FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026 1 INDIA THIS WEEK A Weekly Newspaper Featuring News and Trends from the Indian Sub-Continent Published From the US Capital Web Site: WWW.Indiathisweek.us Volume 36 No. 38 Washington DC. Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800; 301-445-1868 E-Mail: indiathisweekads@gmail.com Friday September 18, 2026 “Major Success”: MEA Hails More Than 50 Successful Outcomes During India’s BRICS Chairship New Delhi, September 15, 2026 (ANI): Hailing the 18th BRICS Summit as a “major success,” the Ministry of External Affairs highlighted India’s diplomacy in forging consensus among diverse member nations on critical global issues, while announcing more than 50 action-oriented outcomes spanning innovation, trade and development. Summarizing the achievements of the high-level gathering in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that the adopted New Delhi Declaration reflects a shared commitment among member states to champion the Global South and reform multilateral institutions. “As you’ve seen, this summit was a major success. We were able to forge consensus among partners, among all BRICS members, on some of the most contentious issues. BRICS has come out with a declaration which has several outcomes—over 50 outcomes are there. There is an agreement, and all member countries in their national statements spoke about reforming global governance, spoke about strengthening multilateralism, and talked about giving more weight, more voice to the aspirations of the Global South,” the spokesperson stated during a press briefing. Underscoring India’s diplomatic reach, the spokesperson highlighted the wide international participation at the summit, which brought together leaders from across the globe. “There was very strong language on terrorism; the joint statement has Remember: unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Overall, at the summit, we had participation of 32 delegations, which included 11 member states, 10 partner countries, four regional organizations, and seven international organizations. That itself shows the kind of robust participation we had, and several delegations were led at the level of Head of State and Head of Government,” Jaiswal said. Reflecting on New Delhi’s role as the host, the spokesperson added that the summit yielded a “successful outcome” as India managed to bring different countries together and help pave the way for further opportunities. “So we are very satisfied. It was a successful outcome. We were able to bring countries with differing positions together—that is our convening strength, the convening strength of India today and how India is seen in the world at large. Beyond ““If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” — Desmond Tutu that, there are development-focused, practical, action-oriented outcomes, and we will all come together to take them for- ward to create more opportunities for our youth, our people, and our women,” he said. Addressing ques- tions regarding the execution of the initiatives detailed in the declaration, ranging from startup networks to innovation centers, the spokesperson explained that member nations will move into speBRICS SummIt See Page 4 Indian-origin woman killed in California after months of stalking, says DHS California, September 13, 2026: A 38-yearold woman of Indian origin was killed by gunfire outside a restaurant in California, while the individual accused of the murder was a 22-year-old man from India who had allegedly stalked her for months, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The incident occurred on September 8 at a shopping center in Sacramento. Officials said the accused, identified as Rohit, fled the scene in his vehicle after the attack. Authorities later determined that he had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to DHS, Rohit, described as an undocumented immigrant from India, approached Shalini Thakur at her car. When she attempted to escape, he pursued her, pulled out a gun and fired several shots at her. After she collapsed to the ground, he fired another shot into her head at close range before fleeing the scene, the department said. Following the incident, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated that Rohit had crossed into the United States through Arizona in 2023 and was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol before being released under the administration of President Joe Biden. Specific details concerning his legal residency status remained unclear. Local reports detailing Rohit’s alleged history of stalking the victim said authorities had determined that he had stalked her since January 2026, when the victim discovered an Apple AirTag under the hood of her car. He later allegedly deflated the woman’s vehicle tires and followed her to work, where he pretended to offer her help. At one point, he allegedly obtained a copy of her apartment key so he could enter her home while she slept. Even after she obtained a restraining order against Rohit in May, he continued to stalk her as recently as July. (ANI)
INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026 Indian-American Couple Anuradha and Vikas Sinha Give $20 Million to UNT for New AI College py therefore carries a deeply personal connection to the experience of being students themselves – particularly Dr. Sinha's arrival in America on a funded assistantship that helped make his own journey possible. By Geeta Goindi September 12, 2026 – Indian-American couple Anuradha and Dr. Vikas Sinha are giving $20 million to the University of North Texas to establish a new college dedicated to artificial intelligence and advanced analytics – a landmark investment in education and the next generation of technology leaders. For the Sinhas, who came to the United States from India as students, the contribution also carries a deeply personal meaning: an opportunity to give back to the country where they built their lives and careers. In recognition of their generosity, the university will name the Anuradha and Vikas Sinha College of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics, creating an academic hub focused on the development, application and responsible use of artificial intelligence, intelligent systems and data analytics. Speaking at the ceremony announcing the gift, Dr. Sinha described it as an investment in the generations that will follow. “Anu and I see this as an investment in what students will be able to imagine and accomplish in the years ahead,” he said. “Artificial intelligence will be one of the defining technologies of our generation, and universities have an essential role to play in preparing the people who will shape its future.” He said the new college would go beyond teaching students how to use AI, preparing them to “build it, understand it, question it, govern it and apply it responsibly.” That commitment is rooted in the Sinhas’ own experience of what education and opportunity can make possible. “Education has opened doors for us throughout our lives, and we want to hold those doors open for others,” Dr. Sinha said. He pointed particularly to students who may arrive in America from another country car- A growing legacy of giving From left: University of North Texas President Harrison Keller, Anuradha Sinha, Dr. Vikas Sinha and Vice President for University Advancement Brandon Buzbee at the announcement celebrating the Sinhas’ $20 million gift to establish the Anuradha and Vikas Sinha College of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics. Photo courtesy of UNT rying the same ambitions and belief in education that the couple once did. “For us, this gift is about paying that opportunity forward and recognizing that immigrants don't simply participate in the American dream – they help build it,” he said. That sentiment gives the Sinhas’ philanthropy particular resonance within the Indian-American community. Their journey reflects a story familiar across generations of immigrants: arriving with an education and ambition, finding opportunity in America, building successful careers and, ultimately, investing some of that success in the institutions and communities that helped make it possible. The $20 million contribution will create six permanent endowments supporting college leadership, student scholarships, endowed professorships, entrepreneurship and incubation, advanced research and emerging technologies. The college will unite expertise across artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced data analytics, health informatics and learning technologies. For Dean Kinshuk, who leads the college, the significance of the investment lies in its breadth – supporting the people, ideas and infra- structure needed to build a leading academic and research enterprise. “What makes this gift extraordinary is that it gives us the ability to think bigger about every part of the student and faculty experience,” Kinshuk said. “Our goal is not simply to teach students how to use new technologies. We want them to understand them, question them and be prepared to shape what those technologies become.” From Hyderabad to America Behind the extraordinary gift lies a journey that began thousands of miles from Texas, in a family home in India where education, discipline and integrity were deeply ingrained values. Dr. Sinha grew up in Hyderabad as the eldest of three children. His mother earned a master’s degree in sociology, while his father was a senior government officer who retired as the Surveyor General of India. In the Sinha household, education was regarded as the foundation upon which everything else could be built. Those generational values – learning, discipline, precision, hard work and an ethical approach to one's responsibilities – would follow Sinha across continents and through a career spanning some of the most consequential transformations in technology. After earning a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Sri Venkateswara University, Sinha initially dreamed of becoming a research scientist in Antarctica. Inspired by a friend's brother, he began reaching out to universities in the United States. A professor at Florida Atlantic University responded and offered him a fully funded assistantship in ocean engineering. That opportunity brought him to America. As technology evolved, so did Sinha's career. He moved into software engineering and predictive analytics, eventually rising to head global research and development at statistical software company SPSS. After IBM acquired SPSS in 2009, he led IBM's predictive analytics portfolio as statis- tics, machine learning and computing increasingly converged into what became modern data science. He later held senior architecture and engineering leadership roles at CA Technologies before joining Broadcom in 2018, where he now serves as a vice president in the Mainframe Software Division. Yet reaching the upper levels of the technology industry did not end Sinha's own pursuit of education. He earned a master's degree in predictive analytics from Northwestern University and completed his Ph.D. in data science at UNT in 2023. Anuradha Sinha shares that commitment to education. Both she and her husband came to the United States after earning civil engineering degrees from Sri Venkateswara University and later pursued graduate degrees at Florida Atlantic University. Their philanthro- Immigration Lawyer Law Office of Ryan Morgan Knight Email or call for free consultation ryan@immigrationknight.com 1 (888) 735-0560 Ryan Knight Licensed to practice immigration law Nationwide; Licensed to practice art law in Maryland The $20 million contribution is not the Sinhas' first major investment in UNT. In 2024, the couple gave $3 million