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Anuben Thakkar

Powered by the vision of his late co-founder Anuben Thakkar, Dr. Vikram Patel is visiting several cities across the United States and Canada to showcase the remarkable accomplishments of Muni Seva Ashram over the past 30 years, with a message about the great potential that lies ahead. The MSA has a longstanding reputation for its excellence in the areas of education, health care, alternative energy, social services, and agriculture, all with a keen eye towards social empowerment.

Dr. Vikram Patel

But it all started with one hut. And its journey was fueled by the desire to respond to need. When the village parents of Goraj needed a safe place to send their children while they worked, Anuben Thakkar set up a hut to watch those children. When those same children needed medical care, Anuben recruited medical students like Dr. Vikram Patel to volunteer their time to give free exams. And as those kids got older and looked towards their own future, Anuben created quality schools and provided education. The immense growth of Muni Seva Ashram snowballed from there, now becoming one of the best cancer treatment & research hospitals in India, a safe haven for the mentally disabled, a loving community for the elderly, and source of employment for many who otherwise would have no means, including the creation of a sustainable clothing factory.

Recovering patient – 888 major surgeries each year

All this can be experienced by visiting MSA. It also offers unique volunteering and learning opportunities at a clean, tranquil and serene place in the heartland of rural India.

Vanprastha at Muni Seva Ashram

The goal of Dr. Patel’s visit to several cities across U.S. and Canada is not only to share the successes of MSA, but its vision. A number of projects are planned for the next 5 years:

(1) The current cancer research hospital has the capacity to hold roughly 150 beds. With increasing demand for services, the expansion of the hospital building to add 200 beds is underway. Also advanced treatments such as Bone marrow transplantation unit and neutropenia care will be added. This expansion will provide state of the art quality medical services to thousands of more people over time.

(2) With the growing population of India, the number of children in Goraj and the surrounding villages is growing rapidly. In its true responsive fashion, MSA has set out to build a new campus for the elementary and high school. The current English medium school has 250 students. The new English medium campus will be able to house 450 students, and have a fully equipped science laboratory, a state of the art sports complex, along with living quarters for teachers and staff.

(3) Over the last few years, MSA has seen an increasing demand for a vocational training facility. Once again, MSA set a plan in motion. MSA intends to build a new facility to house 500 vocational trainees. MSA will provide superior 4-6 month vocational training courses to approximately 1000 students each year at this campus.

From Houston, TX to Calgary, Canada and everywhere in many cities in-between, Chairman-Dr. Vikram Patel will share the inspirational story of how MSA continues to thrive & transform the lives of people through education, healthcare and vocational training.

CALL TO ACTION: BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS AMAZING STORY. MAKE THE NEW EXPANSION A REALITY. The combined funds needed to fulfill these 3 projects is roughly 110 crores rupees. There is 89 crores rupees still unfunded. Please donate now. Choose your passion and earmark funds for that project. Or donate generally, and support the entire initiative.

Muni Seva Charitable Foundation USA (MSCF) is a non-profit registered under article 501(c) 3 of the US IRS code.

Muni Seva Ashram is located at Goraj Village, 35 kms from Vadodara in Gujarat.
To find out more details about how to help the development of MSA please visit http://www.greenashram.org

For your tax-deductible donation, go to http://greenashram.org/donateusa
For volunteering and learning opportunities for your young relative, go to http://greenashram.org/volunteers

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An Indian-American from Conroe, Texas, who stole from his employer, has been sentenced to prison for bank fraud.

Kiran Andhavarapu, 45, pleaded guilty Feb. 9, and was sentenced April 27, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas.

Andhavarapu was sentenced to 20 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release for stealing more than $484,000 from Weatherford and its subsidiary EProduction Solutions LLC.  United States District Judge Keith P. Ellison, who accepted the guilty plea, said Andhavarapu abused a position of trust as a financial controller which facilitated his commission of the crime.

He stole from his employer by opening bank accounts in the name of “EProduction Solutions” and listing himself as the owner and sole proprietor of the business. Andhavarapu then stole refund checks made out to and belonging to his employer and deposited them in the accounts he had created.

As part of his plea, Andhavarapu admitted he stole a total of $484,873.95. He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined at a later date, the release said.

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Twenty eight year old Dharmik Sheth, a finance risk manager at an investment bank in New York City, walks into the garden of Robbinsville, N.J. Hindu temple donned in a T-shirt and overalls, with a rake in his hand, pretending to be a gardener. The 32 pre-K and Kindergarten kids gape at him curiously as he begins raking and pointing to a tree full of flowers, to begin his first lesson on not to steal. Children run around him until he bangs the rake twice on the ground – bringing them to a halt with this pre-decided signal. To drive home his pont, he begins telling a story about Pramukh Swami Maharaj, his guru, and till 2016, the head of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, or BAPS for short.

Viveknidhi Swami addresses the assembly at Swaminarayan temple in Washington, D.C. He highlighted examples of Lord Swaminarayan and Lord Ram’s compassion for their devotees and how, in turn, it inspired devotees to develop firm faith in God and cultivate a dharma-based lifestyle.

Sheth has a Telugu mother and Gujarati father. He came to the U.S. at the age of five, and was drawn to BAPS not just for the spiritual teachings, but the numerous activities he got involved in. He has been involved in BAPS activities for 14 years, and they have stood him in good stead, teaching him skills that he says his employers at the investment bank were more interested in rather than in his degrees.

A skit teaching how spiritual concepts can be applied to everyday living presented during Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Bhagwan Ram birth anniversary celebration at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, New York.

Today, BAPS is a ubiquitous presence in the lives of many Hindu families and their children in the United States since it began its ministry in this country in 1971 under the leadership of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who is now succeeded by Mahant Swami Maharaj, the sixth spiritual head of the global organization. It has a network of more than 3,850 centers around the world, and according to its website, more than a million followers. This Hindu organization was established in 1907 in India, drawing inspiration from Lord Swaminarayan and Lord Ram. BAPS North America describes itself as a “socio-spiritual Hindu organization” rooted in the Vedas, and “founded on the pillars of practical spirituality.”

Children and Youth sing bhajans during the birth anniversary celebrations at BAPS temple in Edison, New Jersey.

This April, as the organization celebrated the 236th birthday of their founder Bhagwan Swaminarayan around the country and the world, youth engagement was the focus – from organizing, mobilizing, communicating and performing. Two months before the April events kicked off, Indian-American children and youth under the guidance of people like Sheth, began routinely spending several hours every weekend if not more, organizing activities that signified their devotion to their faith. Because of the high level of engagement, auditions had to be held to make the program manageable.

Tapan Dave, 5, plays the tabla at the birth anniversary celebrations at BAPS temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey.

“The theme, skits, performances, music, lighting, where microphones should go, when lights etc. need to be turned on or off, the children decide,” Lenin Joshi, spokesperson for BAPS, told News India Times. And the April celebrations are just one of the many year-round events held routinely by the organization. The commitment from children appears deep.

“What really inspires me is that on the day of the celebration, many observe a fast, even though they do so many energetic dances etc.,” Joshi says.

