July 18, 2025 Friday India This Week 1 A We e kl y N e w s p a p e r Fe a tu r i ng New s an d Tren d s f ro m the In d ian Sub- Co n tinent Pub li s h ed From th e U S Ca pi ta l Web Site: WWW.Indiathisweek.us Volume 34 No. 29 Washington DC. Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800; 01-445-1868 E-Mail: indiathisweekads@gmail.com Friday July 18, 2025 “We’re going to have access into India”: Trump, as he announces trade deal with Indonesia Washington DC [US], July 16 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the United States is working on a deal that gives it access to the Indian markets. He also announced a new trade deal with Indonesia, after which the latter will face a reduced tariff rate of 19 per cent. Announcing progress on the India part, Trump stated, “We’re going to have access into India. And you have to understand, we had no access into any of these countries. Our people couldn’t go in. And now we’re getting access because of what we’re doing with the tariffs.” Trump said that the United States has reached a trade agreement with Indonesia after speaking with the country’s President Joko Widodo, also known as Prabowo Subianto, as per CNN. Hours after announcing the agreement on Truth Social, Trump told reporters that it calls for Indonesia not to charge any tariffs on American exports, while the US will impose a 19 per cent tariff on Indonesian exports. “So we made a deal with Indonesia. I spoke to their really great president, very popular, very strong, and smart. And we made the deal. We have full access to Indonesia… As you know, Indonesia is very strong in copper. But we have full access to everything. We will pay no tariffs,” he said. “So they are giving us access into IndoneTrump see page 6 Introducing your new summer look. Ends September 2 Experience Amazing ©2025 Lexus, a Division of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. Splashdown!: The Dragon has landed, Group Captain Shukla piloted Ax-4 mission back on Earth Houston [US], July 15 (ANI): SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft Grace successfully landed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on Tuesday, marking the safe return of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew, including pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS). The splashdown, confirmed by SpaceX, concludes a nearly 19-day mission aboard the ISS, fulfilling a significant milestone in Indo-US space cooperation. “Splashdown of Dragon confirmed – welcome back to Earth, @AstroPeggy, Shux, @astro_slawosz, and Tibi!” SpaceX posted on X. Earlier, SpaceX stated that preparations for splashdown were underway as the nosecone of the Dragon spacecraft Grace had been closed and secured for reentry. The company made the announcement in a post on X, marking the final stages of the crew’s return after almost 20 days in space. The re-entry occurred following the completion of the deorbit burn and the jettisoning of the trunk, as confirmed by SpaceX. “Dragon’s nosecone is closed and secured for reentry. Splashdown in ~26 minutes,” SpaceX noted. In another post, they added, “Dragon’s deorbit burn is complete and the trunk has been jettisoned.” The crew returned to Earth approximately 22.5 hours after departing the ISS. On Monday, the Ax-4 crew had successfully undocked and was making their way back to Earth, as observed by Axiom Space and NASA. In an informative Ax-4 Mission see page 6
July 18, 2025 Friday India This Week Ramchander Rao Appointed New BJP President For Telangana By Elisha B. Pulivarti I have had the privilege of knowing Sri Ramchander Rao for over 22 years. First introduced to me by Sri G. Kishan Reddy, I was immediately impressed by Ramchander Rao’s clarity of thought, calm composure, and unwavering dedication to principled leadership. Over the years, my admiration has only deepened as I observed his steadfast commitment to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the values it represents. Ramchander Rao’s political journey began in the vibrant halls of Osmania University, where he served as a dynamic student leader with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). His early activism laid the foundation for a life dedicated to public service and democratic engagement. In 1985, he began his legal practice in Hyderabad, quickly establishing himself as a highly respected lawyer. His legal acumen and dedication to justice earned him a seat on the Bar Council of In- dia in 2014. Beyond the courtroom, he played key roles within the BJP, serving as the party’s Chief S p o k e s p e rson and as General Secretary of the then-united Andhra Pradesh. Today, he stands among the most distinguished advocates in the High Court of Telangana. The BJP’s decision to appoint Ramchander Rao as the new State President for Telangana is not only bold but also profoundly wise. Among a pool of worthy contenders, the party has chosen a man who has not merely worked for the BJP—he has personified it. His life and career reflect the party’s ideological core, built on service, integrity, and nation-first values. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Ramchander Rao on this well-deserved appoint- ment. May your leadership spark a renewed spirit among young leaders—those who are guided by principles, anchored in democratic values, and committed to protecting pluralism, religious freedom, civil liberties, minority rights, and the well-being of the common citizen. Your journey is a beacon for those who believe in public service rooted in conscience, competence, and character. May your tenure bring strength and clarity to the party, unity to the people of Telangana, and honor to the cause of Indian democracy. Air India Plane Crash: International Pilots’ Group Cautions Against “Hasty Conclusions” on Preliminary Probe Report Montreal [Canada], July 15 (ANI): The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) has urged restraint and caution in interpreting the preliminary findings of the investigation into the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171, which claimed 260 lives last month. In a statement issued Monday, IFALPA emphasised that preliminary reports are designed to communicate factual data gathered in the early stages of an investigation and are not intended to offer definitive answers or assign blame. The federation specifically warned against media and social media speculation that could undermine the integrity of the ongoing probe. “IFALPA again cautions against hasty conclusions published by the media and social media based on this report,” the group said. “A Preliminary Report is merely the means of communication used for the prompt dissemination of data obtained during the early stages of the investigation and only contains factual information and an indication of the progress of the investigation. Any extrapolation of its content can only be regarded as guesswork, which is not helpful to the good conduct of the investigation.” The federation also noted that the Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which released the report on July 11, clearly stated that no safety recommendations are being made at this stage. IFALPA reiterated its support for AAIB’s ongoing investigation, calling for professionalism and respect for the victims, including the families of the 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 people on the ground who perished. “The victims, including the families of the crew and passengers of Air India 171, deserve our collective professionalism while the full investigation is conducted,” the statement added. Representing over 148,000 pilots across nearly 100 countries, IFALPA serves as the global voice of professional pilots and advocates for the highest standards of aviation safety. The cautionary note comes days after India’s AAIB released its preliminary findings on the June 12 crash of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. According to the report, both fuel cutoff switches for the GE GEnx1B engines moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” within one second of each other during initial climb — approximately 30 seconds after reaching a maximum airspeed of 180 knots indicated airspeed — leading to a catastrophic loss of thrust. The AAIB found no evidence of mechanical failure, design flaw, bird strike, or fuel contamination. Fuel samples tested satisfactory, and the engines and airframe were found to be in normal condition prior to takeoff. The tragedy has sparked widespread concern and debate about possible human factors, training, or procedural lapses, though investigators stressed that it is too early to draw conclusions. IFALPA underscored the importance of allowing a “thorough and professional investigation” to uncover all contributing factors before assigning responsibility or making policy recommendations. (ANI)
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India This Week July 18, 2025 Friday Seelampur Building Key India-US Talks on Collapse: Death Toll Rises GE-414 Engine Deal, Pact to 6, Eight Injured; Rescue Likely by End of Fiscal Year Operations Continue New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): A three-storey building collapsed in Delhi’s Seelampur area early Saturday morning, killing six people and injuring eight others, including a 14-month-old child. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities fear a few more people may still be trapped under the rubble. The incident occurred around 7 a.m. in Gali Number 5 of Janata Colony, under the jurisdiction of Welcome Police Station in North-East Delhi. According to officials, the deceased include Matloob (50), his wife Rabia (46), their sons Javed (23) and Abdulla (15), Zubia (27), wife of Azam, and a two-year-old girl, Fozia. The bodies have been shifted to GTB Hospital. Eight injured persons have been rescued so far and are receiving treatment. Police said all previously reported missing have been accounted for, though debris is still being cleared to ensure no one remains trapped. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (North-East) Sandeep Lamba told ANI, “We received a call around 7:30 a.m. about the collapse. So far, seven members of a family have been rescued alive. Around 3–4 more people are feared trapped. Police, NDRF, civil defence teams, and locals are working together on the spot. The contribution of local residents in rescue efforts has been commendable.” Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra, visiting the site, sharply criticised the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, blaming what he described as corruption under former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Minister Gopal Rai for the unsafe conditions that led to the collapse. This tragedy comes just a day after another building collapsed in the Pul Mithai area near Bara Hindu Rao in North Delhi, killing one person and injuring several oth- ers. That structure housed commercial shops on the ground floor and storage units above, raising concerns over illegal construction and weak enforcement of building safety norms. Rescue operations in Seelampur continue as officials work to secure the site and assist affected families. (ANI) New Delhi [India], July 16 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Tuesday, seeking central support for the repair and reconstruction of roads damaged by recent flash floods in the state. During the meeting, CM Sukhu briefed Minister Gadkari on the widespread devastation caused by the floods and requested assistance for the rebuilding of affected infrastructure. He also urged the inclusion of several roads under the PM Gati Shakti Yojana and highlighted delays in ongoing National Highway projects. The Chief Minister appealed for the early resolution of these delays and the prompt initiation of stalled construction work. CM Sukhu emphasized the need for tunneling in National Highway projects to ensure long-term resilience and discussed roads of strategic importance that had already been raised with the Defence Ministry, urging swift action on those as well. He further requested the sanctioning of additional ropeway projects to ease traffic congestion in the hilly state. In response, Union Minister Gadkari assured the Chief Minister of all possible assistance and directed officials to take the necessary steps. The meeting was attended by MLA Sunder Singh Thakur, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Secretary PWD Abhishek Jain, Principal Resident Commissioner Sushil Kumar Singla, and senior officers from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry. Earlier the same day, CM Sukhu also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and informed him that the state had already incurred damages worth approximately Rs.1,000 crore due to flash floods and cloudbursts, despite the monsoon season just beginning. According to an official release, the Chief Minister reported loss of life and extensive damage to key infrastructure such as roads, bridges, buildings, irrigation systems, water supply, and electric- By Ajit Dubey New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): Crucial commercial negotiations between India and the United States for GE-414 jet engines are underway and are expected to con- clude by March 2026, defence officials confirmed. “We anticipate signing the GE-414 engine deal by the end of this financial year,” officials said. The engines are integral to the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 2 project, which is slated ity networks. He sought liberal financial support from the Central Government for relief and restoration work. CM Sukhu noted that natural disasters have become a recurring challenge for Himachal Pradesh since 2023, with cumulative losses amounting to nearlyRs.21,000 crore over the past three years. While the state government continues to provide aid through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), the Chief Minister expressed concern that the state’s limited resources are insufficient to meet the growing demand for restoration and rebuilding efforts. Himachal CM Sukhu Meets Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Seeks Support for Road Repair and Reconstruction for induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF) within the next four years. The agreement, pending for a considerable time, involves discussions between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and GE Aerospace to manufacture the engines in India. Meanwhile, India received its second GE404 engine from the US on Monday for the LCA Mark 1A fighter jet programme, officials added. The engine was received by HAL, which is expected to receive 12 more GE-404 engines by the end of the fiscal year. These engines will be installed on LCA Mark 1A aircraft. The engine deliveries had been delayed by over a year due to supply chain issues faced by the American manufacturer. The IAF has ordered 83 LCA Mark 1A fighter jets, with a proposal to procure 97 additional aircraft now at an advanced stage following Defence Ministry approval. Earlier this year, GE Aerospace delivered the first of 99 F404-IN20 engines to HAL for the LCA Mk 1A jets. HAL plans to integrate the engines and deliver over 10 aircraft to the IAF soon. Recently, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, PK Misra, visited HAL’s Bengaluru facilities to review both the LCA Mark 2 and Mark 1A programmes. The Mark 2 is expected to eventually replace older fleets such as the Mirage 2000, Jaguar, and MiG-29 around 2035. India plans to build over 400 indigenous LCA aircraft over the next decade using variants of the American GE engine. (ANI)
