Houston Maharashtra Mandal recently hosted a joyous celebration of Makar Sankranti, one of India’s
Americans gathered to express their admiration
Trump, calling him a
JVB Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Mega Play about Spiritual Devotion
Houston: The spiritually uplifting mega-play “Prem Aur Vairagya Ki Amar Kahani” staged by Jain Vishwa Bharati Houston (JVB) on Sunday night was a resounding success, leaving the audience captivated by the extraordinary talent and dedication showcased by all involved.
The event, which took place at the Stafford Centre, was attended by a sold-out audience of 750, with visitors from various U.S. cities praising the scale and execution of the production.
This day marked the 25th Anniversary of the Jain Vishwa Bharati Preksha Meditation Center of Houston, a renowned hub of spiritual and community service brought to life with the presence of Samaniji’s (Jain nuns) that have graced the center for the past 25 years. It was even more special to have the presence of 4 visiting Samanijis who had specially flown from Orlando & New Jersey for the event.
This mega play represented the center’s sixth major stage production, with previous plays which were also based on ancient Jain scriptures namely - Chandanbala, Mahasati Anjana, Shalibhadra, Nal-Damayanti & Raja Harishchandra.
The program kicked off with a documentary that chronicled the center’s 25-year history and its impact on the local community, emphasizing its contributions to spiritual upliftment through Sunday’s Jainism lectures, meditation workshops and more importantly Sunday-school classes for children on Jainism, Yoga & Hindi.
The story, based on the compelling tale of Sthulibhadra and Roopkosha, explored themes of love, betrayal, and spiritual awakening while sharing the profound message of one of the greatest virtues for Moksha - celibacy. Set in ancient Magadha, the story revolved around the internal struggle between worldly desires and spiritual enlightenment. With a cast of over 25 performers, the play’s intricate stage design, including 12 scene changes, and complex technical elements—sound, lighting, video, and music—were flawlessly executed.
Director Hemant Bhavsar, who has helmed numerous successful productions at JVB Houston, explained that the cast had practiced for five months leading up to the performance. The play was written and conceptualized by Samani’s Aarjav Pragya and Swati Pragya, with special choreography by renowned Kathak guru Ekta Popat, whose performances received high praise for their grace and storytelling.
The audience gave an enthusiastic reception to the play, with specific accolades directed towards the performances of Sthulibhadra (Manish Chindaliya) and Roopkosha (played by Ekta Popat). It was evident that the hard work and
practice of all home-grown actors outshined even the most talented film stars.
Some cast members even immersed themselves completely into their roles by shaving off their heads. The entire cast was also recognized for their emotional depth and flawless dialogue delivery in “shuddh” (pure) Hindi. Many audience members remarked on the emotional impact of the climax, which left them moved and reflective.
Founding Chairman of Jain Vishwa Bharati Houston, Swatantra Jain, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all donors, volunteers, and others who have supported the center over its 25-year journey, which has enabled it to fulfill its mission & serve the community. He also thanked the play’s entire cast, backstage volunteers, producers Shashank and Mukta Jain, along with the event chairs, Pramod Bengani, Nikhil Jain, and Gaurav Jhaveri.
Thereafter, everyone was formally recognized for their hard work & dedication over a sumptuous dinner arranged in the adjoining banquet halls immediately after the play for all attendees, bringing an end to the grand celebrations for the day. The dinner was catered by Indian Summer.
The feedback about the play has been universally positive, with many praising the attention to detail in costumes, lighting, sound, and set design. The profound message of the play, emphasizing the pursuit of self-mastery and transcendence of worldly attachments, resonated deeply with the audience, who described it as spiritually uplifting and thought-provoking.
As the curtains fell on this stunning
production, the audience left with a renewed sense of connection to their spiritual roots and a deep appreciation for the effort, artistry, and dedication behind the play. The event solidified Jain Vishwa Bharati Houston’s reputation as a beacon of cultural and spiritual excellence in the community. For those who missed the live event, they can watch/relive it on YouTube by scanning the accompanying QR Code.