A skit on the compassion of Lord Swaminarayan presented by the children and youth at BAPS temple in Long Island, New York.

In a country with an all-pervading Judeo-Christian ethic and culture, what is most important at the end of the day for the elders, is for the next generation to imbibe what they learn from ancient texts and stories, values and traditions, underpinning the culture their parents came with to their adopted land, organizers say. And people like Sheth translate those traditions into everyday stories.

A youth volunteer at the birth anniversary celebrations at BAPS temple in Atlanta.

“I may be a small part of a skit, I may have recited and learnt that part of the Ramayan numerous times, and will remember that for the rest of my life,” Joshi says. The core message is that the teachings get passed on to the next generation. “That inspires us. We want to introduce the traditions to kids far, far away from India,” Joshi enthuses.

Children present a dance as part of the cultural segment during celebrations at the BAPS temple in Houston.

A new Donald Trump administration in the White House, seems a far cry from the environment built in the many BAPS Swaminarayan Mandirs around the country, or at least that is what organizers convey. “I have not seen or heard anything negative from people who come to BAPS events,” contends Joshi, about the anxiety that one hears about in the news, among Indians and South Asians around the U.S.

BAPS volunteers present a skit during celebrations in Los Angeles, Calif.

“I haven’t had any personal situations of that concern, nor have I been either offended or endangered because of my faith. And I have not felt anything b ecause of my skin color,” says Sheth, who works in New York City, lives in Jersey City, and travels every Friday night to Robbinsville, N.J., returning Sunday nights.

Celebrations at the BAPS temple in San Jose, Calif.

This year’s celebrations of the founder’s birthday was themed – “Bhaktavatsal Hari Birud Tiharo,” meaning, Lord’s resolve to care for his devotees.

This year’s program tried to educate the audience “on how they too could nurture a modern dharma-based lifestyle by adhering to a vegetarian diet, maintaining sobriety and abstaining from other types of addictions,” a press release from the organization said.

The organization prides itself in carrying out charitable works “motivated by Hindu principles,” it says.

One among its many charitable activities is humanitarian works – which according to BAPS has included the following achievements – “recycling 7 million aluminum cans, freeing 700,000 individuals from addiction and substance abuse in just 15 days, planting 10 million trees and providing free medical treatment to 2.5 million tribal community members,” according to its website. These activities are carried out by thousands of volunteers around the world devoting millions of volunteer hours, BAPS claims.

Sheth says, “Our work is not only about bringing out the beauty of Hindu culture, but at the end of the day, teaching and learning about how to be a good person with strong values. I guarantee you these youth will be positive contributing members of society,” he asserts.

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NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.

Saint Peter’s University Hospital will host “Diabetes in South Asians – Dietary Influences and Solutions,” presented by V. Mohan, MD, recipient of The Padma Shri Award – one of the highest civilian honors bestowed by the government of India – from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, May 1, in the Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center.

Dr. Mohan’s Monday presentation will be followed by “The Diabetes Epidemic: Why and What can be done,” a medical grand rounds presented by Dr. Mohan from 8 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 2, and “Culturally Appropriate Medical Care for the Asian Indian Senior Population,” a nursing grand rounds presented by Naveen Mehrotra, MD, founder and executive director of SKN Foundation, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and again from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 2.

Monday events will also be held in the hospital’s Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center.

Dr. Mohan is president and director of the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, ICMR Centre for Advanced Research on Diabetes, Chennai, India. He is an eminent India diabetologist who has worked in the field of diabetes in southern India for more than 30 years. He is also the chair and chief of diebetology at the Diabetes Specialties Center, a World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control and an International Diabetes Federation Center of Education. Dr. Mohan has received numerous professional recognitions.

The South Asian Diabetes Initiative is a specialized service provided by the Saint Peter’s Thyroid and Diabetes Center, Division of Endocrinology, Nutrition and Metabolism at the Center for Ambulatory Resources (CARES), 240 Easton Ave., New Brunswick, N.J. 08901; 732-745-6667.

The center’s resources include: early screening with a focus on prevention; comprehensive consultation, management and counseling; specialized care for women’s hormonal health related to diabetes and insulin resistance; diabetes self-management education; nutritional guidance and diabetes education specific to the South Asian diet, and diabetes support groups and counseling.

Meena S. Murthy, MD, chief, Division of Endocrinology, Nutrition and Metabolism at Saint Peter’s, noted: “Diabetes is a chronic disease in the South Asian population, affecting nearly 80 million people. More than half are undiagnosed. A silent killer, diabetes leads to premature disability and death. Diabetes occurs with high prevalence in immigrants from South Asia.”

Murthy added: “The Saint Peter’s South Asian Diabetes Initiative meets the unique health challenges faced by the South Asian people. Our holistic approach is based on respect for the patient’s cultural background, spiritual needs and healthcare values.”

About Saint Peter’s Healthcare System
Saint Peter’s Healthcare System Inc., parent company of the Saint Peter’s healthcare delivery system, is comprised of Saint Peter’s University Hospital, a 478-bed acute-care teaching hospital; Saint Peter’s Foundation, the fundraising arm of the hospital, and Saint Peter’s Health and Management Services Corp., which oversees the system’s outpatient facilities including the CARES Surgicenter and the New Brunswick Cardiac Cath Lab. Saint Peter’s Healthcare System is sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen. For more information about Saint Peter’s Healthcare System visit www.saintpetershcs.com or call 732-745-8600

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Jasmine Awad

Two Indian-Americans are selected as part of the 18th Class of Jeannette K. Watson Fellows, which provides outstanding undergraduates from 12 New York City colleges with three years of personal, professional and cultural immersions in the United States and abroad.

Manisha Kamal

The two Indian-American students are Jasmine Awad of John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Maisha Kamal of Brooklyn College.

At the center of the Watson Foundation program are summer internships at leading organizations in New York City and around the world. Fellows go on to attend leading graduate programs, receive national and international scholarships, and become leaders in their organizations and fields.

“We are thrilled to announce the new class,” said Chris Kasabach, executive director of the Watson Foundation. “The fellows’ diverse backgrounds and accomplishments are inspirational. We look forward to welcoming them to the greater Watson community and crafting a three- year experience that grows each of their unique potential.”

According to her LinkedIn page, Awad is chairperson of the Club Planning Committee and Chief of Staff of the Student Representation Committee. She has also interned at the National Network for Safe Communities, a project of John Jay College of Criminal Justice, which focuses on supporting cities implementing proven strategic interventions to reduce violence and improve public safety, minimize arrest and incarceration, strengthen communities, and improve relationships between law enforcement and the communities it serves.

A Class of 2019 Scholars Council Representative at Macaulay Honors College, Kamal is currently a Marketing and Communications Intern at the college, her LinkedIn page says.

She has previously interned at the State Government Accountability’s Planning and Product Development Unit at the New York State Office if the State Comptroller.

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Raheel Khursheed

Three Indian global leaders are among this year’s Yale World Fellows, bringing the total number of World Fellows since the program’s start in 2002 to 309 Fellows, representing 87 countries.

