India This Week~January 3, 2025

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FRIDAY JANUARY 3, 2025 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 Former PM Manmohan Singh is no more Vol 34 No: 1 WASHINGTON DC • Phone: 301-445-0200 /301-445-3543/301-917-4800 • email: indiathisweekads@gmail.com • Friday January 3, 2025 New Delhi [India], December 26 (ANI): Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh passed away on Thursday night at the age of 92 due to age related medical conditions, AIIMS informed. M a n m o h a n Singh had sudden loss of consciousness at home today after which he was rushed to the AIIMS Delhi. “With profound grief, we inform the demise of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, aged 92. He was being treated for age-related medical conditions and had sudden loss of consciousness at home on 26th December 2024. Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency at AIIMS, New The Central government has declared a seven-day period of state mourning across India, starting December 26 following the passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. As a mark of respect, a Union Home Ministry message reads, the mourning period will be observed from December 26, 2024, to January 1, 2025 both days inclusive. “During this period the national flag will be flown at half-mast throughout India where it is regularly flown and there will be no official entertainment during the period of state mourning. It has also been decided that the state funeral will be Delhi at 8:06 PM. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 PM,” AIIMS said in a press release. Singh retired from Rajya Sabha earlier this year after serving for 33 years in the house. Manomohan Singh, born in Punjab in 1932, served two terms as Prime Minister of India– from 2004 to 2014. He took the oath of the office for the first time in 2004, after Congress’ win in 2004 Lok Sabha election against Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA. He served his second term from 2009 to 2014. He was then suceeded by PM Narendra Modi in 2014. Seven-day mourning in honour of former PM Manmohan Singh MANMOHAN SINGH SEE PAGE 6 ISRO set to launch NVS-02 satellite in Jan 2025, with more missions planned for upcoming year: ISRO Chief Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh) [India], December 31 (ANI): The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for the launch of the NVS-02 satellite in January 2025, aboard the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), said ISRO Chairman S Somanath. The ISRO chief on Monday further added that this mission is just one of many planned for the upcoming year. The GSLV launch will mark ISRO‘s 100th mission. Speaking about the upcoming mission, Somanath said, “In 2025 we have many missions, to start with, we have the mission of GSLV launching the NVS-02 in the month of January...” On May 29, 2023, Remember: the GSLV-F12 rocket successfully launched the NVS-01 satellite, weighing 2,232 kg, into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). According to an ISRO statement, the NVS-01 satellite featured an indigenous atomic “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in –Jesus Christ heaven.” clock and was designed to enhance the capabilities of NavIC, including L1 band signals for broader service coverage. The NVS-02 mission is likely to continue this progress, further strengthening the NavIC system with advanced features. The announcement was made by Somanath after the successful launch of PSLV-C60, which carried the SpaDeX and other payloads. F o l l o w i n g the launch, Somanath highlighted the importance of docking for the Chandrayaan-4 mission, confirming that the final docking is expected to occur around January 7, next year. He said, “Chandrayaan-4 has multiple modules, five in total, which will be launched at different times and integrated into two separate modules. These modules need to reach orbit and then dock both in Earth orbit and Moon orbit. Docking is essential for Chandrayaan-4. This mission aims to go to the Moon, land there, return to Earth, and complete the journey successfully.” He further added, “This is one of the proving grounds for Chandrayaan4. Docking will begin tomorrow, and many processes will take place, but the final docking will likely happen by January 7.” Somanath also celebrated ISRO‘s 99th launch, saying, “For us, this is the 99th launch of any launch vehicle from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre It’s a very significant milestone. We’re preparing for the 100th launch at the start of next year. In this 99th launch, PSLVC60 successfully placed two SpaDeX satellites weighing 220 kilograms into a circular orbit of 475 kilometres.” He further explained that SpaDeX would undergo various ISRO NVS-02 SEE PAGE 10