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July 18, 2025 Friday India This Week Splashdown!: The Smiling ‘Shux’ Egresses “We’re going to have access into Dragon has landed, Dragon Spacecraft After Group Captain India”: Trump, Successful Mission as he announces Shukla piloted Ax-4 trade deal with mission back on Earth Trump from page 1 sia, which we never had. That’s probably the biggest part of the deal. And the other part is that they are going to pay 19 per cent, and we are going to pay nothing. I think it’s a good deal for both parties. But we will have full access into Indonesia. And we have a couple of those deals that are going to be announced,” the US President added. Further, Trump emphasised that “Indonesia has some great products, and they also have some very valuable earths and various other materials, and they’re known for is very high-quality copper, which the US will be using.” In a subsequent post on Truth Social, he said the agreement was “finalised.” However, the Indonesian government had yet to make any similar announcements on its end, as of Tuesday afternoon. According to CNN, Indonesia shipped USD 20 million worth of copper to the US last year, according to US Commerce Department data, that’s far behind top suppliers Chile and Canada, which sent USD 6 billion and USD 4 billion worth of the metal to the US last year. (ANI) The Poetic Pen INDIA THIS WEEK- July 18, 2025 When Hatred Drives Your Goal! Ax 4 Mission from page 1 blog detailing mission updates, NASA reported that the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft undocked at 7:15 am EDT (4:45 pm IST) from the space-facing port of the International Space Station’s Harmony module, completing the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory — Axiom Mission 4. Axiom Space, in a live session on X, highlighted that the Axiom-4 mission included over 60 scientific studies and more than 20 outreach events. The Ax-4 crew comprised Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Slawosz “Suave” Uznan- ski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) astronaut Tibor Kapu. They were actively engaged in research and outreach activities aboard the ISS during their 18-day stay. According to NASA, the Dragon spacecraft returned to Earth with more than 580 pounds of cargo, including NASA hardware and data from over 60 experiments conducted during the mission. Axiom Mission 4 was launched on June 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:05 pm IST, ahead of schedule, connecting to the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module. (ANI) INDIA THIS WEEK When hatred drives your goal— Hatred for everything around you, Hatred for your country, For your people and all fellowmen— Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 www.indiathisweek.online It will deter your progress, Creating an enemy from within. Not another, but yourself Will become your greatest foe. Views expressed in this paper are those of the individual writers and not necessarily of India This Week. India This Week accepts no liability for the errors in advertisements or in any of its reports. For remedial actions any errors should be brought to the attention of the editor by the information provided below. Who needs enemies when you Have vowed to self-destruct— Though not by design, but by your failure To tame the beast called hatred— Which knows no modesty or virtue, But resides within and consumes its host. Like the Stuxnet virus once unleashed, You may not realize it—until you explode. Feeding the beast to gratify your demon Is not wise, nor will it yield Virtuous reward, even if your plot succeeds; You will be consigned to a fate far worse. “Love your enemies... and your neighbor As yourself,” is what Jesus said. And indeed, If you choose to let love displace the hatred in you, Tranquility and bliss will be your share. by Rajan George India This Week is published every Friday by ADV Solutions Inc, Publisher: Dr. Babu Stephen Chief Editor: Rajan George Contributing Editors: Saju Mathew Isaac George Asst. Editors: Manu Jacob Sherena Panjikkaran Special Business Correspondent Elisha B. Pulivarti Business Coordinators Rajan C. George Jithu Johny Panjikkaran Dr. Renuka Misra, Special Correspondent: Geeta Goindi Community Coordinator: Prof. Vinod Goel India Office Manesh Krishna Columnists: Anadi Naik World Religions Dr. Sam Prasad Jillella Photo Journalist: Mathew Karmel, System Admn. & Maintenance: Rajan C. George Layout & Graphics: Prinston Samuel, Business Affairs: Mrs. Molly George CALL US • 301-445-0200 • 301-917-4800 e-Mails: Advertisements: indiathisweekads@gmail.com Press Releases: indiathisweekpress@yahoo.com Web: www.indiathisweek.online Houston [US], July 15 (ANI): Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, affectionately known as ‘Shux,’ waved to the cameras with a bright smile as he stepped out of the Dragon spacecraft on Tuesday, marking the completion of his historic mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Piloting the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft Grace, Shukla safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast after nearly 19 days in space. The mission, Axiom-4 (Ax-4), was hailed as a significant milestone in Indo-US space cooperation and India’s journey toward its own human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan. Welcoming Shukla’s return, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian Air Force officer and ISRO astronaut, saying he had “inspired a billion dreams through his dedication.” Modi called the achievement a proud moment for India and a step forward in the nation’s aspirations for human space exploration. The successful splashdown was confirmed by SpaceX, concluding an 18-day stay aboard the ISS. The Grace spacecraft carried back to Earth the Ax-4 crew, which included Commander Peggy Whitson, ESA project astronaut Slawosz “Suave” Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and HUNOR astronaut Tibor Kapu of Hungary, along with Shukla. SpaceX kept space enthusiasts updated throughout reentry, Remember: announcing the key milestones of the deorbit burn, jettisoning of the trunk, and the closing and securing of Dragon’s nosecone before reentry. “Dragon’s deorbit burn is complete and the trunk has been jettisoned,” SpaceX posted on X. Later, it confirmed the crew’s safe landing approximately 22.5 hours after undocking. NASA, in its mission update blog, confirmed the undocking of Grace from the ISS at 7:15 am EDT (4:45 pm IST) Monday from the space-facing port of the Harmony module, wrapping up Axiom’s fourth private astronaut mission to the station. During their time on the ISS, the Ax-4 crew conducted over 60 scientific experiments and participated in more than 20 outreach events, as noted by Axiom Space. NASA reported that the Dragon returned to Earth with more than 580 pounds of cargo, including hardware and experiment data collected during the mission. The mission began on June 25, when the crew launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Dragon docked with the ISS a day later, connecting to the Harmony module ahead of schedule. For India, Shukla’s participation in the mission represents another milestone as ISRO continues preparations for its Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, aimed at sending Indian astronauts to space aboard indigenous spacecraft. “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ” Jesus Christ
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July 18, 2025 Friday India This Week Grand Mufti ‘In Talks with Yemen Scholars,’ Urges Release of Nimisha Priya as Execution Postponed Kozhikode (Kerala) [India], July 15 (ANI): The Grand Mufti of India, Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad Kanthapuram, said he has appealed to Yemeni scholars to secure the release of Nimisha Priya, the 37-yearold Kerala nurse convicted of murder and facing execution in Yemen. Following his intervention, the Grand Mufti claimed, news of her execution being postponed emerged. Speaking to ANI, Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad said he invoked the Islamic principle of Diyaat (compensation in lieu of execution) and requested the Yemeni authorities to accept the compensation offer from Priya’s family. “In Islam, instead of killing, there is also a practice of giving Diyaat (compensation). I requested them to accept Diyaat, as the party here is ready for it. Talks are still ongoing about whether my request will be accepted. The date of execution was tomorrow, but it has now been postponed for some days,” he said. The Grand Mufti stressed that his appeal was made on humanitarian grounds and not based on religious identity. “We have demanded this as human beings. If such a demand is accepted, then it will be very easy for Muslims in India. Muslims and Hindus all live on the same platform here,” he said. Congress leader K.C. Venugopal also welcomed the postponement, crediting all those who intervened to save Priya’s life. “We got the information that Nimisha Priya’s death sentence has been postponed. We all requested the Central government to intervene in the matter, but we got the information that Grand Mufti Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad Kanthapuram has intervened. Whoever is involved in saving the human life of the woman from Kerala is appreciated,” Venugopal told ANI. Sources earlier told ANI that the postponement followed “concerted efforts” by the Government of India, which has been in regular contact with Yemeni jail authorities and the prosecutor’s office to seek a resolution. The execution was originally scheduled for July 16, and the reprieve now gives Priya’s family more time to negotiate an agreement. “In the case of Ms. Nimisha Priya, it has been learnt that the local authorities in Yemen have postponed the execution