Rema Rajeshwari

Journalist Raheel Khursheed, Indian Police Service officer Rema Rajeshwari and human rights activist Baljeet Sandhu are among those selected for the university’s signature global leadership development initiative. “The 2017 World Fellows are extraordinary individuals who share a commitment to open society and a belief that what unites us is far greater than what divides us,” said Emma Sky, director of the Maurice R. Greenberg World Fellows Program. “They join our network of over 300 World Fellows, working to make our world a better place for all,” she said.

Baljeet Sandhu

Each year, the University invites a group of exemplary mid-career professionals from a wide range of fields and countries for an intensive four-month period of academic enrichment and leadership training.

Khursheed currently heads Currently, News Partnerships for Twitter in India and South East Asia. At Twitter, Khursheed has lead the conception, development and roll-out of civic tech products. Khursheed’s innovative product and partnerships work– from Twitter SMS alerts to live data on national television– has dramatically altered how elections and politics are narrated in India. He previously served as director of communications for India at Change.org, leading an effective strategy that successfully seeded petitioning as an organizing tool. He organized the ‘Stop Rape’ campaign that helped change the rape laws in India.

An Indian Police Service officer with a distinguished career of integrity and passion, Rajeshwari has held various positions for nearly a decade. She has been instrumental in running successful operations against extremists, a women and child-trafficking nexus, and other criminal activities. She has in-depth knowledge of police management, human rights, international relations and the United Nations policies and programs.

She has won accolades as the first female Indian Police Service officer from Munnar, Kerala and as the topper of the Indian Police Service class of 2009.

Her most recent initiative, “Balyaniki Raksha,” is a community outreach program on child safety that works to educate the children of rural India to break the silence around child sexual abuse.

Sandhu is the founding director of the Migrant & Refugee Children’s Legal Unit (MiCLU). She is recognized as a leading children’s rights lawyer in the field of immigration and asylum law in the UK, regularly providing expert evidence to UK courts, select committees and children and anti-slavery commissioners.

In 2011, she was awarded Young Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year. She is a UK Clore Social Leadership fellow and a fellow of the Vital Voices Female Global Leaders Partnership.

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Guru Harihara, the CEO of startup Boomerang Commerce (Photo: Reuters).

When Gokul Gunasekaran was offered a full scholarship for a graduate program in electrical engineering at Stanford University, he saw it as the chance of a lifetime.

He had grown up in Chennai, India, and had a solid job offer with a large oil company after getting his undergraduate degree. He came to America instead, got the Stanford degree and now works as an engineer at a data science startup in Silicon Valley.

But for the past five years, he has been waiting for a green card that would give him full legal rights as a permanent resident. In the meantime, he is in a holding pattern on an H-1B visa, which permits him to live and work in the United States but does not allow him easily to switch jobs or start his own company.

“It was a no-brainer when I came to this country, but now I’m kind of regretting taking that scholarship,” said Gunasekaran, 29, who is also vice president with a non-profit group called Immigration Voice that represents immigrants waiting for green cards.

Guru Harihara, the CEO of startup Boomerang Commerce, discusses business issues with director of finance Jaya Jaware at the company’s headquarters in Mountain View, California, April 21 (Photo: Reuters).

Immigration Voice estimates there are some 1.5 million H-1B visa holders in the country waiting for green cards, many of whom are from India and have been waiting for more than a decade.

Many of these immigrants welcomed President Donald Trump’s executive order last week to the federal departments overseeing the program to review it, a move that may lead to H-1B visas being awarded to the highest-paying, highest-skilled jobs rather than through a random lottery.

Their hope is that merit-based H-1Bs might then lead to merit-based green cards.

“I think less random is great,” said Guru Hariharan, the CEO and founder of Boomerang Commerce, an e-commerce startup. Hariharan, who was previously an executive at Amazon.com Inc and eBay Inc, spent 10 years waiting for his green card and started his own company as soon as he got it.

Green cards can be a path to naturalization and Hariharan expects to become a U.S. citizen soon.

H-1B visas are aimed at foreign nationals in occupations that generally require specialised knowledge, such as science, engineering or computer programming. The U.S. government uses a lottery to award 65,000 such visas yearly and randomly distributes another 20,000 to graduate student workers.

‘Indentured Servants’

The H-1B and the green card system are technically separate, but many immigrants from India see them as intimately connected. The number of green cards that can go to people born in each country is capped at a few percent of the total, without regard to how large or small the country’s population is. There is a big backlog of Indian-born people in the line, given the size of India’s population – 1.3 billion – and the number of its natives in the United States waiting for green cards.

That leaves many of those immigrants stuck on H-1B visas while they wait, which they say makes them almost like “indentured servants,” said Gaurav Mehta, an H-1B holder who works in the financial industry.

Mehta has a U.S.-born son, but he could be forced to take his family back to India at any time if he loses his job and cannot find another quickly. “He’s never been to my country,” Mehta said of his son. “But we’ll have no choice if we have to go. Nobody likes to live in constant fear.”

The H-1B visa is tied to a specific employer, who must apply for the visa and sponsor the employee for a specific job laid out in the visa application. To switch employers, the visa holder must secure their paperwork from their current employer and find another employer willing to take over their visa.

Some H-1B holders suspect that employers purposely seek out Indian immigrants because they know they will end up waiting for green cards and will be afraid to leave their employers.

But changing the green card system away from country caps to a merit-based system would require an act of Congress. Some executives also worry that allocating H-1Bs and green cards based on salary – while it would be done to counter the argument that immigrants undercut American workers – would hurt startups that cannot afford high wages.

In the meantime, H-1B holders like Nitin Pachisia, founding partner of a venture capital firm called Unshackled Ventures, are taking more practical measures. His firm specializes in taking care of the legal paperwork so that H-1B holders can start their own companies, a process that is possible but tricky.

Pachisia is hopeful that changes to the H-1B visa program could revive interest in making the entire system, from H-1B visas to green cards and eventual citizenship, more merit-based and focused on immigrants who are likely to start companies and create jobs.

“If the purpose of our high-skilled immigration program is to bring in the most talented people, let’s use that as a lens. From that perspective, it’s a good thing we can focus on the most talented, and I’d say most entrepreneurial, people,” he said.

REUTERS

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Dr. Sudhir Parikh, publisher of News India Times and recipient of India’s Padma Shri award, introduces Zifiti, an online shopping website for all things Indian at the Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce in Edison, N.J., April 26. Zifiti.com is a venture launched by Parikh, along with Shinu Gupta and Kurt Olender.

NEW YORK

An introduction to the fast growing Zifiti (www.zifiti.com), a marketplace platform that allows retailers and wholesalers to reach the over three million U.S.-based Indian Diaspora to sell anything from groceries, apparel, jewelry and furniture, as well as restaurant prepared meals for local pickup or delivery, was held at the Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce, Edison, New Jersey, on April 26.

Shinu Gupta of Zifiti.com during a Q&A session at the April 26 meeting.

Zifiti.com is a venture launched by the trio of Shinu Gupta, Dr. Sudhir Parikh and Kurt Olender.

