Edition 10

Trump’s civil fraud trial concludes after bomb threat to presiding judge

1 www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

VOL: 01 • ISSUE: 10 12 JANUARY 2024

MIDWEST EDITION www.indoustribune.com We serve community first

Modi lauds Indian diaspora on Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas 2024 IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

F

ormer US President Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial in New York has concluded after a bomb threat was made to the presiding judge of the hearing. Police in the Nassau County responded to a bomb threat to the home of Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron on Long Island on Thursday.

On the heels of swatting calls targeting the homes of Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith and judge Tanya Chutkan, who presides over a criminal case against Trump, the latest incident didn’t interrupt the trial proceeding on Thursday. Trump was allowed to speak in a courtroom for about five minutes before the conclusion of closing arguments from his side at 1 p.m. in the civil fraud case that strikes at the heart of the Trump Organization.

On Wednesday however, the judge blocked the former President from making his own closing argument. Calling himself “an innocent man”, Trump said on Thursday the trial was a political witch hunt and he should be compensated for reputation damage rather than to be fined.

See Pg. 02

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

C

elebrating the achievements and contributions of the 32-millionplus-strong Indian diaspora on this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday lauded them for embodying the spirit of India across the globe, fostering a sense of unity and diversity.

Celebrated on January 9 every year, the day honors the contribution of the overseas Indian community to the nation, and also commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India in 1915.

“Greetings on Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas.

This is a day to celebrate the contributions and achievements of the Indian diaspora worldwide. Their dedication towards preserving our rich heritage and strengthening global ties is commendable. They embody the spirit of India across the globe, fostering a sense of unity and diversity,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X.

achievements. Your outstanding contributions play a crucial role in enhancing India’s global standing,” Jaishankar wrote on X. So far, the Ministry of External Affairs has held 17 PBD conventions, providing an important platform to engage and connect with the overseas Indians and to enable the diaspora to interact with each other.

The event, which is celebrated every two years since 2015, was first introduced in 2003 by the then Prime Minister

of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention was organized in partnership with the Madhya Pradesh government from January 8-10, 2023 in Indore.

Its theme was “Diaspora: Reliable partners for India’s progress in Amrit Kaal”.

Over 3,500 diaspora members from nearly 70 different countries registered for the convention last year that was celebrated after a gap of four years after the onset of Covid-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said the diaspora has played a crucial role in enhancing India’s global standing.

“On Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, greetings to the Indian Diaspora across the world. We take immense pride in your

Amid pivot from India, Maldives Powerful winter storm sweeps across US, bringing blizzard conditions and upgrades ties with China severe weather chaos

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

C

hina and the Maldives upgraded their relationship on Wednesday during newly elected President Mohamed Muizzu’s first state visit to Beijing, following a campaign in which he cast China’s regional rival India as a threat to sovereignty.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, speaking at the Great Hall of the People, called Muizzu “an old friend” as the Asian giant set the stage for further investment in the Indian Ocean archipelago by agreeing to a “comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership”.

See Pg. 02

T

ens of millions of Americans were in the pathway of dangerous and damaging weather conditions as snowstorms bore down on the Northwest and Midwest, flooding threatened the East Coast and potential tornadoes were on tap in the South. Airlines canceled or delayed more than 3,600 flights across the U.S. on Friday, including planes grounded at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport due to winds and blinding snow There were 190,000 power outages across five states including Illinois, Texas, Wisconsin, Arkansas and Tennessee, according to the

tracking site Poweroutage.us. By midmorning on Saturday, there could be 3 to 6 inches of snow in downtown Chicago. Throughout Friday, as the snow falls, strong winds could bring whiteout conditions.

Chicago Public Schools remained open while dozens of other districts across the metro region canceled in-person classes for the day.

The snow and wind caused more than 700 flights to be canceled or delayed in and out of O’Hare International Airport, on Friday morning. In all, some 3,600 flights had been canceled or delayed, according to Flightaware.com.

See Pg. 02

2

Top Stories

Friday, 12 January, 2024

Hunter Biden pleads not guilty to tax fraud charges IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

U

.S. President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty on Thursday in federal court in Los Angeles to tax charges stemming from business dealings

that have also prompted an impeachment probe of his father.

Hunter Biden, 53, stands criminally accused of failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes between 2016 and 2019, while spending millions of dollars on drugs, escorts, exotic cars and other high-ticket items.

He faces up to 17 years in prison if convicted.

Wearing a navy blue suit and tie, he responded “not guilty” when U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi asked how he would plead in the case. Scarsi set a trial date of June 20.

Biden did not address news crews or protesters waiting outside the courthouse after the hearing. A federal motorcade left the building via a rear exit. Biden’s lawyer Abbe Lowell has said his client had paid his back taxes and is being persecuted because of his famous last name.

The president’s son, who has publicly

Powerful winter storm sweeps across US, bringing blizzard conditions and severe weather chaos

Amid pivot from India, Maldives upgrades ties with China

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is expected to receive some of the heaviest snow as the blizzard will drop 12-to-18 inches, with wind gusts up to 40 mph through the weekend. Western New York, including Buffalo, could be clobbered with more than a foot of snow. But after this system pushes east, “lakeeffect” snow could bring several more inches through Monday to the Buffalo area.

A winter storm system was also hitting the Pacific Northwest on Friday, and tracking through the Central Rockies with heavy snow that could drop “a couple feet of snow” at the higher elevations over the weekend, Taylor said. Early next week, arctic air pushing south is expected to bring dangerously cold conditions to much of the U.S

discussed his substance abuse, has never held a position in the White House or on his father’s campaign. He also has pleaded not guilty in a separate federal case in Delaware in which he is charged with lying about his illegal drug use when he bought a gun. Those charges carry up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Both cases were brought by federal prosecutor David Weiss, who has been investigating him since 2019 and was last year elevated to the status of special prosecutor. A federal judge rejected a proposed plea deal last summer.

The Justice Department has said the investigation into Hunter Biden is ongoing.

Trump’s civil fraud trial concludes after bomb threat to presiding judge Contd. from Pg. 01

Contd. from Pg. 01

Another 13 million people who live near the Atlantic Ocean or large waterways in Virginia north into New England were under the threat of flooding from heavy rains and snows over the past few days. The bad weather is hitting much of the U.S., forecasters said. To the south in Mississippi, some 3 million people were under the threat of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms as the NWS warned that the winds of up to 60 mph could damage roofs and take down trees and power lines.

www.indoustribune.com

Contd. from Pg. 01

election on an ‘India Out’ campaign.

This week, one of India’s largest travel platforms suspended flight bookings to the tourism-dependent Maldives on Monday after disparaging social media posts against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embittered relations between the South Asian neighbors.

Many Indians, including some celebrities, shared social media posts promoting domestic destinations over the Maldives. New Delhi has summoned Maldivian envoy Ibrahim Shaheeb, a day after India’s mission in Male “strongly raised and expressed concerns” with the Maldivian foreign ministry on Sunday, a source aware of the matter said.

The Maldives government suspended deputy ministers Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid for calling Modi a “clown”, “terrorist” and “puppet of Israel” on social media platform X, in response to a video of him visiting the Indian islands of Lakshadweep, north of the Maldives, to promote local tourism.

Even though New Delhi and Male have traditionally had close ties, relations have been tense since President Mohamed Muizzu came to power in November winning the

Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives Munu Mahawar also held a “pre-arranged” meeting with the Maldivian foreign ministry on Monday, the Indian mission said on X. Tourism is the largest foreign exchange earner for the Maldives, with India and Russia sending the most visitors, around 209,000 each last year. Maldives is targeting 2 million arrivals for 2024.

The former President also claimed that Engoron had his own agenda and accused New York Attorney General Letitia James of hating him and using him to get elected.

Kevin Wallace, a senior enforcement counsel from New York Attorney General’s Office, said the defendants have not been able to dispute any of the facts that Trump submitted false financial statements.

Trump’s statements of financial condition were false every year from 2011 to 2021 with discrepancies as much as $2.2 billion, according to Wallace. New York State prosecutors are seeking nearly $370 million of penalty in the case and a lifetime ban on Trump from the real-estate industry in New York State.

The trial began on October 2, 2023 and the judge is expected to issue his verdict in the case in the coming weeks.

3

Top Stories

www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

Pannun case: US says will not provide ‘discovery material’ to Nikhil Gupta On January 4, defence counsel filed the motion requesting that “the Court enter an order directing the Government to begin providing defense counsel with discovery material”.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

T

he US government has refused to provide “discovery material” after it was asked by a New York court to respond to a motion filed by lawyers of Indian national Nikhil Gupta, named in an alleged plot to assassinate Sikh radical Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

Gupta’s lawyers, while also claiming that their 52-year-old client is facing human rights violations, had sought material, or evidence, relating to the charges against him in a ‘Motion to Compel Production of Discovery’ filed on January 4 in the US District Court, Southern District of New York.

Following this, in an order dated January 8, US District Judge Victor Marrero asked the government to file a reply to the motion within three days of the date of the order.

In a response filed with the district court on Wednesday, the US government, while objecting to provide the “materials”, said “the defendant is not entitled to discovery”.

Gupta’s attorney Jeff Chabrowe said in the motion that the “defence materials” are “relevant to its ability to defend the instant charges”.

In response, the New York court had given the government three days to file a reply to the motion. “...the government is prepared to produce discovery promptly upon the defendant’s appearance in this District and arraignment on this case. Before then, however, the defendant is not entitled to discovery, and he identifies no good reason for the Court to order it,” federal prosecutors said.

“The government stands ready to provide discovery to him, like any other criminal defendant, promptly upon his appearance and arraignment in this District. His motion to compel discovery should be denied,” US Attorney Damian Williams said.

United Airlines finds loose hardware on number of Boeing 737 Max 9s

A motion to compel is a request made to the court to force a party to comply with a discovery request.

It is typically filed by the party seeking the information or evidence, and it asks the court to order the other party to comply with a discovery request that has not been fulfilled.

If the motion is granted, the court will typically order the other party to provide the requested information or documents within a specified timeframe.

In addition, the lawyers mentioned in the court documents that Gupta, who was arrested by Czech authorities on June 30, 2023, in response to a request by the US under an extradition treaty, is facing human rights violations while being in custody.

The motion stated citing Gupta’s family that they have “limited access” to him, he is not allowed consular access and “faces basic human rights violations in custody in Prague.

In November last year, US prosecutors announced murder-for-hire charges against Gupta for involvement in a foiled plot to assassinate a US citizen allegedly on behalf of an Indian government employee.

Gupta has been charged with murderfor-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Matthew G. Olsen, had said.

India reiterates ‘zero tolerance’ for terrorism; says ‘large-scale civilian deaths’ in Gaza conflict unacceptable IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

R

eiterating its zero tolerance for terrorism, India has said that the widespread deaths of civilians caught in the Hamas-Israel conflict is “clearly unacceptable” and called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve it.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

C

hicago-based United Airlines said that it found loose hardware, including bolts in need of “additional tightening”, on a number of their Boeing 737 Max 9 fleet during inspections.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-mandated inspections began on January 5 after an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 had to make an emergency landing the same day in Portland, Oregon, with a window and a part of the fuselage missing.

As a result, certain Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft still remain grounded across the US. In a statement on Monday, United Airlines confirmed it found the loose bolts on an undisclosed number of its 737 Max 9 aircraft as the company is still conducting the inspections.

“Since we began preliminary inspections

on Saturday (January 5), we have found instances that appear to relate to installation issues in the door plug –- for example, bolts that needed additional tightening,” it said.

The door plug is a piece of fuselage with a window that can be used as an emergency exit in certain configurations, reports the BBC. It was this part of the Alaska Airlines plane which fell off midflight and left a gaping hole on the side of the plane as it flew at 16,000 feet shortly after taking off from Portland, carrying 177 people.

The refrigerator-sized Boeing 737 Max 9 fuselage door plug eventually landed at a teacher’s backyard.

The vast majority of Boeing 737 Max 9s used in the US are operated by United Airlines and Alaska, while Turkish Airlines, Panama’s Copa Airlines and Aeromexico have also grounded aircraft of the same model for inspections.

“There can be no justification for terrorism and hostage-taking,” India’s Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj told the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

“India has a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism,” she said.

“Our thoughts are with those who have been taken as hostage and we demand their immediate and unconditional release,” she added.

Kamboj was speaking on Tuesday at a meeting of the UN General Assembly called under its resolution that requires permanent members, who use their vetoes in the Security Council to explain their action.

Unlike other delegates, she did not take the podium for her address and instead spoke from India’s seat in the chamber away from the spotlight. Straddling a fine diplomatic line in the Hamas-Israel

conflict, she did not name either of them while speaking of its toll, but emphasized opposition to terrorism of which Hamas has been accused.

Kamboj, who advocated for continued humanitarian assistance “for the affected population,” said that India has so far provided 70 tonne of humanitarian aid, including 16.5 tonne of medicine and medical supplies to the people of Palestine and $5 million, half of it in December to the UN Relief and Works Agency that works among the Palestinians.

4

Publisher Note www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

Letter from Publisher

Published Weekly IndoUS Tribune Chicago Office: Lincolnwood, IL 60712 marketing@Indoustribune.com

Your support matters

PUBLISHER

Dr. (H) Avi Verma publisher@Indoustribune.com

(773) 866-1222 Nikita Sharma

editor@Indoustribune.com

Graphics & Web Development Sunil Panchal

graphics@Indoustribune.com

Board of Advisors

Legal Advisors Seth Kebron Ankush Ansal

Special Contributor Rajesh Ansal

Special Correspondent Sunita Verma

The multifaceted importance of the Shree Ram Temple for the Hindu community resonates deeply. Ayodhya, revered as a sacred city, assumes heightened spiritual importance with the construction of the temple at the birthplace of Lord Ram. For Hindus, it signifies the actualization of a longstanding religious aspiration, symbolizing the reclamation and restoration of a hallowed site.

On the other hand, beyond its religious function, the temple assumes a broader cultural significance, representing the preservation of Hindu heritage and identity. It stands as a tangible embodiment of the historical and cultural roots that form the bedrock of Hinduism.

The construction of the temple serves as a unifying force within the Hindu community, transcending regional and linguistic diversities. It is not just a religious edifice but a symbol of national pride, fostering solidarity among Hindus.

Editor in Chief

Rakesh Malhotra Ramesh Soparwala Madhu Patel Vandana Jhingan Neelam Verma

Y

ou might already know that the construction of the Shree Ram Temple in Ayodhya holds unparalleled religious and cultural significance for the Hindu community, marking a momentous chapter in India’s history. Dedicated to Lord Ram, a revered deity in Hinduism, the temple is not merely a physical structure but a manifestation of profound spiritual beliefs ingrained in the hearts of millions. Now some of you would also think, what is it about building a temple that’s creating such a stir around an entire country? Let me walk you through it...

Dr. (H) Avi Verma Publisher

However, the global Hindu community’s response to Shree Ram Temple’s construction is diverse. While a significant number celebrates it as a positive and historic affirmation of their religious and cultural heritage, differing opinions exist. Some individuals express concerns about potential political and social implications linked to the temple’s construction.

I believe, people should look at the bigger picture and see that in addition to its religious and political implications, the construction of the Shree Ram temple can serve as a catalyst for economic development, generating employment opportunities in various sectors.

The temples’ construction can lead to a surge in job opportunities, especially in the construction industry, thereby positively influencing the job market. Additionally, the associated infrastructure development and tourism-related activities can further boost employment. I see it as a win-win on the macro level.

You can also share your views about this landmark event that’s going to be rejoiced across the globe. Write to us and we will be happy to hear your opinion..

Social Media Neha Arya

Chicago Office:

Lincolnwood, IL 60712

Surrey Canada Office surrey@indoustribune.com

San Jose Office

sanjose@indoustribune.com

Delhi Office:

delhi@indoustribune.com Disclaimer The aim of IndoUS Tribune is to entertain, educate and inform the readers. The opinions expressed in our published works are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions of IndoUS Tribune or the editors. The information contained in our published work has been obtained by Indous Tribune nor its authors guarantees the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein and neither IndoUS Tribune nor its authors shall be responsible for any errors, omissions, or claims for damages, including exemplary damages, arising out of use, inability to use, or with regard to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information contained in this publication. Neither the editor, nor the publisher or any other party associated with the production of IndoUS Tribune accept the responsibility of any accident or injury resulting from the use of materials contained herein. All the content of the IndoUS Tribune is printed and published in Chicago. All rights reserved. No part of any work published in the paper may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

Best Regards, Dr. (H) Avi Verma Publisher, IndoUS Tribune

5

Top Stories

www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

Biden says strikes on Yemen’s capital in retaliation to Houthi attacks in Red Sea IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most vital waterways,” President Biden said in a statement released by the White House as quoted by a CNN report.

P

resident Joe Biden has said that he ordered the strikes “in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea” as quoted by media reports.

The strikes were from fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles. More than a dozen Houthi targets were fired upon by missiles fired from air, surface, and sub platforms and were chosen for their ability to degrade the Houthis’ continued attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, a US official told CNN.

