of Connecticut particularly in towns with reputations for excellent schools. The latest figures from the U.S. Census show 37,545 people of Indian origin living in the state, an increase of about 14,000 from 2000. In the last five years since the last census, there has been a very significant influx of Indian Americans in the Constitution state. The reasons to move here, Indian Americans say, remain education and opportunity.

First PIO Parliamentarian Conference held in New Delhi

January 16, 2018 Staff ReporterCommunity 0

The first ever PIO-Parliamentarian Conference was inaugurated by Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi in New Delhi, India on January 9^th, 2018. In his inaugural address, the Indian leader reached out to lawmakers of Indian origin spread across the world seeking support for its emerging status as a global power. The debut event of the lawmakers of Indian origin was attended by 134 leaders representing almost all the continents around the world.

He mentioned the presence of former Guyanese President Bharat Jagdeo, and noted that from Mauritius to Guyana, there were several Indian-origin individuals who had become leaders of their countries. “We have a mini-world Parliament in front of us today,” Modi said.

“For enhancing our pride and dignity, you all deserve our appreciation,” he said noting that India was experiencing aspirational and societal changes. He noted that there was an “irreversible change” sweeping India, and urged the leaders to come forward to join hands.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressing the First PIO Parliamentarian Conference, in New Delhi on January 09, 2018.

Welcoming the delegates from around the world to the Conference, the Prime Minister said that while many people may have left India over the course of hundreds of years, India continues to have a place in their minds and hearts. The Prime Minister said that PIOs (Persons of India Origin) are like permanent ambassadors of India and partners for India’s development, who have an important position in the Action Agenda till 2020, drafted by the NITI Aayog.

Speaking at the “First PIO Parliamentarian Conference”, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj urged the legislators and political figures to consider what kind of contribution they could make for India’s global ambition. “This conference will be a mix of two dimensions on your present situation and past struggle, and what you can do to promote the emerging India in the global scene,” she said.

“141 lawmakers confirmed their attendance and 134 leaders have made to this event today despite massive weather disturbance [in the West],” Swaraj said. The PIO Parliamentarian forum was planned last year during a conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to connect the lawmakers of Indian origin with their ancestral land, the Minister said.

The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu at the Valedictory Session of the First PIO Parliamentarian Conference, in New Delhi on January 09, 2018.
The Union Minister for External Affairs, Smt. Sushma Swaraj, the Ministers of State for External Affairs, General (Retd.) V.K. Singh and Shri M.J. Akbar are also seen.

“Your ancestors had to leave India under various circumstances and that is why when you return to an Indian airport, you are reminded of your ties with this country. You have a desire to return to India and I understand your feelings very well. On the one hand, you have preserved Indian culture. On the other hand, your people have excelled in sports, arts, cinema in the global platforms and have contributed to your adopted country’s welfare,” Modi said in Hindi.

Swaraj made special mention of the Indian community in Mauritius which had emerged as the leading player in the island nation. “Gandhiji inspired people in Mauritius to get education and increase political awareness and that is why after a few generations, they have achieved political leadership,” she said congratulating the “girmitiyas” living abroad for their success.

“No matter where they are, I believe your ancestors will be very happy to see you all here. Everyone Indians go, they integrate into the diaspora. They take up the culture, sports and the other everyday things of their surrounding environment,” said Modi.

Talking about the pride India feels, he said, “Your achievements are a point of pride for us. Even when you are nominated for political office anywhere, we are very happy. You affect geo-politics and the world and frame laws. Indians watching these developments are very happy to hear about your achievements.”

Turning to India, Modi said the country had developed rapidly in the last few years. “India is changing. We are ranked high on the World Competitiveness Index, Logistics Performance Index and other such indices. Organisation like World Bank, IMF, Moodys all look at India positively. Sectors like air transport, mining, computers, electrical equipment have all seen enormous investment in the last three years. Our motto is ‘Reform to Transform’. “We want transparency and freedom from corruption. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) has eliminated multiple taxes across the country. There is no sector where we have not brought reforms. India is a young State, and the government is working for its youngsters. Multiple schemes are in place for them,” said Modi.

Over 140 Indian origin MPs and mayors from 23 countries converged in New Delhi as part of the conference. 124 MPs from the UK, Canada, Fiji, Kenya, Mauritius, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and other countries, besides, 17 mayors, including from the US, Malaysia, Switzerland, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago had participated in the day-long event. The conference sought to boost ties with these countries by leveraging the diaspora links, secretary (consular, passport, visa and overseas Indian affairs) in the MEA, Dnyaneshwar M Mulay, had said earlier.

“We believe in ‘Vaasudev Kutumbakam’. Our relationship with a country is not based on give and take, it is based on humanity. We don’t have an interest in exploiting anyone’s resources or taking away anyone’s territory,” said Modi.

Modi then turned to the relationship between Indian and the attendees. “Whenever I travel, I like to meet people of Indian origin. I have met many of you like this. The reason is that you are permanent ambassadors of the country. Overseas residents can help us in many ways. You send remittances and we are thankful for that. You can also invest in India. We know your experience is important for the betterment of India. You can take India to the world. We want to be with you when you succeed.”

Aziz Ansari makes history with his Golden Globes award

January 16, 2018 Staff ReporterCommunity 0

Aziz Ansari Responds To Sexual Assault Allegations: ‘I Took Her Words To Heart’

Actor, director, author and comedian Aziz Ansari, made history on January 7th, at the Golden Globes winning a Golden Globes Best Actor award in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy, becoming the first Asian-American to do so. He won the coveted title for his performance in the TV series, Master of None, a Netflix comedy original, he co-wrote with Alan Yang.

During his acceptance speech, Ansari didn’t necessarily make reference to the historical feat, although he did drop a sly comment about the critics who didn’t see him snagging the win for his performance during season two of Master of None. “I genuinely didn’t think I would win because all the websites said I was going to lose.” It was his second nomination in the category and as he said on the stage, “I’m really glad we won this cause it would really suck if I lost twice in a row – it would have been a really shitty moment for me.”

After thanking his co-author, Alan Yang, Ansari said, “The only reason my acting is good in that show is because everyone else holds me up the whole time,” he also said, in thanking his fellow cast-members.

“I want to thank Italy for all the amazing food we ate in season two,” Ansari said of his carb-loaded performance. “And I want to thank my parents for giving me so much love.” His mother Fatima and father Shoukath have played real life roles in his series where Ansari plays Dev Shah, a 30-year old actor in New York.

The series moves from the personal to the political, featuring his parents and friends, and in Season 2, his desire to go to Italy to learn how to make pasta, a love story that turns from a friendship into an intense love relationship. Various segments in the series deal with serious issues of immigrant lives and cultures, growing up in America, women’s rights, equality, LGBTQ rights, and racism in the film industry.

Aziz Ansari was born in Columbia, South Carolina, to Fatima, a medical office worker, and Shoukath, a gastroenterologist. His family is from Tamil Nadu, India. He graduated from NYU as a business major in 2004. He graduated from the South Carolina Governor’s School for Math and Science in Hartsville, SC. He previously attended Marlboro Academy, a private school in his home town of Bennettsville, SC.

Starting out in television like the hit comedy Parks and Recreation (2009), he later had bit parts in the films I Love You, Man (2009), Funny People (2009), and Get Him to the Greek(2010), among others, before co-starring in the comedy 30 Minutes or Less (2011).

Meanwhile, after being accused of sexual misconduct by an unnamed photographer he went on a date with last year, Aziz Ansari says he’s taking the woman’s words to heart. The 23-year-old woman told Babe she met the Master of None comedian at a party after the Emmy Awards last September, where the two flirted and took photos of each other, and he asked for her phone number. She says they exchanged texts when she returned home to Brooklyn and went on a date a little more than a week later. “I said ‘I don’t want to feel forced because then I’ll hate you, and I’d rather not hate you,’ ” she says she told Ansari.

In a statement emailed to HuffPost through his representative, the comedian confirmed several of the details mentioned in the babe piece, but said he believed a sexual encounter between the two was “completely consensual.”

“In September of last year, I met a woman at a party. We exchanged numbers. We texted back and forth and eventually went on a date. We went out to dinner, and afterwards we ended up engaging in sexual activity, which by all indications was completely consensual.

“The next day, I got a text from her saying that although ‘it may have seemed okay,’ upon further reflection, she felt uncomfortable. It was true that everything did seem okay to me, so when I heard that it was not the case for her, I was surprised and concerned. I took her words to heart and responded privately after taking the time to process what she had said. “I continue to support the movement that is happening in our culture. It is necessary and long overdue.”

Ravi Bhalla, first Sikh Mayor, sworn in as Hoboken Mayor in New Jersey

January 9, 2018 Staff ReporterPolitics 0

Ravi Bhalla, the first Sikh Mayor in any American city, was sworn in as the mayor of Hoboken in the state of New Jersey on January 1^st. The 43-year-old new mayor, an Indian-American born in New Jersey, has said he plans on prioritizing infrastructure, commuting and open space.

US Senator Cory Booker presided over the ceremony late Monday. Booker stated, he was proud to be there because his election was a victory for the principle and ideals of the United States.

Bhalla, the 39th mayor of Hoboken, didn’t use the occasion to just celebrate his historic election win. Instead, he used it as a platform to let community members and would-be visitors to the Mile Square City know that his city is friendly to all.

Bhalla said that he heard about racially-motivated attacks against Indian-Americans in Hoboken in the eighties when he was growing up in New Jersey. He says he is proud to see how far the city has come since then.

As his first order of business as mayor, Bhalla signed an executive order declaring his city “fair and welcoming,” in what appears to be a direct response to President Donald Trump’s administration. Bhalla succeeds Dawn Zimmer, who did not seek re-election and supported Bhalla on the campaign who fought back as the target of racially charged fliers.

Bhalla signed the order with many local officials, including Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrante, looking on. Ferrante will issue a police directive to implement the policies set forth in the order, the report said.

The 12-page order says no city employee can ask any individual about their citizenship or immigration status; bars federal immigration agents from accessing municipal facilities or databases; and establishes a Fair and Welcoming City Commission that will focus on immigrant issues, among others, NJ.com reported.

“The Hoboken we know and love was built by immigrants and today is sustained by immigrants,” Bhalla said in a statement. “This first executive order is a reflection of our quintessential American values and sends an unmistakable message that Hoboken is a place that welcomes all who are ready, willing and able to contribute to our great city.”

Bhalla’s order requires the city to keep track of records related to immigration-related requests made by federal officials, including the number of immigration detainer requests or administrative warrants received by Hoboken.

Amol Sinha, executive director of the New Jersey chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, in calling the order extremely significant, told NJ.com that “It allows Hoboken to live up to its potential of being a truly welcoming city.”

“This past election was a model of diversity showcasing for New Jersey and America a city that cares less about who you love, where you came from, what your gender is, where you worship than they care about your ability to take on the challenges ahead for our city,” Bhalla said, according to an NJTV report. “So while the mark of the moral universe may be long, there is no doubt that here in Hoboken, it bends firmly toward justice.”

AAPI’s historic Global Healthcare Summit Concludes in Kolkata with VP Venkaiah Naidu urging Doctors to Return and Serve India

January 9, 2018 Ajay GhoshHealth 0

“AAPI must consider collaborating with various governments and other private organizations in establishing a state-of-the-art healthcare facility in each district of the country where affordable treatment is dispensed,” Naidu tells AAPI Delegates in Kolkata

(Kolkata, India: January 1st, 2018) The 11th edition of the annual Global Healthcare Summit organized by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), USA concluded here at the historic City of Joy, Kolkata in West Bengal, India on December 30th at the famous JW Marriott with India’s Vice President Venkaiah Naidu urging Physicians of Indian Origin to return to India and rededicate their lives for the wellbeing of their motherland, India, as all the opportunities are now available here.

“I would be happier if you people can come back to India and do something to help the society. Earlier the opportunity was very less here so people went to different parts of the globe for work. But now everything is available in India,” Naidu said during his valedictory address on the concluding day of the Summit here. Referring to the issue of brain drain, Naidu said, “I tell our children there are enough facilities in our colleges and IITs. “Still if you want to go, go learn earn and then return,” he quipped.

“Apart from conducting CMEs, seminars and workshops, AAPI must consider collaborating with various governments and other private organizations in establishing a state-of-the-art healthcare facility in each district of the country where affordable treatment is dispensed,” the Vice President of India told the delegates.

“I am happy to participate in the valedictory session of the 11th Global Health Care Summit-2017, organized by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI),” Naidu said at valedictory event of the GHS in Kolkata. The Governor of West Bengal, Shri Keshri Nath Tripathi, the Minister for Urban Development, West Bengal, Firhad Hakim and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

In his welcome address, Dr. Gautam Samadder, President of AAPI, said, “This GHS has promised to be one with the greatest impact and significant contributions towards harnessing the power of international Indian diaspora to bring the most innovative, efficient, cost effective healthcare solutions to India,” described

According to Dr. Naresh Parikh, President-Elect of AAPI, who had proposed the vote of thanks, the scientific program of GHS 2017 was developed by leading experts with the contributions of a stellar Scientific Advisory Board and International Scientific Committee, while the event featuring plenary sessions, interactive round-tables, clinical practice workshops, and meet the expert sessions.

Dr. Ashok Jain, Chairman of AAPI’s BOD, in his address, summarized some of the achievements of AAPI including the 16 free healthcare clinics, AAPI’s legislative initiatives in the US, and the ongoing collaboration with the government of India and the state governments and several NGOs in helping healthcare efficient and cost effective.

The Vice President praised AAPI and its noble “mission for India is to play an important role in making quality healthcare accessible and affordable to all people of India. It is indeed a laudable objective as both accessibility and affordability are the need of the hour, especially in a vast developing country like India with a huge population of middle class and lower middle class.”

He called upon AAPI to “help in promoting the use of telemedicine in remote rural areas which lack access to healthcare facilities. Telemedicine can be used effectively in radiology, cardiology, oncology, dermatology and a few other areas. It will help in reducing unnecessary visits to the hospitals for consultations with specialists and avoiding long distance travel,” Naidu said.

Naidu said that India needs an affordable health care revenue model to meet the challenges of modern day lifestyle. The Governor of West Bengal, Shri Keshri Nath Tripathi, the Minister for Urban Development, West Bengal, Firhad Hakim and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

“We treat a doctor as one who takes care of our lives. Medical profession is a noble profession as doctors are serving society,” the Vice President told the nearly 1,000 delegates who had come from around the world to attend the historical Summit.

The Vice President called on the medical fraternity to put in efforts to bring down the costs of medical devices to make healthcare affordable. He further said that youngsters are increasingly falling prey to ailments due to a variety of factors, including sedentary lifestyle, improper dietary habits and job-related stresses.

“We must all focus more on the service. The medical service in India is the need of the hour. India is still lagging behind in spite of a lot of advancement in medication. The Center is encouraging private sector in the medical healthcare sector. We must also go with the PPP model,” he added.

Claiming that India has the potential to become a medical tourist center in the future, the Vice President said accessibility and affordability of healthcare should be ensured as a large section of the country`s population belongs to the middle and lower-middle class.

The Vice president said that while India is progressing economically and incomes of people are improving, the common man is unable to meet the medical bill whenever there is a medical emergency in the family. With penetration of health insurance remaining quite low and majority of the Indian population preferring to seek medical treatment from private sector in health emergencies by spending from their own pockets, this problem gets compounded, he added.

Naidu urged the Centre and state governments to invest more in the healthcare sector and educate people to get health insurance. Stating that providing proper medical service is the need of the hour, Naidu on Saturday said private sector investments and public-private Partnership (PPP) model should be encouraged more for the betterment of healthcare in the country.

“The central and the state government must together spend more in the health sector. Also people should be educated about getting health insurance. Many people in India are worried about the cost but health insurance is very much required,” Naidu said.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was committed in expanding the medical sector and the “PM wants to have medical college in every district and trained medical staff in all these facilities”. Observing India has made great medical advancements in recent times, the Vice-President said, “India is still lagging behind in spite of the progresses”.

Pointing out that modern lifestyle has made people shun physical exercise, Naidu advocated some sort of physical exercise and spiritual activities during the day which may help keep people fresh and stress-free. “The sedentary lifestyle of Indians have to change and doctors and scientists should educate people,” he said. Naidu said there were 69.1 million cases of diabetes in India, according to a 2015 census, and called for the need to create greater awareness among the youth about the dangers of sedentary lifestyle and eating junk food.

“The modern day lifestyle is creating serious health hazards. The doctors should indicate the people to go back to their cultural roots and follow the disciplined, systematic lifestyle. Diabetes is a major challenge faced in the country,” he said.

The Vice President said that one of the major challenges facing India is the growing incidence of diabetes in the general population and this trend needs to be arrested. He quoted a study saying diabetes was becoming common among lower socio-economic groups living in urban regions of more developed States and this is a matter of concern.

According to International Diabetes Federation, 415 million people have diabetes in the world and there were 69. 1 million cases in India as per 2015 data. Pointing to another study, Naidu said, “India’s burden of diseases has shifted from communicable diseases to non-communicable diseases as incomes rose over the last 26 years. More deaths (61.8 per cent) were caused by non-communicable diseases such as cardio-vascular diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 2016 as against 53.6 per cent deaths due to communicable, maternal, neonatal and nutritional diseases in 1990.”

The Conference was organized in partnership with the ministry of overseas Indian affairs and ministry of health and family welfare, along with collaboration with over 15 professional associations from all over the world.

The GHS 2017 featured some of the biggest names in the healthcare industry, especially at the 6th annual CEO leadership forum with leaders from across the globe. GHS 2017 is being attended by over 100 opinion leaders and expert speakers from many countries across the globe to present cutting edge scientific findings as these relate to clinical practice, representing major Centers of Excellence, Institutions, and Professional Associations are represented by the invited chairs and speakers.

The theme chosen for the GHS this year is Healthcare, Career and Commerce, with the focus on Women’s Healthcare, including high priority areas such as Cardiology, Maternal & Child Health, Diabetes, Oncology, Surgery, Mental Health, HIT, Allergy, Immunology & Lung Health, Gastroenterology, Transplant and impact of comorbidities.

Offering trainings to First Responders, a CEO Forum by a galaxy of CEOs from around the world, inauguration of AAPI-sponsored clinic, CMEs, cultural events, Dinner Cruise on the Ganges, interactive roundtables, clinical practice workshops, scientific poster/research session and meet-the-expert sessions, Women’s Forum by internally acclaimed successful worm from India, a special session on Public-Private Partnership featuring AAPI Healthcare Charitable showcase & innovation, and Town Hall sessions resulting in a White Paper on helping create policies benefitting the people of India, are only some of the major highlights of the Healthcare Summit, Dr. Samadder said.

In collaboration with the American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine, AAPI organized a 3-day workshop/training (EMTC) training over 150 first responders, including police, para-medical professional at the KPC Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata as part of the GHS.

Indian Americans comprise of 4 million people, representing around 1.25% of the U.S. population as of 2015. Indians contributed 17% of total earnings in the US from foreign students totaling $6.5 billion last year. An estimated 10% of all physicians and surgeons in the US are of Indian origin. An estimated 100,000 physicians and fellows of Indian origin currently serve in the US. In biological and biomedical sciences studies workforce, data from 2015 show that people of Indian origin in the US account for 14.6% of the total workforce holding 72000 jobs.

Founded in 1984, the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) represents one of the largest health care forum in the United States with the goal 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. AAPI-Charitable Foundation is committed to serve the poorest of the poor in remote areas of India and USA. AAPI has always been present when calamities strike whether it is hurricane Harvey, Tsunami, Katrina, or earthquakes of Gujarat and Maharashtra. AAPI has hosted ten Indo-US/Global Healthcare Summits and developed strategic alliances with various organizations both in the US as well as in India. These summits are aimed at sharing of expertise towards improvement of healthcare in the US as well as in India.

AAPI has been strategically engaged in working with the Union and State Governments of India for the past ten years and has collaborated with more than 35 professional medical associations, pharmaceutical and medical device companies to address the health care challenges of a rapidly developing India. “It is the passion, willingness and staunch loyalty towards the former motherland that draws several AAPI members to join this effort & by working with experts in India, AAPI is able to bring solutions that are India centric & takes us closer to our lofty vision of making quality healthcare affordable & accessible to all people of India,” said Dr. Gautam Samadder.

“With the changing trends and statistics in healthcare, both in India and US, we are refocusing our mission and vision, AAPI would like to make a positive meaningful impact on the healthcare delivery system both in the US and in India,” Dr. Samadder said. For more information on Global Health Summit, please visit www.aapiusa.org

Ginsmon Zacharia: Many Hats To Wear

January 9, 2018 Ajay GhoshProfiles 0

Successful Media Leader, Community Activist; and Cultural Ambassador

It was in 2007; I met Gins for the first time. Gins called me and said, “I want to meet you. Can you tell me when you have some time for me?” I did not know him nor did I hear about Gins. He told me that he had heard about me that I am a journalist and that he has a plan to start a publication. I was working in the Bronx, NY and he came driving from his home in Long Island to meet with me in the Bronx. We both met for the first time at a local McDonalds during my office lunch break, trying to get to know one another.

Gins told me that he wanted to start an English monthly magazine, targeting the American Indian audience. I was surprised that someone who had immigrated to the United States barely a year earlier, dares to launch an ethnic magazine. I had agreed in principle to be the Chief Editor after discussing the content and the target audience. I did not hear back from Gins for a couple of months since our meeting.

One beautiful morning, I had another phone call from Gins. This time he tells me, “We are ready to launch the magazine. Are you ready to lead it?” Since then, The Asian Era, a monthly magazine has been hitting almost all major American Indian stores, institutions, churches, cultural organizations and individual families every month.

During my long association with Gins, I was surprised by his commitment and total dedication. A matriculate planner, he envisaged and executed every aspect of planning, printing, circulating, fundraising, delivery, and management of the publications. Soon, Gins had three publications. In addition to The Asian Era, he was the publisher of Aksharam, a Malayalam Bimonthly magazine and Jai Hind Vartha, a monthly tabloid newspaper, with multiple editions, read by hundreds of thousands of people across the globe both in print and online. It was often with the help of minimum input from others, he would manage everything. Gins would drive from Pennsylvania to Connecticut delivering copies of the publications weekly or monthly depending on the need.

Gins is also the Director of Jaihind TV USA, which made headlines after it successfully hosted musical reality shows in all major states of North America, a platform of opportunities for young talents to be heard, seen and loved by the vast viewership of the channel. The Channel was a pioneer in its kind and diversity in USA which apart from talent hunts dedicated its airtime to showcase business and industry leaders and closely followed the US presidential election. The weekly program ‘US Diary’ brought to the attention of the authorities, the difficulties and challenges faced by immigrant Indians in the US.

“It’s real passion, if someone dedicates more than 17 years of his life for contributing in the media dictum,” Gins says with pride and confidence. Hailing from Thodupuzha, Kerala in India Ginsmon Zacharia, with an MBA degree in Marketing and a Law degree, chose print and visual media to be his profession and his decision did serve him right.

Ginsmon Zacharia and print media took off like any other but dramatically redefined the industry outlook. Experienced in successfully starting, and establishing Newspapers in the UK and the USA with circulation in Canada too, he strategized unorthodox means to establish and win the hearts and trust of many. Gins find “Ethnic media as a means to express and restore the culture and link with our motherland and our culture.”

Not satisfied with the work he has been doing in the media world, with the objective of bringing all the ethnic media persons under one umbrella, Gins was instrumental in founding the The Indo-American Press Club. Serving currently as the Coordinator of the Indo-American Press Club, an organization he founded and chaired for three years, Gins has been behind the successful team of three International Media Conferences around the country, in addition to several local events by the Club’s many Chapters around the nation.

Gins had initially immigrated to England to pursue his higher education. After graduating and married to his beautiful wife, Siji, Gins decided to relocate and make the United States his home. Recounting his experiences while in the UK, Gins recalls, “In my first year in the UK, I got an opportunity to join a print media, Deepika, the first Malayalam daily news paper in Kerala, established over 130 years ago. The European edition of Deepika targeted the Malayalee community in Europe. And it was at this time; I came to realize that the media is a powerful platform to organize my community and use it as a platform to serve our community.”

And Gins wanted to have a larger Indian audience abroad to work with and to cherish his goal of serving the community through the media. He found the American Indian audience to be a dominant force to reach his message. He realized that having over 600,000 Malayalees and nearly 3 million people of Indian origin in the US gave him an amazing audience to launch an ethnic media platform. Since then, he and his family relocated from the UK to the United States. Having some of his relatives already in the US made that transfer easier initially.

In the past 12 years, Gins has been in the US; the young entrepreneur has seen quite a few changes in the fast-growing Indian American community. “The educated and highly successful Indian community in the US is a vital part in our adopted land. If we coordinate this powerful group, we can make a remarkable influence in our motherland and take an active part of the politics and public policy in our adopted land, thus contributing to the growth of the nation.”

During his short span in the UK, Gins founded and became the first General Secretary of a community organization he had named Liverpool Malayalee Cultural Association (LIMCA). Today, Limca has come to be known around the world as one of the largest and active organizations in the UK, serving the Indian community. Limca had raised the largest fund to help the 2014 tsunami victims among all Malayalee organizations in the UK.

Gins’ contributions have not been limited to the media world. He chaired and presided over several positions and responsibilities in various social, cultural and professional organizations, many of those which he founded, in the USA and the UK. Gins’ work among the American Indian community made him popular, that he elected as the President of India Catholic Association in 2014. “During my term, we raised funds and helped seven local organizations in Kerala.”

Gins served until 2012 as the Joint Secretary of Kerala Samajam of Greater New York, the oldest and most comprehensive of all Malayalee associations in the New York region. Gins were the General Secretary of the Indian American Malayalee Chamber of Commerce in 2013, it was “during my term, I had organized a B2B meet in Kerala in association with the Government of Kerala and Kerala Chamber of Commerce,” Gins says with pride.

A go-getter he always voiced against hesitation and lived to live the mind of Sir Martin Luther King Jr, “If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward”. Persistence is his recipe for achievement.

Recognitions and awards came his away. The community loves him, and the Nassau County, Long Island, NY has identified him with accolades for his compelling dedication to socio-cultural causes.

And did many local organizations, including the prestigious Media Achievement Award by The Indian American Kerala Cultural center in October 2017 for his immense contributions to the media world. In his address after receiving the award, Gins dedicated the award to the media world and his fellow journalists. “This is a media award, a Media achievement award. This is never singular, if you ask me. This has the participation of all who accepted my work; it’s a people’s award. So this is not just mine to take home, BUT dear all this I wish to take home!

He has been awarded and has received several citations from many local community organizations as well as from the County, State, Legislature and Rotary Clubs. However, Gins cherishes “being actively part of the ownership of four print publications and a TV channel in the US” to be his greatest achievement.

Gins lives on Long Island, New York with his beautiful wife Siji, sons Andrew, a 14-year-old and Ethen Austin, a five-year-old, and a 9-year-old daughter Brionna Elizabeth.

Success and recognition did not come easily to this young visionary. “There have been many challenges we face when we relocate to another country,” Gins says. “Whatever we attained in our life in 25 years whether it be education, career, or life practices, we need to start all over again and get assimilated into the new world in a shorter period.”

AAPI Launches Healthcare Clinic in Kolkata during Global Healthcare Summit 2017

December 30, 2017 Ajay GhoshHealth 0

GHS packed with CMEs, award ceremony, gala, fashion and cultural shows

(Kolkata, WB, India: December 30^th, 2017) The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Madhyamgram Metropolitan lunched a healthcare clinic offering medical care to the much need people of the region at the Prajapati Bhavan, Basunagar, Madhyamgram in the outskirts of Kolkata on December 29^th, 2017, during the 11^th annual Global Healthcare Summit which is underway at the historic City of Joy, Kolkata in West Bengal, India from December 28th to 31^st.

Over 30 physicians of Indian origin, who are attending the GHS at the JW Marriott in Kolkata, led by Dr. Gautam Samadder, President of AAPI and Dr. Madhu Aggarwal, Chairwoman of the AAPI Charitable Foundation attended the free one day healthcare clinic at the suburban center, and treated over 200 patients during the day long clinic.

“This is the first ever clinic sponsored by AAPI in the state of West Bengal and this is the 15^th across the nation,” Dr. Samadder told during a welcome reception organized by the local Rotary Club in honor of the physicians who had travelled early in the morning on a bus to serve the much needed patients at the clinic. “AAPI provides financial assistance and medical care by AAPI members to the people of this historic city,” he added.