Kurt Olender of Zifiti.com talks about the new venture.

Gupta is a successful serial entrepreneur and former Wall Street executive who has been on the forefront of ecommerce and business automation since the earliest days of the commercial Internet.

Dr. Parikh is the owner of Parikh Worldwide Media – the largest Indian- American media publishing house in North America (which also brings out News India Times and Desi Talk newspapers). Olender is a renowned corporate attorney who has represented hundreds of startups and late stage companies from inception through successful sale and owns and operates a number of companies in addition to his law firm.

Guests at the AICC event.

The mission of Zifiti is to bring marketers of Indian products in the U.S. and those dealing in high-end products from India to a one-stop shopping mall online. Products available would range, eventually, to even cars and homes. It would give flexibility to manufacturers and sellers, and enable free shipping from India to the United States and within North America.

Olander, Dr. Parikh and Gupta with guests.

“We want to reach out to the constantly expanding Indian and South Asian diaspora in the Western Hemisphere, and the South Asian Subcontinent with everything they need,” said Dr. Parikh, recipient of India’s Padma Shri award, earlier. “We want them to take advantage of our platform. And we want to provide at home that we like to buy when we visit India.”

Zifiti is focusing initially on the $1 billion dollar Indian grocery and food market. It is already online with a Wisconsin-based partner “IShopIndian,” and expects to sign on multiple food sellers in the near future, Gupta said.

In his presentation at the introduction, Gupta explained that Zifiti was an excellent way to promote products and services to the three million Indians living in the U.S., and be a part of $1 billion Indian grocery market in the U.S.

Gupta explained that Zifiti came up with the numbers going by the fact that there are one million Indian households, and each household if they were to spend just $25 per week on Indian groceries, would constitute that $1 billion market.

ZiFiti takes 10 percent commission on any product which is sold on the site, with the seller receiving 90 percent of the transaction price.

There was great advertising opportunities for sellers, he said, adding that in the future there would be food delivery service too – an “UberEats” / “GrubHub” for Indian Restaurants’ as well as fresh ingredient and recipe delivery service – a “Blue Apron” to cook Indian meals at home with everything you need.

Plans also include attracting those interested in South Asian cuisine – how-to cook, where to get the ingredients, demonstrations by famous chefs, cooking shows, among others.

In an interview to News India Times, Gupta said that he was confident Zifiti would be a hit with both sellers and buyers, in the US.

“There are not too many players out there, as far as competition is concerned. The question we have tried to solve, is, how do you bring everyone together, for Indian products, buyers and sellers. The big stores who sell Indian groceries are only in the traditional business, they are not in e-commerce,” said Gupta.

Asked how he planned to penetrate markets where there are Indian stores for consumers to frequent, Gupta cited the example of Home Depot, located approximately every five miles across the U.S. According to him, that didn’t stop people from going online to buy similar products as those sold at Home Depot.

“It’s a matter of convenience, and the question of how many people enjoy doing groceries. If one can get the same products for the same price, then they will see the value of Zifiti,” said Gupta, adding that even in a place like Jersey City, there are certain locations, like the financial district, where there’s a lack of Indian stores nearby.

Gupta also revealed that Zifiti plans to go global in the future, to places where there is a large concentration of Indian Diaspora.

“We have plans to launch in other countries, like Australia, Middle East, and others,” he said.

Gupta also said that he plans to convince the 20,000 sellers from India on Amazon India, to get on board on Zifiti.

“People don’t think of buying Haldiram Bhujiya on Amazon,” said Gupta. “That’s where Zifiti comes in.”

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Dr. Devendra Patel

Despite facing several odds all through medical school, Gujarat resident Dr. Devendra Patel has come a long way.

From a middle class farming community of Bhadran to medical school and then further studies in the U.K. and a job in the U.S., Patel has indeed come a long way.

Recognizing his contributions in the field of onclogy, Patel, 84, was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian award.

After completing his MS from Gujarat University in 1959, Patel went to the UK in 1960 with a Fellowship to the Royal College of Surgeons and got a FRCS dgree from England. He then came to the U.S. and worked as a Senior Surgical Fellow at the Lahey Clinic in Boston, Mass., for two years.

He returned to Ahmedabad in 1966 and joined the M.P. Shah Cancer Hospital in May 1966. He worked at the hospital till 2003, rising through the ranks and helming various positions including chief surgical oncologist, deputy director and director of the institute. During his service, Patel performed more than 30,000 procedures. During his period he published about 130 scientific papers and attended several conferences and panel discussions and symposiums both nationally and internationally.

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The Government of Grenada officially declared May 1, as Indian Arrival Day, the day when Grenadians of Indian descent will officially celebrate the arrival of their ancestors to the island.

This year marks 160 years since the first Indians arrived from Calcutta, aboard the SS Maidstone which anchored at Irwin Bay in Saint Patrick on May 1, 1857. The total number of Indian laborers from India to Grenada during the period of Indian indentureship is approximately 3,200.

Organizations in the Indian diaspora welcomed the decision. “We welcome this official declaration by the Government of Grenada and express IDC’s gratitude to Shadel Nyack Compton for her determination and efforts to preserve and promote Indian history and culture in Grenada”, declared Ashook Ramsaran, president of the New York-based Indian Diaspora Council.

“This is long awaited and we are excited about all Grenadians annually honoring the arrival of our forebears from India. We in Grenada happily join with Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, St. Vincent, Guadeloupe, Mauritius, Fiji, South Africa and other countries in commemorating Indian Arrival Day, said Shadel Nyack Compton, Managing Director of Belmont Estate, President of the Indo Grenadian Heritage Foundation and Indian Diaspora Council (IDC) Coordinator, Grenada.

Indian Arrival Day will be celebrated in conjunction with Labor Day and added to Grenada’s list of Bank Holidays. The centenary celebration took place in 1957. In 2009, the government declared May 1, as Indian Arrival Day in conjunction with Labour Day.

The Indo Grenada Heritage Foundation was instrumental in getting official recognition for Indian Arrival Day and has installed a plaque at Irwin Bay in St Patrick to commemorate the day. The day has already become an annual celebration.

Last week, Grenada’s Minister of Culture, Senator Brenda Hood revealed the Government’s decision to officially declare May 1, as Indian Arrival Day. Senator Ray Roberts, representative of the Trade Unions Council (TUC) applauded the contributions of the Indian and Indo-Grenadian communities to Grenadian society. Roberts, on behalf of the TUC, said that they welcome the joint celebrations, fully accepted this decision and commended the Government for this move.

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Mumbai: Actress Vidya Balan during the unveiling of fashion designer Gaurang Shah’s summer collection in Mumbai on Feb 17, 2016 (Photo: IANS)

NEW DELHI

Designer Gaurang Shah, who has styled the likes of Sharmila Tagore and Vidya Balan, has come up with Dupatta Festival to celebrate the art of this ensemble. He says that handwoven dupattas have become a staple in a woman’s wardrobe.

