INDIA THIS WEEK FRIDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2023 1 A W e e k l y N e w s p a p e r Fe a t u r i n g N e w s & Tr e n d s f r o m t h e I n d i a n S u b - C o n t i n e n t P u b l i s h e d f r o m t h e U S C a p i t a l Website: www.indiathisweek.online Vol 32 No: 46 WASHINGTON DC • Phone: 301-445-0200 /301-445-3543/301-917-4800 • email: indiathisweekads@gmail.com • Friday November 24, 2023 First visuals of workers trapped at Silkyara tunnel emerge, workers healthy, communicate with rescue teams Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) [India], November 21 (ANI): On the tenth day of rescue operations at the Silkyara tunnel collapse site in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, a significant milestone was achieved after a an endoscopy camera was successfuly inserted into the collapsed section. First visuals of the trapped workers emerged as the rescue team tries to establish contact with them. The endoscopic flexi camera showed that the workers labourers remain trapped inside the tunnel. It took 13 hours and 3 vehicles to bring this machine, Harbanz, the driver who brought parts of the drilling machine, told ANI. This follows a breakthrough on the ninth day of rescue operations when a six-inch-wide pipeline was pushed through the rubble of the collapsed portion, creating an alternative lifeline for speaking to the rescue teams informing them that they were healthy. The rescue team has begun the process of laying a pipeline inside the Silkyara Tunnel, and communication was established withe indvidual workers to get a health update from them. Another significant milestone was achieved as rescuers reached the tunnel with a vertical drilling machine from the upper part of the hill above the tunnel. This development comes as 41 TUNNEL RESCUE SEE PAGE 6 ENDS JANUARY 2 NX F SPORT RX F SPORT ES F SPORT WE’RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER TREE Some gifts never stop giving. Apne liye ek aisa gift dhund nikaliye at the December to Remember Sales Event. Now through January 2. Bow optional. Vir Das takes home Emmy Award for Best Comedy ©2023 Lexus, a Division of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. New York [US], November 21 (ANI): An Emmy win for India, Comedian Vir Das made history at the International Emmy Awards 2023 after a tie for the International Emmy for Comedy for “Vir Das: Landing”. Vir Das shared this award with ‘Derry Girls – Season 3’ produced by Hat Trick Productions. Taking to Instagram, the International Emmy Awards shared the news and wrote, “We have a Tie! The International Emmy for Comedy goes to “Vir Das: Landing” produced by Weirdass Comedy / Rotten Science / Netflix.” Their other post read, “We have a Tie! The International Emmy for Comedy goes to “Derry Girls – Season 3 produced by Hat Trick Productions.” The award for the Netflix special “Vir Das: Landing” marks a milestone in the comedian’s career. ‘Vir Das: Landing’ which premiered on the OTT platform Netflix, was competing with Le Flambeau from France, El Encargado from Argentina, and Derry Girls Season 3 from the UK. Vir Das wore a traditional black bandhgala set for the International Emmy Awards ceremony. A day before the award ceremony, Vir Das posted a video on his Instagram story in which he said that ‘The day he was called a terrorist, he was nominated for the Emmys’. He wrote, “The universe is a full circle. So just wanted to say thanks and that if anyone out there is ever in the dark, stay till sunlight, and know that love will find you, and the universe will carry you.”
