hi INDiA | June 16, 2023 | The Community First

Tremendous excitement for PM Modi's historic state visit, says top US presidential aide

There is tremendous excitement for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's State Visit here which will highlight many elements in the US-India strategic relationship, a top US presidential aide has said.

Modi has been invited by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for a state visit, which will include a State Dinner on June 22.

“There's tremendous enthusiasm and excitement about the upcoming visit. Large numbers of stakeholders in the US-India relationship are all coming to Washington to celebrate the importance of our ties and take necessary steps to take the bilateral relationship even further,” Kurt Campbell, Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, told PTI in an interview on Monday.

On Monday Campbell, 65, joined National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan for a trip to India to hold the next round of the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET).

The path-breaking ICET that ropes in technology as a key strategic element to the India-US relationship was launched

by Sullivan and his Indian counterpart National Security Advisor Ajit Doval early this year. A group of American CEOs are also travelling to New Delhi to participate in the talks. The two sides

US Urges India to Finalize Major Armed Drone Purchase Ahead of PM Modi's Visit

the United States. But bureaucratic stumbling blocks have hampered a hoped-for deal for SeaGuardian drones that could be worth $2 billion to $3 billion for years.

U.S. negotiators are counting on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's White House visit on June 22 to break the log jam.

are expected to be discussing a range of issues associated with enhanced American investment in critical Indian industries and technologies.

“I can say after spending substantial time

with the president and all the key players, there really is a rare sense of anticipation for what we believe will be a historic visit," Campbell said in response to a question. As the Biden administration plans to throw an unprecedented redcarpet welcome to the Prime Minister, it has organised a series of events every day next week in the American Capital, which will celebrate the various aspects of this relationship.

“I would just underscore this is not simply the State Dinner. This is a weeklong celebration and that will highlight many elements in the US-India relationship,” Campbell said.

Every single day next week, there will be something about the people-to-people ties, education, and technology that will be on full display, both for the Indian people, the American people and the world. For instance, US India Business Council on June 20 and 21 is hosting the inaugural INDUS X conference at the US Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the US Department of Defence and India’s Ministry of Defence and industry partners like General Atomics.

Former US President Donald Trump humbled in court, stays mum

on as three Justice Department lawyers under his supervision offered Trump a bond agreement to release him on his own recognizance, without bail, which was respectful and accommodating, but profoundly humbling.

Ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Washington, the Biden administration is pushing New Delhi to cut through its own red tape and advance a deal for dozens of U.S.-made armed drones, two people familiar with the matter said. India has long expressed interest in buying large armed drones from

Blinken to travel to China this weekend

Washington: After he cancelled his initial visit to Beijing earlier this year due to a Chinese spy balloon transiting the US, Secretary of State Antony Blinken will embark on a fresh visit to the Asian giant this weekend amid thawed bilateral ties. Blinken will be the first Biden administration official to travel to China and also the first since 2019, reports CNN. Confirming the visit, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink said on Wednesday that the two nations came "to the shared conclusion that now is the right time to engage at this level".

Since the date for Modi's visit was fixed, the U.S. State Department, Pentagon and White House have asked India to be able to "show" progress on the deal for as many as 30 armable MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones made by General Atomics, two sources said. Modi and Biden are also expected to discuss co-production of munitions and ground vehicles, like armored personnel carriers, while Modi is in Washington, the sources said.

A grim Donald J. Trump leaned back from the defendant’s table inside a jammed 13th-floor courtroom in Miami on Tuesday, jaw set, arms crossed, his back muscles tensing visibly under his dark suit jacket. About 20 feet away, in the second row of the visitors’ gallery, was Jack Smith, the special counsel who had put him there, alert and poker-faced. Smith looked

Starbucks ordered to pay $25m to exemployee in racial discrimination case

After a 50-minute courtroom encounter unlike any other in the country’s history, Trump exited by a side door recessed in dark wood panelling, but not before allowing himself a curious peek over his shoulder at the 40 or so reporters crammed into the room.

About a minute later, Smith and his team walked to the opposite side of the room and left wordlessly. He did not look back. The first-ever arraignment of a former President on federal charges coincided with the first public encounter between the two men, Trump and Smith, at the centre of the Mar-a-Lago documents case. The two did not say a word to each other.

US holds interest rates steady in first since 2022

Starbucks has been ordered to pay a white ex-employee $25.6m (£20.2m) in a racial discrimination case. Shannon Phillips, a former manager, was fired after two black men were arrested at a Starbucks Philadelphia

branch in 2018, leading to large protests. A black colleague kept his job. A jury ruled race was a factor in her sacking, violating anti-discrimination laws, the BBC's US partner CBS reports. Starbucks has been approached for comment. A federal jury in New Jersey found that Starbucks had violated Ms Phillips's federal civil rights, as well as a New Jersey law that prohibits discrimination based on race, awarding her $600,000 in compensatory damages and $25m in punitive damages. The incident occurred at a Starbucks branch in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square in 2018.

The US central bank has announced it will hold interest rates steady - the first time it has opted against a rise in more than a year. The Federal Reserve kept the target for its benchmark rate at 5%5.25% saying it wanted time to assess the impact of rate hikes so far.

The bank has already raised rates 10 times since March 2022 as it battles to bring inflation under control.

Bank forecasts show most officials expect rates to rise further. A majority expect the Fed's key rate to stand above 5.5% at the end of the year and one person sees it climbing above 6%.

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There's tremendous enthusiasm and excitement about the upcoming visit, says Kurt Campbell

New Zealand slips into recession

Nine Women Sue Bill Cosby in Nevada for Old Sexual Assaults

Wellington: (IANS) The New Zealand economy has slipped into recession after the country's central bank aggressively raised interest rates to a 14-year high, according to quarterly figures released by the statistics department on Thursday.

Stats NZ said the GDP fell 0.1 per cent in the March 2023 quarter, following a 0.7 per cent fall in the December 2022 quarter, Xinhua news agency reported. The second consecutive quarter of negative economic growth signals the start of an economic recession.

Ex-ISI chief not under arrest: Report

Islamabad: The former Director General of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed is not under arrest, a media report said citing sources. Some social media reports on Wednesday suggested that the former spy chief has been put under house arrest in his hometown Chakwal and is being probed in connection with the May 9 attacks, The News reported.

Nine more women are accusing Bill Cosby of sexual assault in a lawsuit that alleges he used his “enormous power, fame and prestige" to victimize them.

A lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal court in Nevada alleges that the women were individually drugged and assaulted between approximately 1979 and 1992

Rishi Sunak's Personal Ratings Hit All-Time Low as UK PM

in Las Vegas, Reno and Lake Tahoe homes, dressing rooms and hotels. One woman alleges that Cosby, claiming to be her acting mentor, lured her from New York to Nevada, where he drugged her in a hotel room with what he had claimed to be non-alcoholic sparkling cider and then raped her. The 85-year-old former “Cosby Show” star has now been accused of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment by more than 60 women. He has denied all allegations involving sex crimes. He was the first celebrity tried and convicted in the #MeToo era — and spent nearly three years at a state prison near Philadelphia before a higher court threw out the conviction and released him in 2021.Earlier this year, a Los Angeles jury awarded $500,000 to a woman who said Cosby sexually abused her at the Playboy Mansion when she was 16 in 1975.

Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Cormac McCarthy dies at 89

Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Cormac McCarthy has died at 89, his publisher Alfred A. Knopf said in a statement Wednesday.

McCarthy won wide acclaim with books like "The Road," "Blood Meridian" and "No Country for Old Men." He died at his home in New Mexico's capital city Santa Fe. He died of natural causes, his publisher said. McCarthy grappled dark side of humanity; books turned into movies

Glory to Hong Kong: Protest anthem removed from iTunes, Spotify

against the central Chinese government. If Glory to Hong Kong is banned, anyone involved in the broadcast, performance, sale or distribution of the song, including on the internet, could be charged under the city's National Security Law.

The unofficial anthem of Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests in 2019 has been removed from streaming platforms ahead of a court order that may ban the song.

Glory to Hong Kong had topped the city's iTunes chart last week after the government announced its intention to blacklist the song on security grounds. On Wednesday recordings disappeared from Spotify and iTunes.

The tune has been targeted by authorities after being played in place of the Chinese anthem at some events.

Critics say the anticipated ban is another sign of Beijing's crackdown and efforts to stamp out dissent in Hong Kong

Hong Kong, a former British colony, is a Special Administrative Region of China and its residents are supposed to enjoy wider freedoms compared to the Chinese mainland. However, advocates say democratic freedoms have been eroded in recent years.

On Thursday, in response to reports, Spotify clarified the song had been removed by the distributor - the middleman company which handled the song's licensing to music platforms. The composer of the song had earlier told the BBC he had not asked for the song to be taken down.

The protest tune was written in Cantonese during the 2019 demonstrations. It includes the lyrics: "Revolution of our times. May people reign, proud and free, now and evermore. Glory be to thee Hong Kong".

London: Rishi Sunaks personal ratings have slipped to the lowest of his premiership in terms of being the best person to lead the UK, as he tries to hold a fractured Conservative Party together, a media report said. Sunak is 10 points being Labour's Keir Starmer in terms of who is seen as the better leader, after a brutal week in Westminster, Daily Mail reported.

He was backed by just 33 per cent of those polled by Redfield and Wilton Strategies after Boris Johnson announced he was quitting Parliament and his controversial resignation honours list was published, Daily Mail reported.

Keir was on 43 per cent, and his personal approval rating has also risen by 4 per cent ahead of three key by-elections Labour needs to win to show they are on course for power at the next general election. However, the battle for Boris Johnson's former Uxbridge and South Ruislip could be tighter than expected.

While Boris' 2019 majority of 7,210 should be well within the sights of candidate Danny Beales, the imminent expansion of Labour mayor Sadiq Khan's Ulez vehicle tax scheme to the outer London borough could yet cause a backlash.

Greece boat disaster leaves at least 79 dead and hundreds missing

according to the Greek coastguard. The EU's border agency Frontex said it had spotted the boat early on Tuesday afternoon and immediately told Greek and Italian authorities. The coastguard said later that no-one on board was wearing life jackets.

At least 79 people have died and more than 100 have been rescued after their fishing boat sank off southern Greece. But survivors have suggested as many as 750 people may have been packed on to the boat, with reports of 100 children in the hold.

Greece says it is one of its biggest ever migrant tragedies, and has declared three days of mourning.

Authorities say their offers of aid were refused but they are facing claims of not doing enough to help.