“A dupatta is one of the most versatile garment that can be paired and styled as per ones persona. One could go fusion, traditional, dress it up or dress it down. It is perfect for a office conference or a cocktail party,” he told IANS.

“Handwoven dupattas have become a staple in a woman’s wardrobe. A Maheshwari printed dupatta, a patan patola, a kota, khadi jamdani, paithani, kanjeevaram, chikankari, parsigara, kalamkari are some of the handwoven dupattas that are in trend,” he added.

Some of the range that Shah has created for the festival are Patan Patola, Khadi Jamdani, Kota,Benarasi, Paithani, Kanjeevaram and Maheswari.

He has even created a handcrafted fusion and some of the pieces that will part of that section will be a Chikankari dupatta with woven Patan Patola, or Chikankari with Parsi Gara embroidery. Handpainted Kalamkari in soothing colours like natural green, indigo blues, rust and textures with cotton, organza, khadi and enhanced with chikankari and more!

The designer feels that duppata is perfect for any occasion.

“For a day out, at work or a casual look, one can pair dupattas with tops, kurtas, crop tops and play with drapes to make it fusion,” he said.

The three- day Dupatta Festival will place at at his Flagship store, here from Thursday.

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Sundar Pichai

NEW YORK: Indian American Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, got nearly $199.7 million in compensation in 2016, double the amount he made in 2015, according to a filing Friday from Google’s parent company, Alphabet.

Pichai’s base pay was a ‘pittance’, only $650,000. However, the real moolah was in the form of stock award for $198.7 million.

Pichai’s net worth as of December, 2015 was $650 million. He is an alum of IIT Kharagpur, Stanford University and Wharton School of Business.

Pichai, a longtime Google executive, took over as CEO as part of a corporate restructuring in 2015. Google has boosted sales from its core advertising and YouTube business, while also investing in machine learning, hardware and cloud computing, under Pichai’s leadership, reported CNN.

In 2016, Google unveiled new smartphones, a virtual reality headset, a router, and a voice controlled smart speaker similar to the Amazon Echo.

Google’s “other revenues,” a category that includes hardware and cloud services, hit nearly $3.1 billion in the most recent quarter, a gain of about 50% from the same quarter a year earlier.

Alphabet’s stock has soared this year, pushing it above a $600 billion market cap this week for the first time, reported CNN.

Pichai, an avid fan of cricket and soccer, has come a long way from his early days in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, where he grew up in a two-room apartment. He now lives in Los Altos Hills, in a home designed by Robert Swatt.

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Sachin Varghese, 35, Atlanta attorney declares intent to run for Georgia State House from District 89. (Pboto courtesy Sachin Varghese)

An Indian-American attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia, has begun planning a run for the State House and has already garnered some significant endorsements from state Democrats.

Sachin Varghese, 35, has filed the necessary papers for a run for the George State House from District 89. Whether he becomes a contender depends on the current incumbent choosing to run for higher office. House Minority Leader and State Representative Stacey Abrams, is according to news reports, expected to enter the gubernatorial race, and may make an announcement to that effect over the next month.

A graduate of the University of Georgia, with a law degree from UG Law School, Varghese has worked on issues which he is passionate about, he told News India Times. He already has a campaign manager and advisors, as well as a website sachinforgeorgia.com. Several volunteers including some Indian-Americans want to work on his campaign, and he expects more high profile endorsements, in the near future.

Varghese represented the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials, and others, working with civil rights leader and Congressman John Lewis, D-Georgia; State Rep. Abrams, and State Senator Elena Parent in challenging redistricting in 2011.

“Sachin will be a strong advocate for District 89 and all Georgians, and that’s why I’m supporting his candidacy if Leader Abrams seeks another office,” Rep. Holcomb is quoted saying in a press release from Varghese’s campaign. “I’ve known him for a long time. He’s smart, has common sense, and works really hard. He will do a terrific job representing his community at the Gold Dome and I encourage everyone to support him.”

“I was Chairman of the Black Caucus when Sachin represented us, and I witnessed first-hand his commitment to fighting injustice,” said Sen. Emanuel Jones. “He will be a passionate and able advocate for DeKalb residents at the Capitol and that is why I wholeheartedly support him should Leader Abrams offer herself for higher office.”

District 89 is a safe Democratic district that Abrams has represented for 12 years. If she leaves office, the Governor will have to call a special election to fill  the remainder of her term. The winner has to get more than 50 percent of the vote, or the two top vote-getters go into a runoff election.

While Varghese is currently the only candidate who has declared his intent, it’s entirely possible he may face one or more opponents. The Democratic primary is scheduled for May 2018. So Varghese has a few hoops to jump.

Sachin Varghese, Atlanta attorney who announced his intent to run for the Georgia State House from District 89, with his wife Serena and daughter Dahlia and son Omar. (Photo courtesy Sachin Varghese)

He told News India Times estimates the race for the 89th District seat could cost upward of $200,000. “We have already raised $65,000 in the first three days ,” Varghese said.

He is reluctant to describe himself as a “political activist.”

“I have worked on issues I am passionate about through my profession,” he said. “One of the reasons I am running is because I want to be able to fight for all those issues — such as against discrimination and for criminal justice reform, at the state level,” he added.

Reflecting on his own journey, coming to this country as a child, being fortunate to have lived the American Dream, Varghese said, “One of the primary drivers of why I am running is I don’t think we do a good enough job of providing opportunities to large segments of our population. I hope to do that,” Varghese said.

Varghese was born in Mavelikara, Kerala, and came with his mother when he was one and a half years old. His father joined them later, studied engineering, and ended up working at the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management. Varghese was brought up largely in Norcross, Georgia, attending public schools. For the last 9 years, he has been living in Atlanta.  Apart from his law degree, Varghese also has a Masters in Public Administration. He is also a cancer survivor. Varghese is married to Serena. The couple has two children, Dahlia and Omar.

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Hasan Minhaj

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump wasn’t there to roast in person at the White House correspondents’ dinner. But that didn’t stop the evening’s entertainer, Hasan Minhaj. The comedian said at one point that he was told not to go after the president (though White House Correspondents’ Association President Jeff Mason appeared to deny this in an audible aside from the stage). There were plenty of jokes about Trump and his administration – and more than a few at the media’s expense as well.

Here are some of the harshest jokes from Minhaj’s speech.

— “I would say it is an honor to be here, but that would be an alternative fact. It is not. No one wanted to do this. So of course it lands in the hands of an immigrant.”

— “Don Rickles died just so you wouldn’t ask him to do this gig, alright? RIP to Don Rickles, the only Donald with skin thick enough to take a joke like that.”

— “A lot of people in the media say that Donald Trump goes golfing too much … which raises a very important question: Why do you care? Do you want to know what he’s not doing when he’s golfing? Being president. Let the man putt-putt! … The longer you keep him distracted, the longer we’re not at war with North Korea.”

— “We gotta address the elephant that’s not in the room. The leader of our country is not here. And that’s because he lives in Moscow, it is a very long flight. It’d be hard for Vlad to make it. Vlad can’t just make it on a Saturday! As for the other guy, I think he’s in Pennsylvania because he can’t take a joke.”