A US-led coalition struck Iran-aligned Houthi militants in Yemen on Thursday, a dramatic escalation after the group ignored warnings from the Biden administration and other governments to stop attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

They included radar systems, drone storage and launch sites, ballistic missile storage and launch sites, and cruise missile storage and launch sites.

In a statement on Thursday, President Biden characterized the strikes as a necessary response to the pattern of violence that has affected several countries, saying they were directed at “a number of targets” used by the Houthis to launch their attacks.

He did not disclose whether anyone had been killed in the operation.

by a CNN report.

“These attacks have endangered US personnel, civilian mariners, and our partners, jeopardized trade, and threatened freedom of navigation,” he said as quoted

Senior US officials have blamed Iran for having “aided and abetted” the crisis in the Red Sea, saying the Houthis would

Wrongly-accused UK post office managers to be exonerated under new law, says Sunak

Biden added that he will “not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary”.

T T

Some of the managers served prison sentences after being convicted of false accounting and theft. Many of them were financially ruined, and some committed suicide. To date, fewer than 100 convictions have been overturned. Sunak said on Wednesday that a new upfront payment of 75,000 pounds ($95,000) will be offered to a group of former postmasters who took their case against the Post Office to the High Court in 2019.

The strikes are a sign of the growing international alarm over the threat to one of the world’s most critical waterways.

“Today, at my direction, US military forces--together with the UK and with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands--successfully conducted strikes against a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels

For weeks, the US had sought to avoid direct strikes on Yemen because of the risk of escalation in a region already simmering with tension, but the ongoing Houthi attacks on international shipping compelled the coalition to act.

gatherings, JN.1 Fifth & final batch of documents Holiday variant fuel Covid-19 linked to Jeffrey Epstein released spread: WHO IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

he UK government will introduce new legislation to overturn the convictions of hundreds of post office managers who were wrongly convicted of theft and fraud, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said. During his weekly question time in the House of Commons, Sunak said on Wednesday that the new law will make sure the victims of “one of the greatest miscarriages of justice” in the country’s history are “swiftly exonerated and compensated.” The scandal involved at least 700 post office managers who faced prosecution by the Post Office between 1999 and 2015. Many of them have spent years asserting their innocence, citing issues with a new accounting and stocktaking software program called Horizon, developed by a Japanese company.

be incapable of threatening the shipping route if not for Tehran’s technological and intelligence support.

he fifth and final batch of court documents from a lawsuit connected to the late disgraced American financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have been released, a week after thousands of pages of files were made public which contained the names of former US President Bill Clinton, Britain’s Prince Andrew, late theoretical physicist Steven Hawking, among other noted celebrities.

Tuesday’s batch of 1,400 pages of records contained depositions with Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year jail term for crimes she committed with the disgraced financier, the BBC reported The files also revealed that during these depositions, Epstein refused to answer lawyers’ questions over 500 times, including about the alleged blackmail of famous men.

The documents are part of a 2015 civil defamation suit brought by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, an American woman who claimed Epstein sexually abused her as a minor and that Maxwell had aided in the abuse. The suit was was settled in 2017.

Tuesday’s files revealed that while under questioning, a lawyer for Giuffre asked Epstein whether she had been told to provide a “detailed report” about her alleged sexual encounters with powerful men such as Prince Andrew, reports the BBC.

The attorney asked whether this was intended to be used as “blackmail material”.

Epstein refused to answer any of the questions, repeatedly responding by saying just the word “fifth” over 500 times.

“Fifth” referes to the Fifth Amendment constitutional right against selfincrimination. He refused even to say whether he knew Maxwell. In her 2016 deposition released on Tuesday, Giuffre said she was paid between $10,000 to $15,000 for one sexual encounter with the Prince.

Prince Andrew has previously denied knowing Giuffre and also any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

Other men she claimed to forcefully have sex with include Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, Victoria’s Secret boss Les Wexner, billionaire hedge fund investor Glenn Dubin and former US peace envoy George Mitchell.

All of these men have previously denied her claims. Giuffre also said she was trafficked to American computer scientist Marvin Minsky and French modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel. While Minsky died in 2016, Brunel killed himself in a Paris jail in 2022 while awaiting rape and sex-trafficking charges.

The unsealing of the fifth batch of files follows thousands of pages of documents that were made public on January 10, 11, 12 and Monday.

H

oliday gatherings and the globally dominant JN.1 variant fueled the spread of Covid-19 across the world in December, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus head of the WHO, said.

Almost 10,000 deaths from Covid-19 were reported to the WHO in December, while hospitalizations rose 42 per cent and ICU admissions jumped 62 per cent over the previous month, Ghebreyesus told a virtual press briefing in Geneva on Wednesday.

The trends are derived from data shared by less than 50 countries, mostly in Europe and the Americas, said the health agency’s DirectorGeneral, who believed there are increases in other countries going unreported, Xinhua news agency reported.

Although Covid-19 no longer constitutes a global health emergency, the virus is still circulating, changing and killing, he warned.

Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO technical lead for Covid-19, attributed the increase in respiratory diseases across the globe to the coronavirus, flu, rhinovirus and pneumonia.

“We expect those trends to continue into January through the winter months in the northern hemisphere,” she said.

6 Friday, 12 January, 2024

Top Stories www.indoustribune.com

7 Friday, 12 January, 2024

www.indoustribune.com

8

US News www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

Ex-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie exits 2024 WH race IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

US Navy officer jailed for transmitting sensitive military info to China

F

ormer New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has exited the 2024 Republican race to the White House, with a parting shot at party rival Donald Trump.

The 61-year-old made the announcement at a town hall event in the state of New Hampshire on Wednesday night just 13 days before the first-in-the-nation primary, the BBC reported.

Deemed as the most outspoken critic of Trump who was once an ally, Christie devoted much of his announcement pleading to Republican voters to reject the former President, who he accused of “putting himself before the people of this country”.

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin diagnosed with prostate cancer IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

A

US Navy officer has been jailed for 27 months and ordered to pay a $5,500 fine for transmitting sensitive military information to an intelligence officer from China in exchange for bribery payments, the Justice Department said in a statement.

Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao (26) of Monterey Park, California, was sentenced

on Monday. Citing court documents, the Department said in an official statement that he pleaded guilty in October 2023 to one count of conspiring with the intelligence officer and one count of receiving a bribe.

He worked at the Naval Base Ventura County in Port Hueneme and held a US security clearance. Between August 2021 and at least May 2023, Zhao received at least $14,866 in at least 14 separate bribe payments from the intelligence officer,

the Department said. In exchange for the illicit payments, he secretly collected and transmitted to the intelligence officer sensitive, non-public information regarding US Navy operational security, military trainings and exercises, as well as critical infrastructure.

He entered restricted military and naval installations to collect and record this information. The Department also said that Zhao destroyed evidence and concealed his relationship with the intelligence officer.

UAE president, NASA delays mission to take humans back to Moon until 2025 Blinken stress need IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

U

S Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December and underwent a minimally invasive procedure, Walter Reed National Military Centre officials said in a statement.

The latest announcement came on Tuesday, a day after the White House and the Pentagon both said that they would investigate why President Joe Biden and other high-ranking officials were not informed immediately about the Defence Secretary’s hospitalization and left in the dark for several days.

The cancer was discovered after a routine prostate screening, Walter Reed officials said.

On December 22, Austin underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure called prostatectomy to treat and cure prostate cancer.

He was under “general anesthesia” during it.

His prostate cancer was detected early, and his prognosis is excellent, according to the statement.

T

he US space agency has pushed back its manned Artemis mission to the Moon to 2025 that will send the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface.

NASA will now target September 2025 for Artemis II, the first crewed Artemis mission around the Moon, and September 2026 for Artemis III, which is planned to land the first astronauts near the lunar South Pole.

Artemis IV, the first mission to the Gateway

lunar space station, remains on track for 2028.

The first mission, Artemis II, was supposed to take place later this year.

for avoiding Gaza conflict’s expansion IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement that they have learned a lot since Artemis I, and the success of these early missions relies on “our commercial and international partnerships to further our reach and understanding of humanity’s place in our solar system”.

The space agency said that ensuring crew safety is the primary driver for the Artemis II schedule changes.

P

resident of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed the importance of avoiding the expansion of conflict in the region and finding a clear solution to achieve regional stability.

During their meeting in UAE’s capital Abu Dhabi on Monday, they discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them to serve their shared interests, Xinhua news agency reported.

They also touched on several regional and international issues of mutual concern and the events in the Middle East, especially those in the occupied Palestinian territories and the serious repercussions of the Gaza crisis on peace, stability and security in the region.

9

US News

www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

Texas explosion likely caused by gas leak injures 21

Convenience store owner in Ohio wants cops to step up action after robberies in store IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

away with the bottles.

A

n Indian-origin convenience store owner in Ohio has called for increased police action with robbers frequently targeting his shop despite a robust security system put up by him.

Rakesh “Rocky” Patel has been selling beer, wine, and groceries at City Foods on East 12th Street and Chester Avenue in Cleveland since 2018, the WEWS-TV channel reported.

Patel, who claims to have spent thousands of dollars to protect his store -- from cameras to door locks, said one more security option could put him out of business.

Patel, who has had to rearrange store shelves and put the expensive stuff higher up, thinks it’s the same two or three people who have been at it. “They were grabbing like four or five -- those are like $40 bottles,” the store owner said, adding that he cannot afford to hire a security or off-duty police officer as the “cost goes so high I can’t even stay in business”.

In one of the surveillance videos from December, seen by the news channel, a man is seen grabbing alcohol from a top shelf. An employee is thrown to the floor while trying to keep him from getting

Jewish students sue Harvard over ‘rampant’ antisemitism on campus IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

A

tleast 21 people were left injured in an explosion at a hotel in downtown Fort Worth in Texas possibly caused by a gas leak on Monday afternoon, officials said, the media reported. Nobody was killed in the explosion and authorities were investigating the cause.

Craig Trojacek, a spokesman for the Fort Worth Fire Department, said first responders rescued several people trapped in the basement of the hotel. Of the 21 people injured, one person was in critical condition, while four others had serious but not life threatening injuries. The others sustained minor injuries.

Trojacek said that 26 hotel rooms were occupied by guests. He added that construction was going on in the building at the time, but it was not yet clear if that played any role in the explosion.

US power prices soar ahead of extreme cold IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

F

rigid weather moving into the central U.S. will boost natural gas demand to record highs early next week, according to analysts forecasts, putting power and gas prices on track to hit their highest levels since December 2022.

In December 2022, a massive winter storm, known as Elliott, boosted gas use to an all-time high and nearly caused the collapse of some electric and gas systems in the eastern half of the country after dozens of power plants shut due in part to a lack of fuel. The extreme weather expected next week could also test power grids, as electricity demand soars and some gas supply is cut due to freezing temperatures. PJM Interconnection, the largest U.S. power grid operator covering parts of 13 states from Illinois to New Jersey, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the Texas grid operator, have both issued weather watches for the period ranging from Jan. 14-17.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

H

arvard University has been sued

by Jewish students who accused it of allowing its campus to become a bastion of rampant antisemitism.

In a complaint filed on Wednesday night, six students accused Harvard of selectively enforcing its anti-discrimination policies to avoid protecting Jewish students from harassment, ignoring their pleas for protection, and hiring professors who support anti-Jewish violence and spread antisemitic propaganda.

According to the police, the theft investigations are very active and the area is under special attention until arrests are made. But Patel, who is also worried about his employees, wants more police patrols at night when the crimes are mostly happening.

Iowa farmers want Trump, despite talk of trade wars IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

R

“Based on its track record, it is inconceivable that Harvard would allow any group other than Jews to be targeted for similar abuse or that it would permit, without response, students and professors to call for the annihilation of any country other than Israel,” the complaint said.

The students are seeking an injunction to stop Harvard’s alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars federal funds recipients from allowing discrimination based on race, religion and national origin. They sued the Ivy League school eight days after Harvard president Claudine Gay resigned, under fire for her handling of antisemitism in the wake of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. She also faced plagiarism allegations.

Harvard, the complaint said, treats Jews as “unworthy of the respect and protection it affords other groups.”

Harvard declined on Thursday to comment on the lawsuit, which was filed in Boston federal court.

epublican farmers in Iowa say they want Donald Trump as their U.S. president, buoyed by the historic sums of money his administration handed out to farms and despite his talk of trade wars that could tank already stifled U.S. agricultural exports. Farmers are a politically powerful voting bloc whom Trump has worked to court in the lead-up to Monday’s caucuses in Iowa, a top farm state and site of the party’s first nominating contest.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed Trump is the favorite of 49% of Republicans for the party’s nomination to run against Democratic President Joe Biden in November.

“Twenty-eight billion for the farmers!” Trump exclaimed at a rally in Clinton, Iowa, on Saturday, referencing federal aid that his administration distributed after trade wars with China, Mexico, and Canada slashed farm exports in 2018 and 2019.

Ex-VP Mike Pence denounces Trump’s charge that FBI was behind the Jan 6 riots on US Capitol IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

F

ormer US Vice-President Mike Pence on Sunday denounced the already debunked conspiracy theory that the FBI instigated the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. “We’ve been assured again and again that it was not the case,” Pence told CNN a day after the third anniversary of the insurrection on Capitol.

“I just must tell you, having been there that day, to see people literally breaking windows, ransacking the Capitol, it just infuriated me. I remember thinking ‘not this, not here, not at the US Capitol,’” he said.

Pence expressed his gratitude to the FBI for its efforts to arrest those who “ransacked our Capitol and indulged in

violence against police officers that day,” demanding those who participated in the attack be held to “the fullest extent of the law”.

The attack, he said, “should never have happened. As I’ve said many times before, the former President’s words that day were reckless.

I believe history will judge his role in that.”

A recent Washington Post poll showed onethird of the Republicans believe the conspiracy that the FBI instigated the January 6 attack -- a claim that former President Donald Trump echoed just days ago.

“They simply need to look at the facts that the Capitol Hill Police endured great hardship and great harm,” Pence said asking people to be aware of the real situation and not to be taken in by such falsehoods.

10

Diaspora www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

Indo-Canadian charged for trying to transport cocaine worth $4.86M IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

Indian-origin medic suspended for inappropriate prescription in Singapore Of the seven patients to whom Shahi improperly prescribed long-term sedative medication, three were elderly.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

A A

35-year-old Indian-origin commercial truck driver has been charged after he was caught by the authorities while trying to transport cocaine worth approximately C$6.5 million ($4.86 million) into Canada. Sukhwinder Dhanju was arrested by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) on September 26 last year after he arrived at the primary inspection booth at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge port of entry in Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario province. The driver was referred for secondary examination of his truck and trailer, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said in a release issued on Wednesday.

An inspection of the cargo led to the discovery of 202 brick-shaped objects which tested positive for cocaine, and had a total weight of 233 kg. Dhanju was then arrested by the CBSA, and transferred to the custody of the RCMP Border Integrity Unit, along with the suspected drugs. Following a “thorough investigation”, the RCMP, on December 19, charged Brampton resident Dhanju, with importation of cocaine and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

According to the release, Dhanju has been released with strict conditions, and his next court date is scheduled for February 2 at St Catharines in Ontario. Last month, another Indian-origin commercial truck driver was charged after authorities seized more than 100 pounds of suspected cocaine in Ontario.

British-Indian dentist fined for dodging over 53K pounds in tax IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

A

n Indian-origin dentist in England’s West Midlands region has been ordered to pay 22,654 pounds by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for evading tax worth 53,528 pounds.

Jasbinder Singh, a resident of Coventry, was named publicly by the HMRC for deliberately defaulting on tax from April 6, 2012 to April 5, 2015 and April 6, 2015 to April 5, 2018, the Coventry Telegraph reported recently.

A person or business is named publicly if they have deliberately defaulted on more than 25,000 pounds in tax, according to HMRC. In the West Midlands, the biggest amount of tax avoided by a company was a whopping 243,647 pounds.

n Indian-origin doctor with 35 years of experience, who inappropriately prescribed longterm sedatives to his patients, has been suspended from medical practice for three years by a disciplinary tribunal in Singapore. Maninder Singh Shahi, a 61-year-old general practitioner at a Marine Parade clinic, pleaded guilty to 14 charges of professional misconduct in relation to his actions from 2002 to 2016, Channel News Asia (CNA) reported on Thursday.

Accepting the Singapore Medical Council’s (SMC) submissions for the suspension on January 9, the threemember tribunal ordered for Shahi to be censured.

The three-member tribunal heard that Shahi, who ran an “extremely busy” practice, seeing as many as 40 to 70 patients per day, inappropriately prescribed benzodiazepines, zopiclone or zolpidem. In addition, he failed to refer patients or refer them in a timely manner to a psychiatrist or medical specialist and did not maintain sufficient details in patients’ medical records.

New Jersey Township gets its first Indian-American Sikh Mayor IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

N

eena Singh has become the first Sikh and IndianAmerican woman to be sworn in as Mayor of Montgomery Township in the US state of New Jersey. She was administered the oath of office by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman at the Montgomery Township Reorganization Meeting on January 4.

Singh, who has lived in Montgomery for 24 years, was unanimously selected to serve as Mayor by her fellow Township Committee members.