“The new initiative with the Rotary Club will enable hundreds of visiting physicians from the US to come and devote their time and talents at the clinic in the coming moenths and years, whenever someone from the US visits the state for vacation or other business related trips to India,” Dr. Aggarwal said.

The local organizers, including the Rotary Club leaders assured AAPI members of their fullest cooperation and collaboration in their efforts to offer the much needed medical care to the people of this region by welcoming the physicians and enabling their mission to provide medical care to the local community.

GHS 2017 is attended by the over 1000 leading experts from several countries, and focusses on sharing best practices, developing efficient and cost effective solutions for India. The Honorable Shri Venkiah Naidu, the Vice President of India, will be the Chief Guest at the Closing Ceremony of the Summit on December 30th, 2017.

The Conference is being organized in partnership with the ministry of overseas Indian affairs and ministry of health and family welfare, along with collaboration with over 15 professional associations from all over the world.

The GHS 2017 features some of the biggest names in the healthcare industry, especially at the 6th annual CEO leadership forum with leaders from across the globe planned for December 30th. GHS 2017 is being attended by over 100 opinion leaders and expert speakers from many countries across the globe to present cutting edge scientific findings as these relate to clinical practice, representing major Centers of Excellence, Institutions, and Professional Associations are represented by the invited chairs and speakers.

The Global Healthcare Summit being heled here was packed with CMEs all day, which is a major objective of the Summit. The theme chosen for the GHS this year is Healthcare, Career and Commerce, with the focus on Women’s Healthcare, including high priority areas such as Cardiology, Maternal & Child Health, Diabetes, Oncology, Surgery, Mental Health, HIT, Allergy, Immunology & Lung Health, Gastroenterology, Transplant and impact of comorbidities.

Choreographed and designed by famous fashion designer, Nachiket Barve, AAPI members and leaders catwalked on the podium showcasing their talents, exquisite taste for the finest clothing and attire, proving yet again the Indian American physicians are not only famous for their brilliant healthcare, but alos could be leaders in the fashion world.

The final session of the three days long first responders training program ended on 28^th with 50 more police/para medics personnel representing Kolkata Police, West Bengal Police, Kolkata Traffic Police, Police Training School, and Criminal Investigation Department, West Bengal. Concluded here at the KPC Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata on the sidelines of the GHS. In collaboration with the American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine, and the American Heart Association, AAPI was successful in imparting the much required training to over 150 people in the past three days. The lead trainers of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) Training Center, bringing it to the forefront of both international and national discussions and initiatives were recognized during the gala.

Offering Trainings to First Responders, a CEO Forum by a galaxy of CEOs from around the world, inauguration of AAPI-sponsored clinic, CMEs, cultural events, Dinner Cruise on the Ganges, interactive roundtables, clinical practice workshops, scientific poster/research session and meet-the-expert sessions, Women’s Forum by internally acclaimed successful worm from India, a special session on Public-Private Partnership featuring AAPI Healthcare Charitable showcase & innovation, and Town Hall sessions resulting in a White Paper on helping create policies benefitting the people of India, are only some of the major highlights of the Healthcare Summit, Dr. Ashok Jain, Chair of AAPI BOT, said.

Dr. Naresh Parekh, President-Elect of AAPI, said, “Many of the physicians who are attending 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 GHS 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,” he said.

During a press conference attended by the media at the Hotel, members of the leading print and electronic media interacted with AAPI leaders, including Dr. Samadder, President of AAPI, Dr. Sampat Shivangi, chair of AAPI’s Legislative Committee, Anwar Feroz, AAPI’s Statagic Adviser, and Dr. Chandan K Sen, Chairman, AAPI Global Healthcare Summit – Kolkata.

“This GHS promises to be one with the greatest impact and significant contributions towards harnessing the power of international Indian diaspora to bring the most innovative, efficient, cost effective healthcare solutions to India,” described Dr. Gautam Samadder, President of AAPI. “AAPI has capped the voluminous achievements of the past 34 years with a clear vision to move forward taking this noble organization to newer heights.”

According to Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda, Secretary of AAPI, the scientific program of GHS 2017 was developed by leading experts with the contributions of a stellar Scientific Advisory Board and International Scientific Committee, while the event featuring plenary sessions, interactive round-tables, clinical practice workshops, and meet the expert sessions.

The day long events came to a close with a sumptuous dinner and a live music concert by popular Bollywood singer Usha Uthup, who kept the audience spell bound for over two hours with her melodious singing and live interaction with the audience.

Coming from a nation that has given much to the world, today physicians of Indian origin have become a powerful influence in medicine across the world – from North America and Great Britain to East Africa, Malaysia, and Singapore. Nowhere is their authority more keenly felt than in the United States, where Indians make up the largest non-Caucasian segment of the American medical community. The overrepresentation of Indians in the field of medicine is striking – in practical terms, one out of seven doctors in the United States is of Indian Heritage. They provide medical care to over 40 million of US population.

The growing clout of the physicians of Indian origin in the United States is seen everywhere as several physicians of Indian origin hold critical positions in the healthcare, academic, research and administrative positions across the nation. Indian doctors have carved a comfortable niche in the American medical community and have earned a name for themselves with their hard work, dedication, compassion, and amazing skills and talents.

Representing the voice 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, come together today to felicitate Shri Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India on his maiden visit to the greatest democratic nation in the world.

US-India strategic ties to grow in 2018

December 26, 2017 Ajay GhoshIndia, U.S. 0

India’s relationship with the United States is expected to continue to grow in the New Year, analysts say. The new US security plan released last week said: “We will deepen our strategic partnership with India and support its leadership role in the Indian Ocean security and throughout the broader region.” Washington also pledged to increase quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia and India. “We welcome India’s emergence as a leading global power and stronger strategic and defence partner. We will seek to increase quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia and India.”

After US President Donald Trump gave a leadership role to India in his new “America First Security Strategy”, New Delhi voiced appreciation for Washington laying importance to the bilateral relationship.

“We appreciate the strategic importance given to India-US relationship in the new National Security Strategy released by the US,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said last week. “As two responsible democracies, India and the US share common objectives, including combating terrorism and promoting peace and security throughout the world,” Kumar said.

In November, India, the US, Japan and Australia held a quadrilateral meeting in the Philippines on the sidelines of the East Asia and Asean Summits to discuss the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.

This assumes significance given China’s aggressiveness in the South China Sea and attempts to increase its influence in the Indian Ocean. Kumar said: “A close partnership between India and the US contributes to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as to the economic progress of the two countries.”

Trump’s security strategy also stated that the US would continue to push Pakistan to speed up its counter-terrorism efforts. “We will press Pakistan to intensify its counter-terrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country’s support for militants and terrorists who target a partner’s own service members and officials,” it said.

The India-US relationship is going to get stronger and better under the Trump administration in a wide range of areas, including regional security issues, trade and economy, terrorism, a senior White House official has said.

“India is a natural ally of the United States, because of the shared commitment to democracy and to counterterrorism, and because the region is so vital to the US security,” Raj Shah, the White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary, told a group of India . Shah’s comments came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held their second bilateral meeting in Manila on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit.

The two countries are going to have a “strong relationship and it’s going to get stronger” under this president, Shah, the highest-ranking Indian-American ever in the White House press wing, told a group of Indian reporters last week.

“India is a natural ally of the United States, because of the shared commitment to democracy and to counterterrorism, and because the region is so vital to the US security,” he said. Shah said that the US-India relationship should stand on its own leg and “not be contingent” on any other relationship.

There are a lot more in common between India and the US than that between the US and China, he said. “The relationship with Modi is his relationship with Modi. He likes (him),” he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the United States on 25-26 June at the invitation of the new President of the United States Donald trump. This was Modi’s first meeting with Trump, although the two leaders had spoken to each other on three occasions after Trump won the election. One call was made by Modi and two by Trump, the last one being by Trump in end-March to congratulate Modi for the emphatic victory of the BJP in the Uttar Pradesh elections.

Extravaganza Christmas celebration in Chicago by UTCC

December 26, 2017 Staff ReporterCommunity 0

By Asian Media USA ©

Chicago IL: In the momentous soul of solidarity, United Telugu Christian Community (UTCC), celebrated its Annual 2017 Christmas Carols by candlelight in collaboration with the Indian Christian Federation of Midwest, Indo-Pak Christian Community with carols, dance performances, and dinner on Saturday December 9th, 2017 at Croatian Cultural Banquet, 2845 W. Devon Ave, Chicago, Illinois.

This Christmas occasion pulled in chapel individuals from different Telugu churches in the Chicago area who met up in incredible quality of solidarity to unitedly praise the Christmas season. The vital host coordinators of the event includes Mr. Vijender Doma, Mr. Johnson Sukka, Mr. Thomas Polepaka, Mr. Babu Varma, Mr, Sohail Bakshi and local pastors from North and South India of different denomination churches who participated in this successful Annual 2017 UTCC celebrations, which was attended by more than 600 people. They have worked enthusiastically to guarantee the occasion had every one of the components of festivities.

The night’s program started with a supplication offered by Rev. Thomas Polepaka, Pastor of Shekinah Evangelical Church, who welcomed all attendees for the evening of the UTCC celebrations. The opening prayer was offered by Rev. Swaraj Perumalla, Pastor of M.B. Israel House of Prayer. Rev. Thomas Polepaka, Mrs. Mahala Sukka, and Mrs. Joyce Doma emceed the proceedings of the event. Exceptional Christmas carols were displayed by choirs from different churches who sang sweet melodies.

The novel feature of the night’s festivals was all pastors, elders, and lady leaders who joined and lit candles for the UTCC celebrations. The message was conveyed by Rev. Dr. John Reynolds Ambati, guest speaker from Michigan State, who delivered a few huge components paving the way to the introduction of our ruler, Jesus Christ.

After the message, the UTCC youth group started by singing popular English Christmas carols with music by Jestin Katari and Joshua Mallela. Followed by the UTCC Telugu choir, Gujarati group, Pakistani group, Tamil group, and many other different local church groups.

Coordinators Mr. Vijender Doma, Mr. Babu Varma, Mr. Johnson Sukka and Mr. Sohail Bakshi along with Keerthi Ravoori, prominent Indian Christian and FIA leader introduced the distinguished guests for the event. Guests of Honor: Congressman Raja Krishnamurthy, Senator Ira Silverstein, Alderwoman Debra Silverstein, Mr. D. B. Bhatti. Consul, Consulate General of India, Chicago, Iftekhar Sharif, FIA, Asad Azharuddin, a rising cricketer of India, Congressman Danny Davis, MEATF representatives Mrs. Nazeema Chand, Dr. Zenoiba Sowell, Mr. Nagender Ravi Sripada, and other distinguished personalities also have graced the event. Congressman Raja Krishnamurthy commended the hard work of the coordinators.

Congressman Raja Krishnamurthy, Senator Ira Silverstein and Alderwoman Debra Silverstein were felicitated and honored with shawls presented by Ruth Varma, and Gulshan Bakshi, Joce Doma and Mahala Sukka. Congressman Raja presented the Award of Appreciation to the following outstanding people of the Indian and Pakistan Christian Community. Award of Appreciation were given to Mrs. Thara Chandran and Mrs. Suguna Vallabdas for their great dedicated services contributed to Indian Christian Community for over 4 decades in the Chicago land. More appreciation awards were given to Mr. Babu Varma, prominent Gujarati Christian Leader and FIA, to Rev. Thomas Polepaka for his dedicated service to the Indian Telugu Christian Community, to Sohail Bakshi for his dedicated service to the Pakistan Christian Community, to Mrs. Subhadra J Vipparthi for her church and women’s ministry among Telugu Christians, and finally to Dr. Regi Paul for his children’s ministry to the Indian Christian community.

2017 Community Awards were sponsored by Mr. Johnny Peddapati in memory of his wife Late Deena Peddapati. Highlights of the evening included, a team of young girls from Mount Prospect Dancing School performing a beautiful dance followed by a Gujarati group, led by Babu Verma, sang a Qawali song and the women presented a Garba Dance and a finale of ‘Silent Night’ which was effortlessly sung while the glimmer of the flame lights shone the congregation premises introducing the euphoric soul of Christmas.

Vijender Doma later called on UTCC core group, Johnson Sukka, Thomas Polepaka, Prem Mitra, Edward Jenner, Ramesh Goneh, Shyam Sunder, Raj Paul Maddela, Arun Paul Gorre, Augustine Gaddam, Enoch Raju, Myrtle Agepog, Shirley Kalvakota, Enoch Raju, David Thokkudubiyapu, Ebinizer Mangalshetty and other Coordinators Babu Varma & Sohail Bakshi to come on to the stage and expressed a vote of thanks.

Benediction was offered by Archbishop Jayakumar Jacob Agepogu and Rev. Timothy Rathod, Senior Gujarati Pastor, led all the participants with the Lord’s Prayer and prayed for the food. After dinner everyone on the dance floor enjoyed Garba Raas.

India’s Lakshmi Puri Among 6 Diplomats Receive ‘Power Of One’ Award At UN

December 26, 2017 Staff ReporterProfiles 0

Six top diplomats, including an Indian woman, have been felicitated with the inaugural Diwali “Power of One” award at the UN headquarters here for their contribution to help form a more “perfect, peaceful and secure world”.

The inaugural ‘Power of One’ award was bestowed upon exceptional people who have toiled selflessly to help form a more perfect peaceful and secure world for all of us. The awards were presented on Monday last week on the occasion of the first anniversary of the US Postal Service’s issuing of a forever Diwali stamp last year.

The awardees included outgoing British Ambassador to the UN Matthew Rycroft; Lebanese Ambassador to the UN Nawaf Salam who was elected to the International Court of Justice last month and Indian head of the UN Women Lakshmi Puri.

The other awardees were Maged Abdelaziz, the former Permanent Representative of Egypt to the UN; Ion Botnaru, the former Permanent Representative of Moldova to the UN and Yuriy Sergeyev, the former Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations.

Co-organised by the Permanent Missions of Belarus, Georgia and India, the event was co-sponsored by nearly two dozen countries including the US, Britain, France, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Spain, Kuwait and Algeria, a statement said. The event was held at the prestigious Trusteeship Council Chambers at the UN headquarters in New York.

New York-based Batra is credited with the seven years of effort towards the release of a Diwali stamp by the US Postal Service. “In October 2016, we won and got our Forever Diwali Stamp. I personally sold over 170,000 stamps to make the Diwali Stamp the USPS’ #1 Bestseller for Day One in its over 200 year existence,” Ms Batra said.

“I was determined to succeed in my goal to get the USPS to issue a Diwali Stamp, despite knowing many others had tried and given up. I spent nearly 7 years chasing it peacefully, and using only inclusive and respectful means,” she said.

Eminent Indian-American attorney Ravi Batra said the Diwali Foundation USA’s “Power of One Awards” were the “Oscars of Diplomacy” and helped “Good” beat evil and suffering. Speaking on the occasion, Valentin Rybakov, Permanent Representative of Belarus to the UN, said the awardees symbolically illuminate a way forward to a more perfect, peaceful and secure world for all.

Diwali Foundation USA was established this year as an NGO to promote a peaceful and consensus-based process to achieve societal “Good” as befits the high hopes and ideals of humanity enshrined in the UN Charter.

Among others who spoke on the occasion included Frantisek Ruzicka, Chef de Cabinet, President Miroslav Lajcak, 72nd UN General Assembly and Syed Akbaruddin, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nation

Republican Tax Plan to increase inequality

December 22, 2017 Ajay GhoshU.S. 0

Republicans, finally on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 muscled the most sweeping rewrite of the nation’s tax laws in more than three decades through the GOP-led House and Senate with a dozen GOP Congressmen voting against their own Bill, giving President Trum his biggest and first ever legislative victory.

The vote, largely along party lines in the House was 227-203, while in the Senate was 51-48, which capped a GOP sprint to deliver a major legislative accomplishment to President Donald Trump after a year of congressional stumbles and non-starters.

This bill is a massive handout to corporations and the wealthiest among us at the expense of average tax payers. Every independent analysis, including the Tax Policy Center, has determined that the vast majority of benefits will go to the top 1% of earners – like President Donald Trump himself. This bill will increase the already out of control income inequality in the country. Need more proof? The paltry tax credits to middle and lower income earners expire after 10 years while corporate tax cuts are permanent.

The massive $1.5 trillion package would touch every American taxpayer and every corner of the U.S. economy, providing steep tax cuts for businesses and the wealthy, and more modest tax cuts for middle- and low-income families. It would push the national debt ever higher.

Democrats called the bill a giveaway to corporations and the wealthy, providing little if any tax help to the less-than-well-to-do and no likelihood that business owners will use their gains to hire more workers or raise wages.

And the Republicans’ contention that the bill will make taxes so simple that millions can file “on a postcard” — an idea repeated often by the president — was simply mocked.

“What happened to the postcard? We’re going to have to carry around a billboard for tax simplification,” declared Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts, the top Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee.

Tax cuts for corporations would be permanent while the cuts for individuals would expire in 2026 in order to comply with Senate budget rules. The tax cuts would take effect in January. Workers would start to see changes in the amount of taxes withheld from their paychecks in February.

The standard deduction used by most families would be nearly doubled, to $24,000 for a married couple, while those who itemize would lose some deductions.

The Republicans went ahead with the Bill with over two-thirds of the nation still disapproving of it. House Speaker Paul Ryan dismissed criticism of the widely unpopular package and insisted “results are what’s going to make this popular.” The Republican tax bill is an audacious attempt to accelerate the economic trends of the last half-century.

Over the last few decades, the rich have not only enjoyed the largest pre-tax raises, by far. They have also received big tax cuts. The middle class and poor, meanwhile, have suffered from slow-growing incomes — and from overall tax rates that are higher today than in the mid-1960s. The second part of the story is less known. But it’s also crucial. The great tax-cutting revolution of the last half-century hasn’t actually been a tax-cutting revolution for most Americans. The middle-class and poor families now face higher total tax rates than a half-century ago.

Now the GOP tax plan is expected to widen inequality even further. Their tax bill doesn’t touch the payroll-tax rate — again, the single biggest tax that most households pay. The bill does cut income taxes for the middle class, but only modestly and only temporarily. The tax cuts benefiting the wealthy, including cuts to the inheritance tax and the corporate tax, are much larger and permanent.

The Tax Policy Center has estimated the long-term effects of the Tax plan on each income group with the tax bill amounting to an enormous effort to increase inequality.

The scoop of the weekend seems to have come from International Business Times, which reported that the final version of the Republican tax bill contains a real-estate provision that could enrich President Trump and multiple members of Congress. President Obama, on the other hand, made reducing inequality his top domestic priority. He kept the Bush tax cuts on the middle class and poor but not the rich. His health care law increased taxes on the affluent to pay for better medical care for the non-rich. Barack Obama, when he was President, called rising inequality “the defining challenge of our time.”

By redistributing money from richer households to poorer households, progressive tax systems can moderate the level of inequality in post-tax income. However, the 2017 GOP Tax Bill showers most of its goodies (tax cuts) on the richest people in the country while doing little for poor and middle-income households.

Since the past tax cuts by President George Bush and President Ronlad Regan, income inequality has continued to rise in the nation. The gap between the “haves” and “have nots” is widening, according to the latest data out this week.

The rich are money-making machines. Today, the top mega wealthy — the top 1% — earn an average of $1.3 million a year. It’s more than three times as much as the 1980s, when the rich “only” made $428,000, on average, according to economists Thomas Piketty, Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman.

Meanwhile, the bottom 50% of the American population earned an average of $16,000 in pre-tax income in 1980. That hasn’t changed in over three decades. Millennials, born in the 1980s, only have a 50% likelihood — a coin toss chance — of earning more money than their parents did, according to research released by the Equality of Opportunity Project.

Over time, the rich became more lucky — or more greedy. Today the top 1% take home more than 20% of all U.S. income. As the wealthy earned more, someone else in America had to get less. The bottom 50% went from capturing over 20% of national income for much of the 1970s to earning barely 12% today. The turning point started around 1980, as seen in the graph below. By the mid-1990s, the fortunes of the top 1% were clearly on the rise and those of the bottom half were declining rapidly.

During the last several decades, income inequality in the United States has increased significantly — and the trend shows no sign of reversing. The last time inequality was as high as it is now was just before the Great Depression. Such a high level of inequality is not only incompatible with widely held norms of social justice and equality of opportunity; it poses a serious threat to America’s economy and democracy.

The current tax plan by the Republicans will sure to add to the already growing disparity of income and the poor and the middle class are bound to stagnate or become poorer while the rich and the multi-national corporations will continue to grow and amass more wealth at the cost of the poor.

AAPI QLI hosts 22nd annual gala, honors 4 physicians for excellence

December 21, 2017 Ajay GhoshCommunity, Health 0

AAPIQLI (American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin of Queens and Long Island) hosted its 22nd Annual Convention at Huntington Hilton on Long Island, NY on December 16, under the leadership of its President Dr. Rakesh Dua. It was attended by Chief Guest Congressman from NY’s 3rd district Honorable Tom Suozzi, Nassau County Executive elect Honorable Laura Curran, first deputy commissioner at department of health New York State Dr. Eugene Heslin, many dignitaries and more than 600 guests.

Four physicians, Dr. Mohinder Gupta; Dr. Devendra Mehta; Dr. P. Patrick Basu; and, Dr. Usha Krishnan were honored for their life time achievements and money was raised for many local and national charities. Dr. Ajay Lodha, immediate past president of national AAPI and Dr. Gautam Samadder, current president of national AAPI were recognized for their leadership and contributions to the physician community across the nation.

“We are here to celebrate our achievements tonight,” Dr. Dua in his Presidential address. He stated that AAPI QLI was registered in June 1995 as a Not-for-Profit Organization by Dr. Narendra Hadpawat to represent all Physicians of Indian Origin in Queens and Long Island, NY. The Inaugural dinner was held on June 3rd, 1995 at Leonard’s of Great Neck, NY and with 150 physicians in attendance.

In his address, Tom Suozi praised the contributions of Indian Americans to the larger American society. “In this room, you represent the future of New York And the USA. I see an immense pool of talents among you. We are very lucky to have you. You do so much for the nation,” he said. Tuozi urged AAPI members “not to allow others to pull up the ladder from behind.

Echoing the sentiments, Dr. Gautam Samadder, President of AAPI, in his address, pointed out to the ongoing discrimination experienced by Indian American Doctors. He called upon the AAPI members to “stand united, in order to be able to fight for our rights,” while pointing to the fact that Indian American Physicians service every 7^th patient in the nation and contribute to the healthcare industry in the nation.

Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh Assembly Election victory celebration in New York

December 21, 2017 Staff ReporterIndia, Politics 0

Members of the Indian American Community organized a grand Victory celebrations in New York on Tuesday, December 19^th, 2017 in Long Island, NY. On a working day large number of community leaders and people attended the celebrations at Hicksvile, New York.

In his Key Note Address Jagdish Sewhani, president American India Public Affairs Committee said that People of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh have out rightly rejected the politics of casteism, appeasement of minorities and corruption.

They have endorsed good governance and voted for development. The proof is that the BJP has been re-elected for a record sixth time. In Himachal Pradesh they have totally rejected corrupt Congress government and gave BJP a 2/3rd majority.

Sharing his personal story, Sewhani said when he was growing up in Gujarat there was long hours of power cuts were norm of the day, every year there were riots and workers went on strike. Ever since BJP has come to power they have changed the face of Gujarat. It is the most developed and industrial State of the country. It has set a gold standard of development in the country. Gujarat now has surplus power. It is now riots and strikes free. There is internet even in villages.

Gujarat has reached this development because of a stable and powerful BJP government for nearly last two decades.

This is the Gujarat Model, we need to follow. If we want a developed and powerful India – which is peaceful and strong – the vision of New India that honorable Prime Minister has envisioned, we need a stable and strong government in Delhi for at least for the next three decades.

India is on its way to Congress Mukt Bharat. BJP/NDA is now in 19 states. The credit of Victory goes to our Dynamic Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modiji, who in last 3 1/2 years has given clean government, set a standard for good governance. India is now marching ahead…. We do not want to be stopped.

As such we need to work in a mission mode for the 2019 general election. Our objective should be not only to re-elect BJP, but also target 450 Lok Sabha seats and 50 percent of the popular votes. Such a strong mandate and popular government is essential to accelerate the pace of development march on the path of New India that we all dream of.

The vision of New India requires uninterrupted power to BJP and Modiji. Modiji firmly believes in Politics of Development and Sabh ka Sath and Sabh Ka Vikas . There was lot of excitement in the audience. They were again and again Chanting Modi/Modi. The victory celebrations finally concluded with a new slogan of Modiji Jeetega Bhai Jeetega Vikas Hee Jeetega.

Gurbir Grewal, 1st Sikh in the nation, to be nominated by Gov. Phil Murphy as NJ state attorney general

December 13, 2017 Staff ReporterProfiles 0

Gov.-elect Phil Murphy will nominate Bergen County prosecutor Gurbir Grewal as the state’s next attorney general, NJ Advance Media has learned. Grewal would be the nation’s first Sikh attorney general.

Grewal, an Indian-American Sikh, is Murphy’s first high-level nomination — and a historic one — as the Democrat works to fill out an administration set to take office on Jan. 16. If Grewal is confirmed by the state Senate, which seems all but certain, Murphy said he would become the first South Asian attorney general in New Jersey and the first Sikh to hold the position in any state.

“The American dream is alive and well in New Jersey,” Grewal said at a news conference in Trenton where Murphy made the announcement. Attorney general is one of the most powerful positions in New Jersey government, serving as the state’s top cop and top lawyer. The person in that role leads the 7,200-employee Department of Law and Public Safety, which includes the State Police, civil rights enforcement, consumer affairs and civil litigation.

Grewal, 44, is a Glen Rock resident and former federal prosecutor who has led the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office since Republican Gov. Chris Christie tapped him for the role in January 2016. He served in an acting capacity until the state Senate confirmed him to a five-year term and he was sworn into office in January of this year. Grewal was nominated to serve as Bergen County prosecutor by Gov. Chris Christie in 2016. At the time, Christie praised Grewal’s experience as a federal prosecutor and his diverse background.

Prior to being Bergen County’s top law enforcement officer, he worked as the former chief of the Economic Crimes Unit at the U.S. Attorney’s Office under former federal prosecutor Paul Fishman. He’s a past president of the South Asian Bar Association of New York and a member of the New Jersey Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association.

Murphy has stressed on multiple occasions since his November election, and repeated Tuesday, that he wants his attorney general to band together with attorneys general from other states to sue to block policies coming out of a Republican-controlled Washington, D.C. The nomination would be sent to the state Senate for approval after Murphy takes office.

Nikki Haley, the lone voice among disgruntled GOP leaders, wants women accusing Trump to be “heard”

December 13, 2017 Staff ReporterProfiles 0

Nikki R. Haley, the American ambassador to the United Nations, is the sole voice in te grand old Republican Party, wanting that women who have accused President Trump of sexual misconduct “should be heard,” a surprising break from the administration’s longstanding assertion that the allegations are false and that voters rightly dismissed them when they elected Mr. Trump.

According to reports, Haley, a former governor and one of the highest-ranking women in Trump’s administration, refocused attention on the allegations against the president by insisting that his accusers should be treated no differently than the scores of women who have come forward in recent weeks with stories of sexual harassment and misconduct against other men.

“They should be heard, and they should be dealt with,” Haley told NBC in an exclusive interview last week. “And I think we heard from them prior to the election. And I think any woman who has felt violated or felt mistreated in any way, they have every right to speak up.”

Her remarks are the latest indication that the president’s behavior toward women — more than a dozen have accused him of unwanted touching, forcible kissing or groping — may not escape renewed scrutiny at a time when an array of powerful men have had their careers derailed because of their improper treatment of women, some of which took place decades ago.

President Trump is reportedly furious with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley for saying that the women who have accused him of sexual misconduct “should be heard.”

The Associated Press reported on Monday that Haley’s comments angered Trump as the claims against him have resurfaced in recent weeks. More than a dozen women came forward to publicly accuse Trump of sexual misconduct during his presidential campaign. The White House has said that the women are lying. Trump has also dismissed their claims as “fake news.”

The #MeToo movement has engulfed prominent members of both political parties. Democrats have appeared determined to grab the moral and political high ground, largely forcing their accused party members to resign.

Republicans have been more divided: Even as some accused members have stepped down, the party has largely stood by Mr. Trump. And it remains bitterly split over how to respond to the case of Roy S. Moore, the Republican Senate candidate in Alabama who has been accused of molesting an underage girl and attempting to date other teenagers when he was in his 30s.