The boat went down about 80 km (50 miles) south-west of Pylos after 02:04 on Wednesday morning local time,

In a timeline provided by the coastguard, it said that initial contact was made with the fishing boat at 14:00 (11:00 GMT) and no request for help had been made. It said the Greek shipping ministry had made repeated contact with the boat and was told repeatedly it simply wanted to sail on to Italy. A Maltese-flagged ship provided food and water at around 18:00, and another boat provided water three hours after that, it added. Then at around 01:40 on Wednesday someone on the boat is said to have notified the Greek coastguard that the vessel's engine had malfunctioned. Shortly afterwards, the boat capsized, taking only ten to fifteen minutes to sink completely. A search and rescue operation was triggered but complicated by strong winds.

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Cormac McCarthy's books tackled the darker side of humanity

India, US Near Mega Jet Engine Deal In Boost To PM Modi’s Plan

Wrestling Body Chief Charged with Sex Harassment and Stalking, Police Confirm

New Delhi: The Delhi Police today filed a 1,000-page chargesheet against wrestling body chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment charges levelled against him by female wrestlers.

The US and India are likely to agree to jointly manufacture fighter jet engines in the country when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Washington next week, a sign of closer military cooperation between the two countries in the face of China's growing assertiveness. The deal is close to the finish line, according to people with knowledge of the matter, who asked not to be identified as the details are confidential. The White House is expected to clear the proposal from General Electric Co., the Massachusetts-based aerospace manufacturing giant, to produce the engines with state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. for the Tejas lightcombat aircraft, the people said. PM Modi starts his first formal state visit on June 21. President Joe Biden will host him for a state banquet, and PM Modi will also address the US Congress. A number of the deliverables from PM Modi's visit "are not just bullet points on a page," US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said at a conference in New Delhi on Tuesday. "They are fundamentally designed to remove those obstacles in defense trading, in high tech trade, in investment in each of our countries." Mr Sullivan is in India this week for meetings with top Indian officials ahead of PM Modi visit. PM Modi's visit comes as the Biden admin is working to deepen its relationship with countries that are crucial to counter what it sees as China's growing threat.

Canada Assures No Deportation for Genuine Student Fraud Victims

The cops also filed a 500-page cancellation report in the ‘minor’s’ case against Mr Singh. The police have recommended cancellation of the sexual harassment case against him filed by a minor and told the court that no corroborative evidence has been found in the investigation.

The chargesheet mentions offences such as assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, sexual harassment and stalking.

“In the POCSO matter, after completion of the investigation, we have submitted

The police have recommended cancellation of the sexual harassment case against him filed by a minor.

a police report under section 173 Cr PC requesting for a cancellation of the case based upon statements of the complainant i.e., the father of the victim

Tamil Nadu’s Big Move Against CBI After DMK Minister’s Arrest

The DMK government’s move came hours after its minister V Senthil Balaji was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case. The government had taken strong offence to the Enforcement Directorate’s move to search the home and office of the power minister. Chief Minister MK Stalin had called it “an assault on federalism”.

and the victim herself,” the Delhi Police said in a statement.

“In the FIR registered by the wrestlers, after completion of the investigation, we are filing a chargesheet for the offences under sections 354, 354A , 354D IPC against accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and for offences under sections109/ 354/354A/506 IPC against accused Vinod Tomar before the concerned Hon’ble Court,” the statement continued.

The hearing on the cancellation of the minor’s case has been scheduled for July 4. On April 21, seven female wrestlers, one of whom was allegedly a minor, filed a police complaint against Mr Singh, accusing him of sexual harassment and other forms of misconduct. The complaint was followed by a protest by the wrestlers in the national capital.

Beijing Outpaces New Delhi in Assisting Sheikh Hasina-led Government

Chennai: Tamil Nadu on Wednesday joined the ranks of opposition-ruled states that have withdrawn a general consent for investigation that the Central Bureau of Investigation enjoys. The Central agency will now have to take the state government’s permission to undertake investigation in the state and against its residents.

Earlier in the day, in a statement, Chief Minister MK Stalin had said, “In a needless way they (ED) has breached into the secretariat that has the state’s security related confidential files and have staged a drama entering the Minister’s office”.

“They wanted to show that they would raid even entering the secretariat,” he said.

Beijing has beaten New Delhi in the race to stand by the Sheikh Hasina-led government in its latest face-off with the US, which announced a new visa policy to ensure free and fair elections in Bangladesh, as the Prime Minister won public appreciation for her anti-US comments from a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Wednesday. Global Times is a daily tabloid newspaper — an offshoot of the Chinese Communist Party’s mouthpiece People’s Daily — that comments on international issues from a Chinese ultra-nationalistic perspective.

PM Modi To Address Sold-Out Diaspora Event In Washington

in Washington on June 23.

Chandigarh, June 14 (IANS)

Recognising the contribution of international students, especially students from Punjab who have been facing deportation from Canada over a case of fake documents, Canada’s immigration minister Sean Fraser on Wednesday said the focus is on identifying those who are responsible for the fraudulent activity and not on penalising those who may have been affected by fraud. Going humanitarian, he announced that the genuine students would be issued a Temporary Resident Permit.

Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak on the role of the diaspora in India’s development during his address to Indian Americans here next week, according to a community leader in charge of hosting the event. Prime Minister Modi is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. They will host PM Modi at a state dinner on June 22. The visit also includes an address to the Joint Session of the Congress on June 22.

Chicago-based Dr Bharat Barai, who was at the Ronald Reagan Building venue in Washington DC on Wednesday to give final shape to the next week’s event, said that it is a sold-out event, with registration completed for all 838 seats. “As far as the registrations are concerned, they are closed for the host committee as well as other people. We had an extraordinary response, all by

word of mouth because we had only 838 seats. So there was no time and there was no capacity if we advertised outside,” Barai told PTI.

“We used the database that we had from the previous public meetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and even before we could contact the people, they contacted us and it’s all filled up,” he said.

Modi will address an invitation-only gathering of diaspora leaders from across the country at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center

“The topic is going to be the role of the diaspora in the growth story of India. We want to see what we can do as a diaspora to help India and the people of India come up to the new place in the world,” Barai said.

Noting that the event will have very few cultural elements, he said the organisers want to make it primarily an engagement between the diaspora and the prime minister.

“The diaspora is very much excited about having such a visionary and working person who has propelled India to the fifth largest economy in the world. Not only that, he has elevated India’s reputation,” he said.

Amitabh Mittal from Chicago thanked US President Joe Biden for inviting Modi on an official state visit.

“He is the man of the action. He has transformed India. India has been waiting for someone like him to come and take charge,” Mittal said.

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Indian-origin shop owners prosecuted for selling craft knife to teen in UK

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London: (IANS) The Indian-origin owners of a shop in an England town have been prosecuted for selling a craft knife to a 17-year-old in a test purchase operation conducted by a local council in 2022.

Balvinder Singh Chhokar and Rajinder Kaur, owners of Sandhu Convenience Store in Solihull town, pleaded guilty recently before the Birmingham Magistrates Court to the sale of an agerestricted product to a minor. They were each fined 293 pounds, with 100 pounds towards costs and 175 pounds in victim surcharge -- a total of GBP568 per defendant.

The sale took place in October 2022 as part of a test purchase operation by the Solihull Council wherein a 17 year-old was sent as a decoy customer.

Rajinder Kaur, who was then at the shop, sold the knife without checking the knife packaging, which said "over 18 only".

"We are pleased with another successful prosecution for the unlawful sale of a knife in Solihull. These test purchase operations serve as an important and stark reminder for retailers to comply with their legal obligations," Councillor Wazma Qais, Cabinet Member for

Communities & Leisure, said.

Last month, the council prosecuted another Asian shop owner, Navaratnam Oppilamani, for the sale of an agerestricted product to a minor. He was fined 125 pounds, with 200 pounds towards costs and a 48 pound victim surcharge on May 16.

According to the UK law, it is illegal for anyone, including a shop, to sell a knife of any kind, including cutlery and kitchen knives, to anyone under the age of 18.

A series of Aunderage test purchases were carried out by the council in September and October 2022 at various shops across the Solihull borough. Of the 11 shops that were visited, four correctly challenged the volunteers and refused the sale, but four shops sold them knives, and three shops sold them alcohol.

Bill to proclaim October as Hindu American awareness in California

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New York, June 12 (IANS) California State Assembly member Ash Kalra has again introduced a resolution proclaiming October 2023 as the "Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month" in the state.

The resolution, introduced nearly annually in California since 2013, seeks to bring local awareness, recognition and acknowledgment of the significant contributions made by Hindu Americans across the US.

"For the 10th year California has recognised October as Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month, with the introduction of a resolution by Assembly member Ash Kalra," a Hindu American Foundation (HAF) statement said.

Nearly 2,230,000 Hindu Americans live in the US with California being home to the largest Hindu American population, including individuals from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Malaysia and other nations.

Indian-origin Vishal Garg's Better.com lays off real estate team

San Francisco, (IANS)

The embattled online mortgage lender Better.com, run by controversial Indianorigin CEO Vishal Garg, has reportedly laid off its real estate team and has shut down this unit. The company is said to be shifting from an in-house agent model to a partnership agent model, reports TechCrunch.The report cited an impacted employee as saying that they received "little to no severance, after getting a more than 50 per cent salary cut in November in order to 'ensure' our jobs to come".

Indian wins Rs 4 lakhs in UAE lottery

Ash Kalra

Highlighting the contributions of Hindu Americans, the bill said that the country has benefited from the Vedanta philosophy, ayurvedic medicine, classical Indian art, dance, music, meditation, yoga, literature and community service.

"HAF congratulates Assembly member Ash Kalra for once again speaking up for the contributions of the Hindu American community in California,

as well as highlighting the challenges being faced by the community, such as misunderstanding of our sacred symbols such as the swastika, immigration issues disproportionately affecting our community, and the rise of Hinduphobia, anti-Hindu hate crimes, and bullying of Hindu students," HAF Managing Director Samir Kalra said. The introduction of the bill in the year 2023 marks the 130th anniversary of when Hinduism was officially introduced to the US by Swami Vivekananda in 1893 at the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago. The year 2023 also marks the 123rd anniversary of when he founded the Vedanta Society in the city of San Francisco in 1900.

Hindus started immigrating to California in the early 1900s, and came in increasing numbers after the lifting of the Asian Exclusion Act of 1924 in 1943 and the abolishment of quotas for immigrants based on national origin in 1965.

Indian-American White House Covid response coordinator to step down

Joe Biden said. Jha, 52, will return to his previous post as dean of the School of Public Health at Brown University after spending 14 months as the White House Covid-19 Coordinator beginning March 2022.

Dubai: (IANS) A 28-year-old Indian expat in Abu Dhabi, who recently won Dh 20,000 (Rs 4,48,885) in a lottery, has pledged to donate an amount from his winnings to the victims of the dreadful train accident in Odisha's Balasore district on June 2 that claimed 288 lives.