Jain Vishwa Bharati Preksha Meditation Center envisions a blissful and peaceful society through Preksha Meditation, Yoga, and Education of Non-violence. It conducts weekly Mediation, Yoga and Swadhyay sessions and runs dedicated events and programs like Children Gyanshala & Meditation Camps. It’s open to all and
every session or event is free of charge to its attendees. For further information, Call Gaurav Jhaveri at 407-965-9618. Visit www. jvbhouston.org or send email
at info@jvbhouston.org for more information.
Pictures: Prasanna Tirlotkar, Navin Mediwala, Naveen Kochoth
Saif Ali Khan Returns Home after Knife Attack at Home by Bangladeshi
MuMbai: Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has been discharged from Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital following the knife attack at his Bandra residence on January 16. Saif was seen walking out of the hospital and getting in his car wearing a white shirt and blue denims. He was then photographed at his apartment building where the attack took place.
Earlier, wife Kareena Kapoor Khan and daughter Sara Ali Khan were seen reaching the hospital. Saif was injured during an alleged robbery attempt when an intruder broke into his home. He sustained multiple stab wounds, including a significant injury to his thoracic spine, which required surgery to remove knife fragments. He underwent two critical procedures— neurosurgery and plastic surgery.
Shariful Fakir Islam, arrested for the attack on actor Saif Ali Khan at his Bandra residence, told investigators that Khan had locked him in a tight hold from the front. Islam said that he then stabbed Khan in his back repeatedly to escape.
A 150-member police team tracked down Islam, a Bangladeshi national living illegally here, from a marshy area at the edge of Thane in a massive combing operation on Sunday.
Forensic experts were able to lift 19 fingerprints from the crime scene after the offence occurred on Thursday. The fingerprints were
lifted from the bathroom window, pipes and a ladder that the accused had accessed to gain entry to the flat.
The prints will now be verified against Islam’s fingerprints to find our if there is a match. “After the fingerprints were lifted on the day of the offence, they were run through the national database but no match was found. The reason could be that Islam does not have a prior crime record in the country,” an officer said.
in the posh Bandra locality of Mumbai.
The Mumbai police on early Tuesday morning took the Bangladesh national arrested for the attack on Saif Ali Khan to the actor’s house in Bandra to recreate the crime scene and ascertain the sequence of events.
1st floor, and later took the fire exit staircase and then the duct shaft to reach the balcony area of Khan’s 11th-floor house.
“He had carried tools used for burglaries such as hammers et cetera, besides the knife. The CCTV footage shows him going up the building without footwear but wearing his shoes on his way downstairs. This indicates he was careful to carry his shoes in his bag on his way up as he had climbed up the pipes,” an officer said.
Back in Bangladesh, Islam has two brothers. His parents also live there. He is not married and has no relatives here. The police have not found any Indian identification documents on him.
“A day after the crime, Islam saw
his CCTV images being flashed on television news. He panicked on realising that the police were on his trail. He went into hiding in Thane with plans to board the Geetanjali Express to Howrah and cross the border to Bangladesh,” an officer said.
After being stabbed multiple times, the actor was rushed to the hospital with his eight-year-old son, Taimur Ali Khan, in an autorickshaw. Now, the driver who helped the father-son duo reach the hospital on time was rewarded with Rs 11,000 by a social worker. Read on!
The unforeseen attack on Saif Ali Khan sent shockwaves to the entire film industry and the country at large. It’s pretty daunting to know that the B-town star was stabbed at his own house located
The police chose early morning time for the procedure when it was dark for more accuracy in piecing together the sequence of events, as the accused, Mohammed Shariful Islam alias Vijay Das, 30, had allegedly committed the crime between 1.33 am and 2.33 am.
In the early morning of Thursday, January 16, Islam allegedly broke into Saif Ali Khan’s 11thfloor apartment in Bandra, injured the family’s nanny, and then attacked the actor with a knife, stabbing him six times before escaping.