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January 3, 2025 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid to rest New Delhi [India], December 28 (ANI): Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday was cremated with full state honours at Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi’s Kashmere Gate in the presence of his family, friends, colleagues and government dignitaries. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid their last respects to the former PM by placing a wreath near his mortal remains earlier today. The rituals for the cremation ceremony were performed for the former Prime Minister. The last rites were carried out at the VIP Ghat as per the Sikh rituals. Dr Singh’s mortal remains were placed on a pyre of sandalwood sticks. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge along with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were also present for the cremation ceremony after they paid tribute to the former Prime Minister. The mortal remains of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were brought to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi from his residence on early Saturday morning for party workers to pay their respects. Several people also gathered outside the residence of the former Prime Minister in Delhi to pay their tributes. While paying tribute to the late Dr Singh, Congress leader Madhusudan Mistry said that he made lifelong laws that benefited crores of people. “His demise is a loss for everyone,” he added. Congress leader Mumtaz Patel said “Today, India has lost a great man. He was not just a good leader but also a very good human being. People called him a weak Prime Minister but it was wrong. He always worked for the country, he was a strong and kind person.” Congress MP Manish Tewari said, “Today is a very poignant moment. A very fine person, a renowned economist, a world statesperson is not with us today...It is a sad day not only for India but for the world...He lived a very noble and simple life...May his soul rest in peace...” K a r n a t a k a Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday praised Dr Manmohan Singh for bringing many “revolutions” during his tenure as the Prime Minister of India. He reiterated the words spoken by the former PM, saying that the media and opposition will have to remember him. Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], December 31 (ANI): After a long wait of four decades, the ‘toxic waste‘ materials at Union Carbide factory located in Madhya Pradesh‘s capital Bhopal would be disposed of following the order of the MP High Court, an official said. The process of packing the waste materials at the factory in the state capital began with full protection on Tuesday. The whole procedure was being done under the supervision of the officials of the Pollution Control Board. A tragic incident, touted as the world’s worst industrial disaster, “Bhopal gas tragedy” had claimed the lives of several thousand people after deadly gas leaked from the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant on the intervening night of December 2 and 3, 1984. 40 years after the tragic incident, a total of 337 metric tons of waste materials at the factory will be transported to Pithampur in Dhar district for its safe disposal. On the disposal of waste materials, Director of Bhopal Gas Relief and Rehabilitation Directorate, Swatantra Pratap Singh told ANI, “Today, a procedure to dispose of the toxic waste of 337 metric tons lying on the premises of Union Carbide factory is underway in accordance with the order of principal bench of MP High Court Jabalpur dated December 3. It was instructed in the order that the 337 metric tonnes of waste should be disposed of in Pithampur within 4 weeks, where 10 tonnes of waste sample was already disposed of in 2015 on a trial basis.” The reports of waste disposed there have been favourable and there has not been any adverse impact of it to the environment. Following which, the High Court ordered that the rest of remaining waste lying at the site should be disposed of in Pithampur with properly packed and observing the safety guidelines under the supervision of officials of Central Pollution Control Board and Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board, he added. The officer further elaborated, “The teams and handlers are packing the waste materials with complete safety wearing PPE kits on the premises of the Union Carbide factory and observing the complete security protection protocol. Officials of the central and state Pollution Control Board are present at the site. Under their supervision, the process of loading and securing the containers airtight will be performed post packing of the waste materials. We will try to transport the waste to Pithampur site within two days and to start the process of incineration.” The officer also said that he spoke to the senior police officers to provide high security during the transportation of the waste. Proper monitoring of the incineration process will be performed. “After the incineration, it will be converted in two forms. The one which is released in air is done after the fourth stage filtration that has zero percent chance of air pollution. Second which is in solid form, is kept in a landfill site. The Landfill site has been created and officials will be present at the site. We will be able to dispose of the waste within three to nine months post incineration,” Singh said. Meanwhile, an activist who works with survivors of the Union Carbide disaster, Rachna Dhingra alleged that the 337 MT waste was just one percent of the entire waste material and the waste (underground) which infected groundwater of around 40 settlements of Bhopal was still lying in the Earlier after the Cabinet meeting on Friday, Home Minister Amit Shah communicated to Congress President Kharge and the family of late Manmohan Singh that the Government will allocate space for the memorial. In the meanwhile, cremation and other formalities can happen because a trust has to be formed and space has to be allocated to it. Dr Singh’s political career spanned several decades, with notable positions including Finance Minister from 1991 to 1996, during which he spearheaded economic reforms that transformed India’s economy. He