Some of the women who first accused Trump during the campaign last year have expressed a renewed desire to press their case. Three of them will be interviewed by Megyn Kelly on NBC’s “Today” show on Monday, December 11. So far, though, the upheaval in societal norms about sexual conduct in the workplace has swirled around the president but left him largely unscathed.

Undaunted, the president has used Twitter to mock other men who have been accused, including Senator Al Franken, Democrat of Minnesota, who announced his plans to resign after several harassment allegations. Trump has defended and endorsed Moore, calling the claims against him “troubling” but insisting that he is needed in the Senate to advance the Republican agenda.

Through it all, the White House has repeatedly sought to deflect and discredit any attempt to revisit the “Access Hollywood” tape, in which Mr. Trump crudely bragged about kissing women and grabbing their private parts, or to examine again the allegations from the women who came forward weeks before the 2016 election to accuse Mr. Trump of crude sexual behavior.

In recent months, Trump has privately been casting doubt that the “Access Hollywood” tape is authentic, despite publicly acknowledging shortly after its release in October 2016 that “I said it, I was wrong, and I apologize.”

And he has steadfastly denied all of the women’s accusations, calling them “made-up stuff” and “totally fake news.” Asked about the sexual misconduct accusations against the president and whether the women were lying, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary, said that they were and that “the president addressed the comments back during the campaign.”

Asia 21 Welcomes New Class of Young Leaders at Australia Summit

December 13, 2017 Staff ReporterCommunity 0

The 12th annual summit of the “Asia 21” Young Leaders Network convened in Melbourne last week — the first time it had come to Australia — and before the business of the summit had even begun, these young superstars of the Asia Pacific were showered with praise. “We are in absolute awe,” said The Hon. Linda Dessau, governor of the state of Victoria, while Victoria Deputy Premier James Merlino pronounced himself “truly impressed.” Former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans opened a keynote address by welcoming “this extraordinary, alarmingly distinguished group of young leaders.”

Thirty young professionals from 20 nations were chosen for the Asia 21 Class of 2017. They were joined in Melbourne by nearly 50 alumni of the network, which brings together the next generation of leaders in government, business, arts, media, and the nonprofit sector to tackle a range of regional issues. This year’s theme was “World Disrupted: Asia’s Future” and the summit featured special sessions on upheaval in the fields of politics, media, technology and the environment.

Asia 21 — born in 2006 under the leadership of the late U.S. diplomat Richard Holbrooke, then chair of the Asia Society’s global board — is now the Asia Pacific’s foremost network of young leaders, with an alumni base of more than 800 leaders from 40 nations representing all manner of professional backgrounds. Asia 21 leaders are selected through a highly competitive process based on outstanding achievement, commitment to public service, and a proven ability to make the world a better place. The basic aim: to draw upon the combined brain power of the network to generate creative, multidisciplinary approaches to the region’s problems.

“Our goal is not just to recognize the amazing work these young leaders are doing,” said Asia Society President and CEO Josette Sheeran, “but to connect them to one another so that they can take on some of the biggest challenges facing the Asia-Pacific today.”

The diversity and high caliber of this year’s cohort were evident in Melbourne. Among the Class of 2017 were Serey Chea, director general of the National Bank of Cambodia; Melissa Jardine, a former Australian police officer examining how law enforcement in Asia responds to drug use, economic crimes, and terrorism; Chenhui Liu, co-founder of a mobile health startup transforming China’s healthcare system; Krating Poonpol, a venture fund manager ushering in a startup revolution in Thailand; Taiwan’s Robin Chiang, venture partner, Welkin Capital Management, and angel investor to many young entrepreneurs; Kushal Gurung, founder and CEO, WindPower Nepal; and Eugene Yi, co-founder of Cortico, a social venture launched from the MIT Media Lab that uses artificial intelligence-driven media insights to build common ground. The media contingent alone made for a diverse group: Shameer Rasooldeen, host of Sri Lanka’s “Face the Nation” program; Raheel Khursheed, Twitter’s head of news partnerships for India and Southeast Asia; Tenzing Lamsang, founder, CEO and editor-in-chief, The Bhutanese Newspaper; award-winning Reuters correspondent Yeganeh Torbati; and Wang Guan, news anchor and chief political reporter for China’s CGTN. (Full list below)

“I’ve had a fairly disruptive year. I started with a fellowship at Harvard, another at Yale through spring and through the fall term,” said Khursheed, the Twitter executive. “I’ve had an opportunity to hang out with some of the smartest people in the world. And the cherry on top of my year has been this Asia 21 fellowship. It’s been an incredible infusion of fresh ideas, fresh energy, and fresh perspectives. I hope that I’m able to give as much as I’m taking.”

Asia 21 alumni in attendance included James Kondo (Class of 2006), president of the Asia Pacific Initiative Foundation and senior advisor at Geodesic Capital; Social Innovation Park, Ltd founder Penny Low (2007), award-winning Pakistani actor and director Adnan Malik (2012), Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Australia Wahidullah Waissi (2011), and Yin Myo Su (2013),managing director of Myanmar’s Inle Princess Group and founder of the Inle Heritage Foundation.

“I love coming back to Asia 21 summits,” said Omaid Sharifi (2011), co-founder and president of the NGO ArtLords in Afghanistan. “And whenever new members come in I always see fresh blood with lots of experience, from very different sectors, very innovative people. Every time that I come here I learn a lot. I take away with me many new ideas, projects, and experiences that are vital for my country and the youth of Afghanistan.”

The “Disruption” sessions at Melbourne produced spirited debate and no shortage of suggested solutions. The technology segment covered upheaval in global banking, the future of cryptocurrency, and the rampant spread of personal data.

“How do we make sure people own and control their own data?” asked Victoria State Minister for Trade, Investment & Innovation Philip Dalidakis, who joined a trio of Asia 21 fellows leading the tech discussion. “I say it’s up to you what you do with your data. Google is entitled to collect data if you put it out there.” Others disagreed, and predicted Google, Facebook, and other top companies would continue to face a backlash. Class of 2011 alumnus Dorjee Sun imagined a day when sharing data openly as most people do today would be a taboo on par with smoking cigarettes. “It’s not going to continue the way it is today.”

In a separate session, Sun, the CEO of Carbon Conservation, led a “Blockchain Brainstorm” that sought solutions for problems as disparate as poor-quality medical research, the burning of forests, and the recent volcanic eruptions in Bali. (We probably shouldn’t give away all the ideas here. Suffice to say that nano-satellites, crowdfunding, and Bitcoin were involved.)

The media discussion sparked a fundamental debate about whether disruption in that sector had been damaging or positive. Lotfullah Najafizada (2012), at 30 years old already a much-honored director of news for Afghanistan’s TOLO TV, argued that in his country no “disruption” had been more welcome than the meteoric rise of freely available news and information — whatever the downside. “You must understand — 15 years ago there was no real news and political discussion at all in my country.” Today, he said, you can find 200 hours of such programming in every 24-hour period on Afghan television channels. “That’s positive disruption,” Najazifada said. “It’s an unprecedented opportunity. You could call it a revolution.”

The dark side, he and others acknowledged, involve the use of such platforms by ISIS, the Taliban, and other militant groups, as well as the proliferation of “fake news” across the regional landscape. “Social media gives everyone a voice, for good and bad both,” said Yusra Askari, Pakistan correspondent for New Delhi Television (2014). “It’s a voice many never had before.”

Oxford University doctoral candidate Jieun Baek (2017), an expert on dissent in authoritarian regimes, noted the potential for a very different media “disruption” in dealing with the world’s most dangerous crisis. “There’s a huge role for disruption on the Korean peninsula,” Baek said, and she wasn’t referring to the military variety. “I’m talking about bringing content into a country and a culture that criminalizes most forms of content.”

Meanwhile, Najafizada made a passionate pitch for more journalism — in war zones and quiet nations alike — that steers clear of politics. “I tell my reporters this all the time,” he said. “There are millions of people out there, so many stories that must be told, and which have nothing to do with politics or politicians.”

In a rapid-fire “give and take” session that has become a valuable staple of the Asia 21 summits, young leaders were invited to make “asks” of the group (“my wind power startup in Nepal needs help getting to scale”; “I need broader markets for my sustainable crafts brand”, and so on). In the case of the Bali volcano, there were immediate results. Ewa Wojkowska (Class of 2013), co-founder and COO of Kopernik, a Bali-based organization that helps identify “last-mile” ways to reduce poverty, made an “ask” for help for those displaced by the recent eruption. In short order, she had pledges not only of funding, but also pro-bono legal help, environmentally-friendly masks, and — from a Jakarta-based alumnus — help with Indonesian Customs officials to help steer aid into the country.

Beyond the annual summits, Asia 21 members connect in a variety of ways. Regional chapters work to improve civil society in Afghanistan, build understanding between young people in India and Pakistan, and produce public policy programming in the Philippines. Alumni lead an annual “Action Lab” that brings experienced leaders together to boost the success and sustainability of Asia 21-led startups. And this year’s summit also pledged the creation of an Asia 21 “marketplace of ideas” and a “blockchain for Asia 21” that would work to help select Asia 21-led enterprises achieve maximum impact.

Perhaps the most inspiring moment of the three-day summit had nothing to do with Blockchain or Bitcoin, or disruption in the region’s politics and media. It came instead from Pakistan’s cricket icon Sana Mir (Class of 2017), who has captained her national team to unprecedented success, won widespread praise for her leadership style, and galvanized millions of young girls in her country and beyond.

Mir showed a short, not-yet-released film about her experience, a moving tribute to the persistence of young girls drawn to cricket in a part of the world where the sport’s pitches are typically populated by boys and men. The film tells the story of Mir’s rise and that of the women she leads. Mir’s teams captured the Asian Games Gold Medal in 2010 and 2014.

“We are just following in the footsteps of the strong women of Pakistan,” Mir says in the film. “When I put on the uniform of my country, and the national anthem plays, It’s the best feeling. I feel I am one of the luckiest women in the world.”

As for the boys, Sana Mir likes to drop in on pick-up games in her travels, greet the kids who are playing, and tell them, “You’ve got to let your sister bat, too.”

“It’s a very welcoming forum,” Mir said as the Asia 21 Summit wrapped, and delegates headed home. “And I really look forward to us all working together, and actually finding solutions for Asia. Because it’s a region which is of high importance for everyone around the world. So it’s very important that we make use of this time very intelligently.”

The Melbourne Asia 21 Summit was presented in partnership with the government of the state of Victoria. Sponsors included Medtronic, Google, HCash, and Deloitte. The 2018 Summit will be in Manila next November.

Class of 2017 members:

Cherrie Atilano (Philippines), founder, president, and CEO, Agrea Agricultural Systems International, Inc.

Jieun Baek (U.S.), Ph.D. candidate studying early dissenters in authoritarian countries, Oxford University

Battushig Batbold (Mongolia), chairman of the board, Altai Holding LLC

Serey Chea (Cambodia), director general, National Bank of Cambodia

Robin Chiang (Taiwan/ Australia), venture partner, Welkin Capital Management

Kushal Gurung (Nepal), founder and CEO, WindPower Nepal

Asuka Hamakawa (Japan), executive director and co-founder, Earth Company

Sayed Zafar Hashemi (Afghanistan), political counselor, Embassy of Afghanistan, Washington, DC

Melissa Jardine (Australia), board director, Global Law Enforcement & Public Health Association

Shougat Khan (Bangladesh), founder and chairperson, H.A. Foundation

Raheel Khursheed (India), head of news partnerships for India and Southeast Asia, Twitter

Sasibai Kimis (Malaysia), managing partner, Earth Heir

Tenzing Lamsang (Bhutan), founder, CEO, and editor-in-chief, The Bhutanese Newspaper

Chenhui Liu (China), co-founder and COO, Apricot Forest

Henry Makeham (Australia), associate, Linklaters LLP

Sana Mir (Pakistan), captain, Pakistan national women’s cricket team

“Allen” Ali Mohammadi (Iran), CEO and co-founder, Hippogriff AB

June Park (South Korea), postdoctoral fellow specializing in U.S. foreign economic policymaking in Northeast Asia, National University of Singapore

Cheryl Perera (Canada), founder and president, OneChild

Eleanor Rosa Pinugu (Philippines), founder, Mano Amiga Academy

Ruangroj “Krating” Poonpol (Thailand), managing partner, 500 TukTuks

Shameer Rasooldeen (Sri Lanka), host, “Face the Nation”

Santitarn Sathirathai (Thailand), head of emerging Asia economics research, Credit Suisse

Jhuma Sen (India), assistant professor, Jindal Global Law School

Sim Chi Yin (Singapore), photographer and filmmaker

Mark Switkowski (Australia), executive director, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Victorian State Government, Australia

Yeganeh Torbati (U.S.), journalist, Reuters

Guan Wang (China), news anchor and chief political reporter, CGTN

Eugene Yi (U.S.), co-founder, Cortico

Zhao Zhong (China), founder and board director, Green Camel Bell

Priyanka Chopra is world’s Sexiest Asian Woman

December 13, 2017 Staff ReporterSocial Media 0

Priyanka Chopra has been voted the “Sexiest Asian Woman” in the world in an annual UK poll released in London last week. The 35-year-old Quantico actor topped the 2017 edition of the popular ‘50 Sexiest Asian Women’ poll by London-based weekly newspaper Eastern Eye for a record-breaking fifth time.

She reclaimed the top slot from Deepika Padukone, who had been voted the sexiest Asian in 2016. “I cannot actually take credit for this at all. Full credit should be given to my genetics and your optics! Thank you Eastern Eye and to everyone who voted for me to be Asia’s Sexiest Woman, for what I’m told is a record breaking number of times! I feel grateful and am humbled. Consistency is key,” said Chopra who has surpassed 20 million followers on Instagram.

Now in its 14th year, the longest running list of its kind is based on millions of votes sent in by fans around the world, media coverage, impact and heat generated across various social media platforms.

The list this year was trending on Twitter across different countries including India during the voting process. “Priyanka Chopra has become an incredible international ambassador for India and is smashing through glass ceilings all over the world. Apart from being courageous enough to fly into the unknown professionally, she has also done a lot of work for social causes, become a strong symbol for girl power and is making a young generation have big dreams. She is the perfect mix of beauty, brains, bravery and a kind hear,” Asjad Nazir, the Entertainment editor of Eastern Eye who founded the list and puts it together annually, said in a press release.

Padukone came in third this year while Alia Bhatt came if fourth ahead of Pakistani star Mahira Khan who was in fifth place with Drashti Dhami in sixth, Katrina Kaif in seventh, Shraddha Kapoor in eighth, Gauahar Khan in ninth and Rubina Dilaik in 10th.

Padukone, who was the reigning queen of 2016, has slipped to the third position this year. Television actress Nia Sharma takes the second spot while the fourth and fifth places are secured by actresses Alia Bhatt and Mahira Khan, respectively.

“I should thank my mom and dad for this award…lol!” Chopra, clearly delighted with the win, wrote on Twitter Dec. 6. “It’s purely my genetics and your optics… and a big thank you for the immense love you guys give me every single time which has put me on top of the list 5 times over. Thank you.”

The accolade rounds off another dream year for the actress as she makes incredible strides internationally with her Hollywood debut, noted the magazine. Currently filming Season 3 of “Quantico” in New York, Chopra has cemented her base in Hollywood. Though “Baywatch” didn’t exactly set the cash registers ringing, Chopra’s kitty is full of assignments. Her next Hollywood film, “A Kid Like Jake,” will debut at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival (see story in India-West here: http://bit.ly/2j7nRkQ). She will also be seen alongside Rebel Wilson, Liam Hemsworth, Adam Devine in “Isn’t It Romantic?”

The 35-year-old actress, who recently made it to Variety’s annual list of ‘500 Most Influential Business Leaders Shaping the Global Entertainment Industry,’ list also takes time to sing and has released four singles: “In My City,” “Exotic” with Pitbull, and “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” and the recent “Young and Free,” with Will Sparks.

2017 also saw the actress make it to Forbes’ annual ‘Top-10 Highest-paid TV Actresses’ list. She has continued to make giant strides as a producer, too, and remained one of the hottest Indian stars on social media, crossing 40 million followers on Instagram and Twitter combined.

Now in its 14th year, the list is based on millions of votes by fans around the world, media coverage, impact and the heat generated across various social media platforms. Eastern Eye entertainment editor and founder of the ‘50 Sexiest Asian Women’ list, Asjad Nazir, described Chopra as the perfect mix of “beauty, brains, bravery and a kind heart.”

“Priyanka Chopra has become an incredible international ambassador for India and is smashing through glass ceilings all over the world,” said Nazir. “Apart from being courageous enough to fly into the unknown professionally, she has also done a lot of work for social causes, become a strong symbol for girl power and is making a young generation have big dreams.”

Republicans-led US Senate approves Tax Bill that benefits the wealthy and big corporations

December 6, 2017 Ajay GhoshU.S. 0

In the early hours of Saturday morning, December 2nd, Senate Republicans passed their version of a sweeping tax overhaul. Roughly five hours earlier, the Senate Finance Committee publicly released their final proposal of the Bill after weeks of closed door consultations and few days of public scrutiny of the important Tax Bill that will leave over a over a Trillion Dollars to the US deficit.

The Senate passed its tax plan in a 51-49 vote early on Saturday morning, with Vice-President Mike Pence presiding over the chamber and after a frantic rewrite. Bob Corker was the sole Republican to vote against the bill, which would bestow huge benefits on US corporations and the wealthiest Americans. “We think this is a great day for the country,” the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, said at a celebratory press conference.

Democrats remained united in their opposition, attacking the legislation as a giveaway to corporate America and the wealthy. “In the waning hours, this bill is tilting further towards businesses and away from families,” said Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, in a floor speech on Friday. “Every time the choice is between corporations and families, the Republicans choose corporations.”

The bill, among other things will continue to create inequality in the nation. The rich bnenfitting from the tax-cuts, while the poor and the middle income groups to be marginally benefitting from the plan, and that to for a period of 10 years only. The richest 20 percent of households reap 90 percent of the benefit of the tax cuts over that time period, according to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center.

The main focus of the tax bill is business. Republicans’ stated goal is to boost the economy. They argue that the best way to do this is to cut the taxes that businesses pay on profits, allowing companies to reinvest the money in new equipment and workers. In fact, the Senate bill centers on provisions to permanently cut the corporate tax rate — the rate paid directly by companies like Apple or Ford Motor — to 20% (from a top rate of 35%) starting in 2019, while also allowing a new deduction for individual taxpayers who own their own businesses.

Business owners tend to be wealthy — whether their assets take the form of stock holdings or privately owned ventures. The upshot is that the Senate tax plan’s benefits skew dramatically toward top earners.

According to the preliminary Tax Policy Center analysis, the top 1% of earners — those taking home more than about $900,000 a year — were set to reap about 60% of the total tax cut, for an average of more than $32,000 annually apiece. The top 0.1% — those earning $5 million or more — were to get an extra $200,000.

The GOP’s Senate tax bill, which passed in a close party-line vote, could give President Donald Trump his first legislative victory after Congress failed to overhaul the nation’s health system earlier this year.

It’s too early to tell precisely how the GOP tax plan would affect individual taxpayers. That’s because, in an effort to muster votes, Republicans continued tinkering with the tax bill behind closed doors up until a few hours before it actually passed, and the economists who typically crunch the numbers on new legislation haven’t had time to examine the tax bill’s results.

Like the House tax bill, passed earlier this month, the Senate version is largely built around reorganizing and lowering what corporations and other businesses pay in taxes in hopes of spurring economic growth. That said, middle-class Americans could be able to count on a tax cut too, at least during the next few years — assuming, that is, that the Senate bill can be reconciled with the House version and become law. You’ll probably see a tax cut, but maybe only in the short term.

Senate Republicans initially repealed the Alternative Minimum Tax, but have brought it back now in order to pay for some other additions. The AMT is intended to be a minimum tax on the wealthy. In this version, the GOP raises the income levels where it hits so it will affect fewer people. For individuals, the minimum threshold goes from $50,600 to $70,600. For those filing jointly, the threshold rises from $78,750 to $109,400.

Trump campaigned on a promise to cut middle-class taxes. And the Senate is delivering — sort of. One analysis of the tax plan, by the Tax Policy Center, a centrist think tank, found the average middle earner (someone taking home about $50,000 to $90,000) would reap an $850 tax break in 2019, benefiting in part from a standard deduction that would double to $12,000 for singles and $24,000 four couples.

Another preliminary analysis, this one by The New York Times, defined middle-class earners as those making $40,000 to $140,000 — and found that many of those, particularly the people that rely on the state and local tax deduction, could actually see a tax increase next year. However, the last minute, at the instance of Maine’s Sen. Susan Collins, would allow taxpayers to continue to deduct up to $10,000 in property taxes, would likely soften the blow for at least some of these middle-income taxpayers.

For most of the Americans, the benefits of the tax cuts are also likely to be temporary, as the tax breaks for them will expire in 2026, while the huge tax cuts for the corporations are made permanent. The bill also uses a new way to account for inflation, which could push some taxpayers into higher brackets. By 2027, savings for the average taxpayer earning roughly $50,000 to $90,000 will have shrunk to just $50, the Tax Policy Center found.

During the campaign Trump promised a tax cut that would be “revenue neutral.” The idea was that, while government receipts might initially fall when rates were cut, economic growth would boost American’s incomes enough to replace the lost revenue despite the lower rates. Howver, even accounting for economic growth, the Senate plan will add about $1 trillion to the debt over the next decade, according a report from non-partisan Joint Committee On Taxation.

Many economist believe that piling still more debt on top of what the government already owes — currently $14 trillion — could eventually lead investors to sour on U.S. bonds. The result would be higher interest rates, which would push up borrowing costs for everyone from the government itself to most U.S. businesses. That in turn could choke off whatever extra growth the tax cuts spurred in the first place.

The stated goal of tax reform is improving the economy, and the right-leaning Tax Foundation predicted in November that the bill (as it stood at the time) could ultimately help the U.S. add almost a million new jobs over the next decade. But economists are divided about whether that growth will in fact play out as hoped.

The Tax Foundation tends to see rates remaining low, even as the deficit increases — hence its rosy job forecast. But many economists disagree. Earlier this month, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania estimated the tax cut could add as little as 0.03 to 0.08 percentage points to annual GDP growth over the next decade, which would presumably bring far fewer jobs.

the big winners in the GOP bill that the Senate passed early Saturday morning are corporations and the wealthy. Trump himself ― a billionaire ― stands to gain millions through the elimination of certain taxes. Far from being a middle-class tax cut, the measure is a massive corporate giveaway, a bill that recycles decades of Republican ideology on trickle-down economics and trusts that executives will hand over their new gains to average-income workers. “If my friends here want to give a tax cut to the middle class,” Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) asked on the Senate floor Thursday, “why don’t we give a tax cut to the middle class?”

And the bill makes other changes that reach far beyond the tax code itself. It repeals the individual mandate from the Affordable Care Act, a major change that was added in recent weeks as part of a broader GOP effort to dismantle the Obama-era law. The measure is expected to leave 13 million more people uninsured. It authorizes oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. And by curtailing deductions for state and local taxes, it will put pressure on some state and local spending on education, transportation and public health programs.

The tax package still must clear a couple more hurdles before it can become law. There are numerous differences between the House and Senate versions, ranging from when certain tax cuts expire to how the estate tax is handled, and though none are seen as showstoppers, complications could arise.

“The bill is investing heavily in the wealthy and their children — by boosting the value of their stock portfolios, creating new loopholes for them to avoid tax on their labor income, and cutting taxes on massive inheritances,” Lily Batchelder, a New York University professor who worked as an economist under President Barack Obama, said. “At the same time, it leaves low- and middle-income workers with even fewer resources to invest in their children, and increases the number of Americans without health insurance.”

America’s rich have gotten richer for decades, while the middle class and poor have seen meager gains. Since the mid-20th century, the top 1 percent have more than doubled their share of the nation’s income, from less than 10 percent to more than 20 percent. The tax overhaul the Republican Party passed through the Senate would make America’s income inequality worse. Maybe a lot worse, economists say. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said on the Senate floor that this day would be remembered as one of the “great robberies in U.S. history.”

Indian Government urged to take immediate steps to search and find thousands of fishermen still missing from the cyclone Ockhi

December 6, 2017 Staff ReporterCommunity 0

The cyclone Ockhi which hit the Kanyakumari district has turned the whole district up side down and has caused great disaster in the life of people of all walks, including farmers and fisherfolk.

While it has caused great damage to the life, livelihood including boats and assets and to the houses of the fisher people in all the 48 fisher villages of Kanyakumari district, it has also caused damage to the fisher people of Tirunelveli district.

It is usual that the cyclone and storms hitting Tamil Nadu would damage Rameswaram, Danushkodi, Nagapattinam, Karaikal, Cuddalore, Puducherry, Chennai and the port towns in the parts of the states of Andrapradesh and Orissa, creating a loss of life, properties, houses and fishing gears and crafts.

Normally the threat to Kanyakumari district was sea erosion and not a disaster of this proportionate. Ockhi has done a damage far beyond their expectation.

The local people are blaming the central metrological department and state governments for having not given due warning in time about the velocity and related information.

Kanyakumari district has fishermen who have expertise on camp fishing for over 45 days. Thousands of them are capable of such fishing and by catching rare varieties and delicacies of the west, been helping the country with foreign exchange through the export of them.

Since they travel for about one week before they reach the fishing ground and stay there for about 30 days, they have limited possibility of getting information on bad weather at short notice.

While it is so, even for the short time fishers the information about the weather did not reach in right time. This has caused great loss of life and loss of crores of rupees fishing assets.

The coast guards should keep looking for the missing fishermen with the support of their helicopters.

It is firmly believed by the local fishermen that since many of these fishermen were fishing off Lakshadeep, they could have reached or swam through to the un inhabited islands and could die due to starvation.

Hence we request the defence Ministry to keep searching for them in the region of these islands with their ships, helicopters and flights. The fishermen also believe that some of them who had been fishing off Lakshadeep could up alive or as dead bodies on the coast of Oman, Iran and such gulf countries.

We request the Ministry of External Affairs to note these points and through the embassies in those countries and do the needful to keep an eye on the coasts of those countries.

A compensation of Rs. 50, Lakhs should be provided for the fishermen who have lost their life due to the storm.

The deep sea fishing vessels and their gears together cost around Rs. 1.4 Crore and the investment were not through banks, but through private loans and financing. Therefore for those vessels that have been totally damaged, the government should arrange a compensation of Rs. 1.4 crores.

The central and state governments through the fisheries department should take efforts on war footing to retriever the bodies of the dead fishermen, to redeem their assets and to do a survey to estimate the loss.

Mr. Ku. Bharathi, the Tamil Nadu coordinator of the National Fisherfolk Forum has rushed to Kanyakumari district to collect information in this regard on our behalf. A team under his leadership is making personal visit to the villages affected in the district. The report of this fact finding team will be submitted to the state and union governments.

Preliminarily, we want to bring some important issues to the notice of the state and Union governments:

The fishermen of Kanyakumari district who like the Maldives fishermen are venturing into deep sea fishing, should be provided with satellite phones as been provided in the Maldives and make a pilot project and an exemplary one honouring these pioneering fishermen.
The boats that qualify for deep sea fishing, shall be provided with license through proper registration without any further undue delay.
The delay in registration makes the insurance companies hesitate to provide an insurance coverage and so when such terrible loss happens due to natural calamities, they are not in a position to seek any due insurance coverage compensation.
The government of Tamil Nadu should implement the scheme of reimbursing 75% of the premium paid by the fishermen for their mechanised boats, just as done in Puducherry.
The Tamil Nadu government should speed up with such scheme to save the fishermen from the oncoming possibilities of natural disasters. The Union Government Fisheries Ministry should provide with 100 % financial support through special allocation.
As been promised by Selvi. Jayalalitha, the then Chief Minister during the last assembly election campaign, the cellphone towers of Kanyakumari district shall have capacity enhanced and VHF wireless communication instruments shall also have powers enhanced, so that all important messages would reach the fishermen on the deep sea.
As again promised by the late Chief Minister, helicopters shall be hired on such days of disaster to redeem fishermen who are lost in the sea.
The Kanyakumari fishermen who spend almost 45 days at a time on deep sea fishing cannot have access to the warning a couple of days before by the metrological department and therefore the Navy and coast guard should use satellite imageries and by locating the fishermen should reach them through helicopter before the storm sets, warn them and ensure that they return to the coast.