November 24, 2023 INDIA THIS WEEK Friday Everything You Need for a Vibrant Retirement Discover premier senior living at an Erickson Senior Living®-managed community. • Enjoy a stylish apartment home free from maintenance and repairs. • Experience resort-style amenities just steps from your door. • Discover peace of mind with additional levels of on-site care. Get your FREE brochure! Call 1-888-718-7402 or visit DMVSeniorLiving.com. 964563_ITW ASHBY PONDS Ashburn, VA GREENSPRING Springfield, VA RIDERWOOD Silver Spring, MD Over 40 Years Of Experience 5 FAMILY HAIRCUT $ MEN • WOMEN • CHILDREN Indian Community members in US flock to waterfronts to celebrate Chhath ROOT TOUCH-UP FOR MEN 20 $ & up SERVICES • BEARD TRIM • SHAMPOO • BLOW DRY 5 $ 1000 $ 1000 $ 00 $ 00 • PERM FROM 20 $ 00 • COLOR FROM 20 • HIGHLIGHTS FROM $3500 • SPA PEDICURE FROM $1700 Beauty & Barber Shop 7311 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003 info@csbarbernschool.com New York [US], November 20 (ANI): Hundreds of people of Indian origin from New Jersey and New York flocked to waterfronts in the United States as they celebrated the auspicious festival of Chhath on Sunday. The festival was celebrated by members of the Indian community, who gathered on both Saturday and Sunday for the festivities. Notably, they flocked to the waterfronts to celebrate Chhath Pooja at Papaianni Park, Edison, New Jersey. Flower decorations were seen at the park, where women decked in Indian attire carried out the traditional rituals. The Chhath Pooja is a festival dedicated to the sun that sees devotees worshipping and making offerings to the setting and rising sun. On Monday morning, the fasting devotees would make offerings to the rising sun and break the fast. Meanwhile, the devotees in Kathmandu also thronged to nearby holy water bodies on Sunday evening, offering Arghya to Lord Sun as they prepared to stay awake for the whole night as the arduous fasting of Chhath entered the third day. Devotees especially take the fast and worship the sun for the long lives and well-being of their family members, also praying for their expectations and attempts to come true. (ANI)
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2023 3
November 24, 2023 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK “India is central, crucial to region...where sovereignty is respected”: Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong New Delhi [India], November 20 (ANI): Calling the partnership with India “consequential” for Australia, Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong said that Canberra deeply values its bilateral relationship with New Delhi, adding that it is “crucial to region” where sovereignty is respected. In her opening remarks at the IndiaAustralia 2+2 Defence and Foreign Ministerial Dialogue here in the national capital, Penny Wong noted that the two nations have done a lot together bilaterally and hope to do more. She recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s State visit to Australia. “We’ve done a lot of work together bilaterally and we hope to do more again today. I think what I would emphasize is that we value deeply the bilateral relationship, economic ties, the two way trade and investment, the people to people links the climate initiatives particularly ... that we’re working on together. But to again underline what we all know which is this is a partnership which is consequential for us but it is crucial for our region and we see you India as central, crucial to the sort of region we continue to work for peaceful, stable, prosperous where sovereignty is respected and we look forward in this discussion to going further on the ways in which we can both work to deliver that,” she added. Penny Wong said, “It’s a real honour to be here for the two plus two. It’s been a big year in the bilateral relationship I think since we were elected some 19 ministerial visits to India by our government. We’ve obviously had Prime Minister Modi’s state visit to Australia which was so welcomed.” The IndiaAustralia 2+2 Defence and Foreign Ministerial Dialogue is co-chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong. S Jaishankar and Rajnath Singh warmly received Richard Marles and Penny Wong for the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. The ministers shook hands and posed for the cameras. Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi said that the ministers of India and Australia during the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue are expected to discuss various issues, including in areas of defence and security, trade and investment, critical minerals, energy, climate change, S&T, space, education and people-topeople linkages. Taking on his social media X, Arindam Bagchi stated, “Furthering – Comprehensive Strategic Partnership! RM @rajnathsingh & EAM @DrSJaishankar warmly received Deputy PM & Defence Minister @RichardMarlesMP and FM @SenatorWong of Australia ahead of the 2nd – 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. Ministers will exchange views on deepening multifaceted – ties, including in areas of defence and security, trade & investment, critical minerals, energy, climate change, S&T, space, education and people to people linkages. Regional and global issues are also on agenda.” Earlier in the day, Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with Richard Marles. Before the meeting, Marles inspected the Tri-Services Guard of Honour in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at South Block lawns in New Delhi. Richard Marles and Penny Wong laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in Delhi. (ANI)