Sahajan Mohammad, a native of Jaspur town in Odisha, works as a chef at a hotel in Abu Dhabi and earns around Dh2,000 a month, the Khaleej Times reported.

Mohammad, who has been trying his luck at various raffle draws for years, played Dream Island's scratch card game and won the prize on June 7. Talking about the deadly three-train collision, Mohammad told Khaleej Times that he will be helping people from his village who were injured in the tragedy.

"There are a few people from my locality who have been injured in this accident. I will be helping those who are affected in my village first," he said. The June 2 accident also injured more than 1,000 people, making it India's worst rail crash in two decades.

New York State legislature passes Bill to make Diwali school holiday in city

New York: (IANS) Indian-American physician Dr Ashish Jha who led the US government's Covid-19 pandemic response and recovery efforts, will leave the administration by the end of this month, a statement by President

"For the last year, I have relied on Dr Ashish Jha to help me do just that as the White House Covid-19 Response Coordinator. As one of the leading public health experts in America, he has effectively translated and communicated complex scientific challenges into concrete actions that helped save and improve the lives of millions of Americans," President Biden said in a statement.

New York: (IANS) New York State legislature has passed a Bill to make Diwali a school holiday in the city in a final scramble before it adjourned. Both the Senate and the Assembly voted for the Bill before they ended their session early Saturday morning and it now goes to Governor Kathy Hochul for her expected signature to make it law. Introducing the bill, Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar said, "It is long past time to honour" the "vibrant cultural heritage" of the South Asian, Indo-Caribbean, Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist communities by making Diwali a school holiday. An estimated 200,000 students from these communities will be able to celebrate the festival of lights in their own way, free of school. "As the first Hindu-American and South AsianAmerican woman elected to the state office in New York, I take special pride in advocating for new American communities, including those that celebrate Diwali," Rajkumar said.

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Editors’ Guild Condemns “Harassment” Of Journalists By Politicians

Tamil Nadu Minister Arrested By Probe Agency Breaks Down At Hospital

Sakshi Malik: Hurt by Indian PM Modi’s silence on wrestlers’ protests

New Delhi: The Editors Guild of India on Tuesday voiced concern over alleged intimidation and harassment of journalists by Union minister Smriti Irani and the CPI(M)-led government in Kerala.

In a statement here, the Guild claimed that Irani intimidated a journalist during her visit to her Lok Sabha constituency Amethi on June 9 and threatened to call the owners of the Hindi daily he worked for.

In a separate incident, on June 10, a senior woman journalist in Kerala was named as an accused in a First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the state police in response to a complaint filed by the Student Federation of India (SFI), the student arm of the ruling CPI(M) party.

No Work-From-Home, Many Women Quit India’s Largest IT Firm

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK leader V Senthil Balaji broke down in tears when he was being taken to a hospital for a medical checkup by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) Wednesday morning. The minister has been arrested in an alleged money laundering case.

The ED on Tuesday raided Mr Balaji’s home before taking him away for

questioning. The minister was arrested this morning after hours of questioning. As the probe agency took Mr Balaji for a medical examination after the arrest, there were dramatic scenes at a government hospital in Chennai. The DMK leader was seen weeping copiously in an ambulance as his supporters outside shouted slogans against the Enforcement Directorate.

Trump pleads not guilty in confidential documents case

Indian wrestler Sakshi Malik says she is “hurt” that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not yet commented on the allegations of sexual misconduct against the outgoing wrestling federation of India (WFI) chief.

“When we won medals, he [Mr Modi] invited us home for lunch, he treated us with so much love and respect. It does hurt that he is now silent over this issue,” Malik, the first Indian woman to win an Olympic wrestling medal, told the BBC. She is among a group of top Indian wrestlers who have been protesting for months, demanding the arrest of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is also an influential MP from Mr Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Mr Singh denies all the allegations against him.

US Envoy Lauds Ajit Doval as “International Treasure

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An end to remote work at India’s largest software firm had an unintended causality - more female employees decided not to return to the office than male peers.

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. saw higher attrition among women when it called employees back to work after the pandemic. That’s unusual for the IT giant, where female attrition has historically been either lower or similar to their male counterparts.

“I would think working from home during the pandemic reset the domestic arrangements for some women, keeping them from returning to office,” Chief Human Resources Officer of TCS Milind Lakkad said in the company’s annual report last week. “It is a setback to our efforts to promote gender diversity, but we are doubling down on it.” The flexibility to work remotely in recent years has helped companies attract and retain talent, particularly women, as they found it easier to juggle office and home duties in a hybrid environment. The shift now is making them drop out of the workforce, worsening an already low participation in workforce.

Washington, June 14 (IANS) Former US President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to charges brought against him for mishandling classified documents.

“We most certainly enter a plea of not guilty,” Todd Blanche, one of Trump’s lawyers, told a federal court judge in Miami, Florida, on Tuesday.

Trump wore a dark suit and a trademark red tie. And according to accounts from reporters who were present in the courtroom (TV cameras were not allowed), he arrived about 30 minutes ahead of his time. He sat at the defendants table with his lawyers, sometimes with his arms crossed across his chest. Jack Smith, the special counsel appointed by the Department of Justice to lead the case, sat across the room in the first row meant for people. The former President faces 37 charges in the case -- 31 of whom are about willful retention documents pertaining to national defence, including one that is about the “nuclear weaponry of the US”, according to the indictment. All together, the charges could get him 400 years in jail if found guilty.

Coming Up, $2.6 Billion Mega Hydropower Project Near China Border

that runs through the states of Assam and Arunchal Pradesh.

New Delhi: US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Tuesday praised National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, calling him an “international treasure”. Highlighting Ajit Doval’s humble origins as a village boy from Uttarakhand, the envoy said, “India’s NSA has not only become a national treasure but an international treasure”. The envoy also expressed admiration for the strong foundation between the United States and India.

Ganguly Urges Fearless Cricket to End India’s ICC Title Drought

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New Delhi: India is close to starting a mega hydropower project that has been in the works for 20 years, a key step in the country’s energy transition. State-run NHPC Ltd. will start trial runs in July for the Subansiri Lower project

The first unit is expected to be commissioned in December, according to finance director Rajendra Prasad Goyal. By the end of 2024, all eight units will be commissioned, he said. Hydropower, with its ability to quickly respond to fluctuations in electricity demand, is seen crucial for balancing the grid as intermittent generation of solar and wind power rises. However, the 2-gigawatt project, started in 2003, was delayed by protests and litigation, driven by concerns over environment damage.

New Delhi, June 13 (IANS) Former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has advised the Indian team to play fearless cricket in order to end the long title drought at ICC events. Fans had high hopes from India at the World Test Championship final, but they suffered a crushing defeat against Australia at The Oval. “In the last 10 years, they played four finals. They have just not won the big finals, hopefully that will happen. As someone who has seen Indian cricket closely. My only advice is to play without fear when you get to these big moments. Sometimes you have to take the hard decisions,” Ganguly told India Today

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CURRENT AFFAIRS

Prime Minister Modi's Highly Anticipated Diaspora Meet in Washington Draws Significant Attention

Amitabh Mittal, Secretary, US Indian Community Foundation who is closely involved in organizing the diaspora meet, says that there is a great enthusiasm amongst the community

Zofeen Maqsood

interest is very high amongst people.”

As the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US draws near, there is a palpable energy that can be seen amidst the Indian community across the country. PM Modi’s itinerary is chock-a-block with important events such as the much-talked about state dinner on June 22 and the address to the joint session of Congress also slated on the same day.

Another event, which is creating a great euphoria amongst the community is PM Modi’s invitation-only gathering of diaspora leaders to be held on June 23 at Washington D.C.

The high-profile event has been the topic of discussion amongst the entrepreneurs, professionals, academics and people from all walks of life. Bartlett based, Amitabh Mittal who is the secretary of the US Indian Community Foundation has been closely involved in the diaspora meet.

On a busy Wednesday morning, in between catching a flight from Chicago to Washington DC, he shared with Hi India that he has been overwhelmed with the number of calls he has been getting from people eager to be a part of this meet. He says, “We have just finished registrations for the event. It is a limited space event and of course the

Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta’s Productive Visit To Chicago

initiatives to establish trust between the police and the community, pattern and practice investigations, collaborations with law enforcement agencies seeking assistance through programs like the Collaborative Reform Initiative, and funding organizations and programs that prioritize community perspectives in public safety discussions.

On being asked how many registrations have been made, he says, “A total of 838 registrations are done. It is all wordof-mouth.” On the number of calls or people interested in attending the event, Amitabh Mittal informs that he has been getting thousands of calls every day! He says, “I have about 5000 people calling me and it is tough to explain. It’s almost like, you end up becoming an enemy to thousands who could not be included in the list,” he jokes. On how the invitees were chosen, he says, "We had a list from the consulate and then we sent across the invites and then people began responding to it."

On the general feeling of euphoria that grips the Indian American community every time PM Modi makes a visit he agrees that this frenzy remains unmatched. He says, “Every time PM Modi is here there is so much interest. We have seen this before. We have seen

it at Madison Square Garden, we have seen it in Houston and now we are seeing it this time too.”

Amitabh Mittal also informs about PM Modi’s visit that there were plans that he comes to Chicago too and addresses the diaspora but unfortunately his schedule was so tight that it could not be included this time.

PM Modi has had successful visits to the US where thousands from the diaspora gathered together to greet him. PM Modi’s 2014 visit saw him deliver a speech at the iconic Madison Square Garden where over 20,000 people gathered to hear him. His 2019 visit to Houston also had some 50,000 people gathered to cheer and welcome him. On the agenda of the upcoming event, Mittal informs, “there will be a speech addressing the diaspora where PM Modi would talk to the members on how they can participate more effectively.”

Over 300,000 Immigrants Granted Extension of Temporary Legal Status by U.S.

CHICAGO, IL- On Thursday, June 8 and Friday, June 9, Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta visited Chicago to engage with community members and local leaders regarding important issues in the area. One of the main focuses of her visit was discussing the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat gun violence and violent crime by emphasizing thoughtful policing, fostering trust between law enforcement and communities, and empowering communities to play an active role in public safety. Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Amy Solomon accompanied her throughout the trip.