to establish the Anuradha and Vikas Sinha Department of Data Science. That was followed by a $2.15 million gift toward the Sinha Innovation Lab for Data Science. “Vikas and Anu have taken something they believe deeply in – the power of education to change lives – and built a legacy around extending that opportunity to others,” said Brandon Buzbee, UNT vice president for University Advancement. Their commitment is also becoming a family legacy. The Sinhas' son, Suraj, has been part of the family's philanthropic journey at UNT, carrying forward values that can be traced from one generation in Hyderabad to another in the United States. UNT President Harrison Keller said the couple’s story reflects the broader contributions international students make to the United States. “International students come to our universities to learn, but their impact extends far beyond the degrees they earn,” Keller said. “They contribute ideas, build companies, create jobs, lead communities, and create opportunities for the generations who follow them. Vikas and Anu’s story is a powerful example of what can begin when a talented student chooses UNT.” The university plans to mark the establishment of the Anuradha and Vikas Sinha College of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics with a university celebration later this year, bringing together the Sinha family, students, faculty, university leaders and members of the North Texas community.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026 3 M A K E YO U R R E TI R EM E NT E V E N MO R E Extraordinary Discover premier senior living at an Erickson Senior Living®-managed community. • Gain time and freedom from house maintenance. • Enjoy stylish residences and on-site amenities. • Benefit from a safety net of on-site support. Call 1-800-691-2034 or visit EricksonSeniorLiving.com for your free brochure. • Riderwood® Silver Spring, MD • Greenspring® Springfield, VA • The GrandviewSM Bethesda, MD • Woodleigh Chase® Fairfax, VA 2816250 • Ashby Ponds® Ashburn, VA US Federal Judge Blocks DHS Rule Restricting Visas for Foreign Students, Researchers and Journalists Wa s h i n g t o n , DC, September 15, 2026 (ANI): Just a day before the US Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) new rule restricting the duration of visas for foreign students, researchers, professors, instructors and journalists was set to take effect, a federal judge has postponed its implementation, finding that DHS failed to comply with requirements under the Administrative Procedure Act. US District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV, in a memorandum and order dated September 14, granted a motion brought by organizations representing colleges, universities, educators and communications workers, postponing the effective date of the final rule pending a final resolution of the case on its merits. The ruling challenged a July 17 DHS rule that sought to replace the existing “duration of status” framework for F, J and I nonimmigrant visa holders with fixed-term admissions. Under the rule, F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors would generally have been admitted for the length of their specific program, subject to a maximum of four years, while foreign media representatives holding I visas would have been admitted for the period necessary to complete their assignment, capped at 240 days. Chinese media representatives would have faced a 90-day limit. Judge Saylor said the new system would “substantially restrict the overall number of foreign students, researchers, professors, and journalists in the United States.” “In other words, a DHS official—based on limited and vague criteria, and with no possibility of appeal—will have the power to cut short the academic, research, or teaching activities of any nonU.S. citizen for no reason or any reason,” the judge said in the ruling. He further warned that “The damage to the higher education system and to the econo- my of the United States is likely to be catastrophic.” The court said DHS was required to comply with the US Administrative Procedure Act (APA), despite the department’s invocation of national security and border protection. “The use of such labels does not, however, give DHS license to ignore its statutory obligations,” Saylor said, finding that the rule had failed to comply with the APA in multiple respects. The judge concluded that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on the merits of their claims, that immediate irreparable harm would occur without an injunction, and that the balance of equities and public interest favored postponing the rule. “Accordingly, the Final Rule will be postponed pending final resolution of this matter on the merits,” the order stated. The July rule had sought to end the “duration of status” system under which foreign students, exchange visitors and media representatives could remain in the United States as long as they maintained their authorized status. DHS had said the change would “officially eliminate the ‘duration of status’ loophole that allowed foreign students, exchange visitors, and media representatives to remain in the United States indefinitely without routine government oversight.” Under the proposed fixed-term framework, students requiring additional time beyond their authorized stay would have been required to file a formal Extension of Stay application with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The rule also included additional restrictions for international students. F-1 students enrolled in English language training programs would have been limited to an aggregate 24 months of stay, while the standard poststudy grace period would have been reduced from 60 days to 30 days. Undergraduate students would generally have been barred from changing majors or transferring to another institution during their first academic year, while graduate students would have faced restrictions on changing their educational objectives. Students who had completed one degree would also have been prohibited from beginning a new program at the same or a lower educational level. The DHS rule was scheduled to take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. Under its provisions, people already in the US under the “duration of status” framework would generally have been allowed to remain until the end of their current program, provided the stay did not exceed four years from the rule’s effective date. However, those traveling outside the US and seeking reentry after the rule took effect would have been subject to the new fixed-date admission system. (ANI)
