FRIDAY MARCH 15, 2024 INDIA THIS WEEK 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 Modi govt fulfilled its guarantee by issuing notification of CAA: Arjun Ram Meghwal Vol 33 No: 11 WASHINGTON DC • Phone: 301-445-0200 /301-445-3543/301-917-4800 • email: indiathisweekads@gmail.com • Friday March 15, 2024 New Delhi [India], March 12 (ANI): Minister of Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, said on Monday that the Prime Minister Narendra Modiled central government fulfilled its guarantee by issuing the notification of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). “Did what was said. The Modi government fulfilled its guarantee by issuing the notification of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA),” Meghwal said in a post on X. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) noti- fied the rules under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA-2019) on Monday. These rules, called the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, will enable the persons eligible under CAA-2019 to apply for the grant of Indian citizenship. The applications will be submitted in a completely online mode for which a web portal has been provided, stated MHA. The CAA rules, introduced by the Narendra Modi government, aim to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim mi- grants–including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians–who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014. Following the passage of the CAA by Parliament in December 2019 and its subsequent presidential assent, significant protests erupted in various parts of the country. The implementation of the CAA, which has been delayed for over four years, necessitates the formulation of its associated rules. On December 27, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that the implementation of the CAA cannot be halted as it stands as the law of the land. He had also accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of misleading the public regarding this matter. The assurance of implementing the highly debated CAA was a significant electoral agenda item for the BJP during the CAA NOTIFICATION SEE PAGE 6 ENDS APRIL 1 RX 500h NX 450h+* RZ LUXURY* A“SAVE THE DATE” WORTH SAVING This is your invitation to uncover what makes a Lexus … a Lexus-from thrilling performance and remarkable capability to unmatched experiences. lexus.com | #Lexus *Limited availability. See your preferred Lexus dealer for details. ©2024 Lexus, a Division of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. MHA to launch helpline number to assist applicants seeking information related to CAA-2019 for Indian citizenship New Delhi [India], March 13 (ANI): Union Home Ministry (MHA) will soon launch a helpline number Under the Citizenship Amendment Act of 2019, now called the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, to assist appli- cants for Indian citizenship. The helpline number will be toll-free and applicants can call from anywhere in India to obtain information related to CAA-2019. The service will be available for 12 hours every day from 8 am to 8 pm. “Under the Citizenship Amendment Act of 2019, a helpline number will soon be launched to assist applicants for Indian citizenship. Applicants can call toll-free from anywhere in India to obtain information related to CAA-2019. The service will be available from 8 AM to 8 PM,” said the MHA. It is expected that the helpline number will be launched by the end of this week. The announcement comes after the MHA provided a web portal on which eligible non-Muslim migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan fleeing religious persecution can now seek Indian citizenship. A mobile app ‘CAA-2019� will also be launched very soon to facilitate applications through mobile app. Now, the persons persecuted from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh on religious grounds of six minority communities – Hindus, Sikhs, BudCAA APPLICANTS SEE PAGE 10
March 15, 2024 INDIA THIS WEEK Friday Over 40 Years Of Experience 5 FAMILY HAIRCUT $ MEN • WOMEN • CHILDREN Former SC judge Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar administered oath as Lokpal chairperson ROOT TOUCH-UP FOR MEN 20 & up $ SERVICES • BEARD TRIM $500 $ • SHAMPOO 1000 • BLOW DRY $1000 $ 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 Delhi [India], March 10 (ANI): Former Supreme Court judge Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar was administered the oath of office as the Lokpal chairperson by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday. Khanwilkar served as a judge of the apex court from May 13, 2016, to July 29, 2022. According to the press communique released by the President Secretariat earlier, three judicial members have also been appointed to the Lokpal. “Justice Lingappa Narayana Swamy, Justice Sanjay Yadav, and Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi have been appointed as judicial members to the Lokpal,” the President Secretariat said in a release. Meanwhile, Sushil Chandra, Pankaj Kumar, and Ajay Tirkey have been appointed as non-judicial members of the Lokpal. (ANI)