The visit commenced on Thursday, June 8, with Associate Attorney General Gupta serving as a featured speaker at the University of Chicago Law School’s Law of Policing Conference. During the event, she engaged in a fireside chat with Professor Sharon Fairley, addressing various aspects of the department’s work. These included

On Friday, June 9, Associate Attorney General Gupta and Assistant Attorney General Solomon met with Acting U.S. Attorney Sonny Pasqual for the Northern District of Illinois, along with senior staff from his office. Subsequently, they visited the University of Chicago Crime Lab, accompanied by Senator Dick Durbin. The purpose of this visit was to learn about the Crime Lab’s innovative endeavors, such as researching the effectiveness of community violence intervention programs and developing early warning systems for law enforcement agencies. The trip concluded with a meeting with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Garien Gatewood, who serves as Chicago’s first-ever Deputy Mayor of Community Safety.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. government plans to extend the temporary legal status of over 300,000 immigrants whose deportation protections and work permits were targeted by the Trump administration. The Biden administration will allow approximately 337,000 immigrants from El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua to continue living and working legally in the U.S. under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. The decision comes after the Trump administration’s attempts to end TPS programs were blocked in federal court. The extension will reverse the termination of TPS for these four countries, grant a temporary reprieve

to current enrollees, and likely render a federal court lawsuit filed against the Trump-era TPS terminations moot. The announcement is linked to an ongoing court case. However, the administration is not expanding or redesignating the TPS programs for these countries to include new applicants, citing concerns about encouraging unlawful migration. The extension will allow existing TPS holders from these countries to remain in the U.S. for another 18 months. TPS does not provide a path to permanent residency or citizenship. The Biden administration has previously reversed attempts to end TPS programs for Haitian and Sudanese immigrants and expanded eligibility for those countries.

HiIndia Newsdesk

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Vanita Gupta

Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta (center, right), Assistant Attorney General Amy Solomon (far right, top) listen to mothers who lost their children to gun violence.

Akshay Kumar's 'OMG 2' to be released on August 11

The much awaited sequel of the 2012 film 'OMG: Oh My God!' finally has a release date. Titled 'OMG', the film stars Akshay Kumar, Pankaj Tripathi, and Yami Gautam. The first part directed by Umesh Shukla had Paresh Rawal as the main lead with Akshay Kumar in a special role of Lord Krishna. The film was very well received.

Barring Akshay Kumar, OMG 2 will see new faces. On Friday, the makers took to social media to officially announce the release date of the film. Directed by Amit Rai, the film is all set to release on August 11, 2023. Akshay Kumar took to his social media handle to make the announcement along with a poster of him as Lord Shiva. Earlier posters have also seen Akshay as Shiva.

Couldn’t have gone ahead knowing I let this pass: Nimrat Kaur

Nimrat Kaur is not new to long-format storytelling, having featured in The Test Case (2017), Wayward Pines (2016), and the award-winning series, Homeland. Headlining her latest web series, School of Lies, was an easy decision. For the actor, the draw was collaborating with director Avinash Arun. “I had always wanted to work with Avinash. I was curious to know what he would make after Killa [2014] and Paatal Lok [2020]. I have done a lot of long-format series abroad, but in India, I found myself more drawn to films. But this story was a game-changer. I couldn’t have gone ahead knowing I let this pass,” she smiles. In the Disney+ Hotstar offering, Kaur plays a student counsellor trying to get to the bottom of a child’s mysterious

disappearance from the boarding school. She found the perfect inspiration in her sister Rubina. “My sister was formerly a student counsellor. I had observed her closely for many years.

The ability to connect with a child and to think like them is the most crucial part of the job.”

It seems Kaur has made a conscious choice to do more work in India. After 'Dasvi' last year, the actor has a busy 2023 with School of Lies, Happy Teachers’ Day, and Sky Force with Akshay Kumar. “It’s not a calculated move at all. I’m an emotional person who decides on projects that make it to my heart. I don’t care if it’s made in Iran, India or Europe. The question is — is it something I’d like to watch? If it is, I will chase it.” A prime example is the upcoming second season of the Apple TV+ series, Foundation, in which she features in episodes one and six. “I got to work with Jared Harris, one of my all-time favourite actors. It was the most educating experience of my career. It was an honour to be a small part of this big franchise.”

Alia Bhatt to portray Sita alongside Ranbir Kapoor as Ram in 'Ramayana'

As 'Adipurush' gears up for its theatrical release bringing forth the tale of Ramayana, another film on the same theme is in the making. Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, who essayed the role of Sita in the blockbuster film 'RRR', is set to portray Goddess Sita in Nitesh Tiwari's much-anticipated film, 'Ramayana'. As per media reports, Alia has been confirmed to play Sita opposite real-life husband Ranbir Kapoor, who will be seen as Lord Ram. For those

wondering if Nitesh Tiwari's film was shelved, there's good news. The film is totally on track. Alia was also spotted outside Nitesh Tiwari's office recently. Nitesh, who is known for films like 'Dangal', 'Chhichhore', is currently busy with his next film starring Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor-starrer 'Bawaal' which is based on World War. This will be the second collaboration between Alia and Ranbir after their last film 'Brahmastra'.

We

more films for theatres: Manoj Bajpayee

Actor Manoj Bajpayee, whose 'Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai' is trending on OTT, believes there is a need to make more movies for the theatrical format. The 54-year old Padma Shri recipient told PTI over phone from Mumbai on Thursday that while people can enjoy a film on a streaming platform in the comfort of their homes, films (theatrical releases) have "their own beauty". "There has to be some kind of balance - between OTT and theatre which feed off each other. We need to make more movies for theatres," he said, observing movies last for longer terms.

The idea is to help these families get back on their feet: Sonu Sood

Aweek on, the families of the victims and injured are grappling with the repercussions of the Odisha train tragedy that took place when the Coromandel Express derailed near Balasore and collided with two more trains, claiming more than 280 lives and leaving 900 injured. At a time like this when no effort is too small and no contribution too big, actor-producer Sonu Sood has stepped forward to support the affected families.

On Wednesday, his non-profit organisation, Sood Charity Foundation, launched a helpline for the affected. Sood shares, “After they message us on the helpline number, we will call them, get their details and [understand] their problems. We have also

been in touch with the concerned authorities, and are procuring the details of all patients who are injured.”

Rebuilding the lives of those who have lost their loved ones, in one of the worst train accidents in India, will be a Herculean task. Recognising this, Sood says that his organisation will focus on two areas — employment and education. “We have been hearing so many stories about breadwinners losing their lives. Who will take care of their families? The idea is to help these families get back on their feet. We will help them set up small businesses, and provide employment. We will also take care of their children’s education, and their elderly parents.”

need to make

Kunal Kapoor says fitness goes beyond physicality; it's about emotional well-being

Actor Kunal Kapoor, who is known for his work in 'Rang De Basanti', has shared that for him the scope of fitness covers aspects beyond physicality and that it also consists of emotional being, and the mental state.

The actor recently appeared on a podcast and shared that although he indulges in a few cheat meals, he has set clear boundaries about what he eats.

The actor said, "Non-negotiable fitness thing is the diet. I'm really sort of particular about what I eat. I do have a few cheat days and stuff and I do enjoy those of course. But there are some things I don't want to eat like fried food and stuff, it is not something that I'm big on".

He further mentioned on 'Habit Coach with Ashdin Doctor' by IVM Podcasts, "When it comes to fitness most people think it's just about your physicality but it's so much more your emotional being, it's your mental state. So, I do spend time as much as I can meditating. I usually start my day with meditation, but if I miss that for whatever reason, in the car I sit and just sort of focus on breathing".

Vijay Varma says he plays the 'nicest guy' in 'Lust Stories 2'

Actor Vijay Varma has claimed that he will be playing the "nicest" guy in the upcoming film 'Lust Stories 2'. On Friday night, Vijay took to his Twitter and re-shared a tweet from a fan which read: "I am hoping Lust Stories main you are not creeping us out yet again."

Replying to the tweet, he wrote: "I'm playing the nicest guy in lust stories." The director of the movie Sujoy Ghosh agreed with the actor. He shared a clip of Vijay and actress Tamannaah Bhatia's scene from movie, and captioned it: "As Vijay Varma claims he's the nicest guy in lusty stories." However, it seems that the actor is all set to play shades of grey in 'Lust Stories 2' after 'Dahaad' and 'Darlings'.

Helmed by Sujoy Ghosh, 'Lust Stories 2' also stars Amruta Shubhash, Angad Bedi, Kajol, Kumud Mishra, Mrunal Thakur, Neena Gupta, and Tillotama Shome.

Tamannaah Bhatia says, ‘real adulting hits at 30’

Tamannaah also has ‘Lust Stories 2’ in the pipeline in which she will be seen along with Vijay Varma

Actress Tamannaah Bhatia, who has two upcoming streaming releases, feels that the real adulting starts once people enter their 30s. The actress will be soon seen in the upcoming streaming show ‘Jee Karda’ which follows the story of even friends navigating the chaos of life in their 30s. Tamannaah, who plays the role of Lavanya in the series said that she “deeply relates” to the characters in the show as they face the challenges of peer pressure, both in college and school, and even in their 30s. The actress said, “It's at 30 when real adulting hits you. This show provides a sneak peek into the lives of people dealing with the trials and tribulations of adulting, showcasing how they navigate through it all. At its core, Jee Karda is a fun slice of life with a touch of drama, offering a reflection of the lives we lead”. The show, which also stars Aashim Gulati, Suhail Nayyar, Anya Singh, Hussain Dalal, Sayan Banerjee, and Samvedna Suwalka, has been directed by Arunima Sharma and produced by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films. ‘Jee Karda’ will drop on June 15 on Prime Video. Tamannaah also has ‘Lust Stories 2’ in the pipeline in which she will be seen along with Vijay Varma

Why Gujarati director Nidhi Purohit took 9 years to make debut film 'I Wish'

Ahmedabad:(IANS) When we met Nidhi Purohit for the first time she was a novice filmmaker trying to navigate her way in the Gujarati film industry. The year was 2014 and she was working on her first film 'I Wish' as a writer and director. The energy in the young team in their makeshift office was palpable.

Cut to June 2023, when she finally released the film after nine years of waiting. We sat with Nidhi, 33, to know what made her release the film this month when it was shot in 2016. "When I started I was young and disoriented as an artiste. Also, I was newly married. I was still finding my way," Nidhi said candidly. "Eventually, there were creative differences between the team and therefore it got delayed. I guess, the film industry was also not ready to have a female writer-director making a film with a female protagonist." Her film 'I Wish' is the story of Isha and Vismay, who are in love, and their struggle after moving in together. They embark on separate paths of self-discovery to save their love. A musical journey unfolds, filled with hope and uncertainty. Will they find a way back to each other? That's the crux of the 'I Wish' story. Nidhi came from a small coastal town in Saurashtra called Veraval with no background in films. "My past experience was traumatic and therefore I chose to be an independent filmmaker," she said. "I will only get a producer on board when I'm sure I can make the film a box-office success." Continuing with her story, Nidhi said: "To make films you need money and therefore, I took up a corporate job in an MNC in Mumbai. I was the vice- president of their multi-media department. I did it purely for money to fund my films. Whatever I saved -- Rs 15-20 lakh -- I put into producing films." Nidhi has also worked with a Gujarati entertainment magazine as an editor. And she was associated with a celebrity chat show on a news channels as creative director and writer. She added: "I worked for two years and half to fund my passion. I always knew I wanted to do something around stories and I'm happy that I'm finally doing it. You can't even imagine the joy of a person whose film is released after nine years of being in the process. The movie is equally relevant now, it doesn't look dated, and that's a win for us."