India This Week Friday, September 18, 2026 Manmohan Singh Kalsi, Wife Gift $4 Million to University of Houston By Geeta Goindi September 14, 2026 – Indian-American engineer and entrepreneur Manmohan Singh Kalsi and his wife, Marie-Luise Schubert Kalsi, have committed $4 million to the University of Houston, giving back to the American institution that Kalsi credits with helping launch his remarkable journey from a young immigrant and graduate student to a successful engineer, inventor and business owner. The gift, one of the largest philanthropic commitments to the university’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in recent years, will strengthen education and research at the Cullen College of Engineering, supporting faculty, graduate students and emerging innovation. For Kalsi, the contribution carries a deeply personal meaning — an expression of gratitude to the university, and to the country where he found the opportunities to build his career and company. “The University (of Houston) gave me a head start,” Kalsi has said. “If I didn’t have that head start, I wouldn’t be as successful, and our company would not have made the world-wide impact that it has today.” Kalsi graduated from Punjab Engineering College (PEC) in Chandigarh with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1967 and immigrated to the United States within months. He enrolled at the University of Houston, where he earned both his master’s degree and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. Like many young immigrants beginning their lives in America, Kalsi started modestly. While pursuing their graduate studies, he and a classmate from India shared an apartment with two other recent Indian immigrants, taking turns cooking, cleaning and managing household chores. The friendships forged during those early years have endured for decades. One relationship at the university would prove particularly consequential. Kalsi credits Indian-American engineer and entrepreneur Manmohan Singh Kalsi and his wife, Marie-Luise Schubert Kalsi, have committed $4 million to the University of Houston to strengthen education, research and innovation at its Cullen College of Engineering. Photo inset: Kalsi Engineering the mentorship of the late Professor Gabriel Fazekas with playing a pivotal role in shaping his future as an engineer and entrepreneur. Years later, in 2014, Kalsi and his wife honored Fazekas by establishing an endowed professorship at the Cullen College. In 1978, Kalsi founded Houston-based Kalsi Engineering, which became internationally recognized for pioneering hydrodynamic rotary sealing technology and advancing valve technology used to improve the safety and reliability of nuclear power plants. Nearly five decades later, his relationship with the University of Houston extends well beyond philanthropy. His company has employed and mentored graduates of the Cullen College, creating opportunities for young engineers at the same institution where he once studied. Kalsi has also maintained close ties with the college’s faculty and served for many years as chairman of the Mechanical Engineering Department’s Industrial Advisory Board. The Kalsis’ latest $4 million commitment will establish two endowed professorships to attract and retain leading faculty, create the Kalsi Faculty Research Fund to advance emerging research and provide endowed and current-use fellowships to recruit outstanding graduate students. The Kalsi Seminar Series will also bring internationally recognized researchers and industry leaders to campus, fostering collaboration and the exchange of ideas. “Manmohan Kalsi's journey from UH graduate student to industry innovator and entrepreneur embodies the transformative impact of the Cullen College of Engineering,” said Dean Pradeep Sharma. “This gift will help us to recruit and retain world-class faculty while providing our graduate students the financial support and research infra- structure needed to solve real-world challenges.” Russell T. Dunlavy, the university’s vice president for advancement and alumni, said the Kalsis “exemplify the enduring impact of a University of Houston education,” noting that the success of Kalsi Engineering grew from the talent, mentorship and spirit of innovation that define the university. The contribution is also a cornerstone gift to the University of Houston’s Centennial Campaign, an initiative focused on student success, institutional innovation and campus transformation as the university looks toward its next century. Kalsi’s philanthropy has, in many ways, become a two-way bridge between his origins and his adopted home. The immigrant who built his career and company in the United States has chosen to give back both to the American university that helped shape his professional journey and to the institution in India where his engineering education began. In India, Kalsi has also supported PEC, his undergraduate alma mater. In 2017, he pledged Rs. 1.67 crore to the institution and returned to Chandigarh for the 50th reunion of his graduating class. He has remained engaged with PEC, interacting with students and alumni and sharing the story of