served as the 13th Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014, succeeding Atal Bihari Vajpayee. His tenure is particularly remembered for his steady leadership during economic crises and his contributions to modernising India’s economy. After his second term, Dr Singh retired from public life, having led India through a period of unprecedented growth and international recognition. He was succeeded by Narendra Modi in 2014 after the Congress-led UPA lost the general elections. As of now, the point of discussion is 337 MT toxic waste. The total quantity was 347 MT and 10 MT was disposed of in 2015 as a trial run. After the deliberation of that report, the High Court ordered the disposal of the remaining 337 MT waste on a similar pattern. If we get any further order from higher authority or the High Court in this regard, we will take action,” he added. When asked people of Pithampur protesting against the disposal of toxic waste and expressing concern, the officer said that first of all, he would say that it was not such a toxic waste that should cause any concern. The incident that happened on the night of December 2-3, 1984 was caused by the leakage of methyl isocyanide gas. This gas is used for the manufacture of pesticide. It is the residual material of pesticide which also has a shelf-life. “I want to tell everyone that pesticide is used in many places in fields and for various purposes. Its lethality is not as much as people there are thinking. I want to tell everyone that the entire protocol is being followed and the disposal of 10 MT is in public, anyone can access it,” he added. He further highlighted that the entire action was being taken on the orders of the court. It was mentioned in the order that if anyone was raising objection in following the action then their names should be reported before the High Court. (ANI) After 40 years, ‘Toxic waste’ at Union Carbide Factory Bhopal to be disposed after HC order; packing begins factory. “The 337 MT waste was just one percent of the entire waste material. The waste (buried under ground) which has infected the groundwater of 42 settlements of the state capital is still lying in the factory. The waste is proposed to be transported to Pithampur for incineration and it will take around six months to an-year in disposing of. Though the easiest way to get rid of it was the foreign company (Dow Chemicals) should be forced to take these waste to its country so that it would not affect either Bhopal or Pithampur. I hope that after removal of this one percent waste, the government should think about the main waste which continues the pollution and take action for it. The High Court stated that the entire toxic waste should be removed, not only the 337 MT of the waste,” Dhingra told ANI. Reacting to the allegation of the activist, officer Singh said that the case was under trial in the High Court for about 20 years and no instruction was received from the court in connection with the ground waste. “We have not received any instruction from the court in this regard (about underground waste).

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INDIA THIS WEEK Former PM Manmohan Singh is no more January 3, 2025 MANMOHAN SINGH FROM PAGE 1 accorded to late Dr. Manmohan Singh,” the message mentions. It further pointed that the “national flag shall also fly half-mast on the day of funeral in all Indian missions and High Commissions of India abroad.” The message also mentions that the Government of India has announced with profound sorrow the death of Manmohan Singh on December 26 at AIIMS hospital, New Delhi. Singh passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 92. He served as India’s Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 and is remembered for his pivotal role in shaping the country’s economic reforms and global diplomacy. His leadership and contributions to the nation have left an indelible mark, making his loss a moment of profound grief for the entire country. Singh is survived by his wife Gurcharan Singh and three daughters. A globally Friday renowned economist, Singh began his political journey during the 1991 economic crisis when From The Poet’s Pen INDIA THIS WEEK- January 3, 2025 A Truly New Year By Rajan George What makes the year so “new,” I wonder? Shouldn’t each turning season inspire A shift toward goodness, a step higher— Virtues blooming like seeds of thunder? To grow in virtue means to live in grace, Rooted in love, guided by the Light, Seeking the Truth that clears our sight, Walking with God in His embrace. Let us lift the weary, the downtrodden, Extend a hand to those in despair. For life’s true purpose, deeply aware, Is found in hearts never hardened. If New Year revels chase fleeting pleasure, Feeding the senses, yet leaving us bare, We remain trapped, bound unaware, In old molds that shun life’s treasure. True novelty springs from hearts renewed— A change within, a spirit refined. Where love divine fills the mind, The old gives way, the soul imbued. Christ declares, “I make all things new.” In Him alone lies transformation’s key. Break free from chains; rise wild and free, Soar like eagles in skies so blue. Then can you claim with joyous cheer: “Happy New Year—truly, a Happy Year!” then-Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao appointed him as Finance Minister. Known for spearheading transformative economic reforms in the 1990s, he leaves behind a distinguished legacy of 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 political and economic