PM Narendra Modi's State Visit to the United StatesStrengthens India-US Relations

HiIndia Newsdesk

rime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a four-day state visit to the United States from June 21st to 24th. While Prime Minister Modi has visited the U.S. on several occasions since 2014, this particular visit holds significant diplomatic importance as it marks his first state visit, the highest level of protocol for foreign leaders. State visits are extended to heads of government or state by invitation of the U.S. President, and only one such invitation can be received during a president's four-year term. These visits are characterized by formalities and ceremonies, including a warm welcome on the tarmac, a 21-gun salute at the White House upon arrival, a state dinner, an address to the U.S. Congress, and accommodation at Blair House, the U.S. President's

State Visit vs. Other

State visits represent the highest level of diplomatic engagement, while other types of visits differ in terms of ceremonial aspects and substance. Official visits, the secondhighest level, are also extended on the U.S. President's invitation but have fewer ceremonial elements and exclude a state dinner. Official working visits involve substantive discussions and a working luncheon with the President but lack the pomp and circumstance of arrival and departure ceremonies. Working visits, on the other hand, are more limited, typically involving a

meeting with the President at the White House without additional ceremonies. Private visits, the least formal type, occur without the President's invitation, but a meeting with the U.S. President can be requested.

Historical Context:

Before Prime Minister Modi's state visit, only two Indian leaders have received this honor in the past. In 2009, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made a state visit under President Barack Obama, which marked Obama's first state visit as well. The other Indian leader to receive this distinction was President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who visited in 1963 under President John F. Kennedy.

India-US Relations:

The relationship between India and the United States is one of the most significant and substantive foreign relations for both countries. In FY 2023, the United States remains India's top trading partner, despite some differences in their stances on certain issues. For instance, India, as a member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), has chosen not to condemn Russia over the Ukraine issue, maintaining engagement with them. The shared concerns over China's aggressive politics in the Indo-Pacific region have played a vital role in bringing India and the United States closer together.

Conclusion:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming state visit to the United States holds immense diplomatic significance, as it reinforces the strong and substantive relationship between the two countries. The visit is expected to further enhance bilateral cooperation and strategic partnerships between India and the United States, addressing shared concerns and advancing mutual interests in a rapidly changing global landscape.

HiIndia Newsdesk

Washington: Indian Americans are eagerly preparing to extend a warm welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his first state visit to the United States from June 21 to June 24.Thousands of expatriate Indians will gather in Washington during the visit of PM Modi, who will arrive in the US at the invitation of at the invitation of President Joe Biden and first Lady Jill Biden.While a group of Indian Americans are planning to go to Andrews Air Force Base when the Prime Minister’s Air India One lands on June 21 afternoon from New York over 600 community members are planning to gather at Freedom Plaza in front of the Willard Intercontinental in Washington located near the White House where the PM will be staying during his visit.

At the Freedom Plaza, the community has planned to showcase the cultural fabric of India through events representing India spanning from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, and from West to East, Adapa Prasad, President of Overseas Friends of BJP-USA, told ANI.

“It is India’s diverse cultural show and growth story. We have roughly 25 programs representing Kashmir to Kerala and Maharashtra to the northeast with 160 artists participating,” Prasad said.“The Indian American community feels that they are part of this historic story. They’re proud that this momentous occasion is happening. That too when India has become the fifth largest economy, so the community itself is very proud about their country of origin,” Prasad further noted.

plans grand welcome for PM Modi in US

On June 22, more than 7000 Indian Americans are planning to be on the South Lawns of the White House when President Biden and the First Lady would welcome the Prime Minister amidst a 21-gun salute. The White House will be closing the registration shortly for those attending the welcome ceremony. “India was known as an underdeveloped country. All that has changed in the last ten years. Thanks a lot to Shri Modiji who has transformed India not only with the IT generation but by rising high above all the expectations of people in terms of infrastructure development, in terms of financial independence given to all the markets,” said Premkumar Swaminathan who hails from Tamil Nadu in India.

PM Narendra Modi during his visit will also become the first Indian PM to address the Joint Meeting of the US Congress for the second time. Indian Americans said the invitation sent to Prime Minister to address the US Congress serves as a reminder of the historic significance of the relationship between the US and India, reflecting the shared dream and commitment to global peace and prosperity, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.

“I think it is crucial for us to understand kind of the importance of Modiji speaking on the stage. A lot of global leaders have spoken separately in

the Union House of Representatives. They have spoken for state dinners and all of that. But, somebody addressing the state of the joint session is something very very unusual. So, that tells how geopolitics has come around, that tells how much Modiji has made an influence in the entire geopolitical world,” said Srilkeha Reddy Palle a resident of Virginia told ANI.

It’s not just Modi’s rockstar-like appeal among the Indian diaspora that is “unique,” some are excited to express gratitude for the recent developments in India. Mohan Sapru, a member of the Kashmiri Hindu diaspora in Washington, said, “I just want to express our gratitude to the Prime Minister for the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A in Kashmir. And I’m sure together we will be working together with Modiji for resolving all the issues with regard to Kashmiri Hindus’ resettlement safely back in Kashmir.” In the US, PM Modi will also address the chairman and CEOs of top US companies at John F Kennedy Centre in Washington. Followed by an address to the Indian diaspora at Ronald Reagan Center in DC in the evening.

Several top Indian-Americans have expressed their excitement to join Prime Minister Modi on the north lawns of the UN complex in New York, on June 21, where he will lead the International Yoga Day event soon after arriving in the country.

US Secretary of State

Antony Blinken on Monday preambled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming "historic" state visit saying central to emerging cooperation in critical technologies between the two countries such as semiconductors and defense was "reducing strategic dependencies".

HiIndia Newsdesk

Washington: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday preambled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming "historic" state visit saying central to emerging cooperation in critical technologies between the two countries such as semiconductors and defense was "reducing strategic dependencies".

Blinken has inserted a new phrase into the narrative around the India-US relationship whose limits have been defined by New Delhi's pursuit of strategic autonomy, which is a foreign policy construct deployed by India to choose friends without committing itself to anything serious.

"Central to all of this cooperation is diversifying and deepening our supply chains with trusted countries, also reducing strategic dependencies," Blinken said in remarks to business leaders of the two countries at the start of an annual conference on the relationship of the US-India Business Council, an offshoot of the US Chamber of Commerce, the most powerful of American lobbyists.

Blinken was referring to a recent surge in cooperation between the two countries on emerging critical technologies, which is a dialogue that was flagged off

Washington: Indian Americans are eagerly preparing to extend a warm welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his first state visit to the United States from June 21 to June 24. Thousands of expatriate Indians will gather in Washington during the visit of PM Modi, who will arrive in the US at the invitation of at the invitation of President Joe Biden and first Lady Jill Biden.

While a group of Indian Americans are planning to go to Andrews Air Force Base when the Prime Minister’s Air India One lands on June 21 afternoon from New York over 600 community members are planning to gather at Freedom Plaza in front of the Willard Intercontinental in Washington located near the White House where the PM will be staying during his visit. At the Freedom Plaza, the community has planned to showcase the cultural fabric of India through events representing India spanning from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, and from West to East, Adapa Prasad, President of Overseas Friends of BJP-USA, told ANI. “It is India’s diverse cultural show and growth story. We have roughly 25 programs representing Kashmir to Kerala and Maharashtra to the northeast with 160 artists participating,” Prasad said.

“The Indian American community feels that they are part of this historic story.

Blinken talks of 'reducing strategic dependencies' ahead of Modi visit

to Define IndiaUS Relationship within India's Pursuit of Strategic Autonomy

by Prime Minister Modi and President Joe Biden in 2022 and fast-tracked by the two sides in a meeting of National Security Advisers Ajit Doval and Jake Sullivan earlier this year. This engagement contains the promise of the next big outcome in the relationship, which could be announced during Modi's visit later in June: joint production of US giant General Electric's jet engines in India. India currently uses GE jet engines delivered ready for use.

Expanding on the theme of "reducing strategic dependencies", the top US diplomat spoke of cooperation between the two sides on semiconductors and

solar power equipment, the two areas on which the United States has been cutting its dependence on China, specially after disruption caused by Covid-19.

"My friend and colleague Secretary of Commerce (Gina) Rimondo and her counterpart Minister (Piyush) Goyal, recently established a partnership to make our semiconductor supply chains more resilient." He went on to talk about US investment in a solar manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu.

"It will shift a key component of our clean energy supply chains to a close partner.

That's what we mean when we say we are building more resilient, more diversified supply chains," he added.

Secretary Blinken did not say the US has expectations of India on "reducing strategic dependencies", but it could be an acknowledgement and acceptance of India's dependence on Russian oil,

Indian diaspora plans grand welcome for PM Modi in US

which it has been getting at heavily discounted rates for its own use and export, to circumvent US-led western sanctions, and arms.

The Secretary of State was extremely bullish on the bilateral relationship and pitched his own speech as a run up to Modi's upcoming visit.

"I couldn't be more pleased to actually kick off tonight the upcoming state visit with all of you," he said, calling the visit "historic" earlier.

An Indian Prime Minister is coming to the US on a state visit including a state dinner after nearly 14 years, nine of which have been Modi's.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was the last Indian Prime Minister given a state dinner. It was in 2009. He was President Barack Obama's first state guest an event that will probably be remembered also for the couple that gate-crashed it, in flagrant breach of security arrangements.

ceremony.

“India was known as an underdeveloped country. All that has changed in the last ten years. Thanks a lot to Shri Modiji who has transformed India not only with the IT generation but by rising high above all the expectations of people in terms of infrastructure development, in terms of financial independence given to all the markets,” said Premkumar Swaminathan who hails from Tamil Nadu in India.

PM Narendra Modi during his visit will also become the first Indian PM to address the Joint Meeting of the US Congress for the second time. Indian Americans said the invitation sent to Prime Minister to address the US Congress serves as a reminder of the historic significance of the relationship between the US and India, reflecting the shared dream and commitment to global peace and prosperity, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.

They’re proud that this momentous occasion is happening. That too when India has become the fifth largest economy, so the community itself is very proud about their country of origin,” Prasad further noted.