his journey from an engineering graduate in India to an entrepreneur and internationally recognized innovator in the United States. Nearly six decades after arriving in America as a young engineering graduate, Kalsi’s latest gift brings his journey full circle – investing the fruits of a successful immigrant career in the education and mentorship of future generations of engineers. “Major Success”: MEA Hails More Than 50 Successful Outcomes During India’s BRICS BRICS Summit From Page 1 cialized working groups to operationalize the agreement. “The declaration contains several issues on which BRICS members have come together. It talks about political issues, international issues, trade, investment, innovation, and startups. Now it is for the BRICS countries to come together and see how they can implement these understandings. You would see that a lot of development-focused initiatives have been undertaken, and these will create more opportunities for people in BRICS countries,” the spokesperson remarked. “Among the BRICS countries, there are ways of taking forward the collaborative exercises that have been agreed to. As you would have seen in the factsheet that was generated, there are over 50 outcomes. Now both sides will sit down together in working group formats and other formats and see how best they can push the agreed points and collaborate further,” he noted. Regarding the involvement of nonmember partner countries in these newly announced frameworks, the MEA clarified that the current declaration remains centered on full BRICS members, as the bloc prioritizes internal consolidation following its recent expansion. “On the question of partner countries, whether partner countries are also involved: At this point, this declaration has been adopted by the coun- tries who are members of BRICS,” the spokesperson said. “I think right now the BRICS takes decisions based on consensus. Just a few years ago, we had an expansion of BRICS. Right now, all the member countries are focused on the consolidation of BRICS. At some point in time, other issues regarding partner countries will come up, where the BRICS countries will take a decision as to how to take things forward. But in this particular edition of the BRICS Summit, that is the 18th BRICS Summit, this particular subject did not come up,” the spokesperson concluded. From Russia and China to Iran and Africa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic calen- dar remained packed on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit, with Modi holding 15 sit-down bilateral meetings with heads of state and heads of government over the last three days. The meetings, held alongside the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, were in addition to pullaside interactions with various world leaders and leaders of international institutions, giving a broad sweep to India’s diplomatic engagement during its BRICS chairship. Among the most significant engagements were Modi’s meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with discussions covering bilateral ties, regional conflicts, multilateral cooperation, border peace, maritime security and the priorities of the Global South. The meetings came alongside the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration, which expressed deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in West Asia and called for maximum restraint and avoidance of actions that could further aggravate the situation. The declaration called for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and greater efforts through dialogue and diplomacy toward lasting peace, security and stability in the region. It also stressed the need to maintain the smooth flow of global trade, supply chains and energy in accordance with international law. (ANI)
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INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026 Rajasthan Local Body elections: BJP scrapes past Congress by less than 1 per cent margin; NOTA outperforms regional, national parties New Delhi [India], September 15 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has narrowly defeated the Congress party by a margin of less than one percentage point in the recently concluded Rajasthan urban local body elections. Out of the total votes polled across 309 civic bodies, the BJP secured 35.18 per cent (37,35,567 votes) compared to Congress’s 34.24 per cent (36,35,952 votes), yielding a razor-thin winning margin of just 0.94 per cent (99,615 votes). Meanwhile, Independent candidates secured a substantial share, securing a total of 27.38 per cent (29,06,787 votes), while the ‘None of the Above’ (NOTA) option secured 1.03 per cent (1,09,523 votes), outperforming several smaller parties. Among the remaining contenders, the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) secured 0.94 per cent (1,00,277 votes), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) managed to get 0.46 per cent (49,829 votes), CPI(M) secured 0.32 per cent (34,170 votes), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) obtained 0.28 per cent (30,179 votes), and the Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) recorded 0.13 per cent (14,150 votes). NOTA polled higher than five regional and national parties, including RLP and AAP, largely driven by local The Poetic Pen INDIA THIS WEEK- September 18, 2026 Dreams for Our Kids By Rajan George What we, as children, failed to realize, We have transferred to our kids, Imposing on them heavy burdens That sometimes are hard to bear. We want them to succeed Where we have miserably failed— Because of circumstances, or simply For lack of opportunities then. Now we have found an avenue To fulfill all our dreams; Our children, we will not let them fail, And vex them when they fall short. Opportunities now abound And are within our grasp, if only we try. We urge our children