On visiting the crime scene along with the accused, the police asked Islam to narrate from where he took entry into the compound of the residential society Satguru Sharan on St Teresa Road, how he used a ladder to directly enter the
Police sources said Islam broke the metal net on the balcony’s door that opens to the house. The accused allegedly hid in Saif Ali Khan-Kareena Kapoor couple’s youngest son Jehangir’s bathroom. When Jehangir’s nanny, Eliyama Phillip, spotted a shadow, Islam allegedly tried to rob them at knife point. After a scuffle with two nannies of the kid, a loud commotion alerted Saif Ali Khan on the 12th floor, who then came to the 11th floor using the internal stairs of their duplex, said the police.
On the night of January 16, 2025, when the incident happened, the blood-soaked actor was rushed to Lilavati Hospital with his sons Ibrahim and Taimur Ali Khan. They found a kind-hearted autorickshaw driver, Bhajan Singh Rana, who drove them to the hospital.
Now, for the man’s humble gesture, a social worker named Faizan Ansari rewarded Bhajan Singh Rana with a cash prize of Rs 11,000. The driver felt proud and happy as he was happy to help the Hum Tum star. After receiving the reward, Rana told the news agency, “I feel very proud because I never imagined something like this would happen in my life. This recognition has brought me immense joy.”-- IE
Anil Kumar Sharma is Head
Actor Saif Ali Khan returning home from the hospital. Accused attacker was taken to Khan’s Bandra residence to recreate the attack.
Millions of Illegals, incl. 725,000 Indians, on Tenterhooks as Trump Returns
by CHiDananD RajgHatta
WasHington DC: Millions of undocumented immigrants in the US, including some 725,000 Indians, are holding their breath as MAGA supremo Donald Trump is returned to the White House on Monday for a second term with an even stronger nativist agenda that will put illegal aliens on the road or flight back home.
After taking oath of office in the cosy Capitol rotunda at noon amid bone-chilling cold outside with temperature below -4C (-11C with windchill) Trump turned the heat on illegal immigrants with a series of executive orders that he pledged in a preview on Sunday “will be the most aggressive, sweeping effort to restore our borders the world has ever seen.”
cohort of undocumented immigrants in US at 725,000, next only to Mexico (4 million) and El Salvador (750,000).
“We will stop illegal immigration once and for all. We will not be invaded, we will not be occupied, we will not be overrun, we will not be conquered. We will be a free and proud nation once again and that will take place tomorrow at 12 o’clock,” Trump said at a rally in a Washington DC arena where he gave a glimpse his oft-cited “Day One” agenda. Indians form the third largest
Few expect the nation’s estimated 11 million to 14 million undocumented or temporarily-documented aliens to be rounded up in what will be a logistically challenging task. Nearly half of them have some current authorization to live or work legally in the US through protections mandated by the last three US Presidents aside from Trump -- Biden, Obama, and Bush.
But Trump, who at various times has put the number of illegal immigrants between 20m and 25m and called it an invasion, has pledged to first round up those with criminal charges or convictions, numbering 655,000, before turning on the 1.4 million who have been served deportation orders after legal process.
Of them, only 40,000 are in custody. Deporting even this lot will require some 150 flights. Rounding up those who have already been served deportation order will require more than 5000 flights.
Fear is now coursing through more than six million immigrants whose deportations are pending or paused in legal proceedings.
This lot includes another five million, including 2.6 million asylum seekers, 1.1 million with temporary protective status, 850,000 on humanitarian parole from countries such as Afghanistan and Ukraine, and 540,000 DACA protectees, undocumented people brought into the country as children.
Many prospective deportees are rushing to attorneys specializing
in pro-bono work and to churches for protection amid impending federal action in so-called “sanctuary cities,” like Chicago. The action will pit the Trump administration against Democrat-run cities and states.
Trump’s incoming border czar Tom Homan has warned city and state officials that they will be face felony charges of harboring illegal immigrants if they protect the potential deportees.
More than half the 11m undocumented immigrants have been in the US for more than ten years. Some immigrants without legal status have been designating power of attorney to trusted friends and making plans for childcare in case of separations. Some are reported to be self-deporting the face of threats from incoming Trump officials like Homan, whose warnings has now filtered down and being relayed by local Republican officials to illegal immigrants.