contributions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar also condoled the demise of former Prime Minister on Thursday. (ANI) Former PM Manmohan Singh’s mortal remains to be kept at AICC HQ, last rites scheduled for Saturday: Congress Sources New Delhi [India], December 27 (ANI): The daughter of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will arrive in India postmidnight, Congress sources said on Friday, adding that the mortal remains of the former PM will be kept at All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi for public viewing. The party sources informed that the ‘last darshan’ will be scheduled for Saturday between 8:00 to 10:00 in the morning. All leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi will pay tribute to the former PM at the AICC office after which the last rites will be carried out. Singh, renowned for introducing the 1991 economic liberalisation reforms as the Finance Minister of India, will be cremated near Rajghat, at the location where the last rites of Prime Ministers are performed. Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on Friday morning said that the schedule for public viewing has not been finalised. He said that the schedule for the last rites and public viewing would be finalised after the daughter of the former Prime Minister comes from abroad. The last rites might take place tomorrow, Dikshit added. “The schedule has not been finalised. His daughter is coming from abroad and she will arrive in the afternoon or evening after that everything will be decided...the last rites might take place tomorrow...there is a delay due to the rains,” Dikshit told ANI. Several politicians and personalities from all walks of life have been expressing their sorrow over the demise of former PM Manmohan Singh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night said that condoled the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying that India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders. Manmohan Singh passed away at AIIMS, Delhi, on Thursday evening at the age of 92 due to agerelated medical conditions. He had a sudden loss of consciousness at home after which he was rushed to the AIIMS Delhi. Manmohan Singh was born on September 26, 1932. Apart from being an economist, Manmohan Singh served as Reserve Bank of India governor from 1982-1985. He was the 13th PM of India with his tenure from 2004-2014 and was the longest-serving PM after Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. Serving as the finance minister of India in PV Narasimha Rao’s government, Singh has been given credit for economic liberalisation in the country in 1991. The reforms made the Indian economy more accessible to foreign investors, which increased FDI and reduced government control. It greatly contributed to the country’s economic growth. M a n m o h a n Singh‘s government also introduced the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), which later came to be known as MGNREGA. The Right to Information Act (RTI) was passed in 2005 under the Manmohan Singh government, which made the transparency of information between the government and the public better. Dr Manmohan Singh retired from the Rajya Sabha earlier this year after serving for 33 years. (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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January 3, 2025 Friday INDIA THIS WEEK Congress alleges “insult” of Manmohan Singh for performing last rites at Nigambodh Ghat, BJP says refrain from “politics” New Delhi [India], December 28 (ANI): A political row erupted between the Congress party and the BJP-led Central government over former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s memorial. The Congress alleged that the BJP ‘insulted’ Manmohan Singh by allegedly denying the party’s request to conduct his last rites at a designated site where a memorial could be built, whereas the BJP accused the party of indulging in “politics.” BJP National President and Union Health Minister JP Nadda said that it is indeed very unfortunate that former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and current president Mallikarjun Kharge are not refraining from doing politics even on the sad demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. “Congress, which never gave respect to Dr Manmohan Singh while he was alive, is now doing politics in the name of his respect. This is the same Congress which tarnished the dignity of the post of PM by placing Sonia Gandhi as super PM above PM Manmohan Singh. Rahul Gandhi insulted PM Manmohan Singh by tearing the ordinance. And today the same Rahul Gandhi is doing politics. The Gandhi family has neither given respect to any big leader of the country nor done justice to them. Whether it is from the Congress party or the opposition, whether it is Baba Saheb Ambedkar, the country’s first President Rajendra Babu, Sardar Patel, Lal Bahadur Shastri, PV Narasimha Rao, Pranab Da, Atal Bihari Vajpayee,” Nadda said. Nadda said that the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given place for PM Manmohan Singh’s Samadhi and has also informed the family. “Still, Congress is spreading false news. It is necessary to remember the history of Congress. After the death of former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, there was a demand to build a Samadhi Sthal in Delhi’s Rajghat complex. But at that time Sonia Gandhi had rejected it... It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who established a memorial for him in 2015... When former President Bharat Ratna Dr Pranab Mukherjee passed away in 2020, the Congress Working Committee did not even bother to call a condolence meeting... Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and other Congress party leaders should refrain from such cheap politics,” he added. Reiterating the Bharatiya Janata Party’s belief in “dignity in death,” BJP MP Sambit Patra reiterated the party’s belief in “dignity in death,” and said that if someone has “damaged the dignity” of the former Finance Minister it’s the Congress party. “This is a new low in politics of India, thanks to the Congress party. Due to the Congres party – we are here to have a press conference on the day when the last rites of the former prime minister were done... BJP believes that there has to be dignity in death,” Patra said addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar. Patra further added that after the passing of the former Prime Minister, the Cabinet had sent a letter to the Congress and Manmohan Singh’s family, expressing the government’s intent to build a memorial in his honour. “The kind of politics Congress is doing, especially Rahul Gandhi who has tweeted accusing BJP of disrespecting former PM Manmohan Singh by conducting his last rites at Nigambodh Ghat. You all should know the truth behind it. We in a cabinet meeting after the demise of the former PM Manmohan Singh – decided that since he was the PM and had a big stature – the cabinet wrote a letter to Congress and Dr Singh’s family – where the cabinet said that we should build a memorial in his name so that the country and the world remember him for his positive works,” he added. The BJP leader said that on a day of mourning the Congress should have refrained from this kind of politics. “There is a procedure to build a memorial but cremation is a process that can’t wait... It was a direct communication that our party had extended. But, after that, the kind of politics Congress did, it shouldn’t have been done on the day of grief. I want to tell the Congress and its supporters who are saying absurd things – while being in office if someone who has damaged the dignity of former PM Manmohan Singh – it’s Congress party,” Patra said. However, the Congress is facing criticism for not giving similar respect to former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao. The UPA government had rejected requests for separate memorials in the national capital citing lack of space. Congress had demanded a funeral in a place where a memorial to Singh could be built. However, the Centre said land for a memorial would be earmarked in the next few days. But it would not be the place where the funeral took place. The Congress called it a “deliberate insult to the first Sikh Prime Minister of India.” Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi also attacked the central government for performing the last rites of Manmohan Singh at Nigambodh Ghat and said that the former Finance Minister deserves the “highest respect and a memorial.” “The great son of India and the first Prime Minister of the Sikh community, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji has been totally insulted by the present government by performing his last rites today at the Nigambodh Ghat,” Rahul Gandhi posted on X. He further said that he was the Prime Minister of India for a decade, during his tenure the country became an “economic superpower” and his policies still support the poor and backward classes of the country. “Till date, respecting the dignity of all former Prime Ministers, their last rites were performed at authorized burial sites so that every person could have the last darshan and pay homage without any inconvenience. Dr. Manmohan Singh deserves our highest respect and a memorial. The government should have shown respect to this great son of the country and his proud community,” he added. C o n g r e s s Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lashed out at the Centre’s decision to conduct Manmohan Singh’s cremation at Nigambodh Ghat and said that the Centre should have thought “beyond politics and narrow-mindedness” in this matter. “By not providing an adequate place for the cremation of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the Government has not done justice to the dignity of the post of former Prime Minister, the personality of Manmohan Singh, his legacy and the self-respecting Sikh community,” Priyanka Gandhi posted on X. The Wayanad MP further said that “earlier all former Prime Ministers” were given the highest honour and respect and Manmohan Singh deserves this “honour and Samadhi Sthal.” “Today the whole world is remembering his contribution. The government should have thought beyond politics and narrow-mindedness in this matter. This morning, I felt this when I saw Dr. Manmohan Singh ji’s family members struggling for a place at the funeral site, trying to find a place in the crowd, and the general public getting troubled due to lack of space and paying tribute from the road outside,” she added. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said that performing the last rites of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Nigambodh Ghat is a “deliberate attempt to erase” his immense contributions from public memory. “The BJP government’s decision to deny Dr. Manmohan Singh’s family the right to perform his last rites at a befitting site for his memorial is a direct insult to his towering legacy and the Sikh community. Refusing the family’s request and relegating a two-term Prime Minister to Nigambodh Ghat reeks of arrogance, bias and a deliberate attempt to erase his immense contributions from public memory,” MK Stalin posted on X. He further said that Manmohan Singh’s “leadership transformed India’s economy and lifted millions out of poverty.” “To disrespect a statesman of his stature is to disrespect India’s progress itself. The stain of dishonouring great leaders never fades from history!” he added. After the Cabinet meeting on Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah communicated to Congress President Kharge and the family of the late Manmohan Singh that the Government will allocate space for the memorial. In the meanwhile, cremation and other formalities can happen because a trust has to be formed and space has to be allocated to it. Manmohan Singh was accorded a state funeral with full military honours at the Nigam Bodh Ghat, a public cremation ground in north Delhi, on Saturday. Manmohan Singh passed away at AIIMS, Delhi, on Thursday night at the age of 92 due to agerelated medical conditions. He had a sudden loss of consciousness at home after which he was rushed to the hospital. (ANI)

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Now in Ashburn, VA ❖ Accounting and Bookkeeping Service ❖ Audit, Review, Compilation and Attestation Service ❖ Tax Service ❖ IRS Service ❖ Web Hosting ❖ Business Consultancy ❖ Dedicated Service with Smiling Faces ❖ Experienced and Reliable Staff Year Round ❖ Rely on 24 Years of Experience FRIDAY JANUARY 3, 2025 9 Tax Season is around the corner, are you ready ? Balagan Business & Tax Services Balagan Arumugaswamy, CPA, LL.M Tel: (301) 931-1040, (301) 931-1042 Main Office: 12100 Franklin Street Beltsville, MD 20705 (301) 595-4331; (703) 723-4488; (703) 723-4458 Fax: (703) 723-1140; (301) 595-4332 Branch Offices: 44335 Premier Plaza Suite#100, Ashburn, VA 20147 E Mail: balagancpa@msn.com Website: www.balaganfinancials.com “Will serve America very well...”: Indian diaspora group denounces ‘racist’ attacks on Trump’s appointee Sriram Krishnan Washington DC [US], December 28 (ANI): Indiaspora on Saturday issued a media advisory strongly condemning the racist attacks on Sriram Krishnan, who was recently appointed as Senior AI Advisor by President-elect Donald Trump. “Sriram Krishnan, who was recently appointed by President-elect Trump as his Senior AI Advisor, has become a target of reprehensible racist attacks. There is absolutely no place in our public discourse for spiteful, vengeful, racially motivated, ad hominem epithets,” the advisory reads. “At Indiaspora, we categorically and unequivocally denounce racism of any and all kinds. As enunciated in our media statement issued a few days ago, we strongly support Sriram’s appointment to this important position because we are confident that he will serve America very well in public office,” it added. Recently, the IndianAmerican Congressman Ro Khanna criticised those targeting Indian-born Krishnan, over his Indian origin. Khanna emphasised that the ability of the United States to attract talent from around the world shows America’s “exceptionalism” which puts it ahead of other countries like China. Following a post by an X user, who wrote, “Did any of yall vote for this Indian to run America,” Khanna on X wrote, “You fools criticizing @sriramk as Indian born criticize Musk as South African born or Jensen as Taiwanese born.” “It is great that talent around the world wants to come here, not to China, and that Sriram can rise to the highest levels. It’s called American exceptionalism,” the post added. US President-elect Donald Trump nominated Sriram Krishnan as senior policy advisor for Artificial including working with the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Sriram started his career at Microsoft as a founding member of Windows Azure,” he said. Krishnan, 41, acknowledged the offer and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity by saying, “I’m honoured to be able to serve our country and ensure continued American leadership in AI working closely with @DavidSacks. Thank you @realDonaldTrump for this opportunity.” Krishnan till recently was a General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz and a personal investor in over two dozen companies including SpaceX, Figma and Scale.ai. He previously led organisations at Meta, X and Microsoft. He holds a Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology from SRM Engineering College, Anna University. Guna (Madhya Pradesh) [India], December 29 (ANI): A ten-year-old boy fell into a borewell in Madhya Pradesh‘s Guna district, an officer said, adding that a rescue operation is underway. The incident took place in the Janjali area of Raghogarh on Saturday evening. C o l l e c t o r Satyendra Singh of Guna said, “The oxygen support is being provided to the boy (trapped inside the borewell). All the teams are engaged in the rescue operation.” The boy is trapped at a depth of around 39 feet, the official added. A parallel 22-foot-deep pit has been dug to rescue the boy. He also mentioned that a team of doctors is providing oxygen support to the boy. More details are awaited (ANI). Madhya Pradesh: 10-year-old boy falls into borewell in Guna Intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Sharing a post on the Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “Sriram Krishnan will serve as Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.” “Working closely with David Sacks, Sriram will focus on ensuring continued American leadership in AI, and help shape and coordinate Al policy across Government,

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