to aim high: Failure is not an option. Many, many children have achieved Great feats and found success. But some have given up— Even their lives—under the heavy stress Imposed upon them by parents, Teachers, and friends, Failing to reach expectations They could never fulfill. They venture into despair, And some choose to end their lives. If there is a lesson we should learn, It is this: we live only once. Inspiring our children to reach high goals Can be noble and uplifting, But forcing success upon them Can be cruel and grim. Hence we should inspire them To dream their own dreams Let them stumble, rise, and grow. For success is not measured By how high they climb, But by the lives they learn to live! With courage, purpose, and joy. public protests against new UGC regulations. Notably, the Bharatiya Janata Party secured a resounding victory in the Rajasthan urban local body elections, winning the Jaipur Municipal Corporation board with 78 seats, while independent candidates have emerged as key players in several other civic bodies where no party has secured a clear majority. Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the BJP’s performance in the elections, saying the mandate reflected people’s support for the party’s policies of good governance and development under the “double-engine” government. Taking to X, PM Modi thanked the people of Rajasthan for the BJP’s victory and said, “Heartfelt thanks to the people of Rajasthan for delivering a resounding victory to the BJP in the municipal elections. This is a testament to the triumph of truth over the echo of lies.””Through this man- date, my family here has once again made it clear that they fully support the policies of good governance and development under the double-engine government. This will not only propel the state to new heights of progress but also strengthen our resolve to bring prosperity to the lives of every individual. On this occasion, my heartiest congratulations to all the victorious candidates as well as the party’s dedicated and hard- INDIA THIS WEEK Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 www.indiathisweek.online India This Week is published every Friday by ADV Solutions Inc, 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. Publisher: Chief Editor: Contributing Editors: Dr. Babu Stephen Rajan George 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 working workers,” he added. Out of the 150 wards in the Jaipur Municipal Corporation, results for 146 wards have been declared so far. The BJP has won 78 wards, while the Congress has secured 53 seats and independent candidates have won 15 wards. The final picture in the four remaining wards will be clear after re-polling at five booths due to technical issues with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Jaipur District Collector Sandesh Nayak said the EVM results could not be retrieved from booths in Ward 9 (Booth No. 111), Ward 18 (Booth No. 235), Ward 25 (Booth No. 343), and Ward 34 (Booth Nos. 477 and 484). New Delhi, India, September 15 (ANI): The Central government has prohibited banks and system providers from imposing charges on UPI transactions of up to Rs. 2,000. Under Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (51 of 2007), the Central government prohibits banks and system providers from imposing, directly or indirectly, any charges on a person making or receiving payments using debit cards powered by RuPay and UPI transactions up to Rs. 2,000, according to the Ministry of Finance. In August, the government opened the door to introducing a nominal Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on a limited set of UPI merchant transactions above a certain threshold, while assuring that consumer and person-to-person payments will continue to remain free. The government said the amendment should be viewed as part of its broader effort to make India’s digital payment infrastructure sustainable, competitive and capable of supporting the country’s expanding digital economy. The Ministry had also rejected reports suggesting that external influences were behind the proposed policy changes, calling such claims “unfounded, completely false and misleading.” (ANI) Banks cannot impose charges on UPI payments up to Rs. 2,000: Govt. Remember: “In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.…
India This Week 7
INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026 India-US to Strengthen Interoperability as Joint Military Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 Kicks Off As India and the United States continue to deepen their defense partnership, the two countries held the opening ceremony of the 22nd edition of the joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas on Tuesday at the Auli Foreign Training Node in Uttarakhand. Major General Amaresh Gunjan, General Officer Commanding, 14 Infantry Division, and Col. Benjamin Jackman, Commander, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, U.S. Army, addressed the participating contingents, comprising 600 personnel from each side. The exercise is being conducted simultaneously at Auli and the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan, the Ministry of Defense said in a press release. The release underlined that the exercise is aimed at enhancing the joint military capability of both armies for the employment of Integrated Battle Groups in mountainous and semi-mountainous terrain, with an emphasis on infantry-dominated operations. It will strengthen interoperability, facilitate exchanges of best operational practices, and strengthen joint planning and execution. It was noted that technology infusion will be a key focus area. The training will include the employment of drones and autonomous systems for surveillance and reconnaissance, while demonstrations of contemporary weapon systems will be conducted at the Mahajan Field Firing Range. Subject