On Sunday, Grady Judd, a Sheriff in Florida, whipped out a placard urging illegals avoid a “lot of prison sentence” by self-deporting. “Southbound and Down!” the poster read. -- Times of India
Hindu Americans Laud Trump as “Pro-Hindu” Leader at Historic Gala
WasHington DC: Ahead of President Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, Hindu Americans gathered at the first-ever Presidential Inauguration Hindu Gala, to express their support and admiration for Trump, calling him a “pro-Hindu” leader.
Hosted by the American Hindu Coalition (AHC) in collaboration with the Latino American Coalition on Jan.19, the event underscored the Hindu American community’s growing political presence and recognition of Trump as a leader supporting Hindu values.
Shoba Chokkalingam, a key organizer of the gala and a prominent figure in the AHC, called the event a historic moment. “We, Indo-Americans, are about 5 to 6 million in America, forming about 1 percent of the population. And we’ve been very actively campaigning for President Trump, and we’re very glad that he’s the president, taking over the mantle of the free world tomorrow,” she said.
She also praised Trump for his outreach to Hindu Americans, including celebrating Diwali at Mar-a-Lago and expressing support for the establishment of a Hindu Holocaust memorial in Washington D.C. She also shared
her personal connection with the President, recalling a phone conversation during which Trump assured her of his support for the Hindu community.
Attendees from across the nation expressed their pride and optimism. Ashok Bhatti attending the gala from Michigan described the gathering as a reflection of the Hindu community’s progress.
“This is definitely a moment of pride. There has been almost representation from more than 12 states this time,” he said.
“President Trump has been vocally pro-Hindu and we believe
at least the expectation from our community is Prime Minister Modi and President Trump are going to have a better cordial relationship and improve the trade, improve, maybe solve the H1B problems, solve the green card issues that our community faces and other issues that the community faces,” Bhatti added.
Virginia resident Narasimha Puppala emphasized the contributions of Hindu Americans across various fields. “Even though we are 1 percent of the population, contributions are much more. Hindus can contribute a lot from
cultural point of view, economical point of view, healthcare point of view,” he said.
Shoba Chokkalingam, a key organizer of the gala and a prominent figure in the AHC, called the event a historic moment. “We, Indo-Americans, are about 5 to 6 million in America, forming about 1 percent of the population. And we’ve been very actively campaigning for President Trump, and we’re very glad that he’s the president, taking over the mantle of the free world tomorrow,” she said.
She also praised Trump for his outreach to Hindu Americans, including celebrating Diwali at Mar-a-Lago and expressing support for the establishment of a Hindu Holocaust memorial in Washington D.C. She also shared her personal connection with the President, recalling a phone conversation during which Trump as-
sured her of his support for the Hindu community. Attendees from across the nation expressed their pride and optimism. Ashok Bhatti attending the gala from Michigan described the gathering as a reflection of the Hindu community’s progress. “This is definitely a moment of pride. There has been almost representation from more than 12 states this time,” he said.
“President Trump has been vocally pro-Hindu and we believe at least the expectation from our community is Prime Minister Modi and President Trump are going to have a better cordial relationship and improve the trade, improve, maybe solve the H1B problems, solve the green card issues that our community faces and other issues that the community faces,” Bhatti added.
Virginia resident Narasimha Puppala emphasized the contributions of Hindu Americans across various fields. “Even though we are 1 percent of the population, contributions are much more. Hindus can contribute a lot from cultural point of view, economical point of view, healthcare point of view,” he said.
File photo of illegal immigrants from India in a detention center.
In New Delhi, Hindu priests prayed for Trump and his team. Earlier, in Telangana, priests had performed an 11-day ritual in support of the Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
India Set to Take Back 18,000 of its Citizens from US to Placate Trump
WasHington DC: India’s government is prepared to work with Donald Trump’s administration to identify and take back all its citizens residing illegally in the US, an early signal from New Delhi that it’s willing to comply with the incoming American president and avoid a trade war.