By M.Ilango, Ex.MLA, Chairperson, National Fisherfolk Forum.

GOPIO Invites nominations for annual awards 2018

December 6, 2017 Staff ReporterUncategorized 0

GOPIO International is planning to hold its annual Community Service Awards (CSA) Banquet on the evening of January 8, 2018 at the Gul Hotel, Manama, Bahrain as the concluding event of GOPIO Biennial Convention 2018. The GOPIO Community Service Awards (GOPIO CSA) are given for outstanding community service, public service and/or significant charitable or philanthropic contributions of benefit to the community. Nominations of suitably qualified candidates are requested for consideration by GOPIO’s CSA 2018 Selection Committee. Please see attached file for more for details of GOPIO CSA criteria, format for submission of nominations and deadline for submission by clicking the file, GOPIO Community Service Awards (GOPIO CSA) Criteria and Nomination Form

Nominations are to be submitted using the prescribed form with supporting documents by December 5, 2017 to Chair, GOPIO CSA 2018 Selection Committee gopiointl.awards@gmail.com.

NRI Achievers Group in association with Global Organization of People of Indian Origin is going to organize “The Indian Women Achievers Sammaan 2017” to felicitate the achievements of exceptional women role-models from diverse fields who have succeeded against mighty odds. These pioneers have broken the glass ceiling for the new generation of aspiring women by setting an example with hard work, perseverance and innovation.

GOPIO is inviting nominations from the women of Indian origin irrespective of their country of residence from across the globe. Those who deserve to be considered for the selection, kindly send their detailed profile along with photographs and documentary proofs. A jury from GOPIO and NRI Achievers Group will shortlist the selected candidates who will be honored at the after the GOPIO Biennial Convention Inauguration on Jan. 6th, 2018. NRI Achievers Group and GOPIO e reserve all the rights of selection & rejection. No claim can be made whatsoever. Nomination may be sent yourself or by a colleague at bahrainconvention@nriachievers.in

Preet Didbal is the 1st Indian-American Sikh woman to become mayor in the U.S.

December 6, 2017 Staff ReporterPolitics, U.S. 0

Preet Didbal, a longtime Planning Commissioner and lifetime Yuba City resident, and City Councilmember since 2014, was sworn in on December 5th, possibly making her the first Indian-American Sikh woman in the U.S., to lead a city. She was appointed by the Council and was sworn-in as the mayor of the city that thousands of Indian-American Sikhs have called home for more than a 100 years, finally has a woman mayor belonging to that community.

“I’m speechless. It’s so humbling,” Didbal told the media. “Seeing someone that looks like you, that comes from the same faith as you, to be elected in a public office in this country is inspiring and exciting. And it’s definitely moving,” Sikh Coalition’s Jaydeep Singh is quoted saying in the a media report.

While there have been male Sikh mayors in the past, including the most recent, Ravi Bhalla of Hoboken, New Jersey, and before that, former Mayor of Laurel Hollow in New York, Harvinder Singh Anand, Didbal is likely the first Sikh woman to occupy that office, according to kcra.com. “Congratultions to Mayor Preet Didbal!” the Sikh Coalition tweeted.

Didbal, a single mother, has lived in Yuba City, raising her daughter who attends River Valley High School there. According to her bio on the Council website, Didbal’s “focus is built around children being raised in a community that invests in the success of young people and will look to develop more youth and family activities.” She is also committed to creating an economic environment that will provide good-paying jobs for returning college graduates, the site says. The Sikh Coalition estimates around 500,000 people who follow the Sikh faith live in the United States.

Republicans-led US Senate approves Tax Bill that benefits the wealthy and big corporations

December 4, 2017 Staff ReporterFinance/Economy, U.S. 0

Ambassador Nikki Haley warns “N. Korean regime will be utterly destroyed” if war breaks out

November 30, 2017 Staff ReporterPolitics, U.S. 0

Echoing the sentiments expressed by President Donald Trump during his address to the United Nations General Assembly in August this year, The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations warned on Wednesday November 29th that the North Korean regime “will be utterly destroyed” if a war breaks out, a day after that country launched an intercontinental ballistic missile in a new provocative test.

Haley’s comments are a continuation of the Trump administration’s responses to North Korean military displays. The president stated in August that he would unleash “fire and fury” on North Korea if it continued threatening the US and its allies.

Nikki Haley ratcheted up talk of war with North Korea in reaction to the isolated country’s most recent intercontinental ballistic missile test, warning that Kim Jong-un’s government is on a road to ruin.

“We have never sought war with North Korea, and still today we do not seek it,” ambassador Nikki Haley said at an emergency UN Security Council meeting. “If war does come, it will be because of continued acts of aggression like we witnessed yesterday.”

“And if war comes, make no mistake, the North Korean regime will be utterly destroyed,” Haley said. “The nations of the world have it within their power to further isolate, diminish and, God willing, reverse the dangerous course of the North Korean regime.”

During an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Haley asked the members of the panel to increase the sanctions imposed on North Korea and to implement penalties established by the council earlier in the year, The Hill reported. Haley also warned the panel that North Korea’s latest missile test has brought Pyongyang and Washington “closer to war.”

If war comes, make no mistake, the North Korean regime will be utterly destroyed,” Haley said. “The dictator of North Korea made a choice yesterday that brings the world closer to war, not farther from it,” Ambassador Haley added.

Also on Wednesday, President Donald Trump said that he would put forth “additional major sanctions” against North Korea in reaction to the recent ICBM test. Trump added that “the situation will be handled.”

North Korea’s latest ICBM test on Tuesday was its first in more than two months, and the rocket that was launched flew further than any previous launches. The distance of the launch allegedly put the US mainland into the range of the missile, according to North Korean state media. It is the third ICBM test conducted by North Korea, which has also carried out six past nuclear tests. In all, the North Koreans have test-fired rockets 18 times since Donald Trump took office in January. Of the missiles tested before that, one was intermediate-range, two were medium-range, eight were either short-range or medium-range and the range of one is unknown, according to various North Korea watchers. Four fired on June 8 were believed to be surface-to-ship cruise missiles. U.S. military officials said that the missile tested Tuesday appears to be a new variant.

As a result of the continuous pressure the US has put on Pyongyang, on November 20, Trump officially declared North Korea a state sponsor of terrorism. While speaking of the designation, Trump said: “In addition to threatening the world with nuclear devastation, North Korea has supported international acts of terrorism including assassinations on foreign soil.”

On November 15, as tensions between the two countries continued to heat up, the US military stated their B-1 bombers are capable of dropping nuclear weapons, and the US possesses “secret silos” of nuclear hardware.

“As long as there is a continuous hostile policy against my country by the US and as long as there are continued war games on our doorstep, then there will not be negotiations,” Pyongyang’s ambassador to the UN, Han Tae Song said.

In October, North Korea mimicked the the Trump administration’s tough talk and threatened an “unimaginable” strike on the US, as tensions further ramped up over Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs, North Korean state media reported.

A missile capable of reaching the United States topped with a nuclear warhead is considered to be Pyongyang’s ultimate goal. They want it because they believe the US will eventually try to remove Kim Jong Un from power. But would the United States try to topple the Kim regime if North Korea could respond with a nuclear attack?

Pyongyang believes Washington wouldn’t, and that’s why the country sees nuclear weapons as the key to sparing Kim Jong Un from a fate similar to that which befell Moammar Gaddafi in Libya and Saddam Hussein in Iraq.

The long-range missile is what really scares the United States because it means there is an existential threat of a nuclear attack, according to John Delury, a professor at Seoul’s Yonsei University’s Graduate School of International Relations.

“We are in a somewhat dangerous period of a threat perception gap, as Americans adjust to the sense of vulnerability to North Korean retaliation that South Koreans and Japanese have lived with for quite some time,” he said.

Deepika Padukone wants to feel “protected” Over ‘Padmavati’

November 30, 2017 Ajay GhoshEntertainment 0

After getting several threats over her film “Padmavati,” actress Deepika Padukone says she would like to feel “safer and protected” at this point. In an interview with “Talking Movies: India Special” for BBC World News, the actress voiced her opinion on the whole stir. In a recent interview, Deepika expressed her need to feel safe. Asked whether she would like protection from the state, she said, “In an ideal world, yes. I think it is too soon to tell. But yes it would be nicer to feel safer or protected at this point.”

The row over filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Padmavati” continues to intensify after a Shri Rajput Karni Sena member threatened to chop off actress Deepika Padukone’s nose amid a call for “Bharat Bandh” (shutdown) on Dec. 1 when the film is slated for pan-India release.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s attempt to bring alive the story of Rajput queen Rani Padmavati on the silver screen with his movie “Padmavati” hasn’t gone down well with Hindu groups backed by the BJP. Bhansali’s Padmavati has been at the heart of a fiery controversy , which has now become a nation-wide debate. The film revolves around the tale of Rani Padmini of Chittor, and fringe Rajput groups are less than pleased about this.

It features Deepika Padukone as Rani Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as her husband and a warrior king and Ranveer Singh essays Alauddin Khilji.

Bhansali faced many hiccups while shooting the film, but the protests escalated as the film neared its release date. There are conjectures that it “distorts history” regarding the Rajput queen, and Bhansali has denied it repeatedly. The movie’s release date has been deferred from the original Dec. 1 date, but there are efforts from Hindu groups to have it banned.

Despite several clarifications by the Padmavati team, they’re convinced that there is a romantic dream sequence between Alauddin Khilji and Rani Padmini in the film. Spearheaded by the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, they’ve been protesting for a ban of the film in every state, and have issued death threats to Bhansali and Deepika Padukone on a regular basis.

“Padmavati,” which also features Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, is yet to be certified by CBFC. However, the Rajput community has demanded a special screening of the film for them before it hits the theatres. Shri Rajput Karni Sena member Mahipal Singh Makrana said in a self-made video that “Rajputs never raise a hand on women, but if need be, we will do to Deepika what Lakshman did to Shurpanakha.”

During the shooting of the film earlier this year, a few members of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena had physically assaulted Bhansali in Jaipur. The party members also set fire to the film’s set in Maharashtra. Padmavati has been banned in Bihar, Madhya Pradhesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat, even before its release.

A reward of Rs 10-crore was announced for beheading filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Deepika Padukone over their film “Padmavati.” Kunwar Surajpal Singh Ammu, a ruling BJP leader in Haryana, said he firmly stands by his announcement of Rs 10-crore reward for beheading the two.

Ammu, chief media coordinator of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state, said he stated a “Rajput” and not as an office-bearer of the party. Ammu said he had doubled the bounty on the heads of Padukone and Bhansali to Rs 10 crore. Ammu also issued a threat to break the legs of actor Ranveer Singh.

Various organizations, political parties, and individuals have stood up for the Rajput community and have opposed the release of “Padmavati” over apprehensions that it distorts history in telling the tale of Rajput queen Padmavati. The Congress party also said that if there are scenes that hurt the sentiments of a particular community then the same need to be reviewed.

On the other hand, Deepika Padukone in an interview with IANS said nothing could stop the release of the film. “It’s appalling; it’s absolutely appalling. What have we gotten ourselves into? And where have we reached as a nation? We have regressed,” she said.

While the film is drawing a lot of flak from the political parties, Bhansali is getting unstinted support from the film community. “There is no fear, and one shouldn’t be scared either because I think this is a democratic country and everybody should be allowed to make films they want to make,” Aditi Rao Hydari, who is part of “Padmavati,” said.

Actress Richa Chadha, who worked with Bhansali in “Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela,” said: “With all due respect and love, I am also a Hindu, and I don’t think religion is so weak that a movie can break it. And I think it is a specialty of India that we are a democracy, so watch the film before objecting.” Celebrities like Salman Khan, Karan Johar and Javed Akhtar also expressed their support to the film. Tamil film actor Kamal Haasan stands in support of “Padmavati” actress Deepika Padukone and says he respects the actress’ freedom. He also urged “cerebral India” to wake up.

“I want Deepika’s head.. saved. Respect it more than her body. Even more her freedom. Do not deny her that. Many communities have opposed my films. Extremism in any debate is deplorable. Wake up cerebral India. Time to think. We’ve said enough. Listen Ma Bharat,” Haasan wrote on Twitter.

Ajit Pai, FCC chairman wants net neutrality ended

November 30, 2017 Ajay GhoshPolitics, U.S. 0

Ajit Pai says his children are being harassed over net neutrality

Ajit Pai, President Trump appointed chairman of the Federal Communications Commission is all set to scrap rules around open internet access, a move that would allow giant cable and telecom companies to throttle broadband speeds and favor their own services if they wish.

Ajit Pai followed through on a pledge to try to repeal “net neutrality” regulations enacted under the Obama administration. The current rules treat internet service providers such as Comcast, AT&T and Verizon as if they were utility companies that provide essential services, like electricity. The rules mandate that they give equal access to all online content and apps.

Pai said those rules discourage investments that could provide even better and faster online access. Instead, he said new rules would force ISPs to be transparent about their services and management policies, and then would let the market decide.

“Under my proposal, the federal government will stop micromanaging the internet,” Pai said in a statement. Pai distributed his alternative plan to other FCC commissioners in preparation for a Dec. 14 vote. Although the FCC’s two Democrats said they will oppose the proposal, the repeal is likely to prevail as Republicans dominate 3-2. The vote for net neutrality in 2015 was also along party lines, but Democrats dominated then.

Equal treatment for all web traffic has been a fundamental principle of the internet since its creation but companies have increasingly put their thumb on the scales of access. AT&T, for example, doesn’t count use of its streaming service DirecTV Now against wireless data caps, potentially making it seem cheaper to its cellphone customers than rival TV services. Rivals would have to pay AT&T for that privilege. Regulators, consumer advocates and some tech companies are concerned that repealing net neutrality will give ISPs even more power to block or slow down rival offerings.

A repeal also opens the ability for ISPs to charge a company like Netflix for a faster path to its customers. Allowing this paid-priority market to exist could skew prices and create winners and losers among fledgling companies that require a high-speed connection to end users.

Meanwhile, in an interview this week, Ajit Pai said his family has become the target of harassment. Protesters against the new policy had put up cardboard signs at Pai’s home in suburban Virginia. One sign, appearing to refer to Pai’s children, read: “They will come to know the truth. Dad murdered Democracy in cold blood.”

Pai said those signs crossed a line, even as he noted the charged debate over net neutrality. “I understand that people are passionate about policy, but the one thing in America that should remain sacred is that families, wives and kids, should remain out of it. And stop harassing us at our homes.”

Pai has said his proposal would restore a “light-touch” regulatory framework for Internet services and would stop the government from micromanaging the Internet. Broadband and wireless companies such as Comcast and Verizon applauded Pai’s move. But Internet companies and activists see the undoing of net neutrality as an invitation for corporate abuse, in which service providers block websites they do not like and charge Web companies for speedier delivery of their content.

“It was a little nerve-racking, especially for my wife,” Pai said. Pai suggested that the intense criticism leveled at him for targeting neutrality rules can lead to the type of harassment his family experienced. “That’s one of the things I think is very unfortunate about all the vitriol and hot air that’s out there is that if you keep going out there and peddling this misinformation like, ‘This is the guy who is going to break the Internet and destroy democracy,’ it’s not surprising that some people get alarmed by it.”

Pai said in a statement, “Internet regulation activists have crossed the line by threatening and harassing my family. They should leave my family out of this and focus on debating the merits of the issue.”

Nandan Nilekani, wife Rohini to donate half their wealth

November 30, 2017 Staff ReporterCommunity 0

Infosys co-founder and tech billionaire Nandan Nilekani and his wife Rohini Nilekani have joined ‘The Giving Pledge’, an elite network of the world’s wealthiest individuals committing half their wealth to philanthropy. A Forbes report pegged the Nilekanis’ wealth at $1.7 billion.

The Nilekanis are the fourth Indians after Wipro chairman Azim Premji, Biocon chairman Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and Sobha Developers Chairman Emeritus P N C Menon to sign up for The Giving Pledge.

The Giving Pledge website uploaded Nilekanis’ letter signing up for the cause. The letter said, “We thank Bill and Melinda for creating this unique opportunity to realise a moral aspiration inspired by the Bhagwad Gita – ‘Karmanye Va dhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana, Ma karma phalaheturbhurma Te Sangostvakarmani’.”

“We have a right to do our duty,but no automatic right to the fruits from the doing. It is critical that we do not slip into inaction fearing that we may not be able to reap direct reward. It is to this ideal that we pledge,” it added.

Later Bill Gates tweeted on his handle about Nilekanis’ pledge on his twitter handle. “I’m amazed by how @NandanNilekani has lent his entrepreneurial passion to philanthropy. I’m delighted to welcome him and his wife Rohini to the Giving Pledge,” Gates tweeted.

The Giving Pledge was created by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett in August 2010 following a series of conversations with philanthropists around the world about how they could collectively set a new standard of generosity among the ultra-wealthy.

“Our philanthropic journey of two decades has been led by Rohini’s passion and commitment!” Nilekani tweeted. Talking about their initiatives as EkStep, Nilekanis’ letter said, “We are excited by our initial experimentation with societal platforms in early education and see immense potential for scaling up diverse solutions.”

The couple also said their philanthropic efforts would be directed at societal platforms, which are open, technology enabled ecosystems or nurturing networks. Nilekani recently returned to Infosys as Non-Executive Chairman after the exit of Sikka as Infosys CEO.

AAPI To Hold 11th Annual Global Healthcare Summit In Kolkata, West Bengal

November 23, 2017 Staff ReporterHealth 0

The groundbreaking Summit from December 28-31, 2017 will discuss ways to bring the most innovative, efficient and cost-effective healthcare solutions for India

New York, NY: November 20, 2017: The 11th annual Global Healthcare Summit (GHS) organized by the Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs & Indian Ministry of Health and the government of West Bengal, with the participation of over 50 world renowned speakers from India, US and from around the world, and industry leaders will be held at the famous JW Marriott, Kolkata, West Bengal, India from December 28th to 31st, 2017, Dr. Gautam Samadder, President of AAPI, announced here today.

With over 200 physicians from the United States, the Summit is expected to be attended by nearly 1,000 delegates from around the world. According to Dr. Samadder, who was in India recently and had held series of meetings with several Federal and State level Ministers and government officials in Kolkata and New Delhi, said, “To be held for the first time in Kolkata, this year, AAPI Global Healthcare Summit (GHS) will have many new initiatives and also will be carrying the torch of ongoing projects undertaken by AAPI’s past leaders. In addition, several prominent leaders both from India and abroad will be addressing the Summit, including the President of India and the Chief Minister of West Bengal.”

According to him, GHS will have several prominent leaders from India and the US, who will address the conference and interact with the delegates. With world renowned artists performing on stage, the delegates at the Summit will be treated to an exceptionally high quality cultural extravaganza. The Summit will also result in the inauguration of the first ever free AAPI sponsored health clinic in the state of West Bengal, serving thousands of people from the north eastern region of India.

Dr. Naresh Parekh, President-Elect of AAPI, “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 GHS 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,” he said.

This international healthcare summit is a progressive transformation from the first Indo-US Healthcare Summit launched by AAPI USA in 2007. Providing a forum for innovative opportunities for learning, networking and giving back to our motherland that have now enabled us to plan ahead and prepare for an outstanding event with 200 very prominent and talented physicians and surgeons from abroad, in addition to the hundreds of physicians from India, who are very passionate about serving their homeland, mother India, Dr. Parikh added.

Dr. Ashok Jain, Chair of BOT, AAPI, said, “The Summit will also feature a CEO Forum, where a galaxy of CEOs from around the world from hospitals, teaching institutions and major healthcare sectors, including pharmaceutical, medical devices and technology, will join to explore potential opportunities for collaboration. The CEO Forum will focus on the changing trends in the healthcare sector and they impact the providers, hospitals and corporations as well as the patients. The Forum will also offer insights into managing efficiently the growing costs in the delivery of healthcare services. With the changing trends and statistics in healthcare, both in India and US, we are refocusing our mission and vision, AAPI would like to make a positive meaningful impact on the healthcare delivery system both in the US and in India,” he added.

According to Dr. Suresh Reddy, Vice President of AAPI, “The essence of AAPI is educational. That translates into numerous Continuing Medical Education and non-CME seminars by experts in their fields. CME will provide 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. At the end of the activity, it is expected that attendees will 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.”

Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda, Secretary of AAPI, pointed out some of the major highlights of the Summit: “Other major highlights of the Global Healthcare Summit include, interactive roundtables, clinical practice workshops, scientific poster/research session and meet-the-expert sessions. The Summit will facilitate dissemination and exchange of best practices including a special session on Public-Private Partnership featuring AAPI Healthcare Charitable showcase & innovation,” he said.

Dr. Anupama Gotimukula, Treasurer of AAPI, said, “The much anticipated Women’s Leadership Forum scheduled for Dec 30, 2017 is designed to conduct a “Town Hall” session with a group of highly successful Women Leaders representing a diversity of professions, involving public, private and government organizations. The theme for the forum is Women Empowerment in the 21st century, with the speakers planned to be discussing the role and opportunity for Women to address a major challenge presented by high rates of infant and maternal mortality, areas around public awareness, education and access to healthcare.”

The Young Physicians Research Forum will be held on Dec. 28th at the oldest medical college of Asia, Calcutta Medical College. International Poster Presentation Session, Two Full Days Scientific Sessions (Dec. 29-30), Workshops, CEO Forum, Women’s Forum, Specialty Workshops on Dec. 31st.

Continuing its tradition of providing the much-needed training to First Responders, American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine will offer the AUA’s Emergency Medicine Training Centre (EMTC) developed a First Aid and CPR courses for first responders, including fire fighters, policemen, and EMTs from West Bengal at the KPC Medical College. According to Dr. Samadder, AUA President and Co-founder, Neal Simon will participate in the panel discussion at the Summit’s Healthcare & Hospital CEO Forum, which[PPK1] will discuss how to establish and maintain a patient-centric approach on the operational and academic levels of organizations.

Panelists will generate a white paper with recommendations to the Ministry of Health and the Government of India for broader implementation. “The nation of India has contributed greatly to the field of medicine internationally. In light of this and in keeping with AUA’s commitment to increasing diversity in the medical field, we consider India’s medical community to be a major component of our institution’s success” said Simon.

According to Dr. Ajay Lodha, immediate past-President of AAPI, “GHS 2017 will include a scientific programs developed by leading experts with contributions by the Scientific Advisory Board and International Scientific Committee, which will includes high priority areas like Cardiology, Diabetes, Oncology, Surgery, Mental Health, Maternal and Child Health, Allergy-Immunology and Lung Health, Health Information Technology (HIT), and the impact of co-morbidities.”

This Summit will display how well the Indian doctors have shown themselves as an effective force in the medical world in USA. With the objective of enabling people in India to access high quality, affordable, and cost-effective world class health services, the Summit to be held in collaboration with the Indian Medical Association (IMA), the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs & Ministry of Health, will have participation from some of the world’s most well-known physicians and industry leaders.

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 GHS 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.

The GHS Pre-Summit (DUBAI) at the Hyatt Regency from December 24-28, 2017, will provide a unique Christmas Dinner Cruise, City tour to Palm Island, Khalifa Tower, Burj Hotel, Dubai mall, Dubai Museum, etc. Desert Safari including camel ride and belly dancing shows. The Post GHS TOUR to the heavenly Bhutan fromJanuary 1-4, 2018, will take delegates to the world renowned and ancient Takshang Monestary, Hike in Tiger’s Nest, Buddha Dordenma, National Heritage museum & Dochula. For those who want to enjoy the beautiful Assam, can tour this beautiful state of Assam from January 4-8, 2018, touringf Kaziranga National Park including Rhino Park, Nehru Stadium, Assam Rajyik State Museum, Guwahati Market, Kamakhya Temple and dinner at the Governor’s Mansion. The Summit will also offer everyday Guided Tours and Evening Entertainments to the delegates, and will conclude with a special New Year’s eve gala party, welcoming the New Year 2018 with family, fun and entertainment.

“With the changing trends and statistics in healthcare, both in India and US, we are refocusing our mission and vision of GHS, and AAPI would like to make a positive meaningful impact on the healthcare in India,” Dr. Samadder said. “In our quest to fulfill the mission of AAPI, we are proud to share best practice and experiences from leading experts in the world and develop actionable plans for launching demonstration projects that enable access to affordable and quality healthcare for all people. To accomplish this mission, AAPI is backed by leading healthcare experts and professional associations, including Indian Affairs and Indian Development Foundation Overseas Indians,” he added. For more information on Global Health Summit, please visit www.aapiusa.org

Justice Dalveer Bhandari of India beats Britain to win at International Court of Justice

November 23, 2017 Staff ReporterUncategorized 0

Justice Dalveer Bhandari of India was elected by over two thirds of the world’s nations at the United Nations to be a member of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) after a hard-fought battle with the UK last week, which is considered a victory for India and all Indians. His election, hailed as a diplomatic win for India, was more than a matter of prestige for India.

The 70-year-old was elected to the world court securing 183 of the 193 votes in the United Nations General Assembly and all 15 in the security council after Britain pulled out its candidate, Christopher Greenwood.

“The election this time was more eventful in the sense that it went on and on. And my re-election is more a victory of all Indians and the country,” Bhandari told the media from New York a few hours after the polling.

Britain decided to withdraw its candidate, Christopher Greenwood, after it became clear that besides European partners such as Germany and France, the United States too had informed its mission at the UN that it faced a deadlock and loss of face due to growing support for the Indian candidate, Dalveer Bhandari.

The former Supreme Court judge was talking about 11 rounds of voting spread over several days, as the UK did everything possible to push Greenwood’s candidature. “This is the first time that I witnessed election to the world court in the general assembly. Last time I was appointed against a seat that fell vacant,” said Bhandari, who joined the ICJ in 2012.

His second term begins February 2018 and he will be with the ICJ for nine years. “My re-election will ensure representation of Indian legal system and civilization at the world court,” said Bhandari, whose orders as an SC judge ensured that those living below the poverty line got a bigger share of food grain.

Bhandari, who started out as a lawyer in the Rajasthan high court, was also instrumental in states setting up night shelters for the homeless. The ICJ is hearing India’s plea against the death sentence awarded to former naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav by a Pakistani military court. The next hearing in the case, which has worsened ties between the two neighbors, is in December. Asked about the impact his re-election would have on the case, Bhandari said, “No comments. The issue is pending in the world court.”

The 15-member ICJ is the UN’s top judicial organ that settles disputes between countries. Five judges are elected every three years and serve for nine years. Bhandari is the fourth Indian to be a permanent ICJ judge. The other three were Sir Benegal Rau, Nagendra Singh and RS Pathak.

Asia Game Changers honored at Asia Society Gala

November 15, 2017 Staff ReporterUncategorized 0

Asia Society honored nine extraordinary individuals and organizations at the 4th annual Asia Game Changer Awards last week in New York, recognizing those who have made a positive and transformative difference in Asia and throughout the world. The Asia Game Changer Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to His Highness the Aga Khan, a religious leader and philanthropist, who has embodied the values of the Asia Game Changer awards through his six decades in public life.

“Any leader of a global community prays for one thing: peace,” Aga Khan said, following an introduction from former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Sharon Rockefeller. “So men and women can live in safety and build with strength and courage and wisdom.”

The Aga Khan’s award capped off an evening honoring those from a wide range of ages, professions, and nationalities. It was little surprise, then, that Dev Patel — the telegenic star of films such as Lion and Slumdog Millionaire — began his acceptance speech by describing his awe of the other honorees. “I feel like I have impostor syndrome being among all these individuals,” he said.

It was a night that, as Game Changer presenter and former First Lady Laura Bush noted, recognized the power of young girls and women to change the world. Consider Aisholpan Nurgaiv, a 15-year-old Mongolian girl who shattered gender barriers by excelling in the traditionally male-dominated sport of eagle hunting. Or the young Sonita Alizadeh, who, after fleeing her native Afghanistan to escape an arranged marriage, achieved widespread recognition for rapping about female empowerment.

Alizadeh performed a special English-language version of her rap in front of an astonished crowd. But it was only one element of what became a joyfully musical evening. Wu Tong, her fellow Asia Game Changer, performed a gorgeous song on the sheng, an ancient Chinese instrument he popularized through his involvement in the internationally celebrated Silk Road Ensemble. And the night concluded with a three-person performance by the Aga Khan Music Initiative Ensemble that brought the audience to its feet.