matter experts from both armies will also exchange views on emerging technologies and developments in mul- ti-domain warfare. The exercise provides an opportunity for both armies to share tactics, techniques and procedures, and enhance their ability to undertake coordinated military operations across varied terrain and operational environments, the release further highlighted. Earlier, the U.S. Embassy, in a post on X, highlighted how Yudh Abhyas has, since 2004, “enhanced combined interoperability and strength- ened the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.” The 21st edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas, comprising 450 personnel led by a battalion of the Madras Regiment training alongside U.S. soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment (“Bobcats”), became one of the largest bilateral military exercises for the Indian Army in terms of troops mobilized, a press release said. (ANI) tanker again with a drone while the ship was in waters off the coast of Oman. The tanker is currently being towed by a regional partner,” CENTCOM said. Before the American statement, Iranian state media outlet Fars News Agency reported, citing the IRGC, that an oil tanker had hit a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in an explosion and fire onboard. Fars confirmed that the vessel involved was the Panama-flagged El Gaia. The El Gaia corresponds to the vessel subjected to the weekend attack off the Omani coastline. Of the 14 Indian nationals among the crew, 13 have been rescued, while search operations remain underway for one missing Indian crew member. (ANI) New Delhi [India], September 16 (ANI): A youth was killed, and another sustained serious injuries after they were stabbed outside a liquor shop in the Kanhaiya Nagar area under the Keshav Puram police station in Delhi, police said on Tuesday. According to police officials, one of the youths succumbed to his injuries, while the other was critically wounded. The injured youth was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital, where he is currently undergoing medical treatment. The accused fled the scene immediately following the assault.Police have registered a case in connection with the incident and launched an investigation. Earlier, a 31-yearold woman was found dead inside a room in the Gautampuri area of Badarpur, with the role of her husband under investigation, the Delhi Police said on Tuesday. According to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, South-East District, a PCR call was received at about 12:15 PM on Tuesday regarding a suspected murder at Gautampuri, Badarpur. On reaching the spot, police found the woman, identified as Yashoda, deceased inside a room. The deceased was residing in Gautampuri, Badarpur, with her husband Manoj and their fiveyear-old child, the DCP said. As per preliminary enquiry, Yashoda had visited her father the previous night and returned to her room at about 11:30 PM. On Tuesday morning, the room was found locked from the outside. On suspi- cion, the lock was broken by the deceased’s father, following which Yashoda was found lying dead inside, police said. The DCP said the deceased’s family members have been contacted and their statements are being recorded. The Crime Team has inspected the scene, and necessary forensic proceedings are being carried out.” The role of the deceased’s husband, Manoj, is under investigation. All relevant aspects are being examined, and efforts are being made to ascertain the sequence of events,” the Deputy Commissioner of Police, South-East District, said. (ANI) 13 Indians Rescued, Search Operations 1 dead, another critically Underway for 1 Missing National injured after 2 youths stabbed outside liquor shop in Delhi’s Kanhaiya Nagar New Delhi, September 15, 2026 (ANI): India on Tuesday reiterated its call for free and safe navigation in international waters and the unhindered flow of commerce through international waterways in the region after the Panama-flagged commercial vessel MT El Gaia came under attack off the coast of Oman. Thirteen of the 14 Indian nationals on board have been rescued, while search operations are underway for one missing seafarer. Responding to a question from ANI during the biweekly press briefing in the national capital, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the attack involved a Panama-flagged vessel carrying 14 Indian nationals. “Of these, 13 have been rescued, and we deeply thank the Omani authorities for their efforts in rescuing our nationals. One Indian national, a seafarer who was on board the vessel, remains missing,” Jaiswal said. He added that search and rescue operations were continuing with the assistance of the Omani authorities, while the Indian Embassy remained in close contact with them. He also voiced concern over attacks targeting commercial shipping and civilian interests in the region, stressing that the safety of seafarers and uninterrupted maritime commerce remain critical. “Targeting commercial shipping, seafarers, civilians, and civilian infrastructure in the region is unacceptable to us,” the MEA spokesperson said. Jaiswal further called for the restoration of safe maritime movement and the uninterrupted flow of commerce through international waterways in the region at the earliest. “We also urge that free and safe navigation, as well as the flow of commerce through international waterways in the region, be restored at the earliest,” Jaiswal said. This comes as the United States military on Monday dismissed assertions from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards alleging that an oil tanker collided with a naval mine within the Strait of Hormuz. “The Panama-flagged oil tanker El Gaia was struck by an Iranian missile last month and rendered inoperable. This weekend, Iran struck the
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