“It’s an enormous privilege to be sworn in by trailblazer Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman as the first elected Sikh woman Mayor in New Jersey and the first Indian-American woman Mayor,” said Mayor Neena Singh.

“What energizes and motivates me is the

spirit of service. I strongly believe we all have a responsibility to give back, and I am blessed to do so in a town that reflects America’s diversity,” said Singh, whose priorities for 2024 are public safety and health.

Having previously served as Deputy Mayor and Township Committeewoman, Singh was nominated to the position by outgoing Mayor Devra Keenan and committee-woman Patricia Taylor Todd.

Indian-American Surgeon renamed US representative on WHO board IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

I

ndian-American Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has been named again to serve as the US’s representative on the executive board of the World Health Organization (WHO) by President Joe Biden. The 46-year-old’s nomination was re-sent as his confirmation to the position had been pending in the Senate since October 2022.

He will serve in his new position alongside his continued duties as the country’s Surgeon General, the White House said in a statement on Monday.

In March 2021, he was confirmed by the US Senate to serve as the 21st Surgeon General of the US and had previously served on the same post under then President Barack Obama.

As the Nation’s Doctor, the Surgeon General’s mission is to help lay the

foundation for a healthier country, relying on the best scientific information available to provide clear, consistent, and equitable guidance and resources for the public, the White House noted.

The first Surgeon General of Indian descent, Murthy is focused on drawing attention to and working across governments to address a number of critical public health issues. This includes the growing proliferation of health misinformation, the ongoing youth mental health crisis, well-being and burnout in the health worker community, and social isolation and loneliness.

As the Vice Admiral of the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Murthy also commands a uniformed service of over 6,000 dedicated public health officers, serving the most underserved and vulnerable populations.

Born to immigrant parents from

Karnataka, Murthy was raised in Miami and is a graduate of Harvard, the Yale School of Medicine, and the Yale School of Management.

11

Diaspora

www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

2 people injured following protest outside Sikh temple in Canada IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

P

olice opened an investigation after a two-week-long protest outside a Sikh temple in Canada turned violent over the weekend, leaving two people injured.

Officers were called to the Dashmesh Culture Centre in northeast Calgary on Sunday evening after violence broke out during an ongoing protest over the temple’s leadership committee, CTV News reported.

Police told the news channel that between 50 and 100 people were involved in a fight at 7.45 p.m. at the building, located at 135 Gurdwara Sahib Boulevard. It added that no weapons were involved in the fight and there were no arrests.

The protests began on December 24.

Gurpartap Baidwan, one of the protest’s organizers, told CTV that they have been agitating to oppose the temple leadership, which was not following the rules of their faith or obeying the governance of the Sikh religion.

Son holds vigil seeking justice for Sikh parents slain in Canada IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

A

Sikh man held a candlelight vigil seeking justice for his parents from India who were killed in a shooting spree in Canada’s Ontario province in November last year. Jagtar Singh Sidhu and Harbhajan Kaur, both in their 50s, were shot more than 20 times just before midnight on November 20 at their rental property along the Caledon-Brampton border. While Sidhu died on the spot, Harbhajan Kaur succumbed to injuries in the hospital where she was rushed to along with their daughter who was shot 13 times and continues to battle for her life.

Gurdit Singh and his sister had come to Canada as students a few years ago and sponsored the arrival of their parents who were supposed to return to India this month.

At the vigil, held on Saturday at Brampton, attendees carried placards that read: “Innocent visitors brutally killed”, “Is Canada safe to live?”, “Stop illegal weapons,” and “Complete failure of law & order”. Remembering his parents as “nice” and “good” people who were helpful to others and always cooked for the family, Gurdit Singh rued that so far police have made no arrests in the case. The heartbroken son is seeking answers to several questions, which include a visit by an officer from Peel Regional Police’s Homicide and Missing Persons Bureau to meet his parents just four days before their murder.

IT executive, Mayor, state Senator in race for US Congress, Samosa Caucus IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

T

he Samosa Caucus is growing.

From one in 2013, it has grown to Five+One, that is five Indian-descent lawmakers in US Congress, and former colleagues of theirs in the White House.

And it could welcome new members in 2025.

Rishi Kumar, an IT professional from Mumbai who calls himself the “Slumdog Engineer”, is running for US Congress from California for an open seat vacated by a longtime Democrat. He had run to unseat her in 2020 and 2022 and although he had lost, he looked in a position to win because he had won enough votes to make it on the general election ballot, beating other competitors in the primaries (California has had a top-two primary system since 2011).

Ravinder Bhalla, a Sikh American who is mayor of Hoboken, a city in New Jersey state, is challenging his own party’s lawmaker from the state Rob Menendez, whose father Senator Bob Menendez is facing federal charges that he worked on behalf of the Egyptian government while serving as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and accepted bribes, including a gold brick.

He is probably hoping for the elder Menendez’s legal problems to doom his

son’s re-election chances. Both Kumar and Bhalla are Democrats.

Mumbai-born Minita Sanghvi Indian-American head announces candidacy for NY ex-USAID named to New state senate seat York Fed Board of Directors

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

M

umbai-born Minita Sanghvi, a Democrat, has announced her candidacy for the 44th State Senate District in New York’s Capital Region, currently held by Republican Jim Tedisco.

If elected, Sanghvi will be the first gay woman and first Indian-American to represent the District, which includes Saratoga County, Niskayuna, and the city of Schenectady.

D

r Rajiv Shah, the IndianAmerican president of Rockefeller Foundation, has been named to the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System appointed Shah as a Class C director for a three-year term ending December 31, 2026.

A Commissioner of Finances in the Saratoga Springs city council, Sanghvi was re-elected last November and began her second two-year term in the position, beginning this year. “I’m running for State Senate because we deserve better,” Sanghvi said in a press release on Monday.

“We need a leader who will prioritize the needs of our community over partisan politics in Albany. I’m not a career politician; I’m a parent, a business educator, and a dedicated public servant committed to fiscal responsibility. My track record reflects my ability to listen to the people and collaborate with others to deliver tangible results,” she added.

Her priorities include securing infrastructure dollars for bridges and roads, getting more state aid to counties

and cities, bringing green and high-tech jobs to communities, and establishing “an innovation corridor” linking Schenectady and Saratoga.

Class C directors on the New York Fed’s Board of Directors represent the interests of the public, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said in a statement released on Friday.

Shah has led The Rockefeller Foundation, a philanthropy whose mission is to promote the well-being of people around the world, since 2017. Prior to joining the foundation, he was founder and managing partner of Latitude Capital, a private equity firm focused on infrastructure and energy projects in Africa and Asia.

12

India News www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

Delhi HC rules foreign nationals cannot claim right to reside under Article 19(1)(e) IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

T

he Delhi High Court has ruled that foreign nationals cannot assert the right to reside or settle in India under Article 19(1)(e) of the Constitution.

Srinagar freezes at minus 4 as cold dry spell continues in J&K IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

A division bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain said that the fundamental rights of foreigners or suspected foreigners are limited to the right to life and liberty under Article 21.

Referring to the 1955 Supreme Court judgement in Hans Muller of Nurenburg v Superintendent, Presidency Jail, Calcutta, the court said that the power of the government to expel foreigners is absolute and unlimited, without any constitutional provision restricting such discretion.

The case involved a habeas corpus plea filed by the family of a suspected Bangladesh national, Azal Chakma, apprehended at the

Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.

Chakma was accused of obtaining Indian documents fraudulently after travelling to India on a Bangladeshi passport. The Indian authorities had revoked his passport, and his movements were restricted under the Foreigners Act of 1946.

The court, rejecting the plea, stated that there was no indication of illegal detention, and Chakma failed to provide an explanation for his return to India after leaving the country on a Bangladeshi passport. It concluded that he was responsible for his situation and dismissed the petition.

Rajasthan CM meets PM Modi inaugurates Mumbai Trans Czech PM, discusses Harbour Link - India’s longest sea-bridge investment in state IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

P

rime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated India’s longest sea-bridge -- the 22-km long Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, or Mumbai Trans Harbour Link. He also became the first person to officially drive across the bridge which rises majestically in the Mumbai harbour areas, linking the Mumbai isle with the mainland.

R

ajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma met visiting Czech PM Petr Fiala on Thursday and discussed investments in the state.

The CM told the Czech leader about the immense investment potential in Rajasthan and discussed various issues including promoting tourism in Rajasthan, creating employment through innovation in the technical sector, industrial development and many more. Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa, Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Anand Kumar and senior officials of the Czech Republic were present.

PM Modi was flanked by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar at the inauguration ceremony that attracted a huge local crowd to witness the unveiling of the giant engineering marvel. The MTHL is considered the most challenging sea bridge project taken up in India and executed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

engineering marvel with a total length of 21.8 km, of which 16.5 km runs over the sea and other 5.5 km on land on both sides and elevated approach roads. It has been constructed of steel using the steel equivalent of 500 Boeing aircraft and weighs 17 times more than the Eiffel Tower of Paris.

The bridge is expected to save commuting time from south Mumbai to Panvel (Raigad) from the existing around 120 minutes to barely 20 minutes, leading to a massive saving in fuel costs besides reducing pollution and CO2 hazards. The bridge is considered an

Constructed at a cost of over Rs 18,000 crore in seven years, the MTHL becomes the longest sea bridge built in India so far and ranks 12th of its kind in the world, including similar sea-links in China, the US, UAE and Portugal.

I

ntense dry cold froze Srinagar at minus 4 and Jammu had a minimum temperature of 3.7 degrees Celsius on Friday.

Jammu recorded the lowest minimum temperature of the season at 3.7 on Friday while it also recorded the lowest maximum temperature at 8.8 on Thursday.

Srinagar had minus 4, Gulmarg minus 3.2 and Pahalgam minus 5.3 as the minimum temperature. In Ladakh region, Leh town had minus 11.2, Kargil minus 9.2 and Drass minus 11.5 as the minimum temperature.

The 40-day long period of harsh winter cold started here on December 21 and will end on January 30. So far, this period, which normally witnessed the maximum snowfall, has remained dry in Kashmir so far. The weather outlook is also very disappointing as any major snowfall is unlikely to occur till January 25, said the Meteorological Department.

UP Board answer sheets to be numbered, stitched to check tampering

Supreme Court ensures justice prevails for Bilkis Bano and family Since then, the convicted individuals have appealed multiple times for early release on grounds of remission.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

O

n January 8, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling, a decision that undoubtedly brought relief to Bilkis Bano and her family. In the ruling, a two-judge bench nullified the previous order that allowed the early release of the 11 individuals sentenced to life imprisonment for the gangrape of Bilkis and the murder of her family during the 2002 Gujarat riots.

At the age of 21, she and her family were fleeing their violence-ridden village when a mob raped her and killed seven family members. Due to the heinous nature of the crime, the incident garnered

However, on Independence Day 2022, the 11 convicts were granted release in accordance with the Gujarat government’s remission policy valid at the time of the crime and conviction. Bilkis responded with a writ petition challenging the court’s order, expressing that the release had “shaken the conscience of society”. national attention, leading to a CBI inquiry directed by the Supreme Court in December of the following year.

In January 2008, justice was served as a special court convicted 11 men, sentencing them to life imprisonment.

The Supreme Court ultimately overturned the release order, stating that it was passed without proper “application of mind”. The apex court directed all convicts to surrender to jail authorities within two weeks.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

I

n yet another move to check tampering of answer sheets and use of unfair means in UP Board high school and intermediate exams scheduled from February 22, the Board has sent out answer sheets that have numbers on them and are stitched together with a unique seam.

Officials said numbering of pages will do away with the possibility of answer sheets being replaced with identical looking forged copies and the unique seam will help in identifying whether the sheets have been tampered with. Answer sheets have started reaching all the districts for the exams.

13

India News

www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

Delhi court to decide on closure of POCSO case against Brij Bhushan on March 2 IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

A

Delhi court on Thursday deferred pronouncement of order on whether to accept Delhi Police’s cancellation report for a sexual harassment case lodged by a minor wrestler against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to March 2. Additional Sessions Judge Chhavi Kapoor (ASJ) of Patiala House Courts said that some clarifications were required in the matter. The police’s cancellation report was filed on June 15, 2023, and was not opposed by the complainant during the last hearing.

On August 1, 2023, the alleged victim and her father had expressed their satisfaction with the police investigation, raising no objection to the police’s report in the case. They had recorded their statement in

Include Bengali in classical language list, Mamata urges PM

an in-chamber proceeding before ASJ Kapoor.

On July 4 last year, the court had sought the complainant’s response to the police’s cancellation report. The 550-page report filed by the police before the Patiala House Courts had said that no corroborative evidence was found in the allegations leveled by the minor.

The FIR on the accusations leveled by the minor was filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, along with relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) concerning the act of outraging modesty.

However, the father of the minor wrestler had stepped forward later and claimed that he filed a “false” complaint of sexual harassment against Brij Bhushan. The father alleged that his actions were driven by anger and frustration over the WFI chief’s perceived biased treatment towards his daughter. A second statement of the minor under Section 164 of CrPC was recorded in the court on June 5 in which she did not allege sexual harassment by Brij Bhushan, as per sources.

Sukhbir Badal files defamation suit against Punjab CM

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

W

est Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the inclusion of Bengali in the list of classical languages of the country.

In her letter, a copy of which is available with IANS, the Chief Minister, in support of her plea, has pointed out that besides being a national language and the official state language in West Bengal, Bengali is also the second most-spoken language nationally and the 7th most spoken language globally.

She also claimed that Bengali also fulfills all the four criteria to be classified as a classical language.

According to her, the case for Bengali’s classical status is supported by its rich historical evolution encompassing both oral and written traditions.

Indore ranked country’s ‘Cleanest City’ for 7th time in row IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

S

hiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Badal on Thursday filed a defamation suit seeking Rs 1 crore damages from Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for willful defamation as part of an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) conspiracy against the Badal family as well as the party.

The SAD President filed a civil suit in this regard in the court of the Civil Judge in Muktsar through this advocate and also submitted court fee of Rs 2.29 lakh.

The suit claimed that the Chief Minister indulged in a drama on November 1, 2023, by asserting precious water of Punjab was taken by the plaintiff and his family to their farm land in Balasar village of Haryana by

constructing a private canal.

It said that Mann made this statement despite knowing the real facts of the case and did so deliberately knowing it would have a cascading effect due to the position he held. The suit said the real facts of the case were that Badal, as well as his SAD, had fought tirelessly to save each and every drop of water even as the Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had taken an adverse stand with respect to river waters in Haryana to gain political mileage.

Badal, in his suit, said Mann was regularly making false, unsubstantiated and scurrilous statements against him. He said the Chief Minister had portrayed him as well as the Badal family as highly corrupt people who had looted Punjab besides calling them antiSikh and anti-Punjab.

I

ndore – the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh, has emerged as the cleanest city along with Surat (Gujarat) in the country, at the Swachh Survekshan Awards that were presented by President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday.

Indore has achieved this feat for the seventh consecutive time with a seven-star rating as ‘garbage free city’, while the state of Madhya Pradesh bagged the second position in the category of cleanest states.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav along with state Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya and Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava received the award from President Murmu in Delhi on Thursday.

Upon receiving the award, CM Yadav congratulated the people of the state, public representatives and ‘Swachhata Mitras’. He also thanked them for their cooperation.

14

World News www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

Sheikh Hasina sworn-in as Bangladesh PM for 4th straight term

Death toll in quake-hit Japan rises IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

T

he death toll from the devastating 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan’s Ishikawa prefecture on January 1, increased to 213 on Thursday, with 52 people remaining unaccounted for, according to authorities.

As of Thursday morning, the number of injured people stood at 567, Xinhua news agency quoted Japanese public broadcaster NHK as saying. In a breakdown of the death toll, 98 had been confirmed in Suzu, 83 in Wajima, 20 in Anamizu, five in Nanao, four in Noto, two in Shika and one in Hakui.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

A

wami League president Sheikh Hasina on Thursday was sworn-in as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the fourth consecutive term after she led her party to a massive victory in the January 7 Parliamentary elections.

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office and secrecy to Hasina, 76, at a programme in which several other high ranking officials were also present.

Hasina will be in charge of the Cabinet Division and the Armed Forces Division.

She will also hold the Defence, Power Energy & Mineral Resources, Cultural Affairs and the Labor & Employment prortfolios according to a notice issued by the Cabinet Division. The oathtaking ceremony took place a day after the Awami League Parliamentary Party unanimously elected Hasina as its leader paving the way for her to become the Prime Minister for an overall fifth term -- a record in Bangladesh’s political history.

France’s new PM forms government IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

F

rench President Emmanuel Macron has nominated a list of ministers in the new government based on the proposition of the newly-appointed Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.

According to a press statement on Thursday of the presidential palace, the Elysee, the new government now consists of 11 ministers and three ministers delegate attached to the Prime Minister.

All the three new ministers delegate are women, with Prisca Thevenot in charge of democratic renewal and serving as the government spokesperson, Marie Lebec in charge of parliament relations, and Aurore Berge in charge of equality between women and men and the fight against discriminations.