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2023 5
November 24, 2023 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK First visuals of workers trapped at Silkyara tunnel emerge, workers healthy, communicate with rescue teams 2+2 DIALOGUE FROM PAGE 1 the stranded workers. For the first time since the incident, hot Khichdi was sent to the workers through this pipeline. The collapse occurred on November 12 during the construction of a tunnel from Silkyara to Barkot, trapping 41 labourers due to a muck fall in a 60-metre stretch on the Silkyara side of the tunnel. The workers are believed to be trapped in a 2 kmbuilt tunnel portion, which is complete with concrete work that provides safety to the workers. This portion of the tunnel has access to electricity and water, and food items and medicines are being provided through a 4-inch compressor pipeline. On Monday, rescue operation in-charge Colonel Deepak Patil said that although their ‘main challenge’ is evacuating trapped men through a 900 mm pipe, which will be attempted later, food, mobiles, and chargers will be sent inside the tunnel through the 6-inch lifeline. On what food items will be sent to trapped labourers, he said that, keeping in mind the condition of the labourers, a list has been prepared with the help of doctors on available food options. “We are bringing plastic cylindrical bottles with wide mouths so that we can send bananas, apples, Khichdi, and Daliya,” he added. Rescuers filled Khichdi in cylindrical bottles to be sent to the stranded workers. Hemant, the cook who prepared the Khichdi for the trapped labourers, said that this is the first time a hot meal is being sent to the workers. “This food will be sent inside the tunnel. This is the first time a hot meal is being sent. We are sending Khichdi. We are only preparing the food which we have been recommended,” he said. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the work of evacuating the workers trapped is going on at a fast pace and if during this period, any relative of the trapped persons arrives at the site, the government will make arrangements for their travel, accommodation and food. On Monday, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in a release From The Poet’s Pen INDIA THIS WEEK- November 24, 2023 Be Thankful – Poet Unknown Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to? Be thankful when you don’t know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn. Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow. Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement. Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character. Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons. Be thankful when you’re tired and weary, because it means you’ve made a difference. It’s easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings. said that rescue operations are continuing in full swing to save the trapped workers and constant communication is being maintained with efforts to keep up the morale of the workers trapped in the two km-built tunnel portion. The release said Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) is working on another vertical pipeline for the supply of essential items. It said various government agencies have been involved in the rescue operation and have been assigned specific tasks. It said the first machine of SJVNL for the construction of the vertical rescue tunnel has already reached the tunnel site and operations are being commenced postcompletion of the access road by the Border Roads Organisation. The release said it was decided to lay a 900 mm pipe through the muck as it was the best and fastest possible solution as per the experts’ advice. However, on November 17, because of ground movement, it became unsafe to continue with this option without securing the structure. Considering the lives involved, it was decided to move on all possible fronts together so that the workers can be rescued as early as possible. The area in which the workers are trapped is 8.5 metres high and 2 km long. “This is the built up portion of the tunnel where concreting work has been done providing safety to the labourers. Electricity and water are also available in this portion of the tunnel,” the release said. Five options were decided and five different agencies were detailed to carry out these options. The release said that NHIDCL will continue to drill from Silkyara end after working safety arrangements. To facilitate this Army has prepared the box culvert. A canopy framework is being made to ensure workers’ safety. On Monday, the Director of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL), Anshu Manish Khulko, said there was an atmosphere of joy among the trapped labourers after they came to know about the installation of a 6-inch pipe in the tunnel. (ANI) INDIA THIS WEEK Address: P.O. Box 352, Bryans Road, MD 20616 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 “On war footing”: Uttarakhand CM Dhami on evacuating all workers safely from collapsed Uttarkashi tunnel Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) [India], November 21 (ANI): Amid the ongoing efforts to rescue the workers trapped in the Uttarkashi tunnel, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday said that they are working on a war footing to evacuate all the workers safely. “As part of the ongoing rescue operation