The two countries have together identified some 18,000 illegal Indian migrants in the US to be sent back home, according to people familiar with the matter. The figure could be much higher than that, though, given it’s unclear how many illegal Indian migrants live in the US, the people added, asking not to be identified because the discussions are private.
Like several other nations, India is working behind the scenes to appease the Trump administration and avoid the brunt of its trade threats. The crackdown on illegal migration has been a signature campaign pledge for Trump.
Within hours of his inauguration Monday, the new president moved to fulfill that pledge as he pushed to end birthright citizenship and mobilize troops on the US-Mexico border.
In return for its cooperation, India hopes that the Trump administration would protect legal immigration channels used by its citizens to enter the US, in particular the student visas and the H-1B program for skilled workers. Indian citizens accounted for almost three-fourths of the 386,000 H-1B visas granted in 2023, according to official data.
Any slack in taking back illegal US migrants could also adversely affect India’s labor and mobility agreements with other countries,
the people familiar with the matter said. With a jobs shortage back home, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has signed migration agreements with an array of countries in recent years, including Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Israel and others.
“As part of India-US cooperation on migration and mobility, both sides are engaged in a process to deter illegal migration. This is being done to create more avenues for legal migration from India to the US,” said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s ministry of external affairs. “The latest deportation of Indian nationals from the US by a chartered flight is a result of this cooperation,” he added, referring to an October repatriation action.
Rising numbers
India is a relatively modest contributor of illegal migrants to the
US, with its citizens accounting for about 3% of all unlawful crossings encountered by US border patrol officials in fiscal 2024, according to US Customs and Border Protection data. Latin American countries such as Mexico, Venezuela and Guatemala account for a far larger share.
However, the tally and share of Indian illegal migrants has been rising modestly in recent years. In particular, it has shot up at the less-trafficked northern US border, where Indians account for almost a quarter of all illegal crossings and also the biggest share of unlawful migrants stopped at that entry point, the data show.
While the total number of illegal Indian migrants in the US isn’t certain, a report published last year by the department of homeland security estimated some 220,000 unauthorized Indian immigrants
resided in the US as of 2022.
India has already sought to show a cooperative attitude toward US border enforcement efforts, including toward officials in the Biden administration. In October, the department of homeland security said it chartered a “largescale” repatriation flight of more than 100 Indian nationals without the right to be the US, building on the more than 1,100 Indian citizens deported during the previous 12 months.
Taking back illegal migrants could also further PM Modi’s goal of deterring secessionist movements overseas, according to people familiar with the discussions,
including the so-called Khalistan movement, which seeks to establish a separate Sikh state on Indian soil. India has cracked down on the movement, and officials believe some backers in the US and Canada are illegal migrants.
Trade worries
While PM Modi is seen to have friendly ties with Trump and has welcomed the new administration, it is cautious of any unpredictable action from the US president, which could lead to a costly trade war. Trump has repeatedly complained that India’s high import taxes hurt American businesses, and has vowed reciprocal duties on the South Asian nation.
In his first day in office, Trump has focused his attention on immediate neighbors. The US president said on Monday that he was planning to impose tariffs of as much as 25% on Mexico and Canada by February 1, blaming them for “allowing vast numbers of people” into the country.
Canada in particular was “a very bad abuser,” Trump said, complaining about fentanyl and migrants crossing its US border.
While it’s not fully clear why the northern US border has become such a major entry point for unauthorized migrants from India, reasons could include a halt to visa-free travel for Indians to El Salvador in 2023, and the relative ease of travel to Canada for Indians, according to Niskanen Center, a Washington think tank. -- ToI
HMM Celebrates Makar Sankranti - A Celebration of Togetherness
by ViVaan Kotnis
Houston: The Houston Maharashtra Mandal (HMM) recently hosted a joyous celebration of Makar Sankranti, one of India’s most cherished harvest festivals, on January 18, 2025. Held at Tompkins High School in Katy, the event was a beautiful fusion of cultural traditions, delicious food, and lively entertainment.