The prefectural government also confirmed eight disaster-related deaths, meaning that the victims survived the quakes but died due to deteriorating injuries or illnesses caused by physical and mental strain in the aftermath of the disaster.

In the affected areas, there is a heightened

Singapore hopes to recruit auxiliary police officers from India, other Asian nations

focus on the risk assessment of building collapses, with continuous rainfall since Tuesday, raising concerns about the potential for secondary hazards such as landslides, prompting the prefectural authorities to issue warnings.

As per the prefectural authorities, over 26,000 people are taking shelter in evacuation centers, amid surging spreading risks of infectious diseases such as Covid-19 and influenza.

Approximately 3,100 individuals, meanwhile, remain isolated due to road disruptions.

Japan begins work for US base relocation in Okinawa despite local opposition

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

A

n Indian-origin minister in Singapore has said that the city state is considering hiring auxiliary police officers (APOs) from Asian nations like India, China, the Philippines and Myanmar.

Home and Law Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam told Parliament on Wednesday that his Ministry hopes to expand the jurisdictions where officers can be recruited from for their Auxiliary Police Force, Channel News Asia reported.

In a written parliamentary response to MP Sylvia Lim, Shanmugam said the move is being considered as the number of APOs, currently being hired from Taiwan, dropping significantly since the practice began in 2017.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

T

he Japanese government has begun ground improvement work for the relocation of a key US military base within Okinawa prefecture after overriding the local government’s objection, regardless of the opinions of local residents.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told a press conference on Wednesday that the commencement marks the start of work, likely to take more than nine years, to reinforce the

undersea soft ground at the relocation site for US Marine Corps’ Futenma air base.

The ground improvement is necessary to carry out landfill work that is part of the project to relocate the Futenma base from a crowded residential district in Ginowan to the less populated Henoko coastal area of Nago, which is also in Okinawa. Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki told reporters on Wednesday that this is something the government is doing for its own convenience, and it is extremely regrettable, Xinhua news agency reported.

Pakistani PM calls for deepening int’l cooperation to ensure global health security IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

P

akistani caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar has called for enhanced international cooperation to guarantee global health security.

“Our commitment towards health security should extend to establishing global frameworks that facilitate information sharing, joint research, and collaborative strategies for an effective response during emergencies,” Kakar said on Wednesday while addressing an inaugural session of the two-day Global Health Security Summit in Islamabad.

The Prime Minister stressed the

need to explore mechanisms for global funding that could support nations in need, ensuring that no one is left behind, Xinhua news agency reported.

Highlighting the need for a collective response to address external and internal health challenges, Kakar said that no state in the world could meet the health challenges alone.

Calling for establishing a shared vision of the world where health security is not a privilege but a universal right, the Prime Minister stressed that the strength of a nation’s health system should not only be measured by its capacity to respond to crises, but also by its ability to prevent, detect and mitigate health threats.

15

World News

www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

Natural disasters cause $250B loss globally in 2023 IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

N

atural disasters caused losses of around $250 billion across the globe in 2023, German reinsurer Munich Re said in its annual report. Thunderstorms in North America and Europe were “more destructive than ever before”, Xinhua news agency quoted the report as saying.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

In Germany, 2023 was the warmest year since measurements began in 1881, according to the National Meteorological Service (DWD). In contrast with previous years, which were often characterized by drought and heat waves, 2023 had mostly warm and humid conditions, with high levels of precipitation.

The most devastating natural disaster in 2023 was the earthquakes in southeastern Turkey and Syria in February.

Munich Re noted that with 58,000 people killed and overall losses of around $50 billion, it was also the year’s costliest natural disaster.

In North America alone, assets worth around $66 billion dollars were destroyed by storms, while in Europe storm damage amounted to $10 billion. “The warming of the earth that has been accelerating for some years is intensifying the extreme

Israel won’t continue occupying Gaza: Netanyahu

weather in many regions, leading to increasing loss potentials,” said Ernst Rauch, chief climate scientist at Munich Re.

The number of deaths caused by natural disasters last year rose to 74,000.

Tens of thousands protest in Poland against exministers’ imprisonment

South Korea opposition leader leaves hospital after stabbing attack IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

I

sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel “has no intention” of maintaining the occupation of Gaza or displacing civilians. Netanyahu made the remarks on Wednesday, a day before the opening of hearings at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, regarding the alleged genocide of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Xinhua news agency reported. “I want to make a few points absolutely clear -- Israel has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population,” he said. He added that Israel’s bombardments in Gaza are aimed at Hamas militants, “not the Palestinian population and we are doing so in full compliance with international law.”

The Israeli army is “doing its utmost to minimize civilian casualties, while Hamas is doing its utmost to maximize them by using Palestinian civilians as human shields,” said Netanyahu.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

T

ens of thousands of opposition supporters massed outside Poland’s parliament on Thursday to protest against the new government’s changes to state media and the imprisonment of two former ministers convicted of abuse of power.

The march reflects mounting tensions in the country as the new pro-European

S

Union coalition government led by Donald Tusk tries to undo the policies of the previous nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party administration.

outh Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung left the hospital on Wednesday, eight days after he was stabbed in the neck. The Democratic Party chairman was stabbed in the neck by a man in his 60s posing as an autograph-seeker during his visit to the southeastern port city of Busan on January 2.

It also came as President Andrzej Duda, a PiS ally, said on Thursday he had started proceedings to pardon the two ministers in the last government who were jailed this week for abuse of power, escalating his own stand-off with the new government.

Lee was airlifted to Seoul and underwent surgery for a laceration to a major vein in his neck. The assailant, who was arrested at the scene, has told police that he carried out the knife attack to prevent Lee from becoming president, officials said on Wednesday.

BOOK

MATRIMONIALS ADS

(773) 866-1222

16

Business www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

Meta faces new EU complaint over ‘pay for privacy’ consent IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

India, UAE aim to take bilateral trade to $100 billion: Piyush Goyal relationship between the two countries. He emphasized on exploring new partnerships, identifying opportunities, and expanding cooperation in various sectors. He envisioned the India-UAE partnership as a defining alliance of the 21st century, rooted in shared history and aspirations for mutual progress.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

C

ommerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday said that India and UAE aspire to expand their bilateral trade to $100 billion. Addressing the UAE India Business Summit at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, the minister invited investors to participate in India’s growth story that was backed with a demographic advantage of a young, aspirational population.

collaborations such as the India-Middle EastEurope economic corridor and initiatives to promote Rupay and facilitate direct rupeedirham trade.

Goyal highlighted the UAE-India business relationship across various sectors, such as the plan to establish a Bharat Park in the Jebel Ali Free Zone under the guidance of DP World Group CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.

P

Goyal said that both the countries were looking for newer propositions from industry and business to further enhance their partnership. He said bilateral trade has increased under the India UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). He also highlighted key

Since the beginning of November, Instagram and Facebook users who don’t want to be tracked have to pay a “privacy fee” of up to 251.88 Euros per year.

Samsung’s Lee visits HPE to acquire Juniper 6G mobile research lab year’s first public Networks for $14 bn, boost inschedule AI-driven innovation

rivacy rights advocacy group noyb on Thursday filed a new complaint against Meta, alleging that the social media platform unlawfully ignores the users’ right to easily withdraw consent and asks them to pay.

The new complaint, filed with the Austrian data protection authority, alleged that Meta is breaching EU law by framing a choice that makes it very difficult for users to withdraw consent to its tracking ads than to agree.

South Korea to launch patent infringement probe into China-made smartphone battery IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

S

The material is a mix of nickel, cobalt and manganese, used to improve the power capacity of batteries, reports Yonhap news agency. The commission is also set to investigate a petition submitted by the Semiconductor Energy Laboratory, a Japan-based entity, which claimed a battery patent infringement by a Chinese smartphone sold in South Korea. The agency, however, did not reveal the name of the Chinese brand.

He expressed confidence that this initiative would open myriad opportunities for international trade between the two nations and beyond, significantly elevating India’s global visibility.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

S

amsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong on Wednesday visited a research laboratory for sixth-generation mobile technology, marking his first public schedule this year, the company said.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

H

ewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has announced to acquire Juniper Networks, a leader in AI-native networks, for approximately $14 billion in an all-cash transaction for $40 per share.

Lee made the visit to the laboratory Samsung Research in Seoul, South Korea and discussed the technological progress of 6G telecoms and prospects over their international standard, Samsung said in a statement. During the visit, Lee emphasized the need to secure core 6G technologies, saying that “our survival and future depend on securing new technologies”, according to the statement.

Upon completion of the transaction, Juniper CEO Rami Rahim will lead the combined HPE networking business, reporting to HPE President and CEO, Antonio Neri.

The acquisition is expected to double HPE’s networking business, creating a new networking leader with a comprehensive portfolio that presents customers and partners with a compelling new choice to drive business value, the company said in a statement.

Leveraging industry-leading AI, the

outh Korea’s trade commission said on Thursday it will launch a probe into alleged patent infringement involving a China-made smartphone battery and battery material. The Korea Trade Commission (KTC) said it plans to look into whether the patent by LG Chem Ltd.’s cathode material utilized in battery production, known as NCM811, was infringed by three Chinese firms and a local importer.

The minister praised the exceptional leadership of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in elevating the

combined company is expected to create better user and operator experiences, benefitting customers’ high-performance networks and cloud data centres.

In the statement, Samsung expected 6G mobile technology to be commercialized in around 2030, reports Yonhap News Agency.

Zee Entertainment says committed to merger with Sony IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

Punit Goenka, also its founder’s son, would lead the merged entity, the people said, asking not to be named as the information is not public, Bloomberg reported.

Z

ee Entertainment has reiterated that the Company is committed to the merger with Sony and is continuing to work towards a successful closure of the proposed merger. Zee Entertainment said the article is baseless and factually incorrect with reference to reports that Sony is planning to call off the merger.

Sony Group Corp. is planning to call off the merger pact of its India unit with Zee Entertainment Enterprises, said people familiar with the matter, capping two years of drama and delay in creating a $10 billion media giant, Bloomberg

While the agreement signed in 2021 was that Goenka would lead the new company, Sony no longer wants him as CEO amid a regulatory probe, the people said. reported.

The Japanese conglomerate is looking to cancel the deal due to a standoff over whether Zee’s Chief Executive Officer

Sony plans to file the termination notice before a January 20 extended deadline for closing the deal, saying some of the conditions necessary for the merger had not been met, one of the people said, Bloomberg reported.

17

Business

www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

Volkswagen brings AI chatbot ChatGPT into its cars, SUVs IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

Hyundai, Kia join US firm for hydrogen fuel cell material development IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

H

yundai Motor and Kia, South Korea’s leading automakers, have partnered with a U.S. materials science company to cooperate in developing a key material used in hydrogen fuel cells, the companies said on Friday.

G

erman automaker Volkswagen has announced to bring AI chatbot ChatGPT into its cars, integrated into its IDA voice assistant.

The voice assistant, enabled by Cerence Chat Pro, is activated by saying “Hello IDA” or pressing the button on the steering wheel. IDA automatically prioritizes whether a vehicle function should be executed, a destination searched or the temperature adjusted.

If the request cannot be answered by the Volkswagen system, it is forwarded anonymously to AI and the familiar Volkswagen voice responds. ChatGPT does not gain access to any vehicle data and questions and answers are deleted immediately to ensure the highest possible level of data protection, the automaker said here during the ‘CES 2024’.

Volkswagen said it will be the first volume manufacturer to offer ChatGPT as a standard feature from the second quarter of 2024 in many production vehicles. With ChatGPT, the IDA voice assistant can be used to control the infotainment, navigation, and air conditioning, or to answer general knowledge questions.

In the future, AI will provide additional information in response to questions that go beyond this as part of its continuously expanding capabilities.

The South Korean companies signed an agreement with the Newark, Delaware-based W.L. Gore & Associates Inc. to collaborate on the development of advanced polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) for hydrogen fuel cell systems.

Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, reports Yonhap news agency.

Hydrogen fuel cells utilize PEM to conduct protons between two electrodes to generate electrical currents to power electric vehicles.

PEM technology plays a crucial role in determining the performance and durability of fuel cells.

The companies said they plan to collaborate in key aspects of PEM development under the goal of developing an advanced PEM for next-generation fuel cells used in electric commercial vehicles.

Boeing stocks drop sharply after Alaska Airlines incident

S

hares of Boeing and one of its key suppliers dropped sharply this week as investors grew worried about possible damage to the businesses after a piece of fuselage on a Boeing 737 Max-9 blew off mid-flight, the media reported.

The cause of the incident has not been determined. The Federal Aviation

Microsoft overtakes Apple to become world’s most valuable company IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

M

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

The Alaska Airlines flight, which had been travelling from Portland, Oregon, to Ontario, California, on Friday, made an emergency landing after part of the wall of the aircraft detached itself, leaving a gaping hole in the side of the plane, CNN reported.

Hyundai and Kia said they are actively expanding its fuel cell business globally, covering various sectors, including passenger and commercial vehicles, marine vessels, aerospace applications, power generation and more.

Administration on Saturday ordered all Boeing 737 Max-9 aircraft to be grounded until they can be carefully inspected. The order applies to 171 planes around the world, and airlines in Turkey and Panama have also grounded flights, CNN reported.

icrosoft has upstaged Apple to become the world’s biggest company by market value, as the boom in artificial intelligence brought a new twist to the decades-long rivalry between the two Big Tech groups, media reports said. The software company’s shares climbed around 1 per cent in early trading on Thursday to take its market value to $2.87 trillion, just ahead of the iPhone maker, whose shares fell by almost 1 per cent. As morning trading in New York continued, the pair exchanged the top spot several times.

Apple and Microsoft have been rivals since the 1980s, when the company founded

by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak accused Bill Gates’ Windows maker of stealing the “look and feel” of its Macintosh computer software.

Classified Ads MOTEL MANAGER

SHOP FOR LEASE

JOB

BOOK YOUR AD

Wanted Motel Manager Couple or Single for Franchise Motel in St. Louis, MO Good Salary and Accommodation Provided.

Wanted Motel Manager Couple or Single for Franchise Motel in St. Louis, MO Good Salary and Accommodation Provided.

Wanted Motel Manager Couple or Single for Franchise Motel in St. Louis, MO Good Salary and Accommodation Provided.

Wanted Motel Manager Couple or Single for Franchise Motel in St. Louis, MO Good Salary and Accommodation Provided.

CALL: XXX-XXX-XXX and XXX-XXX-XXX

CALL: XXX-XXX-XXX and XXX-XXX-XXX

CALL: XXX-XXX-XXX and XXX-XXX-XXX

CALL: XXX-XXX-XXX and XXX-XXX-XXX

CALL NOW FOR BOOK YOUR CLASSIFIED ADS (773) 866-1222

18

Sports www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

O’Sullivan reaches semifinals at Snooker Masters

Barcelona to face Real Madrid in Super Cup final

R

obert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal scored second-half goals to give Barcelona an 2-0 win over Osasuna in a dour Spanish Super Cup semifinal in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

Barca set up a dream showpiece clash on Sunday with Real Madrid, who had beaten city rivals Atletico Madrid in a breathtaking 5-3 derby earlier in the week. It will be a re-match from last year’s final, which Barca won 3-1.

Barcelona dominated possession in a dismal first half but were bereft of ideas and barely threatened their opponents. Lewandowski could have done better in a couple of half-chances that were denied by a confident Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera, but it was not until the 59th minute that Barca came to life and managed to break the deadlock.

Ilkay Gundogan picked out Lewandowski

with a through-ball and the striker scored from close-range. However, Osasuna players were left fuming and complained to the referee that Bar-

celona defender Andreas Christensen had fouled Jose Arnaiz before starting the counter-attack, but a VAR check confirmed the goal.

Australian Open: Djokovic, Sabalenka Iga Swiatek wins Polish team up for charity match

Sportsperson of the Year award

W

orld No.1 Ronnie O’Sullivan reached the semifinals at the Snooker Masters after defeating Barry Hawkins 6-3.

O’Sullivan, 48, trailed behind Hawkins 3-2, but took the following four frames in a row to seize a last four berth at the prestigious invitation event for the first time since 2019, reports Xinhua.

O’Sullivan was far from his best, but Hawkins squandered too many chances.

“At the end I said ‘sorry’ to Barry because it was so bad,” O’Sullivan was quoted by the World Snooker Tour website. “If I had played better then I’m sure he would have too and it would have been a good game. But it often seems that when I play badly, the other guy plays even worse.”

The seven-time champion O’Sullivan will face Shawn Murphy next as the world No. 6 saw off Jack Lisowski 6-3.

D

efending Champions Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka joined forces for Australian Open charity match against Greek stars Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari before a sold-out crowd at Rod Laver Arena.

The purpose of the evening was a charitable one, with ticket proceeds supporting a range of children’s charities through the Australian Tennis Foundation.

‘A Night with Novak and Friends’ was one

of four evening charity match events being staged this week as part of an expanded AO Opening. Two players, who are already good friends, were an entertaining duo and at one point headed to the side of the court for an iconic pose alongside the AO men’s and women’s singles trophies.

Djokovic and Sabalenka will commence their title defences on Sunday the first day of play in the expanded 15-day main draw at Australian Open 2024.