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March 15, 2024 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Jesse Singh, Chairman for Sikhs of America hosts Dinnner for Mayor Ravi Bhalla running for Congress Annapolis, MD: Mr. Jasdip Singh, Chairman of the Sikhs of America hosted a dinner in honor of Holboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla who is running for Congress in the Democratic Primary from the City of Hoboken, New Jersey. Over 200 community leaders, Physicians and entrepreneurs and business leaders were present. Ravi spoke about his parents who immigrated to the United States from India with $7 and a dream. Ravi was born in New Jersey, where he learned the importance of giving back and fighting hard. As a civil rights attorney, now serving as a Mayor, and if elected to Congress, Ravi expressed his commitment and dedication to the country and the community. He enumerated his goals which include the following: • Fight for Truth and Transparency by putting your interests ahead of the lobbyists and political insider’s • Protect Abortion Rights • Fight to Make Housing and Healthcare Available to All L—R: Mayor Ravi Bhalla, City of Hoboken, New Jersey, Elisha Pulivarti, Chief Executive Officer, U.S. India SME Council, Inc L-R: Mayor of Hoboken, New Jersey, Ravi Bhalla and Jesse Singh, Chairman, Sikhs for America. • Stand for the Dignity of All New Jerseyans • Combat Climate Change He also talked about advancing the U.S. India Relations, democracy, human rights and civil rights etc. Jesse Singh who hosted the dinner, during his remarks said “we are gathered here today in support Ravi for Congress and I am sure he will always remember the Indian Americans and the Sikhs of America.” Hoboken is a New Jersey city on the Hudson River. Its former industrial port now features parks such as Pier A Park, with Manhattan skyline views. The Hudson River Waterfront Walkway links several green spaces. Global eateries, bistros and bars cluster on Washington Street and riverside Frank Sinatra Drive, named after the locally born singer. The Hoboken Historical Museum has local art and history exhibits. Ravi Bhalla was elected Hoboken’s 39th Mayor on November 7, 2017. Born and raised in New Jersey, Mayor Bhalla is a 17 year resident of Hoboken and eight year member of the Hoboken City Council. He received his undergraduate education from the University of California at Berkeley, where he received a B.A. in Political Psychology. Upon graduation, he attended the London School of Economics (L.S.E.) in the United Kingdom and received a Master of Science degree in Public Administration and Public Policy, and also earned a Juris Doctor Degree from Tulane Law School in New Orleans, Louisiana. Ravi first set his roots in Hoboken at the age of 26, a bachelor fresh out of law school starting his first job at a small law firm in Newark, New Jersey. Ravi earned national recognition in the New York Times for his legal advocacy after suffering a violation of his own constitutional and civil rights during a jail visit to a client. The incident motivated Ravi to lead a successful campaign to reform the federal government’s visitation policies at correctional facilities nationwide. It was during this time that Hoboken’s local government was in dire straits. He observed and witnessed mismanaged government at the local level, including a government budget that was underfunded and overspent by $12 million, a state takeover of Hoboken, and a 70% spike in municipal taxes in a single year. Ravi served as Council President from 2011-2012 and Council Vice-President from 20102011 and 2013-2014. Ravi is married to Bindya, and they have two children, Arza Kaur (10) and Shahbegh (5). They reside on Garden Street.
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INDIA THIS WEEK Modi govt fulfilled its “BJP’s desperate attempt at divisive politics”: Congress President Kharge questions CAA guarantee by issuing rules notification timing notification of CAA: New Delhi [InArjun Ram Meghwal dia], March 11 (ANI): Con- CAA NOTIFICATION FROM PAGE 1 previous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in West Bengal. Leaders of the saffron party view it as a credible factor contributing to the BJP’s ascent in the state. Since 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs has been regularly seeking extensions from the parliamentary committees to continue the process of framing the rules associated with the legislation. Over a hundred individuals lost their lives either during the protests or due to police action after the passage of the law in Parliament. During the past two years, over 30 district magistrates and home secretaries across nine states have been authorized with the ability to confer Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians arriving from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan under the Citizenship Act of 1955. As per the Ministry of Home Affairs annual report for 2021-22, between April 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021, a cumulative count of 1,414 individuals from non-Muslim minority communities originating from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan were granted Indian citizenship through registration or naturalization under the Citizenship Act, 1955. Under the Citizenship Act of 1955, Indian citizenship by registration or naturalization is granted to non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan in nine states, such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Maharashtra. It’s notable that authorities in the districts of Assam and West Bengal, both politically sensitive regions on this matter, have not been empowered with these citizenship-granting authorities thus far. (ANI) From The Poet’s Pen INDIA THIS WEEK- March 8, 2024 gress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday alleged that the timing of notifying the rules for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act is “BJP‘s desperate attempt at divisive politics” just ahead of the coming Lok Sabha elections. “CAA rules notified today just before elections, is BJP‘s desperate attempt at divisive politics,” Kharge said in a post on X. He further said that a delegation led by Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) President, Sjt. Lurinjyoti Gogoi met him along with a memorandum highlighting that “Citizenship Amendment Act is discriminatory in nature”. A delegation led by our ally Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) President, Sjt. Lurinjyoti Gogoi met me along with a memorandum underlining important issues concerning the people of Assam. It particularly highlighted that the #CAA i.e. Citizenship Amendment Act is discriminatory in nature and goes against the basic principles and spirit of the Indian Constitution,” Kharge said. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also alleged that the announcement is yet another attempt to “manage the headlines” after the Supreme Court’s strictures on the electoral bonds issue. Ramesh said it has taken four years and three months for the Narendra Modi government to notify the rules for the law cleared by Parliament in December 2019. “After seeking nine extensions for the notification of the rules, INDIA THIS WEEK Address: P.O. Box 352, Bryans Road, MD 20616 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Phone: 301-445-0200; 301-917-4800 www.indiathisweek.online 2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. India This Week is published every Friday by ADV Solutions Inc, 3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both. 4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? 5 Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. 7 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. 8 As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place. 9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel. 10 Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off. 11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me. 12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. 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 the timing right before the elections is evidently designed to polarise the elections, especially in West Bengal and Assam,” the Congress leader said. “The prime minister claims that his government works in a business-like and timebound manner. The time taken to notify the rules for the CAA is yet another demonstration of the Prime Minister’s blatant lies,” he said in a post on X. Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal also alleged that this is an attempt by the BJP to divert the attention. “...Why this delay? If the government had some sincerity on this issue, they could have given this order four years ago...This is being done before the announcement of the elections to divert the attention...” he said. Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge also hit out at the BJP and said that the party is doing ‘unconstitutional things’. “The notification of CAA is just establishing the fact that they are doing unconstitutional things. This is already been discussed widely in the last couple of years and now just during the elections, if they are going to bring this up, it is very evident that they just want to practice divisive politics and they cannot win on a development platform...” he said. Aam Adami Party leader and Delhi Minister Atishi said that the announcement by the BJP shows that ‘it has not done any work in the last 10 years’. “Just a few days before the Lok Sabha elections, CAA is being brought. What does this show? This shows that Modi government knows that they haven’t done any work in the last 10 years...” she said. However, several leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hailed prime minister Narendra Modi after the central government on Monday notified Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) across the country. Rajasthan Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, hailing the government said, “The CAA law was passed about three years ago, the wait was for its rules and regulations to be made. Now it has been made... I congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Home Minister for implementing CAA.” Goa CM Dr Pramod Sawant said, “...I welcome the CAA notification...I thank PM Modi and the Government of India...” Chhattisgarh Speaker Raman Singh said, “...CAA was in discussion for a long time...I want to congratulate PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah...CAA has been brought to give citizenship and not take it away...” (ANI) Remember: “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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March 15, 2024 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK US trying to help India get lower prices for Russian oil, says advisor to Joe Biden Washington DC [US], March 12 (ANI): As the United States is deepening sanctions on tankers carrying petroleum above Western price caps, it is also trying to help India negotiate lower prices for Russian oil, Reuters reported citing the Biden administration’s energy envoy on Tuesday. Last month, on the second anniversary of the RussiaUkraine conflict, the US imposed sanctions on Russia’s leading tanker group Sovcomflot (FLOT.MM). It also designated 14 crude oil tankers as property in which Sovcomflot had an interest. “At the end of the day, my goal is not to take it off the market, I’m not looking to take these tankers, take the crude, the product, off the market,” Amos Hochstein, Biden’s energy and global infrastructure adviser, told Reuters on the sidelines of a conference. “I’m trying to get the Indians to negotiate better prices by forcing the tankers into a different direction. I think the Indians understand what we’re trying to do,” Hochstein said. Notably, Western sanctions on Russia, one of the world’s top energy producers, have shifted global oil markets, forcing the country to ship oil to new customers in India and China and away from traditional consumers in Europe. The sanctions and the USD 60 per barrel price cap imposed on cargoes of Russian oil that use Western-based maritime services such as insurance, transportation and flagging, have pushed dozens of tankers carrying Russian oil to swap flags from Liberia and the Marshall