The Asia Game Changer Awards also recognized two exceptional leaders from the world of business. Jean Liu, a co-founder of Didi Chuxing, was honored for revolutionizing the car service industry in China. And Japan’s Tadashi Yanai, whose Uniqlo brand rose from humble beginnings to become a global retail force, received an Asia Game Changer award for his philanthropic efforts in helping his country recover from the devastating Fukushima tsunami in 2011.

A person who stole the show last night wasn’t even a person at all — but a muppet. During the presentation of an Asia Game Changer award to the Sesame Workshop, whose educational programming has made a tremendous difference in promoting literacy in Asia’s poorest countries, the organization’s Executive Vice President Sherrie Westin brought along Zari, a new muppet from Afghanistan, who has become a source of inspiration in a country where two thirds of girls do not attend school. “I’m so excited to be here!” Zari said. “I love to learn.”

GOPIO members host reception to Rep. Pramila Jayapal in New York

November 15, 2017 Staff ReporterPolitics 0

GOPIO Members, during a reception hosted in honor of the first Indian American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal in New York on Nov. 3rd, 2017. Several community issues were discussed at the meeting including the current anti-immigrant atmosphere, H1-B Visa, DACA and Dreamers.

Rep. Jayapal emphasized the importance of everyone getting involved in the political process. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal elected in 2016 election, represents Washington’s 7th District. She is the Vice Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee and also serves on the House Judiciary Committee and the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

Congresswoman Jayapal is committed to ensuring that every resident of the district has economic opportunity; fairness and equity; and safe and healthy communities. She is proud of the district’s role in leading the country on issues like the minimum wage, racial equity and innovation, and will work to support that work and lift it up as a model for the rest of the country.

Her focus is on ensuring income equality; access to education, from early learning to higher education, including debt-free college; expanding Social Security and Medicare; protecting our environment for our next generation; and ensuring immigrant, civil and human rights for all.

Jayapal will relentlessly challenge systems that corrupt our democracy, pushing for campaign finance reform, tax reform, voting rights and an end to institutionalized racism. In all of these endeavors, she’ll continue to build the movement to expand our democracy and create the political space for policy change that benefits working families and responsible businesses.

The first Indian-American woman in the House of Representatives, Jayapal has spent the last twenty years working internationally and domestically as a leading national advocate for women’s, immigrant, civil, and human rights.

She came to the United States by herself at the age of 16 to attend college at Georgetown University and later received her MBA from Northwestern University. She has worked in a number of industries in both the public and private sector.

Jayapal was elected to the Washington State Senate in 2014, becoming the first South Asian American ever elected to the State Legislature and the only woman of color in the Washington State Senate. As a Washington State Senator, serving in a Republican majority Senate, Jayapal fought for gender equity, expanded access to contraceptives for all women, including those on Medicaid, and introduced legislation to increase the statewide minimum wage and provide free community college. She stood up to members of her own party against giveaways to predatory payday lenders, and secured $5.25 million into transportation pre-apprenticeship programs for women and people of color. She played a leading role in the push to pass the Washington State Voting Rights Act – blocked, unfortunately, by the Republican majority in the State Senate. She received a Champion award from the Children’s Alliance for her work on ensuring equity as the state invested millions into early learning.

Indian Americans score major victories in elections across the US

November 10, 2017 Staff ReporterU.S. 0

The November 7, 2017 elections across the United States underscored the growing influence of the Indian Americans and their coming of age and assuming greater roles in key states in the greatest democratic nation in the world’s political history. Indian Americans, a community of about 4 million people, who are now aggressively pursuing public office and a role in the country’s politics, matching their economic clout and academic advancements, also scored major victories, including to two state senates: Manka Dhingra in Washington on the west coast, whose victory flipped control of the senate to Democrats, and Vin Gopal’s victory on the east coast, flipping a long held Republican seat in New Jersey to the Democratic column.

Indian Americans Ravi Bhalla and Phalguni Patel easily won their respective races in New Jersey in which they had been targets of anonymous flyers that sought to portray them as a terrorist and an outsider, in the case of Patel, from a cricket-crazy immigrant community.

Manka Dhingra, the Indian American Democratic candidate for the Washington 45th Legislative District state Senate seat, won the Nov. 7 general election convincingly and, in turn, flipped the majority party of the state from Republican to Democrat.

Dhingra ousted her Republican counterpart, Jinyoung Lee Englund, to the tune of 55.4 percent to 44.6 percent in retaking control of the state. The former King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office senior deputy prosecuting attorney received 16,156 votes to Englund’s 12,997.

“I was proud of and excited about the result,” Dhingra said. “It reinforces the message from the beginning to make it about the people. It was about honesty, integrity and compassion. From the beginning I was clear I wanted a campaign run on values and not one that does attack ads. You are what Democracy looks like. And when Democracy wakes up, justice wins,” she said in her speech.

Vin Gopal, the former Monmouth County Democratic chairman with deep roots in the party there, defeated longtime state Sen. Jennifer Beck in the state’s 11th legislative district. According to unofficial results from the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office, Gopal defeated Beck 28,750 votes to 25,108 votes.

Beck, an 11-year legislator, conceded to Gopal on Tuesday night, dealing a blow to Republicans in the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature. The race was one of the most expensive and closely watched in the state. “I have been so honored to serve you and I want to wish Vin Gopal the best as he now takes the reins in District 11,” Beck told her supporters. “I wish him the best of luck and offer him any assistance I can lend him in the transition.”

Another major victory for the NRI community was, despite an 11^th hour racist attack which depicted him as a terrorist, Indian American Ravi Bhalla emerged victorious, as he was elected the first Sikh mayor of Hoboken, New Jersey. “I’m very humbled and honored to represent a great city and the Indian American community,” The Sikh-American City Council member topped five other candidates on Tuesday and succeeded Dawn Zimmer, who decided not to seek a third term.

While campaigning for the mayoral race, the Indian-American born and raised in New Jersey was called a “terrorist” in targeted racist attacks. Anonymously distributed flyers featured a picture of Bhalla with the message “Don’t let TERRORISM take over our Town!”

The 44-year-old politician responded to the flyers, saying last week they were troubling but “we won’t let hate win”. “I want to use this incident as an opportunity to affirm to each other and our children the value of living in a diverse community where we are judged by the content of our character — not by the color of our skin or how we worship,” Bhalla wrote in a Facebook post.

Phlaguni Patel was elected to the education board of New Jersey’s Edison county, a major hub where Indian Americans live. The fifth big win of the night was Dimple Ajmera, to City Council, Charlotte, North Carolina.

“H(Y)UGE day yesterday,” wrote Shekar Narasimhan, a top Democratic strategist in an email to a request for response. The word “H(Y)UGE” was borrowed from Bernie Sanders, who ran against Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination in 2016. That was his way to describe something massive, momentous.

Elections were held on November 7 for the state executive, including governors, legislative, municipal and school boards in New Jersey and Virginia and for other state bodies, local boards, judicial bodies and vacancies in other states.

The victories give Democrats a huge psychological boost that could help their fundraising and candidate recruitment. It could also accelerate the pace of Republican retirements, as Republican Bob McDonnell’s win in the 2009 Virginia governor’s race did for Democrats.

Buoyed by the November 7, 2017 victory, Democrats declared the start of their comeback with the goal of reclaiming control of the two chambers of Congress—the Senate and the House of Representatives—from Republicans.

“The door is certainly open for us,” said Nancy Pelosi, top Democrat in the House, going over the election results with reporters and the implications for the 2018 congressional races.

Pelosi said she was reminded of victories in similar elections in 2005 that led to Democrats taking the two chambers in 2006.

Democrats posted victories in an entire range of elections held on Tuesday to governorships in Virginia and New Jersey, legislatures, municipal and judicial bodies, using an unprecedented demographic and cultural mix of candidates that were so representative of the new America.

Governor Rick Scott appoints Dr. Zach Zachariah to the Florida State University System Board of Governors

November 10, 2017 Ajay GhoshU.S. 0

Dr. Zachariah P. Zachariah, one of the nation’s leading cardiologists, medical director of UHealth Cardiology in Fort Lauderdale, FL, has been appointed to the Florida State University System Board of Governors by the Governor of Florida, Rick Scott on October 27^th, 2017. Dr. Zachariah has previously been appointed by Governor Rick Scott to serve on the Board of Medicine.

“It is an honor to serve on the 17-member board, whose responsibilities include defining each institution’s mission, setting the curriculum, and managing the system’s coordination and operation,” said Zachariah, whose term will run until January 9, 2019. “I am looking forward to exploring potential public-private educational partnerships and programs with academic institutions like the University of Miami.”

Along with the Indian American cardiologist, Gov. Scott also appointed another Indian American Jay Patel, and Patricia Frost, Tim Cerio, and Ned Lautenbach to be on the Board of Governors. They have been appointed to terms beginning Oct. 27 and ending Jan. 6, 2019. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate, but are expected to be formalities.

The 17-member Board of Governors oversees the 12 universities within the State University System of Florida, which is the nation’s second-largest public university system, according to their website.

According to media reports, Zachariah, a GOP fundraiser considered among the most influential Indian-American Republicans, has been a longtime friend of the Bush family. During the tenure of President George H. W. Bush, and his sons, President George W. Bush and two-term former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, he held several influential positions. He belonged to the White House Commission on Asian and Pacific Islanders and was chairman of the Florida Board of Medicine.

Director of the Fort Lauderdale Heart Institute. In addition, he is also Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Miami School of Medicine, Chairman of the Florida Board of Medicine, and a member of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council of the National Institutes of Health. Among Dr. Zachariah’s professional credentials are certification in the American Board of Internal Medicine and in the sub-specialty Board of Cardiovascular Diseases.

He is also a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, the Society for Cardiac Angiography, the American Heart Association Council on Clinical Cardiology, the American College of Chest Physicians, and the Society of Clinical Scientists. In addition, his research papers and abstracts have been published in Circulation, the American Journal of Cardiology, the Southern Medical Journal, the Royal Society of Medicine, and Clinical Research. Dr. Zachariah received his medical training at the Armed Forces Medical College in Poona, India, and did his medical residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey.

He was awarded a fellowship in cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic. There, he worked closely with the late Mason Sones, M.D., who pioneered the technique of coronary arteriography and paved the way for modern cardiology. Dr. Zachariah has personally performed over 10,000 cardiac catheterizations and 2,000 PTCA’s. In addition, Dr. Zachariah is a member of the Commission to study long-term care in the State of Florida and was appointed by Florida’s Insurance Commissioner.

Dr. Zachariah is a member of the Health Advisory Committee and the Citizen Advisory Committee appointed by U.S. Senator Connie Mack. Active with the American Heart Association, Dr. Zachariah is President of the Broward Region, and past President of the American Heart Association, Florida Affiliate.

Zachariah served at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at the NIH, as a member of the U.S. delegation to the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, and as President of the Fort Lauderdale Heart Institute at Holy Cross Hospital.

His awards include the Ellis Island American Legend Award, the Child Advocate of the Year Award, Father of the Year Award, Spirit of Life Award from City of Hope, the Golden Heart Award from the American Heart Association, Freedom Foundation Medal of Honor from the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Currently, Dr. Zachariah serves on the Advisory Board of The Universal News Network, www.theunn.com

“Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation” raises 2 Million in a glittering Gala

November 10, 2017 Staff ReporterCommunity 0

By Prakash Waghmare

Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation’s (‘EVF’) glittering ‘Gala’ on Saturday, Nov. 4 at the majestic ‘Cipriani’ on Wall Street in New York City was a grand success. The response for this highly anticipated event was simply overwhelming, not only in terms of capacity-attendance, but also donor’s enthusiasm to support EVF’s worthy cause. The evening raised more than $2 Million. ‘Ekal’ as ‘EVF’ is popularly known, had been raising funds in USA through series of concerts mainly directed at grass-root level, until now.

This gala was an added innovative effort to reach out to the Corporate world and high net-worth individuals and bring mainstream America into its fold. This impeccably organized spectacular evening’s main architect was Mohan Wanchoo (Chairman, Founder of EC Infosystems). He was ably supported in this affair by Chirag Patel (CO-CEO & Chairman of ‘Amneal Pharmaceuticals’), Soner Kanlier (CEO Jasmine Universe) and Rajesh Gooty (Founder, Pres.-CEO of M Corp). Since its inception 29 years ago, Ekal had been setting new records, year after year in fund-raising.

Last year, even without any high-end gala event, this largest NGO, with chapters in ten different countries including in Middle-eastern countries, raised $7.2 Million in USA alone. The evening started with the salutation to American and Indian flags with national anthems on the big screen. Welcoming the guests, Mohan Wanchoo, briefed the gathering about Ekal’s multi-dimensional approach to uplift rural and tribal areas of India through emphasis on literacy, healthcare, integrated village development and empowerment of village folks. He informed the gathering that Ekal currently has 58,000 schools, spread all over India supporting 1.56 Million children – more than half of which were girls. He further stressed that the project cost, including administration and monitoring was only $1-a-day or $365 per year per school.

Chirag Patel thanked all the teachers working at grass-root level in India and imparting life-sustaining education to the children facing various hurdles. Vinod Jhunjhunwala, the President of Ekal-USA paid tribute to Ekal leadership in USA as well Ekal-India team, which had flown in specially for this occasion. Under Ekal-USA leadership Ashok Danda, Subhash Gupta, Ranjani Saigal and Ramesh Shah were acknowledged while for Ekal-India Dr Subhash Chandra, Bajrang Bagra, Laxmi Goel, and Naresh Jain were recognized.

Ranjani Saigal, the Executive Director touched on the whole range of Ekal mission in remote areas through couple of brief ‘reality videos’ that also depicted use of digital technology, organic farming, and skill-training centers which are empowering rural life.

Mitzi Perdue, the heiress to ‘Sheraton Hotel chain’ and ‘Perdue Poultry Farms’, was one of the keynote speakers of the evening along with Dr. Subhash Chandra, Chairman of ZEE-TV and Chairman of Ekal-Global. Ms. Perdue, regaled the audience with three heartwarming stories about Ekal, that also reflected the importance of education for better achievements in life. Her speech enthused so many people that live mission-based auction for raising funds had a jump start with pledging process reaching one million mark within first 15 minutes.

Three generous donors – Chirag Patel, Ajay/Ranjini Poddar, Sant Singh Chatwal – each donated $250,000 each. There was amazing synergy and excitement during the pledging process – so much so that it was hard to keep the tab on all auction ’paddle-cards’. The frenzy to give donations was simply astonishing. Dr. Subhash Chandra, praised Mohan Wanchoo and Chirag Patel for putting up the magnificent fund-raising show and challenged economically blessed group of people to shoulder responsibility of those in need.

Lauding the generosity of big donors, he further elaborated that numerous small donors were equally important as they had larger stake in building any Nation by their sheer number. The evening was interspersed with fabulous Indian dances. With this awesome success, Ekal plans to make such ‘Galas’ an annual affair going forward and host them at various Metropolitan places like LA, Chicago, and Houston.

Kenneth Juster unanimously confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to India

November 10, 2017 Staff ReporterU.S. 0

Kenneth Juster, who has worked to cement India-U.S. relations over the past 16 years, was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on November 2nd as the next U.S. Ambassador to India. Juster takes over from Indian American Richard Verma, an Obama appointee who was asked to step down Jan. 20, before President Donald Trump’s inauguration. The post has been vacant since January. Trump nominated Juster Sept. 5.

Juster currently serves as the deputy assistant to the president for international economic affairs and deputy director of the National Economic Council. “I was proud to support Ken’s nomination to be our country’s representative in India, one of our most important defense partners in the region,” said Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, who co-chairs the Senate India Caucus with Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.

“I have known Ken since we were in law school in the 1970s. As Ambassador, I trust his decades of work on critical issues like trade, cybersecurity and defense will help advance the U.S.-India relationship in a positive direction,” said Warner, who also serves as vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, in a press statement released shortly after Juster was confirmed.

Juster is seen as a veteran India hand. He founded and served as the U.S. Chair of the U.S.-India High Technology Cooperation Group, and was one of the key architects of the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership initiative between the United States and India.

“His work related to India played an important role in the transformation of the U.S.-India relationship and helped provide the foundation for the historic civil nuclear agreement between the two countries,” noted Warner.

Juster has also served at the State Department and at the Commerce Department. His first call of duty will be to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad Nov. 28-30. After Trump was elected to office, several Indian American business leaders expressed concern as to whether the summit, co-hosted by India and the U.S., would occur this year.

Later this month, Trump’s daughter Ivanka will be leading a powerful delegation of business luminaries to the GES. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the three-day event. On Sept. 28, Juster sailed through his hearing with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, handily fielding questions on bonded labor on human trafficking. The nominee emphasized that both countries could continue to work together to combat climate change, despite Trump’s pull-out of the Paris Agreement this summer. Juster noted that India has expressed great interest in clean technology and energy from renewable sources. He was unanimously confirmed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Oct. 26.

Juster was nominated by President Trump in September, and is in time to join the ongoing preparations for the Global Economic Summit end of November, being hosted jointly by Washington and New Delhi, where the U.S. delegation will be led by the President’s daughter Ivanka Trump.

A key player in the making of the U.S. – India civil nuclear agreement back in 2005, Juster will be pushing forward the administration’s ambitious agenda of strengthening the strategic alliance with India particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. This in the midst of a rare asymmetric drumbeat from Washington about India’s emerging global power status and Pakistan’s harboring of terrorists.

In his testimony at the Committee hearings, Juster said he looked forward to advancing “our strategic partnership with India – a relationship that is critical to promoting U.S. national security and economic interests.” He also spoke of the contributions of the nearly 4 million Indian-Americans, and stressed that as a democracy, India’s government and its civil society community was already “grappling” with issues like bonded labor and human rights as well as sex trafficking. He said he would find the right “interlocutors” to address American concerns in every area of concern.

AAPI Launches Veterans Obesity Awareness Campaign in New York

November 7, 2017 Ajay GhoshCommunity, Health 0

(New York, NY: November 4, 2017) Over 3/4^th of Veterans receiving care in VA facilities are considered to be overweight or obese and struggling with weight related issues. The epidemic of obesity across our country has adverse effects on morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenditures. American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), the most dynamic and ethnic organization representing more than 100,000 physicians of Indian origin, officially launched Veterans Obesity Awareness Campaign (VOAC) at a solemn ceremony at the Indian Consulate in New York on Thursday, November 2^nd, 2017.

Dr. Gautam Samadder, President of AAPI, in his presidential address, said, AAPI has joined a team from VA in its mission to improve the Health and Healthcare of Overweight and Obese Veterans along with other organizations including WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF), Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO) and VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS (VFW) and MOVE! Weight Management Program in developing the “Veteran Obesity Awareness Campaign”. Leaders representing each of these groups signed the official document, pledging to work together in the campaign supporting in at least one hundred VA facilities throughout the continental United States .

“The goal of the campaign is to support in one hundred VA facilities throughout the continental United States,” he said. Towards this end, AAPI has formed an adhoc committee to oversee its functions, consisting of Dr. Samadder, President of AAPI, Dr. Vikas Kuarna, Chir; Dr. Uma Koduri and Dr. Satheesh Kathula, Co-Chairs.

“Coming from a nation that has given much to the world, today physicians of Indian origin have become a powerful influence in medicine across the world. Nowhere is their authority more keenly felt than in the United States, where Indians make up the largest non-Caucasian segment of the American medical community,” Dr. Samadder said. “The overrepresentation of Indians in the field of medicine is striking – in practical terms, one out of seven doctors in the United States is of Indian Heritage. We provide medical care to over 40 million of US population, caring for one in every seven patients in the nation. There are 150 AAPI Chapters across the nation and it has an ever growing membership of Indian American Physicians,” he reported.

Providing a brief back ground to the launch and initiative of the Obesity awareness program for the Veterans, Dr. Sammadder said, a few years back, AAPI organized a highly successful “Childhood Obesity Awareness Campaign (COAC)” with a goal to help fight the childhood obesity problem by providing education to the students & their parents. Starting with the Pilot program in 2013, AAPI adopted close to 80 schools across the United States where they are promoting “Wear Yellow” for Obesity& Childhood Obesity Awareness, 5-2-1-0 and Choose My Plate concept with the tag line of “Be Fit. Be Cool.” This success story has inspired AAPI to take on this major challenge among Veterans today, he declared.

Deputy Consul General of India in New York, who had inaugurated event with the lighting of the traditional lamp, said, “We are proud to host AAPI as it launches this significant event for Veterans.” While praising the contributions of Veterans, she said, the United States stands among the top nations of the world due the sacrifices made by Veterans. Describing Physicians of Indian Origin as a flourishing and highly influential community, the Indian official said, “This noble initiative is a great way of giving back to their adopted land.”

Joshua Starks, a retired Commander in the US Army, shared with the audience, his own personal experiences in his own family and among his colleagues in the Army, about the many challenges faced in tackling obesity among Veterans. Describing obesity as a “symptom of the many major problems” faced by Veterans, Starks told the audience about the ways in which the Veterans are affected physically, mentally and emotionally after they return from deployment around the world, while defending freedom and liberty. According to him, the efforts at the VA in Tulsa has helped hundreds of Veterans by the older Veterans becoming mentors of the younger ones, and in the process finding meaning and purpose in life.

Dr. Vikas Khurana, in his address said, “The collaborative launch of the Veteran Obesity Awareness Campaign (VOAC) is a way of seeking to acknowledge and to create awareness about obesity among veterans as a national problem.

Dr. Uma Koduri provided the audience with a brief description of her efforts in Tulsi, Oklahoma in successfully launching Childhood Obesity awareness campaign, which was later on adopted by AAPI at the national level and now the initiative to help Veterans has become a national movement with the larger AAPI taking it across the nation.

Dr. Satish Kathula told the audience of the enormous cost, $200 Billion a year, spent in addressing the obesity problem in the country. This new initiative by AAPI and its partners is a way to educate AAPI members of the problems and create awareness among them and enable them to work towards preventing obesity among veterans and the larger population, he said.

Dr. Raj Bhayani, Coordinator of the event, in his introductory remarks, called obesity a form of “terror” from within us. “If we do not run, obesity will run behind us,” he said.

Rajat Gupta, an Indian American businessman and philanthropist, in his address, said, “With a vision to use technology to enable philanthropy, WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF) is a non-profit organization, that is a pioneer in applying technology to provide solutions to issues related with water, health, education, energy, livelihood, and sustainability.” Founded by the alumni of Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), the foundation partners with non-profits based in the U.S. and India to raise awareness and implement solutions for issues related to their six focus areas.

Dr. Sudhir Parikh, representing Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (GAPIO), which is partnering with AAPI, in this initiative, said, GAPIO is a nonprofit organization and its vision is “Improving Health Worldwide”. GAPIO stands to empower physicians of Indian origin to achieve highest professional standards, to provide affordable good quality healthcare, to contribute to local and regional community development and thereby help to reduce health inequalities and alleviate suffering globally. While lauding AAPI’s efforts, Dr. Parikh offered whole-hearted support to AAPI in achieving the goals of the campaign.

MOVE! Weight Management Program, is another program, supported by VA’s National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (NCP), that is part of this larger initiative by AAPI to spread awareness about obesity among Veterans. MOVE! is a weight management health promotion program designed to improve the lives of Veterans. Their goals are to annually screen every Veteran who receives care at VA facilities for obesity, refer individuals to weight management services, and make available different treatment options that fit the needs and preferences of our Veterans.

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the nation’s oldest major veterans’ organization, is another partner with AAPI to work towards creating awareness of this major issue. VFW has an impeccable and longstanding record of service and stewardship. Their mission is to foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts, to serve our veterans, the military and our communities & to advocate on behalf of all veterans.

AAPI is an umbrella organization representing dozens of local chapters, specialty societies and alumni organizations. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, AAPI represents the interests of over nearly 100,000 physicians, medical students and residents of Indian heritage in the United States. It is the largest ethnic medical organization in the nation. For more, please visit: www.aapiusa.org

Rep. Pramila Jayapal among those honored at Kerala Center’s 25th annual awards gala

November 7, 2017 Ajay GhoshCommunity, Politics, U.S. 0

(Long Island, NY: November 5, 2017) Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, the first Indian American woman elected to the U.S Congress, representing Washington state’s seventh Congressional District, was among those honored at the 25^th annual gala of the The Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center at the World Fairs marina, Queens, New York on Saturday, November 4thg, 2017.

Rep. Jayapal of Kerala origin, a rising star in the Democratic Party, was honored for her achievements in Political Leadership. Attorney Appen Menon, a partner at Wormser, Kiely, Galef & Jacobs LLP law firm in New York for contribution in Legal Services; writer Dr. Sheela N.P. for Literature; Dr. A.K.B. Pillai for Humanities; Community volunteer Sheela Sreekumar for Community Service; and Ginsmon Zacharia, for achievement in Media, were others who were honored for their achievements in their respective field of specialization or for their service to the society at its 25th Anniversary Awards Banquet.

The Center also honored five of its pioneers with Silver Jubilee Year Life Time Achievement Awards. The 25th Jubilee Year Life Time Achievers are Shanti Bhavan Founder Dr. Abraham George, Industrialist and Founder & Chairman of Sami-Sabinsa Group Dr. Muhammed Majeed; Philanthropist Sreedhar Menon; Columbia University Professor P. Somasundaran and Entrepreneur Dilip Varghese. Also honored with a ‘surprise award” was E M Stephen, the pioneer and first President and the Center’s current Executive Director for his visionary and hard work in establishing and running the center in the past quarter century.

While lauding the contributions and achievements of the Malayalee community, chief guest at the gala, Consul General of India in New York Sandeep Chakravorty, “Kerala Diaspora has made India so proud. They are incredibly strong and enormous,” he said. Referring to the strong Indo-US relationship, the Indian Ambassador paid tributes to the larger Indian American community for their contributions towards making the relationship between the largest and the greatest democracies to be growing and poised to be stronger for the next 100 years.

In her address, Congresswoman Jayapal shared with the audience her own growing up in a traditional Kerala family, immigrating to the US as a student and the aspirations of the family. “My parents would be delighted to hear of this honor today at the Kerala Center,” she told the audience, referring to her family’s long association with Sreedhar Monon, a founding member and pillar of the Kerala Center.

Pointing to the fast growing Indian American community, the lone woman Representative from South Asia in the US Congress said, “There are many more coming forward to fight elections and making our voices heard” in the decision making process of our nation’s destiny, she said, while referring to at least 8 persons of South Asian origin contesting elections in her state in the upcoming elections this week. Urging the Indian American community to be more politically active, Jayapal said, “If you don’t vote, you are giving away your voice.”

While describing today as the “greatest day for Kerala Center” the Executive Director E.M. Stephen said that the Center had recognized 140 achievers in the last 25 years, who have continued to become bigger achievers and contributors to the society. He called upon the new generation of Indian Americans to come forward and take on more responsibilities at the Center and in the larger community and the society.

“Kerala Center has been honoring outstanding achievers since 1991 and every year we invite nominations and the committee has to make a unanimous choice for a candidate in a category to receive the award and this year is no different from previous years in terms of their achievements,” said Kerala Center President Thambi Thalappillil. “In 25 years, Kerala Center has become a secular civic institution providing services to the Indian American community and we are recognizing those who were honored earlier by the Center and who went on to become successful achievers and contributors to society with Life Time Achievement,” said Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman of the 25th Anniversary Dinner.

The gala began with the national anthems of both Indian and the Un ited states sung beautifully by the youth group members of the Kerala Center, and they entertained the audience with cinematic dances. The event concluded with light music entertainment and a sumptuous dinner.

Born in Chennai, India, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal is the first Indian American woman elected to the U.S House of Representatives. She is a Senior Whip for the Democratic Caucus, Vice Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, First Vice Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and she also serves on the prestigious House Judiciary Committee. Before getting elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Jayapal served in the Washington State Senate and was the founder and executive director of OneAmerica, the largest immigrant advocacy organization in Washington state.

Appen Menon is a partner at Wormser, Kiely, Galef& Jacobs LLP, a law firm in New York and has been providing legal service for the last 3 decades. He represents banks in problem loan workouts and litigation involving debt recovery and mortgage foreclosures and advises financial institutions in their compliance and regulatory matters and on Letters of Credit and secured lending. His corporate law practice includes domestic and foreign corporations in matters relating to domestic acquisitions, cross-border acquisitions involving India and the United States, while representing business entities in their corporate transactions, litigation and corporate governance. Menon also represents corporations in their professional visa matters such as H-1, L-1 and PERM. His clients include technology companies, banks and multinational corporations.