At the event, guests were greeted by authentic delicacies. Several food stalls offered traditional Maharashtrian and Indian delicacies like pav-bhaji, misal-pav, vada pav and many more. Guests enjoyed regional favorites such as puran poli, sabudana khichdi, kothimbir vadi, and an array of savory snacks like samosas and kachori. The aroma of familiar foods created a nostalgic atmosphere for many, and brought them back to their roots in India.
Makar Sankranti is known for its fun outdoor activities, and the celebration at HMM offered plenty of entertainment for children and families alike. The kids had a blast with traditional games such as sack races, chamcha-limbu, and cup stacking. Outdoors, kids and adults flew kites, as is customary during the holiday.
Another key tradition of Makar Sankranti is the exchange of vaan, or gifts, along with tilgul (sweet made with sesame seeds and brown
sugar) as a way to spread goodwill and blessings. At the event, attendees shared small tokens of appreciation, often in the form of sweets or seasonal treats. This tradition of giving added an extra
layer of warmth to the celebration, and gave attendees something to remember the event.
Bohr Nahan, another special tradition for kids, was also performed at HMM Sankranti. All the kids
dolled up wearing Halwyache Dagine (jewellery made from sugar candy) and the committee members helped perform this tradition by showering blessings to all kids under the age of 5 years.
The costume contest was another crowd favorite, where attendees got the chance to dress up in their finest traditional attire. The costumes added a vibrant and festive atmosphere to the day’s activities. It was a wonderful opportunity for people to express pride in their cultural heritage and showcase the beauty of Indian clothing.
The showstopper of the evening was the cultural performance by the eldest members of the HMM community. Six couples danced to Bollywood and traditional songs with unmatched festivity and energy, lighting up the audience, while enjoying themselves on stage. The senior citizens who were 70 years or older had a truly infectious spirit that left the entire audience giving them a well deserved once more.
HMM’s Makar Sankranti celebration, which was attended by close to 1,000 community members, was a perfect blend of food, fun, culture, and tradition. It provided a warm, welcoming environment where community members of all ages could come together to celebrate the spirit of the festival. Whether it was flying kites, exchanging warm festive wishes, doing kids activities, enjoying delicious food, or participating in cultural performances, the event embodied the values of joy, togetherness, and renewal that are at the heart of Makar Sankranti.
Masterji Indravadan Trivedi’s Award & Movie “Jai Ho Mother India”
by jaWaHaR MaLHotRa
sugaR LanD: Not one to let age slow him down, Indravadan Trivedi, the celebrated classical Indian dancer, dramatist, painter, Hindu priest and environmentalist has added movie producer and director to his accomplishments with the release of his short 20-minute film “Jai Ho, Mother India”. As creativity is his mainstay, just two years ago, Masterji (as he is fondly called by his Houstonian admirers) had completed a trip to north and west India on a multicity trek to spread knowledge about his “Go Green” initiative. It was an ambitious plan to “raise self-awareness of one’s place in the world and impart practical spiritual education,” explained Masterji, “distilled from years of my own experiences and knowledge.”
He has captured the same traditional Indian values of selflessness, discipline, duty to oneself and others and family cohesion in the movie, which stars Ila Joshi as the grandmother, Masterji and 17 others and was made in Houston. The plot centers around a grandmother – Dadi maa - who comes to stay with her son’s family in the US and teaches these values to her grandkids, the young girl doctor later becoming a doctor. Parts of the movie were filmed at the Kavi
Sammelan with Masterji reciting a poem.
Even though his legs are not the same and he uses a cane, his portly figure and face with a full white trimmed beard poses a striking figure for man of his age. The 77 year-old Masterji received an appreciation award from the Sewa Manota Dharma Center presented
to Indravadan Trivedi by Ft Bend Commissioner Pct 3 Andy Meyers this past week. Masterji will be going to India next week and intends to screen the movie there. His first stop on the occasion of Vasant Panchami on February 3 will be at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
Seniors’ lively performance. Photos by Rajesh Thatte.
A joyous celebration of HMM Makar Sankranti
An Appreciation Award from the Sewa Manota Dharma Center presented to Indravadan Trivedi by Ft Bend Commissioner Pct 3 Andy Meyers this past week.