scheduled for July 16, 2025,” sources said. On Monday, India’s Attorney General told the Supreme Court that the government is making every possible effort to help Priya, including ongoing discussions with Yemeni authorities and the public prosecutor to secure a suspension of her execution until negotiations over compensation can take Washington, DC place. [US], July 15 (ANI): An Indian charitable organisation has dispatched artificial limbs to Trinidad & Tobago, fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent announcement during his visit to the Caribbean nation. Jaipur Foot USA, the US arm of Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), confirmed it has sent materials for over 800 artificial limbs to support a humanitarian camp in Trinidad & Tobago. The initiative was announced by PM Modi during his address to a joint session of the Trinidad & Tobago Parliament, which organisers have hailed as a “historic” moment in bilatprogram has already reg- eral relations. istered over one million According to the enrollments thanks to the charity, a team of 8–10 techLA28 and International nical experts from BMVSS Olympic Committee’s sup- will soon arrive in Trinidad port. “I want to thank LA28 & Tobago to conduct the and the IOC for making artificial limb fitting camp. these programs possible The charity’s founder, Padand for their continued ma Bhushan awardee D.R. work to host the greatest Mehta, is also expected to Games yet,” she added. personally attend. Cricket’s inclu- Prem Bhandari, sion in the 2028 Games is Chairman of Jaipur Foot widely viewed as a boost USA, who recently visited for the sport’s global reach Trinidad to oversee prepaand an opportunity to intro- rations, praised the Indian duce it to new audiences in High Commission for faNorth America and beyond. cilitating the project, high- Cricket at LA Olympics 2028 to Kick Off on July 12, Medal Matches on July 20 and 29 Los Angeles [US], July 15 (ANI): The cricket tournament at the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 will begin on July 12, with medal matches slated for July 20 and 29, marking the sport’s much-anticipated return to the Olympic stage after more than a century, ESPNCricinfo reported Tuesday. The matches will be played at a temporary, purpose-built Fairgrounds Stadium in Pomona, approximately 50 kilometres from downtown Los Angeles. The stadium is located within the Fairplex, a nearly 500-acre complex known for hosting the LA County Fair since 1922, along with numerous concerts, trade shows, sports, and cultural events. The Olympic cricket competition will feature six teams each in men’s and women’s categories, with a total of 180 players competing in the T20 format. Each team will be allowed to name a 15-member squad. The format will see most matches staged as double-headers, with scheduled rest days on July 14 and July 21. Matches will begin at 9:00 AM and 6:30 PM local time, including the medal rounds. This will be cricket’s second-ever appearance at the Olympics after its debut in Paris 1900, when only two teams — Great Britain and France — contested a two-day match, which Britain won. Cricket’s return underscores its growing global popularity, particularly following its successful inclusion in the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham (for women’s cricket) and its recurring presence in the Asian Games since 2010. The sport’s profile in the US has also grown in recent years, with the country co-hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 alongside the West Indies. That event featured matches in Grand Prairie, Lauderhill, and New York, including the muchwatched India vs Pakistan clash at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. Welcoming the announcement, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said, “When the world comes here for these Games, we will highlight every neighbourhood as we host a Games for all and work to ensure it leaves a monumental legacy.” She noted that LA’s PlayLA youth sports Indian Charity Sends Artificial Limbs to Trinidad & Tobago Following PM Modi’s Announcement lighting the efforts of High Commissioner Dr. Pradeep Singh Rajpurohit. The camp is being organised in collaboration with the Indian High Commission in Trinidad & Tobago and the local government. The initiative reflects India’s growing humanitarian outreach in the Caribbean, consistent with the Sanskrit ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — “the world is one family.” Bhandari noted that several members of Jaipur Foot USA have volunteered to participate in the camp following Modi’s announcement. BMVSS, the parent body of Jaipur Foot USA, has a long-standing record of providing free prosthetic limbs and mobility aids to people with disabilities worldwide. Organisers said the Trinidad & Tobago camp is expected to restore mobility to hundreds of recipients and deepen ties between India and the Caribbean nation. The effort comes as part of Modi’s wider diplomatic engagement with Caribbean nations, underscoring India’s commitment to South-South cooperation and humanitarian assistance.