On June 22, more than 7000 Indian

Americans are planning to be on the South Lawns of the White House when President Biden and the First Lady would welcome the Prime Minister amidst a 21-gun salute. The White House will be closing the registration shortly for those attending the welcome

“I think it is crucial for us to understand kind of the importance of Modiji speaking on the stage. A lot of global leaders have spoken separately in the Union House of Representatives. They have spoken for state dinners and all of that. But, somebody addressing the state of the joint session is something very very unusual. So, that tells how geopolitics has come around, that tells how much Modiji has made an

Blinken Introduces New Phrase

HiIndia Newsdesk

The Biden administration has marked India as one of the country’s most consequential relationships. The statement came on Monday, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit next month.

"Our partnership with India is one of our most consequential relationships and we work closely with India on a number of vital priorities. The state visit is an opportunity to deepen some of these partnerships, whether it be ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific and ensuring that it is a region that is more connected, more prosperous, more secure and more resilient," Vedant Patel, the state department's Deputy Press Secretary told reporters at a conference, PTI reported. At the conference, Patel stressed on the new opportunities the relationship between the two countries creates and highlighted the potential it has to tackle important issues like global health and the climate crisis.

"Obviously, between India and the United States, there exists an opportunity to deepen trade issues, deepen security partnerships. There is an opportunity to address some shared global challenges like global health and addressing the climate crisis. So again, I am not going to get ahead of the state visit, but we very much look forward to hosting the Indian government," Patel added.

Vedant highlighted the importance of the Secretary of State Tony Blinken, the country's and the president's chief diplomat and one of his most trusted and longest-serving foreign policy advisors. Blinken is extensively involved in materialising PM Modi’s

A Consequential Relationship

PM Modi's White House visit

Our partnership with India is one of our most consequential and of course, deepening our trade relationship is a key priority and has been one as it relates to our partnership with India. Of course, another key component of this is our deep cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties as we are both democracies

dignitaries and things of that sort," the Deputy Press Secretary said.

"But I am not going to get into the specific deliberations beyond that. And like I said, our partnership with India is one of the most consequential and it is why we are very much looking forward to hosting them in a state visit next month," he added.

He then reiterated the importance of the relationship from a trade perspective while also emphasising on the cultural exchange opportunities it creates for the two sprawling democracies.

"Our partnership with India is one of our most consequential and of course, deepening our trade relationship is a key priority and has been one as it relates to our partnership with India. Of course, another key component of this is our deep cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties as we are both democracies," he said.

state visit. “We of course are in constant communication with our

partners at the White House on things like state visits and visits by foreign

US has 'terrific cooperation' with India inside Quad: White House

The US has a "significant" defence partnership with India and "terrific cooperation" inside the Quad, the White House said ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit beginning June 22.

"I don't believe that the full agenda has been fleshed out for the state visit, but we are very much looking forward to have Prime Minister Modi here," Kirby said in response to a question The deal to build GE-414 engines in India is set to be announced during the Prime Minister's visit to the US from June 21-24.

Major defence deals are likely to be on cards, which includes an agreement estimated to be worth Rs 22,000 crore, between the two nations to buy 30 MQ-9 B armed drones.

He also expressed eagerness to welcome Indian students into the United States and stated that it could be achieved with an appropriate visa system. "We are eager to welcome Indian students interested in studying here through the appropriate visa systems and otherwise," he said.

New Jersey restaurant launches 'Modi Ji Thali' ahead of PM's US trip

HiIndia Newsdesk

Washington: The US has a "significant" defence partnership with India and "terrific cooperation" inside the Quad, the White House said ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit beginning June 22.

"The US has a significant defense

partnership with India and terrific cooperation inside the Quad, across the Indo-Pacific with India. There's a lot to talk about. We're looking forward to the visit," John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council in the White House, told reporters on Monday.

According to reports, Modi and President Joe Biden will discuss Indo-Pacific and maritime security issues amid China's growing assertive activities in the region.

The two leaders will also explore opportunities to expand and consolidate engagement of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue.

A New Jersey-based restaurant has rustled up the ‘Modi Ji Thali’ ahead of his arrival in the US, news agency ANI reported. The thali, prepared by chef Shripad Kulkarni, consists of an array of traditional Indian dishes like khichdi, rasgulla, sarson ka saag, Kashmiri dum aloo, idli, dhokla, chaanch and papad.

According to chef Kulkarni, the thali has been curated as per the demands of the Indian diaspora living there. The thali also pays tribute to 2023 being declared as the International Year of Millets by the UN after a recommendation from the Indian government, by including dishes prepared using millets.

Parsippany Mayor Recognizes Indian Lawmaker And Former Resident Ponnala Lakshmiah With Proclamation

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PARSIPPANY, NJ- In a significant event at his office in Parsippany, Mayor James Barberio had the privilege of meeting and honoring Mr. Ponnala Lakshmiah, a distinguished Indian lawmaker and former Irrigation and IT Minister. Mr. Lakshmiah, who resided in Lake Hiawatha during the late 1960s and 1970s, has made remarkable contributions to public life in India, particularly in the fields of agriculture, irrigation, and information technology. During the meeting, Mayor Barberio presented Mr. Lakshmiah with a well-deserved PROCLAMATION on behalf of the town of Parsippany. This proclamation was a testament to the esteemed lawmaker’s invaluable services to society. It recognized his instrumental role in transforming the lives of millions of people in Andhra Pradesh, India, through his innovative

schemes in irrigation and information technology, as well as his unwavering commitment to humanitarian efforts. The proclamation highlighted Mr. Lakshmiah’s visionary leadership and dedication to improving the lives of

the people he served. It commended his outstanding contributions, which have had a profound impact on the agricultural sector, irrigation practices, and the advancement of information and technology in Andhra Pradesh.

Mayor Johnson Addresses Migrant Family Situation at High Ridge YMCA

CHICAGO, IL- The City of Chicago recognizes the urgency of the national humanitarian crisis and acknowledges the shared responsibility to provide secure havens for asylum-seeking individuals. In light of recent concerns raised about the relocation of families currently housed at the High Ridge YMCA in the Rogers Park community, the City has carefully reassessed its plans. Our primary objective remains to alleviate the strain on Chicago Police Department district stations by accommodating over 400 single newcomers and ensuring that shelters serve as temporary solutions. Following thoughtful deliberation on the impact of the proposed move on asylumseeking families and our overarching mission, as well as to allow ample time for planning within the receiving community, the City has decided to reschedule the transfer of migrant

families from the High Ridge YMCA to Daley College. The relocation will now take place on Sunday, June 11. To ensure a seamless transition, migrant families moving from the High Ridge YMCA to Daley College will have access to comparable programs provided by CPS at Hurley Elementary. They will continue to receive the same services

available at all City shelter locations. We appreciate the warm reception the Daley College community has already extended to the families currently residing there, and we are confident that they will extend the same warmth to the newly arriving families. The City of Chicago finds itself grappling with a national humanitarian crisis that demands collective responsibility and compassionate action to offer secure spaces for recently arrived individuals seeking asylum. Earlier today, concerns were raised regarding the movement of families currently housed at the High Ridge YMCA, situated in the Rogers Park community. Recognizing the need to alleviate the burden on Chicago Police Department district stations caused by the high numbers of single individuals seeking shelter, the City had made plans to relocate these families from the YMCA to the facility at Daley College.

Cook County Offers Free Rabies

Vaccines & Microchips to Veteran Pets

CHICAGO, IL- The Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs and the County’s Department of Animal and Rabies Control (ARC) have collaborated with Chicago Animal Care and Control to introduce Vets and Pets, a special oneday clinic offering free rabies vaccines and microchips for pets owned by County veterans and service members. This groundbreaking clinic will take place on Saturday, July 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at General Jones Armory, located at 5200 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago, IL 60615.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle expressed pride

in providing essential services for pets belonging to the brave veterans and service members of the County. President Preckwinkle extended her gratitude to the County’s Department of Veterans Affairs, Animal and Rabies Control, and Chicago Animal Care and Control for their efforts in ensuring the health and safety of County pets. The Vets and Pets clinic will

accommodate the first 200 cats and dogs on a first come, first served basis. Veterans and service members are permitted to bring up to four pets per household. It is essential to bring proof of military status, which can include documents such as DD214 paired with picture ID, veteran ID, or a common access card. Dogs must be leashed, while cats must be in carriers.

To commemorate this momentous occasion, Mayor Barberio hosted a special ceremony at the town hall, attended by prominent Indian Americans. During the event, the mayor took the opportunity to deliver a brief statement, expressing his deep admiration for Mr. Lakshmiah and his remarkable achievements. He recognized Mr. Lakshmiah as a proud former resident of Parsippany’s Lake Hiawatha and praised his exceptional contributions to public life, both in the United States and in India. The gathering of esteemed individuals and community members at the town hall was a testament to the respect and appreciation they held for Mr. Lakshmiah’s exemplary career and service to humanity. The event served as a fitting tribute to honor a distinguished individual whose dedication and passion have positively impacted countless lives and communities.

Impending Tax Increase to Impact Illinois Grocery and Gas Bills

CHICAGO, IL- Illinois residents will soon face increased costs at both the pump and the grocery store as two tax increases are scheduled to take effect next month. Beginning on July 1, the suspension of Illinois’ grocery tax will come to an end, coinciding with the implementation of a second gas tax increase this year. Let’s take a closer look at each tax increase:

Illinois Grocery Tax

As part of a 2022 $46.5 billion state budget plan aimed at alleviating the financial burden on families grappling with rising costs of goods and inflation, the 1% grocery tax in Illinois was temporarily suspended. This move was expected to save taxpayers an estimated amount of up to $400 million throughout the fiscal year. During the tax suspension period, which lasted for 12 months, the 1% tax did not apply to items classified as “food for human consumption that is to be consumed off the premises where it is sold.” However, certain products such as alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, candy, and food prepared for immediate consumption were still subject to the grocery tax.

According to official state documents, the tax holiday will conclude on June 30, 2023, signaling the end of the temporary relief from the grocery tax. It’s important for Illinois residents to be aware that the grocery tax will be reinstated after June 30, 2023, leading to increased costs for various food items purchased for off-premises consumption.

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Mayor Brandon Johnson

United Senior Pariwar In Chicago Marks 15 Years Of Celebrations

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CHICAGO, IL- The 15th anniversary of United Senior Pariwar (USP) in Chicago was celebrated on Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm at Manav Seva Mandir in Bensenville. Approximately 550 members, including Chief Guest Hon. Consul Mr. Ranjit Singh, President of Indian Seniors of Chicago Shree Dr. Narsinhbhai Patel, President of Bhartiya Seniors of Chicago

Shree Haribhai Patel, Secretary of Silver Seniors Group Mrs. Sonal Desai, President of Mahavir Seniors of Chicago

Shree Arvindbhai Shah, President of Dev Darshan Senior Group Mrs. Hema Shastri, General Secretary of Federation of Seniors of Chicago Shree Dahyabhai Prajapati, President of FIA Dr. Rashmi Patel, Vice President of ICNT Shree Amar Upadhyay, and community leaders, joined and joyfully celebrated this event.