TECHNOLOGY
What is the Genome India Project, Why it Matters
by anonna Dutt
neW DeLHi: The human genome is essentially an instruction manual we inherit from our parents that decides how our body develops and functions. This genetic information determines everything from a person’s height, to the colour of their hair and eyes, to the diseases they may inherit, or the ones they are pre-disposed to. (via Freepik)
Genome India project: The Department of Biotechnology recently announced its new platform and framework for sharing its 10,000 human genome dataset. The sequences of healthy individuals — from 99 ethnic populations of the country — has helped create a baseline map of India’s genetic diversity. The researchers in the second phase plan to sequence genomes of those with specific diseases.
First, what is genome sequencing?
The human genome is essentially an instruction manual we inherit from our parents that decides how our body develops and functions. This genetic information determines everything from a person’s height, to the colour of their hair and eyes, to the diseases they may inherit, or the ones they are predisposed to. It is a tome written with just four letters A,C,G, and T — the four bases that come together to create the unique genetic makeup of everyone. There are around 3 billion pairs of bases in the complete human genome.
To sequence the genome, researchers first extract the information from the blood. Handling the entire genome, however, is extremely difficult. So, the researchers cut it up into smaller pieces and tag them. A sequencer is then used to decode these smaller chunks of the genetic material. Once done, it is put together using the tags to create a whole genome — in the same way one would assemble say an Ikea furniture by numbers.
What is the Genome India project?
India is a country that is varied not only in geography, languages that are spoken, food, and culture, it is also diverse in genetic makeup. There are over 4,600 distinct populations. The Genome India project was first approved in 2020 with the aim of capturing this diversity at the genomic level.
Researchers from 20 different scientific institutions have come together to sequence the first 10,000 genomes under the project. With everything in place — a successful collaboration, a data storage facility, data sharing platform, and a framework — the department of biotechnology aims to expand the programme further and sequence up to 1 million genomes.
How does creating the database help?
One, this map can help identify genetic basis or genetic risk factors for various diseases. These can then be used as targets for de-
veloping therapies and diagnostic tests. Newer therapies for several diseases work by modifying, deleting, or adding certain genes — something that would not be possible without having a genetic map and an understanding of which genes lead to the disease.
Two, an Indian dataset helps identify new variants. The researchers have identified 135 million genetic variations in the 10,000 genomes so far, 7 million of which are not found in the global databases.
Three, population level sequencing can also tell scientists and clinicians the frequency at which certain genetic variations that are known to cause disease appear and hence how common a disease might be. Take for example, the MYBPC3 mutation known to lead to cardiac arrest at a young age is found in 4.5% of the Indian population but is rare globally. Or, another mutation called LAMB3 that causes a lethal skin condition is found in nearly 4% of the population near Madurai but it is not seen in global databases. This is the reason India requires its own genome dataset.
Four, it may also help identify rare disease and develop gene therapies that can treat them.
Five, it can also help in identifying resistance indicating variants, for example genes that might make certain medicines or anaesthetics ineffective in certain populations. An example from India is a sect of the Vaishya community from South India who have the gene missing for properly processing common anaesthetics. Use of these anaesthetics can result in them remain under for hours or even death.
What is the second phase of the project?
The second phase of the project would involve sequencing the genomes of those with specific disease. This will enable researchers compare the diseased genomes with the healthy ones, helping in identifying genes that are responsible for or pre-dispose a person to certain diseases. They may be able to study the genetic changes when someone gets a disease, take for example cancer.
The team is currently in discussion with experts to identify the diseases for which genomes should be sequenced and the number of genomes for each disease required to produce meaningful results.
The diseases that would most likely be included in the list would be different types of cancers, chronic conditions such as diabetes, and various neurological or neurodegenerative diseases. Rare diseases that are found in Indian populations are also likely to be included in the list of diseases to be
studied for the next phase of Genome India project.