Kraken crush Caps, tie franchise mark with 8th straight win Defenseman Adam Larsson scored a goal and an assist as the Seattle Kraken defeated the host Washington Capitals 4-1 on Thursday night to tie the franchise record for their eighth straight victory. Tye Kartye, Alex Wennberg and Justin Schultz also scored and Brandon Tanev had two assists for the Kraken, who extended their franchise-best point streak to 12 games (10-0-2). Seattle goalkeeper Joey Daccord made 25 saves.

T

ennis world No.1 Iga Swiatek won the award of Poland’s Sportsperson of the Year for 2023 last week. The Sportsperson of the Year is considered to be one of the most prestigious sport prizes in Poland, reports Xinhua.

Swiatek’s victory was widely expected as the 22-year-old won six titles in 2023. The Pole defended her crown at Roland Garros and she also took the highest podium in Warsaw (WTA 250), Stuttgart and Doha (WTA 500) and WTA 1000 China Open in Beijing. Then she ended her season in a perfect way by winning the WTA Finals in Cancun, Mexico.

19

Sports

www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

Slogan, Mascots, emblem of Asian Winter Games unveiled

T

he slogan, emblem, and mascots for the 9th Asian Winter Games have been officially unveiled on Thursday. The 2025 Asian Winter Games organizers launched the official slogan “Dream of Winter, Love among Asia” around one year away from the opening of the Games, reports Xinhua.

At the launching ceremony, the organizers also presented the adorable tiger mascots “Binbin” and “Nini” and the official emblem which is the fusion of a short track speed skater figure, a lilac flower and dancing ribbons.

Kenya’s Sarah Chepchirchir provisionally banned again for doping

Robert Kraft details decision to part with ‘greatest coach of all time’

R

obert Kraft said he dreamed about an opportunity to own the team from the metal bleachers as a fan in 1971 and figured he had a greater chance to be a starting quarterback.

“Never imagined we would go to the Super Bowl 10 times,” the New England Patriots owner told media members on Thursday afternoon, standing alongside Bill Belichick in a joint press conference to confirm they are going their separate ways.

Kraft called Belichick the “greatest coach of all time.”

He said there was no power struggle despite reports that personnel control was at the root of the divide in the organization. Kraft said he simply came to the conclusion that the past three seasons weren’t good enough. He said

he and Belichick weren’t on the same page regarding how to get the Patriots back to contender status, which led to discussions about Belichick leaving New England after 24 seasons.

A Monday meeting with Belichick took place prior to the decision to part, which both parties said was mutual, and embrace change. Kraft said he will quickly shift toward finding a new coach, with inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo handling the coaching duties to start the offseason.

“We’re looking for someone who can help us get back to the playoffs and win,” Kraft said. “Believe me, after my family, this is one of the most important assets in my life. I promise you I’ll be focused to do the best we can do to put ourselves in the best long-term position to win for many years.”

Rashid Khan ruled out of India T20Is, confirms skipper Ibrahim Zadran

S

tar Afghanistan spinner Rashid has been ruled out of the three-match T20I series against India, that started on January 11, skipper Ibrahim Zadran said. Rashid underwent a minor lowerback surgery in the UK on November 24 and has been out of action since then.

“He is not totally fit, but is travelling with the team.

We hope that he gets fit as soon as we expect him to. We will miss him in the series,” Zadran said in pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

“Without Rashid, we will struggle because his experience is crucial to all of us, but this is cricket and you need to be ready for any kind of situation…” he added.

Earlier, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) in its statement said that Rashid might not feature in any game against India as he recovers from the back surgery he underwent recently. The 25-year-old was with the Afghanistan team in their recent T20I series against the UAE as a reserve player.

Olympic athletes permitted with two-minute posts on social media

A

ccredited athletes are permitted to post audio and video recordings of up to two minutes per post of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and the Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Gangwon 2024 under the guidelines of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

F

IOC released its official Social and Digital Media Guidelines to give the permission to athletes to share their experience at the Olympic Games on their personal digital accounts, while also protecting the rights of the Media Rights-holders (MRHs), reports Xinhua.

Chepchirchir, who won the 2017 Tokyo Marathon, was banned for four years in 2019, backdated to April 11, 2018, because of abnormalities in her athlete blood passport.

Athletes are able to post recordings from the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the Olympic Village, competition and training venues, as well as the practice areas. The competition venues are open for the recording of athletes up to one hour before the start of their competition and after they have left the mixed zone or doping control station, IOC explained.

ormer Tokyo Marathon winner Sarah Chepchirchir has been provisionally suspended after failing a doping test for the banned drug testosterone, the Athletics Integrity Unit said on Thursday.

The AIU announced the fresh suspension on its website, saying the 39-year-old had been notified of the allegation against her.

The Indian Wells tournament increases prize money to a whopping $19M

Raducanu withdraws from Kooyong Classic, expected to return for Australian Open

The Indian Wells tournament in March will offer a total of US$19 million in prize money, the most of any combined WTA and ATP Masters 1000 event, organizers said on Thursday. The figure is an increase of more than US$1.4 million from the previous year, with most of the additional money going to singles players competing in qualifying through second rounds.

Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu withdrew from the Kooyong Classic on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after she cancelled a charity match in Melbourne. Her withdrawal from the Kooyong Classic, citing lingering soreness, raised eyebrows about her readiness for the upcoming Grand Slam.

20

www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

Ayushmann Khurrana: Going to experiment with a lot of genres in 2024

Entertainment

Entertainment Gordon Ramsay reveals how he makes his kids learn to save money from allowance

C

elebrity chef Gordon Ramsay gives his children “a couple of hundred” dollars every month, but encourages them to save it.

The 57-year-old TV chef has been married to Tana Ramsay since 1996 and has Megan, 25, twins Holly and Jack, 24, Tilly, 22, Oscar, four, and two-month-old Jesse with her.

Speaking in a clip from an upcoming episode of ‘Last Meals’, he explained, “Every time they got their allowance, every month, a couple of hundred dollars, if they save that up across the 12-month period, I would match that at Christmas for them. They got to stay true to their form by saving every dollar.”

B

ollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana said that he will experiment with a “lot of genres” and consolidate his status as a theatrical hero for his audience in 2024.

Ayushmann said, “I’m going to experiment with a lot of genres in 2024. My slate of films will be extremely diverse as always and it will focus solely on delivering quality theatrical experience to the audience. I’m currently locking some interesting films that one will love watching with the entire family in theatres.”

He added, “Delivering a shared community watching experience has always been my priority as an entertainer. My next set of films will reflect my theatrical content choices as an audience. I have always chosen my films keeping in mind the movies I would like to watch in cinemas.”

Ayushmann has multiple projects in the bag already but has not revealed the details as there is a plan to announce these films individually.

“And so when you start that practice, at sort of 10, 11, 12, 13, they got their part-time jobs, all of a sudden their minds are focused about

their career paths. And so yeah, that was the opposite way that I grew up. They are super disciplined and they are on it man.”

Ramsay celebrated his 57th birthday on November 8 and took to social media three days later to announce the birth of his new son as he claimed he is now “done” having kids.

Bradley Cooper’s mom ‘approves’ of his relationship with Gigi Hadid

H

ollywood star Bradley Cooper appeared to have received a green light from his mother Gloria Campano for his reported romance with supermodel Gigi Hadid. Speaking to Us Weekly, a source spilled Campano’s reaction to the 49-year-old Oscar nominee dating the 28-year-old blonde beauty. The source said, “His mom definitely approves of this relationship and thinks Gigi is just lovely,” reports aceshowbiz.com.

Baldi in Los Angeles after the mother and son duo attended the 2024 Golden Globe Awards.

At that time, the three of them were joined by a group of friends.

About the night out, the same source unveiled to the outlet: “Bradley had a really nice time at the Globes, but he was also excited to spend some time with Gigi after and grab dinner with her and a few friends.” They also said that Gigi and Gloria enjoyed their “great” time together.

The insider said: “Despite their hectic schedules, they spend as much time together as possible. They have a lot in common and both have very funny personalities, so they have amazing chemistry.”

Bradley and Gigi sparked dating rumors after they were spotted hanging out together for the first time on October 5, 2023.

However, on December 22, 2023, a source told PEOPLE that “they were quietly dating for much longer before it went public and were very hush-hush, trying to see if things would work between them.”

The new revelation came a few days after ‘Indiana Jones’ Bradley and Gigi had dinner with Gloria.

On Sunday night, January 7, they were actor Christian caught on camera at celeb hotspot Giorgio Oliver, 2 daughters die in plane crash Kangana has ‘script ready’ for film on Bilkis Bano,

H

ollywood actor Christian Oliver, his two young daughters and the pilot died in a plane crash near a Caribbean island, the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force announced.

Oliver, whose real name was Christian Klepser, was 51. His daughters, Madita Klepser and Annik Klepser, were 12 and 10, respectively.

Pilot Robert Sachs also died in the crash, reports Variety.

They were the only passengers aboard the plane. The aircraft was a small, one-engine plane owned and piloted by Sachs. It crashed one nautical mile west of Petit Nevis, a small island in the Grenadines.

As per Variety, the plane left from the J.F. Mitchell Airport in Paget Farm, Bequia, an island in the Grenadines, around 12:11 p.m. bound for St. Lucia as its final destination.

Variety further states that the bodies of Oliver, his children and Sachs were recovered by the Coast Guard and later pronounced dead by a medical official.

reveals OTT platforms refused to support

B

ollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has said that she has a script ready for a film based on Bilkis Bano case, but could not make it due to lack of support from digital platforms such as Netflix and Prime Video, among others.

The Supreme Court on Monday invalidated the Gujarat government’s decision to release the 11 convicts, who raped five-months pregnant Bilkis Bano and killed her family during the 2002 Gujarat riots.

A user on X asked Kangana about making a film on Bilkis Bano.

Replying to the user, she wrote: “I want to make that story, I have the script ready, researched and worked on it for three years. But Netflix, Prime Video and other studios wrote back to me that they have clear guidelines they don’t do so-called politically motivated films.”

“JioCinema said we don’t work with Kangana because she supports BJP and Zee is going through a merger. What are my options?”

On the work front, she will next be seen in ‘Emergency’, in which she is playing the role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

21

Entertainment

www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

Netflix removes Nayanthara starrer A ‘ nnapoorani’ after outrage from Hindu community

I

n a recent turn of events, the Hindu community has expressed widespread outrage over the film ‘Annapoorani,’ starring Nayanthara.

The controversy has gained momentum, fueled by various points of contention that have sparked heated debates across social media platforms.

Helen Flanagan’s luxury Bali holiday with kids turned into disaster

One major source of contention revolves around specific scenes in the movie that some members of the Hindu community find objectionable. These scenes allegedly depict religious symbols and practices in a manner perceived as disrespectful. The portrayal of certain rituals has led to accusations of cultural insensitivity, prompting a collective outcry from Hindu individuals and organizations.

The situation escalated when activists belonging to the Hindu group Bajrang Dal filed a complaint, as did Ramesh Solanki, who describes himself in his Instagram bio as “Activist, Founder Hindu IT Cell, Ex Shiv Sena Post Bearer and Proud Hindu Indian Nationalist,” posted a letter from Zee Studios on social media, applauding what he called a “Huge win for Hindu Ekta [unity].” The letter announced the removal of the film ‘Annapoorani’ from Netflix. Solanki expressed gratitude towards India’s information and broadcasting minister, Anurag Thakur, and the global Hindu community for their united efforts in addressing the perceived issues within the movie.

The letter’s contents emphasized the significance of Hindu unity and acknowledged the joint efforts of Hindu organizations worldwide. The social media post

garnered attention and support, further amplifying the protest against the film.

contend that it should not come at the cost of offending religious sentiments.

The impact of this protest has been substantial, leading to the removal of ‘Annapoorani’ from the streaming platform. This decision has stirred discussions about creative freedom versus cultural sensitivity within the film industry.

While some argue for artistic expression, others

As the controversy continues to unfold, it raises broader questions about the balance between artistic freedom and cultural respect, prompting conversations about the responsibility of content creators and platforms to navigate these delicate issues.

Bruce Dern to star Aamir Khan made sure the women of his in Nepal-US refugee family wore Nauvari Sarees for Ira’s wedding drama ‘The World’s Happiest Man’

A

ctor Bruce Dern will be seen sharing screen space with Nepali cinema stalwarts Dayahang Rai and Hari Bansha Acharya in Binod Paudel’s ‘The World’s Happiest Man’.

The film delves into the plight of BhutaneseNepali refugees who settled in the OhioPennsylvania area and fought alienation and displacement, reports ‘Variety’. ‘The World’s Happiest Man’ participated in the 2019 Busan Asian Project Market under the title ‘Akron International’. Dern has been Oscar-nominated twice, for ‘Coming Home’ (1979) and ‘Nebraska’ (2013), for which he won best actor at Cannes.

“For me, it’s all about family and how they come together or fall apart. In this story, a family is separated by geography and culture.

It’s a film that reflects my split soul between countries,” Paudel told ‘Variety’. He added: “Nepal has a burgeoning film industry, and this is an opportunity for us to bridge Nepal and the US. It’s an honor for us to be working with a luminary like Bruce. This is a film about longing for a homeland that no longer exists.”

“The World’s Happiest Man’ is shooting on location in Akron, Ohio and surrounding towns.

A

ctress Helen Flanagan left fans with mixed emotions after she shared that her luxury holiday in Bali turned out to be a complete nightmare.

The former ‘Coronation Street’ star took her three children away to the exotic location to spend quality time together in the New Year.

Helen spent Christmas alone as her children were with their dad, Scott Sinclair, reports Mirror.co.uk.

However, the holiday was far from relaxing as not only did she end up with a burnt body, but thieving monkeys stole her designer sunglasses and her daughter Delilah’s Nintendo Switch.

Taking to social media, the star, 33, wrote: “The mum around the pool with the loud kids”.

The actress added: “A monkey took my mui mui sunglasses and Delilah’s Nintendo switch.” As per Mirror.co.uk, she appeared to see the funny side of things as she posted alongside her message a series of laughing emojis.

B

ollywood superstar Aamir Khan, whose daughter Ira Khan took pheras with Nupur Shikhare on January 8, did everything that the groom’s family had asked for during the wedding festivities.

As per a source Aamir decided to celebrate the Shagun Ki Mehendi and Haldi ceremony together with the groom’s family. He made sure that the women of his family wore the traditional Nauvari Sarees just as the Shikhare women did.

The ‘Dangal’ actor left no stone unturned to make sure all the traditions and rituals were celebrated to the hilt, just the way the groom’s family wanted. The actor made sure to follow the intricacies of Maharashtrian pre-wedding rituals, following authentic traditions.

Aamir reached Udaipur on Friday along with his son Azad. Nupur and Ira left for Udaipur early in the morning on Friday. The couple are set to have a traditional Maharashtrian wedding ceremony on January 8. The festivities will take place from January 8 to 10.

22

Community www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

Vishva Hindu Parishad and Hindu community gear up for second grand car rally in Chicago to celebrate Shree Ram Temple opening Chicago’s successful December car rally spurs enthusiasm, California temples to join the celebration on January 20.

T Dr. Avi Verma

he vibrant Hindu American community in Chicago, led by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and local temples, is set to host a second spectacular car rally on January 14 to celebrate the much-anticipated inauguration of the Shree Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Following the success of the December 23 car rally, which included a procession of 100 cars visiting 10 temples and covering an impressive 120 miles in 9 hours, the community is eager to make the upcoming event even more grand.

In addition to Chicago’s festivities, the Indian-American community in California is gearing up for its own car rally on January 20, organized by the group ‘California Indians.’

Over 400 cars are expected to join the rally, embarking on a journey from South Bay to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to celebrate “Bhagwan Shri Ram Ji’s homecoming.”

National Celebrations Across the US: Car rallies have become a widespread expression of joy and devotion across various cities in the United States. Hindu American communities in Washington, Houston, and other cities have organized rallies, making stops at temples along the way, all in anticipation of the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22.

Houston’s Massive Rally: On a recent Sunday, members of the

Hindu American community organized a massive car rally in Houston, stopping at 11 temples amid the chanting of bhajans and slogans of ‘Jai Shri Ram.’ Over 500 riders, adorned with saffron banners featuring the image of the Ram temple, the Indian flag, and the US flag, participated in the rally. The event was a vibrant display of cultural pride, marking the formal invitation from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) to attend the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.

Month-Long Celebrations in Washington DC: In Washington DC, the Hindu American community gathered to commemorate the inauguration of the Ram Temple with a car rally in a suburb. Members congregated

at the Shri Bhakta Anjaneya Temple in Ayodhya Way in Maryland. This event marked the beginning of a month-long celebration leading up to the grand inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22.

Continued Celebrations and Live Feeds: As the excitement builds, temples across the US and Canada are preparing for simultaneous celebrations on January 22, providing live feeds from the Shree Ram Temple inaugurations. The diaspora organizations are uniting to make this a historic and memorable occasion, symbolizing the deep-rooted cultural and spiritual connections to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

23 www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

sba 7(a) sba loan 7(a program ) loan program

Growing Growing businesses businesses need need cash cash flow. flow.