Dr. Sheela N.P. is an accomplished writer in numerous journals and periodicals. She has seven published works including a novel, for which she was the recipient of an international award. She began her teaching career at St. Xavier’s College, Aluva, where she served as the Head of Hindi Department for 35 years. She had also served as a visiting faculty in several seminaries for Malayalam and Sanskrit. She has a Ph.D. in comparative literature and elegy from Cochin University of Science and Technology. In addition, Sheela has post-graduate degrees in Hindi, English, Sanskrit and Malayalam and also diplomas in Theology and Christian women education.

Dr. A.K.B. Pillai is an integrated personality of wisdom, spirituality and creativity. He has higher levels of education in many disciplines, including an M.A. and Ph.D. from Columbia University in Anthropology, for which he held a Research Fellowship from the National Institute of Mental Health, USA. He continues as an Associate of University Seminars (post- doctoral) at Columbia University. His specializations include Comparative Literature with techniques of creative writing, other disciplines in the humanities and medical sciences. Dr. A.K.B. Pillai is a practitioner of his own Integral Development Therapy, Personality Development System and Developmental Transcultural Psychiatry, with resources also drawn from psychological and mystical Yoga sciences. Dr. Pillai’s lifelong dedicated philosophy is that all wisdom is for social well-being, which he practices with his spouse, Professor Donna Pillai. He is listed in many Who’s Whos of the world.

Sheela Sreekumar is involved in many local, national and global community organizations in the US and is working for the community around her. Born and brought up in Vayalar, Kerala, she attended N.S.S. Women’s College, Trivandrum and later completed her Law Degree from The Government Law College in Ernakulam. After coming to the US, she has served as the President of Karuna Charities of New York; the President and Board of Trusty Chair of Kerala Association of NJ; Advisor to World Malayalee Council of NJ; Chairperson of FOMAA’s Mid- Atlantic Region; Representative of D.C. 37, and also as the Secretary of Asian American Association at New York City Housing Authority. Currently Sheela works as a Community Coordinator of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability Unit at the New York Housing Authority to help the residents for their job education and financial stability.

Hailing from Thodupuzha, Ginsmon Zacharia dedicated 17 years of his life to the news media. Currently he is coordinator of the Indo-American Press Club, an organization that he founded and chaired. His decision to choose print and visual media indeed served him right. He is also the Director of Jaihind TV USA, which made headlines hosting reality shows in all major North American cities. It served as a platform for young talents to be heard and seen and loved by the viewership of the channel. The weekly program US Dairy brought to the attention of the authorities the difficulties and problems the Indian immigrants face in the US. Having successfully started and established newspapers in UK and US with circulation in Canada, he strategized techniques to earn the reader’s trust. He is the publisher and chairman of Jaihind Vartha, Aksharam magazine and The Asia Era in the US. For more information on The Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center and diverse activities and programs throughout the year, please visit: http://keralacenterny.com

Mudita Bhargava to run for Governor of Connecticut

November 1, 2017 Staff ReporterPolitics, U.S. 0

“I am a different kind of Democrat and why — because I’ve not been a politician and I am a pro-business progressive:” Bhargava says

Mudita ‘Dita’ Bhargava, 45, the vice chair of the Connecticut Democratic Party and a former Wall Street banker, has declared her candidacy for governor, becoming the only woman in a field of four men vying in the primary to replace Democrat Dannel P. Malloy. Malloy announced earlier this year that he would not seek re-election.

“I am a different kind of Democrat and why — because I’ve not been a politician and I am a pro-business progressive. And, if we don’t put a different kind of Democrat in the general election, it’s going to be very difficult for us to win,” she said. “Now, there is too much at stake for our state to turn into a red state. I am very focused on making sure that we keep it a Democratic state.”

According to reports, Bhargava, a Greenwich-based businesswoman, has raised more than $53,000 in the 18 days since she announced formation of an exploratory committee for her candidacy. Bhargava, who describes herself as a “pro-business progressive,” has raised well in excess of funds raised by any other candidate in that period of time, owing to contributions from the state’s Indian-American community. She is pledging to invite new business investment in Connecticut and create a welcoming job market for college graduates.

Bhargava said she is wearing her identity as an Indian-American woman on her sleeve. “About 3 percent of Connecticut’s population is Asian, and I am a very proud Indian-American and am quite close to the South Asian Community in Connecticut,” she said. “Five years ago, I co-founded the India Cultural Center of Greenwich which has a wide reach in Southern Connecticut. I have a good relationship with Dr. Abraham, and he was very supportive during my State Rep run and is also supporting me for my gubernatorial exploratory campaign and he did say that he will host an event for me.”

Bhargava told the media that she saw Connecticut at an economic and fiscal crossroads. “I want to bring to the state ideas that need to be implemented immediately,” especially in the areas of good-paying jobs and a thriving business sector. Bhargava made an unsuccessful bid for state Representative from Connecticut’s 151st District last year, going up against a Republican incumbent in a majority GOP district. She said that despite the loss, the contest gained her name recognition — helping win her election this past January to be vice chair of the state’s Democratic Party.

She said her experience as a Wall Street banker and her business acumen bring much to the table. “I have more than two decades of financial sector experience. It took courage, perseverance and hard work to break down barriers and be successful as an ethnic woman in a male dominated field. I plan to bring that same tenacity to help our state overcome its current challenges.”

She wants to see the tax base and industry base expanded. “So, I want to make sure that the businesses that are here — the small and large businesses —especially the small businesses because they employ more than 90 percent of our population across the country — feel empowered to stay and continue to do business in Connecticut. And, I want to attract new businesses and new industries to the state,” she said.

Born in Ontario, Canada, Bhargava grew up with two sisters, raised by a single mother following their parents’ divorce. She has a degree in electrical engineering from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. She moved to the U.S. with her mother and sisters and became a citizen in 2004. Bhargava moved to Connecticut in 2007 from New York, after marrying her husband, Dan Pelletier. The couple has two children — Arya, 8, and Kalyan, 7.

Bhargava’s last private sector job was with RBS, but she also worked as a Wall Street trader and portfolio manager at Bear Stearns, Citadel Investment Group, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, and Dillon Read Capital Management.

She said she has reached out to the Indian-American community’s leaders, including Dr. Thomas Abraham, the co-founder of the National Federation of Indian American Associations and the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin.

She said the modest-sized Indian and South Asian-American communities were nonetheless politically active in Connecticut and she has found them supportive. “A good portion of the funds I’ve raised so far have come from Indian-Americans, and I expect to continue to receive that support,” she said. She said she has been happy to receive donations from citizens and even green card holders and that state financing requires candidates to raise at least $250,000.

“I come from a family with a lot of history and a lot of knowledge about Indian culture and history, and my grandfather — the late Dr. P.L. Bhargarva — was a renowned professor in Sanskrit and History, and he was awarded the President’s Medal in India for his scholarly work. He’d written 14 or 15 books and so in our family, Indian culture as very much an integral part of our upbringing,” she said. “I used to go to India almost every other year and spend the summer with my grandparents in Jaipur. So, I am very close to the culture and I am very proud of that — of my heritage. My kids are half-Indian, but they both understand and speak Hindi.”

Bhargava said the reason she founded the India Cultural Center of Greenwich was to continue that legacy. “A lot of the people who come to our events — about 30 to 40 percent — are non-Indian and we are very happy to share our culture with the broader community,” she said. She said she was also motivated by the bigotry, xenophobia and misogyny often associated with the presidential campaign and administration.

“When I was campaigning last year, I avoided talking about Donald Trump —I wanted to talk about the issues in Connecticut, and I am still focused on that,” she said. “But there came a time when my opponent had said that he supports Donald Trump and after that Access Hollywood tape came out, he still, when asked, two days later, whether he still supports Trump, he said, yes.

Then it became very personal to me, because this was a direct attack on women, and then I made it a point to say, ‘Listen, this is not the first and last time that Donald Trump is going to do this.’ He wants to be the leader of the country and people will follow his lead and he sets an example, and his xenophobic, misogynistic behavior, he’s giving people and open ticket, because there a lot of people out there who do carry insecurities, who are hateful, but there wasn’t this license to express it.”

She said he has “emboldened” racists and bigots. “And, so, when I was campaigning last year, I made the point that he is going to open this up …and, I said, we’ve come so far but I can assure you that this will happen again, and not surprisingly, and literally very soon after, I had made this point, I got this mail sent to my home with my walk-card—my campaign material defaced—and my face defaced and it said, ‘Go back to where you came from.’

“We’ve come way too far in our country and we stand on the shoulders of leaders who have made it a point to educate our folks that diversity makes us stronger, but this will make us weaker as a country and there’s way too much at risk for us not to double-down and stand up to this type of rhetoric and this kind of behavior.”

The publication, in a recent report, said that Bhargava took a step towards a possible run for governor in 2018 when she resigned from her post as vice chair of the Connecticut Democratic Party. Bhargava had held the post since January and resigned Aug. 15 in a letter to party chair Nick Balletto, the report noted. In her resignation letter to Balletto, Bhargava said she was considering a run for statewide office, the Time report added.

“Our state is facing some deep challenges,” Bhargava said last month, the Greenwich Time reported. “I’m trying to determine how I can help in the best possible way. My resignation is the first step, and the next step is talking to people throughout the state, hearing their concerns and seeing how I can best help.”

“We simply can’t afford to keep doing things the same way and expect a different outcome,” Bhargava wrote in her letter to Balletto, the Time reported. “We need new solutions to overcome Connecticut’s fiscal and economic challenges while advancing progressive goals.”

“We have to significantly improve the economic environment in Connecticut for our businesses and families to stay and to thrive,” she added in the Daily Voice report. “There needs to be a fresh, proactive and effective approach to how we deal with the challenges facing our state, starting with the budget.”

Gopal Vin hopeful of flipping Senate seat in NJ

November 1, 2017 Staff ReporterPolitics, U.S. 0

Vin Gopal, an Indian American and a former Monmouth County Democratic Party chairman, is running for the 11th District state Senate seat representing Monmouth County in New Jersey, hoping to clinch it away from the Republican Party. Gopal’s announcement is a direct challenge to state Sen. Jen Beck, a Republican, who currently holds the seat. Beck will be seeking re-election. If Gopal succeeds in flipping the 11th District seat held since 2012 by Republican incumbent Jennifer Beck this November 7, he would become the first Indian-American State Senator in New Jersey’s history.

Gopal was unopposed in the June 6 primary, receiving the Democratic Party’s nod for the state’s 11th district. Gopal is running on a ticket with the two Democratic Assembly representatives who currently represent the district and will also be running to keep their seats, Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling (D, Neptune Township) and Assemblywoman Joann Downey, (D, Freehold Township).

Gopal served for four years as the chair of the Monmouth County Democratic Party, a perch from where he is credited with engineering several electoral victories to mayoral, city councils and the state assembly. In an interview over the weekend with Desi Talk, Gopal said his campaign has raised $600,000 so far out of a target of $2 million he estimated earlier was needed to win the race. “I have personally knocked on 3,500 doors and have another 300 volunteers” doing the same. “I am working hard to unseat a long-time incumbent,” Gopal acknowledged.

The American Federation of Teachers, New Jersey chapter has endorsed Gopal. The teachers union represents about 30,000 education workers across New Jersey. “I am proud to endorse Phil Murphy, Christine Lui Chen and Vin Gopal,” said Meng. “All are exceptional candidates who will fight tirelessly for New Jersey’s hard-working middle-class families,” Rep. Meng said in a press release. “I look forward to working with each of them to strengthen our economy, create jobs and ensure equal pay and affordable health care for all.” Gopal has held rallies with other candidates running for office, including most recently in Asbury Park, N.J., Democratic gubernatorial favorite Phil Murphy. New Jersey’s only Indian-American State Assemblyman Raj Mukherjee has also actively campaigned for Gopal.

“As a proud small business owner and life-long Monmouth County resident I love the State of New Jersey and I believe it is headed in the wrong direction,” said Gopal. “I have volunteered as a board member for our county chamber of commerce, as president of my town’s business owners association, as a volunteer EMT and a volunteer member for the county’s Big Brothers, Big Sisters Board. As your Senator, I will fight for every taxpayer in the 11th District.”

Garden State Equality, the state’s largest and most active gay and lesbian rights advocacy organization, has formally backed Vin Gopal for state senate in the battleground 11th District. “We consider Vin Gopal a friend, and we know he will have our back with Phil Murphy in Trenton,” Christian Fuscarino, executive director of Garden State Equality, told InsiderNJ. “We know we will have two allies. Vin Gopal is someone we can count on, and we know we can take him at his word,” Fuscarino said.

“I’m hoping everyone will take this seriously and if they do this could have a major impact on this race,” the Vin Gopal said of the endorsement. “There are not many districts where we can sway an election, but this is one.”

President Trump celebrates Diwali at the White House

October 26, 2017 Staff ReporterCommunity, Culture/Religion 0

Following with the tradition started by his predecessors, President Donald Trump celebrated his first Diwali at the White House on October 17th lighting the ceremonial diya with nearly two dozen prominent Indian-Americans in attendance.

Trump and his daughter Ivanka was joined by senior Indian-American members of his administration including Nikki Haley, his Ambassador to the United Nations and Seema Verma, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Ajit Pai, Chairman of the US Federal Communications Commission and Raj Shah, Trump’s Principal Deputy Press Secretary also joined Diwali celebrations yesterday.

In front of Trump’s presidential desk was a special table covered with a tricolor cloth on which a tall silver diya stand was placed encircled by a red and yellow garland of flowers, mostly marigolds, the traditional flower used in Hindu religious ceremonies.

While the Lighting of the Diya is typically celebrated by families in their homes. Trump said, “Today, we proudly celebrate this holiday in THE PEOPLE’S HOUSE. In so doing, we reaffirm that Indian-Americans and Hindu-Americans are truly cherished, treasured and beloved members of our great American FAMILY.”

President Trump hailed the incredible contributions of the Indian-American community and said he valued his very strong relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In his remarks, Trump said Indian-American neighbors and friends have made incredible contributions to the country — and to the world. “You have made extraordinary contributions to art, science, medicine, business and education. America is especially thankful for its many Indian-American citizens who serve bravely in our armed forces and as first responders in communities throughout our great land,” he said.

Diwali, he said, is one of the most important celebrations in the Hindu religion. “A time of peace and prosperity for the New Year, it is a tradition that is held dear by more than 1 billion Hindus worldwide and more than 2 million Hindus in the United States.

“As we do (celebrate Diwali) so, we especially remember the People of India, the home of the Hindu faith, who have built the world’s largest democracy,” Trump said in a Facebook post along with a video of his Diwali celebrations inside the Oval Office. Trump said he greatly valued his “very strong relationship” with Prime Minister Modi. Trump said he was deeply honored to be joined by so many administration officials and leaders of the Indian-American community in celebrating Diwali — the festival of lights. Diwali, the festival of lights, is also celebrated by millions of Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains in America, India and around the world,” he said.

Vice President Mike Pence and several lawmakers send greetings to the people of Indian origin on this festive day. “Happy Diwali to those celebrating with friends and family. May we all strive for peace, prosperity and the triumph of light over darkness,” US Vice President Mike Pence said in a tweet.

“Wishing Hindus, Sikhs and Jains around the world a joyful Diwali. Saal Mubarak to all! Looking forward to my visit to India for GES2017,” Ms. Ivanka tweeted along with a picture of President Trump celebrating festival of lights in the Oval Office of the White House on Tuesday.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson started his major India policy speech by sending Diwali greetings to all friends in the US, India and around the world celebrating the Festival of Lights. “Generally, fireworks accompany that. I don’t need any fireworks; I’m getting too many fireworks around me already. So we’ll forgo the fireworks,” he said, amidst laughter from a Washington audience.

America’s top corporate leadership too joined the festivities. “Happy Diwali! May the festival of lights spread love, peace & prosperity to all!” Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a tweet. “Today, let’s light up the world with the glow of our diyas and the warmth in our hearts. From my family to yours, best wishes for Diwali!” tweeted Pepsico Chairwoman Indra Nooyi.

Diwali is one of the most important celebrations in the Hindu religion, he noted, a time of peace and prosperity for the New Year for the billion Hindus worldwide and the more than 2 million Hindus in the United States. It is also celebrated by millions of Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains in America, India and around the world, the President said.

The tradition of Diwali celebration at the White House was first started by President George Bush. During his term it was celebrated mostly in the India Treaty Room of the adjacent executive office building, which is part of the White House complex. President Bush never personally participated in the White House Diwali celebrations.

In the first year of his presidency, former president Barack Obama lit the ceremonial Diya in the East Room of the White House. In his last year in office in 2016, Obama for the first time observed the festival of lights in the Oval Office.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, who sent a letter to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly Sept. 26 urging Trump to celebrate Diwali, did not attend the celebration. Hatch sent the letter at the behest of Indian American businessman Shalabh ‘Shalli’ Kumar, founder of the Republican Hindu Coalition. Kumar and his adopted daughter, actress Manasvi Mamgai, stood by Trump’s side as he lit the traditional diya in the Oval Office. During the 2016 presidential election cycle, Kumar and his wife donated $1 million to Trump’s campaign.

“We wish all of America’s Hindus and everyone who celebrates Diwali a joyous holiday and blessings of light, goodness, and prosperity throughout the New Year. And now we will light the Diya,” said the President as he proceeded to light the traditional lamp.

Diwali Festival Lights Up New York’s Times Square

October 24, 2017 Staff ReporterCommunity, Culture/Religion 0

New York City’s iconic Times Square transformed into a vision of South Asian culture on Saturday, as thousands of revelers gathered for an early celebration of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights on Saturday, October 8^th, 2017.

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the biggest and most important holiday in India. It lasts for five days, and coincides with the Hindu new year. Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs celebrate the religious occasion every autumn in countries throughout South Asia and beyond. In the United States, major Diwali festivals have lit up communities from California to Texas to North Carolina in recent years.

The massive Times Square event ― the largest Diwali celebration outside of India ― has been growing in size since its debut in 2013, attracting large crowds including many people from the city’s numerous immigrant communities. It’s the largest South Asian ethnic event in New York City, where at least 3 million residents ― more than one-third of the population ― are foreign-born, per the Department of City Planning.

The greater New York area is home to some 717,000 Indian citizens, according to the latest U.S. Census estimates. Nationwide, people of Indian origin represent about 1 percent of the population. In fact, India is currently the largest source of new immigrants to America, surpassing Mexico and China.

Diwali at Times Square is the creation of Neeta Bhasin, president and CEO of marketing firm ASB Communications. Bhasin, who moved to the U.S. from India four decades ago, says she is dedicated to teaching people about Indian culture and traditions.

“Being an immigrant woman, I felt compelled to showcase the beauty and the richness of our culture, and what better way than bringing our incredible festival of Diwali, that celebrates the victory of light over darkness [and] knowledge over ignorance, to the center of New York, Times Square?” she asked.

She believes the annual event is “more important now than ever.” In the wake of the 2016 election, Americans have witnessed a rise in polarizing, anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric from White House officials, including President Donald Trump. One of Trump’s earliest and most controversial executive orders, widely referred to as the “travel ban,” restricts immigration and general entry to the U.S. from specific countries for purported national security purposes. Human rights groups have claimed the ban is unconstitutional and promotes xenophobia.

In order to “stand against hate and prejudice,” Bhasin says, it is “extremely important for us to learn from each other. Indian culture is part of American culture, as is Mexican, and Chinese and the many cultures that together make up the beautiful tapestry that is the American culture,” she said. “We want to spread a message of acceptance and integration, love and harmony in a society that feels extremely divided at this moment.”

Saturday’s event featured a variety of Indian dishes, a digital fireworks display and a lighting ceremony of traditional lamps known as Diyas ― an important Diwali ritual.

It also boasted a lineup of celebrity performers, including Bollywood choreographer Terence Lewis; actors Sanjeeda Sheikh and Aamir Ali; as well as singers Hamsika Iyer, Mickey Singh and Raman Mahadevan.

In a statement issued prior to his performance, Lewis said he hoped the festival would “spread a little bit of love and happiness” during a time when “there is so much hatred, there’s so much violence [and] there’s so much intolerance.”

For Iyer, who traveled from her home in Mumbai to perform at Times Square, this weekend marks her first-ever trip to the U.S. She said she is very grateful for the opportunity “to share the Indian-ness ― music and culture and everything that is very India ― with the audience here.”

Sankara Eye Foundation and Event Guru Inc. brought another fun-filled day to the city that highlighted Indian cultural dances and musical performances, along with shopping opportunities, Indian cuisine, interactive diya lighting ceremonies and digital fireworks display.

The Diwali festivities started with the diya lighting ceremony on stage and was followed by the auspicious Ganesh Vandana by Indian American child prodigy Sparsh Shah. Kimaya Chalpe, an Indian American student at New York University and a San Francisco Bay Area native, performed both the American and the Indian National Anthems at the event.

The “Light Up Times Square Concert” showcased dazzling performances by television stars Sanjeeda Sheikh and Aamir Ali. The attendees also enjoyed performances by Hamsika Iyer of “Chammak Chhalo” fame, and “Hey Baby” singer Raman Mahadevan, who had the audiences dancing to their tunes.

The event was attended by dignitaries such as Sandeep Chakravorty, Consul General of India; Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Manhattan Borough president Gale A. Brewer, district leader Neeta Jain, and representatives from the offices of Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Comptroller.

Madhu Valli, Miss India Worldwide 2017 wants to be “the next biggest bridge between Bollywood and Hollywood”

October 17, 2017 Ajay GhoshFashion, India, Profiles 0

Madhu Valli, an emerging hip hop artist and a student of criminal law at George Mason University in Virginia, was crowned as Miss India Worldwide 2017 during a glittering pageant that drew crew contestants from around the world at the 26th edition of the beauty pageant held at the Royal Albert’s Palace in Fords, New Jersey on Sunday on October 8th. “I want to be the next biggest bridge between Bollywood and Hollywood,” Valli said a day after winning the pageant. She bested 16 other contestants to get the crown from the last year’s winner, Karina Kohli.

Another Indian-American, Sarita Pattnaik, an interior designer from Texas, was declared Mrs. India Worldwide; the mother of two, said she wants to be a social activist and become a voice for women’s empowerment.

Stephanie Madavane from France was declared runner up Sangeeta Bahadur from Guyana took the third spot at the pageant that had contestants from 18 countries. Canada-based Guyanese and humanitarian Sangeeta Bahadur also secured for herself the Miss Congeniality Award.

Valli, 20, released her latest album, “High School,” a day before the pageant. “I want to be the next biggest bridge between Bollywood and Hollywood,” Valli said. She said her dream is to be a recording artist, and music is her passion. Valli started learning vocals at the age of eight. The beauty pageant attracts people of Indian origin from across the world. It provides a platform to showcase how Indian culture has been preserved thousands of miles away, she said.

Organized by New York-based India Festival Committee, Miss India Worldwide is the only international Indian pageant with affiliates in over 35 countries and considered among the top ethnic pageants in the world. Last year, it also launched the Mrs India Worldwide, which provides a platform for married women of Indian origin.Namita S. Dodwadkar of Boston won the first Mrs India Worldwide crown, while Karina Kohli of New York won the Miss India Worldwide title in 2016.

“I definitely want to speak to a lot of young Indian American women about women empowerment and positive self- image,” Valli said. “I love both my countries, India and the US and I always wanted to discover a way to be a leader in both!” she said. The beauty pageant attracts people of Indian origin from across the world. It provides a platform to showcase how Indian culture has been preserved thousands of miles away, she said.

“This past week has been the craziest yet happiest week of my life,” Madhu, centre, wrote on Instagram. “Last night, I walked in as your Miss India USA, but I walked out as your new Miss India Worldwide 2017 with France as my 1st runner-up and Guyana as my 2nd runner-up, both who I love dearly.

“I still can’t believe it. All that was going through my mind throughout the whole week was ‘USA BABY!!’ I love both my countries, India and US and I always wanted to discover a way to be a leader in both! Cheers to dreams that come true and cheers to God, who loves us enough to make those dreams come true.”

Miss India Worldwide draws contestants from India and from among the members of the Indian diaspora residing in other countries. It is conducted by India Festival Committee (IFC), founded and headed by Dharmatma Saran in New York City.

A total of 18 contestants from different countries participated in the international pageant and Fairfax-resident stole the show which also witnessed a stunning performance by TV actress Shiny Doshi. The judges of the event were Fashion Choreographer Sandip Soparrkar, Host Aman Yatan Verma and supermodel/ramp trainer Jesse Randhawa. The pageant started in 1990 and Valli is the eighth Indian American to win the crown followed by the 2016 winner Karina Kohli.

The beauty pageant attracts entrants of Indian origin from across the world, organizers say.. It is yet another forum for Indian living abroad to showcase how they have preserved Indian culture thousands of miles away from their original homeland, organizers believe.

Congratulating the contestants and winners at the pageant, Dharmatma Saran, chairman and founder of the New York based India Festival Committee that organizes the trail blazing Miss India Worldwide, said, “We have used the title to raise funds for the poor and the needy. We made the beauty work for a good cause. We are pioneers in organizing Indian pageants and fashion shows in the USA and other parts of the world, of which the Miss India Worldwide has been acclaimed as the “most glamorous Indian function in the world.” And, of course, the Miss India Worldwide is the only international Indian pageant.

“When Miss India New York started in 1980, I had perhaps not even in my wildest dreams imagined that in less than twenty years, we would fledge out to be a mass movement with affiliates in over 40 countries, let alone that we would one day have a live internet webcast and broadcast our most prestigious function, the Miss India Worldwide, to an audience of over 300 million people!” Saran recalls.

“We are very proud of the fact that we have been able to provide a common platform for the international Indian community through pageantry. We are equally proud of the fact that we have been able to imbibe Indian values, traditions and culture among the youth of Indian origin around the world. We have also been successful in promoting Indian performing arts in the world,” he says.

“I sincerely hope that our website will provide all information regarding Indian pageants in the world. We plan to include many more channels, especially of interest to the youth, and believe this will become the one-stop website for Indian youths around the world,” Saran hopes.

Drs. Kiran & Pallavi Patel Family Foundation donates $200 Million to University in Florida

October 17, 2017 Ajay GhoshCommunity 0

In the largest-ever donation to an institution by Indian Americans, Dr. Kiran C. Patel and his wife, pediatrician Dr. Pallavi Patel, have gifted $200 million to Nova Southeastern University, based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The commitment will significantly expand its programs in osteopathic medicine and health care sciences, and be used to develop a new 27-acre campus for NSU in Clearwater, Fla. The Patels are renowned in Florida for their philanthropy, community service and entrepreneurship.

The commitment from the Patel Family Foundation includes a $50 million gift and an additional $150 million real estate and facility investment in a future 325,000 square-foot medical education complex that will be part of NSU’s new Tampa Bay Regional Campus, in Clearwater. The campus will house a new site for NSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, as well as its existing programs in the Tampa area.

This commitment will support the university in several ways, including: The naming of NSU’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, including support for equipment and the hiring of additional faculty and staff in the Tampa Bay area, as well as an endowment to sustain the operation of the college’s new location in perpetuity. The new osteopathic medicine site will increase the number of NSU’s graduating D.O. physicians from 230 to approximately 380 per year.

“I feel that it is more important than ever to advance the current state of health care,” said Dr. Kiran C. Patel. “It is rare for someone to have the opportunity to impact the world in this way, and, as an immigrant to the United States, I am particularly honored to be able to make a difference in people’s lives around the world. I believe that NSU is the future of multi-disciplinary medical education. Together, we will be able to capitalize on an opportunity that will be beneficial to millions of human lives, many right here in Florida and many others across the globe.”

“This partnership will benefit thousands of patients, students and doctors,” added Dr. Pallavi Patel. “Over the next 20 years, NSU will train thousands of new doctors and other health care professionals who will directly touch millions of lives, making a real difference.”

All philanthropic campaigns, contributions and projects have resulted from his passion for health, education and charity. That’s why he has also commissioned Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Global University, a 120-acre institute under construction in India.

Sharing his own experiences of investing in the state of Gujarat and in the United States, Dr. Patel, a pioneering Cardiologist said, with the state requiring more trained personnel to support the growing needs, he is willing to establish a Medical College in Rajasthan.

Dr. Patel, a very soft spoken physician of Indian origin, said the projects combine his passions for health education and charity. In his first venture in running a university, he hopes to fulfill a need for competent doctors in the area while also educating generations of physicians who can serve in underprivileged areas across the globe.