July 18, 2025 Friday 9 Lok Sabha Goes HighMonsoon Havoc in HimTech: Digital Attendance, achal Claims 105 Lives, AI-Powered Transcription Including 61 Rain-Related Mark New Era and 44 Road Accidents New Delhi (India), July 14 (ANI): As part of its ongoing efforts to modernize and digitize Parliamentary functioning, the Lok Sabha Secretariat has rolled out a series of initiatives under the guidance of the Lok Sabha Speaker to enhance transparency, inclusivity, and accessibility of legislative processes for Members and the public. At an informal meeting held on Monday, the Secretariat showcased several key measures designed to promote a digitally empowered working environment for Members of Parliament. The Lok Sabha chamber has been equipped with dedicated multimedia conferencing devices at every seat. A new feature now allows all members to mark their attendance digitally through the multimedia devices installed at their respective seats, cutting down procedural steps and saving time each day. In a significant stride toward linguistic inclusivity and citizen engagement, the Lok Sabha Secretariat has begun publishing daily Parliamentary business and agenda papers in 12 languages using AIbased tools. The languages include Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu. These documents are made available in real-time through the Digital Sansad portal (https:// sansad.in), enabling broader access and better understanding of legislative proceedings for Members and citizens alike. In collaboration with Bhashini, developed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under the “National Language Translation Mission,” the Lok Sabha Secretariat has also created an AI-driven tool for verbatim transcription of House proceedings using the Sansad Bhashini speech-to-text model. Beginning with the upcoming session, this AI-powered transcription system will operate in parallel with traditional verbatim reporting, promising greater accuracy, speed, and multilingual support. The long-term goal is to fully mainstream AI-powered transcription, making debates and discussions in the Lok Sabha Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 14 (ANI): The monsoon season has continued to wreak havoc across Himachal Pradesh, claiming 105 lives between June 20 and July 14, 2025, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). Of the fatalities, 61 were directly caused by rain-related calamities, including landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, fire incidents, and electrocution, as per the cumulative report released by the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) under the Department of Revenue. Another 44 deaths occurred in road accidents, which have surged due to slippery terrain, poor visibility, and rain-damaged roads. The worst-hit district remains Mandi, accounting for 17 rain-related deaths, followed by Kangra with 14 and Hamirpur with 7. Other fatalities were reported in Kullu, Bilaspur, Una, Shimla, Chamba, and Kinnaur districts. Officials also confirmed that more than 184 people have been injured, while damages to public of the Communist Party of China. On Tuesday, Jaishankar is scheduled to trav- el to Tianjin to attend the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting and participate in related events. Jaishankar, Wang Yi Review India-China Ties, Emphasize People-Centric Steps and Border Stability Beijing [China], July 14 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister and CPC Politburo member Wang Yi in Beijing on Monday, as part of his ongoing visit to China, to review the state of India-China relations and chart the way forward. According to a Ministry of External Affairs press release, the two ministers acknowledged recent progress in stabilizing and rebuilding ties, with a focus on people-centric initiatives. They highlighted the importance of activities commemorating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. Jaishankar thanked the Chinese side for cooperating on the re- sumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra and agreed with Wang on taking further practical measures to enhance people-to-people exchanges. These include boosting travel to each other’s countries and improving direct flight connectivity. Underscoring the significance of peace and tranquility on the border, Jaishankar reiterated that maintaining stability there is essential for the smooth development of bilateral relations. He expressed support for continued efforts toward de-escalation and effective border management. Jaishankar also raised key bilateral concerns, calling for cooperation on trans-border rivers — including resumption of Chinese sharing of hydrological data — and flagged issues of restrictive trade practices and barriers to economic cooperation. The two ministers also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, with Jaishankar conveying India’s support for China’s ongoing Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Presidency. The discussions were described by both sides as constructive and forward-looking, with the ministers agreeing to remain in close touch through further visits and meetings. During the day, Jaishankar also called on Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and met Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department and private property have exceeded ₹784.6 crore across sectors including roads, agriculture, power, education, animal husbandry, and rural infrastructure. The SDMA reported 31 flash floods, 22 cloudbursts, and 18 major landslides during this period. Rescue teams have been deployed, and restoration efforts are ongoing to clear blocked roads and support flood-hit regions. The Himachal Pradesh government has urged residents to avoid non-essential travel and to remain alert to official weather warnings. Relief and ex-gratia payments are being distributed to affected families. Earlier, PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh announced interim relief of Rs.2 crore for severely affected assembly constituencies and Rs.50 lakh for others to support emergency infrastructure repairs. He also appealed to the central government for increased support, stressing that the crisis demands collective, nonpartisan action. “This is not the time for political rhetoric. We must rise above party lines and ensure relief reaches every affected citizen,” Singh said. The SDMA has advised residents to avoid high-risk zones, especially near hillsides and rivers, as rainfall is expected to continue. Monitoring, early warning systems, and rapid response teams remain active across the state.
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