Islands that have registries based in Virginia, to flags from other countries, including Gabon. However, even though the tankers have swapped flags in an effort to avoid sanctions, they could still be vulnerable to the measures if they carried oil above the price cap with the original flag, as reported by Reuters. The goal behind the price cap is to reduce Russia’s revenues that it can spend on the war in Ukraine while keeping oil flowing to global markets. (ANI) Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], March 13 (ANI): Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik laid the foundation stone for a model jail at Jamujhari near Bhubaneswar via video conferencing on Tuesday. Speaking on occasion, CM Patnaik said, “This is a momentous occasion that heralds the beginning of a new era for the prison administration. Prisons play a very critical role in our criminal justice system, not only by imprisoning criminals but also by providing the inmates with an opportunity to reform, learn, and reintegrate into society as productive and law-abiding citizens.” “For too long, outdated and overcrowded prison facilities have provided limited scope for reforms and have been a stumbling block in our efforts to provide a humane and safe environment for the inmates. The new Model Jail at Jamujhari, Bhubaneswar, has been designed to be a futuristic jail under the 5-T initiative. A lot of research and study of many prisons has been done before preparing the plan for this transformational prison,” he said. He said that the new jail will be completely automated, with state-ofthe-art security features, IP-based surveillance, ecourt rooms, and multiple VC facilities, among many others. “This environment-friendly prison with net-zero carbon emissions and zero discharge will have separate wards for each category of inmates. The Model Jail will provide the inmates with vastly improved living conditions, and easy access to essential health care and educational resources,” the Chief Minister said. “We believe that the war against crime is best fought by promoting reform and rehabilitation. I hope this model jail will provide the inmates with sufficient opportunities to reform into productive members of society upon release,” he said. Minister of State for Home Tusharkanti Behera, Jatni MLA Suresh Kumar Routray, DG Prisons AM Prasad and Additional DG Amitabh Thakur were present at Jamujhari. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik lays foundation stone for model jail near Bhubaneswar
FRIDAY MARCH 15, 2024 9 Mauritius: President Murmu holds discussions with several top leaders Port Louis [Mauritius], March 12 (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu held meetings with several top leaders in Mauritius on Tuesday, during her ongoing visit to the nation. Murmu graced the 56th Mauritius Independence Day celebrations as the Chief Guest, marking a significant moment in the longstanding friendship between India and Mauritius. She also witnessed the Indian Navy contingent’s participation in the march. In an official post on X, Randhir Jaiswal highlighted the fruitful interactions between President Murmu and prominent Mauritian leaders. President Murmu held discussions with Charles Gaetan Xavier-Luc Duval, Leader of the Opposition of Mauritius. “Productive discussions held between President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn and Leader of the Opposition of Mauritius, Charles Gaetan Xavier-Luc Duval,” Randhir Jaiswal stated on X. She also engaged with Paul Berenger, the former Prime Minister of Mauritius. President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn held discussions with Leader of MMM Party & former PM of Mauritius, Paul Berenger today. President Murmu also met with Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Leader of the Labour Party and former Prime Minister of Mauritius. “President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn held productive talks with Leader of Labour Party & former PM of Mauritius, Navinchandra Ramgoolam today,” the post on X reads. Additionally, she held a fruitful meeting with Sooroojdev Phokeer, Speaker of the National Assembly of Mauritius. “A fruitful meeting between President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn & Speaker of the National Assembly of Mauritius, Sooroojdev Phokeer today,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X. Furthermore, President Murmu engaged in discussions with Chief Justice Rehana Bibi Mungly-Gulbul of Mauritius. “President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn held discussions with Chief Justice Rehana Bibi Mungly-Gulbul of Mauritius on enhancing bilateral cooperation,” In an official post on X. President Murmu, who is on a three-day state visit to Mauritius, arrived in Mauritius on Monday. PM Pravind Jugnauth welcomed President Murmu at the airport with full honours. She earlier announced that India has approved a special provision to grant an Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card to the 7th generation of Indian-origin people in Mauritius. The decision would allow the younger Mauritians of Indian origin to become overseas citizens of India and to reconnect with the land of their ances- tors. She paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi while remembering the special significance of the date (March 12) for the two nations. Notably, Mahatma Gandhi started the famous salt march from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on March 12, 1930. Earlier in the day, President Murmu was conferred with the honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law by the University of Mauritius on Tuesday in recognition of the profound depth of the bilateral relationship between the two nations. (ANI)
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