— “There was also another elephant in the room, but Donald Trump Jr. shot it and cut off its tail.”

— “Jeff Sessions couldn’t be here tonight, he was busy doing a pre-Civil War re-enactment. On his RSVP, he just wrote ‘NO.’ Just ‘no,’ which happens to be his second favorite n-word.”

— “Is Steve Bannon here? I do not see Steve Bannon. I do NOT see Steve Bannon. Not see Steve Bannon. Not-see Steve Bannon.”

— “Betsy DeVos couldn’t be here, she’s busy curating her collection of children’s tears.”

— “Fredrick Douglass isn’t here, and that’s because he’s dead. Someone please tell the president.”– “Mike Pence wanted to be here tonight, but his wife would not let him because apparently one of you ladies is ovulating. So good job, ladies. Because of you we couldn’t hang out with Mike Pence.”

— “Even Hillary Clinton couldn’t be here tonight. I mean, she could have been here, but I think someone told her the event was in Wisconsin and Michigan.”

— “(Sean Spicer) has been doing PR since 1999. He has been doing this job for 18 years. And somehow, after 18 years, his go-to move when you ask him a tough question is denying the Holocaust. That is insane! How many people do you know that can turn a press briefing into a full-on Mel Gibson traffic stop?”

— “Donald Trump is liar-in-chief. Remember, you guys are public enemy No. 1. You are his biggest enemy. Journalists, ISIS, normal-length ties.”

— “It is amazing to be among the greatest journalists in the world, and yet, when we all checked into the Hilton on Friday we all got a USA Today. Every time a USA Today slides underneath my door, it’s like they’re saying, ‘Hey, you’re not that smart, right?’ USA Today is what happens when the coupon section takes over the newspaper. Is this an article about global warming or 50 cents off Tide? Either way, the pictures are so pretty!”

— “The news coming out of the White House is so stressful, I’ve been watching ‘House of Cards’ just to relax. Oh man, a congressman pushed a journalist in front of a moving train? That’s quaint!”

— “Even if you guys groan, I’ve already hired Kellyanne Conway, she’s gonna go on TV on Monday and tell everybody I killed, so it really doesn’t matter.”

— (To the press) “Remember election night? That was your Steve Harvey/Miss Universe moment.”

— “It was all fun and games with Obama, right? You were covering an adult who could speak English. And now you’re covering President Trump, so you gotta take your game to a whole new level. It’s like if a bunch of stripper cops had to solve a real-life murder.”

— “Tonight is about defending the First Amendment and the free press, and I am truly honored to be here, even though all of Hollywood pulled out now that King Joffrey is president and it feels like the Red Wedding in here.”

— “We all know this administration likes deleting history faster than Anthony Weiner when he hears footsteps.”

— “(Donald Trump) tweets at 3 a.m. sober. Who is tweeting at 3 a.m. sober? Donald Trump, because it’s 10 a.m. in Russia. Those are business hours.”

— “This has been one of the strangest events I’ve ever done in my life. I’m being honest with you. I feel like I’m a tribute in ‘The Hunger Games.’ If this goes poorly, Steve Bannon gets to eat me.”

— “Fox News is here. I’m amazed you guys even showed up. How are you here in public? It’s hard to trust you guys when you backed a man like Bill O’Reilly for years. But it finally happened. Bill O’Reilly has been fired. But then, you gave him a 25-million-dollar severance package. Making it the only package he won’t force a woman to touch.”

— “I know some of you are wondering, Hasan, how do you know so much about Fox News? Well as a Muslim, I like to watch Fox News for the same reason I like to play Call of Duty. Sometimes, I like to turn my brain off and watch strangers insult my family and heritage.”

— “MSNBC is here tonight. And I’m glad you guys are here. That way if I’m bombing, Brian Williams will describe it as stunning.”

— “MSNBC. It’s hard to trust you guys when you send so many mixed messages. On the one hand you tell us the prison industrial complex is the problem, and then you air five straight hours of ‘Lockup.’ You can’t be mad at corporations profiting off of minorities in prison when you’re a corporation profiting off of minorities in prison.”

— “I had a lot more MSNBC jokes, but I don’t want to just ramble on, otherwise I might get a show on MSNBC.”

— “CNN is here, baby. You guys got some really weird trust issues with the public. I’m not going to call you fake news, but everything isn’t breaking news. You can’t go to DEFCON-1 just because Sanjay Gupta found a new moisturizer.”

— “All you guys do is stoke up conflict. Don, every time I watch your show it feels like I’m watching a reality TV show. ‘CNN Tonight’ should just be called ‘Wait a Second Now Hold On Stop Yelling At Each Other with Don Lemon.'”

— “You guys have to be more perfect now more than ever. Because you are how the president gets his news. Not from advisers, not from experts, not from intelligence agencies. You guys. So that’s why you gotta be on your A game. You gotta be twice as good. You can’t make any mistakes. Because when one of you messes up, he blames your entire group. And now you know what it feels like to be a minority.”

— (Later, addressed again to the media.) “By the way, you guys aren’t really minorities, you’re super white.”

— “It’s 11 p.m. In four hours, Donald Trump will be tweeting about how badly Nikki Minaj did at this dinner. And he’ll be doing it completely sober. And that’s his right. And I’m proud that all of us are here to defend that right, even if the man in the White House never would.”

(The Washington Post)

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A 29-year-old Indian American man was stripped of his US citizenship after being sentenced for more than five years in jail for conspiring to illegally distribute male enhancement pills imported from China.

Ismail Ali Khan was also convicted and sentenced for falsely stating that he was not a criminal on his application to become a naturalized US citizen, federal prosecutors said on Friday.

Prosecutors said Khan, a resident of Decatur in Georgia, and others illegaly imported pills from China containing an active ingredient in Viagra and distributed them throughout the US, Patch news portal reported.

He was part of a criminal export ring that hatched an elaborate scheme to import to the US, male enhancement pills with names such as “Maxman,” “Happy Passengers” from China.

The ring’s plot included mislabelling scores of drugs to evade detection by the Food and Drug Administration and US Customs and Border Protection.

The drugs were labelled as beauty products, pottery, coffee, and tea, federal prosecutors said.

Khan’s sentence would be followed by three years of supervised release, according to the report.

“This defendant endangered the health of countless individuals by illegally importing and distributing drugs that can be obtained in the US only with a prescription written by a licensed, medical professional,” US Attorney John Horn said.

“What’s more, this defendant became a naturalized US citizen by giving a false statement to the government about his criminal history, while he was engaged in this illicit drug scheme.

“Khan’s willful criminal pursuit earned him more than a prison sentence. It cost him his citizenship and deportation after prison,” the attorney said.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Steve C. Jones ordered that Khan’s status as a naturalized US citizen be revoked and his certificate of naturalization was declared void.

He also ordered that Khan be immediately deported to India once he completes his prison term. At that time, supervised release will not be enforced.

Khan filled out an application in 2013 to become a naturalized US citizen while the drug conspiracy was going on. He became a naturalized US citizen in March 2014.