to rescue workers trapped inside the tunnel under construction in Silkyara, Uttarkashi, a 6-inchdiameter pipeline has been successfully laid across the debris. Now through this, food items, medicines and other goods will be easily sent to the workers as per the requirement.” CM Dhami posted on X (formerly Twitter). He further said that the central agencies, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and state administration teams engaged in rescue operations are working tirelessly. “We are working on a war footing to evacuate all the workers safely,” Uttarakhand CM said. Meanwhile, a rescue operation is underway to rescue the stranded victim. On the ninth day of rescue operations at the Silkyara tunnel collapse site here, rescuers achieved a ‘breakthrough’ by pushing a six-inch-wide pipeline through the rubble of the Remember: collapsed portion, where 41 labourers are trapped. Through this 6inch alternative lifeline, hot Khichdi was sent to the stranded workers for the first time since they were trapped. On November 12, it was reported that a collapse occurred in an under-construction tunnel from Silkyara to Barkot due to a muck falling in the 60-metre stretch on the Silkyara side of the tunnel, trapping 41 labourers. As per the government, the labourers are trapped in the 2 km-long tunnel portion, which is complete, including concrete work that provides safety to the workers. Electricity and water are available in the tunnel, and workers are provided food items and medicines through a 4-inch compressor pipeline. Earlier in the day, rescue operation in-charge Colonel Deepak Patil said that although their ‘main challenge’ is evacuating trapped men through a 900-mm pipe, which will be attempted later, food, mobiles, and chargers will be sent inside the tunnel through the 6-inch lifeline. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also had a telephonic conversation with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and took stock of the rescue operations underway. (ANI) “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
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2023 7
November 24, 2023 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Nina Aanchal Jewelers Boutique Exclusive 22 Kt. Gold, Gems and Diamond Jewelry 301-434-3029 Largest Collection Tel: 301 431 7430 of All varieties of Japanese Sarees Latest Fashions in Designers Collections The Choice Of Millions... Huge Varieties of 110/220V Appliances & Electronics Available Convert your Old Jewelr y to New We Sell 24 Kt. Gold Coins & Bars We Repair broken Jewelr y Now Open At Priti’s Fashion & Jewelery 1157 HAMPSHIRE LANGLEY SHOPPING CENTER, UNIVERSITY BLVD.E. TAKOMA PARK, MD 20912 - 7444 (SAME MALL AS WACHOVIA BANK, CAPITAL ONE BANK & STARBUCKS) Tuesday - Saturday 11:00 - 8:00 Sunday 11:00 - 6:00; Monday Closed
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2023 9 Tamil Nadu: 15 fishermen reach Chennai airport after being released from Sri Lanka Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], November 21 (ANI): Fifteen fishermen who were released from Sri Lankan prisons reached Chennai airport on Tuesday. Earlier, as many as 22 fishermen from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu who were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy for having strayed into international waters were released and arrived in Pambam through boats. On November 18, the Sri Lankan Navy apprehended and interrogated two country boats with 22 fishermen on charges that they were allegedly catching fish. On November 18, the traditional fisherman delegation met Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, requesting the release of these fishermen, who had strayed into international waters due to adverse climatic conditions. The Finance Minister spoke to the Foreign Secretary and the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, following which the fishermen were rescued. As the fishermen returned to India, a delegation of fishermen today expressed gratitude to Sitharaman for her intervention. Sitharaman reassured the families of the fishermen that the government under Narendra Modi, has always kept the interest of Tamils at the highest priority. Earlier on October 29, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin had written to external affairs minister S Jaishankar highlighting the issue of repeated arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. “As you are aware our fishermen are solely dependent on their fishing activity for livelihood and these frequent arrests are causing immense distress and suffering to the fishermen community. Such acts of Sri Lankan Navy have created pressure and panic in the minds of fishermen communities in the State,” the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said in his letter. Stalin also reiterated the demand to protect the traditional fishing rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen in the Palk Bay region. He said that in the month of October alone, 10 fishing boats and 64 Tamil Nadu fishermen had been apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy. “I wish to state that Tamil Nadu fishermen feel that their voices are on the wane; and I feel that the Government of India should stand more vocally for our fishermen‘s rights and speak for their safety. I would also like to reiterate the demand to protect the traditional fishing rights of our fishermen in the Palk Bay region.” read the letter written by Stalin. (ANI)
Fleepit Digital © 2021