Vice President Acharya Rohit Joshi welcomed Hon. Consul Shree Ranjit Singh, Usha Kamaria, Ramanlal Patel (President), Secretary Ramesh Chokshi, Treasurer Kirit Pandya, Narsinhbhai Patel, Haribhai Patel, and Dahybhai Prajapati. He also invited them to participate in the “Deep Prajwalan” lamp lighting ceremony. Acharya Rohit Joshi chanted a mantra to commence the celebration.

Acharya Rohit Joshi then welcomed and requested Shri Ramesh Chokshi to act as the emcee for the event.

Ramesh Chokshi, Secretary, extended a warm welcome to all members, the Chief Guest, Guests of Honor, sponsors, and supporters. He provided a brief history of USP, including its establishment and growth, as well as a summary of the annual activities. Mr. Chokshi expressed his gratitude to

the Hon. Consulate General of India, Chicago, and their staff for participating in some virtual meetings and providing detailed information about visas, passports, OCI, and other office-related inquiries. The Hon. C.G. appreciated USP’s involvement in programs such as Kala Utsav, International Yoga Day celebrations, and flag hoisting on Republic Day and Independence Day. Ramesh Chokshi also expressed, on behalf of USP, his gratitude to all sponsors, guests, members, and volunteers who have contributed to the success of their events over the past 15 years.

Shree Ramanlal Patel welcomed Chief Guest Consul Shree Ranjit Singh with flower bouquet.

Ramesh Chokshi then proceeded to welcome the sponsors of the event by offering them flower bouquets:

• Shree Ramanlal Patel welcomed Chief Guest Consul Shree Ranjit Singh with a flower bouquet.

• Shree Rohitkumar Joshi welcomed Dr.

Indian American Sues Florida Resort, Boat Captain over Wife’s Death

9, went parasailing while vacationing in the Florida Keys when the weather turned bad.

Minutes later, boat's captain Daniel Couch cut the towline connecting the parasail to the boat, sending Supraja and children floating in the air for two miles before they crashed into a concrete bridge.

Indian American diaspora Growing Stronger: Secy of State Anthony Blinken

Indian-American is suing a waterfront resort and a boat captain for alleged negligence that led to the death of his wife and left his son and nephew severely injured while parasailing last year in Florida.

Srinivasrao Alaparthi filed a 68-page lawsuit in Monroe County circuit court this week against the boat captain, his first mate and the resort, Captain Pip's Marina & Hideaway, alleging negligence and wrongful death, The Washington Post reported.

He had filed a lawsuit last year against the parasailing company, Lighthouse Parasailing, which operated out of Captain Pip's Marina.

On May 30, 2022, Alaparthi, his wife Supraja, 33, their son, 10, and nephew,

Alaparthi, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, told reporters on Thursday that it was a "terrifying experience", The Post reported.

He alleges in his lawsuit that the boat's crew failed to check the weather forecast, which would have shown an incoming storm and did not radio the US Coast Guard for help as the independent chute dragged Supraja to her death.

In addition, the crew did not provide enough safety equipment, including life jackets on board, and did not properly bring the parasail down after losing control."I can't help but think that if the people we trusted from the parasailing company and Captain Pip's Marina had done their jobs, my wife would still be with us today," The Post quoted Alaparthi as saying.

Narsinhbhai Patel with a flower bouquet.

• Shree Ramesh Chokshi welcomed Dahybhai Prajapati with a flower bouquet.

• Shree Kiritbhai Pandya welcomed Shree Haribhai Patel with a flower bouquet.

Consul Shree Ranjit Singh expressed his congratulations to all seniors on the 15th anniversary celebration. He mentioned that Consulate General Shree Somanth Gosh had planned to attend the event but couldn’t due to emergency work related to Prime Minister Shree Narendra Modi’s visit to the White House in DC. He also discussed the services provided by the C.G. Office to the Indian community and highlighted the progress made by India under the current BJP government over the past 9 years. He announced that the C.G. Office would organize International Yoga Day on June 18th (Sunday) at Navy Pier in Downtown Chicago, with buses arranged from various places.

New York State legislature has passed a Bill to make Diwali a school holiday

Just ahead of the upcoming state visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US on June 22, the USIndia Business Council's India Ideas Summit was held at Washington DC. Speaking at the summit, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that one of the most important components of the India-US relationship is an Indian American diaspora over 4 million strong and growing stronger every day. He also added that the trajectory of the India-US partnership is unthinkable and filled with promise.

First Ever Hindu American Summit at US Capitol on June 14

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Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar said, while introducing the bill, “It is long past time to honor” the “vibrant cultural heritage” of the South Asian, Indo-Caribbean, Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist communities by making Diwali a school holiday.” She added “As the first Hindu-American and South Asian-American woman elected to the state office in New York, I take special pride in advocating for new American communities, including those that celebrate Diwali.”

A group of Indian-Americans from across the US have come together to host the first ever Hindu-American Summit at the US Capitol. The summit according to the organizers would be addressed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The summit is organized by the recent Americans4Hindus political Action committee in association with over 20 other diaspora bodies, the Hindu-American Summit is to be held at the US Capitol on June 14 to raise the concerns of the Hindu community before the lawmakers.

Indian American leaders from many states such as Florida, New York, Boston, Texas, Chicago and California representing 20 Hindu and Indian organizations are coming to the US Capital for the event.

The organizations that are a part of the summit include American Hindu Coalition, American Hindu Federation, Americans for Equality PAC, Ekal Vidyalaya, Federation of Indian Americans, Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies, Hindu Action, Hindu Action PAC of Florida, Hindu PACR, Hindu Swyamsevak Sangh, Hindu University of America, Kashmir Hindu Foundation, Patriot America, Sewa International, US India Relationship Council and World Hindu Council of America.

Shree Ramanlal Patel welcomed Chief Guest Consul Shree Ranjit Singh with flower bouquet.

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YAS Island, Abu Dhabi Enthralls Audiences With Spectacular IIFA 2023

The 23rd edition of the IIFA (International Indian Film Academy) Weekend and Awards took place in Abu Dhabi, showcasing a spectacular display of stardom and celebrating Indian cinema. The event was held at the Etihad Arena, the largest state-ofthe-art indoor entertainment venue in the Middle East, located on Yas Island. The dynamic duo of Abhishek Bachchan and Vicky Kaushal hosted the NEXA IIFA Awards 2023, while Farah Khan and Rajkummar Rao hosted the Sobha Realty IIFA Rocks and Nexa IIFA Awards 2023. The event featured performances by top Bollywood stars

including Salman Khan, Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nora Fatehi, and Rakul Preet Singh. Musical performances were given by renowned artists such as Sunidhi Chauhan, Amit Trivedi, Badshah, Nucleya, Sukhbir Singh, and Palak Muchhal. The fashion show during the event was presented by Manish Malhotra, a famous Bollywood designer.

The IIFA Weekend and Awards attracted over 25,000 attendees over the two days, with a dedicated team of over 250 individuals working tirelessly to ensure the success of the event. The official host hotel for IIFA 2023 was the iconic 'W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island,' which provided customized amenities

and special welcome moments for the celebrity guests.

The Sobha Realty IIFA Rocks 2023 showcased a fusion of music, fashion, and entertainment, with performances by Amit Trivedi, Badshah, Sunidhi Chauhan, Sukhbir Singh, Palak Muchhal, and Iulia Vantur. The event honored the winners in the technical categories and featured a special collection showcased by Bollywood designer Manish Malhotra. The grand finale of the event, the Nexa IIFA Awards 2023, included a mesmerizing monologue by Anil Kapoor and performances by Salman Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Varun

Microsoft Settles Alleged Children's Privacy Violations, Pays $20 Million Penalty

and more. The event honored the best of Indian cinema with the prestigious IIFA statuette.

The IIFA Weekend and Awards were supported by various partners, including Miral, the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), and Maruti Suzuki's NEXA brand. The event aimed to promote tourism, economic development, and cultural exchange between India and Abu Dhabi.

For more information and updates on IIFA and Hindi cinema, you can visit the official website www.iifa.com and follow their social media handles.

WASHINGTON, DC- The US Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have reached a resolution in a case against Microsoft regarding the company’s practices of collecting and retaining personal information from children who use the Xbox Live service. Under the stipulated order issued by the court, Microsoft will pay $20 million in civil penalties and implement injunctive relief to settle allegations of violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the COPPA Rule.

The complaint, filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington, alleges that Microsoft knowingly collected personal information, including phone numbers,

from children without notifying parents or obtaining parental consent. The complaint also claims that Microsoft’s notice to parents was incomplete and did not comply with COPPA Rule requirements.

Additionally, it alleges that Microsoft retained the personal information of children who started but did not complete creating Xbox Live accounts for longer than allowed by COPPA Rule.

The Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Brian Boynton, emphasized the importance of online companies providing complete and timely disclosures about their information collection practices to parents. US Attorney Nick Brown for the Western District of Washington commended

Microsoft for acknowledging its illegal collection and retention of personal data of children under 13 and taking steps to address the issue. The FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection Director, Samuel Levine, stated that the settlement would enhance parents’ ability to protect their children’s privacy on Xbox and restrict the information Microsoft can collect and retain about kids.

The resolution aims to make it clear that COPPA regulations apply to children’s avatars, biometric data, and health information. The case is being handled by attorneys from the Justice Department’s Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington, as well as representatives from the FTC.

The first ever Hindu American Summit was held at the US Capitol Hill on Wednesday. Organized by Americans4Hindus and supported by 20 other organizations, the summit saw leaders of the Hindu community from across the country.

“The purpose of this caucus is not only to ensure that there is no hate against Hinduism, to ensure that there is no bigotry and no discrimination towards Hindu religion.” said, Dr Romesh Japra, Founder and Chairman of American4Hindus

During the summit, Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar, who represents the 13th District of Michigan, talked about his plans to form a ‘Hindu Caucus’ in the US Congress. The purpose of the caucus will be to bring like-minded lawmakers under one umbrella to ensure that there is no hate and bigotry against Hindus in the country. “It is important that every person has a right to choose a religion, pray (to) a God that he or she chooses without persecution, without discrimination, without hate or for those who may choose not to pray to a God,” Thanedar said during the summit.