For now, the data will be available to Indian researchers through managed access. “This is the first time that we have created a re-
source such as this and we have to be very careful how we share this highly sensitive data. The data will be made available to research institutes that partner with us for the study,” said Dr Suchita Ninawe, senior scientist from department of biotechnology.
Scientists wishing to utilise the data would have to respond to a call for proposals and collaborate with the department. The research will be funded by the government.
To maintain the anonymity of the data, it would also be double blinded.
“After the samples from different regions are collected and sequenced by one of the partner institutes, it would be encoded before being uploaded to the central database. When the data is shared further with those wishing to study it, it would be encoded once again. This is to ensure that there is no way for the anonymity to be breached,” said Dr Ninawe. Scientists wishing to utilise the data would have to respond to a call for proposals and collaborate with the department. The research will be funded by the government. --
Save Smart, Prosper Strong
ENTERTAINMENT
‘Emergency’: Marred by a Disjointed Narrative
by DHaVaL Roy
Story: Set against the backdrop of the Emergency imposed in 1975, the political drama delves into the pivotal incidents during the leadership of India’s thenPrime Minister, Indira Gandhi (Kangana Ranaut).
Review: The Emergency (1975–1977) remains one of the most significant and dreadful political events in India’s history, with a profound impact on the nation. Director and lead actor Kangana Ranaut attempts to recreate this tumultuous chapter of history on the big screen with Emergency.
Written by Ranaut (story), Ritesh Shah (screenplay and dialogues), and Tanvi Kesari Pasumarthy, the movie draws inspiration from Coomi Kapoor’s book The Emergency and Jaiyanth Sinha’s Priyadarshini. The narrative starts in 1929 and spans four decades, covering India’s Independence, the Indo-China War and Assam crisis in 1962, Indira Gandhi’s rise to power, and the Indo-Pak war of 1971. However, the screenplay doesn’t flow; it seems like moments of history have been strung together into scenes. Be forewarned, some scenes are overly graphic and sensationalised, particularly those depicting wartime atrocities against women and infants.
While the film aims to capture pivotal moments from Indira Gandhi’s regime, it often fails to provide sufficient background or context for key events and characters, such as Pupul Jayakar (Mahima Chaudhary), a close confidante of Gandhi, leaving audiences struggling to connect the dots. Even the portrayal of the Emergency—the film’s central focus—feels abrupt, as does the depiction of other critical events like the massacre of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family.
Emergency does deliver some powerful moments. One of the standout scenes is Indira Gandhi’s confrontation with US President Richard Nixon ahead of the IndoPak War in 1971. Her emphatic retort, “You have weaponry, we
have courage,” is a highlight, followed by the meticulously crafted war sequence, for which cinematographer Tetsuo Nagata deserves credit.
The music complements the narrative’s tone, with Singhasan Khaali Karo (Udit Narayan, Nakash Aziz, Nakul Abhyankar) offering an anthemic vibe and Ae Meri Jaan (Arko featuring Hariharan) standing out as a powerful composition.
As Indira Gandhi, Kangana Ranaut excels in the second half, particularly in scenes after the Emergency is lifted, her meeting with philosopher J Krishnamurti (Avijit Dutt), and her visit to Bihar’s Belchi village on an elephant at the age of 60.
Anupam Kher is effective as Jaiprakash Narayan. Shreyas Talpade’s portrayal of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, while serviceable, isn’t convincing. Milind Soman stands out in his brief role as Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, and Vishak Nair’s menacing Sanjay Gandhi
leaves a lasting impression. Mahima Chaudhary, as Pupul Jayakar, brings gravitas to her role. Emergency is hindered by its overly dramatised approach and one-dimensional portrayals. The lack of narrative fluidity and context undermines the attempt to narrate an important chapter in Indian history. However, the movie has its share of impactful sequences.-ToI
Downward Spiral
Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency might have outdone her previous releases like Tejas and Dhaakad, but the film is still lagging far behind.
Ranaut’s film, which released on January 17, has only earned Rs 12.4 crore in five days. The film saw an improvement in its numbers on day two and three, after opening at Rs 2.5 crore, but witnessed a significant drop on Monday, with its collections falling by 75 percent. -- IE
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