“Nobody believed I would build a hotel on Clearwater Beach,” he said in the report. “They say ‘a dumb doctor.’ I never built a hotel single-handedly but we overcame that so I’m optimistic we will be successful here.”

Dr. Patel has been in the news across the world after he had purchased the former Clearwater Christian College property with a goal of developing an osteopathic medical school in his home-state, Florida. The Indian American physician closed on the $12 million purchase of the 25-acre campus overlooking Old Tampa Bay at the west end of the Courtney Campbell Causeway.

In 2014, Patel broke ground on the $175 million, 448-room Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach resort, creating a successful and modern hospitality business.

In July, the city of Clearwater purchased the 111 acres of wetlands and submerged lands surrounding the campus for preservation and restoration projects. If his plans are fulfilled, Patel will develop the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, catering to both domestic and international students, especially from India and Africa, who otherwise could not afford medical training.

“One goal,” he said, “is to train doctors who can return to their home countries and treat underserved communities. It is not easy — there are a lot of challenges — but if somebody’s heart is there and doing the right thing, the right results will follow,” Patel said.

The hope is for the school to serve upwards of 150 students by the fall of 2018 or early 2019, following the credentialing and certification process. Patel estimates it could cost $50 million to launch the school, most of which will come from his own pocket, although having existing classroom infrastructure and dormitories significantly reduces costs.

Mayor George Cretekos of Tampa described Patel’s proposed development as a “boom for the city.” “I think it’s a good fit and goes with what we were wanting to see with that property,” Cretekos said, according to the Tampa Bay Times report. “The potential to benefit the entire area is just amazing.”

Planning and overseeing the charitable works, according to Dr. Patel has “Two approaches: direct involvement in the areas of Zambia, East Africa and India. I oversee the utilization of the funds to the penny. What you have seen in the Tampa area is a legacy gift. To impact as large a group as possible, we have entrusted a responsible institution to perpetuate our mission, such as the performing arts center and University of South Florida.”

Born in Zambia to Asian-Indian parents, educated in India, Dr. Kiran Patel arrived in the United States Thanksgiving Day, 1976. He returned home to attend medical school, where he met his wife, Pallavi, a fellow student, but ultimately decided to return to the U.S. permanently. “I wanted to make sure my children had a better future, and the political climate in Africa at the time was a bit challenging,” he says.

Dr. Patel was educated in Zambia and then got his diploma in Cambridge University and The University of London. He came down to India to study medicine in Gujarat University in India and did his Internship in Africa. Dr. Patel did his residency in Internal Medicine in New Jersey in 1980. He completed a fellowship in the Cardiology program affiliated with the Columbia University of New York in 1982.

Dr. Pallavi Patel did her undergraduate degree from M.G. Science College, Gujarat University, and attended Municipal Medical College of Gujarat University in Ahmedabad. She did her internship from St. Barnabas Hospital in New Jersey, School of Medicine Dentistry of New Jersey and Overlook Hospital in Summit, New Jersey, in affiliation with Columbia University in New York. She started her private practice in Kabwe, Zambia, from 1974 to 1978 and worked as a part-time consultant physician from 1974 to 1978 for Kabwe Industrial Fabrics, Ltd. and Kapiri Glass Products, Ltd.

The Patel family moved to Tampa, Florida in 1982 and Dr. Kiran Patel began his practice in Cardiology. His dedication, compassion, and skills made him very successful at the very early stage of medical practice, and was soon a distinguished cardiologist in that area. He developed a physician practice management company and expanded to places adjoining Tampa Bay area diverging into 14 practices including Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and Cardiology.

Dr. Patel was also in partnership with several point-of-service locations to form multi-specialty networks. This network helped patients to access most medical services conveniently. He has actively engaged himself in managed care contracts and has expanded so much that it provides care for more than 80,000 patients annually. Apart from this, he has developed good associations with several HMOs and hospitals. His success in managed care contracts led a group of doctors to seek his services to help them with an HMO in New Port Richey, Florida.

Dr. Patel took up the project after discussing a pre-determined purchase option of the company. It was called the Well Care HMO, Inc. (Well Care). In 1992, Dr. Kiran Patel, along with Rupesh Shaw, CEO, and Pradip Patel, President, started a Medicaid managed care company. Not long after, this company became the largest Medicaid provider in the state of Florida.

He helped to bring around the struggling HMO, WellCare of New York and Connecticut. While turning around the company, he worked with nearly a hundred hospitals and a few hundred physicians in settling past due medical claims. Dr. Kiran Patel provided an additional $15 million in equity through Conversion of Brow and infused $10 million of new capital and acquired 55 percent of the publicly held Well Care Management Group.

Between 1995 and 2002, Dr. Kiran Patel built it into a billion-dollar company, providing services to more than 450,000 members, employing more than 1,200 employees and operating in Florida, New York and Connecticut. Dr. Patel subsequently entered the managed care industry and was the Chairman of WellCare of Florida.

He had served as Chairman of Visionary Medical Systems. He believes that the Visionary Office will reduce the paperwork for the physicians and give them more time to devote on their patients. He is a member on the following organizations: Fellow of American College of Cardiology; American Medical Association, American College of Physicians, American Association of Physicians from the South East Asia, Past Chair Scholarship Committee.

A cardiologist, visionary, businessman and philanthropist, Dr. Kiran Patel, along with his wife devotes substantial sums towards charity and education both in India, Zambia as well as in the United States. A 50-bed charity hospital serving 100,000 villagers in India was established by her along with her family; provision of funds for annual scholarship for underprivileged children to obtain a college education; funding for the construction of the USF Charter School for Underprivileged Children in Hillsborough County; sponsoring of 25 orphans from India to visit and perform a cross-cultural program in the United States.

In 2003, the Patels sold their majority of his interest in their business, and Dr. Patel turned his attention to the family’s many philanthropic endeavors. That same year, he became chairman of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI). It was from this vantage point that he began to tackle several significant humanitarian projects in India, including the construction of numerous hospitals, a diabetes research study, and improved health care access for poor and rural citizens. His enormous contributions during and after national calamities in India are very remarkable.

Dr. Patel united the Tampa Bay community and AAPI and led an effort that eventually rehabilitated the villagers’ homes, constructed an orphanage and model school and created four modern hospitals, and was able to utilize generous contributions from the Tampa Bay community, and often matched them with his own money.

One of the leading philanthropists in America, the Patels also sponsor 25 orphans from India to come annually to the United States and participate in cross-cultural programs.

On the challenges he had to face upon arrival here in the US, Dr. Patels says, “There are many challenges when you come from an Eastern culture to the Western world. It’s a tougher transition for children than for us. I have a rigid personality … as a parent I have firm expectations on behavior, certain etiquette and rules. My children all got used to it, in a good way. They know I am there for them and they for me, but I’m not a warm, fuzzy type of guy.”

The couple’s gift of $12 million to the University of South Florida, resulted in converting the Patel School of Global Sustainability to the Patel College of Global Sustainability. “It was important to create a college to be a perpetual institution that creates students and scholars who are going to change the world dramatically,” Dr. Patel says. “I believe it will create champions of the profession. Most people don’t understand sustainability; they think it’s just a problem for third world countries. They don’t realize the U.S. and Europe are most guilty of consuming resources. At the current rate the Western world uses natural resources, we would need six Earths to provide the rest of the world the same lifestyle. We must change.”

Another area of focus for the Patels is health. “Intellectual capability without physical capability, you still have a problem. Arts and culture are more in the luxurious category, which it should not be, but I feel that way. It can play a unique role in integrating people, but if someone is starving, he’s not going to think of the arts,” he says.

The family has become renowned in the Tampa Bay area and beyond for their openhanded philanthropy: The suburbs of Tampa is home to one of the largest single-family estate in the United States, according to property assessment records obtained by the Tampa Tribune. Dr. Kiran and Dr. Pallavi Patel, along with their son, daughters, and grandchildren, live inan elegantly built beautiful house with the combined square footage of the buildings within the estate amounts to 35,000 square feet, with the main residence contributing 15,000 square footage of the total. Each of the six satellite homes is more than 7,000 square feet.

Dr. Pallavi serves on many boards and is a member of several organizations. She is president and CEO of Stat Care and Bay Area Primary Care Association, Inc. with five locations across Tampa. She is also a founder, trustee and administrator for the India Cultural Center. She is a member of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center Board of Trustees, Shakti Krupa Charitable Foundation Board of Directors and the ICC Hope Scholarship Foundation Board of Directors.

In 2003 the couple set up a nonprofit Foundation for Global Understanding. Dr. Kiran Patel serves as the chairman and Dr. Pallavi Patel is president of Foundation that develops and funds a wide variety of programs in health, education, arts and culture. Together they have made possible the USF/Dr. Kiran C. Patel Charter School along with the Dr. Pallavi Patel Pediatric Care Center at the school as well as the highly celebrated Dr. Pallavi Patel Performing Arts Conservatory.

The Patels not only earned a highly cherished reputation as physicians, but also gained a unique vision of the future of the medical care. Rather than shunning the growing trend toward managed health care, they began to develop solutions that made sense from the physician’s point of view.

Recognitions came their way with several awards and honors from around the country. Among the honors and awards that he has received is the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Southeast United States, Jefferson Award for Public Service-National Media Award, Community Leader Award-Community Development Corporation of Tampa, Lions Clubs International Academy Award for Humanitarian Service, and Ike Tribble Award from National Urban League.

Volunteers of America, one of the nation’s largest and oldest human services charities, presented its highest honor – the 2012 Ballington and Maud Booth Award – to Drs. Pallavi and Kiran Patel on during the organization’s national conference at the Hyatt Regency Tampa.

On New Year’s day in 2007, Dr. Patel was honored with the “Glory of Gujarat” award from the Chief Minister of his home State in India. In May 2007, Dr. Patel received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for Exceptional Immigrant Patriots. Both Dr. Kiran Patel and Pallavi Patel were inducted into the Tampa Bay Hall of Fame in 2010 by the business community of Tampa Bay.

Dr. Pallavi Patel was honored as the Business Woman of the Year in 2006 for her outstanding role in the community. In 2007, she was awarded Woman of Distinction by the Girls Scouts of Florida, and in 2008 she was inducted into the prestigious Florida Women’s Hall of Fame.

The Patels were selected for the 2012 Booth Award because of their generous philanthropic work to support programs in health, education, arts and culture, both in the Tampa area and around the world. Their foundation supported the Pepin Heart Hospital Research Institute in Tampa as well as the Dr. Pallavi Patel Conservatory for Performing Arts. In 2011, the Dr. Kiran C. Patel for Global Solutions, based at the University of South Florida, was established to develop solutions to some of today’s major global problems.

In 2003, Dr. Kiran Patel was appointed by Florida’s governor to the University of South Florida Board of Trustees. In 2004, the Patel were awarded the Cultural Contributor of the Year Award by the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. The Foundation also support a yearly U.S. scholarship fund for underprivileged youth and the IMAGINE Project, which teaches philanthropic entrepreneurism to young leaders. USF CHART-India Program, another innovative foundation project, works aggressively to provide HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention and education programs throughout India’s rural and urban populations.

The Patels believe that “education gives the maximum impact. In my father’s village, we built a school that has transformed a generation. Uplifting a single student will uplift five or 10 families.” And the noble mission goes on with no boundaries, benefitting millions of deserving people across all continents.

Mona Das to run for Washington state’s 8th Congressional District

October 17, 2017 Ajay GhoshPolitics, Profiles, U.S., Women 0

Mona Das, an Indian American woman from the state of Washington, has announced her plans to run for the Democratic nomination representing Washington state’s 8th Congressional District. If elected, she will replace Dave Reichert, R-Auburn, who is serving his seventh term as the U.S. Representative for the state’s 8th District.

Das said her passion for working for positive change is fueled by the Bernie Sanders movement and the new energy it ignited. “I am honored and excited to be running for Congress from the 8th District and to represent voters in both Eastern and Western Washington,” Das said in a statement. “Sitting on the sidelines is no longer an option. Unlike the current representative, my voice will be powerful and inclusive.”

Das is running one district over from Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington, who was elected last fall to her first term in the House. Interestingly, in the Seattle/Pugent Sound area, eight Indian American women are running for various elected offices, or have been elected, including Seattle city council member Kshama Sawant, and Jayapal. Jayapal is the first Indian American woman to serve in the House; Sen. Kamala Harris, a Democrat from California, is the first Indian American to serve in the Senate.

Das immigrated from India to the U.S. with her parents as a child. She launched her career with international and domestic software companies in the Pacific Northwest. Thirteen years ago, she started her own mortgage company and built it into an award-winning lender in 50 states, serving a population of homebuyers typically ignored by other lenders, according to a Das campaign news release.

“My focus in business has to been to reach out to underserved homebuyers, to educate them, and to champion their home ownership dreams,” she said. “As a community leader, I advocate for those who need a strong voice – immigrants, women and others in our communities who are often overlooked.

“Americans are dissatisfied with government. They want to see more unification, less division,” she said. “In my travels around the district I’ve been hearing that voters have had enough. Enough of absentee leadership. Enough indecisveness. I am a listener, a consensus-builder, a fighter, and I intend to bring it all to this office on behalf of residents in the 8th District.”

Trump asked to host Diwali Celebration at White House

October 3, 2017 Staff ReporterCulture/Religion 0

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, has reportedly sent a letter to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly on Sept. 26, urging the Trump administration to continue the tradition of celebrating Diwali at the White House.

In 2009, former President Barack Obama became the first president to participate in Diwali celebrations at the White House. The following year, the Obamas celebrated Diwali in India during the president’s first official visit to the country. Diwali celebrations at the White House continued throughout Obama’s tenure.

Indian American businessman and political activist Shalabh ‘Shalli’ Kumar – founder of the Republican Hindu Coalition – has informed the media that Hatch signed the letter to Kelly with the support of several Senate members and former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon. Kumar said Bannon was “a great supporter of the Hindu community.”

The request by the Senator has been made aAt the behest of the Republican Hindu Coalition, which itself sent a formal invitation to Trump Sept. 1, requesting a Diwali celebration on Oct. 18 or 19 at the White House, followed by a rally in Chicago Oct. 21 or 22.

Kumar envisioned the White House festooned in traditional Diwali decorations, and a celebration with about 200 people present. Plans for a larger celebration –with 10,000 people and Trump in tow – at the Sears Center near Chicago, Illinois, are also being formulated, said Kumar.

“Trump declared very loudly during his campaign that Indians would have a best friend in the White House if he was elected. We want our best friend to celebrate this holiday with us,” Kumar told the media.

In his letter to Kelly – a copy of which was obtained by India-West – Hatch said: “I am eager to help my Hindu and Indian American friends because they are among the most supportive groups in my ongoing effort to reform the tax code and restructure the H-1B program.”

In a sweeping overstatement, Hatch said: “In the recent election, with the support of the Republican Hindu Coalition – and thanks to the leadership of Shalli Kumar – the Hindu American community voted Republican for the first time in history.”

In fact, Indian Americans overwhelmingly voted Democrat this year. During the 1980s and 1990s, newly-enfranchised Indian American voters tended to vote for conservative candidates who supported traditional family values.

“The Hindu and Indian American community is not only critical to the future of the Republican Party, it is also representative of all that is right and good in the American immigrant experience,” wrote Hatch in the letter, adding: “This emerging minority group continues to distinguish itself by embracing the best of our nation’s values.”

“I believe our friends in the Hindu American community should be celebrated for their many contributions to our society,” wrote the senator.

‘SUCCEED Act’ by GOP to protect undocumented kids in US

October 3, 2017 Staff ReporterTravel 0

Three Republican senators introduced the ‘SUCCEED Act’ Sept. 25, designed to protect undocumented children, including over 7,000 Indian Americans, who currently face the threat of deportation following President Donald Trump’s repeal of DACA.

Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, James Lankford of Oklahoma and Orrin Hatch of Utah introduced the proposed legislation at a news conference on Capitol Hill. The bill offers a pathway to citizenship to recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Dreamers — as DACA children are known — will be offered conditional status and work permits for the first 10 years after they are approved for the program, and will then be eligible for a green card. After 15 years, the youths would be eligible for citizenship.

Unlike other green cards, DACA youth with green cards would not be allowed to sponsor family members for immigration purposes. “This is a merit-based solution that should unite members of both parties, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on the path forward,” said Tillis in a press statement after the bill was introduced.

Earlier in the month, Trump met for dinner with Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, and House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in an attempt to hammer out legislation that would protect Dreamers, while also increasing enforcement at the nation’s borders. “Does anyone really want to throw out good, accomplished, educated people, some of them serving in the military? Really?” tweeted the president after the meeting.

A coalition of several Indian American civil rights organizations, including South Asian Americans Leading Together and Desis Rising Up and Moving, issued a statement after the meeting, soundly rejecting the tentative agreement between Trump, Pelosi, and Schumer, and demanding a “clean DREAM Act.”

“DACAmented youth should not be used as bargaining chips to further destroy immigrant families and to militarize our borders and neighborhoods,” stated the coalition of organizations. Hatch, who co-authored the DREAM Act with Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, stated in a press release: “I’ve said all along that we need a workable, permanent solution for the Dreamer population.”

“Immigration is a difficult issue, but I’m convinced there’s a path forward on this, and I’m committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find that path and to enact meaningful reform, which must also include increased border security,” he said.

Durbin, however, did not state his support for the SUCCEED Act. “I appreciate that my colleagues recognize the need to pass legislation giving a path to citizenship to Dreamers, young immigrants who were brought here as children and grew up in this country — so do 75 percent of the American people. Unfortunately, the Republican bill falls short,” he said in an interview with The New York Times.

More than 7,000 Indian American children currently benefit from DACA, an Obama-era executive order launched in 2012 which offered relief from deportation to undocumented youth, along with work permits and drivers’ licenses. Trump rescinded the initiative Sept. 5, saying Obama had overstepped the boundaries of executive power.

The ‘SUCCEED Act’ — Solution for Undocumented Children through Careers Employment Education and Defending our nation — would require children to obtain their high school diploma, and then either gain full-time employment, enroll in college, or sign up for the military. Applicants would have to maintain their good standing for five years in order to renew their status. Applicants cannot be affiliated with a gang, and must pass a background security check. They also cannot receive any federal public benefits.

“It is right for there to be consequences for those who intentionally entered this country illegally,” said Lankford, in a press statement, following the bill’s introduction. “However, we as Americans do not hold children legally accountable for the actions of their parents,” he said, while also praising Trump for rescinding DACA with the proviso of urging Congress to step up and create legislation which would permanently protect Dreamers.

“To address the uncertainty facing children who were brought to America, the SUCCEED Act is a fair solution that gives them a place to call home, but it also discourages future illegal immigration,” said Lankford.

Sushma Swaraj in address to UN, acknowledges previous governments’ development efforts

September 26, 2017 Staff ReporterCommunity 0

In a display of unity on the world stage, India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj paid a compliment on September 23^rd to previous governments in India, including the Congress party, by acknowledging their efforts to build India. She also showcased the demonetisation and the introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST) as successes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

Outlining the contrasting trajectories of India and Pakistan during her address to the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on Saturday, she said: “There have been many governments under many parties during 70 years of Indian freedom, for we have been a sustained democracy. Every government has done its bit for India’s development.”

“We have marched ahead, consistently, without pause, in education, health and across the range of human welfare,” she said, setting aside the rancorous debates at home. “We established scientific and technical institutions which are the pride of the world.”

“We produced scholars, doctors, engineers,” she said recognizing the contributions of governments that preceded Modi’s election three years ago. “Today India is a recognized IT superpower in the world.”

The Congress party ruled India close to 60 years of independent India’s 70 years. “Doctors save people from death, terrorists send them to death,” she said contrasting the achievements of the two neighbors birthed a day part in 1947. “Pakistan is recognised only as the pre-eminent export factory for terror.”

Among social programs, she said the “Save the girl, Educate the girl'” campaign is reducing gender inequality, while the Swach Bharat — Clean India — program is generating “a revolutionary change in social attitudes and habits.”

The scope of the Jan Dhan program of opening bank accounts for 300 million people – about the size of the United States population – made it “the world’s largest financial inclusion scheme,” she said.

Highlights of External Affairs Minister Swaraj’s address to the United Nations on Saturday: *World is trapped in a deluge of troubles of which the most dangerous is the relentless rise of violence and terrorism, and the ideas that promote them are spreading.

*Climate change threatens the world and developed countries have to step up to help the developing countries deal with it.

*Nuclear proliferation has re-emerged as a global threat — a reference to North Korea.

*Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chosen “the more radical route” of fighting poverty by empowering the poor, ho had been denied opportunities, instead of the traditional method of “incremental levels of aid and hand-holding.”

*In an unusual gesture to the Opposition, especially the Congress party, Swaraj acknowledged, “Every government has done its bit for India’s development.”

*Demonetization was a courageous decision to challenge one of the by-products of corruption, the “black money” that disappeared from circulation.

*More than 160 countries support text-based negotiations on the reform and expansion of the Security Council and adopting it and continuing with the reform efforts should be a priority.

*Terrorism is the top problem for the UN and the Comprehensive Compact on International Terrorism should be adopted.

*If the Security Council cannot agree on the listing of terrorists, the world can’t fight terror. “Stop seeing this evil with self-defeating and indeed meaningless nuance.

*Swaraj lampooned Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s attacks on India as a way to blunt them in the international forum: “He accused India of State-sponsored terrorism, and of violating human rights. Those listening had only one observation: ‘Look who’s talking’.”

*India has offered the hand of friendship and agreed to bilateral dialogue, but “Pakistan is responsible for the aborting that peace process.”

*Contrast the flow of history between the two neighbours: National development for the people in India and development of factories of terror export in Pakistan.

*Pakistan’s leadership should introspect why the two nations were on different trajectories.

*UN resolutions have been overtaken by history and bilateral negotiations are the only way forward.

Indian Americans express outrage over Nuh encounter killing; call for prosecution of police officers involved

Rahul Gandhi calls upon NRIs to protect India from divisive forces

September 21, 2017 Ajay GhoshPolitics 0

Addresses a packed audience at Iconic Times Square in New York

“The divisive politics was ruining India’s reputation abroad and NRIs in the tradition of the great NRIs before them, should stand up to those dividing India now,” the Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi told a gathering of over 2,000 Non Resident Indians from around the nation at the iconic Times Square in New York City on Wednesday, September 20^th, 2017. Gandhi’s call came in an outreach program at the end of his two-week long tour of the United States.

The leader of the oldest and the largest pa5rrty in India spoke on a range of issues including the Indian economy, India’s healthcare system, and the job market. Gandhi, at the event organized by the Indian Overseas Congress, also spoke about the Congress Party’s vision for India’s future and how the NRI community in America could par-take in building that future.

India’s reputation as a country of peace and harmony is in danger abroad because of divisive forces at work at home, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi said in a veiled attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, and urged NRIs to stand up against “those dividing the country”.

The son of late Rajiv Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi restated his vision for the country based on the principal themes of jobs, agriculture, education and healthcare, while appealing to the community to come to India and work for the country and the congress party, telling them that non-resident Indians had always played a critical role in India’s progress.

He reminded NRIs as to how Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Abdul Kalam Azad, Sardar Patel and B R Ambedkar were all non-resident Indians, who had brought to India their learnings when hey returned and transformed the country. “You need to get involved, you have tremendous knowledge, tremendous understanding.”

Everywhere he went, Gandhi said, he heard the same concern, from San Francisco, where he began his tour, to Los Angeles to Washington DC to New York. “What has happened to tolerance that had prevailed in India? What is going on in your country,” he said people would ask him. “India has a reputation for peace and harmony…this is being challenged…there are forces that are dividing the country…This is dangerous for the country and ruins our reputation abroad,” he added.

Rahul Gandhi spoke about what he termed as the biggest challenge in India – empowering the youth. “For every 30,000 youngsters entering the job market, only 450 get a job. India cannot give a vision of a future if they cannot give the youth a job. Congress party has a vision, by focusing on building the small and medium businesses and entrepreneurship and creating ‘millions and millions of jobs in India.’” Rahul Gandhi also spoke about universities in India which, he said, need to be connected to the economy and businesses across the world.

Gandhi also praised Sam Pitroda, who was an adviser to his father Rajiv Gandhi and to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, as another NRI who through his work on telecommunications helped transform India.

Pitroda, who has taken over the NRI mission of the Congress as the chairman of its Overseas Department, organized Rahul Gandhi’s US visit. “He (Rahul Gandhi) is not what the media makes him out to be…Others should not define him,” Pitroda said, adding “People see it for themselves.”

Pitroda said that the party’s immediate goal was to increase its 18 overseas units to 30 and set up chapters in every major US city. The BJP has grown itself in the diaspora through social media. “Use social media responsibly,” Pitroda exhorted the audience, telling them to stay away from fake news and divisive messages.

Gandhi’s visit to New York City coincides with the U.N. General Assembly’s annual high-level session, during which global leaders convene for meetings in the U.N. and elsewhere in the city. Shudh Parkash Singh, president of the Indian National Overseas Congress wing in the U.S., told IANS he was organizing the meeting for Gandhi so “NRIs can know first-hand what his (Gandhi’s) vision is, what his ideology is and Congress is. We wanted him to have meetings with people, face-to-face, in order to turn around (his) image projected by the BJP through managed media. They are out to destroy his image and we are trying to do the opposite.” Singh said the event is financed entirely by the INOC, supplemented with contributions from sponsors and advertisers in a brochure published for the event.

Rahul Gandhi’s US visit is part of ‘new conversation’ on India’s future

September 21, 2017 Ajay GhoshPolitics 0

In an effort to create and continue a new dialogue with India, especially with the powerful Indian Diaspora in the United States, Congress Party leader Rahul Gandhi is on a two-week visit to the US during which he has been interacting with global thinkers, political leaders, business leaders, and address overseas Indians as part of a new conversation on the future of India as well as an outreach initiative by his party. During his trip to the US, Gandhi has been engaging with the Indian diaspora with the purpose of making them a part in India’s development.

In his first engagement, Gandhi, vice president of the Congress Party, addressed a packed audience of students at the prestigious University of California, Barkley on Monday, September 18^th on ‘India at 70: Reflections on the Path Forward’, in which offered his reflections on contemporary India and the path forward for the world’s largest democracy. Gandhi, 47, was received at the San Francisco airport by senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda and Shudh Singh, the president of Indian National Overseas Congress (INOC) US.

“He is here at the University of California Berkley, where Pandit (Jawaharlal Nehru) addressed in 1949 as the Prime Minister. Today we are at the cross roads where core value of Indian democracy secularism and pluralistic society is in danger,” Congress spokesman Madhu Goud Yaskhi said. Rahul Gandhi’s ongoing two-week visit to the United States is a belated attempt by the Congress to compete with the Bharatiya Janata Party for the goodwill of the Indian diaspora.

Gandhi has repeatedly raised the issue of joblessness during his meetings with experts, business leaders and Congressmen in the United States. “Currently, we are not producing enough jobs. 30,000 new youngsters are joining the job market every single day and yet the government is only creating 500 jobs a day. And this doesn’t include the massive pool of already unemployed youngsters,” Gandhi had said in his address at the University of California in Berkeley.

During his interaction with students at the prestigious Princeton University in New Jersey admitted that the Narendra Modi-led BJP came to power in India because people were angry with the Congress party over the issue of unemployment. Employment is an all-encompassing means to empower, enfranchise and involve Indians in the nation building process, he said.

“I think, the central reason why Mr Modi arose and to an extent why Mr Trump came, is the question of jobs in India and in the United States. There’s a large part of our populations that simply do not have jobs and cannot see a future. And, so they are feeling pain. And they have supported these types of leaders,” Gandhi told students, while pointing out that the prime minister was not doing enough to solve the key problem facing India.

At Princeton, Gandhi said India needed to transform itself to compete with China, and for that the people in the country required jobs. “Those same people who got angry with us because we couldn’t deliver on those 30,000 jobs (a day) are going to get angry with Mr Modi. The central question is resolving that problem. My main issue with Mr Modi is that he diverts that issue and points the finger somewhere else instead of saying listen we have a problem,” he said.

“There is anger building up in India right now. We can sense it. So to me the challenge is how to solve that job growth problem in a democratic environment. That is the challenge,” he said. “So we have to first accept it as a problem. Then we have to unite and try to solve it. Right now, nobody is even accepting it as a problem,” he argued. Gandhi also raised the issue of “polarization in India”. He said that the “politics of polarization” was a central challenge in India and some sections of the society, including the minority communities and tribal people, who do not feel that they are a part of the ruling BJP’s vision.