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Multiple tornadoes ripped through a town in eastern Texas on Saturday evening, killing at least four people and injuring dozens of others, according to authorities, who warned the number of casualties could rise.

Three tornadoes were confirmed by the U.S. National Weather Service in Canton, a city about 60 miles (95 kilometers) east of Dallas.

“We have at least four fatalities,” Canton Mayor Lou Ann Everett said at a news conference on Sunday. “It is a very fluid situation and that could change later today.” Forty nine people had been treated for injuries, she said.

Earlier local media reports said five people had died, citing the Canton fire department.

Pictures and video posted online showed cars flipped over and two-story houses in the area all but destroyed.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott deployed a search and rescue team to the area.

Downpours that began on Friday were so intense the ground was unable to absorb the rainfall, making flooding highly likely, said meteorologist Kenneth James of the Weather Prediction Center, part of the National Weather Service.

More than six inches of rain fell in some areas, flooding roads and prompting evacuations, meteorologists said.

The governors of Missouri and Oklahoma declared states of emergency due to flooding.

In the St. Louis area, severe thunderstorms are forecast through Sunday. Some people were told to evacuate and 33 rescues were conducted, mostly in the state’s central and southwestern regions, Missouri Governor Eric Greitens said.

Parts of Indiana received up to 8 inches (20 cm) of rain while areas in Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas have been drenched with up to 4 inches (10 cm), James said.

Heavy rainfall in the Midwest was expected to continue on Sunday, along with wind gusts of 60 miles (95 km) per hour.

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(L to R, at the back): Pavan Lakade, Arun Ghatge, Julia Finn (MP- NSW), David (Principal WPS), Amit Tere, Neha Takale.

A group of migrant Maharashtrians, separated by some 10,000 km of oceans and nations, have joined hands to keep Marathi language, culture and traditions alive in faraway Australia.

The brainchild of the Marathi Association of Sydney Incorporated (MASI), the Australian Marathi Vidyalaya (AMV) was founded in 2008 with just a dozen-odd students grappling with the strange-sounding “foreign mother tongue” of their parents.

After the modest beginnings, the AMV has now grown into four flourishing centres for Marathi learning with around 150 students (40 per cent girls) in different age groups in Sydney and Wollongong, AMV President Arun Ghatge told IANS in a series of social media chats.

“These are essentially weekend schools, recognized and funded through grants from the New South Wales Department of Education and Training – – Community Language Programme (NSW-DET), and governed by their rules and regulations in all aspects,” Ghatge added.

These have proved to be a boon to the approximately 150,000-strong community of Maharashtrians, mostly first, second or even third generation migrants settled on the East Coast since decades.

Arriving in an alien land and to a different culture, many of the home-sick Maharashtrians took refuge by celebrating and enjoying festivals like Holi, Shiv Jayanti, Gudi Padva, Kojagiri Poornima, Diwali, Ganeshotsav and the like, besides holding small cultural gatherings and functions.

“However, the younger generations and those born in Australia were completely severed from their rich Maharashtrian and Indian cultural traditions… making us think of a formal approach integrated with their regular schooling, to imbibe the best of both worlds,” Ghatge said.

“The problems get compounded when grandparents visit them in Australia but simply can’t communicate with them and vice-versa, when the kids visit their homes in different parts of Maharashtra.

“Both ways, they seemed lost, and were virtually strangers under one roof. Now, we are creating a great link between our doting parents and their beloved grandchildren by breaking the language barrier,” said 45-year old Ghatge, who migrated in 2005.

The AMV launched the weekend schools, which are gaining popularity within the local community, not for “textbookish” knowledge, but using more of “learn thru fun” methodologies, and without disturbing or overburdening the children’s regular schooling in mainstream Australian schools.

“We charge them a nominal fee of 150 Australian dollars per annum, or roughly Rs 7,500, though the major portion of our expenses are covered by NSW-DET,” Ghatge explained.

The AMV team includes Ghatge, Vijaya Dhumal, Mangesh Chorat (all from Mumbai), Neha Takale, Ajay Deshmukh (Pune), Santosh Kashid (Nashik), Neera Godbole, Chitra Parab, Umesh Saraf, Amit Tere, Manoj Mali, Preeti Patki and other teaching, administration and library staff, from other parts of Maharashtra.

AMV is supported by around 25 regular and back-up teachers — trained and government-approved — at its centres in Western Sydney, South West Sydney Region, Wollongong and North Shore, and is a member of the umbrella organization for community languages in the Association of Illawarra Community Languages Schools Inc.

Currently, the students are taught their mother tongue from Kindergarten to Class VI, with the vision to expand up to Class XII, by when Ghatge hopes Marathi would be accorded the official status of a “foreign language” in mainstream schools, and which would be available to all Australians on the lines of French, German, Spanish and Chinese.

The AMV teaches the essentials of Marathi language — oral, written and communication skills — and provides insights into the relationship between language and culture; it explores Marathi with the correct application of linguistic structures and vocabulary, and develops the students’ knowledge and understanding of their cultural heritage in a foreign land, using selected prescribed Marathi textbooks and literature.

At the end of each year, the students undergo examinations and are awarded certificates based on their performances, an event at which many turn up in traditional Maharashtrian attire.

“The changes among the younger generation are obvious. Compared to many years ago, now when the grandparents and grandchildren meet either in Australia or India, they have an instant emotional connect because of Marathi… Many seniors visiting us from India are moved to tears hearing their Australian-born grandchildren conversing properly, though accented, in their mother tongue,” Ghatge added.

Interestingly, the Australian East Coast supports over 100 different cultural and linguistic groups from all over the world living harmoniously, including Indians. Besides Marathi, there are a handful of similar such schools for Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil and Kannada languages which impart education to children in their mother tongues and have proved equally popular.

“Now, the gen-next is able to better comprehend the rich culture, traditions, language, literature and legacy of their forefathers back in India — adhering to our motto ‘Language keeps you in touch with your culture’ strongly,” said Ghatge.

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At the start of Khalsa Day celebrations in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, April 30, a crowd of just hundreds seen here swelled within hours into tens of thousands of Sikhs and non-Sikhs from the Greater Toronto Area. (Photo: Aruna Dutt)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, lauding the contributions of the community, told thousands of Indo-Canadian Sikhs celebrating Khalsa Day April 30, that the country’s strength lay in its diversity.

On a cold and windy day, Nathan Philips Square, which houses City Hall, was transformed into a sea of colorful turbans and traditional Indian salwar-kameezes, when thousands of Sikh families gathered to see cultural programs and performances. At the same time, a mile-long parade walked 3 kilometers to come and join those already gathered in front of City Hall to swell crowds to more than 60,000 despite the weather.

“Canada is strong not despite its differences, but because of them,” Prime Minister Trudeau told the crowd which was still gathering. He has joked in the past that he had more Sikhs in his cabinet than Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India.

Numerous stalls served langar around the square, prepared by families and served by children and adults, to the Sikhs and curious non-Sikhs.