We We cancan help. help.

small business small capital business capit

Together, we’ll Together, put together we’ll put a loan together structure a loan forstructure your business for your that business can getthat it done—the can get itright done—the way—for right your way—for your bottom line. bottom SBA 7(a)line. loans SBA help 7(a)small loansbusinesses help smallgrow businesses by offering growlonger, by offering morelonger, flexiblemore terms flexible and lower-equity terms and lower-equity contributions. contributions.

Size of Loans Size of Loans Benefits to Business Benefits to Business • Longer amortization • Longer amortization allows for lower allows loan forpayments lower loan payments • Up to $5 million • Up to $5 million • No future balloon • No future payment balloon (fully payment amortizing (fullyloan) amortizing loan) Terms of Loans Terms of Loans • Non-collateral • Non-collateral dependent loans dependent available loans available • Up to 25 years • Upfor to 25 realyears estate fordebt real estate debt • Closing costs • Closing can becosts included can be in loan included in loan • Up to 15 years • Upfor to non 15 years real estate for nondebt real (term estatecan debt be(term can be blended if the blended debt includes if the debt both includes real estate bothand realnon estate and n Typical Customers/Use Typical Customers/Use of Funds of Funds real estate debt) real estate debt) • Real estate• acquisitions Real estate acquisitions or refinancing—up or refinancing—up to 90% to 90% financing available financing (51% available owner-occupied) (51% owner-occupied) Interest Rates Interest Rates • Construction • Construction Loans—up toLoans—up 90% financing to 90% available financing available • Variable and • Variable fixed rate and options fixed rate options • Franchise •financing Franchise financing Loan Fees Loan Fees • Business acquisitions • Business acquisitions • The SBA Guarantee • The SBAfee Guarantee ranges from fee ranges 2% to 3.5% fromof2% to 3.5% of • Insurance •Agency Insurance Acquisitions Agency Acquisitions the guaranteed the portion guaranteed of the portion loan of the loan • Machinery• &Machinery equipment&acquisitions equipment acquisitions or refinancing— or refinancing— • Other fees• include Other fees packaging includefees, packaging third party fees, third party up to 100% financing up to 100% available financing available reports, lien reports, filings, title liencharges, filings, title etc.charges, (closingetc. fees(closing fees • Line of credit • Line restructuring of credit restructuring can be incorporated can be incorporated into the loan)into the loan) • Lease refinancing • Lease refinancing • Business Expansion • BusinessLoans Expansion Loans

Name name name Namename namename namename namename name name Huyname Tran name HuynaT Title title title title titletitle title title title title titletitle titletitle titletitle title title title VPtitle -Title Business Development VP - Business Officer Development Offict (920) Phone475-1152 phone (920) Phone475-1 pho (920) (920) Cell cell475-1152 cell cell Cell cell475-1 cell htran@bylinebank.com htran@bylinebank.c Email email email Email email email email email email em ©2017 Byline Bank. ©2017 Member BylineFDIC. Bank. Member FDIC.

24

Community www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

Hindu Sikh Unity Forum Bharatiya Senior Citizens Canada commemorates of Chicago welcome New Year in vogue Veer Baal Diwas with reverence and solidarity

T

he Hindu Sikh Unity Forum Canada paid homage to the valiant Sahibzade on Veer Baal Diwas through a series of poignant events, fostering unity and solidarity.

This day is a solemn remembrance of the young sons of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, whose supreme sacrifices epitomize bravery and unwavering faith in the face of adversity.

On December 23, 2023, the Vaishno Devi Temple in Oakville, Ontario hosted a significant gathering, supported by the Hindu Canadian Foundation. Esteemed speakers such as Swami Advaitanand Ji, Dr. Pargat Singh Bagga, Mr. Prithpal Chagger, Mr. Dalbir Singh, Dr. Rajesh Bhatia, Mr. Arunesh Giri, and Mr. Vijai Jain spoke eloquently about the enduring legacy of the Sahibzade and the intertwined destinies of Hindus and Sikhs. Mr. Harji Bajwa, President of the Forum, and Mr. Surinder Sharma, Chairperson, expressed their deep gratitude to all participants. The event culminated in the spiritual serenity of Bhajan, Shabad Kirtan, and the distribution of Langar Prasad.

The next day, December 24, 2023, Bharat Mata Mandir in Brampton, with the support of the Hindu Forum Canada, welcomed an eclectic mix of individuals from various faiths to honor Sahibzade’s

BSC Senior enjoying New Year Eve celebration. martyrdom. Swami Advaitanand Ji, Dr. Pargat Singh Bagga & Mr. Y.N Rao provided thought-provoking talks. Mr. Jeff Lal, President of the temple, offered a warm reception to those gathered, while Mr. Harji Bajwa highlighted the shared history and values that unify the community. The event also featured the devotional Bhajan, Shabad Kirtan, and the serving of Langar Prasad.

On December 31, 2023, the Hindu Temple in Montreal, Quebec marked the Veer Baal Diwas event. Under the stewardship of Mr. Rakesh Sharma and Mr. Subhash Khanna, the temple became a focal point for community members to celebrate the occasion. Distinguished attendees included Mr. Ratan Jaku of Shri Ravidas Gurudwara, Mr. Shyam Singh of the Dr. Ambedkar Association, and Mr. Rajveer Singh Bhandal of the Punjabi Association. The event was characterized by Bhajan Kirtan and the service of Langar Prasad, promoting communal harmony.

These events not only celebrated historical courage but also served as a cohesive force, uniting participants in cultural and spiritual contemplation. The Hindu Sikh Unity Forum Canada, by orchestrating these gatherings, has shone a light on the enduring messages of unity, faith, and resistance against oppression, ensuring that the legacy of the Sahibzade will continue to inspire.

BSC President Hari Patel introducing committee members.

By: Vandana Jhingan

T

he Bharatiya Seniors Citizens of Chicago recently celebrated New Year Eve on 31st December 2023 at the Rana Reagan Center, Carol Stream, IL. There were more than 400 people in attendance and their enthusiasm made the event a grand success. Hari Patel, President of BSC welcomed everyone and thanked them for their presence by extending warm greetings. The festival kicked off in the evening with a live music performance by Sameer, Payal Ganguli, and John Mall. A special act involving belly dancers from Las Vegas dancing to Bollywood tunes made everyone thrilled.

Las Vegas girls performing dance on Bollywood songs.

The event concluded with a delicious Indian spread that all the attendees enjoyed a lot.

BSC President, Hari Patel thanked all the committee members and everyone involved in making the event a grand success.

Photos: Jayanti Oza

Bollywood singer Payal, Sameer performing songs.

BSC members dancing, welcoming New Year.

Meet HAF’s team this Sunday in Long Grove, IL

T

he Hindu American Foundation is inviting community members for a meet and greet on Sunday, January 14, in Chicago. Organized by HAF, the event aims to bring the community members together to work on initiatives and ensure that the community is better under-

stood and respected by educators, lawmakers, and law enforcement.

You can connect with like minded individuals and meet HAF’s Midwest Regional Director, Yash Desai, who recently took on a full time role to serve the Hindu American

community in the Midwest.

A non-profit advocacy organization for the Hindu American community, HAF has been at the forefront of major issues impacting the Hindu American community for the last 20 years including textbook reform, the appro-

priation of yoga, the misunderstanding about the Swastika, and more.

The event is organized at the Harisumiran Hindu Swaminarayan Temple, 1670 Checker Road, Long Grove, IL. This is a free event, however registration is required.

25 Friday, 12 January, 2024

www.indoustribune.com

26

Dharam-Karam www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

·f¦fUQ ¦fe°ff IYf A²¹ff¹f 6, dþÀfIYf Vfe¿fÊIY WX̀ ²¹ff³f IYf ¹fû¦f, ²¹ff³f IYû Af°¸f-ÀffÃff°IYfSX IZY AÔd°f¸f õfSX IZY øY´f ¸fZÔ À´fá IYSX°ff WX̀Ü ²¹ff³f IZYU»f A´f³fe AfÔJÔZ ¶fÔQ IYSX³fZ AüSX dIYÀfe ¸fÔÂf ¹ff Vf¶Q ´fi°feIY IYû QûWXSXf³fZ ÀfZ IYWXeÔ Ad²fIY WX̀Ü

·f¦fUQ ¦fe°ff A²¹ff¹f 6 ÀffSXfÔVf

Astrologer Krishana Vyas.

Ph.no. 9811 646746 ¹fWX ÀfUûʨ¨f Af²¹ffd°¸fIY °fIY³feIY WX` dþÀfIYf A·¹ffÀf ¹fû¦¹f A·¹ffÀfIY°ffAûÊÔ õfSXf »f¦f³f AüSX Àf¸f´fʯf ÀfZ dIY¹ff þf³ff ¨ffdWXEÜ ²¹ff³f IZY d»fE AfUV¹fIY Vf°fÊ VffÔ°f ¸f³f WXÜ` B¨LfAûÔ AüSX AfÀfdöY¹fûÔ IZY ¶fûÓf ÀfZ Q¶ff WXA b f ¸f³f EIYf¦fi°ff AüSX ²¹ff³f IZY Àfcøf°fSX ÃfZÂfûÔ ¸fZÔ þf³fZ ¸fZÔ AÀf¸f±fÊ WXû°ff WXÜ`

¶fþf¹f ¸ff³fdÀfIY dÀ±fd°f IZY ÀfÔQ·fÊ ¸fZÔ °fe³f ¨fSX¯fûÔ IYf U¯fʳf dIY¹ff WXÜ` BÀf ´fiIYfSX, dIYÀfe IYû Af²¹ffd°¸fIY WXû³fZ IZY d»fE ¦fZ÷YAf UÀÂf ´fWX³f³fZ ¹ff A³fbâf³f IYSX³fZ ¹ff ÀffÔÀffdSXIY ÀfbJûÔ ÀfZ B³fIYfSX IYSX³fZ IYe AfUV¹fIY°ff ³fWXeÔ WXÜ` ¶fÀf þøYSX°f WX` ¸ff³fdÀfIY°ff ¸fZÔ ¶fQ»ffU IYeÜ

þf°fZ WXÜỒ IÈY¿¯f þeU³f IZY Àf¶fÀfZ ½¹ffUWXfdSXIY d³f¹f¸fûÔ 2. IY¸fÊ IYf ¸ff¦fÊ ÀfdIiY¹f »fû¦fûÔ IZY d»fE WX` AüSX °¹ff¦f ¸fZÔ ÀfZ EIY IYû ´fiIYMX IYSX³fZ IZY d»fE CXd¨f°f CXØfSX QZ°fZ IYf ¸ff¦fÊ ¸f³f³fVfe»f »fû¦fûÔ IZY d»fE WXÜ` WXÜỒ UWX IYWX°fZ WX,Ồ ‘’þû ²f¸feÊ WX,` CXÀfZ IY·fe Qb:J ³fWXeÔ 3. A´f³fZ Af´f IYû A´f³fZ Af´f ÀfZ LbOXÞ fAû. IYûBÊ AüSX WXû¦ffÜ ¹ff °fû A·fe ¹ff ·fdU¿¹f ¸fZ”Ô Ü Af´fIZY ´fi¹ffÀf ½¹f±fÊ Af´fIYe ¸fQQ ³fWXeÔ IYSX ÀfIY°ff. ³fWXeÔ þf¹fZ¦Ô fZ. Af´f BÀfIYf ßfZ¹f A´f³fZ ·ffUe þeU³f ¸fZÔ 4. ·füd°fIY ¹ff Af²¹ffd°¸fIY ´fi¦fd°f IZY d»fE þeU³f »fZ þf¹fZ¦Ô fZÜ Af²¹ffd°¸fIY øY´f ÀfZ dUIYdÀf°f ½¹fdöY þû IYe ¦fd°fdUd²f¹fûÔ IYf ÀfÔ¹f¸f AüSX d³f¹f¸f³f IYQ¸f QSX IYQ¸f, IÈY¿¯f WX¸fZÔ ²¹ff³f IZY d»fE ´fifSXdÔ ·fIY Af°¸fÀffÃff°IYfSX ÀfZ UÔd¨f°f WX,` UWX ¹ff °fû ÀfbJe AüSX AfUV¹fIY WXÜ` IÈY¿¯f EIY ÀfÔ³¹ffÀfe, EIY °¹ff¦fe ½¹fdöY IYe ´fdSX·ff¿ff A³fbVffÀf³fûÔ IZY Àff±f-Àff±f A¹fû¦¹f°ffAûÔ ÀfZ ·fe ´fdSXd¨f°f ²f³fe IZY §fSX ¸fZÔ ¹ff EIY ¶fbdð¸ff³f ¹fû¦fe IZY ´fdSXUfSX ¸fZÔ 5. þ¶f ¸f³f d¶fJSXf WXA b f WXû°ff WX` °fû IYûBÊ VfdöY ³fWXeÔ ÀfZ VfbøY IYSX°fZ WXỒ Ü °¹ff¦f °¹ff¦f IYSX³fZ, A´f³fZ IY°fʽ¹fûÔ IYSXf°fZ WXÜỒ BÀfIZY ¶ffQ Af°¸fÄff³f IYe ´fSXeÃff WXû°fe WXÜ` ´f`Qf WXû¦ffÜ UWXf,Ô d´fL»fZ þ³¸fûÔ ¸fZÔ AdþÊ°f Äff³f ÀfZ ÀfÔ´f³³f SXWX°feÜ EIYdÂf°f ¸f³f ¸fZÔ VfdöY WXû°fe WX,` UWX VffÔ°f AüSX IYû °¹ff¦f³fZ AüSX ÀfbSXdÃf°f A·f¹ffSX¯¹f ¸fZÔ ·ff¦f³fZ ÀfZ EIY Af°¸fÀffÃff°IYfSXe Af°¸ff UWX WX` þû Àf¶fIZY Àff±f WXûIYSX, UWX Af°¸fÄff³f ´fif~ IYSX³fZ IZY d»fE AüSX ·fe ´fi·ffUe WXû°ff WXÜ` þbOXÞ f WXÜ` ¹fWX ¦f»f°fRYWX¸fe WXe WX` dþÀf³fZ UfÀ°fdUIY EIYfIYfSX ¸fWXÀfcÀf IYSX°ff WXÜ` UWX Àf·fe ´fifd¯f¹fûÔ ¸fZÔ ÀU¹fÔ Ad²fIY ´fi¹ffÀf IYSX¦Z ffÜ 6. ¶fbdð dUIYdÀf°f WXû³fZ ´fSX CXÀfIYe ·fZQ³f VfdöY CX¨¨f Àff²fIYûÔ IYû QcSX IYSX dQ¹ff WX` AüSX CX³WXÔZ °¹ff¦f IZY »ff·fûÔ IYû WXe Af°¸ff IZY øY´f ¸fZÔ QZJ°ff WXÜ` AÔ°f°f: UWX dIYÀfe WXû°fe WXÜ` ¹fWX ÀfWXþ CX°IÈYá°ff IYû ÀfÃf¸f ¶f³ff°ff WX` °fIY ´fWX¨hb f³fZ ÀfZ SXûIY dQ¹ff WXÜ` IÈY¿¯f EIY ÀfÔ³¹ffÀfe IYf ¸fÔdQSX, ¨f¨fÊ ¹ff ¸fdÀþQ ¸fZÔ ³fWXe,Ô ¶fd»IY WXSX þedU°f ´fif¯fe BÀf ´fiIYfSX ·f¦fUf³f Aþb³Ê f AüSX WX¸f Àf·fe IYû AfV½fÀ°f AüSX Af´fIYû Af°¸f-ÀffÃff°IYfSX IYe AûSX »fZ þf°ff U¯fʳf CXÀf ½¹fdöY IZY øY´f ¸fZÔ IYSX°fZ WXỒ þû UWX IYSX°ff ¸fZÔ BÊV½fSX IYe ´fcþf IYSX°ff WXÜ` BÀfIZY ¶ffQ UWX Af°¸ff IYSX°fZ WXỒ dIY À±ff¹fe JbVfe IYf ¸ff¦fÊ Àf°¹f IYf þeU³f WXÜ` WXÜ` WX` þû CXÀfZ IYSX³ff ¨ffdWXE, IY¸fÊ IZY RY»f ´fSX d³f·fÊSX WXEb ¸fZÔ SXWX°ff WX,` ¨ffWXZ CXÀfIYe þeU³fVf`»fe IbYL ·fe WXûÜ þ¶f BÀf A²¹ff¹f ´fSX þ¹ff SXû IZY ½¹ff£¹ff³f AüSX Àff±f WXe 7. Q:b J ÀfZ d¸f»f³f IYf dU¹fû¦f WXe ¹fû¦f WXÜ` BÀf d¸f»f³f d¶f³ff, A´f³fZ IY°fʽ¹fûÔ AüSX dþ¸¸fZQfdSX¹fûÔ IYû ´fcSXe °fSXWX Af´f WXSX þ¦fWX CX³fIYe LdU¹fûÔ ÀfZ ³fWXeÔ þbOXÞ ÀfIY°fZ °fû ·f¦fUQ ¦fe°ff IZY Àf·fe A²¹ff¹f ÀfeOXe AüSX OXeUeOXe ´fSX IYû Qb:J ÀfZ dU¨LZQ IYSX QûÜ °f¶f Af´f A´f³fZ ·fe°fSX ÀfZ ´fcSXf IYSX°ff WXÜ` EIY ÀfÔ³¹ffÀfe CX¨¨f AfQVfÊ ÀfZ SXdWX°f BÊV½fSX IZY ´fid°f ´fi¸Z f IYe §fû¿f¯ff IYSX³ff ½¹f±fÊ WXÜ` Aþb³Ê f, CX´f»f¶²f WXÜỒ AfgOXSÊ X IYSX³fZ IZY d»fE ¹fWXfÔ d¢»fIY IYSX.ÔZ JbVfe PXPÔc X°fZ WXÜỒ ³fWXeÔ WXû°ff, ³f WXe UWX d³fd¿IiY¹f ½¹fdöY WXû°ff WXÜ` dRYSX WX¸ffSXe °fSXWX, A³fÔ°f IZY AÄff°f ÃfZÂf IYe Jûþ IZY d»fE 8. Àf·fe B¨LfEh IY»´f³ff ÀfZ ´f`Qf WXû°fe WXÜỒ IÈY¿¯f Af²¹ffd°¸fIY dUIYfÀf IZY °fe³f ¨fSX¯fûÔ IYf CX°IÈYá A´f³fZ U°fʸff³f AdÀ°f°U IYe ÀfbSXdÃf°f Àfe¸ff IYû LûOÞX³fZ A²¹ff¹f 6 ÀfZ ÀfeJ 9. Af²¹ffd°¸fIY dUIYfÀf IYe IYÀfüMXe QcÀfSXûÔ ¸fZÔ ÀU¹fÔ IYû dUUSX¯f QZ°fZ WXÜỒ EIY ÀfdIiY¹f ¹fû¦fe ÀfZ EIY ²¹ff³f¸f¦³f ÀfZ OXSX°ff WXÜ` UWX IÈY¿¯f ÀfZ ´fcL°fZ WXỒ dIY CX³f »fû¦fûÔ IYf 1. IY¸fÊ IYf °¹ff¦f IYSX³ff °¹ff¦f ³fWXeÔ WXÜ` ¹fWX CX³f AüSX ÀU¹fÔ ¸fZÔ Àf·fe ´fifd¯f¹fûÔ IYû QZJ³fZ IYe Ãf¸f°ff WXÜ` ÀfÔ³¹ffÀfe °fIY AüSX AÔ°f ¸fZ,Ô EIY Äff³fe , ´fi¶fbð ½¹fdöY ·ff¦¹f ¢¹ff WXû°ff WX` þû Af²¹ffd°¸fIY þeU³f IZY d»fE ¶ff²ffAûÔ IYû °¹ff¦f³ff WX` þû ÀfWXe IYf¹fÊ IZY SXfÀ°fZ ¸fZÔ 10. ·f»ffBÊ IYSX³fZ Uf»fZ IYû IY·fe IYá ³fWXeÔ WXû°ffÜ ÀUf±feÊ IYe CX³³f°f AUÀ±ff °fIY Ü CX³WXû³Ô fZ ¶ffWXSXe dQJfUZ IZY ´fid°f¶fð WXỒ »fZdIY³f Af°¸fÀffÃff°IYfSX ÀfZ ´fWX»fZ WXe ¸fSX Af°fe WXÜỒ »fû¦f ³fá WXû þf¹fZ¦Ô fZÜ