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Congressman Shri Thanedar to form a ‘Hindu Caucus’ in the US Congress

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Wedding Sari trends to know

Author Bio:

Celebrity Astrologer Chirag Daruwalla is the son of famous astrologer Bejan Daruwalla. He is known for his detailed astrological predictions on career, health, love, finance, and business. You can visit their website bejandaruwalla.com for guidance on problems related to your life and solve your problem with the help of expert astrologer Chirag Daruwalla. For guidance on problems related to your life you can talk to Astrologer Chirag Daruwalla on Call/Whatsapp: +91 9825470377 or also mail on: info@bejandaruwalla.com

17th June to 23rd June 2023

Aries

Ganesha says that this week you will get good news. You will spend a better time with your family members. You will participate in religious work and in the work related to charity. Government work will be completed without any interruptions. Destiny is going to be good this week.

Taurus

Ganesha says that this week you will be prosperous in making new plans related to work. You will start up with good relations with big businessmen or officials. The relationships made by you will prove useful in getting you the benefit of satisfaction. You will be able to defeat enemies with the help of your friends.

Gemini

When it comes to weddings, the sari has always been a timeless and elegant choice for brides. With its rich heritage and versatility, the sari offers endless possibilities for creating a stunning bridal ensemble. If you are planning your wedding and want to stay on top of the latest trends, here are 10 wedding sari trends to know. From sustainable fabrics to bold colour combinations and personalised embroidery, these trends will help you create a unique and memorable look that showcases your individual style. Whether you are a bride-to-be or simply a lover of fashion, these trends will inspire you to embrace the beauty and artistry of the wedding sari.

Bold Colours: Move away from traditional reds and experiment with vibrant colours like deep purple, emerald green, or royal blue for a unique and modern twist. While bold colours can suit anyone, it's essential to consider your skin tone when choosing the right shade.

Intricate Embroidery: Opt for saris adorned with intricate embroidery work, such as zardozi, mirror work, or threadwork, to add a touch of opulence and elegance to your wedding ensemble. For example, opt for Chikankari from Lucknow, Zardozi from Varanasi, or Kantha from West Bengal. This adds a unique cultural element to your sari.

Contemporary Drapes: Explore unconventional draping styles like the butterfly drape or the modern halfsari drape, which give a contemporary

edge to the traditional sari and create a distinct look. Add a stylish and contemporary twist to your sari by accessorising it with a belt. Choose a statement belt in a complementary colour or metallic finish to cinch the waist and enhance your silhouette. Mix and Match: Embrace the trend of mixing fabrics, patterns, and textures to create a one-of-a-kind wedding sari. Combine textiles like silk, chiffon, or organza to create a unique and interesting visual effect. Play with colour combinations that are unexpected but harmonious. For instance, pair a pastel-coloured sari with a vibrant, contrasting blouse.

Fusion Blouses: Experiment with fusion blouse designs by incorporating elements from Western fashion. Consider off-shoulder styles, statement sleeves, or intricate back designs to add a contemporary touch to your wedding attire. Try a halter neck blouse for a sleek and sophisticated look. This style accentuates the shoulders and neckline, giving a contemporary and chic vibe to your sari.

Floral Prints: Instead of traditional motifs, choose saris with bold and oversized floral prints. This trend adds a fresh and modern feel to your wedding look while maintaining a connection with nature. Select saris with a border featuring intricate floral designs. A well-placed floral border can frame the sari beautifully and draw attention to the floral motifs, creating a cohesive and harmonious look.

Ganesha says that this week you are going to conquer inauspicious positions. You will defeat your enemies. A good time will be spent with house members. There will be a blissful environment in the family. During this time you will get a good profit from real estate.

Cancer

Ganesha says that this week, people will get a lot of affection from family members. Faith in religion will increase. Your personality will remain impressive. You will accomplish your tasks by using dexterity of conversation and agility. Some good messages will be received this week. There will be victory in the law court.

Leo

Ganesha says that this week will get respect and profit in the government sector. Good relations will be founded with high-ranking people. Your attraction will be in politics, but you should be a little careful with the people involved in politics, otherwise, suffering will arise for you.

Virgo

Ganesha says that this week you may get opportunities to achieve success in politics and you will have friendships with high-ranking people in government service. Being of a generous nature, you will work for the good of others. You will get money from the

dominations.

Libra

Ganesha says that this week will be mixed and profitable. You need to control your anger. Fullness will be seen in your nature and behavior. Married life will be good. You may have health problems..

Scorpio

Ganesha says that this week, someone’s health will be bad in the family, and mental stress will increase. You will have a good connection with colleagues in the workplace. Reputation may increase. Will cooperate with full devotion in religious works and auspicious works. You will get fame among the people of your society.

Sagittarius

Ganesha says that this week is very good for religious work. There will also be opportunities to travel. Religious work will be done in the home. You will get success in your work with your intelligence. Sweetness will be seen in married life. You will be able to win over your enemies this week.

Capricorn

Ganesha says that this week, money will be spent on your noble works and works related to religion. You will get all possible support from your friends and workmate or colleagues. This week you will be disposed of religious activities. Happiness and conjunction from the family will be good.

Aquarius

Ganesha says that there will be an increase in business and business this week. Relations with people holding high positions will be established and a good time will be spent with them. Interaction with new people will increase and business contacts will be founded with them. This week, there will be all possible endorsements and help from family members and friends.

Pisces

Ganesha says that there will be no success in business this week. Good relations will be established with people keeping high positions. There will be happiness in the family, so it is necessary to change your habits. Good relations will be constituted with high-ranking people this week.

India to tour West Indies from July 12 to Aug 13, will play 2 Tests, 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is

St. John's (Antigua): (IANS) Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced on Monday the schedule for India's tour of the Caribbean, set to happen from July 12 to August 13, comprising two Tests, three ODIs and five T20Is.

India last toured West Indies for an allformat tour in 2019, winning the series in all formats. They also made a white-ballonly trip last year, emerging victorious in both series. India's tour of the West Indies starts with two Tests, which will kickstart the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship cycle. Windsor Park in Dominica will host the first Test from July 12-16, followed by the second Test to be played from July 20-24 at Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad. The second Test will also mark the 100th Test match played

Novak Djokovic Crowned Champion

between India and West Indies.

"We are delighted to be able to confirm the schedule and venues for the highly anticipated visit by India. One of the highlights will be the 100th Test at the

India vs Pakistan on Oct 15 in draft schedule of ODI World Cup

Queen's Park Oval and this promises to be a fantastic occasion as we celebrate this historic event between these two proud cricketing nations," said Johnny Grave, CEO of CWI.

Indian top order needs to look at Babar Azam and Kane Williamson: Nasser Hussain

New Delhi:(IANS) The highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan during the upcoming ODI World Cup is set to take place on October 15 in Ahmedabad, as per the draft schedule of the marquee event. According to an ESPNcricinfo report, the BCCI shared the draft schedule with the ICC, which then sent it to the participating countries for feedback before a final schedule is put out early next week.

As per the initial draft schedule of the 2023 ODI World Cup, prepared by the BCCI., England and New Zealand are set to meet in the tournament-opener on October 5 while India are set to open their campaign against Australia on October 8 in Chennai.

Paris, June 11 (IANS) Already hailed as one of the greatest players to grace the tennis courts, Serbia's Novak Djokovic on Sunday added to his legendary status by winning a historic 23rd Major, quelled a tough challenge from Casper Ruud to win the French Open men's singles title, his third crown at Roland Garros making him the oldest male player to bag the title on Parisian clay. Djokovic came back from a 1-4 deficit in the first set to win it in a tie-break and then claimed the next two sets to prevail over his Norwegian opponent 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-5.

New Delhi: (IANS) In the aftermath of their humiliating loss to Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, former England captain Nasser Hussain has offered advice to the Indian top-order batters, suggesting that they should learn from players like Babar Azam and Kane Williamson. Australia clinched a dominant 209run victory early on the fifth day of an enthralling contest at The Oval on

Sunday. After setting an improbable 444-run target, Australia bowled out India for 234 before lunch on day five to clinch their first-ever WTC title. "Really disappointed with the Indian batters, their fans might come after me for saying this but I think Indian top order needs to look at Babar and Kane on how to play the pacers when the ball is moving around. Both of them do it so late," Hussain said on Sky Sport. With Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane unbeaten on Day four, there was still some hope for India that they could pull off a record fourth-innings chase on the final day. But Boland got the ball rolling in the first hour and dismissed Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja in a same over. Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc also among the wickets as Australia bowled out India for 234 to seal the win.

It was India's second consecutive loss in World Test Championship finals - after they suffered a similar fate against New Zealand in 2021

Silence is the source of great strength: Kohli's cryptic message

London: (IANS) With India's batting under scrutiny after their 209-run defeat to Australia in the WTC Final at The Oval here, Kohli has responded with a cryptic message extolling the importance of maintaining 'silence' in such a situation. Amid the uproar over the embarrassing defeat, Kohli took to Instagram to share a quote by Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu. "Silence is the source of great strength," said the message fromVirat on social media.

No other top-class Indian cricketer has been treated as bafflingly as Ashwin: Gavaskar

New Delhi, June 12 (IANS) Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar believes no other top cricketer in India has been subjected to the baffling treatment which has been meted out to ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who was excluded from India's playing eleven in their 209-run defeat to Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final at The Oval.

The dilemma of Ashwin being in the playing eleven or not had been a huge topic of discussion in the run-up to the WTC final, leading to contrasting opinions. His exclusion from the playing eleven, as India lacked control of the ball, invited severe criticism from former cricketers of both nations.

"No other top-class Indian cricketer in the modern era has been treated as bafflingly as Ashwin has been. Tell me if there was a No. 1 ICC-ranked batter in the team, would he have been left

out of the playing XI just because in earlier times he had not got runs on a grassy pitch or if he had not scored runs on a dry spin-friendly pitch? Definitely not."

"This is not being wise after the event, but a pattern that has been seen over the years. But for this 'hard to understand thinking' he would have already played more than 100 Test matches."

"Even if India were to win, it should not blind us to the treatment given to Ashwin and whatever the explanation that is given, the bowling results in the match where India have been asked to chase 444 tells us that dropping him was not the right call to make," wrote Gavaskar on Monday.

"Pressure can get a player to do strange things and that's why Test cricket is the highest form of the game and the World Test Championship final, the ultimate Test match," he concluded.

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Verma family looking for a suitable match for their son. Age 31, Ht 5’-10”, USA Citizen, Divorced (No Kid), well settled. Caste no bar. Please send boidata/pictures

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MATRIMONIAL

North Indian, Punjabi, Hindu parents looking for a suitable match for their handsome son, 29 Years/ Ht 5’-7”, US citizen, working in reputed IT Company in Californnia. From beautiful, well educated, family oriented Punjabi or Sikh girl. Please email biodata and recent picture.

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Gujarati Patel family invites matrimonial correspondence for their Son, 36 years, Divorced, No kids, holds a business degree, currently in Hotel Business in Chicago area. The family is seeking a suitable match for him. Call: 630-957-8180