Ontario Provincial Police Officer I. Ghatti, at the Khalsa Day celebrations at City Hall, Toronto, waiting to set up the stall serving tea, samosas and laddoos. (Photo: Ela Dutt)

The parade has been an annual feature for decades, according to Ontario Police officer I. Ghatti, who told News India Times this was his 13th year attending it. He and some other Sikhs were busy putting up a stall to serve tea, samosas, and laddoos, which this correspondent enjoyed. “Usually the crowd is more than 70,000 in previous years,” but today is a cold day, Ghatti told News India Times, wondering if the crowds would be as large. Judging from the parade down University Avenue which converged at City Hall, it probably equaled past years. Next weekend, another parade will be held in Etobicoke, in North Toronto, which also promises to be a massive gathering.

Surinder Kaur and Sukhdev Singh Dhillon came from Brampton, a Toronto suburb, to attend the April 30 Khalsa Day parade at City Hall. (Photo: Aruna Dutt)

The values of Sikhs have contributed to the city of Toronto, said Mayor John Tory, and quoted a passage from Guru Arjun Singh. He read out a proclamation declaring the day Khalsa Day, marking the founding of the religion by Guru Gobind Singh. Toronto’s motto is “Diversity is our strength,” and it is considered a model city where all beliefs and faiths are accepted, Tory said.

Meanwhile, some major arteries of the city, like University Avenue, were closed to allow for the mile-long parade that walked for some 3 kms, to gather at City Hall. Among the banners held up by marchers was one that read, “Independence Punjab, Referendum 2020.”

Greater Toronto has one of the largest concentrations of Sikhs, though Vancouver in British Columbia takes first place, and the West Coast is where some of the earliest Sikhs came from then British India, to settle.

Surinder Kaur and Sukhdev Singh Dhillon who made Canada their home some 10 years ago, said they had driven from the suburb of Toronto for today’s parade. They have been attending it for the last 7 years, they said. “Sikh philosophy says  – do labor, remember God, and serve the neede,” Dhillon said, and that is what this gathering wanted all Canadians to see.

Organized by the Ontario Sikh and Gurdwara Council, the monies donated during the parade will be donated to Hospital for Sick Children or Sick Kids Hospital as it is popularly known. It is one of the premier health facilities dedicated to children, just a few blocks away from City Hall where Khalsa Day was celebrated.

A volunteer tied a turban on this correspondent as another unidentified volunteer took a picture.

A turban tying stall was busy with a long line. It included women and men, including this correspondent. “It makes you feel proud,” said the volunteer tying the turban on me. It sure did.

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Anil Vandavalli of Piscataway, N.J., whose backpack with a laptop computer, expensive headphones, and cash, was stolen as he jumped onto the Edison station train tracks to save a co-worker who fainted and fell 6 feet down. Madhuri Recherla was saved seconds before a train rode into the station by her three Indian-origin friends. (Photo: Gofundme.com/anil-vannavalli-appreciation-fund)

It seems good deeds do not go ill-rewarded after all these days. An Indian-origin man who jumped onto the tracks to save a co-worker who fainted, had his backpack stolen. But members of the public who read about the incident on the Edison Township Police Department Facebook site, are offering to buy him a replacement. And a Gofundme page has already been created to raise money for the victim of the robbery.

Police are looking for the person who stole the backpack of Anil Vannavalli, 34, who jumped onto the Edison train tracks with two other friends, to save co-worker Madhuri Recherla, 26, seconds before a train came into the station.

The Facebook site of the Edison Township Police Department details the events as they transpired on April 28 morning. Calling Vannavalli a “good Samaritan” police say the young man leaped onto the Central Avenue train station tracks to rescue the young woman had his backpack and laptop computer stolen while he helped her.

“This theft, perpetrated in the midst of such a selfless good deed, seems so very disgusting and outrageous,” Police Chief Thomas Bryan is quoted saying.

Recherla fainted a little after 7:40 a.m. off the platform onto the northbound tracks, according to Officer James Navas.

After Vannavalli jumped on to the tracks to carry Recherla to safety, someone stole his backpack which police said, contained his work ID, train tickets, a $700 laptop, $200 in cash, and some headphones.

Officers Navas and Lisa Cimmino arrived to help soon after and Recherla who was semi-conscious,  was taken to the Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center, in New Brunswick, for treatment.

The incident happened Friday, April 28 early morning as the friends, all of Indian descent, were waiting for a train to go to work.

Recherla is quoted in media reports saying she may have fainted as she had not eaten or drunk anything in her hurry to catch the train to get to work on time.

Vannavalli, a resident of Piscataway, in a television interview on News12, expressed surprise that someone would steal his backpack when he was trying to save a person’s life.

Recherla fell six feet off the platform before an oncoming train. She was taken to hospital after suffering a broken ankle and kneecap, according to news reports.

Comments on the Edison Police Facebook site show public anger over the incident, and even generosity.

A Margaret Ballewberrocales says, “That is the most horrible act I hope they catch the person who did such a thing.”

“Humanity at its best and worst,” says Keith Treich.

Nazeer Hussain Kizhakkedathu says, “If he is not getting his laptop back in reasonable time, I am willing to buy him a new laptop of his choice. His selfless act cannot go unrewarded.”

Another man, Patrick Amaral, says, “Nazeer… I will split the cost with you. Please message me.”

A Gofundme page has been created for Vannavalli (https://www.gofundme.com/anil-vannavalli-appreciation-fund) to help raise funds for his loss, with a goal or raising $2000. It shows $795 has been raised by May 1 morning, most of it from people of Indian origin.

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Kabir Sidhu, the US Junior Silver under-13 squash champion.

NEW YORK: Several Indian American students of Cedar Hill Prep School in Somerset, New Jersey, have excelled at various competitions, including Kabir Sidhu, who became the US Junior Silver under-13 squash champion.

During Spring Break, winners of the Cedar Hill Prep History Bee (grades 4 – 8) competed in the New York Regional History Bee Finals at Cedar Grove Memorial Middle School in Cedar Grove, NJ.  Ananya Gangavarapu, an 8th grader at Cedar Hill Prep School, won the championship for the Regional History Bee and will go on to compete in the national finals in Atlanta, Georgia, May 30th – June 3^rd, according to a press release.

Joining Ananya will be three other CHP students whose performance in the Regionals qualified them to participate in the National History Bee as a team of 4:  Vikram Renganathan, 4th grade; Anush Polamraju, 5th grade; and Nishta Gangedula, 8th grade.

In March, the Cedar Hill Prep Middle School Debate League became the 2017 Garden State Champions.

The Cedar Hill Prep Middle School Basketball Team were runners-up in the Fathers’ CYO Varsity League, Middle School Basketball Championship.

Cedar Hill Prep placed among the Top 3 Schools in the County for Math League.  Divleen Singh placed in the Top 5 percent in the County in AMC 8.  Ashwin Sanjay won Top 10 Students in the Regional Quiz Bowl.

Armaan Agrawal, CHP 4th grader, won 1st place in the Little Mozart’s Crescendo International Music Competition, held at Carnegie Hall.  This annual juried Music Competition is for children ages 3 – 14.

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