Vf¶fSXe IZY AfSXf²¹f- SXf¸fþe

Vf¶fSXe IYf ³ff¸f »fZ°fZ WXe EIY ´¹ffSXe Àfe UÈîf IYf d¨fÂf Àff¸f³fZ Af þf°ff WX`. þû EIY IbYdMX¹ff IZY ¶ffWXSX ¶f`NXe SXf¸fþe IYe ´fi°feÃff IYSX SXWXe WX`. AfdJSX ¹fWX Vf¶fSXe IYü³f ±fe? SXf¸f¨fdSX°f¸ff³fÀf ¸ff³fÀf ¸fZÔ Vf¶fSXe ´fiÀfÔ¦f ¶fWXb°f WXe Àfed¸f°f WX`. Bd°fWXfÀf ¸fZÔ þfIYSX QZÔJZ °fû ´f°ff ¨f»f°ff WX`, Vf¶fSXe IYû þfd°f ´ffh°f IYf Ad²fIY Äff³f ³fWXeÔ ±ff, BÀfd»fE CX³f SXfþIbY¸ffSXûÔ IYf Àfb³QSX øY´f QZJ Vf¶fSXe À°f¶²f SXWX SXf¸fþ³¸f ÀfZ ·fe ´fWX»fZ, Vf¶fSXe ·fe»f þfd°f ¸fZÔ ´f`Qf WXbBÊ CXÀfZ ¶fWXb°f ÀffSXf A´f¸ff³f ÀfWX³ff ´fOÞXf. EZÀfZ SXWX°fZ IbYL ¦fBÊ. CXÀfZ °fbSXÔ°f dUV½ffÀf WXû ¦f¹ff, dIY WXû ³f WXû ¹fWXe ¸fZSXZ EIY Àff²ffSX¯f ÀÂfe ±fe. ¸ffh d´f°ff þe þÔ¦f»fûÔ ¸fZÔ dVfIYfSX U¿fÊ AüSX ¶fe°f ¦f¹fZ. EIY dQ³f MXWX»f°fZ MXWX»f°fZ UWX FYd¿f SXf¸fþe WX`: AfdQ IYSXIZY ´fdSXUfSX IYf ´fZMX ´ff»f°fZ ±fZ. BÀfed»f¹fZ Vf¶fSXe ¸f°fÔ¦f IZY Afßf¸f þf ´fWXbh¨fe. FYd¿f ¸f°fÔ¦f ±fûOÞXe CXQfSX IYû ´fVfb ´fdÃf¹fûÔ ÀfZ AüSX þÔ¦f»f IZY ´fZOÞX ´fü²fûÔ ÀfZ IYfRYe dU¨ffSX ²ffSXf IZY ÀfÔ°f ±fZ. CX³WXûÔ³fZ Vf¶fSXe IYe IYWXf³fe Àfb³fe Àf¶fSXe QZJ SXf¸f ¦fÈWX Af¹fZ »f¦ffU ±ff. þ¶f Vf¶fSXe ¹fbUf WXbBÊ °fû ¸ffh ¶ff´f ³fZ CXÀfIYf AüSX CXÀfZ A´f³fZ Afßf¸f ¸f`Ô Afßf¹f QZ dQ¹ff. A¶f Vf¶fSXe ¸fbd³f IZY U¨f³f Àf¸fcÓfe dþ¹f ·ff¹fZ| dUUfWX IYSX³fZ IYf d³f›¹f dIY¹ff. BÀfe ¨f¢IYSX ¸f`Ô EIY dQ³f SXf°f FYd¿f ¸f°fÔ¦f IYe ÀfZUf ¸fZÔ þbMX ¦fBÊ. FYd¿f Vf¶fSXe -SXf¸fþe IYû õfSX ´fSX Af¹fZ QZJ, ¸fbd³f ¸f°fÔ¦f IZY U¨f³f dQ³f CXÀfIZY d´f°ff §fSX ¸fZÔ PXZSX ÀffSXe ¶fIYdSX¹ffh »fZ AfE. IYe ÀfZUf ÀfZ ¶fOÞXZ ´fiÀf³³f WXbE. CX³WXûÔ³fZ CXÀfZ ¶fZMXe IYe °fSXWX ¹ffQ Af ¦f¹fZ AüSX ¸f³f WXe ¸f³f ´fiÀf³³f WXû CXNXe. Vf¶fSXe CX°ÀfbIY Vf¶fSXe ³fZ ¸ffh ÀfZ ´fcLf °fû ´f°ff ¨f»ff IYe CXÀfIZY ´ff»ff ´fûÀff. CXÀfZ ¦fb÷Y QeÃff ·fe Qe. ¶fÀf CX³f Qû³fûÔ ·ffB¹fûÔ IZY øY´f AüSX ÀfüÔQ¹fÊ IYû QZJ°fe WXe dUUfWX ´fSX B³f Àf¶fIYe ¶fd»f ¨fPÞXf, EIY dUVff»f ·fûþ IYf SXWX ¦fBÊ, Af¹fûþ³f WXû¦ff. Vf¶fSXe IYû ¹fWX Àf¶f d¶f»fIbY»f A¨Lf EIY dQ³f FYd¿f ¸f°fÔ¦f ³fZ Vf¶fSXe IYû ´ffÀf ¶fb»ff¹ff AüSX ³fWXeÔ »f¦ff. CXÀf³fZ ¸ffh ÀfZ IYWXf, A¦fSX ¸fZSXZ IYfSX¯f B°f³fZ ¶fû»fZ, d¶fdMX¹ff ¸f`Ô A¶f ¶fcPÞXf WXû ¦f¹ff WXch, AüSX VfSXeSX °fb»fÀfeQfÀf d»fJ°fZ WX`Ô: ÀffSXZ ´fVfbAûÔ IYf U²f WXû³ff WX`, °fû UWX dUUfWX ³fWXeÔ IYSX³ff °¹ff¦f³ff ¨ffWX°ff WXch. Vf¶fSXe ¹fWX Àfb³f IYfRYe ´fSXZVff³f WXû ÀfSXdÀfþ »fû¨f³f ¶ffWXb d¶fÀff»ff ¨ffWX°fe. ´fSX CXÀfIYe Àfb³f³fZ Uf»ff UWXfh IYûBÊ ³fWXeÔ ±ff. UWX ¦fBÊ, AüSX ¶fû»fe, ¸f`Ô °fû Af´fIZY ÀfWXfSXZ BÀf þÔ¦f»f ¸fZÔ þMXf ¸fbIbYMX dÀfSX, CXSX ¶f³f¸ff»ff ¸f³f WXe ¸f³f ¶fOÞXe CXQfÀf SXWX³fZ »f¦fe.

SXWX SXWXe ±fe. A¦fSX Af´f QZWX °¹ff¦f SXWXZ WX`Ô °fû ¸f`Ô ·fe QZWX À¹ff¸f ¦füSX ÀfbÔQSX QûCX ·ffBÊ °¹ff¦f³fZ IYû °f`¹ffSX WXch. FYd¿f ³fZ °f¶f Vf¶fSXe IYû Àf¸fÓff¹ff Àf¶fSXe ´fSXe ¨fSX³f d»f´fMXfBÊ| BÀfe CX²fZOÞX¶fb³f ¸fZÔ EIY dQ³f UWX þÔ¦f»f IYe AûSX ·ff¦f dIY °fb¸WXZÔ °fû ´fWX»fZ SXf¸fþe ÀfZ d¸f»f³ff WX`, CX³fIYe ÀfZUf d³fIY»fe. þÔ¦f»f IZY AfÀf ´ffÀf FYd¿f¹fûÔ IZY ¶fWXb°f ÀffSXZ IYSX³fe WX`. CXÀfIZY ¶ffQ °fb¸WXfSXf ¸fûÃf WXû¦ff. ¸fZSXZ ¶ffQ °fb¸f A±ffÊ°f- Qû³fûÔ ·ffB¹fûÔ IZY ÀfbÔQSX ÀfbÔQSX IY¸f»f ³f¹f³f, Afßf¸f ±fZ. UWX UWXeÔ CX³fIZY AfÀf ´ffÀf SXWX³fZ »f¦fe. IY·fe BÀfe IbYdMX¹ff ¸fZÔ SXf¸fþe IYf BÔ°fþfSX IYSX³ff. EIY dQ³f dUVff»f ·fbþfEh, dÀfSX ´fSX þMXfAûÔ IYf ¸fbIbYMX AüSX ùQ¹f dIYÀfe FYd¿f IYe IbYdMX¹ff IYe ÀffRY ÀfRYfBÊ IYSX QZ°fe UZ Af¹fZÔ¦fZ AüSX °fb¸WXfSXZ Afd°f±¹f IYû ÀUeIYfSX IYSXZÔ¦fZ. ´fSX ÀfbÔQSX U³f¸ff»ff ²ffSX¯f dIYE,ÀfbÔQSX ÀffÔU»fZ AüSX ¦fûSXZ AüSX A´f³ff þeU³f ¹ff´f³f IYSX³fZ »f¦fe. A¨ff³fIY EIY °fb¸WXZÔ CX³WXZÔ PXchPX³fZ ³fWXeÔ þf³ff ´fOÞXZ¦ff, UWX ÀU¹fÔ °fb¸WXfSXe SXÔ¦f IZY Qû³fûÔ ·ffBʹfûÔ IYû QZJ Vf¶fSXe ¸fÔÂf ¸fb¦²f WXû ¦fBÊ, dQ³f, EIY FYd¿f IYû ¹fWX ´f°ff ¨f»f ¦f¹ff IYe ¹fWX ·fe»f IbYdMX¹ff ´fSX Af ´fWXbh¨fZÔ¦fZ. ¹fWX IYWX°fZ IYWX°fZ FYd¿f ¸f°fÔ¦f ³fZ AüSX ´fi·fb IZY ¨fSX¯fûÔ ÀfZ þf d»f´fMXe. þfd°f IYe d³f¸³f ¸fdWX»ff WX`. CXÀf³fZ ¶ffIYYe FYd¿f¹fûÔ IYû ´fif¯f °¹ff¦f dQ¹fZ. ·fe BÀfIZY ¶ffSXZ ¶f°ff dQ¹ff. FYd¿f¹fûÔ IYû Vf¶fSXe ´fSX ¶fOÞXf ´fiZ¸f ¸f¦f³f ¸fbJ U¨f³f ³f AfUf IiYû²f Af¹ff AüSX Àf¶f³fZ CXÀfIYf ¶fdWX¿IYfSX IYSX dQ¹ff.

Vf¶fSXe IYû A´f³fZ ¦fb÷Y ´fSX ´fcSXf dUV½ffÀf ±ff. UWX UWXeÔ ´fbd³f ´fbd³f ´fQ ÀfSXûþ dÀfSX ³ffUf CXÀfe IbYdMX¹ff ¸fZÔ SXWX IYSX ´fid°fdQ³f SXf¸fþe IYe ´fi°feÃff ÀffQSX þ»f »f¹f, ¨fSX³f ´fJfSXZ IYSX³fZ »f¦fe. SXûþ Àfb¶fWX CXNX°fe, IbYdMX¹ff IYû ÓffOÞX°fe ´fbd³f ÀfbÔQSX, AfÀf³f ¶f`NXfSXZ ¶fbWXfSX°fe, ¸fMXIZY ¸fZÔ °ffþf þ»f ·fSX°fe, þÔ¦f»f þf IbYL RY»f RcY»f »fZ Af°fe AüSX SXf¸fþe IYe ´fi°feÃff IYSX°fe.