“In the 21st century, if you leave some people out of your vision, you are asking for trouble. New ideas would come, new different visions would develop. So, to me, central challenge in India is politics of polarization where you pit one community against the other and you create spaces for other people to come in,” Gandhi said. “There is a belt of 100 million tribal people who do not feel comfortable with the vision (of the BJP). There are a number of states in India, which don’t want a single vision forced down their throat. There are minority communities, they do not feel that they are a part of the vision. So that’s where the real danger is,” Gandhi said in response to a question. India’s strength has always been its ability to embrace people, he said.

The central pitch, according to Pitroda, is that the “existing world order”, which came up around the United States, is on its way out and India can take a lead in shaping the new order, which, for instance, is inclusive to begin with — “you cannot ignore 200 million Muslims (in India)”.

Gandhi was accompanied by former ministers Shashi Tharoor and Milind Deora. Overseas Indians wield considerable influence in the American establishment and in India. Gandhi’s visit is part of Pitroda’s plan to harness NRI support for the party – a strategy that has been a success for the Bharatiya Janata Party. While the Congress has large base among academics, intellectuals and the media, the BJP has been able to create a much broader support base among NRIs, mobilizing several thousands to attend Modi’s meetings in New York and San Jose in mammoth arenas. The plan is to create a network to connect NRIs to party leaders at state and district levels and to help returning NRIs enter Indian politics.

On Tuesday, this week, Gandhi met with a host of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, civil society representatives, think tanks and experts in California, and then travelled to Washington DC. In DC earlier this week, he began his visit to the capital, starting with think tank Centre for American Progress (CAP). The liberal-leaning CAP was founded by John Podesta, who chaired Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign, and is run by Indian American Neera Tanden, a veteran of many Democratic administrations, including President Barack Obama’s. Former editor Gautam Adhikari is one of its experts.

Gandhi then visited another DC think-tank, the Atlantic Council, which has a strong focus on South Asia, and then the US-India Business Council, an advocacy group that works on promoting business ties between the two countries and which is now emerging from a specially bruising split. Gandhi had an evening interaction with experts at an interaction organized and hosted by conservative-leaning Heritage Foundation and Republican strategist Puneet Ahluwalia. Experts invited included Ashley Tellis of Carnegie and Anish Goel, a former Obama White House India hand. The tour concluded with Gandhi meeting about 2,000 prominent members of the Indian community at New York’s Marriott Hotel on September 20.

Trump, top Democrats agree to work on deal to save ‘dreamers’ from deportation

September 21, 2017 Staff ReporterU.S. 0

Democratic leaders announced late Wednesday that they agreed with President Donald Trump to pursue a legislative deal that would protect hundreds of thousands of young undocumented immigrants from deportation and enact border security measures that don’t include building a physical wall.

The president discussed options during a dinner at the White House with Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., that also included talks on tax reform, infrastructure and trade. Trump has showed signs of shifting strategy to cross the aisle and work with Democrats in the wake of the high-profile failures by Republicans to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Trump, however, appeared to send shifting signals Thursday on how far he would go with Democrats over signature issues such as the border wall and the fate of so-called undocumented “dreamers.” In a series of tweets, Trump wrote that “no deal” was made on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, an Obama-era program that has allowed 690,000 dreamers to work and go to school without fear of deportation. He further wrote that agreements on “massive border security” would have to accompany any new DACA provisions, and insisted that “the WALL … will continue to be built.”

But he again put lawmakers on notice that he favors some protections for the young dreamers. “Does anybody really want to throw out good, educated and accomplished young people who have jobs, some serving in the military?” Trump wrote in back-to-back tweets. Really! … They have been in our country for many years through no fault of their own – brought in by parents at young age. Plus BIG border security.”

Trump tweeted, “The WALL, which is already under construction in the form of new renovation of old and existing fences and walls, will continue to be built.” A possible alliance between Trump and the Democrats on immigration would represent a major political gamble for a president who made promises of tougher border control policies the centerpiece of his campaign and pledged to build a “big, beautiful wall” along the U.S.-Mexico border. A majority of Republicans, especially in the House, have long opposed offering legal status, and a path to citizenship, to the nation’s more than 11 million undocumented immigrants.

In a sign of the potential trouble for the president, Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, an immigration hard-liner and early Trump supporter, wrote that if reports of a potential immigration deal are accurate, the president’s “base is blown up, destroyed, irreparable, and disillusioned beyond repair. No promise is credible.”

Trump has vacillated over the fate of the dreamers, who have lived in the country illegally since they were children. Under mounting pressure from the right, Trump moved two weeks ago to begin dismantling the program.

In announcing the decision, the president made clear that he expected Congress to pursue a plan to protect the DACA recipients, offering a six-month delay until their two-year work permits begin to expire in March.

In a statement, the White House described the meeting as “constructive” and said the administration “looks forward to continuing these conversations with leadership on both sides of the aisle.”

Congressional aides familiar with the exchange said that Trump and the party leaders agreed to move quickly on legislation to protect dreamers, though aides did not disclose whether they agreed that the goal should be for dreamers to eventually be offered a path to citizenship.

In a statement, Schumer and Pelosi said they had “a very productive meeting at the White House with the President. The discussion focused on DACA. We agreed to enshrine the protections of DACA into law quickly, and to work out a package of border security, excluding the wall, that’s acceptable to both sides.”

And Republican leaders are already wary of the spending agreement Trump brokered with Democrats last week on a three-month spending plan to raise the debt ceiling and keep the government funded. Pelosi and House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., met earlier Wednesday to begin discussing the broad parameters of the forthcoming immigration debate. Ryan’s team signaled that despite the administration’s eagerness to quickly seal the deal, it will take awhile.

UN General Assembly opens 72nd session with focus on the world’s people

September 19, 2017 Ajay GhoshCommunity 0

Sushma Swaraj to Address the General Assembly

The United Nations General Assembly opened its 72nd session, with an emphasis on striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet on September 12^th, 2017. The General Debate will open on Tuesday, 19 September 2017, with a focus on the theme, ‘Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet’.

“The UN was created for people,” Miroslav Lajčák said in his first address as President of the General Assembly. “The people who need the UN the most are not sitting in this hall today. They are not involved in the negotiation of resolutions. They do not take the floor at high-level events. It is one of the tasks of the General Assembly to make sure that their voices can still be heard.”

Ahead of the opening, the career diplomat from Slovakia spoke to UN News about his hopes for his one-year tenure, and said that conflict prevention and migration would top his agenda. He noted that while it was “impossible” to select one priority for the UN to focus on this year, his aim will be to strive for balance, so that all points of view are represented. He also stressed quality and transparency in his future work. Lajčák takes the reins one week before the start of the high-level General Assembly debate, and said he hoped the 193 UN Member States participating would treat each other with diplomacy and mutual respect. Speaking to reporters later in the day, Mr. Lajčák reiterated the importance of using the world body to assist people around the world.

Addressing the opening of the General Assembly, Secretary-General António Guterres also emphasized the importance of focusing on people in the UN’s work and underscored his proposed reforms to streamline the Organization.

“People around the world are rightly demanding change and looking for governments and institutions to deliver,” he said. “We all agree that the United Nations must do even more to adapt and deliver. That is the aim of the reform proposals that this Assembly will consider.” He added that one key change within and beyond the UN must be the empowerment of women and girls around the world, and highlighted his own roadmap for achieving gender parity.

In preparation for the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), the UN has released documents related to its agenda items on Education, Environmental Conventions, and Social Development. A summary of UNGA 72 documents on Trade, Gender and Human Development, and a summary of documents on Globalization and 2030 Agenda, Technology and Innovation, and Water and Sanitation have been released.

The President of the 72nd session of the UNGA, Miroslav Lajčák, identified the following six overarching priorities for his tenure following his election: making a difference in the lives of ordinary people; prevention and mediation for sustaining peace; migration; political momentum for the SDGs and climate; human rights and equality, including equal opportunities for genders; and quality of events organized by the Presidency. A number of events will take place in parallel to the opening of the 72nd session of the UNGA, including Global Goals Week 2017 and Climate Week NYC 2017.

India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will address the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 23 in New York. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the UNGA session for the first time in three years.

Prime Minister Modi in 2014 presented the UN summit his vision for India’s foreign policy that decisively moved away from the vestiges of the polemics of the anti-colonial era while committing to promotion of global democracy. He had also pitched the creation of International Yoga Day, which was quickly adopted by the Assembly.

Aziz Ansari wins Emmys 2017

September 19, 2017 Staff ReporterCommunity 0

For the second year in a row, Indian American actor-writer-director Aziz Ansari earned an Emmy Award for ‘Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series’ for “Master of None” at the 69^th Emmy Awards nite held at Microsoft Theater September 17th in Los Angeles, Calif. He shared the honors with Lena Waithe, who made history as the first African American woman to win for comedy writing for the “Thanksgiving” episode from Season 2 of Netflix’s “Master of None.”

Ansari and Waithe beat out Alec Berg of “Silicon Valley,” Donald Glover and Stephen Glover of “Atlanta,” and Billy Kimball and David Mandel of “Veep” for the honor. In 2016, Ansari shared the win with his “Master of None” co-creator Alan Yang.

In his speech, the activist and rapper also highlighted the importance of the Innocence Project, a non-profit organization that works towards exonerating wrongly convicted people, and the New York-based South Asian Youth Action organization.

“It’s always strange reaping the rewards of a story that’s based on real world suffering,” Ahmed said in his acceptance speech. “But if this show has shown a light on some of the prejudice in our society, Islamophobia, some of the injustice in our justice system, then maybe that’s something.”

The night was also special for British Pakistani actor Riz Ahmed who became the first man of South Asian descent to take home the Emmy for ‘Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie.’ Ahmed was honored for his portrayal of Nasir “Naz” Khan on HBO’s “The Night of.” In 2010, Indian American actress Archie Panjabi won an Emmy for her role in “The Good Wife.”

“Master of None” and Ansari were also nominated for ‘Outstanding Comedy Series’ and ‘Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.’ Adding charm to the list of presenters for the second time was Indian actress Priyanka Chopra, who shone on the red carpet in an encrusted white feathered gown from the shelves of Balmain. And the 34-year-old, who complemented her look with dark purple smoky eyes and a matching matte lip, also landed on the best dressed list. Chopra and Anthony Anderson presented the ‘Outstanding Variety Talk Series’ award to John Oliver for his HBO show, “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.”

Trump nominates Kenneth Juster as ambassador to India

September 13, 2017 Staff ReporterIndia, Profiles, U.S. 0

Kenneth Juster, who had played a key role in laying the foundations of the India-US nuclear cooperation agreement, has been nominated as the new U.S. ambassador to India.

President Donald Trump’s decision to appoint Juster was announced by the White House on Friday evening. It will have to be approved by the Senate. His nomination is a mark of importance that Trump places on building closer economic, trade and strategic relations with India.

Juster, 62, had served as the Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs from January to June under President Donald Trump. He was also the Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security from 2001 to 2005 under former President George.w. Bush.

Juster still holds the position of Acting Counselor of the Department of State. The diplomat represented Trump for the advance work and negotiations for the May G7 summit in Italy.

The New Delhi position has been vacant since January when Richard Varma resigned along with most political appointees of former President Barack Obama’s administration.

The nomination of the new envoy follows Trump’s announcement in his Afghanistan policy speech last week that “another critical part of the South Asia strategy for America is to further develop its strategic partnership with India”.

He simultaneously delivered Pakistan the sternest warning by a US leader saying that it has “much to lose” if it continues to harbor terrorists.

As the Under Secretary for Commerce, Juster played a key role in developing the civilian nuclear cooperation agreement between US and India.

During his tenure, he founded and chaired the US-India High Technology Cooperation Group, and played an important role in developing the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP) initiative.

The NSSP laid the foundation for increased civilian nuclear and space cooperation, and high-technology trade and expanded dialogue on missile defense.

For these contributions, the US-India Business Council honored him with the Blackwill Award in 2004.

Between leaving the Bush administration in 2005 and joining the Trump administration this year, Juster had served as the executive vice president of the technology company Salesforce.com and as managing director at the global investment firm Walter Pincus.

Juster is a graduate of Harvard University. He has served as the chairman of Harvard University’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, and as a vice chairman of the Asia Foundation.

Murder of Gauri Lankesh; an ominous sign for India’s flailing democracy!

September 13, 2017 Staff ReporterProfiles 0

By George Abraham

Gauri Lankesh, a prominent Kannada journalist and a vehement critic of communal politics of the BJP government, was gunned down at her doorstep in Rajarajeswari Nagar in Bangalore by some unknown assailants. She worked as an editor in Lankesh Patrike, a Kannada weekly started by her father P. Lankesh and ran her own weekly called Gauri Lankesh Patrike.

She was known as a fearless journalist and activist who opposed communalization of politics, casteism, and marginalization of minorities in the society. Her forceful advocacy on behalf of Rohingya people is a true manifestation of her deeply held convictions. Death threats or intimidation from any quarters never stopped her from confronting the ever increasing challenges to the freedom of expression by the media, the fourth estate.

Undoubtedly, journalists, opinion makers, and reporters are being increasingly targeted by Hindu nationalists who are on a crusade to promote their hateful agenda. In the last few years, journalists who appear to be critical of Hindu nationalists have been threatened, berated on the social media, while many women journalists have been threatened with rape and assault.

India has just celebrated its 70th anniversary of its independence. The Democratic Institutions that were created under the Nehruvian vision are increasingly under threat from right-wing forces that are closely aligned with BJP. The fundamental right to express one’s opinion is under assault as either sedition charges are filed against the individuals or the institution that exercise those rights or the law enforcement mechanism is being manipulated to intimidate and silence those voices.

Gauri Lankesh’s death appears to be a meticulously planned and executed to silence a powerful voice. The opposing forces could not match her rationale pointing up the dangers of right-wing politics and its possibly disastrous effect on the secular fabric of the nation. Her harsh criticism of prevailing casteism in the society was often directed at Institutions that still harbor those sentiments and made her more of a passionate activist who had little patience for the status-quo.

This is not the first murder of a rationalist and thinker after the ascension of BJP to the power at the Center. A rationalist professor and thinker M M Kalburgi was murdered in the quaint town of Dharwad. In the neighboring state of Maharashtra, rationalists Govind Pansare and Narendra Dabholkar were also shot, and the one thing that united them all was their strident voices against intolerance and hatred of the right wing ideology.

It is no more an exaggeration to say that India is governed under a ‘simulated emergency’ without truly declaring it. Shani Prabhakaran, a television reporter from Kerala, spoke candidly about the treatment of the media by the BJP government at a recent seminar in Chicago sponsored by the India Press Club. According to her, as soon as she finished a television segment analyzing the last three years of the governance by the Modi regime, a questionnaire from Delhi had arrived with a number of questions asking her to substantiate each criticism! Commenting on the recent raids, NDTV’s Prannoy said the following ‘our fight is not against the CBI, I-T or the ED but against politicians who were using these Institutions and ruining and destroying our country.’

The basic responsibility of a journalist is to inform the public free of hype and bias. The fourth estate, as the media is often dubbed, acts as a mirror and a watchdog for the good of the public. However, most of the media in India today are controlled by big corporations whose professional responsibilities of the news outlets they own are intertwined with their business interests. The result is an abject failure in reporting the news with fairness and balance that could prove to be detrimental to a vibrant democratic society.

Never in the history of India, a governing party had made such blatant attempt to eliminate an opposition party (Congress Mukhta Bharat), intimidated and scared Media houses from reporting factual news, invoked colonial-era sedition laws to silence student activists from speaking out or created a hostile environment where these killings go unabated.

Through her sacrifice, Gauri Lankesh has woken up our conscience once again. She had recognized the fact that our hard fought freedom and liberty, once again is in danger. In her death, our flailing democracy will be missing one of its strongest defenders. May I salute this brave soul for her true grit and passion for justice! ‘The power to question is the basis of all human progress’ – Indira Gandhi

(Writer is a former Chief Technology Officer of the United Nations and Chairman of the Indian National Overseas Congress, USA)

Onam celebrations by MASCONN in Trumbull, CT

September 12, 2017 Ajay GhoshCommunity, Culture/Religion 0

(Trumbull, CT: September 11th, 2017): Over 300 people from across the state of Connecticut came together to celebrate their culture, traditions, and fellowship during the 9th annual Onam celebrations organized by Malayalee Association of Southern Connecticut (MASCONN) at Madison Middle School, Trumbull, CT on Saturday, September 9^th, 2017.

Men, women, children and youth dressed in traditional attire, were welcomed with a colorful Pookoalm and the traditional lamp with a sandalwood tilak on forehead at the entrance of school, giving them a warm traditional Indian welcome.

Onam celebrations at the Madison Middle School auditorium began with the lighting of the traditional Nailavilakku or lamp by honored guests of MASCONN and the executive committee members. Legendary King Mahabali was welcomed to the stage with “Pancha Vadyam” and a warm traditional welcome by a dozen beautiful women dressed in traditional attire, who later on performed Thiruvathirakkali, a folk dance, typically a Keralite dance, well known for its essence, grandeur and simplicity.

Aparna Bijoy Namboodri, Aswathi Rajesh, Amy Lolyd, Sabitha Ranjit, Mahima Hardy, Veena Ramesh, Mia Wilson, Teressa Joseph performed theThiruvathirakkali to the delight of the audience. In this traditional dance form, women clad in traditional Kerala attire with gold brocade attached to it and wearing jasmine garlands on their heads, rhythmically moved around a lighted Nilavilakku, singing and clapping their hands, to the tune of a particular genre of songs called Thiruvathirappaattu, which is meant solely for this graceful dance.

“Onam awaits one very special visitor, Kerala’s most loved legendary King Maveli. He is the King who once gave the people a golden era in Kerala. The King is so much attached to his kingdom that it is believed that he comes annually from the nether world to see his people living happily. It is in honor of King Mahabali, affectionately called Onathappan, that Onam is celebrated,” Unni a young child on stage explained the story behind this cultural festival of Kerala, a southern Indian state.

The cultural events began with a prayer recital in Sanskrit invoking Lord Ganesha for His blessings by young Tejas Puthiyaveetile. The multicultural programs by the young and the old ranging from ages 3 to 60 were a testimony to the love and affection for Indian culture and how the old strive to pass on their traditions and culture to the 2^nd and 3^rd generation of Indian Americans in this country.

The over four hours long cultural extravaganza consisted of several live dances, classical Bharatnatyam, fusion, Bollywood, folk and contemporary dances, live music and songs, sung in Malayalam, a language spoken by Malayalees around the world. Each and every young artist delighted the audience with one’s melodious voices, and several dances both cinematic and traditional, showcasing the rich variety of dance forms prevalent in India.

“MASCONN an offshoot of the natural growth of the Indian-American especially Malayalee Community in the southern Connecticut region,” said Unni Thoyakkattu, President of MASCON, in his welcome address. “In a very short period, we have grown by leaps and bounds and we strive to meet the growing needs of our community. He praised the Masconn YOuht group who have successfully organized a picnic and have now brought out their maiden issue of their own magazine, which was launched by the President as he received the first copy from the Youth Group President, Mia and the editorial team.

The whole ambience was filled with nostalgia since it was an occasion for all the Malayalees in Connecticut to cherish their childhood memories, especially everyone enjoyed the sumptuous Onam Sadhya (meal), the most important and main attraction of the day with different traditional dishes and ”payasam” that was served on banana leaves. Participants were dressed in their traditional attire. The most traditional costume for the men of Kerala is the “Mundu” which is mostly white in colour. It is worn tightly at the waist with a knot and comes down till the feet. Women following Hinduism wear a blouse and mundu known as “Mundu neriyathu.” Children were seen elegantly in mundus, shirts, sarees and salwar.

In his Onam message, Mahabali told the audience that the “beauty of the festival lies in its secular fabric. People of all religions, castes and com

munities celebrate the festival with equal joy and verve. Onam also helps to create an atmosphere of peace and brotherhood by way of various team sports organized on the day,” he added. Tijo Josh proposed vote of thanks, while thanking all the organizers for the great event they had worked so hard to put together.

Living in countries that are far away from their homeland, in the midst of different cultures, busy with the day-to-day mundane work and home tasks, the Non Resident I

ndian (NRI) community made this “land of opportunities” their home, have brought with them these cultural traditions and have sought to pass them on to their children, who are often born and raised here.

Onam is a festival celebrated in the south-western state of Kerala, India. The Keralites or the Malayalees, the illustrious people of the beautiful state are known around the world, celebrate the festival of Onam wherever they are.

The celebration of Onam festival provides them with a perfect opportunity to encourage the new generation of children of Indian origin to witness, learn and appreciate these rich traditions, even while it offers the first generation NRIs to stay connected and cherish the rich cultural heritage they hold so dear to them.

Malayalee Association of Southern Connecticut (MASCONN) which was formed less than ten years ago, the cultural extravaganza was in many ways “reliving the culture and traditions” and “cherishing the past with a view to pass it on to the future generation.”

“All started with a dream. Wanted to find something that would bring me pleasure daily:” Olga Noskova Tells Ancy James in an Exclusive Interview

September 4, 2017 Staff ReporterBusiness, Fashion, Profiles, Social Media, Tourism 0

By Ancy James

Cake Artist and Columnist

Olga Noskova, Russian Pastry Chef extraordinaire broke Instagram on May 2016 by gaining 300k followers overnight, a jump from her previous 34,000 followers, after sharing a few pictures of her eclectic cake which would go on to become her trademark “mirror glaze” technique. The internet drooled over every glamorous and blindingly shining masterpiece that she shared. Even as thousands of cake enthusiasts shared her cake designs praising it with words like “flawless”,”trippy and groovy”, “mesmerizing” and it was Britney Spears tweet: “This cake is too perfect to eat” that made the Russian Pastry Chef realize her own multimedia celebrity status.

A year into her phenomenal rise as the most sought after Cake designer and being in the spotlight has in no way dampened her ongoing passion to deliver the most perfect, glamorous and awe inspiring confection and her thriving Instagram account is proof of that

Currently she is gearing up for a Mega event where she will get to rub shoulders with the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Samuel L Jackson, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears and many others at “The 9th Shorty Awards” to be held in October this year in New York City. She has bagged a prestigious nomination as a finalist in the “Food” category. The Shorty Awards annually honor the best of social media by recognizing the influencer, brand and organization on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, snapchat and others.

Ancy James got in touch with her to share with our viewers her inspirations and share some light on the creative process of making her gorgeous cakes. We asked her about her journey to the top and how much life has changed since 2016, between then and now and her plans for the coming years.

Ancy James:

You have to give yourself credit for making history in instagram by adding 300k followers in less than 24 hrs last year with your glamorous mirror cakes and being the inspiration for cake afficianados around the world. Even the DIY(Do it yourself) kitchen table entrepreneurs are trying their hand at replicating your mirror glaze technique. In less than a year you have been recognized as a social media influencer with your prestigious nomination in the food category this year at ‘the shorty awards thanks to your every increasing followers. How do you feel about your phenomenal path to the top?

Olga Noskova:

In cooking, as in the fashion industry has its own legislature, trendsetters. Most often, they are world-famous masters of their craft, working with well-known restaurants or influential persons. Perhaps ordinary people have never heard of them, but they are well known in their circles. However, sometimes previously unknown confectioner can surprise the world with any of his incredible technique and conquer it, becoming the progenitor of a new trend. This is what happened to me. Many manufactures made mousse cakes, but my style of mirror glaze helped me stand apart from the general mass, and now, many associate mousse cake with my name. It’s a big responsibility because, now the world, professionals and amateurs alike are watching me and my work, and I always must be at a decent level in representing this trend in the confectionery art.

Ancy James

Pl share a little bit of the journey to becoming a multimedia celebrity. How has life changed after becoming the most popular and followed cake artist on the net?

Olga Noskova:

All started with a dream. I was an economist but I wanted to find something that would bring me pleasure daily. Do you know the English say: “Water dripping day by day wears the hardest rock away”? So, every day I tried to create something so beautiful and lovely. And thanks to my unbelievable mirror and delicious cakes my popularity started to grow. The stars smiled at me. In my case, the first star who rated my talent is Britney Spears 🙂

The British “Independent” wrote my cake is “absolutely impeccably”. The BuzzFeed called my work is “absolutely flawless” and wrote that they are “too good to be eaten”.

One day I woke up famous in the world. My Instagram increased to 613K followers. I could not believe what had happened to me! Their comments, admiration, love – that’s what makes me understand that this is not a hobby and not a job. This is my life!

Ancy James

You have seen phenomenal success in an industry where it is very important to offer something unique and different. How have you kept yourself grounded and what is your strategy to keep the internet drooling over you flawless and incredible creations in the coming years?

Olga Noskova:

I do not follow trends; I try to develop myself in the direction I have chosen. I love to experiment and explore new design options, combinations of textures, fillings and colors. Minimalism in details, incredible play of colors and combinations, memorable taste – all part of my style. Therefore, throughout 2017. I plan to continue to develop in this direction. But that’s not all) To remain trendsetter, it is needed to look ahead of the curve. Therefore, I now firmly engaged in studying extremely difficult, but at the same time, incredibly beautiful and unique technology that will not leave anyone indifferent.

Ancy James:

What inspires you to work so hard to create new designs. How do you draw inspiration from your life?

Olga Noskova:

My cake for me is pure “art”. I’m a pastry chef and an artist. I’m inspired by paintings by Van Gogh, Monet, Gauguin, Korovin. Their style and the transmission, infinite movement, fluidity of moment, a riot of colors – everything is so dynamic and passes you up a glimpse of the artist. The cake is my canvas. I paint my works in the soul and reproduce it. I strive to make every of my cake better than the previous. I guess what my followers want; I feel them and create for them. I draw inspiration from everywhere: from nature and its constant mutability, from the universe and its forces, from the world’s largest events. For example, when I think of infinity and majesty of the universe, I feel her strength and energy. I know that the universe helps, if you really want, and so always speak to her. I have a whole lot of cakes, dedicated to space, each of which is unique, as the universe itself. Every time it’s a new cosmic history, combining the incredible aureole, shine, color versatility, depth and power of outer space. As they say it is better to see once, so check my Instagram @olganoskovaa.

Ancy James:

Every month we see new and innovative tools and technology being introduced to the Cake decorating and Pastry world on some social platform or another. Which ones are your favorite?

Olga Noskova

To be honest, I like to do everything myself, using my hands. I do not have a large, mass production, which requires special equipment to accelerate the process.

I can afford to create. Sometimes ideas for cake decoration come during the actual creation process, and sometimes I ponder them in advance each detail, color. In each cake I put my love, happiness, and a piece of my soul. I think this is one of the secrets of the popularity of my cakes.

Ancy James:

How do you de-stress/let-off steam after a hard day at work?

Olga Noskova:

Orders are enough. Even if I’m not making cakes, I’m always looking for ideas. Now a lot of problems for the development of the brand, especially abroad. The Arab countries are showing great interest in my cakes and spent a lot of time to negotiate and discuss details.

But I always find time for family! It is very important for me to be there, do not miss any important moment. We like to spend weekends out of town, a break from the city bustle, enjoying nature and family gatherings.

And I love hockey! I try not to miss the games of Salavat Yulaev and root for them with all my heart. Now, I began to actively participate in the life of the club, most recently, my cake was put up for charity auction as a lot, and we helped to make this world a better place for special children.

Ancy James:

What advice would you give cake decorators who are flooded with new ideas but haven’t yet managed to develop their own style?

Olga Noskova:

Of course, in the beginning it is important to get the basic knowledge of the confectionery business in any kind of courses or workshops. This will be your foundation. I got my first experience from well-known foreign and Russian chiefs, absorbing like a sponge, their knowledge and advice. But if you want to become a true professional, stand out from the masses, you should not be afraid to take a chance. Begin to experiment, to try, to mix and find your perfect recipe. The true recipe can only be achieved by trial and error. Do not look at others, choose what you like, what you do best and take that route, developing and improving. Always keep learning, do not stop there.

Ancy James, after pursuing a career (16 years) as a television producer, at age 37, changed her life course by getting a Culinary and cake diploma and a few international cakes decorating certifications from international cake artists. Her stint of two years (2014-2016) running a small business in New Delhi, boosted her network with top notch cake aficionados and it got her thinking of writing a column with their views on global cake decorating trends. In 2016, she wrote columns for Indian top two bakery industry magazines, bakery biz and bakery review.

https://www.instagram.com/olganoskovaa

http://www.youtube.com/c/OlgaNoskova

https://www.facebook.com/olga.noskova.311

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