Uf¯fe IbYL ¶fû»f ³fWXeÔ ´ff SXWXe, þ»f IYf »fûMXf »ffIYSX RY»f ¨fb³f°fZ ¨fb³f°fZ IY·fe CX³WXZÔ ¨fJ ·fe »fZ°fe dIY, IYWXe ¨fSX¯fûÔ IYû ²fû°fe þf SXWXe WX`. dRYSX EIY AfÀf³f ´fSX CX³WXZÔ IYûBÊ RY»f J˜f ¹ff IYOÞXUf ³f WXû. CXÀfIYf ·ffU ¹fWX d¶fNXf CX³fIZY ¨fSX¯fûÔ IZY ´ffÀf JbQ ¶f`NX ¦fBÊ. Afþ Vf¶fSXe SXWX°ff dIY þ¶f ·fe ¸fZSXZ SXf¸fþe AfEh °fû IZYU»f ¸feNXZ IZY SXf¸f ´f²ffSXZ WX`Ô. CXÀfZ IbYL ³fWXeÔ ÀfcÓf SXWXf. ¶fÀf EIY RY»f WXe Jf¹fZÔ. ´fi°feÃff IYSX°fZ IYSX°fZ IYBÊ ¶fSXÀf ¶fe°f WXe »ff»fÀff WX`, dIY ¸f`Ô CX³fIYe Jc¶f ÀfZUf IYøYh. ¶fZSXûÔ IYe ¦fE, Vf¶fSXe A¶f ¶fcPÞXe WXû ¨f»fe ±fe, »fZdIY³f SXf¸fþe ÀfZ MXûIYSXe CXNXf »ffBÊ, CX³f¸fZ ÀfZ A¨LZ A¨LZ ¶fZSX ¨fb³f IYSX d¸f»f³fZ IYe »ff»fÀff A·fe ·fe ¹fbUf ±fe. Vf¶fSXe ³fZ ´fi°feÃff SXf¸fþe IYû dJ»ff°fe þf SXWXe WX`. A¦fSX IYûBÊ ¶fZSX NXeIY ³fWXeÔ LûOÞXe, CXÀf³fZ ¶fZSX ¨fb³f³ff ³fWXeÔ LûOÞXf. EIY dQ³f Vf¶fSXe ³f »f¦fZ, °fû ´fWX»fZ CXÀfZ ¨fJ IYSX QZJ »fZ°fe WX`, dIY ¶fZSX Àfb¶fWX IYe dQ³f¨f¹ffÊ Àf¸ff~ IYSXIZY ¶f`NXe WXe ±fe, dIY ¸feNXf WXe WXû. BÀf °fSXWX ÓfcNXZ ¶fZSX ´fi·fb IYû QZ°fe þf°fe WX`, CXÀf³fZ QZJf, IbYdMX¹ff ´fSX Qû ÀfbÔQSX SXfþIbY¸ffSX JOÞXZ WX`Ô, AüSX SXf¸fþe A´f³fZ ·föY IYe ·fdöY IZY ¶fÀf, CX³WXeÔ ÓfcNXZ

¶fZSXûÔ IYf ·fSX´fcSX Af³fÔQ »fZ°fZ þf SXWXZ WX`Ô. Vf¶fSXe IYe AfhJûÔ ÀfZ ´fiZ¸f IYe AdUSX»f ²ffSXf ¶fWX°fe þf SXWXe WX`, UWX ²fbÔ²f»fe AfhJûÔ ÀfZ SXf¸fþe IYe ÀfZUf ¸fZÔ °f»»fe³f WX`. CXÀfIYe þeU³f ·fSX IYe ´fi°feÃff Afþ ÀfRY»f WXû ¦fBÊ WX`.CXÀfIZY þeU³f IYe Àff±fÊIY°ff ÀfÔ´fc¯fÊ WXû ¦fBÊ WX`. UWX BÀf ´f»f IYû ´fcSXe °fSXWX ÀfZ þe »fZ³ff ¨ffWX°fe WX`. þ¶f ±fûOÞXe Àfh·f»fe °fû ´fi·fb IZY Àff¸f³fZ WXf±f þûOÞX IYSX JOÞXe WXû ¦fBÊ: ´ffd³f þûSXe Af¦fZ ·fBÊ NXfPXe ´fi·fbdWX d¶f»fûdIY ´fied°f Ad°f ¶ffPXe AüSX IYWX³fZ »f¦fe: IZYdWX dUd²f AÀ°fbd°f IYøYh °fb¸WXfSXe A²f¸f þfd°f, ¸f`Ô þOÞX¸fd°f ·ffSXe WXZ ¸fZSXZ ´fi·fb ¸f`Ô Af´fIYe À°fbd°f I`YÀfZ IYøYh, ¸f`Ô °fû A²f¸f þfd°f IYe EIY Àff²ffSX¯f EUÔ ¸fcPÞX ³ffSXe WXch. SXf¸fþe ¹fWX ´fiZ¸f QZJ d´f§f»f ¦fE. Vf¶fSXe IYû ¦f»fZ ÀfZ »f¦ff d»f¹ff AüSX ´ffÀf d¶fNXf IYSX ¶fû»fZ, WXZ ¸ff°fZ, ¸f`Ô °fb¸WXfSXZ BÀf ´fiZ¸f AüSX Uf°Àf»¹f IYû QZJ IYSX ¦fQ ¦fQ WXû CXNXf WXch. ¸fbÓfZ BÀfÀfZ IYûBÊ AÔ°fSX ³fWXeÔ ´fOÞX°ff dIY, Af´f dIYÀf þfd°f IYe WX`Ô, ¸fbÓfZ AÔ°fSX ³fWXeÔ ´fOÞX°ff dIY Af´f ³ffSXe WX`Ô, ¸f`Ô °fû IZYU»f EIY ·fdöY IYf ³ff°ff ¸ff³f°ff WXch. IYWX SX§fb´fd°f Àfb³fb ·ffd¸f³fe ¶ff°ff ¸ff³fWXc EIY ·f¦fd°f IYSX ³ff°ff | ¢¹fûÔdIY: ·f¦fd°f WXe³f ³fSX ÀfûWXBÊ I`YÀfZ d¶f³fc þ»f UfdSXQ QZdJA þ`ÀfZ| ·fdöY IZY d¶f³ff ´fif¯fe CX°f³ff WXe ÀffSXWXe³f WX`, þ`ÀfZ ´ff³fe IZY d¶f³ff ¶ffQ»f. Vf¶fSXe AüSX SXf¸fþe IYe ¹fWX ´fiZ¸f ¦ff±ff Af³fZ Uf»fZ Àf¸f¹f ¸fZÔ ´fi·fb AüSX ·föY IZY ¶fe¨f ¸fZÔ ·fdöY IZY ÀfWXþ dSXV°fZ IYf EIY ªU»fÔ°f CXQfWXSX¯f ¶f³f IYSX SXWX ¦f¹ff. EZÀfe SXf¸fþe IYe ´fSX¸f ·föY Vf¶fSXe IYû IYûdMX IYûdMX ³f¸f³f!!!!!

Rajendra Kapil 847-962-1291

27 Friday, 12 January, 2024

www.indoustribune.com

Special

edition

on January 20, 2024

Inaugration of

Ram Mandir at Ayodhya

Exclusive Interview Column Stories Features

28

Beauty & Fashion www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

Elevate your Lohri, Pongal celebrations with these festive fashion trends

P

ongal, a harvest festival celebrated with joy and fervor, holds profound cultural and agricultural significance.

Marking the transition from the winter solstice to longer days, Pongal symbolizes the onset of the harvest season. Families come together to partake in rituals, cook the traditional dishes, and celebrate the abundance of the harvest.

Pongal is a beautiful convergence of cultural traditions and celebrations. Beyond the aroma of freshly harvested crops and the rhythmic beats of festive drums, lies a world of fashion that seamlessly blends heritage with contemporary allure.

Pongal, a time to express gratitude and revel in joy, becomes the perfect stage to showcase fashion-forward styles that mirror the richness of South Indian culture.

Here are some of the leading trends to incorporate into your shopping list for Pongal: Kanjeevaram Sarees: Kanjeevaram sarees, a true delight to wear and behold, stand as a testament to the artistry and skill of silk weavers. The heavy silk, intricate patterns and vibrant colors make each saree a masterpiece.

Temple Jewellery: Sculpted from gold and silver, these pieces embody the cultural heritage and charm. Whether in the form of necklaces, bangles, earrings, or rings, temple jewellery adds an artful touch to any ensemble.

Lehenga cholis: The Lehenga Choli, a threepiece attire comprising a flared skirt, ethnic crop top, and a flowy dupatta, is perfect for elevating the festive look for your little girls. Embroidered,

printed, or embellished, Lehenga Cholis epitomize grace and beauty.

Punjabi salwar suit: If you are someone who celebrates Lohri, opt for a bright hued salwar kameez and pair it with a beautiful traditional parandi and traditional jutti sandals.

As the festive spirit envelops us in the warmth of tradition and celebration, these fashion trends become more than mere garments; they become vessels of cultural heritage and personal expression.

Forecasting fashion trends for 2024 outdoorsy sandals.

Fluidity in design: Resurgence in tailored dressing marks a shift from recent trends dominated by coordinated sets. Blazers and trousers take the spotlight, blending sartorial elements with a laid-back vibe. Our focus is on crafting ensembles that exude efficiency and sophistication while ensuring comfort remains integral.

Quiet luxury & stealth wealth: The buzz phrases of 2024, “quiet luxury” and “stealth wealth,” resonate deeply in the realm of new power dressing. Tailored separates stand as the core aesthetic, offering wearers a refined yet relaxed silhouette. This narrative shift mirrors the pursuit of sophistication without sacrificing comfort.

S

tepping into the fresh canvas of 2024, fashion unfurls a tapestry woven with bows, rosettes, and the allure of ‘stealth wealth.’ Embrace a year where tailored elegance converges with effortless ease,

redefining the essence of power dressing.

our eye.

The soft power suit: Bows adorn everything, and their popularity is set to soar as 2024’s fashion trends evolve. Countless rosettes, ribbons, and ruffles also caught

Preppy plus: Welcoming the New Year with enthusiasm, we’re diving into the relaxed, affluent aesthetic by embracing striped buttondowns, polo shirts, academic blazers, and

C-Suite Chic: Industry sentiments affirm the enduring presence of tailored dressing. Blazers and trousers reign supreme, infused with an effortless, relaxed aura. The power suit transcends traditional office boundaries, seamlessly transitioning from boardroom to bar, blurring the lines between work and leisure.

Shades of Green: Green emerges as the season’s ‘it’ color, already making its mark across the fashion landscape.

Beauty & Fashion

29 www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

Vitamin E for winter hair resilience By: Shikha Dwivedi

A

s the winter season unfolds, encompassing cooler temperatures, a prevalent yet often-overlooked concern surfaces—noticeable increased hair fall. The colder climate accentuates this issue, shining a light on a pivotal factor: the scarcity of vital nutrients, prominently Vitamin E. Recognizing the indispensable role of Vitamin E in addressing this seasonal challenge becomes imperative to safeguard and bolster hair vitality during the winter months, seamlessly woven into the tapestry of traditional Indian hair care routines.

Understanding Vitamin E’s hair-boosting powers: Vitamin E emerges as a stalwart in the domain of hair care, harnessing potent antioxidant properties that not only fortify cells but also invigorate hair growth. Its pivotal role in reducing cell damage and supporting hair follicles becomes instrumental in countering oxidative stress, effectively combating the detrimental impact of free radicals that often lead to hair follicle breakdown.

Foods rich in Vitamin E: Your Vitamin E requirements can be met from a wide range of food products that include seeds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pine nuts, and

almonds. Other sources include vegetable oils like sunflower oil, leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and fruits like mangoes, papayas, and kiwis, which are all very rich in Vitamin E. Moreover, incorporating a diet rich in brown rice, and barley may also be good for matching your Vitamin E requirements.

When applied to hair, Vitamin E will help you have a shinier and stronger mane. You can also try a vegan, clean and plant-based face wash, serum and night gel that are free of mineral oil, paraben, cruelty, sulphates, dyes, artificial fragrances and silicone and are also clinically proven to increase antioxidant activity to help you look & feel younger and protect your skin.

30

Health & Fitness www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

This year, take a resolution to ensure 8-hours of sleep Entertainment

A

s 2023 transitions to 2024, resolutions emerge. Individuals often make resolutions to exercise more, eat healthier, or learn a new skill. Yet, one crucial aspect of their well-being often slips through the cracks of their commitment – sleep.

In 2024, prioritize self-care, embracing life’s simpler, meaningful facets. Reflect, engage, and commit to self-love through the serene beauty of restful sleep. Here are a few tips to achieve sleep this year: 4 Consistent sleep schedule: Cultivate a regular bedtime and wake-up routine for a balanced internal clock. A good night’s sleep helps rejuvenate the mind and body.

4 Digital detox before bed: Abstain from electronic devices and TV an hour before bedtime, opting for calming activities like reading or meditation.

4 Serene sleep environment: Invest in quality mattresses and pillows, choose soothing colours, and blackout curtains, and

maintain a cool room temperature. A memo from the mattress is pivotal for maintaining good health and posture.

4 Sleep-supportive bedding: Select a mattress aligned with comfort preferences and spinal alignment. Consider breathable sheets and blankets.

4 Mindful nutrition: Avoid heavy meals, caffeine, and nicotine before bedtime. Stay hydrated during the day, limiting liquids before sleep. Opt for light, sleep-inducing snacks if hungry.

4 Relaxing warm bath: Indulge in a warm bath or shower before bedtime to induce relaxation and faster sleep onset.

In our fast-paced world, sleep often takes a backseat. A beckoning call to regain control over your well-being, commencing with the rejuvenating power of quality sleep—a necessity, not a luxury. Hence, this New Year calls for a renewed commitment to yourself - a promise to better yourself. Prioritize self-care and invest in 8 hours of sleep for a year of productivity fuelled by a well-rested mind and good health.

Effective exercises to keep your heart in shape

P

romoting heart health during the winter and festivities can be a bit challenging due to colder weather and holiday indulgences. However, there are still plenty of exercises and activities that can help maintain a healthy heart during this time of the year.

To promote heart health, you should incorporate a combination of aerobic exercises, strength training, and flexibility exercises into your routine. Here are some beneficial exercises: Aerobic Exercises: Brisk Walking: This is a low-impact exercise that’s great for beginners.

Running or Jogging: Provides a more intense aerobic workout.

Cycling: Whether on a stationary bike or outdoors, it’s excellent for cardiovascular health.

Swimming: A full-body workout that’s gentle on the joints.

Dancing: Fun and effective for heart health.

Jumping Rope: A high-intensity option that improves cardiovascular fitness.

Strength Training: Weightlifting: Builds muscle, which can help improve metabolism and overall heart health.

Bodyweight Exercises: Push-ups, squats, and planks are great for

strength and stability.

be very effective for cardiovascular fitness.

Flexibility and Balance Exercises: Yoga: Enhances flexibility, balance, and reduces stress.

Cardio Classes: Consider joining classes like aerobics, Zumba, or spinning for a structured and motivating workout.

Pilates: Focuses on core strength and flexibility.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): Involves short bursts of intense exercise followed by brief rest periods. Can

Remember to consult with a healthcare professional before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions or concerns about your heart health. They can provide personalized recommendations based on your individual needs and fitness level.

31

Health & Fitness

www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 January, 2024

Infertility is a complex and misunderstood issue that affects millions of couples worldwide. It goes beyond the inability to conceive a child; it can be emotionally traumatic and socially isolating.

Beyond physical limitations, infertility can take a toll on mental health, causing stress, anxiety, and depression.

Factors such as age, lifestyle choices, and underlying health conditions can significantly impact fertility for both men and women.

Infertility and myths around food…

By: Dr Ankita Kaushal

W

omen often find themselves bombarded with myths and misinformation surrounding infertility and food, leading to unnecessary panic and stress.

One common myth is that eating certain foods can either prevent or cause infertility. This has led to a frantic obsession with fertility diets, with women feeling pressured to adhere to specific eating patterns in hopes of increasing their chances of conceiving. By dispelling these myths and focusing on holistic approaches to reproductive health, women can alleviate unnecessary anxiety about their dietary choices and potential fertility issues.

Myth #1: Eating the core of a pineapple is believed to assist with implantation Fact: Some claim eating the core of a pineapple right after ovulation can aid in implantation. Pineapple cores contain bromelain, a set of enzymes that acts as a blood thinner and has been found to possess anti-inflammatory properties. Nonetheless, there is no concrete evidence from studies to prove that the bromelain in pineapple cores helps with implantation. Also, having fresh pineapple in your diet, rich in Vitamin C and B6 can be a beneficial way to include healthy fruit in your meals.

Myth #2: If the couple wants twins, they should eat yam Fact: Yam consumption is believed to play a role due to its natural hormone phytoestrogen, which may stimulate multiple ovula-

tions. However, the high twinning rate is influenced by various factors, not just yams.

Eating only yams may not boost fertility.

Better to consult an expert instead of believing rumors.

Myth #3: Opting for pomegranates can improve one’s fertility Fact: Pomegranates are believed to have

positive effects on the fertility of both men and women. Due to their high antioxidant content, it is suggested that consuming pomegranates, which have long been associated with fertility, can enhance blood circulation to the uterus and thicken the uterine lining. However, further research is required to fully comprehend how antioxidants influence fertility.

Naturopathic diet tips to beat the dreaded winter cough E By: IANSlife

ach year, that persistent winter cough seems to make an unwelcome return. The winter months bring about a surge in the common cold, and it’s almost expected that many in-

dividuals will grapple with its symptoms. The common cold, a mild viral infection, targets the nose, airways, throat, and sinuses, leading to manifestations like a congested or runny nose, sneezing, a sense of fatigue, a scratchy throat, and coughing. While there’s no definitive cure for the common cold, we’ve compiled

a list of everyday foods, herbs, and home remedies that may help alleviate the symptoms of your winter cough.

Garlic: Embracing powerful antioxidant properties, garlic stands as a potential ally in warding off or shortening the duration of colds. Notably, studies reveal that incorporating a garlic supplement into your routine can lead to a remarkable 63% reduction in the frequency of colds.

Ginger: Ginger is another herbal ingredient that is highly valued in ayurvedic medicines for cough and cold as it helps not just with phlegm reduction, but also with fighting infections and reducing inflammation. Ginger can be used to prepare herbal teas along with honey or you can even drink the freshly extracted juice or chew on some ginger.

Tulsi: Tulsi, is an Ayurvedic herb that has been used for centuries in India for its vast array of health benefits. Tulsi is an expecto-

rant, meaning it helps to expel mucus from the respiratory tract, making it an effective remedy for dry cough. In addition, tulsi is a natural antibacterial agent, helping to fight off infection and speed up the healing process.

Fruits and vegetables: While vitamin C may not possess the mythical powers once attributed to it in preventing colds, it can still play a supportive role when that unwelcome sniffle starts looming. Embrace the goodness of citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, or limes to fortify your immune system with this essential vitamin.

Onion juice: Onions are another staple in every Indian kitchen, making this a very convenient remedy. People don’t realize that onions don’t just add flavor to food, but can also be therapeutic. Studies show that onion extract has an anti-inflammatory effect and relaxes the trachea, which can reduce or stop coughing spasms.

32 Friday, 12 January, 2024

www.indoustribune.com